Wrist Alignment Device for Curveball Pitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining the proper wrist/hand position during the throwing of a curveball is challenging, leading to potential injuries and inconsistent pitch velocity, as existing methods fail to effectively restrict wrist movement and promote proper technique.
Innovation Solution
An alignment device comprising a base member and two stiffeners that wrap around the forearm and hand, restricting wrist flexion and extension while allowing ulnar or radial deviation, to maintain the desired wrist position during the wind-up, release, and follow-through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wrist is allowed to move freely during curveball throwing, then the pitcher can generate topspin and velocity, but the risk of injury to wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment device applies localized rigid support only at the wrist joint through the first and second stiffeners, while leaving the rest of the throwing arm free to move. This targeted approach prevents wrist injury without restricting the natural throwing motion of the elbow and shoulder, resolving the contradiction between injury prevention and movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the wrist support function into two separate stiffeners (first stiffener for extension prevention, second stiffener for flexion prevention) rather than using a single rigid brace. This segmentation allows selective restriction of harmful movements while preserving necessary throwing motions, balancing injury prevention with operational ease.
2Manufacturing precision
If the wrist is flexed or extended during release, then the pitcher may generate more velocity, but the topspin and velocity consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffeners are positioned to contact specific anatomical landmarks on the wrist (radial and ulnar sides) to prevent deviation from the neutral wrist position during release. This localized control ensures consistent ball exit angle and spin generation without requiring the pitcher to consciously adjust wrist flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid stiffeners provide immediate tactile feedback to the pitcher when the wrist deviates from the desired neutral position, creating a physical constraint that guides proper technique. This feedback mechanism helps pitchers develop muscle memory for consistent wrist positioning without requiring complex monitoring systems.
3Reliability
If a rigid brace is used to prevent wrist movement, then injury risk is reduced, but the ability to grip and throw the ball is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffeners are designed with specific contact surfaces that engage only the lateral aspects of the wrist, deliberately leaving the dorsal and palmar surfaces free for ball contact. This localized support provides wrist stability while preserving the adaptability needed for proper ball grip and release mechanics.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static rigid brace concept to a dynamic structure where the stiffeners engage passively during harmful movements (flexion/extension) while allowing necessary throwing motions. The attachment member provides secure wrist stabilization that adapts to the pitcher's natural throwing motion throughout the wind-up, release, and follow-through phases.
Data Source
AI summary
A training aid for throwing a curveball is disclosed herein. The training aid can include a base member that can coupled to a user's wrist. The training aid can further include a first stiffener and a second stiffener coupled to the base member and extending towards the fingertips of the user. The first stiffener can extend over the top of the user's hand and the second stiffener can extend over the palm of the user's hand. The first stiffener and the second stiffener can maintain the wrist/hand position by preventing the wrist from flexing and extending.