Abstract:
A weighted training device specifically adapted for use with hockey equipment. The training device includes a hand-malleable, weighted tape portion and a securement portion. The weighted tape portion is hand conformable to the shape and cross-section of hockey equipment, such as skates and sticks, while the securement portion wraps tightly about the equipment to firmly retain the position of the training device. The device has a substantially flat orientation so as to be unobtrusive and not interfere with game play during use. By varying the dimensional or material characteristics of the weighted tape portion, the overall weight of the training device can be modified so as to promote use by individuals ranging from small children all the way to adults. Application of the weighted training device requires no tools and only a minimum level of physical strength and dexterity to use.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/443,085, filed Jan. 28, 2003, entitled “WEIGHTED TRAINING TAPE,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of weight training devices for improving athletic skills. More specifically, the present invention relates to a weighted training tape capable of selectively imparting additional weight to an athletic device by fixedly wrapping the tape around at least a portion of the athletic device.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The use of athletic training devices capable of imparting additional weight to either a participant or their athletic equipment during a training session are well known. Most typically, these devices are used during practice sessions as the athletes simulate the movements and activities they will employ during competition. By practicing with additional weight, an athlete develops strength, speed and endurance as their body works to overcome the additional weight. In addition, practicing with these devices creates an added sense of quickness and confidence in an athlete when the weight is removed during a game situation.  
           [0004]    These training devices are available in a wide variety of configurations for a wide variety of activities. Examples include baseball doughnuts for use in an on-deck circle, weighted vests that slip over an athlete&#39;s torso, weighted pouches that include straps for fastening around one&#39;s arms or legs, or replicas of sports equipment that are designed to have the dimensions of official equipment but having an increased mass.  
           [0005]    Due to its unique rules and playing environment, a number of unique training devices have been developed for the sport of hockey. More specifically, much effort has been focused on training devices for use in conjunction with a hockey stick. As the stick is essential for passing, shooting, puck handling and defensive purposes, weight training that promotes an athlete&#39;s use of their stick will lead to significant improvement in their overall game. One form of hockey stick training device includes weighted blade attachments as represented by U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,146 to Loschiavo and U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,386 to Sasko. Other stick training devices include weighted shaft clamps such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,560 to Gemmel and U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,666 to Manory. While such devices can perform adequately, developments in stick design have led to blades and shafts having a wide variety of sizes and shapes that may prevent these devices from being easily transferable between different sticks. In addition, these designs completely ignore another critical item of hockey equipment, the skates.  
           [0006]    Another style of training device that has been suggested for use in conjunction with a hockey stick is a cylindrical, elongated weight as represented by U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,325 to Heyer. While this design is flexible enough to be used with a variety of stick designs, the added bulk associated with a cylindrical cross-section causes the device to severely protrude from the stick shaft leading to increased drag and making it bulky enough as to be ineffective for use during drills or scrimmages involving opposing players.  
           [0007]    Another version of training device that has been suggested for use in conjunction with a hockey stick is an apparatus comprising a flexible body sheet having a plurality of weighted pockets, a friction pad and fastening means as disclosed by Canadian Patent 2,258,706 to Paul. While this provides a flexible design that can generally conform to a variety of stick designs, the added costs associated with constructing the individual weighted pockets as well as the conformance limitations necessarily introduced by having a finite number of pockets makes it less than an ideal solution.  
           [0008]    In addition to the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art, all of these designs fail to take into account additional uses, for example, use in conjunction with an athlete&#39;s skates.  
           [0009]    What is needed is a training device that is flexible enough to be used with differing athletic designs from multiple manufacturers, can be reliably secured when in use, and is unobtrusive such that the training device does not interfere with the training regimen.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The training device of the present invention meets the requirements of versatility and unobtrusiveness. Through the use of a weighted tape design, a player can apply the weighted tape in a variety of locations during practice or training drills. Application of the weighted tape requires no tools and only a minimum level of physical strength and dexterity. Through the combination of a malleable/moldable tape and a securing strap, the weighted tape of the present invention can be used during vigorous workouts without the risk that the weighted tape will come unattached or change positions during use.  
           [0011]    In a first embodiment, an athlete can use the weighted training tape in conjunction with an ice skate. The malleable/moldable tape can be wrapped tightly around the skate boot while the securing strap securably retains the tape in position.  
           [0012]    In an alternative embodiment, an athlete can apply the weighted tape to the shaft of a sporting device, such as a hockey stick. By practicing with the increased weight on the stick, the player can build strength and endurance in their wrists, arms and shoulders. The malleable/moldable tape can be wrapped tightly around the hockey stick shaft while the securing strap securably retains the tape in position. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a weighted training tape.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a side view of the weighted training tape of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a section view of the weighted training tape taken along line A-A in FIG. 2.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the weighted tape of FIG. 1 positioned for attachment to an ice skate.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a side view of the weighted training tape of FIG. 1 positioned for attachment to an ice skate.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the weighted training tape of FIG. 1 wrapped about the ice skate.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the weighted training tape of FIG. 1 secured about the ice skate.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a weighted training tape.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a side view of the weighted training tape of FIG. 8.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the weighted training tape of FIG. 8 being secured about a hockey stick.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a side view of the hockey stick including the weighted training tape of FIG. 8. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]    As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a weighted training tape  100  of the present invention comprises a tape portion  102 , a strap portion  104  and a buckle portion  106 . Tape portion  102  has a generally flat and elongated shape defined by a first end  102  and a second end  104 . Tape portion  102  is further defined by a first end  108 , a second end  110 , a top surface  112 , a bottom surface  114  and a pair of side surfaces  116   a ,  116   b . Tape portion  102  has a tape length  117  defined by the first end  108  and second end  110 . Tape length  117  is preferably within the range of 2.0 inches to 20.0 inches. Strap portion  104  is attached to the tape portion  102  proximate the first end  108  using a first fastener  118  while the buckle portion  106  is attached to the tape portion  102  proximate the second end  110  with a second fastener  120 . First fastener  118  and second fastener  120  can comprise any suitable fastener, for example, a rivet.  
         [0025]    As shown in FIG. 3, tape portion  102  has a generally rectangular cross-section  122  with rounded corners  124  at the transition between the top surface  112 , bottom surface  114  and side surfaces  116   a ,  116   b . Tape portion  102  comprises a malleable core member  126  surrounded by a cover member  128 . Malleable core member  126  is similarly shaped to the tape portion  102 . Malleable core member  126  preferably comprises a dense, hand-malleable, impact resistant material. In the preferred embodiment, core member  126  is made of lead. However, any material having a relatively high density while remaining hand-malleable under ambient temperatures could be used in place of lead. Cover member  128  functions as a protective coating surrounding core member  126 . Typically, cover member  128  consists of a rubberized or plasticized coating. In a preferred embodiment, the rubberized or plasticized coating  128  is selected to promote an adherence or gripping quality to the exterior of the cover member  128 . This adherence or gripping quality could include a quality of stickiness or other characteristic for increasing friction and adherence. In addition, cover member  128  is anticipated to be available in a plurality of different colors so as to allow users to select a favorite color or one that corresponds with their team colors.  
         [0026]    Cover member  128  also serves a cushioning function to allow safe use of weighted training tape  100 . Most typically, cover member  128  is applied over core member  126  by dipping core member  126  into a liquefied bath of the coating material. The core member  126  is removed from the bath and allowed to cool whereby cover member  128  permanently resides over core member  126 . Cover member  128  is preferably applied so as to have a generally uniform thickness about the core member  126 .  
         [0027]    The combination of the core member  126  and the cover member  128  cooperatively define a tape width  130  and a tape thickness  132 . Generally, it is advantageous to maintain tape thickness  132  as low as possible. In a preferred embodiment, thickness  132  is approximately 0.067 inches. However, thickness  114  could range from 0.067 inches to a maximum of 0.5 inches. Most preferably, tape width  130  is approximately 1.0-2.0 inches. However, it is envisioned that tape width  130  could range from 0.5 inches to 4.0 inches. Preferably, a ratio of tape width  130  to tape thickness  132  of at least 2:1 should be maintained.  
         [0028]    Strap portion  104  comprises a length of strap material  134  defined by an insertion end  136 , an attachment end  138 , an exterior surface  140  and a fastening surface  142 . As depicted, fastening surface  142  includes a securing means  144 . In a preferred embodiment, securing means  144  can comprise hook and loop tape, i.e. Velcro®, or suitable alternatives such as snaps, buttons, suitable latches or ties.  
         [0029]    Buckle portion  106  comprises an attachment strap  146  and a buckle  148 . Buckle  148  includes a buckle opening  150  for attaching to the attachment strap  146 .  
         [0030]    Generally, the weighted training tape  100  is constructed to have an overall weight of between 2-16 ounces. This weight range allows the weighted training tape  100  to be used successfully with all ages of players ranging from children at the beginners level to adults at more competitive, advanced levels. Typically, the overall weight of the weighted training tape  100  is varied by altering the dimensional characteristics of the tape portion  102 , i.e., varying the tape length  117 , the tape width  130  and the tape thickness  132 . The overall weight can also be varied by using alterative materials of construction for the core member  126  such that the material density is altered.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 4, 5,  6  and  7  depict weighted training tape  100  in use with a skate  152 . In a preferred embodiment, skate  152  is a hockey skate although the present invention is equally applicable for use with figure skates, in-line skates or roller skates. As depicted, skate  152  comprises a boot portion  154  and a blade portion  156 . Boot portion  154  includes an ankle region  158  to provide ankle support during skating. Blade portion  156  comprises a blade holder  160  and a blade  162 . Blade holder  160  is coupled to the bottom of the boot portion  154  such that an opening  164  is defined. To use weighted training tape  100 , the user directs places the weighted training tape  100  through the opening  164  as shown in FIG. 4 such that the tape portion  102  is approximately centered on the boot portion  154  with the bottom surface  114  facing the boot portion  154 . Next, the user directs the first end  108  and the second end  110  upwards so that the tape portion  102  is tightly formed about the boot portion  154  as shown in FIG. 6. Depending on the tape length  117 , first end  108  and second end  110  may be overlapped and crisscrossed. Next, the strap portion  104  is wrapped around the back of the ankle region  158 . Insertion end  136  is inserted through buckle opening  150  such that the strap portion  104  can be pulled tightly back around the ankle region  158 . When strap portion  104  has been pulled tight, strap portion  104  is secured in place using securing means  144  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. In the case of securing means  144  comprising hook and loop tape, the hook and loop tape on the fastening surface  142  is pressed together such that the overlapped strap portion  104  is securely retained in position. Once strap portion  104  is secured, a user can skate with weighted training tape  100  without concern that the training tape  100  will fall off or move during use. The player places first end  102  in proximity to front extension  154  and wraps tape  100  around front extension  154  while conforming tape  100  to the shape of the front extension  154 .  
         [0032]    An alternative embodiment of a weighted training tape  200  is depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. Weighted training tape  200  comprises a tape portion  202 , a first strap portion  204  and a second strap portion  206 . Tape portion  202  is substantially similar to and resembles tape portion  102  including a generally flat and elongated shape defined by a first end  208 , a second end  210 , a top surface  212 , a bottom surface  214  and a pair of side surfaces  216   a ,  216   b . Tape portion  202  has a tape length  217  defined by the first end  208  and the second end  210 , a tape thickness  219  defined by the top surface  212  and bottom surface  214  and a tape width  221  defined by the pair of side surfaces  216   a ,  216   b . Both first strap portion  204  and second strap portion  206  are attached to the tape portion  202  with a fastener  220 . Fastener  220  can comprise any suitable fastener, for example a rivet. Tape portion  202  comprises the same method and materials of construction as previously described and depicted in FIG. 3 for tape portion  102 .  
         [0033]    First strap portion  204  and second strap portion  206  each comprise a length of strap material  222 . Strap material  222  includes a top securing means  224  and a bottom securing means  226 . Top securing means  224  and bottom securing means can comprise Velcro®, snaps, latches or other suitable and cooperative fasteners. First strap portion  204  has a first strap length  228  and second strap portion  206  has a second strap length  229 . In a preferred embodiment, first strap length  228  and second strap length  229  are equal in length.  
         [0034]    Generally, the weighted training tape  200  is constructed to have an overall weight of between 2-8 ounces. This weight range allows the weighted training tape  200  to be used successfully with all ages of players ranging from children at the beginners level to adults at more competitive, advanced levels. Typically, the overall weight of the weighted training tape  200  is varied by altering the dimensional characteristics of the tape portion  202 , i.e., varying the tape length  217 , the tape width  221  and the tape thickness  219 . The overall weight can also be varied by using alterative materials of construction for the core member  126  such that the material density is altered.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 10 and 11 depict weighted training tape  200  in actual use with a hockey stick  230 . Hockey stick  230  is comprised of a shaft  232  and a blade  234 . It is anticipated that stick  230  can be comprised of wood, plastic composites, graphite, fiberglass, aluminum or any combination of such materials. It is also anticipated that shaft  232  can comprise a plurality of differing cross-sections including rectangular, rectangular with rounded edges, oval, or any other commonly used shape. Generally, shaft  232  and blade  234  are joined in a transition area  236 . While the preferred embodiment is depicted and described with respect to a hockey stick, the present invention is equally applicable for use with other athletic devices, for example, a golf club, a tennis racket, a lacrosse stick or a baseball bat.  
         [0036]    In general, a player wraps the weighted training tape  200  around the hockey stick  230  in proximity to the transition area  236  as this will reduce any effect on the kickpoint or flex of stick  230 . First, the player places first end  208  in proximity to the shaft  232  with the bottom surface  214  facing the shaft  232 . The user proceeds to wrap the weighted training tape  200  around the shaft  232 , as shown in FIG. 10, such that the tape portion  202  tightly conforms to the shape of the shaft  232 . Preferably, weighted training tape  200  is wrapped so that at no point is the tape portion  202  overlapped. By preventing overlap of the tape portion  202  and conforming the tape portion  202  to the shape of the shaft  232 , the overall tape/stick cross-section is minimized reducing any potential interference with other players during play or practice. The malleability of core member  126  and the gripping qualities of cover member  128  allow weighted training tape  200  to promote attachment without requiring any overlapping of the tape portion  202 .  
         [0037]    Once tape portion  202  is securely wrapped about the shaft  232 , the first strap portion  204  is tightly wrapped and overlapped about the shaft  232  such that the top securing means  224  and the bottom securing means  226  are engaged. Next, the second strap portion  206  is tightly wrapped and overlapped about the shaft  232  such that the top securing means  224  and the bottom securing means  226  are engaged. When tightly wrapped and fastened, the first strap portion  204  and the second strap portion  206 , in conjunction with the wrapped tape portion  202 , retain and hold the weighted training tape  200  in a fixed position relative to the shaft  232  such that the weighted training tape  200  does not become dislodged or loose leading to potential injury or limiting its training effectiveness. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that tape  200  can be similarly wrapped at any other suitable location on the hockey stick  230 , for example on the blade  234 . In addition, tape  200  can be wrapped over the top of a layer of friction or non-skid tape to further limit movement of tape  200  relative to the shaft  232  during use.  
         [0038]    While the aforementioned embodiments have been described with reference to the sports of hockey and figure skating, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the weighted tapes of the present invention can be similarly applied in other sports requiring unobtrusiveness and versatility of application. Examples of suitable applications include tennis, golf, lacrosse, bandy, field hockey and baseball. In addition, weighted training tapes of the present invention can also be used with almost any skate configuration so as to allow use with inline skates and roller skates. These examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.