Abstract:
A sports training apparatus has handle member having a body including first and second handle members connected together by a middle segment, such that the handle members are held at an angle to one another, and adapted such that when the athlete holds the device behind their back while grasping the handle members with respective right and left hands, their upper body is held straight and stable with their shoulders pulled backwards, providing a better posture and stronger core control during training movements.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to sport training apparatuses. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with an apparatus that is to be held behind the back with both hands for keeping a good posture and strong core control, the upper part of the body straight and stable with the shoulders pulled back while training the lower part of the body. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In many sports and activities such as for example skating, dancing or hockey, a proper posture, strong core control, and the stability of the upper body while the lower body performs various movements independently is crucial to the quality of execution of those movements. 
         [0003]    While performing such movements, having a good posture, strong core control, holding the back straight and the shoulders pulled back helps perform the movements with better efficiency and esthetics. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are: 
         [0005]    To provide for a an apparatus which helps training a performer in keeping a good posture, strong core control, a straight and stable positioning of the upper body with the shoulders pulled back while executing lower body movements, such as for example in dancing or skating. 
         [0006]    Another object is to provide an apparatus which helps training a performer in executing the proper arms position while rotating in sports such as figure skating. 
         [0007]    In order to do so, the invention comprises a handle member having a body including first and second handle members connected together by a middle segment, such that the handle members are held at an angle to one another, and adapted such that when the athlete holds the device behind their back while grasping the handle members with respective right and left hands, their upper body is held straight and stable with their shoulders pulled backwards and balance is held by the core muscles during training movements. 
         [0008]    In a preferred embodiment, the angle between handle members is 45 degrees. 
         [0009]    The handle members each include a series of protrusions adapted to hold and align the fingers of each of the athlete&#39;s hands in proper positions during use. 
         [0010]    In a variant, the handle members each have a rectangular cross-section, and a stopper member at an end opposite from the end attached to the middle segment 
         [0011]    The middle segment includes elbow members on opposite ends thereof that connect to respective the handle members; wherein the elbow members are include a 22.5 degree bend therein, such that the handle members are held at a 45 degree angle to one another. 
         [0012]    In yet another preferred embodiment, a sensor and an emitter are adapted to trigger a sound or light signal when the athlete&#39;s hands are positioned upon the handle members in predetermined positions. 
         [0013]    In still another preferred embodiment, the handle member is formed from a material chosen from a list of materials comprising plastic, rubber, wood, foam, and metal. 
         [0014]    In a variant, a belt member adapted to be removably placed around the waist of the athlete&#39;s body; and a handle member adapted to be removably attached to the belt member, and having a body including first and second handle members connected together by a middle segment, such that the handle members are held at an angle to one another, and adapted such that when the athlete holds the device behind their back while grasping the handle members with respective right and left hands, their upper body is held straight and stable with their shoulders pulled backwards and balance is held by the core muscles during training movements. 
         [0015]    A first magnet portion located on the middle segment and a second magnet or a piece of metal located on the belt are adapted to releasably connect with one another to thereby releasably hold the handle member to the belt member when not in use. 
         [0016]    A method for teaching upper body posture and core control while performing lower body movements, said method:
       a) providing to the user an apparatus having a first handle portion and a second handle portion joined together by a middle portion;   b) the user positions a first hand on the first handle portion of the apparatus;   c) positions a second hand on the second handle portion of the apparatus;   d) holds the handles with the palms of both hands facing it&#39;s body;   e) holds the handles with his little fingers located at the junctions between the handles and the middle portion;   f) holds the apparatus with his hands behind his back while keeping his elbows, wrists and arms straight. Such a position will create a straight upper body position and will bring the shoulders to be pulled back, reinforcing the posture;   g) performing lower body movements while holding the apparatus in such a way will encourage balance to be controlled by the core muscles reinforcing the, posture and core control, while performing lower body movements.       
 
         [0024]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0025]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0026]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0027]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0028]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1   a - b  Front and side views, respectively, of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 2   a - b  Isometric view and detail view of the belt. 
           [0031]    FIGS.  3 - b  Isometric view and detail view of the belt with the apparatus attached. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  Front view of an alternate embodiment made for wearing hockey gloves. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  Side view of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  Rear view of a user holding the apparatus at his back. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  Side view of a user holding the apparatus at his back. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 8   a - b  Front and side view of the variant designed for hockey gloves. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  Front view of the invention in context of use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0038]    A sports training apparatus ( 10 ) for training a user ( 12 ) in keeping a good posture, and strong core control the upper body straight and stable with the shoulders pulled back while performing lower body movement comprises a body ( 14 ) having first and second longitudinal handle members ( 16 ,  16 ′), wherein each handle portion ( 16 ,  16 ′) have a series of protrusions ( 18 ) defining where the fingers ( 20 ) should align on the handles ( 16 ,  16 ′). 
         [0039]    The protrusions ( 18 ) help positioning the hands ( 22 ) of the user ( 12 ) on the apparatus ( 10 ), while contributing to preventing slippage of the hands ( 22 ). The protrusions ( 18 ) can have different shapes. A middle segment ( 24 ) joins the two handle members ( 16 ,  16 ′) together. 
         [0040]    The handle members ( 16 ,  16 ′) are so configured as to align the hands ( 22 ) along a desired angular alignment with respect to each other. In the shown embodiment, the handle members ( 16 ,  16 ′) are to respectively align the hands ( 22 ) at a relative 45 degree angle. 
         [0041]    The Middle segment ( 24 ) may comprise a magnet ( 26 ) (or a metal piece) to releasably attach the apparatus ( 10 ) on a belt ( 28 ) having a metal piece ( 30 ) (or a magnet) embedded therein. The use of a metal and magnet combination as a means of attachment is well known in the art and need not be further discussed herein. Alternatively to being mounted on the belt trough a magnet, the apparatus ( 10 ) can be mounted on the belt through a hook, a fastener, or any such means. The proportions of the middle segment may vary according to the desired distance between the handles. 
         [0042]    Alternatively to being cylindrical, the apparatus can have other shapes and dimensions or varying shapes for the handles and middle portion 
         [0043]    For example,  FIGS. 4-5 , show handle members ( 16 ,  16 ′) as being rectangular in shape so as to facilitate the holding of the apparatus with hockey gloves ( 32 ). The proportions of the handle members ( 16 ,  16 ′) and the middle segment ( 24 ) may vary according to the size and shape of the hockey gloves worn the the user ( 12 ). The apparatus ( 10 ) may comprise stoppers ( 32 ,  32 ′) at the longitudinal end of both handle members ( 16 ,  16 ′) so as to prevent slippage of the hands ( 22 ). elbow members ( 25 ,  25 ′) connect handle members ( 16 ,  16 ′) with the middle segment ( 24 ). 
         [0044]    Generally, the apparatus ( 10 ) may be made of any rigid or partially deformable materials such as: plastic, rubber, wood, metal, foam, etc. and may be made hollow or partly hollowed to be lighter. 
         [0045]    The operation of the apparatus will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 6-9 . A method for teaching a user in keeping a good posture, and strong core control, the upper body straight and stable with the shoulders pulled back while doing lower body movement. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 6-7  show how the apparatus ( 10 ) is held behind the back of the user ( 12 ). 
         [0047]    As seen, holding the apparatus ( 10 ) behind the back involves both hands ( 22 ) being joined together on the apparatus ( 10 ), just below the hips, approximately  10  centimeters away from the body. However, the positioning of the apparatus ( 10 ) and hands ( 22 ) generally varies according to the desired position. 
         [0048]    The little fingers are located on the apparatus close to the junctions between the handle portions ( 16 ,  16 ′) and the middle segment ( 24 ). The elbows are generally straight. The wrist are generally straight. The palm of the hands ( 22 ) of the user ( 12 ) are facing the body. 
         [0049]    The position in which the apparatus ( 10 ) is held behind the back with hockey gloves is generally the same as previously described. 
         [0050]    As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0051]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0052]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.