SPORTS TRAINING DEVICE

A sports training device is provided for use with hand held sporting equipment of the type including an elongated shaft portion. The sports training device includes an elongated hollow tubular body having an inside wall, open first and second ends communicating with the hollow of the body, and an outer gripping surface. The nominal dimension of the inside wall is contemplated to be greater than a maximum outer dimension of the elongated shaft, so that the tubular body is capable of fitting over the end of the shaft and of moving both longitudinally along the shaft and rotationally around the shaft. The outer hand-gripping surface includes dimensional contours extending longitudinally along the outer surface of the body for promoting hand grip and proper hand position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sports training device that may be used as a training tool for hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, field hockey sticks or other athletic equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hockey (ice, roller, deck, and others), lacrosse, field hockey and other athletics are high paced, physically demanding sports that require high levels of skill and endurance from the players. One key piece of equipment used by players during a game or practice is the hockey stick, lacrosse stick, and/or field hockey stick. It is the stick that is used to control the puck or ball and to move it around the playing surface during game play or practice. Possession of the puck or ball with the stick held by a player is generally required in order to effectively play the game. To stay on top of their game, players are in need of reliable training tools that enhance their game skills.

There are several different kinds of techniques that a player can use to maneuver their stick to maintain possession of the puck or ball. One important skill is known as stickhandling, cradling, and/or dribbling. The player holds onto the stick with one or two hands and rotates the stick in their hands in a manner that will allow the stick to move in a desired fashion in order to maintain possession of the puck or ball. Depending on player position and a variety of other factors, a player may stickhandle, cradle, and/or dribble with their hands in changing proximity to each other and/or rotate their wrists in a variety of ways.

There is a need for a training tool for players to develop their skills in stickhandling, cradling, and/or dribbling of a puck or ball. The contemplated invention allows players to enhance their skills requiring their hands to be in various positions along the length of the stick and to rotate their wrists in various directions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sports training device to be used with hand held sporting equipment, such as an ice hockey stick, a field hockey stick or a lacrosse stick, of the type including an elongated shaft portion. The sports training device in one embodiment is contemplated to include an elongated, preferably rigid, hollow tubular body or sleeve having an inside wall, open first and second ends communicating with the hollow of the body, and an outer gripping surface. The nominal dimension of the inside wall is contemplated to be greater than a maximum outer dimension of the elongated shaft, so that the tubular body is capable of fitting over the end of the stick shaft and of moving both longitudinally along the shaft and rotationally around the shaft. The outer hand-gripping surface includes dimensional contours extending longitudinally along the outer surface of the body for increasing friction and the effectiveness of the hand grip. The inside wall is preferably cylindrical and the openings at the first and second ends are preferably circular. Further, it is preferred that the inside wall comprises a uniform dimension along the longitudinal length of the body of the device.

It is further contemplated that the outer gripping surface may include a number of preferred forms. The dimensional contours may include a plurality of longitudinally extending flat surfaces and/or a series of ridges. The plurality of flat surfaces may be positioned at an acute angle with respect to one another to form the series of ridges between the flat surfaces. The dimensional contours of the outer gripping surface may form a hexagonal or octagonal cross section. Alternatively, two flat surfaces may be provided with separating curved ridge sections.

In a further embodiment, the dimensional contours of the outer gripping surface may include a combination of one or more tapered sections positioned between the first and second expanded outer end portions. The outer end portions may include an outside diameter that is greater than the outside diameter at the tapered sections. The respective outside diameters of the ends may be equal or vary in dimension relative to one another. Further, the dimensions of the outer surface may smoothly transition along the longitudinal length of the body between the outer end portions and the tapered sections. Further, the outer surface may undulate along the longitudinal length of the body, forming at least two bulbous portions with tapered sections adjacent thereto.

Other features of the present invention and combinations of features will become apparent from the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the figures, where like numerals identify like elements, there is shown various embodiments of a sports training device. As shown inFIG. 1, the device10is shown in use by a generic ice hockey player12. The player12is shown with the device10wrapped around the shaft24of a hockey stick14. The top end16of the stick14is engaged by the player's left hand18. The device10is gripped by the player's right hand20. It should be noted that a reversal of the hand positions may be used, if the player plays with the blade22of the stick14on the opposite side of the player's body from that shown inFIG. 1.

The device10as illustrated inFIG. 1and in close-up inFIG. 2, is in the form of a sleeve placed over the shaft24of the stick14. As more particularly illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the sleeve portion of the device10includes a hollow tubular body26that is elongated in a longitudinal direction. The two ends30,32of the device10are open, with the openings communicating with the hollow of the body26. The inside wall28of the hollow body26is shown as generally cylindrical, with a smooth inside surface. The open ends30,32are preferably circular. Preferably, the inside wall28has a uniform diameter. Regardless of shape of the inside wall28, the inside diameter has a nominal diameter ID that is greater than the maximum outer dimension of the shaft24of the stick14. The purpose of the hollow center is to allow the device10to move along the shaft24of the stick14, as well as to rotate (both clockwise and counterclockwise) around the shaft24. The relative movement of the device10with respect to the shaft24of the stick14is created by the movement of the player's hand20in controlling the device10or by the player's other hand18controlling the movement of the stick14.

The outer surface34of device10forms the gripping surface for the player12. The grip on the outer surface34as shown in close-up view inFIG. 1Aincludes a longitudinally extending dimensional contour36to promote easy gripping and circumferential friction. InFIGS. 2 and 3the dimensional contour36takes the form of a series of flat surfaces38extending along the length of the device10. Adjacent flat surfaces38connect to one another at an acute angle, forming a longitudinally extended ridge40. In the cross section ofFIG. 3, it is shown that the outer contours36form an octagonal surface having eight equal flat surfaces38separated by eight ridges40. InFIG. 4there is shown an alternate embodiment having a hexagonal outer surface34a, with six flat sides38aand six ridges40apositioned there between. InFIG. 5, the outer surface34bof the device10is shown as having a pill shape with two ridges40b, forming rounded edge portions, and two parallel flat portions38b.

In the embodiments ofFIGS. 2-5, the dimensions of the flats and ridges are shown as being relatively equal. Further, the flat sections are shown as being substantially straight, with each being extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body26. Other variations of these structures may be defined, such as by increasing the number of flat sides, creating for example a decagonal or dodecagonal cross section. Preferably the number of sides is limited, so as to create circumferential gripping friction through the ridges formed by the transition between flat portions. Excessively increasing the number of flat or similar sides ultimately approaches a substantially cylindrical outer surface, and thus reduces the effect of the dimensional ridges on the outer surface. Further, the flats and ridges need not be equal in form. The dimensions may be varied as desired to form a more comfortable fit with the player's hand, or to promote engagement and friction. Further, the flats may be angled relative to the axis of the body or may include a curve so as to define a helix around the axis. The ridges may be formed as relatively sharp edges or may have curved or chamfered form. One or more additional ridges or grooves may be added to the outer surface, in addition to the other dimensional contours. These additional structures may be positioned at an angle to the other dimensional contours on the outside surface.

InFIGS. 4 and 5, the shaft24of the stick14is shown in cross section, illustrating a preferred inside diameter ID of the inside wall28relative to the maximum dimension XM of the shaft24of the stick14. Sufficient clearance is desired so that the device10may slide along the shaft24and for the device10to be able to rotate around the outer surface of the shaft24. Preferably, the amount of clearance is limited, so that the device10remains concentrically positioned about the stick. The length of the device further assists in deterring angular movement of the device relative to the stick shaft24, so as to limit resistance with the shaft or harmful engagement between the device and shaft. Friction reducing coatings and chamfering (or similar structures) may also be included on the first and second ends30,32to reduce the potential for harmful engagement of the shaft24.

It is further contemplated that projection dimensional contours may be formed on the outer surface of the device in a manner to promote an effective grip. InFIG. 6, the outer surface34cincludes a tapered central portion or waist42and enlarged outer ends44,46. The transition from the ends44,46to the waist42is contemplated to be relatively smooth. The ends44,46as shown have an equal outer diameter and the waist42is shown as being positioned in the middle of the longitudinal length of the device10. Undulating contours within the inner section of the outside surface of the device may assist different size hands in gripping the device during use and to promote proper hand position. The position and size of the dimensional contours may also vary to form a more comfortable fit with the player's hand. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 6, the position of the tapered waste section42may be positioned off center and the outside diameter of the end portions44,46may be unequal. Further, the preferably continuous and smooth transition between the end portions44,46and the waist section42may vary in angle and form.

InFIG. 7, the outside surface34dof the device10is shown as having an undulating outside contour with multiple bulbous portions48,50and tapered sections52,54. The first bulbous portion48is positioned adjacent the top end56of the device10. The first taper section52is positioned between the first and second bulbous portions48,50. As shown the second bulbous portion50has a maximum diameter that is less that the maximum diameter of the first bulbous portion48. The second tapered portion54is positioned adjacent the second bulbous portion50and extends to the other end58of the outside surface. As shown, the length of the second taper54is approximately half of the overall length of the device10. In use, the second bulbous portion50forms the primary gripping member, with the first bulbous portion48forming an abutment for the back edge of the hand. The second tapered section54forms the finger gripping surface. Again, the contours of this embodiment are contemplated to assist different size hands to grip the device during use and to promote proper hand positioning.

The purpose of the dimensional contours on the outer surface are intended to promote ergonomic fit and to place the hand in a proper position during use. The free movement of the stick within the center of the device promotes effective stick use in controlling the puck or ball. The ability of the device to slide along the length of the shaft further promotes proper stick engagement during training, and creating muscle memory for normal game experience. The outer surface and hollow inner surface extend for sufficient length to promote functional engagement, without creating harm to the stick. Further, the form of the device is applicable to different stick forms and shapes. For example, the rectangular shape of the hockey stick shown may vary in relative dimension. The stick may also have other cross sections, including circular, four sided or other side combinations. For example, a lacrosse stick is typically a hexagonal cross section, but other more complex shapes are known.

Preferably, the body of the device is integrally formed of a rigid plastic. The body may be extruded and cut to its desired length, may be injection molded or otherwise formed or assembled. Other contemplated materials include carbon-fiber reinforced polymer, metal, wood, or combinations thereof. Again, various edges on the device may be chamfered or otherwise formed to enhance movement of the over the shaft or to deter harmful engagement. Coatings or materials may be chosen to further reduce friction or enhance the sliding motion. The outer surface of the device may also include materials that enhance frictional gripping, such as, for example, a rubberized or neoprene sleeve surrounding the outer surface or positioned at a strategic location.

Preferably, the device has sufficient weight for assisting in the development of muscle strength during use. The thickness of the side wall of the tubular body may also be varied in order to adjust the overall weight of the device. The density of the material may further be chosen to create a desired weight. The overall weight of the device may further be adjusted by the addition of inserts or rings that are engaged within the body portion of the device. The inserts may be removable, if adjustment of the overall weight of the device is desired.

The present invention has been described and illustrated in a plurality of exemplary embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art from the foregoing that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, with the scope of the invention being described by the foregoing claims.