Throwing arm training device

A throwing arm training device is attached to the user's arm to limit the flexion angle of the throwing arm to a maximum angle of 90 degrees or more and also the angle of extension to a desired minimum angle, thereby, encouraging maximum use of the latissimus dorsi muscle while discouraging sidearm throwing. The device comprises an upper arm and a forearm cuff having bars extending therefrom pivotally connected in the vicinity of the elbow by pivot screws mounted on a plate and connected to a limit plate having two arcuate slots centered on the pivot screws. Limit screws are slidably and lockably mounted in the slots to engage and limit the pivoting of the bars, and of the cuffs. The cuffs are attached to the arms by straps having Velcro fasteners, and include cushioning liners therein. The preferred materials for forming the straps include polypropylene, polyethylene, and copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene. The device may be used by football quarterbacks and baseball pitchers to teach them the proper way to throw by maximizing shoulder use or movement in the throwing motion which results in an increase in the distance thrown. In a second and third embodiment, the maximum flexion angle may be set at least as high as 120 degrees and the minimum extension angle may be set at least as low as zero degrees, enabling a user's arm to travel through a range of at least 120 degrees between a maximum flexion angle and a minimum extension angle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to a throwing arm training device used to teach 
individuals how to throw a football or baseball properly using the correct 
arm and elbow action. 
Football quarterbacks and baseball pitchers have all too often suffered 
injury to their throwing arms because they did not use the correct arm and 
elbow action when throwing the football or baseball. The training device 
of this invention will help correct this problem. 
The first major function of the throwing arm training device is to restrict 
the passer from throwing with the arm flexed inward toward the ear past a 
90 degree angle mark shown on the training device. This automatically 
enables the thrower to maximize shoulder use or movement in the throwing 
motion which results in an increase in distance thrown. The major concern 
is that many throwers release the ball too close to the ear (inward past 
the 90 degree angle), resulting in increased rotation or spin on the ball 
and a decrease in the distance the ball is thrown. 
The second major function of the throwing arm training device is that it 
also restricts the passer or pitcher from releasing a football or baseball 
with an overextended or fully extended arm both of which are better known 
as the "sidearm" method. The adverse effects of the sidearm method include 
poor accuracy, lack of distance, and added stress placed on the muscles of 
both the arm and the shoulder. 
Both angles on the throwing arm training device are adjustable, However, 
the recommended adjustment limiting the flexion of the arm should be set 
at the 90 degree angle. The angle of extension should be adjusted 
according to the severity of the sidearm problem, For example, with one 
having sidearm throwing problems, a coach might lock the extension 
adjustment at the 80 degree angle and have the subject practice throwing 
with the throwing arm training device on a daily basis, so that the 
subject will learn to effectively release the ball between the 80 degree 
and 90 degree angle. When the thrower and/or his or her coach decides that 
he or she is now comfortable with the newly formed throwing motion, the 
extension angle can be gradually let out or decreased over a period of 
time until the thrower can perform the proper throwing motion without the 
extension restriction. At that time, the device can be removed from the 
arm and a new improved throwing motion should have evolved. Now the 
thrower will be able to throw a football or baseball using the proper 
technique without the aid of the throwing arm training device. 
In the second and third embodiments of the invention the maximum flexion 
angle may be set at an angle higher then 90 degrees, while the minimum 
extension angle in all three of the embodiments may be set as low as zero 
degrees if desired. 
Such modified adjustments are necessary for individuals who do not have a 
problem with sidearm throwing and/or throwing the ball close to the ear. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Arm control devices for both behavior modification and training are well 
known in the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 1,772,601 issued Aug. 12, 1930, to 
Berman S. Dunham discloses a thumb-sucking preventing device comprising a 
pair of sleeves or cuffs mountable on an arm above and below the elbow, 
respectively, said pair of sleeves or cuffs being pivotally connected in 
the vicinity of the elbow by two rotatable plates, the pivotal movement 
being limited by a pin and slot connection. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,074,723 issued Jan. 22, 1963, to Clement Esty discloses a 
golfing practice aid which comprises a sleeve or cuff which is mounted on 
a golfer's forearm and elbow of his leading arm to remind the golfer to 
keep his or her leading arm straight during the course of his or her 
backswing, 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,673 issued Apr. 22, 1969, to Carl A. Sprecher discloses 
an elbow immobilizer for use on male and female patients to facilitate 
intravenous administration of food, blood, or other fluids, comprising a 
pair of elongated support members of sufficient length to prevent a person 
from bending his arm, said support members being attached to the arm by a 
pair of straps above and below the elbow, and a third intermediate strap 
at the elbow. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,677 issued Oct. 24, 1989, to Albert G. Tetreault 
discloses a training aid for baseball hitters to assist in keeping a 
batter's lead arm flexed in a proper hitting stance, comprising a first 
sleeve or cuff attached to the batter's upper arm, a second sleeve 
connected to the forearm and one or more elastic straps connected between 
the two cuffs. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,789 issued Jan. 15, 1991, to Roger D. Socci, discloses 
a device to help teach and train baseball pitchers to use the correct arm 
and elbow action when pitching a baseball, comprising an arm elevator 
harness which fits around the pitcher's body, and an arm and elbow 
elevator guide which is attached to the shoulder harness and guides the 
pitcher's pitching arm in the right position. 
Additionally, the following patents were cited in my pending patent 
application Ser. No. 07/717,325: U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,130 issued May 9, 
1978, to Leslie T. Applegate; U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,373 issued Mar. 4, 1980, 
to William E. Lancellotti; U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,953 issued Mar. 10, 1981 to 
Ralph D. Marchetti; U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,298 issued Feb. 8, 1983 to Max 
Letman; U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,716 issued Dec. 25, 1984 to Robert L. 
Blackwood and David M. Shapiro; U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,316 issued Jan. 15, 
1985 to Kenneth E. Reed et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,227 issued Aug. 12, 
1986 to Bruce Hurd et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,867 issued Jan. 6, 1987 to 
James H. Kausek et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,361 issued Feb. 23, 1988 to 
Michael D. Farley; U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,000 issued Apr. 14, 1987 to George 
R. Hepburn; U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,143 issued Mar. 22, 1988 to James H. 
Kausek et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,561 issued Dec. 5, 1989 to Billy R. 
Letson, St.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,858 issued Nov. 5, 1991 to Vanden 
Broeck et al. Of these Patents, the Patent to Applegate discloses a hinge 
for a knee brace comprising a single pivot connecting two bars, enabling 
pivotal movement between selected fixed positions determined by the 
positions of pins placed in a series of apertures. The Patent to 
Lancellotti discloses a brace adapted for wear by a tennis player for 
minimizing and/or preventing tennis elbow comprising a means 24, 38 for 
applying pressure to those portions of a tennis player's arm directly 
overlying the medial and lateral epicondyles, thereby preventing or 
reducing the pulling action of the tendon connections with these bone 
spurs in such a manner that the inflammation thereof are reduced. 
Marchetti discloses an elbow movement restrictor which is adapted to hold 
an arm of a golfer or bowler in an extended locked position, thereby 
restricting the "breaking" of the player's elbow on making the bowling 
delivery or completing the golf stroke, the two operative bars 20 and 22 
being connected by a single pivot screw 28, bar 20 being locked in the 
extended position by means of screw 30 and depression 32. The Patent to 
Lerman discloses a knee brace to provide exterior support to the knee to 
prevent any unnatural movements of the knee joint which could injure or 
reinjure the knee ligaments, while allowing the normal swinging movement 
of the knee joint about a horizontal axis through the knee. The Patent to 
Blackwood et al. discloses a hypertension limiting elbow brace designed to 
hold a person's arm in a partially bent attitude. The Patent to Reed et 
al. is directed to an articulating knee stabilizer. The limits on free 
rotation of the hinge is provided by pinion stop gears 61 and 63 which 
engage hinge gears 56 and 58 until they engage the teeth of an opposite 
hinge gear, thus preventing further rotation of the hinge. The Patent to 
Hurd et al. is directed to an athlete's arm restrainer, for holding a 
bowlet's arm rigid after it is straightened. The Patent to Kausek et al. 
'867 is directed to a knee brace for control of ligament instability by 
protecting against forces applied in the medial and lateral side planes 
and in the anterior and posterior planes, and providing rotational 
stability so as to prevent excessive rotation of the tibia in relation to 
the femur. The brace also inhibits pivot shift (forward displacement of 
the tibia) by preventing the knee from achieving a full extension by means 
of an extension check strap 30. 
The Patent to Farley is directed to a method and apparatus for correction 
of various defects in an equine leg, including a brace attached to an 
animal's leg in three places. A pad is provided for engaging a deviated 
joint and pulling the joint against a side of the brace to correct the 
deviation. Adjacent sections are connected by pivotal elements arranged to 
provide movement of the three brace sections in a common plane or parallel 
planes so that the device, in essence, establishes a reference direction 
for movement of the parts of the leg. Because the apparatus provides 
pivotal connection the horse is allowed to walk about, does not view the 
apparatus as a foreign object, and does not injure itself trying to get 
away from the apparatus. The apparatus is also useful for treatment of 
contractures because the preferred pivotal elements include limiting stops 
for controlling the angular motions of the brace. The lower connector 12 
is designed to permit rotation of section 8 in a counter-clockwise 
direction when viewed in FIG. 1 of the Patent, while the upper connector 
permits rotation of section 6 in a clockwise direction. The connectors 
operate in opposite directions to accommodate the action of an animal's 
leg. To adapt the Farley device to a human arm would require substantial 
modification. 
The Patent to Hepburn is directed to an adjustable splint and securing 
means therefor, incorporates a biasing spring therein to constantly bias 
the working elements into a fully extended position. The Patent to Kausek 
et al. '143 discloses a selectable extension stop for a polycentric hinge 
comprising an extension block positionable between mating ends of arms to 
limit the forward rotation of the arms, different size blocks being 
required to enable the user to select the limit of extension. The Patent 
to Letson, Sr. discloses an articulated brace for protection of the joint 
of a wearer's limbs, comprising three sections mounted on a single pivot 
to provide protection of the joint, with a stop 34 engageable with a 
surface 40 being provided to limit the pivotal movement of the brace in a 
direction that would allow for hyperextension of the limbs. 
Not found in the prior art is a throwing arm training device wherein the 
maximum flexion angle of the arm and the minimum extension angle can be 
selectively set to provide a user with a range of arm movement within 
limits for the purpose of training the user to throw a ball such as a 
football so as to achieve the maximum benefit in terms of height and 
distance, 
SUMMARY AND OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of this invention to provide a throwing arm training device 
for football quarterbacks and baseball pitchers which avoids the defects 
of prior art training devices. 
It is a further object of this invention to provide a throwing arm training 
device which adjustably limits the flexion angle and the extension angle 
of a throwing arm. 
The throwing arm training device comprises a U-shaped sleeve or cuff for 
the upper arm and a U-shaped sleeve or cuff for the forearm. The cuffs may 
be formed of a relatively stiff plastic material such as polypropylene, a 
less rigid plastic material such as polyethylene, or a copolymer of 
polypropylene and polyethylene. 
Provided within the cuffs is a liner formed of any conventional cushioning 
material. The cuffs are joined together on either side by a pair of bars, 
each pair having mating gear teeth at one end held in an engageable 
position by pivots mounted on a pivot support plate which in turn is 
connected to a metal limit guide and support plate by the pivots. The 
limit devices comprise screws and nuts adjustably mounted in slots 
provided in the limit guide and support plate. The limit screws may be 
tightened or loosened by means of an allen wrench. By adjusting the limit 
screws, the angle of flexion and the angle of extension may be set. If 
found to be desirable, a screw may be added to the pivot plate to provide 
a sturdier and stronger connection. The cuffs are attached to and held 
onto a thrower's arm by means of flexible straps having Velcro fastening 
means, the straps being passed through cooperating loops. 
A foam rubber cushion may be provided on the inner surface of the limit 
guide and support plate to protect the elbow from chafing, as shown in 
FIG. 3. 
In the first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1-3 and claimed in parent 
application Ser. No. 07/717,325 filed Jun. 18, 1991, the angle of flexion 
is preferably set at 90 degrees and the angle of extension is set between 
approximately 60 degrees and 90 degrees depending on the severity of a 
sidearm throwing problem. It has been found that some quarterbacks, for 
example, may not have a problem throwing the ball in a shotput fashion but 
may have a problem throwing the ball in sidearm fashion, or vice versa. 
Therefore, it is desirable to be able to adjust the angle of flexion limit 
above 90 degrees and the angle of extension limit below 60 degrees. The 
arrangement disclosed in FIGS. 4 and 5 enable adjustment between 0 degrees 
and approximately 120 degrees, thereby covering the full range of 
adjustment that might be needed for any one individual. 
Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become 
apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, 
reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the 
specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding 
parts of the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Before explaining in detail the present invention, it is to be understood 
that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of 
construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying 
drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of 
description and not limitation. 
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the throwing arm training device 10 in 
use. As shown in FIG. 2, the limit guide and support plate 12 limits the 
flexion angle of the forearm to 90 degrees by the placement of Lipper 
limit screws 14. Upper limit screws 14 and lower limit screws 16 are 
slidably adjustable along arcuate slots 18 and 20 and are locked in 
position by means of nuts 22. The radial centers of arcuate slots 18 and 
20 are respectively located at the axis of left and right pivot screws 24. 
Limit guide and support plate 12 also supports left and right pivot screws 
24 which pass through openings (not shown) in pivot support plate 26 and 
which are screwed into threaded holes 28 in limit guide and support plate 
12. 
Pivotally mounted on pivot screws 24 between limit guide and support plate 
12 and pivot support plate 26 are a first bar 30 and a second bar 32 
having cooperating gear teeth 34 and 3G. Because of the cooperating gear 
teeth rotation of one bar 30 or 32 about its pivot screw 24, will cause a 
corresponding equal and opposite rotation of the other bar 32 or 30 about 
its pivot screw 24, the degree of rotation being limited by upper and 
lower limit screws and 16. Attached to second bar 32 is a scale 38 which, 
cooperating with mark 40, identifies the degree of rotation of bars 30 and 
32. Bar 30 is connected by rivets 42 to a U-shaped sleeve or cuff 44 
configured to fit the upper arm 46 of the user 48. Cuff 44 includes a 
liner 50, straps 52 attached to cuff 44 by rivets 54, and loops 56 
attached to cuff 44 by rivets 58. Straps 52 include Velcro fastening means 
60 whereby cuff 44 may be secured to upper arm 46 as shown in FIG. 1. 
8at 32 is attached by rivets 62 to U-shaped sleeve or cuff 64 configured to 
fit forearm 66 of user 48. Cuff 64 includes a liner 68, straps 70 attached 
by rivets 72 to cuff 64, and loops 74 attached to cuff 64 by rivets 76. 
Straps 70 include Velcro fastening means 78 whereby cuff 64 may be secured 
to forearm 66 as shown in FIG. 1. 
Elements 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 
located along the inner side of the arm 46, 66 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are 
duplicated on the outer side of the arm as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in 
FIGS. 2 and 3, a screw 80 may be added to pivot support plate 26, the head 
of screw 80 bearing on pivot screws 24 to provide stability therefor. In 
the event that limit guide and support plates 12 and nuts 22 carried by 
plates 12 rub against the user's elbow, a piece of sponge rubber 82 may be 
glued to the inner side of plates 12. 
Plates 12 and 26 and bars 30 and 32 are formed of metal, such as aluminum 
or steel. Cuffs 44 and 64 are formed of plastic material which is fairly 
rigid, such as polypropylene. As an alternative, softer cuffs may be 
formed of polyethylene or a copolymer of polypropylene and polyethylene. 
In the preferred embodiment, the plastic material is approximately 1/8 
inch thick. The liner 50, 68 is formed of any conventional cushioning 
material. The thickness of the liner 50, 68 can vary in 1/16 inch 
increments, from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch. Because of the variance in arm 
sizes, it is contemplated that the cuffs 44, 64 will be made in at least 
three different sizes. 
In use, upper limit screws 14 may be set at 90 degrees in slots 18 and 20, 
and if desired, such a setting may be considered as being permanent. This 
setting restricts the passer from throwing with the arm flexed inward 
towards the ear past the 90 degree angle mark shown, which forces the 
thrower to maximize the use of rotation of the shoulder during the 
throwing motion taking away from the stress on the elbow while at the same 
time the latissimus dorsi muscle (84, FIG. 1) plays a major role in 
powering the throw. 
Lower limit screws 16 determine the angle of extension, which is adjusted 
according to the severity of the sidearm problem. As set in FIG. 2, the 
arm may extend over a range of 30 degrees, from 90 degrees to 60 degrees. 
Ideally, the throwing motion ends with an exaggerated snapping of the 
wrist. During a training period, lower limit screws 16 may be set at any 
position desired by the thrower and/or his or her coach. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the extension angle could be set as low as 0 degrees 
enabling the arm 4G, 6G of user 48 to be fully extended by setting lower 
limit screws at the bottom of slots 18 and 20 in limit guide and support 
plate 12. In FIG. 4, there is shown a modification of the limit guide and 
support plate identified by reference numeral 12A in which slots 18A and 
20A having a radius extending to pivot screws 24 have been extended at the 
top of limit guide and support plate 12A to enable the flexion angle to be 
set higher than 90 degrees by suitable positioning of the upper limit 
screws in slots 18A and 20A. As shown in FIG. 4, the flexion angle could 
be set as high as 120 degrees, although other limits may be selected if 
found to be desirable. A scale similar to scale 38 in FIG. 2 may be placed 
on bar 32 to indicate the range of settings available, depending on the 
length of slots 18A and 20A, and the selective partitioning of upper and 
lower limit screws 14 and 16. Depending on the degree of rotation desired 
the cooperating gears may be the same size as represented by gear teeth 34 
and 36 in FIG. 2, or of different diameters as shown in FIG. 4. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 5, similar to FIG. 2, the 120 degrees of movement 
is divided equally between the upper arm and the forearm, by equally 
extending arcuate slots 18B and 20B in limit guide and support plate 12B. 
The cooperation and/or coaction between the several elements shown in FIG. 
5 is the same as in FIG. 2. 
With a selectable range between 0 degrees and 120 degrees, by way of 
example only, the throwing arm training device can be used to correct a 
number of different throwing problems. 
While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention 
herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above-stated, 
it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, 
variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair 
meaning of the subjoined claims.