Abstract:
This invention discloses a method and multiple batons intended for sports training and physical therapy. First and second embodiment batons are intended, primarily, as a basketball defensive drill training device. The first embodiment baton is intended, secondarily, as a football hand-coordination training device. The third embodiment baton is intended, primarily, as a football and rugby hand-coordination training device. The second embodiment baton is further intended for use as a hand-coordination or foot-coordination device for other sports using spherical balls, such as soccer and volleyball. Finally, any of the four disclosed batons, and primarily, the first embodiment baton, are further intended to be used by physical therapists in rehabilitation exercises where eye-hand coordination and peripheral vision improvements are targeted, such as is the case with stroke or accident patients. (133)

Description:
[0001]    This application has a priority date of Nov. 4, 2011 based on the filing, by the same inventor, of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/409,975, titled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BASKETBALL DEFENSE TRAINING, FOOTBALL INTERCEPTION TRAINING, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to methods and devices intended to improve hand-eye coordination and motor skills for ball-centered sports, as well as for physical therapy and, more particularly, to handheld devices which can be manipulated by a trainer or physical therapist so as to evoke a coordinated hand-eye response involving motor skills by a trainee or patient. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0116187 A1 discloses a hand-held flexible baton, for use as a tapotement device, having an external shell fabricated from a pliant material which covers an internal core fabricated from a soft batting material. The flexible baton&#39;s external shell provides a low impact force when struck against tissue such that no damage is inflicted to tissue, but a stinging sensation can be felt. The baton is intended for use as a training and disciplinary device for domestic animals, such as dogs, and children. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides four batons which may be used in combination with drills intended to improve hand-eye coordination for ball-centered sports. The first embodiment baton has a foam-filled cylindrical head, which can be used to simulate a ball for a number of sports. The second, embodiment baton has a foam-filled spherical head, the size of a regulation basketball, which is used to simulate a basketball for drills associated with that sport. The third embodiment baton has a foam-filled prolate spheroid head, shaped and sized like a regulation football, which is used to simulate a football for drills associated with that sport. The fourth embodiment baton has a foam-filled spherical head the size of a regulation baseball. By having a handle extending from the head, head speeds may be accelerated dramatically from that which would be possible if no handle were present, thereby enabling the approximation of a thrown ball with a mere flick of the wrist. In addition, the integration of the handle with the head provides structural rigidity to the head so that it can be moved rapidly without bending. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a length of tubing and end plugs; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the length of tubing after it has been wrapped with grip tape and plugged on both ends; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a cylindrically-shaped body of plastic foam having a cylindrical aperture coaxial with the central axis of the blank and extending the entire length thereof; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a resilient textured wrapper for the plastic foam blank; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an assembly consisting of the resilient textured wrapper adhesively bonded to and sewn around the cylindrically-shaped plastic foam body; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a first embodiment baton assembled from the tubing, the end plugs, the plastic foam blank, the textured wrapper and a wrapping of grip tape; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of a second embodiment baton having a foam-filled sphere with the same diameter as a regulation basketball; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of a third embodiment baton having a foam-filled prolate spheroid resilient shell shaped like a football; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of a fourth embodiment baton having a foam-filled sphere with the same diameter as a regulation baseball; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is an illustration showing a coach interacting with a player while practicing a quick hands exercise using a single baton; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is an illustration showing a coach interacting with a player while practicing a quick hands exercise using double batons; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is an illustration showing a coach interacting with a player while practicing a defensive stance, dribble in motion steal exercise; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is an illustration showing a coach interacting with a player while practicing a passing lane block exercise; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is an illustration showing a coach interacting with a player while practicing a passing lane steal exercise; 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is an illustration showing a coach interacting with a player while practicing a crossover dribble-steal exercise; 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is an illustration showing a coach interacting with a player while practicing a shot close-out exercise; 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is an illustration showing a coach interacting with a player while practicing a shot close-out with shot block exercise; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is an illustration showing a coach interacting with a player while practicing a behind the back steal exercise. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawing figures. Although an attempt has been made to provide drawings that are to scale, it should be understood that the drawings are meant to be merely illustrative of the invention. 
         [0026]    Four apparatuses are shown which may be used in combination with drills intended to improve hand-eye coordination for ball-centered sports. They may also be used by physical therapists to treat injuries which have impaired hand-eye coordination. The first, the fabrication of which is covered by  FIGS. 1 through 6 , is a first embodiment baton, having a foam-filled cylindrical head, which can be used to simulate a ball for a number of sports. The second, which is covered by  FIG. 7 , is a second embodiment baton having a foam-filled spherical head, having the size of a regulation basketball, which is used to simulate a basketball for drills associated with that sport. The third, which is covered by  FIG. 8 , is a third embodiment baton having a foam-filled prolate spheroid head shaped and sized like a regulation football, which is used to simulate a football for drills associated with football. A foam-filled prolate speroid head shaped and sized like a regulation rugby ball can also be made and used to simulate a rugby ball for drills associated with rugby. The fourth, which is covered by  FIG. 9 , is a fourth embodiment baton having a foam-filled spherical head the size of a regulation baseball, which is used to simulate a baseball for drills associated with that sport. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a length of rigid PVC pipe  101  is shown with end plugs  102 A and  102 B. For a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the pipe  101  is about 53 cm (20.87 inches) in length. The end plugs  102 A and  102 B are designed for an interference fit within the ends of the pipe  101 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a length of grip tape  201  has been wrapped around a lower portion of the length of pipe  101 , beginning a distance from the free end, and extra grip tape has been stuffed into a lower end of the length of pipe  101 , followed by the insertion of end plug  102 A into the lower end of the length of pipe  101 , thereby preventing the grip tape  201  from unwrapping. End plug  102 B has also been inserted in an upper end of the length of pipe  101 . The result is a complete handle  200 . Alternatively, caps may be used in place of plugs. Such substitution results in an equivalent product. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cylindrically-shaped body of plastic foam  301  about 24 cm (9.45 inches) in length and about 6 cm (2.36 inches) in diameter has a cylindrical aperture  302 , which is coaxial with the central axis of the body, and extends the entire length thereof. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the foam from which the body  301  is made is resilient, low-density, and preferably of closed-cell construction. Polyethylene foam or ethylene vinyl acetate foam are two such materials. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a laminar cover wrap  401  is made of resilient polymeric compound, leather, or other similar compound. Its dimensions are such that it can be wrapped and folded around the plastic foam body  301 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the laminar cover wrap  401  has been sewn around plastic foam body  301  using one longitudinal seam  501 , a bottom end seam  502 , and a top end seam  503 , resulting in a head assembly  500 . The laminar cover wrap  401  can be optionally adhesively bonded to the plastic foam body  301 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the completed handle  200  has been adhesively bonded within the cylindrical aperture  302  of the covered plastic foam head assembly  504 , resulting in a first embodiment baton  600 . Alternatively, the plastic foam head can be injection molded to the handle  200  and the cover wrap  401  can be sewn to the completed injection molded assembly. The preferred weight of the first embodiment baton  600  is about 170 grams (roughly 6 U.S. ounces). The low mass of the baton  600  minimizes the inertial of the device. Thus, the foam head  504  can be rapidly accelerated to realistic play speeds with a mere flick of the wrist 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a second embodiment baton  700  has been fabricated by adhesively bonding a completed handle  200  within a cylindrical aperture in a spherical body  701  or by injection molding a spherical foam body to the handle  200 . The spherical body  701  is made from a polyethylene or polypropylene shell that is filled with low-density, resilient foam. Although the body  701  has the shape and size of a regulation basketball, fabrication of the body  701  using a thin spherical shell and a low-density foam fill results in a low-mass body having little inertia. Thus, the body  701  can be moved rapidly while holding the handle grip with, for example the mere flick of the wrist. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a third embodiment baton  800  has been fabricated by adhesively bonding a completed handle  200  within a cylindrical aperture in prolate spheroid body  801  that is shaped like a football or rugby ball or by injection molding a prolate spheroid foam head on the handle  200 . As with the first and second embodiment batons  600  and  700 , respectively, the spherical body  801  is made from a polyethylene or polypropylene shell that is filled with low-density, resilient foam. Although the body  801  has the shape and size of a regulation football or rugby ball, fabrication of the body  801  using a thin spherical shell and a low-density foam fill results in a low-mass body having little inertia. Thus, the body  801  can be moved rapidly while holding the handle grip with, for example the mere flick of the wrist. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a fourth embodiment baton  900  has been fabricated by adhesively bonding a completed handle  200  within a cylindrical aperture in a spherical body  901  or by injection molding a spherical foam body to a handle  200 . The spherical body  901  is made from a polyethylene or polypropylene shell that is filled with low-density, resilient foam. Although the body  901  has the shape and size of a regulation baseball or regulation softball, fabrication of the body  901  using a thin spherical shell and a low-density foam fill results in a low-mass body having little inertia. Thus, the body  901  can be moved rapidly while holding the handle grip with, for example the mere flick of the wrist. 
         [0036]    The first and second embodiment batons  600  and  700 , respectively, are designed primarily for use with drills associated with basketball. A number of representative drills, associated with basketball and depicted in  FIGS. 10 through 18 , will now be disclosed. The drills, which are designed to improve hand-eye coordination, are performed in a one-on-one interaction between a coach and a player, with the coach holding and moving at least one baton, and the player interacting with the baton(s) held by the coach. 
       Drill # 1 : Quick Hands—Single Baton 
       [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the coach moves the baton  500  or  600  up and down about 18 inches (roughly 0.46 meter) in front of the player, alternating between the player&#39;s head and knees. The player quickly reaches and taps the tip of the baton at the top, middle, and bottom of this rotation (from the head to knees, and back to the head). After tapping the baton, the player quickly retracts his hand to his side until the baton reaches the next point of intercept (top, middle or bottom). The player completes three sets of this exercise with each hand. 
         [0038]    Alternatively, this drill will be used by football players to improve defensive eye-hand coordination speed and also for improved catching of passes by offensive football players. 
         [0039]    Finally, physical therapists will use this exercise to help improve peripheral visions and eye-hand coordination for patients recovering from strokes or accidents which have impaired a person&#39;s vision or motor skills. 
       Drill # 2 : Quick Hands—Double Baton 
       [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , this drill is similar to the “Quick Hands—Single Baton” drill. For this drill the coach moves both batons up and down 18 inches (roughly 0.46 meter) in front of the player, alternating between the player&#39;s head and knees. One baton is moving up, while the other baton is moving down. The player quickly reaches and alternatively taps the tip of the baton on his right side with his right hand, and the baton on his left side with his left hand. This is done at the top, middle, and bottom of this rotation (from the head to knees, and back to the head). After tapping the baton, the player quickly retracts his hand to his side until the baton reaches the next point of intercept (top, middle or bottom). The player completes six rotations while simultaneously alternating hands and tapping the training baton on his left and right sides. 
         [0041]    Alternatively, this drill will be used by football players to improve defensive eye-hand coordination speed and for improved catching of passes by football offensive players. 
         [0042]    Finally, physical therapists will use this exercise to help improve peripheral visions and eye-hand coordination for patients recovering from strokes or accidents which have impaired a person&#39;s vision or motor skills. 
       Drill # 3 : Defensive Stance—Steal Dribble in Motion 
       [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the player first sets himself in a basketball defensive stance. The player moves quickly approximately eight feet from side to side while shuffling his feet in the basketball defensive stance—first moving from the left to right, and then back from the right to the left. 
         [0044]    The coach moves the baton into reach (approximately 18 inches or 0.46 meter in front of the player) as the player moves from side to side in the basketball defensive stance. As the coach puts the baton within reach of the player, the player quickly reaches and taps the tip of the baton, and then retracts his hands to his side. The coach will then retract the baton, and then quickly place the baton again within reach of the player. This is repeated three to four times during each eight foot side to side movement of the player while in the defensive stance. 
         [0045]    The basketball player completes three sets of this exercise with each hand while shuffling eight feet side to side in the defensive stance motion and ending each sequence with drill # 4  (Passing Lane—Block) shown below. 
         [0046]    The basketball player then completes three more sets of this exercise with each hand while shuffling eight feet side to side in the defensive stance motion and ending each sequence with drill # 5  (Passing Lane—Steal) shown below. 
         [0047]    Finally, physical therapists will use this drill to help improve peripheral visions and eye-hand-foot coordination for patients recovering from strokes or accidents which have impaired a person&#39;s vision and motor skills. 
       Drill # 4 : Passing Lane—Block 
       [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , at the end of Drill # 3 , “Defensive Stance—Steal Dribble in Motion,” the coach holds the baton to the side of the player which simulates the basketball moving into a passing position. The player holds a hand in front of the baton as if blocking the passing lane for the basketball. This improves simultaneous eye-hand-foot coordination. 
       Drill # 5 : Passing Lane—Steal 
       [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 14 , at the end of Drill # 3 , “Defensive Stance—Steal Dribble in Motion,” the coach holds the baton to the side of the basketball player which simulates the basketball moving into a passing position. The player reaches a hand and quickly taps the tip of the baton as if stealing the pass of the basketball. This improves simultaneous eye-hand-foot coordination. 
       Drill # 6 : Crossover Dribble—Steal 
       [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , the player first sets himself in a basketball defensive stance. The coach then swings the baton in a “U” shaped motion (from the player&#39;s left and to their right side) with the bottom of the “U” being about one foot from the floor and about 18 inches (roughly 0.46 meter) in front of the player. 
         [0051]    At the base of the “U” shaped motion, the basketball player quickly reaches out and taps the tip of the baton with his right hand as the baton moves from their left to their right. This exercise is completed ten times with the right hand. 
         [0052]    The player first sets himself in a basketball defensive stance. The coach then swings the baton in a “U” shaped motion (from the player&#39;s right and to his left side) with the bottom of the “U” being about one foot from the floor and about 18 inches (roughly 0.46 meter) in front of the player. 
         [0053]    At the base of the “U” shaped motion, the basketball player quickly reaches out and taps the tip of the baton with his left hand as the baton moves from his right to his left. This exercise is completed ten times with the left hand. 
       Drill # 7 : Shot Close-Out 
       [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , the player first sets himself in a basketball defensive stance. The coach then swings the baton into a position directly in front of the player (about 18 inches or 0.46 meter from the player), and over the player&#39;s head. The player quickly “closes out on the shot” by stepping forward and putting both arms straight up as if to disrupt a basketball shot. This exercise is completed 5-10 times. 
         [0000]    Drill # 8 : Shot Close-Out with Shot Block 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , this drill starts like Drill # 7  (Shot Close-out). The player first sets himself in a basketball defensive stance. The coach then swings the baton into a position directly in front of the player (about 18 inches or 0.46 meter from the player), and over the player&#39;s head. The player quickly “closes out on the shot” by stepping forward and putting both arms straight up as if to disrupt a basketball shot. 
         [0056]    Additionally, after closing out on the shot, the player quickly reaches forward, and taps the end of the baton as if to block the shot. This exercise is completed 5-10 times. 
       Drill # 9 : Behind the Back—Steal 
       [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 18 , the player first sets himself in a basketball defensive stance about 18 inches (0.46 meter) behind the coach&#39;s back. The exercise will simulate a basketball player stealing the ball from behind their opponent&#39;s back. 
         [0058]    With the player standing behind the coach, the coach then puts the baton to his side and within the reach of the player. The baton is presented to the player just to the side of the coach&#39;s right knee. The player quickly reaches and taps the tip of the baton from behind the coach. The player taps the baton with his right hand without making contact with the coach. 
         [0059]    The coach then moves the baton to various positions while the player repeats tapping the baton with his right hand and without making contact with the coach. First the player is presented the baton by the coach&#39;s right knee, waist, shoulder, and then immediately over the coach&#39;s head. 
         [0060]    The sequence is then repeated with the coach presenting the baton by his left knee, waist, shoulder and then immediately over the coach&#39;s head, while the player taps the tip of the baton with his left hand. 
         [0061]    The player completes three sets of this exercise with each hand. 
         [0062]    Although only several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.