Abstract:
A rotational sports training and conditioning system has a hip harness, a torso harness, a pair of adjustable connectors that connect diagonally from the torso harness to the hip harness, an elongated cord and a club band. The hip and torso harnesses each have selectively positioned cord loops for attachment of the cord and/or the club band. The connectors selectively synchronize relative rotation of the pelvis and torso for swing, strike or throw training and conditioning. The cord assists or resists rotational motions. The club band synchronizes arm positioning and forearm rotation with rotation of the pelvis and upper torso.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/947,516 filed Jul. 2, 2007, for the disclosure set forth therein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to sports training and particularly to a rotational sports movement training and muscle conditioning harness and cord system. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    A good golf swing or other rotational sports movement is developed through proper rotational skill movement training and muscle conditioning of the rotary motions of the body with specific emphasis on the muscles surrounding the pelvis and upper-torso for each phase of the movement. The relative sequence and timing of the coordinated upper-torso and pelvic rotary motions must be trained in proper order to develop optimal rotational skill, muscle conditioning and maximal power in the swing. Similarly, for sports that involve striking or throwing, correct rotational movement patterns, sequencing and timing must be also developed. A relatively simple system for training and conditioning for the motions of the pelvis, the upper-torso, and the arms, and the relative movement, sequencing and timing of the upper-torso and pelvis is desirable. 
         [0004]    Belts attached to anchors have been used for swing training in sports activities such as golf and baseball. U.S. Pat. No. 3,870,317 to Wilson, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,366 and 5,308,074 to Dorotinsky et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,250 to Spencer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,933 to Pacheco, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,418 to Plough each disclose a golf training aid having a belt connected by an elastic cord to an anchor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,836 to Bellagamba discloses a hip harness connected to two elastic cords, with each cord being connected to an anchor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,155 to Wallenbrock et al. discloses a harness connected by an elastic cord to an anchor. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,561,960 to Ungar discloses a golf training aid with a belt attached to a rigid anchor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,909 to Anselmo et al. discloses a golf training aid with a rigid frame, and a pair of belt loops that connect to the frame and fit loosely around a user. The devices in these patents attempt to train correct pelvic or hip motion during a swing, but do not train a coordinated combined and sequenced upper-torso movement or the relative movement of the pelvis, torso and arms. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,885 to Ballard et al. discloses a golf training aid with a complex mechanical stand, a saddle rigidly connected to the stand and a vest rigidly attached to the stand. The device attempts to train hip and torso motions. The device is relatively complex and expensive, and is not readily portable. 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A sports training and conditioning system includes an adjustable hip harness, an adjustable torso harness, two adjustable connectors, at least one elongated cord and a club band. The hip harness is shaped to fit snugly around a user&#39;s pelvis, and has a plurality of selectively positioned and oriented loops. The torso harness is shaped to fit snugly around a user&#39;s torso, and includes shoulder straps that extend over the user&#39;s shoulders. The torso harness includes a plurality of selectively positioned and oriented loops. The connectors are flexible and extend diagonally across the front of the user from the torso harness to the hip harness such that when both connectors are connected, the connectors form an X shape. One or more cords are attached at one end to a selected loop on one or both of the hip and torso harnesses and, at the other end, anchored to a stationary object or manipulated by another person. The club band is attached at one end to a selected loop on one of the hip and torso harnesses and gripped by users at the other end. The system provides swing, throw and strike training and conditioning for a multitude of rotational sports. The system provides training and conditioning for the relative movement of the pelvis, upper-torso, and arms. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Details of this invention are described in connection with the accompanying drawings that bear similar reference numerals in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a training and conditioning system embodying features of the present invention, on a user. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a back elevation view of the system of  FIG. 1 , on a user. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an outside flat plan view of the components of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic top plan view of the hip harness and cord of the system of  FIG. 1 , on a user. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic top plan view of the hip harness and cord of the system of  FIG. 1 , with another configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a schematic top plan view of the torso harness and cord of the system of  FIG. 1 , with another configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a schematic top plan view of the torso harness and cord of the system of  FIG. 1 , with another configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the system of  FIG. 1 , with another configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a back elevation view of the system of  FIG. 1 , with the configuration of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of the system of  FIG. 1 , with another configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a back elevation view of the system of  FIG. 1 , with the configuration of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , a sports training and conditioning system  11  embodying features of the present invention includes a hip harness  14 , a torso harness  15 , first and second connectors  16  and  17 , a cord  18 , and a club band  74 . The hip harness  14  is generally several inches wide, made of a durable, flexible material or fabric. The hip harness  14  has a foam core. The inside of the hip harness  14  is made of an anti-slip cloth to prevent rotation of the hip harness  14  relative to the user. 
         [0021]    Describing the specific embodiments herein chosen for illustrating the invention, certain terminology is used which will be recognized as being employed for convenience and having no limiting significance. For example, the illustrated embodiment is shown in the Figures and described for a right handed user, and each configuration shown can equivalently be provided for a left handed user. 
         [0022]    The hip harness  14  is adjustable and shaped to fit snugly around a user&#39;s pelvis. The hip harness  14  has a substantially straight hip back section  19 , upwardly curving hip side sections  20  at opposite ends of the hip back section  19  and a hip front section  21  with first and second portions  22  and  23  that extend from the hip side sections  20 . The first portion  22  shown will be on a user&#39;s right side and the second portion  23  on the user&#39;s left side. The hip side sections  20  are wider than the hip back and front sections  19  and  21  so that the hip harness  14  conforms to the user&#39;s pelvis. 
         [0023]    A hip harness fastener  24  releasably connects the first and second portions  22  and  23  of the hip front section  21  and is adjustable to accommodate different user sizes. The hip harness fastener  24  is shown as a snap hip harness buckle  25 . Other hip harness fasteners  24  can be used, such as hook and loop fasteners (i.e. Velcro®). Other buckle types can also be used. The hip harness buckle  25  includes a male portion  26 , a female portion  27 , a first hip buckle strap  28  and a second hip buckle strap  29 . The male portion  26  releasably snaps into the female portion  27 . The first hip buckle strap  28  is sewn to the second portion  23  of the hip front section  21  and the female portion  27 . The second hip buckle strap  29  is sewn at one end to the first portion  22  of the hip front section  21  and at the other end is adjustably secured to the male portion  26 . A buckle cover  30  folds over and covers the hip harness buckle  25 . 
         [0024]    A pair of thigh loops  31  each have a thigh connector strap  32  and a thigh cuff strap  33 . The thigh connector straps  32  releasably attach to opposite ends of the back hip section  19 . The thigh cuff straps  33  each connect transversely to a thigh connector strap  32 , are adjustable and each wrap around a user&#39;s thigh. The thigh loops  31  prevent the hip harness  14  from moving upwardly on a user&#39;s body and provide the user with a tactile feel for proper rotational muscle stretch or load. A first cord loop  35  is a horizontal strap attached at opposite ends to one of the hip side sections  20  and a second cord loop  36  is a horizontal strap attached at opposite ends to the other hip side section  20 . The first and second cord loops  35  and  36  can be coded such as by being different colors. The first cord loop  35  is on the user&#39;s right and second cord loop  36  shown is on the user&#39;s left. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the first cord loop  35  can be orange, and the second cord loop  36  can be blue. 
         [0025]    The torso harness  15  is generally several inches wide, and made of a durable, flexible material or fabric with a foam core and an anti-slip cloth on the inside. The torso harness  15  has a substantially straight torso back section  38 , downwardly curving torso side sections  39  at opposite ends of the torso back section  38  and a torso front section  40  with first and second portions  41  and  42  that extend from the torso side sections  39 . The first portion  41  shown will be on a user&#39;s right side and the second portion  42  on the user&#39;s left side. The torso side sections  39  are wider than the torso back and front sections  38  and  40  so that the torso harness  15  conforms to the user&#39;s torso. 
         [0026]    A torso harness fastener  43  releasably connects the first and second portions  41  and  42  of the front torso section  40  and is adjustable to accommodate different user sizes. The torso harness fastener  43  is shown as a pair of spaced snap torso harness buckle  44 . Other torso harness fasteners  43  can be used, such as hook and loop fasteners (i.e. Velcro®). Other buckle types can also be used. The torso harness buckles  44  each include a male portion  45 , a female portion  46 , a first torso buckle strap  47  and a second torso buckle strap  48 . The male portions  45  releasably snap into the female portions  46 . The first torso buckle straps  47  are sewn to the second portion  42  of the torso front section  40  and the female portions  46 . The second torso buckle straps  48  are sewn at one end to the first portion  41  of the torso front section  40  and at the other end is adjustably secured to the male portion  45 . 
         [0027]    A pair of adjustable shoulder straps  50  each attach at one end to the middle of the back torso section  38  and extend upwardly therefrom. The other ends of the shoulder straps  50  each attach to one of the torso front sections  40 . The shoulder straps  50  prevent the torso harness  15  from moving downwardly on a user&#39;s body. A circular shoulder strap guide loop  51  encircles each shoulder strap  50 . 
         [0028]    The torso harness  15  includes a first cord  53  loop, a second cord loop  54 , a third cord loop  55 , a fourth cord loop  56 , a fifth cord loop  57  and a sixth cord loop  58 . Each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cord loops  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57  and  58  are straps with opposite ends attached to the outside of the torso harness  15 . 
         [0029]    The first cord loop  53  is horizontal and attached to one of the side torso sections  39 . The second cord loop  54  is horizontal and attached to the other side torso section  39 . The third cord loop  55  is substantially vertical and attached to the first portion  41  of the front torso section  40 , adjacent to the first cord loop  53 . The fourth cord loop  56  is substantially vertical and attached to the second portion  42  of the front torso section  40 , adjacent to the second cord loop  54 . The fifth and sixth cord loops  57  and  58  are vertical and attached at opposite ends of the back torso section  38 , adjacent to the first and second cord loops  53  and  54 . 
         [0030]    The first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cord loops  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57  and  58  can be coded such as color coded. The first, third and fifth cord loops  53 ,  55  and  57  shown are on the user&#39;s right. The second, fourth and sixth cord loops  54 ,  56  and  58  are on the user&#39;s left. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the first cord loop  53  can be orange, the second cord loop  54  can be blue, the third cord loop  55  can be tan, the fourth cord loop  56  can be black, the fifth cord loop  57  can be yellow and the sixth cord loop  58  can be green. 
         [0031]    The first and second connectors  16  and  17  are flexible and adjustable, and releasably connect the hip harness  14  to the torso harness  15 . Each of the first and second connectors  16  and  17  has a strap  61  and a fastener  62 . The strap  61  can be elastic or inelastic. The strap  61  is attached to and extends downwardly from the front torso section  40  of the torso harness  15 . The fastener  62  shown is a snap buckle  63  having a male portion  64  and a female portion  65 . Other fasteners or buckle types can be used. The male portion  64  is adjustably attached to the strap  61 . The female portion  65  is attached to the hip front section  21  and is upwardly open. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first connector  16  preferably connects diagonally from the first portion  41  of the torso front section  40  to second portion  23  of the hip front section  21 . The second connector  17  preferably connects diagonally from the second portion  42  of the torso front section  40  to the first portion  22  of the hip front section  21 . When the first and second connectors  16  and  17  are both connected, the first and second connectors  16  and  17  form an X across the front of the user between the hip harness  14  and the torso harness  15 . The first and second connectors  16  and  17  can extend vertically between the torso harness  15  and the hip harness  14 . 
         [0033]    The cord  18  shown includes a resilient elongated portion  67  with a cord fastener  68  at each end of the elongated portion  67 . Each cord fastener  68  has a cord strap  69  attached to an end of the elongated portion  67  and a buckle  70  that releasably connects the ends of the cord strap  69 . The elongated portion  67  can be rubber tubing, bungee cord, shock cord, or other stretchy cord, band or rope. The elongated portion  67  can also be inelastic. 
         [0034]    The club band  74  has a elongated portion  75  with a band fastener  76  at one end and a hand strap  77  at the other end. The band fastener  76  has a band strap  78  attached to an end of the elongated portion  75  and a buckle  79  that releasably connects the ends of the band strap  78 . The elongated portion  75  can be rubber tubing, bungee cord, shock cord, or other stretchy cord, band or rope. The elongated portion  75  can also be inelastic. 
         [0035]    The first connector  16  shown synchronizes the rotation of the user&#39;s upper torso with the counter-clockwise rotation of the user&#39;s pelvis. At the beginning of a golf down-swing the user&#39;s pelvis starts to rotate counter-clockwise first with the upper torso stationary and the muscles connecting the pelvis to the upper torso stretching. The first connector  16  is adjusted so that, as the pelvis rotates, at the proper time, the first connector  16  tightens and the upper torso starts to rotate counter-clockwise. Repetition of the swing develops proper sequencing, timing and conditions the muscles to repeatably perform this movement without using the system. 
         [0036]    The second connector  17  shown synchronizes the rotation of the user&#39;s upper torso with the clockwise rotation of the user&#39;s pelvis. The second connector  17  is used to develop proper sequencing, timing and to condition the muscles for the preparation or loading phase of the fore-hand swing in sports such as tennis or the backswing in sports such as golf. 
         [0037]    One of the cord fasteners  68  on the cord  18  attaches to one of the first and second cord loops  35  and  36  on the hip harness  14  or one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cord loops  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57  and  58  on the torso harness  15 . The other cord fastener  68  on the cord  18  attaches to an anchor, such as a door, or is held by a trainer. For backswing training and conditioning, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , a resilient cord  18  is attached to the second cord loop  36 , on the user&#39;s left side, on the hip harness  14 . The user stands with the cord  18  extending across the user&#39;s front and to the user&#39;s right, back or other various angles of pull to an anchor  72 . Where the anchor  72  is a door with doorknobs, the cord strap  69  can be looped around one or both doorknobs. The cord strap  69  can also be placed, at the dotted line A shown in  FIG. 3 , between the door and the frame at any elevation, and the door can then be closed to anchor the cord  18 . In an alternative to the cord, a cable type strength training machine or other forms of resistance strength training equipment may be attached to either harness. Also the above described interconnected harness may be used without either cord. 
         [0038]    The cord  18  is stretched so that the cord  18  rotates the body clockwise and rotates the pelvis over the right hip joint, stretching various muscles of the thighs, hips, pelvis, spine and the gluteal muscles of both the right and left hip joints. The stretch of these muscles, especially the gluteal muscles, stimulates the various stretch and positional receptors in the muscles and the hip joints. This stimulation develops the feel of a proper golf backswing via the development of muscle memory as well as activating specific muscles to increase the ability of these muscles to contract to effectively perform the specific rotational sports motion or movement. This action when performed following a specific program of load, frequency, repetitions, sets, recovery and rest etc, can increase the strength, endurance, speed, power and flexibility of the muscles specific to a proper golf swing or rotational sports movement. 
         [0039]    Specific types of physical training responses can be elicited depending on the training program design. The program variables can be formulated to simply warm-up or activate the muscles of the rotational sports movement or to increase the velocity or speed or the muscle contractions, the resulting pelvic rotation increasing club head and ultimately leading to increased ball velocity and ball distance. The cord  18  can also be held at various different angles of pull and manipulated by a trainer and an inelastic cord  18  can be used. The cord  18  can extend rearwardly from the user instead of to the user&#39;s right, as shown in dashed line in  FIG. 4 . In this configuration, when used for backswing training, the cord  18  provides assistance to the user. This configuration can also be used for swing training with the cord  18  providing downswing resistance to the user. Similarly, for each of the configuration described hereinafter, the cord  18  can provide assistance or resistance. 
         [0040]    The club band  74  teaches the feel for proper arm positioning and forearm rotation that should occur from address into the backswing and then through the downswing, impact, follow-thru and finish positions in a golf swing. The user attaches the band fastener  76  of the club band  74  to one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cord loops  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57  and  58  on the torso harness  15 . The hand strap  77  is held by the user. The user can either perform the swing turn with or without holding a golf club. The use of the club band serves as the basis for other rotational sports where the arms/hands also need to be synchronized to the turn of the pelvis and upper-torso. 
         [0041]    For swing training and conditioning, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the cord  18  is attached to the first cord loop  35 , on the user&#39;s right side, on the hip harness  14 . The user stands with the cord  18  extending across the user&#39;s front and to the user&#39;s left to an anchor  72 .  FIG. 6  shows the cord  18  attached to the second cord loop  54  on the torso harness  15 , and extending across the user&#39;s front and to the user&#39;s right, for backswing training and conditioning, such as a golf backswing.  FIG. 7  shows the cord  18  attached to the first cord loop  53  on the torso harness  15 , and extending across the user&#39;s front and to the user&#39;s left, for swing training and conditioning, such as a golf backswing or downswing. 
         [0042]    For each of the configurations shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 - 7 , the cord  18  can extend horizontally from the user or can extend at any angle up or down from the user, as shown by the dashed lines in  FIG. 2 . For each of these configurations, a second cord  18  can be attached to the other of the hip or torso harness  14  or  15 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Other configurations in which the cord  18  is attached to any one of the first and second cord loops  35  and  36  on the hip harness  14  or any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cord loops  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57  and  58  on the torso harness  15  can be used. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show the sports training and conditioning system  11  configured for volleyball training and conditioning with the cord  18  attached to the fourth cord loop  56  on the torso harness  15 . The cord  18  runs from the fourth cord loop  56  upwardly and rightwardly through the shoulder strap guide loop  51 , over the user&#39;s right shoulder, and downwardly and leftwardly towards the user&#39;s left heel. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show the sports training and conditioning system  11  in another configuration for volleyball training and conditioning with the cord  18  attached to the fifth cord loop  57  on the torso harness  15 . The cord  18  runs from the fifth cord loop  57  upwardly over the user&#39;s right shoulder, downwardly through the shoulder strap guide loop  51 , and downwardly and leftwardly towards the user&#39;s left toes. The configurations of  FIGS. 8 to 11  are for training and conditioning for a right handed serve or spike. The third and sixth cord loops  55  and  58 , respectively, are used for training and conditioning for a left handed serve or spike. 
         [0045]    For each of the configurations shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , the cord  18  can extend over the user&#39;s shoulder and through strap guide loop  51  or can extend horizontally from the user or can extend at any angle up or down from the user. For each of these configurations, a second cord  18  can be attached to the other of the hip or torso harness  14  or  15 . Other configurations in which the cord  18  is attached to any one of the first and second cord loops  35  and  36  on the hip harness  14  or any one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cord loops  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57  and  58  on the torso harness  15  can be used. 
         [0046]    The system  11  is used for training and conditioning for golf and volleyball. The system  11  can also be used for skill training and conditioning for tennis, baseball, softball, lacrosse, hockey, and track and field events such as shot-put, discus, hammer and javelin. The cord  18  provides assistance in one direction and resistance in the opposite direction, for development of muscle memory and muscle conditioning. The system  11  can also be used for muscular skeletal rehabilitation of the spine, pelvis and hips. 
         [0047]    Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that changes in details of structure may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.