Abstract:
A device for throwing and swinging sports comprises a semi-transparent bottle into which varying amounts of a media may be added. One embodiment of that bottle is generally concave in cross-section for better gripping and includes markings on at least one side for showing different filling levels. A gripping element extends from a middle of the bottle sidewall. One such element is a baseball, real or simulated. Other embodiments include a softball, a football-sized element and/or a racket handle. In order to assist the user with timed workouts, an optional cap may include a built-in clock for signaling when to switch from one exercise to another. Methods for exercising with this device are also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an exercise device for athletes of throwing and swinging sports. More particularly, this invention relates to an athletic training and strengthening device for promoting an athlete&#39;s shoulder and arm muscle strength via simulated throwing or swinging motions. This invention further relates to a device for exercising certain muscles when grasped with one hand and shaken or oscillated back and forth. The invention addresses methods for athletes to perform active warm-up, deceleration, stretch and/or progressive resistive exercises with such devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Athletic devices for developing throwing or swinging techniques and strength can be grouped into two general categories. The first covers strengthening devices that use a resistive force for strengthening those muscles used in the motion of swinging (e.g., a tennis racket) or throwing a ball such as a baseball (e.g., pitching). In the second category are training devices for teaching a preferred technique of swinging (e.g., volley, serve) or throwing (e.g., a curveball, slider, etc.) without specifically targeting muscle development. 
     For baseball pitching (and throwing to a lesser extent), some representative devices in the first category include a non-elastic cord or rope that passes over a pulley secured to a fixed point. One end of the cord/rope attaches to a handle or ball while the other end connects to an inertial force or weighted object. The handle or ball is accelerated by being propelled through the air with the transfer of energy from the athlete&#39;s throwing hand. The opposing resistive force that is produced can strengthen some of the muscles an athlete uses in pitching a baseball. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,974,836, 5,158,517, 6,413,196, and 6,565,491. 
     Other devices in the first category produce a resistive force by stretching elastic material. Typically, those devices include an elastic cord with one end tethered to a grounded surface. At the opposite cord end is a handle or ball that the athlete pulls to produce a resistive force for strengthening some of the muscles used when pitching a baseball. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,652,085 and 4,846,471. These devices may develop some degree of muscle strengthening in the hand, arm and shoulders. But, they not specifically target the development of muscle coordination or conditioning typically required to properly pitch or throw. By varying degrees, the aforementioned limitations of these types of devices produce insufficient conditioning and coordination, or muscle development, to fully develop an athlete&#39;s capacity to pitch properly. 
     Numerous devices in the second category use a variety of methods to teach the proper techniques and mechanics of throwing a baseball. The devices of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,888,482, 4,984,789, 5,348,292 and 6,322,462 are each intended to train pitchers to use correct arm and elbow action when throwing a baseball. Generally, such devices do not disclose methods for strengthening or conditioning the athlete while teaching proper throwing techniques and mechanics. 
     In Biegen Published Application No. 2006-135291, there is shown a foamed structure with aerodynamic drag designed to train and strengthen an athlete&#39;s throwing motions. A baseball sized attachment extends from one end of that structure with a flexible strap. Alternate shapes are shown in  FIGS. 5 through 7  of that reference. 
     Still other prior art devices include: the Y-shaped tether system of Scher et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,805; the weighted tube screwed into one end of a “sports” ball per Romanick U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,660; the ball throwing rehab/training device of Higgins U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,016 that uses several elastic band harnesses and a ball held on a frame; and their early predecessor, the weighted whirling exercise device of Busby U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,204. 
     There also exists several design patents pertaining to water bottle shaped exercising apparatus. See, for example, Van Der Hoeven, U.S. Pat. No. D359,090 with its contoured handle shape. In FIGS. 4 and 5 of Hwang U.S. Pat. No. D343,660, that bottle appears somewhat concave though in a different context. Still other handled shapes were design patent protected in Hall U.S. Pat. No. D299,153 and Egger U.S. Pat. No. D297,961. The aspect of a separate handle was eliminated by the aquatic exercise bottle shape in Day U.S. Pat. No. D339,839. 
     Water weighted devices are also the subject of Gordon U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,098. Therein, a handheld, dumbbell-shaped weight exerciser includes a drink reservoir in its central section. Contrast that with the liquid fillable dumbbell of Brown U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,587 having an alternate weight indicator means per  FIG. 5 . The primary focus of Jenison U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,051 was a collapsible, dumbbell. An alternate shaped, cylindrical version of same, with an integral handle, is shown in  FIGS. 4 through 8 . 
     Two published, pending applications, Allen et al. U.S. Published Application No. 2007-49135 and Joe U.S. Published Application No. 2006-223682, address cylindrically shaped, exercise devices with the former device accommodating granular material therein for rhythmic sound-making. By contrast, the Joe device has an elongated weight (item 17) tethered between tube ends. 
     A barbell with hollow, interlocking weights is the subject of Elmore et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,422. And finally, some degree of linear “deceleration” for hand exercising is shown and described in LeBlond U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,140. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Typical devices for pitching or throwing or do not always combine training, strengthening and conditioning. It is therefore an object of this invention to combine the ability to strengthen, coordinate and condition all the specific muscle sets for an athlete to throw or swing over his/her shoulder. 
     Another object is to provide a training and strengthening device for pitching with the resistive force of a typical pitching motion while aiding in strength, coordination and conditioning of the specific muscle sets required for same. 
     Yet another object is to provide a device for pitching or throwing that does not need to be tethered, anchored or affixed to any grounded structure. Such a device is small enough to be hand-held and remain in the athlete&#39;s hand during use. As such, this training and strengthening device may be used either indoors or outdoors. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a device for deceleration exercising that does not require the participation of anyone other than the athlete. Preferred embodiments of this device include a built-in timer for such purposes. 
     It is another principal object of this invention to provide a device for throwing a ball and/or swinging a racket while minimizing wear and tear to the athlete&#39;s muscular-skeletal structure. Ideally, this device allows for repetitive, oscillating workouts to improve the cardiovascular stamina of an athlete. It is also suitable several key muscular rehabilitation exercises. 
     These and other objects and advantages are attained with an exercise device that comprises a semi-transparent bottle into which varying amounts of a media may be added. One embodiment of that bottle has a generally concave cross-section for better gripping with markings on at least one side to show different media filling levels. A gripping element is fixedly attached to extend from a middle of the bottle. One such element is an actual baseball, with typical stitching. Another embodiment uses a rubberized, practice ball sized to simulate the general weight and shape of a baseball. Still other embodiments include a softball (not shown), a football-sized gripping element and an element resembling a tennis racket handle. When the gripping element attaches to only one side of the bottle, rather than completely through, the bottle may be used to store drinkable liquids such as water or the like. In order to assist the user with timed workouts, an optional cap to this bottle may include a built-in clock for signaling when to switch from one exercise to another. An optional lid handle loop also assists with device carrying and storage. 
     The foregoing device may be used to exercise different muscles by grasping and simulating athletic throwing and swinging. Preferred embodiments include at least one element for gripping, holding, or otherwise connecting with an individual&#39;s hand thereby enabling exercise of the athlete&#39;s shoulder and arm muscles while simulating desired throwing and/or swinging motions. 
     One embodiment of this invention provides a training and strengthening device for baseball pitching and throwing. The device includes a baseball gripping element, or a gripping element alternative that is substantially the same size as a baseball. Said alternative may be adapted from a rubberized practice ball. The typical regulation-size ball would have standard stitching. The alternative, “practice” baseball grip would not necessarily have stitching, either real or simulated. 
     The device requires no one other than the athlete to use. It remains secure in the athlete&#39;s hand during use, thereby allowing a fast-paced, repetitive workout. By reducing the typical levels of strain generated from rapid acceleration and deceleration characteristics of pitching, this device is ideal for rehabilitation purposes. The device is portable, need not be tethered to any grounding surface, and can be used safely and easily both indoors and outdoors. This device is relatively simple in design, yet economical to manufacture and use. 
     When used for deceleration exercising, the device may be grasped in one hand at a centrally-located gripping element, before being shaken back and forth. Such oscillation, while grasping the gripping element, causes muscles on opposite sides of a one&#39;s arm to reciprocally contract and relax numerous times. That type of exercising strengthens muscles, increases power and quickness in muscle contraction and relaxation, and increases muscle endurance. It also improves coordination between muscles on the opposite sides of one&#39;s arm, balances muscle tone between muscles on opposite arm sides and promotes proximal stability in the upper arm for distal mobility. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The structure, operation, and methodology of the invention, together with other objects and advantages thereof, may be better understood by reading the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention adapted for baseball pitch exercising; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side plan view of the device from  FIG. 1 , the right side view being a mirror image of same; 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the  FIG. 1  device; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the same device showing its optional lid timer; 
         FIG. 5A  is a left side, cross-sectional view of the device from  FIG. 4  taken along lines  5 A- 5 A; 
         FIG. 5B  is a left side, cross-sectional view of the alternate device with an integrally formed ball mounting means; 
         FIG. 6A  is a left side, cross-sectional view of a second alternate embodiment with ball mounting means from only one bottle sidewall; 
         FIG. 6B  is a left side, cross-sectional view of a third alternate embodiment to  FIG. 6A  wherein the one sidewall ball mounting means is integrally formed; 
         FIG. 6C  is a left side, cross-sectional view of a fourth alternative embodiment, similar to  FIG. 6B , but with a ball mounting means that does not pass through any bottle sidewall; 
         FIG. 7  is a left side plan view of a fifth alternate embodiment wherein a practice ball mounting means is affixed around the bottle exterior; 
         FIG. 8A  is a left side plan view of a sixth alternate embodiment with an interchangeable device exercise mount; 
         FIG. 8B  is a left side plan view of a seventh alternate embodiment, similar to that of  FIG. 8A  but with no separate lidding element; 
         FIG. 9A  is a top plan view of an alternative racket handle exercise mount for the device of either  FIG. 8A  or  8 B; 
         FIG. 9B  is a top plan view of an alternative football handle exercise mount for the device of either  FIG. 8A  or  8 B; 
         FIG. 10A  is a rear plan view of a eighth alternate embodiment with a football sized grip and simulated football laces on opposite sides of its base; 
         FIG. 10B  is a right side, plan view of the  FIG. 10A  device rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise; 
         FIGS. 11A  and B are diagrammatic front and side views of an athlete using the device to exercise with his arm bent at the elbow and at waist height with an arrow indicating a first up and down direction of oscillation; 
         FIGS. 11C  and D are diagrammatic front and side views of an athlete using the device in the same exercise position as  FIGS. 11A  and B, but with an arrow indicating a side-to-side direction of oscillation; 
         FIGS. 11E  and F are diagrammatic front and side views of an athlete using the device to exercise with his extended arm facing front at shoulder height, the arrow indicating a direction of oscillation for same; 
         FIGS. 11G , H and I are diagrammatic front ( 11 G) and side views ( 11 H and I) of an athlete using the device to exercise with his extended arm straight up in the air with the arrows indicating a fixed arm, elbow exercising direction of oscillation for  FIG. 11H  and a fuller shoulder exercise with the whole arm moving per the side view arrow indicator at  FIG. 11I ; and 
         FIGS. 12A  through D are diagrammatic perspective views of an athlete using the inventive device, showing various phases of a complete pitching motion which are, in order: the ready-position ( 12 A), stride ( 12 B), delivery ( 12 C) and follow-through ( 12 D). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , there is shown one embodiment of athletic training and strengthening device, generally  10 , per the present invention. Device  10  is particularly adapted for pitching or throwing baseballs, and comprises two major components. The first component is a bottle for holding varying amounts of a media, preferably liquid media, such as water or the like. As shown, bottle has a main body component  12  and a lid component  14 . The lid component  14  in these FIGURES is a screw on type for mating with a wide mouth opening on the body component  12 . In these views, lid component  14  has a collar or flange extension  15  for fitting over the mouth of body component  12  before screwing onto the threads T of that body mouth. Still other lid and body combinations are possible with the present invention, however, including small mouthed varieties, snap on lids and/or lids with pull open valves. 
     On a preferred basis, body component  12  is substantially semi-transparent for visually illustrating the amount of media included in same. Body component may be completely clear, or made from a colored polymer like a polycarbonate, an HDPE plastic, an LDPE, a polypropylene and/or a PET plastic resin. Alternately, an opaque body component may be made with a transparent or semi-transparent window along one side for indicating the amount of media therein. 
     Body component  12  includes at least two side markings  20   a  and  20   b . In a typical body component for holding about 12-16 ounces (0.75-1 lb.) of liquid media, the first marking indicator (element  20   a ) should show a first fill level suitable for warm up exercising (or an indicator for about 1-1.5 lbs. of media). The second indicator (element  20   b ) should show the media addition levels for progressive resistance exercising (sometimes called “PRE”). That can range between 2-3 lbs. of media within body component  12 . Obviously, multiple markings (“ 20   m ”) are also possible with these body components to show more than two media levels. 
     In  FIGS. 1 through 3 , one embodiment shape for body component  12  is more evident. That shape would be one with a substantially concave cross-section. Such a shape would enable an athlete to grip the whole of body component  12  by wrapping his/her fingers about that body component as an alternative to exercising with the gripping element described hereinafter. 
     The second main component for device  10  is a gripping element, generally  30 , that extends a spaced distance from one side of body component  12 . At a minimum, gripping element  30  should be spaced about 1 to 1.5 inches from the bottle body, or a sufficient distance for the athlete&#39;s fingers to grasp the gripping element and swing it about during exercising. Preferably, gripping element  30  extends outwardly from an intermediate point or substantially midway along the length (or relative height) of body component  12  for better balancing the device during shoulder and arm exercising therewith. 
     In a first embodiment, gripping element  30  is fixedly attached to the bottle, or more specifically body component  12 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 A (the latter being a cross-sectional view midway through device  10 ), there is shown a first means for more permanently attaching gripping element  30  to body component  12 . It includes an elongated bolt  40 , having a first bolt head  42  and watertight washer  44 , through an opposed sidewall of the gripping element proper. That same bolt  40  passes through the inside of body component  12  before exiting through hole  46  in the opposite sidewall running substantially parallel to the lowermost bottle base. One or more gaskets or washers (element  44 , again) may be positioned on the bolt stem before a spacer element  50  is added. That spacer element  50  may be made from metal, plastic or combinations of materials. 
     Adjacent spacer element  50  is the exercise grip  60  through which bolt  40  further extends before terminating with another washer  44  and second bolt head  42 . Should it be desirable to use the body of device  10  for transporting consumable liquid media, the main body of bolt  40  within the interior of body component  12  may be passed through an acceptable sleeve element  48  like one made from the same polymer material used to make body component  12  and/or lid component  14 . See especially,  FIG. 5A  for a better view of sleeve element  48 . 
     In this first embodiment, the exercise grip  60  is a standard, regulation size baseball with stitching  63 . To a lesser degree, a softball sized grip may be substituted for the aforementioned baseball but only for throwing practice since a typical softball is pitched underhanded rather than overhand. 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 4 , there is shown an optional timer  70  built into the lid or cap component  14 . That timer  70  would have two or more buttons  72  for setting up conditions for timing exercises with the device over a predetermined length of time per exercise and a resetting of the timer proper. Also as shown, timer  70  includes a digital time display element  74 . 
     There are numerous alternate embodiments of this invention included with  FIG. 5B ,  FIGS. 6A through 6C ,  FIG. 7 ,  FIGS. 8A  and B, and  FIGS. 10A  and B. In these alternatives, elements common to the device of  FIGS. 1 through 5A  are commonly numbered though in the next hundred series. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5B , there is shown an alternate embodiment of device  110 , with its body component  112  and cap or lid  114 . The  FIG. 5B  embodiment differs from its  FIG. 5A  counterpart in that the body component for same is molded to include a unitized or integral sleeve element  148 . It is through that pre-formed channel that a duly sized bolt  140 , with its bolt head  142  and washer  144  are threaded before passing out through: its opposite wall hole  146 , a spacer element  150 , ball (or gripping element  160 ) with stitches  163 , another washer  144  and final bolt head  142 . With this configuration having a predisposed channel through which ball mounting bolts may pass, it is much simpler to employ said devices for drinkable liquid carrying during and after exercising. There is no risk of leakage or jostling of device contents that might impact on internal gasket/seal/washer integrity. 
     In  FIG. 6A , there is shown another alternate device  210 , with its body component  212  and lid or cap component  214 . In this cross-sectional view, gripping element  230  fixedly attaches to and through only one sidewall of body component  212 . Such mounting uses a shorter length of bolt  240 , with its bolt head  242  passing through first washer  244 , metal spacer element  250  and ball grip  260  (with stitches  263 ) before terminating with a washer  244  and opposite bolt head  242 . 
     The alternate embodiment in  FIG. 6B  is more like the two walled connection of  FIG. 5B . In particular, device  310  of this embodiment has a body component  312  with an integrally formed spacer/shaft  350  through which the gripping mechanism of a bolt  340 , with bolt head  342 , washer  344  and ball grip  360  (with stitches  363 ) are mounted before terminating in the second washer  344  and bolt head  342  at the opposed end. 
     In the additional variation at  FIG. 6C , the molded (or integrally formed) stem  450  butting out from the midway point to one sidewall of the body component  412  to device  410  has no apertures for bolting through. Instead, it includes a screw tipped attachment  440  with one end that permanently affixes into an integrally formed, molded stem  450 . In some instances, additional adherence is achieved by applying glues and/or other epoxies to the varying components. The ball  460  with stitches  463  would extend outwardly from that integral stem unit  450 . 
     Yet another embodiment of this invention is shown in  FIG. 7 . In that version of device  510 , with its body component  512  and lid or cap component  514 , the means for mounting gripping element  530  is not affixed through but only onto (or, more specifically around) the circumference of body component  512  with a tightened band or strap  541 . With bolts, glues and/or a plurality of staples (not shown), the base  531  to gripping element  530  affixes to this band/strap  541 . Then following, in succession, is a first washer  544 , elongate spacer  550 , ball grip  560  before terminating in a second washer  544  and bolt head  542 . 
     Also in  FIG. 7 , a standard baseball grip has been replaced by a representative alternative. Therein, a rubber or polymer-based, practice ball substantially similar in size, shape and weight to that of a typical baseball is used. That baseball-sized grip  560  includes a plurality of dimples or perforates D for better gripping during exercises. When a rubberized alternative is used, it is not necessary for that ball to employ real or simulated stitching. On a rubberized surface, artificial stitching might even lead to slippage or early release of the device  510  when performing certain exercise routines therewith. 
     In  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the same sort of interchangeable gripping element hinted at in  FIG. 7  is shown in more detail. For these two embodiment counterparts, device  610  has a body component  612  with only the first version in  FIG. 8A  having a separate and distinct cap component  614 . The version shown in  FIG. 8B  has only one main aperture  616  through which liquids may be added or removed. That aperture extends at or about the midpoint to a sidewall of body component  612 . Needless to say, such positioning would make beverage drinking through any lid screwed onto or over that aperture awkward if not impossible. As such, a sidewall component configuration like that depicted in  FIG. 8B  would be for non-thirst quenching applications like those anticipated hereby and shown and described herein. 
     With the implementation of a side only fill means, the device  610  of  FIG. 8B  may need to include a second set of markings, the first set  620   m  being visible and useable when the bottle device is rested on either its flat top or bottom. A second set of markings  621   m  would need to be added for showing preferred liquid fill levels when the device  610  is on its side and said aperture is laid open for adding liquid elements therein. 
     In both the lidded ( FIG. 8A ) and non-lidded ( FIG. 8B ) versions, both alternative devices employ a similar means of interchangeable, exercising sports grips, or gripping elements  630 . For both variations, the gripping element  630  is only meant to temporarily extend outward from a sidewall of body component  612 . For greater versatility between sports, the sidewall for these embodiments includes a special threaded region  680 . For the version at  FIG. 8A , that region of device  610  need not require a liquid tight seal in as much as no liquid media is ever intended to pass through said configuration. Further components include a gripper adapter base  682  with internal threads corresponding to those of threaded region  680 . In yet another alternative, not shown, base  682  may be sufficiently sized to eliminate the need for a separate, stand alone spacer element (the equivalent of earlier element  50 ). Instead, this alternative could be directly served with an elongate bolt  640  that passes through ball grip  660  and washer  644 , before terminating with ball grip bolt head  642 . 
     In  FIGS. 9A  and B, alternate shapes of gripper exerciser are shown as a variation from the gripper adapter base  682  in prior  FIGS. 8A  and B. Particularly,  FIG. 9A  shows a gripper exerciser, generally  730 , whose shape resembles a racket handle  762  at one end, a screw-on base  782  at the opposite end and a bolt element  740  extending there between. Possibly, a portion of bolt element  740  extends partially into, or even through one or both end components. Though shown as a typical tennis racket handle, it is understood that still other configurations may include a badminton or racquetball racket handle shapes. 
     In  FIG. 9B , yet another alternate gripper shape  830  is shown extending from its own gripper adapter base  882 . Therein, that exerciser shape resembles a section of regulation size football  860  (with ball tip ends removed). The ball tip ends are unnecessary for using such a device for practicing ball throwing exercises, i.e. warm ups and the like. It is important that this alternative shape include real or simulated stitches/laces  863  as such stitches are critical for the proper gripping and throwing of any football. 
     In one additional embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10A  and B, the device  910  has a body component  912  with a lower end, nearest its base, that has an inward and upwardly beveling region  913  before eventually joining up to lid/cap component  914 . More notably, the remainder of the lowermost shape to beveling region  913  includes several simulated stitches/laces  963  on opposed sidewalls to body component  912 . They allow for exercising with the lowermost end to device  912  for one sport (football) without having to unnecessarily disengage the ball gripping region  930  more commonly used for baseball pitching warm-ups. 
     An advantage of this invention is that the device does not require anyone other than the athlete to use. The device need not be tethered, anchored or fixed to any grounding structure. It is wholly hand-held, easily portable and useable either indoors or outdoors. On a pitching mound, the device allows an athlete to train under the same conditions as would be experienced in a game, thereby maximizing the development of muscular strength and coordination at “game speed”. The device remains in the athlete&#39;s hand during use thereby allowing a fast-paced, repetitive oscillating workout uninterrupted by having to stop for repeated thrown ball retrievals. Indoors, an athlete may use the device before a mirror or other reflective surface for better evaluating and rapidly correcting flaws in pitching technique. 
     The device can be used to warm-up an athlete&#39;s throwing arm and/or rehabilitate it with moderate effort. An athlete using this device can generate less acceleration on various elements of his/her muscular-skeletal structure to produce a lower impact workout, including one with a gradual, more benign deceleration than is typical in pitching a baseball. As such, use of this device should minimize or completely eliminate those shoulder and arm injuries normally associated with rapid deceleration by a fatigued athlete. 
     In the remaining FIGURES, there are shown numerous exercises for an athlete using the device of this invention.  FIGS. 11A  and B, for example, show an athlete A shown with his arm bent at the elbow and at waist height. Device  10  is gripped by the athlete&#39;s right hand and shaken up and down in the direction of the arrows in this front and side view for an effective, warm up oscillating exercise. One preferred timing for this particular exercise extends between about 30 seconds to 1 minute per hand. 
     In  FIGS. 11C  and D, the same general exercise as above is repeated but with device  10  rotated 90 degrees for repeated, oscillating movements from side-to-side.  FIGS. 11E  and F show a third exercise with device  10 . In this version, athlete A shakes or oscillates the device up and down (as shown by the arrows) but with his/her arm fully extended outwardly and substantially parallel to the shoulder. 
     Finally,  FIGS. 11G , H and I include a front ( 11 G) and side views of athlete A with his/her arm fully raised. A first set of exercises in this position oscillates the device  10  back and forth, in the direction of the arrow at the top of  FIG. 11H , but with the athlete&#39;s elbow fixed in one position. Contrast that with a second set of extended arm exercises shown in  FIG. 11I . Therein, the athlete&#39;s whole elbow and lower arm are moved back and forth, in the direction of the larger, lower arrow, midway through the right side of  FIG. 11I . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12A , B, C and D, there is shown an athlete A using a device  10  while simulating the four distinct phases of a pitcher&#39;s throwing motion. In  FIG. 12A , the athlete holds device at the beginning of a typical pitch delivery. The athlete&#39;s throwing arm is in the high cocked position, motionless, but ready to explode forward.  FIG. 12B  shows the athlete striding forward with the velocity of his/her throwing hand increasing but not at full velocity. In  FIG. 12C , the point of maximum velocity in a pitch delivery is reached. Finally,  FIG. 12D  illustrates the follow-through phase of a typical throwing motion with its gradual deceleration of the athlete&#39;s muscular-skeletal structure. 
     It is understood that the training and strengthening device of this invention can be employed for other training uses including throwing a football, a softball and/or serving a tennis ball. In some cases, alternative uses of the device may necessitate, or result in, changes to the embodiments described above. But all such changes are considered to be still within the scope of the present invention.