Abstract:
A leg handle with preferably hollow cylindrical sections, is used to aid in lifting a jumping player, especially for lineouts in Rugby. The handles are made of one or more foam sausages attached to a thin stretch fabric sleeve which is placed on the leg of the jumper and when jumping allow for secure grasp by lifters. The simple, reusable, easy to use leg handles provide effectiveness, comfort, convenience, and safety. Leg handles are applied to one or more legs of a jumper and held in place with tape. When the jumper jumps, one or more lifters lift and support the jumper in the jump while the jumper attempts to intercept a ball and safely lower the jumper. Leg handles are embodied with a single sausage; a lower front sausage and a higher back sausage; or a pair of sausages integrated into legs of compression shorts.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/151,303. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to a leg handle used when lifting a person who is jumping or being lifted, for example a jumper in a Rugby lineout. In particular, a leg handle comprising a cylindrical section. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    There is a need to jump high in order to intercept a ball in many sports, such as Rugby, volleyball, or baseball. 
         [0006]    For example, in Rugby Union, when a ball goes out of bounds it is returned to play using a set formation known as a lineout. In a lineout, players from both teams line up near where the ball went out of bounds. Each team forms its own line. A space of about one yard is formed between the lines of players, referred to as the tunnel. The ball is then thrown back into the playing field. The ball must be thrown straight into the middle of the tunnel. Players compete for the ball. A player has a greater likelihood of winning the ball if he is higher in the air than others. Therefore, players jump and/or are lifted up by teammates to be in a favorable position to win possession of the ball. 
         [0007]    Other activities such as ice skating and dancing also involve lifts. 
         [0008]    Various methods have been employed to accomplish these types of lifts and jumps. 
         [0009]    Originally, players jumped unassisted by teammates, but the laws (rules) of Rugby Union have changed to allow teammates to support a player while in the air. At first, lifters would grab the waist of the jumper&#39;s cotton Rugby shorts. It is currently illegal to grab on to or bind to the player while the player is on the ground. As time passed, it became common to support a jumping player by grabbing the player by the bottom of the shorts and lifting him/her by the shorts long enough to play the ball. More recently, it has been made legal to grab the jumping player by the thighs above the knee. Many jumping players wrap a combination of materials and tapes around the thigh to offer those lifting a better grip. 
         [0010]    The use of such techniques has several disadvantages such as:
       Being ineffective, as a good grip is often still difficult to maintain   Being unsafe, as jumping players that are dropped because of poor grip can fall up to 10 feet and land in an awkward position   Damage to or tearing of clothing, especially if the proper shorts are not worn   Extreme discomfort to the jumper, especially in the groin area   Taking time to apply during the critical stages of pre-match preparation   Requiring a large amount of tape, e.g. almost a full roll of athletic tape   Requiring help to apply, as taping one&#39;s own leg is often difficult to do satisfactorily   Needing to be taped before every game or practice       
 
         [0019]    It is also desirable to have a means for lifting that does not cause additional bunching and riding up of the short Rugby shorts and that looks better. 
         [0020]    Regulation Rugby shorts are made of thick, non-stretch cotton fabric. The shorts are used to bind onto other players during play such as scrums, rucks, and mauls. The shorts are also used to lift jumpers. The legs of the Rugby short are short and wide allowing the player a large range of leg movement and reducing the surface area that may be used to disadvantageously tackle the wearer. Thus, a primary characteristic of Rugby shorts is that they are non-stretch, short-legged, and loosely fitting. 
         [0021]    For extra support, modesty, and comfort, it is common for Rugby players to also wear skin-tight, longer-legged, compressions shorts made of low denier stretch fabric, known as Spandex or Elastane. These separate and distinct compression shorts are worn under their regulation Rugby shorts. 
         [0022]    On Feb. 26, 1999, Halbro Sportswear applied for a UK patent, application GB 2347067A, where strips of non-stick material are sewn into the sides and lower edges of regulation Rugby shorts. These strips of non-stick material allow teammates to more easily grip the Rugby shorts during a Rugby lineout. 
         [0023]    Later, elastic neoprene sleeves comprising a non-slip gripping surface have been placed around legs. On Apr. 22, 2003, Mark Giarcheri filed application PCT/GB03/01719 showing a neoprene sleeve comprising a non-slip gripping surface with a ridge at the top. In 2005, KooGa introduced a “Lineout Support” comprising a neoprene sleeve with a non-slip gripping surface. 
         [0024]    Elastic sleeves comprising other types of means for gripping have been placed around legs. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/499,023, filed Aug. 3, 2006, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/800,356, filed May 4, 2007, disclose my earlier attempts to solve these problems. While successful in part, those earlier attempts still suffer from various problems. 
         [0025]    More recently, the Centurion brand (Primo Play Ltd.) introduced Aerial Supports™ consisting of a heavy neoprene housing a rubber lifting block. Deacon Manu developed Aerial Supports™ 
         [0026]    Elastic leg sleeves have several disadvantages such as:
       Being constricting during the activity between lifts   Being too elastic and sliding up during lifts   Being hot, causing excessive sweating and odor   Having material break down   Being relatively heavy   Having relative expensive materials   Having materials requiring expensive equipment to manufacture   Being complex, and thus costly to manufacture   Sliding down the leg       
 
         [0036]    There is a need for a means to improve lifting in all levels of play, as ineffective lifts can be costly, dangerous, and contribute significantly to losing a game. 
         [0037]    What is needed is an improved lightweight, low cost, easy to manufacture, quick, simple, easy to use, reusable device that provides an effective means of obtaining a sure grip that offers comfort and safety to the players involved. 
         [0038]    Further, what is needed is a device that can be used by new players and youth to safely develop their technique, skill, and timing during practices and prior to game situations that may require conventional lifting aids. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved lightweight, low cost, easy to manufacture, quick, easy to use, simple, reusable, effective means of lifting a jumper that provides safety, comfort, and high performance for those involved. 
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0040]    Accordingly, beside the objects and advantages described above, some additional objects and advantages of the present invention are:
   1. To provide a comfortable method of lifting a player who is jumping.   2. To provide a more effective method of obtaining a sure grip on the thighs of a jumping player.   3. To provide an increase of safety for a jumping player being lifted by the thighs.   4. To provide means and methods of lifting that are easy to use.   5. To provide means and methods of lifting that are reusable.   6. To provide means and methods of lifting that offer higher performance.   7. To provide means and methods of lifting that can be quickly applied and removed.   8. To provide means and methods of lifting that are adjustable to varying conditions.   9. To empower a less skilled lifter to lift a jumper by himself.   10. To provide means and methods of lifting that are minimal in cost and waste.   11. To provide means and methods of lifting that do not worsen a user&#39;s appearance.   12. To provide means and methods of lifting that improve a user&#39;s appearance.   13. To provide means of lifting that do not stretch and slide up the jumper&#39;s leg during the lift.   14. To provide a youth and new player development device that can be safely used to teach technique, skill, and timing.   15. To reduce the waste of materials such as tape.   
 
     
    
     
       DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0056]    In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
           [0057]      FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1C  show prior art techniques and devices for lifting a jumper. 
           [0058]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a foam sausage. 
           [0059]      FIG. 3  illustrates a hollow cylinder. 
           [0060]      FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  show cross sections of cylindrical sections. 
           [0061]      FIG. 5  shows a cylindrical section. 
           [0062]      FIG. 6  shows a back view of a cylindrical section with rounded ends, forming a sausage. 
           [0063]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a thin stretch fabric sleeve with a front sausage. 
           [0064]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a thin stretch fabric sleeve with a front and back sausages. 
           [0065]      FIG. 7C  illustrates compression shorts with a front and back sausage in each leg. 
           [0066]      FIGS. 8A through 8C  illustrate a single sausage pattern, a double sausage pattern, and a compression short pattern. 
           [0067]      FIG. 8D  a pattern for a sausage cover. 
           [0068]      FIG. 9  illustrates using tape over the thin stretch fabric on a thigh. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       [0069]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 110 
                 first jumper 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 shorts 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 first lifter 
               
               
                   
                 121 
                 left hand of first lifter 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 right hand of first lifter 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 second lifter 
               
               
                   
                 131 
                 left hand of second lifter 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 right hand of second lifter 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 ball 
               
               
                   
                 150 
                 second jumper 
               
               
                   
                 154 
                 thigh 
               
               
                   
                 160 
                 third lifter 
               
               
                   
                 161 
                 left hand of third lifter 
               
               
                   
                 162 
                 right hand of third lifter 
               
               
                   
                 170 
                 fourth lifter 
               
               
                   
                 171 
                 right hand of fourth lifter 
               
               
                   
                 172 
                 left hand of forth lifter 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                 third jumper 
               
               
                   
                 190 
                 tape underwrap 
               
               
                   
                 192 (a-c) 
                 tape 
               
               
                   
                 194 
                 bulge 
               
               
                   
                 201 
                 foam sausage 
               
               
                   
                 202 (a-b) 
                 cylindrical section 
               
               
                   
                 203 (a-c) 
                 smaller cylindrical section 
               
               
                   
                 204 
                 hollow cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 205 
                 double sausage 
               
               
                   
                 206 
                 sausage compression shorts 
               
               
                   
                 208 
                 back sausage 
               
               
                   
                 209 
                 front sausage 
               
               
                   
                 232 (a-c) 
                 thin stretch fabric 
               
               
                   
                 301 
                 high friction grippable member 
               
               
                   
                 302 
                 non-slip surface 
               
               
                   
                 303 
                 first half-sphere protruding point 
               
               
                   
                 304 
                 second half-sphere protruding point 
               
               
                   
                 305 
                 rectangular ridge member 
               
               
                   
                 810 
                 base strap 
               
               
                   
                 871 
                 single sausage pattern 
               
               
                   
                 872 
                 double sausage pattern 
               
               
                   
                 876 
                 compression short pattern 
               
               
                   
                 877 
                 sausage cover 
               
               
                   
                 878 
                 back sausage position 
               
               
                   
                 879 
                 front sausage position 
               
               
                   
                 990 
                 lower thigh 
               
               
                   
                 992 
                 knee 
               
               
                   
                 994 
                 calf 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0070]    The present invention comprises a leg handle comprising a hollow cylindrical section. When a person jumps, one or more other people can assist the jumper by gripping leg handle. Such a lifter is able to lift the jumper higher, support the jumper while in the air, and safely lower the jumper to the ground. When the jumper is not jumping, the jumper is able to run or otherwise move without hindrance or discomfort. 
       FIG. 1A 
       [0071]      FIG. 1A  illustrates two conventional means of lifting. As shown on the right, a first jumper  110  is lifted by a first lifter  120  and a second lifter  130 . As shown on the left, a second jumper  150  is lifted by a third lifter  160  and a fourth lifter  170 . 
         [0072]    A first conventional means for lifting (gripping the shorts) is shown on right. The first jumper  110  is lifted by his shorts  112 . The first lifter  120  lifts using both his left hand  121  and his right hand  122  on the bottom front of the shorts  112 . The second lifter  130  is gripping the shorts with his left hand  131  and his right hand  132  (not shown) to lift. These grips allow the first lifter  120  and second lifter  130  to lift first jumper  110  to a height where he can intercept the ball  140 . 
         [0073]    A second conventional means for lift (gripping the thigh) is shown on the left. The fourth lifter  170  is using a similar technique of lifting as the second lifter  130  and uses both his right hand  171  and his left hand  172 . Third lifter  160  is lifting second jumper  150  by his thigh  154 . Note that the second jumper  150  is unstable, is falling, and was unable to intercept the ball because of the bad lift. 
         [0074]    Lifting by the shorts has many disadvantages including, for example, discomfort for the jumper, less than optimal lift performance, and difficult to obtain grip. It is also difficult to obtain a secure grip on a bare thigh (e.g. third lifter  160 ), especial when the skin is covered with sweat. 
       FIG. 1B 
       [0075]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a third jumper  180  with material wrapped around his thighs  154 , just above each knee  992 . The one-time-use material consists of an underwrap  190  covered by an upper strip of tape  192   a  and a lower strip of tape  192   b . The tape underwrap  190  may consist of fabric athletic tape, stretch tape, or foam underwrap tape. Typically the tape  192  is black, plastic, electrical tape. This arrangement creates a bulge  194 . The bulge  194  may include additional layers of the foam tape underwrap  190  or cloth material. 
         [0076]    The one-time-use thigh wrap also has many disadvantages including, for example, difficulty in applying consistently, requiring application by coach, trainer, or other player during the critical pre-game preparation time, discomfort, waste of materials, and debris often left behind. 
       FIG. 1C 
       [0077]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a neoprene sleeve comprising a non-slip gripping surface with a ridge at the top. The high friction grippable member  301  comprises a non-slip surface  302 , with a first half-sphere protruding point  303  and a second half-sphere protruding point  304 , and rectangular ridge member  305 . 
       FIG. 2 
       [0078]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a foam sausage  201 . The sausage  201  is shown with rounded ends. The sausage has the shape of cylindrical section. 
       FIG. 3 
       [0079]      FIG. 3  illustrates a hollow cylinder  204 . In a preferred embodiment, the hollow cylinder is made of soft foam with a wall thickness of between four (4) and twenty-nine (29) millimeters. Good results have been found with a wall thickness of three-eights of an inch. 
       FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B 
       [0080]      FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  show cross sections of cylindrical sections. The cylindrical section of the present invention may be molded to shape or cut from a pre-manufactured foam cylinder such as one shown in  FIG. 3 . A hollow cylinder can be cut in half resulting in two half cylindrical sections,  202   a  and  202   b , respective, as shown in  FIG. 4A . Alternatively, it may be cut into three or more smaller cylindrical sections, as illustrated by smaller cylindrical sections  203  ( a - b ) in  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 5 
       [0081]      FIG. 5  shows a cylindrical section  202  made, for example, by cutting a hollow cylinder  204  ( FIG. 3 ) in half as shown in the cross section of  FIG. 4A . 
       FIG. 6 
       [0082]      FIG. 6  shows a foam sausage  201  formed by rounding the ends of the cylindrical section shown in  FIG. 5 . A currently preferred embodiment of a foam sausage  201  conforms to my design patent application 29/293,086, filed Dec. 11, 2007, now U.S. Design Patent D617,054, and has a length of about five inches, and a radius of about three-quarters of an inch resulting in a convex surface distance of over two inches. Other embodiments may have a larger radius and convex face, for example, a radius of about one and one-quarter inches. 
       FIG. 7A 
       [0083]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a thin stretch fabric  232   a  sleeve with a front sausage  209 . In a currently preferred embodiment, the thin stretch fabric is low denier fabric with about ten to fifteen percent spandex (elastane) and a remainder of nylon, and having a thickness of substantially about one-half of a millimeter. The front sausage  209  is preferably a foam sausage  201  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0084]    Spandex stretch fabric is well known to be a woven fabric comprised of synthetic fibers known for their exceptional elasticity. Spandex fibers comprise polyurethane-polyurea copolymer strands. The elastic copolymer strands are typically combined with strands of another material, such as nylon. What gives spandex its special properties is that it has hard and soft blocks in its repeat structure. 
       FIG. 7B 
       [0085]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a thin stretch fabric  232   b  sleeve with a front sausage  208  and a back sausage  209 . The sausages ( 208  and  209 , respectively) are preferably each a foam sausage  201  ( FIG. 2 ). 
       FIG. 7C 
       [0086]      FIG. 7C  illustrates compression shorts comprised of thin stretch fabric  232   c  with a front sausage  209  and a back sausage  208  in each leg (e.g.  208   a  and  209   a  in the right leg and  208   b  and  209   b  in the left leg, as worn by a jumper). 
         [0000]      FIG. 8A  through  FIG. 8C   
         [0087]      FIGS. 8A through 8C  illustrate a single sausage pattern  871 , a double sausage pattern  872 , and a compression short pattern  876 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 8A  shows a single sausage pattern  871  for the thin stretch fabric  232   a . The front sausage position  879  is represented by a dashed line. In one method of construction, a pocket is formed by sewing a sausage cover  877  to the inside of the thin stretch fabric  232   a , a sausage  201  is inserted into the pocket and the pocket is sewn closed. Flexible adhesive may also be used. 
         [0089]      FIG. 8B  shows a double sausage pattern  872 , thin stretch fabric  232   b . In addition to the front sausage position  879 , the back sausage position  878  is shown. 
         [0090]      FIG. 8C  a partial, compression short pattern  876 , thin stretch fabric  232   c . Only one leg is shown with each respective front sausage position  879  and back sausage position  878 . 
       FIG. 8D 
       [0091]      FIG. 8D  a pattern for a sausage cover  877  which may comprise the same thin stretch fabric. The edges of the pocket may be folded over prior to sewing resulting in a smooth edge. 
       FIG. 9 
       [0092]      FIG. 9  illustrates using tape over the thin stretch fabric  232   a  of a single sausage ( FIG. 7A ) on a lower thigh  990 . To apply the device is placed over the leg and position above the knee  992 . To prevent the device from slipping down the leg, while running around, at least one wrapping of tape  192   a  is used to tape the thin stretch fabric  232   a  to the skin of the lower thigh  990 . To prevent the device from slipping up the leg during the lift, one or more wrappings of tape  192   b  (and optionally  192   c ) are taped over the thin stretch fabric  232   a  below (and optionally above) the front sausage  209 . The tape,  192   b  and  192   b , may be fabric athletic tape or may be plastic electrical tape. 
         [0093]    Although not shown a similar arrangement of tape may be applied over each sausage ( 208 ,  209 ,  208   a ,  209   a ,  208   b , and  209   b , respectively). 
         [0094]    In yet another embodiment of a method for use, a wrapping of stretch tape with a tacky surface, is applied over the respective sausage (e.g.  209 ) prior to applying tape  192   b  and  192   c.    
       Other Uses 
       [0095]    While the descriptions of the various embodiments have been made in reference to Rugby Union, the present invention could also be used for other sports which involve, or in the future may involve, lifting, such as Volleyball, International Rules Football, Australian Rules Football, baseball, ice skating, dance, or other sports. 
       ADVANTAGES 
     Comfortable 
       [0096]    The leg handles of the present invention offer comfort to the jumping player. The leg handles do not apply pressure to the sensitive crotch areas of the body, as conventional methods of lifting do. The leg handles also reduce pulling out the hairs of the leg during removal, as in certain conventional methods. 
       Effective 
       [0097]    The leg handles of the present invention are effective. A lifter has much better odds for obtaining and maintaining a sure grip with the present invention than with conventional methods. Thus, the jumper is more consistently able to obtain an optimum jump. 
       Safe 
       [0098]    Because of the effectiveness of the present invention in allowing lifters to have a sure grip, the present invention offers greater safety and lessens risk of injury to both jumping and lifting players, and even opponents 
       Simple 
       [0099]    The present invention is simple to make and use. The present invention requires less time to put on. 
       Easy to Use 
       [0100]    The present invention is easy to use. To install, the potential jumper simply applies over one or more legs. The lifters easily can find a grip while lifting the jumper. 
         [0101]    Unlike conventional methods of lifting, which require a second party such as a trainer or coach to apply and runs the risk of inconsistency, the present invention is easily put on and taped by one person (including the wearer) and gives consistent results. 
       Reusable—Reduced Waste 
       [0102]    The present invention can be used over and over again. The conventional method of using entirely tape, most of the material can only be used once and a new material must be used for every application. With these devices and methods, most of the material is reused and much less tape is required. 
         [0103]    Because the conventional foam wraps and tapes can only be used once, the materials become trash after use. The remains of the foam wraps and tape are often strewn on the field and leave an unsightly, unprofessional appearance requiring extra effort to clean up. 
       Higher Performance 
       [0104]    The present invention offers higher performance in jumping than conventional methods. The quality of grip maintained allows stronger and higher lift, for example during a Rugby lineout. Use of the present invention gives teams more options on plays to be run during the lineout. The use of the present invention does not hinder agility or running, as conventional taping sometimes does, because the taping is much less and can be applied looser. 
       Quick 
       [0105]    The present invention can be quickly applied and removed. Time from warm-up and pre-game training need not be taken to apply the leg devices. The conventional method can take several minutes to apply and removal can also be a slow process. Conventional taping often requires assistance from a coach or other highly skilled person and detracts from the critical pre-game preparation. 
       Adjustable 
       [0106]    One embodiment of the present invention can easily be adjusted for different players and thus are easily switched from player to player to accommodate substitutions. 
       Efficient 
       [0107]    The conventional method of taping is wasteful. Trash is created after every game, and more tape and foam wrap materials need to be replaced and bought, adding to expenses. The present invention reduces the cost and trash significantly. 
       Better Appearance 
       [0108]    Conventional methods of lifting worsen the look of players. The present invention has a smooth, professional look. While conventional taping has limited options, the present invention can easily be manufactured in a variety of colors to match the team color or the individual preference of the wearer. Space on the device material may also be used to bear a team logo, national insignia, or advertising. 
       Cost Effective 
       [0109]    Because the leg handles can be made relatively inexpensively, are reusable, and reduce waste, the present invention is cost effective. In particular, the leg handle can be made very inexpensively, providing a larger market and encouraging less waste. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE 
       [0110]    Accordingly, the present invention provides an easy to use, simple, safe, comfortable, reusable, and effective means for lifting a jumper. 
         [0111]    While the above descriptions contain several specifics these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as examples of some of the preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, different shapes and sizes of cylindrical sections of strap could be used. The cylindrical section could be made from a solid cylinder of foam, rubber, or similar material. Additionally, the leg devices could be made of different materials or have additional features, or be used in different sports, without departing from the scope and spirit of the novel features of the present invention. 
         [0112]    Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the illustrated embodiments, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.