Patent Publication Number: US-6338699-B1

Title: Child sport activity training device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to training devices. More particularly, the invention comprises a child sport activity training device. 
     In general, a first field of use of the disclosed invention is by manufacturers of infant walking aids as the most likely benefactors of the unique advantages of the instant invention. However, many other fields, such as manufacturers of disabled persons training harnesses and makers of sports equipment, could find potentially beneficial uses of this invention. 
     Thus, it can be seen that the potential fields of use for this invention are myriad and the particular preferred embodiments described herein is in no way meant to limit the use of the invention to the particular field chosen for exposition of the details of the invention. 
     A comprehensive listing of all the possible fields to which this invention may be applied is limited only by the imagination and is, therefore, not provided herein. Some of the more obvious applications are mentioned in the interest of providing a full and complete disclosure of the unique properties of this previously unknown general purpose article of manufacture. It is to be understood from the outset that the scope of this invention is not limited to these fields or to the specific examples of potential uses presented herein. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Attempts have been made in the prior art to devise training devices for infants and disabled persons. Training devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,175, issued to Ellis W. Shamp on Oct. 18, 1983, 4,922,860, issued to Deborah A. Hutchings on May 8, 1990, 4,981,110, issued to Giannia Llewellyn on Jan. 1, 1991, 5,120,287, issued to Linda E. Brown et al. on Jun. 9, 1992, 5,498,219, issued to Abdoull E. Soufi on Mar. 12, 1996 and 5,848,956, issued to Norman L. Grettner on Dec. 15, 1998. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,175 To Shamp discloses a safety suspension unit and harness for developing jumps in figure skating. The safety suspension unit consists of a tracking carriage connectable to an elevated fixed track. A spring loaded pulley system with a support cable is connected to a harness for guiding a skater, in the learning and practicing of jumps and spins. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,860 to Hutchings discloses a child or disabled person training harness. The harness includes an adjustable generally orthogonal strap means adapted to fit around and conform to the body of a wearer. An integral handle means is adapted to be held by a person or machine using the harness to support the wearer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,110 to Llewellyn discloses a baby walker organization. It comprises a one-piece harness to overlie a child&#39;s torso with a front panel and back panel interconnected by a bottom web with leg apertures positioned on either side of the bottom web. Shoulder straps are integrally formed to the front and back panels defining arm openings aligned relative to one another through side portions. It may be utilized in a first orientation to assist the child in learning to walk and repositionable for use as a backpack. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,287 to Brown et al. discloses an infant walking aid. It includes a harness mechanism for enclosing and supporting the infant therein. A first bar member is secured to an upper section of the harness mechanism to be grasped by an operator. A second bar member flexibly secured to the harness mechanism is adapted to be grasped by the infant for providing support. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,219 to Soufi discloses an infant walking trainer. The infant walking trainer includes a handle and a body harness suspended from the handle. The harness supports the infant in an upright walking stance when the handle is held overhead the infant. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,956 to Grettner discloses a multi-purpose lat sling. It is constructed so that it may be used by an exerciser, to perform a variety of exercises, to develop the latissimus dorsi, triceps and abdominal muscles of the human body. 
     The present invention is completely different than these patents in that it consists of a child sport activity training device. A torso harness with a VELCRO secured waist belt and crossover back straps is placed upon the child. A hand grip with an adjustment feature is connected to a rear portion of the crossover back straps to compensate for weight and balance between a trainer and the child. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a child sport activity training device that consists of a torso harness with a VELCRO secured waist belt, crossover back straps and a hand grip with an adjustment feature to compensate for weight and balance between a trainer and the child. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a child sport activity training device that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a child sport activity training device that would allow a trainer to safely take the weight off the child, when necessary, without imposing stress to the child&#39;s shoulders or the trainer&#39;s spine. 
     An additional object of the invention is to provide a child sport activity training device that though initially developed for ice skating, would also have applications in teaching cycling, skiing, swimming, skateboarding, roller blading and surfing. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a child sport activity training device that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object of the invention is to provide a child sport activity training device that is economical to manufacture. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention placed upon a child, showing a trainer grasping the hand grip thereof. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view of the present invention per se in an opened position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the various components of the present invention being a child sport activity training device  10  comprising a harness  12  for enclosing and supporting a torso  14  of a child  16  therein. A hand grip  18  is grasped by a hand  20  of a trainer  22 . An adjustment structure  24 , as best seen in FIG. 2, is between a rear portion of harness  12  and hand grip  18  to compensate for weight and balance between trainer  22  and child  16  when hand grip  18  is positioned above harness  12 . 
     Harness  12  consists of a waist belt  26 . Assembly  28  is for securing in an adjustable manner waist belt  26  about a waist  30  of child  16 . A pair of crossover back straps  32  are provided. Each back strap  32  is attached at a rearward end  34  to waist belt  26 . Assembly  36  is for securing in an adjustable manner a forward end  38  of each back strap  32 , extending over the shoulders  40  of child  16  to waist belt  26 . 
     First securing assembly  28  includes a pair of VELCRO fasteners  42 ,  44 . Each VELCRO fastener  42 ,  44  is connected to an opposite end of waist belt  26 . Second securing assembly  36  consists of a pair of web members  46 . Each web member  46  is connected vertically at a lower end to one end of waist belt  26 . A pair of clasps  48  are provided. Each clasp  48  is affixed to an upper end of one web member  46  for engagement with a forward end  38  of one back strap  32 . 
     Hand grip  18  includes a pair of straps  50 . A buckle  52  is for retaining free ends of straps  50  together. Adjustment structure  24  consists of a pair of flexible strips  54 . Each flexible strip  54  is attached at opposite ends to one back strap  32 . A pair of D-rings  56  are provided. Each D-ring  56  slides between one flexible strip  54  and one back strap  32  and is affixed to a lower end of one strap  50  of hand grip  18 . 
     To use child sport activity training device  10 , as best seen in FIG. 1, waist belt  26  is placed about waist  30  of child  16 , so that VELCRO fasteners  42 ,  44  can be pressed together. Back straps  32  are then extended over shoulders  40  of child  16  to engage with clasps  48 . Hand  20  of trainer  22  can grasp hand grip  18  above child  16 . 
     Adjustment structure  24  will compensate for weight and balance between trainer  22  and child  16 . Trainer  22  can safely take weight off child  16 , when necessary, without imposing stress to shoulders  40  of child  16  or spine of trainer  22 . Child  16  can train for ice skating, as shown, or develop skills in cycling, skiing, swimming, skateboarding, roller blading and surfing. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.