Patent Publication Number: US-11389709-B2

Title: Training apparatus for shooting basketball

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a training apparatus for shooting a basketball and, more specifically, a wearable training apparatus for providing constant feedback while shooting a basketball. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In basketball, long range shots, such as a three-point field goal, are critical for winning a game. For many basketball players, improving field goal percentage is a daunting task, which requires many hours of dedication and practice. Further, in order to improve field goal percentage, players need to execute a consistent shooting motion. Therefore, there is a need for a training device that improves a player&#39;s shot by providing consistent feedback. 
     SUMMARY 
     The appended claims define this application. The present disclosure summarizes aspects of the embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims. Other implementations are contemplated in accordance with the techniques described herein, as will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description, and these implementations are intended to be within the scope of this application. 
     Example training apparatus and method for assisting a person shooting a basketball are described herein. The training apparatus includes a first wearable member for being equipped on a person&#39;s arm, a loop for slidably fitting on the person&#39;s other arm, and a bridge for connecting the first wearable member and the loop. 
     The method includes equipping a first wearable member on a person&#39;s arm, slidably fitting a loop on the person&#39;s other arm, the loop being connected to the first wearable member via a bridge, adjusting a length of the bridge, and adjusting the positon of person&#39;s arms based on tension applied on the bridge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to embodiments shown in the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and related elements may be omitted, or in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated, so as to emphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features described herein. In addition, system components can be variously arranged, as known in the art. Further, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate an example scenario in which a person executes example motions for shooting a basketball. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a training apparatus in accordance with this disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a preferred embodiment in which the training apparatus of  FIG. 2  is utilized. 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate example scenarios in which a person utilizes the training apparatus of  FIG. 2  and executes example motions for shooting a basketball. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart of a method for shooting a basketball using the training apparatus of  FIG. 2   
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     In basketball, long range shots are essential for winning games. From 1980 to 2019, the average 3-point shot attempts per National Basketball Association (NBA) game have increased from approximately 2.8 to 30.7, thereby signifying the importance long range shots at professional levels. Statistics show that those among the professional basketball players having high field goal percentage generally follow a three-step shooting motion to execute a successful shot. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate an example scenario in which a person executes example motions for shooting a basketball. In the illustrated examples, these motions demonstrate the three-step shooting motion. Each of  FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate a front view and a side view. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates the first posture  100  of the motion. In this illustrated example, the person squares his shoulders to align with the rim such that the shoulders are generally perpendicular to the radius of the rim. The person holds the basketball while having his arms down or completely down. The upper arms are parallel or substantially parallel to each other and are slightly in front of the torso. The ball is placed in front of the person. The guide hand is placed on a side of the ball relative to the person, and the shooting hand is placed slightly on another side such that the shooting hand is positioned closer to the center of the ball than the guide hand. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates the second subsequent posture  102  of the motion. In the illustrated example, the person moves his shoulder over his toes and bends his knees and hips while remaining squared with the rim. The elbows stay in front and bends as the ball is being raised. The elbows are connected to and in front of the torso. The person positons the ball such that it is positioned below the sternum. The upper arms are maintained parallel or substantially parallel. 
       FIG. 1C  illustrates the third subsequent posture  104  of the motion. In the illustrated example, the person moves up vertically while releasing the shooting hand/arm. The guide hand maintains contact with the ball until the ball releases. The upper arms are maintained parallel or substantially parallel. The shoulders remain square with the rim when the ball is released. While the ball is being released, the person leans on his toes and pushes himself up. 
     In this three-step shooting motion, it is critical that the upper arms remain parallel or substantially parallel to each other. This posture allows the players to release the ball vertically, thus ensuring improved accuracy of the shot. While this strategy is taught to many amateur basketball players, it requires constant observation and feedback from coaches. Further, in order for this motion to be effective at competitive levels, the amount of time for releasing the ball must be minimized. Perfecting the three-step shooting motion not only requires time but correct training that produces the same postures each time the shooting motion is executed. Therefore, there is a need in the art for training long range shots with constant feedback. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a training apparatus  200  in accordance with this disclosure. The training apparatus  200  comprises a first wearable member  210 , a bridge  220 , and a loop  230 . 
     The first wearable member  210  may be a shooting sleeve. The first wearable member  210  may be shaped or roughly shaped as a cylinder. The first wearable member  210  may be worn by a user such that is covers the arm, completely or partially, from the wrist to the upper region of the arm that is proximate to the armpit/shoulder. The first wearable member  210  may be formed of an elastic material, completely or partially, such as a spandex or a blend of spandex and nylon. The first wearable member  210  defines a first opening  212  at one end thereof and a second opening  214  at the other end thereof. In certain embodiments, portions of the first wearable member  210  surrounding the first opening  212  and the second opening  214  may be reinforced with additional material and/or layer, providing thickness to ensure durability of the first wearable member  210 . In certain embodiments, one or more inner surfaces of the first wearable member  210  may be lined with a non-slip fabric/material such that the first wearable member  210  maintains frictional connection with the arm even when the arm is exposed to moist environment (e.g., sweat, water, etc.). In certain embodiments, the first wearable member  210  may be shaped such that one end of the first wearable member  210  has a first width and one or more subsequent portions of the first wearable member  210  along the direction in which the first wearable member  210  extends (referred herein as longitudinal direction) have a width greater than the first width, such that first wearable member  210  is generally formed as a shape of a person&#39;s arm, thereby uniformly providing elasticity and flexibility throughout various regions of the person&#39;s arm and ensuring a comfortable fit. The first wearable member  210  includes a connection loop  216 . The connection loop  216  is formed to loop  230  around the first wearable member  210 . The connection loop  216  is defined in one half of the first wearable member  210  and proximate to the center of the first wearable member  210 . As such, when the first wearable member  210  is equipped on a person&#39;s arm, the connection loop  216  is positioned on the upper arm proximate to the person&#39;s elbow. In certain embodiments, the connection loop  216  may be reinforced with additional material(s) and/or layer(s). Said material and/or layer may be formed of the same material as the first wearable member  210  or different material having different elasticity and/or flexibility. In certain embodiments, the connection loop  216  may be connected to the first wearable member  210  via stitching. 
     The bridge  220  connects the first wearable member  210  and the loop  230 . The bridge  220  may be formed of an elastic material, completely or partially, such as a spandex or a blend of spandex and nylon. In certain embodiments, the bridge  220  includes a first strap  222  and a second strap  224 . In such embodiments, one end of the first strap  222  is connected to the first wearable member  210 , specifically, said end is connected to the connection loop  216 . The bridge  220  may be connected to the connection loop  216  via stitching, thereby enhancing durability of the connection between the bridge  220  and the first wearable member  210 . Further, since the bridge  220  is connected to the connection loop  216 , when the bridge  220  is stretched, one or more portions of the first wearable member  210  having less reinforcement than the connection loop  216  (e.g., portions of the first wearable member  210  that are proximate to the connection loop  216 ) is minimally stretched, thereby improving the durability of the first wearable member  210 . The other end of the first strap  222  may include a first male/female clip  226  that is connectable to its counterpart. One end of the second strap  224  includes a second male/female clip  227  connectable to the first clip  226  (i.e., the counterpart of the first clip  226 ). In the illustrated example, the first clip  226  and the second clip  227  are a side release buckle, however, it should be appreciated that the first clip  226  and the second clip  227  may alternatively be different type of clips, such as an adjustable band clip, a shielded side release buckle, etc. The first clip  226  or the second clip  227  may include a first adjustable element  225 . The first adjustable element  225  may be a strap adjuster. The first adjustable element  225  may be used to adjust the length of the bridge  220 , thereby adjusting the tension between the loop  230  and the first wearable member  210 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first adjustable element is integrally connected to the second clip  227 . In certain embodiments, an end of the first strap  222  or the second strap  224  may include a tail  228 . In the illustrated embodiment, the end of the second strap  224  includes the tail  228 . The tail  228  may be pulled in a certain direction with respect to the first or second clip such that the length of the bridge  220  is adjusted. For example, the tail may be pulled in a direction parallel to a direction in which the first adjustable element  225  and the second clip  227  are connected, thereby reducing the length of the bridge  220 . In such example, the second strap  224  may be pulled in the same direction while the first adjustable element  225  and the second clip  227  are angled with respect to said direction, thereby increasing the length of the bridge  220 . The end of the tail  228  may be reinforced with additional material and/or layer to limit the degree of the length at which the bridge  220  is increased. The tail  228  includes a strap loop  229  for slidably connecting to the first strap  222  or the second strap  224 . The strap loop  229  functions to limit the degree in which the length of the bridge  220  is adjusted and prevent the tail  228  from flailing while the training apparatus  200  is in use. In the illustrated example, the strap loop  229  is slidably connected to the second strap  224 . In certain embodiments, the first strap  222  or the second strap  224  may be shorter than the other such that the length at which the strap loop  229  is slidable on the first strap  222  or the second strap  224  is maximized. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, since the strap loop  229  is slidably connected to the second strap  224 , the second strap  224  is longer than the first strap  222  to maximize the length at which the strap loop  229  is slidable on the second strap  224 . 
     The loop  230  is connected to the other end of the second strap  224 . The loop  230  may be formed of an elastic material, completely or partially, such as a spandex or a blend of spandex and nylon. The loop  230  may be integrally connected to the other end of the second portion. The loop  230  may be slidably fitted on a person&#39;s arm. The size of the loop  230  may correspond to a size of a person&#39;s arm, particularly, regions defined by the person&#39;s bicep/upper elbow. In certain embodiments, the loop  230  may include a second adjustable element (not illustrated) for adjusting the size of the loop  230 . For example, the second adjustable element may be a strap adjuster. The loop  230  may be formed of same material and construction of the connection loop  216 . In certain examples, the loop  230  may be designed to have the same or substantially the same flexibility and or elasticity as the connection loop  216 . 
     As mentioned above, the connection loop  216  may be reinforced with additional material(s) and/or layer(s). Further, regions of the first wearable member  210  other than the connection loop  216  may be thinner than the connection loop  216 . This ensures that the first wearable member  210  maximizes breathability and comfort while providing durable connection between the bridge  220  and the connection loop  216 . 
     In certain embodiments, the training apparatus  200  may further include a second wearable member  240 . The second wearable may be a shooting sleeve. The second wearable may be the same or substantially the same as the first wearable member  210 . Therefore, detail  228   s  thereof will not be described herein for brevity. The loop  230  may be slidably inserted into the second wearable member  240 . In certain embodiments, the second wearable member  240  and the loop  230  may be formed of material having low friction, thereby guaranteeing a certain degree of freedom of movement between the second wearable member  240  and the loop  230  when a shooting motion is executed. The second wearable member  240  may be a generic shooting sleeve. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a preferred embodiment in which the training apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2  is utilized. Preferably, the first wearable member  210  is equipped on a person&#39;s shooting arm to cover the arm from the wrist to the upper arm region. The first wearable member  210  is oriented on the arm such that a point of connection between the bridge  220  and the first wearable member  210  (herein referred as connection point) generally faces inwards towards the guide arm. Preferably, the connection point is positioned over a portion of the upper arm that is at or proximate to the inner elbow. The loop  230  may be wrapped around on the guide arm at the same or substantially the same vertical height at which the connection point is positioned on the shooting arm, thereby flexibly connecting the shooting arm and the guide arm from elbow-to-elbow. The first adjustable element  225  may be adjusted such that the length of the bridge  220  corresponds to a width of the person&#39;s chest. The first adjustable element  225  may be adjusted such that when the upper arms of the person are parallel to each other, the bridge  220  is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to both of the person&#39;s arms. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  illustrate example scenarios in which a person utilizes the training apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2  and executes example motions for shooting a basketball. In the illustrated examples, a person is equipped with the training apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2  and executes the three-step shooting motion, as described with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1C . In the illustrated examples, the training apparatus  200  is equipped on the person in a manner as described with respect to  FIG. 3 . Effects of the training apparatus  200  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4A to 4C . FIGS. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart of a method for shooting a basketball using the training apparatus  200  of  FIG. 2   
     At block  502 , the first wearable member  210  is equipped on the shooting arm. 
     At block  504 , the second wearable member  240  is equipped on the guiding arm. 
     At block  506 , the loop  230  is slidably fitted over the guiding arm. The loop  230  is preferably positioned on the upper arm proximate to the elbow. 
     At block  508 , the length of the bridge  220  is adjusted using the first adjustable element  225 . If the bridge  220  is disconnected, it may be connected at this block, however, it should be appreciated that the bridge  220  may be connected at any point in time prior to this block. 
     At block  510 , a user executes the shooting motion, preferably, the shooting motion as described with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1C and 4A-4C . This block will be described in detail with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4C . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a first posture  400  of the three-step shooting motion. The first posture  400  is the same or substantially the same as that of  FIG. 1A . Therefore, certain details of the  FIG. 4A  will not be described for sake of brevity. In the illustrated example, the bridge  220  operates as a feedback for ensuring that the person maintains parallel or substantially parallel upper arms throughout the motion. For example, if the person positions the upper arms such that they extend beyond the norm in which the upper arms are parallel or substantially parallel to each other, the person may experience increased elastic force exerted on the bridge  220 , which contracts the upper arms. On the other hand, if the person positions the upper arms such that they contract beyond the norm, the person no longer experiences the tension felt on the upper arms when the upper arms were parallel or substantially parallel to each other. Using these indications, the person may maintain parallel or substantially parallel upper arms throughout execution of the shooting motion. Further, as discussed above, during execution of the three-step shooting motion, it is important to maintain the elbows connected in front of the torso. To promote this strategy, the bridge  220  discourages the player from positioning his/her upper arms from moving towards or behind his/her torso via elastic force exerted thereon. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a second posture  402  of the three-step shooting motion. The second posture  400  is the same or substantially the same as that of  FIG. 1B . Therefore, certain details of the  FIG. 4 b    will not be described for sake of brevity. In the illustrated example, the bridge  220  continues to provide feedback as the user transitions to the second posture  402 . The bridge  220  further ensures that the user&#39;s upper arms remain in front of his/her torso. 
       FIG. 4C  illustrates a third posture  404  of the three-step shooting motion. The third posture  404  is the same or substantially the same as that of  FIG. 1C . Therefore, certain details of the  FIG. 4C  will not be described for sake of brevity. In the illustrated example, the bridge  220  continues to provide feedback as the user transitions to the third posture  404 . In certain embodiments, as the ball releases, the shooting arm may stretch further from the torso than the guide arm, thereby causing a positional offset between the shooting arm and the guide arm. However, since the bridge  220  is formed of a flexibly material and since the loop  230  is slidably connected to the guide arm, discomfort due to the positional offset may be mitigated by these features. 
     In this application, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” and “an” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects. Further, the conjunction “or” may be used to convey features that are simultaneously present instead of mutually exclusive alternatives. In other words, the conjunction “or” should be understood to include “and/or”. As used here, the terms “module” and “unit” refer to hardware with circuitry to provide communication, control and/or monitoring capabilities, often in conjunction with sensors. “Modules” and “units” may also include firmware that executes on the circuitry. The terms “includes,” “including,” and “include” are inclusive and have the same scope as “comprises,” “comprising,” and “comprise” respectively. 
     The above-described embodiments, and particularly any “preferred” embodiments, are possible examples of implementations and merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the techniques described herein. All modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.