Patent Publication Number: US-8123635-B2

Title: Arm extension apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to sports training aids and, more particularly, to an arm extension apparatus that attaches to an arm of a user and is adjustable to simulate a player with a larger than normal arm span. 
     In many competitive sports, it is advantageous to train or scrimmage against opponents of various sizes and often against opponents of larger sizes. For example, basketball players often desire to train to play against players that are taller than themselves. Similarly, volleyball players may wish to train to play against opponents who are taller and more capable of blocking their hits. In football, training against taller or quicker players enables a quarterback to learn to pass the ball more quickly or evade pursuit. A receiver may use similar training to make catches against taller players. A soccer player may also desire training against larger or faster players to enhance his ability to score against a taller or quicker goal keeper. Training to play against taller players may help to prepare to play such players or to make them even more capable of playing against smaller or same-size players. 
     Various devices have been proposed in the art for assisting competitive sports players prepare to play a game. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices and proposals do not enable a defensive player to simulate longer arms in a manner that provides realistic yet safe training to an offensive counterpart and still enables the defensive trainer to maintain complete use of his own hands. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have an arm extension apparatus that enables a person to simulate having longer arms and, as a result, to train another player to play against a player who is taller or has longer arms than himself. Further, it would be desirable to have an arm extension apparatus that provides simulated arms that are rigid but do not injure another player in use. In addition, it would be desirable to have an arm extension apparatus that enables the defensive player wearing the apparatus to use his own hands without interruption. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An arm extension apparatus according to the present invention includes a base having an elongate configuration. The apparatus includes a paddle coupled to the base and having proximal and distal portions, the paddle being slidably movable relative to the base between a retracted configuration in which the proximal portion is substantially received adjacent or within the base and an extended configuration in which the proximal portion is substantially extended from the base. An attachment member is coupled to the base having a configuration complementary to the person&#39;s arm, the attachment member having a strap extending therefrom for removably securing the attachment member to the person&#39;s arm. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide an arm extension apparatus for wear by a sports player or coach that simulates a player having longer arms, increased height, or greater quickness. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an arm extension apparatus, as aforesaid, that enables a user to use his hands without interruption. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide an arm extension apparatus, as aforesaid, that is rigid to withstand impact by other players or a ball yet without injuring another player. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide an arm extension apparatus, as aforesaid, that is length adjustable to simulate players of selected sizes. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide an arm extension apparatus, as aforesaid, that is easy and comfortable to attach to a user. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide an arm extension apparatus, as aforesaid, that is cost-effective to manufacture. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an arm extension apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the arm extension apparatus as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the arm extension apparatus as in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the arm extension apparatus as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a side view of the arm extension apparatus as in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a sectional view taken along line  5   b, c - 5   b, c  of  FIG. 5   a  in an unlocked configuration; and 
         FIG. 5   c  is a sectional view taken along line  5   b, c - 5   b, c  of  FIG. 5   a  in a locked configuration. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     An arm extension apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5   c  of the accompanying drawings. The arm extension apparatus  10  generally includes a base  12 , a paddle  20 , and an attachment member  30 . 
     The base  12  includes a generally flat elongate configuration that may define an interior space ( FIG. 1 ). More particularly, the base  12  may present a thin rectangular box-like shape having an open interior and defining at least an open end although a base  12  having another configuration may also be suitable. It is understood that alternative constructions are also possible such as an elastic or cloth sleeve removably securable on a user&#39;s forearm. 
     Further, the paddle  20  includes proximal  22  and distal  24  portions. The proximal portion  22  includes a generally elongate planar configuration that is complementary to the open end of the base  12  and to the interior space such that the proximal portion  22  is slidably receivable therein. More particularly, the paddle  20  is slidably movable relative to the base  12  between a retracted configuration in which the proximal portion  22  is substantially received in the interior space defined by the base  12  and an extended configuration in which the proximal portion  22  extends outwardly from the open end of the base  12  ( FIG. 1 ). In other words, the proximal portion  22  is positioned substantially inside the interior space at the retracted configuration and substantially outside the interior space at the extended configuration. It is understood that the base  12  may alternatively not define a substantially enclosed interior space as described above, but rather may just include a planar panel and that the paddle  20  is slidably coupled thereto. In this instance, the proximal portion  22  would be substantially adjacent the planar panel of the base  12  at the retracted configuration and would extend substantially away from the planar panel at the extended configuration. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the base  12  and the paddle  20  define an imaginary longitudinal axis. 
     The distal portion  24  of the paddle  20  may include a configuration that is generally planar but that has a width larger than a width of the proximal portion  22 . There may be a tapered section connecting the proximal and distal portions together. The distal portion  24 , therefore, includes a surface area that is greater than a surface area of the proximal portion  22  and is conducive to the intended purpose of simulating a defender. It is understood that the paddle  20  includes a rigid frame surrounded by a layer of padding such that the paddle  20  holds its form even when impacted while not causing injury. 
     The attachment member  30  is, at one aspect, coupled to the base  12  and, at another aspect, removably attachable to the arm of a person such the arm extension apparatus  10  is useful in athletic training. More particularly, the attachment member  30  has a generally arcuate configuration complementary to the curvature of a person&#39;s forearm so as to nest snugly thereon. The attachment member  30  may include a layer of closed cell rubber padding  36  on its bottom side although other suitable types of padding may also be used. The attachment member  30  also includes one or more straps  32  extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to extend about a user&#39;s arm. Preferably, the straps  32  may include one or more fasteners  34  taken from the group including hook and loop fasteners, buckles, snaps, clasps, or the like so as to securely attach the straps about a user&#39;s arms. 
     A connection member  40  connects the base  12  to the attachment member  30 . The connection member  40  causes the base  12  and paddle  20  to be offset from the attachment member  30  which enables the user to have greater freedom to use his hands without interruption. Preferably, the connection member  40  is situated generally perpendicular to the base  12  and attachment member  30  such that the base  12  and paddle  20  are generally parallel to the user&#39;s arm. 
     Further, the arm extension apparatus  10  includes a stop  14  movably coupled to the base  12  between an open configuration allowing said paddle proximal portion  22  to slidably move relative to the base  12  and a closed configuration not allowing the paddle proximal portion  22  to move relative to the base  12 . In other words, the paddle  20  may be moved between retracted and extended configurations when the stop  14  is in the open configuration and then locked into place by moving the stop  14  to the closed (locked) configuration. 
     In use, a person may strap an arm extension apparatus  10  to his forearm as described above for use in athletic training, such as basketball, volleyball, football, or soccer training. In fact, an arm extension apparatus  10  may be attached to each arm so as to simulate a player with longer arms, greater height, or greater quickness. Either before or after being attached to a user&#39;s arms, the paddle  20  may be moved to a desired extended configuration when the stop  14  is at the open configuration. Once the paddle  20  is adjusted to a desired length, the stop  14  may be moved to its closed configuration so as to “lock” the paddle in position. With the paddle extended, the user may play defense in a generally traditional fashion and, as a result, simulate a taller player, one with longer arms, or greater quickness. 
     Accordingly, the arm extension apparatus  10  enables a player to practice against another player who simulates a larger or quicker player as a result of wearing one or two arm extension apparatus. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.