Patent Publication Number: US-2023158386-A1

Title: Throwing training devices and methods of use

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/281,664, filed Nov. 20, 2021, entitled “THROWING TRAINING DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to sporting equipment and sport training devices, and more particularly, to throwing or pitching training devices and methods of use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For years, parents have tried to find ways to help their kids who play baseball or softball to throw properly. When young athletes throw a baseball or softball, there is a tendency for the athlete to drop their elbow and push the ball. These bad habits can be detrimental to an athletes&#39; development. As they get older and can produce more force, the athletes can sustain injuries to the shoulder and elbow which in turn can end an athlete&#39;s career. 
     Proper throwing mechanics are crucial not only for performance of the athlete but also the health of the athlete. When throwing properly, the elbow should be in-line with the shoulder plane.  FIG.  1    illustrates various degrees of arm abduction, also known as shoulder abduction. When throwing properly, the elbow should be in-line with the shoulder plane, which would bring the arm up to 90° of abduction.  FIG.  2    illustrates a baseball player  10  throwing a baseball with proper form, i.e., 90 degree shoulder abduction. As can be seen in  FIG.  2   , an elbow  12  of the player  10  is in-line with the player&#39;s shoulder  14 , or shoulder plane  16 , resulting in a shoulder abduction of 90 degrees. 
     Anything lower than 90° abduction will result in the athlete  10  pushing the ball. Referring to  FIG.  3   , the player&#39;s elbow  12  is below the shoulder plane  16  resulting in a shoulder abduction of angle X, e.g., about 60 to about 30 degrees. A player  10  employing the pitching form shown in  FIG.  3    will tend to push the ball, thereby placing undue stress on the player&#39;s elbow  12 . 
     Therefore, a need exists for techniques for teaching and/or training an individual to properly throw a ball. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to throwing training devices and methods of use. 
     According one aspect of the present disclosure, a throwing training device is provided. The throwing training device includes an “L” shaped implement that uses straps or other means to keep the throwing training device against the body of a user. A corner of the “L” shaped implement is to be placed in the armpit of the user, where an upper strap goes up and over the opposite side shoulder of the user and a lower strap go all the way around the torso. 
     In one aspect, the L-shaped implement in configured from a first linear member coupled to a second linear member by an elbow. 
     In another aspect, at least one of the first or second linear members include at least two slits for receiving the straps. 
     In a further aspect, the L-shaped implement and/or the first and second linear members may be covered with a flexible covering, such as polyethylene foam, to provide comfort to the user when wearing the throwing training device. 
     In yet another aspect, at least one of the first or second linear members is configured with a concave surface, where the concave surface is configured to conform to a circular portion of the individual&#39;s torso, i.e., the individual&#39;s side. 
     In another aspect, the first and second linear members are coupled together by a pivoting joint that enables the first and second linear members to be positioned at different angles relative to each other. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for training a user to properly throw a ball is provided. The method includes providing an L-shaped implement, coupling the implement to a user by placing a corner of the L-shaped implement under an armpit of the user and securing the implement to a torso of the user via at least two straps, instructing the user to initiate a throwing motion and providing tactile feedback of an improper throwing motion if an elbow of the user hits or makes contact with the implement. 
     It is to be appreciated that the throwing training device of the present disclosure may be employed for training a user in proper throwing techniques for any type of object, for example, a baseball, softball, football, etc. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates abduction of a shoulder of an individual; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an individual throwing a baseball with proper shoulder abduction; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an individual throwing a baseball with improper shoulder abduction; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a throwing training device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6 A  illustrates a throwing training device attached to an individual in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6 B  illustrates an individual throwing a baseball employing the throwing training device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a throwing training device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  illustrate a throwing training device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  9 A and  9 B  illustrate a throwing training device in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  illustrate a throwing training device in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10 C  is an exploded view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  10 A ; 
         FIG.  10 D  is a front view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  10 A ; 
         FIG.  10 E  is a cross sectional view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  10 D  taken along line A-A; 
         FIG.  11 A  is front, bottom, right perspective view of a throwing training device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11 B  is a rear, top, right perspective view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ; 
         FIG.  11 C  is a is front, top, right perspective view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ; 
         FIG.  11 D  is a front elevational view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ; 
         FIG.  11 E  is a rear elevational view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ; 
         FIG.  11 F  is a right side elevational view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ; 
         FIG.  11 G  is a left side elevational view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ; 
         FIG.  11 H  is a top plan view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ; 
         FIG.  11 I  is a bottom plan view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ; 
         FIGS.  12 A and  12 B  illustrate a throwing training device in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  12 C  is an exploded view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  12 A . 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the drawing(s) are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the disclosure and is not necessarily the only possible configuration for illustrating the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any configuration or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations or designs. Herein, the phrase “coupled” is defined to mean directly connected to or indirectly connected with through one or more intermediate components. 
     The present disclosure is directed to throwing training device and method of use. The throwing training device is an “L” shaped implement that uses straps or other means to keep the device against the body of a user. A corner of the “L” shaped device is to be placed in the armpit of the user. A top strap goes up and over the opposite side shoulder of the user; the strap should be snug so the implement does not move. The other lower strap should go all the way around the torso. This too should be snug. An upper portion of implement will be inline with both shoulders. The implement preferably should be at least ⅓ down the upper arm of the athlete and at least % down the rib cage to work properly. The straps are adjustable so the implement can fit snugly against the body and not move. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , a throwing training device  100  is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The pitching training device  100  includes an “L”-shaped member  102  that is positioned on a torso of a user and at least two securing means  104 ,  106 , e.g., straps, for securing the member  102  to the torso of the user. In one embodiment, the member  102  is configured from a single piece of material that is formed in an L shape, for example, plastic, resin, a composite material, wood, foam, rubber, etc. 
     In other embodiment, member  102  is configured from several parts as shown in  FIG.  5   . Referring to  FIG.  5   , member  102  includes a first linear member  108  joined to a second linear member  110  via an elbow  112 . Optionally, a free end of member  108  is covered by an end cap  114  and a free end of member  110  is covered by an end cap  116 . A first pair of corresponding slits  118  are disposed on a first end  120  of member  110 . It is to be appreciated that only one of the slits  118  is shown in  FIG.  5    and the corresponding slit is on a rear side of member  110  to allow the securing member, e.g., a strap, to pass through. Slits  118  are configured to receive strap  104  and to secure first end  120  of member  110  to a torso of a user. Similarly, a second pair of corresponding slits  122  are disposed on a second end  124  of member  110 . It is to be appreciated that only one of the slits  122  is shown in  FIG.  5    and the corresponding slit is on a rear side of member  110  to allow the securing member, e.g., a strap, to pass through. Slits  122  are configured to receive strap  106  and to secure second end  124  of member  110  to a torso of a user. 
     The ends of straps  104 ,  106  may include fasteners for coupling the ends of the straps to each other when securing the device  100  to a torso of a user. In one embodiment, the fastener may be a quick release buckle including an engagement part  126  and a receptor part  128 . In another embodiment, one end of the strap  104 ,  106  may include a belt-type buckle while the other end of the strap  104 ,  106  includes a plurality of holes/apertures to receive a prong of the belt-type buckle. The present disclosure contemplates any type of fastener that couples two ends of straps to be within the scope of the present disclosure, for example, hook and loop fasteners, a rivet and snap fastener, etc. 
     In one embodiment, member  102  is configured from PVC pipes, where linear members  108 ,  110  are configured from ½ inch PVC pipes with two ½ inch PVC end caps, e.g., end caps  114 ,  116 , and one ½ inch PVC elbow, e.g., elbow  112 . Member  110  includes four 1 inch slits, two slits, e.g., slits  118 , are ½ inch away from the top end  120  of the PVC member  110  and two slits, e.g., slits  122 , are ½ inch away from the bottom end  124  of the PVC member  110 . Each slit of the pairs of slits are on direct opposite sides of the PVC member  110  so you can see straight through, i.e., to allow a securing member to pass through the linear member  110 . 
     It is to be appreciated that PVC pipes are one exemplary material that may be employed to configure members  102 ,  108 ,  110  and that other materials are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6 A , the throwing training device  100  of the present disclosure is attached to an individual  101 . Member  102  of device  100  is placed along the torso  103  of the individual such that the elbow  112  is positioned below an armpit  105  of the individual  101 . Member  102  is then secured to the individual&#39;s torso  103  by arranging strap  104  through slits  118  and then over an opposite shoulder  107  of the individual  101 . Similarly, strap  106  is arranged through slits  122  and then around the individual&#39;s torso  103 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6 B , an individual employing the device  100  is illustrated showing proper throwing or pitching form. As shown in  FIG.  6 B , the individual&#39;s elbow  111  and upper arm  113  are in-line with the individual&#39;s shoulder plane  109 , i.e., 90° of shoulder abduction. Initially, the individual will start in what is known as the flip up position, where the individual is holding the ball behind the individual&#39;s heads with the individual&#39;s arm bent at approximately 90 degrees and the individual&#39;s upper arm in line with a plane of the individual&#39;s shoulders. The individual will begin to clear their front side as their throwing arm goes into layback (maximum external rotation of the shoulder), through the arm path (over the device  100 ) to ball release. 
     If the athlete does not get up to 90° of shoulder abduction, then the individual&#39;s elbow  111  and/or upper arm  113  will hit or make contact with the training device  100 , for example, may make contact with linear member  108 . This is immediate tactile feedback, letting the athlete know that they are dropping their elbow  111 . If the athlete does not hit the implement, then the athlete knows they kept their elbow at, at least 90° of shoulder abduction. This allows the athlete to work on their own without a parent or coach directly watching them and telling them they are dropping their elbow or not. Also, coaches are not able to watch every single one of their athletes at the same time. The throwing training device  100  of the present disclosure will make the coach&#39;s job easier because of the immediate feedback it gives the athlete. 
     It is to be appreciated that although the above embodiments describe training a user in the throwing motion of a baseball, the techniques and devices of the present disclosure may be employed to teaching or training proper throwing form for various objects such as a softball, football, etc. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , a throwing training device  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. Device  200  is configured in a similar manner to device  100  described above. However, in this embodiment, device  200  includes a flexible covering  203  which covers L-shaped member  202 . It is to be appreciated that L-shaped member  202  is configured similar to member  102  and/or the combination of linear members  108 ,  110  and elbow  112 . The covering  203  is provided for comfort when member  202  comes into contact with the individual torso. The covering  203  may be configured from various materials including polyethylene foam, Styrofoam, etc. It is to be appreciated that the covering  203  may be configured as a single unitary piece or may include at least two pieces where a first portion of covering is disposed over member  108  and a second portion of covering is disposed over member  110 . 
     It is further to be appreciated that device  200  includes securing members  204 ,  206 , e.g., straps, as described above. The ends of straps  204 ,  206  may include fasteners for coupling the ends of the straps to each other when securing the device  200  to a torso of a user. In one embodiment, the fastener may be a quick release buckle including an engagement part  226  and a receptor part  228 . In another embodiment, one end of the strap  204 ,  206  may include a belt-type buckle while the other end of the strap  204 ,  206  includes a plurality of holes of receive a prong of the belt-type buckle. The present disclosure contemplates any type of fastener that couples two ends of straps to be within the scope of the present disclosure, for example, hook and loop fasteners, a rivet and snap fastener, etc. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , a throwing training device  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. Device  300  is configured in a similar manner to device  100  described above. However, in this embodiment, device  300  includes a first linear member  308  configured at a right angle to a linear second member  310 , which is configured with a concave surface  311 . The concave surface  311  of member  310  is configured to conform to a circular portion of the individual&#39;s torso, i.e., the individual&#39;s side, when coupling the device  300  to the user via the securing members  304 ,  306 . In the is manner, the device  300  is more stable and less prone to turning when disposed on the torso. 
     In one embodiment, member  102  may include a flexible or adjustable portion such that members  108  and  110  may be set at angles other than 90 degrees relative to each other. For example, the elbow  112  may be made from a flexible yet rigid material such that member  108  may be set at a predetermined angle relative to member  110  and, once set or positioned, the members  108 ,  110  will remain in the predetermined angle, i.e. the predetermined angle is adjustable. One exemplary flexible yet rigid material is FostaPEX multi-layered tubing commercially available from Viega LLC of Broomfield, Colo. The multi-layered tubing includes at least one layer of polyethylene and aluminum to enable the tubing to be manipulated and retain its shape after manipulation. 
     In another embodiment, the elbow  112  may be a pivoting joint  412  as shown in the device  400  of  FIGS.  9 A- 9 B , where the joint  412  is configured from two arms  413 ,  415  that are coupled together by a bolt  417 . Each of the arms  413 ,  417  includes ridges on the mated surfaces of the arms which allow for an immovable joint  412  once the bolt  417  is tightened, as shown in  FIG.  9 A  locked at angle Y. Conversely, once the bolt  417  is loosened, the arms  413 ,  415  may be adjusted to varying degrees, for example, angle Z shown in  FIG.  9 B . In this manner, the angle between the members  108  and  110  can be adjusted and not always at just a 90 degree angle. This flexibility will enable the throwing device  400  to be adjustable for a particular user. Additionally, the members  108  and  110  may be positioned upon each other, i.e., a zero degree angle relative to each other, to facilitate storage and portability of the device  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  10 A- 10 E , a throwing training device  500  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. Similar to the embodiments described above, device  500  includes a first linear member  508  and a second linear member  510  joined by elbow  512 . In this embodiment, a first pillow or covering  552  is disposed over first member  508  and a second pillow or covering  555  is disposed over second member  510 . The pillows or coverings  552 ,  554  are provided for comfort when device  500  comes into contact with the individual torso. The coverings  552 ,  554  may be configured from various materials including polyethylene foam, Styrofoam, etc. The coverings  552 ,  554  are generally cylindrical with a closed end  556 ,  558  respectively. The coverings  552 ,  554  include a channel to receive the respective member  508 ,  510  where the closed ends  556 ,  558  act as a stop to prevent the covering from being further slid onto the respective member  508 ,  510 . Covering  554  further includes slits  560 ,  562  that are configured to be aligned with slits  518 ,  522  of second member  510  when the covering  554  is disposed on second member  510 . It is to be appreciated that corresponding slits are on the opposite side of the covering  554  but not shown. In this manner when covering  554  is disposed over member  510 , securing member  504 , e.g., a strap, may be disposed through slit  560  and slit  518  to pass through the covering  554  and member  510  to enable the securing member  504  to secure a portion of the device  500  to a user, e.g., over the shoulder of the user. Similarly, securing member  506 , e.g., a strap, may be disposed through slit  562  and slit  522  to pass through the covering  554  and member  510  to enable the securing member  506  to secure a portion of the device  500  to a user, e.g., a torso of the user. 
     In one embodiment, the first member  508  and second member  510  may be adjustable relative to the elbow  512  to accommodate users of differing heights. As shown in  FIG.  10 C , elbow  512  includes a plurality of apertures  564 ,  566 ,  568 ,  570 ; it is to be appreciated that for each aperture there is a corresponding aperture (not shown) on the opposite side of the elbow  512 . First member  508  includes aperture  572 ; it is to be appreciated that there is a corresponding aperture (not shown) on the opposite side of the member  508 . End  572  of first member  508  is disposed in channel  576  of elbow  518  until aperture  527  aligns with either aperture  564  or aperture  566  depending on the desired length. Once aligned, a lock pin  578  is disposed through aperture  564  and aperture  572  to lock first member  508  to elbow  512 . Second member  510  includes apertures  582 ,  584 . End  520  of second member  510  is disposed in channel  580  of elbow  518  until apertures  582 ,  584  aligns with either aperture  570  or aperture  568  depending on the desired length. Once aligned, a lock pin  586  is disposed through aperture  570  or aperture  568  and apertures  582 ,  584  to lock second member  510  to elbow  512 . 
     It is to be appreciated that other means and methods may be used to couple first member  508  and second member  510  to elbow  512 . For example, instead of employing a lock pin, a spring-loaded member may be disposed in aperture  572  that when end  574  of first member  508  is disposed in channel  576 , the spring-loaded member may pop into aperture  564 . When an adjustment is needed, the spring-loaded member is depressed and end  572  is further slid into the elbow  512  until spring-loaded member pops into aperture  566 . A similar mechanism may be employed on the second member  510 . 
       FIGS.  11 A- 111    illustrate various views of a training throwing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, where  FIG.  11 A  is front, bottom, right perspective view of a throwing training device,  FIG.  11 B  is a rear, top, right perspective view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ,  FIG.  11 C  is a is front, top, right perspective view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ,  FIG.  11 D  is a front elevational view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ,  FIG.  11 E  is a rear elevational view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ,  FIG.  11 F  is a right side elevational view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ,  FIG.  11 G  is a left side elevational view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A ,  FIG.  11 H  is a top plan view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A , and  FIG.  11 I  is a bottom plan view of the throwing training device shown in  FIG.  11 A . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12 A- 12 C , a throwing training device  600  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. It is to be appreciated that device  600  is similar in some aspects to the above described embodiments, and those aspects will employ similar reference numerals but will not be described in detail for the sake of conciseness. Device  600  includes first pillow or covering  652  disposed over member  608  and second pillow or covering  654  disposed over second member  610 . In this embodiment, the first member  608  is coupled to second member  610  by an elbow assembly  612 , which is inverted relative to the other embodiments. The elbow assembly  612  includes first elbow  612 - 1 , second elbow  612 - 2  and third elbow  612 - 3 , wherein end  674  of member  608  is coupled to end  609  of elbow  612 - 1 , end  691  of elbow  612 - 1  is coupled to end  692  of elbow  612 - 2 , end  693  of elbow  612 - 2  is coupled to end  694  of elbow  612 - 3  and end  695  of elbow  612 - 3  is coupled to end  620  of member  610 . In one embodiment, the various elbows  612 - 1 ,  612 - 2 ,  612 - 3  and members  608 ,  610  are rigidly coupled together, for example, by soldering, gluing, molding, welding, etc. In another embodiment, the various elbows  612 - 1 ,  612 - 2 ,  612 - 3  and members  608 ,  610  are coupled together as described in relation to device  500  with lock pins and/or spring-loaded members, as shown in  FIG.  10 C . 
     In a further embodiment, the various elbows  612 - 1 ,  612 - 2 ,  612 - 3  and members  608 ,  610  are rotatably coupled together, i.e., each elbow and/or member is rotatable relative to the elbow or member it is coupled to. For example, referring to  FIG.  12 B , when pillow or covering  652  is rotated in the direction of arrow D, end  693  of elbow  612 - 2  may rotate relative to end  694  of elbow  612 - 3 . In this manner, the pillow  652  will be positioned in a lower position as compared to that shown in  FIG.  12 A , thereby making the pillow  652  or member  608  adjustable after pillow  654  or member  610  is coupled to a user. It is to be appreciated that the first, second and third elbow members are rotatably coupled to each other such that a distance of the first linear member to the second linear member is adjustable to compensate for a height of the user. 
     It is to be appreciated that the various features shown and described are interchangeable, that is a feature shown in one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment. 
     While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     Furthermore, although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerous embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. 
     It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph.