Patent Publication Number: US-2022219058-A1

Title: Sports training garment for monitoring throwing motion of a thrower

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to sports training. More particularly, the present invention relates to garments and equipment for sports throw training where the user&#39;s hand is visible to monitor hand and ball movement, however, an enclosure is provided for capturing the ball upon being released by the thrower. The invention feels natural to the thrower and thus provides an opportunity for the thrower to experience a natural throwing motion. 
     BACKGROUND 
     One of the key attributes of a player in many types of sports is the player&#39;s ability to throw an object well. Particularly, in sports such as baseball and softball, a pitcher must be able to consistently and accurately pitch a baseball or softball towards a batter. This skill is most often developed over time and through many hours of organized play and training. In organized training, pitching may be practiced by throwing the ball to another player, who can either catch or bat the ball to return the ball to the pitcher. The pitcher and catching player may continue this routine as a way for the pitcher to train. 
     Often, during pitch training, a baseball or softball player would like to practice pitching or throwing without the need of another player to return the ball. A rebound net provides a solution for this need. The rebound net works by allowing the player to throw or pitch the baseball against the rebound net and once the ball strikes the rebound net, the ball is rebounded back from the net towards the player. A drawback of a rebound net is that such devices are not usually suitable indoors because the ball may rebound in an undesired direction towards a breakable object. For this and other reasons, it is desirable to provide improved throw training equipment that is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and allows the player to train without the need of another player to return the ball. 
     Devices that enclose the arm and have a containment netting for capturing a released ball are known. However, these devices either limit visibility of the hand and ball motion, or they are uncomfortable for the thrower to wear. 
     Disclosed herein is a device that is used to train for ideal throwing fundamentals, which can be useful for pitchers, as well as any other player regardless of position. The disclosed invention allows for greater number of repetitions, eliminating interruptions with traditional training waiting on retrieval of a thrown ball. Additionally, a coach can now entirely view the throwing motion without concern for catching the thrown ball because the netting enclosure provides the visibility and also retrieves the thrown ball for the user. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one or more embodiments, a garment for sports throw training includes a full length compression sleeve having an inlet into which a user inserts their arm. The compression sleeve extends to a terminal end such that generally constant contact is formed with the user&#39;s arm along a length of the compression sleeve. A netting enclosure is on an outlet end of the compression sleeve and a collar is defined about the outlet end of the compression sleeve to secure the garment to the user&#39;s wrist. The collar may be, in some embodiments, a neoprene wristband with an adjustable strap, or the collar may take on any appropriately configured embodiment. The netting enclosure defines a mesh or gridded construction such that the user&#39;s hand and a ball are visible within the netting enclosure. 
     As disclosed, three components form portions of the invention, including a full length compression arm sleeve, a comfortable wristband for further security, and a catch net or enclosure that is adhered to the wristband. The catch net captures the ball upon release. The net may be made of durable mesh making both the thrower/user&#39;s hand and the ball visible throughout the natural throwing motion. 
     According to one or more embodiments, the compression sleeve defines between about 12 and about 16 mmHg pressure along the user&#39;s arm. 
     According to one or more embodiments, the compression sleeve further defines a collar, such as a non-slip cuff, at the inlet end to secure the garment to the user&#39;s bicep. 
     According to one or more embodiments, the compression sleeve further comprises ultraviolet protection material. 
     According to one or more embodiments, a stitching is provided for securing the netting enclosure to the compression sleeve, where a neoprene wristband acts as a transition point. 
     According to one or more embodiments, the netting enclosure is formed of an elastic material. 
     According to one or more embodiments, the netting enclosure is formed of a durable mesh material. 
     According to one or more embodiments, the compression sleeve defines a generally constant compressive force about the user&#39;s arm. 
     According to one or more embodiments, the compression sleeve defines a first zone of compressive force that is greater than a second zone of compressive force. 
     According to one or more embodiments, the compression sleeve is free of a zipper assembly running along a longitudinal direction thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of various embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the present invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary garment for sports throw training being worn by a sports player according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the garment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A through 3F  illustrate time sequential views of a thrower wearing the garment according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate time sequential views of the sports throw training device where the ball is grasped in  FIG. 4A  and released in  FIG. 4B , where the netting enclosure is seen elongating in response to release of the ball. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Throughout the drawings there is illustrated a garment for sports throw training, the garment being generally illustrated as  10 . The device has many advantages as will become apparent when reading this disclosure. For example, the compressive sleeve provides the dual benefit of providing therapeutic and performance compression to the thrower&#39;s arm, while also helping to secure the netting enclosure to the user without overly burdensome collars or other securing devices. As illustrated, in one or more embodiments, the compression sleeve may be a full arm length sleeve, meaning a sleeve that extends up above the elbow. This advantageously provides performance improvements associated with compression sleeves. Additionally, because the netting enclosure defines a gridded material throughout a substantial portion thereof, the device acts not only as a way for a thrower to practice repetition, but for a coach or other observer to monitor the thrower&#39;s motion for performance improvement. 
     The garment  10  includes a compression sleeve  12  having an inlet  14  into which a user inserts their arm. In this manner, the compression sleeve  12  is configured to be in generally constant contact with the user&#39;s arm along a length  16  of the compression sleeve  12 . As previously stated, this advantageously provides the duel benefit of providing compressive treatments to the user, along with providing securing forces to maintain the garment on the user&#39;s arm. Additionally, because in this exemplary embodiment the compression sleeve  12  terminates at an end of the garment  10 , there are no further, bulky materials that interfere with the thrower&#39;s arm. The sleeve  12  is able to be installed about the user without the user of a zipper or other structure that impacts the comfort and wearability of the sleeve  12 . 
     A netting enclosure  20  is on an outlet end  22  of the compression sleeve  12 . A collar  24 , which may be a neoprene wristband, is defined about the outlet end  22  of the compression sleeve  12  to secure the garment  10  to the user&#39;s wrist, though may not be required in all embodiments. The netting enclosure  20  defines a mesh or gridded construction  26  such that the user&#39;s hand and a ball are visible within the netting enclosure  26 . In this manner, not only can the user identify their hand and digit placement on a ball, but a coach or other observer can observer the throwing motion, including from a perpendicular, front, or rear facing direction. In this manner, movement of the ball in the netting enclosure  20  can be viewed, or even monitored with machine vision enabled computers to determine ball velocity, placement, spin, and the like. 
     The compression sleeve  12  may define between about 12 and about 16 mmHg pressure along the user&#39;s arm. Alternatively, the compression sleeve  12  defines a first zone  34  of compressive force that is greater than a second zone  36  of compressive force. In this manner, selective compressive forces may be applied for performance enhancing or therapeutic reasons. 
     In one or more embodiments, the compression sleeve  12  further defines a collar  30  , which may be a non-slip cuff or similar, at the inlet end  14  to secure the garment  10  to the user&#39;s bicep. The collar  30  may be any appropriately configured structure, such as, for example, a hook and loop fastener or buckle assembly with a loop of material. Placement of the collar  30  along the length of the compression sleeve may also be adjusted to fit arms of varying length or to accommodate user preferences. 
     In one or more embodiments, the compression sleeve may further include ultraviolet protection material. Additionally, antimicrobial or similar additives may also be provided. 
     A stitching  32  is provided for securing the netting enclosure  20  to the compression sleeve  12 . Alternatively, the netting enclosure may be coupled to the compression sleeve through lamination, adhesives, or any other bonding material. The netting enclosure  20  may be formed of an elastic material, or a durable mesh material; in this manner, the netting material  20  is able to sufficiently elongate such as is illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , where  FIG. 4A  shows the ball held by the thrower and  FIG. 4B  shows the ball being released within the netting enclosure  20 , and the netting enclosure  20  is shown elongating to slow down acceleration of the thrown ball. This advantageously allows for the netting enclosure  20  to have a small enough dimension so that it does not overly burden the thrower (as compared to a larger netting enclosure  20 ) while later elongating in such a manner so that the netting enclosure  20  has sufficient space and decelerating characteristics to slow the thrown ball. 
     The various advantages of the garment  10  are illustrated in the sequential views of  FIGS. 3A through 3F . As illustrates, the thrower begins their windup, where they are able to view their grip and positioning on the ball, and while the garment is small enough to not interfere with placement of their throwing arm into their glove like would be found in a normal delivery motion as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , the thrower is in the motion of throwing, while a third party such as a coach can monitor the entirety of their movement and ball placement. The thrower is able to perform a completely natural throwing motion. As illustrated in  FIG. 3D , the ball begins to leave the thrower&#39;s hand. The netting enclosure  20  begins to elongate, such as is illustrated in  FIGS. 3E and 3F . The thrower is able to complete their natural motion, and is able to do so without retrieving the thrown ball or having a catcher dedicated to retrieving the ball. The thrower may then begin the throwing motion again. 
     While the embodiments have been described in connection with the various embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.