Abstract:
A method and apparatus for restricting the distance between a user&#39;s wrists is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a removable first wrist cuff with a first fastener for securing the first wrist cuff to a user&#39;s wrist and a first attachment member connected to the first wrist cuff. The apparatus also comprises a removable second wrist cuff with a fastener for securing the second wrist cuff to a user&#39;s wrist and a second attachment member connected to the second wrist cuff. An elastic member is attached to both first and second attachment members such that, in operation, a user&#39;s wrists are respectively encircled by said first and second wrist cuffs and the distance between said first and second wrist cuffs is limited by said elastic member. The apparatus may be used for athletic training such as football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, boxing, and weight lifting.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    In the vast majority of sports played today, hand-eye coordination and correct muscle memory are important (if not essential) attributes an athlete must have to be successful. Almost any sport involving an athlete&#39;s hands requires good hand eye coordination. Athletes with better hand eye coordination not only have a tendency to perform well, but to improve at a faster pace than those individuals with lesser hand-eye coordination. 
         [0002]    Muscle memory is slightly different than hand-eye coordination. While muscle memory is as essential to most sports as hand-eye coordination, it is important to have the proper muscle memory. That is, if an athlete develops improper muscle memory (e.g., incorrect form in a tennis swing, basketball shot, or football catch position), such can decrease performance and limit an athlete&#39;s ability to improve with time and practice. 
         [0003]    In certain sports, experts believe there is a particular form that is optimal for the vast majority of athletes playing that sport. For example, in the sport of American football, in order for a receiver to catch a football, that receiver&#39;s wrists should ideally be a certain distance apart. Of course, a receiver may be able to catch a football with wrists father apart than that particular distance, or even with one hand. Nonetheless, the optimum arm position to catch a football is hands open, palms facing outward, fingertips spread apart, and wrists a particular distance apart. 
         [0004]    Similar hand and arm positions are ideal for particular activities in other sports. Basketball involves frequent catching, passing, and shooting. The same logic in catching the football lies in catching the basketball. The catching, passing, and shooting of a basketball are all activities that are ideally performed when a player&#39;s wrists are a particular distance apart. 
         [0005]    While the hands are not normally used in soccer, a soccer goalie uses his or hands frequently. As with football and basketball, ideally, a goalie&#39;s wrists are positioned a particular distance apart. 
         [0006]    In volleyball, wrist and hand position is critical for setting. Again, a player&#39;s wrists should be a particular distance apart for proper setting. 
         [0007]    In the sport of boxing, the blocking of an opponent&#39;s punches is paramount. This is usually done by holding one&#39;s hands up and protecting against direct punches to the head and face. If a boxer&#39;s wrists and hands are too far apart during blocking, an opponent&#39;s punch may pass through the attempted block. If the boxer&#39;s wrists and hands are too close together, a boxer&#39;s vision may be impaired and/or the sides of the boxer&#39;s head may become more exposed and more susceptible to punches. 
         [0008]    A common thread runs in each of these activities and many others: there is a proper form with regard to the range for the athlete&#39;s arm and wrist positions. The optimal distance between a player&#39;s wrists will vary according to the size of the player and the activity performed, but the distance should typically be between 3 inches and 24 inches. 
         [0009]    If an athlete attempts to perform these activities with his or her arms and wrists too close together or too far apart, not only will the activity be performed with improper form, the athlete may develop improper muscle memory by practicing repetitively with improper form. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, in certain weight training exercises, an optimal form with the hands and wrists a particular distance apart can isolate and train particular muscle groups that a person wants to focus on for muscle development or in physical therapy. 
         [0011]    Performing a barbell curl with wrists shoulder width apart, keeping the elbows close to the body, and using the bicep to curl the bar slowly up to the chin works the biceps and forearms. However, performing the same curl with wrists much closer together strongly focuses on the biceps and forearms (elbow flexors on the front of the arm). 
         [0012]    Performing a front deltoid barbell raise with wrists shoulder width apart standing upright, holding a barbell with an overhand grip (palms down) with the barbell resting at the upper thighs, pushing the chest out and keep the lower back straight, slowly raising the barbell until arms are at shoulder height, then slowly lowering the barbell until it is back in starting position works the pectorals, trapezius, and front deltoids. However, performing the same exercise with wrists close together, strongly focuses on deltoids (inner upper arm muscles), pectorals, and trapezium. 
         [0013]    Performing a overhead barbell press with wrists slightly wider than shoulder width apart, standing upright, holding a barbell with an overhand grip, raising the bar to shoulder height, keeping the elbows pointing downward, and pushing the barbell above the head until arms are fully extended, works front and side deltoids, triceps, and muscles located in the rib cage. Performing the same exercise with wrists close together focuses on the top part of the pectorals, triceps, muscles located in the rib cage, front and side deltoids. 
         [0014]    Performing a upright barbell row with wrists shoulder width apart, standing upright, holding a barbell with an overhand grip, pulling the barbell up to the chest, then slowly lowering the barbell back to the starting position works the deltoids, trapezium, and rhomboids. Performing the same exercise with wrists 4 to 5 inches apart strongly focuses on the biceps, forearms, trapezius, deltoids, and various muscles in the pectorals. 
         [0015]    Performing a barbell overhead pull with wrists shoulder width apart, lying down flat on a bench with both feet on the floor, using an overhand grip, lifting the barbell directly above the chest, keeping the elbows slightly bent, lowering the barbell behind the head until the arms are straight in line with the body, and keeping the arms straight while lifting the barbell back over the head back to the starting position works the pectorals, latissimus dorsi, and the rhomboids. Performing the same exercise with wrists close together strongly focuses on the triceps, pectorals, latissimus dorsi, and rhomboids. 
         [0016]    Performing a bench press with the wrists shoulder width (or greater) apart, lying down on a bench with the barbell directly above the chest, palms facing the abdomen with both feet on the floor, lowering the bar to the middle of the chest, and raising the barbell until arms are fully extended with the barbell above the chest focuses on the deltoids, triceps, and pectorals. Performing the same exercise with wrists close together strongly focuses on the inner pectorals, triceps, forearms, and front deltoids. 
         [0017]    Performing an incline bench press with wrists slightly wider than shoulder width, lying back on an inclined bench, keeping both feet on the floor, holding the barbell (palms out) over the tops of the of the shoulders, lowering the barbell 1 to 2 inches over the top part of the chest, and pushing the barbell back to the starting position focuses on the upper pectorals, triceps, and muscles located in the rib cage. Performing the same exercise with wrists close together strongly focuses on the inner upper pectorals, triceps, front deltoids, and muscles located in the rib cage. 
         [0018]    Performing a decline bench press with wrists slightly wider than shoulder width apart, lying on the declined bench, securing feet underneath support pads, holding the barbell with an overhand grip (palms out) above the chest, lowering the barbell 1 to 2 inches above the lower chest, and pushing the barbell back up to the starting position works the lower pectorals, and triceps. Performing the same exercise with wrists close together focuses strongly on the inner lower pectorals, triceps, forearms, and front deltoids. 
         [0019]    Performing a pushup with the wrists shoulder width apart, palms flat on the ground, lowering the body 1 to 2 inches above ground, then pushing the body back up until arms are fully extended works the pectorals, upper back, triceps and forearms. Performing the same exercise with wrists close together focuses strongly on the triceps, the inner pectorals, shoulders, the entire upper back and the forearms. 
         [0020]    Performing a decline pushup with wrists shoulder width apart, placing the feet on a weight bench above the ground, palms pointing forward and flat on the ground, lowering the body 1 to 2 inches above ground, and pushing the body back up until arms are fully extended focuses on the lower pectoral, upper back, forearms, and triceps. Performing the same exercise with wrists close together focuses strongly on the triceps, front deltoids, lower pectoral, rhomboids, forearms and wrists. 
         [0021]    Performing a chin-up with the wrists shoulder width apart, palms facing outward with both hands on the bar, pulling the body up until the chin is above the bar, and slowly lowering the body until arms are straight again works the shoulders, back, biceps, and forearms. Performing the same exercise with wrists close together strongly focuses on forearms, front deltoids, trapezius, upper inner pectoral, upper back, and biceps. 
         [0022]    Performing the same chin-up with palms facing in and wrists shoulder width apart works the biceps, shoulders, and forearms. Performing the same exercise with wrists close together strongly focuses on the biceps, forearms, front deltoids, pectoral, and rhomboid. 
         [0023]    The present invention provides an apparatus and method for restricting arm movement in the aforementioned sports training, physical training, and physical therapy, such that a user can develop better hand-eye coordination, proper muscle memory, proper form and/or isolate particular muscle groups in strength training or physical therapy. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a partially-elevated front view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a partially-elevated front view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a top-view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  shows a partially-elevated front view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a partially-elevated front view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  shows a partially-elevated front view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiment 1 
       [0030]    A partially-elevated front view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 , a partially elevated rear-view of the same embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2 , and a top-view of the same embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3 . Two wrist cuffs,  12   a  and  12   b  are preferably made of strips of flexible material. The wrist cuffs  12   a  and  12   b  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  are of a fabric type with one end of each cuff ending in loops  30   a  and  30   b  and the other end extending through buckles  20   a  and  20   b , respectively. Buckles  20   a  and  20   b  also extend through loops  30   a  and  30   b , respectively. The external sides of the wrists cuffs  12   a  and  12   b  containing the looped ends  30   a  and  30   b  comprise a soft-side Velcro  14   a  and  14   b , while the external sides of the non-looped ends of the wrist cuffs  12   a  and  12   b  comprise rough-side Velcro material  16   a  and  16   b  that can mate with the soft-side Velcro  14   a  and  14   b.    
         [0031]    Holes formed by grommets  24   a  and  24   b  extend through the loops  30   a  and  30   b  of the wrist cuffs  12   a  and  12   b . Furthermore, inhibitor plates  26   a  and  26   b  are positioned inside the loops  30   a  and  30   b . Each inhibitor plate  26   a  and  26   b  contains a hole (not shown). An elastic cord  22  extends between the two wrist cuffs  12   a  and  12   b , extends through the grommets  24   a  and  24   b , through the holes in the inhibitor plates  26   a  and  26   b  and is fixed in such position via knots  28   a  and  28   b  tied in the ends of the elastic cord  22 . Many other known methods may be used for attaching the elastic cord  22  to the wrist cuffs  12   a  and  12   b  without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. 
         [0032]    To operate this embodiment, a user extends his or her arms through the interiors  18   a  and  18   b  of the wrist cuffs  12   a  and  12   b . Interiors  18   a  and  18   b  are preferably lined with or made from a comfortable material such that operation of the disclosed embodiment minimizes irritation to a users skin. The non-looped ends of the wrist cuffs  12   a  and  12   b  are tightened to a tight but comfortable position via the buckles  20   a  and  20   b  and pushed back against the main portion of the wrist cuff  12   a  and  12   b  such that the rough-side Velcro  16   a  and  16   b  mates with the soft-side Velcro  14   a  and  14   b . In this manner, the wrist cuffs  12   a  and  12   b  are securely fastened in a tight, but comfortable manner around a user&#39;s wrists. Many other methods of fastening the wrists cuffs such as buckles, snaps, hooks, a ratchet-type device, and the like, may be implemented without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. 
         [0033]    In operation, wrist cuffs  12   a  and  12   b  fit snugly around the user&#39;s wrists. Via the wrist cuffs  12   a  and  12   b , the elastic cord  22  restricts the separation of the user&#39;s wrists such that they may not be separated more than a maximum distance. Also, the elastic nature of the elastic cord  22  provides tension when a user&#39;s wrists are separated a particular distance apart, but not yet to the maximum distance. 
         [0034]    As an alternative, a non-elastic cord or other restrictive piece can be used instead of elastic cord  22 . While, in operation, this alternative would still restrict a user&#39;s wrists to a maximum distance apart, it would not provide tension when the distance of a user&#39;s wrists were approaching a maximum distance. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0035]    A partially-elevated front view of another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 4 . Two wrist cuffs,  52   a  and  52   b  are preferably made of strips of flexible material. The wrist cuffs  52   a  and  52   b  illustrated in  FIG. 4  are of a fabric type with one end of each cuff ending in loops  62   a  and  62   b  and the other end extending through buckles  60   a  and  60   b , respectively. Buckles  60   a  and  60   b  also extend through loops  62   a  and  62   b , respectively. The external sides of the wrists cuffs  52   a  and  52   b  containing the looped ends  62   a  and  62   b  comprise a soft-side Velcro  58   a  and  58   b , while the external sides of the non-looped ends of the wrist cuffs  52   a  and  52   b  comprise rough-side Velcro material  56   a  and  56   b  that can mate with the soft-side Velcro  58   a  and  58   b.    
         [0036]    An elastic band  64  with slots  66  on either end extends between the two wrist cuffs  52   a  and  52   b . The loops  62   a  and  62   b  of each wrist cuff  52   a  and  52   b  extend through opposite sides of the elastic band  64  through slots  66   a  and  66   b . Many other known methods may be used for attaching the elastic band  64  to the wrist cuffs  52   a  and  52   b  without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. 
         [0037]    To operate this embodiment, a user extends his or her arms through the interiors  54   a  and  54   b  of the wrist cuffs  52   a  and  52   b . Interiors  54   a  and  54   b  are preferably lined with or made from a comfortable material such that operation of the disclosed embodiment minimizes irritation to a users skin. The non-looped ends of the wrist cuffs  52   a  and  52   b  are tightened to a tight but comfortable position via the buckles  60   a  and  60   b  and pushed back against the main portion of the wrist cuff  52   a  and  52   b  such that the rough-side Velcro  56   a  and  56   b  mates with the soft-side Velcro  58   a  and  58   b . In this manner, the wrist cuffs  52   a  and  52   b  are securely fastened in a tight, but comfortable manner around a user&#39;s wrists. Many other methods of fastening the wrists cuffs such as buckles, snaps, hooks, a ratchet-type device, and the like, may be implemented without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. 
         [0038]    In operation, wrist cuffs  52   a  and  52   b  fit snugly around the user&#39;s wrists. Via the wrist cuffs  52   a  and  52   b , the elastic band  64  restricts the separation of the user&#39;s wrists such that they may not be separated more than a maximum distance. Also, the elastic nature of the elastic band  64  provides tension when a user&#39;s wrists are separated a particular distance apart, but not yet to the maximum distance. The elastic band  64  is of a rectangular shape such that when a user twists his or her wrists in respect to each other, the elastic band  64  provides resistance inclining a user to keep his or her wrists and hands in a close, non-twisted relationship. 
         [0039]    As an alternative, a non-elastic band or other restrictive piece can be used instead of elastic band  64 . While, in operation, this alternative would still restrict a user&#39;s wrists to a maximum distance apart, it would not provide tension when the distance of a user&#39;s wrists were approaching a maximum distance. 
       Embodiment 3 
       [0040]    A partially-elevated front view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 5 . Two wrist cuffs,  72   a  and  72   b  are preferably made of strips of flexible material. The wrist cuffs  72   a  and  72   b  illustrated in  FIG. 5  are of a fabric type with one end of each cuff ending in loops  84   a  and  84   b  and the other end extending through buckles  80   a  and  80   b , respectively. Buckles  80   a  and  80   b  also extend through loops  84   a  and  84   b , respectively. The external sides of the wrists cuffs  72   a  and  72   b  containing the looped ends  84   a  and  84   b  comprise a soft-side Velcro  78   a  and  78   b , while the external sides of the non-looped ends of the wrist cuffs  72   a  and  72   b  comprise rough-side Velcro material  76   a  and  76   b  that can mate with the soft-side Velcro  78   a  and  78   b.    
         [0041]    Holes formed by grommets  82   a  and  82   b  extend through the loops  84   a  and  84   b  of the wrist cuffs  72   a  and  72   b . Furthermore, an inhibitor plate (not shown) is positioned inside loop  84   a . The inhibitor plate contains a hole (not shown). An elastic cord  86  extends between the two wrist cuffs  72   a  and  72   b , and on one side, extends through the grommet  82   a , through the hole in the inhibitor plate and is fixed in such position via a knots (not shown) tied in one end of the elastic cord  86 . Many other known methods may be used for attaching the elastic cord  86  to the wrist cuff  72   a  without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. A hook  88  is attached to the opposite end of the elastic cord  86 . The hook  88  is used to engage a ring  90  that encircles loop  84   b  through grommet  82   b . Many other known methods may be used for removably attaching the elastic cord  86  to the wrist cuff  72   b  without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. 
         [0042]    To operate this embodiment, a user extends his or her arms through the interiors  74   a  and  74   b  of the wrist cuffs  72   a  and  72   b . Interiors  74   a  and  74   b  are preferably lined with or made from a comfortable material such that operation of the disclosed embodiment minimizes irritation to a users skin. The non-looped ends of the wrist cuffs  72   a  and  72   b  are tightened to a tight but comfortable position via the buckles  80   a  and  80   b  and pushed back against the main portion of the wrist cuff  72   a  and  72   b  such that the rough-side Velcro  76   a  and  76   b  mates with the soft-side Velcro  78   a  and  78   b . In this manner, the wrist cuffs  72   a  and  72   b  are securely fastened in a tight, but comfortable manner around a user&#39;s wrists. Many other methods of fastening the wrists cuffs such as buckles, snaps, hooks, a ratchet-type device, and the like, may be implemented without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. The user then engages the elastic cord  86  via the hook  88  to the ring  90  of the wrist cuff  72   b  such that the elastic cord  86  is removably attached to the wrist cuff  72   b.    
         [0043]    In operation, wrist cuffs  72   a  and  72   b  fit snugly around the user&#39;s wrists. Via the wrist cuffs  72   a  and  72   b , the elastic cord  86  restricts the separation of the user&#39;s wrists such that they may not be separated more than a maximum distance. Also, the elastic nature of the elastic cord  86  provides tension when a user&#39;s wrists are separated a particular distance apart, but not yet to the maximum distance. 
         [0044]    As an alternative, a non-elastic cord or other restrictive piece can be used instead of elastic cord  86 . While, in operation, this alternative would still restrict a user&#39;s wrists to a maximum distance apart, it would not provide tension when the distance of a user&#39;s wrists were approaching a maximum distance. 
       Embodiment 4 
       [0045]    A partially-elevated front view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 6 . Two wrist cuffs,  92   a  and  92   b  are preferably made of strips of flexible material. The wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b  illustrated in  FIG. 6  are of a fabric type with one end of each cuff ending in loops  104   a  and  104   b  and the other end extending through buckles  100   a  and  100   b , respectively. Buckles  100   a  and  100   b  also extend through loops  104   a  and  104   b , respectively. The external sides of the wrists cuffs  92   a  and  92   b  containing the looped ends  104   a  and  104   b  comprise a soft-side Velcro  98   a  and  98   b , while the external sides of the non-looped ends of the wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b  comprise rough-side Velcro material  96   a  and  96   b  that can mate with the soft-side Velcro  98   a  and  98   b.    
         [0046]    Holes formed by grommets  102   a  and  102   b  extend through the loops  104   a  and  104   b  of the wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b . An elastic cord  106  extends between the two wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b  and the elastic cord  106  contains hooks  108   a  and  108   b  at opposite ends. The hooks  108   a  and  108   b  are used to engage rings  110   a  and  110   b , respectively, that encircle loops  104   a  and  104   b  through grommets  102   a  and  102   b . Many other known methods may be used for removably attaching the elastic cord  106  to the wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b  without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. With this embodiment, since the elastic cord  106  is removably attached from both of the wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b , a user may use an alternative elastic cord  112 . This interchangeability of elastic cords allows a user to pick the optimum cord for the type of activity he or she is performing. Cords can vary via degree (or existence) of elasticity, length, width, and the like. 
         [0047]    To operate this embodiment, a user extends his or her arms through the interiors  94   a  and  94   b  of the wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b . Interiors  94   a  and  94   b  are preferably lined with or made from a comfortable material such that operation of the disclosed embodiment minimizes irritation to a users skin. The non-looped ends of the wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b  are tightened to a tight but comfortable position via the buckles  100   a  and  100   b  and pushed back against the main portion of the wrist cuff  92   a  and  92   b  such that the rough-side Velcro  96   a  and  96   b  mates with the soft-side Velcro  98   a  and  98   b . In this manner, the wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b  are securely fastened in a tight, but comfortable manner around a user&#39;s wrists. Many other methods of fastening the wrists cuffs such as buckles, snaps, hooks, a ratchet-type device, and the like, may be implemented without departing from the spirit of this embodiment. The user then engages the elastic cord  106  (or alternative elastic cord  112 ) via the hooks  108   a  and  108   b  (or  114   a  and  114   b ) to the rings  10   a  and  10   b  of the wrist cuff  92   b  such that the elastic cord  106  (or the alternative elastic cord  112 ) is removably attached to the wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b.    
         [0048]    In operation, wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b  fit snugly around the user&#39;s wrists. Via the wrist cuffs  92   a  and  92   b , the elastic cord  106  (or alternative elastic cord  112 ) restricts the separation of the user&#39;s wrists such that they may not be separated more than a maximum distance. Also, the elastic nature of the elastic cord  106  (or alternative elastic cord  112 ) provides tension when a user&#39;s wrists are separated a particular distance apart, but not yet to the maximum distance. 
         [0049]    As an alternative, a non-elastic cord or other restrictive piece can be used instead of elastic cord  106 . While, in operation, this alternative would still restrict a user&#39;s wrists to a maximum distance apart, it would not provide tension when the distance of a user&#39;s wrists were approaching a maximum distance. 
         [0050]    The foregoing structures and methods taught herein are exemplary and the invention is not limited to the particular structures and methods taught herein. It is intended in the appended claims to cover all modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.