WO2011128691A1

WO2011128691A1 - Training aid for field athletic events

Info

Publication number: WO2011128691A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/050744
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ross Weir; Philip Hodgkins
Original assignee: Youth Sport Direct Limited
Priority date: 2010-04-15
Filing date: 2011-04-14
Publication date: 2011-10-20
Also published as: GB201006277D0; GB2479571A; GB2479571B

Abstract

An article of sporting equipment for use as a training aid for the disciplines of shot, hammer, discus and javelin. The article of sporting equipment comprising a utility part and a shot part. The utility part has a shaft for replicating a portion of a shaft of a javelin. The shaft is connected at one end to a handle wherein the handle replicates the handle of a hammer. An end of the handle forms an edge to replicate an edge of a discus. The shot part is detachably connected to the other end of the shaft. When detached, the short part replicates a shot. The shot part can be connected to the shaft in a fixed and non fixed manner. When connected in the non fixed manner, the shot part is connected to the shaft by a flexible member in order for the article to replicate a hammer. When connected in the fixed manner, the shot part is held fast to the shaft in order to replicate a javelin and discus. Consequently, there is provided a method of using the article of sporting equipment as a javelin and discus when the utility part and shot part are connected in a fixed manner. The method comprising re-arranging the shot part to be attached in the non fixed manner to use the article as a hammer and detaching the shot part to use the shot part as a shot. Thus multiple disciplines can be practiced with one article.

Description

TRAINING AID FOR FIELD ATHLETIC EVENTS

The present invention relates to sporting equipment and in particular, although not exclusively, to a training aid for developing skills in the discipline of field athletic events.

Common field athletic events are shot, hammer, discus and javelin. Each uses an article of sporting equipment tailored to specific criteria. For instance, the shot requires a shot (ball). The hammer requires a hammer, the discus, a discus and the javelin, a javelin. Each article is specific to that particular event. Athletes, and particularly young athletes or those new to athletic events, require one of each of the relevant articles of sporting equipment in order to practice with so that the correct grip and action can be practised and perfected. Also, because the articles of sporting equipment are designed to be projected, various health and safety risks arise during use. It is an object of the present invention to attempt to overcome at least one of the above or other disadvantages. It is a further aim to provide a single article of sporting equipment suitable for being used to train athletes in a number of field disciplines.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to the exemplary embodiments there is provided an article of sporting equipment for use as a training aid for the disciplines of shot, hammer discus and javelin. The article of sporting equipment comprising a utility part and a shot part. The utility part has a shaft for replicating a portion of a shaft of a javelin. The shaft is connected at one end to a handle wherein the handle replicates the handle of a hammer. An end of the handle forms an edge to replicate an edge of a discus. The shot part is connected to the other end of the shaft. The shot part is connected to the shaft in a fixed manner. When connected in the fixed manner, the shot part is held fast to the shaft in order to replicate a javelin and discus. Consequently, there is provided a method of using the article of sporting equipment as a javelin, hammer, discus and shot when the utility part and shot part are connected in a fixed manner. The method of using the article as a javelin comprises holding the shaft in a javelin grip with the shot part forming a tip of the javelin. The method of using the article as a discus comprises holding the edge of the handle in a discuss grip with the shaft extending away from the athlete's fingers. The method of using the article as a shot comprises holding the shot part in a shot grip with the shaft extending away from the athlete's palm. The method of using the article as a hammer comprises holding the handle in a hammer grip. When the article is used as a training aid for the discipline of hammer, it is preferable if the shot part is also connectable to the shaft in a non fixed manner. When connected in the non fixed manner, the shot part is connected to the shaft by a flexible member in order for the article to replicate a hammer. Here the method comprises re-arranging the shot part to be attached in the non fixed manner to use the article as a hammer. The method of using the article as a hammer comprises holding the handle in a hammer grip.

Preferably, the shot part is detachable from the shaft. Thus the shot part can be used as a shot independently of the utility part. Here the method of using the article as a shot part comprises detaching the shot part to use the shot part as a shot.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article of sporting equipment according to a first embodiment when arranged in a javelin and discus arrangement;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the article of sporting equipment when arranged in a hammer arrangement;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the article of sporting equipment when arranged in a shot arrangement; Figures 4 to 7 are schematic representations of the article of sporting equipment being used as a discus, javelin, hammer and shot respectively;

Figure 8 is a front perspective view of an article of sporting equipment according to a second embodiment;

Figure 9 is a front and rear perspective view of a part of the article of sporting equipment shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a cross-section through Figure 9;

Figures 1 1 and 12 are front and rear perspective views respectively of a part of the sporting equipment shown in Figure 1 ; and Figures 13 and 14 are front perspective and side views respectively of an article of sporting equipment according to a third embodiment.

Referring to Figure 1 a sporting article 10 is provided for use as a training aid to help develop athletes in the discipline of field events. The sporting article 10 comprises a first part and a second part. The first part is shown as a utility part 20 and the second part is shown as a shot part 30.

The first part 20 has a shaft 21 , which is shown as a substantially cylindrical section. The shaft 21 is arranged to replicate a part of a javelin's shaft. One end 22 of the shaft 21 is connected to a body 24. The body 24 forms a handle 26. The handle 26 is arranged such that, when gripped using a hammer grip, an end of the body 24 forms an edge 28. Suitably, the edge 28 is shown as being a distal end relative to an axis of the shaft 21. Thus, when the edge 28 is gripped in a discus grip, the shaft 21 can be arranged to extend substantially along a lower arm.

An end 23 of the shaft 21 opposite to the end of the shaft that is connected to the body 24 is adapted to be connected to the shot part 30. The shot part 30 is a substantially spherical part. The weight of the shot part 30 is selected to ensure good flight characteristics when the article is thrown as a javelin. Suitably, it has been found that a weight of between around not less than 0.05 Kg and not substantially more than 0.5 Kg is preferable. The shot part 30 can be connected fast to the utility part 30 in a fixed arrangement (shown in Figure 1 ). The shot part 30 can be connected to the shaft in any well known manner. However, because it is preferable that it is detachable, an interference fit, gated clip, or bayonet type fitting might be particularly suitable. Here the shot part 30 is held fast to the shaft 21 and more particularly to the end 23. In this arrangement the article 10 can be used to practice a discus technique (Figure 4) and a javelin technique (Figure 5). The article can also be used to practice a shot technique.

As shown in Figure 2, it is preferable if the shot part 30 can be released from the utility part. When released the shot part may be connected to the shaft in a non fixed manner. Here a flexible member 30 is arranged to connect the shaft 21 to the shot part 30. Again, as herein described, in this arrangement the article can be used to practice a hammer technique (Figure 6).

As shown in Figure 3, it is preferable if the shot part 30 is disconnectable from the flexible member 40. Consequently, it can be used on its own to practice a shot technique (Figure 7). Referring to Figure 8, the shaft 21 is shown advantageously as having a ridge 29. Here, the ridge 29 is an annular ridge formed at a step between a larger diameter and smaller diameter portions of the shaft 21 . The larger diameter is arranged between the smaller diameter and the shot part 30. The ridge 29 is advantageous because it replicates the ridge formed by the grip of a javelin shaft. This ridge is an important feature of the javelin technique. It will therefore be appreciated that the ridge 29 may be formed by placing a grip on the shaft, for instance, a traditional cord grip that is found on javelins. Alternatively, the ridge 29 may be formed by moulding a plurality of annular ridges integrally with the shaft 21 (as shown in Figure 8). Alternatively, the ridge 29 may be formed with any other suitable method.

The body 24 and shaft 21 are suitably integrally formed. Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 and 8, the handle 26 is formed in the body 24 by an aperture 25. Here the aperture 25 is defined by two arms that extend from the shaft in a diverging angle. The ends of the arms are connected by a cross member. The cross member is arranged substantially perpendicular to the shaft's axis. The cross member may have a grip or other features of a hammer's handle formed or arranged thereon.

In order to aid the performance of the article 10 when being used as a javelin, it is optional for an airflow path 50 to be arranged from a distal end of the shot part 30 to a distal end of the shaft 21. Here, the airflow path is formed coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 21 . Thus, when the shot part 30 is connected to the utility part 20, a continuous airflow pathway is formed from an aperture 52 (See Figure 8) on the distal end of the shot part 30 to an aperture 54 (see Figure 1 ) on the distal end of the shaft. Suitably, the airflow pathway 50 is substantially straight. For instance, the airflow pathway may be a cylindrical bore. In this case, the axis of the cylindrical bore is preferably coincident with the shaft's longitudinal axis.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, an exemplary shot part 30 is shown in more detail. Here, the shot part includes a means to releasably engage the shaft 21. The means is shown suitably as a socket 32. The airflow path 50 extends from the socket 32 to the distal aperture 52. The airflow path 50 is a substantially straight bore along a diameter of the spherical form of the shot part 30. The socket is formed to receive and releasably engage the end 23 of the shaft 21. As previously mentioned, the socket may engage the end 23 in an interference fit or alternatively may include engaging features of a gated clip or bayonet fixing. The socket is coincident with the diameter of the shot part 30. The socket has a larger diameter than the airflow path 50.

Figures 1 1 and 12 show an exemplary utility part 20. The shaft 21 is substantially cylindrical. End 23 for connection to the shot part 30 is adapted to releasably engage the shot part. Again, the end 23 may be adapted for an interference fit or alternatively may include engaging features of a gated clip or bayonet fixing. Here the airflow path 50 comprises a central bore that is formed from end 23 to aperture 54 that enters into aperture 25 that forms the handle. Edge 28 is arranged to replicate the edge of a discus. For instance, preferably, the edge has a rounded or curved cross section. Moreover, a top and bottom of the body 24 that extend away from the edge 28 are suitably substantially flat. In order to replicate the edge of a discuss it is preferable that the edge has a curvature rather than being substantially flat as shown in the Figures. The curvature may have a radius of a standard discuss or an alternative radius suitable for the article. It is preferable if the flexible member 40 is retractable within the shaft. For instance, the flexible member may have an elastic nature. Here, the weight of the shot part causes the flexible member to stretch. When the weight is released, the flexible member is caused to retract or recoil into the handle. A particularly suitable arrangement is to form the flexible member in a helical arrangement or "pigtail". Thus the pigtail may recoil within a recess of the shaft. Obviously, it is preferable if an end of the flexible member remains protruding from the shaft to allow the shot part to be reconnected.

Figures 13 and 14 show a further exemplary embodiment of a sporting article. The sporting article is substantially as herein described and like reference numerals have been used for like parts, though only additional exemplary features are described. In the exemplary embodiment, additional flight stabiliser 60 is provided to improve the flight characteristics of the sporting article when used as a javelin. The flight stabiliser 60 suitably comprises at least one fin. Preferably, as shown, a first fin 61 and second fin 62 are provided. Here, one fin is provided on either side of the shaft and in a plane perpendicular to the handle. However, a greater number of fins are also envisaged. Each fin would be positioned equidistant about the shaft, where the handle would be counted as a fin on either side for spacing determination. The fins may be integral or detachably attached to the shaft. Each fin 61 , 62 is shaped to aid flight. As shown, suitably, the fins extend away and backwards relative to the shaft 21 and shot part 30 respectively. Thus the fins 61 , 62 may extend over the handle.

Although preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An article of sporting equipment for use as a training aid for the disciplines of shot, hammer, discus and javelin, the article of sporting equipment comprising:

a utility part that has a shaft for replicating a portion of a shaft of a javelin, the shaft being connected at one end to a handle wherein the handle replicates the handle of a hammer, an end of the handle forming an edge to replicate an edge of a discus; and

a shot part, wherein the shot part is connected to the other end of the shaft, the shot part being connected to the shaft in a fixed manner,

2. The article of Claim 1 wherein the shot part is also able to be connected to the shaft in a non-fixed manner, wherein in the non fixed manner, the shot part is connected to the shaft by a flexible member.

3. The article of either Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the shot part is detachably connected to the shaft.

4. The article of any preceding claim wherein the edge of the handle is formed along a curvature.

5. The article of any preceding claim wherein the shaft includes a ridge.

6. The article of any preceding claim wherein the flexible member is elasticated and caused to retract within the shaft when weight of the shot part is removed.

7. The article of any preceding claim wherein the article includes an air flow path.

8. A method of using an article of sporting equipment, the article being as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, the method comprising arranging the shot part to be connected to the shaft in the fixed manner before using the article, the method comprising using the article as a shot by holding the shot part in a shot grip, the method comprising using the article as a discus by holding the edge in a discus grip, the method comprising using the article as a javelin by holding the shaft in a javelin grip, and the method comprising using the article as a hammer by holding the handle in a hammer grip.

9. The method of Claim 8, wherein the method comprises arranging the shot part in the non fixed manner before using the article as a hammer.

10. The method of either Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the method comprises detaching the shot part from the shaft before using the article as a shot.

1 1. The method of any of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the method comprises retracting the flexible member within the shaft when the weight of the shot part is relieved.

12. The method of Claim 1 1 , wherein the method comprises automatically retracting the flexible member.

13. An article of sporting equipment substantially as herein described and with reference to the Figures.

14. A method of using an article of sporting equipment substantially as herein described and with reference to the Figures.