AU2009100592A4

AU2009100592A4 - A training device

Info

Publication number: AU2009100592A4
Application number: AU2009100592A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robert Mepi Faoagali
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-18
Filing date: 2009-06-18
Publication date: 2009-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-18

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "A TRAINING DEVICE" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1 TITLE A TRAINING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a training device used for various 5 activities. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a training device used to improve an athlete's performance in their chosen sport. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION In order for athletes to improve their performance, it is 10 necessary for the athlete to train. This may require improving their particular skills set which, in many sports, will include passing, kicking, throwing, running technique, hand eye coordination, and the like. Furthermore, training is required to improve physical attributes such as speed, stamina, suppleness, strength, and the like. In addition, the performance of athletes 15 can be affected by their ability to "think on their feet", i.e. to make snap decisions, and such decision making ability can also be improved with training. Various prior art devices and apparatus have been devised in order to advance the level of a person's performance. These devices include 20 treadmills, bikes, dumbbells, weights and the like. Many of the prior art devices and apparatus serve the purpose of assisting in training in a gymnasium or similar environment, and cannot be used in situ on a sports field or arena, or environment for the intended activity. The prior art devices therefore do not allow the athletes to execute 2 the normal/usual range of movement for the activity in question. Furthermore, many devices which are worn by the athlete are prone to slipping, falling off and are generally uncomfortable or dangerous to wear whilst performing their chosen activity. Additionally, some devices are 5 complex and as such are costly to buy. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above problems and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. 10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a training device wearable by a user including: a support; at least one weight attached to the support; and 15 at least one securing mechanism connected to the support to secure the training device to the user. Preferably, the securing mechanism is a strap. Preferably, the support comprises an upper sleeve and a lower sleeve and the upper sleeve and lower sleeve are integrally formed. 20 Suitably, a cut-out is formed in the support. Ideally, the at least one weight is attached to the under side of the lower sleeve. Preferably, the support is elasticised.

3 Preferably, the training device includes a plurality of weights separated by a gap from an adjoining weight to increase the flexibility of the training device. Optionally, one or more sides of each weight are beveled. 5 Preferably, the training device is worn on a user's arm. Suitably, each weight is attached to a backing and the backing is secured to the support. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person 10 skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG 1 shows a top front perspective view of a training device; FIG 2 shows a top view of the training device of FIG 1; and 15 FIG 3 shows a bottom rear perspective view of the training device of FIG 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS 1 to 3, the training device 10 includes a support 20, at least one weight 30 and at least one securing mechanism 40. 20 The training device 10 is attached to a limb of a user when performing a physical activity or sport such as golf, football (soccer), rugby league, rugby union, Australian Rules football, tennis, aerobics, track and field athletics, cycling, skateboarding, inline skating and hiking to name just a few. It is envisaged that the training device 10 aids performance, and muscular as 4 well as anaerobic fitness. Additionally, it can also be used to assist in weight loss activities. In the present embodiment, the training device is attached to an arm of a user, however it should be appreciated that the present invention may be used on any articulating limb including a leg. 5 The support 20 includes an upper sleeve 21 and a lower sleeve 22. The support 20 is made from any suitable material such as animal, plant, mineral or synthetic textile. In the present embodiment the material is woven however it should be appreciated the material may equally be a continuous textile. Furthermore the support 20 may be elasticised for increased 10 flexibility. The upper sleeve 21 and the lower sleeve 22 are integrally formed however the upper sleeve 21 may be sewn to the lower sleeve 22 as would be known to a person skilled in the art. A cut-out 25 is formed between the upper sleeve 21 and the lower sleeve 22 to allow an elbow of the user to 15 protrude and allow the user's arm to bend easily or articulate with little resistance. The cut-out 25 may be replaced by any other suitable mechanism to allow the upper sleeve 21 to articulate with the lower sleeve 22 with little resistance such as an over-sized textile portion or elasticised portion. Each weight 30 is made from any suitable heavy weight material such 20 as metal. Each weight 30 is optionally covered in rubber or any similar material to provide a non-abrasive and soft surface to prevent injuring the user or another person. Each weight 30 is attached to an underside 26 of the lower sleeve 22 using an adhesive, stitching or using any other suitable securing mechanism. A plurality of weights 30 are added until a total weight 5 is achieved. In the present embodiment the total weight is 1 kilogram. Other preferred total weights include 250 grams, 350grams, 500 grams and 750 grams however it should be appreciated that any other weight may be used to suit a particular application. Each weight 30 is ideally separated from an 5 adjacent weight 30 to increase the overall flexibility of the training device 10. Additionally, each weight 30 may have at least one beveled edge to provide extra distance between an adjoining weight 30. Optionally, each weight 30 is first applied to a backing 31. The backing 31 is made of any suitable material or may be made from the same 10 material as the support 20. The backing 31 may then be attached to the under side 26 of the lower sleeve 22 using an adhesive or stitched in place. The securing mechanism 40 may be in the form of a strap 40 however it should be appreciated that any other suitable securing mechanism may be used such as a zip. Each strap 40 is connected to the 15 support 20 and is used to secure the training device 10 to a user's upper and lower arm. Each strap 40 is also made from a suitable textile material. The strap 40 is connected across an upper side 27 of the lower sleeve 22 in two places. The strap 40 includes a buckle 41. The strap 40 is threaded through the buckle 41, tightened and secured back onto the strap 40 using a hook 20 and loop fastening system. Alternatively, the strap 40 may be secured without the need for the buckle 41. In this case the strap is connected across the upper side 27 of the lower sleeve 22 and secured using the hook and loop fastening system on an opposite side of the lower sleeve 22.

6 In the present embodiment the upper sleeve 21 also includes a strap 40 to secure the upper sleeve 21 to an upper arm of a user, and as shown in the figures does not utilise a buckle 41. It should be appreciated however that the training device 10 may include more or fewer straps 40 5 depending on the application. It should also be appreciated that another fastening system may be used as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art. In use a training device 10 is attached to each arm of a user. The user passes their hand through a first opening 23 in the upper sleeve 21 10 into the lower sleeve 22 and exiting a second opening 24 in the lower sleeve 22. Each support 20 is slid up each arm into position such that an elbow of the user protrudes through a cut out 25 in the support 20. Each strap 40 is secured using the hook and loop fastening system previously described. An advantage of the training device of the present invention is 15 that it may be worn securely by a user and may even be worn whilst performing the user's chosen sport. This may be particularly useful for athletes performing non-contact sports or practicing their chosen sport in a non-competitive environment. A further advantage of the present invention is that it engages muscle groups that are not normally stimulated with prior art 20 devices. Furthermore, the device is designed to improve and accelerate the users training outcomes as well as to assist the user in the performance of sport. The training device will also improve the efficiency of weight loss in general use and in exercise regimes.

7 Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the 5 scope of the invention. For example in some applications the weights 30 may be attached to the upper sleeve 21. Alternatively, the training device 10 may be worn on the leg of a user and the dimensions altered accordingly. It will be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing 10 from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A training device wearable by a user including: a support; at least one weight attached to the support; and 5 at least one securing mechanism connected to the support to secure the training device to the user.

2. The training device of claim 1 wherein the support comprises an upper sleeve and a lower sleeve. 10

3. The training device of claim 2 wherein the at least one weight is attached to an under side of the lower sleeve.

4. The training device of claim 1 wherein a gap is formed between a 15 plurality of weights.

5. The training device of claim 1 wherein the support is elasticised.