WO2007048147A2

WO2007048147A2 - Training apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007048147A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2006/000114
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hendrik Jacobus Van Zyl
Original assignee: Hendrik Jacobus Van Zyl
Priority date: 2005-10-19
Filing date: 2006-10-03
Publication date: 2007-04-26
Also published as: WO2007048147A3

Abstract

A training apparatus 10 including arm bands 12 and a body strap 14. The strap 14 is configured for fitment about a person's torso, and to locate the arm positioning bands 12 so that the arms hang contiguous to the torso with the arms moveable in a natural forward and backward direction, whilst simultaneously restricting movement of the arms in an upward motion away from the torso.

Description

TRAINING APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a training apparatus for sport, specifically the sport of rugby.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The game of rugby is well known and is played in various countries throughout the world. An important aspect of the game of rugby lies in handling of the ball, especially when passing the ball between players, which requires skill typically acquired through practice. The Inventor has identified that many players struggle with achieving correct passing technique.

A common problem associated with passing a rugby ball is that a player tends to lift his upper arms away from the body when passing the ball. This typically results in ball passes which are inaccurate and difficult to control. Accordingly, devices for facilitating the training of correct ball passing techniques are known. These devices are typically cumbersome harnesses. However, a general problem associated with these known devices is that they severely restrict a player's ability to move freely, which is particularly troublesome if that player wishes to use such a training device during a group training session, such as a game of touch rugby. The current invention seeks to provide a possible solution to these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a training apparatus which includes two arm positioning bands for each receiving an upper arm of a person, in use; and a body strap configured for fitment about the person's torso, which strap is further configured to receive said positioning bands so that the person's arms hang contiguous beside the torso when in a relaxed position, with the bands further being moveable along such strap to allow elbows of the person to revolve about the torso, whilst the bands restrict movement of the elbows in an upward lifting motion away from the torso.

It is to be appreciated that the apparatus finds particular application in teaching rugby players correct ball passing technique, as it is advantageous to pass a rugby ball using a turn of the shoulders motion instead of merely using the arms. It is further to be appreciated that the apparatus allows the person to walk and run normally, but prevents the person from lifting an arm away from the torso. Accordingly, the person is able to practice the game of rugby normally without unnecessary impediment.

The bands may be manufactured from polypropylene and/or nylon webbing or a similar substance so as to render the bands comfortable for the person wearing the apparatus. The arm positioning bands may be adjustable so that different size arms are comfortably receivable therein. The bands may be adjustable by including a hook and loop arrangement with which the person is able to adjust the circumference of the bands.

It is to be appreciated that the arm positioning bands typically receive the arms just above the elbow.

The body strap may include a releasable attachment means so that the strap is easily fitted about the person's torso. The attachment means may include a push-fit attachment means, a suitable buckle, or the like.

The body strap may be configured to receive an arm positioning band by including a locating loop through which the strap and a band is passed so that the band is moveable along the strap., i.e. to allow the arms to move in a natural backward and forward motion, in use, whilst sliding along the strap on the locating loop.

The body strap may be configured to restrict the movement of the locating loop along the strap by such strap including a suitable impediment, or the like.

The body strap may include a resiliently deformable portion which allows the strap to expand and contract according to general movement of the person, e.g. to allow the torso to expand and contract when breathing, or to provide some freedom of movement should the person fall so that the arms may catch the person, or the like. The resiliently deformable portion may include a suitable elastic portion, or the like.

The strap may be manufactured from nylon webbing or a similar substance. The body strap may be adjustable so that different size torsos are comfortably receivable therein. The strap may be adjustable by including a hook and loop arrangement with which the person is able to adjust the circumference of the strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein

Figure 1 shows, in perspective view, a training apparatus, in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a training apparatus, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The training apparatus 10 generally comprises two arm positioning bands 12 and a body strap 14.

The arm positioning bands 12 are configured to each receive an upper arm of a person when the apparatus is in use. As shown, the bands each define a channel 28 through which an arm of the person is placed during use. As such, the arm positioning bands 12 are adjustable so that different size arms are comfortably receivable therein.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bands 12 are adjustable by including a hook and loop arrangement with which the person is able to adjust the circumference of the bands 12. The bands 12 may also include clips or similar fastening means for adjusting the circumference of the bands 12. The bands 12 are generally manufactured from polypropylene and/or nylon webbing or a similar substance so as to render the bands 12 comfortable for the person wearing the apparatus 10.

The body strap 14 is configured for fitment about the person's torso, and to locate the arm positioning bands 12 so that the arms hang contiguous to the torso with the arms moveable in a natural forward and backward direction, whilst restricting movement of the arms in an upward motion away from the torso. As such, the strap defines a channel 26 for the torso, in use, when the attachment means 22 is fastened.

Accordingly, the body strap 14 includes a releasable attachment means 22 so that the strap 14 is easily and conveniently fitted about the person's torso. The attachment means generally includes a push-fit attachment means, a suitable buckle, or the like. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the attachment means 22 includes a polymer push-fit buckle commonly found on sport and hiking equipment.

As shown, the body strap 14 is configured to locate the arm positioning bands 12 by including locating loops 18 through which both the strap 14 and the bands 12 are passed so that that bands 12 are moveable around the strap 14, i.e. to allow the arms to move in a natural backward and forward motion, in use.

The body strap typically has two layers between which the locating loops 18 are able to slide around the strap 14, as shown. In one embodiment of the invention, the body strap 14 is configured to restrict the movement of the locating loops 18 around the strap 14 by including a suitable impediment, or the like. In the embodiment shown, this impediment comprises the two layers being stitched together at a particular point so that the loops 18 are unable to slide past that point of the strap 14.

In addition, the body strap 14 further includes a resiliently deformable portion 16 which allows the strap 14 to expand and contract according to general movements of the person wearing the apparatus 10, e.g. to allow the torso to expand and contract when breathing, or to provide some freedom of movement should the person fall so that the arms may catch the person, or the like. The resiliently deformable portion typically includes a suitable elastic material, such as super strength elastic, or the like. The body strap 14 is adjustable so that different size torsos are comfortably receivable therein. The body strap 14 is generally adjustable by including a hook and loop arrangement with which the person is able to adjust the circumference of the strap 14, or by including an adjustable portion 24 at the attachment means 22, as shown, i.e. an adjustable buckle, or the like. The body strap 14 is typically manufactured from nylon webbing or a similar substance.

In use, a person attaches the apparatus 10 about his/her torso so that the torso lies within area 26. The body strap is fastened by means of the attachment means 22. As such, the size of the strap is adjustable via the adjusting portion 24 at the adjustable buckle 22.

The person then places the upper arms into the channels 28 of the arm positioning bands 12. It is to be appreciated that the arm positioning bands 12 typically receive the arms just above the elbow.

In this manner, the person is able to practice passing a rugby ball without being allowed to raise the upper arms away from the torso, as is necessary for learning correct ball handling techniques.

It is to be appreciated that the elastic portion 16 allows some freedom of movement to the person wearing the apparatus 10.

It is to be appreciated that the apparatus 10 finds particular application in teaching rugby players correct ball passing technique, as it is advantageous to pass a rugby ball using a turn of the shoulders motion instead of merely using the arms. It is further to be appreciated that the apparatus 10 allows the person to walk and run normally, but prevents the person from lifting an arm away from the torso. Accordingly, the person is able to practice normally without unnecessary impediment.

However, it is further to be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to using the apparatus 10 for learning correct rugby handling skills, but that the apparatus may also be used for other sports in which limited arm movements are required for correct technique. Examples of such sports include field hockey, where it is generally not allowed to raise the hockey stick above the shoulder, or golf to practice a backswing, or the like.

Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that other modifications, variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence forming part of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified.

It shall be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

The Inventor regards it as an advantage that the apparatus allows a person to train correct sport technique without unnecessarily impeding that person's movements. The Inventor regards it as a further advantage that the apparatus finds particular application in training correct rugby ball handling techniques.

The Inventor regards it as a further advantage that the apparatus may be inexpensively manufactured and is easily adjustable for use by various people. The Inventor regards it as a further advantage that the apparatus assists in developing muscle memory for a particular motion.

Claims

1. Training apparatus which includes two arm positioning bands for each receiving an upper arm of a person, in use; and a body strap configured for fitment about the person's torso, which strap is further configured to receive said positioning bands so that the person's arms hang contiguous beside the torso when in a relaxed position, with the bands further being moveable along such strap to allow elbows of the person to revolve about the torso whilst the bands restrict movement of the elbows in an upward lifting motion away from the torso.

2. Training apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the bands are manufactured from polypropylene so as to render the bands comfortable for the person wearing the apparatus.

3. Training apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the bands are manufactured from nylon webbing so as to render the bands comfortable for the person wearing the apparatus.

4. Training apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bands are adjustable so that different size arms are comfortably receivable therein.

5. Training apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bands are adjustable by including a hook and loop arrangement with which the circumference of the bands are adjustable.

6. Training apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the body strap includes a releasable attachment means so that the strap is easily fitted about the person's torso.

7. Training apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the attachment means includes a push-fit attachment means.

8. Training apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body strap is configured to receive an arm positioning band by including a locating loop through which the strap and the band is passed so that the band is moveable along the strap.

9. Training apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the body strap is configured to restrict the movement of the locating loop along the strap by such strap including a suitable impediment.

10. Training apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the body strap includes a resiliently deformable portion which allows the strap to expand and contract when fitted to the torso.

11. Training apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the resiliently deformable portion includes a suitable elastic portion.

12. Training apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the strap is manufactured from nylon webbing.

13. Training apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the body strap is adjustable so that different size torsos are comfortably receivable therein.

14. Training apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the strap is adjustable by including a hook and loop arrangement with which the circumference of the strap is adjustable.

15. Training apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.

16. A new training apparatus substantially as herein described.