SIMULATE IN-GAME SITUATIONS

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Serial No.

62/412,360 filed October 25, 2016 entitled "Training Device For Partially Blocking An Athlete's Vision To Simulate In-Game Situations."

BACKGROUND

[0001 ] In many sports, e.g., basketball, football, lacrosse and hockey, just to name a few, an attack on a goal is attempted while a defender is positioning her hands in your face. Thus, there may not be a clear view to the target goal. It takes practice to be able to perform with someone's hand or hands blocking your view when taking a shot or trying to pass the ball.

[0002] What is needed is a way for an individual to simulate an obstructed view when practicing.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to one aspect of the disclosure, an athletic training apparatus is provided to enhance an athlete's ability to perform with an obstructed view due to an opponent's defensive maneuvers.

[0004] According to one aspect, a vest is worn by the user. A pocket on the front of the vest is provided with a blocker or visual obstacle that obstructs the user's field of view as the user moves. In one approach, the blocker includes a portion in the shape of a human hand and the blocker is set in the pocket at a position in front of the user's face. As the user moves, the blocker remains in place, continually obstructing the user's view in order to provide the user with an opportunity to work on skills dealing with an obstructed field of view.

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a training vest for practicing skills with a partially blocked field of view comprises a torso portion configured to be worn about a torso of a user, the torso portion having a front and back corresponding to the front and back of the user; and a view blocker removably coupled to the front of the torso portion such that the field of view of the user is partially blocked by a portion of the blocker when the training vest is worn.

[0006] A pocket is provided on the front of the torso portion, the pocket having an opening, wherein the view blocker is removably provided in the pocket.

[0007] The blocker comprises an elongated shaft having distal and proximal portions; and a field blocking portion coupled to the proximal portion of the shaft.

[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a training apparatus comprises a torso portion configured to be worn about a torso of a user, the torso portion having a front and back corresponding to the front and back of the user; a pocket provided on the front of the torso portion, the pocket having an opening; and a blocker removably provided in the pocket, wherein the blocker is removably provided in the pocket such that a field of view of the user is partially blocked by a portion of the blocker when the training apparatus is worn.

[0009] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a training apparatus for practicing skills with a partially blocked field of view comprises a torso portion configured to be worn about a torso of a user, the torso portion having a front and back corresponding to the front and back of the user; means for blocking the user's field of view; and means for coupling the blocking means to the front of the torso portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Various aspects of the present disclosure are discussed below with reference to the accompanying Figures. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity or several physical components may be included in one functional block or element. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. The Figures are provided for the purposes of illustration and explanation and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. In the Figures: [001 1 ] Figures 1A and 1 B present a training apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 2 is a conceptual presentation of a user wearing the training apparatus of Figures 1A and 1 B;

[0013] Figures 3A and 3B present an implementation of the training apparatus of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 4 is an implementation of a blocker portion of the training apparatus;

[0015] Figure 5 is an implementation of a pocket portion of the training apparatus;

[0016] Figure 6 is an implementation of an adjusting portion of a pocket of the training apparatus;

[0017] Figure 7 is an implementation of the blocker shaft and corresponding pocket of the training apparatus;

[0018] Figure 8 is an alternate implementation of the blocker;

[0019] Figure 9 is an alternate implementation of the training apparatus of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figures 10A - 10C present alternate implementations of the training apparatus of the present disclosure;

[0021 ] Figure 1 1 is an alternate implementation of the training apparatus of the present disclosure; and

[0022] Figure 12 is an alternate implementation of an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 62/412,360 filed October 25, 2016 entitled "Training Device For Partially Blocking An Athlete's Vision To Simulate In- Game Situations" is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0024] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the aspects of the present disclosure. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that these aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced or implemented without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and structures may not have been described in detail so as not to obscure the aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] Prior to explaining at least one aspect of the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following

description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other

implementations or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0026] It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate implementations, may also be provided in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single implementation, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0027] Referring now to Figures 1 A and 1 B, in one aspect of the disclosure, a training apparatus 100 for practicing while the field of view is partially blocked includes a torso portion 104, here, for example, a vest, with a visual obstacle, i.e., blocker 108 provided in a pocket 1 12 on the vest 100. As shown, the blocker 108, in this example, including a blocking portion 1 16 in the shape of a human hand, is set in the pocket 1 12 at a position in front of the face of the user 120.

[0028] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 2, in an example of a basketball player, because the training apparatus 100 moves with the user 120, a more dynamic, and realistic, simulation of a defender's hand is provided. So, when attempting a jump shot with the training apparatus 100, for example, the blocker 108 provides the experience of a defender's hand in the face while jumping and shooting.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, front and back views of one implementation of the vest 100 are presented. The vest 100 is placed over the head of the user 120 and then tightened at the sides 302, 304. The user can adjust the amount of tightness by operation, in one implementation, by the use of hook and loop closures 306, for example, Velcro® closures. Alternatively, laces, buttons, snap fasteners, zippers or other known closure mechanisms, may be used, although not shown. In another implementation, the vest 100 may be a single piece that is pulled over the head and maintains a tight contact with the user's torso due to the elastic material and comes in different sizes to fit different body types.

[0030] In an alternate implementation, air bladders 308 positioned about the vest 100 may be provided and the vest 100 tightened to the user 120 by the strategic inflating and/or deflating of the bladders 308. Thus, the fit may be tailored to the user's shape. Still further, one or more of the foregoing adjustment mechanisms may be used together, for example, laces and air bladders for fine-tuning of the tightness of the vest.

[0031 ] The vest 100 may be made from material that is sufficiently lightweight, waterproof or water-resistant, sweat-proof or sweat-resistant, flexible and durable to withstand constant movement of the user 120, for example, neoprene, or the like. One of skill in the art will understand that other materials could be used and the aspects of the disclosure are not limited. Implementations of the vest 100 may include mesh inserts 212 for increased air flow and to allow perspiration to evaporate. A liner may be provided on the inner surface to reduce irritation experienced by the user.

[0032] In one implementation, as shown in Figure 4, the blocker 108 includes an anatomically correct reproduction of a human hand 1 16 as would be experienced by a user 120 with a defender in front of them. The hand 1 16 may be made of a material similar to a real hand such as, for example, soft rubber or plastic. The blocker 108 includes a shaft 404, e.g., one that is round, having a number of notches 408 to adjust the height that the blocker 108 extends from the pocket 1 12. Thus, the amount of visual blocking of the user 120 can be adjusted. The pocket 1 12 is configured to allow for the blocker 108 to be set at the desired height by capturing the notches 408. The hand portion 1 16 may be separable from the shaft 404, for example, it could be unscrewed from the shaft 404 for transport or storage.

[0033] Alternatively, the blocker shaft 404 may be provided with threads on its outer surface. The pocket 1 12 would have internal threads to receive the shaft 404 such that it could be screwed into the pocket 1 12 to arrive at the desired height.

[0034] Still further, the shaft 404 could be provided with spring-loaded tabs that couple to holes in the pocket 1 12, similar to height adjustments on crutches, in order to set the height. [0035] In another implementation, a set screw is used to establish the height of the blocker 108 by screwing through the pocket into a receiving opening in the shaft 404.

[0036] The shaft 404 and the pocket 1 12 would be made from a material sufficiently durable to withstand the forces exerted upon them and able to prevent the blocker 108 from moving within the pocket 1 12 and potentially hitting the user 120 in the face.

[0037] Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, in another implementation, a blocker shaft 504 is flat and includes a number of spaced stops or detents 508. A pocket 512 includes an integrated release switch 516, with an actuating button or portion 520, that is configured to pivot and capture the blocking shaft 504 by interaction with the detents 508. When the switch 516 is disengaged, the shaft 504 can be moved to adjust the blocker to the desired height. The switch 516 may be spring-biased to a default position of capturing the shaft 504 and holding it in place.

[0038] In addition, the shaft 504 may be biased to urge it out of the pocket 512 to aid in positioning. The bias may be provided by a spring mechanism or hydraulic system.

[0039] In another implementation, as shown in Figure 7, a shaft 704 has an outer surface 708 that is keyed to fit into a correspondingly shaped pocket 712. As a result, the interface between the shaft 704 and the pocket 712 provides additional resistance, i.e., increased coupling force, and the shaft 704 is less likely to turn in the pocket 708 while the vest is being used. One of skill in the art will understand that a "keyed" shape could be a square, a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, or the like.

[0040] In alternate implementations, the vest may be shorter in that it does not extend down to cover the abdominal area of the user but stops slightly below the sternum.

[0041 ] In the implementations described above, the pocket has been shown as being vertical with respect to the user. In an alternate implementation, the pocket may be configured to pivot about the vertical to provide a "side" visual blocking experience, as represented by the arrow P shown in Figure 5 .

[0042] In an alternate implementation, a blocker 804 may consist of a paddle structure 808 with a transparent, or clear, portion and an opaque portion to provide the visual blocking experience, as shown in Figure 8.

[0043] Still further, referring to Figure 12, a blocker shaft 1204 may be bent at an angle, for example, a right angle, although other angles could be used, such that the position of the blocking portion 1208 can be switched from the left to right sides and the vest would only need a single pocket 1 12. Of course, a "straight on" blocking portion would be needed.

[0044] In another aspect, the blocking portion may be implemented as a fan structure that is expanded before placed on the shaft in the pocket. When not being used, the closed fan may be stored in another slot located on the vest.

[0045] A vest 1 100 may be provided with more than one pocket to provide visual blocking, e.g., in the user's field of view both to the left and to the right, as shown in Figure 1 1 .

[0046] While implementations have been described with the blocker on the front of the user, the blocker and pocket could be mounted on the back and then configured to hang over the user to impair the view, as shown in Figure 9.

[0047] While the foregoing describes implementations using a vest, there are alternate implementations for providing the training apparatus in accordance with aspects as taught herein. Referring now to Figures 10A - 1 C, various implementations use a harness structure for the user to wear. The harness 1000 may be made from one or more hard plastic portions with buckles 1002 or straps 1004, or a combination thereof, to couple together and accommodate users of various sizes and dimensions. The harness 1000 may provide more freedom of motion for the user as well as a simpler construction. Of course, any modification described herein for the vest implementation could be easily provided to the harness implementation and vice versa.

[0048] The implementation shown in Figure 2 uses a basketball player as an example, however, aspects of the disclosure are not limited to that sport. Rather, the advantages of the present disclosure are applicable to other sports, e.g., in football as a quarterback training aid to allow a quarterback to practice throwing when having a hand in the face, or a wide receiver practicing catching with partially blocked view, hockey, soccer, etc. Advantageously, using this apparatus, a player's skills may be improved in any sport with a skill position involving aspects where the view is blocked during play.

[0049] The blocking portion may also include visual cues, for example, lights under the control of a processor, that direct a user to, for example, drive to one side or the other, shoot with one hand or the other, dribble with one foot or the other, or other "read and react" exercises.

[0050] In another implementation, the training apparatus is provided with various compartments that are located and sized to receive devices or sensors that measure the user's physical parameters, e.g., but not limited to, heartrate, blood pressure, temperature, velocity, step counter, time spent moving, time spent idle, calories, etc. The sensors could also be placed in the blocking portion.

[0051 ] In another implementation, the training apparatus is provided with various compartments that are located and sized to hold weights of different values to provide the user with more resistance in order to improve jumping and running strength, for example. In one implementation, the mesh pockets may be used to hold the weights.

[0052] The present disclosure is illustratively described above in reference to the disclosed aspects. Various modifications and changes may be made to the disclosed aspects by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.