US20070219025A1

US20070219025A1 - Method, apparatus, and system for teaching a person neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns

Info

Publication number: US20070219025A1
Application number: US11/384,892
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Aberton; Laura Aberton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-20
Filing date: 2006-03-20
Publication date: 2007-09-20

Abstract

Methods for teaching a person a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern include attaching an optical beam-emitting device, such as a laser, to the body, defining a path on a specified surface, and causing the person to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern while tracking the optical beam relative to the path. Such methods may be used to teach a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a basketball hoop. Apparatuses for teaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball include a strap or sleeve configured to be secured to an upper arm of a person, and a battery-operated laser device attached to the strap or sleeve. Such apparatuses may be free from external cables or wires extending between the laser and any other device, and may include a sleeve having a portion configured to be positioned over a hand of the person.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems for teaching a person a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern, and for developing muscle memory in the body of a person to enable the person to consistently recreate such a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern. More specifically, the present invention relates to use of a device emitting an optical beam, such as a laser device, to teach a person a desired form and technique for performing predefined motor patterns, such as, for example, motor patterns associated with shooting a basketball, throwing a ball (e.g., baseball, football, etc.), swinging athletic equipment (e.g., golf clubs, baseball bats, tennis racquets), and for performing athletic maneuvers (e.g., gymnastic or tumbling maneuvers, competitive diving maneuvers, etc.).
2. State of the Art
There are many situations in which it is desired to teach a person a desired form and technique for performing a particular, predefined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern. Such neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns include, for example, shooting a basketball, throwing a ball (e.g., football, baseball, etc.), swinging a tennis racquet, swinging a golf club, swinging a baseball bat, gymnastic and tumbling maneuvers, competitive diving maneuvers, etc. Often, a person trying to learn a specified technique for performing such a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern is unable to recognize or comprehend the differences between the manner in which the person is actually performing the neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern, and the manner corresponding to the specified form and technique, as set forth by verbal instructions or by example provided by a coach, trainer, instructional video, etc. Furthermore, it is often difficult for one person (e.g., a coach or trainer) to verbally describe to another person (e.g., an athlete) the manner in which the other person's neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns deviate from the specified or desired form and technique and, further, to explain to that other person how to change the neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns so as to exhibit the specified form or technique.
As an example, it is readily accepted by many coaches and professionals in the sport of basketball that a desired technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop involves use of a primary shooting arm and hand of the body of the person to shoot the basketball towards the hoop while the other arm and hand are used to laterally stabilize the basketball in the shooting hand during the act of shooting the basketball towards the hoop. Furthermore, such a specified technique involves aligning the shooting arm (including the upper arm and the forearm) and hand in a vertical plane that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the floor and extends through the center of the hoop, and then shooting the basketball towards the hoop while attempting to maintain the shooting hand and arm within this vertical plane throughout the shooting motion.
As the person learns to consistently align their shooting arm and hand with such a vertical plane and to maintain their shooting arm and hand substantially aligned with the vertical plane while shooting the basketball, the person's tendency to miss a shot to the left or to the right of the hoop (i.e., improper lateral direction of the shot) may be significantly decreased. In such a case, the person merely needs to improve the ability to shoot the basketball towards the hoop with proper “touch,” which involves the amount of force and vertical arc experienced by the basketball when shot toward a hoop.
Novices, and even some professionals, however, may have a tendency to direct the elbow of their shooting arm laterally outward from a vertical plane and/or to move their shooting hand in a lateral direction across the vertical plane as the person shoots the basketball towards the hoop, thereby increasing the tendency of the basketball to miss the hoop either to the left or to the right. Small deviations in the technique or form of the person may cause the basketball to miss the hoop by a significant margin to either the left or to the right. For example, for every inch (or fraction of an inch) the shooting arm or hand of body of the person deviates from the vertical plane, the error may be significantly increased or magnified as the basketball travels towards the hoop. In other words, if misalignments of one's shooting arm and hand causes the ball to travel along a path that laterally deviates a mere 2° from the desired path, a shot needing to travel 18 feet before reaching the basket may laterally deviate from its intended target by more that 7.5 inches
Often, a coach or trainer will attempt to verbally explain or demonstrate to a person a desired form or technique with limited success, due to the person's inability to recognize or understand the differences between their own neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern and the neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern associated with the desired form and technique, and due to the coach's or trainer's inability to clearly articulate how the person needs to change their form or technique.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for improved systems, apparatuses, and methods that may be used to teach a person a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern, such as, for example, the neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern associated with proper form for shooting a basketball towards a hoop, and for developing muscle memory in the body of the person to allow the person to consistently recreate that neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern with proper form and technique.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention includes a method of teaching a person a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern. The method includes attaching a laser device that is configured to emit a laser beam to the body of a person. A path is defined on a specified surface, and the person is caused to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern while tracking the laser beam emitted by the laser device relative to the path.
In another aspect, the present invention includes a method of teaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop. The method includes attaching a laser device configured to emit a laser beam to the arm of a person, defining a path on at least one of a floor, wall, and ceiling, and causing the person to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern while tracking the laser beam emitted by the laser device relative to the path.
In yet another aspect, the present invention includes a system for teaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop. The system includes a strap or sleeve configured to be secured to an upper arm of a person, a laser device configured to emit a laser beam is attached to the strap or sleeve. The system further includes a basketball hoop and a surface having a visually defined or physically marked path thereon that is visually defined or physically marked relative to a center of a basketball hoop and an intended position of a person relative to the basketball hoop.
In still another aspect, the present invention includes an apparatus for teaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop. The apparatus includes a strap or sleeve configured to be secured to an upper arm of a body of a person, and a battery-operated laser device configured to emit a laser beam. The laser device is rotatably attached to the strap or sleeve. Furthermore, the apparatus is free from external cables or wires extending between the battery-operated laser device and any other device.
In an additional aspect, the present invention includes an apparatus for teaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop. The apparatus includes a sleeve configured to be provided on an arm of a body of a person and a battery-operated laser device configured to emit a laser beam attached to the sleeve. The sleeve includes a first portion configured to be positioned over a hand of the body of the person and a second portion configured to be positioned over an upper arm of the body of the person.
The features, advantages, and alternative aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description considered in combination with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, the advantages of this invention may be more readily ascertained from the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a person using a training device that includes a device for emitting an optical beam to learn to shoot a basketball towards a hoop using a specified form and technique according to one example of the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a room in which a basketball court is provided illustrating lines or paths defined on the floor, wall, and ceiling of the room, which may be used to teach a person to shoot a basketball towards a hoop with a specified form and technique;
FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the room shown in FIG. 2A illustrating the relative position between the lines or paths and a basketball hoop disposed in the room;
FIG. 3A is a view illustrating the training device shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, which embodies various teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the training device shown in FIG. 3A taken along section line 3B-3B shown therein;
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating another embodiment of a training device that includes an optical beam-emitting device disposed in a pocket on a strap;
FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a further embodiment of a training device that includes an optical beam-emitting device that is moveable in three dimensions relative to a strap;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment of a training device that includes an optical beam-emitting device disposed in a pocket on a sleeve;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a training device in accordance with another embodiment that includes an optical beam-emitting device attached to a sleeve that includes a relatively rigid portion;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a training device in accordance with yet a further embodiment that includes a laser device attached to a sleeve having a portion thereof configured to cover at least a portion of the hand of a person using the training device, and that may be used to teach the person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop; and
FIG. 9 illustrates a person using a system that embodies various teachings of the present invention to learn to shoot a basketball towards a hoop using a desired form and technique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular apparatus, system, or method, but are merely illustrative representations which are employed to describe the present invention. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.
As used herein, the term “neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern” means any movement or sequence of movements of at least a portion of the body of a person that includes both muscles and bones, the movement or sequence of movements being deliberately initiated and controlled by the central and peripheral nervous systems of the person.
As used herein, the phrase “tracking a beam relative to a path” means actually tracking the impingement of a beam on a surface relative to a defined path as well as attempting to track the impingement of the beam on a surface relative to the defined path.
The systems, apparatuses, and methods of the present invention may be used to teach a person (e.g., one's self or another person) a desired neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern, and to develop muscle memory in the body of the person, thereby allowing the person to consistently reproduce the neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern using a specified form and technique. Furthermore, the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein may be used to provide biofeedback training to a person, thereby allowing the person to learn to consciously, voluntarily, and selectively control physiological responses of the body of the person associated with neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns that the person tends to at least partially perform subconsciously. Broadly, an optical beam-emitting device, such as a laser device configured to emit a laser beam, may be attached to the body of a person, a path may be defined (defined in the mind of the person, physically marked, or visually defined) on a specified surface proximate the person, and the person may be caused to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern while tracking the optical beam emitted by the optical beam-emitting device relative to the path. The systems, apparatuses, and methods can be used to teach a person any desired neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern without limitation. By way of example and not limitation, the present invention may be used to teach a person how to shoot a basketball, throw a ball (e.g., football, baseball, etc.), swing a tennis racquet, swing a golf club, swing a baseball bat, bowl a bowling ball, perform gymnastic and tumbling maneuvers, perform competitive diving maneuvers, etc., each with a specified form and technique. As an example, one particular manner in which the systems, apparatuses, and methods of the present invention may be used to teach a person a desired technique for shooting a basketball is described in detail below.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a training device 10 that embodies various teachings of the present invention may be attached to the arm 22 of the body of a person 20 who desires to learn to consistently shoot a basketball towards a hoop using a desired form and technique. The training device 10 may include an optical beam-emitting device, such as a laser device 12, secured to a strap 14, which may be wrapped around the upper arm 24 of the body of the person 20. The laser device 12 may be configured to emit a laser beam 13 (represented by a dashed line in the figures). It is noted that, while various embodiments described herein are discussed in conjunction with a laser device, other optical beam-emitting devices may be used. For example, a light emitting diode (LED) or other device might be used in various applications of the present invention to emit an optical beam (similar to the laser beam 13) which is discernable by a user or someone assisting them.
The posture of the person 20 is shown in FIG. 1A in what may be referred to as the “follow-through position.” The follow-through position is the position of the body of the person 14 immediately after a basketball has been released from the hands of the person 20 as the person 20 shoots a basketball towards a hoop. In the follow-through position, the shooting arm 12 of the body of the person 14 may be substantially extended and the shooting hand 28 may be bent in a direction towards the posterior side 26 of the shooting arm 22 of the person 14 (e.g., an angle of about 90° to about 120° is defined between the palm 30 of the hand 28 and the forearm).
The laser device 12 may be aligned with the shooting arm 12 of the body of the person 20 while the person 20 is standing in the follow-through position. By way of example and not limitation, the laser device 12 may be aligned such that the laser beam 13 emitted by the laser device 12 impinges on the palm 30 of the shooting hand 28 of the body of the person 20 when the person 20 is standing in the follow-through position, as shown in FIG. 1A. Moreover, the laser device 12 may be aligned such that the laser beam 13 impinges on or near the center of the palm 30 substantially along an imaginary line (not shown) extending along the middle finger 32 of the shooting hand 28, across the palm 30, and down the shooting arm 22 of the body of the person 20 when the person 20 is standing in the follow-through position, as shown in FIG. 1A.
After the training device 10 has been attached to the upper arm 24 of the body of the person 20, the person 20 may use the training device 10 to learn a desired form and technique for performing a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern (e.g., to shoot a basketball), and for developing muscle memory in the body of the person, thereby enabling the person to consistently recreate that neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern. One manner in which the person 20 may use the training device 10 will be described with combined reference to FIGS. 2A-2B and FIGS. 1B-1D.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a room that includes a basketball court or at least a portion thereof. As shown therein, the room may include a floor 38, a ceiling 40, a back wall 42, a first side wall 44, and a second side wall 46. The room may further include a basketball standard 50, which may include a hoop 52 (or rim) attached to a back board 54. One or more paths may be defined on at least one of the floor 38, the ceiling 40, the back wall 42, the first side wall 44, and the second side wall 46. In the presently described example, a defined path may be substantially linear or it may include substantially linear segments each of which is disposed in a single two-dimensional plane.
By way of example and not limitation, a first path 60 may be defined that includes a first linear segment 60A extending along the floor 38, a second linear segment 60B extending substantially vertically along the back wall 42, and a third linear segment 60C extending along the ceiling 40. A second path 62 may be defined that includes a first linear segment 62A extending along the floor 38, a second linear segment 62B extending substantially vertically along the back wall 42, and a third linear segment 62C extending along the ceiling 40. Similarly, a third path 64 may be defined that includes a first linear segment 64A extending along the floor 38, a second linear segment 64B extending substantially vertically along the back wall 42, and a third linear segment 64C extending along the ceiling 40.
In additional embodiments, the first path 60 may include only one or only two of the three segments 60A, 60B, 60C, the second path 62 may include only one or only two of the three segments 62A, 62B, 62C, and the third path 64 may include only one or only two of the three segments 64A, 64B, 64C.
In is not necessary that three paths be defined relative to the hoop 52. Rather, any number of desired paths may be defined relative to the hoop 52 on one or more of the floor 38, the ceiling 40, the back wall 42, the first side wall 44, and the second side wall 46.
FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the floor 38 and basketball standard 50 illustrating the relative positions between the lines or paths 60, 62, 64 shown in FIG. 2A and the hoop 52 of the basketball standard 50. Referring to FIG. 2B, the three segments 60A, 60B, 60C of the first path 60 may be substantially disposed along or within a first two-dimensional plane 61, the three segments 62A, 62B, 62C of the second path 62 may be substantially disposed along or within a second two-dimensional plane 63, and the three segments 64A, 64B, 64C of the third path 64 may be substantially disposed along or within a third two-dimensional plane 65. The first plane 61, the second plane 62, and the third plane 63 each may pass through the hoop 52. Moreover, the first plane 61, the second plane 62, and the third plane 63 each may pass through a center 53 of the hoop 52.
Referring again to FIG. 2A, by way of example and not limitation, each of the three segments 60A, 60B, 60C of the first path 60, the three segments 62A, 62B, 62C of the second path 62, and the three segments 64A, 64B, 64C of the third path 64 may simply be defined in the mind of the person 20, and not actually physically marked or visually defined on the floor 38, the back wall 42, or the ceiling 40. In other embodiments, each of the three segments 60A, 60B, 60C of the first path 60, the three segments 62A, 62B, 62C of the second path 62, and the three segments 64A, 64B, 64C of the third path 64 may be actually physically marked on the respective floor 38, back wall 42, and ceiling 40 using, for example, tape, paint, or chalk. Furthermore, the color of the tape, paint, or chalk may be selected to provide a high degree of color contrast between the marked path and the surface on which the marked path is provided. In yet additional embodiments, a first additional laser device (not shown) may be used to visually define each of the three segments 60A, 60B, 60C of the first path 60, a second additional laser device (not shown) may be used to visually define each of the three segments 62A, 62B, 62C of the second path 62, and a third additional laser device (not shown) may be used to visually define each of the three segments 64A, 64B, 64C of the third path 64. A laser device may be used to visually define a path on a surface by reflecting the laser beam emitted from the laser device from the surface along the path. In this manner, the visible, reflected laser beam visually defines the desired path, even though there has been no physical modification to the surface.
Moreover, a moveable additional laser device (not shown in FIG. 2A) may be moved to any location and used to visually define a line or path similar to the first path 60, the second path 62, and the third path 64 at any desired position relative to the hoop 52. Such an additional laser device may be, for example, attached to a shoe disposed on the foot of the person 20 and oriented to visually define a line or path similar to the paths 60, 62, 64. For example, if the person 20 typically shoots the basketball 18 using the right hand 28 (FIG. 1A), such an additional laser device may be attached to the shoe disposed on the right foot of the body of the person 20. In such a configuration, the person 20 may move to any desired location on the floor 38, and point the right foot of the body of the person 20 towards the hoop 52 such that the additional laser device visually defines a line or path on at least one of the floor 38, the ceiling 40, the back wall 42, the first sidewall 44, and the second sidewall 46. Similarly, if the person 20 typically shoots the basketball 18 using the left hand, the additional laser device (not shown) may be attached to the shoe disposed on the left foot of the body of the person 20. In additional embodiments, such a moveable additional laser device (not shown in FIG. 2A) may simply be placed at any desired location, and need not be attached to a shoe disposed on the foot of the person 20. Optionally, such a moveable additional laser device may be mounted to a tripod, or other mounting device.
With continued reference to FIG. 2A, the first path 60 may be used by the person 20 (FIGS. 1A-1D) to practice shooting a basketball 18 (FIGS. 1B-1D) towards the hoop 52 from a first position 70, such as at the foul line 39 marked on the floor 38 (i.e., to practice shooting “foul shots” or “free throws”), the second path 60 may be used by the person 20 to practice shooting a basketball 18 towards the hoop 52 from a second position 72 on the floor 38, and the third path 64 may be used by the person 20 to practice shooting a basketball 18 towards the hoop 52 from a third position 72 on the floor 38. It should be readily apparent that a path may defined so as to allow the person 20 to practice shooting the basketball 18 towards the hoop 52 from any position on the floor 38 and that the paths described with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B are merely examples for sake of illustration.
By way of example and not limitation, the person 20 may use the training device 10 together with the first path 60 to learn to consistently shoot free throws with a specified form and technique by standing at the first location 70 on the floor 38 and repeatedly shooting a basketball 18 towards the hoop 52 while tracking the laser beam 13 emitted by the laser device 12 relative to the first path 60.
Referring to FIG. 1B, as the person 20 begins to shoot the basketball 18 towards the hoop 52, the person may direct the laser beam 13 onto a location on the floor 38 along or proximate the first segment 60A of the first path 60 by positioning their arm 22 such as depicted in FIG. 1B. As the person 20 moves from the position shown in FIG. 1B to the position shown in FIG. 1C, the person 20 may track the laser beam 13 relative to the first segment 60A and onto or proximate the second segment 60B of the first path 60. As the person 20 then shoots the basketball 18 towards the hoop 52, moving from the position shown in FIG. 1C to the position shown in FIG. 1D, the person 20 may track the laser beam 13 relative to the second segment 60B and onto or proximate the third segment 60C of the first path 60. If the person 20 shoots the basketball 18 using proper form and technique, the laser beam 13 may substantially follow the first path 60 throughout the shot. If the person 20 shoots the basketball using a form or technique that deviates from the specified form and technique, the laser beam 13 may deviate from the first path 60 in a lateral direction, thereby allowing the person 20 (or someone assisting them) to detect the use of form and technique other than the specified form and technique.
The person 20 may practice shooting the basketball 18 towards the hoop 52, with a specified form and technique, from the second position 72 using the second path 62, or from the third position 74 using the third path 74, in a substantially similar manner to that described in relation to the first position 70 and the first path 60.
Furthermore, the person 20 need not actually use a basketball 18 but, instead, may simply stand on the floor 38 at the first location 70, the second location 72, or the third location 74 and simulate shooting a basketball 18 towards the hoop 52 by carrying out the neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern used to actually shoot a basketball 18 towards the hoop 52.
As the person 20 repeatedly shoots a basketball 18 towards a hoop 52 (or simulates such shooting), while wearing the training device 10 and tracking the laser beam 13 emitted by the laser device 12 relative to a path 60, 62, 64 defined on a surface, the person 20 may develop muscle memory associated with the neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern, thereby enabling the person 20 to consistently shoot the basketball 18 towards a hoop 52 with proper form and technique. Furthermore, biofeedback is provided to the person 20 that allows the person 20 to recognize the adverse effects resulting from use of undesired form and technique to shoot the basketball 18 towards the hoop 52.
The training device 10, which embodies teachings of the present invention, is shown in detail in FIGS. 3A-3B. As previously discussed, the training device 10 may include an optical beam-emitting device such as, for example, a laser device 12. The laser device 12 may be secured to a strap 14. By way of example and not limitation, a first end 78 of the strap 14 may be configured for releasable securement to a second end 80 of the strap 14 using a hook and loop fastener material, such as that sold under the tradename VELCRO. A first piece of material 16A comprising a plurality of small hooks may be attached to a first side 82 (FIG. 3B) of the strap 14 proximate the first end 78 thereof, and a second piece of material 16B comprising a plurality of small loops may be attached to a second side 84 (FIG. 3B) of the strap 14 proximate the second end 80 thereof. In this configuration, the strap 14 may be wrapped around the upper arm 24 of a person 20 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D), and the first piece of material 16A may be pressed against the second piece of material 16B to secure the first end 78 of the strap 14 to the second end 80 of the strap 14.
The strap 14 may further include a pocket 17. By way of example and not limitation, the pocket 17 may be secured to the strap 14 by way of, for example, stitching the pocket 17 to the strap 14 using thread or another fiber material, by adhering the pocket 17 to the strap using an adhesive, or by other appropriate fastening techniques as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The pocket 17 may include a slit or aperture 17′. A base member 15 may be provided that includes a first portion 88 configured to attach to the laser device 12, a second portion 90 configured to be disposed within the pocket 17, and an intermediate portion 15 configured to extend through the slit or aperture 17′ in the pocket 17. The first portion 88 may include, for example, a substantially cylindrical member into which a portion of the laser device 12 may be inserted, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. In additional embodiments, the first portion 88 may not form a cylinder, and the first portion 88 and the laser device 12 may be configured to provide a snap fit therebetween. In one embodiment, the second portion 90 of the base member 15 may be substantially planar to allow the base member 15 to be inserted into the pocket 17. Furthermore, the base member 15 may be substantially circular, as shown in FIG. 3A. In this configuration, relative rotation between the base member 15 (and the laser device 12 secured thereto) and the strap 14 in the directions indicated by the directional arrow 96 in the two-dimensional X-Y plane may be facilitated. Such relative rotation and adjustment enables alignment of the laser device 12 and the laser beam 13 emitted thereby relative to the body of the person 20, as previously described in relation to FIG. 1A, once the device strap 14 is secured about the arm of a person 20. In other words, in the embodiment shown and described with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the laser device 12 may be configured to move relative to the strap 14 in two dimensions.
Another exemplary training device 100 is shown in FIG. 4 that embodies teachings of the present invention. The training device 100 may include a laser device 12, which may be secured to a strap 14. The strap 14 and the laser device 12 may be substantially similar to those previously described in relation to FIGS. 3A-3B. In the training device 100 shown in FIG. 4, however, the laser device 12 is directly inserted into a pocket 102 on the strap 14. Thus, adjustment of the laser beam 13 relative to the arm of a person 20 may include adjusting the securement of the device, and more particularly, the strap 14, relative to the arm of person 20.
Another exemplary training device 110 is shown in FIG. 5 that embodies teachings of the present invention. The training device 110 may be generally similar to the training device 10 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, and may include a laser device 12 secured to a strap 14. In the training device 10 shown in FIG. 5, however, a ball joint 112 or other adjustment mechanism is provided between the laser device 12 and the strap 14. In this configuration, relative movement between the laser device 12 and the strap 14 in the directions indicated by the directional arrow 114 may be facilitated (i.e., in the YZ plane) as well as in directions previously described with respect to other embodiments of the present invention. Such an adjustment mechanism enables the laser device 12 to move in three dimensions relative to the strap 14. Facilitating three-dimensional movement between the laser device 12 and the strap 14 may further facilitate alignment of the laser device 12 and the laser beam 13 emitted thereby relative to the body of the person 20 in the manner previously described in relation to FIG. 1A.
Yet another exemplary training device 120 is shown in FIG. 6 that embodies teachings of the present invention. The training device 120 may include a laser device 12 attached to a sleeve 122. By way of example and not limitation, a pocket 124 may be provided on the sleeve 122, and the laser device 12 may be inserted into the pocket 124. In additional embodiments, the laser device 12 may be attached to the sleeve 122 using a base member 15 in a manner substantially similar to that previously described in relation to FIGS. 3A-3B, or the laser device 12 may be attached to the sleeve 122 using a ball joint 112 in a manner substantially similar to that previously described in relation to FIG. 5.
The sleeve 122 may include a generally cylindrical or tubular piece of material or fabric exhibiting a desired level of elasticity, and may be sized and configured to fit snugly around the upper arm 24 of the body of a person 20 (FIGS. 1A-1D). In this configuration, the sleeve 122 may be slid over the shooting hand 28 and onto the arm 22 of the body of the person 20 when the person desires to use the training device 120. The material of the sleeve 122 may be sized and configured such that the sleeve 122 stretches or expands as the sleeve 122 is slid onto the upper arm 24 of the body of the person, thereby providing a snug fit between the sleeve 122 and the upper arm 24 of the body of the person 20. This may facilitate maintenance of the laser device 12 in the aligned position after the laser device 12 has been aligned as previously described in relation to FIG. 1A.
Another exemplary training device 130 is shown in FIG. 7 that embodies teachings of the present invention. The training device 130 may include a laser device 12 attached to a sleeve 132. The laser device 12 may be attached to the sleeve 132 in any of the manners previously described herein. The sleeve 132 may include a first portion 134 and a second portion 136. The first portion 134 of the sleeve 132 may include a relatively rigid element configured to rest against the posterior side 26 of the upper arm 24 of the body of the person 20. For example, the first portion 134 of the sleeve 132 may include a relatively rigid metal, metal alloy, or polymer material (including relatively rigid thermoplastic materials as well as relatively rigid thermoset materials). The second portion 136 of the sleeve 132 may include a stretchable, elastomeric material or fabric configured to wrap around the anterior side of the upper arm 24 of the body of the person 20 and to hold the first portion 134 against the posterior side 26 of the upper arm 24. By providing a relatively rigid first portion 134 on the sleeve 132, maintenance of the laser device 12 in the aligned position after the laser device has been aligned as previously described in relation to FIG. 1A may be further facilitated.
In some embodiments, the first portion 134 may be shaped and contoured to conform to the triceps of the upper arm 24 of the body of a person 20. Furthermore, the first portion 134 may be have a custom shape and contour configured and specifically tailored to conform to the triceps of the upper arm 24 of the body of a particular person 20. By way of example, the first portion 134 may include a material that may be readily shaped or molded to conform to the triceps of the upper arm 24 of the body of a particular person 20 such as, for example, a polymeric material having a glass transition temperature of less than about 100° C. By way of example and not limitation, the first portion 134 may include a commercially available material such as that sold under the tradename ORTHOPLAST. By providing a custom fit between the first portion 134 and the posterior side 26 of the upper arm 24 of a particular person, maintenance of the laser device 12 in the aligned position may be further facilitated.
Another exemplary training device 140 is shown in FIG. 8 that embodies teachings of the present invention. The training device 140 may include a laser device 12 attached to a sleeve 142. The laser device 12 may be attached to the sleeve 142 in any of the manners previously described herein. The sleeve 142 may include a first portion 144 and a second portion 146. The first portion 144 of the sleeve 142 may be configured to be positioned on or over the hand 28 and the lower arm of the body of the person 20 (FIGS. 1A-1D). The second portion 146 of the sleeve may extend from, and may be continuous with, the first portion 144, and may be configured to be positioned on or over the upper arm 24 of the body of the person 20. Both the first portion 144 and the second portion 146 of the sleeve 142 may include a stretchable material or fabric configured to stretch as the sleeve 142 is placed on the hand 28 and arm 22 of the body of the person 20. In some embodiments, the first portion 144 of the sleeve 142 may be configured to cover at least a portion of the hand and even a portion of one or more fingers of the hand 28 of the body of the person. As such, the first portion 144 may include, for example, five apertures, each aperture configured to allow a finger or thumb of the hand 28 of the body of the person 20 to extend therethrough.
In additional embodiments, the first portion 144 of the sleeve 142 may extend only over a portion of the forearm of the person 20, such as, for example, to the position represented by the dashed line 147. In this configuration, the first portion 144 of the sleeve 142 does not cover any part of the hand 28 of the body of the person 20.
The laser device 12 of each of the training devices 10, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 previously described herein may be battery-operated (regardless of whether such be rechargeable, replaceable, or disposable), and may be free from external cables or wires extending between the laser device 12 and any other device. In this configuration, movement of the body of the person 20 (FIGS. 1A-1D) may not be significantly hampered or constricted when using training devices that embody teachings of the present invention (such as the training devices 10, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140). Furthermore, the laser device 12 may include a power on-off switch to prevent draining the battery when the training device 10 is not in use.
The training device 10 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the training device 100 shown in FIG. 4, the training device 110 shown in FIG. 5, the training device 120 shown in FIG. 6, the training device 130 shown in FIG. 7, and the training device 140 shown in FIG. 8 have been described as being usable to teach a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop. It will be readily apparent, however, that each of these training devices (as well as other training devices that embody teachings of the present invention) may be used to teach a person any desired neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern simply by attaching the training device to the body of the person, defining a line or path (whether linear, curvilinear or otherwise) on a specified surface, and causing the person to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern while tracking a beam emitted by an optical beam-emitting device of the training device relative to the predefined path.
As another example of neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns that may be learned by using a training device that embodies teachings of the present invention, any one of the training devices 10, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 previously described herein may be attached to the upper arm 24 of the body of a person 20 in the manner previously described in relation to FIG. 1A. The person 20 may enter a room, such as a gymnasium. The person 20 may then throw a ball, such as a baseball or a football, and the path traced on the surrounding walls, ceiling, and floor by the laser beam 13 may be observed while also observing the form and technique of the person 20 throwing the ball. To improve the form and technique of the person 20, a path may be predefined, and optionally visually defined or physically marked, on at least one of the surrounding walls, ceiling, and floor as previously described herein. The person 20 then may repeatedly throw the ball, or simulate throwing a ball, while tracking the laser beam 13 relative to the predefined path.
To improve the golf swing of a person 20, a training device that embodies teachings of the present invention may be attached to the forearm of the body of the person 20. Optionally, at least one additional training device may be attached to another part of the body of the person 20, such as, for example, the upper arm 24 (FIG. 1A). The laser device 12 of each training device may emit a laser beam 13 having a different color, impingement area or intensity to facilitate distinguishing between the laser beams 13 emitted by different laser devices 12. The person 20 may enter a room, such as a gymnasium. The person 20 may then swing a golf club, and the path or paths traced on the surrounding walls, ceiling, and floor by the laser beams 13 may be observed while also observing the form and technique of the person 20 swinging the golf club. To improve the form and technique of the person 20, a path or paths may be predefined, and optionally visually defined or physically marked, on at least one of the surrounding walls, ceiling, and floor as previously described herein. The person 20 then may repeatedly swing the golf club or simulate swinging the golf club while tracking the laser beam or beams 13 relative to the predefined path or paths.
To improve the form of a particular competitive diving maneuver, a water-proof or water-resistant training device that embodies teachings of the present invention may be attached to at least one of the head, arm, torso, and leg of the body of the person 20. The person 20 may then perform the diving maneuver, and the path traced on the surrounding walls, ceiling, and water surface by the laser beam 13 may be observed while also observing the form and technique of the person 20 performing the diving maneuver. To improve the form and technique of the person 20, a path or paths may be predefined, and optionally visually defined or physically marked, on at least one of the surrounding walls, ceiling, and water surface as previously described herein. The person 20 then may repeatedly perform the diving maneuver while tracking the laser beams 13 relative to the predefined path or paths. Gymnastic maneuvers may be improved by using training devices that embody teachings of the present invention in a substantially similar manner.
As evidenced by the above examples, the neuromuscular motor patterns that may be learned or improved by using training devices that embody teachings of the present invention according to the methods described herein are virtually unlimited in number and type, and the devices and methods described herein may exhibit utility in activities that are not related to sports or other competitive activities. By way of example and not limitation, the training devices and methods described herein may be used to aid a physical therapy patient in conducting a predefined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern.
Systems for teaching a person proper technique for performing a predefined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern may be provided using a training device that embodies teachings of the present invention, such as, for example, any one of the training devices 10, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140.
A person 20 is illustrated in FIG. 9 using a system that embodies teachings of the present invention. The system may include a basketball hoop 52, a training device 10 as previously described herein, and a surface having a visually defined or physically marked path thereon. By way of example and not limitation, a path 148 may be visually defined or physically marked on the floor 38, as shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, the path 148 may be visually defined on the floor 38 using an additional laser or other optical device 150. The path 148 may be defined relative to a center of the basketball hoop 52 and the position of the person 20 relative to the basketball hoop 52.
In some embodiments, the additional laser or other optical device 150 may be a portable laser device capable of being moved to any desired location on the floor 38. In additional embodiments, the additional laser device 150 may be attached to the body of the person 20 and oriented so as to visually define the path 148 on the floor 38. For example, the additional laser or other optical device 150 may be attached to a shoe 152 disposed on a foot of the body of the person 20. In this configuration, as the person 20 moves between various locations on the floor 38 and shoots the basketball 18 towards the hoop 52, the additional laser device 150, when attached to a shoe 152, may be used to visually define the path 148 along at least one surface, such as the floor 38.
In additional embodiments, the path 148 may be visually defined or physically marked on at least one of the ceiling 40, back wall 42, first side wall 44, and second side wall 46, in addition to, or as an alternative to, the floor 38. Furthermore, the path 148 need not be visually defined using an additional laser device 150, and may be physically marked in any desired manner such as, for example, using tape, paint, chalk, etc., as previously described herein. Optionally, the system may include a sensor 156. The sensor 156 may be configured to detect the laser beam 13 emitted by the laser device 12 (FIGS. 3A-3B) of the training device 10. By way of example and not limitation, the sensor 156 may be configured to provide an audible signal or a visual signal to the person 20 when the laser beam 13 impinges on the sensor 156. In this configuration, the sensor 156 may be positioned at any desired location along a defined path relative to which the person 20 desires to track the laser beam 13. By way of example and not limitation, the sensor 156 may be placed on the back wall 42, as shown in FIG. 9. In alternative embodiments, the sensor 156 may be placed at any desired location relative to the floor 38, ceiling 40, first side wall 44, or the second side wall 46. Furthermore, the sensor 156 may be sized and configured so as to allow the sensor 156 to be placed on the hoop 52 or on the back board 54. Furthermore, if the backboard 54 comprises a material that is transparent to the laser beam 13, the sensor 156 may be mounted behind or on the back side of the back board 54. If desired, multiple sensors may be positioned at multiple locations along the desired path in order to facilitate tracking of the laser beam 13 relative to the defined path.
Optionally, a camera device 160 may be used to record the position of the laser beam 13 emitted by the laser device 12 of the training device 10 relative to the path 148. By way of example and not limitation, the camera device 160 may include a high-speed camera device, which may be configured and positioned so as to allow recording of the neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern effectuated by the person 20, together with the trajectory of the laser beam 13 relative to the physical surroundings. The recording produced by the camera device 160 then may be reviewed and used to provide visual feedback to the person 20 regarding the relative locations of the path actually traced by the laser beam 13 and the desired, predefined path 148 on the one or more surrounding surfaces. In this manner, the recording produced by the camera device 160 may provide visual feedback to the person 20 regarding the person's form and technique, thereby allowing the person 20 to recognize and identify aspects of the person's form and technique that need improvement. Furthermore, to further facilitate observation of the path traced on the surrounding surfaces by the laser beam 13 emitted by a laser device 12 of a training device 10, the lights may be dimmed or completely shut off in the room in which the person 20 is using the training device 10.
While the present invention has been described herein with respect to certain embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions and modifications to the preferred embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. In addition, features from one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment while still being encompassed within the scope of the invention as contemplated by the inventors. Further, the invention has utility in any situation in which it is desired to teach a person neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns, in addition to its utility in teaching a person to shoot a basketball with proper form.

Claims

1. A method of teaching a person a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern comprising:

attaching an optical beam-emitting device to the body of a person;

defining a path on a specified surface; and

causing the person to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern while tracking a beam emitted by the optical beam-emitting device relative to the path.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching an optical beam-emitting device to the body of a person includes attaching a laser device to the body of a person and wherein tracking a beam emitted by the optical beam-emitting device includes tracking a laser beam.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein causing the person to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern comprises causing the person to repeat a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern associated with shooting a basketball towards a hoop.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein attaching a laser device to the body of a person comprises attaching a laser device to the upper arm of the body of the person.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein attaching a laser device to the upper arm of the body of the person comprises positioning the laser device adjacent a posterior side of the upper arm of the person.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein attaching a laser device to the upper arm of the body of the person further comprises:

securing the device to an elongated strap; and

wrapping the strap around the upper arm of the body of the person.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein attaching a laser device to the upper arm of the body of the person further comprises:

securing the device to a sleeve of stretchable material configured to slide over the upper arm of the body of the person; and

sliding the sleeve over a hand and onto the upper arm of the body of the person.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein defining a path on a specified surface further comprises visually defining or physically marking a path on a specified surface.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein visually defining or physically marking a path on a specified surface further comprises visually defining or physically marking a path on at least one of a floor, a wall, a ceiling, a basketball backboard, and a basketball hoop.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein visually defining or physically marking a path on a specified surface comprises physically marking a path on a specified surface using at least one of tape, paint, and chalk.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein visually defining or physically marking a path on a specified surface comprises visually defining a path on a specified surface using at least one additional laser beam emitted by at least one additional laser device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein visually defining a path on a specified surface using at least one additional laser beam emitted by at least one additional laser device comprises:

attaching an additional laser device to a shoe disposed on a foot of the body of the person; and

visually defining the path on at least one of a floor, a wall, a ceiling, a basketball backboard, and a basketball hoop using an additional laser beam emitted by the additional laser device attached to the shoe.

13. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

recording the position of the laser beam emitted by the laser device relative to the path while causing the person to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern using a camera device; and

reviewing a recording produced by the camera device.

14. The method of claim 3, wherein defining a path on specified surface further comprises defining a path disposed in a two-dimensional plane passing through a basketball hoop and oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the basketball hoop is disposed.

15. A system for teaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop, the system comprising:

a strap or sleeve configured to be secured to an upper arm of a person;

an optical beam-emitting device attached to the strap or sleeve;

a basketball hoop; and

a surface having a visually defined or physically marked path thereon, the path being visually defined or physically marked relative to a center of a basketball hoop and an intended position of a person relative to the basketball hoop.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the optical beam emitting device includes a laser device configured to emit a laser beam.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the strap or sleeve comprises a sleeve having a portion thereof configured to be positioned over the hand of the person, the portion including at least five apertures, each aperture configured to allow a finger or thumb of the body of the person to extend therethrough.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the laser device is moveably coupled to the strap or sleeve.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the laser device is configured to pivot in at least two dimensions relative to the strap or sleeve.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the laser device is configured to pivot in three dimensions relative to the strap or sleeve.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a ball joint coupled to the laser device and configured to facilitate the pivoting of the laser device relative to the strap or sleeve.

22. The system of claim 16, further comprising a sensor located proximate the basketball hoop and configured to provide at least one of an audible signal and a visible signal when the laser beam emitted by the laser device impinges on the sensor.

23. An apparatus for teaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop, the apparatus comprising:

a strap or sleeve sized and configured to be secured to an upper arm of a body of a person; and

a laser device rotatably attached to the strap or sleeve and configured to emit a laser beam;

wherein the apparatus is free from external cables or wires extending between the laser device and any other device external of the strap or sleeve.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the strap or sleeve comprises a sleeve having a first portion sized and configured to be positioned over the upper arm of a body of a person and second portion sized and configured to be positioned over the forearm of a body of a person.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the strap or sleeve comprises a sleeve having a portion thereof sized and configured to be positioned over a hand of the person, the portion including at least five apertures, each aperture configured to allow a finger or thumb of the body of the person to extend therethrough.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the laser device is moveably attached to the strap or sleeve.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the laser device is configured to pivot in at least two dimensions relative to the strap or sleeve.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the laser device is configured to pivot in three dimensions relative to the strap or sleeve.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a ball joint coupled to the laser device and facilitating the pivoting of the laser device relative to the strap or sleeve.