Padded athletic training device

Abstract

An athletic training device such as a volleyball blocking device includes a front foam layer intended to contact a volleyball and a rear foam layer disposed rearwardly of front foam layer to absorb some of the force transmitted to said front foam layer. An inner layer comprised of a relatively stiff material is disposed between the front foam layer and the rear form layer. A hand receiving portion is secured on or adjacent to the rear foam layer for receipt of a user's hand.

In the claims:  
     
         1 . An athletic training device for use in blocking balls, comprising: 
 a front layer intended to contact a hit ball;    a rear layer, which is intended to absorb force transmitted to said front layer;    an insert portion disposed between and secured to each of said front layer and said rear layer, said insert portion being comprised of a relatively stiff material; and    a hand receiving portion to allow receipt of a user's hand therein.    
     
     
         2 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said training device is a volleyball blocking training device.  
     
     
         3 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein said insert portion is comprised of a plastic material.  
     
     
         4 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein said front layer and said rear layer are comprised of a foam material.  
     
     
         5 . The training device of  claim 4 , wherein said rear foam layer is thicker than said front foam layer.  
     
     
         6 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein said insert portion is designed to provide some flexibility, but is stiff enough to prevent the ball from consistently passing over or through the training device.  
     
     
         7 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said insert portion is glued to said front layer on one side and is glued to said rear layer on the other side.  
     
     
         8 . The training device of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a covering surrounding said front foam layer, said insert portion, and said rear foam layer.    
     
     
         9 . The training device of  claim 8 , wherein said covering is comprised of a fabric material.  
     
     
         10 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein said hand receiving portion is configured in the shape of a glove.  
     
     
         11 . A volleyball blocking pad, comprising: 
 a foam portion;    a relatively stiff portion disposed in said foam portion;    an outer covering encapsulating said foam portion; and    a hand receiving portion secured to said outer covering.    
     
     
         12 . The blocking pad of  claim 11 , wherein said foam portion is comprised of a front foam portion and a rear foam portion.  
     
     
         13 . The blocking pad of  claim 12 , wherein said relatively stiff portion is disposed between said front foam portion and said rear foam portion.  
     
     
         14 . The blocking pad of  claim 12 , wherein said front foam portion is thinner than said rear foam portion.  
     
     
         15 . The blocking pad of  claim 11 , wherein said relatively stiff portion is comprised of a plastic material that also provides some flexibility.  
     
     
         16 . The blocking pad of  claim 11 , wherein said outer covering is removable.  
     
     
         17 . The blocking pad of  claim 11 , wherein said hand receiving portion is configured in the shape of a glove.  
     
     
         18 . A volleyball blocking pad, comprising: 
 an absorbing portion for absorbing some force of a contacting volleyball;    a relatively stiff portion in communication with said absorbing portion to allow said blocking pad to block said contacting ball, but still flex slightly backward;    a hand portion in communication therewith for receipt of a user's hand therein.