Sports training device and method

Abstract

A sports training device is disclosed wherein the device may include a main body having a first main body end and a second main body end, the main body having a first elongated half cylinder and a second elongated half cylinder, a first side positioned along a length of the first elongated half cylinder and along a length of the second elongated half cylinder, a second side positioned along the length of the first elongated half cylinder and the length of the second elongated half cylinder, and a hinge positioned along the first side configured to rotatably couple the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder between an open position and a closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports training device comprising:
 a main body having a first main body end and a second main body end, the main body comprising:
 a first elongated half cylinder and a second elongated half cylinder; 
 a first side positioned along a length of the first elongated half cylinder and along a length of the second elongated half cylinder; 
 a second side positioned along the length of the first elongated half cylinder and the length of the second elongated half cylinder; and 
 a hinge positioned along the first side configured to rotatably couple the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder between an open position and a closed position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The sports training device of  claim 1  wherein the main body comprises an elongated hollow cylinder in the closed position and a first aperture is positioned on the first main body end and a second aperture is positioned on the second main body end. 
     
     
         3 . The sports training device of  claim 2 , wherein the main body is configured to receive a handle of a sports stick within any of the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder in the open position. 
     
     
         4 . The sports training device of  claim 3  wherein the main body is configured to releasably capture the handle of the sports stick between the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder and within the elongated hollow cylinder in the closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The sports training device of  claim 3  wherein the main body is configured to translate along a length of the handle in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The sports training device of  claim 5  wherein at least a portion of an inside of the main body has a shape substantially similar to the handle and configured to prevent rotation of the sports training device relative to the handle in the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The sports training device of  claim 5  wherein the main body is configured to rotate about the handle in the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The sports training device of  claim 2 , the hinge further comprising:
 a plurality of knuckles distributed along the length of the first side, each of the plurality of knuckles having a passage therethrough;   the plurality of knuckles on the first elongated half cylinder positioned adjacent to the plurality of knuckles on the second elongated half cylinder; and   a hinge pin positioned within the passage in the plurality of knuckles.   
     
     
         9 . The sports training device of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a face positioned along the length of the second side; and 
 at least one closure device positioned along the face to releasably position the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder in the closed position. 
 
     
     
         10 . The sports training device of  claim 9  wherein the closure device comprises any of a hook and loop fastener, a magnetic attraction force, a spring, and a hook. 
     
     
         11 . The sports training device of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a plurality of pockets distributed along the face; 
 a plurality of magnets having a positive polarity end and a negative polarity end; 
 the plurality of magnets having the positive polarity end facing outward positioned in the plurality of pockets of the first elongated half cylinder; 
 the plurality of magnets having the negative polarity end facing outward positioned in the plurality of pockets of the second elongated half cylinder; and 
 wherein the plurality of magnets in the first elongated half cylinder and the plurality of magnets in the first elongated half cylinder provide a magnetic attraction force to releasably position the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder in the closed position. 
 
     
     
         12 . The sports training device of  claim 11  where in the magnetic attraction force is selected to allow the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder to be placed in the open position when the sports training device translates along a handle of a sports stick and strikes a bottom end of the sports stick. 
     
     
         13 . The sports training device of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a first raised boss positioned on the face of a first end of the first elongated half cylinder and a first recess positioned on a second end of the first elongated half cylinder; 
 a second raised boss positioned on the face of a first end of the second elongated half cylinder and a second recess positioned on a second end of the second elongated half cylinder; and 
 wherein the first raised boss positioned on the face of the first end of the first elongated half cylinder and the first recess positioned on a second end of the first elongated half cylinder respectively engage with the second raised boss positioned on the face of the first end of the second elongated half cylinder and the second recess positioned on a second end of the second elongated half cylinder in the closed position. 
 
     
     
         14 . The sports training device of  claim 2  wherein the first aperture and the second aperture comprise a tapered first aperture and a tapered second aperture configured to allow the sports training device to translate along a length of a handle of a sports stick in the closed position without catching against the handle. 
     
     
         15 . The sports training device of  claim 2  wherein the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder are identical. 
     
     
         16 . The sports training device of  claim 2  further comprising a planar section positioned between the first main body end and the second main body end on the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder include. 
     
     
         17 . The sports training device of  claim 16  further comprising a first circular section positioned on a first end of the planar section and a second circular section positioned on a second end of the planar section. 
     
     
         18 . The sports training device of  claim 3 , wherein the sports stick is any of an ice hockey stick, a lacrosse stick and a field hockey stick. 
     
     
         19 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a non-slip surface on at least a portion of the main body. 
     
     
         20 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , configured to be used by a player for improving stick control and reducing chopping. 
     
     
         21 . A method for training a player in sports using a sports stick, comprising:
 providing a sports training device comprising a main body having a first elongated half cylinder and a second elongated half cylinder, wherein the main body further comprises a first side and a second side positioned along a length of the first elongated half cylinder and along a length of the second elongated half cylinder, and a hinge configured to rotatably couple the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder between an open position and a closed position.   
     
     
         22 . A method for training of  claim 21  further comprising:
 positioning the sports training device in the open position; 
 disposing a handle of the sports stick within any of the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder; and 
 positioning the sports training device in the closed position and releasably capturing the handle within the sports training device. 
 
     
     
         23 . A method for training of  claim 22  further comprising:
 grasping, by the player, the sports training device in a first hand and a top portion of the sports stick in a second hand; 
 translating and rotating the sports training device with the first hand; and 
 controlling the sports stick with the second hand. 
 
     
     
         24 . A method for training of  claim 23  further comprising:
 positioning a plurality of magnets along the second side of the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder; 
 providing a magnetic attraction force between respective pairs of the plurality of magnets; and 
 releasably positioning the first elongated half cylinder and the second elongated half cylinder in the closed position. 
 
     
     
         25 . A method for training of  claim 24  further comprising:
 detecting a poor technique of the player comprising:
 the player releasing a grip on the sports training device; 
 translating the sports training device along the handle; 
 impacting the sports training device against an end of the sports stick; 
 overcoming the magnetic attraction force; 
 positioning the sports training device into the open position; and 
 releasing the sports training device from the handle.