Methods and means for lifting jumper

Abstract

A leg device with means for gripping, or handles, is used to aid in lifting a jumping player, especially for lineouts in Rugby Union. The simple, reusable, easy to use leg device provides a level of effectiveness, comfort, convenience, and safety not provided by conventional methods. In a leg sleeve embodiment, means for gripping include a thickened band or grip attached to a sleeve material. The means for gripping may be formed by attaching a semi-rigid material. The means for gripping may be formed by attaching extra layers in sections, in rolls, in folds. The means for gripping may be shaped to match the hand of a lifter. To use, leg sleeves are applied to the legs of a jumper. Other embodiments of leg devices include leg glove or mitt and various leg straps. An improved leg glove further comprises a non-elastic base strap. An improved leg sleeve comprises a base strap and a cross strap attached to a sleeve of stretch material. When the jumper jumps, one or more lifters grip the leg device. The lifters lift the jumper higher, support the jumper in the jump while the jumper attempts to intercept a ball, and safely lower the jumper. Non-elastic leg straps many including padding or warrior fringe.

1 . A leg sleeve to be worn on a leg of a jumper and gripped by one or more lifters, said leg sleeve comprising: 
 a) sleeve material, and    b) a means of gripping, attached to said sleeve material with an attachment,    wherein the sleeve material comprises a thin, flexible, elastic material of sufficient size and shape to be worn around at least a portion of the leg of the jumper,    wherein, to apply the leg sleeve, the sleeve material is stretched and passed over the foot of the jumper and when positioned, remains in a predetermined position while the jumper is running or jumping,    wherein the means of gripping is positioned such that, when the jumper jumps, the one or more lifters is able to grip said means of gripping with at least one hand,    wherein the means of gripping is of sufficient size and shape that it is easily gripped by the at least one hand of at least one lifter,    wherein, when the jumper jumps to obtain a higher position, the jumper is lifted and held in the higher position by the one or more lifters,    wherein, to remove, the sleeve material is stretched and passed over the foot and off the leg, and    wherein, to reuse, the sleeve material is stretched again,    whereby the jumper when wearing the leg sleeve is lifted and held in the higher position by at least one lifter.    
     
     
         2 . The leg sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the means of gripping comprises a thickened portion.  
     
     
         3 . The leg sleeve of  claim 2  wherein the thickened portion comprises, 
 i) a length of semi-rigid material which is firmer than the sleeve material, and    ii) a covering layer which covers the semi-rigid material,    wherein the semi-rigid material provides a firm area for the hand of at least one lifter to grip.    
     
     
         4 . The leg sleeve of  claim 1  wherein sleeve material receives tape to hold the leg sleeve in place at the predetermined position on the leg of the jumper.  
     
     
         5 . A system comprising a plurality of leg sleeves of  claim 1  and a pair of shorts, 
 wherein the leg sleeves are integrated into the pair of shorts, and    wherein the shorts hold the leg sleeve in place at the predetermined position on the leg of the jumper.    
     
     
         6 . A leg glove, to be worn on a leg of a jumper and gripped by one or more lifters, 
 the leg glove comprising material folded to form two layers, a base layer and a pocket layer, and    the leg glove further comprising a non-elastic strap at the base of the leg glove having a predetermined circumference, which prevents the leg glove from stretching and sliding up the leg of the jumper beyond a predetermined point,    wherein the pocket layer has at least one open portion each forming a pocket,    wherein the pocket is attached at one side of the opening with a pocket attachment and at the other side of the opening with a base attachment,    wherein a means for gripping comprises the pocket and the pocket attachment, and    wherein the one or more hands of one or more lifters pass through the at least one open portion,    whereby the jumper is able to: 
 i) apply the leg glove over the leg of the jumper,  
 ii) run and jump free of discomfort or interference from the leg glove, and  
 iii) be supported more securely and higher by at least one lifter when jumping to intercept a ball, and  
   whereby the lifter is able to: 
 iv) readily ascertain the location of the open portion while the jumper is jumping, and  
 v) obtain a firm grip on the pocket while lifting, supporting, and lowering the jumper.  
   
     
     
         7 . A system for supporting a jumper by one or more lifters, said system comprising two leg sleeves in accordance with  claim 3 , said two leg sleeves comprising a first leg sleeves to be worn on a one leg of the jumper and a second leg sleeves to be worn on the other leg of the jumper, 
 wherein, prior to jumping, the first and second leg sleeves are applied to the corresponding legs of the jumper, and    wherein, when jumping, a first hand of the at least one lifter grips the means of gripping of the first leg sleeve and a second hand of the at least one lifter grips the means of gripping of the second leg sleeve,    whereby when the jumper jumps to higher position the at least one lifter is able to support the jumper with the first hand on the first leg sleeve and the second hand on the second leg sleeve.    
     
     
         8 . A method for supporting a jumper by one or more lifters comprising the steps of: 
 a) applying two of the leg sleeves of  claim 1  to the legs of the jumper,    b) the jumper jumping into the higher position,    c) the one or more lifters ascertaining the location of each means of gripping,    d) the one or more lifters gripping a means of gripping with each hand,    e) lifting the jumper to a second higher position,    f) holding the jumper firmly in the second higher position until the jumper is able to intercept the ball, and    g) lowering the jumper safely and securely,    h) repeating steps b) through g) for a predetermined period of time,    i) removing the leg sleeves,    j) reapplying the leg sleeves, and    k) repeating steps b) through g) for a second predetermined period of time.    
     
     
         9 . The leg sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the lifters are consistently able to obtain a firm grip on the leg sleeve, 
 whereby the lifters are able to lift the jumper higher,    whereby the lifters are able to provide a more stable support for the jumper,    whereby the jumper is able to intercept the ball more often, and    whereby the jumper is able to jump, be supported, and be lowered more safely.    
     
     
         10 . A method for supporting a jumper by one or more lifters comprising the steps of: 
 a) applying two leg sleeves to the legs of the jumper, each leg sleeve comprising a means of gripping,    b) the jumper jumping into a higher position,    c) the one or more lifters gripping one of the means of gripping with each hand,    d) lifting the jumper to a second higher position,    e) holding the jumper firmly in the second higher position until the jumper is able to intercept the ball,    f) lowering the jumper,    g) repeating steps b) through f) at least once,    h) removing the leg sleeve,    i) reapplying the leg sleeve, and    j) repeating steps b) through f) at least once.    
     
     
         11 . The leg sleeve of  claim 3  wherein the thickened portion is attached to the front, forming a front grip, 
 the leg sleeve further comprising a second thickened portion attached to the back, forming a back grip,    whereby a first hand of a one of the lifters grasps the front grip and a second hand of one of the lifters grasps the back grip.    
     
     
         12 . A system of comprising two of the leg sleeves of  claim 11  and a pair of shorts, 
 wherein two lifters having four hands each grasp one of the four grips with one hand per grip.    
     
     
         13 . A leg strap to be worn on a leg of a jumper and gripped by one or more lifters, said leg strap comprising: 
 a) a encircling strap, wherein the strap encircles the leg, and    b) a means of gripping, attached to the encircling strap,    c) a base layer of material, attached to the encircling strap,    wherein the encircling strap comprises a thin, flexible, non-elastic material of sufficient size and shape to be worn around the leg of the jumper,    wherein the means of gripping is positioned such that, when the jumper jumps, the one or more lifters is able to grip said means of gripping with at least one hand,    wherein the means of gripping is of sufficient size and shape that it is easily gripped by the at least one hand of at least one lifter,    wherein, when the jumper jumps to obtain a higher position, the jumper is lifted and held in the higher position by the one or more lifter.    
     
     
         14 . The leg strap of  claim 13 , further comprising an elastic band attached to at least a portion of the top edge of the base layer of material, 
 wherein the means for gripping comprises a cross strap, the cross strap connected to the encircling strap, wherein the cross strap has a larger circumference than the circumference of the encircling strap, and    the base layer of material, attached to at least an attached portion of the cross strap,    wherein the base layer connects and encloses the area between the encircling strap and the cross strap,    wherein the cross strap has an open portion which is grasped by the hand of the lifter.    
     
     
         15 . The leg strap of  claim 13 , further comprising an elastic band attached the top edge of the base layer of material, 
 wherein the means for gripping comprises a cross handle, the cross handle connected to the encircling strap at one end and the encircling strap at the other end, and    wherein the base layer connects and encloses the area between the encircling strap and the elastic band,    wherein the cross handle has an open portion which is grasped by the hand of the lifter.