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. The means for gripping may comprise memory foam. The leg sleeve may further comprise a knee cutout or a hamstring cutout. 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. 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 strap to be worn on a leg of a jumper and gripped by one or more lifters, said leg strap comprising:
 a) an encircling strap, wherein the strap encircles the leg, said encircling strap having two ends,   b) a handle, formed from one of the ends of the encircling strap, said handle further comprising a handle stop,   c) a bite loop, formed from the other end of the encircling strap, the handle removably passing through the bite loop, whereby the leg strap is rapidly attached to the leg of the jumper   d) a means for stowing the handle, comprising a temporary attachment between the free end of the handle and 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 handle is positioned such that, when the jumper jumps, the one or more lifters is able to grip the handle with at least one hand,   wherein the handle is of sufficient size and shape that it is easily gripped by the at least one hand of at least one lifter,   wherein, while lifting, the handle pulls the non-elastic encircling strap through the bite loop and tightens the encircling strap against the leg of the jumper,   wherein, at other times, the handle releases the encircling strap through the bite loop and loosens the encircling strap around the leg of the jumper,   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,   whereby the temporary attachment is released prior to lifting the jumper.   whereby while lifting the handle pulls the non-elastic encircling strap taut against the leg of the jumper in a substantially fixed position on the leg, preventing the encircling strap from slipping up the leg above the fixed position,   whereby the leg strap is taut during the lift and looser during at other times,   whereby the free end of the handle is not readily accessible by others during the other times,   whereby the jumper when wearing the leg strap:
 i) is lifted and held in the higher position by at least one lifter 
 ii) runs and jumps free of discomfort or interference from the leg strap, and 
   whereby the lifter:   iii) readily ascertains the location of the handle while the jumper is jumping, and   iv) obtains a firm grip on the handle of the leg strap while lifting, supporting, and lowering the jumper,   whereby the leg strap is rapidly removed from the leg of the jumper.   
   
   
       2 . 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 non-elastic means of gripping, 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 lifters,   whereby the jumper when wearing the leg strap is lifted and held in the higher position by at least one lifter.   
   
   
       3 . The leg strap of  claim 2 , wherein the means of gripping comprises a handle comprising a strap segment having a free end and an attaching end, the strap segment being permanently attached to the encircling strap at the attaching end,
 whereby the jumper:
 i) runs and jumps free of discomfort or interference from the leg strap, and 
 ii) is supported by at least one lifter when jumping to intercept a ball, 
   whereby the lifter:
 iii) readily ascertains the location of the handle while the jumper is jumping, and 
 iv) obtains a firm grip on the handle of the leg strap while lifting, supporting, and lowering the jumper 
   and, whereby while lifting the handle pulls the non-elastic encircling strap taut against the leg of the jumper in a substantially fixed position on the leg, preventing the encircling strap from slipping up the leg above the fixed position.   
   
   
       4 . The leg strap of  claim 3 ,
 wherein the encircling strap further comprises a bite loop on one end of a closed strap portion of the encircling strap,   wherein the attaching end of the handle is an attached continuation of closed strap portion, and   wherein the free end of the handle removably passes through the bite loop,   wherein, while lifting, the handle pulls the non-elastic encircling strap through the bite loop and tightens the encircling strap against the leg of the jumper, and   wherein, at other times, the handle releases the encircling strap through the bite loop and loosens the encircling strap around the leg of the jumper,   whereby the leg strap is rapidly attached to the leg of the jumper,   whereby the leg strap is taut during the lift and looser during at other times, and   whereby the leg strap is rapidly removed from the leg of the jumper.   
   
   
       5 . The leg strap of  claim 3 , further comprising a means for stowing the handle at the other times, wherein the free end of the handle is temporarily attached to the closed section of the encircling strap,
 whereby the free end of the handle is not readily accessible by others during the other times, and   whereby the temporary attachment is released prior to lifting the jumper.   
   
   
       6 . The leg strap of  claim 3 , further comprising padding attached to the encircling strap, wherein the padding cushions the encircling strap against the leg,
 whereby the jumper experiences less discomfort and less injury.   
   
   
       7 . The leg strap of  claim 3 , further comprising fringe elements attached to the encircling strap, wherein the fringe elements have a similar appearance to the handle,
 whereby the leg strap has a pleasant appearance,   whereby the handle is concealed by the fringe elements, and   whereby the spirit of the competition is enhanced.   
   
   
       8 . A system comprising a plurality of leg straps of  claim 3  and a pair of shorts,
 wherein the leg straps are integrated into the pair of shorts.   
   
   
       9 . The leg strap of  claim 3 , wherein the free end of the handle further comprises a handle stop. 
   
   
       10 . The leg strap of  claim 4 , wherein the handle stop comprises two flexible stop legs. 
   
   
       11 . The leg strap of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the encircling strap is permanently closed, having a predetermined circumference,   wherein, to apply the leg strap, the encircling strap is passed over the foot of the jumper and when positioned, in a predetermined position on the leg of the jumper, becomes taut preventing the leg strap from slipping up the leg above the predetermined position,   wherein, to remove, the encircling strap passed over the foot and off the leg, and   wherein, to reuse, the encircling strap is again is passed over the foot.   
   
   
       12 . The leg strap of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a) a cross strap, connected to the encircling strap, wherein the cross strap has a larger circumference than the circumference of the encircling strap, and   b) a base layer of material, attached to the encircling strap and at least an attached portion of the cross strap,   wherein the means for gripping comprises 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 through which the hand of the lifter pass.   
   
   
       13 . The leg strap of  claim 12 , further comprising a reinforcement strap, having two ends,
 wherein the reinforcement strap is connected to encircling strap at one end and to the cross strap at the other end, forming a triangle,   whereby, during the lift, forces are distributed via the reinforcement strap and the cross strap to the base strap, whereby the jumper held more securely and jumper has more comfort.   
   
   
       14 . The leg strap of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a) a front strap, having a first end and a second end, each front strap end attached to the encircling strap, wherein the front strap has an front open portion between the first and second end,   b) a back strap, having a third end and a fourth end, each back strap end attached to the encircling strap, wherein the front strap has an front open portion between the third and fourth end,   wherein the means for gripping comprises at least one of the front open portion or the back open portion, and   wherein the one or more hands of one or more lifters pass through at least one of the front open portion or the back open portion.   
   
   
       15 . A leg glove, to be worn on a leg of a jumper and gripped by one or more lifters, said leg glove comprising material folded to form two layers, a base layer and a pocket layer,
 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 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. 
   
   
   
       16 . A system for supporting a jumper by one or more lifters, said system comprising two leg straps in accordance with  claim 2 , said two leg straps comprising a first leg strap to be worn on a one leg of the jumper and a second leg strap 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.   
   
   
       17 . A method for supporting a jumper by one or more lifters comprising the steps of:
 a) applying two of the leg straps of  claim 2  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 straps,   j) reapplying the leg straps, and   k) repeating steps b) through g) for a second predetermined period of time.   
   
   
       18 . The leg strap of  claim 2 , wherein the lifters are consistently able to obtain a firm grip on the leg straps,
 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.   
   
   
       19 . The leg strap of  claim 2 , further comprising padding, wherein a lifting force from the lifters is applied to the thighs of the jumper and wherein the lifting force is applied through the cushion of the padding,
 whereby the jumper experiences less discomfort and less injury.   
   
   
       20 . A method for supporting a jumper by one or more lifters comprising the steps of:
 a) applying two leg straps to the legs of the jumper, each leg strap 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 straps,   i) reapplying the leg straps, and   j) repeating steps b) through f) at least once.