U.S. patent application number 11/709566 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for sports specific movement emulators and cams.
Invention is credited to Kenneth W. Hundley.
Application Number | 20070197353 11/709566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38428965 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070197353 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hundley; Kenneth W. |
August 23, 2007 |
Sports specific movement emulators and cams
Abstract
Sports specific movement emulators are disclosed that permit an
athlete to practice and develop specific motions needed to
participate skillfully and at a high level in a particular sport.
The emulators have designs that force the user to train and
strengthen sports specific muscles in the lower body safely and
repetitively. Examples of such emulators include golf swing
trainers and running trainers.
Inventors: |
Hundley; Kenneth W.;
(Martinsville, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Walter L. Beavers
326 South Eugene Street
Greensboro
NC
27401
US
|
Family ID: |
38428965 |
Appl. No.: |
11/709566 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60776052 |
Feb 23, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/93 ; 482/105;
482/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2069/0006 20130101;
A63B 69/3623 20130101; A63B 69/0059 20130101; A63B 2069/0008
20130101; A63B 21/4047 20151001; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B
21/0628 20151001; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 2225/093 20130101;
A63B 69/0002 20130101; A63B 22/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/93 ; 482/94;
482/105 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06 |
Claims
1. A motion emulator, comprising: a base and a pair of spaced-apart
uprights attached to and extending upwardly from the base; a weight
stack having a number of individual weights mounted for sliding
movement between the members of the upright; a cable connecting the
weight stack to at least one body-engagement member for permitting
a user to repetitively emulate a desired motion; and a hook, said
hook attached to said cable, and a chain, said chain attached to
said hook.
2. The motion emulator of claim 1 wherein said body-engagement
member comprises a belt, a fastener, said fastener joined to said
belt, a first bracket, said first bracket affixed to said belt,
said first bracket for connecting said belt assembly to a motion
emulator.
3. The motion emulator of claim 2 wherein said body-engagement
member further comprises a second bracket, said second bracket
positioned on said belt.
4. A running emulator comprising: a treadmill, a first upright,
said first upright positioned proximate said treadmill, a leg
adjustment assembly, said leg adjustment assembly affixed to said
first upright, a cam, a leg extension, said leg extension pivotally
mounted on said cam, a resistance cylinder, said resistance
cylinder joined to said cam, and said resistance cylinder affixed
to said upright.
5. The running emulator of claim 4 further comprising a foot pedal,
said foot pedal mounted to said leg extension.
6. A sport emulator comprising: a base, an upright, said upright
positioned on said base, a carrier arm, said carrier arm pivotally
affixed to said upright, a swing arm, said swing arm rotatably
affixed to said carrier arm, and a grip adjustment assembly, said
grip adjustment assembly joined to said swing arm.
7. The sport emulator of claim 6 wherein said grip adjustment
assembly comprises a grip, said grip for simulating a golf club
swing.
8. A cam for use in a golf swing emulator comprising: a body, a
first axle, said first axle affixed to said body, a swing arm, said
swing arm attached to said body, and a cable attachment, said cable
attachment affixed to said body whereby movement of said swing arm
causes said body to rotate about said first axle.
9. The cam of claim 8 having a pear shape.
10. A cam for a sports movement emulator comprising: a body, an
axle, said axle pivotally affixed to said body, a bracket, said
bracket attached to said body, said bracket for receiving a cable
from the sports movement emulator, a swing arm, said swing arm
attached to said axle for rotation thereof.
11. The cam of claim 10 wherein said body is pear shaped.
12. The cam of claim 10 further comprising a stop block, said stop
block attached to said body proximate said axle.
13. The cam of claim 12 further comprising a base, said base
attached to said axle, a pin, said pin positioned on said base to
contact said stop block.
14. The cam of claim 10 further comprising pairs of stop blocks,
said pairs of stop blocks positioned on said body proximate said
axle.
Description
[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims all benefits
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of pending U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/776,052 filed 23 Feb. 2006, entitled "Sport
Specific Movement Emulators and Cams".
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to sports specific movement emulators
and cams. Emulators of the type disclosed herein permit the user to
practice motions analogous to motions that must be used in a
specific sport. In particular, one of the emulators permits the
user to develop movements that use the thighs and waist to initiate
a motion, such as a baseball pitch, baseball base steal and the
like. Another of the emulators permits the user to emulate a
running movement, and yet another permits the user to practice a
golf swing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various exercising devices for exercising body and limb,
e.g., leg or arm, muscles are known in the art. For example,
typical barbells or weight bars have been known and used for quite
some time. These devices generally include a set of disk shaped
weight members, commonly referred to as free weights, and a bar on
which the disk shaped weight members are supported. One can
exercise and build muscle tone and muscle fiber over a period of
time by lifting the bar in various lifting motions.
[0004] Other, more sophisticated apparatuses have been developed,
including exercise apparatuses which include a cable connected to a
vertical rack of weight plates and, through linkage devices, to a
bar or handle. The bar or handle can be lifted or pulled resulting
in a pulling tension applied to the cable which causes the cable to
pull and lift a selected number of weights within the vertical
weight rack.
[0005] In such known weight-type devices, weights are lifted as a
user lifts, pushes, pulls, or otherwise moves a bar or other
mechanism. As the weights are lifted, a resistance is felt by the
user resulting from a gravitational force acting on the weights and
countering the user's lift or stroke motion. The user must exert an
amount of "work" to lift the weight (work being equal to the
product of the force acting in the direction of motion and the
distance through which it acts). The amount of power required to
lift the weight is equal to the amount of work per unit of time. It
is often beneficial for a weight-type exercising device to provide
a greater resistance (and require a greater amount of work or
power) during portions of a lift or stroke and a reduced resistance
during other portions of the lift or stroke. The greater resistance
portions of the lift or stroke can be employed for working certain
muscles or working certain portions of muscle movements to a
greater degree and to allow the user to concentrate more on
building muscle strength and muscle size. The reduced resistance
portions of the lift or stroke are employed to duplicate the body's
natural strength level at different portions of a movement.
[0006] Certain known weight-type machines employ cams to assist in
the resistance the user encounters during use. Typically, during
the initial stroke on these machines, a low resistance is
encountered by the user, but the resistance steadily increases over
the span of the entire stroke, reaching a maximum resistance
increase of about 30% at the end of the stroke. The above-described
prior art exercise machines are designed to develop muscle size and
strength in one muscle group only but do not serve to duplicate a
particular sport specific motion. Emulators are not designed to
make muscles larger but rather to force the brain to send higher
electrical impulses to all of the muscles used in a sport
movement.
[0007] The emulator user is forced to duplicate a sport specific
movement such as hitting a golf ball, baseball or tennis ball,
throwing a baseball or passing a football, kicking a soccer ball or
football and running while making these movements in the correct
muscle firing sequence to create the most powerful movement
possible. If the correct movement and sequence are not performed
correctly, the emulator becomes extremely difficult to use.
Emulators perform these tasks and train all of the exact muscles
used in a sport specific movement at the same time.
[0008] In addition, when using emulators, many muscles are being
used at the same time and no one muscle or muscle group is
isolated, preventing injuries from straining or over working the
muscles. For example, in a golf swing there are as many as 80
different muscles used to swing a golf club. This means that the
resistance load is distributed over a much larger group of muscles
than prior art exercise equipment. As a result, each muscle is
worked less and the possibility of injury is decreased by about
70%.
[0009] The old standard for learning new sports movements such a
golf swing state that if you hit enough golf balls that your brain
will learn this movement. Research in the field of motor memory
learning and retrieval suggest that this is not an accurate
statement. This research states that learning motor skills during
the teenage years is much easier that trying to learn a golf swing
at the age of 40. As a teenager the brain is helping the young
golfer learn the proper muscle firing sequence. In the early 20's
the part of the brain that was helping the golfer to learn the
proper movements goes away fast. As an athlete gets older it
becomes increasingly more difficult to learn motor skills just from
performing them. It is estimated that at the age of 40 a new golfer
will have to hit 10 times more balls than a 14-year-old in order to
learn the same amount of motor memory information.
[0010] When the user is working out on the golf emulator the
resistance that they encounter during the work out forces the brain
to turn on the motor memory learning switch. The switch is not
coming on because a particular movement is being made but because
the brain is being forced to send a much higher level of electrical
impulses from the brain to the appropriate golf muscles. This
change in the level of electrical impulses is what forces the brain
to turn on the learning switch. When this switch comes on
everything that the user is doing while working out on the emulator
is stored in motor memory.
[0011] Forcing the brain to send a higher level of impulses to the
movement specific muscles forces these muscles to function at a
higher contraction level without making them larger. For example,
when a user swings a golf club, the brain sends only the required
amount of electrical impulses to the muscles to move a 10-ounce
driver. However, when the user works out on a golf emulator set at
50 pounds, the brain is forced to send up to fifty times more
electricity to all the muscles associated with the swing. Simply
put, a user working out on an emulator demands and receives more
electricity from the brain.
[0012] To duplicate the actual sport specific movement requiring
the use of different levels of strength at different intervals
within the movement, unique cam designs are used on emulators to
create up to 5 times more resistance in the beginning of the
movement than at the end. These cam designs are what distinguish
emulators from prior art exercise equipment found in the gym that
isolates only one muscle for the purpose of increasing the size of
that muscle.
[0013] Emulators also create a level of flexibility for the user
that other equipment cannot duplicate in a sport specific movement.
As the user allows the emulator arm to return to the starting
position the user is stretching the sport specific muscles and
connective tissue used for that movement. This stretching effect
will also decrease the likelihood that a user will injure muscles
used in the sport specific movement during competitive play or
during training.
[0014] Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to
provide a sports specific movement emulator that permits an athlete
to practice and develop specific motions needed to participate
skillfully and at a high level in a particular sport.
[0015] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an emulator that forces the user to train and strengthen sports
specific muscles in the lower body safely and repetitively.
[0016] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a sports specific movement emulator that forces the user to
practice proper running motion.
[0017] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a sports specific movement emulator that forces the user to
practice a proper golf swing.
[0018] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an improved cam and axle assembly for a golf swing emulator.
[0019] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an improved cam and axle assembly for a batting emulator.
[0020] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
an improved cam and axle assembly for a throwing emulator.
[0021] Various other objectives and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a
more detailed description is set forth below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing
a sports specific movement emulator to allow an athlete to practice
and develop specific motions. Emulators have various designs such
as a leg launch emulator, a running emulator and a golf swing
emulator. For example, a leg launch emulator includes space with
space to part uprights whereby one upright carries a weight stack
consisting of a number of individual weights for slidable movement.
The belt assembly can be affixed to a pulley with a cable for
example when emulating a moveable way from one base towards the
next in a baseball context. A running emulator utilizes a passive
treadmill positioned between the lateral tubular uprights with a
pair of leg adjustment assemblies positioned for telescoping
movement on the uprights. A golf swing emulator also includes a
base with space to part uprights having stabilizer bars with a
carrier arm pivotally connected to the top portion of each upright
for rotational movement.
[0023] Engineered emulator cams having a five to one resistance
ratio for the natural strength sequence for performing a sport
specific movement. Specific muscles of a sport are exerted at the
appropriate levels therefore during the appropriate levels. Such
emulator cams include a golf emulator cam, a batting emulator cam
and a throwing emulator cam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Some of the objectives of the invention have been set forth
above. Other objectives and advantages of the invention will appear
as the description of the invention proceeds when taken in
conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motion emulator;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of movable pulley assembly as
removed from the motion emulator shown in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the motion emulator as shown
in FIG. 1, in combination with a particular belt assembly;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the running
emulator;
[0029] FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the running emulator as
shown in FIG. 4;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a golf swing emulator
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a gas cylinder housing;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a gas cylinder assembly as
used on the golf swing emulator as shown in FIG. 6;
[0033] FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the gas cylinder housing as
seen in FIG. 7 used in conjunction with the gas cylinder assembly
shown in FIG. 8;
[0034] FIG. 10 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the carrier
arm;
[0035] FIG. 11 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the carrier
arm;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bottom axle housing
plate;
[0037] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the top and bottom axle
housing plates;
[0038] FIG. 14 is a top view of the top and bottom axle housing
plates and related assemblies;
[0039] FIG. 15 is a top view of a golf emulator cam;
[0040] FIG. 16 is a top view of a batting emulator cam;
[0041] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the batting emulator cam
axle;
[0042] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the batting emulator cam shown
in FIG. 16 attached to the batting emulator cam axle shown in FIG.
17;
[0043] FIG. 19 is a top view of a throwing emulator cam;
[0044] FIG. 20 is a side view of the throwing emulator cam axle;
and
[0045] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the throwing emulator cam shown
in FIG. 19 attached to the throwing emulator cam axle shown in FIG.
20.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE
[0046] For a better understanding of the invention and its
operation, turning now to the drawings,
Leg Launcher Emulator
[0047] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a motion
emulator according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2
and 3 at reference numeral 10. The emulator 10 includes a base 12
and a pair of spaced-apart uprights 14, 16 attached to and
extending upwardly from the base 12. Upright 16 carries a weight
stack 18 consisting of a number of individual weights 20 mounted
for sliding movement between the members of the upright 16. A
desired number of weights 20 can be selected for use in a
conventional manner, as by placing a selector pin 19 in a hole of a
selected weight 20 whereby that weight 20 and the weights 20 on top
of the selected weight 20 are lifted in unison, while the lower
weights remain stationary.
[0048] A lift pulley assembly 22 is mounted at the top of the
uprights 14, 16 and includes a bracket 24 that carries a rotatable
lift pulley 26. A lower pulley 28, as shown in FIG. 2, is mounted
for rotation between the members of the upright 14. Its position on
the upright 14 can be adjusted by mounting the pulley 28 in a
selected hole 30 in the spaced-apart members of the upright 14
using a pin 31. A cable 32 passes over the lift pulley 26 and
connects to chain 33 that interconnects with a second cable 34
having a spring loaded hook 35 at the free end. When the lower
pulley 28 is adjusted into a different one of the holes 30, the
cable 34 must be moved to a different link of the chain 33 to
remove any slack created. A ball 36 on the end of the cable 34
prevents the cable 34 from passing between the pulley 28 and its
housing 37. A push-off bar 38 is positioned on the base 12 at the
bottom of the upright 14 and enables the user to push away from the
uprights 14, 16 as a part of the motion emulation process. The
mechanism described above and many similar ones are conventional,
and are widely used as a means of strength training.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the belt assembly 40 includes an
elongate belt 42 fabricated from leather, a heavy fabric such as
canvas or webbing, or some other suitable material. The belt 42
includes a buckle 44 for engaging and locking with an opposed end
45 of the belt 42. Other closure means, such as opposed patches
hook and loop material attached to the belt may be used, as may an
integral belt formed of hook material on one side and cooperating
loop material on the other side.
[0050] In the belt assembly 40, a pair of brackets 46, 48 and eyes
50, 52 permit opposite ends of a cable 54 to be attached to the
belt 42. A pulley assembly 56 is captured on the cable 54 and
includes a pulley 57 around which the cable 54 extends. The pulley
assembly 56 is attached to a cable 58 that is releasably attached
to the hook 35 on the end of cable 34.
[0051] Sports specific motions may be emulated by placing the belt
42 around the waist sufficiently tightly so that twisting or
rotating motion of the wearer relative to the motion emulator 10
may be carried out without motion of the belt 42 around the
wearer's waist. For example, a wearer emulating a move away from
one base toward the next base in a baseball context twists the
upper-torso toward that base and simultaneously pushes off with the
leading leg and thigh. Merely attaching the cable 34 directly to
the belt 42 would result in most of the weight being translated
into a twisting force directed onto the belt 42, causing it to
rotate on the wearer's waist. With use of the cable 54 and pulley
assembly 56, the wearer emulates the movement of the actual sprint
because the weight remains centered directly behind the wearer
instead of moving around the waist.
[0052] Many other motions may be similarly emulated, for example, a
forward step toward home plate during the pitching motion, rotator
cuff exercises for pitchers, change of direction exercises for
football players, change of direction movements of tennis players,
ice skating maneuvers, lower body movement during a golf swing and
many others. The pulley 28 may be adjusted vertically and the
amount of weight varied as required for the size of the wearer and
the nature of the emulation being carried out.
Running Emulator
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an emulator specifically
designed for emulating a proper running motion is shown, and
broadly indicated at reference numeral 100. The emulator 100
includes framework rails 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 108, 110, and 112
(the framework rails 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 are intentionally
omitted from FIG. 5 to clearly show the features of the emulator)
which are mounted to a passive treadmill 114. By "passive" it is
meant that the treadmill 114 is moved only by the user as he or she
runs on the treadmill, and is not otherwise powered by an electric
motor, as are conventional treadmills. The emulator 100 also
includes two laterally spaced-apart tubular uprights 116, 118.
[0054] A pair of leg adjustment assemblies 120, 150 are positioned
for telescoping movement on the uprights 116, 118, respectively, as
is most clearly shown in FIG. 4. Adjustment holes 122 cooperate
with a pop pin 124 in the leg adjustment assembly 120 to permit the
leg adjustment assembly 120 to be fixed and maintained at a desired
height. The leg adjustment assembly 120 comprises an adjustable
sleeve 125 mounted to the upright 116, having a supplemental tube
126, and a bearing block 127 connected thereto. A first axle 128
extends laterally through the bearing block 127 and is exposed on
both sides of the bearing block 127. An L-shaped cam functioning
device 130 is attached on one end of the first axle 128 and a leg
extension housing 132 is connected to the other end.
[0055] Gas cylinders 134, 136, preferably Nitrogen gas cylinders,
are mounted at one end to a stationary lower brace 138 and on the
other end to an adjustable sleeve 140, 142, respectively, which are
positioned around the L-shaped cam functioning device 130. The
sleeves 140, 142 are positioned on each end of the cam functioning
device 130 having a bore (not shown) extending therethrough. The
bore is positioned adjacent to a corresponding adjustment hole 144
on the cam functioning device 130 with a pop pin 145 extending
through both the bore and the hole 144 for adjusting the position
of the sleeves 140, 142. The movement of either sleeve 140, 142
along the cam functioning device 130 adjusts the resistance applied
by the gas cylinders 134, 136.
[0056] A leg extension tube 146 moves into and out of the leg
extension housing 132 in a telescoping fashion for emulating the
correct movement of a runner's foot. A second axle 147 extends
laterally from and is rotatably connected to the leg extension tube
146 for rotational movement relative to the leg extension tube 146.
A foot pedal 148 is rotationally connected to the second axle 147
to provide rotational movement of the runner's ankle. The foot
pedal 148 is hinged and shown in the closed position. The underside
of the foot pedal 148 is comprised of rubber or a rubber composite.
The leg adjustment assembly 150 is identical to the leg adjustment
assembly 120 described above.
[0057] The emulator 100 includes a pair of hand holds 152, 154 that
permit the user to stabilize his or her position during use of the
emulator 100. Two arm assemblies 156, 158 (not shown in FIG. 5 for
clarity) are mounted above the leg assemblies 120, 150. The arm
assemblies 156, 158 are identical to the leg assemblies 120, 150
described above in both design and function, except that hand holds
152, 154 take the place of the pedal 148. A running motion causes
the arms to move in a fixed pattern controlled by the adjustment of
the arm assemblies. A laterally-extending cross-support 166
provides support and rigidity to the arm assemblies 156, 158.
Golf Swing Emulator
[0058] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a golf swing
emulator according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 6 at
reference numeral 210. The emulator 210 includes a base 212 and two
spaced apart uprights 214, only one of which is shown. A pair of
stabilizer bars 216, only one of which is shown, is attached to the
uprights 214 to the base 212. A carrier arm 218 is pivotally
connected to the top portion of each upright 214 for rotational
movement relative to the uprights 214. A carrier arm adjustment
assembly 220 is positioned on the uprights 214 for adjusting the
carrier arm 218. The adjustment assembly 220 comprises an
adjustment rod 221, having adjustment holes 222 extending
therethrough, and a sleeve 223 for receiving the adjustment rod
221. The adjustment holes 222 cooperate with a pin 224 in the
sleeve 223 to permit the carrier arm 218 to be fixed and maintained
at a desired path.
[0059] A gas cylinder assembly 226, as shown in FIG. 7, is located
within the carrier arm 218. The assembly 226 comprises a gas
cylinder 228, of a known type, and a plastic sled 230 connected to
the shaft of the gas cylinder 228. A pair of pull arms 232 are
positioned on either side of the gas cylinder 228 and spaced-apart
from the cylinder 228. One end of the pull arms 232 protrude
through the plastic sled 230 and are connected thereto by a pair of
nuts 233, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The second end of the pull arms
232 are connected together by a horizontal cylinder pull bracket
234 having an opening 236 on the end. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a
gas cylinder housing 238 comprises an annular tube 240 and a
perpendicularly extending end cap 242. The end cap 242 is designed
to communicate with the top portion of the gas cylinder 228, while
a bolt 244 extends through the annular tube 240 and corresponding
holes on the carrier arm 218. A nut 246 is attached to the bolt to
securely hold the gas cylinder 228 stationary within the carrier
arm 218.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, a bottom axle plate 246
and top axle plate 248 are connected to the top portion of the
carrier arm 218 on one end, and connected to each other in an
overlapping fashion on the other end. The bottom axle plate 246
includes a gear housing 250 separated from the bottom plate 246 and
top plate 248 by a pair of spacer blocks 252. An axle bore 254
extends through the bottom plate 246, while the top plate 248 has a
corresponding bore (not shown) for receiving an axle 256. The axle
256 is connected to the bottom plate 246 by way of an axle housing
258, a washer 260, screw 262, and bronze bushing 263, as shown in
FIGS. 12, 13, and 14. Two gears 264 are rotatably mounted within
the gear housing 250.
[0061] A swing arm 266 is attached to the axle 256 by a pin 268
that extends through corresponding holes on the axle 256 and swing
arm 266 (not shown). A grip 270 is attached to the end of a swing
arm 266 by a grip adjusting assembly 272, as shown in FIG. 6. In
the illustrated example, the grip 270 resembles the grip of a golf
club. The grip adjustment assembly 272 allows adjustment of the
grip 270 in the horizontal and vertical direction. Adjustment holes
274 cooperate with a pin 276 in the grip adjusting assembly 272 to
permit the grip 270 to be fixed and maintained at a desired
position.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 14, an adjustment member 278 is mounted to
the axle 256 having numerical indicators 280 attached thereto,
representing the amount of resistance of the emulator 210. An
adjustment sled 282 is slidably mounted on the adjustment member
278 and is adjustable along the body of the adjustment member 278
by an adjustment screw 286. One end of the adjustment screw 286 is
connected to the axle 256 by way of an adjustment screw guide 288,
while the other end is mounted within the adjustment sled 282.
Rotational movement of the screw 286, causes the sled 282 to move
toward or away from the axle 256, depending on the direction of
rotation of the screw 286. A chain 290 is connected to the axle
256, extending through the sled housing 278 and between the gears
264, while the other end is connected to the cylinder pull bracket
234, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0063] During use of the emulator 210, a user grips the grip 270
and simulates the swing of a golf club. During the back stroke and
follow-through, the adjustment sled 282 acts as a cam and pulls the
chain 290 toward the axle 256. The movement of the chain 290 exerts
an upward force on the cylinder pull bracket 234, which in turn
pulls the plastic sled 230, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. The
plastic sled 230 compresses the shaft of the gas cylinder 228 into
the cylinder body, creating resistance.
Emulator Cams
[0064] Emulator cams are engineered to have a 5 to 1 resistance
ratio, which means there is five times less the resistance at the
end of the sport specific movement then at the beginning of the
movement. The range of resistance is the natural strength sequence
for performing the sport specific movement. This design forces the
body to use the core muscles first, such as the lower body and
waist, and then the weaker muscles, such as the hands and arms. The
cams force the brain to give all of the muscles used in the sport
specific movement higher levels of electrical impulses. All of the
sport specific muscles are exerted at the appropriate levels during
the use of the emulator, while not increasing muscle mass. The
impulse level to the sport specific muscles changes after a 60
second work out.
Golf Emulator Cam
[0065] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a golf cam to be
used in conjunction with a golf swing emulator according to the
present invention is shown in FIG. 15 at reference numeral 310. The
cam 310 includes a welded axle 312, and is attached to a golf swing
emulator of a known type. A swing arm 314 is attached to the axle
312, wherein pivotal movement of the arm 314 causes the cam 310 to
rotate about the axis of the axle 312. The cam 310 has a generally
pear shaped body 311 with one end having a relatively small radius
of curvature and the other end with a relatively large radius of
curvature. A cable attachment bracket 316 is located on the
exterior rail of the cam for connecting the cable of the emulator
(not shown). This improved design eliminates the need to make
mechanical changes when switching from right to left handed use,
and vice-versa.
Batting Emulator Cam
[0066] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a batting cam to
be used in conjunction with a batting emulator of a known type is
shown in FIG. 16 at reference numeral 410. The cam 410 includes a
cam axle housing 412 that is a round tube, and stop blocks 414,
both of which are welded to the cam body 411. The stop blocks 414
are spaced an equal distance away from the cam axle housing 412. A
cable attachment bracket 416 is located on the exterior of the cam
410 for connecting the cable of the emulator (not shown). As shown
in FIGS. 17 and 18, an axle 418 includes a base 420 having a
perpendicularly extending axle 422 and pin 424. The axle 422 is
inserted into the housing 412 and rotated until the pin 424 is
positioned against a stop block 414. A batting swing arm 426 is
attached to the bottom of the axle 422, with a quick release pin
(not shown). During use, a batter in the right handed stance moves
the swing arm 426 counterclockwise. The pin 424 pushes the adjacent
stop block 414, causing the cam 410 to pivot about the axis of the
axle 422. The device can be easily adjusted for a batter in a left
handed stance by moving the swing arm 426 from one side of the cam
410 to the other side of the cam 410 in the clockwise
direction.
Throwing Emulator Cam
[0067] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a throwing cam
to be used in conjunction with a throwing emulator of a known type
is shown in FIG. 19 at reference numeral 510. The cam 510 includes
a cam axle housing 512 that is a round tube, and stop blocks 514,
which are welded to the cam body 511. The stop blocks 514 are
arranged in pairs and spaced an equal distance away from the round
tube 512. A cable attachment bracket 516 is located on the exterior
of the cam 510 for connecting the cable of the emulator (not
shown). As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, an axle 518 includes a base
520 having a perpendicularly extending shaft 522 and locking pin
524. The axle 522 is inserted into the housing 512 and rotated
until the pin 524 is positioned between a pair of stop blocks 514.
A swing arm 526 is attached to the bottom of the axle 522, with a
quick release pin (not shown). During use, a right handed user
moves the swing arm 526 in the clockwise direction. The pin 524
pushes against the adjacent stop block 514, causing the cam 510 to
pivot about the axis of the axle 522. The device can be easily
adjusted for a left handed user by disengaging the locking pin 524,
and moving the swing arm 526 180 degrees into a position whereby
the locking pin 524 is between the opposite pair of stop blocks
514.
[0068] Sports specific movement emulators and cams are described
above. Various details of the invention may be changed without
departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of
the preferred embodiments of the invention and the best mode for
practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of
illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.
* * * * *