U.S. patent application number 11/847233 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for multi-axis athletic training device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Oliver Pierce Smith. Invention is credited to Richard S. Berkof, Neha Desai, Ryan Donovan, Mike Freeman, Robert Hoar, Thomas Presutti, Frank Roes, Oliver Pierce Smith.
Application Number | 20080058127 11/847233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39152470 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080058127 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoar; Robert ; et
al. |
March 6, 2008 |
MULTI-AXIS ATHLETIC TRAINING DEVICE
Abstract
A multi-axis athletic training device used to simulate crucial
movements in sports to better train and improve the skill set of
participating players is provided. This device utilizes at least
two devices for rotating to create two independently controlled
rotations, each simulating a different motion involved in a
movement or swing of a selected sport.
Inventors: |
Hoar; Robert; (Tariffville,
CT) ; Donovan; Ryan; (Menlo Park, CA) ;
Freeman; Mike; (Randolph, NJ) ; Presutti; Thomas;
(Morristown, NJ) ; Smith; Oliver Pierce;
(Morristown, NJ) ; Desai; Neha; (Parsippany,
NJ) ; Berkof; Richard S.; (Cresco, PA) ; Roes;
Frank; (Saddle River, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLIESLER MEYER LLP
650 CALIFORNIA STREET
14TH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94108
US
|
Assignee: |
Smith; Oliver Pierce
9 Atno Avenue, Apt. 2
Morristown
NJ
07960
|
Family ID: |
39152470 |
Appl. No.: |
11/847233 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60842124 |
Aug 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0021 20130101;
A63B 2071/0081 20130101; A63B 2102/14 20151001; A63B 69/0053
20130101; A63B 47/002 20130101; A63B 69/00 20130101; A63B 2024/0025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/422 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-axis athletic training device, said device comprising:
at least two drive systems; a first mounting arm having two ends, a
first end connected to a first drive system and a second end
attached to a selected piece of sporting equipment, wherein the
first drive system causes the first mounting arm to rotate about a
longitudinal axis central to the first mounting arm; an arm
assembly wherein the first drive system is fixedly attached to the
arm assembly and the first mounting arm is rotatably secured to the
arm assembly; and a second mounting arm having two ends, a first
end connected to a second drive system and a second end attached to
the arm assembly, wherein the second drive system causes the second
mounting arm to rotate about a longitudinal axis central to the
second mounting arm.
2. The multi-axis athletic training device of claim 1 wherein the
second drive system is fixedly attached to a mounting base.
3. The multi-axis athletic training device of claim 1 where the
selected piece of sporting equipment is a lacrosse stick.
4. The multi-axis athletic training device of claim 1 wherein each
of the at least two drive systems are independently controlled.
5. The multi-axis athletic training device of claim 1, the drive
system including a motor.
6. The multi-axis athletic training device of claim 1 wherein the
rotational speed of the at least two drive systems are each
controlled by an external computer.
7. The multi-axis athletic training device of claim 1 wherein the
rotational speed of the at least two drive systems are each
controlled by a microprocessor inside the multi-axis athletic
training device connected to an external user interface panel.
8. A multi-axis athletic training device that simulates the draw in
women's lacrosse, said device comprising: a first motor and a
second motor; a first mounting arm having two ends, a first end
connected to the first motor and a second end attached to a
lacrosse stick, wherein the motor causes the first mounting arm to
rotate about a longitudinal axis central to the first mounting arm;
an arm assembly wherein the first motor is fixedly attached to the
arm assembly and the first mounting arm is rotatably secured to the
arm assembly; a second mounting arm having two ends, a first end
connected to a second motor and a second end attached to the arm
assembly, wherein the second motor causes the second mounting arm
to rotate about a longitudinal axis central to the second mounting
arm; and a mounting base, the second motor fixedly attached to the
mounting base.
Description
CLAIM TO PRIORITY
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority under
35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
entitled "Multi-Axis Athletic Training Device," Application No.
60/842,124, filed on Aug. 30, 2007, which application is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a multi-axis athletic
training device used to simulate crucial movements in sports to
better train and improve the skill sets of participating players.
The multi-axis training device exemplified herein is specific to
the draw in women's lacrosse. However, the controlled multi-axis
motion described can be adapted in accordance with teachings herein
for use in replicating movements and/or swings involved in various
sports including, but not limited to, baseball, golf, hockey and
lacrosse.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Women's lacrosse is a team sport played by twelve players.
Women's lacrosse teams use netted sticks to carry, throw and shoot
a ball along a field in an effort to score goals. Within the sport
of women's lacrosse, players are required to perform what is known
as the draw. The draw occurs at the beginning of any women's
lacrosse game and after each goal. During the draw, two players
stand opposite each other, holding their lacrosse sticks
approximately waist high with the sticks touching back-to-back. The
referee places the ball in between the netting of the stick
pockets. At the sound of a whistle, each player pulls her stick
upwards and backwards to release the ball into the air. Players
then attempt to gain possession of the ball.
[0004] For the draw to be performed successfully, a woman must
combine at least two very different motions in a fluid and
continuous movement. The movement involves moving a lacrosse stick
in two planes of motion, each motion involving a rotation about an
axis. During the draw, the stick is first rotated about a player's
wrist. Then it is rotated about a point midway down the shaft.
These two rotations are about two different axis in two different
planes and may or may not be perpendicular with respect to one
another. Further, the motion of the wrist flick may be or may not
be offset a certain distance from the longitudinal axis of the
shaft depending upon the player's style. Throughout the draw
movement, there is a force applied upon the stick by the other
player.
[0005] Athletes playing the sport of lacrosse practice and train to
perfect their skills by engaging in repetitive drills against other
players. Accordingly, players perform the draw against one another
during practice to perfect the skill. Nevertheless, there are no
training devices which can effectively simulate the draw in order
to allow a player to practice the draw by herself. Hence, there is
a need to provide a mechanical athletic training device used to
simulate the draw in order to allow the athlete to perfect this
skill on her own.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments and, together with the detailed description, serve to
explain the principles and implementations of the invention. In the
drawings:
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0008] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate different configurations for
an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of an arm assembly
attached to the first motor for an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a timing circuit used with an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The present invention relates to a multi-axis athletic
training device used to simulate crucial movements in sports to
better train and improve the skill set of participating players.
The multi-axis training device exemplified herein is specific to
the draw in women's lacrosse; however, the controlled multi-axis
motion described herein can be adapted in accordance with teachings
herein for use in replicating movements and/or swings involved in
various sports including, but not limited to, baseball, golf,
hockey and lacrosse.
[0012] The present invention incorporates multiple independent
motion curves of human movements and combines them into a single
complex movement recreating a typical human movement in a sport for
training purposes. No current sport training device, of which the
inventors are aware, recreates such a motion for training purposes
at least with respect to lacrosse. Further, since each axis of
movement can be controlled and operated independently, specific
attributes of a player's movements can be mimicked and attributes
of the device can be changed to accommodate individual players'
skill sets and motion profiles. The multi-axis training device can
be used to replicate movements and/or swings involved in various
sports including, but not limited to, baseball, golf, hockey and
lacrosse.
[0013] Embodiments are described herein in the context of a
multi-axis athletic training device. Those of ordinary skill in the
art will realize that the following detailed description is
illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.
Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest
themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this
disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations
of embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used
throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0014] The multi-axis athletic training device includes at least
two drive systems which create two independently controlled
rotations, each simulating a different motion involved in a
movement or swing of a selected sport, an arm or mounting bracket
to which the drive system is attached, a device for controlling the
rotational speed of the drive systems and a base for supporting the
training device.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the multi-axis athletic
training device. The multi-axis athletic training device, generally
numbered 100, includes a first drive system 102, a second drive
system 104, a first mounting arm 106, a second mounting arm 108, a
mounting base 110, an arm assembly 112 and a lacrosse stick 114.
The first mounting arm 106 includes a first end 118 and a second
end 120. The first mounting arm 106 is attached to and driven by
the first drive system 102 on the first end 118 so as to be rotated
about a longitudinal axis central to the first mounting arm 106.
The second end 120 of the first mounting arm 106 is attached to a
lacrosse stick 114. The first drive system 102 is attached to the
arm assembly 112. The first mounting arm 106 can also be rotatably
secured to the arm assembly 112. The second mounting arm 108
includes a first end 122 and second end 124. The second mounting
arm 108 is attached to and driven by the second drive system 104 on
the first end 122 so as to be rotated about a longitudinal axis
central to the second mounting arm 108. The second end 124 of the
second mounting arm 108 is attached to the arm assembly 112. The
second drive system 104 is attached to the base 110 of the
multi-axis training device 100. In an embodiment, the second
mounting arm 108 can also be rotatably secured to the base 110 to
provide additional stability.
[0016] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate different configurations for an
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2A illustrates a first
configuration for the multi-axis training device 100 where the
lacrosse stick 114 is attached to the first mounting arm 106 so
that the lacrosse stick handle 200 is approximately parallel to the
ground while the lacrosse stick head 202 is vertically positioned.
This configuration represents the beginning position during the
draw. FIG. 2B illustrates a second configuration for the multi-axis
training device 100 where the first mounting arm 106 and the
lacrosse stick 114 have been rotated approximately ninety degrees
by the first drive system 102. In this configuration, the lacrosse
stick head 202 is now horizontally positioned. This configuration
represents the positioning of the lacrosse stick 114 after a wrist
flick has occurred during the draw. FIG. 2C illustrates a third
configuration for the multi-axis training device 100 where the arm
assembly 112 has been rotated approximately ninety degrees by the
second drive system 104. In this configuration, the first drive
system 102, the first mounting arm 106, the arm assembly 112 and
the lacrosse stick 114 are positioned approximately perpendicular
to the ground. This configuration represents the final position of
the lacrosse stick 114 during the draw. This sequence of rotations
serves to simulate the draw in women's lacrosse.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the arm assembly
attached to the first drive system. The arm assembly attached to
the first drive system, generally numbered 300, includes the first
drive system 102, a large diameter mounting arm 302, a small
diameter mounting arm 304, guide posts 306, an L-shaped mounting
bracket 308, an L-shaped panel 310, a second drive system mounting
arm 312, a lacrosse stick attachment member 314, spacers 316 and
mounting devices 318. The large diameter mounting arm 302 is
attached to the first drive system 102 on one end and the L-shaped
mounting bracket 308 on the other end. The L-shaped mounting
bracket 308 is also attached to the L-shaped panel, thereby
securing the first drive system 102 and the large diameter mounting
arm 302 to the L-shaped panel 310. The small diameter mounting arm
304 is rotatably attached to the first drive system 102 on one end
(attachment not shown), passes through the large diameter mounting
arm 302 and the guide posts 306, and is attached to the lacrosse
stick attachment member 314 on the other end. The small diameter
mounting arm 304 is secured to the L-shaped panel 310 by the guide
posts 306. In this embodiment, spacers 316 are placed below the
guide posts 306 to allow the small diameter mounting arm 304 to be
parallel to the L-shaped panel 310. The L-shaped panel 310 is also
attached to the second drive system mounting arm 312 which can be
connected to the second drive system 104 (the second drive system
104 illustrated in FIG. 1). A lacrosse stick with a hollow handle
can be attached to the lacrosse stick attachment member 314. Bolts
are used as the mounting devices 318 in this embodiment, however,
any mounting devices as envisioned by a skilled person having the
benefit of this disclosure can be used.
[0018] During operation, the first drive system 102 rotates the
small diameter mounting arm 304 about a central axis, thereby
causing the lacrosse stick attached to the lacrosse stick
attachment member 314 to rotate. In one embodiment, the rotation of
the small diameter mounting arm 304 is limited to rotating
approximately ninety degrees about an axis central to the small
diameter mounting arm 304 (as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B). As
set forth above, this rotation causes the lacrosse stick head 202
to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position, thereby
simulating a wrist flick of a female lacrosse player.
[0019] Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the rotation of
the second mounting arm 108 is limited to rotating the arm assembly
112 approximately ninety degrees about a central axis. By rotating
the second mounting arm 108 ninety degrees, the first drive system
102, the first mounting arm 106, the arm assembly 112 and the
lacrosse stick 114 are all rotated about an axis central to the
second mounting arm 108, causing the lacrosse stick 114 to be
positioned approximately perpendicular to the ground, thereby
simulating a lifting motion of a female lacrosse player to launch a
ball in the air (as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C).
[0020] In an embodiment, rotation of the first mounting arm 106
and/or the second mounting arm 108 can be accomplished by using any
drive system including, but not limited to, motors, springs,
servos, chain drives, pulleys, torsion bars, and any combination
thereof. Motors may include, but are not limited to, motors of the
NEMA platform by MDrive (IMS Motors, Marlborough, Conn.) and Servos
(HTE Technologies, St. Louis, Mo.). The rotational speeds of each
device for rotating can be independently controlled, thereby
simulating different motions involved in the draw.
[0021] In an embodiment, instead of and/or in addition to the first
mounting arm 106 or the second mounting arm 108 being rotated
around a central axis, the device 100 may be configured so that the
mounting arms can be extended or retracted along the longitudinal
central axis by a driving system. For example, the device 100 could
be configured to have the lacrosse stick first pull back toward the
device, then rotate as set forth in 2A-2C. Thus, the device can be
configured to simulate the more subtle motions that occur during
the draw.
[0022] The drive system can draw power from different power sources
running on the same or different voltage or from the same power
source running on the same voltage. In an embodiment, a direct
current power source such as a rechargeable battery or batteries
with a built-in wall charger (similar to a car battery) is used. In
another embodiment, alternating current power sources can be
used.
[0023] In an embodiment, the second drive system 104 is mounted on
a mounting base 110 (as shown in FIG. 1). In an embodiment, the
second drive system 104, the second arm bracket 108 and the
mounting base 110 are all sized so that the first drive system 102
is at a height of approximately 36 inches away from the ground. In
another embodiment, the height of the lacrosse stick 114 is
adjustable by incorporating a screw lock mechanism into the first
arm bracket 106 or the second arm bracket 108.
[0024] The mounting base 110 or the arm brackets 106, 108 can be
made of welded steel or aluminum tubing, as well as any other
comparable commercially available extruding tubing system. In an
embodiment, the mounting base 110 or the arm brackets 106, 108 are
made of 80-20 (Action Automation, North Attleboro, Mass.) as this
material provides for strong support and reduces machining and
welding labor costs and time for production. In an embodiment, the
mounting base 110 can have storage compartments within the mounting
base 110. In another embodiment, the mounting base 110 can have
multiple shelves on which the second drive system 104 can be
attached to allow the multi-axis athletic training device 100 to be
used at differing heights.
[0025] In an embodiment, the mounting base 110 is sized for
portability, for example to fit through a door frame so that the
device can be used indoors as well as outdoors. Wheels 116 can also
be affixed to the bottom of the mounting base 110 for easier
movement of the device to various areas where training will take
place.
[0026] In an embodiment, the device may include a ball hopper for
storage of multiple balls to allow the player to continue
practicing the draw without stopping each time to retrieve the same
ball. An embodiment of the device may further include a device for
generating a random whistle blow to simulate a real game since
players in a game never know when the official will begin the
draw.
[0027] A device for controlling the rotational speed of each drive
system may include, but is not limited to, a computer or an
internal control circuit to maintain accuracy and precision while
the device is in operation. The computer may be positioned
externally with respect to the device. Alternatively, the computer
may be placed internally in the device and may comprise a
microprocessor with a limited external user interface or
switchboard panel. Selection of the device for controlling the
rotational speed will depend upon the drive system selected for use
in the present invention. Because of the varied age group and skill
level of users, the device for controlling the rotational speed of
the drive system is preferably easy to use and provides for varied
levels of skill trainability. The device should provide for
variable speed levels so that the player can continue to improve
her skills. FIG. 4 illustrates a timing circuit that can be used
with an embodiment of the device.
[0028] In an embodiment, the device 100 may further include an
activation switch, which may be in the form of a foot activation
switch comprising a foot pedal connected to a one-way switch to
activate the device 100. An exemplary foot activation switch for
use in the device of the present invention is the single pedal
plastic switch (part #7516K21) commercially available through
McMaster-Carr Supply Company.
[0029] The device 100 may further include various safety mechanisms
to warn those near the device 100 of its activation and/or to stop
the device 100 in the event of an object being in a path of
movement of the device 100. Examples of such mechanisms which can
be incorporated into the device 100 include, but are not limited
to, a ratcheting safety mechanism, a sensor which senses what is
around the sphere of movement of the device 100 and/or a kill
switch. For example, in one embodiment, the device 100 may comprise
a warning light and/or buzzer to make the user aware that the
device 100 has been triggered and that all persons not intending to
use the device 100 should move away from the device 100 before it
activates. Alternatively, or additionally, the device 100 may be
monitored to verify that no object or person is present in the
machine's path. This monitor could kill power to the device for
rotating in the event an object or person was in the device's path.
This monitor could also serve as a safety to the device 100 to
prevent overtaxing the device for rotating and causing a breakdown
of the device 100. For example, for devices with a motor as the
drive system, upon a signal by the current monitor, shear pins
could be used in the motor shaft so that the extreme force would
shear the pins disengaging the drive shaft from the motor. A simple
contact switch could also serve as a safety mechanism for the
device 100 to recognize that it has been triggered and that there
is in fact a user in place to take a draw against the device
100.
[0030] A very similar device can be used to simulate the face off
in men's lacrosse. Further, as will be understood by the skilled
artisan upon reading this disclosure, while the exemplified device
was designed specifically to simulate a movement in women's
lacrosse, the core motion of the two drive systems creating
independently controlled rotations can be routinely adapted to use
with an arm or mounting bracket and base designed to accommodate
alternative movements and/or to hold alternative pieces of sporting
equipment. Changes in design of the device in accordance with the
desired movement to be replicated or simulated can be made
routinely based upon similar studies of the movement as exemplified
herein for women's lacrosse. Thus, adaptations can be routinely
made to use the device of the present invention to replicate, for
example, a hockey swing or a golf swing.
* * * * *