U.S. patent application number 12/112228 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-05 for coaching stick agility training device, swivel clip and assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to KWIK GOAL LTD.. Invention is credited to Anthony Caruso.
Application Number | 20090275008 12/112228 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41257334 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090275008 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caruso; Anthony |
November 5, 2009 |
Coaching Stick Agility Training Device, Swivel Clip and
Assembly
Abstract
A training aid for use during footwork, coordination, speed
and/or agility training exercises is provided. The training aid is
one or more obstacles about which a player weaves, jumps, or ducks
and includes at least one coaching stick. The coaching stick is
elongate, has opposite free ends, and has a transverse
cross-section that is uniform along substantially a full length of
the coaching stick. Preferably, the coaching stick is elliptical in
transverse cross-section and defines an elliptical outer periphery
that has a width greater then its depth. Accordingly, the coaching
stick has a wide face as viewed in one direction and a narrow face
as viewed in a different direction. Swivel clips for connecting
coaching sticks together and methods of assembling a training
circuit are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Caruso; Anthony; (Center
Valley, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWSON & HOWSON LLP
501 OFFICE CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 210
FORT WASHINGTON
PA
19034
US
|
Assignee: |
KWIK GOAL LTD.
Quakertown
PA
|
Family ID: |
41257334 |
Appl. No.: |
12/112228 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/258 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/002 20130101;
A63B 69/0057 20130101; A63B 5/02 20130101; A63B 69/0028 20130101;
A63K 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/258 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A training aid for footwork, coordination, speed and/or agility
training exercises, comprising an obstacle including at least one
coaching stick, said coaching stick being elongate, having opposite
free ends, and having a transverse cross-section that is uniform
along substantially a full length of said coaching stick and that
is an elliptical shape defining an elliptical outer periphery that
has a width greater then its depth thereby providing a wide face
when viewed in one direction and a narrow face when viewed in a
different direction.
2. A training aid according to claim 1, comprising a set of
multiple, separate ones of said coaching stick, each coaching stick
being substantially identical and having a uniform elliptical
transverse cross section along its full length.
3. A training aid according to claim 2, wherein said wide face of
each of said coaching sticks is at least 1.5 times the size of said
narrow face of each of said coaching sticks.
4. A training aid according to claim 2, wherein said wide face of
each of said coaching sticks is at least about twice the size of
said narrow face of each of said coaching sticks.
5. A training aid according to claim 4, wherein each of said
coaching sticks is hollow, is made of plastic or metal, and is at
least about 60 inches in length.
6. A training aid according to claim 2, further comprising at least
one swivel clip for securing a pair of said coaching sticks
together.
7. A training aid according to claim 6, wherein said swivel clip
includes a pair of opposed sockets secured back-to-back and
rotatable relative to each other thereby permitting adjustment of
the angle at which said pair of coaching sticks secured to said
clip extend relative to each other.
8. A training aid according to claim 7, wherein each socket has a
set of prongs with end tips that define an open end of said socket
through which a coaching stick is receivable.
9. A training aid according to claim 8, wherein each set of prongs
defines a relatively wide C-shaped channel extending through said
socket in a first direction and a relatively narrow C-shaped
channel extending through said socket in a second direction
transverse to said first direction.
10. A training aid according to claim 9, wherein said coaching
stick is receivable within said relatively wide C-shaped channel to
dispose said wide face of said coaching stick at said open end of
said socket, and wherein a coaching stick is receivable within said
relatively narrow C-shaped channel to dispose said narrow face of
said coaching stick at said open end of said socket.
11. A training aid according to claim 10, wherein said relatively
wide C-shaped channel extends orthogonal to said relative narrow
C-shaped channel within each socket.
12. A training aid according to claim 11, wherein said prongs are
sufficiently resilient to enable said prongs to hold said coaching
stick in one of said relatively wide C-shaped channel and
relatively narrow C-shaped channel by snap fit engagement.
13. A training aid for providing obstacles for footwork,
coordination, speed and/or agility training exercises, comprising:
a plurality of separate, substantially-identical, elongate coaching
sticks having a uniform elliptical transverse cross-section along
substantially its full length, said elliptical transverse
cross-section providing each coaching stick with a wide face when
viewed in one direction and a narrow face when viewed in a
different direction; and at least one clip for securing a pair of
said coaching sticks together, said clip having a pair of opposed
sockets located back-to-back and enabling said pair of said
coaching sticks to be secured together in a wide face-to-wide face
orientation, a narrow face-to-narrow face orientation, and a wide
face-to-narrow face orientation.
14. A training aid according to claim 13, wherein said pair of
opposed sockets are interconnected such that they are rotatable
relative to each other thereby permitting adjustment of the angle
at which said pair of coaching sticks secured to said clip extend
relative to each other.
15. A training aid according to claim 14, wherein at least one of
said sockets has a set of prongs with end tips that define an open
end of said socket through which a coaching stick is receivable and
that are sufficiently resilient to grip said coaching stick by snap
fit engagement.
16. A training aid according to claim 15, wherein said set of
prongs defines a relatively wide C-shaped channel extending through
said socket in a first direction and a relatively narrow C-shaped
channel extending through said socket in a second direction
orthogonal to said first direction.
17. A training aid according to claim 16, wherein said coaching
stick is receivable within said relatively wide C-shaped channel to
dispose said wide face of said coaching stick at said open end of
said socket, and wherein a coaching stick is receivable within said
relatively narrow C-shaped channel to dispose said narrow face of
said coaching stick at said open end of said socket.
18. A training aid according to claim 17, wherein each of said
sockets of said pair of sockets is substantially identical.
19. A training aid according to claim 18, wherein said wide face of
each of said coaching sticks is at least about twice the size of
said narrow face of each of said coaching sticks, and wherein each
of said coaching sticks is hollow, is made of plastic or metal, and
is at least about 60 inches in length.
20. A method of developing footwork, coordination, speed and
agility skills in athletes, comprising the steps of: providing a
plurality of coaching sticks on a playing surface to define
obstacles about, over or under which a player must weave, jump or
duck along a predetermined path of movement; each of said coaching
sticks being elongate and having an elliptical transverse
cross-section along substantially its full length such that each
coaching stick has a relatively wide face when viewed in one
direction and a relatively narrow face when viewed in a different
direction; and arranging said coaching sticks so that a selected
one of said faces is disposed transverse to the line of sight of an
approaching player advancing on said path of movement through said
coaching sticks.
21. A method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of
securing a pair of said coaching sticks with a swivel clip, and
wherein said arranging step includes selecting and disposing the
pair of coaching sticks held by the clip in selected orientations
including one of a wide face-to-wide face orientation, a narrow
face-to-narrow face orientation, and a wide face-to-narrow face
orientation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to equipment for use during
footwork, coordination, speed and/or agility training, and more
particularly, the present invention relates to so called "coaching
sticks" and swivel clips arranged to provide obstacles or the like
used during such training exercises.
[0002] The term "coaching stick" refers to a generally elongate
stick that is arranged on a practice field to provide an obstacle,
hurdle, or the like for use during a training exercise or practice.
Typically, coaching sticks are used for footwork, coordination,
speed and agility training, for example, required of soccer players
or players of other sports. A set of coaching sticks can be
arranged in different courses or circuits requiring a participant
to weave through, jump over, and/or duck under the arrangement of
coaching sticks.
[0003] A coaching stick is typically a hollow elongate plastic or
metal stick having a length of about sixty inches and a circular
transverse cross section with an outer diameter of about one inch.
An end of the coaching stick can be connected to a cleat, stake or
the like used as a ground anchor to secure the coaching stick in an
upright position from an underlying natural ground surface.
Alternatively, the end of the stick can be supported by a separate
base unit or stand, for instance, for arrangement on indoor or
artificial surfaces.
[0004] Clips or the like are used with coaching sticks for the
purpose of securing multiple sticks together. For example, a pair
of upstanding coaching sticks may be used to support a cross-wise
extending coaching stick at a certain elevation above the playing
surface. This combination can be used to provide a hurdle over
which a participant must jump or an obstacle under which a
participant must duck or around which a participant must weave.
[0005] Various training apparatus and equipment, such as hurdles
and the like are disclosed by U.S. Patent Application Publication
No. 2005/0049114 A1 of Joseph and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,334,121 issued
to McPhilomy, 6,475,116 B2 issued to Chen Wu, 5,199,930 issued to
Weber, 5,967,093 issued to Vitt et al., 5,205,799 issued to
Carbonero, 4,232,862 issued to Mason, 5,913,283 issued to Coury,
4,239,168 issued to Colonna des Princes, 5,334,119 issued to
Eloranta, 3,514,062 issued to Gordon and 5,690,583 issued to
Keusch. Examples of clamps that rotate are disclosed by U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,386,786 B1 issued to Perlman et al. and 5,667,185 issued to
Maglica.
[0006] Although the above referenced devices, training systems, and
methods disclosed by the above referenced patents may be
satisfactory for their intended purpose, there is a need for a
footwork, coordination, agility and speed training system and
method enabling ready set up of obstacle courses or circuits in a
manner requiring a minimum of time, effort, skill and labor.
Preferably, the apparatus should be capable of ready transport to
and from the practice playing field in a compact storage condition
and capable of ready arrangement on the playing surface in a
desired layout.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a training
aid for use during footwork, coordination, speed and/or agility
training exercises is provided. The training aid is one or more
obstacles about which a player weaves, jumps, or ducks and includes
at least one coaching stick. The coaching stick is elongate, has
opposite free ends, and has a transverse cross-section that is
uniform along substantially a full length of the coaching stick.
Preferably, the coaching stick is elliptical in transverse
cross-section and defines an elliptical outer periphery that has a
width greater then its depth. Accordingly, the coaching stick has a
wide face as viewed in one direction and a narrow face as viewed in
a different direction.
[0008] Further, the training aid preferably includes a set of
multiple, separate, substantially-identical coaching sticks each
having a uniform elliptical transverse cross section along its
length. The wide face of each coaching stick can be at least 1.5
times, or twice, the size of the narrow face. In addition, each
coaching stick can be hollow, can be made of plastic or metal, and
can be at least about 60 inches in total length.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
swivel clip is provided for use in securing a pair of the above
referenced coaching sticks together. The clip has a pair of opposed
sockets located back-to-back and enables the pair of coaching
sticks to be secured together in any of a wide face-to-wide face
orientation, a narrow face-to-narrow face orientation, and a wide
face-to-narrow face orientation. The pair of opposed sockets are
interconnected such that they are rotatable relative to each other
thereby permitting adjustment of the angle at which the pair of
coaching sticks extend relative to each other.
[0010] Preferably, at least one of the sockets has a set of prongs
with end tips that define an open end of the socket through which a
coaching stick can be received. The prongs are sufficiently
resilient to grip the coaching stick by snap-fit type of
engagement. The prongs define a relatively wide C-shaped channel
extending through the socket in a first direction and a relatively
narrow C-shaped channel extending through the socket in a second
direction, which is preferably orthogonal to the first direction.
The coaching stick is receivable within the relatively wide
C-shaped channel for purposes of disposing the wide face of the
coaching stick at the open end of the socket, and the coaching
stick is receivable within the relatively narrow C-shaped channel
for purposes of disposing the narrow face of the coaching stick at
the open end of the socket.
[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
method of developing footwork, coordination, speed and agility
skills in athletes is provided. The method includes providing a
plurality of the above referenced elliptical coaching sticks on a
playing surface to provide obstacles about, over or under which a
player must weave, jump or duck along a predetermined path of
movement. The method also includes arranging the coaching sticks so
that a selected one of the wide and narrow faces is disposed
transverse to the line of sight of an approaching player advancing
on the path of movement through the coaching sticks. The method can
also include a step of securing a pair of coaching sticks together
with a swivel clip. This step can include selecting and disposing
the pair of coaching sticks held by the clip in selected
orientations including one of a wide face-to-wide face orientation,
a narrow face-to-narrow face orientation, and a wide face-to-narrow
face orientation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention should become apparent from the
following description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a coaching stick and swivel
clip assembly according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a swivel clip according to
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG.
2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an arrangement of coaching
sticks and swivel clips according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention is directed to a coaching stick 10, a
swivel clip 20 for use with coaching sticks 10, and a combination
or set of coaching sticks 10 and swivel clips 20. In addition, the
present invention is directed to a method of creating obstacle
courses or training circuits with coaching sticks 10 for use in
developing footwork, coordination, agility, and speed skills in
athletes.
[0019] The coaching stick 10 of the present invention is an
elongate stick that can be, for instance, about sixty inches, or
about five feet, in total length. This dimension can be altered as
desired. The coaching stick 10 can be positioned in an upright
position via use of a ground stake or support base (not shown), or
it can be connected to and partially or fully suspended from other
coaching sticks 10. It can be arranged in a manner requiring a
player to weave in between or around a pattern of coaching sticks
10, or it can be arranged to provide an obstacle or hurdle over
which a player must jump or under which a player must duck.
Typically, the coaching sticks 10 are sold in sets so that any
layout, pattern, circuit or course desired can be readily set up
with the set of coaching sticks 10.
[0020] The coaching stick 10 according to the present invention is
provided with a novel outer peripheral shape or surface in
transverse cross-section enabling the coaching stick 10 to be
disposed differently for various purposes. For example, the
coaching stick 10 provides a different visual impression depending
upon the manner in which it is disposed relative to the line of
sight and/or travel of a player approaching, weaving, jumping,
and/or ducking the arrangement of coaching sticks 10.
[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the coaching stick 10 has a
relatively wide face 12 when viewed in one direction and a
relatively narrow face 14 when viewed in a different direction.
This can be accomplished by providing the coaching stick 10 with an
oval, or elliptical, outer periphery in transverse cross-section.
Accordingly, a player will see the wide face 12 when approaching
the stick from direction "A" and will see the narrow face 14 when
approaching the stick from direction "B", which is offset
90.degree. from direction "A" in this example.
[0022] By way of example, the wide face 12 of the coaching stick 10
may be at least about 1.5 times the size of the narrow face 14,
more preferably, the wide face 12 is at least twice the size of the
narrow face 14. For instance, the wide face may have a width "W" of
about 2 inches, and the narrow face 14 may have a depth "D" of
about 1 inch. Of course, other dimensions can be utilized. This
aspect of the coaching stick 10 affords greater variation in course
set up despite the use of only a single style of coaching
stick.
[0023] The coaching stick 10 having an elliptical shape in
transverse cross-section is particularly effective for use during
soccer training drills. The oval shape permits the perceived size
of the obstacle to change depending upon how the coaching stick 10
is disposed relative to the approaching player. This is
particularly useful in a progressive learning environment. For
example, the narrow face 14 of the coaching stick 10 can be
initially presented to an approaching relatively-inexperienced
player during training drills designed to improve running, soccer
ball dribbling, and overall foot speed skills. As the player
develops, the wide face 12 of the coaching stick can be disposed in
the line of sight and travel of the approaching player to provide a
larger perceived size of obstacle. Further, the wide face 12 may be
used in dim lighting, such as during outdoor practices late in the
day before sunset, for purposes of improving visibility of the
coaching stick obstacles.
[0024] Preferably, the coaching stick 10 is hollow and is made of
plastic, such as PVC or the like, metal, such as aluminum or the
like, or a composite material. The coaching stick could also be
solid. Opposite ends of the coaching sticks 10 can have end caps
(not shown) and can be engaged with ground stakes and/or base
supports. The coaching sticks 10 or the faces 12 and 14 can be of
different colors and/or can display indicia.
[0025] Turning to the clip 20 of the present invention, it includes
a pair of opposed sockets, 22 and 24, for use in securing a first
coaching stick 10a to a second coaching stick 10b. Each socket, 22
and 24, includes a closed end 26 and an open end 28. The closed
ends 26 of the sockets, 22 and 24, are arranged back-to-back, while
the open ends 28 of the sockets, 22 and 24, are located at the
opposite ends of the clip 20. See FIG. 3.
[0026] When connecting the clip 20 to a coaching stick 10, the
coaching stick 10 is inserted through the open end 28 of the
socket, 22 or 24, until it seats against the closed end 26 of the
socket, 22 or 24. The coaching stick 10 is secured in this position
by a series of prongs or tines 30 which hold the coaching stick 10
within the respective socket, 22 or 24, via a snap fit
engagement.
[0027] The clip 20 is preferably a swivel clip in that socket 22 is
rotatable relative to socket 24 along axis "X" illustrated in FIG.
3. This enables a pair of connected coaching sticks, 10a and 10b,
to be extended at any angle relative to one another. Preferably,
the sockets 22 and 24 are interconnected via a fastener 32 that
defines the axis "X" about which the sockets 22 and 24 rotate. If
desired, the mating surfaces of the clip between sockets 22 and 24
can have a series of bumps 34 or recesses 36 to define a finite
number of orientations capable between the sockets 22 and 24 and to
temporarily lock the sockets 22 and 24 together until reset with a
sufficient amount of applied force. See FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0028] Another important aspect of the present invention is that
the prongs or tines 30 of the sockets, 22 and 24, permit the wide
face 12 or narrow face 14 of the coaching stick 10 to be disposed
at the open end 28 of the socket, 22 and 24. For instance, as best
illustrated in FIG. 3, the wide face 12 is disposed relative to
open end 28 of socket 22 and the narrow face 14 is disposed
relative to open end 28 of socket 24. This enables a pair of
coaching sticks 10 to be secured in a wide face-to-wide face,
narrow face-to-narrow face, or wide face-to-narrow face
arrangement. Thus, an obstacle course or training circuit can be
set up such that any face of the various upright as well as
cross-wise coaching sticks 10 can be disposed to the line of sight
and travel of an approaching player that is required to jump over,
duck under, or weave around the obstacle.
[0029] With respect to the specific illustrated embodiment of the
swivel clip 20, each socket 22 and 24 is substantially identical
and includes a set of four spaced-apart prongs or tines 30. As best
illustrated in FIG. 4, each prong, 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d is
positioned at one of the corners of an imaginary rectangle "R".
Thus, prong 30b is spaced further apart from prong 30a then prong
30c is spaced from prong 30a. This configuration permits the wide
faces 12 of the coaching stick to fit past prongs 30a and 30b and
prongs 30c and 30d so that one of the wide faces 12 can seat
against the closed end 26 of the socket while the other wide face
12 is disposed at the open end 28 of the socket. (For example, see
coaching stick 10a in FIG. 3.) Alternatively, the narrow faces 14
of the coaching stick 10 can be inserted between prongs 30a and 30c
and prongs 30b and 30d so that one of the narrow faces 14 seats
against the closed end 26 of the socket while the other narrow face
14 is disposed at the open end 28 of the socket. (See coaching
stick 10b in FIG. 3.)
[0030] Each adjacent pair of prongs defines a C-shaped channel
adapted to closely mate with the contour of the coaching stick 10
received therein. For instance, in FIG. 3, prongs 30a and 30b of
the socket 22 define a channel 38 that is relatively wide for
securing around the wide face 12 of the elliptical coaching stick
10. In comparison, prongs 30b and 30d of the socket 24 define a
channel 40 that is relatively narrow for securing around the narrow
face 14 of the coaching stick 10. The C-shaped channels, 38 and 40,
of each socket, 22 and 24, extend orthogonal to one another through
the socket.
[0031] Preferably, the end tips 42 of the prongs 30 extend beyond
the center "C" of the coaching sticks 10 so that the prongs 30 grip
about the coaching stick 10 and prevent undesired release from the
clip 20. The spacing between the end tips 42 of the prongs 30 is
less than that of the width or depth of the coaching stick 10
thereby requiring the coaching stick 10 to be snapped into
engagement with the sockets 22 and 24.
[0032] Preferably, the clip 20 is made of plastic or like material
and the prongs 30 are resilient in that they can deflect to allow
the coaching stick 10 to fit between the end tips 42 and snap back
into gripping engagement with the coaching stick 10 once the
coaching stick 10 is fully inserted into the socket. Preferably,
the end tips 42 are tapered to direct the coaching stick 10 into
the channel during its connection with the clip 20.
[0033] In use, the coaching sticks 10 can be positioned upright to
define a path for a player that must weave through the pattern of
coaching sticks 10. In addition, a pair of coaching sticks 10 can
be used to support a cross-wise extending coaching stick 10 with a
pair of clips 20 as shown in assemblies 44 and 46 in FIG. 5. A
player would be expected to duck under the cross-wise extending
coaching stick of assembly 44 and jump over the cross-wise
extending coaching stick of assembly 46. In addition, an obstacle
48 requiring an approaching player to stop and/or weave can be
provided. See FIG. 5.
[0034] As discussed above, when setting up an obstacle course or
training circuit, the wide face 12 or narrow face 14 of the upright
as well as the cross-wise extending coaching sticks 10 can be
disposed flush, or perpendicular, to the line of sight or path of
travel of an approaching player. The wide face 12 is disposed to
the approaching player to provide a larger obstacle or an obstacle
that is more readily visible. The narrow face 14 may be disposed to
the player to provide a smaller visually-perceived obstacle.
[0035] While preferred training assemblies, coaching sticks, clips,
aids, and methods have been described in detail, various
modifications, alterations, and changes may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the coaching stick, swivel
clip, and method according to the present invention as defined in
the appended claims.
* * * * *