U.S. patent application number 12/576575 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-15 for system for training athletes.
Invention is credited to Mark Eldridge.
Application Number | 20100093493 12/576575 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42099392 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100093493 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eldridge; Mark |
April 15, 2010 |
System for training athletes
Abstract
A system for training athletes in running activities, such as
sprints or team field sports, provides a resistance to an athlete
attempting to run. The system comprises a drive unit, and in an
embodiment, the drive unit comprises a motor having a motor shaft
and a pulley operatively coupled to the shaft. The system further
comprises a rope adapted to be rolled on the pulley, a unit
controller adapted to control operation of the drive unit, and a
programmable logic controller, which logic controller may display
and storage of data related to the operation of the system. In use,
the rope may be fastened to an athlete, and thereafter the athlete
may be allowed to run in a direction away from the drive unit,
where the pulley will provide a resistive force on the athlete.
Inventors: |
Eldridge; Mark; (Brasher
Falls, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAY M. SCHLOFF
6960 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 315
West Bloomfield
MI
48322
US
|
Family ID: |
42099392 |
Appl. No.: |
12/576575 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61103986 |
Oct 9, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0059 20151001;
A63B 2024/0068 20130101; A63B 2225/20 20130101; A63B 69/0028
20130101; A63B 21/0058 20130101; A63B 2243/0037 20130101; A63B
2243/007 20130101; A63B 21/0051 20130101; A63B 2024/0065 20130101;
A63B 2220/44 20130101; H02P 3/12 20130101; A63B 21/153 20130101;
A63B 2220/16 20130101; A63B 24/0062 20130101; A63B 21/151
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/4 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Claims
1. A system for training athletes, the system comprising: a drive
unit comprising at least one pulley, a rope adapted to be rolled on
the pulley, a drive unit controller adapted to control operation of
the drive unit, and a programmable logic controller operatively
coupled to the drive unit controller.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive unit comprises a motor,
a motor shaft, and a pulley operatively coupled to the shaft.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive unit comprises a
magnetic brake and a spring rewind pulley operatively coupled to
the magnetic brake.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the motor is one of an
alternating current (AC) motor and a direct current (DC) motor.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the unit controller controls
parameters of the drive unit, which parameters comprise at least
one of voltage, torque, rotational speed of the drive unit, a
change in direction of the drive unit, a maintenance of steady
tension on the rope, a desired pull-in force, a desired pull-in
speed, a desired pull-out force, a one-time increase in speed or
torque of the drive unit, a reduction or elimination in force, an
increase to force over a distance or time interval, and a decrease
to force over a distance or time interval.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the unit controller further
comprises a variable frequency drive, wherein said variable
frequency drive may control the rotational speed of the motor, and
wherein said controller further comprises a dynamic brake resistor,
which dynamic brake resistor may provide a braking torque for
stopping the motor.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the programmable logic controller
transmits parameters from the unit controller to the drive
unit.
8. The system of claim 5, wherein said the unit controller controls
modes of the programmable logic controller, said modes comprising
at least one of a constant torque mode, a variable torque mode, a
maximum speed mode, and a constant speed mode.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a
remote control operatively coupled to one of the unit controller or
drive unit of the system.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the programmable logic
controller further comprises an audio-visual interface, which
interface may display data generated by operation of the
system.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the programmable logic
controller further comprises processing data generated by the
operation of the system and producing output based on said data
processing.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an
electronic interface that is compatible via Ethernet or internet
protocol networking for allowing a first system to communicate with
a server or with a second system.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a
cabinet capable of enclosing at least one of the elements of the
system.
Description
I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 on the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
61/103,986, filed on Oct. 9, 2008, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference.
II. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to sport training
equipment, and, more particularly, to a system for training
athletes involved in a variety of sports such as football,
basketball, and track and field, and particularly, track events,
such as sprints.
III. BACKGROUND
[0003] Running is an important athletic skill in and of itself, and
as part of other sports. Running is an integral part of track and
field events. Running is also a vital component of the sports of
football and basketball, as athletes participating in such sports
run back and forth in the course of play. Running also has
collateral benefits to athletes engaged in still other sports that
do not involve running during the course of play (such as hockey,
for example), as running offers benefits to an athlete's
conditioning.
[0004] Running events, such as sprints and relay races, are
featured competitions in track and field athletics. During such
events, an athlete is required to run at a high speed. For example,
during a running event, such a sprint event, an athlete is required
to cover a substantially short distance in a short time interval.
Accordingly, the athlete participating in the sprint event is
expected to acquire a high running speed such that he or she will
be able to cover the short distance in the small amount of time. In
other sports, such as team sports, running speed, quickness, power,
and acceleration have benefits in evading opposing players, for
example.
[0005] Typically, to become able to acquire a high running speed,
the athlete may undertake an exercise or training regimen. For
example, the athlete may undergo running and/or jogging as part of
this regimen. However, such a regimen may not be efficient enough
to improve the athlete's running speed quickness, power, or
acceleration to a desired level that would enable the athlete to
excel, for example, during the running event, such as a sprint.
[0006] Currently, various exercising devices are available that may
help the athletes to improve their running speed, quickness, power,
and acceleration. However, most of the currently available
exercising devices do not enable the athletes to perform exercises
in a controlled manner. More specifically, the exercising devices
are not capable of being set into specific modes that may enable
the athletes to perform exercises in the controlled manner.
[0007] For example, an athlete may wish to train for an overspeed
mode of running for a track and field event, such as a sprint. The
term "overspeed" used herein refers to a high speed at which the
athlete needs to be trained for the sprint event. Specifically, in
a sprint event, the athlete is required to run at an accelerated
speed in order to excel. However, the currently-available exercise
devices lack ability to provide training of the overspeed mode in
an accurately and effectively controlled manner. Moreover, such
exercise devices are incapable of providing information, data
collection, and graphing, for example, regarding the performance of
the athlete using the devices.
[0008] Accordingly, there persists a need for training athletes in
capabilities required for excelling in running events and field
sports that incorporate running. Specifically, there exists a need
for a system for training athletes involved in running events, such
as sprints, and field events that incorporate running. Also, there
is a need for a system for training athletes in a controlled
manner. Additionally, there exists a need for a system for training
athletes by providing updates, data collection, and graphing of
data, on the athletes' performance.
[0009] Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to
obviate the above and other disadvantages from existing art and to
provide a system for training athletes involved in the activity of
running or a sport that incorporates running.
[0010] It is further an object of the present disclosure to provide
a system for training athletes in a controlled manner.
[0011] It is further an object of the present disclosure to provide
a system for training athletes by updating the athletes about their
performance.
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] The advantages and features of the present disclosure will
become better understood with reference to the detailed description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like
elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for training
athletes, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0014] The best mode for carrying out the disclosure is presented
in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted in FIG. 1.
The preferred embodiments described herein provide detail for
illustrative purposes are subject to many variations. It is
understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents
are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient,
but are intended to cover the application or implementation without
departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.
[0015] The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of
quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the
referenced item.
[0016] The present disclosure provides a system for training
athletes involved in running activities, such as sprints or team
field sports, by facilitating an improvement in the athletes'
running speed, power, acceleration, and quickness. More
specifically, the disclosed system provides a resistance to an
athlete attempting to run in a forward direction, or in any
direction or movement pattern that can be done while running to and
away from a position, such as a pattern around a series of cones or
other obstacles, a pattern whereby the athlete performs a pivot or
series of pivots, or a pattern that includes a series of "cuts" or
changes of direction, thereby enhancing speed management skills of
an athlete. Further, the system of the present disclosure provides
the resistance to the athlete in a controlled manner, thereby
providing safe training to the athlete. Moreover, the system of the
present disclosure enables in training the athlete by informing the
athlete about his or her performances.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a system 100 for
training athletes (hereinafter referred to as system 100) is
illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure. The system 100 includes a drive unit 101, (depicted in
FIG. 1 as a motor 102 having a motor shaft 104 (hereinafter
referred to as shaft 104) and a pulley 106 operatively coupled to
the shaft 104) a rope 108 adapted to be rolled on the pulley 106, a
unit controller (depicted in FIG. 1 as a motor controller 110)
adapted to control operation of the drive unit 101, and a
programmable logic controller 112 (hereinafter referred to as PLC
interface 112) operatively coupled to the unit controller. The PLC
interface 112 is capable of facilitating display and storage of
data related to the operation of the drive unit 101.
[0018] The motor 102 may be one of an alternating current (AC)
motor and a direct current (DC) motor. In the present embodiment,
the motor 102 is an AC motor. The motor 102, and particularly, the
shaft 104 thereof may rotate upon receiving an electrical signal
from the motor controller 110. Due to the rotation of the shaft
104, the pulley 106 may rotate. The rotation of the pulley 106
facilitates winding or unwinding of the rope 108 thereon. It will
be evident to a person skilled in the art that the winding or
unwinding of the rope 108 on the pulley 106 is dependent on a
direction of the rotation of the pulley 106, which in turn is
dependent on the direction of rotation of the shaft 104.
[0019] As disclosed herein, the operation of the drive unit 101 is
controlled by a unit controller, and, in an embodiment, the
operation of the motor 102 is controlled by the motor controller
110. More specifically, parameters input (hereinafter referred to
as control parameters) to the drive unit 101 are controlled by the
unit controller, and, in an embodiment, the motor 102 are
controlled by the motor controller 110. Examples of the control
parameters may include, but are not limited to, input voltage,
torque, rotational speed of the motor 102, and the like. In one
embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor controller 110 may
include a variable frequency drive (VFD) for controlling the
rotational speed of the motor 102. More specifically, the VFD may
control a torque of the motor 102 by controlling frequency of
electrical power supplied to the motor 102. The VFD may utilize the
method of direct torque control (DTC) for controlling the torque of
the motor 102. Further, the motor controller 110 may include a
dynamic brake resistor to be used in conjunction with the VFD for
providing a braking torque to stop the motor 102.
[0020] Other control parameters that may be fed to the system
through the PLC interface 112 include, but are not limited to a
change in direction of the drive unit 101, a maintenance of steady
tension (within a range of 1/2 to 1 pound, for example), to avoid
the build-up of slack in the rope, a desired pull-in force, a
desired pull-in speed, a desired pull-out force, a one-time
increase in speed or torque of the drive unit 101 (with a return to
a previous speed or torque level thereafter), a reduction or
elimination in force, an increase to force over a distance or time
interval, whether constant or at sub-intervals or sub-distances, or
a decrease to force over a distance or time interval, whether
constant or at sub-intervals or sub-distances. Furthermore, the PLC
interface 112 may further provide the system 100 with parameters
based on a total torque calculation, which calculation is reached
by adding the starting torque to the increase in torque over a
specified distance or time that the athlete is using the system. It
will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one may reduce the
total torque by increasing the distance or time in which an athlete
is engaged to the system in its operational mode.
[0021] The control parameters to be acquired from the motor
controller 110 may be fed to the system 100 through the PLC
interface 112. As explained herein, the PLC interface 112 enables
in displaying and storing data related to the operation of the
motor 102. The data related to the control parameters may be fed
into the PLC interface 112 for allowing the motor 102 to operate in
various modes. Further, the PLC interface 112 may facilitate in
setting profiles related to the various modes (which modes will be
explained in further detail below) for enabling a user to operate
the motor 102 according to the various set profiles. For example,
the motor 102 may be set to operate in one of the various modes,
such as a constant torque mode, a variable torque mode, a maximum
speed mode, and a constant speed mode.
[0022] The disclosed system 100 is capable of providing a resistive
force to an athlete for training the athlete in various kinds of
modes such as an overspeed mode of running, or modes such as
constant resistance, increasing resistance, decreasing resistance,
and varying and constant speed modes. In use, the rope 108 may be
fastened to a body portion, such as a back or a torso of the
athlete, and thereafter the athlete may be allowed to run in a
direction away from the motor 102. Further, the motor 102 may be
set to rotate the pulley 106 to pull the rope 108, thereby
providing a resistive force to the athlete running away from the
motor 102, or thereby providing a pulling force on an athlete
running toward the motor. It will be evident to a person skilled in
the art that the resistive force offered by the system 100 to the
athlete in accordance with a predetermined range of running speeds
of the athlete.
[0023] The system 100 may be operated in at least one mode of the
various modes from a distance by means of a remote control 114.
Specifically, the drive unit 101 or the motor 102 of the system 100
may be operated in the various modes by using the remote control
114. Moreover, the remote control 114 facilitates in training the
athlete in a controlled manner. For example, while training the
athlete in a maximum torque mode, the athlete may experience a
large amount of resistive force from the motor 102. In the event
that the athlete is not able to balance or accommodate the
resistive force from the motor 102, a coach or trainer of the
athlete may decrease or cease the resistive force offered by the
motor 102 by means of the remote control 114, thereby avoiding any
chance of injury to the athlete. In one embodiment of the present
disclosure, the system 100 may include a sensor (not shown) capable
of detecting the rotation of the pulley 106 in a manner such that
the sensor facilitates in turning OFF the motor 102 upon detecting
that the pulley 106 has stopped rotating.
[0024] The PLC interface 112 of the system 100 may be further set
in at least one of the various profiles for enabling the athlete to
be trained in one of the various modes. For example, the motor 102
may be set into a constant torque mode, in which the motor 102
provides a constant resistive force to the athlete running away
from the motor 102. Alternatively, the motor 102 may be set into a
maximum speed mode such that the motor 102 may provide a highest
resistive force to the athlete running away from the motor 102.
Upon removal of the resistive force offered by the system 100 to
the athlete, the athlete may run faster, thereby improving his or
her running speed.
[0025] While operating the motor 102 in a constant speed and
constant torque mode, the PLC interface 112 may set the motor 102
to run at a constant speed and provide a constant torque such that
the athlete may experience a constant resistive force.
Specifically, when the athlete moves away from the motor 102, the
athlete may be pulled by the rope 108, thereby experiencing the
constant resistive force from the motor 102. Alternatively, when
the athlete moves toward the motor 102, the speed and the torque
may be set at a constant value such that the rope 108 may rewind on
the pulley 106 at the set speed and torque. Accordingly, the
athlete may be pulled by the rope 108 and may thereby experience a
constant pulling force from the motor 102. Similarly, upon removal
of the pulling force offered by the system 100 to the athlete, the
athlete may run faster, thereby improving the running speed
thereof.
[0026] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the remote
control 114 may comprise a plurality of buttons or keys for
inputting commands that the control may transmit to the system 100.
The commands that may be selected by a user manipulating the remote
control 114 may include starting the motor operation, stopping the
motor operation, increasing the torque generated by the motor,
decreasing the torque generated by the motor, causing a sudden
increase in the motor's speed or torque, with a subsequent return
to the immediately-prior speed or torque level, signaling of the
onset of the operation of a motor (by way of a horn, buzzer, light,
or other audible or visual signal device that may be incorporated
in the system), or selecting a programmed mode or sequence of
operation, such as a constant torque mode, an increasing torque
mode, a decreasing mode program, and a constant speed mode.
[0027] Where the system 100 is in a mode where the pulley is
rewinding the rope, the remote control 114 may further transmit to
the system 100 commands such as selecting or adjusting the tension
exerted of the rope 108, and selecting and adjusting the speed of
the pulley 106.
[0028] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the PLC
interface 112 may further facilitate in displaying and collecting
data related to a performance of the athlete. Specifically, the PLC
interface 112 enables in updating the athlete about his or her
performance on using the system 100 during training. For example,
the PLC interface 112 collects data associated with a force and a
speed of each pull-out throughout an entire length of the rope 108
pull-out by the athlete. More specifically, the PLC interface 112
may facilitate an evaluation of a force applied by the athlete to
overcome the resistive force offered by the system 100, and a speed
with which the athlete runs while overcoming the resistive force
offered by the system 100.
[0029] In an embodiment, the data collected by the PLC may include
a velocity in feet per seconds, a distance in feet, a time (in
seconds, for example), tension on the rope for at least one stride
(striking of a foot on a surface), time of a foot's contact with a
surface, work (in watts), reaction time, stride frequency, stride
length, number of strides for each pull-out or run-in, or an angle
or angles of the rope that occur when the athlete moves laterally
with respect to the center of the cabinet 116 (described further
below) of the system.
[0030] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the PLC
interface 112 may be capable of evaluating a reaction time
associated with a starting motion of the athlete. More
specifically, the system 100 may include an option of cueing the
athlete with either a light system or an audible system for
initiating the starting motion. For example, the system 100 may
include sensors (not shown) to record the reaction time from the
cue until the athlete actually starts running. Accordingly, upon
displaying such data using the PLC interface 112, the athlete may
be updated about his or her performance.
[0031] In another embodiment, the PLC interface 112 may be capable
of processing data collected from an athlete, and may produce
output in the form of graphs, tables, histograms, and the like.
Output produced by the PLC may include acceleration of an athlete
(the change in velocity with respect to a time interval), power
(the multiple of force and distance over a time interval) of an
athlete, and the like. The output may further be in the form of a
single graph that includes processed data from a plurality of
athletes or a plurality of runs conducted by a single athlete
(under varying conditions), to enable the user to compare a
plurality of athletes' performance against one another, or to
compare a single athlete's performance under different conditions,
for example.
[0032] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the system 100
may further include a cabinet 116 (shown with dotted lines) capable
of enclosing elements of the system 100. More specifically, the
cabinet 116 is capable of enclosing the elements, such as the motor
102, the pulley 106, the motor controller 110, and the PLC
interface 112. As explained herein, the rope 108 is adapted to be
rolled on the pulley 106. Accordingly, an end portion of the rope
108 may be disposed outside of the cabinet 116. In one embodiment
of the present disclosure, the rope 108 may include a fastener (not
shown) coupled to the end portion of the rope 108. The fastener may
enable in coupling the rope 108 to the body portion of the athlete,
while training the athlete with the help of the system 100.
[0033] The above-described embodiment can be modified into many
alternative preferred embodiments. For instance, the PLC interface
112 may be a computer capable of displaying and storing data
related to the operation of the motor 102 of the system 100. More
specifically, the computer may enable in setting the motor 102 in
various profiles based on the control parameters, such as the speed
and the torque, to be provided by the motor controller 110. The
computer may set profiles for the operation of the motor 102,
thereby operating the motor 102 in the controlled manner. Further,
the computer may enable in updating the athlete about his or her
performance by displaying data, such as a force, a speed, and a
reaction time, of the athlete.
[0034] The system 100 of the present disclosure may include a
computer interface that is compatible via Ethernet/Internet
Protocol (IP) networking for allowing the system 100 to select
torque and speed profiles for controlling speed and torque of the
motor 102. Further, the system 100 may provide capability to
monitor both speed and torque via a computer network connection for
purposes of observing and analyzing performance data in real time
and for purposes of data collection. Moreover, as mentioned above
the motor 102 may be turned ON and OFF with the help of the remote
control 114.
[0035] The system 100 of the present disclosure may be utilized for
training a plurality of athletes simultaneously. More specifically,
a plurality of systems, such as the system 100, may be communicably
coupled to a server (not shown) for operating the plurality of
systems for training the plurality of athletes simultaneously. In
such an instance, each system of the plurality of systems may
include a drive system operatively coupled to a pulley such that
each system may be utilized for an individual athlete. Accordingly,
the server may enable in setting profiles for the each system of
the plurality of systems, thereby operating the plurality of
systems in various modes. Further, the server may enable in
updating the plurality of athletes about their performances by
displaying data, such as a force, a speed, and a reaction time
thereof.
[0036] Further, in another embodiment of the preset disclosure, the
drive unit 101 of the system 100 described herein may comprise a
magnetic brake and a spring rewind pulley for providing the
resistive force to the athlete.
[0037] Preferably, all the elements, such as the motor 102, the
motor controller 110, and the PLC interface 112, utilized in the
system 100 may conform to standards as per National Electrical
Manufacturers Association (NEMA). More specifically, most of the
elements may conform to NEMA 12 standard. The NEMA 12 type
enclosures are intended for use indoors to protect the enclosed
equipment against designated environmental conditions, such as
fibers, flying, lint, dust and dirt, and light splashing, seepage,
dripping and external condensation of noncorrosive liquids.
Further, the enclosures may have no holes, conduit knockouts,
conduit openings, except that oil tight or dust tight mechanisms
may be mounted through holes in the enclosure when provided with
oil-resistant gaskets. Furthermore, doors of the enclosures may be
provided with oil-resistant gaskets. In addition, enclosures for
controllers may have hinged doors capable of swinging horizontally
and may require a tool to open. When intended for wall mounting,
NEMA 12 type enclosures may include mounting means external to the
equipment cavity, captive closing hardware, and provisions for
locking.
[0038] Further, the dynamic brake resistor may conform to NEMA 1
standard. The NEMA 1 type enclosure provides vented enclosure to
allow heat dissipation. Moreover, the NEMA 1 type enclosure may be
utilized in a portable system, such as the system 100.
Additionally, the NEMA 1 type enclosure may enable in bearing light
rain condition. In another embodiment of the present disclosure,
the dynamic brake resistor may be rated as per NEMA 3R standard to
be utilized in a permanent mounted system, such as the system
100.
[0039] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and
obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light
of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the present
disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and
various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated.
* * * * *