U.S. patent application number 14/159077 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for training device.
The applicant listed for this patent is William B. Hall. Invention is credited to William B. Hall.
Application Number | 20140206508 14/159077 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51208131 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140206508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall; William B. |
July 24, 2014 |
Training Device
Abstract
A training device includes a sack into which weights may be
inserted, and a tether. A method using a training device includes
attaching the device to a person's leg, placing the sack on the
ground, moving forward along the ground, and pulling the sack along
the ground.
Inventors: |
Hall; William B.; (Evanston,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hall; William B. |
Evanston |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51208131 |
Appl. No.: |
14/159077 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61755887 |
Jan 23, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/105 ;
482/114; 482/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/03508 20130101;
A63B 2209/00 20130101; A63B 23/047 20130101; A63B 21/06 20130101;
A63B 23/03541 20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 21/4043
20151001; A63B 21/4013 20151001; A63B 21/00043 20130101; A63B
2208/0204 20130101; A63B 21/012 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101;
A63B 21/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/105 ;
482/139; 482/114 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/065 20060101
A63B021/065; A63B 21/012 20060101 A63B021/012; A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00 |
Claims
1. A training device, the device comprising: a sack; a tether
attached to said sack; a leg attachment component attached to said
tether, for attaching said device to a person's leg.
2. The training device of claim 1, said sack being of substantially
a cylindrical form.
3. The training device of claim 1, said sack for containing one or
more weights.
4. The training device of claim 3, said sack comprising one or more
compartments for containing said one or more weights.
5. The training device of claim 3, said sack further comprising an
opening for receiving said one or more weights to be inserted
inside of said sack.
6. The training device of claim 5, said opening extending
longitudinally along the sack from the front of the sack to the
rear of the sack.
7. The training device of claim 5, said opening disposed at the
front of the sack.
8. The training device of claim 7, said sack further comprising an
elastic band disposed at said opening, for permitting said one or
more weights to be inserted inside of said sack, and for retaining
said one or more weights inside of said sack.
9. The training device of claim 1, said sack having a weight of at
least three pounds.
10. The training device of claim 1, said sack comprised at least
partially of a friction-providing material.
11. The training device of claim 10, said friction-providing
material capable of providing friction sufficient for keeping the
velocity of said sack relatively constant when pulled along the
ground.
12. The training device of claim 10, said friction-providing
material being rubberized polyester mesh.
13. The training device of claim 1, wherein said leg attachment
component is capable of detaching from the person's leg when a
threshold force is exceeded.
14. The training device of claim 1, said tether being made of
stretchable material.
15. A training device, the device comprising: a sack; a tether
attachable to said sack; a leg attachment component attachable to
said tether, for attaching said device to a person's leg.
16. The training device of claim 15, said sack for containing one
or more weights.
17. The training device of claim 16, said sack further comprising
an opening for receiving said one or more weights to be inserted
inside of said sack.
18. The training device of claim 15, said sack comprised at least
partially of a friction-providing material capable of providing
friction sufficient for keeping the velocity of said sack
relatively constant when pulled along the ground.
19. The training device of claim 18, said friction-providing
material being rubberized polyester mesh.
20. A method of using the training device of claim 1, the method
comprising: attaching said tether to a person's leg; placing said
sack on the ground; moving forward along the ground; pulling said
sack along the ground.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/755,887 filed Jan. 23, 2013, the entire contents
of which are hereby incorporated by reference, as if fully set
forth herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
athletic training equipment, and more particularly to a training
device that provides for the improvement of strength, endurance,
agility and coordination.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Existing training devices for athletes or other persons with
physical fitness goals, such as training sleds, provide a single
resistance point for a person to improve the performance and output
for his or her legs, and do not provide the means for isolated
exercising of the muscles of each individual leg. Furthermore, many
existing training devices, such as training sleds, attach by a
harness to a person's torso, thereby requiring use of muscles other
than leg muscles in order to use the training device.
[0004] Therefore a need exists for a training device that allows
for isolated exercising of the leg muscles and furthermore isolated
exercising of the muscles of each individual leg.
[0005] A device constructed according to the principles of the
present invention addresses these deficiencies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] In the drawings:
[0007] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict top plan views of an embodiment of a
training device in accordance with principles of the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 3 depicts a side elevation view of the embodiment of a
training device of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIGS. 4-6 are photographs of the embodiment of a training
device of FIGS. 1-3, and
[0010] FIGS. 7-9 depict an alternate embodiment of a training
device;
[0011] FIGS. 10-11 depict components of the embodiment of a
training device of FIGS. 7-9;
[0012] FIGS. 12-13 are photographs of the embodiment of a training
device of FIGS. 7-9, and
[0013] FIGS. 14-17 depict the embodiment of a training device of
FIG. 1 in use by a person.
[0014] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description considered in
connection with the accompanied drawings. It is to be understood
however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and
not as definition of the limits of the invention. It is obvious
that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] An embodiment of a training device 100, as depicted in FIGS.
1-3, comprises a sack 101, one or more weights 102, a sack strap
103, a tether 104, and a leg strap 105. The sack strap 103 is, or
may be, attached or connected to the sack 101. The tether 104 is,
or may be, attached or connected to the sack strap 103 and the leg
strap 105.
[0016] The sack 101 comprises a flap 106 that may be folded over an
opening 107 in the sack 101 that extends longitudinally along the
opening 107 from the front 108 of the sack to the rear 109 of the
sack, for receiving weights 102 to be inserted inside of the sack
101. The weights 102 are inserted into the sack 101 through the
opening 107 and secured within the sack 101 by folding the flap 106
over the opening 107. There are two fastening strips 110a and 110b
made of Velcro or similar hook-and-loop fastening material for
securing the flap 106 over the opening 107. One fastening strip
110a is disposed longitudinally along the flap 106 and the other
fastening strip 110b is disposed longitudinally and substantially
parallel to the opening 107 on the side of the opening 107 that is
opposite to the side along which the flap 106 is disposed.
[0017] One skilled in the art will recognize that means of securing
flap 106 over the opening 107 other than Velcro or hook-and-loop
fastening material may be used.
[0018] In some embodiments of a training device 100, the sack 101
is primarily made of nylon or similar woven, flexible and durable
material. In other embodiments, the sack 101 is primarily made of
material that does not have all of the aforementioned
characteristics, and may have other characteristics. As examples,
the sack 101 may be primarily made of a non-woven, flexible and
durable material (examples are vinyl, leather and neoprene) or of a
non-woven, rigid and durable material.
[0019] In yet further embodiments, the sack 101 is made partially
or entirely of a rubberized polyester mesh, such as ToughTek Mesh
manufactured by Harrison Technologies, Inc. FIGS. 7-13 depict a
training device 100 made almost entirely of such rubberized
polyester mesh 120.
[0020] An advantage of using a sack 101 that is at least partially
made of a rubberized polyester mesh is that the mesh provides a
desirable amount of friction or resistance against the ground when
a training device 100 is pulled by a user along the ground. The
resistance thus provided by the rubberized polyester mesh helps in
keeping the velocity of the sack 101 relatively constant when
pulled along the ground by reducing the degree to which the jerky
and inconsistent force of the user's leg, caused by his or her
stride while walking or running, is transmitted to the sack 101
through the connecting leg strap 105, tether 104 and sack strap
103.
[0021] Thus, in some embodiments of a training device 100, only a
portion of the sack 101 that makes contact with the ground during
use of the training device 100 is comprised of rubberized polyester
mesh.
[0022] One skilled in the art will recognize that materials capable
of providing friction against the ground other than rubberized
polyester mesh may be suitable.
[0023] In some embodiments of a training device 100, the sack 101
is substantially a cylindrical shape, and is most suitable for
containing weights 102 that are substantially spherical in shape.
In other embodiments, the sack 101 has a non-cylindrical shape, and
the shape may depend upon suitability for containing weights of a
desired shape or upon achieving a desired behavior when pulled
along the ground. For example, a sack 101 may be substantially
rectangular for use with weights 102 that are likewise
substantially rectangular. Moreover, the shape of a sack 101 does
not limit use to a particular shape of weight 102. So, for example,
a cylindrical sack 101 may be used with weights 102 that are
substantially rectangular, substantially spherical, or other shape
or any mix thereof. As another example, a sack 101 may have a
substantially flattened cylindrical shape, to achieve the desired
behavior of keeping a particular side of the sack 101 in contact
with the ground.
[0024] The reader will note that the sack 101, as depicted in FIGS.
1-3, appears to have a contoured cylindrical shape, as opposed to a
straight cylindrical shape. This is due to the fact that the sack
101 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 contains weights 102 and is primarily
made of a relatively more flexible material, thus assuming a
contoured cylindrical shape when containing weights. Other
embodiments of a sack 101 are made primarily of a relatively less
flexible material, and thus have a less contoured and more straight
cylindrical shape. FIGS. 5-6 illustrate this difference, where sack
101a is primarily made of a relatively more flexible material and
sack 101b is primarily made of a relatively less flexible material.
Still other embodiments of a sack 101 are partially or completely
compartmentalized, i.e., have a partial or complete compartment for
each weight 102. Such embodiments may have the compartments (and
thus the weights) arranged in patterns other than the linear,
longitudinal arrangement depicted in FIGS. 1-3.
[0025] In some embodiments of a training device 100, as depicted,
the sack 101 has a diameter 101a sufficient for containing a weight
102 of a given diameter 102a, that is diameter 101a is slightly
larger than diameter 102a. The diameter 101a of the sack 101,
however, is not so large as to permit substantial lateral movement,
or substantial longitudinal movement when other weights 102 are
contained within the sack 101, thereby each weight 102 remains in
place relative to each other weight 102 even when the sack 101 is
moved along the ground by a user of the training device 100.
[0026] In some embodiments of a training device 100, the opening
107 in the sack 101, flap 106, and fastening strips 110 are
disposed and configured as described above and as depicted in in
FIGS. 1-3. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that
other embodiments are possible with different dispositions and
configurations of means of an opening and securing closed the
opening. For example, an opening 107 may extend longitudinally, but
not the entire length of the sack from front to rear. As another
example, an opening 107 may run transverse to the length of the
sack. In addition, a sack 101 may include neither a flap 106 nor
fastening strips 110, but instead may have an opening 107 that may
be opened and closed with a zipper or other means of opening and
closure.
[0027] In some embodiments of a training device 100, a sack 101
does not have an opening 107, flap 106 and fastening strips 110 as
described above, but instead has an opening 140 at one end, either
front 108 or rear 109, for receiving weights 102 to be inserted
inside of the sack 101. FIGS. 7-13 depict such an embodiment, where
weights 102 are inserted into a sack 101 through an opening 140 at
the front 108 of the sack 101. An elastic band 141 may be disposed
at the opening 140, for example it can be sewn in to the inside or
outside of the sack 101 at the opening 140, or within a fold of
material that is formed by folding the material of the sack 101 at
the opening 140, and can be manually expanded by a user due to its
elasticity in order to insert the weights 102 into the sack 101.
Once the weights 102 are inserted, the elastic band 141 is released
by the user and closes opening 140 in order to retain the weights
102 inside the sack 101. An elastic band 141 may be made of rubber,
elastic, or other similarly elastic material. For example, an
elastic band 141 may be made of Dritz 1'' Non-Roll Woven Elastic
manufactured by Prym Consumer USA located in Spartanburg, S.C.
[0028] In some embodiments of a training device 100 with a sack 101
that has an opening 140 at one end as described above, a portion
142 of the sack 101 adjacent to the opening 140 is comprised of a
material other than rubberized polyester mesh, for example, a
non-rubberized polyester mesh, to allow for easy insertion and
retention of the one or weights 102 into the sack 101.
[0029] In some embodiments of a training device 100, each of the
weights 102 comprises a container primarily made of rubber or
rubber-like material that contains sand or other material suitable
for enclosure within the rubber container. Other embodiments of a
weight 102 may use a container made primarily of cloth or a
cloth-like material. In other embodiments each of the weights 102
comprises a container made primarily of a material, either rigid or
flexible, that is capable of containing a liquid or gel. In still
other embodiments the weights 102 are made primarily of a solid or
semi-solid material. The amount of total weight contained within
the sack 101 is adjustable by a user of the apparatus by inserting
the desired number of weights 102 within the sack 101. In some
embodiments of a training device 100, each weight 102 is
approximately three pounds, however other embodiments may have
weights 102 that are more or less than three pounds, or a mix of
weights, where not all weights 102 contain the same amount of
weight. Some embodiments, as depicted, use up to five weights 102.
Other embodiments use less or more than five weights 102.
[0030] In some embodiments of a training device 100, a sack 101 may
include one or more weights 102 as components that are not
insertable or removable from the sack 101 or a sack 101 may have
sufficient weight provided by one or more other components. In such
embodiments, an opening, such as opening 107 or 140 that are
described above, for inserting weights 102 is not needed.
[0031] In some embodiments of a training device 100, a sack strap
103 is primarily made of nylon or similar woven and durable
material. In other embodiments, the sack strap 103 is primarily
made of material that does not have all of the aforementioned
characteristics, and may have other characteristics. As an example,
the sack strap 103 may be primarily made of a non-woven and durable
material.
[0032] As depicted, a sack strap 103 is substantially rectangular
in shape with each of the ends corresponding to the short sides of
the rectangle sewn to the sack 101. Other embodiments may use a
sack strap 103 of a non-rectangular shape and may use means other
than sewing to attach or connect the sack strap 103 to the sack
101.
[0033] In some embodiments of a training device 100, a sack strap
103 is attachable, and attached during use, to the sack 101 by
Velcro or similar hook-and-loop fastening material. Such an
embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 7-13, in which a sack strap 103
includes hook-and-loop fastening material pieces 130a and 130b, and
sack 101 includes hook-and-loop fastening material pieces 131a and
131b. In use, hook-and-loop fastening material pieces 130a and 130b
are attached to hook-and-loop fastening material pieces 131a and
131b, in order to secure the sack strap 103 to the sack 101. This
arrangement permits the user of a training device 100 to replace
only a sack 101 if it becomes worn or damaged after repeated use
without the added expense of replacing other components of a
training device 100, i.e., the sack strap 103, tether 104, and leg
strap 105. Similarly, this arrangement permits the user of a
training device 100 to replace only a tether 104 if it becomes worn
or damaged after repeated use without the added expense of
replacing other components of a training device 100, i.e., the sack
101, the sack strap 103, and leg strap 105.
[0034] It can be convenient, but it is not necessary, to detach
piece 130a or 130b, or both, from piece 131a and 131b, resp., in
order to insert or remove weights 102 into or from sack 101.
Furthermore, one skilled in the art will recognize that means of
attaching sack strap 103 to sack 101 other than Velcro or
hook-and-loop fastening material may be used.
[0035] In some embodiments of a training device 100, a leg strap
105 is primarily made of nylon or similar woven and durable
material. In other embodiments, the leg strap 105 is primarily made
of material that does not have all of the aforementioned
characteristics, and may have other characteristics. As an example,
the leg strap 105 may be primarily made of a non-woven and durable
material.
[0036] In some embodiments of a training device 100, as depicted, a
leg strap 105 is comprised of a leg piece 105a and an attachment
piece 105b. The leg piece 105a is substantially rectangular in
shape and has Velcro or similar hook-and-loop fastening material at
each of the ends corresponding to the short sides of the rectangle
for securing the leg piece 105a around a person's leg. Other
embodiments of a leg piece 105a are of a non-rectangular shape.
Even further embodiments utilize means of fastening a leg piece
105a to a person's leg other than Velcro or similar hook-and-loop
fastening material. For example, a leg piece 105a may include a
metal or plastic hook and buckle for fastening.
[0037] The attachment piece 105b is also substantially rectangular
in shape with each of the ends corresponding to the short sides of
the rectangle sewn to the leg piece 105a. Other embodiments of a
leg strap 105 comprise a single piece (i.e., not comprised of two
pieces), and a tether 104 is, or may be, directly attached or
connected to the leg strap 105. Furthermore, other embodiments may
have either or both leg piece 105a and attachment strap 105b of a
non-rectangular shape and may use means other than sewing to attach
or connect the attachment strap 105b to the leg piece 105a.
[0038] The variations of a leg strap 105 that are depicted in the
figures of this application and describe herein are only examples
of a component or arrangement of components for attaching the
tether 104 to a person's leg. One skilled in the art will recognize
that other suitable components or arrangements of components may be
substituted for the leg strap 105 as herein depicted and
described.
[0039] In some embodiments of a training device 100, a leg strap
105, leg piece 105a or attachment strap 105b incorporates a
break-free mechanism. Such a mechanism may use, for example, Velcro
or a similar hook-and-loop fastening material, or other means of
connection that disconnects when a threshold force is exceeded,
that permits the sack 101 to detach from its connection to the
person. Operation of such a mechanism reduces the risk of the
tether 104 breaking and striking the person, should the sack 101
get caught on something.
[0040] In some embodiments of a training device 100, the tether 104
may be in the form of tubing, a strap, any other form suitable for
connecting the sack 101 to a leg strap 105. The tether 104 may be
made of a stretchable material, such as rubber or vinyl. In other
embodiments the tubing 104 may be made of a non-stretchable
material, such as nylon strapping.
[0041] A tether 104 made of a stretchable material has the
advantage of reducing the degree to which the force transmitted to
a person's leg by the weighted sack 101 has a jerky and
inconsistent character; this results in lowering the risk of injury
to the person's knees and other joints.
[0042] As depicted, the tether 104 is attached or connected to the
respective mid-points of the sack strap 103 and leg strap 105. In
some embodiments of a training device 100, a tether 104 includes a
piece of fabric, e.g., nylon or other suitable material, at one or
both ends, and the piece of fabric, and thus the tether 104, is
attached to a sack strap 103 or leg strap 105, by stitching.
[0043] On some embodiments, a tether 104 is made of a hollow,
flexible tube, and sack strap 103 and/or leg strap 105 includes a
metal (or plastic or other suitable rigid material) grommet through
which tether 104 runs. A component is inserted into one end of the
hollow tube of tether 104, thus expanding the flexible tether 104
and causing it to be retained by the grommet.
[0044] Other embodiments of a training device 100 do not include a
sack strap 103, but instead have a tether 104 that is, or may be,
connected or attached to a leg strap 105 and directly to a sack
101.
[0045] FIG. 14 depicts two training devices 100 in use by a person
in a forward running mode. The leg strap 105 of each training
apparatus 100 is attached to an ankle, and the person runs or steps
forward, alternating between left and right foot, alternately
pulling each training device 100 forward. This mode of use
exercises the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and quadriceps femoris
muscles, among other muscles.
[0046] FIG. 15 depicts two training devices 100 in use by a person
in a backward running mode. The leg strap 105 of each training
apparatus 100 is attached to an ankle, and the person runs or steps
backward, alternating between left and right foot, alternately
pulling each training device 100 backward. This mode of use
exercises the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and quadriceps femoris
muscles, among other muscles.
[0047] FIG. 16 depicts successive views of a training device 100 in
use by a person in a side shuffle exercise drill mode. In the
figure, the leg strap 105 is attached to the person's right ankle;
alternatively, the leg strap 105 may be attached to the person's
left ankle, and the drill performed similarly to the description
below. The drill is comprised of the following steps and exercises
the abductor magnus, adductor magnus, and gluteus medius muscles,
among other muscles: [0048] (a) The person stands with feet spread
wide apart, pulling the tether 104 taut, [0049] (b) The person
steps sideways to the left with the right foot, pulling the
training device 100 to the left, and [0050] (c) The person steps
sideways to the left with the left foot, thus returning to the
original stance (a).
[0051] FIG. 17 depicts successive views of a training device 100 in
use by a person in a karaoke exercise drill mode. In the figure,
the leg strap 105 is attached to the person's right ankle;
alternatively, the leg strap 105 may be attached to the person's
left ankle, and the drill performed similarly to the description
below. The drill is comprised of the following steps and exercises
the abductor magnus, adductor magnus, gluteus medius and internal
obliques muscles, among other muscles: [0052] (a) The person stands
with feet spread approximately shoulder-width apart, pulling the
tether 104 taut, [0053] (b) The person steps sideways to the left
with the right foot, crossing the right leg in front of the left
leg, placing the right foot to the left of the left foot, pulling
the training device 100 to the left, [0054] (c) The person steps
sideways to the left with the left foot, thus adopting a stance
with the feet spread wide apart, and [0055] (d) The person steps
sideways to the left with the right foot, crossing the right leg
behind the left leg, placing the right foot to the left of the left
foot, pulling the training device 100 to the left.
[0056] While a particular form and use of the present invention has
been described above, the invention is not limited to the specific
arrangement of parts or manner of use described.
[0057] One skilled in the art understands that modifications to the
construction and use of the present system may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0058] Although the invention has been described in terms of
exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the
appended claims should be construed broadly to include other
variants and embodiments of the invention that may be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of
equivalents of the invention. This disclosure is intended to cover
any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed
herein.
* * * * *