Patent Application
20210308515
The invention is a training device that operates to make runners run faster. More particularly, the training device uses increased loading as an athlete moves it from one point to another either by running or by walking.
The idea of bigger, stronger, faster is ancient. Since the dawn of mankind, man's survival has been closely tied to his ability to chase and successfully hunt down his prey for the feeding of himself, family and tribe and to move faster than what chases and pursues him. Once farming was established, man's need for speed lessened as he became able to build towns, cities and civilization. Man's ability to domesticate animals and put them in predictable places ended his need to exert the necessary survival skills associated with hunting and flight from predators.
But man, nonetheless, has still strived to be bigger, stronger and faster throughout the millennia if, for no other reason, than to best his fellow man through sport and also through warfare. Training for such needs is shown on the temple walls of almost all ancient civilizations from the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese dynasties. Mankind has known for thousands of years that the application of weights to almost any exercise regime increases power, strength and usually speed.
Today, sprinters work with weights in various ways to help them to achieve greater power that may translate into greater speed gains. Such methods have included weighted vests, ankle weights, weighted gloves, bands, weighted sleds and the like. In all such methods, the weight of such devices or apparatus is static. It does not change. Thus, when a sprinter (or other kind of athlete) uses any of the foregoing, such sprinter is limited by the weight used. Because the weight is unchanging, the sprinter can max out at that weight thereby experiencing diminished benefits from her training once her endurance for a given weight is met. The only change occurs when an athlete or trainer manually changes the weight by either adding more or taking some away.
What is needed, therefore, is a device that an athlete can use that, by its use, enables gains in power that lend themselves to gains in speed. Such a device will not be limited by the static application of weight but will instead be able to provide increased weight loads over time and/or over the distance of a training course as well as decreasing weight loads over time and/or over the distance of a training course.
Accordingly, the invention herein provides a device for increasing load while it is in motion. The invention contains a frame. The frame has a front end and a back end that is positioned oppositely to it. A handle for moving the device is attached to the back end of the frame.
At least two movable members are attached to the back end of the frame. At least one movable member is attached to the front end of the frame. A movable weight bearing device is attached to the frame. The movable weight bearing device moves linearly between the back end of the frame and the front end of the frame when the device is in motion.
In one execution herein, the movable weight bearing device comprises a platform. The platform is configured to receive a load. The load comprises one or more weighted objects, such weighted objects being free weights of the kind well known in the art for use in weight bearing exercises.
The movable weight bearing device preferably comprises a sprocket and roller system. The sprocket and roller system is actuated by the at least two movable members attached to the back end of the frame. In practice, the sprocket and roller system transfers a weighted load linearly along the frame of the device. That is, the load increases as the device is moved in a linear direction. The load is increased as it moves from the back end of the frame to the front end of the frame.
As the device moves, an athlete pushing it from behind will experience a load increase thereby making the device harder to push. The load increase happens as it moves toward the at least one movable member thereby increasing its resistance to linear motion. Thus, an athlete is caused to work harder by increase of the load onto the one movable member.
Alternatively, the movable weight bearing device comprises a gradual braking system instead of a sprocket and roller system. The gradual braking system is actuated by the at least two movable members attached to the back end of the frame. It transfers the load linearly along the frame of the device.
Importantly, the movable weight bearing device moves reversibly linearly based upon the direction of linear motion of the device. When the device is pushed by the handle, the movable weight bearing device moves in a linear direction away from the back end of the device. When it is pulled by the handle in the reverse linear direction, the movable weight bearing device moves in a linear direction toward the back end of the device and away from the front end of the device.
In another embodiment herein, a device for increasing a weighted load while in motion comprises a frame. The frame has a front end and a back end that is positioned oppositely to it. A handle for moving the device is attached to the back end of the frame. At least two movable members are attached to the back end of the frame. At least one movable member is attached to the front end of the frame. A graduated resistance system is attached to the device. It is actuated upon linear motion of the device. The graduated resistance system providing increased resistance as the device moves linearly.
The graduated resistance system is programmable either manually or electronically. Preferably, the graduated resistance system is computerized. It may also be programmably releasable. In a training regiment in which a heavy load that is needed at the top of a sprint but is later released to allow a spring action to a sprinter is desired, such releasability is desired.
The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The invention herein increases an athlete's sprinting power by use a novel and unique training device. In practice, the device enables a sprinter to increase her workload while she sprints by pushing or pulling the device linearly. As she moves, more weight is loaded toward the front of the device thereby increasing inertia at the front end. By the term “inertia” herein, it is meant resistance to motion.
By increasing the resistance of the runner as the athlete is running. The claimed invention differs from what currently exists in the field of training runners, sprinters and athletes. For example, there are no known inventions that increase work load as an athlete trains. By increasing workload on the athlete during the actual running and/or sprinting motion, the invention moves athletes beyond previous training maximums.
The invention provides a device for increasing load while it is in motion. The invention contains a frame. The frame has a front end and a back end that is positioned oppositely to it. A handle for moving the device is attached to the back end of the frame.
At least two movable members are attached to the back end of the frame. At least one movable member is attached to the front end of the frame. A movable weight bearing device is attached to the frame. The movable weight bearing device moves linearly between the back end of the frame and the front end of the frame when the device is in motion.
In one execution herein, the movable weight bearing device comprises a platform. The platform is configured to receive a load. The load comprises one or more weighted objects, such weighted objects being free weights of the kind well known in the art for use in weight bearing exercises.
The movable weight bearing device preferably comprises a sprocket and roller system. The sprocket and roller system is actuated by the at least two movable members attached to the back end of the frame. In practice, the sprocket and roller system transfers a weighted load linearly along the frame of the device. That is, the load increases as the device is moved in a linear direction. The load is increased as it moves from the back end of the frame to the front end of the frame.
As the device moves, an athlete pushing it from behind will experience a load increase thereby making the device harder to push. The load increase happens as it moves toward the at least one movable member thereby increasing its resistance to linear motion. Thus, an athlete is caused to work harder by increase of the load onto the one movable member.
Importantly, the movable weight bearing device moves reversibly linearly based upon the direction of linear motion of the device. When the device is pushed by the handle, the movable weight bearing device moves in a linear direction away from the back end of the device. When it is pulled by the handle in the reverse linear direction, the movable weight bearing device moves in a linear direction toward the back end of the device and away from the front end of the device.
In another embodiment herein, a device for increasing a weighted load while in motion comprises a frame. The frame has a front end and a back end that is positioned oppositely to it. A handle for moving the device is attached to the back end of the frame. At least two movable members are attached to the back end of the frame. At least one movable member is attached to the front end of the frame. A graduated resistance system is attached to the device. It is actuated upon linear motion of the device. The graduated resistance system providing increased resistance as the device moves linearly.
The graduated resistance system is programmable either manually or electronically. Preferably, the graduated resistance system is computerized. It may also be programmably releasable. In a training regiment in which a heavy load that is needed at the top of a sprint but is later released to allow a spring action to a sprinter is desired, such releasability is desired.
As shown, device 10 comprises two rear movable members 25 attached to back end 22. Preferred rear movable members 25 herein are wheels 27 as shown in
Movable weight bearing device 40 is shown connected to frame 15. In particular, movable weight bearing device 40 as shown in
Importantly, device 10 is constructed to shift the weight loaded onto weight bearing device from back end 22 to front end 20 thereof. To an athlete, the weight load will feel different as the weight (not shown) moves from the back to the front of device 10. Weight bearing device 40 is movable and sits upon glides 44. Glides 44 extend substantially along the length of device 10. Weight bearing device 40 is held in fixed to frame 15, but it moves linearly on glides 44 along the length of frame 15.
Rear movable members 25 are attached to movable weight bearing device 40. When rear movable members 25 move, they actuate the motion of movable weight bearing device 40. In fact, as wheels 27 rotate, such rotation translates into linear motion of weight bearing device 40. At such motion, weight shifts along frame 15 from back end 22 to front end 20. Eventually, the weight will reside right above or approximate to front movable member 35. Along the path of linear motion of device 10, it becomes more and more difficult to move as athlete 70 exerts force thereon. As device 10 becomes harder to move, more force is required from athlete 50 thereby increasing athlete 50's force exertion and also her power.
Device 10 in
Herein, linear weight motion system 50 has multiple connection points. First, one part of linear weight motion system 50 is connected to back end 22 of frame 15. Second, another part thereof is connected to front end 20 of frame 15. Last, and importantly, linear weight motion system 50 is connected to at least one rear movable members 25.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
This non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/206,419. The delay in filing this subsequent non-provisional application designating the United States within the twelve-month period set forth in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section was unintentional.
