MODULAR AGILITY HURDLE

Abstract

A modular agility hurdle includes a crossbar having a substantially horizontal portion having opposing ends and opposing substantially vertical risers extending from the opposing ends of the substantially horizontal portion. The modular agility hurdle also includes a pair of feet. Each of the pair of feet include a midportion having a receptacle configured to accept and retain an end portion of one of the substantially vertical risers and opposing feet portion extending from the midportion, where each of the opposing feet have upwardly arcuate shaped end portions.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a modular hurdle configured for use as exercise equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a modular hurdle configured for use in a first, assembled configured and configured to be store and/or transported in a second, disassembled configuration.

Many people utilize hurdles for speed and agility training. The agility hurdles are smaller and shorter than the hurdles utilized in track events. The agility hurdles typically range from about 6 inches to about 12 inches in height and placed in selected patterns for a person to exercise.

The person is required to lift his/her feet over the hurdle, run to and clear the next hurdle and continue the process until the circuit of hurdles is completed. Conditioning with hurdles increases quickness, speed, change of direction and explosiveness in the person, all of which can be important when competing in sports.

However, many agility hurdles are designed to be engaged in a single direction, where a base prevents the hurdle from tipping in one direction and allows the hurdle to tip in the opposite direction. The directional design of the hurdle requires care when placing a circuit of hurdles.

Additionally, the configuration of many agility hurdles is fixed. As such, attempting to store or transport the agility hurdles can be burdensome and can require a significant amount of room.

Many agility hurdles are constructed of rigid, substantially non-resilient materials. As such, when stepped on and bent past the material's elastic limit, the agility hurdle can be deformed.

There is a need for a modular agility hurdle that can be assembled for use and disassembled into a compact configuration for storage and/or transportation. There is also a need for an agility hurdle constructed of a sufficiently rigid, but resilient material that can be stepped on, deform from the forces imparted while being stepped on and return to the hurdle's original shape once the person disengages the hurdle.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a modular agility hurdle. The modular agility hurdle includes a crossbar having a substantially horizontal portion having opposing ends and opposing substantially vertical risers extending from the opposing ends of the substantially horizontal portion. The modular agility hurdle also includes a pair of feet. Each of the pair of feet include a midportion having a receptacle configured to accept and retain an end portion of one of the substantially vertical risers and opposing feet portion extending from the midportion, where each of the opposing feet have upwardly arcuate shaped end portions.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a modular agility hurdle. The modular agility hurdle includes a crossbar having a substantially horizontal portion having opposing ends and opposing substantially vertical risers extending from the opposing ends of the substantially horizontal portion. The modular agility hurdle includes a pair of feet, each of the pair of feet having a midportion and opposing feet portions extending from the midportion, where each of the opposing feet have upwardly arcuate shaped end portions. Each of the opposing ends of the substantially horizontal portion of the crossbar and the mid portion of each of the pair of feet are configured to couple together to configure the modular agility hurdle into a first, assembled configuration.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a modular agility hurdle. The modular agility hurdle includes a crossbar having a substantially horizontal portion having opposing ends and opposing substantially vertical risers extending from the opposing ends of the substantially horizontal portion. The modular agility hurdle also includes a pair of feet. Each of the pair of feet include a midportion having a receptacle configured to accept and retain an end portion of one of the substantially vertical risers and opposing feet portion extending from the midportion, where each of the opposing feet have upwardly arcuate shaped end portions. Each of the pair of feet include first and second junctions that connect the midportion to the first and second feet, wherein the first and second junctions define spaced apart voids proximate the receptacle such that each of the first and second feet have substantially even thicknesses of the portions of each foot. The crossbar and each of the pair of feet are constructed of a resilient material such that once a force is applied the modular agility hurdle, the hurdle flexes and once the force is removed from the modular agility hurdle, the modular agility hurdle returns to an unflexed configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular agility hurdle.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the modular hurdle.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the modular hurdle.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the modular hurdle.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the modular hurdle.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the modular hurdle.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along section line 7-7 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along section line 8-8 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the modular agility hurdle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a modular agility hurdle. The modular agility hurdle is configured to be positioned into a first, assembled configuration where a user can maneuver over a hurdle bar in a plurality of directions. The modular design allows crossbars of different heights and lengths to be utilized with the same base portions or feet. The modular agility hurdle is also configured to be manipulated into a second, disassembled position for compact storage and/or transported from one location to another location in a compact configuration.

The modular agility hurdle is constructed of a resilient material that flexes when stepped on and returns to its original configuration when the person disengages the hurdle. A typical, but non-limiting, material of construction is thermoplastic vulcanizate. The thermoplastic vulcanizate is readily molded and can be dyed any number of colors to provide the agility hurdle with a customized color scheme as desired, such as but not limited to, school colors or company colors.

The modular agility hurdle is illustrated in FIG. 1 at 10. The modular agility hurdle 10 includes a crossbar 12 having a substantially horizontal portion 14 and spaced apart substantially vertical risers 16 and 18 extending from opposing end portions 20 and 22 of the substantially horizontal portion 14. Ends 24 and 26 of the substantially vertical risers 16 and 18 are inserted into receptacles 44 and 46 of feet 40 and 42 to configure the modular agility hurdle 10 into a first, assembled condition.

The crossbar 12 is typically a unitary construction with a substantially smooth outer surface 28. A substantially smooth outer surface 28 aids a user's shoe or foot to slide over the crossbar 12 if contact is made between the shoe and crossbar 12. While not limiting, it is believed that an uneven or textured outer surface 28 could tend to catch or engage the user's shoe or foot, which could cause the user to stumble and/or fall while performing conditioning drills.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, an inner surface 30 of the crossbar 12 includes outer ribs 32 and 34 that extend from edges of the crossbar 12 from one end 24 to another end 26. The inner surface 30 also includes a plurality of inner ribs 36 that are spaced apart and extend from one end 24 to the other end 26. The ribs 32, 34 and 36 increase the strength while reduce the weight of the crossbar 12. While four ribs are discussed and illustrated, the present disclosure can include one or more ribs to provide strength and rigidity thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the feet 40 and 42 are substantially identical in configuration and are interchangeable, so that a person assembling the agility hurdle 10 can do so without having to account for the placement of the feet 40 and 42 relative to the crossbar 12. As the feet 40 and 42 are substantially structurally identical, reference will be made to the foot 40 with the understanding that the reference characters apply to the features of the foot 42.

Referring to FIGS. 2-9, the foot 40 is symmetric along a midline 50 where the receptacle 44 is substantially bisected along the midline 50. A midportion 52 of the foot includes the receptable 44, where the receptacle 44 is configured to accept and engage the end 24 of the vertical riser 16 such that the vertical riser 16 is substantially secured therein and the crossbar 12 is substantially fixed relative to the foot 40.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the receptacle 44 includes a left side wall 56 and a right side wall 58 that are spaced from each other a distance D1 at an entrance 60 that allows the vertical riser 16 to be positioned therein. The left side wall 56 and the right side wall 58 taper to a second distance D2 that is less than the distance D1, such that the vertical riser 16 is frictionally secured with the receptable 44 along a width of the vertical riser 16.

Referring FIGS. 6-9, the receptable 44 includes a front wall 60 and a back wall 62 that are spaced such that front and back edges of the vertical riser 16 are proximate the front wall 60 and the back wall 62. The engagement of the front wall 60 and the back wall 62 of the receptacle 44 with the front and back edges of the vertical riser 16 substantially prevents the crossbar 12 from moving forward and backward relative to the foot 40.

The receptable 44 includes a plurality of ribs 64 that extend upwardly from a bottom wall 66. The plurality of ribs 64 provide a positive stop that prevents the vertical riser 16 from being over inserted into the receptacle 44. Additionally, the receptacle 44 includes voids proximate the front wall 60 and the back wall 62 such that the front and back walls 60 and 62 are of a thickness that allows the foot 40 to flex forward and backward in the event the crossbar 12 is stepped on during exercises.

The foot 40 include feet portions 70 and 72 extending from the midportion 52 proximate a bottom surface 41. The feet portions 70 and 72 include arcuate end portions 74 and 76. The arcuate end portions 74 and 76 extend upwardly from ground level and allow the agility hurdle 10 to rock forward and backward while aiding in preventing the agility hurdle 10 from tipping over when the crossbar 12 is contacted by the user's foot or shoe. The agility hurdle 10 rises about the arcuate end portion 74 when contacted in one direction while gravity will assist in reversing the direction of the agility hurdle 10 in the opposite direction. The same movement occurs with the arcuate end portion 76 when the agility hurdle 10 is engaged from the opposite direction.

Referring to FIGS. 5-9, the foot 40 includes cavities 80, 82, 84 and 86 at the junction of the feet portions 70 and 72 with the midportion 52. The cavities 80, 82, 84 and 86 provide substantially even thicknesses of the portions of the foot 40. The substantially even thicknesses of the material of the foot 40 provides more flexibility when a user's foot or shoe engages the crossbar 12. For instance, the foot 40 will flex in the regions 90 and 92 as the user applies a force to the crossbar 12, which in turn aids in keeping the agility hurdle 10 upright to provide better performance. Additionally, the cavities 80, 82, 84 and 86 reduce the weight of the agility hurdle 10 so that the agility hurdle 10 is easier to move, assemble and disassemble.

The agility hurdle 10 is illustrated with a single crossbar 12 of a selected height. However, the feet 40 and 42 are configure to accept crossbars of any selected height. Further, the agility hurdle could be sold as a kit with a pair of feet 40 and 42 and a plurality of crossbars 12 of different heights and lengths. Additionally, while the receptacle is illustrated within the feet 40 and 42 and is configured to accept a portion of the vertical riser 16, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the vertical risers to include receptables that receive an upper end portion of the midportion such that the configuration of the connection between the foot and the vertical riser is reversed.

Additionally, while the hurdle 10 is illustrated as an agility hurdle, the concept of using flexible materials with feet and crossbars engaged with a receptacle can be used for other sports. For instance, the hurdle 10 could be scaled to be sized for standard hurdles used in hurdle races. Additionally, the hurdle 10 can be scaled to be a mini-goal and/or a regulation sized goal for soccer or lacrosse.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A modular agility hurdle comprising: a crossbar comprising: a substantially horizontal portion having opposing ends; andopposing substantially vertical risers extending from the opposing ends of the substantially horizontal portion; anda pair of feet, each of the pair of feet comprising: a midportion having a receptacle configured to accept and retain an end portion of one of the substantially vertical risers; andopposing feet portions extending from the midportion, where each of the opposing feet have upwardly arcuate shaped end portions.

2. The modular agility hurdle of claim 1, wherein the substantially horizontal portion comprises a substantially smooth upper surface.

3. The modular agility hurdle of claim 1, wherein the crossbar comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs extending form a lower surface of the substantially horizontal portion and inner surfaces of the vertical risers.

4. The modular agility hurdle of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises: a front wall;a back wall; andopposing side walls connecting the front wall and the back wall, wherein upper edges of the front wall, the back wall and the opposing side walls define an entrance to the receptacle and having a first width wherein a distance between the opposing side walls reduces to a second width within the receptacle, the second width being less than the first width such that the receptable engages one of the end portion of one of the substantially vertical risers.

5. The modular agility hurdle of claim 4, wherein each of the feet portion comprises: a plurality of spaced apart receptable ribs extending from the second end toward the first end, wherein ends of the plurality of spaced apart receptacle ribs are configured to engage an end of one of the end portions of the substantially vertical risers.

6. The modular agility hurdle of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of feet comprises: first and second junctions that connect the midportion to the first and second feet; wherein the first and second junctions define spaced apart voids proximate the receptacle such that each of the first and second feet have substantially even thicknesses of the portions of each foot.

7. The modular agility hurdle of claim 1, wherein the cross bar and the pair of feet are constructed of a resilient material.

8. The modular agility hurdle of claim 7, wherein the resilient material comprises thermoplastic vulcanizate.

9. A modular agility hurdle comprising: a crossbar comprising: a substantially horizontal portion having opposing ends; andopposing substantially vertical risers extending from the opposing ends of the substantially horizontal portion; anda pair of feet, each of the pair of feet comprising: a midportion; andopposing feet portions extending from the midportion, where each of the opposing feet have upwardly arcuate shaped end portions,wherein each of the opposing ends of the substantially horizontal portion of the crossbar and the mid portion of each of the pair of feet are configured to couple together to configure the modular agility hurdle into a first, assembled configuration.

10. The modular agility hurdle of claim 9, wherein the opposing ends of the substantially horizontal portion of the crossbar and the mid portion of each of the pair of feet are configured to decouple from each other to configure the modular agility hurdle into a second, disassembled configuration.

11. The modular agility hurdle of claim 9, wherein the midportion of each of the pair of feet comprises a receptacle configured to accept and retain an end portion of one of the substantially vertical risers.

12. The modular agility hurdle of claim 9 comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs extending form a lower surface of the substantially horizontal portion and inner surfaces of the vertical risers.

13. The modular agility hurdle of claim 12, wherein the receptacle comprises: a front wall;a back wall; andopposing side walls connecting the front wall and the back wall, wherein upper edges of the front wall, the back wall and the opposing side walls define an entrance to the receptacle and having a first width wherein a distance between the opposing side walls reduces to a second width within the receptacle, the second width being less than the first width such that the receptable engages one of the end portion of one of the substantially vertical risers.

14. The modular agility hurdle of claim 13, wherein each of the feet portion comprises: a plurality of spaced apart receptable ribs extending from the second end toward the first end, wherein ends of the plurality of spaced apart receptacle ribs are configured to engage an end of one of the end portions of the substantially vertical risers.

15. The modular agility hurdle of claim 9, wherein each of the pair of feet comprises: first and second junctions that connect the midportion to the first and second feet; wherein the first and second junctions define spaced apart voids proximate the receptacle such that each of the first and second feet have substantially even thicknesses of the portions of each foot.

16. The modular agility hurdle of claim 9, wherein the cross bar and the pair of feet are constructed of a resilient material.

17. The modular agility hurdle of claim 9, wherein the resilient material comprises thermoplastic vulcanizate.

18. A modular agility hurdle comprising: a crossbar comprising: a substantially horizontal portion having opposing ends; andopposing substantially vertical risers extending from the opposing ends of the substantially horizontal portion; anda pair of feet, each of the pair of feet comprising: a midportion having a receptacle configured to accept and retain an end portion of one of the substantially vertical risers;opposing feet portions extending from the midportion, where each of the opposing feet have upwardly arcuate shaped end portions; andfirst and second junctions that connect the midportion to the first and second feet; wherein the first and second junctions define spaced apart voids proximate the receptacle such that each of the first and second feet have substantially even thicknesses of the portions of each footwherein the crossbar and each of the pair of feet are constructed of a resilient material such that once a force is applied the modular agility hurdle, the hurdle flexes and once the force is removed from the modular agility hurdle, the modular agility hurdle returns to an unflexed configuration.

19. The modular agility hurdle of claim 18, wherein the receptacle comprises: a front wall;a back wall; andopposing side walls connecting the front wall and the back wall, wherein upper edges of the front wall, the back wall and the opposing side walls define an entrance to the receptacle and having a first width wherein a distance between the opposing side walls reduces to a second width within the receptacle, the second width being less than the first width such that the receptable engages one of the end portions of one of the substantially vertical risers.

20. The modular agility hurdle of claim 18, wherein the crossbar comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs extending form a lower surface of the substantially horizontal portion and inner surfaces of the vertical risers.