Patent Application
20220047929
The present invention relates to sports equipment. More particularly, the present invention provides training equipment for the training and improvement of skills need by all athletes.
Field sports, including sports played on ice, are played worldwide, and therefore training aids to develop skills and increase the level of play are in high demand. However, a tool that combines sports training for all age groups, while maintaining portability and ease of use are lacking in the current market. Existing sports training devices for field sports are limited. For hockey in particular, existing devices used for skills training are few. Some devices are somewhat adjustable but cannot be raised high enough to teach skating technique, posture, balance or strength with the puck, they are limited to teaching puck handling skills and footwork only; and with existing devices, once players have mastered these particular skills the device cannot be adjusted to further challenge the player or teach other skills. Other devices in use at hockey training camps fail to teach proper skating posture and fail to address the needs of the wide range of player sizes. Currently, tools are one size fits all. These devices have a nonadjustable crossbar, which is limited as follows: Shorter players, in particular children, can pass under with ease, learning nothing from the device because the crossbar cannot be lowered enough to challenge the shorter player to crouch into a low-skating posture; and taller players actually learn incorrect skating posture in that they are forced to stoop over in order to pass under the crossbar because is not adjustable to a height high enough that they may pass under in a proper, face-front skating posture. Known devices for track sports, such as hurdles and pole vault or high jump standards, are not available or adjustable in a range of heights useful for field sports such as hockey or soccer. Another limitation of the current field sports-training devices is that either they are bulky and heavy, which limits portability, or they are so lightweight that they fall down when hit with a ball, puck or person.
To combat the existing gap in the market, we have invented a multipurpose athletic training device that is adjustable in height and width, allowing for proper use no matter the height of the athlete. The device adjusts without hassle and, therefore, does not complicate the user's experience. The device can be used on any surface, including concrete, turf, or ice, to support a wide range of sports and athletes. Finally, we have developed a method of use for our training device, which utilizes the adjustability of the tool to create continual growth through new challenges.
Here, through the use of a novel arrangement of elements, we describe an athletic training aid that allows for multi-skill training, as well as a full body workout, while maintaining ease of, and simplicity in use, on or off ice. Furthermore, to aid in its use, we have developed a unique method of teaching. This novel training aid, along with the method of use will benefit players of all skill levels across multiple field sports.
Consequently, there is a need for an improvement in the art of sports equipment. The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art while at the same time solves a problem many people face when coaching athletes of all kinds including ice hockey players. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.
The present invention provides a multipurpose athletic training device and method of use wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when either learning or training to improve upon athletic skills. The device includes for a first stake assembly. The first stake assembly is made up of a first base and a first stake. The first stake is connected perpendicularly to the first base. The first stake has at least one crossbar supporting device secured thereto. A crossbar is removably placed within the at least one crossbar supporting device of the first stake at a first end of the crossbar. The device further includes a second stake assembly. The second stake assembly includes a second base and a second stake, where in the second stake is connected perpendicularly to the second base. The second stake has at least one crossbar supporting device secured thereto. The crossbar is removably placed within the at least one crossbar supporting device of the second stake at a second end of the crossbar.
The method for using the multipurpose athletic training device includes determining an exercise to be performed. Next the first stake assembly is prepared for the exercise. The stake assembly is comprised of a base and at least one stake secured thereto. In some instances, a second stake assembly is prepared for the exercise. The second stake assembly is comprised of a base and at least one stake secured thereto. A cross bar is affixed between the first stake assembly and the second stake assembly. The desired exercise is then performed.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the multipurpose athletic training device and method of use. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the multipurpose athletic training device and method of use. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. This disclosure will be described for one stake assembly; however, it is to be understood that these features may be applied to any number of assemblies described throughout.
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In different methods as described below a single stake assembly 101 is used to complete the exercise or training activity. For example, a single stake assembly 101 may be positioned by a user such that the stake acts as a crossbar with its top end contacting a ground surface and the base 102 perpendicular to the ground surface. Through this disclosure a ground surface will refer to any surface in which exercising may take place. In other instances, multiple stake assemblies are used. In some embodiments a second stake assembly 104 is used. The second stake assembly 104 includes a base 105 with a bottom side adapted to sit on a ground surface. The base 105 is coupled to the stake 104. In one embodiment the stake 106 is positioned perpendicular to a top side of the base 105.
In other embodiments additional stake assemblies 107 are used in the activities.
In one embodiment each stake assembly 101, 104, 107 includes at least one prong 108. A prong shall be defined as a device which will secure at least one end of the crossbar. The at least one prong 108 is used to removably attach a crossbar 109 between two stake assemblies such that the crossbar 109 may be substantially parallel to the ground surface. The crossbar 109 will have a first end and a second end. In one embodiment the crossbar 109 will secure at one end to a stake assembly and at a second end to the ground surface. In some embodiments additional prongs 108 will allow for the height of the crossbar 109 above the ground surface to be adjustable such that the crossbar 109 may be placed at a plurality of heights.
In various embodiments, the crossbar(s) 109 may be positioned high enough for players of all sizes and skill levels (adult or child) to skate or run under in proper skating form (with knees bent and back straight), but not so high that a player can skate or run under the crossbar without bending his knees. In one embodiment, the crossbar 109 may be adjusted from a minimum length of two feet to a maximum of 10 feet. This will enable a user to create a narrow passage for a puck, or a wider gap to allow a player to pass under the crossbar 109 in a variety of positions (forward, backward, laterally, etc.), enabling a wide variety of exercises. In one embodiment the crossbar 109 is telescopic. This will allow for easy adjustability and portability. This adjustability enables the same device to be used to train small players and large players, adults and children. The adjustability allows for a variety of exercises to be performed with a single device.
In many embodiments the components of the multipurpose athletic training device (stake assemblies and crossbars) are made of materials that will withstand being hit at high velocity by pucks or other equipment and not be damaged, weakened or break. In one embodiment the device components are made from materials which withstand a wide range of temperatures without warping or losing usability (by being so cold they are hard to move or so warm they become too loose). This will aid the ability to use the device in a multitude of different locations as ice rinks may be cold or roller rinks may be warm and outdoor playing fields may be hot.
In one embodiment the base(s) may be adapted to different playing fields, ranging from ice to concrete to asphalt to grass to a wooden or clay court, or a rubberized playing field such as for roller hockey or a child's playground. In another embodiment the base is configured to securely but releasably affix to the playing field during use without damaging the playing field surface.
In one embodiment the device is easily and quickly assembled or taken down. This will conserve rink or field rental time. In some embodiments the device is configured to be able to be set up or taken down in less than minutes to maximize useable ice time. In one embodiment when taken down the device components break down small enough that they may be easily transported in sedan or on public transportation. In one embodiment this means that each stake 102 of the stake assemblies are telescopic. In some embodiments, each telescoping stake 103 may be retracted into its own base 102 without being removed from the base 102.
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The multipurpose athletic training device may be used for many different exercises. Many of the uses for the device will be detailed below. In hockey, skills include skating, balance, puck handling, skating edge work, hockey skating posture, skating stride, shooting, and agility must constantly be honed and improved in order to stay competitive. To use the device for training hockey various methods and exercises may be used, limited only by the imagination of the user. The following methods and exercises are only some of the ways a user may use the device to train hockey skills. To train other sports skills, other uses may be devised. Generally speaking, with all exercises, the user sets up the device in a configuration suited for the exercise the user desires to perform, setting up one or more stake assemblies on the playing field spaced accordingly and (for most exercises) setting up at least one crossbar parallel to the playing field, using the crossbar supporting device or a prong, at one of many possible levels (heights from the ground surface) suitable for the exercise to be performed, as illustrated more particularly below.
Most, if not all, sports require players to have strong knee-bend through the middle/back of the feet, which allows their upper body to remain upright. The multipurpose athletic training device and methods of use enable exercises that train a player to become accustomed to this strong knee-bend posture and to build strength, mentally and physically, so that when they are playing a sport, proper posture and knee-bend is second nature.
Important skills for hockey include posture, edge work, head up and skating “up ice” (keeping the puck in front of the skater or putting the puck where the skater will be), leg strength and balance (keeping the weight where it must be on the foot for balance). In one embodiment two stake assemblies with a single crossbar at a mid-height may be used. The skater, with a stick and puck in front of him, is instructed to skate with the puck toward the assembly, keeping their eyes on the crossbar and putting the puck in the area they are going toward, bending their knees through the middle back of their feet and skating under the bar, and executing a turn. The exercise, focusing particularly on keeping the eyes on the crossbar, teaches anticipation by encouraging the skater to begin lowering his posture early enough, as he approaches the bar, to ensure he keeps his head up and a proper posture throughout the maneuver.
The exercise also teaches placing the puck where the skater will be (skating “up ice”). This helps the skater learn to look ahead on the ice while skating toward that spot, rather than looking down and consequently being unable to anticipate or make decisions. The exercise also teaches anticipation and skating “up ice” by teaching the skater to begin turning the puck before and while the skater is skating under the crossbar. The exercise also teaches edge work because if the turn is executed in the proper posture with proper knee bend, with the puck making the turn before the skater, the skater's inside skate during the turn will necessarily be positioned so that the blade contacts the ice on its outer edge, and skater's outside skate will necessarily be positioned so that the blade contacts the ice on its inner edge. An alternative to this exercise is to have the skater hold a ball or other object instead of a stick and position the held object in the direction of where the skater plans to skate. As the skater begins skating under the crossbar, the skater moves the held object in the direction of the turn, which helps pull the skater onto the proper edges in the direction of the turn as he is passing under the crossbar.
In addition, this exercise teaches the skater to avoid curling his top hand while making the turn (curling the hand in a turn locks the arm in that position and restricts the skater from passing, skating up the ice, changing directions, etc). As the skater executes a right turn under the crossbar his right hand should be on top of the stick near his right hip and his left hand low on the stick. In the posture with the hand positions described, the skater while executing the right turn is free to make whatever maneuver is needed—his hand position enables quick reactions even while turning.
Two stake assemblies and a crossbar at a mid-height may be used to train stride extension and stride length. In hockey, it is desirable for skaters to have a strong posture, balance and stride extension. The skater uses a back foot to push off with the toe, gliding on the front skate with the knee bent through the middle back of the front foot and with the back skate off the ice and the back leg extended behind him. In one embodiment the skater travels laterally, toward his left, under the crossbar in proper posture, eyes on the crossbar, with the left knee bent and the right leg extended out and off the ice, and the stick and puck in front of him as he travels under the crossbar.
In another embodiment the skater travels backwards under the crossbar in a two assembly-crossbar setup, in proper knee-bent head-up posture with the hands away from the body, bottom hand moved up to the end of the stick next to the top hand with the stick extended. As the skater moves backward under the crossbar, the skater bends his knees through the middle back of the feet, looking straight ahead of him (ideally at a second two assembly-crossbar setup with the bar at mid-height placed at a sufficient distance to keep the skater's eyes forward and head up). As the skater moves under the crossbar, the lower hand moves down the stick, bringing the arms and puck back toward the body into standard position.
In a further embodiment the skater skates forward to go around the frontmost stake assembly on his left in order to repeat the exercise from the leftmost side of the crossbar. the skater having executed the turn around the frontmost stake assembly, checking the position of the crossbar in order to position himself in the proper position to repeat the exercise, teaching anticipation and planning ahead.
By looking at a reference point (a crossbar positioned in front of the crossbar to be traveled under, for example, or the crossbar to be traveled under, if the skater takes a glance over his shoulder), the skater sees how far he needs to lower himself, encouraging him to bend his knees while keeping eyes forward and head up. Extending the stick out and back during this exercise teaches hand movement, tight top hand and stick control. If the skater does not extend the stick out and move the hands up while moving under the crossbar, he is likely to place too much weight on the toes, throwing off his balance, and also will not be able to get low enough while maintaining proper posture. The exercise additionally builds strength and balance.
In yet another embodiment an exercise to train an open-hip posture, sometimes in hockey called “spreadeagle” or “Mohawk” is performed. The skater skates toward his left, under the crossbar, in proper open-hip posture with the stick and puck in front and placed in the area the skater is traveling in the middle of the skater's body to maintain balance. As the skater moves under the crossbar, the puck and skater execute a right turn around the far stake assembly. The skater's head is up, eyes on the crossbar as he passes under it, and both blades are positioned on their inner (front) edges through the turn, with the weight in the middle front of the foot (over the inner edges of the blades). In executing this turn exercise in open-hip posture, the trailing foot (the right foot in the case of a right turn) pushes off against the ice with the toe and the leading foot (the left foot in the case of a right turn) with a strong knee-bend through the middle of the leading foot and the blade on the inner (front) edge. Then after the push, the trailing foot is placed on the ice maintaining open-hip posture with the inner edge facing the skater's front and positioned on the inner (front) edge of the blade. Among other things, the exercise teaches a stronger knee-bend on the leading leg which enables a stronger push from the trailing leg. It also helps players build balance and strength in open-hip posture, which is important in hockey for versatility and excelling at the game.
In one embodiment a jumping exercise is performed. The jumping exercise will teach individuals the weight transfer abilities from the middle back of the foot to the toe. Creating a knee bend spring through the middle back of the foot and exploding through the toe. Having an adjustable crossbar allows all ages, skill sets, and strengths to grow, challenge, and compete against themselves and others to improve. In addition, keeping the puck in front of you and looking four to eight feet in front of the athlete will keep head up and improve peripheral vision (pinched neck). This exercise can also aid in strengthening the crossover because working on the inside of the foot on the outside edge and pushing from the middle back of the foot to the toe increases speed and strength.
Other jumps will create a spring from a knee bend through the middle back of the inside edge on the foot to jump over the crossbar and land on the middle back of the inside edge of the opposite foot. An outside edge to inside edge jump will create a spring from a knee bend through the middle back of the outside edge of the foot to jump over the crossbar and land on the middle back of the inside edge of the opposite foot towards the starting point.
In an additional embodiment a shooting exercise is performed. To begin the exercise keep the head up (looking forward at the crossbar in front), for left-handed players align the right foot with the right stake assembly and for right-handed players align the left foot with the left stake assembly. A players feet will face the stake assembly initially and then will slightly turn towards the opposite stake assembly. When a “pull-twitch” occurs, momentum will shift back towards the net. The puck will remain aligned with the left foot for left-handed players and aligned with the right foot for right-handed players. The stick should be on a slight diagonal from the top hand to the puck. The top hand elbow will be torqued outwards during this process. In order to set up this exercise the multipurpose athletic training device should be set up to include at least one towel draped over the cross bar. In no event should the bottom edge of the towel be higher than a hockey net. When approaching the towel, have a slight pull of only a few inches as both the top and bottom hand squeeze tight. As the puck moves ahead of the feet, the bottom hand elbow will twitch towards the area desired and follow through with a twitch. Follow through will end under the towel. This teaches the player to not shoot over the net by preventing the blade on the follow through from finishing high around the face of a player which in turn makes the puck go over the net.
In another embodiment a stride strengthening, and lengthening exercise is performed. By keeping the eyes pointed at the crossbar, the player will be able to lower his base holding leg through the middle back of the foot to allow a strong stride extension by the opposite leg from the middle back of the foot to the toe. Snap the toe and bring the leg back towards the starting point to then switch legs. This will increase leg strength, stride extension, speed and posture.
In yet a further embodiment a vertical jump exercise is performed. the start the skater performs a slight glide towards the assembly. Then they squat down to create a spring from a knee bend through the middle back of the foot. Next, they accelerate a weight transfer from the middle back of the foot to the toe and bring the knees up towards the waist (tuck jump). Landing with a knee bend through the middle back of the feet, knees straight by squeezing quads and hamstrings. This will increase leg strength, acceleration, posture, and competitiveness.
In some embodiments the multipurpose athletic training device may be used to perform off ice exercises. In one embodiment a plank to pushup crawl is performed. This exercise will focus on core and arm strength. By looking straight ahead at the crossbar the person will activate their core and keep their back parallel to the ground.
In yet a further embodiment a one-legged jump exercise is done. This exercise is spring loaded leg focused. This will teach an athlete how to create a spring by lowering one knee through the middle back of the foot and exploding up through their toe. The momentum will drive the knee up aligned with the waist to perform the jump. With the adjustable abilities, coaches, teachers, and athletes may adjust the bar up or down to continuously challenge and develop themselves.
In other embodiments a two-legged jump is performed. This exercise teaches the person how to create a spring by lowering two knees through the middle back of the foot and exploding up through their toes. The momentum will drive their knees up aligned with the waist to perform the jump. With the adjustable abilities, coaches, teachers, and athletes may adjust the bar up or down to continuously challenge and develop themselves. This exercise will increase leg strength and acceleration.
Another exercise which may be performed is a lateral walk. This will help develop posture through lower body strength for all sports. The exercise will teach an athlete how to utilize a strong focus on a knee bend through the middle back of the foot to strengthen the posture. While looking at the bar to have a pinched neck (head up), to ensure that one is always looking forward. Being able to adjust the bar allows an individual to increase aggression through the correct concepts.
Further this device will help an athlete compete and attack. The multipurpose athletic training device is used not only to teach the actual skill, but it provides confidence when the player improves. In addition, if someone attempts and exercise while overconfident, and lacking in necessary form or ability, they will fail. This will show they need more work and with more practice they will improve. Through these trials an athlete can learn to handle success, failure and adversity.
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In one embodiment the training devices includes a first stake assembly 701. The first stake assembly 701 is comprised of a first base 701a and a first stake 701b. The first stake 701b is secured to the first base 701a at one end of the first stake 701b. In one embodiment the connection is such that the first stake 701b is perpendicular to a plane of the first base 701a. In another embodiment the first stake 701b is removably secured to the first base 701a. In one embodiment the device further includes at least one crossbar supporting device 701c secured to the first stake 701b.
In many embodiments the training device includes a second stake assembly 702. The second stake assembly 702 is comprised of a second base 702a and a second stake 702b. The second stake 702b is secured to the second base 702a at one end of the second stake 702b. In one embodiment the connection is such that the second stake 702b is perpendicular to a plane of the second base 702a. In another embodiment the second stake 702b is removably secured to the second base 702a. In one embodiment the device further includes at least one crossbar supporting device 702c secured to the second stake 701b.
In one embodiment there is a crossbar 703 connected to the at least one crossbar supporting device 701c of the first stake assembly 701, at one end of the crossbar 703. In this embodiment the other end of the crossbar 703 is in contact with a ground surface. In another embodiment the crossbar 703 is connected to the at least one crossbar supporting device 702c of the second stake assembly 702, at the opposite end of the crossbar 703 from that which is connected to the first stake assembly 701.
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It shall be understood that the first base 701a has a first side 801 and a second side 802. The first side 801 is the side which the first stake 701b is secured. In one embodiment a semi-rigid pole 805 is removably secured to the second side 802 of the first base 701a. In the shown embodiment the angle 804 between the second side 802 of the first base 701a and the semi-rigid pole 805, in an acute angle, however, other angles may be formed. For purposes of this disclosure the term semi-rigid is used to refer to an item which is able to hold shape and/or direction while still having the ability to flex without breaking. This feature could be akin to, for example, a PVC pipe.
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It shall be understood that the first base 701a has a first side 801 and a second side 802. The first side 801 is the side which the stake 701b is secured. In this embodiment a pair of feet shapes 901 may be secured to the second side 802 of the first base 701a. These shapes 901, for example, my represent a pair of feet of an opposing player. In this embodiment the device will further have at least a partial hockey stick 902 secured to the second side 802 of the first base 701a. The partial hockey stick will include a blade and a part of a stick. These two additions will represent a hockey tripod and be used to help teach various techniques without the need for an actual hockey tripod.
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In one embodiment the crossbar supporting attachment 1000 securely but releasably attaches at least one crossbar to at least one stake in one of multiple positions up or down the stake as desired by the user. Ideally the crossbar attachment means is configured so that if a player hits the crossbar perpendicularly (striking the crossbar's front side or back side), the crossbar will automatically release from the crossbar attachment means so that it will fall. Ideally, the crossbar will fall whether a player hits the crossbar from a front side direction or a back side direction
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The locking device 1101 is used to secure the crossbar to the crossbar supporting device 1000. This will allow the crossbar to be used in order to move an assembled multipurpose athletic training device without disassembly.
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The elbow joint 1402 is located between the first end 1401a and the second end 1401b of the arm 1401. The elbow joint 1402 will allow for the arm 1401 to be bent to a desired angle. In one embodiment the elbow joint 1402 is capable of being locked into place. Further, in one embodiment the elbow joint 1402 is capable of rotating at least one-hundred eighty degrees. The second end 1401b of the arm is connected to a crossbar securement device 1403. In this embodiment the crossbar securement device 1403 is designed such that it will be capable of holding the crossbar 703 in a multitude of different angles and directions without having a corresponding second crossbar securement device.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/065,339 filed on Aug. 13, 2020. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63065339 | Aug 2020 | US |
