1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of sports equipment and training systems, and specifically in one exemplary aspect to a resistance training apparatus employing coiled resistance for athletic training involving a coach and a player or athlete.
2. Description of Related Technology
Athletic training processes, both apparatuses and methodologies, are well known in the art. Athletic training processes, such as related to resistance training provide a method for improving athletic ability during a simulated exercise routine. For instance,
However, there are still needed an improved resistance system and apparatus that permits easy initial configuring and reconfiguring, i.e., multiple adaptive learning, muscle isolation training, strength training, speed training, and agility, to improve athletic agility and quickness, which minimizes required labor and/or time from initial athletic screening by a coach. Such improved apparatus and methods would ideally minimize labor-intensive tasks of adjustment and/or installation of apparatuses and structures. Furthermore, it would be advantageous for an improved process or system to provide multiple configurations, and thus permit the creation of customized training configurations and minimally evasive processes using one or more structures or components. In addition, the improved process or system would assist in directed and real-time training of players and athletes alike by one or more coaches and thereby potentially increase strength and endurance of a player in a non-invasive, non-injury manner.
In one aspect of the present invention, a sports resistance coach assisted training apparatus is disclosed. More specifically, the disclosed resistance trainer provides a system for athletes to increase their speed, agility, and power. In one embodiment, an athletic training apparatus is disclosed to assist a coach training muscle coordination of a player during an exercise routine. In operation, a burst release, multi-resistance cable (e.g., adjustable, delayed resistance, burst release, extension coil) operatively couples on a first end to a first end of a first cable harness and on a second end to a first end of a second cable harness. A second end of the first cable harness detachably couples to a coach and feedbacks and feeds-forward real-time physical movements of the coach to the player. A second end of the second cable harness detachably couples to a training muscle group of the player. During an exercise routine, the training muscle group receives feedback from the real-time physical movements of the coach comprising an initial resistance level during one portion of the exercise routine and an altered resistance level during a second portion of the exercise routine. During an exercise routine, movements of the player are substantially independent during duration of the exercise routine.
Advantageously, the system of the present invention trains an athlete with resistance and with minimal impedance to actual mechanics of muscle movement. In one variant, the system provides a tailored transition resistance to athletes. In one example, the tailored transition resistance promotes recruitment of explosive muscle fibers. Upon removal of resistance from a particular movement of an athlete, muscle fibers explode to overcome the phantom resistance applied by the system.
Furthermore, repetitive training with the system will result in improved first-step explosion, and balance, as well as develop the athletes overall playing speed, including acceleration, deceleration, change of direction and sprinting.
Thus, the system of the present invention promotes training of resistive speed controlled by player's or athlete's brain and nervous system. As such, the brain and nervous system are conditioned to handle quicker movements with added resistance. As such, system may be used for linear, lateral, diagonal, and vertical training, with minimal risk of injury to a player or athlete.
These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description of the invention and referenced drawings or by practice of the invention. The aspects, advantages, and features of the invention are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
In one salient aspect, the present invention discloses apparatuses and methods for improving strength and endurance related to, inter alia, athletics including professional sports players. In particular, the present invention discloses an apparatus and method configurable to assist a coach in evaluating and improving strength and muscle coordination of a player for initiating and providing positive reinforcement of one or more muscle coordination or training exercises. Furthermore, the present invention further discloses a technique for smoothly improving athletic ability in real-time, with minimal opportunity for injury to player. In addition, the apparatus allows a more intuitive method to synchronize explosive muscle power release and brain and eye coordination while performing an exercise routine.
For instance, the apparatus provides increased player and coach body communication and synchronized motion during player motions including: fielding an in-field baseball, sprinting during football practice, hand and eye coordination during a boxing training session, stoke used during a golf practice, abdominal, waist, back and Pec development necessary for deep-sea scuba diving or underwater swimming, and the like. As such, the apparatus thereby allows a player's brain to more intuitively distinguish signals of athletic motion or exercise directly, to improve a player's physical motion characteristics.
In addition, the apparatus advantageously provides the ability to taper a level of resistance to a particular player, synchronize, and absorb shock on a player during an exercise routine for one or more muscle groups and muscle fibers thereof while minimally affecting or influencing a player's movements during the exercise routine.
Advantageously, in one embodiment, an adjustable resistance coil has an inner coil (e.g., a chosen level resistance bungee cord) that improves absorption of shock and pull on a training muscle group of a player while a player is running during an exercise routine (resistance training posing). In one variant, an adjustable resistance coil has an outer polyurethane or rubber/plastic tubing adjusted with different size inner and outer diameter to adjust for level of resistance training and/or weight of a player and maintain, for instance, an inner bungee cord and/or outer bungee cord in sync with each other and the outer tubing. Advantageously, in one embodiment, the system improves a coach's ability to manage and direct a player's movements to improve muscular coordination (e.g., improve in-fielding or sprinting capability of a player under “load conditions” (e.g., resistance conditions)) while having one or more adjustable, recoil resistance level(s) applied to a player during an exercise routine that could not otherwise be seen using many conventional resistance training apparatuses. Furthermore, a coach may unobtrusively view one or more exercise routines of one embodiment and a player's movements during an exercise routine are minimally affected.
Referring to
For example, it will be recognized that the present invention may used to rehabilitate injured persons for instance recovering from a car accident, recent surgery patients including knee, leg, ankle, arm, hand, and in general weak or frail muscled individuals desiring to improve their strength and endurance level in one or more muscle groups. Other functionality or applications of the present invention may include assistance in aging and handicapped individuals that desire to improve their quality of life and generally degree of freedom of movement, agility and the like. As such, a myriad other functions will be recognized by those of ordinary skill given the present disclosure.
Referring to
In one embodiment, system 200 includes an inner diameter cable 228 that includes a coiled steel or metal cable that measures, for instance, in a range of ¼ to ¾ of an inch in diameter, with cable stops 233, 234, e.g., nylon ball stops, at each end thereof. In one embodiment, outer diameter tube 230 includes hollow plastic tube, for instance, with an inner diameter that approximately mates with outer surface of inner diameter cable 228. In one variant, outer diameter tube 230 has a wall thickness in a range of ⅛ to ½ of an inch that couples and encloses inner diameter cable 228. In yet another variant, inner diameter cable 228 includes a bungee cord enclosed by a plastic covering, e.g., polyurethane coiled tube. In one embodiment, outer diameter tube 230 includes an outer plastic covering coiled tube. In one example, inner diameter cable 228 includes a 7 inch×19 inch stainless steel cable, type 304, having a diameter of 5/32 inch with an approximate breaking strength of 2,400 lbs.
In one variant of the above embodiment, each end is equipped with nylon ball stops 233, 234 (e.g., range of ⅛ to ½″ diameter with a preferred embodiment having a ¼″ diameter) having a breaking strength, for instance, approximately in the 1,000 to 2,400 lbs range. In another variant, the inner diameter cable 228 includes between 3 to 5 coil wraps with two tail and/or lead ends and outer diameter tube includes a polyurethane coiled tube. In yet another variant, inner diameter cable 228 stretches from a static position (no load or resistance condition) within a range of 6 to 20 inches to an elongated range (high load resistance of 100 lbs) between length of 3 foot to 9 foot. As such, inner and outer diameter cables 228, 230 combined to provide a smooth resistance from static (zero) to high resistance (e.g., 100 lbs) with minimal coach (e.g., trainer) movement (in one embodiment) and small fractional coach (e.g., trainer) movement (in another embodiment) relative to an amount of applied resistance to player.
Advantageous, as compared to conventional strapped athletic training equipment, the present invention provides coiled, delayed resistance training so that a smoother transition in a change in resistance level, e.g., reducing or eliminating a jerk or strain, between one resistance level and another resistance level. In one variant, first resistance level, e.g., illustrated in
Advantageously, when training, player (e.g., athlete 204, 205) to increase speed, agility, and power, system 200 trains a player with resistance but minimally impedes actual mechanics of player's muscle movements. Furthermore, as compared to many conventional resistance systems, system 200 provides a tailored transition resistance to players and athletes by having adjustable coil 206 (e.g., multi-level, tension cable) and adjustable cable harnesses 212, 218 (each having tension resistance adjustable cabling tailored to desired tension, flexibility, twisting, explosive release properties, and the like). For instance, tailored transition resistance promotes recruitment of explosive muscle fiber growth and development that are part of training muscle group 222. Upon removal of a level of resistance from a particular movement of an athlete, muscle fibers explode overcoming the phantom resistance (resistance level) applied by system 200. Advantageously, repetitive training with system 200 results in improved first-step explosion, and balance, as well as develop a player's (e.g., athletes) overall playing speed, including acceleration, deceleration, change of direction and sprinting.
As illustrated in
As best illustrated in
Advantageously, as compared to many conventional athletic systems having only two levels of resistance (minimal, maximum), system 200 provides for a multi-level resistance transfer (e.g., coil 206 unravels or uncoils to achieve smooth, resistance changes; tension cables 213, 215, 227, 229 unravel, rotates, and twist) between coach's movements or directionality and those of player. Thus, real-time movements (muscle directionality) by coach (e.g., coach 202, 211) transfers directly to player (e.g., player 204, 206) with minimal step in applied force or resistance. Thus, system 200 provides and creates a no jerk, buffered delta resistance change on training muscle group 222 as player (e.g., player 204, 205) changes directions, orientations, positioning, or stature to train sub-muscle groups as well as overall training muscle group 222.
For instance, sub-muscle groups may include lower abdomen, upper abdomen, Pecs, lateral muscles, thighs that may be part of training muscle group 222. As such, system 200 promotes development of resistive speed (e.g., explosive, directional muscle group movements) controlled by a player's (e.g., athletes) brain and nervous system. System 200 conditions both brain and nervous system of player (e.g., player 204, 205) to handle quicker movements with added resistance. As such, system 200 provides player (e.g., player 204, 205) and coach (e.g., coach 202, 211) an ultimate tool that assists player to become an athlete, improve athletic ability, or achieve fitness personal goals.
Consequently, system 200 provides training muscle group 222 with minimal stress, strain, or injury during an exercise routine as compared to conventional two resistance level trainers that create a jerk condition when player reaches a maximum resistance level. Furthermore, system 200 provides advantages over other conventional trainers having one fixed resistance level attached to one or more muscle groups (dumbbells, free weights, angle weights, arm weights, and the like) which may initially stain muscles when a player moves from a starting position, ready exercise, or actual participation in an exercise routine.
As best illustrated in
In another embodiment, second end 243 of second cable harness 218 (e.g., second tethering) includes a wishbone shape harness 220 that attaches and conformal fits, e.g., wraps around, waist or lower abdomen region of player (e.g., player 204, 205). Using harness 220, player (e.g., player 204, 205) receives real-time resistance train strength and endurance when performing multiple changes in direction of motion. In one variant, second end 243 of second cable harness 218 replaces wishbone shaped harness 220 with chest and waist harness 249, 251 (see
In another variant, stretch, tubular, nylon or polypropylene webbing 239 (e.g., two “2” inch diameter tubular webbing) encloses inner and outer tension cables 227, 229 to provide for stretching and expanding of second cable harness 218. In one example, nylon webbing 239 may be chosen from a range of approximately 1″ to 3″ diameter that provides break strength approximately 5,600 lbs. In one variant, nylon webbing 239 is sewn together using polyester thread, e.g., stitches 238, 237, 244, include 138 ultra poly 16 oz. thread and encased fabric selected from a range of ¼ to ⅜″ of an inch. In one variant of the present example, nylon webbing 239 has pull rating strength from zero (non-elongated) to approximately 40 lbs (elongated). In one variant, nylon webbing 239 has pull range from approximately 24″ to 48″. In another variant, stretch, crunch nylon webbing 239 stretches from seven “7” foot in compacted position to eighteen “18” foot when fully expanded.
In another embodiment, adjustable, delayed resistance, burst release coil 206 comprises an adjustable tension cable enclosed by plastic coiled tube to absorb shock while player (e.g., player 204, 205) performs first portion or second portion of an exercise routine. In yet another variant, first and the second cable harnesses 212, 218 include each two bungee cords (213, 215, 227, 229) of varying, recoil tension coefficients coiled or crimped together and housed in a retractable nylon sleeve (e.g., nylon webbing 239).
Advantageously, system 200 may be used to training one or more muscle groups to improve linear, lateral, diagonal, and vertical training, without the risk of injury to player (e.g., athlete). In one embodiment, system has a resistance capacity of 2,400 lbs and its 20% safe working load is 480 lbs. As such, system 200 provides a safe training system to improve an athlete's speed, agility and power. Accordingly, system 200 permits both flexion and extension of one or more muscle groups and muscle fibers (e.g., sub-muscle groups) without causing direct impact upon engagement and/or disengagement of player (e.g., athlete) or coach (e.g., trainer) during an exercise routine. Thus, system 200 provides a smooth increase of resistance, which develops player (e.g., athlete) balance, game speed, quickness and power (e.g., promotes development of quick twitch muscle fiber(s) and muscle memory) for a wide variety of sports, e.g., baseball, basketball, boxing, football, and the like.) for all age groups (e.g., children, youths, young adults, adults, semi-professional and professional sports players (e.g., NFL) and the like).
Referring to
While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out as novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that those skilled in the art may make various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated without departing from the invention. The foregoing description includes a best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. This description is in no way meant to be limiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the general principles of the invention.
This non-provisional US utility patent application incorporates by reference in its entirety and claims priority to filed US provisional patent application entitled “Mule Coil (UPROZtm)” filed on Aug. 19, 2009, with Application No. 61/274,558.