The present disclosure is directed to athletic equipment and, more particularly, to trainers used to improve an athletic swing.
Athletes at all skill levels train formally and informally to improve their endurance and abilities. This training can range from hiring a coach or personal trainer to performing certain exercises in their residence. Many athletes prefer the latter because it is less expensive and easier to train at their residence, and athletes that hire personal trainers also train on their own from time to time to supplement the coached training. Some exercises can be performed in one's residence without equipment, but specialized equipment may be necessary for certain training exercises. Some sports require swinging of an object (e.g., a tennis racket, a golf club, etc.). As with other sports, athletes may train sport-specific motions (e.g., swinging an object) in order to increase strength and speed of that sport-specific motion. Presently, no equipment for practicing a swinging motion exists in the market.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a sport swing trainer.
Described herein is a trainer for improving an athletic swing. The trainer includes an elastic band having an anchor end and a handle end, and configured to expand and contract. The trainer further includes a handle coupled to the handle end of the elastic band and configured to be gripped by a user. The trainer further includes a strap coupled to the anchor end of the elastic band and configured to be sandwiched between two objects to anchor the anchor end of the elastic band to at least one of the two objects.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the handle has 8 sides and resembles a tennis racket handle.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a strap stopper configured to be located within the elastic band towards the anchor end, wherein the strap is coupled to the elastic band by coupling a first end of the strap to another portion of the strap with the strap stopper and a portion of the elastic band enclosed within the strap to resist separation of the strap from the anchor end of the elastic band.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a clip coupled to the strap and configured to clip to an anchor point to removably couple the anchor end to the anchor point.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the clip includes a slot configured to receive the strap such that the strap is coupled to the clip by extending a second end of the strap through the slot and coupling the second end of the strap to another location on the strap.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a handle stopper configured to be located within the elastic band towards the handle end, wherein: the handle includes a first portion and a second portion configured to be coupled to the first portion; the first portion and the second portion each define an internal wall extending towards a center of the handle; and the handle is coupled to the elastic band by placing the handle stopper and the handle end of the elastic band between the internal wall of the first portion and the second portion and coupling the first portion to the second portion.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a first weight, wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion includes internal bridges such that the first weight is enclosed within the handle and retained in place relative to the handle by at least two of the internal bridges when the first portion is coupled to the second portion.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, a total weight of the handle can be adjusted by replacing the first weight with a second weight having a different mass than the first weight.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include: a sensor located in the handle and configured to detect data corresponding to use of the trainer; an output device located in or on the handle and configured to output data; and a controller coupled to the sensor, located in the handle, and configured to determine information corresponding to the use of the trainer based on the data detected by the sensor and to control the output device to output the information.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the information determined by the controller includes at least one of: a duration of use of the trainer; a speed of a swing of the handle by the user; a type of swing of the handle by the user; an angle of contact between an imaginary head coupled to the handle and an imaginary ball; an amount of calories burned during a training session with the trainer; or a remaining life of the elastic band.
Also disclosed is a trainer for improving an athletic swing. The trainer includes an elastic band having an anchor end and a handle end, and configured to expand and contract. The trainer further includes a handle coupled to the handle end of the elastic band and configured to be gripped by a user, the handle having 8 sides and resembling a tennis racket handle. The trainer further includes a strap coupled to the anchor end of the elastic band and configured to be sandwiched between two objects to anchor the anchor end of the elastic band to at least one of the two objects. The trainer further includes a strap stopper configured to be located within the elastic band towards the anchor end, wherein the strap is coupled to the elastic band by coupling a first end of the strap to another portion of the strap with the strap stopper and a portion of the elastic band enclosed within the strap to resist separation of the strap from the anchor end of the elastic band.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a clip coupled to the strap and configured to clip to an anchor point to removably couple the anchor end to the anchor point.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the clip includes a slot configured to receive the strap such that the strap is coupled to the clip by extending a second end of the strap through the slot and coupling the second end of the strap to another location on the strap.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a handle stopper configured to be located within the elastic band towards the handle end, wherein: the handle includes a first portion and a second portion configured to be coupled to the first portion; the first portion and the second portion each define an internal wall extending towards a center of the handle; and the handle is coupled to the elastic band by placing the handle stopper and the handle end of the elastic band between the internal wall of the first portion and the second portion and coupling the first portion to the second portion.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a first weight, wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion includes internal bridges such that the first weight is enclosed within the handle and retained in place relative to the handle by at least two of the internal bridges when the first portion is coupled to the second portion.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, a total weight of the handle can be adjusted by replacing the first weight with a second weight having a different mass than the first weight.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include: a sensor located in the handle and configured to detect data corresponding to use of the trainer; an output device located in or on the handle and configured to output data; and a controller coupled to the sensor, located in the handle, and configured to determine information corresponding to the use of the trainer based on the data detected by the sensor and to control the output device to output the information.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the information determined by the controller includes at least one of: a duration of use of the trainer; a speed of a swing of the handle by the user; a type of swing of the handle by the user; an angle of contact between an imaginary head coupled to the handle and an imaginary ball; an amount of calories burned during a training session with the trainer; or a remaining life of the elastic band.
Also disclosed is a trainer for improving an athletic swing. The trainer includes an elastic band having an anchor end and a handle end, and configured to expand and contract; a handle coupled to the handle end of the elastic band and configured to be gripped by a user; a strap coupled to the anchor end of the elastic band and configured to be sandwiched between two objects to anchor the anchor end of the elastic band to at least one of the two objects; and a clip coupled to the strap and configured to clip to an anchor point to removably couple the anchor end to the anchor point.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the handle has 8 sides and resembles a tennis racket handle.
The present disclosure describes a sport swing trainer. The trainer is used as a training tool for strengthening muscles and endurance and improving speed and muscle memory related to a sport-related swing (e.g., a tennis swing, a golf swing, or the like) and improving the quality of the swing. The trainer provides benefits and advantages such as including a handle that is designed to replicate a handle of sporting goods (e.g., it may have 8 sides and be sized to replicate a handle of a tennis racket). The trainer is designed for use anywhere with an anchor point or a door, which advantageously allows users to train and improve their swing from any location, even while traveling.
The trainer includes both a clip (e.g., a carabiner) usable to anchor the trainer to an anchor point as well as a strap that can be sandwiched between a door and a door jamb to anchor the trainer to the door/door jamb. The handle of the trainer may include two portions that are removably coupled together, and the trainer may come with multiple weights that can each be coupled or installed inside of the handle to adjust a total weight of the handle. The trainer includes an elastic band that extends from the handle to the clip/strap and is removably coupled to the handle and the clip/strap to facilitate replacement of the elastic band when it becomes worn out.
Referring generally to
The strap 104 may be formed from a fabric material such as a nylon webbing. In some embodiments, the strap 104 may include any other fabric or material (e.g., polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)), however, it is desirable for the strap 104 to be formed from a relatively strong material to increase durability of the trainer 100 as pressure will be applied to the strap 104 during use. The strap 104 may be designed to be placed between a door and a door jamb to anchor the trainer 100 to the door/door jamb.
The elastic band 106 may be formed from any elastic material (e.g., any elastomer such as natural rubber, styrene-butadiene block copolymers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, silicone elastomers, fluoroelastomers, polyurethane elastomers, nitrile rubbers, or the like) and may have a handle end coupled to the handle 102 and an anchor end coupled to the strap 104. In some embodiments, the elastic band 106 may have a tubular shape which, as discussed below, facilitates coupling of the elastic band 106 to the handle 102 and the strap 104. However, the elastic band may have any shape or cross section without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
The clip 108 may be coupled to the strap 104 and may include any clip usable to anchor the clip 108 to an object. In that regard, the trainer 100 may be anchored in place either via the clip 108 or via the strap 104. In some embodiments, the clip 108 may include a carabiner or a carabiner-like clip. In some embodiments, the clip 108 may include any other type of clip. In some embodiments, the clip 108 may include a locking mechanism to lock the clip 108 to whatever anchor point it is coupled to in order to reduce the likelihood of the clip 108 becoming uncoupled from the anchor point. The clip 108 may be formed from a relatively hard material or relatively high-strength material (e.g., relatively high compressive strength or relatively high yield strength) such as anodized steel, carbon steel, or any metal or metal alloys.
The handle 102 may be formed from any material, and may be designed to resemble a handle of sporting equipment (e.g., a handle of a tennis racket or golf club). For example, the handle 102 may be formed from a plastic or other polymer, a metal, or the like. As described below, the handle 102 may include an overmolding to provide a better grip.
In use, the trainer 100 may be anchored in place by either the clip 108 or the strap 104. For example, the clip 108 may be attached to an object (such as a weighted bench, an anchor installed on a floor or wall of a building, or the like. As another example, the strap 104 may be positioned between a door and a door jamb, and the door may be closed such that the strap 104 is anchored between the door and the door jamb. A user may then grip the handle 102 and practice a sport swing (e.g., a swing of a tennis racket). The elastic band 106 may expand as the user moves through the swinging motion, providing resistance against the swing. This resistance applied by the elastic band 106 helps strengthen muscles associated with the swing and improves endurance of the user. After the user has completed the swing, the elastic band 106 contracts to its original shape so the user can continue to practice the swing while strengthening her muscles and building her endurance.
As discussed above, the elastic band 106 may include a tube shape to facilitate coupling the elastic band 106 to the handle 102 and the strap 104. In particular and referring to
In order to couple the elastic band 106 to the handle 102, the handle stopper 114 may be positioned within the tube of the elastic band 106. Referring to
As suggested above, the first portion 200 of the handle 102 is designed to be coupled to the second portion 202 of the handle 102. For example, the first portion 200 may include male connectors 214 and the second portion 202 may include female connectors 212 designed to receive the male connectors 214. The interface between the male connectors 214 and the female connectors 212 resists separation of the first portion 200 from the second portion 202. This connection between the first portion 200 and the second portion 202 may be removable such that the first portion 200 may be disconnected from, and then reconnected to, the second portion 202. In this way, the elastic band 106 may be replaced by disconnecting it from the handle 102 and the strap 104. In some embodiments, the first portion 200 may be coupled to the second portion 202 in any known manner such as snap fit connectors, fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, or the like), use of adhesive, or any other known manner.
Returning reference to
Referring to
As mentioned above, the handle 102 may include an overmolding. In that regard and referring to
Referring to
The trainer 100 may further include a controller or processor 352. The controller or processor 352 may include any logic device such as a microprocessor, a set of discrete logic gates, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific processor (ASIC), or the like. In some embodiments, the controller or processor 352 may also include a non-transitory memory that stores instructions usable by the controller or processor 352 to perform functions. In some embodiments, the non-transitory memory may further store data as requested by the processor for later use. The controller or processor 352 may be coupled to the sensor 350 and may determine information corresponding to use of the trainer 100 based on the data detected by the sensor. For example, the controller or processor 352 may determine any one or more of a speed of a swing, a quantity of swings, a duration of use of the trainer 100, a type of swing, a direction of swing, an amount of power behind a swing, an angle of contact between an imaginary head coupled to the handle 102 and an imaginary ball, energy spent swinging the handle 102, information corresponding to a remaining life of the elastic band or other components, or any other information that may be useful for a user of the trainer 100.
The trainer 100 may further include an output device 354 such as a display, a touchscreen, a speaker, or the like. The output device may output information as directed by the controller or processor. For example, the controller or processor may control the output device to output any of the information corresponding to the use of the trainer 100.
The trainer 100 may also include an input device 356 such as a button, a switch, a microphone, a touchscreen, or the like. The input device may receive any user input such as a request to turn on the trainer 100, a request for the trainer 100 to output information, a request for certain types of information to be determined (e.g., a quantity of swings or a speed of swings) or the like.
In some embodiments, the trainer 100 may include a battery or other power source 358 (e.g., a plug to receive a power cable). The electronic components (e.g., sensor 350, controller or processor 352, output device 354, and input device 356) may be electrically coupled to the battery or other power source 358 such that the battery or other power source 358 provides electrical power to the electronic components.
In some embodiments and referring specifically to
Where used throughout the specification and the claims, “at least one of A or B” includes “A” only, “B” only, or “A and B.” Exemplary embodiments of the methods/systems have been disclosed in an illustrative style. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughout should be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications to the teachings herein will occur to those well versed in the art, it shall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within the scope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments that reasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art hereby contributed, and that that scope shall not be restricted, except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.
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