Patent Application
20130267384
The present disclosure generally relates to sport training equipment, and, more particularly, to a system for training athletes involved in a variety of sports such as football, basketball, and track and field, and particularly, track events, such as sprints.
Running is an important athletic skill in and of itself, and as part of other sports. Running is an integral part of track and field events. Running is also a vital component of the sports of football and basketball, as athletes participating in such sports run back and forth in the course of play. Running also has collateral benefits to athletes engaged in still other sports that do not involve running during the course of play (such as hockey, for example), as running offers benefits to an athlete's conditioning.
Running events, such as sprints and relay races, are featured competitions in track and field athletics. During such events, an athlete is required to run at a high speed. For example, during a running event, such a sprint event, an athlete is required to cover a substantially short distance in a short time interval. Accordingly, the athlete participating in the sprint event is expected to acquire a high running speed such that he or she will be able to cover the short distance in the small amount of time. In other sports, such as team sports, running speed, quickness, power, and acceleration have benefits in evading opposing players, for example.
Typically, to become able to acquire a high running speed, the athlete may undertake an exercise or training regimen. For example, the athlete may undergo running and/or jogging as part of this regimen. However, such a regimen may not be efficient enough to improve the athlete's running speed quickness, power, or acceleration to a desired level that would enable the athlete to excel, for example, during the running event, such as a sprint.
Currently, various exercising devices are available that may help the athletes to improve their running speed, quickness, power, and acceleration. However, most of the currently available exercising devices do not enable the athletes to perform exercises in a controlled manner. More specifically, the exercising devices are not capable of being set into specific modes that may enable the athletes to perform exercises in the controlled manner.
For example, an athlete may wish to train for an overspeed mode of running for a track and field event, such as a sprint. The term “overspeed” used herein refers to a method of training that permits an athlete to run, with assistance, at a speed that is faster than his or her normal top speed. Traditional examples of generating overspeed are downhill running, running with wind assistance, and towing the athlete. Overspeed training is particularly beneficial for sprint events, as in a sprint event, the athlete is required to run at an accelerated speed in order to excel. However, the currently-available exercise devices lack ability to provide overspeed training in an accurately- and effectively-controlled manner. Moreover, such exercise devices are incapable of providing information, data collection, and graphing, for example, regarding the performance of the athlete using the devices.
Accordingly, there persists a need for training athletes in capabilities required for excelling in running events and field sports that incorporate running. Specifically, there exists a need for a system for training athletes involved in running events, such as sprints, and field events that incorporate running. Also, there is a need for a system for training athletes by applying highly controlled resistance or assistance forces on the athlete. Additionally, there exists a need for a system for training athletes by providing updates, data collection, and graphing of data, on the athletes' performance.
Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to obviate the above and other disadvantages from existing art and to provide a system for training athletes involved in the activity of running or a sport that incorporates running.
It is further an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for training athletes by applying highly controlled resistance or assistance forces on the athlete.
It is further an object of the present disclosure to provide a system for training athletes that may update the athletes as to their performance.
To achieve the above objects, the present disclosure provides a system for training athletes. In an embodiment, the system comprises a drive unit and an output unit operatively coupled to one another (by way of a clutch, for example), and a rope coupled to the output unit, which rope may be attached to an athlete that is training with the system. The drive unit (powered by a motor, for example) and/or output unit are capable of selectively imparting and varying a resistance or assistance on the athlete when the athlete moves away from or toward the drive unit and output unit. The drive unit is capable of unwinding or rewinding the rope to impart a force on the athlete. The output unit may include a brake that may increase the resistance force imparted on the athlete.
In another embodiment, the system comprises a drive unit and a rope coupled thereto, which rope may be attached to an athlete that is training with the system. The drive unit (powered by a motor, for example) is capable of selectively imparting and varying a resistance or assistance on the athlete when the athlete moves away from or toward the drive unit. The drive unit is capable of unwinding or rewinding the rope to impart a force on the athlete. The drive unit preferably further comprises a motor, which motor is capable of supplying a winding and rewinding tension on the rope.
The system for training athletes disclosed herein is capable of providing a resistive force to an athlete for training the athlete in various kinds of modes (such as an overspeed mode of running, or modes such as constant resistance, increasing resistance, decreasing resistance, and varying and constant speed modes.) In an embodiment, the motor of the drive unit may be set to rotate a motor shaft, and, in an embodiment, the clutch may engage to cause the output unit to rotate the spool to rewind the rope, thereby providing a pulling force on the athlete running toward the system. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the resistive force offered by the system to the athlete in accordance with a predetermined range of running speeds of the athlete.
This together with the other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, is pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forms a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
The best mode for carrying out the disclosure is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted in
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
The present disclosure provides a system for training athletes involved in running activities, such as sprints or team field sports, by facilitating an improvement in the athletes' running speed, power, acceleration, and quickness. More specifically, the disclosed system provides a resistance upon an athlete while the athlete is running away from a location and provides assistance (via a pulling force) to an athlete when the athlete is running toward a location. The system may provide resistance in any direction or movement pattern that can be done while running away from a location, such as a pattern around a series of cones or other obstacles, a pattern whereby the athlete performs a pivot or series of pivots, or a pattern that includes a series of “cuts” or changes of direction, thereby enhancing speed management skills of an athlete. The system also allows for either resistance or overspeed training and such training to be conducted at extended distances from the system due to a rope and spool configuration of the system. Further, the system of the present disclosure provides resistance or pulling force to the athlete in a controlled manner, thereby providing safe and controlled training for the athlete. Moreover, the system of the present disclosure offers an option of enables in training the athlete by updating the athlete about his or her performances.
Referring to
The system further comprises an output unit 201, the output unit comprising a rope spool 202 (and rope disposed thereon), a one-way bearing 203, a brake 205, and a second pulley 206, all of which components are disposed on an output shaft 204. The first pulley 106 and second pulley 206 receive a belt or chain thereon, which belt causes the drive unit 101 to be able to cause the output unit 201 and shaft 204 to rotate. The output unit 201 further comprises a brake controller 212, for operating brake 205. In an embodiment, the brake controller 212 comprises a potentiometer that is coupled to the brake and a power supply. The components of the system (other than the rope) may be contained in a cabinet for protection of the components from elements and for protection of a user or athlete from coming in contact with the moving parts of the system.
The drive unit 101 and output unit 201 are disposed in sufficient proximity that the output unit 201 is operatively coupled to the drive unit 101. In an embodiment, such operative coupling is accomplished by way of a belt that joins first pulley 106 to second pulley 206.
The motor 102 may be one of an alternating current (AC) motor and a direct current (DC) motor. In the present embodiment, the motor 102 is an AC motor. The motor 102, and particularly, the motor shaft 104 thereof may rotate upon receiving an electrical signal from the motor controller 110. Due to the rotation of the motor shaft 104, the first pulley 106 may rotate. The rotation of the first pulley 106 facilitates rotation of the output unit 201 by virtue of the belt that couples the first pulley 106 of the drive unit 101 to the second pulley 206 of the output unit 201. The drive unit 101 is capable of causing the motor shaft to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and in a preferred embodiment, the motor shaft will rotate only in a direction whereby the rotation would cause the rope spool 202 of the output unit to rewind rope back onto the spool 202 (i.e., pulling the rope toward the units 101 and 201).
As disclosed herein, the operation of the drive unit 101 is controlled by a unit controller, and, in an embodiment, the operation of the motor 102 is controlled by the motor controller 110. More specifically, parameters input (hereinafter referred to as control parameters) to the drive unit 101 are controlled by the unit controller, and, in an embodiment, the motor 102 are controlled by the motor controller 110. Examples of the control parameters may include, but are not limited to, input voltage, torque, rotational speed of the motor 102, and the like. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor controller 110 may include a variable frequency drive (VFD) for controlling the rotational speed of the motor 102. More specifically, the VFD may control a torque of the motor 102 by controlling frequency of electrical power supplied to the motor 102. The VFD may utilize the method of direct torque control (DTC) for controlling the torque of the motor 102. Further, the motor controller 110 may include a dynamic brake resistor to be used in conjunction with the VFD for providing a braking torque to stop the motor 102. The motor controller 100 may also control engagement of the clutch 107 for translating rotation of the drive unit 101 to the output unit 201.
Other control parameters that may be fed to the system through the unit controller, brake controller, and/or clutch controller include, but are not limited to a change in direction of the drive unit 101, a maintenance of steady tension (within a range of ½ to 1 pound, for example), to avoid the build-up of slack in the rope, a desired pull-in force, a desired pull-in speed, a one-time increase in speed or torque of the drive unit 101 (with a return to a previous speed or torque level thereafter), a reduction or elimination in force, an increase to force over a distance or time interval, whether constant or at sub-intervals or sub-distances, or a decrease to force over a distance or time interval, whether constant or at sub-intervals or sub-distances. Furthermore, the data input unit may further provide the system 100 with parameters based on a total torque calculation, which calculation is reached by adding the starting torque to the increase in torque over a specified distance or time that the athlete is using the system. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one may reduce the total torque by increasing the distance or time in which an athlete is engaged to the system in its operational mode.
The control parameters to be acquired from the motor controller 110 may be fed to the system 100 through the unit controller. The display unit and memory unit enable displaying and storing data related to the operation of the motor 102. The data related to the control parameters may be fed into unit controller for allowing the motor 102 to operate in various modes. Further, the unit controller may facilitate in setting profiles related to the various modes (which modes will be explained in further detail below) for enabling a user to operate the motor 102 according to the various set profiles. For example, the motor 102 may be set to operate in one of the various modes, such as a constant torque mode, a variable torque mode, a maximum speed mode, and a constant speed mode.
The output unit 201 is capable further regulating resistance that can be applied on an athlete using the system. The output unit 201 is capable of rotation in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction, thereby allowing the rope to wind onto or unwind off of the spool 202, for example. In an embodiment, the output unit 201 will rotate in a direction that causes the rope to unwind, which unwinding will occur notwithstanding the fact that the drive unit 101 will be rotating in a winding direction, because the clutch 107 will be disengaged such that the rotational direction of the output unit 201 is thereby not dependent on the rotational direction of the drive unit 101. When the clutch 107 is so disengaged, an athlete may move away from the system, the rope may unwind from the rope spool 202, although the drive unit 101 may still be rotating in a winding direction. In such an embodiment, brake 205 of the output unit 201 may apply resistance on the rope such that the athlete may encounter resistance when he or she moves away from the system (and causes the rope to unwind.) The brake 205 may be engaged by way of a one-way bearing (such as a sprag bearing or clutch) that is operatively coupled to the brake 205 and spool 202. When the brake is engaged, it will apply resistance on the output shaft 204 such that the unwinding of the rope from the spool 202 requires more power by the athlete.
It will be apparent that the motor and clutch may also apply resistance on an athlete when the rope is unwinding from the spool 202 independent of the force or engagement of the brake 205, as when the rope is unwinding from the spool, the clutch 107 will still provide some (albeit minimal) resistance force against the unwinding of the spool 202.
For when the athlete moves toward the system, the brake 205 and one-way bearing may disengage the output shaft 204 to remove resistance upon the output shaft 204. Further, the clutch 107 of the drive unit 101 may engage the drive shaft 104, causing the pulley 106 of the drive unit 101 to translate motion to the pulley 206 of the output unit 201. With the brake 205 disengaged from the output shaft 204 and the second pulley 206 operatively coupled to the first pulley 106, rotational motion of the first pulley 106 is translated to the second pulley 206 via the belt that connects the pulleys such that the output shaft 204 rotates in the same (winding) direction as the drive shaft 104, and the rope winds back onto the spool 202. With the rope winding onto the spool, a pulling (i.e., an assistance) force may be exerted on an athlete, even when the athlete is moving toward the system, which force provides overspeed training capability. The force can be adjusted by way of the unit control or motor control, for example. In a preferred embodiment, on rewind the pull-in force on the rope may be primarily dependent on the clutch 107. In this embodiment, the force may be set at a low level such that the rope does not generate slack as the athlete moves back toward the system 100, and further, to provide a firm and constant assistance force for overspeed training.
The system may vary the resistance force applied on the athlete when the rope is unwinding from the spool, by adjusting at least the pressure of the brake 205 on the output shaft 204. The system may vary the resistance force applied on the athlete when the rope is winding direction by changing the motor speed, by changing the pressure of the clutch 107, or by a combination thereof.
In another embodiment, the system for training athletes comprises drive unit, which drive unit is capable of imparting resistance and assistance on an athlete. In such an embodiment, the system further comprises a rope spool (and rope disposed thereon), which rope spool is operatively coupled to the drive unit. In such an embodiment, the drive unit of the system comprises a motor that is capable of causing the drive unit to rotate in at least one direction, and preferably, in directions that cause the rope to wind onto and unwind from the rope spool. In this embodiment, the system further comprises a motor control mechanism (such as a programmable logic controller), which control mechanism allows a user to selectively adjust the force level imparted by the drive unit on the rope and/or the direction in which the motor causes the rope spool to rotate.
The disclosed system 100 is capable of providing a resistive force to an athlete for training the athlete in various kinds of modes such as an overspeed mode of running, or modes such as constant resistance, increasing resistance, decreasing resistance, and varying and constant speed modes. In use, the rope may be fastened to a body portion, such as a back or a torso of the athlete, and thereafter the athlete may be allowed to run in a direction away from the motor 102. Further, the motor 102 may be set to rotate the motor shaft 104, and the clutch may engage to cause the output unit to rotate the spool 202 to rewind the rope, thereby providing a pulling force on the athlete running toward the system 100. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the resistive force offered by the system 100 to the athlete in accordance with a predetermined range of running speeds of the athlete.
The system 100 may be operated in at least one mode of the various modes from a distance by means of a remote control 114. Specifically, the drive unit 101 or output unit 201 of the system 100 may be operated in the various modes by using the remote control 114, and the remote control may selectively operate the motor, brake, and/or clutch. Moreover, the remote control 114 facilitates in training the athlete in a controlled manner. For example, while training the athlete in a maximum torque mode, the athlete may experience a large amount of resistive force from the brake when he or she is moving away from the system, and a assistive force from the clutch and motor when he or she is moving toward the system. In the event that the athlete is not able to balance or accommodate the resistive force from the brake, a coach or trainer of the athlete may decrease or cease the resistive force offered by the brake by means of the remote control 114, thereby avoiding any chance of injury to the athlete. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the system 100 may include a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the rotation of the pulley 106 in a manner such that the sensor facilitates in turning OFF the motor 102 upon detecting that the pulley 106 has stopped rotating.
The memory unit of the system 100 may store and be set in at least one of the various profiles for enabling the athlete to be trained in one of the various modes. For example, the brake may be set into a constant torque mode, in which the brake 205 provides a constant resistive force to the athlete running away from the system 100. Alternatively, the brake 205 may be set into a maximum speed mode such that the brake 205 may provide a highest resistive force to the athlete running away from the system by constantly adjusting the resistive force to prevent an athlete from running above a predetermined speed. In this mode, as the athlete reaches a set speed the resistive force will increase to continue to act as a braking force so the athlete can not run above the set speed. Upon removal of the resistive force offered by the system 100 to the athlete, the athlete may run faster, thereby improving his or her running speed.
While operating the motor 102 in a constant speed and constant torque mode, the memory unit may set the brake 205 to provide a constant torque such that the athlete may experience a constant resistive force. Specifically, when the athlete moves away from the system, the rope may apply a resistance force on the athlete, thereby experiencing the constant resistive force from the brake. Alternatively, when the athlete moves toward the machine, the speed and the torque (or a combination of the motor and clutch) may be set at a constant value such that the rope 108 may rewind on the pulley 106 at the set speed and torque. Accordingly, the athlete may be pulled by the rope 108 and may thereby experience a constant pulling force from the motor/clutch combination to undergo overspeed training. Similarly, upon removal of the pulling force offered by the system 100 to the athlete, the athlete may run faster, thereby improving the running speed thereof.
Where the system 100 is in a mode where the output unit 201 is rewinding the rope, the remote control 114 may further transmit to the system 100 commands such as selecting or adjusting the tension exerted of the rope 108, and selecting and adjusting the speed of the motor.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display unit may show data that has been collected by the memory unit or data input unit relating to a performance of the athlete. Specifically, the display unit enables in updating the athlete about his or her performance on using the system 100 during training. For example, the memory unit and/or data input unit may collect data associated with a force and a speed of each pull-out throughout an entire length of the rope 108 pull-out by the athlete. The processor may facilitate an evaluation of a force applied by the athlete to overcome the resistive force offered by the system 100, and a speed with which the athlete runs while overcoming the resistive force offered by the system 100.
In an embodiment, the data collected by the memory unit may include a velocity in feet per seconds, a distance in feet, a time (in seconds, for example), tension on the rope for at least one stride (striking of a foot on a surface), time of a foot's contact with a surface, work (in watts), reaction time, stride frequency, stride length, number of strides for each pull-out or run-in, or an angle or angles of the rope that occur when the athlete moves laterally with respect to the center of the cabinet (described further below) of the system.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor of the memory unit is capable of evaluating a reaction time associated with a starting motion of the athlete. More specifically, the system 100 may include an option of cueing the athlete with either a light system or an audible system for initiating the starting motion. For example, the system 100 may include sensors (not shown) to record the reaction time from the cue until the athlete actually starts running. Accordingly, the display unit of the system may display such data that is recorded by the sensors to update the athlete about his or her performance.
In another embodiment, the processor may process data collected from an athlete, and may produce output in the form of graphs, tables, histograms, and the like. Output produced by the processor may include acceleration of an athlete (the change in velocity with respect to a time interval), power (the multiple of force and distance over a time interval) of an athlete, and the like. The output may further be in the form of a single graph that includes processed data from a plurality of athletes or a plurality of runs conducted by a single athlete (under varying conditions), to enable the user to compare a plurality of athletes' performance against one another, or to compare a single athlete's performance under different conditions, for example.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the system 100 may further include a cabinet capable of enclosing elements of the system 100. More specifically, the cabinet 116 is capable of enclosing the drive unit and output unit (and their constituent components). As explained herein, the rope 108 is adapted to be rolled on the spool 202. Accordingly, an end portion of the rope 108 may be disposed outside of the cabinet. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the rope 108 may include a fastener (not shown) coupled to the end portion of the rope 108. The fastener may enable in coupling the rope 108 to the body portion of the athlete, while training the athlete with the help of the system 100.
Whether the system is contained within a cabinet, it will be apparent that the rope may be of any length so long as said length can be contained on the spool when the rope is wound onto the spool. In an embodiment, the rope may be 200 feet in length. In that the length of rope utilized in the system is not limited to a particular maximum length, the system 100 allows an athlete to use the system in a vicinity that is larger than other training devices known in the art.
The above-described embodiment can be modified into many alternative preferred embodiments. For instance, the memory unit, processor, data input unit, and display unit may be a computer capable of displaying and storing data related to the operation of the motor 102 of the system 100. More specifically, the computer may enable in setting the motor 102 in various profiles based on the control parameters, such as the speed and the torque, to be provided by the motor controller 110. The computer may set profiles for the operation of the motor 102, thereby operating the motor 102 in the controlled manner. Further, the computer may enable in updating the athlete about his or her performance by displaying data, such as a force, a speed, and a reaction time, of the athlete.
The system 100 of the present disclosure may include a computer interface that is compatible via Ethernet/Internet Protocol (IP) networking for allowing the system 100 to select torque and speed profiles for controlling speed and torque of the motor 102. Further, the system 100 may provide capability to monitor both speed and torque via a computer network connection for purposes of observing and analyzing performance data in real time and for purposes of data collection. Moreover, as mentioned above the motor 102 may be turned ON and OFF with the help of the remote control 114.
The system 100 of the present disclosure may be utilized for training a plurality of athletes simultaneously. More specifically, a plurality of systems, such as the system 100, may be communicably coupled to a server (not shown) for operating the plurality of systems for training the plurality of athletes simultaneously. In such an instance, each system of the plurality of systems may include a drive system operatively coupled to a pulley such that each system may be utilized for an individual athlete. Accordingly, the server may enable in setting profiles for the each system of the plurality of systems, thereby operating the plurality of systems in various modes. Further, the server may enable in updating the plurality of athletes about their performances by displaying data, such as a force, a speed, and a reaction time thereof.
Preferably, all the elements, such as the elements of the drive unit 101 and output unit 201, utilized in the system 100 may conform to standards as per National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). More specifically, most of the elements may conform to NEMA 12 standard. The NEMA 12 type enclosures are intended for use indoors to protect the enclosed equipment against designated environmental conditions, such as fibers, flying, lint, dust and dirt, and light splashing, seepage, dripping and external condensation of noncorrosive liquids. Further, the enclosures may have no holes, conduit knockouts, conduit openings, except that oil tight or dust tight mechanisms may be mounted through holes in the enclosure when provided with oil-resistant gaskets. Furthermore, doors of the enclosures may be provided with oil-resistant gaskets. In addition, enclosures for controllers may have hinged doors capable of swinging horizontally and may require a tool to open. When intended for wall mounting, NEMA 12 type enclosures may include mounting means external to the equipment cavity, captive closing hardware, and provisions for locking.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
The present disclosure claims priority under 35 U.S. Code, Section 119 on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application numbered 61/540,642, filed on Sep. 29, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61540642 | Sep 2011 | US |
