Patent Application
20210339070
The present invention relates generally to weight sleds used for physical fitness exercises and muscle building activities. More specifically, the present invention includes a flexible weight sled having means for attaching one or more weights thereto, along with a strap having a pair of handles attached for pulling the sled.
Weight sleds have been used as workout tools for many years by weightlifters, bodybuilders, sports athletes and the like. Typically, a sled includes a rigid frame that is used to carry and support one or more weights, and a upper body pulling strap or harness that is used to tow the sled along the ground behind a user. Some weight sleds are designed to be pushed, while others are designed to be pulled, and some may be used both ways.
The following documents show examples of weight sleds that have been developed over the years for these purposes, and each of the documents cited below are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties:
A muscle training system comprises sled arranged to receive weights, weights, and a means of attachment of the sled to a user, such as backpack harness. The sled may comprise a pair of runners mounted on a base, a mesh for containing components held in the base and a foldable ballast eight pole for fixing the weights in use. The system may compromise walking poles to aid the user pulling the sled. The amount of weight placed on the sled may be varied to provide different levels of resistance. The base may further compromise slots to accept resistance straps to enable to sled to be pulled or for exercise to be carried out when the user is stood on the sled, such as beaming. A door stopper or chair wedge may also be provided for attaching resistance straps. The apparatus may be used to recreate Nordic walking.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,727,089 Athletic Training Sled Apparatus
A weight sled apparatus useful for strength training and simulating the resistance of an opponent during a blocking event has a tubular construction forming a U-shaped member having a pair of parallel legs which serve as runners. A weight bearing member affixed to and extending between the pair of runners allows mounting of removable mount weights on a horn projecting therefrom. A crossbar extending between the runner ends presents a rearward facing surface at least 8 inches above the plane of the runners against which force may applied. An optional handlebar attachment presents a rearward facing surface against which force may applied in a range from 8 inches to 40 inches above the plane of the runners and normal thereto. The weight sled affords a trainee multiple force application surfaces near the center of gravity of the sled and at differing vertical heights, enabling a more realistic simulation of the resistance presented during a blocking event.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,972,224 Athletic Training Sled Apparatus
A weight sled apparatus useful for strength training and simulating the resistance of an opponent during a blocking event has a tubular construction forming a U-shaped member having a pair of parallel legs which serve as runners. A weight bearing member affixed to and extending between the pair of runners allows mounting of removable mount weights on a horn projecting therefrom. A crossbar extending between the runner ends presents a rearward facing surface at least 8 inches above the plane of the runners against which force may be applied. An optional handlebar attachment presents a rearward facing surface against which force may applied in a range from 8 inches to 40 inches above the plane of the runners and normal thereto. The weight sled affords a trainee multiple force application surfaces near the center of gravity of the sled and at differing vertical heights, enabling a more realistic simulation of the resistance presented during a blocking event.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,986,172 Exercise Sled
Embodiments are described for an exercise sled including an upper portion detachably coupled to a lower portion through telescoping leg assemblies located at the corners of the sled. The upper portion includes a flat jumping surface to facilitate jumping or step-up type exercises, and the lower portion includes a sled rail portion to facilitate sliding across a surface, and a weight platform for the addition of plate weights. A number of attachment hooks facilitate the use of cords or handles to perform resistance exercises using the sled as an exercise platform.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,975,024 Athletic Training Sled Providing Additional Methods of Resistance Training to Arm and Leg Movements while Running
The present invention comprises a novel sled training device generally consisting of a sled with vertically oriented pole for attaching, a detachable cuboidal structure that attaches to the sled and holds pulley systems with stretch cords running through them and then to the ankles and wrists of the user. A rope or stretch cord attaches to the front of the sled and runs to an attachment point on a harness worn by the user when the apparatus is configured to be pulled by the user. The apparatus may be configured to be pushed by the user by means of an attachment that connects to the vertically oriented pole for attaching weights, and which has padded structures to be pushed by the subject's shoulders and/or forehead. The detachable cuboidal structure may be removed from the sled and attached to any stationary structure for use without the sled.
U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/500,432 Training Device
An exercise training device includes a sled portion extending along a first plane that is substantially parallel to a surface upon which the exercise training device is supported. The sled portion includes a first side that is in contact with the surface. A support structure, attached to the sled portion, includes a support surface that extends along a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. The support surface supports an exercise weight. A handle portion is attached to one of the sled portion or the support structure, the handle portion allows a user to grip the exercise training device and move the exercise training device along the surface.
The resistance exercise trainer includes an adjustable strap wearable by a user, a leash attached to the strap at a first end and a bag attached to a second end of the leash and configured for removable reception of at least one weight. When wearing the strap and pulling the bag and the weight with the leash, the weighted bag impedes user movement thereby providing resistance exercise training. As part of the resistance exercise training, the leash may be disconnected fro the strap and used individually as a jump rope and the weight may be removed from the bag and used individually in strength training exercises. Together, the strap, the leash, the bag and the weight may be used in a speed training triangle.
An indoor-outdoor manually-propelled variable-resistance exercise sled for one or multiple users. The exercise sled features a rigid and durable weight-bearing platform. To protect indoor flooring surfaces, a removable, flexible, non-grip protective pad may be attached to the bottom of the exercise sled. When the protective pad is removed, the exercise sled can also be used on outdoor ground surfaces. The exercise sled includes dual attachment plates at opposite ends to provide multiple force application points to permit a variety of optional implements to be connected to the exercise sled. A removable handle assembly provides an additional force application surface. In combination, the various attachment points afford a multitude of pulling and pushing, lower-extremity and upper-extremity, functional exercises for one or simultaneously by multiple users.
A mobile exercise apparatus performing physical exercises including lifting, pushing, and pulling is provided. The apparatus includes an exercise device having a planar elongated frame. The apparatus further includes a weight receiving portion configured to house one or more weights, a handle portion configured to enable a user to lift the exercise device while maintaining the position of the one or more weights, and a pulling portion configured to securing a pulling aid, wherein the elongated frame is bent at a curved portion at approximately a 90-degree angle.
An exercise apparatus may include a rectangular platform, first and second attachment points, first and second rails and friction reducing runners on the rails. The platform may have an upper face, a lower face, two long edges and two short edges. The first attachment point may be disposed along one of the long edges. The second attachment point may be disposed along the other of the long edges. The first rail may be attached to the lower face of the platform proximal to one of the short edges of the platform. The second rail may be attached to the lower face of the platform proximal to the other of the short edges of the platform. The first and second rails may be spaced apart to define a passageway beneath the apparatus, wherein the passageway is configured to allow the apparatus to pass over a standard sprinter's starting block without contacting any part of the starting block.
A durable and impact-resistant exercise apparatus that is portable, modular, stackable, and weight-adjustable to allow a user to perform a variety of isolated lower body, core, and upper body resistance training exercises as well as full-body strength training exercises to improve the fitness of a user. The exercise apparatus is configured both as a platform for supporting the user during a first plurality of exercises as well as a weighted body for being lifted or moved by the user during a second plurality of exercises.
WIPO Application No. WO2017196919 Training Sled Apparatus and Methods of Use
A training sled apparatus, comprising: a platform configured for dragging; and, at least one sleeve provided to the platform and configured for placing a training component therein.
It would be desirable, however, to provide a weight sled that is flexible, rather than rigid, so that it could be folded or rolled up for transport and storage. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a weight sled that could accommodate one or more weights, as desired, which may be removably secured thereto, and which may be interchangeable with one another.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a first embodiment of a flexible weight sled includes a main body member made from a flexible material, such as a nylon/ebbing, canvas, or the like. The main body member includes a weight strap that is used to attach one or more weights to the main body member in a removable manner. The main body member may also include a rear weight strap that is used to hold one or more weights to the main body member to prevent the rear portion of the weight from sliding off of the main body member. An upper body pulling strap extends from the front portion of the main body member, and in a preferred embodiment, the upper body pulling strap may include two pairs of handles on the distal ends thereof. One pair of handles is positioned lower on the upper body pulling strap than the other pair to accommodate users of different heights.
In a preferred embodiment, the weights are barbell style weights or bumper plates, which are typically circular weights defining a hole in a central portion thereof, although any suitable weights may be used. The weight may be placed on top of the main body member, and then the weight strap may be secured through the hole in the weight to strap the weight to the main body member. The rear weight strap may be secured by pulling the weight strap through the ring of the rear weight strap to secure the rear portion of the weight to the main body member.
The upper body pulling strap, in one embodiment, is preferably in the form of a Y-shaped configuration, where one end of the upper body pulling strap extends from a front portion of the main body member in a forward direction, and then splits into a pair of strap segments having two handles on the distal ends thereof.
In use, a user secures the weight or a plurality of weights to the main body member using the weight strap and the rear weight strap, and then grasps the handles of the upper body pulling strap to pull the weight sled. Exercises may include simply towing the weight sled behind the user while the user is facing forward, or may include having the user face the weight sled and pulling the weight sled toward himself or herself by pulling on the handles of the upper body pulling strap. Other types of exercises may be employed, as well.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
The present invention includes, in a first embodiment, a weight sled for physical fitness exercises, as shown in
The weight strap 14 is preferably configured to extend through a hole in the center of the weight 16, and includes a buckle 18 that allows the weight strap 14 to be tightened and secured about the weight 16, so that the weight is held in place on the upper surface of the main body member 12, as shown in
The weights 16 are preferably barbell style weights or bumper plates, which are typically circular weights defining a hole in a central portion thereof, although any suitable weights may be used. Different sized weights 16 may be used, either together or interchangeably, and it should be understood that multiple weights 16 may be attached to the main body member by using the weight strap 14 and rear weight strap 100, as desired.
The upper body pulling strap 20 is preferably in the form of a Y-shaped configuration, as shown, where one end of the upper body pulling strap 20 is attached to a front portion of the main body member 12 and extends in a forward direction, and then splits into a pair of strap segments 22, each having a handle 24, as shown in
In one embodiment, a V-shaped support strap 26 may be attached to the top of the main body member 12, so that the apex of the V is centrally positioned on a front portion of the main body member 12, and the upper body pulling strap 20 is affixed or connected to the V-shaped support strap 26 at the apex thereof, as best shown in
In use, a user secures the weight 6 or a plurality of weights 16 to the main body member 12 using the weight strap 14 and buckle 18 and the rear weight strap 100 and ring 102, and then grasps the handles 24 of the upper body pulling strap 20 to pull the weight sled 10, as shown in
When the weight sled 10 is not in use, the weight 16 may be removed from the main body member 12, and the weight sled 10 and upper body pulling strap 20 may be folded or rolled up for storage and transportation purposes. It is contemplated that the weight sled 10 and the weights 16 may be transported and/or stored in a duffel bag, sport bag, or the like.
Additionally, the main body member 12 may optionally include support strips 28 that are sewn or otherwise attached to an underside thereof, as shown in
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/929,429 entitled Weight Sled Apparatus and Method, filed on May 1, 2020. All of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15929429 | May 2020 | US |
| Child | 16949380 | US |
