Abstract: Athletic, and more particularly gymnastic, training apparatus and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a pommel portion of a pommel horse training apparatus, the pommel portion including a plurality of elongate pommel segments. A first pommel segment from the plurality of elongate pommel segments is coupled to a second pommel segment from the plurality of elongate pommel segments. A centerline of the first pommel segment is non-parallel to a centerline of the second pommel segment. The centerline of the first pommel segment is coplanar with the centerline of the second pommel segment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gymnastics beam including a rigid profile, a layer of a flexible material arranged on an upper surface of the profile, and a coating covering the layer of flexible material. The beam included a lower part including a lower part of the profile that bears against an upper part including an upper part of the profile, and a connector to secure or separate the lower part and the upper part. This permits rapid renovation of the beam by changing only the upper part. Moreover, characteristics of the beam such as the width and the hardness of its bearing surface can be adapted by changing the upper part or, where relevant, segments of the upper part, such that the beam can be modulated. Also disclosed is an assembly including multiple upper parts.

Abstract: A pommel horse device for gymnastic training does not require younger users to be constantly supervised with a spotter when using them. The pommel horse device has a height lower than conventional pommel horse devices, typically at about 15 inches as compared to about 63 inches for conventional pommel horse devices. The pommel horse device has three holes in the top for the optional attachment of pommel handles.

Abstract: A support device for moving an item on a surface. A main body includes a panel and a sidewall. A handle assembly engages the main body and includes a first transportation mechanism. The support device includes a resistance portion on the main body for engaging a surface and resisting movement of the support device when in a resistive mode. The handle mechanism lowers the first transportation mechanism to engage the surface and disengage the resistance portion from the surface in a transportive mode to encourage movement of the support device and the item supported thereon.

Abstract: A pallet-dolly device convertible between a pallet and a dolly has a deck to which a set of dolly wheels are attached at a fixed height below the deck. A set of movable pallet skids are mechanically interlinked with the deck by a bistable skid displacement mechanism which assumes a first state biasing the pallet skids upwards towards a skid raised position and a second state in which the bistable skid displacement mechanism biases the pallet skids downwards towards a skid lowered position. Also described are embodiments allowing conversion from dolly to pallet by directly pressing downwards on a skid, and provision of a braked-dolly state through downward pressure of the skid against the ground and/or a skid-actuated wheel brake.

Abstract: A pommel horse device for gymnastic training does not require younger users to be constantly supervised with a spotter when using them. The pommel horse device has a height lower than conventional pommel horse devices, typically at about 15 inches as compared to about 63 inches for conventional pommel horse devices. The pommel horse device has three holes in the top for the optional attachment of pommel handles.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tumbler apparatus comprises a metal roller padded with foam, a frame to give support and height to the roller and elastic bands connected at opposite ends of the roller to connect the roller to the frame. The elastic bands connect to support hooks on the frame risers.

Abstract: The present invention combines an articulated stilt with a rear-mounted leg support or brace behind the leg of the user. The articulating stilt has a foot operative to contact a surface to be traversed, a boot rest operative to support a human foot thereon extending in a longitudinal direction between a heel region and toe region and thereby defining a longitudinal axis, and at least two risers extending between the foot and boot rest coupled thereto through pivotal joints. The rear leg brace has an upper leg binding, and an extension coupling the upper leg binding to articulating stilt. According to further manifestations, the rear leg brace may be fixed or pivotal relative to the risers, and when pivotal, may be adjusted to user preferred angular orientations. The use of a rear-mounted brace eliminates undesirable torque during movement, enabling a more anatomically and bio-mechanically correct movement.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tumbler apparatus comprises a metal roller padded with foam, a frame to give support and height to the roller and elastic bands connected at opposite ends of the roller to connect the roller to the frame. The elastic bands connect to support hooks on the frame risers.

Abstract: A balance trainer having a supporting shaft provided with a saddle. The supporting shaft may sway by means of the interaction of a plurality of permanent magnets and electromagnets for achievement of the effect of balance training. Further, each electromagnet is controlled by a preset program in a microcomputer and a related controller.

Abstract: A balance beam having a shock absorbing capability. The balance beam comprises an elongate beam member, an elongate beam support core supporting the elongate beam member, and a resilient element located between the beam member and the beam support core. The resilient element allows the beam member to move relative to the beam support core when a vertically downward force is exerted on the beam member to absorb shock imparted to the balance beam by a user.

Abstract: A gymnastic apparatus for performing vaults possesses a lower portion, an upper part arranged on same in a vertically adjustable fashion and constituted by a board arranged in a resilient manner on the lower portion. A gymnast running toward a front side of the apparatus, places his hands on the top side of the board, which forms a support face, applies his weight for an instant and leaps over the apparatus. In such leap he is aided by the resilient board. A front region of the board rises from the front convexly toward the rear in a arcuate manner, the arcuate region merging with an approximately horizontal flat region. The transitional region and/or the flat region serves a support face.

Abstract: The training pad for a gymnastic vaulting horse has a first elongated pad with a vertical height substantially equal to the height of the body of the vaulting horse. A second elongated pad has a vertical height substantially equal to the combined height of the body and the supporting stand of the vaulting horse. An elongated flexible blanket has its opposite sides connected to the first and second pads and is adapted to engage and span the lateral width of the top of the body of the vaulting horse. Straps are secured to the pad for attachment of the pad to the body of the vaulting horse. The length of the pad is slightly less than the length of the body of the vaulting horse.

Abstract: An adjustable physical therapy apparatus consisting of a support base. A horizontally oriented bounding platform assembly support bar is selectively mounted on the support base so as to be vertically adjustable with respect thereto. A bounding platform assembly consists of two pivotally connected bounding platforms which are selectively draped over the support bar so that the free ends thereof rest upon the floor. The angle of inclination of the pivotally connected bounding platforms is selectivley variable by vertically adjusting the support bar with respect to the support base so as to provide bounding surfaces for vigorous lateral rehabilitation exercises by the patient.A modified adjustable physical therapy apparatus is provided whereby two adjustable physical therapy units are fixedly attached in an end-to-end relationship so as to provide adjacent bounding platforms with a reverse angle of inclination so as to provide bounding surfaces for vigorous medial rehabilitation exercises by the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for aiding a person in stretching his or her muscles, such as a gymnast. The system comprises a trapezoid shaped base having a pair of pivot grooves formed in a top surface thereof to accommodate adjacent ends of a pair of boards. The spacing of the primary base from the floor or other support surface may be varied by using one or more secondary bases. The various components of the system may be arranged or configured to meet the stretching needs of the user or may be arranged to function as a step for step aerobics. The purpose of the muscle stretching trainer system is to allow for the isolation of muscle groups in order to develop flexibility.