Patents by Inventor Mark Eldridge

Mark Eldridge has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130267384
    Abstract: A system for training athletes comprises a drive unit and an output unit, a rope spool disposed on the output unit, and a rope disposed on the rope spool. The drive unit comprises a motor shaft, a pulley, a clutch, the clutch being operatively coupled to the motor shaft and pulley. The output unit includes a one-way bearing, a brake, a brake controller, and a pulley, which output shaft pulley may be coupled to the drive shaft pulley. The rope applies a force on an object to which it is attached when the drive unit and/or output unit cause the rope spool to wind or unwind the rope, and the force exerted by the rope may be regulated by the clutch of the drive unit and may be one of an overspeed mode, a constant resistance, an increasing resistance, a decreasing resistance, a constant force, and a varying force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Mark Eldridge
  • Patent number: 8147382
    Abstract: A physical training system comprises a resistance structure, and at least one resistance unit disposed thereon, wherein an athlete may attach to the resistance unit by way of a cable that is incorporated in the resistance unit. The at least one resistance unit may exert a resistive force on an athlete through the cable. The system may further comprise at least one target object, against which an athlete may make selective physical contact as part of a training regimen. The system may further comprise sensors and data collection devices for tracking an athlete's performance. The system allows the exertion of force on an athlete from a plurality of directions and according to various movement patterns (including non-linear movement patterns) of an athlete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Eldridge
  • Publication number: 20100273608
    Abstract: A physical training system comprises a resistance structure, and at least one resistance unit disposed thereon, wherein an athlete may attach to the resistance unit by way of a cable that is incorporated in the resistance unit. The at least one resistance unit may exert a resistive force on an athlete through the cable. The system may further comprise at least one target object, against which an athlete may make selective physical contact as part of a training regimen. The system may further comprise sensors and data collection devices for tracking an athlete's performance. The system allows the exertion of force on an athlete from a plurality of directions and according to various movement patterns (including non-linear movement patterns) of an athlete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Eldridge
  • Patent number: 7736248
    Abstract: Disclosed is a training apparatus for training players involved in contact sports, such as football. The training apparatus includes a frame assembly, a first driving mechanism, a drifting mechanism, a second driving mechanism, and a dummy. The frame assembly is configured to support the first driving mechanism, the drifting mechanism, the second driving mechanism, and the dummy thereon. The first driving mechanism is configured to move the dummy in a longitudinal direction, the second driving mechanism is configured to move the dummy in a transverse direction, and the drifting mechanism is configured to move the dummy along a vertical axis of the frame assembly. Further disclosed is a training system including a training apparatus and a controlling module. The controlling module is operatively coupled to the training apparatus for controlling the longitudinal direction movement, the transverse direction movement, and the vertical axis movement of the dummy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Eldridge
  • Publication number: 20100093493
    Abstract: A system for training athletes in running activities, such as sprints or team field sports, provides a resistance to an athlete attempting to run. The system comprises a drive unit, and in an embodiment, the drive unit comprises a motor having a motor shaft and a pulley operatively coupled to the shaft. The system further comprises a rope adapted to be rolled on the pulley, a unit controller adapted to control operation of the drive unit, and a programmable logic controller, which logic controller may display and storage of data related to the operation of the system. In use, the rope may be fastened to an athlete, and thereafter the athlete may be allowed to run in a direction away from the drive unit, where the pulley will provide a resistive force on the athlete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Eldridge
  • Publication number: 20090045616
    Abstract: Disclosed is a skating apparatus for providing a skating motion with a feel similar to a feel of an ice skating motion on a contact surface other then an ice surface, to a user wearing the skating apparatus on his/her feet. The skating apparatus includes at least one guiding member, a sliding mechanism and a frame member. The guiding member includes a peripheral channel for slidably coupling the sliding mechanism on the peripheral channel. The sliding mechanism upon sliding along a portion of the peripheral channel and in a linear direction with respect to the contact surface, enables the at least one guiding member to move in an opposite linear direction with respect to the contact surface. The movement of the guiding member in the opposite linear direction provides the skating motion with similar feel as of the ice skating motion to the user in the opposite linear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Eldridge
  • Publication number: 20080280703
    Abstract: Disclosed is a training apparatus for training players involved in contact sports, such as football. The training apparatus includes a frame assembly, a first driving mechanism, a drifting mechanism, a second driving mechanism, and a dummy. The frame assembly is configured to support the first driving mechanism, the drifting mechanism, the second driving mechanism, and the dummy thereon. The first driving mechanism is configured to move the dummy in a longitudinal direction, the second driving mechanism is configured to move the dummy in a transverse direction, and the drifting mechanism is configured to move the dummy along a vertical axis of the frame assembly. Further disclosed is a training system including a training apparatus and a controlling module. The controlling module is operatively coupled to the training apparatus for controlling the longitudinal direction movement, the transverse direction movement, and the vertical axis movement of the dummy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Eldridge
  • Publication number: 20050109100
    Abstract: A thermal mass flowmeter with temperature correction. The flowmeter includes a bridge, a signal conditioner, and a balancer. The balancer provides a bridge signal as feedback to the bridge that balances a flow sensor signal and the temperature sensor signal from the bridge. The flow sensor signal or the temperature sensor signal are adjusted by an overheat factor and a temperature correction factor. The temperature correction factor is determined using a predetermined function of a temperature of the fluid. Methods of determining parameters of the predefined function and using the flowmeter for determining a flow rate of the fluid are disclosed. The flowmeter provides means for determining a flow rate of a fluid over a wide range of temperature and flow rates as well as providing means for determining the temperature of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Eldridge Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Eldridge
  • Publication number: 20050039545
    Abstract: A flow meter of the pitot type. The meter incorporates a series of apertures along a probe body for exposure to a fluid stream. The result is a number of datum which are averaged and correlated to be representative of the flow within a conduit. Aberrations encountered in noncircular ducting or other irregularities are compensated by correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Eldridge