Exercise System

Abstract

A system for resistance training of an athlete with a plurality of elastic chords includes a frame including a top and an opposite bottom. The frame has sufficient weight to resist movement when the athlete exerts an athletic training force on the frame. At least one attachment structure is affixed to the frame. The attachment structure is configured to attach at least one of the elastic chords in a position so as to be usable in a selected resistance training exercise. At least one storage compartment is attached to the frame. The storage compartment has a size and configuration to facilitate storage of the plurality of elastic chords therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/744,024, filed Mar. 31, 2006, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to exercise systems and, more specifically, to an exercise system that facilitates elastic chord training exercises for athletes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In many sports, athletes expend high levels of energy for short periods of time and then recover from the expenditure. Athletes who recover quickly are able to play more effectively. Therefore, modern training regimens include exercises designed to promote expenditures of intense bursts of energy coupled with quick and efficient recovery.

Speed and agility training in athletics trains athletes to expend energy optimally in a sport. Such training typically involves a set of specific drills that are assembled in a specific order, with a specific number of repetitions and with specific times for recovery. It typically focuses on five major disciplines including speed, power, agility, flexibility, and explosion.

An ideal sports exercise system would empower strength and conditioning coaches who may not necessarily have any formal speed and agility training with the tools and knowledge required in order to offer an effective training curriculum to athletes. To do so requires both hardware used in exercises and a system for monitoring the athletes to ensure that they are training optimally.

Existing equipment includes permanent exercise devices, such as wall-mounted devices, and portable devices. Wall-mounted devices are typically permanently fixed to a wall inside a gym and cannot be moved easily. Portable devices can be moved and a typically stored in a storage shed or locker. Such devices frequently do not provide the same level of exercise as wall-mounted devices.

Therefore, there is a need for a speed and agility exercise training system that is portable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention meets several needs that instructors have for training individuals. It manages a large group of individuals training at the same time by using a “station” technique. The stations are designed to accommodate large groups in a reasonably small area because training space is typically limited. The equipment enables rapid set-up for a training session by preassembling the gear and storing the gear in easily accessible storage cabinets. The invention also allows for portability for moving the equipment from one training location to another. The invention along with the software enables a turn-key set up for any coach to begin training for speed, power, agility, flexibility, and explosion while preventing injuries.

The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which, in one aspect, is a system for resistance training of an athlete with a plurality of elastic chords. The system includes a frame including a top and an opposite bottom. The frame has sufficient weight to resist movement when the athlete exerts an athletic training force on the frame. At least one attachment structure is affixed to the frame. The attachment structure is configured to attach at least one of the elastic chords in a position so as to be usable in a selected resistance training exercise. At least one storage compartment is attached to the frame. The storage compartment has a size and configuration to facilitate storage of the plurality of elastic chords therein.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many variations and modifications of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of one embodiment of an exercise system.

FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic views of a first embodiment of an exercise system.

FIG. 3 is a side schematic view of an exercise system embodiment being used in a lateral exercise.

FIG. 4 is a side schematic view of an exercise system embodiment being used in a vertical exercise.

FIGS. 5A-5B are elevational views demonstrating extendable wheels.

FIGS. 6A-6D are elevational views of a cargo shipping container-based embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a post with a peg storing weights.

FIGS. 8A-8D are images of several screens generated by software according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, one embodiment of an exercise system 100 for resistance training of an athlete includes a frame 110 having a top 111 and an opposite bottom 113. The frame 110 has sufficient weight to resist movement when the athlete exerts an athletic training force on the frame 110. The frame 110 includes four vertical posts 112 and a plurality of cross members 114 connecting each of the vertical posts 112 to adjacent vertical posts 112. A floor portion 116 is transverse to the vertical posts 112 and is affixed thereto. The frame 110 may be constructed from steel, or other suitable materials. The constituent parts of the frame 110 could be affixed to each other through welding or the use of fasteners, such as bolts or rivets, or a combination of welding and fastening. In one embodiment, certain parts are bolted together, allowing major parts to be disassembled for storage or moving. A pair of wheel structures 140 are each affixed to an opposite side of the frame 110 adjacent to the bottom 113 to facilitate movement of the system 100. Each wheel structure 140 has a retracted position and an extended position. The frame 110 resists movement when the athlete exerts an athletic training force on the frame 110 when the wheel structures 140 are in the retracted position. Also, the wheel structures 140 facilitate movement of the frame 110 when in the extended position.

A plurality of attachment structures are affixed to different parts of the frame 110. One example of attachment structures are d-rings 120 that are affixed (e.g. welded) to the cross members 114. The attachment structures 120 are suitably shaped to allow elastic chords (such as bungee chords) thereto in a position so as to be usable in a selected resistance training exercise.

One or more storage compartments 130 are also affixed to the frame 110. The storage compartments 130 provide storage for elastic chords used in exercises. Each storage compartment 130 includes an elongated cabinet 132 that is connected to a pair of the vertical posts 112 and that defines a cavity therein. A lid portion 134 is attached via an elongated hinge to the enclosure portion 132 and covers the cavity. A lock 136 may also be provided to lock the lid portion 134 in a closed position. Holes 138 may be drilled into the storage compartments 130 to provide ventilation.

One type of exercise that may be performed with the system, as shown in FIG. 3, is a reciprocal lateral movement exercise. In such an exercise, the athlete 10 attaches an elastic chord 300 to one of the d-rings 120 and to a harness or a belt 310 and then runs back-and-forth between two cones 12 that are placed in a position such that the elastic chord 300 is always under tension.

Another type of exercise that may be performed with the system, as shown in FIG. 4, is a vertical movement (or jumping) exercise. To facilitate this type of exercise, two d-rings 122 are attached to the floor portion 116 through which the athlete 10 passes two elastic chords 300, one end of each being attached to a belt 310 that is placed around the athlete's waist. Somewhere along the top surface of the frame 110 are a pair of cleats 150 that allow the athlete to secure the elastic chords 300 with a desired tension. Once the elastic chords 300 are secure, the athlete executes the exercise by repeating a vertical movement, such as jumping.

Two retractable wheel structures 140, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, allow for easily moving the system from one location to another. In one embodiment, the wheel structure 140 includes a wheel 500 that is supported by a reciprocating axle support 510. A support structure 512 is affixed to the frame 110 and the reciprocating axle support 510 is able to move vertically relative to the support structure 512. A first pivot 516 is secured to support structure 512 and a second pivot 518 is secured to the reciprocating axle support 510. A lever 514 is secured to the first pivot 516 and the second pivot 518 so that as the lever 514 is rotated in the direction of arrow A (as shown in FIG. 5A), the wheel 500 is raised so as to disengage from the ground 20 and so that when the lever is rotated in the direction of arrow B (as shown in FIG. 5B) the wheel is lowered for engagement with the ground 20.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, the frame includes a shipping container 600 that defines an interior space 602. A plurality of openings 610 are cut into the sides of the shipping container 600. Each opening 610 includes a door 650 (such as a steel roll-up door) that secures the opening 610. A lock 652 is capable of locking the door 650 shut for safety and security reasons.

A plurality of vertical posts 612 are affixed to the ship) are affixed to some of the vertical posts 612 and to the exterior sides of the shipping container 600. A plurality of pegs 630 are also affixed to some of the vertical posts 612. The pegs 630 can be used for hanging things on (such as weights 702, as shown in FIG. 7) when storing exercise equipment.

As shown in FIG. 6C, an end cabinet 654 can be integrated into an end 604 of the shipping container 600. An end opening 655 is cut into the end 604 and a vertical wall 656 is placed inside the shipping container 600 to define the back of the end cabinet 654. A plurality of shelves 658 may be placed within the end cabinet 654 and used for storage of exercise equipment. A door 650 covers the end opening 655 securely. A cross-bar 660 may also be placed in the cabinet 654 and used for attaching elastic chords thereto during exercise sessions.

To improve storage organization of the container 600, a plurality of vertical lockers 672, as shown in FIG. 6D, may be inside the shipping container against a selected wall 670. Similarly, dividers or shelves may be placed against the wall 670.

In one commercial embodiment, the container 600 is an 8′×20′ ISO standard shipping container made of heavy duty steel and includes 12 training stations. Used standard shipping containers can be purchased from many outlets, many of which will make custom modifications (such as the cutting of side doors) according to the purchaser's specifications.

The container 600 can be painted with school colors or provided with advertising (such as affinity advertising). The advertising could be painted on or applied using any one of the commonly used methods of applying advertising to exterior structures (e.g., vinyl banner and vehicle wrap).

The system may be provided with synthetic turf on which the athletes train. The synthetic turf reduces wear on the playing field on which the system is being used. This allows for a maximum number of hours without wearing out natural grass on the playing field.

A software tool may be used with the system. The software tool, which would typically run on a laptop computer, provides a platform for coaches and trainers to access functional information concerning speed and agility of each athlete. In one embodiment, coaches will access the software via the global computer network using a user name and password. The software provides one or more of the following functions: profile athletes (individual tests: 40 yd, shuttle, etc.); create workout for entire team/class; organize daily, weekly, monthly calendars by coach/school; display videos to show teaching and training methods; display and print drill layouts; “ask the pro” feature for additional clarification; remote updating for athlete involvement; monitor and report athlete's/student's performance; and display rankings (including inter- and intra-school).

Several different screen shots of the user interface presented by the software are shown in FIGS. 8A-8D. A calendar 810, shown in FIG. 8A, assists the trainer in scheduling different exercises. A workout planner 812, shown in FIG. 8B, organizes exercises. A video library 814, shown in FIG. 8C, provides video images of different exercises being performed. A tracking chart 816, shown in FIG. 8D, assists the trainer in tracking the performance of several different athletes.

The above described embodiments, while including the preferred embodiment and the best mode of the invention known to the inventor at the time of filing, are given as illustrative examples only. It will be readily appreciated that many deviations may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims below rather than being limited to the specifically described embodiments above.

Claims

1. A system for resistance training of an athlete with a plurality of elastic chords, comprising:

a. a frame having a top and an opposite bottom, the frame having sufficient weight to resist movement when the athlete exerts an athletic training force on the frame;

b. at least one attachment structure affixed to the frame, the attachment structure configured to attach at least one of the elastic chords in a position so as to be usable in a selected resistance training exercise; and

c. at least one storage compartment attached to the frame and having a size and configuration to facilitate storage of the plurality of elastic chords therein.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of wheels, wherein each wheel is affixed to an opposite side of the frame adjacent to the bottom, each wheel having a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the frame resists movement when the athlete exerts an athletic training force on the frame when the wheels are in the retracted position and wherein the pair of wheels facilitate movement of the frame when the wheels are in the extended position.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises:

a. four vertical posts;

b. at least two cross members connecting each of the vertical posts to two adjacent vertical posts.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the attachment structure comprises a d-ring that is affixed to one of the cross members.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the attachment structure comprises a plurality of spaced apart d-rings.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the storage compartment comprises an elongated cabinet that is connected to a first one of the vertical posts and a second one of the vertical posts.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the elongated cabinet comprises:

a. an enclosure portion defining a cavity therein;

b. a lid portion, hingedly attached to the enclosure portion, that is configured to cover the cavity; and

c. a locking mechanism that is configured to lock the lid portion in a closed position.

8. The system of claim 3, further comprising a floor portion that is transverse to the vertical posts and that is affixed to the vertical posts.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the floor portion includes at least one attachment structure capable of receiving an elastic chord therein and wherein the frame has a top surface, the frame further comprising a chord securing mechanism that is configured to allow attachment of the elastic chord so that the elastic chord has a desired tension, thereby facilitating a vertical exercise.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the chord securing mechanism comprises at least one cleat.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises:

a. a shipping container into which is cut at least one side opening;

b. a door capable of selectively securing the side opening; and

c. a plurality of vertical posts disposed within and affixed to the shipping container.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the attachment structure comprises a d-ring that is affixed to one of the vertical posts.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the attachment structure comprises a plurality of spaced apart d-rings that are affixed to at least one of the vertical posts.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the door comprises a roll-up door.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of pegs affixed to at least one of the vertical posts and configured for hanging weights thereon.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising an end cabinet integrated into a selected end of the shipping container, the end cabinet comprising:

a. an end opening cut into the selected end of the shipping container;

b. a vertical wall, disposed inside the shipping container and defining a back of the end cabinet; and

c. a plurality of shelves disposed within the end cabinet.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a door configured to cover the end opening securely.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising advertising graphics applied to an exterior surface of the frame.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one elastic chord attached to the attachment structure.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising an athlete interface, comprising a belt, attached to the elastic chord.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of vertical lockers disposed inside the shipping container against a selected wall.