Handstand cast trainer
A cast trainer assembly (200) is adapted for use with a gymnastics apparatus (100). The cast trainer assembly (200) comprises a bar subassembly (202) coupled at opposing ends to a right-side brace subassembly (204) and a left-side brace subassembly (206). The subassemblies (204, 206) provide means for coupling the bar subassembly (202) to the gymnastic apparatus (100). The sub assemblies (204, 206) each include a side brace (208). The sub assemblies (204, 206) also each include slots or notches (220) spaced apart from each other. The slots or notches (220) are adapted to releasably receive the bar subassembly (202). The slots or notches (220) provide a configuration for positioning the subassembly (202) at a desired height and with distance being varied between the cross bar reference (126) and a bar (230).
This application claims priority and is based upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/359,068 filed Jun. 28, 2010, and incorporated by reference herein.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFISHE APPENDIXNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to apparatus for athletic training and play activities and, more particularly, to apparatus directed to gymnastics training and play activities.
2. Background Art
Various types of gymnastics activities, whether involving competitive athletics or merely play, utilize apparatus having various types of bar configurations positioned above ground level. The athletic activities involving gymnastics bars are varied and can include relatively complex programs. One procedure common with gymnastics in the use of bars is the handstand as performed on a bar typically a substantial distance from the ground. A handstand procedure is often coupled with the athlete's “casting” of his or her body from the handstand position to a ground dismount or to another bar or set of bars.
A substantial difficulty arises with respect to the learning process for performing handstands and other procedures on gymnastics bars. That is, with the bar substantially above the ground, it is relatively common for a gymnast in training to be at least somewhat fearful. Also, when the gymnast is initially learning procedures such as handstands, castings and the like, the risk of injury can be substantially greater than that for the experienced gymnast. In this regard, it would be advantageous to provide for a training apparatus which allows the gymnast who is in an initial learning mode to have a training apparatus which reduces fears and the risks of potential injury when casting to a handstand. Still further, it would be advantageous to have a training device which not only allows training to occur in a way which initially reduces fears and risks associated with activities in a relatively high bar, but also to allow the training apparatus to be adjusted from what could be characterized as relatively “easy” to more “challenging” positions as the experience level of the gymnast progresses.
The general concept of a trainer for teaching actual handstands is disclosed in Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,033 issued Apr. 22, 1975. In the Martin patent, a device referred to as a handstand trainer 10 includes a base structure having front feet 12 and a rear transversely elongated plate 14. A pair of tubular members 16 are provided in spaced apart relationship and are welded to the feet 12 and plate 14. The tubular member 16 includes upstanding portions 18 extending upwardly and rearwardly. The upstanding portions 18 terminate in vertically disposed sleeves 20 which have rearwardly facing vertically disposed slots 22.
The trainer also includes a pair of cushions 24. Each cushion 24 includes an L-shaped plate 26 which carries an L-shaped cushion 28. A tube 30 is positioned in the sleeve 20, and a stem 32 connects the tube 30 to the vertical portion 34 of the L-shaped plate 26. The tube 30 includes a series of vertically spaced holes 36 which are adapted to align with an opening of the sleeve 20 for a locking pin 38 to extend therethrough. The locking pin 38 provides vertical adjustment for the cushioned supports 28. A gusset 40 reinforces the horizontal portion of the L-shaped plate 26 to the tube 30. Correspondingly, a gusset 42 reinforces the upstanding member portion 18 to the sleeve 20.
Spacing between the upstanding portions 18 can be accomplished through the use of telescopic portions 44 and 46 on the tubular portions 16 over the feet 12. Wing nuts 48 are provided for selectively locking the tubular telescopic portions 44, 46 in a desired position. The tubular members 16 are horizontally and adjustably spaced at the rear by one of the tubular members being positioned over transversely extending slots 50, with a pair of bolts 52 extending through the tubular member and being provided with a head 54 for maintaining the bolts 52 and slots 50, such that tubular members may be moved towards and away from the other tubular member. Locking is accomplished by a manually adjustable wing nut 56 on the top side of the tubular member 16.
An alternative embodiment of the base structure of the trainer includes upstanding posts on which cushioned shoulder guards or supports are carried through sleeves positioned on the upstanding members. Pins selectively lock the shoulder guards or supports in desired vertical positions by extending through aligned openings in the sleeves and upstanding members.
In use, the user of the trainer will position shoulders over the guards or supports in a spaced relationship, so as to correspond to a comfortable position such that the shoulder supports will engage the user under the shoulders, if the user loses balance or arm support.
The user's hands can be placed on the plate 14 so that the hands balance and support the user above the shoulder supports. Guards stop the user from falling over or falling down if balance is lost. In addition, the height of the shoulder guards or supports can be selectively chosen to accommodate the user's reach, so as to make it comfortable for the user to reach the base structure.
The trainer is disclosed as having a sufficiently large base so as to allow for extraordinary forces to be applied externally without causing the trainer to tip to the sides, backwards or forwards. Fabrication is disclosed as involving the tubular members 16 being bent intermediate their ends, so as to provide for a part of the base structure as well as the upstanding members supporting the shoulder rests 28. Although the Martin patent generally discloses the concept of a training associated with handstand procedures, it is not directed to the use of gymnastics bars in any matter whatsoever. Further, the Martin patent is not directed to any type of apparatus which facilitates training with respect to gymnastic activities involving casting to handstands.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
The principles of the invention are disclosed, by way of example, in a cast trainer assembly 200, as described herein and illustrated in
For purposes of a complete description of the cast trainer 200, the trainer 200 will first be described with respect to use with a gymnastics apparatus, identified as gymnastics apparatus 100 in the drawings. The gymnastics apparatus 100 is primarily shown in
Turning specifically to
The supporting assembly 102 further comprises a center base cross support 112. The center base cross support 112 is shown in
In addition to the foregoing components, the supporting assembly 102 further includes a pair of opposing tube support braces 116. The tube support braces 116 are illustrated in
The tube supports 118 each extend vertically upward and are substantially hollow therein. The tube supports include apertures positioned at an appropriate vertical location on each tube support 118, and locking bolt assemblies 120 can extend through the apertures. As shown in
Positioned and received within the open opposing ends of the angle support tubes 122 is a main cross bar 126. The main cross bar 126 is utilized directly by the gymnasts during performance of various gymnastic maneuvers. If desired, a pad or similar type of device can be utilized with the cross bar 126 for purposes of providing more comfortable and secure gripping by a gymnast.
In addition to the foregoing components, the gymnastic apparatus 100 can also utilize a plywood or similar platform 128, as shown in
The principal components of the cast trainer assembly 200 in accordance with the invention will now be described primarily with respect to
Turning specifically to
The bar subassembly 202 includes a bar 230 with bar end caps 218. The bar end caps 218 are secured on opposing ends of the bar 230, and can be secured by means of pins or the like. In addition to the bar 230 and the ends caps 218, the bar subassembly 202 also includes a pair of opposing knobs 228, with the knobs 228 having threaded studs which are received through the end caps 218.
Turning again to the brace subassemblies 204 and 206, it should be noted that each of the subassemblies includes a brace section 232 having a set of four slots or notches 220 spaced apart from each other. The slots or notches 220 are adapted to releasably receive the bar subassembly 202. The bar subassembly 202 can be releasably secured at a desired height through selection of a desired pair of slots or notches 220, and then use of the knobs 228 having the threaded studs and the end caps 218 to secure the bar 230 at the desired height.
As earlier described with respect to the brief description of the drawings,
The structural configuration of the cast trainer assembly 200 relative to the gymnastics apparatus 100 will now be described with respect to the drawings. As shown in particularly in FIGS. 1 and 6-9, the cast trainer assembly 200 can be secured in a releasable manner to the gymnastics apparatus 100 through the collar top and collar bottom configurations. The bar subassembly 202 can then be positioned at a desired height through the use of a selected pair of the slots or notches 220. Also, as apparent from the drawings, the bar assembly 202 will not only be positioned at a desired height, but variations will also occur with respect to the distance between the cross bar 126 and the bar 230. That is, as apparent from
As earlier described,
In addition to the foregoing, and as earlier described, the cast trainer assembly 200 in accordance with the invention provides a relative easy to use and adjustable learning station for permitting gymnasts to develop casting to handstands. Settings for the bar 230 are easy to change, and readily change from low to high heights and with respect to the distance away from the cross bar 126. The cast trainer assembly in accordance with the invention alleviates fears or risks of attempting to perform the casting maneuver on a high bar. Also, the cast trainer assembly takes up a relatively small footprint, since extensions are not required for stability with the cast trainer. In addition, the cast trainer can be utilized in a number of different ways for many skills beyond casting. Also, young gymnasts can find delight in playing and learning with the cast trainer assembly.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that other embodiments of cast trainer apparatus in accordance with the invention can be designed. That is the principles of a cast trainer apparatus in accordance with the invention are not limited to the specific embodiment described herein. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and other variations of the above-described illustrative embodiment of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention.
Claims
1. A cast trainer assembly adapted for use with a gymnastics apparatus for training of gymnasts with respect to casting to handstand positions, said cast trainer assembly comprises:
- a bar subassembly;
- a right-side brace subassembly;
- a left-side brace subassembly; and
- said brace subassemblies are adapted to be coupled to said gymnastics apparatus and include means for positioning said bar subassembly at a plurality of selectable distances from a ground level, and also to selectively adjust the distance of said bar subassembly from a cross bar of said gymnastics assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 28, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 20, 2012
Inventor: Doug Davis (Mt. Pleasant, MI)
Application Number: 13/135,173