FOOT PLACEMENT TRAINING SYSTEM

Abstract

A training device that is a rigid and substantially flat, thin platform is described. The outline of the platform is about the size and shape of a user's foot or footprint to provide visual and tactile feedback regarding the position and orientation of the user's foot. The platform may have surface features on the upper surface, which along with edges of the platform can be sensed by the user for providing the tactile feedback while the user is stepping and/or standing and exercising on the platform. The platform may have a non-slip lower surface using high friction material and/or or spikes or pegs extending from the lower surface for gripping a training surface and removably securing the platform laterally to the training surface. The platform may be lifted from the training surface with minimal effort and repositioned on the training surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority and benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/751,613, filed on Oct. 27, 2018 and titled “Foot placement templates for athletic training,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT TECHNOLOGY

The present technology relates generally to sports training equipment, and in particular to foot placement templates for athletic training.

BACKGROUND

Millions of people, including professional athletes, amateur athletes, and more generally adults of all ages and children train to regularly to improve effectiveness in games and exercises to enhance general health. Proper placement of feet can improve effectiveness in these games and exercises. Coaches and trainers and people undergoing assisted or self directed training routinely invest a substantial portion of their time in learning placement of their feet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present technology are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the technology or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be understood that the technology is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

FIG. 1A is a top plan view of an embodiment illustrating a training device, in accordance with aspects of the technology.

FIG. 1B is a bottom plan view of the training device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a front elevation of the training device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a side elevation of the training device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a top perspective of the training device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective of the training device of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment illustrating a training device, in accordance with aspects of the technology.

FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the training device of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a front elevation of the training device of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a side elevation of the training device of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a top perspective of the training device of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective of the training device of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment illustrating a training device, in accordance with aspects of the technology.

FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the training device of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment illustrating a training device, in accordance with aspects of the technology.

FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the training device of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 illustrates various use cases for the a training device 100 and 300, in accordance with aspects of the technology.

FIG. 8 illustrates various use case for the a training device 100 and 300, in accordance with aspects of the technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A problem recognized in the course of developing the present technology is that diagrams, pictures, drawings, videos, and the like do not provide tactile feedback to a user regarding their foot placement. Similarly, marks drawn, painted, or glued to a stage or dance floor also do not provide a tactile feedback and cannot be easily repositioned. More generally, a problem in demonstrating proper foot placement is to provide immediate tactile and visual feedback using a fixed visual aid that is durable and can be easily and repositioned to another fixed position, has been recognized in the course of developing the present technology.

A solution to these and other problems that has been developed is a placement platform that is rigid and substantially flat for durability. The placement platform is about the size and shape of a user's foot or footprint to provide visual and tactile feedback regarding the position and orientation of the user's foot. The platform may have surface features on the upper surface, which along with edges of the platform can be sensed by the user for providing the tactile feedback while the user is stepping and/or standing and exercising on the platform. The platform also may have non-slip means for removably securing the platform laterally to a substrate such as a floor or field where the user is exercising. The non-slip means or means for preventing or limiting lateral slip includes non-slip material forming a lower surface of the platform and/or or spikes or pegs extending from the lower surface for gripping a surface where the user is exercising, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. Examples of non-slip material include silicone rubber, polyurethane, EPDM rubber, Polypropylene, Styrene Butadiene Rubber, ABS, PVC, plastic, and/or the like. Non-slip materials also include materials such as rubber, foam, plastic, and fabric materials that have patterns such as ribs, pebbling, cross-hatching, waffling, checkered, plush, dimpling, holes, diamond, coin, random and/or the like, that may be imprinted repeatedly, regularly, or randomly across the upper and/or lower surface of the material (see, e.g., FIG. 6B).

Tactile feedback may be indicated to the user when a foot of the user is correctly positioned in various manners. For example, a rigid platform may have a different feel from an exercise surface on which the platform is placed. The foot of a user may sense or feel an edge of the platform when a portion of the foot extends beyond the edge of the platform. A difference in feel of the platform may result from rigidity of the platform differing from the resilient surface. Another difference may result from slight elevation of the upper surface of the platform above a hard/smooth surface or resilient surface. For example, as compared to a resilient (or hard/smooth) surface, the platform may be stiffer, harder, softer, rougher, smoother, etc. Another manner for providing tactile feedback is to include a pattern of bumps, dips, and/or grooves as a part of the upper surface of the platform, as described in more detail elsewhere herein.

The upper surface of the platform may also include non-slip material. This serves to help maintain the user's foot on the platform while performing various activities. A pattern of bumps, dips, and/or grooves in the upper surface of the platform may provide a non-slip means for gripping, resisting, and/or constraining lateral movement of the user's foot across the upper surface of the platform. Sports shoes generally have a pattern molded into the sole of the sports shoes that can interact with, and grip, bumps and grooves in the upper surface of the platform. A non-slip material may be used for fabricating the upper surface of the platform. The non-slip material may be selected for gripping properties with rubber used in sports shoes.

The platform may be constructed to be substantially flat, that is, without any portions of the edges platform extending above the upper surface. The platform may also be used without being attached to the foot of a user. That is, the user may lift a foot off the platform without lifting or moving the platform. This serves to allow the foot to slide freely off the edges of the platform when the user is not maintaining correct placement of a foot on the platform and/or not focusing on foot placement. This provides feedback to the user during training that the user is lifting and moving a foot sideways, sliding the foot across the upper surface of the platform, or otherwise not following the training correctly

The platforms using projections may be easily inserted and removed vertically against friction, while lateral movement of the platforms is mechanically prevented. Projections extending from the bottom surface of the platform may be inserted into a resilient surface and then easily removed for repositioning of the platform. The projections may be inserted without being attached or attaching the platform to the resilient surface. Thus, for lifting and repositioning the platform, the platform inserted projections may be easily pulled out vertically against minimal friction or no friction between the projections and the resilient surface. Vertical removal of cylindrical projections may be accomplished against minimal friction, typically less than the amount of friction used to insert the projections. Vertical removal of tapered projections may be accomplished against no friction, due to the taper.

At the same time, substantial resistance to lateral movement of the projections in the resilient material is generally a result of mechanical resistance due to mechanical obstruction of the projections by the resilient substrate, rather than friction between the projections and the resilient material. As a result of the projections, the resistance to lateral movement of the platform may be sufficient to prevent the platform from moving laterally while the user performs various activities or exercises while standing on the platform. Examples of exercises include swinging a bat, shooting a basket, serving a volleyball, serving a tennis ball, defending a goal, lining up at a scrimmage line, returning a serve, swinging a golf club, pitching a baseball, tai chi, weight lifting, archery, dancing, physical therapy, health treatment, and/or the like.

The platforms using a non-slip bottom surface may be easily placed and lifted vertically, while lateral movement of the platforms is limited or prevented by the high friction of the bottom surface. Platforms using a high friction bottom surface may be placed on hard and/or smooth surface (hard/smooth surface) without insertion and without fastening the platform the hard/smooth surface, e.g., without using an adhesive. A slightly tacky (but non-adhesive) bottom surface may enhance friction of the bottom surface and increase resistance to lateral movement of the platform. Removal of the platform using high friction material from the hard/smooth surface may be accomplished with no resistance (or with negligible resistance when the high friction material is tacky).

A high friction bottom surface may be achieved using a material having a high coefficient of friction. High friction is friction that results from a coefficient of friction of more than about 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, or more. In some embodiments, a high coefficient of friction of the bottomed surface is a coefficient of friction that is substantially greater than the coefficient of friction between the top surface of the platform and the user's foot or shoe. As a result of the high friction bottom surface, the resistance to lateral movement of the platform is sufficient to prevent the platform from moving laterally while the user performs various activities or exercises while standing on the platform. The high friction bottom surface may present the high resistance to lateral movement of the platform on the hard/smooth surface without presenting resistance (or without presenting substantial resistance) to lifting the platform vertically for repositioning. The platforms using high friction bottom surfaces and/or projections may be used without being attached to the user's foot. By virtue of the high friction of the bottom surfaces, the platforms may be used without without being attached, adhered, stuck, glued, nailed, screwed, riveted, tacked, or otherwise fastened to the hard/smooth surface.

In summary, a solution is a training device that is a rigid and substantially flat, thin platform is described. The outline of the platform is about the size and shape of a user's foot or footprint to provide visual and tactile feedback regarding the position and orientation of the user's foot. The platform may have surface features on the upper surface, which along with edges of the platform can be sensed by the user for providing the tactile feedback while the user is stepping and/or standing and exercising on the platform. The platform may have a non-slip lower surface using high friction material and/or or spikes or pegs extending from the lower surface for gripping a training surface and removably securing the platform laterally to the training surface. The platform may be lifted from the training surface with minimal effort and repositioned on the training surface.

FIG. 1A is a top plan view of an embodiment illustrating a training device or platform 100, in accordance with aspects of the technology. The training device 100 may be manufactured as a platform 100 having a shape resembling a footprint of a user. The platform 100 may be fabricated using various combinations of plastic, metal, wood, fabric, rubber, and/or the like. Examples include polyurethane, ABS, silicone, rubber, polyurethane, EPDM rubber, Polypropylene, Styrene Butadiene Rubber, ABS, PVC, plastic, and/or the like. The shape of the platform 100 of FIG. 1A is about the shape or outline of a user's foot. The training device 100 may be provided in mirrored form resembling a left and right foot of the user, for example the pairs illustrated in FIG. 1A. The size of the footprint may be selected for the size of the user, e.g., toddlers, young children, large children, teens, young adults, adults, large adults, etc.

An upper surface of the platform 100 of FIG. 1A includes indicia 106L and 106R (collectively indicia 106) and surface features or pattern 108. FIG. 1A illustrates a pair comprising left and right training devices or platforms 100. The left platform 100 of FIG. 1A is indicated by indicia 106L disposed in the upper surface 102 of the training device 100. Similarly, the right training device 100 of FIG. 1A is indicated by indicia 106R disposed in the upper surface 102 of the platform 100. While indicia 106L and 106R of FIG. 1A are illustrated by a letter “L,” and letter “R,” respectively, other symbols may be used, for example, “P” for port and “S” for starboard. Numbers or letters may be used to indicate a sequence of positions. The indicia 106 may be symbols such as letters, words, numbers, etc., that are customized for a language of the user.

The indicia 106 may be used for identifying to the user which foot to use when standing on the, respective, training device 100. Thus, a user may have immediate visual feedback of the correct foot placement on the platforms 100. Additionally, the indicia 106 maybe fabricated as raised symbols for providing tactile feedback to indicate that the user is standing on the platform 100 and/or orientation of the foot, e.g., that the placement of the toes of user's foot is correct. Similarly, an indented, engraved, or grooved indicia 106 may be used for tactile feedback.

The surface features 108 may be used for providing immediate visual feedback for the correct foot orientation on the platforms 100. Similar to indicia 106, the surface features 108 maybe fabricated as raised symbols for providing tactile feedback to indicate that the user is standing on the platform 100 and/or that the placement of the heel of the user's foot is correct. Similarly, an indented, engraved, or grooved indicia 106 may be used for tactile feedback. FIG. 1A illustrates a pattern of the surface features 108 comprising a series of curved lines, however other shapes or symbols may be used, such a bumps, dips, knobs, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the surface features 108 are disposed in the platform 100 as slots 108. The slots 108 may receive cleats or spikes in the soles of shoes. The depth, pattern, and/or placement of the slots 108 may be disposed in the upper surface 102 to match specific types, patterns and/or brands cleats or spikes. Such patterns are common in spikes and cleats running (track and field), baseball, football, golf, soccer, rugby, and/or the like. The pattern of the slots may be configured for receiving tread on the soles of specific types and/or brands of soft soled shoes, such used in basket ball, tennis, volleyball, baseball, football, golf, soccer, rugby, and/or the like, when spikes or cleats are not allowed.

FIG. 1B is a bottom plan view of the training device 100 of FIG. 1A. A bottom or lower surface 104 includes protrusions 110 extending from the lower surface 104. The protrusions 110 may be tapered along a portion or their entire length. FIG. 1C is a front elevation of the training device 100 of FIG. 1A. The protrusions 110 may be attached to the lower surface 104. In some embodiments, the protrusions 110 are molded into the bottom surface, and part of the tooling for molding the training device 100.

FIG. 1C is a front elevation of the platform 100 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D is a side elevation of the training device 100 of FIG. 1A. The protrusions of FIGS. 1C and 1D are illustrated extending from the bottom surface. The protrusions 110 may be longer or shorter, wider or narrower than illustrated in FIGS. 1C and 1D. An exemplary profile of the protrusions is illustrated in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D. It may also be seen in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D that the platform 100 is substantially flat without the edges, straps, uppers, thongs, cuffs, laces, or other structures of the platform 100 extending above the upper surface 102 of the platform 100.

FIG. 2A is a top perspective of the training device of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective of the training device of FIG. 1A. In some embodiments, the upper surface 102 and lower surface 104 are two flat pieces that may be bonded together using an adhesive, thermal weld, sonic weld, chemical weld, fasteners, and/or the like. In some embodiments the protrusions 110 serve as fasteners to join the upper surface 102 and the lower surface 104. Alternatively, the upper surface 102 and lower surface 104 are the top and bottom, respectively, of a single piece of material.

In use, the platforms 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be placed on a training surface to demonstrate proper foot placement for athletic activities. One type of training surface is a deformable, resilient surface. Examples of resilient surfaces include turf, dirt, mats, foam pads, artificial turf, rubber, grass, greens, sand, and/or the like.

Another type of training surface is a hard/smooth surface. Hard surfaces include concrete, wood, asphalt, rock, hard-packed dirt, tracks, metal, and/or the like. Hard surfaces may be smooth or rough. Smooth surfaces may be hard or soft. Collectively these are referred to as hard/smooth surfaces. Resilient surfaces and hard/smooth surfaces may be found outdoors and indoors.

For platforms 100 with protrusions 100, the protrusions 110 may be inserted into a resilient surface. Insertion may be accomplished by pressing by hand, or simply stepping on the platforms 100. For platforms with non slip lower surface 104, the platform may be placed or dropped on the hard/smooth surface.

The protrusions 110 may be used for easily and removably securing the platform 100 to a grassy surface, or other resilient surface. For purposes of illustration, use of the platforms 100 in a turf (grass) or dirt is described as an example of the resilient surface. A single platform 100, a pair of (left/right) platforms, many platforms, or many pairs of platforms may be placed in the turf and pressed down to insert the protrusions 110 into the turf. The protrusions serve to substantially reduce or prevent lateral movement of the platform 100 on the resilient surface. However, any of the platforms 100 can be easily repositioned on the grassy surface by simply lifting the platform 100 and reinserting the protrusions 110 in a new position.

A difference in stiffness between the platform 100 and the grassy surface may provide a tactile feedback that can be detected through the foot of the user to feel the edges of the platform 100. Also, elevation of upper surface 102 above the turf due to thickness of the platform 100 may enhance tactile feedback provided by the edges. This provides feedback to tell the user if the user's foot is completely on the platform 100 or extending over the edge. Additional tactile feedback may be provided by the indicia 106 and surface features 108 in the upper surface of the platform 100, as discussed elsewhere herein. This tactile feedback may serve to remind the user during upper body exercise of the position of the users feet while standing on the platforms 100. Upper body exercises include movement above the waist or above the knees. Examples of upper body exercises are throwing a ball, swing a bat, serving a ball, returning a serve, lifting, pushing, supporting, and/or the like.

In an exemplary use case related to baseball (also illustrated in FIG. 8), a pair of left and right platforms 100 may be placed in turf or dirt of a batter's box to train a batter on proper stance. A third platform 100 (not illustrated in FIG. 8) is optionally positioned and used to train the batter's stride during a swing. The platforms 100 may be positioned to accommodate the specific size and stride of the batter. The protrusions 110 serve to prevent the platforms 100 from moving around laterally while the batter is crouching, stepping in and out of the box, swinging the bat, and etc. The indicia 106, surface features 108, and edges of the platform 100 can be felt through the batter's feet to provide feedback and tell the batter where the feet are during these upper body exercises. Slots 108 may receive cleats on the batter's shoes to help position the foot and provide tactile feedback to the batter.

When the next batter is to be trained, the platforms 100 may be simply lifted up and repositioned according to the specific leg length and stride of the next batter. Thus, the platforms 100 may repositioned quickly as each new batter is trained and retrained.

Similarly, the platforms 100 may be used for training football players (lining up, in turf, see, e.g., FIG. 7), volleyball players (serving, in sand or turf), tennis players (serve return, in clay), soccer players (penalty kicking, in turf, see, e.g., FIG. 7), golf (putting on a green, see, e.g., FIG. 8), and/or the like.

For purposes of illustration, use of the platforms 100 in a turf (grass) or dirt is described in the above example of the resilient surface. However, it is contemplated that the platforms 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be used in many other types of resilient surfaces. While it is to be understood that the training devices 100 are intended for use by athletes and their coaches, the platform 100 may also be used by other persons, as may be useful or appropriate.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment illustrating a training device 300, in accordance with aspects of the technology. FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the training device 300 of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a front elevation of the training device 300 of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3D is a side elevation of the training device 300 of FIG. 3A. FIGS. 3A-D and FIGS. 4A and 4B differ from FIG. 1A-D and FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively, in that the protrusions 110 extending from the bottom surface 104 of FIG. 1A are omitted from a bottom surface 304 of FIG. 3A. Instead, the bottom surface 304 comprises a non-slip material.

Similar to platform 100, it may also be seen in FIG. 3C and FIG. 3D that the edges of the platform 300 do not extend above the upper surface 102 of the platform 300. That is, the platform 300 is substantially flat without the edges, straps, uppers, thongs, cuffs, laces, or other structures of the platform 100 extending above the upper surface 102 of the platform 300.

FIG. 4A is a top perspective of the training device 300 of FIG. 3A and FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective of the training device 300 of FIG. 3A. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B differ from FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, respectively in that the protrusions 110 extending from the bottom surface 104 of FIG. 1A are omitted from a bottom surface 304 of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

Similar to the platform 100, the upper surface 102 and lower surface 304 of the platform 300 may be fabricated as two flat pieces that may be bonded together using an adhesive, thermal weld, sonic weld, chemical weld, fasteners, and/or the like. Alternatively, the upper surface 102 and lower surface 304 of platform 300 are coatings applied to the top and bottom, respectively, of a single piece of material. In some embodiments, the upper surface 102 and lower surface 304 are components of a single piece of material comprising the platform 300, fabricated for example using techniques such as injection molding, blow molding, stamping, machining, and/or the like.

The platform 300 is similar in structure and function to the platform 100, with the following modifications. The platform 300 may be used primarily on hard/smooth surfaces. Instead of the protrusions 110 of the bottom surface 104, the flat bottom surface 304 of the platform 300 may be a smooth or patterned, and fabricated using high friction (non-slip) material, such that the platform 300 will not easily slide around on a basketball court or similar hard/smooth indoor or outdoor training surface.

Similar to the platform 100, the user may place the platform 300 on a hard/smooth training surface, arranged in the foot positions for training athletic activities of the user. The user may then place one or both feet on the platforms 300 while the user is stationary or in motion. When another user is to be trained, the platforms 300 may be repositioned for the size (e.g. stride) and/or type of activities of the new user by simply lifting the platforms 300 and putting them down in the new desired position. For example, the platforms 300 may be used for training weight lifters {hard floors in gyms, see, e.g., FIG. 8), basketball players (free throws, on hardwood, see, e.g., FIG. 7), table tennis players (serving, on indoor hard surfaces), bowlers (spares, on hardwood lanes), and/or the like.

The training devices 100 (and 300) and the indicia 106 may be fabricated using a semi-rigid, durable material, such as plastic, rubber or silicon. The protrusions 110 may be fabricated using a rigid, durable material, such as plastic, aluminum alloy, tungsten tipped metals of various types, stainless steel, and/or the like. The high friction surfaces may be fabricated using a flexible, durable material, such as polyurethane, ABS, silicone, rubber, polyurethane, EPDM rubber, Polypropylene, Styrene Butadiene Rubber, ABS, PVC, plastic, and/or the like, which can provide high friction without adhering to smooth, hard surfaces.

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment illustrating a training device 500, in accordance with aspects of the technology. FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the training device 500 of FIG. 5A. The training device 500 of FIGS. 5A and 5B differs from the training device 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the indicia 506 of the upper surface 502 is illustrated as an abstract shape for providing visual and tactile feedback regarding placement of the ball of a user's foot, rather than a symbol representing a property of the training device. The indicia 506 may be a convex, concave, a protrusion, a ridge, and/or the like. The training device 500 of FIGS. 5A and 5B further differs from the training device 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that an aperture 516 is illustrated extending from the upper surface 502 through the lower surface 504. The aperture 516 may be used for attaching a strap. The strap may be used for holding or carrying one or more training devices 500. The strap may also be used for pulling up or otherwise removing a training device 500 that has been inserted into a resilient surface.

Similar to the platform 100, the upper surface 502 and lower surface 504 of the platform 500 may be two flat pieces that are be bonded together using, e.g., an adhesive, thermal weld, sonic weld, and/or the protrusions 110. Alternatively, the upper surface 502 and lower surface 504 of the platform 500, are the top and bottom, respectively, of a single piece of material. Also, similar to the platform 100, the edges of the platform 500 do not extend above the upper surface 502 of the platform 500. That is, the platform 500 is substantially flat without the edges, straps, uppers, thongs, cuffs, laces, or other structures of the platform 500 extending above the upper surface 502 of the platform 500.

FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment illustrating a training device 600, in accordance with aspects of the technology. FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the training device 600 of FIG. 6A. FIGS. 6A and 6B differ from FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively, in that the protrusions 110 extending from the bottom surface 504 of training device 500 of FIG. 5B are omitted from a bottom surface 604 of the training device 600 of FIG. 6B. Instead, the bottom surface 604 comprises a non-slip material and arranged in a pattern 612. The pattern 612 may serve to provide additional traction to the non-slip material. The pattern 612 illustrated in FIG. 6b is a repeated chevron pattern. Other examples of the pattern include ribs, pebbling, cross-hatching, waffling, checkering, plush, dimpling, holes, diamond, coin, random and/or the like. The patterns 612, may be applied repeatedly, regularly, or randomly on the lower surface of the material. The pattern may be applied as a convex or concave pattern. While not illustrated, the various examples of the pattern 612 may also be disposed in the upper surface 102 and/or 502. In addition, the bottom surface 604 further comprises circular grooves 614 for providing further non-slip traction. It may also be seen that the edges of the platform 600 do not extend above the upper surface 502 of the platform 600. That is, the platform 600 is substantially flat without the edges, straps, uppers, thongs, cuffs, laces, or other structures of the platform 600 extending above the upper surface 502 of the platform 600.

In some embodiments, the upper surface 502 and lower surface 604 of the platform 600 are two flat pieces that may be bonded together using an adhesive, thermal weld, sonic weld, fasteners, and/or the like. Alternatively, the upper surface 502 and lower surface 604 are the top and bottom, respectively, of a single piece of material that forms the platform 600.

FIG. 7 illustrates various use cases for the a training device 100 and 300, in accordance with aspects of the technology. The use cases include basket ball using training device 300 (or 600), and football and soccer using the training device 100 or 500.

FIG. 8 illustrates various use case for the training device 100 and 300, in accordance with aspects of the technology. The use cases include baseball using training device 100 (or 500), weight training using the training device 300 (or 600), and golf using the training device 100 (or 500).

While this technology is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the technology and is not intended to limit the technology to the embodiments illustrated.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present technology. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/ or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters. It will be further understood that several of the figures are merely schematic representations of the present technology. As such, some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present technology has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the present technology in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present technology. Exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present technology for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the technology to the particular forms set forth herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the above description is illustrative and not restrictive. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the technology should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for training foot placement during exercise, the device comprising:

a substantially flat platform without the edges and other structures of the platform extending above an upper surface of the platform, the platform about the size and shape of a footprint of a user, the platform configured to be disposed on a resilient surface while the user steps onto, moves while standing on, and steps off of the platform without the foot of the user being attached to the platform;

a lower surface of the platform;

a plurality of tapered projections affixed to and extending from the lower surface of the platform for insertion into the resilient surface to grip the resilient surface and hold the platform in place against lateral movent on the resilient surface without gripping the resilient surface vertically, the platform held in place laterally while a user steps onto, moves while standing on, and steps off of the platform, the tapered projections configured to permit removal of the projections vertically from the resilient surface for repositioning platform and re-insertion of the projections; and

the upper surface of the platform including a pattern configured for providing tactile feedback to indicate to the user when a foot of the user is correctly positioned on the platform.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the pattern is configured for receiving cleats or spikes extending from a lower surface of a shoe of the user for constraining movement of the user's foot laterally on the platform.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the pattern includes bumps.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the pattern includes grooves.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower surfaces are two separate components and the plurality of tapered projections are used to attach the upper surface to the lower surface.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a non-slip pattern in the upper surface of the platform.

7. A training system comprising:

an upper layer about the size and shape of a footprint of a user, the upper layer having a pattern configured for providing tactile feedback to the user to indicate a position of a foot of the user on the platform, without attaching the training system to the foot of the user;

a lower layer about the same outline as the upper layer, the lower layer coupled to the upper layer;

a non-slip means for: limiting movement of the training system laterally on a training surface while the user stands and moves on the training system, and repositioning of the training system by lifting the training system vertically from the training surface and placing the training system on the training surface at a different location.

8. The training system of claim 7, wherein the non-slip means comprises a plurality of projections tapered over at least a portion of the length of the projections and extending from the lower layer, the projections configured for:

holding the training system in place laterally upon insertion of the projections into a resilient surface of the training surface while the user stands and moves on the training system, and

repositioning of the training system by extraction of the projections vertically from the resilient surface and re-insertion of the projections into the resilient surface at a different location of the training surface.

9. The training system of claim 8, wherein the lower layer and the upper layer are two separate pieces coupled together using the plurality of tapered projections.

10. The training system of claim 7, wherein the non-slip means comprises a non-slip material configured for:

high friction between lower surface and the training surface, the high friction sufficient to limit movement of the training system laterally on the training surface while the user stands and moves on the training system, without fastening the training system to the training surface, and repositioning of the training system by removing the training system from the training surface without vertical resistance, and placing the training system at a different location on the training surface.

11. The training system of claim 10, wherein the training surface is a hard and smooth surface.

12. The training system of claim 10, wherein the pattern includes bumps and grooves.

13. The training system of claim 7, wherein the non-slip means comprises a non-slip pattern configured for:

enhancing friction between lower surface and the training surface, the enhanced friction sufficient to limit movement of the training system laterally on the training surface while the user stands and moves on the training system, without fastening the training system to the training surface, and

repositioning of the training system by removing the training system from the training surface without vertical resistance, and placing the training system at a different location on the training surface.

14. The training system of claim 7, wherein the pattern in the upper layer is configured for receiving cleats or spikes extending from a lower surface of a shoe of the user for constraining the user's foot on the platform.

15. A method for training a user, the method comprising:

placing a plurality of platforms in a training position on a resilient surface, each platform about the shape and size of a foot of the user, at least one of the platforms resembling a shape of a left foot and at least one of the platforms resembling a shape of a right foot;

securing each platform laterally to the resilient surface using spikes to constrain lateral movement of the platform from motion of the user on the platform without securing the platforms vertically to the resilient surface;

standing, by the user, on a pair of the platforms without the platforms being attached to the user;

orienting the feet of the user according to the shapes of the platforms;

performing, by the user, an upper body exercise while standing and maintaining the feet on the pair of platforms in substantially the orientation indicated by the shapes of the platforms.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

moving, by the user, at least one foot of the user from the platform, without moving the platform, to another platform; and

performing, by the user, a second upper body exercise while standing on the another platform.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the upper body exercise and the second upper body exercise are substantially the same.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein a pattern of bumps and grooves is disposed in an upper surface of the plurality of platforms.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

removing a platform from the resilient surface,

repositioning a platform; and

securing the repositioned platform laterally to the resilient surface without securing the platform vertically to the resilient surface.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing tactile feedback from the platforms via the user's foot to the user that the user's feet are in the correct position on the platform.