CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/837,818 filed on Apr. 24, 2019. This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/797,313 filed on Jan. 27, 2019.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an exercise sled and more particularly to an exercise sled which is pushed by a portion of the user's torso.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The desire to push athletic speed and acceleration to new heights is a common goal for most every athlete in every ground-based sport played on a court, field or track. One very commonly used training tool used by athletes all over the world to develop power and strength in the legs for the purposes of improving acceleration and speed is the weighted sled. With the passage of time and completion of research projects, new discoveries and naturally occurring human innovation, almost every product, process and methodology for doing just about anything over the last 50 years has been improved markedly. Likewise, training methodologies and products designed to increase athletic abilities including speed have also seen many innovations and has evolved as a result research discovering new ways to more effectively stimulate the human body for improved training responses resulting in elevated performance. With all the innovation and discoveries over the last five decades that have driven the development new athletic training products and methodologies to further elevate human athletic performance, it is important to note that the weighted sled training methodology in terms of how the trainee is positioned, loaded, interfaces with and drives the sled, has not changed since the inception of the weighted sled over 50 years ago. Referencing FIGS. 1-2, prior to the present disclosure, all weighted sleds had a similar drive interface between the trainee and sled consisting of 2 vertical drive members 2 or two horizontal drive members 3 connected to sled frame 1. To utilize and drive weighted sleds, trainees place their hands on drive members 2 or 3 and transfer force from their legs through their waist, torso, arms and hands to the sled in order to propel the sled forward. The purpose of this training methodology is to apply resistance to the legs while propelling the sled forward to strengthen the majority of the muscles in the legs which propel the body forward. Hence, when the trainee's body adapts to this training methodology, their legs will have more strength and be able to produce more power to facilitate and improve acceleration and top end speed for improved athletic performance. However, over the last 20 to 30 years many discoveries on how to more effectively target muscles for speed development have been implemented with success which the weighted sled has not taken advantage of. It is a know fact that forcing the athlete to use their back, arms and hands (in a fixed position) to transfer leg drive force through their body to a sled puts the athlete or trainee in a non-athletic position and state of rigidity that rarely occurs in athletic competition of any kind.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the purpose of this disclosure to present innovations in the weighted sled design that will significantly improve the strength and speed development benefits of the sled. This is accomplished by changing how the sled interacts with the user from a driving perspective relative to how force is transferred from the user to the sled and how the sled through other innovations while being pushed, will apply resistance to arm drive movements and to both legs while they are airborne driving towards the ground. The innovations presented allow the user to transfer a driving force to a sled using only their waist or chest and eliminate the requirement of the previous art to use the hands and arms to apply a driving force to a sled. Adding elastic resistance means to the sled further provides new capabilities for loading the arm swing motion while running and loading the legs when they are not in contact with the ground, specifically the downward driving movement prior to ground strike. All the innovations in this disclosure will greatly enhance the benefits of the prior art cited relative to enhancing sports specific strength development for improving athletic speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A novel sled with the distal end of the extension member being adapted to receive the user's waist or chest as the sole means to transfer force to the sled in order to push the sled. The sled eliminates the need to use the arms and hands as a means to transfer ground contact force from the legs to the sled which is a requirement for the prior art.
The push member whose end is adapted to receive a waist portion of the user will have a width less than the width between the user's arms such that the user's arms and hands do not strike any portion of the push member or extension member while the user drives their arms forwards and backwards with a natural running motion while pushing the sled with their waist.
The first portion of the extension member may extend downwardly to the distal end where the push member is located to prevent the legs of the user from contacting any portion of the push member and extension member while the sled is being pushed.
The sled's frame will be able to mount one or more resistance modules each having an elongated elastic member contained within the module which has a free end that can be routed to and connected to a portion of the user's leg, foot or hand to provide a training resistance resisting the motion of those appendages while the sled is being pushed. Pulley assemblies with clip attachments associated with each resistance module will serve as leads that can redirect the elongated resistance member from the resistance module to different areas of the sled before routing the elongated resistance member to the user.
The sled frame has a pair of upright members mounted to the base and a cross-member extending between the upright members wherein the elongated members (resistance bands) pass from the resistance modules to the cross-member and then downwardly to the user's leg or foot.
The extension member is rotatably mounted on the cross-member such that the height of the push member on the distal end of the extension member with respect to the ground surface can be adjusted in height to suit the waist or chest height of users of different heights.
The extension member can also be slidably mounted to the cross-member such that the position of distal end with push member relative to the back end of the sled's frame can be adjusted to increase or decrease the distance between the push member and rear portion of the sled's frame.
One sled embodiment will include at least two skids supporting the frame on the ground which will create the friction and resistance to movement when force is applied to the sled.
One or more skids will have two pivotally mounted arms over the skids with one end of each arm pivotally mounted above the skid and the other two distal ends supporting one or more wheels whereby a mechanical means will be present that can lower the wheel or wheels so as to lift the skid off the ground and subsequently reduce the amount of drag and force required to push the sled. The mechanical means to lower the wheels and lift the skid off the ground can also raise the wheels above the skid so the skid makes contact with the ground bearing the full weight of that portion of the sled it supports.
An additional innovation that integrated into the sled is a lift mechanism housed in an aperture under the sled's frame. The lift is engaged by a foot pedal whereby pressing down on the foot pedal lowers a shaft with foot from within the aperture down to the ground lifting the sled off the ground. When lifted, the shaft and foot easily rotate on bearings so that the sled can be easily rotated and turned in any direction the user desires. After the sled is turned to the direction the user wants to push the sled, the foot pedal can be depressed again to retract the shaft and foot so that the sled's skids or wheels again rest on the ground.
The sled also includes an improved mechanism for changing resistance whereby the present art requires weights to be added or removed from the sled to change push resistance, the sled utilizes a disk brake on a wheeled sled whereby the user can selectively change the push resistance by simply using a small dial, ratchet lever (like that used to change gears on a multi-geared bicycle) or by electronic command, change the pressure of the disc brake acting on a brake rotor connected to the axle or wheel hub. This eliminates the need to change the weight of the sled every time a resistance change is necessary which is a time-consuming arduous task.
An electronic sensor with a strain gauge for determining load and odometer functions shall be integrated into one device that integrates the disk brake with the sled frame such that when the disk brake is engaged with the brake rotor to resist wheel movement the electronic sensor will be able to calculate the load applied to the sled by the user in addition to the velocity, acceleration, distance travel, power generated and work performed by the user during a single push and over multiple pushes. The sensor has a two-way wireless communications capabilities with smart devices such that measured parameters by the sensor can be displayed and analyzed real-time to a user or other person. A smart device such as a smart phone can be attached to the sled and through an app using the sensor's data can provide training commands and coach the user through a workout providing real-time feed back regarding the user's performance relative to the current workout or comparing current workout performance vs past workouts.
The resistance modules and leads will be able to route at least one or more of the elongated resistance members to both sides of a centerline from front to back of the sled defining a left and right half such that the resistance members can simultaneously be attached the left and right foot, leg or hand of the user while pushing the sled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a prior art sled is pushed by a user using vertical uprights.
FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of how a prior art sled is pushed by a user using horizontal push members.
FIG. 3 presents the sled for a current sled art that generates resistance against pushing the sled by means of electromagnetic resistance applied to two wheels.
FIG. 4 presents the sled for a current sled art that generates resistance against pushing the sled by means of electromagnetic resistance applied to one wheel.
FIG. 5 shows the three transitional phases a sprinter goes through relative to body position from the start of a race to reaching top speed.
FIG. 6 shows the body position for a sprinter at top speed with leg driving downward to the ground strike position under the sprinter near their center of gravity.
FIG. 7 shows the body position for a sprinter at top speed with foot at the optimal ground strike position just under the sprinter's center of gravity including important force vectors that propel the sprinter forward.
FIG. 8 shows a photo of an embodiment of the sled innovation with a waist push member integrated to an extension member connected to the sled with resistance members connected to the feet of the user.
FIG. 9 shows a photo of an embodiment of the sled innovation with a chest push member integrated to an extension member connected to the sled with resistance members connected to the feet of the user.
FIG. 10 shows a photo of an embodiment of the sled innovation with a chest push member with overlay showing the height, length and pitch adjustability of the extension member and chest push member respectively.
FIG. 11 shows a side elevation drawing of a sled embodiment utilizing the waist push member.
FIG. 12 shows an overhead illustration a sled embodiment utilizing the waist push member.
FIG. 13 shows a rear elevation drawing of a sled embodiment utilizing the waist push member.
FIG. 14 shows a side elevation drawing of a sled embodiment utilizing the chest push member.
FIG. 15 shows an overhead illustration a sled embodiment utilizing the chest push member.
FIG. 16 shows a rear elevation drawing of a sled embodiment utilizing the chest push member.
FIG. 17 shows an overhead elevation of a sled embodiment whereby a “Modification Kit” containing waist or chest push member, a cross-member capable of receiving an extension member and an extension member that can attach to prior art sleds for the purpose of converting the prior art sled so that it may implement the waist push or chest push innovation.
FIG. 18 shows an side elevation drawing of a sled embodiment whereby a “Modification Kit” containing waist or chest push member, a cross-member capable of receiving an extension member and an extension member that can attach to prior art sleds for the purpose of converting the prior art sled so that it may implement the waist push or chest push innovation.
FIG. 19A shows a sideview elevation drawing presenting the vertical, length and pitch adjustment capabilities of the waist push embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 19B shows a sideview elevation drawing presenting the vertical, length and pitch adjustment capabilities of the chest push embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 20 shows an overhead drawing presenting the width specification of the waist push member such that arm swing movement cannot impact any portion of the waist push member or extension member supporting the waist push member.
FIG. 21 shows a sideview elevation drawing presenting an extension member modification to prevent the user's legs from striking the extension member while pushing the sled.
FIG. 22 shows a side elevation drawing of a sled embodiment utilizing the waist push innovation and resistance module innovation whereby resistance members can be routed to and attached to the user's legs or feet while pushing the sled.
FIG. 23 shows a side elevation drawing of a sled embodiment utilizing the chest push innovation and resistance module innovation whereby resistance members can be routed to and attached to the user's legs or feet and/or hands while pushing the sled.
FIG. 24 shoes a rear elevation drawing of the cross-member with attachment points for the lead members associated with each resistance module.
FIG. 25 shows an overhead illustration of the sled innovation utilizing four resistance modules with resistance member distal ends attached to multiple trainees exercising around a stationary sled.
FIG. 26 shows an overhead illustration of the resistance module innovation without the elongated member.
FIG. 27 shows a side elevation illustration of the resistance module innovation without elongated member.
FIG. 28 shows an overhead illustration of the resistance module innovation with the elongated member.
FIG. 29 shows a side elevation illustration of the resistance module innovation with the elongated member.
FIG. 30 shows an overhead illustration of four resistance module innovations integrated to a weighted sled
FIG. 31 shows a side elevation illustration of the resistance module innovation integrated to a sled with elongated member with attachment clip attached and lead member RP2.
FIG. 32 shows a side elevation illustration of the sled with four resistance modules integrated and how each resistance member can be routed to a user at different elevations using the lead members and attachment points at different elevations.
FIG. 33 shows a sideview elevation of the lift mechanism in the retracted state.
FIG. 34 shows a sideview elevation of the lift mechanism in the protracted state whereby the sled's support members are lifted off the ground and the sled can freely rotate about the lift member.
FIG. 35 shows an overhead illustration of how the sled can be rotated about the lift mechanism.
FIG. 36 shows an overhead illustration of how the sled can be rotated 180 degrees about the lift mechanism and set down facing the opposite direction.
FIG. 37 shows a sideview elevation of the wheel lift mechanism in the retracted (in rear of sled) and protracted state (front of sled) which lifts the sled skids off the ground.
FIG. 38 shows a front view elevation of the wheel lift mechanism in the retracted state.
FIG. 39 shows a front view elevation of the wheel lift mechanism in the protracted state with wheels in contact with the ground and lifting the skid off the ground.
FIG. 40 shows an overhead illustration of an embodiment of the disk brake and sensor mechanism integrated to a sled with wheels.
FIG. 41 shows a rear elevation illustration of an embodiment of the disk brake and sensor mechanism integrated to a sled with wheels.
FIG. 42 shows a rear elevation illustration of an embodiment of the disk brake and brake rotor integrated to an axle with two wheels.
FIG. 43 shows a rear elevation illustration of an embodiment of the disk brake and brake rotor integrated to an axle with two wheels and the rear frame portion of the sled.
FIG. 44 shows a sideview elevation of the disk brake and sensor support integration to the frame of the sled.
FIG. 45 shows a sideview elevation of the integration of the disk brake, brake rotor and sensor onto the sled.
FIG. 46 shows a sideview elevation of how the sensor measures sled load, velocity and distance.
The objectives and advantages of the claimed subject matter will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the accompanying drawings. With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate an understanding of the present subject matter, the various embodiments of a weighted sled apparatus and method are described.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A weighted sled training apparatus and method are provided allowing a user to transfer force to a sled using only their waist or chest for the purpose of pushing the sled and transferring a training load to the user's legs.
FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a sled 100 having a frame 1 and a push member 12 adapted to receive a waist portion of the user adapted to be fitted on an extension member 10 which is attached to the frame 1 for the purpose of transferring ground contact reaction forces GC up through the waist sequentially into members 12 and 10 as force WF applied by the waist, and then being transferred into sled frame 1 for the purpose of pushing the sled in direction D. The weight of the sled with or without training weights 7 provide the weight for skids 4 to interact with the ground providing friction opposing movement. This embodiment provides two significant innovations over the prior art to promote speed specific strength and power development and improved top end athletic speed. First, since the waist push innovation does not require the use of the hands to transfer force to the sled, everybody part above the user's waistline AW is completely free to move with a natural running motion when pushing the sled. The ability to now push the sled while driving the hands H and arms A forwards and backwards with a natural running motion. This provides a novel advantage to the user as the free arm movement will allow the user to drive and chop their legs faster facilitating speed strength development. It is a known fact that the human drive or stride frequency of the legs is aided by frequency of arm drive when running. The faster you can drive the arms, the faster you can drive your legs. If an athlete holds their arms still when trying to run, their maximum speed will be severely impacted. Thus, being able to drive or pump the arms when driving the sled will allow higher training velocities with respect to leg movement. The second benefit associated with the hip push member is that it forces the user to drive the sled in a more upright position that reflects the proper body lean when running at top end speed. This allows the sled to apply a more sports specific load targeting the leg muscles at joint angles very similar to those experienced when running at top end speed which theoretically will provide enhanced strength development specifically targeted for improving speed. To help illustrate the benefits just described of the present innovation over the prior art, FIGS. 1-2 illustrate how the prior art requires the user to transfer force to push members 2 and 3. Vertical 2 and horizontal 3 push members are connected to sled frame 1 whereby the user is required to place their hands on the push members and transfer ground contact force generated by the legs through their hips, back, shoulders, arms and hands and then through to the sled through push members 2 and 3. In order to transfer the load from the legs to the sled using one's hands, the user's back, stomach, shoulders and arms must become a ridged structure. The user's body from the waistline to the neckline must lock or freeze into a virtually fixed position to transfer force generated by the legs onto the sled when using the hands as a force transfer mechanism. By virtue of the prior art requiring the use of the user's hands to transfer force to the sled and the subsequent the locking of the upper body and limbs forces the user into a non-athletic “locked” position where not even the arms can move to simulate the running motion. Referencing FIG. 5, the body lean at the start of each of the three phases of accelerating to a full sprint are presented. Progressing from the Drive to Transition to Top Speed phase, Axis A-C show how the body lean from the start (near horizontal) to Top Speed phase (nearly vertical with a slight forward tilt) changes and become more upright as the athlete transitions from the start to top speed. Note in FIGS. 1 and 2 the forward body lean or tilt can approximate the tilt in the Transition and Drive phases respectively of FIG. 5. However, as long as the hands are required to drive the sled, the user will not be able to train in a sports specific manner with the near vertical tilt of the Top Speed phase indicated with Axis C. The present disclosure of FIGS. 11-13 will be more efficient developing power to improve top end speed because the hip push member allows the athlete to drive the sled maintaining the Axis C tilt of FIGS. 6 and 7 which makes it much more difficult for the user to generate force in the F3 direction hence promoting better targeted strength and power development in the F3 direction to be deployed and subsequently increase top end speed. Note that push members 2 which are commonly found on all prior art and are commonly designed to hold weight plates are not physically required to implement the present invention utilizing a push member 10 adapted to receive a waist portion of the user.
FIGS. 14-16 illustrate a sled training apparatus whereby the user 13 is not required to use hand push members 2 or 3 but rather utilize a push member adapted to receive a chest portion of the user 14 adapted to be mounted on an extension member 10 which is attached to the sled frame 1 for the purpose of transferring ground contact reaction forces GC up through the hips, back and sequentially into members 14 and 10 as force CF applied by the chest and then transferred into sled frame 1 for the purpose of pushing the sled in direction D. FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate a side, top and rearview elevation of a sled adapted to be pushed by the chest. This embodiment of the present subject matter does not require the hands or arms to push the sled but will require core muscles in the stomach area to contract to form a ridged structure from the waist to the chest in order to transfer force GC into the push member adapted to receive a chest portion of the user 14. This embodiment re-enforces or promotes teaching the athlete to drive the chest with a forward lean which is critical to acceleration in the Drive and Transition phases shown in FIG. 5. Additionally, as with the waist drive embodiment of FIG. 11, the ability to drive the arms freely and quickly while pushing the sled with a push member adapted to receive a chest portion of the user will allow the user to drive their legs faster promoting speed strength development vs having the hands and arms locked in position when pushing a sled using push members 2 and 3. Note that push members 2 which are commonly found on all prior art and are commonly designed to hold weight plates are not physically required to implement the present invention utilizing a push member 10 adapted to receive a chest portion of the user.
FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate an embodiment to adapt the present innovation to sleds that have already been sold into the market but don't implement the present invention. All sleds have push members 2 which will be the obvious choice to utilize vertical push member 2 structures to support the waist drive and chest drive innovations. FIG. 17 is an overhead perspective while FIG. 18 is a side elevation showing how cross member 18 with attachment means 18A and 18B can be attached at different elevations to push members 2. Attachment of cross member 18 may be facilitated with opposing members 18C and 18D to connect with members 18A and 18B respectively. Member 50 is pivotally attached to crossmember 18 using member 50A to pivot whereby member 50 can be locked in selected pivot locations using member 50A. Member 50 is also designed to accept extension member 10 which is adapted to receive a waist portion or chest portion while the user is pushing the sled. Member 50 embodies a locking means to interact with extension member 10 to lock extension member 10 at different insertion locations in member 50. The pivoting and insertion functions provide the ability to adjust the adapted end of extension member 10 to different elevations from the ground and distances measured from the rear of the sled's frame 1. This is an important feature as it will allow the present innovation to leverage push member 2 structures for attachment means on all sleds that have already been sold into or that will be sold into the market without having to physically modify any portion of frame 1 or push members 2 for any sled manufacturer. Additionally, attaching extension member 10 to both vertical push members 2 will allow the user to steer or turn the sled more easily while pushing it. This is because the user will be able to apply more leverage to the outside edges of the tail end of the sled to turn it when applying force slightly to the left or right on the push members adapted to receive a chest or waist portion of the users which now transfer force through members 2 on the outside edges of the sled.
FIG. 19A illustrates how the push member adapted to receive a waist portion of the user pitch angle P1 relative to extension member 10 is variable and free to move with the user's waist movement while pushing the sled. Additionally, the vertical height V and distance from the tail end of the sled DS can be adjusted by pivoting member 50 and adjusting its tilt angle P2 and sliding push member 10 into or out of member 50. Member 50 has two locking mechanisms to lock and fix the selected tilt angle P2 and lock member 10 at a selected insert position along L1. The described adjustment features will allow the push member adapted to receive a waist portion of the user to adjust for the user's height and waist tilt while pushing the sled. The ability of member 10 to slide and lock at selectable positions in member 50 will allow the user to fix their distance from the tail end of the sled's frame 1. FIG. 19B illustrates how the push member adapted to receive a chest portion of the user pitch angle P3 relative to extension member 10 is variable and can be selectable to change pitch freely or locked at a specific pitch angle of the user's choosing while they push the sled. Additionally, the vertical height V and distance from the tail end of the sled DS can be adjusted by pivoting member 50 and adjusting its tilt angle P4 and sliding push member 10 into or out of member 50. Member 50 has two locking mechanisms to lock and fix the selected tilt angle P4 and lock member 10 at a selected insert position along L2. The described adjustment features will allow the user to adjust the push member adapted to receive a chest portion of the user 14's tilt P3 and set the push member adapted to receive a chest portion of the user's height relative to the ground so as to fix and train in a sports specific manner all drive angles from Axis A to Axis B shown in FIG. 5. Note that for extreme drive angles (such as FIG. 5, Axis A) where the chest is nearly parallel to the ground, a set of shoulder restraints will be required to keep the user's chest from slipping off the push member adapted to receive a chest portion of the user 14.
FIG. 20 illustrates a push member adapted to receive a waist portion of the user 12 whose width between ends W1 is less than the width between the user's arms W2 so that the user's arms and hands do not contact any portion of the push member 12 or extension member 10 supporting push member 12 while the user's arms move forward and backwards while pushing the sled.
FIG. 21 illustrates how in some embodiments the extension member 10 can have a first portion 10A extending downwardly to a distal end relative a second portion 10B. This will help prevent the user's knees or thighs from striking any portion of extension member 10 when the knee and thigh elevate to their highest point (see dashed outline of user's knee and thigh with high point designator HP) in the recovery cycle while pushing the sled.
Referencing FIG. 6 it is desirable to develop as much strength as possible to power and accelerate the foot in the downward direction of F1 before the foot strikes the ground so as to maximize the ground strike force at impact which determines an athlete's maximum running velocity. Referencing FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 it is obvious the prior sled art can not apply any resistance to the user's foot prior to striking the ground when pushing the sled. Thus, referencing FIG. 22 another embodiment of the present disclosure adds one or more elongated resistance members 28A and 28B connected to frame 1 whereby the distal ends with connector means are routed through pulley lead RP2 attached to cross-member 18 (Ref. FIG. 24) and then connected to attachment means 29 on the user's feet or legs. Elongated members 28A and 28B provide resistance in the direction of arrow R continuously thereby resisting any movement of the legs or feet downward or away from the sled. This innovation now allows sleds to effectively load the airborne portion of the leg drive and recovery phases while pushing the sled to facilitate sports and movement specific strength effectively promoting power development from the start of the downward foot movement prior to ground strike, at ground strike and through the complete ground contact phase until the foot breaks contact with the ground and enters the recovery phase. A real-life implementation of this embodiment can be viewed with FIG. 8
Increasing power in the muscles that contribute to rearward arm drive velocity is also important since increasing rearward arm drive velocity also increases leg drive velocity due to the physical and neurological connection between arm cycling frequency and leg cycle frequency when running. If you increase the rate of your arm drive frequency when running, your legs go faster. If you try to run without moving your arms your top running speed can decrease as much as 50 percent vs allowing your arms to cycle as fast as possible when sprinting. Therefore, referencing FIG. 23, another innovative embodiment of the present disclosure allows the elongated resistance members to be connected to the user's hands using harness means 30. Any arm swing movement away from the sled will be resisted by the attached elongated members. A real-life implementation of this embodiment can be viewed with FIG. 9. The FIG. 23 embodiment with four resistance modules (4×RM1) allows independent loading of both legs or both arms or both legs and arms simultaneously. A means 18 to route the elongated members to the user is better illustrated with FIG. 24. Cross-member 18 uses connector means 18A which is adapted to attach to push members 2 on all sleds. Multiple connector means 19 on cross-member 18 provide connection means to attach RP2 routing means to route elongated members to one or more athletes. FIG. 25 illustrates how a sled can be used in a fixed position whereby one or more elongated members 28A-28D can be independently routed to and connected to multiple users 13A-13D anywhere around the perimeter of the sled using an attachment means on the user. Once the users are attached to the elongated members, they will have a resistive training load (arrow R) directed from their position back to the RP2 pulley lead that their elongated member is routed through. The users will be able to conduct low or high velocity resisted training drills loaded by the elongated member when standing next to the sled frame 1 out to 40 or more yards from the stationary sled.
An illustration of the embodiment of a resistance module to carry the elongated member prior to being routed to the user is provided with FIGS. 26 and 27 whereby the elongated member has been removed from the resistance module. FIG. 26 is a top elevation and FIG. 27 is a side elevation of the resistance module which consists of; a base 20, a cut out portion 21 of the base to allow the opposing end of the elongated member to pass through and under the base and then into and out of cam cleat 25, two pulley stacks 22 and 23 containing at least one pulley each, an elevated pulley lead RP1 to direct the distal end of the elongated member away from the resistance module and connection members 26 and 27 used to lock the resistance module onto frame 1 of the sled. FIGS. 28 and 29 provide a top and sideview elevation illustration respectively showing the resistance module with the elongated member 34 routed through the pulley system. Opposing end 34A passes through pulley lead RP2 and then through pulley lead RP1 then alternately around pulley stacks 23 and 22 and then passing through cut out 21 in base 20 passing to the underside of base 20 and then through cam cleat 25. Pulley lead RP2 with attachment clip 32 can be connected to any connectors 19 fastened to cross-member 18 to redirect distal end with clip 33 to an attachment harness worn by a user positioned anywhere around the perimeter of the sled. Additionally, RP2 can be connected to any receptor attached to a sled part above RP1 elevation for redirecting distal end with clip 33 to a user.
FIGS. 30 and 31 provide a top and side view elevation illustration respectively of four independent resistance module each carrying an elongated member 34 with connector clip 33 attached to the distal end. Member 35 attaches to frame 1 and receives resistance module connector 26 while opposing resistance module connector 27 attaches to frame 1. One or more resistance module carrying the elongated member can be independently connected to the sled. Referencing FIG. 32, additional extensions EXT1 and EXT 2 can be added to sled frame 1 to direct elongated members at different levels to one or more users. In this example, four elongated members with connector means 33A-33D emanating from 4 independent resistance module are routed away from the sled at different elevations to be used one to four users simultaneously. RP2A connected to 19 on cross-member 18 (not visible) routes elongated member 34A with attachment clip 33A to the backside of the sled. EXT 2 attached to frame 1 with cross-member 37 and multiple connectors 36 attached routes elongated member 34B with connector clip 33B and 34D with connector clip 33D away from the sled at an elevated height using RP2B and RP2D connected to members 36. EXT 1 attached to frame 1 with cross-member 3 and multiple connectors 36 attached, routes elongated member 34C with connector clip 33C away from the front end of the sled at an elevation just above RP1 using RP2C connected to member 36. Such an embodiment allows a stationary sled to train many users with elongated member origins emanating away from the sled at many different levels providing additional training versatility to the prior art.
FIGS. 33-36 illustrate an additional innovation to aid the user in turning the sled around once the user has pushed the sled to the end of a training range and wishes to reverse the direction of the sled to push it back to the original starting position. Turning sleds of the prior art around 180 degrees around after every push (especially when heavily weighted) is difficult and time consuming. The sled turning task has been a long-standing issue with users of the prior art which does not provide a means to facilitate turning the sled. Referencing FIGS. 33 and 34, sled frame 1 contains an aperture 41, which receives shaft 42 with foot 43 connected to shaft 42. Lowering mechanism 40 is a pedal utilized to lower shaft 42 and foot 43 to raise frame 1 off the ground to height that frame 1 can be rotated about shaft 42 utilizing bearing 44 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction as shown if FIG. 35. After the sled is rotated about the shaft 42 as shown in FIG. 36 the mechanism 40 for lowering foot 43 is used to place foot 43 in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 33.
Referencing the embodiment described in FIGS. 37-39 will allow two advantages with respect to increasing the velocity of the sled for any given force applied to it for the purpose of pushing and secondly the deployable wheels will help the sled move in a straight line and inhibit drift to the left or right when uneven loads are applied to push members on the sled. Arms 50 and 51 have one end pivotally attached to frame 1 and the other end supporting a wheel or wheels 46F and 47F with member 48 attached to members 50 and 51 providing an axle to support one or more wheels with bearings and to create a ridged structure whereby members 48, 50 and 51 all move in unison. As members 50 and 51 pivot at the frame 1 attachment point. Knob 49 attached to threaded bolt 52 which passes through threaded support member 53 which is attached to frame 1. Threaded bolt 52 then passes through threaded member 48 which is attached to and moves with pivoting members 50 and 51. As knob 49 is turned clockwise member 48 will be drawn to support member 53 as pivoting arms 50 and 51 rise bringing the wheels into a raised position not in contact with the ground as shown in FIG. 38. Turning the knob counterclockwise will force member 48 away from member 53 with arms 50 and 51 pivoting downward into a lowered position placing the wheels in contact with the ground while skid member 4F is lifted off the ground. With the bearing wheels in contact with the ground the force required to push the sled will be reduced significantly as the bearing wheels provide much less friction for movement than skid member 4F sliding on the ground. The sled velocity will increase for any given load applied that can move the sled vs the skids in full contact with the ground and the wheel or wheels will also help the sled travel in a straight line as opposed to the flat skid 4F which has no means to counteract uneven force applied to push members 2 which will cause the front end of the sled to veer left or right depending on which of the two push members have more force applied to them.
Another embodiment is with FIGS. 40-43 whereby the friction skids are replaced by wheels and a disk brake 64 mounted to frame 1 is utilized to interact with at least one wheel RRW. A controller 61 is connected to the disk brake 64 to control the pressure applied to the brake rotor 63 to provide a desired resistance to the movement of one or more wheels and the sled. Referencing FIGS. 40-43 we have a three wheeled embodiment of a sled that could be pushed by applying force to vertical push members 2 or pulled with a tether. Technically this embodiment is a cart and not a sled anymore since it has no skids. This embodiment attaches rear wheels RRW and LRW to a common axle 60. Axle 60 is attached to each wheel RRW and LRW and rotates with the wheels. Metal brake rotor 63 is attached to axle 60 so it rotates with the axle 60 and both wheels RRW and LRW also. Note the brake rotor 63 could alternately be attached to the wheel RRW. Disk Brake 64 which fits over rotor 63 is attached to sled frame 1 with pivoting means illustrated in FIG. 45. Member 62 is an integrated force measurement device providing the ability to measure force applied to the sled by the user. Member 62 is also fitted with magnetic sensing capabilities to provide odometer functions for measuring sled velocity and distance traveled. Member 62 has wireless transmission capabilities to transmit force, velocity and distance traveled data to a receiving device. Member 61 with control lever or dial means 61A transfers control via member 61B which is connected to 64 to control braking force applied by disk brake 64 to brake rotor 63 which transfers braking resistance to axle 60 which is then transferred to wheels RRW and LRW. FIGS. 42-43 illustrate a rearview elevation of one embodiment selective resistance mechanism showing just the wheels RRW and LRW, axle 60, brake rotor 63, disk brake 64 and axle support structure frame 1 with embedded bearings 60A and 60B for axle 60 and one or more magnetic members 63A and 63B integrated to the brake rotor 63. The magnetic elements integrated to brake rotor 63 are for the sensor 62 to monitor and calculate velocity and distance traveled during individual pushes or complete workouts with the sled. One, two, four, eight or more magnets can be attached to brake rotor 63. The more magnetic elements 63A and 63B attached at equally spaced intervals on brake rotor 63, the more accurate distance, velocity and acceleration measurements will be with the ability for the odometer function to detect ¼ turn of the wheel—(4 magnets), ⅛ turn of the wheel—(8 magnets) or 1/10 turn of the wheel—(10 magnets). Post 1A or push members 2 can be used to attach the chest drive and hip drive attachments described in accordance with FIGS. 22 and 23. The cart can also be adapted to attach elongated resistance members described in accordance with FIGS. 26-32.
Referencing FIG. 44 a side view of the braking assembly less brake rotor 63 is shown. Axle housing or support structure 1 holds bearings 60B and 60A which axle 60 passes through. Disk brake 64 with mounting pin 64A attached to mount strain gauge sensor 62 to the disk brake 64 is shown. The disk brake is mounted to sled frame 1 using flange 67 and pin 68 so that disk brake assembly 64 and mounting pin 64A can pivot about pin 68 axis as shown by arrow A1 and dotted outline of disk brake 64. Non-movable flange 65 with strain gauge sensor mounting pin 65A is attached to frame member 1. Magnet sensor 66 is located in an area on flange 65 so that it may detect magnetic elements 63A and 63B on brake rotor 63 as they pass by magnet sensor 66 as brake rotor 63 is turning with wheel RRW. FIG. 45 illustrates how FIG. 44 would look once brake rotor 63 is attached to axle 60 and inserted into disk brake 64. Strain gauge sensor 62 with mounting pin receptors 62A and 62B is placed over mounting pins 65A and 64A respectively to produce the illustration shown with FIG. 46. Referencing FIG. 45 with brake rotor 63 semi-transparent for illustration purposes, the strain gauge sensor 62 is now in place on mounting pins 65A and 64A with sensor cable 67 plugged into strain gauge sensor 62 and connected to magnetic detection device 66 for signal transmission to strain gauge sensor 62. Signal transmission from detector 66 to strain gauge sensor 62 could be accomplish wirelessly also. When the sled is pushed in the direction of D1 by the user wheels RRW and LRW will try to turn rotor 63 in the direction of arrow D2. If the braking disks inside disk brake 64 are engaged with brake rotor 63 providing resistance against brake rotor 63 moving, any movement of rotor 63 in the direction of arrow D2 will try to pull disk brake housing 64 in the direction of arrow D3 as well as connected pin 64A in the direction of arrow D4 as the pivoting capability of 64A will allow movement in the D4 direction. However, pin receptors 62A and 62B in strain gauge sensor 62 will not let pins 65A and 64A separate more than a fraction of an inch as the strain gauge sensor limits movement of 62A and 62B as member 62 begins measuring force. The separation force pulling pins 65A and 64A apart will be measured by sensors detecting pressure applied to receptors 62A and 64A within member 62 and thus the force applied to the sled can be measured by determining the length of the moment arm between the center of the disk pad in disk brake 64 and the center of axle 60 and its spatial relationship to the outer perimeter of wheels RRW and LRW. The frequency of magnetic elements 63A and 63B passing detector 66 will determine sled velocity while the number of magnetic element passing over detector 66 will allow member 62 to calculate distance pushed.
The data collected by member 62 can be wirelessly transmitted to devices such as a PC or smart phone or I-Pad type tablet for analysis and real time display such as attaching a smart phone to a support member on the sled and using an app to display real time data to the user that they can view while training with the sled. The app can present workouts through visual and audio means from the smart phone or tablet or permanently attached LCD interactive screen to the user and actually coach them through many types of sled workouts comparing past workout performances with the current workout performance. Performance changes over time will be able to be tracked. The app or attached interactive LCD screen can provide the ability to adjust cart resistance by simply selecting drive resistance with member 61 and allowing the app to wirelessly or through direct cable control command a electromechanical servo to adjust disk brake 64 force applied to brake rotor 63. If electromechanical control of disk brake 64 pressure on brake rotor 63 is implemented, push button or LCD touch control or smart phone control by the user could be used to change the disk brake resistance setting an thus change how hard the user must push or pull against the sled to make it move.
