Abstract:
A resistance swing training apparatus and method for providing resistance opposing the rotation of the hips of athletes performing sports-specific movements such as the golf or baseball swing. The apparatus provides the resistance by attaching tethers such elastic cords to a harness worn around the waist of the athlete in a configuration that allows the athlete to perform the sports-specific movement at optimum speed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a base forming the training area and a pair of training modules for providing the elastic cords for attachment to the hips of the athlete. The lateral spacing and elevation of the elastic cords may be adjusted to fit the athlete. The resistance may also be adjusted in a wide range of resistances to fit the athlete.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/487,227 filed Jul. 16, 2003.  
       RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0002]     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “Physical Training Apparatus And Method” filed Jul. 16, 2004, by the inventor hereof, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to a physical training apparatus and method for training athletes such as golfers and baseball players who rely on generating power by rotation of the hips. More particularly, it relates to a swing training apparatus and method for providing forces of either constant or varying magnitude opposing the rotation of the hips through the range of motion during the golf or baseball swing.  
         [0004]     Physical training and conditioning have long been recognized as desirable for improving various motor skills to thereby improve the performance of an athlete, the rehabilitation of a physical therapy patient, or the overall physical well-being of the trainee. Training with resistance while performing specific movements with the body has been found to be very effective in improving various physical abilities such as functional strength, running speed, first-step quickness, jumping ability, and kicking ability. Such resistance training is increasingly becoming favored over training with heavy weights using slow non-sports specific motions.  
         [0005]     For example, if an athlete wants to run faster it has been found to be more beneficial to apply light resistance to the leg muscles while running than by performing a press with the legs with heavy weights. Both of these training methods will strengthen the leg muscles of the athlete, however, the high-speed training by providing light resistance while running allows the athlete to generate more power at high speeds since the muscle is conditioned with resistance at high speeds. Training the muscles using slow movement with resistance promotes power generation at slow speeds since the muscle is conditioned at slow speeds. Both training methods are important to most athletes. However, for athletic performance optimization at high speeds the muscles must be physically and neurologically trained at high speeds. The term “training vector” as used herein shall mean a force opposing the motion of a portion of a trainee through a predetermined range of motion. The magnitude and direction of a training vector may be relatively constant or may vary through the predetermined range of motion.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,968,028 and 4,863,163 entitled “Vertical Jump Exercise Apparatus” issued to the inventor of the present invention each disclose resistance training apparatus for vertical jump training and conditioning. The prior art system disclosed in the Wehrell patents applies two training vectors having relatively constant magnitude to the hips of the trainee for applying resistance to the legs while performing the jumping motion.  
         [0007]     A later modification of the exercise apparatus disclosed in the Wehrell patents provided relatively constant resistance to the back of the knees of a trainee performing a running motion by attaching the elastic members of the exercise apparatus to detachable leg harnesses worn by the trainee. This embodiment provided resistance for training the hip flexors of the trainee at high speeds.  
         [0008]     Similarly, if an athlete wants to generate more power by rotation of the hips, it will be beneficial to apply light resistance to the rotation of the hips as the athlete performs a specific athletic movement such as swinging a golf club or a baseball/softball bat. Such rotational training of the hips may be beneficial to other athletes such as soccer players, place kickers, track and field athletes, tennis players, and athletes of other racket sports.  
         [0009]     One prior art system illustrated in  FIG. 1  provides pulleys with resistance bands attached to walls to provide lateral resistance vectors A and B. The walls and/or cords in this configuration will interfere with the path of a golf club when performing a natural swing and the vectors A and B fail to provide a relatively constant training vector to each hip during the full range of motion in a golf swing.  
         [0010]     There remains a need for a physical training apparatus that applies training vectors opposing the rotation of the hips while performing sports specific movements.  
         [0011]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to obviate many of the deficiencies in the prior art and to provide a novel physical training apparatus and method.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel physical training apparatus and method for providing training vectors opposing the rotation of the hips of an athlete.  
         [0013]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel physical training apparatus and method for providing training vectors of relatively constant magnitude opposing the hips of an athlete performing a golf swing.  
         [0014]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel physical training apparatus and method for providing training vectors of relatively constant magnitude opposing the hips of an athlete performing a baseball or softball swing.  
         [0015]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel physical training apparatus and method for providing at least two training vectors opposing rotation of the lower body of an athlete performing a sports specific athletic movement.  
         [0016]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel physical training apparatus and method for providing multiple training vectors opposing rotation of the hips and shoulders of an athlete performing a sports specific movement.  
         [0017]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel swing training apparatus and method for improving the club head speed in a golf swing.  
         [0018]     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a novel physical training apparatus and method for improving the bat speed in a baseball swing.  
         [0019]     These and many other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains from a perusal of the claims, the appended drawings, and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a prior art training system with a user in a standing position showing a restraining means providing a specified resistance with reference to the user.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention with a user in a standing position showing a restraining means providing a specified resistance with reference to the user.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a training module of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the training module of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a resistance training assembly.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5  illustrating various positions of the resistance training assembly.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5  with the resistance training assemblies elevated at a right angle with the base.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating different positions of the resistance training assemblies.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view an embodiment of the present invention with a user performing a golf swing showing a restraining means providing a specified resistance with reference to the user.  
         [0030]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are illustrations showing the various positions of the hips of a golfer during a golf swing.  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention with a user in the backswing position of  FIGS. 11 and 12  showing a restraining means providing a specified resistance with reference to the user.  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention with a user in the mid-swing position of  FIGS. 11 and 12  showing a restraining means providing a specified resistance with reference to the user.  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention with a user in the follow-through position of  FIGS. 11 and 12  showing a restraining means providing a specified resistance with reference to the user.  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the training module of  FIG. 3  including an attachment means.  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the training module of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of a further embodiment of the present invention with a user in a standing position showing an alternative resistance training assembly providing a specified resistance with reference to the user.  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing resistance training assemblies directly to the left and right of a user.  
         [0038]      FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 19  showing an alternative resistance training assembly.  
         [0039]      FIG. 21  is a top plan view of  FIG. 20  with a user in a standing position showing a restraining means providing a specified resistance with reference to the user.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 22 and 23  are front views of various embodiments of the present invention illustrating alternative positions of the resistance training assembly.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 24 and 25  are front views of alternative embodiments of the present invention providing four training vectors to a user.  
         [0042]      FIG. 26  is a side view of a pulley assembly of the present invention level with a member.  
         [0043]      FIG. 27  is a side view of the pulley assembly of  FIG. 26  attached to a resistance training assembly.  
         [0044]      FIG. 28  is a side view of a pulley assembly of the present invention pivoted at a 45 degree angle relative to a member.  
         [0045]      FIG. 29  is a side view of the pulley assembly of  FIG. 28  attached to a resistance training assembly.  
         [0046]      FIG. 30  is a side view of a pulley assembly of the present invention pivoted at a right angle relative to a member.  
         [0047]      FIG. 31  is a side view of the pulley assembly of  FIG. 30  attached to a resistance training assembly.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 32-35  are illustrations of the pulley assembly of  FIGS. 26, 28  and  30  depicting pivoting points of the pulley assembly.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0049]     With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate an understanding of the present invention, the various embodiments of the physical training apparatus of the present invention are described.  
         [0050]     According to one aspect of the present invention, a physical training apparatus and method are provided for providing training vectors opposing the rotation of the hips of an athlete performing sports specific movements such as swinging a golf club or baseball/softball bat.  
         [0051]      FIG. 2  illustrates a physical training apparatus according to the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the physical training apparatus  10  comprises a platform or base  12  that forms a training surface on which the trainee  200  may train. The resistance training assemblies  20 , 30  may be mounted to the base  12  and provide the training vectors A,B that oppose the rotation of the hips of the trainee  200 .  
         [0052]     The resistance training assemblies  20 , 30  include one or more training modules  25  for providing a training vector.  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrate the top and side views of the training module  25 . With reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the training module  25  comprises a rigid frame  450  that carries two stacked pulley assemblies  41 , 42 . Each of the stacked pulley assemblies includes one or more stacked pulleys. The rigid frame  450  includes upper and lower elongated members  45  and pulley assembly mounting members  43 , 44 . A suitable anchor  16  such as a cam cleat is mounted on the lower elongated member  45 . The spaced pulley assemblies  41 , 42  provide a path for routing the elastic member  26  therebetween so that an elastic member many times the length of elongated members  45  may be contained within the training module  25 . The elastic member  26  is secured near one end by the anchor  16  and is attached to a connector  32  at the other end. The effective length of the elastic member  26 , i.e., the length of the member between the anchor  16  and the connector  32 , may be selected by extracting the end  114  of the elastic member  26  from the module  25  and then securing the member  26  with the anchor  16 . The magnitude of the training vector will vary with the effective length of the elastic member  26 . The connector is adapted to be connected to a harness worn around the waist of the trainee. The elastic member  26  may have sufficient length so that the magnitude of the training vector provided to the trainee wearing the harness is relatively constant through the range of motion of the harness. A single module may also include two or more elastic members having different diameters for providing a wider range of resistive force.  
         [0053]      FIGS. 5-9  illustrate embodiments of the physical training apparatus according to the present invention. With reference to  FIGS. 5-9 , the origin for one or more training vectors may be selectively varied in three dimensions and the elevation above the training surface of the origins of two or more training vectors may be different. The resistance training assembly  20  may be formed by mounting a training module  25  on a ridged frame member  90  and including a telescoping frame member  91  and pivoting cord routing assembly  92 . The frame member  90  may be attached at one end to the base  12  or other surface using the base fixture  100 . The frame member  90  can pivot in the base  100  about the axis pin  101 . The other end of the frame member  90  may be elevated from the base and secured at any angle relative to the surface of the base  12 . The positions A, B and C illustrate elevation angles of about five, forty-five and ninety degrees respectively.  
         [0054]     The position of telescoping frame member  91  relative to the frame member  90  may be fixed at various positions so that the distance between the base  100  and the routing assembly  92  may vary.  
         [0055]     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the resistance training assemblies  20 , 30  are elevated to an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the surface of the base  12 . The elastic member  26  is directed out of training module  25  through the pulley units  95  and  96  and then through the pivoting pulley assembly  92 . The elastic member  26  is attached at one end to the connector  97  for attachment to the selected part of the body of a trainee supported by the base  12 .  
         [0056]     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the base fixture  100  may rotate around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface of the base  12  so that the resistance training assemblies  20 , 30  may be fixed at various angles relative to the position C 1 . An adjustment means (not shown) enables the user to rotate and fix the base fixture  100  at various positions relative to the surface on which the base fixture  100  is attached. Alternatively, the base fixtures  100  may be mounted on a rail (not shown) extending laterally behind the trainee so that the position of the fixtures  100  may be selected. For example, as an alternative to pivoting the resistance training assemblies as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the base fixtures  100  may be position a distance apart equally to about should width of the trainee.  FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the physical training apparatus shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 10  illustrates the embodiment of the physical training apparatus according to the present invention shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  providing training vectors to the hips of a trainee  200  performing a golf swing.  
         [0058]      FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate the various positions of the hips of a golfer during the golf swing.  FIGS. 13-15  illustrate one embodiment of the physical training apparatus according to the present invention providing training vectors to a trainee  200  at various stages of performing the golf swing. With reference to  FIGS. 13-15 , the resistance training assemblies  20 , 30  are positioned so that the assembly  20  provides a training vector to the right hip of the trainee  200  by attaching the elastic member  26  to a harness (not shown) worn on the waist of the trainee. The assembly  30  provides a training vector to the left hip of the trainee  200  by attaching the elastic member  36  to the harness (not shown) worn on the waist of the trainee. As illustrated, the elastic members  26 ,  36  continually apply a force opposing the rotation of the hips of the trainee from the backswing position ( FIG. 13 ) through the mid-swing position ( FIG. 14 ) to the follow-through position ( FIG. 15 ) of the golf swing.  
         [0059]      FIG. 16  shows a training module  25 A including side attachment means so that additional training modules  25 B and  25 C may be easily attached or detached to the sides of training module  25 A. The anchor  16  on each module enables the effective length of the elastic member in the module to be varied to thereby vary the magnitude of the force provided by the member. The range of variance is limited by the diameter of the elastic member. For example, the module  25 A may include an elastic member with a diameter of {fraction (3/8)} inches. The effective length of the elastic member may be varied to thereby vary the force provided by the elastic member in the range between about twenty and about forty pounds. By adding a second module  25 B including an elastic member with a smaller diameter resistance band (e.g., a diameter of about {fraction (5/16)} inches) would provide a useful resistance force range from about four to about twenty pounds. By adding another module  25 C including an elastic member with a larger diameter (e.g., a diameter of {fraction (1/2)} inches) would provide a useful resistance force range from about thirty-five to about sixty pounds. Thus, by adding the modules  25 B and  25 C the effective range of resistance forces is expanded to the range between about four pounds to about sixty pounds. Without the ability to attach and detach additional modules, one would have to remove and then completely replace the resistance band to provide a lower or higher range of training resistances.  FIG. 18  illustrates resistance training assemblies  20  and  30  comprising training modules  25 A, 25 B, 25 C.  
         [0060]      FIG. 19  illustrates an embodiment of the physical training apparatus according to the present invention wherein the resistance training assemblies  20 , 30  are mounted directly to the left and right of the trainee  200 .  FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate the positioning of the resistance training assemblies  20  and  30  including the triple training module configuration.  
         [0061]      FIGS. 22 and 23  illustrate two of many positions of the resistance training assemblies  20 , 30 . The base fixture  100  for each assembly provides an adjustment means to lock frame member  90  in various angular positions relative to the exercise frame  110 , allowing the angular position of assemblies  20 , 30  to be set at many positions. Note also that frame member  90  has a mechanical adjustment means to fix the position of telescoping member  91  (which slides within  90 ) at various telescopic positions.  
         [0062]      FIG. 24  illustrates a physical training apparatus providing four training vectors by attaching training modules  25 A and  25 B to each frame member  90  of the respective assemblies  20 , 30  and attaching an additional pivoting pulley assembly  92  to each frame member  90 . This embodiment provides elastic members E 1 ,E 2 ,E 3 ,E 4  for attachment to the trainee so that training vectors may be applied to two points on the trainee in addition to the hips.  
         [0063]      FIG. 25  illustrates another embodiment for providing four training vectors by using the elastic members  902 , 904  (which may be directed away from the training surface  906  as disclosed in the prior Wehrell patents) and directing the members  902 , 904  through the respective pivoting pulley assembly  92 .  
         [0064]      FIGS. 26-31  illustrate the pivoting capabilities of the pulley assembly  92 . As the assembly  92  is elevated by pivoting the member  90  about the base fixture  100 , the position of the pivoting pulley assembly  92  relative to member  91  may be adjusted. Adjustment means  120  may be provided as necessary to position the assembly  92  at the desired angles relative to member  91 .  
         [0065]      FIGS. 32-35  illustrate the operational features and pivoting point of the pulley assembly  92 . With reference to  FIGS. 32-35 , the tether T 1  is routed through the pulley  122  and between horizontal pulleys  121 A and  121 B. An adjustment mechanism  127  enables the support structure  126  for the pulley  123  to rotate clockwise to separate the pulley  123  from the pulley  124 . This allows tether T 1  to be placed over pulley  124 . With reference to  FIG. 73 , the support structure  126  is then rotated counter clockwise until it binds tether T 1  firmly within the races of the pulleys  124  and  123 . Locking mechanism  127  secures  126  in place so the pulleys  123  and  124  can not separate. The tight special separation between the pulleys  123  and  124  prohibit tether T 1  from derailing from the pulleys  123  and  124  during movement of the tether T 1 . The tether T 1  may be any means for providing a training vector to a trainee such as an elastic member.  
         [0066]     With reference  FIGS. 34 and 35 , it can be seen that the purpose of pulleys  121 A and  121 B are to maintain the tether T 1  on pulley  122  when the rotating assembly  128  pivots about the mechanical axis  125 . This assembly allows the user to move the tether over a wide range of points within the exercise area (180 degrees left and right, and 180 degrees up and down) without the tether derailing from the pulley assembly  92 .  
         [0067]     It can be seen from the various figures illustrating many of the embodiments of the physical training apparatus according to the present invention that the physical training apparatus may be used in a variety of configurations and is particularly suitable fro providing resistance to the rotation of the hips and other body parts during sports specific movements, e.g, the golf or baseball swing.  
         [0068]     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalence, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill in the art from a perusal hereof.