Abstract:
Mobile resistance training apparatus and a method of resistance training for an athlete. The apparatus and method of the present invention are not sport-specific; they are applicable to train and exercise individuals in various disciplines. The preferred apparatus of the present invention is a vehicle having a steering system, a braking system, a mechanism for varying resistance, and a pushing and or pulling apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the operator steers the vehicle in a random or predetermined direction as the participant (i.e., individual being trained) pushes or pulls the vehicle. In addition to controlling the direction of movement of the vehicle, the operator also controls the amount of resistance that the participant must overcome in order to move the vehicle. Alternatively, the direction of the vehicle and the resistance level can be controlled remotely and/or by the participant.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    Exercise equipment, and in particular, training apparatus, is often utilized in various athletic endeavors to improve an athlete&#39;s strength and fitness levels. For example, football programs at all levels of ability often make use of training apparatus known as a blocking sled/dummy, to improve blocking ability as well as tackling ability and technique of the player. The blocking dummy is meant to simulate an opponent, and a plurality of such dummies are generally permanently mounted to a sled in a parallel array. The dummies are suitably padded, and the player approaches or charges the dummy and impacts the dummy in an attempt to move the sled to which it is affixed as far as possible. However, the resistance imparted by each dummy is not variable, and the range of motion of the sleds is limited. As a result, the ability of such apparatus to train the athlete in a dynamic manner also is limited. In addition, the movement of the sleds tends to tear up the playing field.  
           [0002]    There is therefore a need in the field for resistance training apparatus where the resistance can be varied, controlled and customized to each individual athlete.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The problems of the prior art have been overcome by the present invention, which provides mobile resistance training apparatus and a method of resistance training for an athlete. The apparatus and method of the present invention are not sport-specific; they are applicable to train and exercise individuals in various disciplines, including but not limited to football, wrestling, track and field, hockey, soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball, lacrosse, gymnastics, and aerobic activities. The preferred apparatus of the present invention is a vehicle having a steering system, a braking system, a mechanism for varying resistance, and a pushing and/or pulling apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the operator steers the vehicle in a random or predetermined direction as the participant (i.e., individual being trained) pushes or pulls the vehicle. In addition to controlling the direction of movement of the vehicle, the operator also controls the amount of resistance that the participant must overcome in order to move the vehicle. Alternatively, the direction of the vehicle and the resistance level can be controlled remotely and/or by the participant. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    [0004]FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 2 is a side view of the stabilizer for the pushing mechanism in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 3 is a rear view of the stabilizer for the pushing mechanism in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 4 is a side view of a pushing mechanism in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 5 is a front view of a pushing mechanism in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 6 is a side view of a blocking pad assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]    Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a mobile resistance trainer vehicle  10  in accordance with the present invention. The vehicle  10  includes a chassis  11 , preferably of rectangular configuration and constructed of steel. The chassis  11  is supported above the ground by a plurality of wheels  12 . In the embodiment shown, four wheels  12  are used, a front pair rotatable on a front axle and a rear pair rotatable on a rear axle. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that fewer or more wheels could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Preferably the wheels include all terrain heavy duty tubeless air-filled tires and are positioned to provide good traction, excellent ground clearance and some shock absorption for the vehicle  10 . Other forms of locomotion could be used instead of or in addition to wheels, including tracks. Preferably the chassis  11  has a wide base to provide stability to the assembly. One suitable chassis configuration has a width of about 1.5 feet and a length of about 5.5 feet.  
         [0011]    The chassis  11  houses or supports a transmission (not shown) for the vehicle. Suitable chassis and transmissions are commercially available, such as those used with conventional riding mowers or tractors. One suitable transmission is Peerless 820 Series Transaxle, model 820-011B. The transaxle allows the operator to “shift on the fly” while the vehicle is being pushed by the user, without destroying the gears or the keyway pin that initiates the change of gear. The chassis  11  also supports an optional platform  13  as shown. Mounted on platform  13  (or directly on the chassis  11  when the platform  13  is eliminated) towards the rear of the chassis is a seat  14  for the operator of the vehicle.  
         [0012]    A steering device  15  such as a steering wheel operatively connected to the front and/or rear axles is conveniently accessible to the operator when seated on seat  14  for controlling the direction of movement of the vehicle  10 . Preferably the steering device  15  is a low radius steering device providing the vehicle  10  with a small or tight turning radius. This allows the operator to maneuver quickly and precisely, whether through an obstacle course, in a congested field or in open space. Although a steering wheel is preferred, other steering devices such as levers, joysticks, etc. can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Alternatively, the vehicle can be placed on a track and the vehicle manipulated by the user over the track over a predetermined course.  
         [0013]    A braking device such as lever  16  is also accessible to the operator for stopping movement of the vehicle as well as applying measured resistance when needed or desired. The braking device  16  can be any conventional braking mechanism well known to those skilled in the art effective for slowing and/or stopping the vehicle. Although the braking device is preferred, it is not absolutely necessary, as the apparatus can be stopped manually or by ceasing of the pushing or pulling forces that move it.  
         [0014]    Also conveniently accessible to the operator is a resistance control device  17 . The device  17  is coupled to a gear box or the like (not shown) forming part of the transmission which controls the amount of power necessary to drive one or more of the vehicle axles. For example, the Peerless 820 series transaxle mentioned above has six different gears in the box, offering varying turning ratios, with the highest turning ratio offering the least resistance to move the vehicle.  
         [0015]    A vehicle engine optionally can be included to assist in powering the vehicle. Preferably the engine is a 2 or 4-cycle and is gasoline powered. The engine is operatively connected to the transmission and one or more of the vehicle axles.  
         [0016]    In order to attach additional weight to the assembly, a weight rack  19  can be provided on the vehicle chassis  11  or platform  13 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the weight rack  19  is about 12″ high and is near the front end of the chassis  11 . It is used to house one or more removable weight plates (not shown) to modify the weight of the assembly (and thereby increase the resistance) by adding or removing weight therefrom. The chassis generally has a maximum load of about 600 pounds, which is sufficient to carry the operator (about 200-300 pounds) and accommodate about 300 pounds of added weight plates or the like to increase resistance.  
         [0017]    A coupling mechanism  21  such as an eye hook can be located at the front of the chassis  11  to attach a tether such as a rope, if desired. The participant can use the rope to pull the apparatus for training. The rope can be attached to the participant with a shoulder or waist harness, or the participant can simply grasp it with his hands.  
         [0018]    The pushing apparatus is shown generally at  50  in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown, the pushing apparatus  50  includes a stationary hollow cylinder or pipe  51  supported on a plate  48  mounted to the platform  13  or chassis  11  in a cantilevered manner. Further support for the plate  48  can be provided with one or more, preferably two spaced, angled stabilizer bars  49  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The pushing apparatus  50  further includes a telescoping adjusting cylinder or pipe  52 . At least the lower portion of the pipe  52  has a smaller outside diameter than the outer diameter of the stationary pipe  51  so that the pipe  52  can telescope in the pipe  51 . Preferably the entire pipe  52  has such a smaller diameter. Alternatively, the relative diameters of the two pipes  51 ,  52  could be reversed so that the adjusting pipe  52  telescopes over the stationary pipe  51 . Stationary pipe  51  includes a tightening bolt  47  that can be tightened to abut against the adjusting pipe  52  and lock the adjusting pipe  52  in place. Alternatively or in addition, one of the pipes  51 ,  52  can be slotted or have a plurality of holes and can be locked in place with respect to the other pipe with a pin or the like extending through a slot or hole. Other alternative embodiments of providing adjustable height for the pushing apparatus are within the skill in the art and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0019]    Turning now to FIG. 4, shown coupled to adjusting pipe  52  is a pushing plate  53 . The pushing plate  53  is coupled to the pipe  52  and spaced from the pipe  52  (and chassis  11 ) by one or more bars  54  (two shown) attached to the pipe  52  by welding, with bolts, or by other suitable means. The plate  53  can be welded or otherwise secured to the bars  54 . The plate  53  is preferably angled outwardly from top to bottom as shown to better align with the chest of the individual being trained. A cushion or pad  55  (FIG. 1) can be secured or removably secured to the plate  53  for the comfort of the participant.  
         [0020]    Because the pushing mechanism  50  is vertically adjustable, the apparatus can accommodate individuals of various heights. Once a suitable height of the pushing apparatus is determined, the apparatus can be locked at that height (such as with tightening bolt  47 ) which forces the participant to maintain the same height throughout varying levels of resistance. Alternatively, the height can be modified during training to alter the exercise routine and/or the particular muscles being worked by the exercise. For example, the pushing apparatus can be set to a higher height to simulate a higher resistance. Similarly, although the adjustable pipe  52  can be locked in place, the tightening bolt  47  or other locking mechanism can be loosened or removed to allow the pushing apparatus  50  to swivel, thereby forcing the participant to constantly adjust position during the routine in order to apply maximum pushing force. Thus, as the operator steers the apparatus  10 , the participant must rotate his hips and legs around to square his position with the center of the apparatus in order to effectively and efficiently push the apparatus. This action simulates opposing lineman changing their point of attack in a football situation.  
         [0021]    In addition to or in place of the pad  55 , the pushing mechanism  50  can include one or more handle grip bars  57  as best seen in FIG. 5. The bars  57  extend laterally across the adjusting pipe  52  with respect to the direction of vehicle travel. In the embodiment shown, two bars  57  are used, vertically spaced as shown, and mounted with plate  58 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the gripping means could be instead made up of more than one integral bar; that is, the top gripping means could be two separate bars  57 , one extending to the right as oriented in the Figure, and one extending to the left. The lower gripping means could be similarly made up of two separate bars. Any suitable means of attaching the bars  57  to the adjusting pipe  52  can be used, including welding and bolting. The bars  57  preferably extending laterally a sufficient distance to allow the individual being trained to grip the bars with the hands in a position where the arms are spread or spaced a comfortable distance from one another. It has been found that if the bars extend about  32  inches laterally, suitable centered about the pipe  52 , most individuals can be accommodated. The participant can grip the bars  52  and push the apparatus  10 , and if the pad  55  is present, can also push with or support himself with his chest resting on the pad  55 .  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 shows another utilitarian accessory that can be attached to the apparatus of the present invention. The accessory illustrated is a blocking pad assembly  60  removably secured to the stationary pipe  51 . In the embodiment shown, the stationary pipe  51  is hollow, and receives a coupling leg of the blocking pad assembly. The depth to which the block pad assembly  60  is inserted into the stationary pipe  51  can be altered, and determines the relative height of the pad assembly  60  based upon the height of the participant. The blocking pad assembly  60  includes a vertically depending leg  61 , and an angled leg  62  extending from the depending leg  51 . A stabilizing bar  63  can be positioned between depending leg  61  and angled leg  62  to provide stability to the assembly. In the embodiment shown, the assembly  60  is a standard blocking pad assembly typically used with a conventional blocking sled. Other means for securing the assembly to the vehicle can be used and are within the skill in the art. A pad (not shown) can be attached to the angled leg  62  to cushion impact.  
         [0023]    The operation of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus is as follows. The apparatus is optionally equipped with a predetermined amount of added weight via rack  19 . A suitable utilitarian accessory, such as a padded chest pad  55  as shown in FIG. 1, is mounted on pipe  51  and, along with gripping bars  57 , is set to a suitable height for the participant. The operator of the apparatus is seated in seat  14  and sets a suitable resistance level using resistance control device  17 . The operator grasps steering wheel  15  in preparation for steering the vehicle. The participant then contacts the pad  55  and/or grips handle grip bars  57 , and pushes the assembly across the terrain. As the participant pushes, the operator steers the vehicle in a random or predetermined fashion. The operator has the option of increasing or decreasing the resistance level during the exercise by manipulating device  17  and/or by applying or releasing the braking mechanism.  
         [0024]    The apparatus of the present invention is particularly suited for building leg, lower back and upper body strength. For example, maximum leg and lower back exercise is achieved when the participant applies force by pushing the apparatus using only their chest. Leg, lower back and upper body strength is maximized when the participant applies force by pushing the apparatus with their chest along with using the gripping bars  57  and applying force through the arms. Cardiovascular training is achieved as a result of the dynamic motion coupled with resistance. The level of resistance can be readily controlled based upon the ability of the participant and the desired difficulty of the exercise. The vehicle can be used outdoors in all weather conditions and on virtually any terrain, including hills and flat areas, and can be used indoors in field house floors or gymnasium floors, for example. It can be adapted quickly for any individual, reducing down-time from one participant to the next.  
         [0025]    It is also possible to operate the apparatus without the assistance of an operator. Thus, the participant can preset the desired resistance level, and can push or pull the apparatus without secondary steering. Alternatively, the steering (and changing of resistance level) can be carried out remotely, the apparatus can be used on a track or pre-defined course, or steering can be carried out by the participant during the activity by modifying the steering mechanism and resistance control device so that they are in close proximity to the participant.