Track trainer

A training device which is particularly adapted to be drawn behind a vehicle and wherein the speed of movement of the training device may be varied is described. The training device is particularly adaptive for training people in running exercises and is constructed to take a varied portion of the weight of the person who is training while permitting the arms and legs to function in a normal manner as required by the training exercise. The device is also provided with an arm exercise device which can be utilized during the running exercise and thereby strengthening one's shoulders and arms. The device is usable for all types of training exercises including rehabilitation, and is adjustable to individuals of different height.

This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in 
exercise devices, and more particularly to an exercise device which is 
particularly adaptive to be used in conjunction with running and leg 
building exercises. 
The invention particularly relates to a training device which is intended 
to be drawn behind a vehicle wherein the device may be moved at a 
pre-selected rate. 
One of the features of the invention is that the device can be used as an 
even pacer in doing middle- and long-distance training; or it can be used 
for speed work by mechanically pulling an individual faster than he can 
currently run, thereby improving speed and endurance. 
One of the particular advantages of the invention is that it has a support 
bar which is gripped by the user, with the support bar being adjustable to 
be at a height wherein it aids in supporting the user by taking part of 
the load off of the user's legs, rendering the invention particularly 
useful in rehabilitating an injured leg or ankle. 
Another feature of the invention is that the training device may be readily 
adjusted in height for different individuals and for different purposes. 
Yet another feature of the invention is that the training device is 
provided with hand grip members which can be utilized in exercising one's 
arms and developing shoulder muscles while running. 
The training device is not limited to athletes, but can be used in 
rehabilitating heart patients, patients with leg injuries, and to develop 
running coordination in special education students and mental patients.

Referring now to the drawings, the training device generally identified by 
numeral 5 is fully illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. The training device 5 
includes a trailer portion which is generally identified by the numeral 6. 
The trailer portion 6 includes an axle 7 having mounted on the opposite 
ends thereof wheels 8. Adjacent to each of the wheels 8 and as is best 
shown in FIG. 3, the axle 7 carries an angle bracket 10. The angle bracket 
10 includes a horizontal flange 11, which is welded to the axle 7, and an 
upstanding flange 12, which is disposed adjacent the wheel 8. 
The trailer portion 6 also includes a pair of forwardly extending frame 
members 13 which are fixedly secured to the angle brackets 10 by fasteners 
14. The forward ends of the frame members 13 are secured to a connecting 
plate 15 which, in turn, carries a trailer hitch 16 for facilitating the 
removable securement of the trailer portion 6 to a pulling vehicle, such 
as a motor car 17 as shown in FIG. 1 or a golf cart 17' as shown in FIG. 
4. It is to be recognized that the towing vehicle can be an electrically 
or gas-operated device of varying design. Since the training device is 
relatively light it can be towed by many vehicles. 
The trailer portion 6 carries a pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending 
arms 18 which have their lower ends secured to the vertical flanges 12 of 
the angle brackets 10, as is shown in FIG. 3. Each arm 18 is secured to 
the angle bracket 10 by a lower bolt 20 having a fixed position, and by an 
upper bolt 21 which selectively passes through one of a plurality of 
apertures 22 in the respective flange. Thus, each arm 18 may be vertically 
adjusted by removing the bolt 21 and tilting the arm 18 to the desired 
angle, and then replacing the bolt 21 in a selected one of the apertures 
22. 
The arms 18 carry an extender bar, generally indentified by the numeral 23. 
The extender bar 23 includes a cross or stride bar portion 24 and a pair 
of legs 25. The arms 18 are hollow and the legs 25 are of a size to be 
telescoped therein. The legs are fixed to the arms 18 in an adjusted 
position by means of bolts 26. At this time it is pointed out that the 
legs 25 may be provided with a plurality of apertures for receiving the 
bolts 26 so that the extender bar 23 may be adjusted relative to the arms 
18 and, thus, vertically adjust the position of the cross or stride bar 
24. Further, the cross or stride bar 24 is preferably provided, at least 
in the central portion thereof, with a suitable covering 27. It will be 
apparent that as a modification, rather than having legs 25 which 
telescope into arms 18, it is possible to utilize straight extender bars 
18' as shown in FIG. 4 which will fit over or, as shown, into arms 18 with 
the cross or stride bar 24 having only short legs 25 which telescopically 
fit into the opposite end of the extenders. This modified arrangement can 
be particularly useful when substantial height is needed as when the 
device is used to rehabilitate an injured ankle or leg, again as shown in 
FIG. 4. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper portions of the arms 18 can be 
connected together by a bar 28 which extends traversely between the arms 
18. Opposite end portions of the bar 28 are secured to the arms 18 by 
means of fasteners 30. The bar 28, in turn, carries an arm exercise 
device, generally identified by the numeral 31. 
The arm exercise device includes a first pair of bars 32 which have their 
forward end portions pivotally secured to the bar 28 by means of fasteners 
33. The bars 32 extend rearwardly in converging relation. 
A second pair of bars 34 have rear end portions thereof pivotally secured 
to central portions of the bar 28 by means of fasteners 35 which permit 
pivoting thereof. The bars 34 extend forwardly from the bar 28 and have 
their forward ends connected together by a link 36 which is pivotally 
connected to the forward end of the bars 34 by means of fasteners 37. If 
desired, the link 36 may be provided with an additional set of apertures 
38 for receiving the fasteners 37. 
Normally, the bars 34 have the rear ends thereof opposing and generally 
abutting rear portions of the bars 32. The bars 32 have secured to the 
rear end portions thereof rear ends of tension springs 40. The forward 
ends of the springs 40 are connected to forward portions of the bars 34 by 
means of fasteners 41. The springs generally hold the bars 32 in abutting 
relation with the rear ends of the bars 34. 
The bars 32 are also secured to the bar 28 by means of straps 42 which 
limit the pivoting of the bars 32. Further, rear portions of the bars 32 
are provided with grip members 43 which may be easily grasped by one's 
hand. 
When it is desired to use the arm exercise device 31, the extender bar 23 
is removed by removing the fasteners 26 and access to the arm exercise 
device is made available. The arm exercise device 31 may be utilized with 
the device while it is stationary or when running behind the exercise 
device. 
As pointed out above, the cross or stride bar 24 may be readily adjusted to 
the proper height for the person who is training and for the type of 
training desired. By properly positioning the cross or stride bar 24, as 
illustrated in FIG. 4, that portion of the weight of the person using the 
device to be transferred to the device can be varied. In this way the 
device, as above stated, can be used to rehabilitate a person having a leg 
or ankle injury. 
It is to be understood that the device 5 can be used to perfect individual 
striding and at the same time prevent injuries to the lower extremities by 
regulating the amount of foot thrust hitting on each stride. Also, the 
device 5 can be used by all athletes for warm-up and pre-training, spring 
training, etc. By utilizing the arm excercise device 31, the device can be 
used to develop shoulder and arm muscles while running. 
It will be apparent that by controlling the amount of the person's weight 
which is to be carried by the cross or stride bar 24, as shown in FIG. 4, 
the device 5 can be used to mobilize persons who have severe ankle and 
knee problems. 
Finally, the training device will provide faster runners with greater 
endurance with much less training energy expended in view of the fact that 
a large portion of the athlete's weight is carried by the training device. 
Although the preferred embodiment of the claimed device has been 
specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that 
minor variations may be made in the training device without departing from 
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.