Abstract:
An athletic trainer has a spotting apparatus received by a support frame. A pair of connected, spaced-apart lateral supports define the support frame and provide a pair of pivotal support surfaces that together provide a first axis of rotation, about which the spotting apparatus may selectively rotate. The spotting apparatus may consist of connected front and back braces with a ledge seat attached to the back brace for support and comfort. Alternatively, the spotting apparatus may be a unitary, substantially circular brace having an internal bearing raceway and attached support webbing that permit rotation about a second axis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/804,265, filed Jun. 8, 2006. 
     
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to athletic training equipment and, more particularly, to such equipment for training athletes in gymnastics, acrobatics, and like athletic movements. More specifically, the present invention relates to a spotting apparatus utilizing a transportable frame to support a spotting seat cage in a manner providing a user with one or multiple axes of rotation within the support frame. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    The worldwide popularity of Cirque du Soleil productions harkens back to the days of the big top and the “Greatest Show on Earth.” Acrobatic performers demonstrating advanced gymnastic procedures that communicate seemingly effortless artistry. Reality, of course, is quite different—the performers are highly skilled athletes that must continually train body and mind to accomplish the techniques required for a night&#39;s performance. 
         [0004]    Many of the audience favorites involve suspended artists performing maneuvers in an apparently weightless condition. While wires and harnesses are not new technology, these newer shows have placed requirements on this older technology that were never intended. In most cases, the performer pays the price, in terms of greater stresses placed on his/her body. 
         [0005]    In some cases, these stresses require the performer to limit his/her time in the harness or risk career-ending injuries. A need exists for a redesigned support harness that enables a performer to practice the performance maneuvers and perform them in an environment that is more physically comfortable without sacrificing safety and support. 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An athletic trainer comprising: a support frame having a pair of lateral supports attached to one another in a spaced-apart manner, each of said pair of lateral supports having a base member and a lateral frame extending therefrom, said lateral frame comprising a pair of members attached to one another at a first end in a manner defining a pivotal support surface and each pair of members separately attached at a respective second end to said base member; and a spotting apparatus having a front brace and a rear brace, said spotting apparatus received in a caged manner by each of said pivotal support surfaces, whereby said pivotal support surfaces of said pair of lateral supports cooperatively define a first axis of rotation, about which said caged spotting apparatus may selectively rotate. 
         [0007]    According to aspects of embodiments of the present invention, an athlete in the athletic trainer is supported within the spotting apparatus by the support frame, which in turn is supported—not suspended. The support frame thus eliminates the requirement for rigging that is typically required to create this aerial state. The support frame also eliminates the requirement for a high-ceiling location, which is a requirement for rigging installations. 
         [0008]    Another aspect in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is the stabilization of the center of gravity. Once installed within the spotting apparatus, as supported by the support frame, the athlete is airborne, and the center of gravity becomes the point of rotation. Such rotational motion is initiated by muscle contraction by the athlete, and not by a motor or by a random momentum. The athlete has full control of the direction and speed of rotation. 
         [0009]    Another aspect in accordance with embodiments of the present invention relates to comfort and ease of adjustment. The spotting apparatus forms a rigid structure surrounding the waist of the athlete, and acts as a safety cage—the body of the athlete is not compressed. The rigid ledge seat in the spotting apparatus supports the buttocks and can easily be adjusted in height to fit children as well as tall adults. The shoulder support straps secure the position of the athlete in the upside down position. 
         [0010]    A still further aspect in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is about the ease with which the athletic trainer can be installed and re-located. The structure is exceedingly light and can easily be re-located—even when fully assembled. The design of the support frame makes it easy to assemble and tear down for storage. 
         [0011]    These and various other advantages and features of the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims. Reference should also be had to the drawings which form a further part hereof, as well as to the accompanying descriptive matter in which are illustrated and described in various examples of with the invention. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spotting apparatus and supporting frame. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view showing an attachment of the spotting apparatus to the supporting frame. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the spotting apparatus. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the spotting apparatus. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , of the spotting apparatus. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a performer held within the spotting apparatus in an up-side down position relative to the supporting frame. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a performer held within the spotting apparatus in a right-side up position relative to the supporting frame. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an athletic trainer in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of an athletic trainer having a supplemental support brace. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view from inside a support frame of a rotational axis shaft of a spotting apparatus as received by a pivotal support surface. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view from outside a support frame of a rotational axis shaft of a spotting apparatus as received by a pivotal support surface. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a spotting apparatus with a seat and support webbing. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12  of a seat and support webbing as attached to a rear brace of a spotting apparatus. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a support frame and a spotting apparatus having a substantially circular brace. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. In  FIG. 1 , a spotting apparatus  10  is shown supported by a support frame  14 . A pair of support brackets  18  receive the spotting apparatus  10 , which is attached thereto using a pair of rotation brackets  22  to enable rotational movement of the spotting apparatus  10  relative to the pair of support brackets  18 . 
         [0027]    A pair of end supports  26  are located on each end of the pair of support brackets  18 . U-shaped in form, each of the pair of end supports  26  consist of a pair of uprights  32  that are attached to one-another by a base connector  34 . Each of the pair of uprights  32  is attached to a separate one of the pair of support brackets  18 , with the resultant construction of the support frame  14  maintaining the latitudinal stability of the support brackets  18 . A pair of telescopic adjustable bars  16  are attached towards the bottom of the U-shaped end support  26 . 
         [0028]    The spotting apparatus  10  consists of a rear brace  42  and a front brace  44 , with the rear brace extending outwardly a sufficient distance to be received by the rotation brackets  22 , as is shown in  FIG. 1 . Of course, the spotting apparatus  10  may be supported by other structures not shown in the Figures. For example, when used during a performance, the extending portions of the rear brace  42  might be received by pillow blocks with hanging points, which would permit the use of the spotting apparatus  10  by “flying” artists (not shown in the Figures). 
         [0029]    Returning once again to  FIG. 1 , a support webbing  48  is attached to the spotting apparatus  10  to provide further restraint to a user (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The support webbing  48  preferably consists of a front suspenders  52  that extends over a user and attaches to a pair of suspender attachments  54  that are placed upon the front brace  44 . In addition, a pair of leg straps  56  are also provided, with each extending from between a user&#39;s legs, crossing a (separate) leg, to a seat strap attachment  58  located on the rear brace  42 . 
         [0030]    A securement pin  62  is used to lock the front brace  44  to the rear brace  42 . As is best shown in  FIG. 2 , the front brace  44  is preferably a double bar brace  66 A,  66 B connected together using brace fasteners  68  (shown as nut/bolt connector in  FIG. 2 ). The rear brace  42  is received between the double bars  66 A,  66 B and the securement pin releasably fastens them together. A double brace is presently preferred as forming a more secure connection, as well as for ease of manufacture. In addition, the double brace provides a greater surface area over which the artist&#39;s weight can be spread when being fully borne by the double brace. However, it is to be understood that other variations are acceptable, such as single bar front, double bar rear—or both single/double bars. 
         [0031]    It is also within the scope of the present invention to utilize a more permanent connection between the front brace  44  and the rear brace  42 , such as replacing the securement pin  62  with one of the brace fasteners  68 . In such an instance, a user would be required to “slip in” to the unified brace structure, instead of being permitted to “walk in” as is the case with a pivoting front brace  44  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0032]    When pivoting about a second point of attachment to the rear brace  42 , the front brace  44  is able to swing sufficiently wide that a user can easily be positioned against the rear brace  42 . Once so positioned, the front brace  44  again pivots to a closed position, where it is again (temporarily) attached to the rear brace  42 . 
         [0033]    Referring once again to  FIG. 3 , a seat  72  is attached to the rear brace  42  using a vertical adjustment bar  76 . The latter permits a user to adjust the height of the seat, and thereby adjust the center of gravity of the user to a vertical position that is substantially the same as the rear brace  42  (also the axis of rotation). 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the vertical adjustment bar  76  is provided with a plurality of seat fasteners  78  that may be placed anywhere along a vertical array of openings (also see  FIG. 1 ), which together enable a user to set the seat  72  at an appropriate height over a wide variety of body heights and weights. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 6  an acrobat  82  has rotated to an upside-down position relative to the support frame  14 , while being comfortably secured within the spotting apparatus  10 . Continued rotation of the acrobat  82  relative to the support frame  14  returns the acrobat  82  to an up-right position. When properly adjusted, only minor shifts in body weight are required to obtain large rotational body movements of the acrobat  82 . 
         [0036]    The spotting apparatus  10  and the support frame  14  of the present invention are both preferably fabricated out of a light-weight metal, such as the present choice of light-weight steel. Aluminum might also be appropriate, although there is a concern regarding its ability to fail by shattering. 
         [0037]    In a presently preferred embodiment, the support frame  14  includes the pair of adjustable telescopic bars  16  measuring 44 inches in length at the shortest to 68 inches at the longest (it is triangular in cross-section). The height adjustment of the frame is achieved by lengthening or shortening the telescopic bars  16 . Ideally, the entire support frame  14  weighs no more than approximately 30 pounds, and can be collapsed without tools to fit within a carrier bag (not shown in the Figures). 
         [0038]    The front and rear braces  44 ,  42  together form a “cage” for containment of the artist. In past spotting apparatus, the artist was secured within the device by harnesses, which were required to be extremely tight—often to the point of causing physical harm to the artist. In the present embodiment, the cage formed by the front and rear braces provides a great deal of security to the artist, who is held in place by the seat and support webbing. 
         [0039]    The cage, seat, and support webbing cooperative work together to restrain the artist in a manner that cannot be obtained by harnesses, which were forced to provide both support and restraint. As an example, when the artist rotates either forward or back, the only “restraint” felt is the front or back of the cage—unlike where harnesses are used, which also grip the artist&#39;s sides. The relatively greater freedom provided by the present invention permits the artist to make greater use of his/her muscles while placed in these unusual attitudes. 
         [0040]    The rear brace  42 , which also forms the rotational axis, measures 46 inches in length, and is uniformly curved, reaching a maximum deviation from linear of 4.5 inches at a location 23 inches from either end. The front brace  44  consists of a double-bar construction, each of 40 inches in length and uniformly curved, with a maximum deviation from linear of 7½ inches at a location 20 inches from either end. 
         [0041]    The support webbing is preferably fabricated out of any of several types of synthetic fabric material, with conventionally adjustable COBRA® Buckles used as the fasteners to attach the webbing to the restraints. The seat  72  is preferably fabricated out of a solid material, such as medium soft steel, having a semi-circular shape that measures 13 inches by 4 inches. The seat forms an “attachment” location for the artist to the cage, and is not required to be a full seat in terms of size—such would actually interfere with some maneuvers. The vertical adjustment bar measures 8 inches in length and can be fabricated out of very strong materials, such as high-strength steel and aluminum alloys. 
         [0042]    In a presently preferred alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8 , an athletic trainer  92  includes a double-bar spotting apparatus  96  that is positioned upon a pair of triangular lateral supports  98 . A pair of base support connectors  102  attach together the pair of lateral supports  98 , creating a supporting frame  104 . A base frame  106  of the supporting frame  104  includes the pair of base support connectors  102  and a base member  108  that forms the supporting member for each of the pair of lateral supports  98 . Preferably, the base member  108  consists of a pair of telescoping bars  108   a ,  108   b.    
         [0043]    A pair of circular skid pads  114  are received by each of the base support connectors  102  and provide both vertical and lateral support to the athletic trainer  92 . Further stabilization is sometimes required, such as when the acrobat/user is performing dynamic or violent actions. In such cases the circular skid pads  114  might be replaced by bolt-down attachments or guy-wire attachments (both not shown in the Figures) or, as is shown in  FIG. 9 , a supplemental support brace  118 . 
         [0044]    The triangular lateral supports  98  include a base member  102  and a pair of upright members  122 . In  FIG. 10  the pair of upright members  122  are attached to one another utilizing a connector plate  126 . A receiving slot  128  is formed in an upper portion of the connector plate  126 . A split-collar bearing  132  is positioned in the base of the receiving slot  128 , and receives a rotational axis shaft  136  that extends from the spotting apparatus  96 . 
         [0045]    The rotational axis shaft  136  is provided an inscribed bearing surface  138  that is received by the split-collar bearing  132  to better maintain the lateral position of the rotational axis shaft  136  relative to the connector plate  126 . Vertical restraint of the rotational axis shaft  136  is provided by a slot cap connector  144  that is attached to the connector plate  126  and extends across the receiving slot  128 . Further restraint is provided by a terminal collar  148  that is attached adjacent an end of the rotational axis shaft  136 , as is depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 12  shows a ledge seat  148  centrally located within a double bar spotting apparatus  96 . While it is contemplated that some padding will be included on the ledge seat  148  (not shown in  FIG. 12 ), the seat is reduced in size to avoid interfering with certain types of movement by the athlete. Upper body support webbing  152  and lower body support webbing  154  are attached to the ledge seat  148 . Such webbing may include the leg straps  56  as part of the lower body support webbing  154  and the suspender attachments  54  as part of the upper body support webbing  152 . 
         [0047]    The ledge seat  148  is attached to the back brace  158 , a double bar brace, similar to the front brace  44 . The presently preferred manner of attachment is best shown in  FIG. 13 . A two-piece seat clamp  164  is attached to the front and back sides of the back brace  158  using a pair of threaded connectors  166 . By incorporating the ledge seat  148  into this same connection, the same pair of threaded connectors  166  also tightly holds the ledge seat  148  against the two-piece seat clamp  164 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 14  illustrates the use of the supporting frame  104  as a support base for a substantially circular, unitary brace spotting apparatus  172 —such as is presently offered for sale by Norbert&#39;s Athletic Products, Inc., under the product name “Rotator Twisting Belts” (see www.norberts.net). These circular braces typically have support webbing that is attached to support brackets extending from bearing raceways. As so supported, the webbing permits rotational movement about a second axis of rotation, with the rotational axis shafts  136  providing rotational movement of the athlete about a first axis of rotation. 
         [0049]    My invention has been disclosed in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof, which provides an athletic trainer having a support frame and spotting apparatus that is of great novelty and utility. Various changes, modifications, and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications.