Abstract:
A sled exerciser used, for example, in tackling or blocking practice in football training, comprises a sled, slidably attached to a frame, where the sled includes padding on one side. An adjustable weight mechanism is attached to the sled and provides continuous resistance against an individual as the sled is pushed, as in tackle/blocking practice.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/256,601, filed Dec. 19, 2000. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a sled exerciser and, more particularly, to a full body, adjustable weight sled exerciser included within a stationary frame so as to be used indoors. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In sports, primary in football, a sled exerciser is used for tackle and blocking training, with a coach or trainer standing on a frame and the individual running into a padded arm and pushing the frame backwards, using the weight of the coach or trainer as the resistance. Obviously, such an arrangement cannot be used indoors, as during off-season practice or during inclement weather. Moreover, the weight used as resistance is not well-controlled and cannot be assured in providing the proper workout for the individual. Thus, a need remains in the art for an exercise sled, useful (for example) in tackle training, that can be used indoors and utilizes a proper, well-controlled means of resistance against the individual making the tackle/block. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The need remaining in the prior art is addressed by the present invention, which relates to a sled exerciser and, more particularly, to a full body, adjustable weight sled exerciser included within a stationary frame so as to be used indoors. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a padded vertical bar (i.e., sled) is mounted within a three-sided heavy-duty frame assembly, with the bar connected to an overhead track assembly that rides along a C-channel member from the front to the back of the assembly. In accordance with the present invention, a set of pulley-mounted weights are attached to the overhead track assembly and used to provide resistance against the individual pushing against the padded sled. Advantageously, the weight is adjusted to provide the proper workout for the individual using the system (i.e., a lower set of weight for youths, and a large weight resistance for adults/professionals). 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pulley-mounted weights are attached to a second, front frame member which extends beyond the frame assembly supporting the sled. In this embodiment, the weights remain easily accessible, yet out of the way of someone using the system. 
     The pad on the vertical bar may be adjustable, or interchangeable with longer (or shorter) pads, as necessary. Alternatively, a fixed, relatively long pad may be used. In any case, padding is required to prevent injury to someone using the system. 
     Other and further embodiments and advantages of the system of the present invention will become obvious during the course of the following discussion and by reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the drawings, where like numerals represent like parts in several views: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the full body, adjustable weight sled exerciser of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of system, illustrating in particular the offset of the adjustable weights with respect to the frame supporting the sled exerciser; and 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the sled exerciser of the present invention, illustrating the movement of the padded sled and adjustable weights when in use (as shown in phantom). 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates, in an isometric view, an exemplary sled exerciser  10  formed in accordance with the present invention. Sled exerciser  10  includes a vertical bar  12 , including a long pad  14  mounted thereon, forming the movable sled  11  for exercising. As shown in FIG. 1, vertical bar  12  is attached, through a crossbar  13 , to a set of wheels  16  and  18 , disposed on either side of crossbar  13 , where wheels  16  and  18  ride along a C-channel member  20 . C-channel member  20  forms a top frame member of sled exerciser  10  and runs from the front to the back of exerciser  10 . Wheels  16 ,  18  ride along C-channel member  20  and therefore provide movement to sled  11 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, resistance must be provided against the movement of sled  11  to provide a workout for activities such as tackling or blocking. Therefore, an adjustable weight and pulley system is used to provide the resistance, where the number of weights used, and the values of the individual weights may be easily adjusted to suit a particular workout level. Referring to FIG. 1, a set of adjustable weights  22  (including, in this example, pairs of individual weights  24  and  26 ) is connected through a wire cable  23  to a pair of pulleys  28  and  30 . As shown in FIG. 1, a separate frame member  32  may be disposed beyond a front frame member  34  supporting sled  11 , where frame member  32  is used to support the pulley and weight assemblies, allowing weights  22  to be positioned outside of the actual use area of the system, as indicated in FIG. 1 by the legend “X”, which shows the separation between weights  22  and frame  34  of system  10 . It is to be understood, however, that pulleys  28  and  30  may also be attached to front frame member  34  (or, indeed, rear frame member  38 ) and still perform the resistance function required for the present invention. Alternatively, pulleys  28 ,  30  and weights  22  may be attached to either front frame member  36  or rear frame member  40  on the left-hand side of system  10 . Indeed, an extension frame member (not shown), similar to frame  32 , may be attached to front frame member  36  and used in a like fashion as in the arrangement shown in FIG.  1 . In any arrangement, cable  23  passes through pulleys  28  and  30  and is then coupled to sled  11  to provide the necessary attachment between the adjustable weights and the sled. 
     In accordance with the present invention, and discussed below in association with FIG. 3, as an individual pushes against pad  14  on sled  11 , the weights will rise (as indicated by the arrow in FIG.  1 ), and wheels  16 ,  18  will ride rearwardly along C-channel  20 . The individual may then continue to push against pad  14 , experiencing the resistance provided by weights  22 , while also moving sled  11  toward the rear of system  10 . 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of sled exerciser  10 , which clearly shows the preferred embodiment with weights  22  positioned beyond the working area of the system. That is, by using a frame member  32 , the combination of weights  22 , cable  23  and pulley  28  may be displaced out of the way of an individual using the sled exerciser system. An advantage of the exerciser arrangement of the present invention is that it is relatively simple to add or remove weights from set  22  to adjust the level of exercise required. System  10  of the present invention is, therefore, suitable for use by youths, adults, or even professional sports players. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of sled exerciser  10 , showing the movement of sled  11  when being used by an individual. Illustrated in phantom is sled  11  after having been pushed rearward by the individual, as shown by the arrows. As sled  11  is pushed rearward, weights  22  will move upward, as shown in phantom, by virtue of the movement of cable  23  attached to pulleys  28  and  30 . It is to be understood that an advantage of the sled exerciser  10  of the present invention is that while the individual moves sled  11  and obtains the necessary workout, the outer frame formed by frame members  20 ,  21 , and  34 - 44  remain motionless, allowing for system  10  to be used indoors, such as in a gym or weight room. For added security, one or more frame members may be bolted to the floor (or a rear wall) to insure that system  10  does not move while being used. 
     Any appropriate material may be used to form the piece parts of system  10 , where a heavy gauge steel is preferred for use in forming the frame members. In summary, system  10  of the present invention provides a simply, yet sturdy, adjustable sled exerciser that may be used by individuals of any age, while requiring a minimal amount of space.