Abstract:
An athletic training kit featuring a plurality of diamond shape frames. The frames can interconnect to form various obstacle courses. Each frame has a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side. The kit also features various means of connecting the sides of the frames together. Elbow joints, cord cap components, or offset hinges may connect the sides of the frames together. The cord cap components feature a connecting cord. The connecting cords of different frames can be connected in various ways to set up a multi-frame obstacle course. The kit may feature extension connectors, cord connectors, or pin hinges.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a device for helping athletes improve speed, agility, and other qualities, more particularly to a device that a user can arrange on a court or field in a particular pattern. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many different obstacle courses exist for athletic training. The present invention features a novel athletic training device for helping athletes improve speed, agility, and other qualities. The device can be arranged on a court or on a field in a pattern of the user&#39;s interest and needs. 
     Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention features an athletic training kit (device). The kit may comprise a plurality of diamond shape frames  110 , a plurality of elbow joints  130 , and a plurality of cord cap components. Each frame  110  has a first side  111 , a second side  112 , a third side  113 , and a fourth side  114 . The frame  110  has a generally hollow center. The elbow joints are adapted to attach to (i) a first end of the first side  111  of the frame  110  and a first end of the third side  113  of the frame  110  to connect the first side  111  and third side  113  together; (ii) a first end of the second side  112  of the frame and a first end of the fourth side  114  of the frame  110  to connect the second side  112  and fourth side  114  together; (iii) a second end of the first side  111  of the frame  110  and a second end of the fourth side  114  of the frame  110  to connect the first side  111  and fourth side  114  together; or (iv) a second end of the second side  112  of the frame  110  and a second end of the third side  113  of the frame  110  to connect the second side  112  and third side  113  together. The cord cap components each have a first cap  150  and a second cap  150  connected by a cord  120 . The first cap  150  and the second cap  150  are adapted to attach to (i) the first end of the first side  111  of the frame  110  and the first end of the third side  113  of the frame  110 , respectively, to connect the first side  111  and third side  113  together; (ii) the first-end of the second side  112  of the frame and the first end of the fourth side  114  of the frame  110 , respectively, to connect the second side  112  and fourth side  114  together; (iii) the second end of the first side  111  of the frame  110  and the second end of the fourth side  114  of the frame  110 , respectively, to connect the first side  111  and fourth side  114  together; or (iv) the second end of the second side  112  of the frame  110  and the second end of the third side  113  of the frame  110 , respectively, to connect the second side  112  and third side  113  together. 
     In some embodiments, the kit further comprises an extension connector  710 , the extension connector  710  is an elongated panel having a first end  711  and a second end  712 , wherein the first end  711  of the extension connector  710  is adapted to engage a cord  120  of cord cap component of a first frame  110  via a first attachment means and the second end  712  of the extension connector  710  is adapted to engage a cord  120  of cord cap component of a second frame  110  via a second attachment means. In some embodiments, the first attachment means and second attachment means is a snap mechanism, a button mechanism, a latch mechanism, a buckle mechanism, a magnet mechanism, a clamp mechanism, or a combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, a first button  720   a  is disposed on a top surface of the extension connector  710  at the first end  711  and a second button  720   b  is disposed on the top surface of the extension connector  710  at the second end  712 , and a plurality of slits  722  is disposed in the extension connector  710  running from the first end  711  to the second end  712 , wherein the buttons  720  can engage the slits  722 . In some embodiments, the kit further comprises a cord connector  410 , the cord connector  410  comprises a cord connector base  415  with a first wing  411  and second wing  412  extending outwardly from the cord connector base  415 , wherein the first wing  111  and second wing  112  are separated so as to allow a cord  120  to slide in between, a cord connector slot  416  is disposed in the cord connector base  415 , the cord connector slot  416  opens to an outer end of the cord connector base  415  allowing a cord  120  to snugly slide into the cord connector slot  416 . 
     In some embodiments, the kit further comprises an offset hinge  610  adapted to engage (i) the first end of the first side  111  of the frame  110  and the first end of the third side  113  of the frame  110  to connect the first side  111  and third side  113  together; (ii) the first end of the second side  112  of the frame and the first end of the fourth side  114  of the frame  110  to connect the second side  112  and fourth side  114  together; (iii) the second end of the first side  111  of the frame  110  and the second end of the fourth side  114  of the frame  110  to connect the first side  111  and fourth side  114  together; or (iv) the second end of the second side  112  of the frame  110  and the second end of the third side  113  of the frame  110  to connect the second side  112  and third side  113  together, the offset hinge  610  allows the sides that are connected together to pivot towards each other or away from each other. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises a pin hinge  620  attached to the offset hinge  610 , the pin hinge  620  can connect to a second offset hinge  610 . 
     In some embodiments, a first stand  160   a  is pivotally attached to the first side  111  of the frame  110 , a second stand  160   b  is pivotally attached to the first side  111  of the frame  110 , a third stand  160   c  is pivotally attached to the first side  111  of the frame  110 , and a fourth stand  160   d  is pivotally attached to the first side  111  of the frame  110 , the stands  160  can pivot between multiple positions including a storage position wherein the stands  160  are flush with the respective side  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  of the frame  110  and an extended position wherein the stands  160  are perpendicular to the respective side  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  of the frame  110 . 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the athletic training device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the athletic training device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the athletic training device of the present invention wherein four frames are connected together. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the athletic training device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the athletic training device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of athletic training device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of athletic training device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , the present invention features an athletic training device  100  for helping an athlete improve his/her speed, agility, coordination, strength, and/or stamina. 
     The athletic training device  100  of the present invention features a series of diamond-shaped frames  110 . The frames  110  have a first side  111 , a second side  112 , a third side  113 , and a fourth side  114 . The frames  110  have a generally hollow center. In some embodiments, the frame  110  is generally flat. In some embodiments, the frame  110  is raised or comprises grooves. 
     The frames  110  have a first corner at the intersection of the first side  111  and third side  113 , a second corner at the intersection of the first side  111  and the fourth side  114 , a third corner at the intersection of the second side  112  and the third side  113 , and a fourth corner at the intersection of the second side  112  and the fourth side  114 . Disposed in the first corner connecting the first side  111  and third side  113  is a first cord  120   a . Disposed in the second corner connecting the first side  111  and the fourth side  114  is a first elbow joint  130   a . Disposed in the third corner connecting the second side  112  and the third side  113  is a second elbow joint  130   b . Disposed in the fourth corner connecting the second side  112  and the fourth side  114  is a second cord  120   b . In some embodiments, a cap  150  is disposed on the first end of the first side  111  and on the first end of the third side  113 , wherein the first cord  120   a  is connected to the two caps  150 . In some embodiments, a cap  150  is disposed on first end of the second side  112  and on the first end of the fourth side  114 , wherein the second cord  120   b  is connected to the two caps  150 . 
     The caps  150  (with the cords  120 ) and the elbow joints  130  are removable and interchangeable. Thus, an elbow joint  130  may connect the first end of the first side  111  and the first end of the third side  113  or the first end of the second side  112  and the first end of the fourth side  114 . A cord  120  may connect the second end of the first side  111  with the second end of the fourth side  114  and the second end of the second side  112  with the second end of the third side  113 . 
     In some embodiments, a first stand  160   a  (e.g., 3 inch) is pivotally attached to the first side  111  of the frame  110 . In some embodiments, a second stand  160   b  (e.g., 3 inch) is pivotally attached to the first side  111  of the frame  110 . In some embodiments, a third stand  160   c  (e.g., 5 inch) is pivotally attached to the first side  111  of the frame  110 . In some embodiments, a fourth stand  160   d  (e.g., 5 inch) is pivotally attached to the first side  111  of the frame  110 . The stands  160  pivot between multiple positions including but not limited to a storage position (e.g., flush with the respective side  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ) and an extended position (e.g., perpendicular to the respective side  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ). The stands  160  may be half pipe in shape (e.g., half cylinders), thereby wrapping around the respective side when in the storage position. When the stands  160  are in the extended position, they raise the frame  110  above a ground surface a certain distance. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a plurality of frames  110  can be connected together by wrapping together the cords  120 . For example, the second cord  120   b  of a first frame can be wrapped or engaged with the first cord  120   a  of a second adjacent frame. 
     In some embodiments, the frames  110  are connected together via an extension connector  710  (e.g., see  FIG. 7 ). The extension connector  710  is an elongated panel having a first end  711  and a second end  712 . The first end  711  engages a cord  120  of a first frame  110  via a first attachment means and the second end  712  of the extension connector  710  engages a cord  120  of a second frame  110  via a second attachment means. In some embodiments, the first attachment means and second attachment means is a snap mechanism, a button mechanism, a latch mechanism, a buckle mechanism, a magnet mechanism, a clamp mechanism, the like, or a combination thereof. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the attachment means are button mechanisms. A first button  720   a  is disposed on the top surface of the extension connector  710  at the first end  711  and a second button  720   b  is disposed on the top surface of the extension connector  710  at the second end  712 . A plurality of slits  722  is disposed in the extension connector  710  running from the first end  711  to the second end  712  (or a portion in between). The buttons  720  can engage the slits  722 . For example, the first end  711  of the extension connector  710  can be wrapped around a cord  120  and the first button  720   a  can engage a slit  722  in the extension connector  710  to secure the extension connector  710  around the cord  120 . The second end  712  of the extension connector  710  can be wrapped around a cord  120  and the second button  720  can engage a slit  722  in the extension connector  710  to secure the extension connector  710  around the cord  120 . 
     In some embodiments, the frames  110  are connected together via cord connectors  410 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the cord connectors may be Y-shaped components with a cord connector base  415  with a first wing  411  and  412  second wing extending outwardly from the cord connector base  415 . A cord  120  can fit between the first wing  411  and the second wing  412 . A cord connector slot  416  is disposed in the cord connector base  415 . The cord connector slot  416  opens to the outer end of the cord connector base  415  allowing a cord  120  to snugly slide into the slot  416 . 
     In some embodiments, the caps  150  and cords  120  or elbow joints  130  are replaced with hinges. For example, an offset hinge  610  may connect the first side  111  and third side  113 , the first side  111  and the fourth side  114 , the second side  112  and the third side  113 , and/or the second side  112  and the fourth side  114 . The offset hinges  610  allow the two sides that are connected together to pivot towards each other or away from each other (to a certain angle, for example about 90 degrees, about 60 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 110 degrees, etc.). A pin hinge  620  connects two offset hinges  610  together. 
     To use the athletic training device of the present invention, a user can arrange the frames  110  on a court, a field, or other surface in a desired manner. The frames  110  can then be secured at desired distances using the cords  120 , the hinges, the extension connector  710 , the cord connectors  410 , etc. In some embodiments, the frames  110  are positioned in line with one another; in some embodiments, the frames  110  are positioned at different angles with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the frames  110  are arranged to form (as viewed from above) a linear line, a diagonal line, a square, a diamond, a square with a hollow center, a diamond with a hollow center, a plus sign, an X, or an irregular shape, for example. An athlete may then run through the frames  110  (e.g., like a ladder) or step within the frames  110  in a particular sequence. An athlete can engage in a wide range of drills, for example leap frog, slalom, two-legged drills, skipping diamonds, the like, or a combination thereof. The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned drills. 
     The athletic training device  100  of the present invention may be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, in some embodiments, the frame  100  is constructed from a material comprising nylon (e.g., webbing), a plastic, a rubber, a metal, the like, or a combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, all or portions of the frame  110  can be colored (e.g., red, blue, green, yellow, orange, violet, black, brown, light, dark, etc). In some embodiments, the frames  110  are colored for easy assembly or for assembly of various configurations. 
     The athletic training device  100  of the present invention may be constructed in a variety of sizes. For example, in some embodiments, the athletic training device  100  may be constructed in a small size for children and a large size for adults. 
     In some embodiments, the frame  110  is about 16 inches in length as measured from the first side  111  to the second side  112 . In some embodiments, the frame  110  is between about 16 to 20 inches in length as measured from the first side  111  to the second side  112 . In some embodiments, the frame  110  is more than about 20 inches in length as measured from the first side  111  to the second side  112 . 
     In some embodiments, the frame  110  is about 16 inches in width as measured from the third side  113  to the fourth side  114 . In some embodiments, the frame  110  is between about 16 to 20 inches in width as measured from the third side  113  to the fourth side  114 . In some embodiments, the frame  110  is more than about 20 inches in width. 
     In some embodiments, the frame  110  is between about 1 to 2 inches in thickness (e.g., in diameter). In some embodiments, the frame  110  is between about 2 to 4 inches in thickness (e.g., in diameter). In some embodiments, the frame  110  is more than about 4 inches in thickness (e.g., in diameter). 
     The following the disclosures of the following U.S. Patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 3,115,340; U.S. Pat. No. 3,255,115; U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,480; U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,268; U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,471. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     The following example describes various versions of the device  100  of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the examples described herein. 
     The device  100  may come in five different designs that cover all ages and ability. (1) “Diamond Aerobic”—1″ wide×18″ per side. A flat single stiff rubber frame for studio aerobic fitness that can be added on to by using additional frames. No connector necessary. (2) “Diamond Ladders &amp; Squares”—All corners will have connector that slides in to corner slot sideways, and 1″ wide×16″ per side. This version is a gym class/game version for elementary use and play at home. This version can come apart for creating different game designs. (3) “Diamond Ladder Advanced”—Fully molded with two sliced cut out openings (no full openings). A smaller ½″ round×17″ per side model for youth athletes. (4) “Diamond Ladder Pro”—Fully molded with two sliced cut out openings (no full openings). A larger ½″ Round×22″ per side for (varsity elite) athletes. (5) “Diamond Ladder Extreme”—A ½″ round×22″ per side transforming/all in one system. This version replaces multiple independent training aids within and of itself. It folds over and props up to form mini hurdles at different heights. It can be extended for extremely challenging speed development by using extenders. It can attach at all 4 points, 2 points by plugs and 2 points by hinge or rope connector. It can be used in tandem for more reps during limited time. 
     Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. 
     The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.