Abstract:
Physical training systems that may promote effective technique and strength training for various sports, as well as general strength and fitness training. Apparatus may require a user to push and lift in a coordinated manner to effectively overcome inertia and rolling resistance. The training apparatus may include a cylindrical core portion and compliant outer portion located on an outer surface of the core portion. In use, the training apparatus may rotate around a center axis of the core portion when a sufficient force, exceeding a resistance level, is received by the training apparatus (e.g., as a result of a user exercising proper technique in applying force to the training apparatus). The resistance level may be a result of a configurable amount of ballast contained within the apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates generally physical training equipment, and more specifically to exercise and sports training equipment. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are well-suited to strength and technique training, particularly as relating to football. 
     Various sports, such as football, rugby, wrestling, hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and baseball may require an athlete to exert force to move an opposing athlete, or to resist the opposing athlete&#39;s movement. For example, a football player may be called upon to block an opposing player, or to resist an opposing player&#39;s efforts to block that that particular player. Similarly, a baseball catcher attempting to tag a base runner may be called upon to resist the base runner&#39;s efforts to collide with the catcher with sufficient force to dislodge the baseball from the catcher&#39;s grasp. 
     Many similar situations exists throughout various sports. In such situations, an untrained athlete often will push with a horizontal force, without the benefit of lowering his or her center of gravity by bending at the knees. In contrast, a well-trained athlete learns through instruction and repetitive training to bend the knees, roll the hips, and to push and lift in order to more effectively move or stifle the movement of the opposing athlete. Subsequently, when tasked with moving the opposing athlete, the well-trained athlete will continue pushing and lifting while moving forward with knees bent, a lowered center of gravity, and a well-coordinated movement involving the hands, arms, feet, and hips to continue to effectively move the opposing athlete. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various structures and techniques for providing a physical training system are disclosed. The disclosed structures may require a user to push and lift in a coordinated manner to effectively overcome inertia and rolling resistance, thereby promoting the user to exert force and move in an effective manner, using an effective body posture. Accordingly, use of the disclosed structures and techniques may promote effective technique and strength training that is particularly useful in various sports, including for example football, rugby, wrestling, hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and baseball. Use of the disclosed structures and techniques may also be well suited for physical training aimed at general strength and fitness improvement. 
     Various embodiment of a training apparatus may include a cylindrical core portion and compliant outer portion located on an outer surface of the core portion. In use, the training apparatus may rotate around a center axis of the core portion when a sufficient force, exceeding a resistance level, is received by the training apparatus (e.g., as a result of a user exercising proper technique in applying force to the training apparatus). Particular embodiments may include ballast in the core portion. In some of these embodiments, the amount of ballast held may be configurable, and the resistance level may be based at least in part on the amount of ballast. 
     Some embodiments of the present training apparatus may include a polygonal core portion and a compliant outer portion. The polygonal core portion may have a plurality of surfaces, and the outer portion may be located on the plurality of surfaces. The training apparatus may be configured to rotate around a center axis of the core portion when a sufficient force, exceeding a resistance level, is received by the training apparatus. Particular embodiments may include ballast in the core portion. In some of these embodiments, the amount of ballast held may be configurable, and the resistance level may be based at least in part on the amount of ballast. 
     Some embodiments of a training apparatus disclosed herein may include a cylindrical body that is configured to hold a user-adjustable amount of ballast within the cylindrical body. The training apparatus may be configured to rotate around a center axis of the core portion when a sufficient force, exceeding a resistance level, is received by the training apparatus. The resistance level may be based at least in part on an amount of ballast held within the cylindrical body. Particular embodiments may also include an adapter body fixed over the cylindrical body. In some of these embodiments, the adapter body may hold a user-adjustable amount of ballast. Particular embodiments of the training apparatus may also include a compliant outer portion located on an outer surface of the adapter body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following detailed description makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which are now briefly described. 
         FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the present disclosure in use. 
         FIG. 2  depicts various aspects of one embodiment of a core that may be used in the present training apparatus. The illustrated core is configured for using ballast that may include liquids. 
         FIG. 3  shows a present embodiment that includes a core and a compliant outer portion. The depicted core is suited for using ballast that may include solid materials. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of an embodiment of a training apparatus that includes a core having a circular cross section. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of an embodiment of a training apparatus that includes a core having a polygonal cross section. 
         FIG. 6 . is a section view of the embodiments depicted in  FIG. 4  or  FIG. 5 , taken along Lines  6 - 6  of those figures. 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of an embodiment of a training apparatus that includes a core, an adapter body, and an outer portion. 
         FIG. 8  is a section view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , taken along Lines  8 - 8  of that figure. 
     
    
    
     Specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the claims to the particular embodiments disclosed, even where only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that would be apparent to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Examples of features provided in the disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive unless stated otherwise. 
     The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). The words “include,” “including,” and “includes” indicate open-ended relationships and therefore mean including, but not limited to. Similarly, the words “have,” “having,” and “has” also indicated open-ended relationships, and thus mean having, but not limited to. The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth as used herein are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.) unless such an ordering is otherwise explicitly indicated. For example, a “first surface,” “second surface,” and “third surface” of a polygonal shaped core does not necessarily signify that the “second surface” is between or adjacent to the “first surface” and the “third surface” unless otherwise specified. 
     Various components may be described as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is a broad recitation generally meaning “having structure that” performs the task or tasks during operation. As such, the component can be configured to perform the task even when the component is not currently performing that task (e.g., an apparatus may be configured to rotate, even when the apparatus is presently at rest; an apparatus may be configured to hold some amount of ballast, even when no ballast is present). 
     Various components may be described as performing a task or tasks, for convenience in the description. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase “configured to.” Reciting a component that is configured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph six, interpretation for that component. 
     The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combination of features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of the problems addressed herein. Accordingly, new claims may be formulated during prosecution of this application (or an application claiming priority thereto) to any such combination of features. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , an illustration of one embodiment of training apparatus  10  is shown. As depicted, training apparatus  10  includes core  100  and outer portion  200 . Training apparatus  10  may be configured roll along the ground, in response to force exerted by user  500 , by rotating about a center axis. By virtue of the shape of training apparatus  10 , user  500  may be required to exert force with both a horizontal and upward component in order to effectively move training apparatus  10 . Such actions by user  500  may provide beneficial strength and technique training for general fitness, and/or for various sports, including for example football, rugby, wrestling, hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and baseball. For example, force exerted by user  500  from a stance that includes a lowered center of gravity, with knees bent, and having hips lowered and in proper alignment with the back and with the head, while the legs drive and the upper body pushes in an aligned upward and forward direction will result in the optimal efficacy in moving training apparatus  10 . In contrast, pushing in a purely horizontal direction or a downward and forward direction from a more upright stance will produce much inferior results in attempting to move training apparatus  10 . 
     Physical training using training apparatus  10  in accordance with the above-described optimal technique corresponds to the desired techniques for blocking and tackling in football. Best practices for performance of various tasks in other sports corresponds similarly. For example, the effectiveness of delivering or resisting a block in football or a check in hockey may be increased by ensuring that the body is in an alignment having a lowered center of gravity such that force may be exerted through the legs, hips, torso, shoulders, and arms in an upward and forward direction. Thus, physical training using training apparatus  10  may efficiently simulate efforts required in various sports such as football, and therefore may efficiently provide gains in strength that are particularly useful for enhancing performance in those various sports. Furthermore, repetitive training using training apparatus  10  may reinforce proper body alignment to user  500 , thereby training user  500  (e.g., through increased muscle memory) to achieve improved technique for those various sports. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 1 , outer portion  200  may provide a compliant portion that serves to receive force from user  500 , and also provide increased rolling resistance to training apparatus  10 . For example, due to the weight of the depicted embodiment of training apparatus  10 , outer portion  200  deforms at area  210 . For a given weight of training apparatus  10 , the rolling resistance may be increased by using a outer portion  200  that is more compliant (e.g., less rigid). The compliance of outer portion  200  also serves as a cushion to receive impacts that may be delivered via the hands (or other parts) of user  500 , thereby reducing shock to the user&#39;s body. Various embodiments of outer portion  200  may include one or more of various compliant materials. For example, outer portion  200  may include a foam (e.g., a viscoelastic foam), and may be surrounded by a protective cover or coating (e.g., nylon, rubber) to protect the foam from environmental factors (e.g., rain, sunlight) and impact-related damage (e.g. shearing forces that may tend to rip or delaminate outer portion  200 ). In some embodiments, outer portion  200  may include a combination of different materials (e.g., multiple layers of different foams or other materials). 
     In some embodiments, outer portion  200  may include a protective cover or lining and a contained amount of a compliant filling material. For example, particular embodiments of outer portion  200  may include a user configurable amount of water (or other liquid) that facilitates adjustment of the compliance/stiffness of outer portion  200 . Thus, in such embodiments the rolling resistance of training apparatus  10  may be adjusted by varying the amount of filling material in outer portion  200 . Some of these embodiments, or other embodiments, may include outer portion  200  containing a variable amounts of a gel, and/or a gas (e.g., air, nitrogen). In some cases, outer portion  200  may include, for example, sand, gravel, cement, or other solid materials. 
     Adjustment of the amount of filling material within outer portion  200  may also serve as a height adjustment for training apparatus  10 , whereby the height can be increased by adding an additional amount of one or more filling materials to outer portion  200 . Thus, one means of adjusting the height of training apparatus  10  to accommodate users of varying heights (e.g., in use by children and adults) is provided by some embodiments of outer portion  200 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an example of core  100  that may be used in particular embodiments of training apparatus  10  is shown. Various embodiments of core  100  may be constructed from any suitable material or materials, including for example plastics, metals, and composite materials. Core  100  may in some cases be primarily of one-piece construction, or in other cases may be a composite of multiple components. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , core  100  includes outer surface  160  extending between end surface  150   a  and end surface  150   b  that are each normal to center axis  910 . Embodiments of core  100  may be configured to contain a ballast material to provide training apparatus  10  with additional weight. In some embodiments, the amount of ballast material is user configurable so that the weight of training apparatus  10  may be adjusted (e.g., thereby adjusting the rolling resistance and/or the inertia of training apparatus  10 ). In such a way, the force required to rotate and move training apparatus  10  may be adjusted. 
       FIG. 2  depicts core  100  that may be well suited for use with a configurable amount of water (or other fluid) as ballast. Fill port  110  may facilitate filling of core  100  with, for example, water from a hose. Some embodiments may include fluids having higher density as ballast. In some embodiments, a combination of a fluid and a solid (e.g., water and sand, water and gravel) may be used as ballast. Drain port  120  may facilitate draining of the ballast, and vent port  130  may be useful in aiding in the filling and/or draining of the ballast. Various embodiments may include many different combinations of one or more ports, such as fill port  110 , drain port  120 , vent port  130 , or additional ports. The ports may be of various different suitable configurations, included threaded caps, quarter-turn caps, caps retained using fasteners, valves, etc. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of training apparatus  10  that includes outer portion  200  and core  100 . Outer portion  200  may be fixed to core  100  at outer surface  160  (see  FIG. 2 ) using various methods. For example, permanent fastening such as bonding, riveting, etc. may be used in some instances. In other cases, removable fastening such as straps, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, and other removable fastening techniques may be used.  FIG. 3  depicts use of core  100  having fill port  110  that is well suited for filling or removing ballast that includes solid material (e.g., sand, gravel, cement, metal bearings). 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4-6 , views of various embodiments of training apparatus  10  are presented to further highlight aspects of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  depicts an end view of an embodiment of training apparatus  10  that includes core  100  and outer portion  200 . As noted above, different overall heights of training apparatus  10  may be desirable, depending on the user (e.g., training of youth or adults). In some embodiments, core diameter  920  of core  100  may be about 40 inches, and length  940  may be about 48 inches. In some of these embodiments, outer portion thickness  930  of outer portion  200  may be about 6 inches, resulting in training apparatus  10  having an overall height of about 52 inches. Other embodiments of training apparatus  10  may have a greater overall height due to a larger core diameter  920  and/or greater outer portion thickness  930 , or a smaller overall height due to a smaller core diameter  920  and/or smaller outer portion thickness  930 . As noted above, in some embodiments outer portion thickness  930  may be adjustable, thereby resulting in an adjustable overall height of training apparatus  10 . Various embodiments of the present disclosure may have length  940  that is different than the above-discussed example. In some embodiments, length  940  may be much greater to accommodate two or more users simultaneously training with the same apparatus (e.g., pushing the apparatus in tandem). 
       FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment in which core  100  is not cylindrical, but is instead polygonal in cross section. The depicted embodiment includes and 18-sided core  100  having surfaces  180  of equal size. Other embodiments may include polygonal core  100  having 12, 16, 20, or any other number of sides, which may be of equal size or of differing size. 
       FIG. 6  presents a section view of particular embodiments of training apparatus  10  having either cylindrical or polygonal core  100  and outer portion  200  located at outer surface  160  of core  100 . Ballast area  170  may contain a configurable amount of ballast. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , some embodiments of training apparatus  10  may include adapter body  300  as well as core  100  and outer portion  200 . Adapter body  300  may include annular shaped end surfaces  350   a  and  350   b , with outer surface  360  and inner surface  362  extending between end surface  350   a  and end surface  350   b . Outer surface  360  may intersect end surface  350   b  at edge  390   b , and inner surface  362  may intersect end surface  350   b  at edge  390   a . Various adapter body  300  of differing size may be used in some cases to configure training apparatus  10  with differing overall heights. For example, several adapter body  300  may be available for use with a particular core  100 , with each adapter body  300  having inner surface  362  configured to fit over outer surface  160  of core  100 . The various ones of the several adapter body  300  may have various different adapter thickness  950 . Because the overall height of the embodiments training apparatus  10  depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is the sum of core diameter  920 , adapter thickness  950 , and outer portion thickness  930 , the various different adapter thickness  950  may be used to provide different overall heights for training apparatus  10 . In some embodiments, adapter body  300  may be configured to contain a fixed or adjustable amount of ballast at ballast area  370  (e.g., in a similar manner as ballast area  170  of core  100 ). Various embodiments of training apparatus  10  may include ballast area  370  and ballast area  170  that contain ballast of the same materials (e.g., both containing sand; water, concrete, gravel, metal bearings). Some embodiments may include ballast area  370  containing a particular material as ballast, and ballast area  170  containing a different material as ballast. Adapter body  300  may be fixed to core  100 , and outer portion  200  may be fixed to outer surface  360  of adapter body  300 . 
     Although the embodiments above have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.