Patent Publication Number: US-2017361191-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for improved athlete training

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/350,270 filed Jun. 15, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In many sports and activities the ability to keep your body in as low a position as possible is beneficial. Until now, those wanting to train athletes or others to maintain a lower position, or to traverse various obstacles along a given route, have relied on one or more people holding objects in the path of an athlete. This not only requires additional man power but also is limited in effectiveness as the athlete can immediately raise or otherwise change their position after traversing short obstacles. The present invention provides a solution to these and additional shortcomings of the prior art. The present invention solves the problem persistent in the prior art by providing an effective way of teaching athletes or others to stay lower for longer periods of time and further by providing adjustability for maximum individualization and therefore effectiveness regardless of user type, physiology, or experience. 
     Various aspects of the present invention may be described in terms of functional components and various steps. Such functional components may be realized by any number of hardware components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may employ various adjustment mechanisms that may be integrated or part of or separate from other parts of the invention. A non-limiting list of adjustment mechanisms being, for example, closing a clamp, engaging pre-arranged pin locks, ratcheting arrangement, collapsible sections, inner and outer sliding sections, male and female helical threaded sections and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, various aspects of the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with any number of other uses, and the systems and methods described are merely exemplary applications for the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. 
         FIG. 1  representatively illustrates an overhead view of one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  representatively illustrates an overhead view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2B  representatively illustrates an overhead view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2C  representatively illustrates an overhead view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  representatively illustrates a partial front-side ¾ view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  representatively illustrates a side view according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. The invention described herein will be described according to the following orientation: from a viewpoint looking at the first opening of the invention face on, the opening being square to an X-Y plane with the remainder of the invention extending down the Z-axis. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Various representative implementations of the present invention may be applied to any system or apparatus for training athletes or others who can benefit from the aspects of the present invention. Certain representative implementations may include for example: a training-system on a basketball floor, football field, or track field. 
     In some embodiments the training-system may have hinges or other adjustment mechanisms allowing the training-system to go up and down, as well as in and out, or in any other direction or combination of direction which changes the area of the inner portion or inner training area. In this way, the training-system may be adjustable, allowing for use by athletes and users of all shapes and sizes. In other embodiments, there may be no, or little, adjustability. 
     In adjustable embodiments of the present invention, the adjustment may be mechanical in nature, pneumatic, digital, manual, automatic or any combination of those. For example, in a pneumatic digital system, the tunnel-system may be adjusted according to a computer program in real time in response to an athlete&#39;s progress. Users may also not be limited to athletes or even humans, the system may be used for animal training, for example. In other systems the adjustment may be done by hand. 
     In some embodiments, additional barriers or obstacles may also be installed in the interior of the invention. For example, the supports may have receptacles for installation of horizontal, diagonal, or vertical barriers, requiring users to traverse additional obstacles. 
     In one or more embodiments the ground plane, first plane, or bottom of the invention may be composed of various additional structures, for example soft mats, flotations devices for use in liquid environments, hard surfaces, additional barriers, or any other surface beneficial for the end use. These various different first planes may be switchable, such that the system can be adapted to different uses by buying or enabling different components. In other embodiments the ground plane or bottom is simply the surface upon which the invention is resting. 
     In various embodiments the training-system may include where the training-system is made out of vinyl, nylon, plastics or rubbers making it extremely safe for the user. The skin of the training-system may also be transparent, allowing a trainer, coach, or other observer to see the athlete or user while they are using the device. The training-system may also have rubber, or other suitable material, detachable feet allowing attachment to any surface without damage to the surface. The training-system provides a boundary in both width and height to a user traversing the inner training area, thereby requiring the athlete or user to adjust their form depending on the physical limitations imposed by the adjustable size of the inner training area. 
     In using the invention the user can set up the training-system wherever they desire to conduct training activities. Set up may include, for example, unpacking the training-system by moving the support mechanisms apart from one another in order to extend the training-system on its Z-axis. Other exemplary set up methods may require a user to build the system from a number of sub-components. The device can then be adjusted based on the height and width requirements of the user by utilizing the adjustment mechanism. As the user progresses in their training, for example becoming stronger, the device can continue to be lowered in order to remain effective. Other considerations for the overall size of the inner training area may include the user&#39;s skill, the user&#39;s height, and the training to be performed. Many other considerations may be taken into account when selecting the preferred orientation of the training-system. In addition, there may be many other uses contemplated by the end user. The disclosure herein does not limit the use of the invention to only those methods described. The methods described herein are exemplary in nature and non-exhaustive. 
     In accordance with one embodiment  100 , a training-system  101  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a top down view of the training system, this representative embodiment being located, for purely illustrative purposes, on a basketball court. The training-system includes at a support mechanism itself made of a number of supports  110 . As depicted, the training system  101  is comprised of a number of supports  110  that span the invention forming the overall support mechanism. In embodiment  100 , the supports  110  form an upside-down U shape terminating at the darkened circles on either side of opening  113 . The opening  113  itself being formed by the terminal support, or said another way, where the support has no neighboring support on one or more sides. Many designs and orientation systems of the supports may be possible beyond those depicted in training system  101 . These various shapes may collectively be referred to as tunnel shapes. In a more complex example, multiple supports  110  may be used at the same location. Placing multiple supports  110  at one location may be necessary in places of increased load, an opening  113 , for example. In an additional possible embodiment, however, the support mechanisms  110  may form other tunnel shapes, several non-limiting examples include: a half circle, half oval, square, rectangle, triangle, or any other combination of shapes or other polygonal form terminating at the floor on either side at feet  141 , forming a generally open and passable system. In another possible embodiment, the supports  110  do not terminate at two points at the ground or floor and instead may extend along the ground or floor and form a complete polygonal shape. In such an embodiment may still include feet  141  or may forego them. The supports  110  may also be made of any suitable material or combination of materials, a non-limiting and exemplary list of which could include any combination of commercially available plastics, metals, natural materials, and any other material capable of holding its form and providing suitable structure. The supports  110  may also be made of more than one piece. For example, the supports  110  may be capable of being broken down into smaller parts or components. Supports may also run along the Z-axis of the invention. Supports may also only extend down the Z-axis, these Z-supports may not come into contact with a ground or first surface. The Z-supports may also not be perfectly perpendicular to other supports, for example they may be horizontal in nature, and need to be straight. The term z-support simply refers to a support which points in a generally different, direction that the x-y plain supports described elsewhere. As depicted in training-system  101 , the distance between any two supports  110  on the Z-axis can be adjusted closer or further from one another. This allows the training-system  101  to take on different shapes, including the bend depicted in  FIG. 1 . By adjusting the relative positioning of the plurality of support structure components, the user  102  can customize the training-system to their specific needs. This also allows the device  101 , in one arrangement, to be collapsed, by placing all of the supports  101  next to one another, allowing for easier transport. 
     Training systems according to various embodiments of the invention may also include an adjustment mechanism  111 . Training-system  101 , for example, includes multiple adjustment mechanisms, or points of adjustment,  111  allowing for adjustment of the length or width of the individual supports  110 . By adjusting the support(s)  110  on training system  101  the size of the training-system  101  and or the area of the inner training area, depicted as  320  in  FIG. 3 , can be changed. This allows for increased individualization and effectiveness as training-system  101  can be adjusted for each individual user  102  by engaging one or more adjustment mechanism  111 . The adjustment mechanism may take many different forms known in the art and may be separate, integrated, or a combination of the two with the support itself. For example, the adjuster  111  could be a collapsible section. Or in an additional exemplary embodiment the adjuster may be built into a multi-section support  110 . In this non-limiting example the support  110  may have an inner and outer piece where the inner piece can slide within the outer piece. An additional component may be required to lock the relative position of the two pieces, a spring loaded pin or tightening collar, for example. According to this example, adjustments may be made by repositioning the inner and outer pieces of support  110  relative to each other. In this exemplary embodiment, the user could then select a size by closing a clamp, engaging pre-arranged pin locks, ratcheting arrangement or any other means known in the art for temporarily or reversibly fixing the relative positions of the inner and outer pieces. In at least one example, there may be more than one adjustment mechanism or point of adjustment on any given support structure corresponding to any ratio of X/Y-axis adjustment at any adjustment point. In a further example, an upper adjuster may span the entire Z length of the invention. In this embodiment, the adjuster along the top may allow adjustment in the X plane (width) along the Z-axis (length) of the device. The full length adjustment mechanism  111  may be, for example, a hinge or clamp arrangement capable of being opened to allow adjustment of the support mechanism and or skin to be ideally positioned and then closed to secure the support mechanism and or the skin at its new size. 
     Training system  101  also includes a skin  131  coupled to the supports  110 . The skin  131  forms a barrier between the outside of the training-system  101  and the inside, the inside is also called the inner training area  120 . The skin  131  may be made of any suitable material. In at least one non-limiting example, the skin  131  may be made of plastic. In further non-limiting examples, the skin  131  may be made of canvas, plastic, rubber, vinyl, nylon, cotton, polyester, or any other natural, synthetic, or blended material suitably light and flexible. In one embodiment of the invention, the skin  131  is removably attached to the supports  110 . The skin  131  may be composed of any system for connectively covering the supports  110 . The skin  131  may be composed of one continuous piece of material or of many pieces of material in one or multiple layers. As depicted in training-system  101 , when disposed on to the support  110  the skin  131  creates the overall shape of the training-system  101 , covering any space between supports  110 , and following, generally, the overall shape of the support mechanism. The skin may flex or fold as necessary, without damage, and can be re-positioned at a more extended or retracted position depending on the particular shape of the training-system desired. The skin may also have various properties depending on the application, for example, floatation, hydrodynamic, wind resistant (holes), waterproof, or the like. In additional embodiments, the skin  131  may be removably attached to the supports  110  in such a way that the skin  131  is disposed beneath or rests above the supports  110 . The skin  131  may be attached in any number of ways, including permanently or removably, a non-limiting purely exemplary list of which may include, snaps, zippers, Velcro®, sewn to the support, ties, bands, clips, or any other means known in the art for reliably and optionally removably attaching skin  131  to a support frame. In an embodiment utilizing multiple layers of skin, the methods of attachment for each layer may be different. For example, in an embodiment with non-adjustable supports, one layer of skin may attach to the outside of the support  110  while another is attached to a second end of an adjustment mechanism  111 , the first end of the adjustment mechanism being adjustably attached, along the length of the adjustment mechanism, to the non-adjustable support structure  110 . In such an embodiment, it would be possible to maintain a constant exterior volume of a training-system while the interior volume, athlete training area, is adjusted. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the inner or outer skin  131  thereby increasing or reducing the volume of the inner training area  120 . In such an embodiment, the support mechanism  110  may be fixed while the skin  131  moves relative to the support  110 . 
       FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C  illustrate various embodiments and orientations of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a top down view of an embodiment depicting a bent orientation more severe than that depicted in  FIG. 1 , for example. The bend is accomplished by placing a number of supports  110  in close proximity to one another on one side, and adjusting the opposite side supports  110  further from their adjacent support. In embodiments with Z-axis supports in addition to X-Y axis supports, it may be necessary to engage an adjustment mechanism  111  on the Z-axis support in order to lengthen or collapse as necessary to allow for different structures. In embodiment  201 A, a user may enter from, for example, the side away from the basketball hoop at opening  213 , traversing the length of training system  201 A to arrive at opening  213  nearer the hoop. Training-system  211 A also depicts where different size feet  241  are optionally used depending on the load needs at the particular location. The level of security, or said another way, how much force can be applied before the foot or feet  241  begin to shift either laterally or vertically, can be selected by the user. In order to achieve this, the feet  241  may be removably attached such that other types, methods, and strengths of ground engagement are possible. The feet  241  may also be made of materials having varying coefficients of static or kinetic friction and designs allowing the invention to perform on different surface types or according to the individual demands of the user. For example, when the invention is used on a gymnasium floor, such as training system  201 A, weighted rubber could be used. In another setting, such as a grass field, weighted bags, stakes, or other methods may be used to secure the training-system to the ground. The feet may use any system for interchangeability. For example, the feet may be removably attached by, but not limited to, threads, clips, clasps, snaps, friction fit, or any other means known in the art. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2B , the distance between supports  210  may be equal from side to side, resulting in the training system  201 B forming a straight orientation. A user may change the orientation of the training system from  201 B to  201 A, in  FIG. 2A , for example, or from  201 A to  201 B depending on the intended use and user preference. 
       FIG. 2C  demonstrates yet another embodiment of the training-system  201 C. In the depicted embodiment, the skin  231  may be detached from the support structures  210  as necessary to create smaller versions of the overall training-system  201 C. Or, conversely, smaller sections may be used. The segments of the training-system  201 C may be arranged individually along the length of a court or field, requiring the user to traverse them individually.  FIG. 2C  demonstrates one possible embodiment of such a setup. In another embodiment of the invention, multiples of the training-system may be used at any one time. While the components of training system  201 C, as depicted, are all straight and utilize the same number of supports the invention is not so limited. Different embodiments may vary both the shape and number of supports, as well as size of the training-system. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front three quarter view of an embodiment  300  of the training-system  301 . As illustrated, the training-system  301  includes a number of supports  310 , including a support  310  along the upper portion of the training-system  301  that extends along Z-axis. 
     Training system  301  also includes multiple adjustment mechanisms  311  on the supports including two on each vertical portion, and two along the top portion. This combination of adjustment mechanisms  311  allows for training-system  311  to be adjusted for height and width as necessary. Such a combination of adjustment mechanism can be used on any number of other arrangements and embodiments. Further, additional or fewer adjustment mechanisms could be used as necessary. For example, only the adjustment mechanisms  311  depicted on the vertical portions could be used, resulting in an embodiment with only height adjustment. The adjustments may be made using an adjustment mechanism  311  that is built into the support mechanism  310  as depicted in  301 . In additional exemplary embodiments, the adjustment mechanism  311  may be separate from the support mechanism  310 . In further examples, only select support mechanisms  310  may have adjustment mechanisms  311  or alternatively, there may be no adjustment mechanism at all. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3  there may be multiple adjustment mechanisms  311 , and therefore points of adjustment, on any given support  310 . Utilizing the adjustment mechanism  311  allows for fine adjustment of the training-system  301 , for example, a non-limiting and purely exemplary range may include where the training-system  301  has a starting value with a width of 4 ft, and a height of 4 ft and can be adjusted to a minimum width of 2 ft and a minimum height of 2 ft and further where the same embodiment can increase to a maximum width of 7 ft and a maximum height of 7 ft. Should the user desire, the invention can be adjusted to maximum height and minimum width at the same time and conversely minimum height and maximum width at the same time, or any position in between such extremes. In addition, referring back to  FIG. 3  where there are multiple adjustment mechanisms  311  on multiple supports  310  along the length of the Z-axis of the invention, a user could choose to adjust the size of the invention in the X/Y plane at various Z points in order to decrease or increase or otherwise change the area of the training-system at different points along the Z-axis. This adjustability allows for a user to position the invention in such a way as to truly individualize the invention to the user&#39;s needs. 
     The internals of training-system  301  are also depicted, including the inner training area  320 . The inner training area  320  comprises the area inside the training-system  301  through which a user can traverse. The edge of the inner trainer area is the boundary wall  321 . The boundary wall  321  provides a barrier, or boundary, for the user thereby directing them through the training-system. In some embodiments, the boundary wall  321  is simply the inner side of the outer skin  331 , in other embodiments it may be a separate component. In additional embodiments, such as the one depicted, the boundary wall  321  and the supports  310  provide a barrier to a user, whereas in other embodiments the boundary wall  321  may form a complete barrier, obscuring the supports  310 . The boundary wall  321  may also be made of more than one piece or component, and may optionally cover only a portion of the boundary edge of the inner training area, for example along the top most section and the sides. The boundary wall  321  of the interior training area  320  is adjusted in order to restrict the movement of a user in the preferred manner. For example, the interior training area  320  is reduced such that the height of the upper portion of the boundary wall  321  is lower than the user is tall, requiring the user to adjust their position while working their way through the inner training area  320 . 
     The skin  331  as depicted in the present exemplary embodiment  300  of training-system  301  is composed of two separate pieces  331  and  311 ′. Skin portion  331  is connected to the various supports  311  along their vertical portions while skin  311 ′ covers the upper portions of the system  301 . The locations of these pieces, as well as the number of pieces, should not be considered as limiting. The location and number of pieces of skin  331  can vary depending on the intended use and user requirements. According to the depicted embodiment, skin  331 ′ is translucent, or clear, allowing the inner training area  320  to be viable from the outside. This allows a coach or other users to observe a user traversing the system  301  in order to check form, observe safety, or for any other reason. Skin section  331 , according to this embodiment, is not translucent or clear, and cannot be seen through. In other embodiments, sections  331  may be clear while  331 ′ is translucent. The ability to observe a user traversing the inner training area has significant benefits in an athletic training environment, allowing for a coach to provide feedback, in addition to allowing an athlete to film themselves in order to critique their form, for example. 
     The training-system  301  having a skin  331  to form its overall shape begins and terminates along its Z-axis in openings  313  at either end. In the depicted embodiment, the openings  313  follow the same shape as the invention itself, and therefore the support(s)  310 . In other embodiments however, the openings  313  may be adapted to any shape or style in order to meet user demands or, in adjustable variations, by utilizing the adjustment mechanism  311  at only the openings  313 , the openings  313  may have a different size or shape to the rest of the invention. In other examples, additional openings  313  may be made by removing portions of the skin  331  at points throughout the invention. 
     Training system  301  also includes a Z-axis support, or Z-support  310 . As depicted, this support is located at the top of the other supports  310  and differs in that it does not contact the ground, or first plain. In other embodiments Z-Axis supports  310  may contact the ground. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an embodiment  400  of training-system  401  as well as a user  402  traversing the system. As depicted, user  402  is located in the inner training area  420 . The support(s)  410  are arranged in an upside-down U configuration, the upper portion of which is located above the user&#39;s head, and include multiple adjustment points  411 . In this embodiment, the skin  431  is composed of two separate panels, a side panel and an upper panel, however in this non-limiting embodiment, these two skin  431  pieces do not meet. Instead, as depicted, viewing window  432  is formed where there are no skin  431  portions leaving a gap through which the inner training area is visible. This provides the same benefits of a translucent or clear panel, but may be preferable in some situations in order to reduce heat, increase airflow, or reduce surface area. 
     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The specification and figures are illustrative, not restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any benefit, advantage, solution to problem, or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components of any or all the claims. 
     The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” or any variations of such terms, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.