Patent Publication Number: US-7585253-B2

Title: Pole vault training device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   Disclosed herein is an embodiment for a pole vault training apparatus that may include a driven, pivoting receptacle into which may be placed a modified vaulting pole. The pole vault training apparatus may operate to lift and propel a user holding the pole from a standing position, upwardly to any point along an arc of travel including to a near vertical position. Accordingly, the pole vault training apparatus may allow a user to undertake multiple practice “vaults” without the need for a running approach. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The pole vault is a difficult and dangerous sport, two factors that inhibit the sport&#39;s growth. While danger can be mitigated through practice, the very nature of the sport limits the amount of practice that can be accomplished at any given time. The reason is fatigue. Even an unsuccessful vault attempt may require that the athlete take a fast running approach toward the “pit” of between 70 and 120 feet while carrying a pole that measures between 10 feet 6 inches and 17 feet 6 inches. Under such conditions, fatigue sets in quickly. As a result, a typical pole vaulter may only manage six to eight full approach practice jumps per day. 
   Past attempts to develop devices that permit an athlete to experience an actual jump in a repeatable and safe manner have met with only limited success. As such, there is a need for a further advancement of the art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A pole vault training apparatus may include a housing or body, a pole receiver that may be pivotably positioned on the housing, a lift assembly that may be positioned in the housing and secured to the pole receiver and a reinforced vaulting pole. 
   During a vaulting maneuver, a user may first insert the reinforced pole into the pole receiver. The height of the pole relative to the user may be adjusted using a bearing associated with the pole receiver. The bearing may also be movable relative to the housing such that the position of the pole receiver (and thus the reinforced pole) may also be shifted to the left or right of center according to the needs of the user (or as required during a vaulting maneuver). In positioning a pole in the pole receiver at least a portion of a reinforced portion of the pole may be positioned in the receiver. 
   Next, using a control panel, pressure control valves and flow control valves in the lift assembly may be set for the weight and speed rated for the user. Thereafter, when the user is ready, the apparatus may be activated such that a hydraulically drive arm in the lift assembly function to the pole receiver to pivot from an initial position to a predetermined second position. This predetermined second position may be at any point along the travel arc of pole receiver. Further, the rate of travel of the pole receiver (and thus the pole  18  and user) may be modified from a relatively slow rate to a relatively fast rate. 
   Finally, during a vaulting maneuver, a pair of sleeves in the pole receiver assists in stabilizing the pole in the pole receiver. Further, since the pole may be free to rotate in the sleeves (and the pole receiver  14 ); the vaulting maneuver is not inhibited by the use of a static, fixed pole. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will now be made to the associated drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pole vault training apparatus with a control unit for the apparatus extending from a housing of the apparatus; 
       FIG. 2  is a planar side view of the embodiment of a pole vault training apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , with a sidewall of the housing removed and showing a vaulter near the beginning of a vaulting maneuver; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial planar side view of the embodiment of a pole vault training apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , with a sidewall of the housing removed and showing a vaulter toward the end of a vaulting maneuver; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial planar side view of the embodiment of a pole vault training apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  in which the pivoting movement of a pole receiver is detailed; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the pole receiver; 
       FIG. 6  is a cutaway side view of the pole receiver; 
       FIG. 7  is a planar side view of the support bearing for the pole receiver; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a reinforced pole vaulting pole; 
       FIG. 9  is a cutaway, partial side view of a wall of a reinforced pole vaulting pole taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cutaway, partial side view of a wall of the reinforced pole vaulting pole taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   An embodiment of a pole vault training apparatus may include a housing or body, a pole receiver that may be pivotably positioned on the housing, a lift assembly that may be positioned in the housing and secured to the pole receiver and a reinforced vaulting pole. In operation, the vaulting pole may be placed in the pole receiver. The lift assembly may then be used to drive the pole receiver about the receiver&#39;s pivot point such that the pole may be raised or lowered through an arc of travel of about 50 degrees (i.e. from a position where the pole is at an orientation of about 45 degrees from horizontal to a position where the pole is at a vertical or past vertical orientation). 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 10 , one embodiment of a pole vault training apparatus  10  may include a housing  12  or body, a pole receiver  14  that may be pivotably positioned on the housing  12 , a lift assembly  16  that may be positioned in the housing  12  and a reinforced vaulting pole  18  that may be placed in and supported by the pole receiver  14 . The housing  12  may be adapted to be fixed to a floor or the ground “G” near a suitably padded pole vaulting “pit” (not shown). More specifically, the housing  12  may be positioned near or over a vault pole planting box (not shown) and next to a vaulting pit. The lift assembly  16  may operate to selectively actuate the pole receiver  14  such that the pole receiver  14 , and any reinforced pole  18  position therein, may be lifted/pivoted from an initial orientation of about 45 degrees relative to the ground to an orientation of about 98 degrees (i.e., 8 degrees past vertical) relative to the ground, or to any point in between these limits. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the housing  12  of the pole vault training apparatus  10  may include a base  20  that may rest on the ground “G” and a frame  22  that may be secured to the base  20 . The frame  22  may also be constructed integral to the base  20 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base  20  may be constructed in a rectangular form using square stock steel and angle iron. The base  20  may also include fixtures  24  or arms that extend outwardly from the base  20  to assist in stabilizing the base  20  (and thus the housing  12 ) on the ground “G”. Mounting hardware  26  such as screws or stakes may be extended through or around the arms  24  to fix the pole vault training apparatus  10  to the ground “G”. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the frame  22  of the housing  12  may extend from the base  20  and define a front  28  and rear  30  ends of the housing  12  and a pair of sides and a top  36  for the housing  12 . As shown, the frame  22  may be constructed using 1 inch tube steel. However, other materials having the requisite strength characteristics may also be used. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the ends  28 ,  30  sides and top  36  of the housing  12  may be substantially enclosed by, for example, sheet metal to create a front wall  38 , a rear wall  40 , a pair of side walls  42 ,  44  and a top wall  46 . However, it will again be appreciated that other materials may also be used in the construction of the cover. As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a door  48  biased by springs  50  that are secured to the front  28  of the frame  22  may be mounted for reciprocal movement to the top  36  of the housing  12  proximate the pole receiver  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the door  48  may operate to move relative to the movement of the pole receiver  14  and thereby close off the opening  52  in the top  36  though which a portion of the pole receiver  14  may extend. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one or more wheels  54  may also be positioned at the rear end  30  of the frame  22  proximate the base  20  to assist with the movement and/or placement of the pole vault training apparatus  10 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the pole receiver  14  may include a tube or cylinder  56  having an open end  58  and a closed end  60 . More specifically, in the embodiment disclosed herein, the pole receiver  14  may include a tube having a length of about 30 inches and an inside diameter of 4 inches. However, other dimension may also be used for the pole receiver  14 . As mentioned above, the open end  58  of the pole receiver  14  may be positioned so that it extends though the top  38  of the housing  12 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1-5 , a pair of support sleeves  62 ,  64  may be positioned within the pole receiver  14  to assist in retaining the reinforced pole  18  in the pole receiver  14 . The sleeves  62 ,  64  may be constructed of nylon. However, other materials may also be used. One sleeve  62  may be positioned within the pole receiver  14  proximate the closed end  60 . The outside diameter (or shape) of the sleeve  62  proximate the closed end  60  may be equal or close to the inside diameter (or shape) of the pole receiver  14 . Further, the inside diameter of the sleeve  62  may be equal or close to the outside diameter of the reinforce pole  18 . The other, second, sleeve  64  may be positioned proximate the open end  58  of the pole receiver  14  and may include a flange  66  at one end and an annular groove  68  along its length. The dimensions of the sleeve  64  positioned at the open end  58  of the pole receiver  14  may otherwise be similar to the dimensions of the first sleeve  62 . As shown, the flange  64  may function to support the second sleeve  64  on the open end  58  of the pole receiver  14 . Further, the groove  68  may be engaged by a locking screw  70  that may be extend though a threaded opening  72  in the pole receiver  14 . 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , the pole receiver  14  may be pivotably mounted on a bearing  74  that may be positioned on a support  76  that may be secured to the housing  12 . Specifically, as best shown in  FIG. 5 , the support  76  includes two A-frames  78 ,  80  that are connected at their respective apexes by a crossbar  82 . As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each A-frame  78 ,  80  may be secured to the base  20  of the housing  12  at the ends opposite its respective apex. The bearing  74  may be moveably positioned on the crossbar  82  and may include a threaded rod  84 . As best shown in  FIG. 7 , the threaded rod  84  of the bearing  74  may be used to engage a threaded opening  86  of the pole receiver  14 . The threaded opening  86  of the pole receiver  14  may be located anywhere along the length of the receiver  14 . However, it will be appreciated that a particularly advantageous location for the threaded opening  86  of the pole receiver may be proximate a midpoint of the receiver  14 . As best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , a nut  88  may be positioned on the threaded rod  84  as a means for locking the receiver  14  to the bearing. It will also be appreciated that the use of the threaded rod  84  and nut  88  will allow the position of the pole receiver  14  to be adjusted along the length of the rod  84 . As will be described below, the adjustable nature of the receiver  14  relative to the bearing  74  may permit the starting height of the vaulting pole  18  to be customized to the height requirement of each individual user. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1-3  the lift assembly  16  may include a battery  90 , a hydraulic pump  92 , a fluid accumulator  94 , a pressure control valve  96 , a flow control valve  98  and a hydraulic cylinder  100  having a extendable arm  102 . As best shown in  FIG. 1 , a control panel  104  may also be provided to actuate the lift assembly  16 . It will be appreciated that while the lift assembly  16  of the particular embodiment disclosed herein may include a hydraulic system, other systems such as an electric or pneumatic drive may also be used. For example, the lift assembly may be configured using an electric drive that may be plugged into a standard electrical outlet. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , hydraulic cylinder  100  may be pivotably attached to a base bracket  103  at the end of the cylinder opposite the arm  102 . Likewise, the arm  102  of the hydraulic cylinder  100  may be pivotably attached proximate the closed end  58  of the pole receiver  14 . For example, the arm  102  may be pivotably secured to the pole receiver  14  by a pin  93  that engages a bracket  95  on the closed end  58  of the pole receiver  14 . The arm  102  may be a 12 inch long extendable arm. However, it will be appreciated that an arm  102  having a greater or lesser length may also be used. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , in operation, the pump  92  operates to inflate a bladder (not shown) in the fluid accumulator  94  using a fluid (not shown) and thereby pressurize a hydraulic fluid (not shown) that may be stored in the accumulator  94 . The pump  92  may be powered by the battery  90 , which in the particular embodiment disclosed herein may be a 12 v battery. Further, the fluid used to inflate the bladder may be nitrogen. However, other fluids may also be used. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the accumulator  94  may be in fluid communication with a normally closed solenoid controlled pressure control valve  96 , which may be in fluid communication with a normally closed solenoid controlled flow control valve  98 . During a vaulting maneuver, the pressure valve  96  may operate to regulate the pressure of the fluid. Likewise, the flow control valve  98  may operate to regulate the rate at which the fluid acts on the hydraulic cylinder  100 . Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the duel valve  96 ,  98  arrangement of the lift assembly  16  may permit a user to customize the torque (or force of the lift) and the rate (or speed of the lift) for each user. For example, the pole vault training apparatus  10  may be controlled to lift a lightweight, novice user (e.g., an 8th grade male) at a relatively slow rate and then quickly modified to lift a heavyweight, expert user (e.g., a NCAA athlete) at a relatively rapid rate. In operation, at a predetermined time (e.g., when activated by a user using the control panel  104 ) the pressure control valve  96  and flow control valve  98  may each be opened a predetermined amount and in a predetermined sequence (again, as may be dictated by the control panel  104 ) to cause the hydraulic fluid to flow from the accumulator  94  through valves  96 ,  98  and to the hydraulic cylinder  100 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8 through 10 , the reinforced pole  18  of the pole vault training apparatus  10  may include a fiberglass pole that has one or more layers of reinforcing material  106 . The means of constructing the reinforced pole  18  may not be substantially different from the current technology for constructing fiberglass poles. However, unlike current poles, the reinforced pole  18  may include one or more layers of a reinforcing material such as carbon fiber, KEVLAR or further layers of fiberglass. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the reinforced pole may include a layer of fiberglass  108 , one or more layers of a reinforcing material  110 ,  112  and then a layer of resin  114 . In addition, or as an alternative to the reinforcing material  110 ,  112 , a tubular insert  113  may be positioned within the pole  18  proximate a location where the pole  18  would engage the sleeve  64  (or the open end  60  of the pole receiver  14 ) during a vaulting maneuver as a precaution against a collapse of the pole  18 . For example, 6 inch tubular or cylindrical insert may be inserted or otherwise positioned within the pole  18  such that approximately one half of the insert would with be positioned within the pole receiver  16  and one half of the insert would be positioned external to the pole receiver  16 . The insert  113  may be constructed of nylons However, steel, carbon fiber or KEVLAR may also be used in the construction of the insert  113 . Further, the insert  113  may have a length that is greater or lesser than 6 inches For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the insert  113  may be longer than 6 inches such that it might extend beyond the layers or wraps of reinforcing material  106 . 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 8 through 10 , the reinforcing material  106  may be positioned at any location along the length of the pole  18 . However, as best shown in  FIG. 8 , the reinforcing material  106  may be provided at end  116  of the pole  18  that is intended to be inserted into the pole receiver  14 . More particularly the reinforcing material  106  may be provided at one end  116  of the pole and along the pole for a length of between about 24 and 48 inches, and in many instances about 36 inches from the end  116  of the pole  18 . As such it will be appreciated that the reinforcing material may be provided on between 11% to 38% of the length of a pole (depending on the length of the pole). As best shown in  FIG. 10 , the pole  18  may be tapered above the reinforced portion to match the construction of a standard non-einforced vaulting pole. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1-4 , as mentioned above during a vaulting maneuver, a user will first insert the reinforced pole  18  into the pole receiver  14 . As mentioned above, the height of the pole  18  relative to the user may be adjusted using the bearing  74 . Further, since the bearing  74  may be movable along the crossbar  82 , the position of the pole receiver  14  (and thus the reinforced pole  18 ) may also be shifted to the lift or right of center according to the needs of the user (or as required during a vaulting maneuver). In positioning the pole  18  in the pole receiver  14  at least a portion of the reinforced area  106  of the reinforced pole  18  may be positioned in the receiver  18 . Next, using the control  104 , the pressure valve  96  and flow control  98  valves may be set for the weight and speed rated for the user. For example, it takes approximately 1600 psi to lift a 120 lbs vaulter 13 feet from the standing position (i.e. the position where the receiver as at its lowest point). Thereafter, when the user is ready, the apparatus  10  may be activated such that the lift assembly  16  may cause the pole receiver  14  to pivot about the support  76  from an initial position to a predetermined second position. This predetermined second position may be at any point along the travel arc of pole receiver  14 . Further, as mentioned above, the rate of travel of the pole receiver  14  (and thus the pole  18  and user) may be modified from a relatively slow rate to a relatively fast rate. During a vaulting maneuver, the sleeves  62 ,  64  of the pole receiver  14  assist in stabilizing the pole  18  in the pole receiver  14 . Further, since the pole  18  may be free to rotate in the sleeves  62 ,  64  (and the pole receiver  14 ), the vaulting maneuver is not inhibited by the use of a static, fixed pole. 
   Having thus described an embodiment of the invention, various other embodiments that do not depart from the scope of the claims set forth below will become apparent to those of skill in the art.