Patent Publication Number: US-2021162252-A1

Title: Agility training ladder

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a training equipment and more particularly to an agility training ladder. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An agility training ladder disclosed in Taiwan Patent Publication No. 476619 comprises a rectangle-shaped connecting member which has four side surfaces and one top surface. Each of the side surfaces comprises a first connecting slot, and the top surface has four locating recesses, and the four locating recesses are respectively communicated with the four first connecting slots. Moreover, the agility training ladder comprises an extending bar, and two connecting portions respectively protrude from two ends of the extending bar. Furthermore, each of the connecting portions has an elastic piece protruding from a top surface thereof, and the elastic piece is extending toward a direction opposite to the protruding portion of the connecting portion. In addition, the connecting portion of the extending bar is adapted to connect to one of the first connecting slots of the connecting member, and the elastic piece is configured to hook on the corresponding locating recess, thereby achieving the connection between the connecting member and the extending bar. Also, each of two lateral sides of the extending bar comprises a plurality second connecting slots so that the extending bars can be connected in parallel between two parallel extending bars. 
     However, the conventional agility training ladder has following disadvantages: (i) the connection between parts is fragile and the parts are prone to be broken when been disassembled improperly; (ii) the elastic piece is easy to be deformed and broken, which is impractical; and (iii) the positions of the extending bars between the two parallel extending bars cannot be quickly adjusted. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved design for an agility training ladder to overcome the problems presented above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an agility training ladder which comprises a plurality of frame bodies, and each of the frame bodies has a first board and a second board. Each of the first board and the second board has two connecting members respectively at two ends thereof. Each of the first boards comprises two first connecting ribs at two lateral surfaces thereof while each of the second boards has two second connecting ribs at two lateral surfaces thereof, and each of the connecting members comprises two third connecting ribs at two lateral surfaces thereof. Each of the connecting members has two first connecting recesses at two ends thereof which are communicated with the two lateral surfaces of the connecting members. The first connecting recess on the first board is formed perpendicular to the extending direction of the first board, and the first connecting recess on the second board is formed perpendicular to the extending direction of the second board. The first boards and the second boards are adapted to be connected through the connecting members, and the first connecting ribs, the second connecting ribs, and the third connecting ribs are configured to respectively couple with the first connecting recesses, and the first connecting recess is adapted to slide along the first connecting rib, the second connecting rib, or the third connecting rib. 
     In one embodiment, the first board and the two connecting members coupled thereon are formed integrally, and the second board and the two connecting members coupled thereon are formed integrally. 
     In another embodiment, each of two ends of the first board comprises a first connecting portion while each of two ends of the second board has a second connecting portion, and each of the connecting members comprises a third connecting portion at one end thereof, and the connecting member is adapted to connect to the first board through connecting the third connecting portion to the first connecting portion while the connecting member is configured to connect to the second board through connecting the third connecting portion to the second connecting portion. 
     In still another embodiment, each of the first boards comprises a first guiding groove at a top surface thereof while each of the second boards has a second guiding groove at a top surface thereof, and each of the connecting members comprises a third guiding groove at a top surface thereof, and each of the first guiding groove, the second guiding groove, and the third guiding groove has the same dimension as the first connecting recess; an elongated flexible body is adapted to install on the first board through the first guiding groove, on the second board through the second guiding groove, or on the connecting member through the third guiding groove, and the flexible body is adapted to form a hurdle with height. 
     In a further embodiment, each of two ends of the flexible body comprises a sliding block. 
     In still a further embodiment, each of the connecting members has two elongated holes respectively penetrate through the connecting member from top to bottom, and a band body is adapted to pass through and couple with the elongated hole. 
     In a particular embodiment, the agility training ladder comprises a plurality of connecting units, and four fourth connecting ribs are respectively formed at two ends and two lateral edges of the connecting unit, and the fourth connecting rib of the connecting unit is adapted to connect to the first connecting recess of the connecting member, and the connecting unit is connected between two connecting members so as to connect two first boards; a top surface of the connecting unit has a fourth guiding groove. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of columns are formed on the top surface of the connecting member, and a bottom surface of the connecting member has a plurality of slots respectively formed at positions corresponding to the columns such that two stacked connecting members are adapted to be positioned by engaging the columns with the slots. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, the agility training ladder comprises a plurality of connecting belts, and each of the connecting belts has two connecting heads at two ends thereof; each of the connecting heads comprises a second connecting recess to enable the connecting belt to slidably couple on the second connecting rib of the second board. 
     Comparing with conventional agility training ladder, the present invention is advantageous because: the first boards and the second boards can be connected through the connecting members, and the first connecting ribs, the second connecting ribs, and the third connecting ribs are adapted to cooperate with the first connecting recesses, and the first connecting recess is adapted to slide along to the first connecting rib, the second connecting rib, or the third connecting rib, which improves the practicability and structural stability of the agility training ladder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional assembly view of an agility training ladder of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial enlarged drawing of the agility training ladder of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial enlarged sectional view of the agility training ladder of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating the position of a second board between two parallel first boards is adjusted in the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view illustrating a flexible body is installed on the second board in the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view from another angle illustrating the flexible body is installed on the second board in the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating the first board or the second board is installed on the second board to replace the flexible body, and the second boards are connected in parallel through two rows of connecting belts. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating three parallel rows of the first boards are applied in the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the agility training ladder of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating the second boards are connected in parallel through two row of band bodies. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view illustrating the agility training ladder of the present invention is in stacked position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described. 
     All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. 
     In order to further understand the goal, characteristics and effect of the present invention, a number of embodiments along with the drawings are illustrated as following: 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the present invention provides an agility training ladder which comprises a plurality of frame bodies ( 10 ), and each of the frame bodies ( 10 ) has a first board ( 11 ) and a second board ( 12 ). Each of the first board ( 11 ) and the second board ( 12 ) has two connecting members ( 13 ) respectively at two ends thereof. Each of the first boards ( 11 ) comprises two first connecting ribs ( 111 ) at two lateral surfaces thereof while each of the second boards ( 12 ) has two second connecting ribs ( 121 ) at two lateral surfaces thereof, and each of the connecting members ( 13 ) comprises two third connecting ribs ( 131 ) at two lateral surfaces thereof. Moreover, each of the connecting members ( 13 ) has two first connecting recesses ( 132 ) at two ends thereof which are communicated with the two lateral surfaces of the connecting members ( 13 ). The extending direction of the first connecting recess ( 132 ) is perpendicular to the extending direction of the first board ( 11 ), and the extending direction of the first connecting recess ( 132 ) is perpendicular to the extending direction of the second board ( 12 ). In addition, each of the first boards ( 11 ) comprises a first guiding groove ( 112 ) at a top surface thereof while each of the second boards ( 12 ) has a second guiding groove ( 122 ) at a top surface thereof, and each of the connecting members ( 13 ) comprises a third guiding groove ( 133 ) at a top surface thereof. Furthermore, each of the first guiding groove ( 112 ), the second guiding groove ( 122 ), and the third guiding groove ( 133 ) has the same dimension as the first connecting recess ( 132 ). Each of the connecting members ( 13 ) has two elongated holes ( 134 ) respectively penetrate through the connecting member ( 13 ) from top to bottom. In addition, a plurality of columns ( 135 ) are formed on the top surface of the connecting member ( 13 ), and a bottom surface of the connecting member ( 13 ) has a plurality of slots ( 136 ) respectively formed at positions corresponding to the columns ( 135 ). 
     In one embodiment, the first board ( 11 ) and the two connecting members ( 13 ) coupled thereon are formed integrally, and the second board ( 12 ) and the two connecting members ( 13 ) coupled thereon are formed integrally. 
     In another embodiment, the first board ( 11 ), the second board ( 12 ), and the connecting member ( 13 ) are connected by assembly, wherein each of two ends of the first board ( 11 ) comprises a first connecting portion ( 113 ) while each of two ends of the second board ( 12 ) has a second connecting portion ( 123 ), and each of the connecting members ( 13 ) comprises a third connecting portion ( 137 ) at one end thereof, and the connecting member ( 13 ) is adapted to connect to the first board ( 11 ) through connecting the third connecting portion ( 137 ) to the first connecting portion ( 113 ) while the connecting member ( 13 ) is configured to connect to the second board ( 12 ) through connecting the third connecting portion ( 137 ) to the second connecting portion ( 123 ). 
     In a further embodiment, the agility training ladder comprises a plurality of connecting units ( 14 ), and four fourth connecting ribs ( 141 ) are respectively formed at two ends and two lateral edges of the connecting unit ( 14 ), and the fourth connecting rib ( 141 ) of the connecting unit ( 14 ) is adapted to connect to the first connecting recess ( 132 ) of the connecting member ( 13 ), and the connecting unit ( 14 ) is connected between two connecting members ( 13 ) so as to connect two first boards ( 11 ); a top surface of the connecting unit ( 14 ) has a fourth guiding groove ( 142 ). 
     Structurally, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the two first boards ( 11 ) is connected together through two connecting members ( 13 ) and one connecting unit ( 14 ). The connecting unit ( 14 ) is connected between the two connecting members ( 13 ) through connecting the fourth connecting ribs ( 141 ) to the first connecting recesses ( 132 ), and each of the two connecting members ( 132 ) is connected to one end of the first board ( 11 ), so as to connect two first board ( 11 ). As connecting method described above, the first boards ( 11 ) are connected in a row, and the second boards ( 12 ) are installed in parallel between two parallel rows of the first boards ( 11 ). The two connecting members ( 13 ) connected at two ends of the second board ( 12 ) are adapted to respectively connect to the two first boards ( 11 ) when the first connecting recesses ( 132 ) are slidably coupled with the first connecting ribs ( 111 ) respectively, such that the second boards ( 12 ) are installed in parallel between two rows of the first boards ( 11 ) to form spaced apart rungs for user to achieve training. 
     Additionally, referring to  FIG. 4 , the two first connecting recesses ( 132 ) are slidably coupled with the first connecting ribs ( 111 ), such that the second board ( 12 ) is configured to slide between two parallel rows of the first boards ( 11 ) so as to adjust the distances between the second boards ( 12 ), which improves the practicability of the present invention. 
     Moreover, referring to  FIGS. 1, 5, 6 , an elongated flexible body ( 15 ) is adapted to install on the first board ( 11 ) through the first guiding groove ( 112 ) or on the second board ( 12 ) through the second guiding groove ( 122 ). Each of two ends of the flexible body ( 15 ) comprises a sliding block ( 151 ) which is configured to slidably couple in the first guiding groove ( 112 ) or the second guiding groove ( 122 ), and the flexible body ( 15 ) is adapted to be bent to form an arc shape and become a hurdle so as to increase the difficulty of training. Also, the first guiding groove ( 112 ), the second guiding groove ( 122 ), and the first connecting recess ( 132 ) have the same dimension such that each of the first board ( 11 ) and the second board ( 12 ) is configured to directly install on the first guiding groove ( 112 ) to increase the difficulty of training. 
     Furthermore, when in use, referring to  FIG. 8 , the user can arrange more than two parallel rows of the first boards ( 11 ) such as three parallel rows of the first boards ( 11 ) for training, and three parallel rows of the first boards ( 11 ) can create two paths, and the second boards ( 12 ) are connected between each two rows of the first boards ( 11 ) such that the user can have two-way training program, thereby enhancing the practicability of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , for another assembly of the present invention, the first board ( 11 ) is configured to be connected to the second connecting rib ( 121 ) of the second board ( 12 ) through the first connecting recess ( 132 ) of the connecting members ( 13 ) such that two first boards ( 11 ) are adapted to be installed between two second boards ( 12 ). The second boards ( 12 ) are the marks of stepping, and the length of the first board ( 11 ) disenables the second board ( 12 ) to be adjustable, and through the connecting members ( 13 ), the first boards ( 11 ) are slidable on the second connecting ribs ( 121 ) of the second boards ( 12 ) so as to adjust the distance between the two second boards ( 12 ). As a result, the user can slightly adjust the spaces of the second boards ( 12 ) for stepping to achieve different training effects. 
     In another embodiment, referring to  FIG. 10 , each of the connecting members ( 13 ) has the two elongated holes ( 134 ) respectively penetrate through the connecting member ( 13 ) from top to bottom, and a band body ( 16 ) is adapted to pass through and couple with the elongated hole ( 134 ). The band bodies ( 16 ) are configured to replace the second boards ( 12 ) that each of the band bodies ( 16 ) is adapted to be arranged between two parallel rows of the first boards ( 11 ) at two ends thereof for stepping. Also, two band body ( 16 ) can also replace two rows of the first board ( 11 ) that the two elongated band bodies ( 16 ) are arranged in parallel and respectively pass through the connecting members ( 13 ) at two ends of the second boards ( 12 ) in order, thereby connecting the second boards ( 12 ) in parallel for training. 
     In a further embodiment, referring to  FIG. 7 , the agility training ladder of the present invention comprises a plurality of connecting belts ( 17 ), and each of the connecting belts ( 17 ) has two connecting heads ( 171 ) at two ends thereof; each of the connecting heads ( 171 ) comprises a second connecting recess ( 172 ) to enable the connecting belt ( 17 ) to slidably couple on the second connecting rib ( 121 ) of the second board ( 12 ) or the third connecting rib ( 131 ) of the connecting member ( 13 ), thereby replacing the first board ( 11 ) by the connecting belt ( 17 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the first boards ( 11 ) and the second boards ( 12 ) are stackable to greatly reduce the volume thereof, and each of the connecting members ( 13 ) comprises the columns ( 135 ) and the slots ( 136 ) on the top surface and the bottom surface thereof which are adapted to be connected so as to secure the stack of the first boards ( 11 ) and the second boards ( 12 ). 
     Comparing with conventional agility training ladder, the present invention is advantageous because: the first boards ( 11 ) and the second boards ( 12 ) can be connected through the connecting members ( 13 ), and the first connecting ribs ( 111 ), the second connecting ribs ( 121 ), and the third connecting ribs ( 131 ) are adapted to cooperate with the first connecting recesses ( 132 ), and the first connecting recess ( 132 ) is adapted to slide along to the first connecting rib ( 111 ), the second connecting rib ( 121 ), and the third connecting rib ( 131 ), which improves the practicability and structural stability of the agility training ladder. 
     Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but includes any equivalents.