Patent Publication Number: US-11389683-B2

Title: Gymnastics swing shape trainer

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a device for training gymnasts on proper body position, specifically the hollow body position required when performing acrobatic skills on the uneven parallel bars. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary concern of gymnasts is being in the proper body position for performing various gymnastics skills. In addition to successful completion of any gymnastics skill, proper body position throughout the skill is a requirement. Scoring deductions are taken anytime a gymnast is not in the proper body position while performing a skill. 
     A hollow body position is required to receive full point credit for many skills on the uneven parallel bars. The hollow body position is characterized by a shortening of the anterior (frontal) portion of the torso and posterior pelvic tilt. Contraction or shortening of the abs, and hips rocked under. A full hollow body position requires the arms extended straight overhead squeezing the ears and legs extended straight out with toes pointed. 
     A major component in determining skill acquisition is psychomotor ability. Psychomotor refers to skills that involve physical movement as well as a mental component. In order to develop psychomotor skills, athletes need to consider perceptual skills, proprioception, and motor skills. Balance is sometimes called proprioception to reflect the greater sense awareness of position as well as balance. It relies on information from the eyes, inner ear, and somatic receptors (in the joint capsule, tendons, ligaments, and muscles). Information from these sense receptors pass to the brain stem and cerebellum regions of the brain, which then organize that information into spatial awareness. This information is used to enable athletes to coordinate movement into a smooth sequence of events. 
     Motor skills include all those voluntary movements of muscles in the correct sequence. However, this does not just involve the muscles directly responsible for the desired movement, but also the appropriate postural muscles to enable athletes to remain in the proper position and coordinated, hence the necessity for the information regarding proprioception. 
     There are three phases with learning a psychomotor skill, namely:
     (1) Early or Cognitive Phase—This is where the steps of the task are learned, for instance the controls of a car. Speed is important as at first there is too much information. If the task is slowed down there is less information to handle at any one time, which will facilitate learning.   (2) Linking or Action Phase—This is where the responses are tied to an appropriate stimulus. For instance, when learning a poem one line tends to trigger the next. It is much harder to quote the last line and if asked, it is often necessary to mentally run through the entire poem to find the required part. Therefore, each line is the trigger for remembering the next.   (3) Automatic Response—This is where the skill becomes more and more automatically performed as control is taken over by the lower centers of the brain. At this stage the performance is smooth and automatic. Therefore, psychomotor skills are retained as complete programs or neurological pathways. The rhythm or sequence developed at the linking phase will now be embedded so the athlete increasingly depends on internal rather that external cues to time their responses.   

     Repeating a movement until it becomes embedded as a neurological pathway that can be called upon when required has obvious benefits to the athlete. This is used many times, for instance, when tennis players repeatedly practice their back hand. A tennis player may have a perfect back hand but will not be able to use that skill unless he or she can get into the appropriate position. The same is true for gymnasts, repeatedly practicing the proper body position allows the position to become automatic while performing new and more difficult skills. The gymnastics swing shape training device provided by the invention facilitates an improved method of making the hollow body position an automatic response. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Typically, gymnasts train their bodies in strength, skills, and body position. In order to learn and maintain the proper body position, gymnasts use various stretches, training exercises, spotting by coaches, and positioning devices. Allowing the gymnast to hold the proper body position trains the gymnast&#39;s body for the feel of the position and allows for “muscle memory” to help obtain the proper position more easily in subsequent attempts. Eventually, the proper position becomes an automatic response as described above and the gymnast can focus on other components of performing the skill successfully. Currently, no device exists for specifically training the proper hollow body position that is a requirement for many skills performed on the uneven parallel bars. 
     The present invention provides a device that supports a gymnast in an outstretched position while allowing for maintaining a proper hollow body position. A gymnast can grasp an adjustable rung as if holding one of the uneven parallel bars and rest her feet on a fixed rung such that the gymnast can maintain a hollow body position while outstretched. The adjustable nature of the device allows for accommodating gymnasts of any size. The ease of use allows for quickly customizing the device for each gymnast without a lengthy delay between users. 
     The present device comprises a rectangular frame with an adjustable rung. In an embodiment, the frame is of unitary construction. In another embodiment, the frame consists of two side support members and two stationary rungs. Another embodiment provides for the side support members and the top cross portion of the frame to be of unitary construction with one stationary rung in a fixed position. Various embodiments are possible for the engagement of the adjustable rung with the frame. Additionally, the device can be used flat on the ground, at an angle with one end supported at a height, or substantially upright against a wall or other support. Optional feet may be used to provide additional stability in any position, especially if the feet have a non-slip bottom surface. Further, other optional elements may include an object placed below the gymnast&#39;s mid-section, such as a large ball, to encourage the gymnast to maintain a rounded mid-section and hollow body position. 
     Any suitable materials may be used for the side support members such as wood, metal, PVC, high density foam, composites, or laminate provided that the side support members and stationary rungs form a substantially rigid frame and can support the weight of the gymnast and pressure applied by the gymnast when using the device. Likewise, the rungs may also be of any suitable material to form a substantially rigid frame and support the weight of the gymnast and pressure applied by the gymnast when the device is in use. Preferably, the device is lightweight so that it can be easily repositioned and/or is not a tipping or falling hazard when used in an angled or upright position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the swing shape trainer; 
         FIG. 2  shows a front view of an embodiment of the swing shape trainer with pins for securing the adjustable rung; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the swing shape trainer with optional feet and notched adjustable rung positioning; 
         FIG. 4  shows a close-up view of a different embodiment of the swing shape trainer with slots for engaging the adjustable rung. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , gymnastics swing shape trainer  10  includes a pair of substantially parallel side support members  12 . Side support members  12  are held in place by stationary rungs  20 . Stationary rungs  20  are affixed near both end portions of side support members  12  and provide structural support to swing shape trainer  10  while keeping side support members  12  substantially parallel to each other. When assembled, side support members  12  and stationary rungs  20  form a rectangular frame. In the embodiment shown, side support members  12  have a plurality of apertures  14  sized to receive adjustable rung  22 . Apertures  14  on one side support member  12  align with apertures  14  on the opposite side support member  12  forming sets of apertures. Adjustable rung  22  is positioned in any one set of apertures  14  to accommodate the size of the gymnast using the device. When in use, the gymnast grasps adjustable rung  22  with her hands while standing on her toes on lower stationary rung  20 . Adjustable rung  22  should be positioned such that the gymnast is in an outstretched position with her arms over her head; the gymnast&#39;s back should be slightly rounded in a “hollow body” position required for uneven parallel bar skills. Preferably, adjustable rung  22  has a circular cross section for ease of grasping by hand. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in an embodiment, adjustable rung  22  can extend past the outer surfaces of side support members  12 . Fastener  24  secures adjustable rung  22  so that adjustable rung  22  cannot pass through apertures  14  without removal of fastener  24 . This prevents accidental removal of adjustable rung  22  from apertures  14  during use. 
       FIG. 3  shows a different embodiment of gymnastics swing shape trainer  10 . In  FIG. 3 , the side support members and the upper cross portion are of unitary construction forming frame  16 . Stationary rung  20  is affixed near the bottom end portions of frame  16  as shown or may also be of unitary construction with frame  16 . The embodiment shown has notches  42  for positioning adjustable rung  22 . Notches  42  on one side of the front surface of frame  16  align with notches  42  on the opposite side of the front surface of frame  16  such that notches  42  form sets of notches. Notches  42  allow for quick and easy removal of adjustable rung  22  from one position and placement into another. Notches  42  can be angled in a variety of directions or can have a shape such that adjustable rung  22  is held securely in place when pressure is applied by the user to prevent accidental removal while in use. Swing shape trainer  10  can be used positioned flat on the ground or in an angled or upstanding position against a wall or other support as shown. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  also shows optional feet  30 . Feet  30  are secured to swing shape trainer  10  by fastener  32 . Feet  30  pivot about fastener  32  such that feet  30  are in contact with the ground when swing shape trainer  10  is used in an upright or angled position but can be pivoted away from the ground when swing shape trainer  10  is used in a flat position. 
       FIG. 4  shows a zoom of another embodiment with blocks  46  for positioning of adjustable rung  22 . Blocks  46  are positioned on the inner surfaces of side support members  12 . Blocks  46  form slots  44  which receive the end portions of adjustable rung  22 . Blocks  46  on one side support member  12  align with blocks  46  on the opposite side support member  12  such that the slots  44  align and form sets of slots. Slots  44  are sized to receive adjustable rung  22 . Adjustable rung  22  slides into a set of slots  44  for positioning during use and slides out for repositioning for the next user. Slots  44  can be angled in a variety of directions or can have a shape such that adjustable rung  22  is held securely in place when pressure is applied by the user preventing accidental dislodgement while in use. 
     In preparation for use, the gymnast or coach determines the proper position for the adjustable rung based on the height of the gymnast. The adjustable rung is positioned in the appropriate position and secured in place as required by the embodiment of the invention being used. The gymnast places her feet on the lower stationary rung and grasps the adjustable rung with her hands. Preferably, the adjustable rung is positioned such that the gymnast stands on her toes with her arms outstretched over her head yet is able to maintain a hollow body position (slight curve to her torso). The position is held as determined necessary by the gymnast or coach to properly train the body to “remember” the hollow body position. 
     An embodiment of the gymnastics swing shape trainer comprises a pair of substantially parallel side support members each having an inner surface, an outer surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a top end portion, and a bottom end portion; a pair of substantially parallel stationary rungs, each rung having a first end portion and a second end portion, each end portion affixed to a side support member, one stationary rung positioned near the top end portions of the side support members and one stationary rung positioned near the bottom end portions of the side support members, the side support members and the stationary rungs being in a substantially perpendicular relationship to each other such that the stationary rungs and side support members form a rectangular frame; an adjustable rung having a first end portion and a second end portion and a length at least substantially equal to the length of the stationary rungs; and a plurality of apertures through the side support members from the outer surfaces of the side support members through the inner surfaces of the side support members, each aperture through one side support member aligning with an aperture on the other side support member, each aligned set constituting a pair of apertures, each pair of apertures being sized to receive the adjustable rung. 
     In another embodiment, the end portions of the adjustable rung extend past the outer surfaces of the side support members and a fastener inserted through the end portions of the adjustable rung prevents the adjustable rung from passing through the aperture. The fastener can be any known fastener such as a pin, a bolt, a screw, a quick-release pin, or the like. 
     Other embodiments are possible having various features for holding the adjustable rung in a stable position while in use yet being easily repositionable for the next user such as having a plurality of notches on the front surface of the side support members, each notch on one side support member aligning with a notch on the other side support member, each aligned set constituting a pair of notches, each pair of notches sized to receive the adjustable rung or a plurality of blocks on the inner surfaces of the side support members, each block having a slot, each slot on one side support member aligning with a slot on the other side support member, each aligned set constituting a pair of slots, each pair of slots sized to receive the adjustable rung. 
     Other methods of engagement of the adjustable rung are contemplated such as a threaded engagement with the side support members or attachment via a ratcheting device. Additionally, the adjustable rung can be attached via straps or ropes to hold the rung in the desired position. The adjustable rung can also be moved along the inner surface of the side support members via a rail either on the inner surface of the side support members or within the side support members. 
     In another embodiment, the rectangular frame can be of unitary construction or the side support members and the top cross portion of the frame are of unitary construction and a lower stationary rung is located near the bottom end portions of the side support members. 
     Any of the aforementioned embodiments of the gymnastics swing shape trainer may also include at least two feet pivotably attached to bottom end portions of the side support members, or alternately, two feet pivotably attached to the bottom end portions of the side support members and two feet pivotably attached to the top end portions of the side support members. 
     Additionally, optional accessories may be used to aid the gymnast in maintaining the proper body position. For example, a large ball or other object can be placed below the gymnast&#39;s mid-section. This will give the gymnast both a visual and physical guide to help hold the hollow body position. 
     The foregoing discussion and the examples are illustrative of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting. The device can be modified various ways for temporarily securing the adjustable rung while in use yet rendering it readily adjustable for the next user. Likewise, other means of stabilizing the device besides pivotable feet are possible. Still other variations within the spirit and scope of the claims are possible, and will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art.