Patent Publication Number: US-2017354899-A1

Title: Direction control training device for the physical and visual training of athletic movement

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/349,730, filed Jun. 14, 2016, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the direction control training for the physical and visual training of an athlete&#39;s movement. More particularly, the invention provides a visual and physical guide for a trainer/coach and athlete while the athlete performs various movements safely on their natural training surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Proper footwork is the foundation of many athletic activities. Building a skill-set of solid footwork techniques can ensure the proper development of all ages of athlete from early youth participants through adult participants. Proper footwork can enhance any player&#39;s ability to perform in their particular sport where proper direction and alignment are basic parts of the fundamentals of the game. 
     Coaching and training this proper footwork is a significant part of the development of an athlete. Various approaches and a variety of materials have been used teach proper alignment and movement including cones, matts, sticks, bats, balls, tape, etc. These approaches traditionally have been some combination of unnatural, time consuming to set up, move and or breakdown, random in layout, heavy, large in size, unsafe, inefficient and in some cases simply ineffective. 
     A review of a typical athletic stride trainer product on the market will reveal large wood boards or rubber like mats that an athlete stands on top off or adjustable athletic straps that wrap around an athletes waist/leg. 
     These devices have served a purpose to assist in the training of athletes of specific sports but not without drawbacks. Trainers that you stand on provide unnatural playing surface for the athlete and in some cases can be unsafe. Some trainers are quite large making it a challenge for the coach/trainer to transport it to and from a training session or to move it during a training session. Still other trainers require individual set up with adjustable straps for each athlete making the use of it time consuming and inefficient for time sensitive training sessions involving numerous athletes. Another drawback has been most of these trainers are sport specific and lack the versatility to address various direction control required within a single sport or across multiple athletic activities. 
     Therefore the need exists in the field for a direction control trainer device capable of allowing the athlete to stand safely on a natural playing surface that is light weight, easy to carry to and from training and easy move during training when it is assembled. It must also allow multiple athletes to quickly and easily transition in and out of the trainer during a session and be versatile allowing the trainer to work on a variety of athletic movements using one device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a direction control trainer that has a rectangular configuration, the apparatus comprising a plurality of modular sections, the modular sections capable of being interconnected to form the rectangular configuration. In some aspects, each of the modular sections is about ¼ inch to about 3 inches in diameter. In some aspects, each of the modular sections comprise a hollow tubular, square, rectangular or triangular piece. In some other aspects, each of the modular sections comprise a solid rod material, such that adjacent modular sections can be interconnected with sleeves or couplings. In yet some other aspects, each of the modular sections can have an aperture that runs the entire length of each modular arm, such that one or more cord materials can run through the aperture. In some aspects, the modular sections comprise a plastic, aluminum, fiberglass or other light weight material, such that when the modular sections are in a connected configuration, the direction control apparatus provides a boundary guide for athletic training and performance. In some aspects, the modular sections can be connected with hinges. In some other aspects, the modular sections are telescopic. In some other aspects, the modular sections have one or more elastic materials that run through the body of the guide allowing the device to be quickly and easily adjusted during training or for transportation to and from training sessions. In the interconnected configuration, the device creates an outline using up to 8 interconnected sections, each of the sections ranging in a length of about 8 inches to about 20 inches. 
     In some aspects, the present invention is directed at a method of forming a training device, the method comprising interconnecting each of the modular sections to form a rectangular configuration. In some aspects, the interconnecting the modular sections comprises coupling adjacent modular sections with a coupler or sleeve. In some aspects, the coupler or sleeve forms a ninety-degree angle with an adjacent modular section. In some aspects, each modular section of the training device is connected with one or more elastic materials, such as an elastic cord, that runs through an interior aperture the entire length of each modular section, such that the modular sections are capable of being disconnected but not separable from the rest of the modular sections. In some aspects the modular sections can be disconnected from the other modular sections to collapse the training device for storage purposes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exploded perspective view of a certain embodiment of the direction control trainer device according to certain aspects of the present invention, each modular section of the device disconnected from adjacent modular sections but still connected as an entire device by virtue of a elastic cord running through an aperture the entire length of each modular section. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the device according to  FIG. 1  in an interconnected configuration to form the trainer device in a rectangular configuration according to certain aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  shows a view of one end profile of the trainer device of  FIG. 2  according to certain aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a view of another end profile of the trainer device of  FIG. 2  according to certain aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an example of a side profile view of a direction control trainer with some of the modular sections in a disconnected configuration for folding and storage according to certain aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     In describing this invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
     New direction control training devices, apparatuses, and methods for training athletes are discussed herein. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figure or description below. 
     The present invention will now be described by referencing the appended figures representing preferred embodiments.  FIG. 1  depicts an exploded perspective view of the elements that may comprise a direction control trainer (the “device) according to various embodiments of the present invention. In preferred embodiments each of the elements of the device have a single elastic cord ( 4 ) that is threaded through each element and is connected to make one continuous loop through the body of the device. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that two or more elastic cords may be utilized, or different elastic materials, such that the two or more elastic cords that are connected or not connected on the interior of the modular sections ( 1 ,  2  and  3 ). 
     In preferred embodiments as shown in  FIG. 2  the various modular sections ( 2 ), such as hollow tubes, are configured in a rectangular shape with at least one unthreaded coupler that is external or internal or similar element ( 3 ) and/or connect directly into a 90 degree component ( 1 ). In some embodiments the portion of the device that makes up the width and contains elements ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) may be one continuous piece instead of three pieces and the piece will connect with an adjacent element ( 2 ). In some embodiments each element will have a male and female end that receives and slides into an adjacent piece on each side. In some embodiments each element end will have a magnet which will allow the adjacent pieces to connect to each other. In the preferred embodiments the length of each hollow tube ( 2 ) is approximately the same which aids is beneficial for storage of the device. In some embodiments the direction control trainer may include various lengths of hollow tubes to satisfy different sizes of players and styles of movement for various sports. The direction control trainer dimensions may accommodate a variety of sports that require throwing or fundamental striding including, without limitation, baseball, softball, cricket, tennis, football, golf and basketball. In some embodiments the hollow tubes ( 2 ) may be configured with at least 4 hinges and/or the hollow tubes ( 2 ) may be of various widths and diameters to allow for telescopic adjustments. The entire device or portions of the device may be made from a synthetic plastic material (such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene), aluminum, fiberglass, metal alloy or other similar or suitable materials which are light weight and durable. 
     In preferred embodiments, perhaps best shown in  FIG. 2 , the elements of the device are configured in a manner such that when assembled the male ends of the hollow tubes ( 2 ) insert easily and securely into the female ends of the unthreaded coupler or similar element ( 3 ) or 90 degree elements. When assembled, the direction control trainer trains the athlete in appropriate fundamental movements by guiding body parts pertinent to the athletic motion. The direction control trainer provides a visual and physical barrier helping the athlete and the trainer guide the pertinent body parts for the specific athletic motion. The device is sufficiently diverse to allow a myriad of athletic training options. For example, without limitation, a fundamental baseball swing requires an appropriate stride in the direction of the pitcher. If the device placed in a batter&#39;s box near a home plate (actual or temporary) it provides a visual and physical guide for the athlete representing an appropriate and inappropriate performance zone. If an athlete stands inside the guide, an athletic movement outside the device provide an immediate alert to the athlete, trainer/coach. Likewise, without limitation, a baseball/softball pitcher requires appropriate foot positioning when delivering a pitch. If the device is placed near a pitching rubber/mound (actual or temporary) pending the size of the athlete, a pitcher can stride inside the device or can start outside the device and finish inside the device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the device is shown in profile. The preferred device will lay flat on the surface it is set on and will be about ¼ of an inch to about 3 inches high above the ground. In the preferred embodiments, the width of the device ( FIG. 3A ) will have a minimum of one hollow tubular element ( 2 ) that connects to the 90 degree elements ( 1 ). The hollow tubular sections ( 2 ) that create the width of the device will be of a different color than the hollow tubular sections of the length of the device. The color pattern will allow the user to easily identify the width of the direction control trainer which is helpful in the assembly of the device described in  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the two parallel ends/widths of device may have lengths that are shorter or longer than the other parallel end/width. The length of the device will be composed of at least one hollow tubular element ( 2 ) that securely inserts into a coupler or similar element ( 3 ) or 90 degree element ( 1 ). In some embodiments, the hollow tubular sections ( 2 ) that make up the length of the device will have various distance markings on them which may assist athlete or trainer in identify specific distances to develop a proper motion. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of the device where elements  1 ,  2  and  3  have been partially separated from each other which demonstrate the process of assembling and disassembling the direction control trainer. In preferred embodiment, the trainer can easily separate one or more sections ( 2 ) of the device. Some portions of elements  1 ,  2  and  3  remain connected and the elastic cord runs through the body of the elements. The elastic cord running through the body of the device allows the elements  1 ,  2 ,  3  to remain in the proper order while the device is disassembled for transportation or storage. To assemble the device, the user simply lifts up one of the elements ( 2 ) on the shorter rectangular ends that make up the width of the device. The elements of the device will expand into the appropriate shape and the user will simply re-insert the hollow tubular sections ( 2 ) into the adjacent elements ( 1  or  3 ). This view illustrates how the device can be folded up to a small fraction of its assembled length. 
     While preferred materials for elements have been described, the device is not limited by these materials. Wood, plastics, rubber, foam, fiberglass, metal alloys, aluminum, and other materials may comprise some or all of the elements of the external direction control training device components while elastic cord or like materials may comprise some or all of the internal element that is threaded through the hollow section of the direction control training devices and apparatuses in various embodiments of the present invention. 
     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.