Abstract:
The disclosure includes a variety of thrustback sleds. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a thrust back training sled, including a base including a plurality of horizontal runners, a generally horizontal rail assembly disposed on the base, a trolley assembly disposed on the generally horizontal rail assembly, the trolley assembly including a plurality of rollers received by the rail assembly, the trolley being adapted to translate from a first, forward position to a second, rearward position along the generally horizontal rail assembly. The sled can further include a generally horizontally oriented spring adapted to prevent horizontal movement of the trolley from the first position to the second position, a pivotable mounting plate pivotally attached to the trolley assembly, the pivotable mounting plate being adapted to rotate from a first lower position to a second, higher position about a center of rotation, and a generally vertically oriented spring adapted to prevent vertical movement of the pivotable mounting plate from the first position to the second position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/741,380, filed Jan. 14, 2013, which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/586,535, filed Jan. 13, 2012. Each of the aforementioned patent applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for any purpose whatsoever. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to methods, systems and articles for strength and agility training. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a training sled that provides predefined and controllable amounts of resistance against an applied force of an athlete. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    A variety of sleds are known in the art for football training, for example, that have pads that are pushed into or charged by a user to enhance power and speed of athletic skills such as rushing, Mocking and tackling. While many of these sleds are well-known, sleds in the art suffer from certain disadvantages. The present disclosure provides solutions for these problems, as described below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    Advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in and become apparent from the description that follows. Additional advantages of the disclosure will be realized and attained by the methods and systems particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings. 
         [0007]    To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosure, as embodied herein, the disclosure includes a training sled, including a base portion including at least one horizontal rail, a trolley disposed on the at least one rail including a dummy mounted thereon, a first tension spring adapted to prevent vertical movement of the trolley, and a second tension spring adapted to resist vertical movement of the dummy. 
         [0008]    The disclosure also provides a thrust back training sled, including a base having a plurality of horizontal runners, a generally horizontal rail assembly disposed on the base, a trolley assembly disposed on the generally horizontal rail assembly, the trolley assembly including a plurality of rollers received by the generally horizontal rail assembly. The trolley is adapted to translate from a first, forward position to a second, rearward position along the generally horizontal rail assembly. The sled also includes a generally horizontally oriented spring adapted to prevent horizontal movement of the trolley from the first position to the second position. 
         [0009]    The sled can also include a pivotable mounting plate pivotally attached to the trolley assembly, the pivotable mounting plate being adapted to rotate from a first lower position to a second, higher position about a center of rotation, and/or a generally vertically oriented spring adapted to prevent vertical movement of the pivotable mounting plate from the first position to the second position. A tackling dummy can be attached to the pivotable mounting plate. The tackling dummy can be adapted to be moved backward to energize the horizontal spring and upward to energize the vertical spring upon application of a backward and upward force. 
         [0010]    In further embodiments, the base of the sled can include three or more runners, and the sled can further include a second generally horizontal rail assembly disposed on the base parallel to the first generally horizontal rail assembly, a second trolley assembly disposed on the second generally horizontal rail assembly, the second trolley assembly including a second plurality of rollers received by the second generally horizontal rail assembly, the second trolley being adapted to translate from a first, forward position to a second, rearward position along the second generally horizontal rail assembly, and a second generally horizontally oriented spring adapted to prevent horizontal movement of the trolley from the first position to the second position. 
         [0011]    If desired, base can includes at least four runners, and the sled further can include a third generally horizontal rail assembly disposed on the base parallel to the first and second generally horizontal rail assemblies, a third trolley assembly disposed on the third generally horizontal rail assembly, the third trolley assembly including a third plurality of rollers received by the third generally horizontal rail assembly, the third trolley being adapted to translate from a first, forward position to a second, rearward position along the third generally horizontal rail assembly, and a third generally horizontally oriented spring adapted to prevent horizontal movement of the trolley from the first position to the second position. 
         [0012]    The disclosure also provides a thrust back training sled, including a base including a plurality of horizontal runners, a pivotable mounting plate pivotally attached to the base, the pivotable mounting plate being adapted to rotate from a first lower position to a second, higher position about a center of rotation, and a generally vertically oriented spring adapted to prevent vertical movement of the pivotable mounting plate from the first position to the second position. The sled can further include a generally horizontal rail assembly disposed on the base, a trolley assembly disposed on the generally horizontal rail assembly, the trolley assembly including a plurality of rollers received by the generally horizontal rail assembly, the trolley being adapted to translate from a first, forward position to a second, rearward position along the generally horizontal rail assembly, and a generally horizontally oriented spring adapted to prevent horizontal movement of the trolley from the first, forward position to the second, rearward position. 
         [0013]    The disclosure also provides a thrust back training sled, including a base including a plurality of horizontal runners, a generally horizontal rail assembly disposed on the base, a trolley assembly disposed on the generally horizontal rail assembly, the trolley assembly including a plurality of rollers received by the rail assembly, the trolley being adapted to translate from a first, forward position to a second, rearward position along the generally horizontal rail assembly, a generally horizontally oriented spring adapted to prevent horizontal movement of the trolley from the first position to the second position, a pivotable mounting plate pivotally attached to the trolley assembly, the pivotable mounting plate being adapted to rotate from a first lower position to a second, higher position about a center of rotation, and a generally vertically oriented spring adapted to prevent vertical movement of the pivotable mounting plate from the first position to the second position. 
         [0014]    It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosed embodiments. 
         [0015]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the method and system of the disclosed embodiments. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain principles of the disclosed embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a view of a double thrust back sled made in accordance with the disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a view of a single thrust back sled made in accordance with the disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a close up view of a front portion of a thrust back sled in accordance with the disclosure having a dummy on a mounting plate in a raised, extended condition in typical use. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side/rear perspective view of a double thrustback sled. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  is a side/rear perspective view of a single thrustback sled. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5B  is a view from the back end of a single thrust back sled toward the front end, illustrating positioning of the vertical resistance spring. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 6A-6B  are views of the sled and rail assembly without a trolley installed on the rail assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the trolley assembly. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  is a top view of an assembled single thrust back sled. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8B  is a cross section through the assembled thrust back sled of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 9A  is a section through a trolley assembly of a thrust back sled showing the vertical resistance spring. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9B  is a top view of the assembly of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 9C  is a top view of the mounting plates of the assembly of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0029]      FIGS. 10A-10B  are side and top views of the sled base for a single thrust back sled. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 11A-C  are views of the rail assembly for receiving the trolley therein. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12A  is a top view of the trolley. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12B  is a side view of the trolley of  FIG. 12A  housed in the rail assembly. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12C  is an axle for the trolley of  FIG. 12A . 
           [0034]      FIGS. 13A-I  illustrates views of the mounting plate, the stop plate, the pivot mounting plate, the pivot assembly and a plate assembly. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 14A-C  illustrates pivot and arm components and layout. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0037]    Applicant has come to appreciate that there is a need in the game of football for teaching the technique of tackling and blocking whereby the player “drives” the dummy back a desired distance, such as at least 2 feet and must bring his feet in to drive the dummy back that distance. 
         [0038]    For purposes of illustration, and not limitation, as embodied herein, single and double thrustback sleds are illustrated. Each sled includes one trolley (in the case of a single thrustback sled) or more trolleys (e.g., two in the case of a double thrustback sled) that roll backward along a horizontal direction after being struck by a user. However, the trolley includes a pivotable mounting plate that permits the dummy to be lifted in the air by a desired distance at the same time it is being driven backwards. One or more resistance springs can be provided of a predetermined resistance to resist movement backwardly and upwardly, as desired. As illustrated, one spring that is horizontally mounted resists horizontal movement, while a vertically oriented spring resists vertical movement. The horizontal resistance spring that is depicted can be provided in different initial tensions, such as 90 pounds, 120 pounds and 150 pounds, or any other desired tension. The vertical resistance spring can be provided in any desired amount, such as 45, 60, 75, 90, 115, 130 pounds, or the like. Any desired spring can be used in either location in any five pound increment, for example, from 20 pounds to 300 pounds, as desired. 
         [0039]    Attached to a front end of the trolley is a unique combination of pillow block circular hinges with a bearing insert that allows a dummy to be lifted 12″ vertically. The thrustback hinge mechanism also has a vertical coil spring that regulates the tension on the vertical resistance. By turning the knob (“X”) clockwise, you increase the tension on the coil spring. By turning the knob counterclockwise the tension on the vertical coil spring is loosened. To Applicant&#39;s knowledge, no other sled is available that offers a dummy with resistance along a horizontal plane controlled by a coil spring and trolley, or that offers a dummy with resistance along a vertical plane controlled by a coil spring and hinge, let alone a combination of both. As will be appreciated, the modular design enabling a double design ( FIG. 1 ) can be used to provide 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 man designs, as desired. 
         [0040]    For purposes of illustration, and not limitation, the components of the disclosed sleds can be any desired combination of components and materials. As illustrated in the drawings, however, the illustrated sleds have the following components. 
         [0041]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8B , the thrustback sled includes a sled assembly, a rail assembly disposed on the sled assembly, and a trolley assembly movably mounted on rollers, wherein the wheels of the trolley assembly are received within the rails of the rail assembly. The trolley is configured to travel from a first forward position to a second, rearward position against the force of a horizontal spring. The spring urges the trolley toward the first position. 
         [0042]    The sled is illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 10A-10B . As illustrated, the sled includes two elongate parallel runners A having a first end and a second end, as well as rounded end caps, if desired. Any suitable material can be used. The depicted sled uses 4.0 inch diameter schedule 40 steel pipe with 4.5 inch diameter half dome caps at the end. The runners can have any suitable length, such as 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 feet in length. Runners A are connected to each other by transverse braces B. Braces B can be any suitable material. In the depicted embodiment braces B are 1.5 inch diameter steel schedule 80 pipe. Braces B can be of any desired length, such as 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24 inches, for example. Braces B can be bolted to or welded to runners A, as desired. A pair of stops C are mounted on the forward transverse brace B, and are oriented at about a 45-degree angle with respect to a horizontal plane in which the sled rests. Stops C are preferably formed from metal, are preferably welded to brace B, and preferably include rubber end stops for contacting the trolley when the trolley is urged forwards along the rails. Longitudinal channels E 1  are mounted to (preferably welded onto) the top surface of the runners A. As illustrated, channels E 1  have a “U”-shaped cross-section defined by a flat base plate and upwardly extending walls. Channels E 1  are inverted, such that the upwardly extending walls contact (and are preferably welded to) the top surface of the runners A. A hole is drilled through each end of the base plate of the Channel E 1  and a nut is welded to the lower face of the base plate that faces the runner in order to receive the rail assembly. 
         [0043]      FIG. 11  illustrates various views and aspects of the rail assembly, which is in turn received by and bolted to the sled. As illustrated, each side of the rail assembly is formed from two elongate channels E. Each channel has a “U”-shaped cross section, and the two channels are oriented such that the upper walls of each channel face each other. The channels E are joined to each other by a plurality of rectangular plates F. As depicted, three plates are welded to the outboard face of the channels (at front, middle and rear locations) while two plates are welded to the inboard face of the channels to permit the trolley to travel substantially the full extent of the channels E. The rear inner facing plate on each side includes a stop H attached thereto (e.g., by welding) and having a rubber or other shock absorbing material J affixed thereto. The stop assembly (H, J) acts to stop the rearward motion of the trolley, such that the trolley can move between the stops C and the stops H, J during use of the thrustback training sled. Once the trolley is mounted in the rails, the rails are attached to one another by way of elongate plates G which are bolted to the tops of the rails, while the bottoms of the rails are bolted in turn to the rails E 1  of the sled. Plates G are provided with elongate holes at each end to facilitate alignment and assembly of the training sled. 
         [0044]    The trolley and aspects thereof are illustrated in  FIGS. 9 ,  12  and  13 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12A , trolley includes a pair of generally parallel sides formed from “U”-channel material (e.g., steel) that each include two bends therein to form a first, rearward portion having parallel sides for receiving the axles L therein, a second, middle inwardly tapering portion and a second narrower front portion, also having parallel sides. The axles are preferably solid material, such as steel, and include reduced diameter spindles at the ends thereof for receiving wheels M. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the axles are welded to the sides and the wheels M are mounted onto spindles disposed at the ends of the axles. Wheels M can be made from any suitable material. The illustrated wheels M are preferably made from Nylatron® polymer and are preferably mounted on bearings which are, in turn received by the spindles. Wheels M can be held onto the spindles simply by the geometry of the device. For example, during assembly of the device, the rail assembly can be assembled around the trolley, and the wheels can be inserted into the rail assembly and then fitted onto the trolley. The combined assembly of the trolley and rails can then be bolted to the sled. The rearward axle includes a shackle with a pin D mounted thereto for receiving one end of the horizontal spring. The front portion of the side rails of the trolley are provided with inwardly oriented braces, that can also be formed from steel plate, and welded to the side rails K of the trolley. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 9A-9C  further illustrate the trolley. As set forth in  FIGS. 9C and 7 , two mounting plates O and P are welded to the rails K and supports U of the trolley. A stop or rest is formed on mounting plates O and P by attaching, for example, a short section of pipe with a rubber stop on the top face of the plate. The stop halts the downward movement of mounting plate N, to which the tackling dummy is mounted. As illustrated, mounting plate N is welded to a pivot, or axle S. Mounting plate N includes mounting holes thereon for receiving a mounting plate CC of a tackling dummy thereon ( FIG. 3 ), and includes a weldable pad eye for receiving a shock cord from the tackling dummy ( FIG. 13A ). 
         [0046]    Pivot arm BB (further illustrated in  FIG. 14 ) is also attached, such as by welding, to axle S. As depicted, pivot S is a solid steel rod that is milled down at each end to about 1.5 inch diameter with a 2 inch reduced diameter length on each end. Each of the reduced diameter ends of the pivot S, are, in turn, received by a bushing R that is in turn received by a short section of pipe Q that is welded to a plate T. The plate T on each side of the assembly including the pivot S, plate N and pivot arm BB is bolted to plate P. The vertical spring W is in turn attached through a drilled hole to the end of pivot arm BB at its lower end. At its upper end, spring W is attached to an eye Z that is attached to a bolt Y that passes through a hole in spring bracket V. Bolt Y is received at its upper end by a threaded knob X that, when rotated, adjusts the amount of tension on the spring W. Bracket V is preferably mandrel bent steel tubing that is in turn welded to side portions K of the trolley. A shackle with a pin D is similarly mounted to front transverse member B ( FIG. 10A ). The horizontal spring is thus mounted at its front end to the shackle and pin on front transverse member B, and at its rear end to the shackle and pin D on the trolley discussed above. 
         [0047]    In operation, when the tackling dummy is pushed upwardly, plate N pivots upwardly about axle S, and spring W becomes elongated, as illustrated in solid lines in  FIG. 8B . When not in use, the spring contracts, returning plate N to its position on top of the stops mounted on plates O and P. 
         [0048]    The methods and systems of the disclosed embodiments, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for exercise equipment and related techniques with superior attributes including improved safety and ease of use. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the devices and methods of the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the disclosed embodiments include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.