Abstract:
The present invention is an athlete training device and method useful in training athletes for track and field events including the high jump, pole vault, discus, long jump and shot put. The ramp may be adjusted to a number of discrete ramp angles with the use of either supports and stops or supports and channels.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for training athletes for various track and field events including the high jump, pole vault, long jump, shot put and discus. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   There are a variety of known methods and apparatuses that are used to help individuals improve their training efficiency for various track and field events. An example of such a training apparatus is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,921 to Holland et al. The apparatus is designed to assist individuals training for the long jump and is used in conjunction with a launching board positioned on a runway. The apparatus contains a lower flexible member which the jumper&#39;s legs cross over and an upper flexible member configured to contact the jumper&#39;s chest during the jump. The apparatus is designed to improve both the jumper&#39;s jump distance and trajectory. Unfortunately, the usefulness of this device is limited to the long jump and has only nominal utility for other track and field events. 
   Another example of a jump training device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,954 to Slumpskiy. This device is designed to help the athlete perform plyometric exercises which help to build speed-power capabilities of the athlete. However, its application is also limited to jumping events. 
   An inclined launch ramp employing a fixed slope is occasionally used to assist athletes in their training programs for jumping events. Such launch ramps have exit heights ranging from six to nine inches. Unfortunately, these ramps are not widely used because they do not significantly improve athlete performance. 
   In addition, many track and field programs have limited budgets and are not able to purchase specialized equipment for each event. Often, only basic equipment required to meet the competitive requirements are purchased and other specialized accessories used for training are not utilized due to their high cost and limited usefulness. For this reason, there is a strong need for versatile equipment that has multiple uses rather than equipment that is designed for a single event. 
   Also, over the years, ramps have been designed and built using various materials for various purposes. For example, ramps have been used to carry wheeled vehicles and wheelchairs from one location to another. Some of these ramps are adjustable using various adjustment means. However, most of these ramps are either permanently installed or difficult to relocate. 
   There is also a need for a track and field event training method that is less strenuous on the body and allows the athlete more time in the air to improve technique during practicing. Less strenuous methods are known to reduce the risk of injury. 
   The subject invention for athlete training device and method overcomes the perceived shortcomings and detriments in the prior art apparatuses and methods and is the subject of the present patent. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an athlete training apparatus having a base, a frame with a launch surface borne by the frame having an exit height, and also a pivot connection between the base and the frame, a plurality of supports configured to hold the frame at the ramp angle, a linkage system configured to maintain the supports in an approximately equal tilt angle, and a handle connected to the linkage system configured to position the supports. In addition, the present invention may also include a plurality of sets of stops connected to the frame, wherein each set of stops is associated with each support and wherein each stop within the set is configured to hold the launch surface at one of several discrete exit heights. Further, this same present invention may also include a frame and base which are proportioned such that the outside perimeter of the base is less than the inside perimeter of the frame. And yet further, the exit height of the present invention may be configured to various discrete heights including two, four, six and eight inches. The shape of the launch surface may also have a front portion with an arcuate shape, and wherein the arcuate shape approximates the shape of a standard shot put circle. Further, the athlete training apparatus may be built using light weight materials to allow the apparatus to be easily relocated. 
   Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an athlete training apparatus having a base, a frame with a launch surface borne by the frame having an exit height, and also a pivot connection between the base and the frame, a plurality of supports configured to hold the frame at the ramp angle, a linkage system configured to maintain the supports in an approximately equal tilt angle, and a handle connected to the linkage system configured to position the supports. In addition, the present invention may also include a plurality of channels formed into the base configured to hold the linkage system in position wherein each channel defines discrete exit heights. Further, this same aspect of the invention may also include a frame and base which are proportioned such that the outside perimeter of the base is less than the inside perimeter of the frame. And yet further, the exit height of the present invention may be configured to various discrete heights including two, four, six and eight inches. The shape of the launch surface may also have a front portion with an arced shape, and wherein the arcuate shape approximates the shape of a standard shot put circle. Further, the athlete training apparatus may be built using light weight materials to allow the apparatus to be easily relocated. 
   Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for assisting an athlete in training for various track and field events, including a base for resting on the surface of an athletic field, a launch surface having a rear portion with an elevation approximately equal to the elevation of the athletic field and a front portion having an exit height which is adjustable in fixed increments which may be equal to two inch increments and possible having the lowest exit height of two inches and the highest exit height of eight inches. 
   Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for training an athlete for a jumping event wherein the jumping event includes an athletic field, a landing pit, a goal (which could include clearing a high jump standard, clearing a pole vault standard or traveling a long jump distance) and an adjustable ramp comprising a base for resting on the surface of the athletic field, a launch surface having a rear portion with an height approximately equal to the elevation of the athletic field and a front portion having an exit height which is adjustable in fixed increments having a maximum and minimum exit heights, comprising configuring the ramp to provide its maximum exit height, repetitively jumping from the ramp and traveling into the landing pit while attempting to reach the goal, until the goal is achieved consistently, re-configuring the ramp to provide an exit height which is one increment lower than its maximum exit height, repetitively jumping from the ramp and traveling into the landing pit while attempting to reach the goal, until the goal is achieved consistently, re-configuring the ramp to provide an exit height which is two increments lower than its maximum exit height, repetitively jumping from the ramp and traveling into the landing pit while attempting to reach the goal, until the goal is achieved consistently, re-configuring the ramp to provide an exit height which is three increments lower than its maximum exit height, repetitively jumping from the ramp and traveling into the landing pit while attempting to reach the goal, until the goal is achieved consistently, and re-configuring the ramp to provide an exit height which is equal to its minimum exit height, and repetitively jumping from the ramp and traveling into the landing pit while attempting to reach the goal, until the goal is achieved consistently. This maximum exit height may be eight inches and the minimum exit height could be two inches. 
   Another aspect of the invention is to provide a method for training an athlete for a throwing event wherein the throwing event includes an athletic field, an object (which could include the javelin, discus or shot put) to be thrown, a goal, and an adjustable ramp comprising a base for resting on the surface of the athletic field, a launch surface having a rear portion with an height approximately equal to the elevation of the athletic field and a front portion having an exit height which is adjustable in fixed increments having both maximum and minimum exit heights, including configuring the adjustable ramp to an initial exit height of one increment higher than the minimum exit height, repetitively throwing the object and attempting to direct the next step after the object is thrown toward the forward direction of the adjustable ramp and continuing until the goal is reached, reconfiguring the adjustable ramp to an exit height which is the next increment higher, repetitively throwing the object and attempting to direct the next step after the object is thrown toward the forward direction of the adjustable ramp and continuing until the goal is reached, reconfiguring the adjustable ramp to an exit height which is the next increment higher. Still further, the maximum exit height could be eight inches and the minimum height could be two inches. 
   Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
   These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the adjustable ramp in its fully extended position. 
       FIG. 2  is a section view of the adjustable ramp configured to an eight inch position. 
       FIG. 3  is a section view of the adjustable ramp configured to a six inch position. 
       FIG. 4  is a section view of the adjustable ramp configured to a four inch position. 
       FIG. 5  is a section view of the adjustable ramp configured to a two inch position. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the adjustable ramp its fully extended position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8). 
   One embodiment of the versatile track and field training apparatus of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral  1  in  FIG. 1 . The ramp  1  is forty-eight inches wide at its widest point near the front  30 . The front  30  of the ramp extends outwardly in an arc with a radius of forty-two inches. The dimensions of this arc match the radius of a standard shot put circle. The distance from the middle of the rear  28  of the adjustable ramp  1  to the center of the arc at the front  30  is forty-two inches. The exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) is measured from the bottom of the base  27  and is adjustable from a setting of two inches to a fully extended height of eight inches. 
   The adjustable ramp  1  includes a launch surface  21  affixed to the top of the frame  25 . In this embodiment, the launch surface  21  is an athletic all-weather rubber material. The frame  25  includes a top launch plate  24  that is welded to a frame tube  26  that generally follows the perimeter of the launch surface  21 . In one embodiment, the launch plate  24  is made with ¼″ aluminum or steel plate and is welded to the frame tube  26  which is a weldment comprised of 1-¼″×1-¼″×⅛″ inch aluminum or steel tubes. 
   The adjustable ramp  1  has a tail section  23  that is twenty-three inches wide and is pivotally connected to the launch plate  24  with a hinge (not shown) which provides a smooth transition between the surface of the athletic field and the launch surface  21 . 
   The base  27  is configured to rest on the surface of the athletic field and is composed of a base tube  32  with an outside perimeter which generally follows the inside perimeter frame tube  26  and a longitudinally positioned first base support tube  13 , second base support tube  15 , third base support tube  17  and fourth base support tube  19 . Each support tube  13 ,  15 ,  17  and  19  is uniformly spaced relative to each other and each is welded to the inside of the base tube  32 . In this embodiment, all tubes are 1-¼″×1-¼″×⅛″ aluminum or steel tubes. 
   A base pivot  20  ( FIG. 2 ) allows the frame  25  to pivot relative to the base  27  to form a ramp angle  36  ( FIG. 2 ). The base pivot  20  is positioned to allow the base tube  32  to nest within the frame tube  26  when the adjustable ramp  1  is configured in its lowest position. 
   The frame  25  is supported from the base  27  by four front supports  33  ( FIG. 2 ), six middle supports  31  ( FIG. 2 ) and four rear supports  29  ( FIG. 2 ). The front supports  33  ( FIG. 2 ) are each welded to the front support rod  35 . The front support rod  35  is routed through apertures in the first based support tube  13 , the second base support tube  15 , the third base support tube  17  and the fourth base support tube  19  forming a pivot for the front supports  33  ( FIG. 2 ). 
   The middle supports  31  ( FIG. 2 ) are each welded to the middle support rod  37 . The middle support rod  37  is routed through apertures in the first based support tube  13 , the second base support tube  15 , the third base support tube  17  and the fourth base support tube  19  forming a pivot for the middle supports  31  as well as the base tube  32 . 
   The rear support rod  39  is routed through apertures in the first base support tube  13 , the second base support tube  15 , the third base support tube  17  and the fourth base support tube  19  forming a pivot for the rear supports  29  ( FIG. 2 ) as well as the base tube  32 . 
   The front support rod  35 , middle support rod  37  and rear support rod  39  each have a welded arm (not shown) which extends radially outward from each rod and connects to the position link rod  47  whose end acts as a handle. This position link rod  47  ties the rear supports  29  ( FIG. 2 ), middle supports  31  ( FIG. 2 ) and front supports  33  ( FIG. 2 ) forming a linkage system that together acts to control their tilt angle  38  ( FIG. 2 ) to select an exit height  22 . 
   Now referring to  FIG. 2 , the adjustable ramp  1  is shown configured with an exit height  22  of eight inches. The launch surface  21  is held in position by a system of adjustable supports and sets of stops, which will now be described. 
   The rear support rod  39 , middle support rod  37  and front support rod  35  are shown positioned within apertures in the second base support tube  15 . The rear supports  29  are shown welded to the rear support rod  39 . The rear supports  29  are held in position by rear eight inch stops  45  which are rods welded to the top launch plate  24 . There are four rear eight inch stops  45  each corresponding to one of the rear supports  29 . The rear supports  29  are made of 1-¼″×1-¼″ aluminum or steel tubing and the rear support rod  39  is an aluminum or steel. 
   The middle supports  31  are shown welded the middle support rod  37 . The middle supports  31  are held in position by the middle eight inch stops  43  which are rods welded to the top launch plate  24 . There are six middle eight inch stops  43  each corresponding to one of the middle supports  31 . The middle supports  31  are made of 1-¼″×1-¼″ aluminum or steel tubing and the middle support rod  37  is an aluminum or steel rod. 
   The front supports  33  are shown welded to the front support rod  35 . The front supports  33  are held in position by the front eight inch stops  41  which are rods welded to the top launch plate  24 . There are four front eight inch stops  41  each corresponding to one of the front supports  33 . The front supports  33  are made of 1-¼″×1-¼″ aluminum or steel tubing and the front support rod  35  is an aluminum or steel rod. 
   Now referring to  FIG. 3 , the adjustable ramp  1  is shown with exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) at a height of six inches. The launch surface  21  is held in this position by a system of adjustable supports and stops, which will now be described. 
   In this position, the rear supports  29  are now in contact with the rear six inch stops  49 . Similarly, the middle supports  31  are in contact with the middle six inch stops  51  and the front supports  33  are now in contact with front six inch stops  53 . The angle of incline is similar between the rear supports  29 , middle supports  31 , and front supports  33 . 
   Now referring to  FIG. 4 , the adjustable ramp  1  is shown with exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) at a height of four inches. The launch surface  21  is held in position by a system of adjustable supports and stops, which will now be described. 
   The rear supports  29  are shown in contact with rear four inch stops  55 . Similarly, the middle supports  31  are in contact with the middle four inch stops  57  and front supports  33  are in contact with the front four inch stops  59 . The angle of incline is similar between the rear supports  29 , middle supports  31 , and front supports  33 . 
   Now referring to  FIG. 5 , the adjustable ramp  1  is shown with exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) of two inches. Here, the launch surface  21  is simply resting at its lowest position with the frame  25  nested over the base  27 . The rear supports  29 , middle supports  31  and front supports  33  are not connected to any stops. 
   Another embodiment of the adjustable ramp  1  is shown in  FIG. 6 . Here the adjustable ramp  1  is shown with an alternate means for supporting the frame  25  in relation to the base  27  using a single row of supports  61  which pivot together along the support rod  63  which is mounted within apertures located on opposite faces of the frame  25  forming a linkage system to change the tilt angle  38  ( FIG. 2 ) of the supports  61 . 
   The supports  61  are each welded to a transverse catch rod  71 , whose end also acts as a handle, which is configured to rest within one of four channels to lock the frame  25  into position. For example, the catch rod  71  is shown resting in the eight inch channel  69 . The catch rod  71  could be positioned in the six inch channel  67  to provide an exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) of six inches. Alternatively, the catch rod  71  could also be placed in the four inch channel  65  to provide an exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) of four inches. Further, the catch rod  71  could be placed into the two inch channel  64  to provide an exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) of two inches. 
   The adjustable ramp  1  may be fabricated using light weight materials to improve portability. Alternatively, it may be configured with a set of wheels (not shown) to provide further ease of movement. Further, in the embodiments shown and described utilize two inch exit height  22  increments and a maximum exit height  22  of eight inches. One skilled in the art would readily recognize that the design and construction of the ramp could be changed to provide other increments and maximum exit heights. 
   Operation 
   The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and are briefly summarized at this point. 
   The adjustable ramp  1  in  FIG. 1  may be reconfigured from one exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) to another exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) by manually lifting the front  30  of the frame  25  and simultaneously pushing or pulling the position link rod  47  to its desired position. 
   The adjustable ramp  1  as shown in  FIG. 6  may be reconfigured from one exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) to another exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) by lifting the frame  25  from one of the sides and simultaneously repositioning the catch rod  71  into either one of the eight inch channel  69 , six inch channel  67 , four inch channel  65  or two inch channel  64 . 
   When used for preparing for a track and field event, an athlete will use the adjustable ramp  1  to improve training efficiency. This is accomplished by helping the athlete manage available energy so he can concentrate on technique. The athlete has a limited number of attempts in a practice session before the leg muscles become lethargic so it is important that the energy expended by the athlete be concentrated toward improving that portion of the event that is the limiting factor in accomplishing the desired improvement. For jumping events (which include the high jump, pole vault and long jump) this limiting factor is often the athlete&#39;s technique as they attempt to clear a bar or get a distance into a pit. 
   For jumping events, having an exit height  22  ( FIG. 2 ) higher than the level of the athletic field enables an athlete to increase the amount of time they are traveling through the air which provides more time during each jump to concentrate on technique. This increase in the amount of time through the air is achieved because the height of the launching point (which is slightly lower than the exit height  22 ) is raised with respect to the landing point which increases the path length for a given jump. 
   For example when an athlete desires to improve jumping technique in the high jump, pole vault or long jump events, the athlete positions the adjustable ramp  1  to an exit height  22  of eight inches using one of the previously described methods. In addition, the athlete sets a goal which is just slightly beyond their present ability. As they proceed to practice using the adjustable ramp  1  in this position and improve their technique they will eventually reach their goal consistently. At this point, the athlete lowers the adjustable ramp  1  to an exit height  22  of six inches. Initially in this position, the athlete may not achieve his goal and must practice with the adjustable ramp  1  in this position until the goal is reached consistently. Once again, the athlete will lower the adjustable ramp  1  to an exit height  22  of four inches. The athlete may not initially achieve his goal and must practice using the ramp in this position until the goal is reached consistently. Once again, the athlete will lower the adjustable ramp  1  to an exit height  22  of two inches. The athlete may not initially achieve his goal and must practice using the ramp in this position until the goal is reached consistently. Finally, once the goal is achieved consistently at an exit height  22  of two inches, the adjustable ramp  1  is removed and the standard launchpad (not shown) on the athletic field is used until the goal is reached consistently. One skilled in the art will note that there are variations in this example which could be used to achieve the same result. For example, the exit height  22  positions could be configured in different increments or one of the positions might be skipped. 
   Further, in the pole vault event, use of the ramp in this manner also enables the athlete to use a longer and more heavily weighted pole. 
   The adjustable ramp  1  may also be used by an athlete to improve efficiency and effectiveness in training for the discus and shot put events. To be effective in these events, an athlete must transfer his weight from one leg to the other as they are throwing the implement. An effective point to release the implement is at the point where the athlete&#39;s blocking leg (the left leg for a right-handed person) is at its highest point. The athlete must thrust his hips up and toward the throwing direction in order to transfer the weight to the blocking leg. The adjustable ramp  1  provides an immediate feedback to the athlete by making it harder for the athlete to transfer weight to the blocking leg because they are trying to transfer the weight on an incline. If the athlete does not transfer his weight properly, he will fall backwards. If the athlete transfers his weight properly, he will take a step forward off of the ramp. The slope of the adjustable ramp  1  may be changed to provide differing exit heights  22  to change the level of difficulty for the athlete. 
   In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.