Physical training apparatus and method

• US 20060199706A1
• Filed: 03/01/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VertiMax, LLC
• Original Assignee: Michael A. Wehrell
• Inventors: Wehrell, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,651,450 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/92
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0229 by reducing gravity forces normally applied to the body, e.g. by lifting or hanging the body or part of it suspension devices for supporting the patient in upright walking or standing position A61H3/008
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/04 attached to static foundation , e.g. a user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4007 to the chest region, e.g. to the back chest
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4009 to the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4011 to the lower limbs means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 to the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4019 to the hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet

Abstract

A resistance training apparatus and method for providing a plurality of training vectors having points of origin variable by direction and elevation to a trainee. The apparatus may accommodate a plurality of trainees and provide multiple training vectors to each trainee. The apparatus provides the training vectors by attaching tethers such as elastic cords to harnesses worn around body portions of an athlete in a configuration that allows the athlete to perform a sports-specific or therapeutic movement at an optimum speed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a base forming the training area and a pair of tower assemblies, each providing elastic cords for attachment to the harnesses worn by the athlete. In another embodiment the apparatus provides at least sixteen training vectors to a trainee. In yet another embodiment the apparatus provides training vectors to patients or trainees who cannot fully support their own body weight. Each of the elastic cords providing the training vectors are independently adjustable such that balanced or unbalanced loading may be applied simultaneously to a trainee from multiple directions and multiple planes.

Claims

1. A physical training apparatus comprising means for providing at least eight training vectors to a trainee.

2. The physical training apparatus of claim 1 comprising means for providing at least ten training vectors.

3. The physical training apparatus of claim 2 comprising means for providing at least twelve training vectors.

4. The physical training apparatus of claim 3 comprising means for providing at least fourteen training vectors.

5. The physical training apparatus of claim 4 comprising means for providing at least sixteen training vectors.

6. The physical training apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elevation of the origin of one or more of said training vectors is variable.

7. The physical training apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means comprises an elastic member.

8. The physical training apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least one elastic member is attached at one end to a harness adapted for connection to a selected portion of the trainee, said elastic member having an effective length whereby the training vector provides a relatively constant force to the selected portion of the trainee through a predetermined range of motion.

9. The physical training apparatus of claim 8 wherein the length of each elastic member is selectable to thereby select the magnitude of the training vector provided by the means comprising the elastic member.

10. A physical training apparatus comprising a plurality of means for providing training vectors to a trainee wherein the origin of one or more training vectors is variable in a first and a second dimension and the origin of one or more of the other training vectors is variable in either said first or second dimension and a third dimension normal to said first and second dimensions.

11. The physical training apparatus of claim 10 wherein the origin of each training vector is variable in said first and second dimension or is variable in said first or second dimension and said third dimension.

12. The physical training apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least two training vectors originate from opposing sides of the trainee.

13. The physical training apparatus of claim 10 wherein the magnitude of each training vector may be adjusted independently of the magnitude of the other training vectors.

14. The physical training apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least one training Vector provides a relatively constant force to a portion of the trainee through a predetermined range of motion.

15. The physical training apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means comprises an elastic member.

16. The physical training apparatus of claim 10 comprising wherein the elevation of the origin of a plurality of training vectors is variable.

17. The physical training apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first and second dimensions are in a horizontal plane and said third dimension is vertical.

18. The physical training apparatus of claim 17 comprising at least four training vectors originating in one horizontal plane and at least four training vectors originating a second horizontal plane.

19. The physical training apparatus of claim 10 comprising one or more training vectors originating at four elevations.

20. A physical training apparatus comprising a plurality of means for providing training vectors to a trainee wherein the training vectors originate from at least three elevations.

21. The physical training apparatus of claim 20 wherein said training vectors originate from at least four elevations.

22. The physical training apparatus of claim 21 wherein said training vectors originate from at least five elevations.

23. The physical training apparatus of claim 22 wherein said training vectors originate from nine elevations.

24. The physical training apparatus of claim 20 comprising a pair of training vectors originating from opposing sides of the trainee at the same elevation.

25. The physical training apparatus of claim 24 comprising four pair of training vectors originating from opposing sides of the trainee, each training vector in a pair being at the same elevation.

26. A physical training apparatus comprising one or more means for providing a training vector to a trainee and a means to support at least a portion of the trainee'"'"'s body weight.

27. The physical training apparatus of claim 26 wherein the training vectors originate from at least three elevations.

28. The physical training apparatus of claim 27 wherein the training vectors originate from at least five elevations.

29. The physical training apparatus of claim 28 wherein the training vectors originate from at least nine elevations.

30. The physical training apparatus of claim 26 wherein said supporting means comprises a harness adapted for connection to a selected portion of the trainee and to at least one support member above the trainee.

31. The physical training apparatus of claim 30 wherein said harness is positioned around the trainee'"'"'s waist.

32. The physical training apparatus of claim 26 wherein said harness is positioned around the trainee'"'"'s upper torso.

33. A physical training apparatus comprising:

a base forming a training area;

one or more harnesses each adapted to be worn by a trainee training in said training area;

at least one elastic member attached to each harness for providing a force opposing the motion of the harness in a predetermined range of motion, said elastic members having a length whereby the force is relatively constant over said predetermined range; and

an elongated tracking mechanism attached to said base for directing each of said elastic members out of said training area, at least one tracking mechanism being substantially horizontal and at least one tracking mechanism being substantially vertical.

34. A physical training apparatus comprising:

a base forming a training surface;

a plurality of means for providing training vectors to a trainee training on said training surface, said means being attached to said base and comprising an elastic member and tracking members for directing said elastic member from a vector origin location near the training surface to an anchor location; and

a plurality of means for providing training vectors to a trainee training on said training surface, said means being attached to said base and comprising an elastic member and tracking members for directing said elastic member from a vector origin location elevated from the training surface to an anchor location.