Plyometric Jumping Exercise Game Apparatus and Method of Use

• US 20100120587A1
• Filed: 10/13/2009
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Excel Equipment LLC
• Original Assignee: John M. Salvitti
• Inventors: Leipheimer, Jerry K., Salvitti, John M., Alexander, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,246,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00047 Exercising devices not moving during use benches A63B21/4029; isometric exercising devices A63B21/0023; step exercisers A63B23/0458; walk exercisers A63B23/0464
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/64 Frequency, e.g. of vibration oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/00 Apparatus for jumping mats for jumping A63B6/00; for racing or riding sports, e.g. hurdles A63K
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0053 Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

The present invention is a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus and method of use. The apparatus is adapted to provide a challenging game for a participant that causes the participant to jump from a first location to a second location in response to predetermined signals. The apparatus provides for timed score keeping and may be used by a single individual or by groups of individuals in competitive play. While use of the apparatus is entertaining for the participant, it also improves the participant'"'"'s jumping ability, speed, reaction time, and physical endurance.

Claims

1. A plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus comprising:

a base platform;

a plurality of target platforms of various heights;

a plurality of load sensors;

a plurality of lights;

at least one scoreboard; and

at least one CPU,

wherein said target platforms are connected to said base platform, and wherein at least one light is mounted to said base platform and at least one light is mounted adjacent to each target platform of said plurality of target platforms, and wherein said scoreboard is mounted to said base platform, and wherein said CPU is mounted within said scoreboard, said CPU being electrically connected to said sensors, said lights, and said at least one scoreboard.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one speaker, wherein said speaker is electrically connected to said CPU.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of target platforms are connected to a periphery of the base platform.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pedestals, wherein each target platform of said plurality of target platforms is positioned on a top portion of a respective pedestal of said plurality of pedestals.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pedestals comprise cylindrical columns of various heights.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pedestals comprise a box-type form.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one light mounted adjacent to each target platform is mounted to the target platform.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one light mounted adjacent to each target platform is mounted to a periphery of the base platform.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising safety handrails associated with each target platform of said plurality of target platforms.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target platforms comprise a material of rugged construction to withstand loading and abuse of a person jumping on the base platform.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a top surface of each target platform of said plurality of target platforms comprises a material pliable enough to absorb energy of a user jumping on the target platform.

12. A method for a user to operate a plyometric game comprising a base platform and a plurality of target platforms of various heights;

said method comprising the steps of;

(a) illuminating at least one light mounted to said base platform;

(b) extinguishing the at least one light mounted to said base platform when the user is positioned on the base platform;

(c) illuminating a first light mounted adjacent to a first target platform of said plurality of target platforms;

(d) extinguishing the first light mounted adjacent to the first target platform of said plurality of target platforms after the user has jumped from said base platform onto the first target platform of said plurality of target platforms;

(e) assigning a first score associated with the user'"'"'s jump onto the first target platform of said plurality of target platforms;

(f) displaying the first score;

(g) illuminating the at least one light mounted to said base platform; and

(h) extinguishing the at least one light mounted to said base platform when the user has jumped from the first target platform of said plurality of target platforms onto said base platform.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of

(i) illuminating a second light mounted adjacent to a second target platform of said plurality of target platforms;

(j) extinguishing the second light mounted adjacent to the second target platform of said plurality of target platforms after the user has jumped from said base platform onto the second target platform of said plurality of target platforms;

(k) assigning a second score associated with the user'"'"'s jump onto the second target platform of said plurality of target platforms;

(l) adding the second score to the first score to result in a total score; and

(m) displaying the total score.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of assigning a first score comprises assigning a first score based on an amount of time taken for the user to jump from the base platform to the first target platform of said plurality of target platforms.

15. A method of playing a plyometric game comprising the steps of:

providing a plyometric jumping exercise game apparatus, the apparatus comprising a base platform and a plurality of target platforms of various heights; and

jumping from said base platform to a first target platform of said plurality of target platforms associated with a first light upon illumination of said first light.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of jumping from said first target platform to said base platform upon illumination of at least one light mounted to the base platform and jumping to a second target platform associated with a second light upon illumination of said second illuminated light.