Plyometric training device and method

• US 7,918,769 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matthew Lamarque
• Original Assignee: Matthew Lamarque
• Inventors: LaMarque, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Application Number:
  US11/879,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20090023562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 482 93-101, 482/104, 482135-138, 482/142
• US Class Current: 482/93
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0622 with adjustable inclination angle of the guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0624 by moving the guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/072 Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like , e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4033 Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously

Abstract

A method and device for use in plyometric muscular training is provided. In a first version, a rigid frame is provided having a trainee'"'"'s position, a pair of cables and a weighted bar. The cables are positioned between the trainee'"'"'s position and the bar. Each cable is attached at an upper location and a forward location of the frame. The cables partially constrain the movement of the bar and restrain the bar from striking sections of the trainee'"'"'s body. The trainee may explosively push or throw the bar away from the trainee'"'"'s position and towards the cable attachment locations, wherein the bar is released from the trainee'"'"'s grasp. The return pathway of the bar is determined by the force of gravity, the force provided by the trainee and the constraints of the cables. The cables reduce the risk of injury to the trainee.

Claims

1. A plyometric exercise device, the device comprising:

a. a frame, at least one upper cable of fixed length, at least one front cable of fixed length, and a weight, the frame having an upper anchor feature coupling with the upper cable in a position substantially above a user and a front anchor feature coupling with the front cable in a position substantially in front of a user;

b. the upper cable having an upper frame end attached to the upper anchor feature and an upper weight end coupled with the weight; and

c. the front cable, positioned at an intersecting angle to the upper cable, having a front frame end attached to the front anchor feature and a front weight end attached to the weight, whereby the weight may be propelled by a subject and the weight is limited within a range of movement by the length restrictions of the upper cable and the front cable.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the upper cable is configured to limit the movement range of the weight to restrict the weight from falling below a torso of the subject when the subject is standing.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the weight comprises a bar.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the weight further comprises a first weight and a second weight, the first weight and the second weight having substantively equivalent mass, and the first weight located proximate to a first end of the bar and the second weight located proximate to a second end of the bar.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the first weight and the second weight are separated by a length of the bar.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a second upper cable, the second upper frame end attached to a second upper anchor feature of the frame and a second upper weight end coupled with the weight, whereby the weight may be propelled by a subject and the weight is limited within a range of movement by the length restrictions of the upper cable, the second upper cable, and the front cable.

7. The device of claim 3, further comprising a second front cable having a second front frame end attached to a second front anchor feature of the frame and a second front weight end attached to the weight, whereby the weight may be propelled by a subject and the weight is limited within a range of movement by the length restrictions of the upper cable, the front cable, and the second front cable.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a second upper cable, the second upper frame end attached to a second upper anchor feature of the frame and a second upper weight end coupled with the weight, whereby the weight may be propelled by a subject and the weight is limited within a range of movement by the length restrictions of the upper cable, the second upper cable, the front cable, and the second upper cable.

9. A method of enabling plyometric muscular training, the method comprising:

a. providing the device of claim 1;

b. directing the subject to grasp and propel the weight; and

c. directing the subject to catch the weight as the weight returns towards the subject after the weight is propelled by the subject.

10. Within a physical structure having a floor planar horizontal floor, an upper anchor feature and a front anchor feature, a plyometric exercise device, the device comprising:

a. an upper cable, a front cable, and a weight;

b. the upper cable, of fixed length, having an upper frame end attached to the upper anchor feature at a position substantially above a user and an upper weight end coupled with the weight; and

c. the front cable, of fixed length, positioned at an intersecting angle to the upper cable, and having a front frame end attached to the front anchor feature at a position substantially in front of the user, and a front weight end attached to the weight, whereby the weight may be propelled by the user and the range of movement of the weight is limited by the length restrictions of the upper cable and the front cable.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the upper cable is configured to limit the movement range of the weight to restrict the weight from falling below a two foot height above the floor.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the movement range of the upper cable is adjustable to selectively adjust the upper cable to restrict the weight from approaching the floor closer than a distance selected from within the range of two feet to four feet.

13. The device of claim 10, further comprising a second upper cable, the second upper frame end attached to a second upper anchor feature of the structure and a second upper weight end coupled with the weight, whereby the weight may be propelled by a subject and the weight is limited within a range of movement by the length restrictions of the upper cable, the second upper cable, and the front cable.

14. The device of claim 10, further comprising a second front cable having a second front frame end attached to a second front anchor feature of the structure and a second front weight end attached to the weight, whereby the weight may be propelled by a subject and the weight is limited within a range of movement by the length restrictions of the upper cable, the front cable, and the second front cable.