Chasing training device

• US 8,622,874 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2011
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Evan Baumgarten, Paul Mazzanobile
• Original Assignee: Evan Baumgarten, Paul Mazzanobile
• Inventors: Mazzanobile, Paul, Baumgarten, Evan
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US13/163,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20120021871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/148, 446/431, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/20 using rollers, wheels, castors or the like, e.g. gliding means, to be moved over the floor or other surface, e.g. guide tracks, during exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/605 Floating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0053 Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort

Abstract

An athletic training device to develop speed and agility. A robot can be programmed or remote controlled to move in an erratic manner so that it can be chased by an athlete. An on-board shut-off unit stops the device when it is removed by the athlete chasing the device.

Claims

1. An athletic training device, comprising:

a housing comprising an on/off switch and an opening wherein said housing is operatively associated with at least one moving agency;

a shut-off unit removably mated with the opening;

a control mechanism operatively associated with the shut-off unit;

a drive device operatively associated with the control mechanism and the at least one moving agency, and

a power supply

wherein the shut-off unit and the power supply are not the same component, and

wherein the control mechanism is configured to enable the drive mechanism to cause the at least one moving agency to propel the athletic training device when the shut-off unit is mated with the opening, and

wherein the control mechanism is configured to enable the drive device to cause the at least one moving agency to cease propelling the athletic training device when the shut-off unit is removed from the opening by a person chasing the device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the shut-off unit comprises a visual enhancement.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism comprises an electrical coupling that is disrupted when the shut-off unit is removed from the opening.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a motion-control device configured to cause the athletic training device to move in a random movement pattern.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the visual enhancement is a flag, a two-dimensional graphic or a three-dimensional graphic.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the visual enhancement is a three-dimensional graphic that resembles a rabbit.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a motion-control device configured to cause the athletic training device to move in a random movement pattern.

8. A method of improving speed and/or agility associated with a subject, the method comprising:

(a) turning the on-off switch of a training device of claim 1 to an “

on”

position;

(b) inserting the shut-off unit into the opening;

(c) prompting the subject to chase the athletic training device; and

(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) a plurality of times.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the device further comprises a motion-control device and the shut-off unit comprises a visual enhancement.