Athletic agility equipment and methods of using the same

• US 9,186,534 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2012
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jennifer Bollers, Trevor Bollers
• Original Assignee: Jennifer Bollers, Trevor Bollers
• Inventors: Bollers, Trevor, Bollers, Jennifer
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome w
• Application Number:
  US13/468,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20130072354A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: 482/904, 482/121, 482/27, 482/28
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/026 stabilised by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/22 Foot obstacles for skipping , e.g. horizontally-rotating obstacles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a grid apparatus that is useful for the training of athletes in speed, agility, strength, plyometrics, balance, cardiovascular and other training exercise activities. The grid apparatus allows athletes to move forward, backward, side to side, and diagonal at multiple height settings. Specifically, the present invention relates to a grid apparatus that has the ability to be held tight and maintain its shape while on any athletic surface. More specifically, the present invention relates to a grid apparatus that may be suspended above the ground at specific heights. The grid apparatus includes, generally, one or more straps intersecting in a grid configuration and one or more stabilizers to functionally suspend the grid apparatus above the ground.

Claims

1. An agility training apparatus for use above a floor surface comprising:

a first plurality of parallel straps;

a second plurality of parallel straps, wherein the first plurality of straps are roughly perpendicular to the second plurality of straps to form a grid having a plurality of polygonal spaces bounded by the first and second plurality of straps, wherein the grid forms a plane that is roughly parallel with the floor surface; and

a first stabilizer comprising a base and an internal storage area connected with at least one of the first plurality of straps, the base of the first stabilizer disposed on the floor surface and having a connector at a first height, said at least one of the first plurality of straps connected to the connector, wherein the first stabilizer secures the grid horizontally above the floor surface at the first height,

wherein the first and second areas are so positioned as to allow a user to step into the first and second areas and further wherein the internal storage area of the first stabilizer is configured to hold the grid when not in use.

2. The agility training apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a second stabilizer comprising a base and an internal storage area connected with the second plurality of straps, wherein the second stabilizer secures the first and second areas at the first height above the floor surface.

3. The agility training apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a second connector connected to at least one of the second plurality of straps, wherein the second connector connects at least one of the second plurality of straps to the second stabilizer.

17. The agility training apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second stabilizer is configured to nest within the first stabilizer.

4. An agility training system comprising:

a floor surface;

an agility training apparatus comprising a first plurality of parallel straps running in a first direction, and a second plurality of parallel straps running in a second direction, the first plurality of parallel straps and the second plurality of parallel straps forming a grid having a perimeter and a plurality of spaces between the first and second plurality of straps, said plurality of spaces positioned horizontally above the floor surface roughly parallel with the floor surface;

a first stabilizer comprising a base and an internal storage area connected to the grid for securing the agility training apparatus, the base of the first stabilizer disposed on the floor surface and having a connector at a first height above the floor surface, said grid connected to the connector at a point around the perimeter of the grid;

wherein the grid is so positioned as to allow a user to step into one or more of the plurality of spaces and further wherein the internal storage area of the first stabilizer is configured to hold the grid when not in use.

5. The agility training system of claim 4 further comprising:

a second stabilizer comprising a base and an internal storage area connected to the agility training apparatus for securing the agility training apparatus.

6. The agility training system of claim 4 wherein the grid comprises a first corner, and further wherein the first stabilizer is connected to the agility training apparatus at the first corner.

7. The agility training system of claim 5 wherein the grid comprises a first corner and a second corner, and further wherein the first stabilizer is connected to the agility training apparatus at the first corner, and further wherein the second stabilizer is connected to the agility training apparatus and the second corner.

8. The agility training system of claim 5 wherein the grid comprises a first corner, a second corner, and a length of strap between the first corner and the second corner, wherein the first stabilizer is connected to the agility training apparatus at the first corner, and further wherein the second stabilizer is connected to the agility training apparatus at a point on the length of strap between the first corner and the second corner on the perimeter of the grid.

9. The agility training system of claim 4 wherein the grid comprises a first corner, a second corner, a third corner and a fourth corner, and further comprising:

a second stabilizer, a third stabilizer and a fourth stabilizer, wherein the first stabilizer is connected to the grid at the first corner, the second stabilizer is connected to the grid at the second corner, the third stabilizer is connected to the grid at the third corner, and the fourth stabilizer is connected to the grid at the fourth corner.

10. The agility training system of claim 4 wherein the first stabilizer is weighted.

11. The agility training system of claim 4 wherein the first stabilizer is a container having a weight disposed therein.

12. The agility training system of claim 4 wherein the floor surface is the ground.

13. The agility training system of claim 4 wherein the first stabilizer comprises a sandbag.

14. The agility training system of claim 4 wherein the first stabilizer has a first connection point and a second connection point, wherein the grid is connectable to the first stabilizer at the first connection point or the second connection point.

15. The agility training system of claim 14 wherein the first connection point holds the grid at a first distance above the floor surface when connected to the grid, and further wherein the second connection point holds the grid at a second distance above the floor surface when connected to the grid.

16. The agility training system of claim 4 wherein the first plurality of parallel straps and the second plurality of parallel straps form open areas whereupon a user places his feet therein.

18. The agility training system of claim 5 wherein the second stabilizer is configured to nest within the first stabilizer.