Slackline apparatus and training method

• US 9,764,175 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2015
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auburn University, Slackbow, LLC
• Original Assignee: Auburn University, Slackbow, LLC
• Inventors: Klopman, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nyca T
• Application Number:
  US14/625,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20150157890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 4/00 Balance beams
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 7/085 Balancing on a band tensioned between two anchor points, e.g. Slackline type

Abstract

A portable human balance training device for improving the human proprioceptive system, athletic performance, athletic speed, athletic agility, athletic vertical leap, athletic eye/hand coordination, spatial awareness, left/right brain organization and increasing the muscular development of a user. The balancing device has an elongated suspended support structure spanning the length of the device. The balancing device also has an end support structure at each end for suspending and stabilizing the support structure. A flexible line is mounted to the end supports and spans the length of the support structure. The user places all or part of their body weight on the suspended support band and attempts to balance.

Claims

1. A method of training on a dynamic balancing device, the method comprising:

providing the dynamic balancing device;

adjusting the tension of a suspended line secured between two end supports of the dynamic balancing device based on a skill level of a user, at an initial position the tension of the suspended line being tensioned tightly and allowing only small amounts of oscillation for the user with a beginner skill level and the tension of the suspended line being loose and allowing substantial amounts of oscillation for the user with an experienced skill level;

the user balancing on the line while attempting a skill test comprising one or more exercises specified based on the skill level of the user, wherein a first foot of the user is in contact with the line and wherein a second foot of the user is not in contact with the line; and

varying the position of the user'"'"'s first foot in contact with the line between a first position aligned with the suspended line and a second position not aligned with the suspended line, wherein in the first position the user'"'"'s first foot generally extends along a longitudinal length of the suspended line, and wherein the second position of the user'"'"'s first foot not aligned with the suspended line is such that the user'"'"'s first foot generally extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal length of the suspended line; and

decreasing the tension of the suspended line and increasing a height from a ground surface of the suspended line secured between the two end supports, from the initial position, as the skill level of the user improves to attempt the skill test.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second position of the first foot is generally perpendicular to the suspended line, and wherein the user'"'"'s foot position is further varied to a third foot position such that the first foot is obliquely angled relative to the suspended line.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising varying a duration of the user'"'"'s balancing on the line.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a stepping box for placement on a ground surface alongside the dynamic balancing device to reduce a distance the user steps to get on the suspended line.

5. A method of training on a suspended line comprising:

securing the suspended line between two fixed points, the suspended line being held a distance above a ground surface;

adjusting the tension of the suspended line based on the skill level of a user, at an initial position the tension of the suspended line being tensioned tightly and allowing only a small amount of oscillation of the suspended line for the user with a beginner skill level and the tension of the suspended line being loose and allowing a substantial amount of oscillation of the suspended line for the user with an experienced skill level;

the user placing a first foot on the suspended line and attempting a skill test comprising at least one exercise specified based on the skill level of the user, wherein a second foot of the user not is not in contact with the suspended line while the user attempts the skill test of the at least one exercise; and

varying a position of the user'"'"'s first foot in contact with the suspended line between a first position aligned with the suspended line and a second position not aligned with the suspended line, wherein in the first position the user'"'"'s first foot generally extends along a longitudinal length of the suspended line, and wherein the second position of the user'"'"'s first foot not aligned with the suspended line is such that the user'"'"'s first foot generally extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal length of the suspended line; and

decreasing the tension of the suspended line and increasing a height from the ground surface of the suspended line secured between the two fixed points, from the initial position, as the skill level of the user improves to attempt the skill test.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the user placing the second foot on the suspended line and attempting a second skill test comprising at least one exercise specified based on the skill level of the user, wherein the first foot of the user is not in contact with the suspended line.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising varying the position of the user'"'"'s second foot in contact with the suspended line between a first position aligned with the suspended line and a second position not aligned with the suspended line, wherein in the first position of the second skill test the user'"'"'s second foot generally extends along a longitudinal length of the suspended line, and wherein the second position of the second skill test of the user'"'"'s second foot is not aligned with the suspended line such that the user'"'"'s second foot generally extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal length of the suspended line.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the second position of the user'"'"'s first foot in contact with the suspended line is not aligned and generally perpendicular to the suspended line, and wherein the position of the user'"'"'s first foot is further varied to a third position obliquely angled relative to the suspended line.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising varying a duration of the user'"'"'s balancing on the line.

10. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing a stepping box for placement on the ground surface alongside the suspended line to reduce a stepping distance of the user onto the suspended line.