SLACKLINE APPARATUS AND TRAINING METHOD

• US 20120238421A1
• Filed: 11/16/2011
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auburn University, Slackbow, LLC
• Original Assignee: Slackbow, LLC
• Inventors: KLOPMAN, James E., ENGLE, Robert C., MARABLE, Stacy II, KIRK, Matthew H., MAY, De'Varus M., HUDSON, Blake T., KELLEY, Christopher L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,986,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/142
• 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 training device comprising:

a central beam member, the central beam member having a first end and a second end;

a pair of arcuate outer beam members, one attached to the first end of the central beam member and the other attached to the second end of the central beam member to form an elongate beam assembly; and

a pair of end bracket assemblies supporting the elongate beam assembly therebetween;

a flexible line extending between the pair of end bracket assemblies.

2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the flexible line is selectively attached to the end bracket assemblies at one of a plurality of height settings.

3. The training device of claim 1, wherein the tension of the flexible line is adjustable.

4. The training device of claim 1, wherein the central beam member has a greater moment of inertia than the outer beam members.

5. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a second pair of end bracket assemblies carrying a second flexible line.

6. The training device of claim 5, wherein the second pair of end bracket assemblies are coupled to opposite ends of a second beam structure comprising a second central beam member and a second pair of outer beam members.

7. The training device of claim 1, wherein the flexible line spans a horizontal length of at least 9 feet.

8. The training device of claim 1, wherein a vertical distance between the central beam member and the point of attachment of the flexible line to the end bracket assemblies is at least 8 inches.

9. The training device of claim 1, wherein a ratio of vertical spacing H between the central beam member and the point of attachment of the flexible line to the end bracket assemblies to horizontal length L of span of the flexible line (H/L) is between 0.05 to 0.09.

10. The training device of claim 9, wherein the H/L ratio is between 0.06 to 0.08.

11. The training device of claim 9, wherein the H/L ratio is approximately 0.07.

12. The training device of claim 1, wherein ends of the outer beam members extend into an internal channel of the central beam member.

13. A training device comprising:

a pair of end supports, each end support comprising a base, an upright portion having a lower end attached to the base and an upper end extending away from the base, and an arm extending outwardly from the upright portion between the lower end and the upper end;

a flexible line extending between the upright portions of the end supports proximal their upper ends, the flexible line spanning a length of at least 9 feet; and

a beam extending between the arms of the end supports.

14. The training device of claim 13, wherein the beam is bow-shaped and curves away from the flexible line.

15. The training device of claim 14, wherein the curvature of the bow-shaped beam defines a vertical distance between the beam and points of connection of the flexible line to the end supports of at least 8 inches.

16. The training device of claim 13, wherein a plurality of attachment heights are provided proximal the upper ends of the upright portions of the end supports, and wherein the flexible line is selectively attached to adjust its height.

17. The training device of claim 13, wherein the tension of the flexible line is adjustable.

18. The training device of claim 13, wherein the beam comprises a central beam member and a pair of outer beam members.

19. The training device of claim 18, wherein the central beam member has an internal channel extending at least partially therethrough, and wherein ends of the outer beam members extend into the internal channel of the central beam member.

20. The training device of claim 13, further comprising a second pair of end supports carrying a second flexible line.

21. The training device of claim 20, further comprising a second beam extending between the second pair of end supports.

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

adjusting the tension and the height of a suspended line secured between two end supports based on the skill level of a user;

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; and

varying a position of the user'"'"'s foot between a first position aligned with the suspended line and a second position not aligned with the suspended line.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the second foot position is generally perpendicular to the suspended line, and wherein the user'"'"'s foot position is further varied to a third position obliquely angled relative to the suspended line.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the skill test is selected from throwing a weighted ball, switching a weight from hand to hand, and supporting a weight above the user'"'"'s shoulders.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising varying the duration of the user'"'"'s balancing on the line.