Self-locomotion training systems and methods

• US 9,795,819 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2014
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael A. Wehrell
• Original Assignee: Michael A. Wehrell
• Inventors: Wehrell, Michael A
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Andrew S
• Application Number:
  US14/531,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20150126344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 482121-125, 482127-135
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• 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 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0088 by moving the surrounding air
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0618 moving in a horizontal plane without substantial friction, i.e. using inertial forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4009 to the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4011 to the lower limbs means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4013 to the ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4021 to the wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/047 Walking and pulling or pushing a load for exercising the player ability for rugby or American football A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

Embodiments allow the application of a settable and/or a programmable resistance to a trainee'"'"'s leg Drive Phase and/or Recovery Phase while walking or running over extended or infinite distances. Multiple mechanical or electrical feedback loops or combinations of both to monitor the applied resistance to the Trainee by the tether or tethers and then control the amount of breaking (drag) or propulsion created by the Mobile training module during the acceleration and constant speed training phases to accurately generate, control and transfer resistance through the elastic tethers to the Trainee. Embodiments apply multiple, non-varying loads or programmable loads to multiple body parts of a trainee where applied resistance can be manipulated to both increase or decrease over distance as desired by trainee while the trainee is walking, running or sprinting over any distance.

Claims

1. A physical training system for providing resistance to a trainee during self-locomotion, said system comprising:

a mobile training module;

one or more drive phase loading resistance members anchored at one end to said training module and adapted to be connected to the trainee to thereby effect loading of the trainee during a plurality of drive phases of the act of self-locomotion; and

one or more swing phase loading resistance members anchored at one end to said training module and adapted to be connected to the trainee to thereby effect loading of the trainee during a plurality of swing phases of the act of self-locomotion,

wherein said one or more drive phase or swing phase loading resistance members are at least partly housed in one or more resistance modules for loading the trainee during a plurality of drive or swing phases during the act of self-locomotion, said resistance module being carried by said mobile training module, said resistance module comprising;

an elastic cord having one end secured by an anchor and a free end adapted to be connected to a selected portion of the trainee; and

a plurality of tracking mechanisms directing said elastic cord from said anchor to said free end; and

wherein the drive phase and swing phase loading to the trainee during the act of self-locomotion being independent of the distance locomoted by the trainee.

2. The physical training system of claim 1 wherein said mobile training module is adapted to shadow the trainee while the trainee locomotes along a predetermined training path.

3. The physical training system of claim 2 wherein said mobile training module comprises wheels for locomotion along the training path.

4. The physical training system of claim 2 wherein said mobile training module comprises means for locomotion on one or more rails or belts.

5. The physical training system of claim 2 wherein said mobile training module is adapted to be towed by the trainee.

6. The physical training system of claim 1 wherein said one or more drive phase loading resistance members are adapted to be connected to a midsection of the trainee.

7. The physical training system of claim 6 wherein said one or more swing phase loading resistance members are adapted to be connected to a leg of the trainee.

8. The physical training system of claim 1 wherein said one or more swing phase loading resistance members are adapted to be connected to a leg of the trainee.

9. The physical training system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said drive phase or swing phase loading resistance members comprises an elastic cord.

10. The physical training system of claim 9 comprising a pair of swing phase loading resistance members, each member comprising an elastic cord adapted to be attached to a leg of the trainee.

11. The physical training system of claim 1 comprising a pair of resistance modules carried by said mobile training module for loading legs of the trainee during a plurality of swing phases during the act of self-locomotion.

12. The physical training system of claim 1 wherein said mobile training module locomotes along a training path at selectable velocity and acceleration.

13. A physical training system for providing resistance to a trainee during self-locomotion, said system comprising:

a mobile training module;

a pair of drive belts defining a training path, said mobile training module being coupled to said belts and being adapted to move along the training path at varying and selectable velocities and accelerations;

one or more drive phase loading resistance members anchored at one end to said training module and adapted to be connected to the trainee to thereby effect loading of the trainee during a plurality of drive phases of the act of self-locomotion; and

one or more swing phase loading resistance members anchored at one end to said training module and adapted to be connected to the trainee to thereby effect loading of the trainee during a plurality of swing phases of the act of self-locomotion,

wherein the drive phase and swing phase loading to the trainee during the act of self-locomotion being independent of the distance locomoted by the trainee.

14. A physical training system for providing resistance to a trainee during the act of self-locomotion, said system comprising:

a mobile training module; and

one or more resistance members anchored at one end to said training module and adapted to be attached to the trainee at the other end,

wherein said one or more resistance members are at least partly housed in one or more resistance modules for loading the trainee during the act of self-locomotion, said resistance module being carried by said mobile training module, said resistance module comprising;

an elastic cord having one end secured by an anchor and a free end adapted to be connected to a selected portion of the trainee; and

a plurality of tracking mechanisms directing said elastic cord from said anchor to said free end;

said mobile training module being spaced from the trainee at a predetermined distance and being adapted to move with the trainee during the act of self-locomotion over a predetermined path, said system providing a selectively constant or varying load to the trainee during a plurality of drive and swing phases while the trainee self-locomotes over the predetermined path, wherein said load is independent of the distance locomoted by the trainee.

15. The physical training system of claim 14 wherein said mobile training module is adapted to shadow the trainee while the trainee locomotes along a predetermined training path.

16. The physical training system of claim 15 wherein said mobile training module comprises wheels for locomotion along the training path.

17. The physical training system of claim 15 wherein said mobile training module comprises means for locomotion on one or more rails or belts.

18. The physical training system of claim 15 wherein said mobile training module is adapted to be towed by the trainee.

19. The physical training system of claim 14 wherein said one or more resistance members are adapted to be connected to a midsection of the trainee.

20. The physical training system of claim 19 wherein said resistance members are adapted to be connected to a leg of the trainee.

21. The physical training system of claim 14 wherein said one or more resistance members are adapted to be connected to a leg of the trainee.

22. The physical training system of claim 14 wherein at least one of said resistance members comprises an elastic cord.

23. The physical training system of claim 14 wherein one or more resistance modules comprise a plurality of elastic cords.

24. The physical training system of claim 14 comprising a pair of resistance modules carried by said mobile training module for loading the trainee during the act of self-locomotion.

25. A physical training system for providing resistance to a trainee during the act of self-locomotion along a training path, said system comprising:

a mobile training module for providing resistance to the trainee as the trainee locomotes along the training path, said mobile training module comprising;

a chassis;

a housing carried by said chassis;

a breaking mechanism for providing resistance to the movement of said mobile training module along the training path; and

a controller for controlling said breaking mechanism, said controller being programmable for selectively controlling the resistance to the movement of said mobile training module to thereby control the velocity and acceleration of said mobile training module,

and

one or more resistance modules for loading the trainee during a plurality of drive or swing phases during the act of self-locomotion, said resistance module being carried by said mobile training module, said resistance module comprising;

an elastic cord having one end secured by an anchor and a free end adapted to be connected to a selected portion of the trainee; and

a plurality of tracking mechanisms directing said elastic cord from said anchor to said free end.

26. The physical training system of claim 25 further comprising a pair of drive belts defining the training path, said breaking mechanism being coupled to at least one of said drive belts for creating a breaking force opposing the movement of said mobile training module along the training path.

27. The physical training system of claim 25 further comprising one or more rigid rails defining the training path, said breaking mechanism being coupled to at least one of said rails for creating a breaking force opposing the movement of said mobile training module along the training path.

28. The physical training system of claim 27 wherein one or more of said rigid rails is positioned above a training surface.

29. The physical training system of claim 27 wherein one or more of said rigid rails is positioned below a training surface.

30. The physical training system of claim 25 further comprising one or more wheels supporting said chassis for facilitating movement of said mobile training module along the training path.