GB1576361A

GB1576361A - Training apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB1576361A
Application number: GB3418577A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: AKERS H
Current assignee: AKERS H
Priority date: 1978-05-24
Filing date: 1978-05-24
Publication date: 1980-10-08

Description

(54) TRAINING APPARATUS (71) I, HAROLD ACKERS, a British subject of 2 Waterloo Place, Brighton, BN2 2NB, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - The present invention relates to a training apparatus and a method of training.

It aims to provide an alternative method of training to conventional means such as running and the usual gymnasium exercises.

According to the present invention there is provided a training apparatus comprising a platform having a surface and means for supporting said surface in an elevated position so that the user can apply force with all or part of his body to the platform, sensing means for sensing the application of such force to the platform, and a counter for counting the number of such applications. In a preferred form of the invention, the surface is arranged to be supported, in use, substantially horizontal, so that the user can lift all or part of his body onto and off the platform, the sensing means sensing the user's weight on the platform.

Although the following discussion will concentrate on use of the apparatus in which the user steps onto the platform with his feet and legs, it will be appreciated that the apparatus could also be used to exercise the arm muscles.

In a preferred arrangement the platform comprises an upper portion having said surface and resiliently mounted on a base portion, the sensing means being responsive to relative movement of said portions. The resilient mounting may be by means of springs and/or by one or more resilient members, e.g. of rubber.

Also provided is a method of training in which the user stands before a raised platform, steps onto the platform with one foot, lifts the other foot onto the platform, and removes the first and then the second foot from the platform, this sequence being repeated as many times as desired.

The sensing means may be a mechanical linkage, which can be linked to a mechanical counter. Alternatively the counter may be electrical, the sensing means comprising at least one electrical switch actuable by relative movement of the two portions of the platform.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a timer which may be set to provide an alarm signal when a predetermined time has elapsed after the commencement of a training session. If desired the timer may be linked to the sensing means so that the timer is started when the first movement is executed and/or the counter is disabled at the end of the time period.

Although it is not intended that the invention be construed with reference to any particular theory, it is believed that if the body is called upon to develop its functions in a certain way, and that demand is made with sufficient consistency, the body will react in the way desired.

Thus the invention aims to provide a form of training in which the emphasis is on speed of movement rather than physical effort. The user wishing to concentrate on speed-i.e. improving the repetitive speed of the nerve reflex action concerned with leg and foot movement-can concentrate on rapidity of movement. In use of the apparatus of the invention, the user executes movements which break away from the body's usual patterns of movement: for example there is no length of stride to be considered as in the case of running.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of training apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the base portion of the apparatus of figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-section through the assembled apparatus, taken on line III-III of figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-section on line IV-IV of figure 3.

Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of my invention.

Referring first to Figures 1-4 of the drawings, a training apparatus comprises a platform having a rectangular base portion 1 mounted on feet 2, and at rectangular upper portion 3. The two portions are resiliently spaced apart by twelve coil springs 4 which are located in cups 5 on the upper and base portions.

The upper portion has a skirt 6 to prevent trapping of dirt or foreign bodies from becoming lodged between the two portions, and to present a neat appearance. The upper portion also has a rubber or other covering 7 to provide a non-slip surface.

The base portion is provided with a pair of conductive metal strips 8, connected by leads 9 to a control unit 10, whilst the upper portion has a further pair of interconnected spring metal (e.g. steel or phosphor bronze) strips 11 which are mounted at one end only and extend toward the strips 8 of the lower portion. A number of contacts in parallel may be provided over the area of the base portion to ensure that at least one contact is closed whichever portion of the base the user may apply his weight to.

The control unit includes a power supply such as batteries and a counter which is actuated when the strips 8 contact the strips 11 to complete an electrical circuit between the leads 9.

The counter provides a digital display as indicated at 12, and may be of the electromagnetic type or utilise electronic counting means such as integrated circuits.

Also included in the control unit is a timer which can be set by the operator, using a dial 13, to a predetermined time after which the timer will provide an alarm signal-e.g. by sounding a bell. The timer is linked to the leads 9 so that the timed period does not commence until contacts 8, 11 have been closed.

In operation, the counter is first reset to zero and the timer set as desired. The user stands in front of the apparatus, steps onto the platform with one foot, lifts the other foot onto the platform and removes the first foot and then the second. It will be appreciated that the user's weight on the upper portion 3 compresses the springs 4 and the pairs of contacts 8, 11 are brought into contact. This completes an electrical circuit and causes the counter to register one movement and also starts the timer. The user then continues to repeat the movement as quickly as possible until the timer actuates the alarm.

The training can be done very conveniently indoors, or outdoors in suitable conditions. For optimum benefit the leg and foot movements must be done each time as quickly as possible. The number of repetitions achieved in the time allowed should be carefully noted, so that, at his next training session the user can compete against his previous "score".

Turning now to Figure 5, there is illustrated a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of my invention. This embodiment is mains powered via a step down transformer which supplies 24 volts to the bridge rectifier circuit. L1 is an indicator lamp. In this embodiment the base portion is arranged to make two contacts (designated "App" contacts on Figure 5) when a force is applied to the upper portion. The circuit is illustrated in its "ready" mode, this state being indicated by indicator lamp L2.

When the user commences his training session, the apparatus contacts are momentarily closed, energising relay 1 and closing contacts R1 and R2. The closing of contacts R1 locks in the relay 1 while contacts R2 energise the timer, which has been preset to a desired timing period such as 10 seconds. With continued use of the apparatus, the counter registers the number of movements which the user executes.

After the timing period set on the timer, the time contacts open, thus interrupting the input to the counter and extinguishing L2. The counter then registers the number of movements executed in the timed period.

When the reset switch is operated, the counter is reset to zero by momentary energisation of a reset coil, and the timer is also reset by opening of contacts R2.

When the reset switch is released, L2 is again illuminated to indicate that the apparatus is ready for further use.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: - 1. A training apparatus comprising a platform having a surface and means for supporting said surface in an elevated position so that the user can apply force with all part of his body to the platform, sensing means for sensing the application of such force to the platform, and a counter for counting the number of such applications.

2. A training apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said surface is arranged to be supported, in use, substantially hori

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of training apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the base portion of the apparatus of figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-section through the assembled apparatus, taken on line III-III of figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-section on line IV-IV of figure 3. Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of my invention. Referring first to Figures 1-4 of the drawings, a training apparatus comprises a platform having a rectangular base portion 1 mounted on feet 2, and at rectangular upper portion 3. The two portions are resiliently spaced apart by twelve coil springs 4 which are located in cups 5 on the upper and base portions. The upper portion has a skirt 6 to prevent trapping of dirt or foreign bodies from becoming lodged between the two portions, and to present a neat appearance. The upper portion also has a rubber or other covering 7 to provide a non-slip surface. The base portion is provided with a pair of conductive metal strips 8, connected by leads 9 to a control unit 10, whilst the upper portion has a further pair of interconnected spring metal (e.g. steel or phosphor bronze) strips 11 which are mounted at one end only and extend toward the strips 8 of the lower portion. A number of contacts in parallel may be provided over the area of the base portion to ensure that at least one contact is closed whichever portion of the base the user may apply his weight to. The control unit includes a power supply such as batteries and a counter which is actuated when the strips 8 contact the strips 11 to complete an electrical circuit between the leads 9. The counter provides a digital display as indicated at 12, and may be of the electromagnetic type or utilise electronic counting means such as integrated circuits. Also included in the control unit is a timer which can be set by the operator, using a dial 13, to a predetermined time after which the timer will provide an alarm signal-e.g. by sounding a bell. The timer is linked to the leads 9 so that the timed period does not commence until contacts 8, 11 have been closed. In operation, the counter is first reset to zero and the timer set as desired. The user stands in front of the apparatus, steps onto the platform with one foot, lifts the other foot onto the platform and removes the first foot and then the second. It will be appreciated that the user's weight on the upper portion 3 compresses the springs 4 and the pairs of contacts 8, 11 are brought into contact. This completes an electrical circuit and causes the counter to register one movement and also starts the timer. The user then continues to repeat the movement as quickly as possible until the timer actuates the alarm. The training can be done very conveniently indoors, or outdoors in suitable conditions. For optimum benefit the leg and foot movements must be done each time as quickly as possible. The number of repetitions achieved in the time allowed should be carefully noted, so that, at his next training session the user can compete against his previous "score". Turning now to Figure 5, there is illustrated a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of my invention. This embodiment is mains powered via a step down transformer which supplies 24 volts to the bridge rectifier circuit. L1 is an indicator lamp. In this embodiment the base portion is arranged to make two contacts (designated "App" contacts on Figure 5) when a force is applied to the upper portion. The circuit is illustrated in its "ready" mode, this state being indicated by indicator lamp L2. When the user commences his training session, the apparatus contacts are momentarily closed, energising relay 1 and closing contacts R1 and R2. The closing of contacts R1 locks in the relay 1 while contacts R2 energise the timer, which has been preset to a desired timing period such as 10 seconds. With continued use of the apparatus, the counter registers the number of movements which the user executes. After the timing period set on the timer, the time contacts open, thus interrupting the input to the counter and extinguishing L2. The counter then registers the number of movements executed in the timed period. When the reset switch is operated, the counter is reset to zero by momentary energisation of a reset coil, and the timer is also reset by opening of contacts R2. When the reset switch is released, L2 is again illuminated to indicate that the apparatus is ready for further use. WHAT I CLAIM IS: -

1. A training apparatus comprising a platform having a surface and means for supporting said surface in an elevated position so that the user can apply force with all part of his body to the platform, sensing means for sensing the application of such force to the platform, and a counter for counting the number of such applications.

zontal, so that the user can lift all or part of his body onto and off the platform.

3. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said platform comprises an upper portion having said surface and resiliently mounted on a base portion, the sensing means being response to relative movement of said portion.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein said sensing means comprises at least one electrical switch.

5. A training apparatus according to any of the preceding claims including a timer which may be set to provide an alarm signal when a predetermined time has elapsed after the commencement of a training session.

6. A training apparatus according to any of claims 1-5 including a timer linked to the sensing means so that the timer is started when said force is first applied to the platform.

7. A training apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said counter is disabled at the end of the timed period.

8. A training apparatus according to any of claims 1-7 wherein said platform is suitably dimensioned to support the feet of the user and wherein said surface is of rubber or other non-slip material.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of training using the apparatus of any of the preceding claims wherein the user repeatedly applies force with all or part of his body to said platform as many times as possible during a timed period.