US20190275364A1

US20190275364A1 - Variable-tension exercise apparatus and related conditioning method

Info

Publication number: US20190275364A1
Application number: US16/296,631
Authority: US
Inventors: Brian Saunders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-03-08
Filing date: 2019-03-08
Publication date: 2019-09-12

Abstract

A movable sled configured to be pushed by a user having a frame member, a ground engaging mechanism coupled to the frame member, and at least one elastic member coupled on a first end to the frame member and configured to be coupled to a user on a second end. Wherein, as the user moves the frame along the underlying surface the elastic member provides resistance to the user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/640,291 filed on Mar. 8, 2018, the disclosure of which being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an exercise apparatus for athletic conditioning, and more specifically to a movable exercise apparatus that utilizes variable resistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Current conditioning devices exist wherein an athlete engages the device by standing directly behind the device and applying a forward force thereto. These devices are commonly referred to as weighted or exercise sleds. A sled is designed to be movable in a forward direction while applying frictional resistance generated between the bottom of the sled and the underlying surface. The sled is often configured to be movable on natural surfaces such as grass, dirt, gravel, snow, clay, or the like. However, sleds may also be configured to work on exercise surfaces that are common in workout facilities, such as turf, cement, rubber, or the like.
The sled has a region that accepts weights. The weights are often in the form of weight plates of the type intended for use with adjustable barbells or dumbbells. Weights can be added or removed from the sled to change the frictional resistance generated between the sled and the underlying surface. The more weights added to the sled, the higher the frictional resistance between the sled and the underlying surface and thereby the more difficult it is for the athlete to move the sled.
Sleds often have one or more grip locations where the athlete may grip the sled as it is moved along the underlying surface. The multiple grip locations allow the athlete to select a grip location that allows specialized workout routines that focus on a particular muscle groups.
Once the sled is configured for the athlete's exercise goals, the athlete will propel the sled forward at varying speeds and interval distances, thereby allowing the frictional resistance of the sled to fatigue or otherwise strain the athlete's muscles. The frictional resistance generated between the sled and the underlying surface is substantially consistent as the athlete moves the sled there along. Accordingly, contemporary sleds require the athlete to increase the frictional resistance of the sled by adding weights thereto to implement a more strenuous workout routine. Adding constant resistance through the friction between the sled and the underlying surface in such a manner; however, creates a form of tension and strain on the athlete's muscle that is not ideal for athletic conditioning. Further, the constant resistance implemented by the frictional resistance of on over-weighted sled exposes the user to injury. Lastly, over-weighted sleds increase the risk of damage to the underlying surface.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is a movable sled configured to be pushed by a user, the sled having a frame member, a ground engaging mechanism coupled to the frame member, and at least one elastic member coupled on a first end to the frame member and configured to be coupled to a user on a second end. Wherein, as the user moves the frame along the underlying surface the elastic member provides resistance to the user.
In one example of this embodiment, an adjustable member is coupled to the frame, wherein the elastic member is coupled to the frame member through the adjustable member. In one aspect of this example, the adjustable member repositions the elastic member away from the ground engaging mechanism. In another aspect of this example, the adjustable member repositions the elastic member widthwise relative to the frame member. In yet another aspect of this example, the adjustable member extends from the frame member at an angle between 85 degrees and 45 degrees.
Another example of this embodiment has at least one grip bar coupled to the frame and extending perpendicular therefrom. Wherein the grip bar is positioned to allow the user to move the frame member by applying a pushing force to the grip bar.
In another aspect of this example, the ground engaging mechanism is a skid plate.
Yet another example of this embodiment includes at least one weight coupler coupled to the frame member and configured to position a weighted plate thereon.
In another example, the second end of the elastic member has a loop sized to be positioned around a user's leg.
Another embodiment includes a sled workout system with a sled frame assembly having a ground engaging mechanism positioned thereon and configured to move along an underlying surface, a first and second elastic member coupled to the sled frame assembly on a first end and configured to be coupled to legs of a user on a second end, and a grip point on the sled frame assembly positioned to allow a user to push the sled frame assembly along the underlying surface through contact at the grip point. Wherein, as the user moves the sled frame assembly along the underlying surface, the first and second elastic member provide additional resistance to the legs of the user.
In one example of this embodiment, the first and second elastic members are coupled to the sled frame assembly through an adjustable member, wherein the adjustable member is repositionable to reposition the first ends of the first and second elastic member relative to the sled frame assembly. In one aspect of this example, the adjustable member is repositionable to reposition the first ends of the first and second elastic member away from the ground engaging mechanisms. In another aspect of this example, the adjustable member is repositionable to reposition the first ends of the first and second elastic member away from one another. In yet another aspect of this example, the first and second elastic members are removable and configured to exert adjustable loads on the user by substituting elastic members of higher or lower resistance. Yet another aspect of this example includes a handle assembly removably coupled to the sled frame assembly. In one aspect of this example, said handle assembly further comprises a plurality of handles coupled to the frame member.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes an athletic conditioning method having the steps of providing a sled having a frame, at least one ground engaging mechanism, at least one grip bar, and a first and second resistance member coupled to the frame, instructing a user to couple the first resistance member to the user's first leg and to couple the second resistance member to the user's second leg, instructing the user to grab the grip bar, instructing the user to move said frame by exerting an applied force on the frame through the grip bar, and positioning the first and second resistance member to resist movement of the user's first and second leg away from the sled frame.
One example of this embodiment includes providing an adjustable member and coupling the first and second resistance member to the frame through the adjustable member. One aspect of this example includes adjusting the height of the adjustable member to correlate with a knee height of the user.
Another example includes adjusting the width of the adjustable member to correlate with a hip width of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of an exercise apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of another embodiment of an exercise apparatus with weights positioned thereon; and

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the weights removed.

Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 1, one non-exclusive embodiment of an exercise apparatus 100 is illustrated. More specifically, the exercise apparatus 100 may have a frame member 108 coupled to ground engaging mechanisms 112, 113. The ground engaging mechanisms can be any type of device configured to allow a frame to move along an underlying surface 120. In this embodiment, the ground engaging mechanisms 112, 113 may be skid plates or other similar components configured to allow the frame member 108 to slide along the underlying surface 120.
While skid plates have been specifically shown and described for ground engaging mechanisms, this disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. For example, wheels or tracks could also be coupled to the frame 108 to provide the ground engaging mechanisms described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure contemplates many different embodiments for a ground engaging mechanism.
The frame member 108 may comprise a first and second cross member 122, 124 that extend between the ground engaging mechanisms 112, 113. The first and second cross members 122, 124 may align the ground engaging mechanisms 112, 113 to be parallel to one another. Further, a support 126 may extend between the first and second cross members 122, 124 at a middle point between the ground engaging mechanisms 112, 113. In one non-exclusive embodiment the support 126 may also have a ground engaging mechanism such as a skid plate coupled thereto. While one support 126 is shown and described herein, any number of supports can be used, and this disclosure is not limited to the single support shown and described herein but rather considers additional supports at different locations as well.
In one aspect of this disclosure, a first and second grip bar 110, 111 may be removably coupled to the second cross member 124. The grip bars 110, 111 may provide a location for a user to grip the exercise apparatus 100 to provide a pushing force in a forward direction 128. In one non-limiting example, the grip bars 110, 111 may extend perpendicularly away from the second cross member 124 to provide a plurality of different grip locations along the corresponding grip bar 110, 111. A person skilled in the relevant art understands that providing multiple grip locations along the grip bars 110, 111 allows the user to push the exercise apparatus 100 with their body in different orientations relative to the exercise apparatus 100. In this configuration, the user can pick a grip location that corresponds with the muscle group the user intends to be the focus of the workout session.
In one non-limiting example, the grip bars 110, 111 may also be sized to allow a conventional weight to be positioned thereon. More specifically, the outer diameter of the grip bars 110, 111 may be smaller than a standard sized through-hole for a conventional weight. In this configuration, the through-hole of the weights may be aligned with one of the grip bars 110, 111 and the weight may be slid thereon. Accordingly, in one aspect of this disclosure, weights can be added to the grip bars 110, 111 to provide increased resistance to the user.
Similarly, a weight coupler 130 may be coupled to the support 126 to provide an additional location to add weights to the exercise apparatus 100. Similar to the grip bars 110, 111, the weight coupler 130 may be sized to receive a conventional weight there around. In this configuration, the user can add weights to either the grip bars 110, 111 or the weight coupler 130 to increase the resistance of the exercise apparatus 100.
A person having skill in the art understands that a weight coupler can be positioned anywhere along the frame member 108. More specifically, altering both the location and amount of weight on the exercise apparatus 100 may change the resistance experienced by the user. Accordingly, this disclosure considers locating a weight coupler on any portion of the frame member 108 or the exercise apparatus 100 overall to create additionally variable workout configurations.
In one aspect of this disclosure, an adjustable member 105 may be coupled to the frame member 108. The adjustable member 105 may be coupled to the support 126 of the frame member 108. The adjustable member 105 may be substantially T-shaped and provide a first and second coupling location 106, 107 thereon. The adjustable member 105 may further have a central segment 132 that is selectively coupled to a support tube 134. Further, the support tube 134 may be coupled to the frame member 108.
In one aspect of the adjustable member 105, the central segment 132 may be telescopically received by the support tube 134 to orient the first and second coupling locations 106, 107 a plurality of distances from the frame member 108. A clamping mechanism, pin, or other coupling device can be utilized to selectively couple the central segment 132 to the support tube 134 in various configurations. In one non-exclusive example, the central segment 132 may slide along the support tube 134 until the first and second coupling locations 106, 107 are positioned at about the knee height of the user. In other words, the adjustable member 105 is repositionable to accommodate users of various heights.
In one non exclusive example, the central segment 132 may slide about eighteen inches along the support tube 134 in one inch increments. As described above, this adjustability allows for varying heights of different athletes, and also allows for the user to modify the height of the corresponding point of contact at which elastic members 142, 144 are attached to the user's lower extremity. By vertically adjusting the adjustable member 105, a more neutral angle may be achieved for the direction of force exerted on the user by the elastic members 142, 144.
In another aspect of this disclosure, the adjustable member 105 may also have a first side segment 136 and a second side segment 138 slidably coupled to the central segment 132. In this configuration, the first side segment 136 can slide towards and away from the second side segment 138. Similarly, the second side segment 138 can slide towards and away from the first side segment 136. A clamping mechanism, pin, or other coupling device can be utilized to selectively couple the first and second side segments 136, 138 to the central segment 132 in various configurations. Accordingly, the first and second side segments 136, 138 may be selectively coupled to the central segment 132 to provide a plurality of coupling location widths 140. In one aspect of this disclosure, the coupling location width 140 may be varied to accommodate users having different width hips. In yet another aspect of this disclosure, the coupling location width 140 may be varied to isolate different muscle groups of the user.
In one aspect of this disclosure, the support tube 134 may be positioned at an angle 109 relative to the support 126. More specifically, the support tube 134 may be angled towards the forward direction 128 in order to increase the clearance between the user's knees and the adjustable member 105. In one aspect of this disclosure, a user may place one hand on each of the grip bars 110, 111 and push the exercise apparatus in the forward direction 128. In this situation, the user's knees may become positioned partially between the grip bars 110, 111 and towards the adjustable member 105. Accordingly, by coupling the adjustable member 105 to the support at the angle 109, additional clearance may be provided for the user's knees.
The angle 109 of the support tube 134 relative to the support 126 is not meant to be limiting. However, in one example, the angle 109 may be between about 65 and 85 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle 109 may be about 75 degrees. Further still, in other embodiments the angle 109 is 90 degrees. In yet other embodiments, the angle may be less than 65 degrees. Accordingly, many different angles 109 are considered herein.
A first and second elastic member 142, 144 may be coupled to the respective first and second coupling location 106, 107 of the adjustable member 105. The elastic members 142, 144 may have a loop 146 or other coupling mechanism positioned on the end opposite the coupling location 106, 107. The loop 146 may be sized to receive a portion of a user's leg therein. Further, in one embodiment the loop may be adjustable to fit a plurality of leg sizes and become positioned at a plurality of different locations along the user's leg. In one non-limiting example, the loops 146 may utilize Velcro or the like to become adjustably coupled to the user's leg.
The elastic members 142, 144 may also have a length sized to correspond with the positioning of a user when pushing the exercise apparatus 100. In other words, the elastic members 142, 144 may be sized to ensure that the elastic member 142, 144 is under tension at some point during the user's stride when pushing the exercise apparatus 100. As the user pushes the exercise apparatus 100, the user's legs may transition from a close position to the corresponding coupling location 106, 107 to a far position relative thereto. The elastic members 142, 144 may be sized so that the elastic member 142, 144 is in tension at least when the user's corresponding leg is in the far position. In other words, the elastic members 142, 144 are sized to at least partially resist the user's corresponding leg moving away from the adjustable member 105.
In one aspect of this disclosure, the elastic members 142, 144 may have a variable length. In this configuration, the user may adjust the length of the elastic member 142, 144 to thereby increase the resistance acting on the corresponding leg as described above. Similarly, the thickness of the elastic members 142, 144 may be varied by the user to increase the resistance applied thereto. In one non-limiting example, the elastic members 142, 144 may be replaceable with elastic members of different resistance. In this configuration, the loops 146 may have a coupling location positioned thereon wherein the user can uncouple the elastic members 142, 144 from the respective loops 146 and the respective first and second coupling location 106, 107 to substitute elastic members 142, 144 with more or less resistance. Further still, in another embodiment multiple elastic members 142, 144 may be added to the first and second elastic members 142, 144 to increase the resistance experienced by the user.
The elastic members 142, 144 may be formed of any material known in the art that allows elastic deformation at variable resistance. In other words, the elastic members 142, 144 may be made of rubber or any other similarly deformable material. Further still, the elastic members 142, 144 may utilize springs or the like to achieve similar resistance properties as those described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure considers utilizing any type of material or configuration capable of achieving variable resistance to movement of the user as the exercise apparatus 100 is pushed in the forward direction.
The exercise apparatus 100 may also have a handle assembly 148 coupled to the frame member 108. The handle assembly 148 may have a plurality of gripping location positioned thereon and provide a location for the user to push the exercise apparatus in a backward direction opposite the forward direction 128. The handle assembly 148 may be selectively repositionable at a plurality of heights relative to the frame member 108 to provide the user with several additional pushing orientations. Further, the handle assembly 148 may also have corresponding coupling locations 150, 152 wherein the elastic members 142, 144 may be coupled to the frame member 108 in an orientation that corresponds with the user's position when utilizing the handle assembly 148. In other words, in addition to utilizing the grip bars 110, 111 and the coupling locations 106, 107 on the adjustable member 105 to push the exercise apparatus in the forward direction 128, the user may also utilize the elastic members 142, 144 coupled to the coupling locations 150, 152 to push the sled in a backward direction with the handle assembly 148.
In yet another aspect of this disclosure, the user may utilize coupling locations 151, 153 to couple the elastic members 142, 144 to the frame member 108. In this configuration, the elastic members 142, 144 may provide a resistive force in a direction that that differs from the coupling locations 106, 107. In yet another aspect of this disclosure, an elastic member may be coupled to each of the coupling locations 106, 107, 151, 153 and further coupled to the user's legs. In one aspect of this example, elastic members may extend from each coupling location 153 and 107 to one of the user's legs and be coupled thereto with the same loop 146. Similarly, elastic members may extend from each coupling location 151 and 106 to the other of the user's legs and be coupled thereto with the same loop 146. Alternatively, each coupling location 106, 107, 151, 153 may be coupled to the user's leg utilizing a separate loop 146 at a separate location on the user's leg.
In one non-exclusive method of operating the exercise apparatus 100, the user stands directly behind the apparatus 100, and has each of their two lower extremities coupled to the respective first and second elastic member 142, 144 at a location consistent with the predetermined mode of operation and corresponding muscles targeted for conditioning. The adjustable member 105 may adjust both the height and width of the coupling locations 106, 107 to provide proper spacing for the dimensions of the user. Each of the individual second ends of said elastic members are then coupled to the adjustable member 105 at the corresponding coupling locations 106, 107. At this point, the user is effectively coupled to the apparatus 100 by the elastic members 142, 144.
After the user is coupled to the exercise apparatus 100 via the elastic members 142, 144, the user may proceed to firmly grasp each of the first and second grip bars 110, 111 and begin a forward-marching stride. As the user moves forward, they apply a force in the forward direction 128 onto the grip bars 110, 111. As the forward force is applied to the grip bars 110, 111, the frame member 108 moves along the underlying surface 120 via the ground engaging mechanisms 112, 113. Further, in addition to the frictional resistance of the exercise apparatus 100 imposed by the ground engaging mechanisms 112, 113, a variable-tension resistance is applied independently to each of the user's lower extremities through the elastic members 142, 144. More specifically, the elastic members 142, 144 may apply a variable resistance throughout at least a portion of the respective range of motion as the user proceeds to stride forward and change support from one foot to the other. At this point, as a kick-off foot extends backward, the elastic member 142, 144 attached to its respective leg starts to stretch, therefore creating a forward pull of increasing tension as the anchor foot moves toward a backward extension. At substantially the same time, the user must control the opposing foot as it is repositioned towards the exercise apparatus 100. As the opposing foot is oriented closer to the exercise apparatus 100, the user will experience a decreasing forward-pulling force exerted on the opposing foot by the respective elastic member 142, 144.
This varying load acting on the user's legs by the elastic members 142, 144 causes the corresponding muscles to constantly readjust at every point during a pushing function. The variable resistance applied by the elastic member 142, 144 may provide a workout function that leads to increased muscle stability, proper mobility, and superior motor patterns, which ultimately safeguards the body against injuries stemming from bad form. Operation of the exercise apparatus 100 may focus on conditioning the glute and hamstring muscles among others for speed and power, but modified forms of operation will vary the magnitude in which other muscles forming part of the posterior chain muscle group are impacted. In short, the implementation of the elastic members 142, 144 allows the user to engage in more efficient conditioning.
While FIG. 1 presents an embodiment with an adjustable member 105, this disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. Other embodiments may include modified positioning of the coupling locations 106, 107 at even lower positions. In one non-limiting example, the coupling locations 106, 107 may be repositionable to a level to match a user's ankles in order to couple an elastic member thereto. Accordingly, this disclosure considers providing coupling locations for the elastic members 142, 144 that correspond with any portion of the user's body and it is not limited to the particular positions described herein.
While this disclosure has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present disclosure can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A movable sled configured to be pushed by a user, comprising:

a frame member;

a ground engaging mechanism coupled to the frame member; and

at least one elastic member coupled on a first end to the frame member and configured to be coupled to a user on a second end;

wherein, as the user moves the frame along the underlying surface the elastic member provides resistance to the user.

2. The movable sled of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable member coupled to the frame member, wherein the elastic member is coupled to the frame member through the adjustable member.

3. The movable sled of claim 2, further wherein the adjustable member repositions the elastic member away from the ground engaging mechanism.

4. The movable sled of claim 3, further wherein the adjustable member repositions the elastic member widthwise relative to the frame member.

5. The movable sled of claim 2, further wherein the adjustable member extends from the frame member at an angle between 85 degrees and 45 degrees.

6. The movable sled of claim 1, further comprising at least one grip bar coupled to the frame member and extending perpendicular therefrom; wherein the grip bar is positioned to allow the user to move the frame member by applying a pushing force to the grip bar.

7. The movable sled of claim 1, further wherein the ground engaging mechanism is a skid plate.

8. The movable sled of claim 1, further comprising at least one weight coupler coupled to the frame member and configured to position a weighted plate thereon.

9. The movable sled of claim 1, further wherein the second end of the elastic member has a loop sized to be positioned around a user's leg.

10. A sled workout system, comprising:

a sled frame assembly having a ground engaging mechanism positioned thereon and configured to move along an underlying surface;

a first and second elastic member coupled to the sled frame assembly on a first end and configured to be coupled to legs of a user on a second end; and

a grip point on the sled frame assembly positioned to allow a user to push the sled frame assembly along the underlying surface through contact at the grip point;

wherein, as the user moves the sled frame assembly along the underlying surface, the first and second elastic member provide additional resistance to the legs of the user.

11. The sled workout system of claim 10, further wherein the first and second elastic members are coupled to the sled frame assembly through an adjustable member, wherein the adjustable member is repositionable to reposition the first ends of the first and second elastic member relative to the sled frame assembly.

12. The sled workout system of claim 11, further wherein the adjustable member is repositionable to reposition the first ends of the first and second elastic member away from the ground engaging mechanisms.

13. The sled workout system of claim 11, further wherein the adjustable member is repositionable to reposition the first ends of the first and second elastic member away from one another.

14. The sled workout system of claim 11, wherein the first and second elastic members are removable and configured to exert adjustable loads on the user by substituting elastic members of higher or lower resistance.

15. The sled workout system of claim 11, further comprising a handle assembly removably coupled to the sled frame assembly.

16. The sled workout system of claim 15, wherein said handle assembly further comprises a plurality of handles coupled to the frame member.

17. An athletic conditioning method, comprising the steps of:

providing a sled having a frame, at least one ground engaging mechanism, and a first and second resistance member coupled to the frame;

instructing a user to couple the first resistance member to the user's first leg and to couple the second resistance member to the user's second leg;

instructing the user to move said frame by exerting an applied force on the frame; and

positioning the first and second resistance member to resist movement of the user's first and second leg away from the sled frame.

18. The athletic conditioning method of claim 17, further comprising providing an adjustable member and coupling the first and second resistance member to the frame through the adjustable member.

19. The athletic conditioning method of claim 18, further comprising adjusting the height of the adjustable member to correlate with a about knee height of the user.

20. The athletic condition method of claim 17, further comprising adjusting the width of the adjustable member to correlate with a hip width of the user.