An agility pole and a bracket therefor

Abstract

A bracket for an agility training pole or slalom pole, the bracket comprising a first joint portion 4 and second joint portion 12 coupled together in a pivotal arrangement. The first joint portion 4 i

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bracket for use with sports poles. More especially, the invention relates to a bracket for use with a sports training poles to allow the pole to be used on hard surfaces and be used in a multitude of angles. Background to the Invention Agility poles (also known as slalom poles) are used in a variety of different sports to improve athletes lateral and diagonal agility, in addition to their balance and coordination. These poles are typically comprised of plastic materials, the base of which houses a spike which allows the pole to be driven into grass. Some poles can also be split in half to allow for ease of transportation and storage. The pole can be placed into the ground at many different angles to provide a wide variety of training exercises. However, not all areas are suitable for growing grass and therefore must use alternative surfaces, such as artificial turf or concrete, on these surfaces, the spikes are rendered useless. To circumvent this, the agility poles are inserted and subsequently held by a heavy rubber base. However, the issue with these bases is that they are limited to upright positions and offer no movement or angled positions, therefore reducing the quality of training. Furthermore, it is also worth noting that agility poles (regardless of the surface) cannot be placed perpendicularly to be used as hurdles, instead they typically need additional equipment such as training cones to achieve such an angle. This increases the setup time needed for training, further limiting the scope of training. To address the aforementioned issue, currently on the market, heavy rubber bases can be found with a plurality of receptacles, which can receive the agility poles at two or three angles. Known examples of this are the “RAM 3 Hole Rubber Base for Two Piece Poles” and the “HART 2 Hole Rubber Pole Base”. These rubber bases can provide a better variety of training opportunities on alternative surfaces than a typical rubber base, however due to being locked into only two to three positions, it still cannot match the range of angles of an agility pole placed in grass. The present invention seeks to provide an adapter for agility poles which can insert into heavy rubber bases to provide the agility pole with a plurality of angled positions on alternative surfaces to grass. Statement of Invention An agility training pole, for use on a plurality of surfaces, which comprises a base, a joint and an agility pole wherein, the joint couples the agility pole to the base and the joint is a positional fixing joint which allows for incremental angular positioning of the agility pole with respect to the base upon a vertical plane. Preferably, an agility training pole, wherein the agility pole is received by an agility pole housing. Preferably, an agility training pole, wherein the positional fixing joint is a Hirth joint. Preferably, an agility training pole, wherein the agility pole housing is coupled to the joint by a keyed socket. Preferably, an agility training pole, wherein the base is coupled to the joint by a keyed socket. Preferably, an agility training pole, wherein the base is formed of rubber. Preferably, an agility training pole, wherein the joint is formed of plastic. Preferably, an agility training pole, wherein the agility pole is formed of a shatterproof plastic. Brief Description of Drawings The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded view of the adapter apparatus with joint, base and agility pole in-situ in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic view of the adapter apparatus with joint, base and agility pole in-situ in accordance with the invention. Figure 3 is a first perspective side view of the illustrated adapter apparatus with joint, base and agility pole in-situ. Figure 4 is a second perspective side view of the illustrated adapter apparatus with joint, base and agility pole in-situ. Figure 5 is an aerial view of the adapter apparatus with joint, base and agility pole in-situ. Figure 6 is an aerial view of the base only. Detailed Description of the Invention In the drawings, Figures 1-5 illustrate an agility training pole apparatus in accordance with the invention, which comprises a base (2), a bracket (9) and an agility pole (8) wherein, the bracket (9) fixes the agility pole to the base during use and whereby, the bracket (9) allows for incremental angular positioning of the agility pole (8) with respect to the base (2) upon a vertical plane. The base (2) is formed of a suitably dense material, such as but not limited to, rubber, sand-filled plastic, cast iron, steel, concrete, water-filled plastic, dense foam or gel-filled plastic. The mass of the base (2) is sufficient to lower the centre of gravity of the assembled apparatus to a point of stability. The density of the base (2) is sufficient to allow for a reduced foot print, wherein the foot print area is small enough to not impede the movement of users. As illustrated in Figure 6, the base (2) comprises a first keyed socket (29) of complimentary fit to first protrusions (24) located about the base of a first joint portion (4) of the bracket (9) wherein, the keyed socket (29) comprises slots (28) to receive complimentary shaped protrusions (24) extending outwardly from the first joint portion (4). The keyed socket (29) prevents the rotation of the bracket (9) when the bracket is assembled / affixed to the base (2). The bracket (9) further comprises a second joint portion (12), a threaded bolt (18), a corresponding nut (20), a spring (not shown) placed about the bolt and a knob (10). Preferably, the bracket (9) is formed of a robust and weather proof material with a mass low enough to maintain the stability of the assembled apparatus. By way of example, but not limited to, the bracket (9) may be formed of lightweight, yet robust materials, such as aluminium, carbon fibre composites, fiberglass composites, rubber and plastics. The first joint portion (4) fixes the bracket (9) to the base (2) through alignment and connection of the first and second joint portions (4,12). The distal end of the second joint portion (12) is formed with a second keyed socket (27) to receive one end of an agility pole housing (6). In similar way to the bracket / base connection, the second keyed slot includes slots (22) of concordant fit to protrusions (22) extending from the second joint portion (12), whereby the keyed socket (27) prevents the rotation of the agility pole housing (6) when the housing (6) is assembled / affixed to the bracket (9). The first (4) and second joint portions (12) comprise circular tapered teeth faces (30) and (32) respectively. The tapered teeth faces (30, 32) mesh together and form a ‘Hirth joint’. The first joint portion (4) remains immobilised with respect to the base (2) when assembled, the second joint portion (12) may be meshed to the first joint portion (4) at any orientation within the incremental angular allowance of the tapered teeth faces (30, 32). The ‘Hirth joint’ formed between the first (4) and second (12) joint portions allows the user to set an incremental angle respective to the first (4) and second (12) joint portions. Therefore, the ‘Hirth joint’ formed at the interface of the tapered teeth faces (30, 32), allows a user to set the agility pole (8) to an incremented angle when assembled with the second joint portion (12) of the bracket (9). By way of example, the incremental angles allow the agility poles to be used in a variety of exercises, such as but no limited too slalom runs, lateral shuffles, dribbling drills, and hurdles. To fix the respective orientation of the first (4) and second (12) joint portions, the threaded bolt (18) sequentially passes through a throughway aperture of the knob (10), the second (12) and first (4) joint portions respectively and nut (20). The nut (20) secures the threaded bolt (18) in position. When rotated, the knob (10) transmits or releases torque biased upon the first (4) and second (12) joint portions, thereby allowing a user to separate or ‘set’ the first (4) and second (12) joint portions at an incremental orientation respective to one another. It is appreciated that the technical effect of the bracket (9) may be achieved by many other forms of positional locking joints such as, but not limited to a joint comprising a, detent mechanism, ratchet and pawls, pin and hole systems, friction materials, gear and locking pin systems, magnetic systems, cam locking systems, wedge locking systems and interlocking plates. The agility pole housing (6) couples the agility pole (8) to the bracket (9). The distal end of the housing (6) is shaped as a socket to receive the end of the agility pole (8). The socket (11) is designed, to receive a non-proprietary agility pole (8). The socket (11) may receive the spike (16) of the agility pole (8) to ensure better securement. The agility pole (8) is formed of a light weight and weatherproof material, such as plastic. The agility pole (8) is interchangeable in the device, by virtue of the aperture (11) being of easy release in nature. The agility pole (8) may be set at any incremental angle wherein, the angle set is equal to the respective angle set between the second joint portion (12) and the floor. It will be appreciated that the forgoing is merely exemplary of an agility training pole and adapter apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modification can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bracket for an agility training pole, the bracket comprising a first and second joint portions coupled together in a pivotal arrangement, the first joint portion having means to connect said portion to a base in a way in which rotation of said joint portion in respect of the base is prevented, wherein the second joint portion includes means to receive an end of the pole in use.

2. A bracket according to claim 1 wherein the coupling of the first and second joint portions allows for incremental angular positioning of the agility pole with respect to the base and the vertical plane.

3. A bracket according to claim 2, wherein the engaging faces of first and second portions have circular tapered teeth to form a Hirth joint.

4. A bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base is coupled to the first joint section through a keyed slot.

5. A bracket according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the distal end of the second joint portion has connected thereto a housing to receive the pole.

6. A bracket according to claim 5, wherein the housing is coupled to the second joint portion through a keyed socket.

7. A bracket according to any of the proceeding claims, wherein the base is formed of rubber.

8. A bracket according to any of the proceeding claims, wherein the first and second joint portions are formed of plastic.

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