Sports training equipment

Abstract

1. A training device for use in training an athlete, the device comprising: a pair of elongated rails defining a training space therebetween; and at least one support structure engaging the pair of elongated rails and slidable along the rails through the training space in both directions toward the athlete and away from the athlete during use, the support structure including a support beam extending upwardly from the support structure, a simulated opponent attached to the support beam for use by the athlete, the simulated opponent movable along the rails at least when a force is applied by the athlete during use.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] This document claims priority from AU2020904339, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] 〔Technical Field〕 The present invention relates to a sports training device for training sports players. In one embodiment, the sports training device can be for a sports player who performs combat sports. However, the device is not limited thereto and can be applied to other sports such as football, including rugby. In some embodiments, the device can be used for the correction of sports players who are injured or otherwise require retraining.

[0003] 〔Background〕 For sports improvement, usually, practice is required. Many sports players enjoy practicing their sports because practice requires intense physical activity (cardiovascular and muscle tissue) and improves physical strength, condition, and / or health along with skills. Some sports require multiple people to participate. For example, some games such as soccer and rugby are played in teams. Other sports require only two participants at a time and usually have one winner. Sports that require two participants at a time include, for example, combat sports.

[0004] [[ID=V19]] Combat sports are sports with rules and sometimes traditions that each participant has to learn. Training in combat sports can take years and requires an interdisciplinary approach that includes not only how to attack an opponent but also how to defend appropriately. Defense in combat sports includes using one's own body as a defensive means and may include developing one's reaction to an opponent's movement. Boxing can be considered a combat sport and involves both attack (punching) and defense (guarding, bobbing, weaving, etc.).

[0005] Numerous training devices exist for athletes involved in combat sports, including boxing. Some training involves a real person holding a focus mitt from which strikes can be safely delivered. The problem with using a person as a training partner is that they are not always available. Furthermore, that person must give up time that they could have dedicated to their own training. Instead of using a person, one may use a punching bag or mannequin called a Bob (Simulated Opponent (BOB)). A Bob may be a heavy bag filled with, for example, grain, sand, or cloth. Alternatively, a Bob may include a molded mannequin with a head, neck, and torso, along with a rational and lifelike muscular contour, sometimes even including an Adam's apple. Punching bags or molded torsos are usually not damaged even when subjected to repeated and constant physical abuse.

[0006] A known problem with Bob devices is that they don't react like a real opponent. While Bob may be virtually stationary, depending on how they are mounted, they may swing somewhat (if held from above) or have some bounce if spring-mounted from below. Most athletes are eager for new ways to improve their sport skills in a more realistic environment, which could potentially improve their skills when engaging in actual play. Therefore, there is a need for improved sports training devices, or training equipment, that could offer a useful alternative.

[0007] [Summary of the Invention] A training device used for training athletes, wherein the device is A pair of long, narrow rails define the training space between them, At least one support structure that engages with the pair of elongated rails and is slidable along the rails through the training space in both directions: toward the athlete during use and toward the athlete during use, Equipped with a simulated opponent, The support structure includes a support beam extending upward from the support structure. The aforementioned sparring partner (punching bag / mannequin) is mounted on the support post for use by an athlete, and the sparring partner is movable along the rail, at least when force is applied by the athlete during use.

[0008] The training device of the embodiment of the present invention can provide a more realistic training environment for athletes. When an athlete applies force to a sparring partner, the sparring partner can move away from the athlete, just as if the partner were real. However, since the sparring partner can slide in both directions along the rails, it can also slide towards the athlete as if the sparring partner were advancing with an aggressive maneuver. This can give the athlete the impression that they are both attacking and defending, simulating actual reactions and producing more realistic responses. In some embodiments, if an athlete is training in boxing, the training device can mean that the athlete is less likely to develop bad habits during training. One example of a bad habit is called "sitting on punches." This habit occurs when, after throwing a punch, the athlete lowers their center of gravity to their feet instead of keeping it up and agile at the ball of their feet. In an environment where the sparring partner moves towards the user after a punch, it is necessary to maintain optimal footwork. If athletes do not use good footwork techniques, they are at risk of being knocked over or having their guard broken. The devices of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to teach them to be continuously vigilant against this risk and to make them less likely to develop bad habits.

[0009] Training equipment can be used to instruct, train, rehabilitate, and / or educate athletes on how to engage in or reengage in a relevant sport. Coaches can use the equipment to demonstrate movements, which athletes can then imitate or improve upon. Alternatively, athletes can try new movements, seek feedback, or continue practicing until they feel they have mastered them. While athletes are mentioned, it should be understood that athletes are any users of the equipment and do not need to have any prior experience in the sport. Athletes can be adults or children. Athletes may use the equipment, physically adapted to their needs, for skill training and / or exercise. Athletes may be injured and use the equipment for rehabilitation.

[0010] The device comprises a pair of elongated rails. The pair of elongated rails define a training space between them. The training space is the area in which the athlete can move during engagement (work) with the device. When focusing on offense and defense, action and reaction during use, it may be important that the training space is free of obstacles to ensure that the user avoids collisions with anything. In some embodiments, the device may comprise a single rail on which a support structure is placed. However, in this embodiment, when a dummy opponent attached to the support structure slides away from the athlete (due to applied force) by sliding along the rail, the rail is exposed, putting the athlete at risk of colliding with the rail. The rail may be solid metal with sharp edges, and a collision with the rail could result in serious injury. In embodiments with a single rail, to ensure that there are no collisions, the athlete may, if necessary, stand beside the dummy opponent (beside the rail) and work with the dummy opponent beside the rail. However, this is not a common way of working with an opponent in reality. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, two rails are spaced apart from each other, defining a space between the two rails. The rails can be spaced apart by at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 meters, such as about 1.1 to 1.6 meters. In one embodiment, the rails are spaced wider than a standard gymnastics mat (i.e., about 1.4 m). Thus, shock-absorbing gymnastics mats can be placed within the training space between the rails. The rails can be positioned so as to be substantially parallel to each other.

[0011] To provide sliding motion along the rails, each rail can be associated with a carriage to which items can be attached. The carriage may comprise one or more carriage sections. The carriage may be designed to work in conjunction with the rails to provide optimal motion with as little friction as possible. Friction during carriage movement can be further reduced by applying friction-reducing materials such as grease to the rails. Known carriage-rail combinations can be utilized. In one embodiment, the rail has a substantially circular cross-section. The corresponding carriage may have a mount that fits around the substantially circular cross-section of the rail. Each carriage may be connected to a bar that slides with the carriage when in use. The bar may have an increased flat surface area to which other structures can be attached.

[0012] At least one support structure can engage with a pair of elongated rails. The support structure may straddle the rails and is movable as each carriage moves along each rail section. The support structure can be directly attached to a carriage that slides along the rails, or to a bar coupled to a carriage. A first bar supported by a first rail of a pair of rails may be connected to a second bar supported by a second rail of a pair of rails. The connection between the first and second bars can be by any means including wire, cantilever rope, webbing, netting, planks, grids, transverse support bars, crossbeams, or joists. For the purposes of this description, the connection as used herein is referred to as one or more joists. When the first and second bars are connected by one or more joists, the entire structure moves along the rails. If at least portions of the first and second bars are mounted on their respective rails, it should be understood that portions of the first and second bars may extend from the rails and may not be supported during use when the support structure moves along the rails. The area where the bar extends beyond the rails can be marked as a training area on the floor, so athletes will know where the support structure moves. Alternatively, during use, athletes will instantly learn how the structure moves and where it moves.

[0013] Typically, the sparring partner should be positioned on a support structure at approximately the height of the athlete. This provides the most realistic simulation of the opponent. In most two-person sports, competitors are matched to each other according to their weight, which generally correlates with their height. If the sparring partner is too low, the athlete will appear unnatural or awkward. If the sparring partner is too high, the athlete will reach them and, in some cases, lose sight of them. However, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to have the sparring partner higher or lower relative to the athlete. For example, an athlete may be preparing to compete against a very tall opponent, and the athlete may want to practice their technique by simulating a tall opponent.

[0014] Support beams may be connected to joists and configured to extend upward relative to the joists. Support beams extending upward from the support structure are intended to allow for the attachment of a simulated mating part. The attachment may be adjustable for the reasons outlined above.

[0015] In the case of a dummy body mounted from below, the upward-extending support beam may comprise a first beam and a second beam. The first beam may be connected to a joist but may be positioned substantially parallel to the elongated rail section. A first beam configured parallel to the rail may be advantageous in absorbing impacts from the dummy it supports. The first beam does not need to be substantially parallel to the elongated rail and may be at any angle. The first beam may have a first end facing the rear of the device and a second end facing the front of the device, the second end being the end closest to the athlete when in use. The second beam may be positioned / attached to the second end of the first beam. The second beam may be perpendicular to the first beam. A second beam perpendicular to the first beam may have supports that provide additional reinforcement against impacts. The second beam may have mounts to which a dummy can be attached. The mounts may include springs that allow the dummy to have some rebound when impact is applied.

[0016] In the case of a mating body mounted from above, the support beam may comprise a first beam connected to the joists and positioned substantially parallel to the elongated rail section. The first beam may have a first end facing the rear of the device and a second end facing the front of the device, the second end being the end closest to the athlete when in use. Optionally, a second beam may be positioned / attached to the second end of the first beam. If a second beam is present, it may be perpendicular to the first beam. A second beam perpendicular to the first beam may have supports that provide additional reinforcement. A third beam may be positioned / attached to the first end of the first beam. The third beam may be supported by the second beam if one is present. If a second beam is not present, the third beam may be supported by an additional support beam. The third beam may be positioned diagonally from the first end of the first beam in the direction toward the athlete when in use. The angle of the third beam may be, for example, 45°, and once the third beam is positioned, its weight is supported by the first beam and the second beam / support beam. The free end of the third beam, away from the connection point to the first beam, can be used to suspend a simulated object. This suspension position of the simulated object allows the punching bag to move and swing freely, for example, when an impact is applied.

[0017] The third beam may be a single, integrated component. The third beam may also be provided as two or more components hinged to one another. When the use of the third beam is required, it can be unfolded to a fully extended position around the hinge. The hinged folding of the third beam can be advantageous for storing the device when not in use.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first beam is pivotable around a first end. This may be useful when it is required that the height of the dummy behemoth be adjustable. By pivoting around a pivot point at the first end, the dummy behemoth can be raised or lowered as needed and then locked in place. In one embodiment, the first end of the first beam is pivotable within a range that allows the vertical height of the dummy behemoth to move by at least about 400 mm or 500 mm in distance. In some embodiments where the dummy behemoth is a punch bag, in addition to being movable relative to the first beam, the punch bag may also be compressible to change the overall height of the area available for punching. The first beam may also be telescopic, allowing some adjustment in the distance the dummy behemoth extends forward of the rail. A telescopic first beam also offers some advantages in storage, as the size of the beam can be reduced when the device is not in use. In one embodiment, the first beam may also be tiltable to adjust the angle at which the dummy behemoth is mounted. Typically, the dummy behemoth is vertical (0°). However, the tilt can allow for an angle of 10 to 15 degrees from vertical. This angle can be adjusted and fixed to provide an unusual position for a sparring partner that an athlete can use. Alternatively, the sparring partner can be tilted at around 10 or 15 degrees when struck, and this tilt provides ducking and weaving movements for the sparring partner.

[0019] A sparring partner can be any item capable of withstanding the force applied during use. A sparring partner is a sports impact modular system (SIMS) that includes items capable of withstanding the applied force. A sparring partner can be a punching bag. A sparring partner can be a series of focus mitts placed on a stand. A sparring partner can be a mannequin. A sparring partner can be made of rubber. A sparring partner can be filled with, for example, grain, sand, or cloth. A sparring partner can include a molded mannequin having a head, neck, and torso with a reasonable and lifelike muscular contour, sometimes including an Adam's apple. In some embodiments, the punching bag or molded torso will not break even when subjected to repeated and constant physical abuse.

[0020] In an upright position, with a sparring partner mounted from below, the athlete can punch and kick the sparring partner or apply force to the sparring partner in other ways. When force is applied, the sparring partner moves in the direction of the applied force, usually away from the athlete. The sparring partner begins to move, the mount for the sparring partner begins to move, the second beam begins to move, the first beam begins to move, the joists begin to move, and then any bars attached to the elongated rail by the carriage begin to move. The result of the force applied to the sparring partner is that the carriage slides along the rail. What the athlete experiences is that when force is applied, the sparring partner moves away from the athlete.

[0021] As the device slides away from the athlete, the athlete can grasp the device (optionally, a simulated opponent), pull it back towards themselves, and initiate the process. In some cases, when the device reaches the end of an elongated rail, there are some rebounds in the device, causing it to slide back naturally towards the athlete. Impact absorbers or shock absorbers may be provided at the end of the elongated rail, and when the impact absorbers or shock absorbers are reached, the support structures attached to the rail are subjected to a force and can collide with them, but that force is mitigated and transferred to rebound energy. These dampers or breakers can be adapted to absorb the applied force. In one embodiment, opposing magnets are provided at each end, which prevent collisions between parts of the device and, on the contrary, provide instances where the parts are subjected to a force and move toward each other. The device can slide along the rail for a range of about 0.5 to 1 meter (the starting point is the athlete's position) before the rail reaches its end, and cannot slide any further. However, the rail may be of any length. In some embodiments, the rail length is 2 meters, 4 meters, 6 meters, or 8 meters. In one embodiment, the rail is at least about 2.4 meters long.

[0022] When force is applied by an athlete, the support structure is movable along the rail from a first position closest to the athlete to a second position further away from the athlete. In some embodiments, the support structure is biased to return to the first position. The bias can be provided by any means of sliding the support structure back along the rail to the first position. In one embodiment, the bias is provided by an elastic tether. The elastic tether can be attached to the rear of the support structure and to the rail or the front of the rail. The tether may be on the outside of the structure. The tether may be located on the inside of the structure. When force is applied by an athlete, the elastic tether stretches and experiences stress as the tether stretches. When the stressed elastic force is released, the tether returns to its original length and thus pulls the support structure back along the rail towards the athlete. In use, this can provide a rebound of the entire structure, which returns the simulated opponent to the athlete, providing a realistic experience. Furthermore, there is some resistance against the tether when the athlete engages with a simulated opponent, which provides an even more realistic sense of engagement. The tether's strength can be adjusted according to the athlete's size, weight, and skill level. Very heavy and strong athletes require relatively high force to keep their opponents away, but can handle very tight elastic tethers that quickly and forcefully bounce back their opponents. The tether's strength can be altered by changing either the type of elastic material, the length, or both.

[0023] In some embodiments, an athlete may be attached to a sparring partner by a tether. If the sparring partner slides away from the athlete, the tether can be stopped. Once stopped, the sparring partner may shake violently and begin to slide back towards the athlete. The tether length may be adjustable. A longer tether allows the sparring partner to slide further away from the athlete. A shorter tether allows the sparring partner to quickly return to the athlete after a short slide. The tether may be elastic to reduce or minimize discomfort felt by the athlete due to the applied force. The tether may be attached around the athlete, for example, around the waist or upper body.

[0024] To further simulate the movements of the sparring partner, the athlete may be tethered to the device. A pulley rope extends around at least a portion of the device's outer circumference and can then be attached to the athlete. Using a fixed-length rope, the pulley system can be used to force the device to return towards the athlete and reset to its starting position when the athlete moves away from the sparring partner within the training area (for example, when stepping back after a punch). This configuration can be useful for returning the sparring partner body towards the athlete after impact, enhancing the realism of the training experience. It can also reduce the burden on the athlete to reset the sparring partner to its starting position, thus reducing interruptions to the training regime.

[0025] When the sparring partner is in an upright position, it can be used for punch and kick simulations. In some embodiments, a sparring partner mounted from below may be rotatable from a first position to a second position. The first position can be an upright position (erect posture), and the second position can be a laid-down position (fallen posture). When the sparring partner is in the laid-down position, it can be used to simulate how to scrum with another person. A scrum is a method of restarting play in rugby football, involving players getting together in a tight group with their heads down and attempting to gain possession of the ball. The shoulders of athletes engage with the shoulders of others, and the two bodies are pushed together. Thus, training devices can be useful for teaching, improving, instructing, and / or training athletes how to scrum correctly.

[0026] When in use, the sparring partner is set to the starting position. The starting position can be the foremost position on the device, and the sparring partner body moves sufficiently by sliding along a long, narrow rail. The athlete ensures that the training area is clearly defined and that they optionally attach themselves to the sparring partner body with a tether. The athlete then kicks and punches the sparring partner body or applies force in other ways. The device is immediately activated by the sparring partner body, which has been moved along the long, narrow rail away from the athlete. The athlete can continue to engage the sparring partner body for as long as they wish, until their training period is over.

[0027] In one embodiment, the third beam of the device is used to suspend a simulated opponent. In embodiments where the simulated opponent is suspended, the second beam may not be required, so the second beam may not support the simulated opponent. In an alternative embodiment, a sports player or other user can be suspended from the third beam, and the second beam may support the simulated opponent. Then, the sports player can approach the simulated opponent while suspended from the third beam. One reason to suspend the sports player from the third beam is that the sports player may not be able to stand without support. The inability to stand can be due to an injury or a more permanent physical disability that affects the use of the legs. The sports player can wear a harness connected to the third beam by a rope or wire. The harness can enable the sports player to stand while suspended from above. Then, the sports player can engage with the simulated opponent in a normal manner. In some embodiments, by removing the weight from the legs of the sports player (completely or partially), it is possible to adapt to leg injuries without losing beneficial training time.

[0028] In embodiments where the sports player is suspended from the third beam, an extension may be required for the third beam. The extension can be a fourth beam connected to the third beam that increases the range above the device. The fourth beam can be deployed from the third beam as needed. In some embodiments, to balance the weight of the sports player suspended from the fourth beam, the fourth beam can include a front portion that extends in the direction of the sports player (from where the sports player is suspended) and a rear portion that extends away from the sports player in the direction of the rear of the device. The rear portion of the fourth beam can have a support arm that extends downward to the third beam for stability. The support arm can prevent the fourth beam from moving due to the weight of the sports player once it is suspended. An additional counterweight can be provided by a cable that extends from the rear end of the fourth beam and is fixed to the base of the device. The cable can be rigid.

[0029] The extension provided by the fourth beam enables the suspension of a mock opponent that can withstand increased impact forces compared to a mock opponent suspended only from the third beam. Further, due to the extension, the training area can be deployed to allow different types of actions to be performed. One type of action that can be performed when the training area is enlarged is a running tackle. In one embodiment, the front portion of the fourth beam is telescopically extendable and the mock opponent can be suspended from the first distal end. Due to the impact expected when the mock opponent receives the force of a sports player, the cable can be connected to the rear portion (the second distal end) of the fourth beam that connects to the base of the device and / or the carriage (preferably the base since it is fixed). In some embodiments, the base of the device may need to be bolted to the ground for additional structural stability. The cable can extend along the length of the fourth beam and then pass through a pulley disposed towards the first distal end before reaching the mock opponent. A cable drop of approximately 500, 600 or 700 mm can be established between the pulley and the mock opponent. The pulley can be mounted within a rail on the fourth beam. The rail can allow the pulley to slide along the length of the fourth beam in a forward direction towards the first distal end and in a rearward direction away from the first distal end. When a sports player runs towards the mock opponent and applies force to the mock opponent, the pulley can be pushed along the rail of the fourth beam in the direction of the applied force. The movement of the pulley slackens the cable so that the mock opponent can contact the floor (usually with a sports player on top of it).

[0030] The device can be modular. The user acquires the basic form of the device and can then add modules such as different sparring partners or additional beams. The modular nature of the device allows for the addition of components over time. For example, a user can acquire the device with only the first, second, and third beams, and then add a fourth beam as a module. The user can also adapt the device for rehabilitation use by acquiring the device for sports training and then acquiring modules that enable rehabilitation use. In some embodiments, the support structure is "removable" to form the basis for various uses, namely, boxing, recovery, football, and rugby training.

[0031] [Brief explanation of the drawing] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale and are merely illustrative: Figures 1a and 1b are perspective views of an embodiment of the apparatus.

[0032] Figure 2 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the device.

[0033] Figure 3 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the device.

[0034] Figures 4a to 4d show various enlarged views of the rails of the device.

[0035] Figure 5 is a diagram of a part of the support structure (some components are not shown).

[0036] Figure 6 shows a mount for a simulated opponent.

[0037] Figure 7 is a side view of an embodiment showing an athlete.

[0038] Figure 8 shows alternative postures for the simulated opponent.

[0039] Figure 9 shows the first and second positions of the device for athletes.

[0040] Figure 10 shows an athlete connected to a device.

[0041] Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment in which the first beam is telescopic and the third beam consists of two parts.

[0042] Figure 12 shows an embodiment of Figure 11, illustrating how the first beam may be able to rotate in order to change the height of the simulated object.

[0043] Figure 13 shows an embodiment of the device when folded when not in use.

[0044] Figure 14 shows an embodiment in which the first beam is tiltable.

[0045] Figure 15 shows an embodiment in which an athlete can be suspended from the fourth beam.

[0046] Figure 16 shows an embodiment in which a simulated object (e.g., a punching bag) can be suspended from a fourth beam using a pulley system.

[0047] Figure 17a shows a side view of the device in Figure 16 before the tackle, and Figure 17b shows a side view of the device in Figure 16 after the tackle.

[0048] [Detailed description of the invention] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a training device 10 for use in training an athlete 100. The device 10 comprises a pair of elongated rails 14 between which define a training space T. The width of the training space T can be seen, for example, in Figure 1, marked by a dotted line. The training space T is the area in which the athlete 100 can move while engaged with the device 10. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the training space T is 1.4 m wide to allow for the insertion of a mat (not shown).

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, each rail section 114 is associated with a carriage 115 to provide sliding motion along the rail 14. The carriage 115 has two or more carriage sections (e.g., 115, 115'). The carriage 115 is configured to cooperate with the rail 114 to provide optimal motion with as little friction as possible. Each carriage 115 is connected to a bar 14' that slides with the carriage 115 when in use. The bar 14' can provide a flat surface from which other structures can be attached. In the figure, the rail 14 is labeled, but please understand that the bar 14' may be seen as an item that is part of the rail 14.

[0050] At least one support structure 110 (including 14', 16, 16', 18, 20, etc.) engages with a pair of elongated rails 14. The support structure 110 is associated with the rails 14 and is movable as the carriage 115 moves along each rail section 114. The support structure 110 is attached to a bar 14' coupled to the carriage 115. A first bar 14' supported by a first rail 14 may be connected to a second bar 14'' supported by a second rail 14. The connection is made by two joists 16, 16'. Once the first bar and the second bar 14, 14'' are connected by one or more joists, the entire structure 110 moves along the rails 14.

[0051] In Figure 1, the sparring partner 12 is shown as a mannequin 12. In Figure 2, the sparring partner 12 is a punching bag 12. In Figure 3, the sparring partner is a series of focus mitts 112 placed on a stand 13. In Figure 7, the sparring partner 12 is a mannequin 12 shown at approximately the same height as the athlete 100.

[0052] The support beam 22 extending upward from the support structure is intended to allow for the attachment of the simulated partner 12. The attachment may be adjustable for the reasons outlined above.

[0053] In the case of a simulated opponent body 12 mounted from below (e.g., Figure 1), the support beam 22 comprises a first beam 18 connected to joists 16, 16'. The first beam 18 is positioned substantially parallel to the elongated rail sections 16, 16'. The first beam 18 has a first end 118 facing the rear of the device 10 and a second end 118' facing the front of the device 10 (the second end 118' is the end closest to the athlete 100 in use (see Figure 7)). The second beam 22 is attached to the second end 118' of the first beam 18. The second beam 22 is substantially upright (perpendicular) to the horizontal first beam 18. The second beam 22 perpendicular to the first beam 18 has a brace 20 to provide additional reinforcement against impact (e.g., Figures 1 to 10). In some embodiments (Figures 11 to 14), the brace 20 can take the form of a support arm 21 extending to the rail 14. The second beam 22 may have a mount 24 to which a simulated opponent 12 can be attached. The mount 24 includes a spring that allows the simulated opponent 12 to bounce back somewhat when an impact is applied.

[0054] In the case of a simulated opponent 12 mounted from above (for example, Figure 2), the support beam 22 comprises a first beam 18 connected to joists 16, 16' and positioned substantially parallel to an elongated rail section. A third beam 25 can be attached to the first end 118 of the first beam 18. The third beam 25 can be positioned diagonally from the first end 118 in the direction toward the athlete 100 when in use. The third beam 25 is at an angle of, for example, 45°, and once the third beam 25 is in place, its weight is supported by the first beam 18 and optionally by the second beam 22. Support from the second beam 22 can be seen, for example, in Figure 2. The free end of the third beam 25, away from the connection point with the first beam, can be used to suspend a simulated opponent such as a punching bag 12. The suspension point for the simulated opponent 12 allows the bag to move and swing freely when impact is applied. The height of the third beam can be adjusted by lengthening the support beam.

[0055] The third beam 25 may be a single, whole part, for example, as shown in Figure 2. The third beam may also be provided as two or more parts hinged to one another. When the third beam 25 is needed for use, the beam can be unfolded to a fully extended position around the hinge. The hinged folding of the third beam 25 may be advantageous for storing the device when not in use.

[0056] In one embodiment, the first beam 18 is pivotable about a first end 118. This may be useful when it is required that the height of the simulated object 12 be adjustable. By pivoting about the pivot point P at the first end 118, the simulated object 12 can be raised or lowered, as shown in Figure 12. Once the desired height is reached, the simulated object 12 can be locked in place using, for example, a locking pin passing through an opening in the fitting column, or other known fastening methods.

[0057] The first beam 18 may also be telescopic, allowing for some adjustability in the distance the simulated object 12 extends forward of the rail 14. This is shown, for example, in Figure 11, where section 18a is telescopically extendable into section 18b. The telescopic first beams 18a, 18b also offer some advantages in storage, as the size of the beam 18 can be reduced when the device 10 is not in use. In one embodiment, the first beam 10 is also tiltable to adjust the angle at which the simulated object 12 is mounted. This is shown in Figure 14. Typically, the simulated object is vertical (0°). However, the tilt can allow for a tilt of, for example, 10 degrees from vertical.

[0058] In an upright position, once the dummy opponent 12 is attached from below, the athlete can punch and kick the dummy opponent or apply force to it in other ways. When force is applied, the dummy opponent moves in the direction of the applied force, usually away from the athlete 100. The dummy opponent 12 begins to move, the second beam 22 begins to move, the first beam 18 begins to move, the joists 16, 16' begin to move, and then the bars 14, 14' attached to the elongated rail 14 by the carriage 115 begin to move. As a result, the carriage 115 slides along the rail 14. What the athlete 100 experiences is that when force is applied, the dummy opponent 12 moves away from the athlete in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0059] As the device 10 slides away from the athlete 100 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1, the athlete 100 can grasp the device 10 (optionally, grasp the simulated opponent 12), pull it back towards himself, and begin the process. In some examples, when the device reaches the endpoint TP at the end of the elongated rail, there is some rebound of the device, and it naturally returns towards the athlete 100.

[0060] When force is applied by athlete 100, support structures 14', 16, 16', 18, and 20 are movable along rails 14 and 14' from a first position closest to athlete 100 to a second position further away from athlete (see Figure 9). The support structures are biased by elastic tethers 26 to return to the first position. The biasing of tethers 26 causes the support structures to slide back along the rails to the first position. In Figure 9, the elastic tethers 26 are shown attached to the rear of the support structure (A) and in front of one or more rails (B). When force is applied by athlete 100, the elastic tethers stretch and are stressed as they stretch. When the stressed elastic force is released, the tethers return to their original length, thus pulling the support structures back along the rails toward athlete 100.

[0061] In some embodiments, the athlete 100 can be attached to a sparring partner 12 by a tether (28). As the sparring partner slides away from the athlete 100, the tether 28 provides a stop. The length of the tether 28 is adjustable. The tether 28 is shown attached around the waist of the athlete 100.

[0062] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the simulated opponent 12 is shown in a second position, which is the deployment position. When the simulated opponent 12 is in the deployment position, it can be used to simulate how to scrum with other people.

[0063] To further simulate the movements of a simulated partner and / or to assist in the rehabilitation of athlete 100, athlete 100 can be attached to the device 10 (Figure 15). Athlete 100 can be suspended from the third beam 25 (see Figure 2B) or the fourth beam 40 (see Figure 15) of the device 10. A ratchet cable system 30 may be used to suspend athlete 100 wearing a harness 32. Once in position, athlete 100 can use the device 10 as described herein. The height of the device may be adjustable to accommodate different heights required by the user. In some embodiments, for further stability, the beam from which the athlete is suspended (i.e., the third or fourth beam) may be fixed to the ceiling or some other superstructure.

[0064] In embodiments where an athlete is suspended from a third beam 25, an extension may be required relative to the third beam. The extension may be a fourth beam 40 connected to the third beam 25, increasing the upper range of the apparatus 10. The fourth beam 40 may be extended from the third beam 25 as needed. In some embodiments, to balance the weight of an athlete suspended from the fourth beam 40, the fourth beam 40 may comprise a front portion 40b (from which the athlete hangs) extending toward the athlete 100 and a rear portion 40a extending toward the rear of the apparatus 10 away from the athlete 100. The rear portion 40a of the fourth beam 40 may have support arms 42 extending downward toward the third beam 25 for stability. The support arms (or more arms) 42 may help prevent the fourth beam 40 from moving due to the weight of the athlete 100 once suspended. An additional counterweight can be provided by a cable 44 extending from the rear end of the rear portion 40a of the fourth beam 40 and fixed to the base of the device 10. The cable 44 may be rigid.

[0065] As shown in Figure 16, the extension provided by the fourth beam 40 allows for the suspension of a simulated opponent 12 that can withstand increased impact forces compared to a simulated opponent 12 suspended only from the third beam 25. Furthermore, the extension allows the training area to be expanded to allow different types of actions to be performed. One type of action that can be performed when the training area is expanded is a running tackle. In one embodiment, the front portion 40b of the fourth beam 40 is extendable by beam portion 40c, and the simulated opponent 12 can be suspended from a first far end. Due to the impact expected when the simulated opponent 12 is subjected to the force of the athlete 100, a cable 44 can be connected to the rear portion (second far end) of the fourth beam 40a, which is connected to the base and / or carriage 110 (preferably fixed, therefore the base) of the device 10. In some embodiments, the base of the device 10 may need to be bolted to the ground for further structural stability. One or more cables 44 can extend along the length of the fourth beam 40 and then pass over a pulley 46 positioned toward the first remote end before reaching the simulated opponent 12. A cable drop of approximately 500, 600, or 700 mm can be established between the pulley 46 and the simulated opponent 12. The pulley 46 can be mounted in a rail on the fourth beam 40. The rail can allow the pulley 46 to slide along the length of the fourth beam 40, forward toward the first remote end and backward toward the first remote end. When the athlete 100 runs toward the simulated opponent and applies force to the simulated opponent 12, the pulley 46 can be pushed along the rail on the fourth beam 40 in the direction of the applied force. The movement of the pulley 46 gives slack to the cable 44 so that the simulated opponent 12 can make contact with the floor (usually where the athlete 100 is standing).

[0066] Figure 17a shows a side view of the device in Figure 16 before the tackle. Figure 17b shows a side view of the device in Figure 16 after the tackle. The cable retractor 54 allows the cable to move when it collides with the simulated opponent punch bag 12. The change in cable length 52 from before the tackle to after the tackle may be approximately 2.3 meters. The change in cable retractor length 54 from before the tackle to after the tackle may be approximately 3 meters.

[0067] Where any prior art publication is referenced herein, it should be understood that such reference does not constitute an acknowledgment that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or any other country.

[0068] In the following claims and the preceding description of this disclosure, unless the context requires otherwise by explicit language or necessary implications, variations of the word “comprise,” “comprises,” or “comprising” are used in a comprehensive sense, that is, to identify the presence of the described features but not to exclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0069] Any agreements made herein should be understood to relate to certain embodiments of the Invention and not to be agreements relating to the entire Invention. Where there are agreements that appear to apply to all embodiments of the Invention, the applicant / patentee reserves the right to later remove them from the specification and shall not rely on such agreements for the acceptance or subsequent granting of a patent in any country. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0070] [Figure 1A] This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device. [Figure 1B] This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device. [Figure 2A] This is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the device. [Figure 2B]This is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the device. [Figure 3] This is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the device. [Figure 4] Various enlarged views of the device's rails are shown. [Figure 5A] This is a diagram of a part of the support structure (some components are not shown). [Figure 5B] This is a diagram of a part of the support structure (some components are not shown). [Figure 6] This is a mount for a simulated opponent. [Figure 7] This is a side view of an embodiment showing a sports player. [Figure 8] This is a substitute stance for a simulated opponent. [Figure 9A] This shows the first position of the device relative to the athlete. [Figure 9B] This shows the second position of the device for athletes. [Figure 10A] This shows an athlete connected to a device. [Figure 10B] This shows an athlete connected to a device. [Figure 11] This is an alternative embodiment in which the first beam is telescopic and the third beam consists of two parts. [Figure 12] Figure 11 shows an embodiment illustrating how the first beam may be able to rotate in order to change the height of the simulated opponent. [Figure 13] This shows an embodiment of the device when folded when not in use. [Figure 14] This embodiment allows the first beam to be tilted. [Figure 15] This embodiment allows for the suspension of athletes from a fourth beam. [Figure 16] In this embodiment, a simulated opponent (for example, a punching bag) can be suspended from a fourth beam using a pulley system. [Figure 17A] Figure 16 shows a side view of the device before it was tackled. [Figure 17B] Figure 16 shows a side view of the device after it has been tackled.

Claims

1. A training device used for training athletes, wherein the device is A pair of long, narrow rails define the training space between them, At least one support structure that engages with the pair of elongated rails and is slidable along the rails through the training space in both directions: toward the athlete during use and toward the athlete during use, Equipped with a simulated opponent, The support structure includes a support beam extending upward from the support structure. A training device in which the simulated opponent is attached to the support beam for the athlete to engage with the simulated opponent during use, the simulated opponent is movable along the rail from a first position to a second position when force is applied by the athlete at least during use, and the simulated opponent is biased to return to the first position.

2. The training device according to claim 1, wherein the simulated opponent is biased to return to the first position by an elastic tether attached to the support structure.

3. The training device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic tether is attached toward the rear of the support structure and toward the front of at least one of the elongated rails, and the elastic tether is extendable when force is applied by the athlete.

4. The training device according to claim 2, wherein one end of the elastic tether is attached to the support structure and the other end is attached to the athlete, and the elastic tether is extendable when force is applied by the athlete.

5. The aforementioned support structure is The structure comprises at least one joist that spans the aforementioned elongated rail, The support beam extending upward from the support structure includes a first beam and a second beam. The first beam has a first end facing the rear of the device and a second end facing the front of the device, the second end being the end closest to the athlete when in use, the first beam is supported by at least one joist and is positioned substantially horizontally and parallel to the elongated rail section, The training apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second beam is mounted vertically and positioned perpendicular to the first beam.

6. The training apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a third beam is attached to the first end of the first beam, and the third beam is for suspending the athlete or the simulated partner during use.

7. The training device according to claim 6, wherein a fourth beam is provided on the third beam for suspending the athlete or the simulated opponent during use.

8. The training apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the athlete or the simulated opponent is suspended by a cable attached to the fourth beam, and the cable passes through a pulley attached to a rail on the fourth beam.

9. The training device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the simulated opponent is a mannequin.

10. The training device according to claim 5, wherein the simulated opponent is a mannequin, the second beam is provided with a mount to which the simulated opponent is attached, and the mount is rotatable to provide at least an upright (vertical) position and a reclined (horizontal) position of the mannequin.

11. The training apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the simulated opponent is a punching bag or one or more focus mitts attached to a frame.

12. The training apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second beam includes a mount to which the simulating opponent is attached, and the mount includes a spring that allows the simulating opponent to bounce back somewhat when an impact is applied to it.

13. The training device according to claim 5, wherein the first beam is extendable and / or inclined to change the position of the simulated opponent relative to the athlete.

14. The training apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the support structure is attached to each rail by at least one carriage, and each carriage slides smoothly along each rail to provide movement when in use.

15. The training device according to claim 2, wherein the simulated opponent is a punching bag or one or more focus mitts attached to a frame.

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