Leverage Training Sled With Pivotable Contact, Lower Bladder Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing football training sleds do not effectively train players to use muscle groups associated with the hips for fast twitch motions or to take positions on the field to gain leverage on an opposing player, as they predominantly focus on large leg muscle groups and do not include apparatuses to simulate field actions from a lowered position.

Innovation Solution

A leverage training sled system with a bladder member positioned near the lower portion of the contact member, allowing players to impact at a similar or lower height, providing resistance and training fast twitch muscles, featuring a pivotable contact member, adjustable air spring pressure, and a sensor system for feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the biasing member is positioned high up on the training sled, then the sled is suitable for training players to push heavy objects over longer distances, but it falls short in training capacity for fast twitch motions and hip muscle groups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance training capabilityVSAvoidtraining capacity for fast twitch motions

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The training sled is divided into multiple biasing members positioned at different heights (first biasing member at upper portion, second biasing member at lower portion). This segmentation allows independent targeting of different muscle groups - the upper biasing member for distance/pushing events and the lower biasing member for fast twitch/hip movements, resolving the contradiction between duration training and fast twitch training capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a vertical dimension to the training sled by positioning biasing members at different heights rather than relying solely on horizontal positioning. This dimensional change enables players to engage different muscle groups (quadriceps for upper, hip flexors for lower) during the same exercise, thereby increasing training versatility without sacrificing distance training capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Force

If the sled is configured for heavy object pushing over longer distances, then large leg muscle groups are trained, but the sled does not include apparatus to train players to take positions on the field to gain leverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepushing force applicationVSAvoidleverage training capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the training sled are given different functional qualities - the upper biasing member is optimized for force application in pushing movements, while the lower biasing member is positioned to facilitate leverage training from lowered positions. This local differentiation allows the single device to provide both heavy object pushing training and leverage technique training

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the contact member is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide adjustable resistance for different training scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidresistance adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The contact member is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamic, pivotable component that can rotate about a pivot axis. This dynamic capability allows the contact member to adjust its angle and position during player interaction, providing variable resistance patterns that adapt to different training scenarios while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation through the pivot mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances training by engaging fast twitch muscles and providing real-time feedback on player performance, improving leverage techniques and muscle engagement, particularly for hip movements.

Implementation Method 1

a bladder member positioned near a lower portion of the contact member... providing resistance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

allowing players to impact at a similar or lower height... featuring a pivotable contact member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS20250319352A1Leverage training sled

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 FREDENBURG GARY DAWAYNE

AI summary

A sled leverage training sled in many implementations includes a first elongate member separated by a distance from a second elongate member. The elongate members may be tubes, pipes or other suitable shape that would allow for the leverage training sled to slide along the ground. A leverage training sled may also include a cross member having a first end adjacent to a portion of the first elongate member and a second end adjacent to a portion of the second elongate member. The sled may further include a contact member that extends from a portion of the cross member at a first angle relative to the cross member and is configured to pivot from the first angle to a second angle and an upright member that extends from a portion of the cross member. The leverage training sled may also include a bladder member positioned at a height between a portion of the upright member and a portion of the contact member.