Thrustback Training Sled Dual-Direction Spring Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sleds for football training lack the ability to provide controlled and predefined resistance in both horizontal and vertical movements, which is essential for effective tackling and blocking techniques.
Innovation Solution
A training sled with a base having horizontal rails, a trolley assembly with rollers, and adjustable tension springs to resist horizontal and vertical movements, allowing for customizable resistance levels and enabling the dummy to be lifted and moved backward with controlled force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sleds are used for football training, then athletes can perform tackling and blocking exercises, but the resistance is not controllable or predefined, making it difficult to simulate specific game scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by incorporating adjustable tension springs that allow the resistance force to be modified. The springs can be adjusted to provide different levels of resistance, enabling the sled to simulate various game scenarios with controlled and predefined force parameters. This directly addresses the need for controllable resistance while maintaining practical usability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sled allows free horizontal movement for tackling practice, then athletes can move the dummy easily, but safety is compromised due to lack of resistance control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating tension springs that provide pre-set resistance opposing the athlete's movement. This resistance is built into the system before use, preventing excessive or uncontrolled movement that could lead to injury. The springs create a controlled opposing force that safety-limits the exercise while still allowing effective tackling practice.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing sleds provide only horizontal resistance, then the structure remains simple, but vertical movement resistance is lacking, limiting comprehensive tackling technique training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by adding vertical spring resistance to the traditional horizontal-only sled design. This introduces a new dimension of resistance control, allowing the sled to oppose both horizontal tackling forces and vertical lifting motions. The dual-direction spring system enables comprehensive tackling technique training that incorporates both pushing and lifting components.
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
The sled provides improved safety and ease of use by allowing athletes to practice tackling and blocking techniques with precise resistance, enhancing their skills by simulating desired distances and forces.
Implementation Method 1
a generally horizontally oriented spring adapted to prevent horizontal movement of the trolley from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 2
a generally vertically oriented spring adapted to prevent vertical movement of the pivotable mounting plate from the first position to the second position
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a variety of thrustback sleds. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a thrust back training sled, including a base including a plurality of horizontal runners, a generally horizontal rail assembly disposed on the base, a trolley assembly disposed on the generally horizontal rail assembly, the trolley assembly including a plurality of rollers received by the rail assembly, the trolley being adapted to translate from a first, forward position to a second, rearward position along the generally horizontal rail assembly. The sled can further include a generally horizontally oriented spring adapted to restrict horizontal movement of the trolley from the first position to the second position, a pivotable mounting plate pivotally attached to the trolley assembly, the pivotable mounting plate being adapted to rotate from a first lower position to a second, higher position about a center of rotation, and a generally vertically oriented spring adapted to restrict vertical movement of the pivotable mounting plate from the first position to the second position.