Disclosed are various embodiments for a freestanding and portable climbing apparatus for pet training and exercise. A climbing apparatus includes a platform being rectangular and supported vertically at each corner by a first post, a second post, a third post, and a fourth post. The first post and the second post are coupled to a first platform foot, and the third post and fourth post are coupled to a second platform foot. A first ramp is coupled to a first end of the platform and a second ramp is coupled to a second end of the platform opposite that of the first end, where the first ramp and the second ramp have an angle of incline that is substantially similar. As such, the climbing apparatus is freestanding, portable, and substantially symmetrical.

An example portable dog safety jump includes a base structure and a first upright support member and a second upright support member mounted on the base structure. An outrigger structure is provided between the first upright support member and the second upright support member. A first support arm and a second support arm is provided on the outrigger structure. At least one cross member is releasably supported between the first support arm and second support arm of the outrigger structure. If a dog attempting to jump over the outrigger structure does not clear the cross member, the cross member readily releases from the outrigger structure and falls out of the path of the jump of the dog.

An example portable dog safety jump includes a base structure and a first upright support member and a second upright support member mounted on the base structure. An outrigger structure is provided between the first upright support member and the second upright support member. A first support arm and a second support arm is provided on the outrigger structure. At least one cross member is releasably supported between the first support arm and second support arm of the outrigger structure. If a dog attempting to jump over the outrigger structure does not clear the cross member, the cross member readily releases from the outrigger structure and falls out of the path of the jump of the dog.

The present invention provides for a hurdle having an upright position and a collapsed position, the hurdle comprises a crossbar and a pair of legs pivotally connected to the crossbar. Each leg has a proximal end and a distal end where the proximal end is pivotally connected to the crossbar end and the distal end is for placement on an exercising surface. The distal ends of the legs can be rotated away from the bottom surface of the crossbar in an expanded upright position. In an upright position the hurdle provides height relative to the exercise surface which can be adjusted by a pivot angle between the crossbar and legs. When the hurdle is in a collapsed position the legs are substantially parallel to the crossbar. In another embodiment the crossbar of the hurdle can be used as a rung in an exercise agility ladder.

Aspects may define a race course using a plurality of gates each including a fiducial marker that encodes a location, an ordering, and a pose of the corresponding gate. Each of the gates may include an opening through which robotic vehicles participating in a race may traverse, and a flight path may be defined through the opening of the gates. Each fiducial marker may be displayed around a perimeter of the opening of a corresponding gate, and may include a unique pattern that conveys the location, ordering, and pose of the corresponding gate to video cameras provided on the robotic vehicles. A pilot may use the fiducial markers presented on the gates to navigate the robotic vehicle through the race course, for example, so that the pilot may not need to rely solely upon the first-person view provided by the streaming video transmitted from the robotic vehicle.

Aspects may provide navigation assistance to guide a robotic vehicle through a course defined by a plurality of gates each including a fiducial marker that encodes a location, an ordering, and a pose of the corresponding gate. In some implementations, an optimal trajectory may be generated through the course and used to determine whether to provide navigation assistance to the robotic vehicle. The optimal trajectory may include a reference path that extends through openings formed in center portions of the gates, and may be used to create a virtual tunnel indicating a maximum distance that the robotic vehicle may deviate from various points along the reference path. If the robotic vehicle deviates from the optimal trajectory by more than the distance while traversing the course, navigation assistance may be provided to the robotic vehicle.

A huddle assembly is provided having a base, two upright members, and a cross bar extending between the two upright members. The cross bar includes a first bar member and a second bar member. An attachment member temporarily secures the two bar members together to form a continuous bar. The two bar members are pivotably supported on a respective upright member. The temporary attachment of the two bar members permits their separation upon contact by a runner. The pivotable attachment to the uprights permits the rotation of the bar members, during separation, about a vertical axis of the upright members.

The present invention provides for a training ladder, hurdle and methods of using the same. The ladder comprises flexible substantially parallel stiles, two spaced apart rungs between the stiles, each rung having a first and a second end for connection to the stiles; at least one rung having a clasp at each rung end to connect the rung to the stiles. Each clasp has an open and closed position. In the closed position, the rung with the clasps cannot be moved along the stiles and in the open position the rung can be repositioned or removed from the stiles. The present invention additionally comprises a hurdle. Advantageously, the legs of the hurdle are pivotally connected to a crossbar providing for adjustable height and preferred storage methods. Optionally, the crossbar of the hurdle can be configured from a rung of the ladder.

A sport training structure includes a plurality of brackets and a plurality of first pivot members connected with the brackets. Each of the first pivot members has two connecting portions. Two of the first pivot members are mounted between two of the brackets to construct a polygonal frame, with each of the two connecting portions of each of the first pivot members being pivotally connected with one of the two pivot ends of each of the brackets. In such a manner, the two of the brackets are pivoted about the two of the first pivot members, so that the polygonal frame is foldable.

An improved agility system can include a first stanchion rotatably secured within a storage area of a first base by a shaft and rotatable at least ninety degrees from the storage area into an upright position with respect to the first base. The system can include a second stanchion rotatably secured within a storage area of a first base by a shaft and rotatable at least ninety degrees from the storage area into an upright position with respect to the second base, a retaining means formed within the stanchions, and a bar suspendable horizontally by the retaining means. Retaining means can be comprised of bore holes or notches formed at various distances along the stanchions from their respective shafts, metallic or magnetic strips formed along sides of the first and second stanchions, or metallic or magnetic elements disposed at various distances along sides of the first and second stanchions.