DYNAMIC EXERCISE SYSTEM

Abstract

This present disclosure relates to a dynamic exercise system to permit a sports training implement to move smoothly to any point within a defined area, such that the training implement moves in reaction to applied forces, and such that torque, including those applied externally to the training implement and any within or between any elements of the mechanism, are dissipated without prejudice to the smooth linear motion of the implement. In particular, a dynamic exercise system is provided which comprises: a first rigid member comprising a first trolley; a second rigid member comprising a second trolley, wherein the first trolley and second trolley are configured to be movable linearly along and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective first and second members; a third rigid member attached at a first end to the first trolley and at a second end to the second trolley via respective first and second flexible connectors; a third trolley mounted on the third rigid member configured to be movable linearly along the third rigid member, the third trolley comprising means for connection to an exercise device.

Claims

1.-17. (canceled)

18. A dynamic exercise system comprising: a first rigid member comprising a first trolley; a second rigid member comprising a second trolley, wherein the first trolley and second trolley are configured to be movable linearly along and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the respective first and second members; a third rigid member attached at a first end to the first trolley and at a second end to the second trolley via respective first and second flexible connectors; a third trolley mounted on the third rigid member configured to be movable linearly along the third rigid member, the third trolley comprising means for connection to an exercise device.

19. The dynamic exercise system of claim 18, wherein the first and second rigid members are substantially parallel.

20. The dynamic exercise system of claim 18, wherein the first, second and third rigid members are tubular.

21. The dynamic exercise system of claim 18, wherein each trolley comprises a rigid supporting frame and at least one pulley wheel disposed within the frame.

22. The dynamic system of claim 21 wherein the or each pulley wheel of each trolley is configured to engage with a respective first, second or third rigid member.

23. The dynamic exercise system of claim 22 wherein an engaging surface of the or each pulley wheel of each trolley has a substantially arcuate profile having a radius of curvature larger than the radius of the respective rigid member.

24. The dynamic exercise system of claim 22 wherein an engaging surface of the or each pulley wheel of each trolley has a profile which substantially matches the profile of the respective rigid member.

25. The dynamic exercise system of claim 18, wherein the third trolley is configured to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the third member.

26. The dynamic exercise system of claim 18, wherein the flexible connector comprises a first hook coupled to the third rigid member, the respective first trolley and second trolley comprising means for receiving said first hook such that the third rigid member is rotatable with respect to the respective trolley.

27. The dynamic exercise system of claim 26 wherein the means for receiving said first hook is formed as a second hook interlinkable with the first hook.

28. The dynamic exercise system of claim 18, wherein the means for connection to an exercise device comprises a connection hook which is rotatable with respect to the third trolley.

29. The dynamic exercise system of claim 18, further comprising resilient restraining means configured to moderate movement of the exercise device relative to the first rigid member and the second rigid member.

30. The dynamic exercise system of claim 29 wherein the resilient restraining means comprises at least one resilient member connected at a first end to the exercise device and at the second end to a fixed point relative to the first rigid member and the second rigid member.

31. The dynamic exercise device of claim 30 further comprising a plurality of resilient members, each fixed at a first end to the exercise device and at a second end to one of at least a first and second fixed point, wherein the first and second fixed points are at different locations.

32. The dynamic exercise device of claim 31 wherein each of the plurality of resilient members has a defined resilience, and wherein the resilience of at least one of the plurality of resilient members is different to the resilience of at least one other of the plurality of resilient members.

33. The dynamic exercise system of claim 18, wherein the first and second rigid members are configured for connection to a rigid support frame.

34. The dynamic exercise system of claim 18, wherein the exercise device is one of a punchbag, a maize bag, or a grappling dummy.

Description

FIGURES

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates a dynamic exercise system according to an aspect of the disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative perspective of a member and trolley as shown in FIG. 1; and

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the member and trolley shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, there are shown two parallel, rigid, members 1 and 2 (which may or may not be mounted to a rigid free-standing structure, or to a ceiling), upon which run trolleys 3 and 4, respectively. In this embodiment the members 1 and 2 are made of metal, but it is understood that other materials may be used. The members may be tubular to engage with a pulley wheel, however other profiles are envisaged which match a pulley wheel profile.

[0043] The trolleys 3 and 4 are free to move linearly along, and rotate about the axes of, the members 1 and 2. The members 1 and 2 may or may not be sleeved in another material for any purpose, including that of reducing resistance to either or both of the linear and rotational motions of the trolleys 3 and 4, or for the purpose of reducing noise as the trolleys 3 and 4 move.

[0044] The trolleys 3 and 4 attach to either end of a further rigid, tubular member 5 of substantially similar characteristics to members 1 and 2 through motive mechanisms, such as hooks 8 and 9 not illustrated in detail, but which have the capacity for rotational motion with respect to the trolleys 3 and 4. The attachment of the member 5 to the trolleys 3 and 4 is such that trolleys 3 and 4 are capable of some degree of independent motion on their respective members. In this embodiment, the mechanisms 8 and 9 interlink with U-shaped hooks 10 and 11, which attach to either end of the member 5 in a manner not shown. This permits the member 5 to swing in a plane perpendicular to its extent. A further trolley 6 of substantially similar characteristics to trolleys 3 and 4 is free to move linearly and rotationally on the member 5. The linear motion of trolleys 3 and 4 along the members 1 and 2, respectively, enables the member 5 to travel linearly. The capacity of trolleys 3 and 4 for independent motion (enabled by the non-rigidity of the attachment mechanisms 8 and 9) means that the member 5 is capable of rotation in a plane parallel with the floor.

[0045] In this embodiment the trolleys 3,4,6 have face plates of the type 12 on both ends of the body. Any device (not shown) may be secured to the face plate 12 in any manner to cause the trolley 3,4,6 to rebound when it reaches the end of its respective member 1,2,5. This device could take the form, for example, of a spring, piston, or rubber buffer.

[0046] In this embodiment the attachment 7 on trolley 6 provides a mounting system for attaching any training implement to the trolley 6, in such a way that the training implement may rotate about an axis perpendicular to the floor. This is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, illustrating a trolley of the kind 3,4,6, a metal housing 13 contains one or more pulley wheel(s) 14, with the radius of curvature of the profile of the pulley wheels being larger than or matching that of the cross-section of the supporting members 1, 2 and 5 respectively. The pulley wheel(s) 14 is constructed of a material with sufficiently low coefficient of friction that it may rotate in about the member upon which it sits with minimal impedance. In this embodiment the housing 13 is machined steel, but it is understood that other materials and construction techniques may be used. The pulley wheel(s) 14 rotate about an axle 15, which is secured to the housing 13 in a manner not detailed, but could include both ends of the axle being threaded and bolted on the outside of the housing 13. The free rotation of the pulley wheel(s) 14 is achieved in a manner not shown and/or by the use of a rotary bearing attaching the axle 15 to the pulley wheel(s) 14. This permits the trolleys 3, 4 and 6 to move smoothly along the members 1, 2 and 5, respectively. In this embodiment, the pulley wheel(s) 14 are maintained in a position central to the housing 13 by the use of spring washers 16 and 17, though it is understood that other means may be used. The housing 13 may contain at least one further pulley wheel 18 mounted to the housing 13 such that a member 1,2,5 may fit between the pulley wheels 14 and 18. The pulley wheel(s) 18 are mounted to the housing 13 by means of an axle 19. In this embodiment the axle 19 is mounted using the same mechanism as does axle 15, and the pulley wheel 18 is maintained centrally in the housing 13 by the same mechanism (not shown) as is pulley wheel(s) 14, though it is understood that different approaches not illustrated may be used. Zero or more eyelets 20 may be attached to the housing 13 of any trolley 3,4,6 in a manner not shown for any purpose including the attachment of zero or more elasticated cables (not shown in FIG. 1) which may be secured at the other end in any manner, including externally. In this embodiment, a single eyelet 20 is secured to the top of the housing 13.

[0048] In this embodiment, the trolleys 3,4,6 are alike, however it is understood that they may differ in any respect, for instance the pulley wheel(s) may have profiles of different curvatures to account for the members 1,2,5 having different diameters.