TRAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

A training apparatus 1 comprising a structure 3 and exercise equipment 5, wherein the structure 3 includes a first side wall 7, a second side wall 9 and a partition 11; the partition 11 extends between the first side wall 7 and the second side wall 9 and comprises a breaching door 17; and the exercise equipment 5 is fixed to an external surface of the structure 3.

Claims

1. A training apparatus comprising a structure and exercise equipment, wherein the structure includes a first side wall, a second side wall and a partition; the partition extends between the first side wall and the second side wall and comprises a breaching door; and the exercise equipment is mounted to an external surface of the structure.

2. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structure is positionable on a ground surface and at least some of the exercise equipment is configured to be engageable with the ground surface.

3. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least some of the exercise equipment is fixed to the first side wall and/or the second side wall.

4. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least some of the exercise equipment is located adjacent to the external surface of the first side wall and at least some of the exercise equipment is located adjacent to the external surface of the second side wall.

5. A training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is an ISO shipping container.

6. A training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first side wall and/or the second side wall comprise a reinforced portion and/or a wooden portion.

7. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the reinforced portion is a ballistic wall.

8. A training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall comprises at least one breaching window.

9. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 8, when dependent on claim 6 or 7, wherein the breaching window is provided in the reinforced portion and/or wooden portion.

10. A training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first side wall and the second wall comprises at least one aperture.

11. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 10, when dependent on claim 6 or 7, wherein the aperture is provided in the reinforced portion and/or wooden portion.

12. A training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure comprises a roof extending between the first side wall and the second side wall and the partition extends to the roof.

13. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least some of the exercise equipment is located at a height above the roof.

14. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein at least some of the exercise equipment is fixed to the roof.

15. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the roof is strengthened such that it is capable of supporting the weight of one or more adult person(s) training thereon.

16. A training apparatus as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the roof comprises a roof hatch.

17. A training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure comprises a floor extending between the first side wall and the second wall and the partition extends to the floor.

18. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the floor comprises a floor hatch.

19. A training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the partition is a first partition and the breaching door is a first breaching door, and the structure further comprises a second partition, the second partition extending between the first side wall and the second side wall and comprising a second breaching door.

20. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 19, when dependent on claim 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16 and/or 18, wherein the reinforced portion, the breaching window, the aperture, the roof hatch and/or the floor hatch are located between the first partition and the second partition.

21. A training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure comprises an internal cage for providing structural support to the structure.

22. A training apparatus comprising the training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and a second structure, wherein: the second structure includes a first side wall, a second side wall and a partition, the partition extending between the first side wall and the second side wall and comprising a breaching door; and the second structure is located on top of and is fixed to the training apparatus of any preceding claim.

23. A training apparatus comprising the training apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21 and a second structure, wherein: the second structure includes a first side wall, a second side wall and a partition, the partition extending between the first side wall and the second side wall and comprising a breaching door; and the training apparatus of any preceding claim is located on top of and is fixed to the second structure.

24. A training apparatus comprising exercise equipment, the exercise equipment comprising a framework, and the training apparatus comprising a breaching door mounted in a door frame of the framework.

25. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the framework comprises an outer frame having at least two upright members each extending vertically in the same general plane as the door frame with at least one upright member on each side of the door frame, and a cross member extending between the upright members above the breaching door.

26. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the door frame has a pair of upright jambs and each jamb is rigidly secured to a respective upright member of the outer frame.

27. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 24, 25 or 26, comprising a set of rolling members attached to the framework.

28. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the vertical position of each rolling member is adjustable relative to the framework so as to be movable between a lower position allowing the rolling members to roll along the ground when the frame is to be moved, and a raised position allowing feet of the framework to engage the ground.

29. A training apparatus as claimed in any of claims 24 to 28, wherein the framework comprises at least two mutually perpendicular members, and a stiffening member extending between respective portions of the at least two mutually perpendicular members at a non-perpendicular angle to both the members.

30. A training apparatus comprising exercise equipment, the exercise equipment comprising a framework, and the framework comprising feet for engaging the ground, at least two mutually perpendicular members, a stiffening member extending between respective portions of the at least two mutually perpendicular members at a non-perpendicular angle to both the members, and a set of rolling members attached to the framework, the vertical position of each rolling member being adjustable relative to the framework so as to be movable between a lower position allowing the rolling members to roll along the ground when the framework is to be moved, and a raised position allowing the feet of the framework to engage the ground.

31. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein the at least two mutually perpendicular members and the stiffening member are arranged in a generally horizontal plane.

32. A training apparatus as claimed in any of claims 24 to 31, comprising a plurality of plates all arranged in the same general vertical plane, for mounting the apparatus to a structure.

33. A training apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the exercise equipment comprises functional training equipment.

Description

[0069] Certain preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0070] FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of a first embodiment;

[0071] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the embodiment;

[0072] FIG. 3 shows a cut-away plan view of the embodiment;

[0073] FIG. 4 shows a cut-away perspective view of the embodiment;

[0074] FIG. 5 shows another cut-away perspective view of the embodiment;

[0075] FIG. 6 shows a cut-away end view of the embodiment;

[0076] FIG. 7 shows another perspective view of the embodiment;

[0077] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment;

[0078] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the second embodiment;

[0079] FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a bracket of the second embodiment;

[0080] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the bracket;

[0081] FIG. 12 shows a first perspective view of a third embodiment; and

[0082] FIG. 13 shows a second perspective view of the third embodiment.

[0083] With reference to the Figures, a training apparatus 1 comprising a structure 3 and exercise equipment 5 is shown. The structure 3 includes a first side wall 7, a second side wall 9, two partitions 11, a roof 13 and a floor 15. Each partition 11 is an internal partition (i.e. not located at the ends of the structure 3) and extends between the first side wall 7, the second side wall 9, the roof 13 and the floor 15, such that the partition contacts each of these components and effectively blocks of one end of the structure 3 from the end. Each partition 11 comprises a breaching door 17. The exercise equipment 5 is mounted to an external surface of the structure 3.

[0084] Although in general the exercise equipment 5 present may vary, in this embodiment the exercise equipment comprises monkey bars, cantilevered wings, squat racks, climbing ropes, climbing rope towers climbing nets and climbing ladders.

[0085] The first side wall 7, the second side wall 9 and each partition 11 are vertically orientated. The first side wall 7 and the second side wall 9 extend parallel to one another. The first side wall 7 and the second sidewall 9 have equal heights. Each partition 11 extends perpendicularly to the inner surface of the first 7 and second 9 sidewalls. Each partition 11 is fixed to the inner surface of the first 7 and second 9 sidewalls, such that each partition 11 is in contact with the inner surfaces along its entire height.

[0086] In use, the structure 3 is positioned on a ground surface and at least some of the exercise equipment 5 is engaged with the ground surface. The exercise equipment 5 comprises horizontal components 16 projecting outward horizontally from the structure 5. The horizontal components 16 are connected to respective vertical components 19 which are engaged with the ground via ground-engaging plates 21. There is a bar 23 horizontally interconnecting adjacent connected respective horizontal 17 and vertical components 19.

[0087] The exercise equipment 5 comprises a plurality of cantilever components 25, each cantilever component 25 being supported by a respective vertical component 27, and a plurality of horizontal bars 29 interconnected between adjacent cantilever components 25.

[0088] At least some of the exercise equipment 5 is fixed to the first side wall 7 and the second side wall 9.

[0089] Thus, at least some of the exercise equipment 5 is located adjacent to the external surface of the first side wall 7 and at least some of the exercise equipment 5 is located adjacent to the external surface of the second side wall 9. This allows exercise equipment to be located on opposite sides of the structure and hence effectively surround the structure 3 with the partition 11 therein.

[0090] The training apparatus 1 further comprises buttresses 31 extending from the training apparatus 1 to the ground. The buttresses extend from the vertical components 19 of the exercise equipment 5.

[0091] The structure 3 used in the present embodiment is an ISO shipping container.

[0092] The first side wall 7 and the second side wall 9 each comprises a shooting wall, which may take the form of a reinforced portion 33. The reinforced portion 33 takes the form of a ballistic wall. The reinforced portion 33 is provided with a lining. Alternatively, the element 33 could be a plywood panel.

[0093] The reinforced portion 33 of the second side wall 9 comprises a breaching window 35. In the present embodiment, the reinforced portion 33 is a pre-fabricated element that replaces a corresponding section of the side walls 7, 9 of the structure 3.

[0094] The first side wall 7 and the second wall 9 comprise a plurality of apertures 37, the apertures 37 being positioned at various heights and locations in the side walls 7, 9. The apertures 37 are provided in the reinforced portion 33.

[0095] The partitions 11 may comprise panels 49 and the breaching door 17. The partitions 11 are at least partially supported by a beam 51 connecting to the upper edge of the partition. The beam 51 is horizontal and is fixed to the roof 13. The beam 51 extends from the first side wall to the second side wall. The frame of the breaching door 17 is connected to the beam 51.

[0096] The roof 13 is strengthened such that it is capable of supporting the weight of one or more adult person(s) training thereon. The external surface of the roof 13 comprises a non-slip coating. The roof 13 comprises a balustrade 39. The balustrade 39 comprises two gates 53. Each gate 53 is positioned at an opposite end of the structure 3. The balustrade 39 is provided around the perimeter of the roof 13 and extends vertically.

[0097] The roof 13 comprises a roof hatch 41. The roof hatch 41 comprises a rectangular hole 43 in the roof 13, the edges of the hole 43 being supported by a frame 45. The frame 45 is substantially the same shape as the hole 43. The frame 45 comprises a plurality of interconnecting strengthening steel beams. The frame 45 is connected to the partition 11 by additional beams 47 at the beam 51. The frame 45 and the beams 47 are connected to the lower surface of the roof 13.

[0098] The additional beams 47, the horizontal beams 51 and the frame of the breaching door 17 may form an internal cage that acts to structurally support the training apparatus 1.

[0099] There is a climbing rope provided to allow user to climb out of the roof hatch 41. The rope is suspended above the roof hatch 41 by means of rope tower 56. There is a climbing net 57 extending from the ground to the roof 13 of the structure.

[0100] In this particular embodiment, the structure 3 also comprises external doors 55 at each end of the structure 3.

[0101] The second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. A training apparatus 1 comprises exercise equipment 5. The exercise equipment comprises a framework 6 which supports various types of exercise equipment, including a cantilevered wing 25, a pull up bar 61, a climbing wall 63, a rope tower 65 with rings 67 suspended from ropes 69.

[0102] The training apparatus 1 of the second embodiment also comprises a breaching door 17 supported in a door frame 71. The door frame 71 provides a secure mount for the breaching door 17. It has a sill 73, two upright jambs 75 and a head 77.

[0103] The region of the training apparatus where the breaching door is provided will be subject to severe loading in use, in particular shock loading due to actions to breach the door, and hence requires sufficient strength. Therefore an outer frame 79 is provided.

[0104] The outer frame 79 has two upright members 81 each laterally spaced from the door frame in its general plane. Each upright member 81 rests on a respective ground engaging plate 83. The laterally inner ends of the ground engaging plates 83 provide support for the jambs 75 of the door frame and, via the jambs, for the door sill 73. A pair of vertically spaced lateral bars 83 is provided above the door frame. The upright members 81 are laterally interconnected by the lateral bars 83. At least the lower lateral bar 83 forms a cross member of the outer frame. The lower lateral bar 83 is connected to the head 77 of the door frame and provides support for it.

[0105] The framework 6 of the exercise equipment 5 comprises a plurality of upright members 91, each of which is provided at its lower end with a respective ground engaging plate 92. These plates may rest on the floor or ground without further attachment, or they may be attached to the floor or ground, for example by bolting.

[0106] The framework is provided with a set of wheels 93 which may be upwardly retracted to allow the ground engaging plates 92 to engage the ground or they may be lowered relative to the framework 6 in order to lift and allow it to be easily moved. Each of the wheels 94 of the set of wheels 93 is provided as part of a wheel unit 95. The uprights 91 are provided in a plurality of pairs, with a horizontal bar 96 extending between the two upright members 91 of a pair close to ground level but upwardly spaced therefrom. Each horizontal bar 96 is formed with a hole through which passes a tube 97 of a respective wheel unit 95. The tube 97 is rigidly secured to the bar 96. Above each tube 97 a rotatable handle 98 is provided. By rotating the handle 98 the wheel 94 may be moved up or down relative to the tube 97. Since the tube 97 is immovably fixed to the horizontal bar 96 of the framework 6, such up or down movement of the wheel can lower or raise, respectively, the framework 6 relative to the ground. The wheel unit 95 is itself of a known type.

[0107] As will be seen from FIGS. 8 and 9, the framework 6 comprises a plurality of mutually perpendicular members. As seen in FIG. 9, a stiffening member 101 extends between respective portions of two mutually perpendicular members 103 and 105. In this embodiment a plurality of such stiffening members 101 are provided. The stiffening members served to stiffen the framework. This is particularly useful because the frame work is free standing and is not supported by an adjacent structure. The stiffening members 101 help to stabilise the training apparatus both when it is being used for training and when it is being moved on its wheels.

[0108] Further details of the mounting of the stiffening member are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The stiffening member 101 is in the form of a flat elongate plate which extends diagonally between respective end plates 102 and 104, which are also elongate plates. The plate 101 is arranged in a generally horizontal plane, whilst the end plates 102 and 104 are each arranged in a generally vertical plane. End plates 102 and 104 are mutually perpendicular. The stiffening plate 101 is welded at each end to the respective end plates 102 and 104 to create a bracket 106. Each bracket 106 is welded at a corner between two mutually perpendicular members of the framework 6. The end plates of the bracket are bolted to these mutually perpendicular members.

[0109] In this embodiment, the bracket is used between a pair of mutually perpendicular members which are arranged in a generally horizontal plane, but in alternative embodiments, the bracket could be used between a horizontal member and an upright member, i.e. mutually perpendicular members which are in a generally vertical plane. Some embodiments may include a bracket in a generally horizontal plane and another bracket in a generally vertical plane.

[0110] In this embodiment a plurality of brackets is advantageously provided.

[0111] In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, training apparatus 1 comprises exercise equipment 5 which consists of a framework 6. The exercise equipment comprises various components, including climbing ropes, a climbing rope tower, a climbing net, a pull-up bar and a climbing wall.

[0112] The training apparatus comprises first and second breaching doors 17. Each breaching door is provided in a door frame 71 which is itself supported by an outer frame 79, as in the second embodiment.

[0113] In the training apparatus of the third embodiment, a plurality of lateral mounting plates 110 is provided. Each plate extends in a generally vertical plane, and collectively the plurality of the plates all extend in the same vertical plane. In use, the plates are used to bolt or otherwise secure the training apparatus 1 to a wall of a structure. This may be a structure as shown and described in relation to the first embodiment, i.e. a transportable structure, or it may be a non-transportable structure such as a building.

[0114] It will therefore be seen that in all the embodiments there is provided a training apparatus comprising exercise equipment and a breaching door, in line with the broad aspect of the invention mentioned above. This allows personnel to practice breaching whilst being physically tired, after having used the exercise equipment. The breaching door may be provided as part of a partition of a structure, as in the first embodiment, or it may be mounted in a door frame of a framework which is part of the exercise equipment, as in the second and third embodiments.