Support Apparatus For Plyometric Exercise

Abstract

A support apparatus for use during plyometric exercise. The apparatus includes a resilient body having a cuboid shape. A flexible cover is provided that surrounds the body. The cuboid body has a height, width and depth which are all of different lengths to each other such that the apparatus may be arranged in three different orientations in which an uppermost face defines a landing platform of three different heights. The body includes a foam core and a shock absorbing layer located at and bonded to the outer surface of the core that surrounds and encapsulates the core. The shock absorbing layer is formed of a foam material having a density greater than the foam core and is located at all six sides of the apparatus such that an intermediate layer is located at the upper face of the apparatus to define a landing platform whatever the orientation of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A support apparatus for use during plyometric exercise comprising a resilient body having a cuboid shape, wherein the cuboid body has a height, width and depth which are all of different lengths to each other such that the apparatus may be arranged in three different orientations in which the uppermost face defines a landing platform of three different heights, and the wherein the body comprises a shock absorbing layer formed of a resilient material located at all six sides of the apparatus such that a shock absorbing layer is located at the upper face of the apparatus to define a landing platform whatever the orientation of the apparatus.

2. The support apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a core and wherein the shock absorbing layer is located at the outer surface of the core.

3. The support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shock absorbing layer has a density greater than the core.

4. The support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the core and the shock absorbing layer are formed from a foam material.

5. The support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the shock absorbing layer is bonded to the outer surface of the core.

6. The support apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a flexible cover surrounding the resilient body.

7. The support apparatus according to claim 6 comprising an outer cushioning layer surrounding and encapsulating the shock absorbing layer between the intermediate layer and the flexible cover.

8. The support apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the outer cushioning layer is bonded to the shock absorbing layer.

9. The support apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the core is formed of a polyethylene foam material.

10. The support apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the shock absorbing layer is formed of a foam material having a density of between 100 kgm.sup.3 and 140 kgm.sup.3.

11. The support apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the shock absorbing layer is formed of a foam material having a density of between 120 kgm.sup.3.

12. The support apparatus according claim 7, wherein the outer cushioning layer is formed of a foam material having a density of between 20 kgm.sup.3 and 40 kgm.sup.3.

13. The support apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the outer cushioning layer is formed of a foam material having a density of 30 kgm.sup.3.

14. The support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the flexible cover comprises an opening for accessing inserting and removing the core from the cover, the opening comprising a fastenable seam extending around at least three sides of the body proximate one end, the seam including a fastener for closing the opening.

15. The support apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the opening seam is located between 20 mm and 40 mm inwardly from the proximate end.

16. The support apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the opening seam is located 28 mm from the proximate end.

17. The support apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each face of the flexible cover includes a perimeter section and a central panel secured to the perimeter and one of the perimeter section and central panel is formed of a material having a greater coefficient of friction than the other.

18. The support apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the central panels are formed of a material having a greater coefficient of friction than the perimeter material.

19. The support apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the central panels are thermally welded to the perimeter sections.

20. A support apparatus for use during plyometric exercise comprising a resilient body having a cuboid shape including a height, width and depth which are all of different lengths to each other such that the apparatus may be arranged in three different orientations in which the uppermost face defines a landing platform of three different heights, and wherein each face of the resilient comprises a resilient landing surface such that the upper face of the apparatus defines a landing platform whatever the orientation of the apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a plyometric apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 shows the plyometric apparatus of FIG. 1 in the second of three orientations defining three varying heights;

[0022] FIG. 3 shows the plyometric apparatus of FIG. 1 in the third of three orientations defining three varying heights; and

[0023] FIG. 4 is shows the internal core of a plyometric apparatus surrounding by an intermediate layer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the various embodiments of the invention, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. Although exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.

[0025] It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a component is intended also to include composition of a plurality of components. References to a composition containing a constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named.

[0026] Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0027] Ranges may be expressed herein as from about or approximately or substantially one particular value and/or to about or approximately or substantially another particular value. When such a range is expressed, other exemplary embodiments include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value.

[0028] Similarly, as used herein, substantially free of something, or substantially pure, and like characterizations, can include both being at least substantially free of something, or at least substantially pure, and being completely free of something, or completely pure.

[0029] By comprising or containing or including is meant that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step is present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, method steps, even if the other such compounds, material, particles, method steps have the same function as what is named.

[0030] It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention of one or more components in a composition does not preclude the presence of additional components than those expressly identified.

[0031] The materials described as making up the various elements of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, a support apparatus 1 is provided to facilitate the performance of plyometric exercises. The support apparatus 1 comprises a cuboid shape body 2 having six rectangular faces 4. The six faces 4 comprise three pairs of opposing faces 6, 8 and 10. Each of the three pairs of opposing rectangular faces 6, 8 and 10 is different in size to the other two pairs, such that regardless of the orientation of the cuboid apparatus 1, the height, width and depth are always three different lengths.

[0033] In the orientation shown in FIG. 1 face 6 defines the front face of the cuboid apparatus 1, with the face 8 being one of the side faces and the face 10 defining the upper face. Each face has a correspondingly sized face on the opposing side of the cuboid. The width w of the cuboid corresponds to the longest side of the front face 6, and the height h corresponds to its shortest side. The depth d of the cuboid corresponds to the shortest side of the side face 8. The longest side of the side face 8 is the height h of the cuboid and corresponds to the shortest length of the front face 6. The depth d also defines the shortest side of the upper face 10, with the longest side of the upper face 10 corresponding to the width w and the longest side of the front face 6. The width w, height h and depth d are all different lengths, with each length being different from the other two.

[0034] The cuboid 1 may be arranged such that that it is supported on any one of the six faces 6, 8 and 10, with that face defining the base of the apparatus in that orientation. The height of the apparatus varies depending on which of the faces 6, 8 or 10 forms the base and correspondingly the upper face of the apparatus. As such, there are six alternative orientations that result in three different heights of the apparatus, the height being the vertical distance of the upper face from the base. Therefore, three jump platforms of varying height may be provided by the apparatus 1 of the present invention by simply reorienting the apparatus 1, rather than requiring three separating apparatus of varying heights.

[0035] In order for the apparatus to be used in any orientation, each of the faces 6, 8 and 10 must be suitable for use as a jump platform. Soft plyometric boxes of the prior art comprise a single dense foam upper layer located at the jump surface. Beneath the upper layer is provided a body formed from lower density foam with a greater compressibility than the upper layer. This arrangement provides a jump platform of suitable resilience that minimizes deformation and compression of the upper jump platform while also being soft enough to prevent impact injury. Meanwhile the lower density body provides cushioning beneath the upper panel, as well as minimizing the weight of the apparatus. An apparatus of this arrangement may only be used in a single orientation in which the dense foam layer is arranged at the upper surface.

[0036] The present invention therefore provides a foam core surrounded on all sides by an intermediate layer of denser foam material. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 1 comprises a cuboid block core 16 formed of low density foam such as a Polyurethane foam having a density of approximately 33 kgm.sup.3. Surrounding the core is an intermediate layer 18 of rebounded foam, formed from polyurethane foam pieces, having a density of 120 kgm.sup.3, and a thickness of 38 mm. The intermediate layer is formed from six panels arranged and bonded to each of the six faces of the core 16 and to each of the adjacent panels along their coincident overlapping edges to surround and encapsulate the core 16. The rebounded foam of the intermediate layer 18 provides shock absorption to absorb the impact force when the user lands on the apparatus. The rebounded foam of the intermediate layer 18 is also sufficiently structurally rigid to maintain the form of the apparatus by minimizing overall compression across the height of the apparatus. In any orientation, the intermediate layer 18, by virtue of the fact it is arranged on every side of the apparatus, provides an upper horizontal surface supported vertically at all four edges by the vertical side panels of the intermediate layer 18, thereby resulting in significantly lower compressibility than is achieved where the upper surface is only supported vertically by a lower density foam material core.

[0037] A further outer layer 20 surrounds and encapsulates the intermediate layer 18. The outer foam layer 20 is formed from lower density foam than the intermediate layer 18, which may be a Polyethylene or Polyethylene Rebounded foam, and is preferably a reticulated polyethylene foam having a density of 30 kgm.sup.3. The thickness of the outer layer is approximately 20 mm, which is almost 50% thinner than the intermediate layer 18. The outer layer 20 provides a soft feel to the outer surface by providing a thin outer layer that is lighter and more compressible than the intermediate layer 18 beneath it. The outer layer 20 is formed from six panels bonded to the outer surface of the intermediate layer 18, between the intermediate layer 18 and the outer cover 24.

[0038] The layered foam body is surrounded by an outer cover 24 that is formed from a flexible but substantially inelastic material selected for its strength and tear resistance such as vinyl. Each comprises a perimeter section 26 formed from a first flexible cover material. Within the perimeter section is located a central panel 27 that is formed from a flexible cover material having a greater coefficient of friction relative to the perimeter section to provide a landing panel with increased grip, with the perimeter section being relatively smoother to minimize abrasion should a user slip and drag their legs along the outer edges.

[0039] To enable the cover 24 to be applied to and removed from the body, a zip fastener 28 is provide to enable one end of the cover 24 to be opened. The zip fastener 28 extends around four adjacent sides of the cover proximate and parallel to one proximate adjacent end running parallel to the edges surrounding that end. The zip fastener 28 is spaced a distance t of approximately 20-40 mm from the closest end face, and preferably at a distance t of 28 mm. This spacing has been found to be optimum as it distances the zip far enough from the edge to ensure that the zip fastener 28 is not forced open by direct contact with the edge by a user. The spacing is also small enough that the zip fastener 28 is maintained sufficiently far from the main landing panel 26 that impact forces to not pull directly on the zip 28 causing it to open or tear. The zip fastener 28 is also covered by elongate flaps 30 located either side of the zip 28 along each side thereby preventing direct contact with the zip 28 to prevent damage to the zip 28 and potential abrasion to the user.

[0040] Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.