ADAPTIVE RESISTANCE SYSTEM FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY AND BIOMECHANICS TRAINING

Abstract

An adaptable resistance system with improved attachment structures may feature a clamp body with modular weight discs which may then be added to the clamp body. The clamp structure allows for the use of the training weight on any position on an element of sports equipment, such as a paddle, racket, or stick, as well as the use of multiple weights on the same piece of equipment. Locking mechanisms may be employed to further secure the clamp of the resistance system to the sports equipment. Modular weights allow for further customization as a user may remove all modular weights or selectively position a desired quantity on the resistance system.

Claims

1. A resistance system comprising: a clamp, further comprising: two opposed jaws; a locking mechanism to secure the jaws in a fixed position; and a mount for at least one modular weight; at least one modular weight, attachable to the mount and each weight also attachable to other weights by the same means for attachment as needed to attach to the mount; and an item of sports equipment, upon which the clamp is affixed.

2. The resistance system of claim 1, each weight further comprising: a boss on one surface of the weight; an internal spring-actuated plunger with a portion extending outside a perimeter of the weight, the plunger also comprising a cam peg extending from a surface of the boss; and a keyway on an opposite surface of the weight, made to interface with the boss of another weight and further comprising a J-hook cam track; wherein, the boss is slid into the keyway and the cam peg interfaces with the J-hook cam track to secure weights together.

3. The resistance system of claim 2, the mount further comprising a keyway and J-hook cam track.

4. The resistance system of claim 2, the mount further comprising an boss and internal spring-actuated plunger with a cam peg extending from a surface of the boss.

5. The resistance system of claim 1, the item of sports equipment being selected from the set of sports equipment consisting of: a racket, a paddle, a sport stick, and a cesta.

6. A resistance device comprising: a clamp, further comprising: two opposed jaws; a locking mechanism to secure the jaws in a fixed position; and a mount for at least one modular weight; at least one modular weight, attachable to the mount and each weight also attachable to other weights by the same means for attachment as needed to attach to the mount.

7. The resistance device of claim 6, each weight further comprising: a boss on one surface of the weight; an internal spring-actuated plunger with a portion extending outside a perimeter of the weight, the plunger also comprising a cam peg extending from a surface of the boss; and a keyway on an opposite surface of the weight, made to interface with the boss of another weight and further comprising a J-hook cam track; wherein, the boss is slid into the keyway and the cam peg interfaces with the J-hook cam track to secure weights together.

8. The resistance device of claim 7, the mount further comprising a keyway and J-hook cam track.

9. The resistance device of claim 7, the mount further comprising an boss and internal spring-actuated plunger with a cam peg extending from a surface of the boss.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific example embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail using the accompanying drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a pickleball paddle with one embodiment of a training weight attached at a top position.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a pickleball paddle with two of the training weights of FIG. 1 attached at opposed lateral positions.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the pickleball paddle and training weight of FIG. 1, taken along line III-III.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pickleball paddle and training weight of FIG. 3, with the weight clamp opened.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the paddle and weight of FIG. 1, before attachment.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the paddle and weight of FIG. 3.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the paddle and weight of FIG. 1,

[0023] FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the paddle and weight of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the training weight of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 10 is an alternate view of the exploded view of FIG. 9.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of a weight, as used in the preceding Figures.

[0027] FIG. 12 is the weight of FIG. 11, with its plunger depressed.

[0028] FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the weight of FIG. 11, with its cover removed.

[0029] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the weight of FIG. 11.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0030] 100one embodiment of a training weight adapted for pickleball paddles; [0031] 110base jaw of the clamp of the training weight; [0032] 112accommodation groove of the base jaw; [0033] 115clamping surface of the base jaw; [0034] 120upper jaw of the clamp of the training weight; [0035] 122accommodation groove of the upper jaw; [0036] 123concave interface of upper jaw; [0037] 125clamping surface of the upper jaw; [0038] 127convex interface of upper clamping surface; [0039] 130attachment bolt head; [0040] 135attachment bolt body; [0041] 140modular weights; [0042] 142plunger [0043] 144plunger head/button; [0044] 146cam peg; [0045] 148spring; [0046] 149boss; [0047] 150clamp head; [0048] 152key way; [0049] 154hooked cam track; [0050] 200pickleball paddle; [0051] 210exterior surface, or face, of the pickleball paddle; and [0052] 220pickleball paddle edge guard, or rim.

DESCRIPTION

[0053] With reference now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the training weight is herein described. It should be noted that the articles a, an, and the, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. This Specification is illustrated with, and the drawings utilize, a pickleball paddle. It should be readily understood that this is merely exemplary and that, as described later, the invention may be practiced on other forms of sports equipment.

[0054] With reference to FIG. 1, the invention may be embodied as a simple clamp structure with modular weights 100 which may be placed along the rim of a pickleball paddle 200. FIG. 1 illustrates a placement at the top of the paddle, opposite the handle. Placement of the weight 100 is dependent upon the desires of the user, and multiple weights 100 may be used, as shown in FIG. 2 where two weights are positioned opposite each other and laterally about the paddle 200. Weight placement allows for different exercises to be practiced with different weight resistance for different desired effects on the human anatomy.

[0055] In the depicted embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3-9, the training aid may feature a clamp having a base jaw 110 and an upper jaw 120. In this Specification, the terms base and upper merely differentiate between a jaw portion which may be said to be stationary by defining a frame of reference and another which may be said to be pivotably mounted thereon. No directional limitation is intended to be inferred from the terms. The upper jaw 120 is pivotably mounted to the base jaw 110 in a manner that they mutually present accommodation grooves 112, 122 and clamping surfaces 115, 125, towards each other. Clamping surfaces 115, 125 may touch when the clamp jaws are closed and may be covered with a rubberized, textured, or other treatment to create a friction-positive surface. One or both surfaces 115, 125 may be positioned on a pivoting base to adapt to different thicknesses of clamped surfaces (inter alia, different thicknesses of rackets). Accommodation grooves 112, 122 are present to accommodate the edge guard, or rim 220, present in many paddles, sticks, or rackets. It should be noted that this rim 220 may or may not be present and may vary in height between rackets or sticks for the same intended use. It should also be realized that the size and shape of the clamp jaws, clamping surfaces, and accommodation grooves will vary depending upon the desired contexts of use.

[0056] As can be seen in FIGS. 3-8, the training weight is simply attached by opening the jaws 110, 120, placing them about a rim 220, and securing the jaws in a manner to prevent release. The disclosed locking means is a simple bolt 135 extending through the upper jaw 120 and anchored by some method in or on the base jaw 110. This bolt 135 may be secured by extending through the base jaw 110 and being fastened thereto by a simple nut, or bolt 135 may be anchored within the body of base jaw 110 itself. Once the clamp is positioned over the rim 220, the bolt 135 may be tightened by twisting its head 130 until the jaws 110, 120 fasten about the rim 220 and the clamping surfaces 115, 125 are securely abutting the face 210 of the paddle 200. The bolt 135 may then be locked in any manner or may be left as is. Once secured, the user may then practice and utilize training exercises, whether generally or those developed especially for their chosen sport, as desired.

[0057] One particular feature of the training weight 100 is the availability of modular weight discs 140, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The training weight allows use without a modular weight (as the clamp itself will add a certain amount of weight) and for the addition of one or more additional weights 140 as desired by the user. The modular weights 140 may be positioned on an attachment module 150 likewise attached to base jaw 110 and held in place by many different strategies. One strategy could be a threaded nut on an attachment bolt. Another method, as is illustrated, is the use of a cam lock system as is more clearly shown in FIGS. 11-14. Each weight 140 may contain an internal plunger 142 with an external button 144, biased into a default position by a spring 148. A cam peg 146 extends through a slot in the weight's cover. The cam peg extends through a boss 149 that likewise extends to one edge of the weight, ideally not along a line defined by the plunger 142. The boss 149 is beveled and fits within a rimmed keyway 152, provided on the opposite side of the weight (FIG. 14) and on attachment module 150. Within the keyway 152 is a J-hooked cam track 154 which guides the cam peg 146. Sliding the weight 140 along the keyway 152 biases the cam peg 146 and the associated plunger 142 against the spring 148. Upon reaching the hook, the pressure is released and the cam peg 146 resides within the hooked end. The boss 149 and keyway 152 then secure the weight 140 from being lifted or removed in any direction but the linear direction of the boss 149. The cam peg 146 secures the weight 146 from sliding off along the boss 149. Removal is then accomplished by pressing the button 144 and releasing the cam peg 146. It should be understood that the arrangement described is the best mode, but it is conceivable that the location of the boss 149 and keyway 152 could be reversed, with a boss 149 and plunger 142 located upon mount 150 instead of keyway 152. Other means of securement may be further developed.

[0058] Additional clamping surfaces may be developed for various rackets, paddles, or sports sticks.

[0059] In addition to training for better performance, physical therapy is a potential use of the invention. The particular use of the training weights on a paddle or racket, or any particular hand-held tool (not just sports equipment), allows for targeted, low-impact exercises which can strengthen individual muscles and tendons in the arm. Likewise, using the training weight on a stick or similar device can help target muscles of the forearm and back. These exercises can then be used to help rebuild muscles in specific muscle groups and increase flexibility and help re-establish balance and coordination of a patient. It is not the purpose of this application to outline specific exercises which may be utilized for either rehabilitation or performance, but rather to describe a new tool for trainers to enhance current practices and develop other exercises which may incorporate these tools.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. The embodiments described are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. Therefore, the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.