# US 10,245,459 B1 · Sports training system and method

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- Number: US 10,245,459 B1
- Document ID: US10245459B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/475,019
- Filed: 2017-03-30
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-30
- Applicants: Christopher Tolbert Cranke
- Inventors: Christopher Tolbert Cranke
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245459B1

## CPC

- A63B 21/4015: {to the foot}
- A43C 19/00: Attachments for footwear, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A63B 21/00043: {Exercising devices consisting of a pair of user interfaces connected by flexible elements, e.g. two handles connected by elastic bands (skipping ropes A63B5/20; resilient elements A63B21/02)}
- A63B 21/00061: {Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping}
- A63B 21/00065: {by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units}
- A63B 21/0407: {Anchored at two end points, e.g. installed within an apparatus}
- A63B 21/0552: {Elastic ropes or bands}
- A63B 21/0557: {Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps}
- A63B 21/4009: {to the waist}
- A63B 21/4039: {contoured to fit to specific body parts, e.g. back, knee or neck support (arrangements for attaching exercising apparatus to the user's body A63B21/4001; handles, pedals, bars or platforms A63B21/4033)}
- A63B 21/4043: {Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance (A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence)}
- A63B 23/0405: {involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously (A63B23/0476 takes precedence)}
- A63B 69/0028: {for running, jogging or speed-walking (movable endless bands A63B22/02)}
- A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia}
- A63B 2209/00: Characteristics of used materials
- A63B 2209/10: with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
- A63B 2225/09: Adjustable dimensions
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A physical training system includes a belt for fixing around the waist of a person and that includes a plurality of belt extension straps each adapted for fixing with the belt at any location therearound and preferably adjustable in length. Two shoes are adapted for wearing on the person's feet, each shoe including at least four attachment loops at opposing quadrants of the shoe and optional shoe extension straps. A plurality of elastomeric bands are selectively fixable between any of the belt extensions straps and the attachment loops or shoe extension straps of the shoes. As such, in use, the person while running experiences resistance as each leg extends into a fully extended position, and a reduction or cessation of resistance as each leg retracts into a non-extended position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A physical training system for use by a person, comprising:
a belt adapted for fixing around the waist of the person and including a plurality of belt extension straps each having a belt connecting mechanism at a top end thereof and a connection loop at a bottom end thereof, each belt extension strap adapted for fixing with the belt at any location therearound and including a length adjustment mechanism adapted for allowing the length of the belt extension strap to be selectively adjusted;
the belt including a loop-type fastening material on both an inside surface and an outside surface thereof, and a cooperative hook-type fastening material on an inside surface thereof at opposing first and second ends, the belt including a buckle mechanism adapted to receive the first and second ends of the belt therethrough, and wherein the belt connecting mechanism at the top end of each belt extension strap includes a hook-type fastening material on an inside surface thereof adapted for fixing about the loop-type fastening material on the inside surface and on the outside surface of the belt to fix the belt extension strap at a desired location on the belt;
two shoes adapted for wearing on the person's feet, each shoe including an outer side, an inner side, a rear end, a front end, a top side, and a bottom side, the shoe including at least four attachment loops, including an inner/front attachment loop attached with the shoe proximate the front end of the shoe on the inner side, an inner/rear attachment loop attached with the shoe proximate the rear end of the shoe on the inner side, an outer/front attachment loop attached with the shoe proximate the front end of the shoe on the outer side, and an outer/rear attachment loop attached with the shoe proximate the rear end of the shoe on the outer side;
a plurality of elastomeric bands each having a first end and a second end, the first end being selectively fixable with the connection loop of any of the belt extension straps, the second end being selectively fixable with any of the attachment loops of the shoes;
whereby with the person wearing the belt and shoes, and with the plurality of elastomeric bands stretched between the connection loops of the belt extension straps and the attachment loops of the shoes, the person while walking or running experiences resistance as each leg extends into a fully extended position, and experiences a reduction or cessation of resistance as each leg retracts into a non-extended position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 wherein each attachment loop of each shoe includes a strap member fixed at a lower end thereof with the shoe and terminating at an upper end in a loop, each loop adapted for selective fixing with second end of any of the elastomeric bands.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The physical training system of claim 2 further including a rigid ring traversing each loop of each strap member, each rigid ring adapted for fixing with the second end of any of the elastomeric bands.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The physical training system of claim 2 wherein each attachment loop of each shoe is selectively attached to the shoe at the lower end of the strap member with a strap member attachment mechanism.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The physical training system of claim 2 wherein the strap member of each forward attachment loop is made from a material having a contrasting color to that of the strap member of each rear attachment loop.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 further including a plurality of shoe extension straps each fixable at an upper end thereof with the second end of any of the plurality of elastomeric bands, and selectively fixable at a lower end thereof with any of the attachment loops of either shoe.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The physical training system of claim 6 wherein each end of each elastomeric band includes a selectively removable hook adapted for fixing with any of the attachment loops of the shoes, any of the connection loops of the belt extension straps, and any of the upper ends of the shoe extension straps.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The physical training system of claim 6 wherein at least one of the shoe extension straps further includes a second length adjustment mechanism adapted for allowing the length of the shoe extension strap to be selectively adjusted.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The physical training system of claim 8 wherein the second length adjustment mechanism of the at least one shoe extension strap is a buckle mechanism.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 wherein the belt further includes at least two hip pads, each hip pad having a pair of vertical, parallel slots adapted for receiving the belt therethrough, whereby with the belt inserted into each of the slots the hip pad may be adjusted to any location around the belt to cushion forces pulling down on the belt onto the person's hips.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of elastomeric bands includes elastomeric bands having at least two different elasticities.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 wherein each belt extension further includes a rigid ring traversing each connection loop of each belt extension strap, each rigid ring adapted for fixing with the first end of any of the elastomeric bands.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 wherein each belt extension strap further includes an auxiliary tension ring fixed therewith, such that external lateral forces may be applied to the auxiliary tension ring to further enhance the physical training of the person.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 wherein the belt further includes an internal resilient stiffener, such that the belt retains a circular shape when in-use.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 wherein the attachment loops of each shoe may be fixed together to tighten the shoe around the person's foot with a conventional shoelace.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 wherein the belt further includes a buckle cover having the hook-type fastening material on an inside surface thereof and adapted for fixing with the belt to cover the buckle mechanism, and wherein the buckle cover further includes the loop-type fastening material on an outside surface thereof, whereby each belt extension strap may be fixed with the belt at the buckle cover.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 wherein each end of each elastomeric band includes a selectively removable hook adapted for fixing with any of the attachment loops of the shoes and any of the connection loops of the belt extension straps.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The physical training system of claim 1 wherein the length adjustment mechanism of the at least one belt extension strap is a buckle mechanism.