# US 2014/0194249 A1 · Speed and/or agility training devices and systems and methods of use thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194249 A1 - Document ID: US20140194249A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/204,578 - Filed: 2014-03-11 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-23 - Inventors: Paul Mazzanobile; Evan Baumgarten - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194249A1 ## CPC - A63B 24/0087: {Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load} - A63B 22/20: using rollers, wheels, castors or the like, {e.g. gliding means,} to be moved over the floor or other surface, {e.g. guide tracks,} during exercising - A63B 26/003: {for improving balance or equilibrium (balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16)} - A63B 69/0028: {for running, jogging or speed-walking (movable endless bands A63B22/02)} - A63B 69/0053: {Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort} - A63B 71/06: Indicating or scoring devices for games or players {, or for other sports activities} - A63B 2071/0072: {Limiting the applied force, torque, movement or speed} - A63B 2071/0081: {Stopping the operation of the apparatus} - A63B 2071/0683: {Input by handheld remote control} - A63B 2220/12: Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS - A63B 2220/20: Distances or displacements - A63B 2220/805: Optical or opto-electronic sensors - A63B 2220/89: Field sensors, e.g. radar systems - A63B 2225/20: with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like - A63B 2225/605: Floating - A63B 2230/06: heartbeat rate only - A63B 2230/20: blood composition characteristics - A63B 2230/30: blood pressure (A63B2230/04 takes precedence) - A63B 2230/43: Composition of exhaled air - A63B 2230/433: partial CO2 value - A63B 2230/436: partial O2 value - A63B 2230/65: skin conductivity - A63B 2230/75: calorie expenditure - A63H 17/00: Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-drive; {(convertible into other toys A63H33/003); Cranes, winches or the like;} Accessories therefor (traffic games with figures moved by players A63F9/14) - A63H 30/04: using wireless transmission - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - A63H: TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS ## Abstract Disclosed herein are training devices useful for improving the agility and/or speed of a trainee, systems comprising same, and methods of improving a trainee's agility and/or speed. In one embodiment a training device comprises a first sensor operatively associated with a control mechanism, wherein the control mechanism is optionally configured to enable the device to move (a) randomly, (b) in a predetermined movement pattern, or (c) in relation to a second sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A training device comprising: a housing comprising an opening, wherein said housing is operatively associated with at least one moving agency, a shut-off unit removably mated with the opening, a control mechanism operatively associated with the shut-off unit and a drive device said control mechanism enabling the drive device to cause the at least one moving agency to propel the training device when the shut-off unit is mated with the opening and a first sensor operatively associated with the control mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is configured to enable the drive device to cause the at least one moving agency to propel the training device in a direction associated with a second sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is configured to enable the drive device to cause the at least one moving agency to stop propelling the training device when a distance between the first sensor and a second sensor falls below a predetermined minimum distance value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is configured to enable the drive device to cause the at least one moving agency to propel the training device towards a second sensor when a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor exceeds a predetermined separation value. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a motion-control device configured to cause the device to move in a random movement pattern. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the shut-off unit comprises a visual enhancement. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the visual enhancement is a flag, a two-dimensional graphic or a three-dimensional graphic. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the visual enhancement is a three-dimensional graphic that resembles a rabbit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, further comprising a motion-control device configured to cause the training device to move in a movement pattern that mimics a movement pattern of a rabbit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the visual enhancement is a flag and wherein the height of the flag is adjustable. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 further comprising a memory unit operatively associated with the drive device, wherein the memory unit is configured to store movement data associated with the device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 further comprising a movement selector operatively associated with the drive device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 further comprising a memory unit operatively associated with the drive device and the movement selector, wherein the memory unit is configured to store movement data associated with the device and the movement selector is configured to allow a user to select a movement pattern stored in the memory unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to allow a user to select from a plurality of difficulty settings. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect a stationary or slow-moving object in its current path and wherein the drive device is configured to cause the at least one moving agency to stop or change direction upon said detection. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the device is configured such that movement data is capable of being transferred from the memory unit to a computer. ### Claim 17 A training device comprising: a housing comprising an on/off switch, wherein said housing is operatively associated with at least one moving agency; a first sensor associated with the housing; a drive device operatively associated with the at least one moving agency; and a control mechanism operatively associated with the first sensor and the drive device said control mechanism configured to enable the drive device to cause the at least one moving agency to propel the training device towards or away from a second sensor when the on/off switch is set to an “on” position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the control mechanism is configured to stop propelling the device when the distance between the first and second sensors (a) falls below a predetermined separation value, or (b) exceeds a predetermined separation value. ### Claim 19 A training device comprising: a housing comprising an opening and operatively associated with at least one moving agency; a first sensor associated with the housing; a drive device operatively associated with the at least one moving agency; a control mechanism operatively associated with the first sensor, and the drive device, and a a visual enhancement removably associated with the opening and comprising a motion-control device configured to cause the device to change directions in one or more preselected movement patterns and/or propel the device at one or more predetermined speeds and such that when the visual enhancement is removably mated with the opening the control mechanism is configured to enable the drive device to cause the at least one moving agency to propel the training device in a direction away from a second sensor when a distance value between the first and second sensors is below a predetermined separation value.