Vertical jump exercise apparatus
OwnerMichael A. Wehrellinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vertical jump exercise apparatus to be used to train and condition participants in sports demanding a high degree of vertical jumping ability. Elastic cords fastened to the waist of the user provide a nearly constant resistive force, thereby simulating increased body weight to strengthen leg muscles and to improve motor reflexes. Generation of the nearly constant force is accomplished by directing one or more of the elastic cords beneath or away from the exercise area, thus allowing use of an increased length of cord. Directional control for the jumper, cord following to prevent fouling of the cord, and reduced friction are provided by a pivoted tracking assembly with pulleys which also serves as a force inbalance indicator for the elastic cords.
Claims20
An exercise apparatus comprising as components:
- flat base means;
- harness means;
- elastic means for providing a plurality of forces opposing motion of said harness means away from said base means during kinetic exercise, said elastic means having a length whereby each of said forces is relatively constant over a predetermined range of movement of said harness means during kinetic exercise;
- tracking means comprising at least one pulley for turning said elastic means to a path generally parallel to said base means;
- and
- pivoting means for pivotally attaching said tracking means to said base means to maintain said elastic members on said path.
An exercise apparatus comprising:
- base means capable of being securably positioned adjacent a generally flat area in which vertical jumping exercises may be performed;
- plural elastic members for providing a nearly constant resistive force to jumping exercises performed in the flat area adjacent said base means, said force providing means having a direction generally opposite to the direction of the jumping exercises;
- pulley means for directing said elastic members on a predetermined path away from the flat area adjacent the base means;
- and
- pivoting means for affixing said pulley means to said base means to maintain said elastic members on said path.
An exercising apparatus comprising as components:
- flat base means;
- harness means;
- elastic means for providing a plurality of forces opposing motion of said harness means away from said base means during kinetic exercise, said elastic means having a length whereby each of said forces is relatively constant over a predetermined range of movement of said harness means during kinetic exercise;
- tracking means for turning said elastic means to a path generally parallel to said base means, said tracking means comprising:
- plural roller bearings for providing low friction movement of said elastic means onto said path;
- and
- pivoting means for pivotally attaching said tracking means to said base means to maintain said elastic members on said path.
An exercise apparatus comprising:
- base means having an upper surface forming an exercise area;
- removable belt means adapted to be worn in the use of the exercise apparatus;
- plural elastic members, each affixed to said belt means for providing a first force opposing a range of movement of said belt means away from said upper surface whereby said first force is relatively constant throughout the range of movement of said belt means;
- and
- plural tracking assemblies carried by said base means beneath said upper surface, each comprising:
- (a) rotating means for directing said members from said belt means below said base means without appreciable friction between said rotating means and said members, and
- (b) pivoting means for affixing said assembly to said base means for pivotal movement responsive to movement of said belt means relative to the center of said exercise area to thereby provide a second force tending to restore said belt means to the center of said exercise area.
An exercise apparatus comprising components:
- an elevated base having a flat upper surface forming an exercise area;
- a waist belt adapted to be worn during kinetic exercise in said exercise area;
- a first plurality of elastic cords, each cord being affixed to said belt for providing a first plurality of forces opposing movement of said belt away from said exercise area during kinetic exercise;
- plural pulleys carried beneath said base for directing the path of said cords over a distance sufficient to maintain said forces approximately constant during kinetic exercise in said exercise area;
- adjustment means for selectively varying the effective length of said cords to thereby relatively vary each of said forces;
- and
- plural tracking assemblies for providing a low friction change of direction of said cords from said exercise area to a point beneath said base, each said assembly comprising a frame pivotably affixed to said base and plural pulleys attached to said frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.