GB2347630A - Club swing exercise device with changeable track angle - Google Patents

EXERCISING DEVICE The invention relates to an aerobic and flexibility enhancement exercising device for use in circumstances simulating the swing of a sports bat, racket, club or the like.

In a wide range of sporting activities, the central action involves the use of a bat, racket, club or the like which is held at one end by a handle and swung with the arms with an appropriate action. Such an activity involves a particularly complicated movement sequence involving different groups of specialised muscles utilised in a particular and specific combination.

In training for any sporting activity, it is generally desirable to utilise a form of exercise which improves those parts of the body particularly called upon to perform during the activity. Much conventional sports training equipment provides for the general exercising of muscles of the body to enhance strength, flexibility, stamina or the like.

However, training directed to such general fitness activities, whilst it may be of some assistance in enhancing performance in relation to the very specific activities involved in swing sports, can result in significant wasted effort, since muscle groups and body parts are exercised which are little used in the activity in question. It is clearly desirable to provide an exercising device which is more properly directed to, and specifically enhances performance of, the specialised and co-ordinated actions involved in the use of a bat, racket, club or the like in a swing sport.

According to the invention, an aerobic and flexibility enhancement exercising device comprises an arcuate track hingedly mounted to a support frame, a trolley mounted to be rotated around the track, and a stub handle, formed to simulate a sports club handle, hingedly mounted to the trolley. Its basic design is based on the swing of a sports bat, racket, club or the like.

The exercising device of the invention allows the swing of a sports bat, racket, club of the like to be accurately simulated, and ensures that a user concentrates exercise on those actions and those muscle groups for which most advantage can be obtained for the activity in question. By allowing an accurate simulation of the swing which is used in practice during performance of the sport, the device allows multiple repeats during exercise to be performed which are particularly adapted to improve flexibility and increase general muscle and cardiovascular fitness in relation to the muscle groups and body parts most called upon to perform during the sporting activity, rather than being directed to general fitness or strength building.

The arcuate track is configured such that translational movement of the trolley around the track describes an arc simulating the swing which is used during performance of the sport in question. Conveniently, the arcuate track forms a complete closed loop.

The track may have an elliptical shape, and is preferably substantially circular.

The stub handle and trolley combination is conveniently mounted such that the stub handle extends generally inwardly towards the axis of the track, and conveniently extends generally parallel to (within or slightly laterally offset from) the plane of the track.

The trolley is slidably mounted upon the track so as to be rotatable therearound. The handle is hingedly mounted to the trolley so as to be pivotal about an axis lying generally perpendicular to the plane of the track. The mounting also preferably provides for twisting of the handle about its longitudinal axis. In this configuration, a swing arc is simulated by movement of the stub handle and trolley combination around and in the plane of the arcuate track.

The hinged mountings provided between the arcuate track and the support frame enable the track to be rotated relative to the support frame, whereby the orientation in which the track is disposed relative to the frame, and hence relative to a user, is readily adjusted. In this way, the apparatus may be arranged for a swing in a generally vertical plane, such as might be suitable to provide exercise appropriate for the swing of a cricket bat, golf club or the like, or mounted to provide exercise for a swing in a generally horizontal plane, as might be appropriate for the swing of a baseball bat, tennis racket or similar. The track is thus hingedly mounted to the support frame to allow rotation of track into an appropriate plane of orientation corresponding to a desired handle swing plane as appropriate for the swing sport in question. Preferably, means are provided at the mounting to releaseably engage the track in a fixed orientation relative to the support frame. By use of these means, a user is able to select a desired swing plane for exercise by moving the track and then retain the track in the selected position for use.

Adjustment of the device to an appropriate swing plane for a user is described in detail below.

The support frame preferably comprises a stand, and a pair of support frame uprights extending generally upwardly therefrom, the circular track being rotatably mounted between the support frame uprights. Preferably, each support frame upright comprises an A-frame, with the circular track mounted substantially at an apex thereof.

The support frame stand provides a means to ensure that the support frame is capable of standing stably in an upright position during use. A foot plate is preferably mounted on the support frame, the position of which is preferably adjustable, on which the user may be stably supported during performance of the exercise.

The apparatus may be dismantleable for ease of storage. Furthermore, since the apparatus is directed at exercising the muscle groups involved in a swing sport, rather than at simulating all aspects of the sport in question, only a relatively short stub handle is required. In consequence, use of the device in a relatively confined area is possible. This feature, in combination with ease of storage and portability, renders the exercise device particularly suited to use indoors in confined spaces, as well as to outdoor use.

The exercising device is primarily intended to provide aerobic and flexibility enhancement exercise rather than strength development. Nevertheless, it may be of use to provide some form of resistance means acting on the trolley to resist motion thereof around the track in use. Suitable resistance means include counterweights, pulley and flywheel arrangements and the like.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of an embodiment thereof, which is by way of example not restrictive in any respect, and with reference to the drawings, in which: -Figure 1 is a schematic illustration from the side of the whole device in accordance with the invention; -Figure 2 is a schematic illustration from the front of the device of figure 1 ; -Figure 3 is a side elevation of a trolley and handle arrangement for use with the device of figures 1 and 2; and -Figure 4 is an end elevation view of the trolley and handle arrangement of figure 3.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 the device has four major components.

These are the stand 1, the support frame uprights 2, the guide ring 3, and the handle and roller assembly 4.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the stand 1 has a framework base structure, which is 5 1/4 feet long and 1 foot wide. The stand is provided with three struts. The primary purpose of the struts is to give the stand the proper rigidity. Two struts are used to mount the foot plate 6 and one to mount one of the support jacks. The material used for the struts is 1 inch thin gauge square metal tubing welded together. Wheels or rollers 8 with a lock capability are mounted on each corner. Jacks 9 are mounted as close as possible to these rollers and/or wheels.

The foot plate 6 is 1 foot wide and 3 feet in length and is mounted to the stand on hinges 10 to enable it to be folded up out the way when not is use. It comprises thin gauge sheet metal with small anti-skid feet on the bottom.

A pair of support frame uprights 2 stand 3 3/4 feet high from the stand and are 4 3/4 feet apart. Each consists of a pair of legs on each side of the stand 1 which start 1 foot apart at the base and come together at a ring mount 12. The legs consist of 1/2 inch metal tubing which is the welded at top and bottom. Struts 13, also of 1/2 inch tubing, are provided to give additional rigidity to the structure which is formed by the support frames 2 and the stand 1.

The frame structure supports a guide ring 3, which is a circle 4 1/2 feet in diameter. This guide ring is fabricated from metal strip 23,2 1/2 inches wide and 1/8 inch thick. Welded to the outside of the ring 3 in the centre of the metal strip 23 is 1/2 inch metal tubing 14. This tubing will serve as a guide for the handle and roller assembly 4 as described below. A series of struts 15 are welded to the inside of the guide ring to give rigidity to the guide ring structure.

The guide ring 3 is mounted on the support frame uprights 2 by the mounts 12 disposed at the centre line on each side of the guide ring.

The mounts 12 are fabricated from 3/8 inch thick metal rods. The guide end is welded directly to the metal strip through the tubing 14, and is gusseted for vertical stress.

The end of each frame upright 2 provided with a plate 16, which is 2 inches long by 5/8 inch wide and 1/8 inch thick welded on the end. A hole is provided on the end furthest from the mount through which a pin may be inserted to lock the guide ring 3 in place.

The mount 12 is attached to the frame upright 2 by a clamp made from 5/8 inch by 1/8 inch tubing 1/2 inch long cut along the centre of its axis. Tabs made from 1/2 inch wide, 1/8 inch thick and 1 inch long metal strip are welded to the two sides of the two pieces of tubing and a 1/4 inch hole on each side is provided through which the mount can be clamped. The bottom half of this arrangement is welded to the top of the frame upright 2 and the top bolted to the bottom clamping the mount. A metal strip 17 bent to follow the arc of the arm on the mount is welded to the frame. This metal strip is provided with a series of 1/4 inch holes 1/2 inch apart centre to centre and these acting in conjunction with the arm of the mount and the lock pin, will set the angle of the guide ring 3. In figure 2, the arrangement is shown locked in a position offset slightly from the vertical (position A). An alternative arrangement in a substantially horizontal orientation is also indicated by the broken lines in figure 2 (position B).

The handle and roller assembly of figures 1 and 2 is shown in greater detail in figures 3 and 4. The assembly 4 is mounted on the guide ring 3 so as to follow the guide ring during exercising and describe an arcuate path. The assembly is provided with a handle 20 which is in this embodiment approximately 20 inches long comprised of 5/8 inch metal tubing. This handle simulates the handle of a sports bat, racket or club during exercising, and a sports-type grip is therefore conveniently provided on the handle.

The handle 20 is mounted to the roller assembly 4 by mounting means which provide for a lateral offset to allow for clearance for hands in use. The handle is mounted to lie substantially parallel to the plane of the guide ring, and the mounting means provide for pivotal movement about an access lying perpendicular to the plane of the guide ring, but provide for little or no lateral movement.

In the embodiment, a first length of one inch metal tubing 2 1/2 inches long is welded to the roller assembly 4, so as to extend laterally therefrom. A nut is welded inside the tube. A 1 inch wide by 1/4 inch thick brass bushing is provided, and is connected to a second length of one inch tubing I 1/2 inches long. A washer is welded to the end of the second length of tubing which is disposed nearest to the roller assembly, and a 1/2 inch bolt connects this piece, with the brass bushing in between, to the first length by means of the nut welded inside. The arrangement allows rotational movement between the first and second lengths of metal tubing.

On the second length of tubing a hole is drilled and the handle passes through.

The handle 20 can be lengthened or shortened in relation to the roller assembly 4 by pins, bolts, or adjusting threads. This mounting arrangement allows back and forth movement of the handle 20 relative to the roller assembly 4 in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the guide ring 3, but allows little or no lateral movement. The arrangement is suited to most swing sports, where the former movement is generally desirable, but the latter generally undesirable, during the swing. The arrangement also provides the handle 20 with an offset of 3 inches outside of the guide ring 3 to allow clearance of hands during use.

Further means are provided to allow a twist of the handle about its longitudinal access during use.

The Roller assembly 4 has overall dimensions of 6 inches long by 3 inches tall and 3 1/8 inches wide. It is comprised of 3 inch by 1/8 inch metal strip and 1 1/2 inch by 1 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch metal open side box with 1/8 inch thick walls. Eight 1 3/8 inch tall by 7/8 inch wide rollers 19 are mounted in the box in such a manner that they squeeze the metal strip 23 of the guide ring 3 with a gap between the rollers to allow for the 1/2 inch tubing 14 welded to the outside of the guide ring and clearance of the struts 15 on the inside of the guide ring.

The user sets up the device by locking the wheels and/or rollers 8, screwing down the jacks 9, unfolding the foot plate 6, and pulling the pins on the mounts 16. The user stands on the foot plate 6 and takes their normal sports swing stance. A user guide may be provided to instruct them on how to stand in a standard stance for the swing sport of their choice. For a first time set-up the user is readily able to adjust the angle of the guide ring 3 to an optimum position. The user stands in a hands-ready position for the swing sport chosen. By visual observation the user will get an approximation of the angle of their arms to the floor. The ring may then be adjusted to that approximate arc, and the pins inserted in the mounts 16. The user steps back onto the foot plate 6 and takes the handle with the appropriate swing sport grip. If they are comfortable with the angle of the guide they are ready to proceed exercising. If not they step out from the frame, the pins are removed from the mounts and the above process is repeated until the proper angle for exercising has been identified.

The exercise comprises movement of the handle and roller assembly 4 along the path of the guide ring 3 in the motion of a full sports swing using the whole body. For right handed players using the machine in this configuration this means a weight shift to the right foot on the back swing and initiation of the forward swing by shifting weight to the left foot, and continuously swinging back and forth for the exercise period. For the left handed players the guide ring 3 is readily swapped around and the foot stand 6 remounted on the opposite side. For such users the back swing should shift their weight to their left foot and they should start the forward swing by shifting their weight to their right foot.

A particular advantage of the device is its ease of storage. If storage is desired then the user steps off and folds up foot plate 6. The preferred pin position for the use may be marked on the mounts 16. The pins are then pulled and the guide 3 is centred.

The jacks 9 are then unscrewed until the wheels and/or rollers 8 and unlocked. The device may be readily rolled away for storage.