AU711824B3

AU711824B3 - Sports and exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU711824B3
Application number: AU32290/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Craig Davis
Original assignee: ROSEMARY JOY MARSH; STEPHANIE JAYNE DAVIS
Current assignee: Davis Stephanie Jayne
Priority date: 1999-05-28
Filing date: 1999-05-28
Publication date: 1999-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2000-10-21

Description

TITLE: SPORTS AND EXERCISE APPARATUS THIS INVENTION relates to a sports apparatus. In particular, it is directed to an apparatus for use by a person engaged in roller skating, roller blading, skateboarding, water skiing, snow skiing, snowboarding or a similar sport, or as an exercise device for that person to improve his/her fitness level.

Roller skating, roller blading, skateboarding, water skiing, snow skiing, snowboarding and similar sports are very popular today. As a participant's skills increase in these type of sports, increasingly difficult trick and/or acrobatic-type manoeuvres are required, particularly if the sport is pursued competitively. Such manoeuvres often involve jumping, twisting, it) somersaulting or similar operation requiring the participant to break contact with the ground. Training for these trick or acrobatic manoeuvres, ideally, requires access to the venues established for the purpose of the particular sport. However, access to these venues may not always be possible. For example, for snow sports, snow is not usually available all year round in iS Australia. For younger participants, it is often not appropriate for them to attend such venues unaccompanied by an older responsible person, or to attend late in the evening after other commitments, such as school homework, have been completed. In such circumstances, development of the trick or acrobatic manoeuvres are undertaken at other venues which are not particularly suitable for the chosen sport. For example, roadways, carparks and other open public places are used to provide sufficient room to move; if jumping is involved, a stairwell might be used. Further, until the manoeuvre is mastered, it is often necessary for the person to have a means of support to steady themselves, a hand rail or banister railing often being used.

These venues offer a number of disadvantages which include the obvious dangers of persons undertaking such an activity on a public roadway or [30/8/99] carpark sharing that venue with motorized vehicles. It is undesirable for juniors to frequent public places after hours, especially in deserted areas. As the correct venue and correct safety facilities are not available in these circumstances, there is an increase in the likelihood of an accident occurring to the person while training.

It is a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above problems.

Thus according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for use by a person engaged in roller skating, roller blading, skateboarding, water skiing, snow skiing, snowboarding or a similar sport, or for use as an exercise device for said person, said apparatus including: a first flexible elongated support means having one end connected to a first swivel or similar device and having its opposite end connected to a second swivel or similar device, wherein said first swivel or similar device is adapted to be releasably secured to a beam, rafter, frame or similar structure, or to be releasably secured to a bracket which extends from a wall, ceiling or the like, enabling said first support means to swivel essentially in any direction; and a pair of second flexible elongated support means, respective ends of said second support means being connected to said second swivel or similar device, the other respective ends of said second support means each terminating in a hand grip.

Preferably, said elongated support means can be adjusted in length.

Preferably, said first elongated support means is in the form of a rope.

'1(iL\ t~ 2 r [30/8/99] Preferably, said second elongated support means is in the form of a rope.

Preferably, each said hand grip includes a wrist or hand strap, or a harness, or a similar device, which secures to said person thus reducing the likelihood of said person disengaging from said hand grip while using said apparatus.

The invention will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment which is shown in the accompanying drawing which is a schematic illustration of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

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A flexible rope is attached to any conventional swivel known in the art.

In turn, the swivel is secured to an overhead beam once again by any suitable means known in the art. The other end of the rope is attached to a shackle A flexible rope and a further flexible rope are each attached to the shackle The ropes and are essentially of equal length. At the other ends of the ropes and are attached respective hand grips and The components of the apparatus described above are chosen to take the weight of the person intending to use the apparatus.

Therefore, it will be clear that the type and gauge of material selected will depend on that intended user, lighter weight materials being used for junior users. Attached to the hand grips and are respective wrist strips and In use, a person attaches the wrist strips and (10) and then holds the hand grips and The person can then begin his/her manoeuvres. The swivel location of the apparatus enables the user to move forwards, backwards, sideways, in a circular motion or any combination of such directions. Jump manoeuvres are also possible. The secure location of the apparatus to the beam enables a person to develop, practice and perfect a particular manoeuvre in minimal space and in safety. Alternatively, it allows a person to use the apparatus simply for exercising purposes including being able to leave contact with the ground in safety, a large exercise area not being necessary.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiment is only an exemplification of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use by a person engaged in roller skating, roller blading, skateboarding, water skiing, snow skiing, snowboarding or a similar sport, or for use as an exercise device for said person, said apparatus including: a first flexible elongated support means having one end connected to a first swivel or similar device and having its opposite end connected to a second swivel or similar device, wherein said first swivel or similar device is adapted to be releasably secured to a beam, rafter, frame or similar structure, or to be releasably secured to a bracket which extends from a wall, ceiling or the like, enabling said first support means to swivel essentially in any direction; and a pair of second flexible elongated support means, respective ends of said second support means being connected to said second swivel or similar device, the other respective ends of said second support means each terminating in a hand grip.

2. An apparatus as defined in Claim 1 wherein each said hand grip includes a wrist or hand strap, or a harness, or a similar device, which releasably secures to said person. DATED THIS 5th DAY OF JULY 1999 Craig DAVIS, Stephanie Jayne DAVIS Rosemary Joy MARSH by their Patent Attorney KEVIN M PULLEN RtiC~ i IV