Multiple targets, physical ability enhancer apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is an exercise apparatus and method for using the exercise apparatus to improve hand-eye coordination, body coordination, and peripheral vision. The exercise apparatus has a horizontal member placed parallel to a floor and above a user. There are a plurality of target objects tethered to said horizontal member via a tether from each target object to the horizontal member. The plurality of target objects hang down from the horizontal member and are spaced along the horizontal member with enough space between tethers to permit each of said plurality of target objects to swing independently from rest of the target objects. To enhance a user's physical abilities, the user sets at least two of the target objects in motion and keeps the target objects in motion by hitting the target objects appropriately. The user may also avoid the moving target objects by moving the user's body appropriately. The user may remain standing/sitting in one place while keeping the target objects moving and avoiding being hit by the target objects, and/or the user may move around the target objects while performing the exercises.

1 . An exercise apparatus for improving hand-eye coordination, overall body coordination, and/or peripheral vision comprising:
 a horizontal member disposed substantially parallel to a floor;   a plurality of target objects, each target object of said plurality of target objects tethered to said horizontal member by a tether that permits each target object of said plurality of target objects to swing from said horizontal member by said tether, each tether of each target object of said plurality of target objects spaced along a length of said horizontal member so as to provide sufficient space between each target object of said plurality of target objects to swing substantially independently of other target objects of said plurality of target objects; and   an elevation assembly to hold said horizontal member above a user such that said target objects hang down from above said user for use in performing exercises to improve coordination and/or peripheral vision.   
   
   
       2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of tether guides placed along said length of said horizontal member such that each tether for each target object of said plurality of target objects passes through a tether guide of said plurality of target guides, said plurality of tether guides separating said tethers of said plurality of target objects from other tethers of said plurality of target objects, said plurality of tether guides allowing tethers of said plurality of target objects to be slide through said plurality of tether guides in order to adjust said plurality of target objects up and down. 
   
   
       3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a tether directing assembly disposed substantially parallel to said floor in a geometric plane also containing said horizontal member, said tether directing assembly being disposed substantially perpendicular to said horizontal member, said tether directing assembly attached to said horizontal member; and   a first tether regulator attached to said tether directing assembly that gathers said tethers of said plurality of target objects and joins said tethers of said plurality of target objects into a height adjustment tether that extends along a length of said tether directing assembly substantially perpendicular to said horizontal member, said first tether regulator allowing said tethers of said plurality of target objects to slide through said first tether regulator in order to uniformly adjust said plurality of target objects up and down.   
   
   
       4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a second tether regulator attached substantially near an end of said tether directing assembly opposite of said horizontal member, said second tether regulator extending said height adjustment tether down toward said floor, said height adjustment tether uniformly raising and lowering said plurality of target objects when said height adjustment tether is pulled down and up. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said horizontal member is curved in order to permit said plurality of target objects to hang in a curving arrangement. 
   
   
       6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each target object of said plurality of target objects is individually adjustable for height by lengthening and shortening said tether. 
   
   
       7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said elevation assembly is comprised of at least one of the group comprising: a screw and bracket assembly to attach said horizontal member to a ceiling; a screw, bracket and extension arm assembly to attach said horizontal member to a wall; a bracket assembly to mount the exercise apparatus in a door frame; and a vertical member and base unit to independently support said horizontal member. 
   
   
       8 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising placing a segmented sleeve over at least one tether attached to said plurality of target objects. 
   
   
       9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said segmented sleeve is comprised of a hard, flexible tubular material. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said segmented sleeve is segmented such that tether twisting is reduced while tether movement permits proper exercise via reasonably fluid movement of said plurality of target objects tethered to said horizontal member. 
   
   
       11 . A method for using an exercise apparatus, said exercise apparatus comprising a horizontal member placed parallel to a floor, above a user, and having a plurality of target objects tethered to said horizontal member via a tether with said plurality of target objects hanging down from said horizontal member and spaced along said horizontal member to permit each of said plurality of target objects to swing independently from a remainder of said plurality of target objects, said method comprising:
 placing a user within a proximity of said exercise apparatus such that said plurality of target objects, when set in motion, are within range of said tether of hitting said user unless said user hits or avoids said plurality of targets;   setting at least a first target object of said plurality of targets into motion;   keeping said at least first target object in motion by said user;   setting at least a second target object of said plurality of targets into motion while said at least first target is in motion; and   concurrently keeping said at least first target object and said at least second target object in motion by said user, such that said user keeping said at least first target object and said at least second target object in motion is intended to improve coordination and/or peripheral vision of said user.   
   
   
       12 . The method for using said exercise apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising keeping said at least first target object and said at least second target object from hitting each other by said user. 
   
   
       13 . The method for using said exercise apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said user keeps said at least first target object and said at least second target object in motion and from hitting each other by hitting said at least first target object and said at least second target object with a part of the user's body. 
   
   
       14 . The method for using said exercise apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said movement of at least one of said plurality of target objects is tracked via peripheral vision of said user. 
   
   
       15 . The method for using said exercise apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising adjusting height of said plurality of target objects such that at said least first target object is at a different height than said at least second target object. 
   
   
       16 . The method for using said exercise apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising moving said user's body to avoid contact with said at least first target object and said at least second target object. 
   
   
       17 . The method for using said exercise apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising keeping said user in a stationary position while said at least first target object and said at least second target object are moving. 
   
   
       18 . The method for using said exercise apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising said user moving in a circular movement around said plurality of target objects while said at least first target object and said at least second target object are moving. 
   
   
       19 . The method for using said exercise apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said setting of a target object of said plurality of target objects in motion is achieved by at least one of the group comprising: said user hits a target object; said user raises and releases a target object; said user throws a target object, a third party causes a target object to moved, and a mechanical device is used to cause a target object to move. 
   
   
       20 . The method for using said exercise apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said user maintains location in proximity to said plurality of target objects using at least one of the group comprising: standing, standing on one leg, sitting, sitting in a wheelchair, standing on a balance board, standing on one leg on a balance board, sitting on a Bosu Ball, sitting on an inflatable ball, standing with legs bent in a sitting position, standing on an unstable surface, standing on one leg on an unstable surface, and laying down.