System for training athletes

Abstract

A system for training athletes in running activities, such as sprints or team field sports, provides a resistance to an athlete attempting to run. The system comprises a drive unit, and in an embodiment, the drive unit comprises a motor having a motor shaft and a pulley operatively coupled to the shaft. The system further comprises a rope adapted to be rolled on the pulley, a unit controller adapted to control operation of the drive unit, and a programmable logic controller, which logic controller may display and storage of data related to the operation of the system. In use, the rope may be fastened to an athlete, and thereafter the athlete may be allowed to run in a direction away from the drive unit, where the pulley will provide a resistive force on the athlete.

1 . A system for training athletes, the system comprising:
 a drive unit comprising at least one pulley, a rope adapted to be rolled on the pulley, a drive unit controller adapted to control operation of the drive unit, and a programmable logic controller operatively coupled to the drive unit controller.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit comprises a motor, a motor shaft, and a pulley operatively coupled to the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit comprises a magnetic brake and a spring rewind pulley operatively coupled to the magnetic brake. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the motor is one of an alternating current (AC) motor and a direct current (DC) motor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the unit controller controls parameters of the drive unit, which parameters comprise at least one of voltage, torque, rotational speed of the drive unit, a change in direction of the drive unit, a maintenance of steady tension on the rope, a desired pull-in force, a desired pull-in speed, a desired pull-out force, a one-time increase in speed or torque of the drive unit, a reduction or elimination in force, an increase to force over a distance or time interval, and a decrease to force over a distance or time interval. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the unit controller further comprises a variable frequency drive, wherein said variable frequency drive may control the rotational speed of the motor, and
 wherein said controller further comprises a dynamic brake resistor, which dynamic brake resistor may provide a braking torque for stopping the motor.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable logic controller transmits parameters from the unit controller to the drive unit. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said the unit controller controls modes of the programmable logic controller, said modes comprising at least one of a constant torque mode, a variable torque mode, a maximum speed mode, and a constant speed mode. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system further comprises a remote control operatively coupled to one of the unit controller or drive unit of the system. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable logic controller further comprises an audio-visual interface, which interface may display data generated by operation of the system. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable logic controller further comprises processing data generated by the operation of the system and producing output based on said data processing. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises an electronic interface that is compatible via Ethernet or internet protocol networking for allowing a first system to communicate with a server or with a second system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a cabinet capable of enclosing at least one of the elements of the system.