Weighted sled

Abstract

A sled for use in exercise which is pushed by a portion of a user's torso. The device has an extension member extending outwardly from a frame. A pusher member for receiving a portion of the user's torso is mounted to the end of the extension member, the frame has a lift device for reversing the direction of travel. A disc brake provides variable resistance to movement. A strain gauge sensor is used to provide performance information.

1 . A sled adapted to be pushed by a user along a surface in a direction of travel, the sled comprising:
 a frame;   an extension member mounted to the frame and extending from the frame in a direction opposite from the direction of travel, the extension member having a distal end; and   a push member mounted to the distal end of the extension member, the push member extending orthogonally to the direction of travel and adapted to receive a chest portion or waist portion of the user while the user is pushing the sled.   
     
     
         2 . The sled of  claim 1  wherein the push member has a width between a pair of ends less than a width between the user's arms such that the user's arms do not contact the push member when the sled is being pushed. 
     
     
         3 . The sled member of  claim 1  wherein the extension member has a first portion extending downwardly to the distal end to prevent legs of the user from contacting the push member and extension member while the sled is being pushed. 
     
     
         4 . The sled member of  claim 1  further comprising at least one resistance module mount to the frame; the resistance module having an elongated member which has a free end which is connected to a portion of the leg or foot or hand of the user to provide a resistance load while the sled is being pushed. 
     
     
         5 . The sled of  claim 4 , wherein the frame further comprises a pair of upright members mounted to a base and a cross-member extending between the upright members wherein the elongated member passes from the resistance module to the cross-member and downwardly to the user's leg or foot. 
     
     
         6 . The sled of  claim 4  wherein the extension member is rotatably mounted to the cross-member such that a height of the push member with respect to the surface can be adjusted. 
     
     
         7 . The sled of  claim 4  wherein the extension member is slidably mounted to the cross-member such that the distance of the push member from the sled frame can be adjusted. 
     
     
         8 . The sled of  claim 1  wherein the frame includes a plurality of skids supporting the frame on the ground. 
     
     
         9 . The sled of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of arms, each of the arms having one end pivotally mounted to the frame and another end supporting a wheel, the arms rotating between a raised position not in contact with the ground and a lowered position in contact with the ground to support the sled for movement. 
     
     
         10 . A sled adapted to be pushed along a surface in a first direction of travel, the sled comprising:
 a frame;   an aperture;   a foot having a shaft which is received in the aperture of the frame;   a mechanism for lowering the foot to raise the frame off the ground to a height that the frame can be rotated about the shaft and raising the shaft to a retracted position;   the mechanism operable to raise the foot after the frame has been rotated.   
     
     
         11 . The sled of  claim 9 , further comprising a bearing mounted to frame to receive the shaft of the foot to support the sled for rotation. 
     
     
         12 . The sled of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanism for lowering is connected to the shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The sled of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanism for lowering is a cylinder. 
     
     
         14 . The sled of  claim 9 , wherein the cylinder is actuated by a pedal. 
     
     
         15 . A sled adapted to be moved along a surface by a user, the sled comprising:
 a frame;   at least one wheel attached to the frame to move along the surface;   a disc brake mounted to the frame to interact with the at least one wheel, the disc brake having a rotor;   a controller connected to the disc brake to control pressure applied to the rotor to provide a desired resistance to movement of the one of the wheels and the sled.   
     
     
         16 . The sled of  claim 14  further comprising a strain gauge sensor mounted to the disc brake, a controller receiving a signal from the strain gauge and calculating the load applied to the sled. 
     
     
         17 . A sled comprising:
 a frame;   a plurality of resistance modules mounted to the sled each resistance module having a band adapted to be connected to a user;   a plurality of leads connected to the sled, each of the plurality of leads associated with a respective one of the plurality of resistance modules to direct the band of the resistance module from the resistance module to a user.   
     
     
         18 . The sled of  claim 16 , wherein the frame has a pair of sides and at least one of the plurality of leads is mounted to direct the band of one of the plurality of resistance modules over one side of the frame and at least one other of the plurality of leads is mounted to the frame to direct another one of the plurality of bands over an opposite side of the frame may use the plurality of resistance modules at the same time. 
     
     
         19 . A sled for movement along a surface by a user; the sled comprising:
 a frame;   an engagement member mounted to the frame and contacting the surface;   a sensor mounted to the frame to measure the amount of force applied to the sled by the user;   
     
     
         20 . The sled of  claim 18  further having a computer module connected to the sensor, the computer having a timer and circuitry to determine performance information. 
     
     
         21 . A method of pushing a resistance sled comprising:
 providing a sled with a push member adapted to receive a portion of the chest or waist   pushing the push member with a portion of the chest or waist of the user.