A sports training apparatus

Abstract

A training apparatus for use in training a sportsperson, the apparatus comprising: a pair of elongate rails defining a training space therebetween; at least one support structure engaged with the pair of elongate rails and slidable along the rails in both directions towards the sportsperson in use and away from the sportsperson in use through the training space; the support structure comprising a support beam extending upwardly from the support structure; and a simulated opponent attached to the support beam for the sportsperson to engage with in use, the simulated opponent movable along the rails at least upon force being applied by the sportsperson in use.

1 . A training apparatus for use in training a sportsperson, the apparatus comprising:
 a pair of elongate rails defining a training space therebetween;   at least one support structure engaged with the pair of elongate rails and slidable along the rails in both directions towards the sportsperson in use and away from the sportsperson in use through the training space;
 the support structure comprising a support beam extending upwardly from the support structure; and 
   a simulated opponent attached to the support beam for the sportsperson to engage with in use, the simulated opponent movable along the rails at least upon force being applied by the sportsperson in use.   
     
     
         2 . The training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein upon application of force from the sports person the support structure is movable along the rails from a first position to a second position and further wherein the support structure is biased to return to the first position. 
     
     
         3 . The training apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the support structure is biased to return to the first position by means of an elastic tether. 
     
     
         4 . The training apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the elastic tether is attached towards the rear of the support structure and towards the front of at least one the elongate rails, the elastic tether being elongatable upon application of force from the sportsperson. 
     
     
         5 . The training apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the elastic tether is attached at one end to the support structure and at another end to the sportsperson, the elastic tether being elongatable upon application of force from the sportsperson. 
     
     
         6 . The training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises
 at least one joist straddling the elongate rails, and   wherein the support beam extending upwardly from the support structure comprises a first beam and a second beam,   the first beam having a first end towards rear of the apparatus and a second end towards the front of the apparatus, the second end being the end closest to the sportsperson in use, the first beam being supported by the at least one joist and arranged substantially horizontally parallel with the elongate rail portions;   the second beam being attached perpendicularly and arranged vertically with respect to the first beam.   
     
     
         7 . The training apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein a third beam is attached to the first end of the first beam and optionally supported by the second beam, the third beam being for suspending the sportsperson or the simulated opponent in use. 
     
     
         8 . The training apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein a fourth beam is provided on the third beam for suspending the sportsperson or the simulated opponent in use. 
     
     
         9 . The training apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the sportsperson or the simulated opponent is suspended by a cable associated with the fourth beam, the cable passing through a pulley mounted in a rail on the fourth beam. 
     
     
         10 . The training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the simulated opponent is a mannequin. 
     
     
         11 . The training apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the second beam comprises a mount onto which the simulated opponent is mounted, wherein mount is pivotable so as to provide at least an upright position (vertical) for the mannequin and a laying flat position (horizontal) for the mannequin. 
     
     
         12 . The training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the simulated opponent is a punchbag or one or more focus mitts mounted in a frame. 
     
     
         13 . The training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second beam comprises a mount onto which the simulated opponent is mounted, wherein the mount includes a spring that allows the simulated opponent to have some bounce back when impact is applied to it. 
     
     
         14 . The training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first beam is telescopic and or tiltable to change the position of the simulated opponent relative to the sportsperson. 
     
     
         15 . The training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is mounted on each rail respectively by at least one carriage each of which smoothly slide along each rail in use to provide the movement. 
     
     
         16 . A method of training or rehabilitating a sportsperson comprising tethering the sportsperson to a training apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of training or rehabilitating a sportsperson comprising suspending the sportsperson from a training apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The training apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the support structure comprises
 at least one joist straddling the elongate rails, and   wherein the support beam extending upwardly from the support structure comprises a first beam and a second beam,   the first beam having a first end towards rear of the apparatus and a second end towards the front of the apparatus, the second end being the end closest to the sportsperson in use, the first beam being supported by the at least one joist and arranged substantially horizontally parallel with the elongate rail portions;   the second beam being attached perpendicularly and arranged vertically with respect to the first beam.   
     
     
         19 . The training apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the simulated opponent is a punchbag or one or more focus mitts mounted in a frame. 
     
     
         20 . The training apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the second beam comprises a mount onto which the simulated opponent is mounted, wherein the mount includes a spring that allows the simulated opponent to have some bounce back when impact is applied to it.