Jump Training Device

Abstract

The invention pertains to a jump training device designed to evaluate and enhance an athlete's vertical jumping capability. The device comprises a base with a front and rear, a vertical extension removably affixed to the base, a top section, a flexible hanger, an extension fastener, and an object fastener. The vertical extension includes a first, second, and third vertical section, with the second and third sections telescopically extending in the direction of the first section's axis. The flexible hanger, can extends down from the top section and is affixed to the extension fastener. The object fastener is configured to detachably couple an object to the extension fastener, which can be a magnet or a portion of a hook and loop fastener. The base can be set on a floor, and the vertical extension is marked to indicate the total height of the extension fastener.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A jump training device for evaluating and enhancing an athlete's vertical jumping capability, the jump training device comprising:
 a base having a front and a rear;   a vertical extension removably affixed to the front of the base, wherein the vertical extension comprises a first vertical section, a second vertical section and a third vertical section coupled to the base such that the second and third vertical sections telescopically extend in the direction of the axis of the first vertical section;   a top section extending from the third vertical section at an angle to the axis of the third vertical section;   a flexible hanger having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is affixed to the top section such that the flexible hanger extends down from the top section;   an extension fastener coupled to the second end of the hanger; and   an object fastener configured to detachably couple an object to the extension fastener.   
     
     
         2 . The jump training device of  claim 1  wherein the object fastener is coupled to a harness configured to allow the object fastener to be affixed about the object or wherein the object fastener is embedded in the object. 
     
     
         3 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible hanger is a cable or a rope. 
     
     
         4 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , wherein the extension fastener is a first magnet having a first polarity and the object fastener is a second magnet having a second polarity configured to be attracted to the extension fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , wherein the extension fastener is and the object fastener are opposite portions of a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the extension fastener and the object fastener is a magnet and the other of the extension fastener and the object fastener is a ferrous metal operative to provide the retaining force. 
     
     
         7 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be set on a floor and wherein the vertical extension is marked to indicate the total height of the extension fastener relative to the floor at different positions of the first vertical section, the second vertical section and the third vertical extension relative to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be set on a floor and wherein the vertical extension is marked to indicate the total height of the portion of the object closest to the floor at different positions of the first vertical section, the second vertical section and the third vertical extension relative to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a weight retainer on the rear of the base. 
     
     
         10 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical extension comprises at least one measuring indicator. 
     
     
         11 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least one vertical support coupled to the at least one vertically telescoping section wherein the at least one vertical support is coupled to the base wherein the base has at least one caster coupled to it. 
     
     
         12 . The jump training device of  claim 2 , wherein the object is a volleyball, football, baseball, basketball, or tennis ball. 
     
     
         13 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , wherein the base is wider at the front than at the rear. 
     
     
         14 . The jump training device of  claim 1  further comprising a loader configured to support the object and allow a user to raise the object such that the object fastener contacts the extension fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The jump training device of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical extension is rotatable relative to the base. 
     
     
         16 . A method for evaluating and enhancing an athlete's vertical jumping capability using a jump training device, the method comprising:
 positioning a jump training device having a base, a vertical extension removably affixed to the base and having an adjustable height, and a flexible hanger extending from the vertical extension;   providing an extension fastener to the vertical extension and an object fastener configured to detachably couple to the extension fastener;   adjusting the height of the flexible hanger; and   allowing a user to jump and attempt to interact with the object.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of providing a harness configured to secure the object to the object fastener and securing the object to the flexible hanger using the object fastener embedded in or coupled to the object. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the flexible hanger comprises a cable or rope, and the method further comprises selecting the flexible hanger material to allow controlled movement of the object during the athlete's jump. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of setting the base of the jump training device on a floor and adjusting the vertical extension to mark the height of the object relative to the floor for measurement purposes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a loader configured to allow the user to support the object and raise it such that the object fastener contacts the extension fastener.