Training Platform with Attachable Accessories that Direct Ground Reaction Forces

Abstract

The training apparatus includes a semi-rigid platform with upper and lower mounting surfaces, and a first training accessory having a flat base, an attachment portion for mounting to either the upper or lower mounting surface, and a lobe portion extending outwardly. The first training accessory is positioned at a first target location on the platform to direct a ground reaction force opposite to a force applied by a trainee standing on the platform. This setup allows for targeted training by providing resistance in a specific direction to enhance the effectiveness of exercises and the trainee's balance and strength.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A training apparatus comprising:
 a. a platform that is semi-rigid, the platform comprising:
 i. an upper mounting surface; 
 ii. a lower mounting surface; 
   b. a first training accessory comprising:
 i. a flat base; 
 ii. an attachment portion mounted to the flat base and structured to attach to one of the upper mounting surface and the lower mounting surface; 
 iii. a lobe portion extending outwardly from the flat base; and 
   c. wherein the first training accessory is mounted at a first target position on the platform to direct a ground reaction force in opposite direction of a force application vector directed by a trainee standing upon the platform.   
     
     
         2 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the upper mounting surface and the lower mounting surface further comprise:
 1. a plurality of apertures spaced at regular intervals that define a plurality of target positions.   
     
     
         3 . The training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment portion is a peg structured to be removably received by one of the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform further comprises:
 iv. a plurality of peripheral apertures;   v. a plurality of primary apertures side-to-side offset from the plurality of peripheral apertures and corresponding to an average stance width of the trainee; and   vi. a plurality of central apertures centrally disposed and side-to-side offset between the plurality of primary apertures.   
     
     
         5 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is slanted from between 1 degree to 20 degrees with the first training accessory mounted upon the lower mounting surface. 
     
     
         6 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of training accessories are mounted to the lower mounting surface to slant the platform front-to-back and side-to-side. 
     
     
         7 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lobe portion is deformable between 20% to 60% in any given dimension. 
     
     
         8 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lobe portion has a semi-spherical shape. 
     
     
         9 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lobe portion has an oblate semi-spherical shape. 
     
     
         10 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lobe portion is longitudinally elongated. 
     
     
         11 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lobe portion is multi-lobed having a plurality of lobes radially connected by arms to a central lobe. 
     
     
         12 . The training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a curvature of the lobe portion defines directionality of the ground reaction force relative to a point of application made by the trainee upon the first training accessory. 
     
     
         13 . A training method comprising the steps of:
 a. mounting a first training accessory to a platform that is rigid at a target position on at least one of an upper mounting surface of the platform and a lower mounting surface of the platform to define a force application vector upon a trainee standing upon the platform, wherein the first training accessory comprises:
 i. a flat base; 
 ii. an attachment portion mounted to the flat base and structured to attach to one of the upper mounting surface and the lower mounting surface; 
 iii. a lobe portion extending outwardly from the flat base; and 
   b. directing, by the first training accessory, a ground reaction force in opposite direction of the force application vector directed by the trainee standing upon the platform.   
     
     
         14 . The training method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 c. mounting a second training accessory to the platform at a second target position on at least one of the upper mounting surface and the lower mounting surface; and   d. directing a second ground reaction force in opposite direction of a second force application vector directed by the trainee standing upon the platform.   
     
     
         15 . The training method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 c. directing, by a second training accessory, a second ground reaction force in opposite direction of a second force application vector directed upon by the platform supporting the trainee.   
     
     
         16 . The training method of  claim 13 , wherein a curvature of the lobe portion defines directionality of the ground reaction force relative to a point of application made by the trainee upon the first training accessory. 
     
     
         17 . The training method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 c. directing a magnitude of the force application vector relative to a firmness of the lobe portion of the first training accessory.   
     
     
         18 . The training method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of:
 c. slanting the platform with the first training accessory mounted at the target position on the lower mounting surface.   
     
     
         19 . The training method of  claim 13 , wherein the force application vector directed by a ball of a lead foot of the trainee against the first training accessory creates a vertical ground reaction force. 
     
     
         20 . The training method of  claim 13 , wherein the force application vector directed by an arch of a trail foot of the trainee against the first training accessory creates a lateral ground reaction force.