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A training device includes a tether having inelastic portions disposed between its ends, where each inelastic portion is separated by an elastic portion, and where each of the ends is configured for engagement with hands of a trainer. The training device may include a belt that wraps around an athle

A training device includes a tether having inelastic portions disposed between its ends, where each inelastic portion is separated by an elastic portion, and where each of the ends is configured for engagement with hands of a trainer. The training device may include a belt that wraps around an athlete's body, the belt including a ring on a back portion thereof having an opening for receiving an end of the tether therethrough. When the belt is secured around the athlete's body and the tether is disposed through the ring, the training device may create a coupling between the trainer and athlete when the trainer secures the ends of the tether. The coupling may be substantially released when the trainer releases one end of the tether such that the released end is substantially unrestrained to traverse through the ring thereby fully disengaging the tether from the belt.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A training device, comprising: a tether including an elongated body having a plurality of discrete, substantially inelastic portions disposed between ends of the elongated body, wherein the plurality of discrete, substantially inelastic portions includes a central portion disposed about halfway a

1. A training device, comprising: a tether including an elongated body having a plurality of discrete, substantially inelastic portions disposed between ends of the elongated body, wherein the plurality of discrete, substantially inelastic portions includes a central portion disposed about halfway along a length of the tether, a first end portion disposed along the length of the tether adjacent to a first end thereof, and a second end portion disposed along the length of the tether adjacent to a second end thereof, where each of the first end portion and the second end portion is at least 2.5 times longer than the central portion, where each of the plurality of discrete, substantially inelastic portions are separated from one another along the length of the tether by an elastic portion, and where each of the ends of the elongated body is configured for engagement with hands of a first user; anda belt structurally configured to wrap around a second user's body and including a securement mechanism structurally configured to secure the belt around the second user's body, the belt further including a ring on a back portion thereof, the ring having an opening for receiving at least one of the ends of the elongated body therethrough such that each of the ends of the elongated body is free for engagement with the hands of the first user,wherein, when the belt is secured around the second user's body and the tether is disposed through the ring, the training device is structurally configured to create a coupling between the first user and the second user when the first user secures each of the ends of the elongated body, wherein a tension is created in the tether when the second user moves away from the first user while the first user is securing each of the ends of the elongated body, and wherein the coupling between the first user and the second user is substantially released when the first user releases one end of the elongated body such that the released end is substantially unrestrained to traverse through the ring thereby fully disengaging the tether from the belt. 2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the elastic portion includes: a first elastic portion disposed between the first end portion and the central portion, and a second elastic portion disposed between the second end portion and the central portion. 3. The training device of claim 1, wherein the elastic portion includes a bungee. 4. The training device of claim 1, wherein the elastic portion includes a rubber cord covered by a fabric sheathing. 5. The training device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete, substantially inelastic portions include a woven fabric strap. 6. The training device of claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is structurally configured to act as a shock absorber that dissipates energy such that the tether does not snap back and contact the first user when released. 7. The training device of claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is structurally configured to act as a shock absorber that allows the first user to withstand a relatively abrupt change in velocity of the second user when the first and second users are coupled. 8. The training device of claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is structurally configured to allow for substantially even tension from a portion of the tether engaged with the ring to each of the ends of the elongated body. 9. The training device of claim 1, wherein the elastic portion includes a rubber cord and the plurality of discrete, substantially inelastic portions include a woven fabric strap, and wherein engagement between the woven fabric strap and the rubber cord is facilitated by wrapping the woven fabric strap around the rubber cord, doubling over ends of the rubber cord, and securing free ends of the rubber cord with a rubber band. 10. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a hold disposed on at least one end of the elongated body, the hold structurally configured for engagement with at least one hand of the first user. 11. The training device of claim 10, wherein the hold includes a loop for placement of at least one hand of the first user through the loop for securing the loop around a wrist of the first user. 12. The training device of claim 10, wherein the hold includes a handle. 13. The training device of claim 10, wherein the hold includes a strap for strapping around a wrist of the first user. 14. The training device of claim 10, wherein the hold is disposed on both ends of the elongated body. 15. The training device of claim 14, wherein the tether is substantially symmetric about a central axis disposed between the ends of the elongated body. 16. The training device of claim 10, further comprising a second hold disposed on an opposite end of the elongated body from the at least one end. 17. The training device of claim 1, wherein the ring comprises a substantially circular shape and is made of steel. 18. A method of acceleration training, comprising: wrapping a belt around a first user's body and securing the belt around the first user's body such that a ring included on a back portion of the belt is disposed on a back portion of the first user's body;threading one end of a tether through the ring such that each end of the tether is free for engagement by a second user, the tether comprising a plurality of discrete, substantially inelastic portions disposed between the ends of the tether, where each of the plurality of discrete, substantially inelastic portions is separated from one another along a length of the tether by an elastic portion;creating a coupling between the first user and the second user through the second user securing each of the ends of the tether;creating a tension in the tether through the first user moving away from the second user while the second user secures each of the ends of the tether; andreleasing the coupling between the first user and the second user through the second user releasing one end of the tether such that the released end is substantially unrestrained to traverse through the ring thereby fully disengaging the tether from the belt. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the coupling is created by the second user performing one or more of (i) grabbing a hold disposed on one or more of the ends of the tether and (ii) looping one or more of the ends of the tether around a wrist of the second user. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein releasing the coupling causes a sudden burst of speed for the first user moving away from the second user.