Agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits are disclosed. Methods of making and using agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits are also disclosed.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
. An agility ladder kit suitable for forming an agility ladder, said agility ladder kit comprising:
. The agility ladder kit of any, wherein the one or more agility ladder ground strips comprises from 6 to 500 agility ladder ground strips, and the one or more agility ladder strip connectors comprises from 2 to 1000 agility ladder strip connectors.
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein the opposite strip side edges have a straight, parallel configuration such that the strip width Ws is substantially constant or constant along at least a portion of the strip length Ls.
. (canceled)
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein the opposite strip side edges have some amount of curvature therein.
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground strips has a maximum strip thickness Tsalong the opposite strip side edges, and a channel strip thickness Tsalong an upper surface channel extending between the opposite side edges along at least a portion of the strip length Ls, and
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein at least one agility ladder ground strip of the one or more agility ladder ground strips has a curved configuration such that the first strip end and the second strip end of the at least one agility ladder ground strip are oriented at an angle A to one another, wherein angle A is less than 180°.
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground strips independently has a strip length Ls of from 5.0 in (12.70 cm) to 28.0 in (71.12 cm), a strip width Ws of from 0.8 in (2.03 cm) to 3.0 in (7.62 cm), and a strip thickness Ts of from 0.062 in (0.16 cm) to 1.00 in (2.54 cm).
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground strips independently has a strip length Ls of from 17.0 in (43.18 cm) to 20.0 in (50.80 cm), a strip width Ws of from 1.0 in (2.54 cm) to 1.5 in (3.81 cm), and a strip thickness Ts of from 0.125 in (0.32 cm) to 0.80 in (2.03 cm).
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground strips independently comprises a polymeric material or a filler- or fiber-reinforced polymeric material, and each of the one or more agility ladder strip connectors independently comprises an elastomeric material.
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground strips independently comprises a polypropylene or a glass-filled polypropylene, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a glass-filled polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and each of the one or more agility ladder strip connectors independently comprises a rubber.
. (canceled)
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground strips independently comprises three or four length-extending strip channels extending from the first strip end to the second strip end.
. (canceled)
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder strip connectors has a connector length Lof from 2.5 in (6.35 cm) to 6.0 in (15.24 cm), a connector width Wc of from 1.0 in (2.54 cm) to 3.5 in (8.89 cm), and a connector thickness Tc of from 0.50 in (1.27 cm) to 3.0 in (7.62 cm).
. An agility ladder kit suitable for forming an agility ladder, said agility ladder kit comprising:
. (canceled)
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground strips independently comprises a polypropylene or a glass-filled polypropylene, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a glass-filled polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and each of the one or more agility ladder strip connectors independently comprises a rubber.
. An agility ladder kit suitable for forming an agility ladder, said agility ladder kit comprising:
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground strips independently comprises a polypropylene or a glass-filled polypropylene, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a glass-filled polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and each of the one or more agility ladder strip connectors independently comprises a rubber.
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground strips independently comprises three length-extending strip channels extending (a) from the first strip end to the second strip end, and (b) between (i) the upper strip major surface, and the lower strip major surface, and (ii) the opposite strip side edges, and (c) with a centrally-located circular length-extending strip channel, and length-extending strip channels on opposite sides of the centrally-located circular length-extending strip channel.
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each length-extending connector channel comprises opposing channel side edge portions that extend along a complete length of the length-extending connector channel between the first connector end and the second connector end except along an intersection of the length-extending connector channel with the at least one connector channel extending from the first connector side edge to the second connector side edge.
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each length-extending connector channel comprises opposing channel side edge portions that extend along from about 50.0% to 90% of the complete length of the length-extending connector channel between the first connector end and the second connector end.
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground strips independently comprises from two to four length-extending strip channels extending (a) from the first strip end to the second strip end, and (b) between (i) the upper strip major surface, and the lower strip major surface, and (ii) the opposite strip side edges.
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder strip connectors has a connector length Lof from 2.5 in (6.35 cm) to 6.0 in (15.24 cm), a connector width Wc of from 1.0 in (2.54 cm) to 3.5 in (8.89 cm), and a connector thickness Tc of from 0.50 in (1.27 cm) to 3.0 in (7.62 cm).
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder strip connectors comprises (i) a connector ground-contacting surface comprising rubber, or (ii) rubber in its entirety.
. The agility ladder kit of, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder strip connectors has a connector length Lof from 2.5 in (6.35 cm) to 6.0 in (15.24 cm), a connector width Wc of from 1.0 in (2.54 cm) to 3.5 in (8.89 cm), and a connector thickness Tc of from 0.50 in (1.27 cm) to 3.0 in (7.62 cm).
Complete technical specification and implementation details from the patent document.
This patent application claims the benefit of priority to (1) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/688,041 filed on Aug. 28, 2024 entitled “AGILITY LADDERS, AGILITY LADDER COMPONENTS, AGILITY LADDER KITS, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME,” and (2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/662,646 filed on Jun. 21, 2024 entitled “AGILITY LADDERS, AGILITY LADDER COMPONENTS, AGILITY LADDER KITS, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME,” the subject matter of both of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to exercise and training equipment, such as agility ladders, agility ladder components, and methods of making and using exercise and training equipment, such as agility ladders and agility ladder components.
There is a need in the art for exercise and training equipment, such as agility ladders and agility ladder kits, that are easy to store, assemble, and use. Efforts continue to further develop exercise and training equipment, such as agility ladders, that can assist a person's or animal's agility training.
The present invention is directed to exercise and training equipment. The exercise and training equipment may comprise agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits. The agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits provide a number of benefits over traditional agility ladders. For example, the agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits of the present invention can be easily assembled so as to result in a variety of agility ladder configurations, enabling a user to try a variety of agility training exercises.
The present invention is directed to exercise and training equipment in the form of agility ladders. In some embodiments of the present invention, the agility ladder comprises (i) one or more agility ladder ground strips, and (ii) one or more agility ladder strip connectors, wherein each agility ladder strip connector is capable of connecting three or more agility ladder ground strips to one another. It should be understood that the herein-described agility ladders, agility ladder ground strips, and agility ladder strip connectors, when used in exercise and training systems other than agility ladders, could be referred to simply as exercise and training equipment, exercise and training equipment strips (or sticks), and exercise and training equipment strip (or stick) connectors. Consequently, throughout the present specification and claims, exercise and training equipment may be used instead of agility ladders, exercise and training equipment strips (or sticks) may be used instead of agility ladder ground strips, and exercise and training equipment strip (or stick) connectors may be used instead of agility ladder strip connectors.
The present invention is further directed to exercise and training system components or agility ladder components such as agility ladder ground strips, and agility ladder strip connectors. In some embodiments of the present invention, the exercise and training system component or agility ladder component comprises an agility ladder ground strip, wherein the agility ladder ground strip comprises an upper strip major surface, a lower strip major surface opposite the upper strip major surface, opposite strip ends separated by a strip length Ls, and opposite strip side edges separated by a strip width Ws, wherein each of the opposite strip side edges comprises alternating edge hills and edge valleys such that the strip width Ws varies along the strip length Ls. In some embodiments, the opposite strip side edges comprise a wavy edge configuration with alternating edge hills and edge valleys such that the strip width Ws alternates from (i) a larger strip width Wsto (ii) a smaller strip width Wsto (iii) the larger strip width Wsto (iv) the smaller strip width Ws, etc. along the strip length Ls.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the exercise and training system component or agility ladder component comprises an agility ladder ground strip, wherein the agility ladder ground strip comprises opposite strip side edges having a straight, parallel configuration such that the strip width Ws is substantially constant or constant along at least a portion of the strip length Ls. In some embodiments wherein opposite strip side edges have a straight, parallel configuration, the strip width Ws is substantially constant or constant along a majority of the strip length Ls (i.e., greater than 50% of the strip length Ls). In some embodiments wherein opposite strip side edges have a straight, parallel configuration, the strip width Ws is substantially constant or constant along all of the strip length Ls (i.e., 100% of the strip length Ls).
In some embodiments of the present invention, the agility ladder ground strip has (i) opposite strip side edge features that extend along at least a portion of the strip length Ls (or all of the strip length Ls), and/or (ii) upper strip edge features that extend along at least a portion of the strip length Ls (or all of the strip length Ls), and/or (iii) lower strip edge features that extend along at least a portion of the strip length Ls (or all of the strip length Ls), wherein each of (i) the opposite strip side edge features, (ii) the upper strip edge features, and (iii) the lower strip edge features, when present, (a) provides one or more connector surface contact points along at least a portion of the strip length Ls (or all of the strip length Ls), and (b) have some amount of curvature therein, for example, curvature extending along a side edge or both side edges, such as a wavy edge configuration or the curved profile configuration, or extending along upper/lower surfaces, as discussed below. As discussed herein, in some embodiments, the opposite strip side edge features comprise a straight, parallel configuration of side edges, each side edge having a curved profile, wherein the opposite strip side edges with curved profile provide a majority of connector surface contact points along at least a portion of the strip length Ls (or all of the strip length Ls).
In some embodiments of the present invention, the exercise and training system component or agility ladder component comprises an agility ladder strip connector, wherein the agility ladder strip connector comprises (i) an upper connector major surface, (ii) a lower connector major surface opposite the upper connector major surface, (iii) opposite connector ends separated by a connector length Lc, (iv) a first connector side edge extending between the opposite connector ends, (v) a second connector side edge opposite the first connector side edge, and being separated from the first connector side edge by a connector width Wc, (vi) a strip receiving opening within each of the opposite connector ends with each strip receiving opening sized to receive a strip end of a given agility ladder ground strip, and (vii) a connector channel extending from the first connector side edge to the second connector side edge. In some embodiments, the agility ladder strip connector comprises (i) a strip end stop within each of the strip receiving openings so that a given agility ladder ground strip extends a desired length into a given strip receiving opening, and/or (ii) one or more strip engagement members within the connector channel so as to engage with a given agility ladder ground strip extending through the connector channel.
In some embodiments, agility ladder strip connectors of the present invention comprise (i) an upper connector major surface, (ii) a lower connector major surface opposite the upper connector major surface, (iii) opposite connector ends separated by a connector length Lc, (iv) a first connector side edge extending between the opposite connector ends, (v) a second connector side edge opposite the first connector side edge, and being separated from the first connector side edge by a connector width Wc, (vi) a strip receiving opening within each of the opposite connector ends with each strip receiving opening sized to receive a strip end of a given agility ladder ground strip, and (vii) a width-extending connector channel extending from the first connector side edge to the second connector side edge, wherein each strip receiving opening connects with a corresponding strip receiving opening to form a length-extending connector channel extending from a first connector end of the opposite connector ends to a second connector end of the opposite connector ends.
In other embodiments, agility ladder strip connectors are positioned along outer side edges and/or one or more end edges of an agility ladder ground strip. In these embodiments, a given agility ladder ground strip of the present invention comprises an upper strip major surface, a lower strip major surface opposite the upper strip major surface, opposite strip ends separated by a strip length Ls, and opposite strip side edges separated by a strip width Ws, wherein each of the opposite strip side edges comprises one or more agility ladder strip connectors extending thereon, each agility ladder strip connector being capable of connecting to two or more additional agility ladder ground strips′.
The present invention is also directed to methods of making exercise and training systems and components such as agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits. In some embodiments of the present invention, the method of making an exercise and training system component or agility ladder component comprises forming an agility ladder ground strip, wherein the agility ladder ground strip comprises an upper strip major surface, a lower strip major surface opposite the upper strip major surface, opposite strip ends separated by a strip length Ls, and opposite strip side edges separated by a strip width Ws, wherein each of the opposite strip side edges comprises alternating edge hills and edge valleys such that the strip width Ws varies along the strip length Ls. The forming step may comprise a thermoforming step (e.g., a molding step) to form the agility ladder ground strip from a polymeric material, such as a polypropylene.
The present invention is further directed to methods of using exercise and training systems and components such as agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits. In some embodiments of the present invention, the method of using exercise and training systems or agility ladders, agility ladder components, and/or agility ladder kits comprises connecting (i) one or more of the herein-described agility ladder ground strips, and (ii) one or more of the herein-described agility ladder strip connectors to one another to form an agility ladder configuration.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.
The features of the present agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits, and methods are set forth in part in the following preferred embodiments. This overview is intended to provide nonlimiting descriptions of the present subject matter and is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation. The preferred embodiments below provide further information about the agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits, and methods of the present invention as described herein.
The present invention relates to agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits. Exemplary agility ladders, agility ladder components, and agility ladder kits are shown, for example, in.
As shown in, exemplary agility ladders, agility ladder components/′//′//′, and agility ladder kitsof the present invention may comprise a number of components including, but not limited to, (i) one or more agility ladder ground strips/′, and (ii) one or more agility ladder strip connectors/′, wherein each agility ladder strip connector/′ is capable of connecting three or more agility ladder ground strips/′ to one another. It should be noted that agility ladder ground strips/′ may also be referred to as agility ladder ground sticks/′.
As shown in, in some embodiments, exemplary agility ladders, agility ladder components Oct.,, and agility ladder kitsof the present invention may comprise a hurdle strip componentextending from one agility ladder strip connectorto another agility ladder strip connectorabove an agility ladder ground strip.
As shown in, in some embodiments, agility ladder ground strips/′ of the present invention may comprise an upper strip major surface, a lower strip major surfaceopposite the upper strip major surface, opposite strip ends/separated by a strip length Ls, and opposite strip side edges/separated by a strip width Ws. As shown in, in some embodiments, each of the opposite strip side edges/comprises alternating edge hillsand edge valleyssuch that the strip width Ws varies along the strip length Ls. The alternating edge hillsand edge valleysmay be along one or more portions of the strip length Ls, or along a complete length of the strip length Ls.
In some embodiments, agility ladder ground stripsof the present invention comprise opposite strip side edges/having a wavy edge configuration with alternating edge hillsand edge valleyssuch that the strip width Ws alternates from (i) a larger strip width Wsto (ii) a smaller strip width Wsto (iii) the larger strip width Wsto (iv) the smaller strip width Ws, etc. along the strip length Ls. See again, for example,.
As further shown in, in some embodiments, opposite strip ends/of a given agility ladder ground strip/′ may comprise alternating edge hillsand edge valleys, as discussed above, and also comprise a relatively straight end edgebound by strip end edge hills′. As one moves away from relatively straight end edgealong opposite strip side edges/, each strip end edge hill′ is followed by a first edge valley′ and then a second strip edge hill″, followed by a second edge valley′, and so on. In this embodiment, exemplary agility ladder ground strip/′ has an overall strip width Ws that becomes smaller towards each strip end/(i.e., towards relatively straight end edge). Exemplary agility ladder ground strip/′ has a minimum strip width Wsacross exemplary agility ladder ground strip/′ at corresponding first edge valleys′, and typically the strip width Ws is slightly greater across exemplary agility ladder ground strip/′ at corresponding second edge valleys″. Typically, the strip width Ws across exemplary agility ladder ground strip/′ at the remaining corresponding edge valley, along the strip length Ls is greater than (i) the minimum strip width Wsacross exemplary agility ladder ground strip/′ at corresponding first edge valleys′, and (ii) the strip width Ws across exemplary agility ladder ground stripat corresponding second edge valleys″. See again,.
As shown in, in some embodiments, agility ladder ground stripsof the present invention comprise opposite strip side edges/having a straight, parallel configuration such that the strip width Ws is substantially constant or constant along at least a portion of the strip length Ls. As used herein, the term “substantially constant” means that the strip width Ws may vary plus or minus up to 0.125 inch (in)(3.17 mm), more desirably, less than 0.063 in (1.59 mm) from a desired strip width Ws (e.g., a strip width Ws of 2.00 in). Typically, in embodiments wherein opposite strip side edges/have a straight, parallel configuration, the strip width Ws is substantially constant or constant along a majority of the strip length Ls (i.e., greater than 50% of the strip length Ls). See again, for example,. In some embodiments wherein opposite strip side edges/have a straight, parallel configuration, the strip width Ws is substantially constant or constant along all of the strip length Ls (i.e., 100% of the strip length Ls). See again, for example,.
As further shown in, the agility ladder ground stripsof the present invention may comprise a variety of overall shapes and cross-sectional configurations. Each independent overall shape provides one or more connecting properties (e.g., strip contact pointsthat come into contact with corresponding contact points′ or′ of a given connector) for a given agility ladder ground strip/′. Each independent cross-sectional configuration provides one or more strip properties such as overall strip weight, strip rigidity, strip resiliency, etc. to a given agility ladder ground strip/′. As shown, for example, in, and-J, for each independent overall shape and cross-sectional configuration of a given agility ladder ground strip/′, the present invention further comprises an agility ladder strip connectorthat is connectable with three of more agility ladder strips(i.e., provides contact points′ or′ of given connectorfor contact with strip contact pointsof three of more agility ladder strips).
As shown in, in some embodiments, agility ladder strip connectorsof the present invention may comprise (i) an upper connector major surface, (ii) a lower connector major surfaceopposite the upper connector major surface, (iii) opposite connector ends/separated by a connector length Lc, (iv) a first connector side edgeextending between the opposite connector ends/, (v) a second connector side edgeopposite the first connector side edge/, and being separated from the first connector side edgeby a connector width Wc, (vi) a strip receiving openingwithin each of the opposite connector ends/with each strip receiving openingsized to receive a strip end/of a given agility ladder ground strip/′, and (vii) a connector channelextending from the first connector side edgeto the second connector side edge.
In some embodiments, the agility ladder strip connector comprises (i) a strip end stopwithin each of the strip receiving openingsso that a given agility ladder ground strip end/extends a desired length into a given strip receiving opening, and/or (ii) one or more opening strip engagement memberswithin each strip receiving openingso as to engage with strip end/of a given agility ladder ground strip/′ extending into a given strip receiving opening, and/or (iii) one or more channel strip engagement memberswithin the connector channelso as to engage with opposite strip side edges/of a given agility ladder ground strip/′ extending through the connector channel. See again,.
As shown in, in some embodiments, agility ladder strip connectorsof the present invention may comprise (i) an upper connector major surface, (ii) a lower connector major surfaceopposite the upper connector major surface, (iii) opposite connector ends/separated by a connector length Lc, (iv) a first connector side edgeextending between the opposite connector ends/, (v) a second connector side edgeopposite the first connector side edge/, and being separated from the first connector side edgeby a connector width Wc, (vi) a strip receiving openingwithin each of the opposite connector ends/with each strip receiving openingsized to receive a strip end/of a given agility ladder ground strip/′, and (vii) a width-extending connector channelextending from the first connector side edgeto the second connector side edge, wherein each strip receiving openingconnects with a corresponding strip receiving openingto form a length-extending connector channelextending from a first connector endof said opposite connector ends/to a second connector endof said opposite connector ends/.
As shown in, exemplary agility ladder strip connectorsmay comprise (i) multiple strip receiving openings, and/or (ii) multiple connector channelsextending from the first connector side edgeto the second connector side edge. Typically, agility ladder strip connectorsof the present invention comprise (i) from two to about twelve () strip receiving openings, more typically, from about two to six strip receiving openings, and (ii) one to about five connector channelsextending from the first connector side edgeto the second connector side edge. Such agility ladder strip connectorsare capable of connecting up to about a dozen agility ladder ground strips/′ to one another to form an agility ladderconfiguration.
In addition, it should be noted that although all of (A) the strip receiving openings, and (B) the one or more connector channelsare shown oriented perpendicularly to one another, the strip receiving openingsmay be oriented relative to the one or more connector channelsat an angle other than 90 degrees (°). For example, strip receiving openingscould be oriented relative to the one or more connector channelsat an angle ranging from about 45° to about 135°, or any angle therebetween.
As shown in, in some embodiments, agility ladder strip connectors′ are positioned along outer edges/of a given agility ladder ground strip′. In these embodiments, agility ladder ground strip′ comprises an upper strip major surface, a lower strip major surfaceopposite the upper strip major surface, opposite strip ends/separated by a strip length Ls, and opposite strip side edges/separated by a strip width Ws, wherein each of the opposite strip side edges/comprises one or more agility ladder strip connectors′ extending thereon, each agility ladder strip connector′ being capable of connecting to two or more additional agility ladder ground strips′.
A variety of agility ladders, agility ladder components/′//′//′, and agility ladder kits, methods of making agility ladders, agility ladder components/′//′//′, and agility ladder kits, and methods of using agility ladders, agility ladder components/′//′//′, and agility ladder kitsare further described below in the following additional embodiments.
1. An agility laddercomprising: one or more agility ladder ground strips/′, and one or more agility ladder strip connectors/′, wherein each agility ladder strip connector/′ is capable of connecting three or more agility ladder ground strips/′ to one another, wherein the one or more agility ladder ground strips/′ are connected to the one or more agility ladder strip connectors/′ to form an agility ladderconfiguration. See, for example, the exemplary agility ladderconfigurations shown in
2. The agility ladderof embodiment 1, wherein the agility ladderconfiguration comprises a straight line of three or more agility ladder ground strips/′, and two or more agility ladder strip connectors/′.
3. The agility ladderof embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the agility ladderconfiguration comprises a zig-zag shaped line of three or more agility ladder ground strips/′, and two or more agility ladder strip connectors/′.
4. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the agility ladderconfiguration comprises two or more parallel lines with each line comprising three or more agility ladder ground strips/′, and two or more agility ladder strip connectors/′.
5. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the agility ladderconfiguration comprises three or more parallel lines with each line comprising three or more agility ladder ground strips/′, and two or more agility ladder strip connectors/′. It should be understood that any number of parallel lines could be formed (e.g., from 3 to 50 parallel lines) using any number of agility ladder ground strips/′ (e.g., from 6 to 500 agility ladder ground strips/′), and any number of agility ladder strip connectors/′ (e.g., from 2 to 500 agility ladder strip connectors/′).
6. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the agility ladderconfiguration comprises a grid of agility ladder ground strips/′, and agility ladder strip connectors/′, and the grid comprises two or more rows and one or more columns.
7. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the agility ladderconfiguration comprises a grid of agility ladder ground strips/′, and agility ladder strip connectors/′, and the grid comprises two or more rows and two or more columns. It should be understood that any number of rows (e.g., from 2 to 50 rows) and any number of columns (e.g., from 2 to 50 columns) can be formed using any number of agility ladder ground strips/′ (e.g., from 6 to 500 agility ladder ground strips/′), and any number of agility ladder strip connectors/′ (e.g., from 2 to 1000 agility ladder strip connectors/′).
8. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the agility ladderconfiguration comprises from 6 to 500 agility ladder ground strips/′, and from 2 to 1000 agility ladder strip connectors/′.
9. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground stripscomprises an upper strip major surface, a lower strip major surfaceopposite the upper strip major surface, opposite strip ends/separated by a strip length Ls, and opposite strip side edges/separated by a strip width Ws.
10. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein at least one of (i) upper strip edge features along the upper strip major surface, (ii) lower strip edge features along the lower strip major surface, and (iii) opposite strip side edge features along the opposite strip side edges/, when present, (a) extends along at least a portion of the strip length Ls (or all of the strip length Ls), and (b) has (i) some amount of curvature therein (e.g., curvature extending along and within a side edge, such as the wavy edge configuration or the curved profile configuration, or extending along upper and/or lower surfaces, such as the opposing curved profiles along the upper and/or lower surfaces discussed below in references to), and/or (ii) a combination of the upper strip major surface, the lower strip major surface, and the opposite strip side edges/either (a) separated from one another by angles other than 90° (see,), or (b) separated from one another by more than four 90° angles (see,, which depicts a cross-sectional configuration with 12 90° angles therein). The (i) upper strip edge features along the upper strip major surface, (ii) lower strip edge features along the lower strip major surface, and/or (iii) opposite strip side edge features along the opposite strip side edges/, when present, may also provide one or more connector channel surface contact pointsalong at least a portion of the strip length Ls (or all of the strip length Ls) (i.e., points that contact surfaces′ and′, discussed below, within channelor channel).
11. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein opposite strip side edge features along the opposite strip side edges/are present, and (a) extend along at least a portion of the strip length Ls (or all of the strip length Ls), and (b) have (i) some amount of curvature therein (e.g., curvature extending along and within a side edge, such as the wavy edge configuration or the curved profile configuration, or extending along upper and/or lower surfaces, such as the opposing curved profiles along the upper and/or lower surfaces discussed below in references to).
12. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 9 to 11, wherein each of the opposite strip side edges/comprises alternating edge hillsand edge valleyssuch that the strip width Ws varies along the strip length Ls.
13. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 9 to 12, wherein the opposite strip side edges/comprise a wavy edge configuration with alternating edge hillsand edge valleyssuch that the strip width Ws alternates from (i) a larger strip width Wsto (ii) a smaller strip width Wsto (iii) the larger strip width Wsto (iv) the smaller strip width Ws, etc. along the strip length Ls. See again, for example,. It should be noted that the herein described “wavy edge configuration” with alternating edge hillsand edge valleysalong the strip length Ls is one preferred configuration for opposite strip side edges/. However, other possible configurations for opposite strip side edges/could be used instead. For example, opposite strip side edges/could have a saw-tooth configuration with triangular shaped alternating edge hillsand edge valleysinstead of the smooth curves of the alternating edge hillsand edge valleysas shown, for example, in. Other alternating edge hillsand edge valleys″ shapes/configurations including, but not limited to, those shown in, could be used in the present invention. In yet further possible configurations, opposite strip side edges/could have a straight, parallel configuration such that the strip width Ws is substantially constant or constant along the strip length Ls. See, for example, exemplary agility ladder ground stripshown in.
14. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 9 to 12, wherein the opposite strip side edges/comprise a saw-tooth configuration with triangular shaped alternating edge hillsand edge valleyssuch that the strip width Ws alternates from (i) a larger strip width Wsto (ii) a smaller strip width Wsto (iii) the larger strip width Wsto (iv) the smaller strip width Ws, etc. along the strip length Ls. See, for example, in.
15. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 12 to 14, wherein the alternating edge hillsand edge valleysextend along one or more portions of each of the opposite strip side edges/.
16. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 12 to 15, wherein the alternating edge hillsand edge valleysextend along a complete length Ls of each of the opposite strip side edges/.
17. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 12 to 16, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground stripshas an overall strip width Ws that becomes smaller towards each strip end/(i.e., towards end edge). For example, one agility ladder ground stripmight have an overall strip width Ws (as measured along the alternating edge hills) of about 3.17 centimeters (cm) (1.25 inches (in)), and an overall strip width Ws at strip end/(i.e., along end edge) of about 2.67 cm (1.05 in). See, for example, exemplary agility ladder ground stripshown in.
18. The agility ladderof any one of embodiments 9 to 17, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground stripsfurther comprise opposite strip side edges/extending from an end edgeat opposite strip ends/that each comprise (i) a first strip end edge hill′ adjacent the end edge, followed by a first edge valley′ and then a second strip edge hill″, followed by a second edge valley′, and then alternating edge hillsand edge valleys(as discussed above) to a midpoint along the strip length Ls of a given agility ladder ground strip.
19. The agility ladderof embodiment 18, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground stripshas a minimum strip width Wsbetween opposite side edges/at opposing first edge valleys′ (i.e., at a position along a given agility ladder ground stripthat is separated from end edgeby first strip end edge hill′). For example, a given agility ladder ground stripmight have an overall strip width Ws (as measured along the alternating edge hills) of about 3.7 cm (1.25 in), an overall strip width Ws at strip end/(i.e., along end edge) of about 2.67 cm (1.05 in), and a minimum strip width Wsbetween opposite side edges/at opposing first edge valleys′ of about 2.60 cm (1.02 in).
20. The agility ladderof embodiment 18 or 19, wherein each of the one or more agility ladder ground stripshas a strip width Wsbetween opposite side edges/at opposing first edge hills′ (i.e., at a position along a given agility ladder ground stripadjacent end edge) that represents a smallest strip width Wsbetween any two opposing first edge hills′ along opposite side edges/. For example, a given agility ladder ground stripmight have an overall strip width Ws (as measured along the alternating edge hills) of about 3.17 cm (1.25 in), an overall strip width Ws at strip end/(i.e., along end edge) of about 2.67 cm (1.05 in), a minimum strip width Wsbetween opposite side edges/at opposing first edge valleys′ of about 2.60 cm (1.02 in) and typically the strip width Ws is slightly greater across exemplary agility ladder ground stripat corresponding second edge valleys″, and a strip width Wsbetween opposite side edges/at opposing first edge hills′ of about 2.63 cm (1.035 in). See again,.
Unknown
December 25, 2025
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.