Athletic performance evaluation device

Abstract

An athletic training apparatus includes a generally horizontal base adapted to be disposed on a ground surface and a first sensor adapted to measure a weight of an athlete. A force receiving area adapted to be disposed in proximity of and above an end of the base is included and operably connected to a second sensor such that when the athlete exerts a force on the force receiving area, the second sensor measures the force exerted by the athlete.

1 . An athletic training apparatus comprising: 
 a generally horizontal base, the base adapted to be disposed on a ground surface;    a first sensor, the first sensor adapted to measure a weight of an athlete;    a force receiving area, the force receiving area adapted to be disposed in proximity of and above an end of the base; and    a second sensor, the second sensor operably connected to the force receiving area such that when the athlete exerts a force on the force receiving area, the second sensor measures the force exerted by the athlete.    
   
   
       2 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the base includes a first end and a second end;    the first sensor disposed proximate the first end of the base, the first sensor being operably connected to the base such that when the athlete is positioned on a first portion of the base, the first sensor measures the weight of the athlete; and    wherein the force receiving area is disposed above and in proximity to the second end of the base.    
   
   
       3 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 1 , including: 
 a third sensor, the third sensor operably connected to the base such that when the athlete moves a fixed distance on the base, the third sensor measures a time it takes the athlete to move the fixed distance.    
   
   
       4 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 1 , including: 
 a third sensor, the third sensor operably connected to the base, wherein the second and third sensors are adapted to measure a time it takes the athlete to move a fixed distance on the base.    
   
   
       5 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 after the computer receives the measurements from the first, second and third sensors, the computer calculates a performance factor F utilizing each of the results from the first, second, and third sensors in the equation (weight÷time)*force=F÷100; and    wherein the weight is determined from the first sensor, the force is determined from the second sensor, and the time is determined from at least the third sensor.    
   
   
       6 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the force receiving areas includes a blocking pad; and    the base, blocking pad and second sensor are operably connected such that the base, blocking pad and second sensor remain generally stationary with respect to one another when the athlete exerts a force on the blocking pad.    
   
   
       7 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the first, second, third sensors, and the base, form a unitary portable machine.    
   
   
       8 . An athletic training apparatus comprising: 
 a generally horizontal base, the base adapted to be disposed on a ground surface;    a first sensor, the first sensor operably connected to the base such that when an athlete is positioned on a first portion of the base, the first sensor measures a weight of the athlete;    a force receiving area, the force receiving area adapted to be disposed above the base and in proximity thereto; and    a second sensor, the second sensor operably connected to the force receiving area such that when the athlete exerts a force on the force receiving area, the second sensor measures the force exerted by the athlete.    
   
   
       9 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 8 , including: 
 a third sensor, the third sensor operably connected to the base, wherein the second and third sensors are adapted to measure a time it takes the athlete to move a fixed distance on the base.    
   
   
       10 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the first, second, and third sensors are operably connected to and communicate with a computer, the first sensor communicating the weight measurement, the second sensor communicating the force measurement, and the third sensor communicating the time measurement; and    the computer recording the weight, force, and time measurements and displaying the results on a display.    
   
   
       11 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 after the computer receives the measurements from the first, second and third sensors, the computer calculates a performance factor F utilizing each of the results from the first, second, and third sensors in the equation (weight÷time)*force=F÷100; and    wherein the weight is determined from the first sensor, the force is determined from the second sensor, and the time is determined from at least the third sensor.    
   
   
       12 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the force receiving areas includes a blocking pad; and    the base, blocking pad and second sensor are operably connected such that the base, blocking pad and second sensor remain generally stationary with respect to one another when the athlete exerts a force on the blocking pad.    
   
   
       13 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the third sensor is adjustable relative to the base.    
   
   
       14 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the first, second, third sensors, and the base, form a unitary portable machine.    
   
   
       15 . A football training apparatus for measuring performance characteristics of an athlete, the apparatus comprising: 
 a generally horizontal base, the base having a first end and a second end, the base adapted to be disposed on a ground surface;    a first sensor disposed proximate the first end of the base, the first sensor operably communicating with the base such that when an athlete is positioned on a first portion of the base, the first sensor measures a weight of the athlete;    a force receiving area, the force receiving area adapted to be disposed above the base proximate the second end thereof;    a second sensor, the second sensor operably communicating with the force receiving area such that when the athlete exerts a force on the force receiving area, the second sensor measures the force exerted by the athlete;    a third sensor, the third sensor operably connected to the base, wherein the second and third sensors are adapted to measure a time it takes the athlete to move a fixed distance on the base;    wherein the first, second, and third sensors are operably connected to and communicate with a computer, the first sensor communicating the weight measurement, the second sensor communicating the force measurement, and the third sensor communicating at least part of the time measurement, the computer recording the measurements; and    wherein further, after the computer receives the measurements from the first, second and third sensors, the computer calculates a performance factor F utilizing each of the results from the first, second, and third sensors in the equation (weight÷time)*force=F÷100, wherein the weight is determined from the first sensor, the force is determined from the second sensor, and the time is determined from at least the third sensor.    
   
   
       16 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein: 
 the force receiving areas includes a blocking pad; and    the base, blocking pad and second sensor are operably connected such that the base, blocking pad and second sensor remain generally stationary with respect to one another when the athlete exerts a force on the blocking pad.    
   
   
       17 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 the third sensor is adjustable relative to the base.    
   
   
       18 . The athletic training apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the first, second, third sensors, and the base, form a unitary portable machine.    
   
   
       19 . A method for measuring the performance of an athlete comprising: 
 providing an apparatus for measuring a weight, a time, and an exerted force of an athlete, the apparatus including: a generally horizontal base, the base adapted to be disposed on a ground surface; a first sensor for measuring the weight of the athlete; a second sensor for measuring the force exerted by the athlete; and a third sensor for measuring the time it takes the athlete to move the fixed distance on the base;    measuring the weight of the athlete with the first sensor;    measuring the force exerted by the athlete on a force receiving area that is in proximity with the base, the force measured with the second sensor; and    measuring the time it takes the athlete to traverse a fixed distance on the base with the third sensor.    
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein: 
 the first, second, and third sensors are operably connected to and communicate with a computer, the first sensor communicating the weight measurement, the second sensor communicating the force measurement, and the third sensor communicating the time measurement; and    the computer calculates a performance factor F utilizing each of the results from the first, second, and third sensors in the equation (weight÷time)*force=F÷100, wherein the weight is determined from the first sensor, the force is determined from the second sensor, and the time is determined from at least the third sensor.