Patent Application
20250041654
The subject matter relates to exercise equipment and more particularly to rotational resistance arm training equipment.
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts are continuously seeking new methods to improve fitness. The arms are an important area of emphasis for fitness and hence exercises that can optimize arm training are of interest. Research has shown that biceps become most activated with elbows bent at 90 degrees and with rotational resistance while supinating the palm of the arm being exercised.
Creating such rotational resistance is difficult. Supinating the palm with a dumbbell held at a 90-degree elbow bend is ineffective in creating rotational resistance because the equal mass on the ends of the dumbbell negates rotational resistance. This negation is similar to a see-saw with equal masses on both sides: one side pulls down on the other side to equalize the rotational resistance of the plank.
Supinating the palm with a dumbbell held off-center can create more rotational resistance, but this position is awkward, especially with heavier weights. Attaching a tensioned cable or a band to one side of the dumbbell while supinating the palm can also increase rotational resistance but is cumbersome and dangerous. Grasping a tensioned rope while supinating the palm can create rotational resistance, but this creates an extremely short arc of rotational resistance, mostly a result of rope stiffness rather than the weight. Using an adjustable dumbbell, where one side of the dumbbell can be loaded with more mass than the other, can create appropriate rotational resistance during supination but such adjustable dumbbells are expensive.
Another alternative is to attach a resistance band to a circular apparatus that can freely rotate within a housing to which the resistance band is attached. In this case, the rotational resistance is based only on the elasticity of the resistance band. To increase the rotational resistance, a less elastic band is required, which increases expense. Furthermore, to smoothly rotate the circular apparatus within the housing requires a smooth rotation mechanism such as ball bearings, which also increases expense.
Hence what is desired is a rotational resistance arm training apparatus that is more effective, flexible, not awkward, not cumbersome, not dangerous, and not expensive.
In accordance with an embodiment of the subject matter, an apparatus for facilitating rotational resistance arm training comprises: a hub having a cylindrical surface for winding a flexible material; two parallel side flanges, attached to the hub, for helping to keep the flexible material between the two parallel side flanges; an attachment point for securing the flexible material for winding the flexible material on the cylindrical surface; and a hand grip, attached to the hub, for receiving a rotational resistance change from a tension force directed along an attached flexible material attached to the attachment point and wound on the cylindrical surface.
The cylindrical surface can be any shape around which the flexible material can be wound including but not limited to the following shapes: circular, elliptical, and spiral (Archimedes, logarithmic). These different shapes can create different rotational resistance effects. For example, a circular cylindrical surface exerts a rotational resistance proportional to md2, where m is the mass of a weight attached to the flexible material and dis the horizontal distance from the center of the hand grip to the point of departure of the flexible material from the under tension. Shapes having a larger distance from the center of the hand grip to the point at which the flexible material departs the cylindrical surface will exert quadratically more rotational resistance in the hand grip when the flexible material has a tension force directed along it. This means that the same mass can have larger rotational resistance with a larger d.
A spirally shaped cylindrical surface, which is another embodiment of the subject matter, can increase its rotational resistance as the flexible material is wound on the cylindrical surface. This is because the distance d increases with rotation of the hand grip.
The flexible material can be anything that can be wound around the cylindrical surface, including but not limited to a string, a rope, a band, a tube, a cable, a wire, or webbing. The flexible material must be strong enough to handle a tensioning force that is sufficient for arm training. For example, a section of dental floss, though flexible, is likely to break under even a small amount of tensioning force and hence is not a good choice.
One side of the flexible material is attached to an embodiment of the subject matter and the other side can be attached to an object that can generate or resist force. An object that can generate or resist force includes but is not limited to: a mass such as a dumbbell or a weight plate, a cable attached to a weight training cable machine, and an elastic band that generates a resistance force when pulled taut. Various devices can be used to attach the end of the flexible material to an object that can generate or resist force including but not limited to a carabiner, a ring, and a clip. In some embodiments the flexible material can be looped through itself or knotted to attach to the object that can generate or resist force.
A tension force is a force that is transmitted through a flexible material so when the flexible material is pulled tight, forces act on opposite ends. The tension force is directed along the length of the flexible material and pulls equally on the objects on the opposite ends of the flexible material. At one end of the flexible material is an embodiment of the subject matter is attached. And at the other end of the flexible material an object that can participates in creating a tension force is attached. This object includes but is not limited to a cable attached to a cable machine, an elastic band anchored to another object, an elastic tube anchored to another object, and a weight.
Because the flexible material can be wound on the cylindrical surface, a tension force along the flexible material creates a change in rotational resistance. The change in rotational resistance is dependent on the point at which the flexible material departs the cylindrical surface. For example, assuming the hand grip is oriented horizontally to start, if the attachment point is directly below and perpendicular to the hand grip, this embodiment of the subject matter has no rotational resistance at the start of an exercise.
Twisting the hand grip clockwise or counter-clockwise creates a change in the rotational resistance. Several different effects can be achieved, depending on where the attachment point is located on the apparatus. For example, if the attachment point is directly above and perpendicular to the hand grip and the flexible material is wound counter-clockwise, this embodiment of the subject matter starts with rotational resistance in the clockwise direction. If the attachment point is directly above and perpendicular to the hand grip and the flexible material is wound clockwise, this embodiment of the subject matter starts with a rotational resistance in the counter-clockwise direction. In short, depending on where the flexible material is attached, different exercise effects can be created including both negative and positive rotational resistance.
The typical objective can be to move the hand grip in a direction that is opposite to the rotational resistance. This apparatus thus facilitates rotational resistance arm training.
The term “hand grip” can be a surface configured to be grasped by hand and not just the fingers. This surface can be smooth, textured, or with waves making it more amenable to grasping. The diameter of the hand grip can be between 1 inch to 1.75 inches for ease of grasping. However, the diameter or shape can be anything that a human can grasp. For example, for a user missing a hand or fingers, the “hand grip” might be something in which wrist or hand can be inserted and securely held. Furthermore, and even in a normal user, the “hand grip” could be something the whole hand in inserted into, thus eliminating a need for grip strength.
Note also that the hand grip is firmly attached to the hub, which means the hand grip does not rotate independently of the rim or any part of the apparatus. In fact, the hand grip, the hub, the flanges, and the cylindrical surface are all attached to each other so that one part does not move independently of the other part. For example, this embodiment of the subject matter might comprise a single piece of injection-molded thermoplastic. No ball bearings or axles are required. Furthermore, the apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter is not mounted inside another housing within which the apparatus can rotate.
For a circular cylindrical surface, the hand grip can be attached to the hub at diametrically opposed points on the hub. For a spirally shaped cylindrical surface, the hand grip can be attached so that its center passes through the center of mass of the apparatus and so that the rotational resistance can begin at the point of least resistance and progress to the point of greatest rotational resistance as the handle is rotated.
The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same figure elements.
In an embodiment of the subject matter, the flexible material can be flat 1 (one) inch flat webbing, which is a solid weave that can be made out of hemp, cotton, linen, and synthetic fibers such as nylon, acrylic, polypropylene, and polyester. Webbing is often used in the fitness industry because it is both lightweight and strong (breaking strengths in excess of 10000 pound-force). Webbing can also be manufactured of extremely strong material such as Dyneema and Kevlar. More generally, webbing refers to fabric of varying width and strength woven from different materials.
Once the webbing is attached to apparatus for facilitating rotational resistance arm training 100, the other end can be attached to a cable leading to a cable machine, an elastic band, an elastic tube, or secured to a mass. All of these can create a tension force along the flexible material. For example, a person using the apparatus can connect the webbing to the apparatus through slots 150 and then connect the other end to a cable machine. One such rotational resistance arm training exercise—for biceps—can begin when the webbing is taut and the hand grip is held with the palm pronated. The task is to supinate the palm while continuing to hold the hand grip. This action creates or resists the rotational force. This exercise can also be combined with the lifting the entire apparatus while supinating the palm, much as in a dumbbell supination exercise.
Similarly, the flexible material can be attached to a cable coming above the user (i.e., from the top). In this configuration, the palm can begin in a supinated position and then the palms can be rotated to pronate them. This exercise affects the triceps muscles. As with the biceps, this exercise can be combined with a movement of the entire apparatus, in this case pushing down the entire apparatus while pronating the palm.
Note that embodiments of the subject matter create a rotational resistance change based on a point of departure of the flexible material from the cylindrical surface. Typically, the flexible material is wound around the cylindrical surface from the attachment point to the point of departure. In accordance with embodiments of the subject matter, the attachment point of the flexible material can be located at various positions on the apparatus for facilitating rotational resistance arm training. A different position can result in different rotational resistance effects. For example, if the hand grip is vertical and the flexible material is attached directly below the hand grip, there is no rotational resistance when the hand grip is gripped and there is a tension force along the flexible material. If the flexible material is attached counter-clockwise from that position, the rotational resistance starts out negative-favoring supination. If the flexible material is attached clockwise from that position, the rotational resistance starts out positive-favoring pronation.
Similarly, the attachment point can also be holes at regularly spaced intervals in the cylindrical surface. Note that multiple repeated attachment points such as holes do not have to repeat at regular intervals-they can follow any pattern.
The bottom of
A quick release pin is often used in applications requiring rapid, frequent, and manual changes of an assembly. In this case, a quick release pin facilitates rapid changes of where webbing 310 can be attached. A quick release pin features a spring-loaded ball, which projects out of the pin shaft, locking the pin in place. Pulling on the circle releases the pin.
Instead of a sewn loop, webbing 310 can include a grommet through which a quick release pin can be inserted through a hole directly on the cylindrical surface.
Multiple different types of quick release pins can be used. For example, another quick release pin features a push button to release the locking mechanism. Other types of pins can be used including, but not limited to cotter pins, bolts, carabiners, and U-shaped safety pins. Such quick release pins can also be used to attach flexible material such as a cable with a looped end to an embodiment of the subject matter.
In accordance with an embodiment of the subject matter,
The webbing can also proceed first down through slot 430, up through slot 420, down through slot 410, and then back up through slot 430. Other attachment methods can also be used. For example, the webbing can include a looped end on the circle end, which can be inserted through a slot in the cylindrical surface. Next, a pin larger than the slot can be inserted through the loop, on the other side of the slot, so that the webbing cannot be pulled back through the slot.
Note,
The U-shaped channel width can be less than 1 inch from the outer edge of one flange to the outer edge of the other flange. The U-shaped channel depth can be sufficiently deep (i.e., 0.5 inches to 1 inch) to prevent the cable from slipping out if the apparatus is tilted sideways during operation.
Note that the apparatus shown in
The various components shown in
The preceding description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter. Thus, the subject matter is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
While this specification contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any subject matter or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular subject matters. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment.
Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.
The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the subject matter have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject matter to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the subject matter. The scope of the subject matter is defined by the appended claims.
