Patent Application
20130319808
The present invention relates generally to the field of portable exercise equipment. It may be difficult for a health-conscious and frequent traveler to get regular and effective exercise. The present invention enables a larger segment of the traveling population to exercise without the need to find a spa or gymnasium or to carry a separate set of luggage, specifically for their exercise equipment. The present invention can hold all of a traveler's belongings, offer them on-the-go exercise equipment and be stored as any normal suitcase could on in a car, bus, train or airplane.
In recent years, the number of health-conscious individuals has grown tremendously. In addition, the number of these health-conscious individuals who travel frequently, has also increased. Each person has their own motivation and desire as to when and where to exercise, and the type and number of exercises in which they wish to engage. Spas and gyms provide large numbers of individuals with a wide range of exercise devices; however, these require both membership and either staying within a certain locality or belonging to a national or international chain.
Furthermore, some people wish to exercise at within their office or hotel room through personal preference or constraints such as time or location. Therefore, a need exists for a means by which an individual can get a good workout, even while traveling, without the need of an expensive international spa or gym membership or expensive hotels with attached spas and gyms.
Furthermore, while there is currently a large variety of exercise equipment available, most users do not have the access to it. This equipment, which ranges from simple mats, steps and free weights, to large and complex multi-function machinery that may be computer controlled, such as treadmills, rowing and stepping machines. Most individuals are limited in the number and type of exercise devices they may own, generally as a result of the cost of such equipment and the space necessary to store and use the equipment. Even spas and gyms must be conscientious of the space required by each piece of equipment or the number of devices which they may provide to its users because they may become space-limiting. Thus, it is a desire to provide an exercise apparatus which may be conveniently stored and which is affordable to a traveler.
Individuals may commonly employ an exercise regimen where they work out at home or the spa or gym one or more times per week. These individuals generally find it desirable to maintain their regimen when traveling, such as when on a business trip or vacation. Further, as noted above, some individuals do not wish to work out in a spa or gym on all occasions, or ever, but prefer to work out at work. For these reasons, it is desirable to provide exercise equipment which is portable and easy to store and does not require separate means to transport it.
In addition to the foregoing, it is important to note that most individuals wish to engage in multiple exercises. For example, large numbers of individuals enjoy “step” exercises. These exercises involve stepping on and off a raised platform. These exercises are known for their cardiovascular benefits and work-out of the legs. In addition, the same individuals may wish to engage in strength and flexibility training involving other portions of the body, such as the arms, chest, shoulders and abdominals. For example, crunches, bicep curls, static holds, rowing and similar exercises are all well known for exercising various specific portions of the body.
Present exercise equipment is deficient in addressing the above-stated problems and preferences. For example, large multi-station weight machines provide a user with the opportunity to perform a large number of exercises. On the other hand, these machines are not transportable, and are generally large and expensive. Alternatively simple “steps” are available (including those which may be raised and lowered). These devices are easy to transport and relatively inexpensive, but afford the user very few exercises and requires the traveler to pack and carry not only a case for personal items but also pack and carry the step for aerobic exercise.
As a result of the above-stated problems and desires, there is a need for a piece of luggage, with an exercise device integrated with it, which is both compact and portable. In addition, it is desirable for the device to permit a wide range of exercises. Furthermore, it is desirable to have complete luggage-like storage capacity, in addition to the exercise functionality.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The present invention comprises an article of luggage with an associated exercise apparatus, one or more methods of using the apparatus, one or more methods of exercising with the apparatus, and one or more methods of carrying, handling or using the article of luggage.
In one or more embodiments, the suitcase comprises a combination exercise apparatus and case comprising a front wall opposed back wall supported by a bottom wall and at least one side wall defining an interior space accessible by detaching the front wall from the side wall or walls from a closed to an open position with respect to the bottom wall or, in another embodiment, the side wall. The front wall may be closed with, without limitation: a zipper, a hook and pile connector, snaps, a drawstring or other closure methods well known in the art. The suitcase has at least one handle associated with the back or side wall for use by a user in moving the suitcase.
The suitcase may be of any standard or non-standard luggage size or configuration. The suitcase may be a standard prismatic rectangle sized to fit in an overhead compartment of a bus, train or airplane. The suitcase may be a large cargo bag configuration; for example, a Samsonite® Oyster 29″ Cartwheel. The suitcase may be a t-handle backpack. The suitcase may be hard case or soft case. These examples are given to be used for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered limiting the scope of the disclosure.
There may be at least one pulley handle removedly attached within an inset in the at least one side wall of the suitcase. The pulley handle may be held in with, without limitation: detente bearings, clips, magnets, a hook and pile attachment, straps, snaps or other attachment methods well known in the art. The inset may be polyformed, a pocket or other enclosure without limitation. The inset may be covered or may be left open.
In one or more embodiments, there is at least one resistive element for selective attachment to the pulley handle for use in an exercise by a user, at least one attachment point on the exterior of the back wall to which the at least one resistive element may be attached. The restive elements and the attachment points on the back wall may be covered or may be left uncovered.
In one or more embodiments, there may be at least one bar handle removedly attached within an inset in the at least one side wall of the suitcase. The bar handle may be one or more pieces and may require assembly. The bar handle may be configured to be, without limitation, a straight bar, a V-chin handle, a triceps rope, a triceps V-bar, grips, straps, a rotating bar or a lat bar or some combination of one or more of the handles previously mentioned.
The bar handle may be held in with, without limitation: detente bearings, clips, magnets, a hook and pile attachment, straps, snaps or other attachment methods well known in the art. The inset may be polyformed, a pocket or other enclosure without limitation. The inset may be covered or may be left open.
The bars, handles, grips, straps or other elements attached to the case may serve multiple functions: (1) As elements of the case to facilitate transporting or handling of the case. (2) As functional exercise elements. Additionally, by incorporating the same handles used for exercise functions into the functionality of the luggage the overall weight of the luggage is kept to a minimum.
An example of a dual purpose function of the case elements would be case wheels that have resistance adjustability. In this example a case-user could increase the wheels resistance by making an adjustment, when the case user now pulls the case through an airport the additional rolling resistance would increase the aerobic workout of the case user.
In one or more embodiments, the resistive elements may comprise elastic elements having, without limitation: a hook, snap, tie or other connective means at one end for coupling to the attachment point.
In one or more embodiments, the resistive element may be integrated into a resistance roller wheel mounted on the exterior of the back wall and a static connection may be made between the pulley handle and the either the resistance roller wheel or the at least one attachment point.
One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a method of using the exercise apparatus. These methods include methods of transporting and arranging the apparatus for use.
One or more embodiments of the invention comprise methods of exercising using the apparatus. These methods include using the apparatus as an exercise suitcase/step and using the pulley handles or bar handle and resistive element(s) coupled to the suitcase in a variety of exercises.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Other objectives, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings wherein.
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Extender bars 128 allow the handle to be raised to a comfortable height to more easily pull the exercise apparatus and article of luggage 100. An upper external pocket 122 may be attached to the front face of the exercise apparatus and article of luggage 100. A lower external pocket 124 may be attached to the front face of the exercise apparatus and article of luggage 100. At least one wheel 126 may be attached to the side wall 104 or the base 102 of the exercise apparatus and article of luggage 100.
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