Various aspects of the present invention relate generally to a device for exercising, and more particularly, to a brace that is worn during exercise to provide arm and/or leg workouts.
Physical exercise is a recognized beneficial bodily activity that can be used for fitness, therapeutic purposes and health purposes. In order to promote physical exercise, a wide range of exercise devices are commercially available. For instance, exercise devices may take the form of free weights, including barbells, dumbbells and kettlebells. Unfortunately, barbells require a plurality of disc plates of varying weight to provide a satisfactory workout. Also, dumbbells and kettlebells come in a wide range of weights. As such, a user may be inclined to purchase dumbbells and kettlebells in sets, requiring a large area to store the equipment.
Exercise devices may also take the form of weight resistance machines. Typical weight resistance machines require a user to sit, lay on or stand adjacent to different stations, components or features of the machine to work out different muscle groups. These machines are large, expensive and cumbersome. Even exercise devices designed to facilitate cardiovascular workouts, e.g., treadmills, stairclimbers and elliptical machines, are large, bulky and expensive.
According to aspects of the present invention, an exercise device comprises an exercise brace, a first strap, a second strap, a resistance band and at least one band engaging member. The exercise brace includes a first frame member and a second frame member that pivotably couples to the first frame member. The first strap couples to the first frame member about an end portion thereof to temporarily attach the exercise device to a user. Similarly, the second strap couples to the second frame member about an end portion thereof to temporarily attach the exercise device to the user. The resistance band couples to the exercise brace. Moreover, at least one band engaging member extends from the exercise brace, each band engaging member arranged such that when the resistance band is brought into contact with the band engaging member, the resistance band creates a resistance to pivoting movement between the first frame member and the second frame member.
According to further aspects of the present invention, an exercise device comprises an exercise brace, a first strap, a second strap and a resistance band. The exercise brace includes a first frame member and a second frame member that pivotably couples to the first frame member. The first strap couples to the first frame member about an end portion thereof to temporarily attach the exercise device to a user. Similarly, the second strap couples to the second frame member about an end portion thereof to temporarily attach the exercise device to the user. The resistance band couples to the exercise brace such that the resistance band creates a resistance to pivoting movement between the first frame member and the second frame member.
According to still further aspects of the present invention, a method of providing multiple exercises in a single exercise device is provided. The method comprises providing an exercise brace having a first frame member and a second frame member that pivotably couples to the first frame member. The method also comprises providing a first strap that couples to the first frame member about an end portion thereof to temporarily attach the exercise device to a user and providing a second strap that couples to the second frame member about an end portion thereof to temporarily attach the exercise device to the user. The method still further comprises providing a resistance band that couples to the exercise brace and providing a first band engaging member extending from the exercise brace and a second band engaging member extending from the exercise brace, each band engaging member arranged such that when the resistance band is brought into contact with a selected band engaging member, the resistance band creates a resistance to pivoting movement between the first frame member and the second frame member.
The method may further comprise positioning each of the first and second band engaging members along the first frame member such that the exercise device provides a push exercise when the resistance band is brought into contact with a first one of the first and second band engaging members, and the exercise device provides a pull exercise when the resistance band is brought into contact with a second one of the first and second band engaging members.
The method may also comprise providing at least one feature on the exercise brace that allows the user to adjust the resistance provided by the resistance band, e.g., by adjusting the position of the resistance band on the exercise brace, by adjusting the number, size, length, thickness, resilience, or other aspect of the resistance band or by using other suitable techniques, examples of which are set out in greater detail herein.
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A first strap 20 couples to the first frame member 14 about an end portion thereof to temporarily attach the exercise device 10 to a user, e.g., to a limb of the user, as will be described in greater detail herein. Analogously, a second strap 22 couples to the second frame member about an end portion thereof to temporarily attach the exercise device to the user. As an illustrative implementation, the first strap 20 (also referred to as an upper strap 20), and the second strap 22 (also referred to as a lower strap 22) may each be implemented using Velcro® or other hook and loop fastener, a strap with a buckle and clasp or other arrangement for temporarily fastening the device to a person. Moreover, the first frame member 14 may include a feature such as a slot arrangement 24 for receiving the first strap 20. Similarly, the second frame member 16 may include a slot arrangement 26 for receiving the second strap 22.
The exercise device 10 also includes a resistance band 28 that couples to the exercise brace 12. The resistance band 28 provides resistance during exercise operations, to pivoting movement between the first frame member 14 and the second frame member 16. As illustrated, the resistance band 28 includes a first end member 30 and a second member 32. The first and second end members 30, 32 provide attachment features, and in some illustrative embodiments, provide pivoting, rotating and/or other forms of movement as will be described in greater detail below. In an illustrative implementation, the resistance band 28 is coupled between the second frame member 16 and the pivot point 18. However, other connection locations may alternatively be implemented. The resistance band 28 may comprise a chord, bungee, rubber, tubing or other material that can stretch, deform or otherwise generate resistance as the second frame member 16 pivots relative to the first frame member 14.
The exercise device 10 still further comprises at least one band engaging member extending from the exercise brace 12. As illustrated, there are two band engaging members, 34 and 36 that extend from the first frame member 14. However, the illustrated embodiment of the present invention is not so limited. Rather, any number of band engaging members may be implemented in practice. Each band engaging member 34, 36 can be fixedly positioned along the corresponding frame member, e.g., the first frame member 14 as shown. Alternatively, a band engaging member may be repositionable along the corresponding frame member, e.g., using slots that allow slidable adjustment, using predefined alignment holes, etc.
Each band engaging member is arranged such that when the resistance band 28 is brought into contact with the corresponding band engaging member 34, 36, the resistance band 28 creates a resistance to pivoting movement between the first frame member 14 and the second frame member 16 about the pivot point 18.
The exercise device 10 may also optionally include a third strap 38, which couples to the exercise brace 12 adjacent to the pivot point 18 where the first frame member 14 pivotably couples to the second frame member 16. In this regard, the third strap 38 is also referred to herein as a middle strap.
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The user performs the exercise for as many reps as deemed necessary. Each time the limb transitions from the fully extended position to the fully flexed position, the second frame member 16 pivots about the pivot point 18 relative to the first frame member 14. However, because the resistance band 28 is routed behind the band engagement member 32, the resistance band is stretched as the limb bends at the elbow.
In an illustrative exemplary implementation, the band engaging member 32 comprises a pulley. However, in practice, the band engaging member may comprise a post, grooved member or other device that contacts the resistance band 28. In this regard, the band engaging member 34 may reduce friction, such as by providing a surface that rolls, rotates, slides or otherwise engages with the resistance band 28.
Moreover, as illustrated, the resistance band 28 has a first end 30 that couples to the pivot point 18 between the first frame member 14 and the second frame member 16. In this regard, the pivot point 18 serves as a central pivot point of the device 10. The resistance band 28 also comprises a second end 32 that couples to the end portion of the second frame member 16, e.g., adjacent to the second support strap 22. In an illustrative exemplary implementation, the first and second ends 30, 32 of the resistance band 28 are pivotable relative to the exercise brace 12. For instance, in an exemplary implementation, the second frame member 16 includes a receiving hole for receiving an end of the resistance band 28. The end 32 may snap, click, pop, or otherwise engage the receiving hole. A similar mechanism is also used to couple the first end 30 to the pivot point 18. In this regard, the first and second frame members 14, 16 can pivot relative to each other during exercise while allowing the resistance band 28 to pivot independently. However, other arrangements may alternatively be implemented.
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According to various embodiments of the present invention, the exercise device 10 provides a first band engaging member 34 that couples to the first frame member and a second band engaging member 36 that also couples to the first frame member. The second frame member 16 pivotably couples to the first frame member 14 at a position along the first frame member 14 between the first band engaging member 34 and the second band engaging member 36. In this manner, the device 10 provides a first exercise when the resistance band engages the first band engaging member 34 and the device 10 provides a second exercise when the resistance band engages the second band engaging member 36. Moreover, the first and second exercises provide resistance in generally opposite directions, allowing different muscle groups to be exercised.
As noted in greater detail herein, the first band engaging member 34, e.g., a pulley, couples to the first frame member 14. The first band engaging member 34 is located along the first frame member 14 generally towards the first strap 20. The second band engaging member 36 couples to the first frame member 14 generally towards an end portion opposite of the first strap 20, i.e., towards the opposite end as the first band engaging member 34.
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Various aspects of the present invention provide a brace for exercising that can be quickly and easily strapped onto a limb, e.g., arm or leg, for exercise. The exercise device is compact and portable. In general, the exercise device 10 has a first frame member 14 and a second frame member 16 that pivots therebetween such that when worn, the pivot point corresponds to a position proximate to an elbow or knee, depending upon how the exercise device is being used. The resistance band 28, e.g., an elastic cord, connects the upper part of the brace with the lower part of the brace. This makes it possible to create resistance for a leg or arm exercise in a flexing or extending motion.
The exercise device 10 can be used while sitting down in a chair or couch. The exercise device can also be used while walking, running, dancing, doing aerobics or exercising giving the person more resistance for a more strenuous workout. Because the exercise device 10 is strapped onto the arm or leg it doesn't require the use of hands, wrist, ankles or feet to perform the various exercises. Because of this, the exercise device isolates the arm and leg muscles without stressing the hand, wrist, ankle, or feet muscles.
When the exercise device 10 is strapped to the arm, two exercises can be performed independently. A bicep curl can be performed in an upward motion when the elastic band is put into one position. A triceps extension can be performed in a downward motion when the elastic band is put into another position.
When the exercise device is strapped to the leg, two exercises can also be performed. The hamstring can be exercised in a downward motion when the elastic band is put into one position. A quadriceps muscle can be exercised in an upward motion when the elastic band is put into another position.
Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/474,791, filed Apr. 13, 2011, entitled “EXERCISE BRACE”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61474791 | Apr 2011 | US |