Patent Application
20140024508
This document concerns an invention relating generally to a versatile exercise device usable for various exercises in multiple configurations, and more specifically to an exercise device having stretchable elastic members extending from relatively inelastic central webbings.
Elastic cables are able to resist stretching to varying degrees, and can be used in different configurations to simulate weights in various exercises. An elastic cable can be secured to exercise bar sections, handles, etc. to perform desired exercises. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,923,750 and 6,497,641 to Hinds (incorporated by reference herein) show elastic cables with elongated middle portions and (male) plugs at opposing ends. Handles with (female) cable pockets are able to receive the elastic cable plugs therein. The elongated middle portions of the elastic cables are able to pass through the cable pockets but the plugs are not able to pass therethrough. The plugs allow elastic cables of desired elasticities to be secured to the handles and swapped for other elastic cables. Traditional exercise devices with elastic cables (such as devices with a pair of handles bridged by an elastic cable), however, are not easily stabilized in various configurations to achieve a wide variety of exercises. They also tend not to allow for a change in resistance without replacement of its parts (such as replacement of an elastic cable having a first elasticity/length with another elastic cable having a second elasticity/length).
The invention, which is defined by the claims set forth at the end of this document, is directed to a versatile exercise device usable for various exercises in multiple configurations which at least partially alleviate the aforementioned problems. A basic understanding of some of the features of preferred versions of the invention can be attained from a review of the following brief summary of the invention, with more details being provided elsewhere in this document. To assist in the reader's understanding, the following review makes reference to the accompanying drawings (which are briefly reviewed in the “Brief Description of the Drawings” section following this Summary section of this document).
Turning initially to
Each of the first and second elastic members 130, 140 includes a pair of elastic member bulbs/plugs 210A, 210B/220A, 220B on opposing ends of an elastic member body 210C/220C. (It is noted that portions 170A, 170B of the first and second elastic members 130, 140, discussed above, are part of the elastic member bodies 210C, 220C.) The elastic member bulbs 210A, 210B/220A, 220B have a diameter greater than a diameter of the elastic member bodies 210C/220C, and the elastic member bodies 210C/220C decrease in diameter when stretched beyond their resting lengths. The first bridge 110 may include a first bridge first cradle 230A and a first bridge second cradle 230B on opposing sides thereof, and the second bridge 120 may include a second bridge first cradle 240A and a second bridge second cradle 240B on opposing sides thereof. Each cradle is dimensioned to complementarily engage one of the elastic member bulbs 210A, 210B/220A, 220B, allowing the first and second elastic members 130, 140 to be securable to the first and second bridges 110, 120 via the cradles 230A, 230B/240A, 240B thereof. When one of the elastic member bulbs 210A, 210B/220A, 220B is received/lodged in one of the cradles 230A, 230B/240A, 240B, the elastic member bulb 210A, 210B/220A, 220B is restricted from exiting the cradle 230A, 230B/240A, 240B in a first direction along a cradle long axis (as oriented in
When the ends 100A, 100B of the central webbing 100 are pulled apart such that the central webbing 100 is effectively planar and taut, the first and second bridges 110, 120 are a separation distance 290 apart from each other. This separation distance 290 is preferably adjustable by allowing the relative position of the first and second bridges 110, 120 with respect to the central webbing 100 to be changed. To allow such adjustability, the second bridge 120 may include a second bridge passageway 300 through which the central webbing 100 may pass. A webbing securing mechanism 310 (such as a cam mechanism) that is biased to secure the second bridge 120 to the central webbing 100 may be incorporated into the second bridge 120. The webbing securing mechanism 310 may include a webbing release lever 320 that is movable between a grip state (as in
Referring to
The exercise device 10 may include the first handle 190 and the second handle 200 with the first grip 180A and the second grip 180B, respectively. The first and second grips 180A, 180B of the first and second handles 190, 200 may include a first channel 480A and a second channel 480B formed therein for passage of the first and second elastic members 130, 140 therethrough, respectively. The first and second handles 190, 200 may optionally include first and second handle bases 490, 500 extending from the first and second grips 170A, 170B/180A, 180B, respectively. Each of the first and second handle bases 490, 500 is preferably separated from the first and second grips 170A, 170B/180A, 180B, respectively, to allow the fingers of a user's hand to pass therebetween. Such a configuration allows the user to insert four fingers between the grip and base of a handle and grasp the grip using his or her thumb and their fingers. This combination of grip and base allow the user to do push-ups more comfortably since the wrists are not as flexed.
Further advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the remainder of this document in conjunction with the associated drawings.
Returning to
The central webbing 100 allows for a relatively large surface area of contact with the body (when, for example, the exercise device 10 is wrapped about the user's back). The central webbing 100 is preferably flexible/moldable/reshapable to allow it to conform to the shape of the body. Use of non-elastic material (such that the central webbing 100 does not substantially stretch during exercises) also makes the exercise device 10 more comfortable because, for example, a band that lengthens and shortens against the user's body could stretch and pinch the user's clothing and/or skin. The central webbing 100 may include a non-slip surface/material to further help stabilize the exercise device 10 during exercises such that, for example, the central webbing 100 does not slide against the back during repeated, alternating motions.
The first bridge 110 includes a first bridge width extending from a first bridge first side 110A to a first bridge second side 110B, and the second bridge 120 includes a second bridge width extending from a second bridge first side 120A to a second bridge second side 120B. Each of the first and second bridges 110, 120 extends between the webbing first and second edges 100C, 100D. In the version of the exercise device 10 shown in
As shown in
The central webbing 100 is substantially inelastic, such that when the first and second ends 100A, 100B of the central webbing 100 are pulled apart until the central webbing 100 is taut, the central webbing 100 does not substantially increase in length. The central webbing 100 and strapping member 350 may be made of (for example) inelastic nylon or polypropylene materials. The first and second bridges 110, 120, the first and second buckles 400, 410, and the first and second handles 190, 200 may be made of (for example) hard plastics. The cable cradles of the device anchor 340 may be made of (for example) relatively softer plastics.
To assemble the exercise device 10 of
To install the device anchor 340 of
To perform exercises using the exercise device 10, a user may begin by setting the wide, flat, central webbing 100 at the desired resistance level by adjusting the separation distance 290 between the first and second bridges 110, 120. This can be done by sliding the second bridge 120 along the length of the central webbing 100. The central webbing 100 includes numbered markings 560 (on the webbing first face 100E) to indicate the separation distance 290 and consequently the extent to which the elastic members 130, 140 will be stretched during exercises, helping the user keep track of his/her progress over time. The opposing side (the webbing second face 100F) of the central webbing 100 can include instructions for various exercises, safety precautions, etc. (not pictured).
An elastic member 130, 140 with a desired elasticity/length (and consequently a desired level of resistance/intensity) can be chosen (elastic members can be color coded to help distinguish between elastic members having different resistances). The elastic members 130, 140 can be installed by lodging their bulbs/plugs 210A, 210B/220A, 220B into the cradles 230A, 230B/240A, 240B of the bridges 110, 120 after sliding them through the handles 190, 200 (when handles are being used), as discussed above. The wide handle bases 490, 500 of the handles 190, 200 provide stability when placed on the floor. To minimize slippage on the floor or other surface, the handle bases 490, 500 may include base feet 570, 580. The hollow grips 180A, 180B of the handles 190, 200 may receive the elastic members 130, 140 therethrough so that the elastic members 130, 140 will not pinch the user's hands during exercises. When used properly, the resistance of the elastic members 130, 140 can increase the intensity of exercise routines relative to the same routines performed without the exercise device 10. The following are exemplary exercises that may be performed with the exercise device 10.
To perform “chest expansion” exercises, the user can begin by holding the exercise device 10 out directly in front at chest height with arms parallel with the floor. The user should keep a very slight bend at the elbows throughout the exercise. Next, keeping arms straight and parallel with the floor, the user should pull his or her hands away from each other until they are positioned straight out from the user's sides. Then, the hands can be brought back to the center starting position where the hands are directly in front of the chest with arms still parallel with the floor. This can be repeated for a desired number of repetitions. To adjust the resistance of chest expansion exercises (as well as the resistance for other exercises, including the ones discussed below), the user may adjust the central webbing 100 (that is, adjust the separation distance 290 between the first and second bridges 110, 120) and/or replace the elastic members 130, 140 with other elastic members having a different elasticity and/or length.
For “tricep extensions,” the handle 190 of the exercise device 10 can be taken in one hand and the arm lifted above the head. Next, the elbow can be bent so that the hand is behind the neck and in between the shoulder blades. The elbow should preferably be pointed at the ceiling, with the exercise device 10 hanging along the length of the back. Then, the user can reach down behind the back with the other hand, grabbing the other handle 200 of the exercise device 10. The back of the hand can be placed against the lower back so that it remains steady and supported while performing the exercise. Next the user can slowly extend his or her upper hand until the arm is almost straight. Then, the hand can be lowered to its starting position, trying to keep the elbow pointed at the ceiling. This can be repeated for a desired number of repetitions.
To perform “overhead pulls,” the user can take one handle 190, 200 of the exercise device 10 in each hand and raise the arms above the head with hands pointed toward the ceiling. A slight bend should be maintained in the elbows. Keeping arms straight, the hands can be lowered until the arms are straight out from the shoulders, parallel with the floor. As the hands are brought down, they should be slightly behind the shoulders so that the central webbing 100 remains behind the head rather than in front of the user's face. Then, the hands can be raised back to their starting position above the head, keeping arms straight with a slight bend at the elbow. This can be repeated for a desired number of repetitions.
To perform “power pushups,” the user may begin by looping the central webbing 100 of the exercise device 10 comfortably about the back. The wide, flat bases 490, 500 of the handles 190, 200 can be placed on the floor and the grips 180A, 180B grasped with the hands. The user can move into a pushup position, keeping the body straight and elbows slightly bent. The buttocks should preferably not sink toward the floor at any point during the exercise. The user can slowly bend his or her elbows, keeping them close to one's sides, until his or her body is just above the floor. Then, the user pushes himself/herself back up to the starting position until the elbows are almost straight. This can be repeated for a desired number of repetitions.
To perform the “power punch” exercise, the user may begin by looping the central webbing 100 of the exercise device 10 comfortably around the back. Next, the handles 190, 200 of the exercise device 10 can be gripped and arms placed in front in a boxing stance. The hands should be in front of the face with one slightly higher than the other. The feet may be staggered with one in front of the other and one's weight on the back foot. A bend should be kept in the knees throughout the exercise. The user can punch forward the first on the same side of the body as the front foot. The user may punch until the arm is almost straight, then immediately begin to draw it back. As the arm begins to come back to its starting position, the torso may be rotated and the other first punched forward. The hands may pass by each other at the midway point between the starting and ending positions. As the torso is rotated to bring the back arm forward, one's weight may shift to the front foot and the bend in the knee increased. After extending the back arm all the way forward, the back arm can be immediately drawn back. As this is done, the torso will rotate and the weight will again shift to the back foot. This can be repeated for a desired number of repetitions.
To use the exercise device 10 and device anchor 340 for “crunches,” the device anchor 340 can be placed snugly in a door frame (as discussed above). The handles 190, 200 of the exercise device 10 can be detached, and the desired elastic members 130, 140 extended through the device anchor 340 and installed in the exercise device 10. The exercise device 10 will be attached to the device anchor 340 at both sides of the door frame. Next, the user can lie with the back on the floor and the exercise device 10 slid over the knees as he/she places the soles of the feet against the door. The lower legs should be parallel with the floor, and the central webbing 100 should comfortably rest over the thighs. Placing the central webbing 100 over the thighs will give the user support as crunches are performed. To perform a crunch, the arms can be crossed over the chest and the upper back slowly rolled off the floor until the bottoms of the shoulder blades are no longer touching the floor. The user should take care not to strain the neck and to keep the chin and eyes aimed toward the ceiling. Next, with the chin and eyes still directed at the ceiling, the user can slowly lower himself/herself back down until the head almost touches the floor. This can be repeated for a desired number of repetitions.
To use the exercise device 10 and device anchor 340 for “reverse crunches,” the device anchor 340 can be placed snugly in a door frame (as discussed above). The handles 190, 200 of the exercise device 10 can be detached, and the desired elastic member 130, 140 slid through the device anchor 340 and installed in the exercise device 10. The exercise device 10 will be attached to the device anchor 340 at both sides of the door frame. Next, the user can lie with the back on the floor and the exercise device 10 slid over the knees. The user can push himself/herself out from the door to provide adequate room to perform the reverse crunches. The lower legs should be parallel with the floor, and the central webbing 100 should be comfortably resting over the thighs. To perform a reverse crunch, the hands can be placed behind the head. The user should take care not to pull on the head or strain the neck during the exercise. The chin and eyes should be directed toward the ceiling. The top of the shoulder blades should preferably be just off the floor. Next, the knees can be pulled toward the chest while the central webbing 100 rests comfortably over the thighs. The shoulder blades will come up off the floor simultaneously until the knees and the chest meet. Then, the shoulder blades can be lowered back to the floor as the legs are moved back to their starting position with the lower legs parallel with the floor. This can be repeated for a desired number of repetitions.
Initially, it must be kept in mind that the exercise device 10 shown in the accompanying drawings and discussed above is merely exemplary, and may assume a wide variety of configurations different from those noted, and may use components different from those noted.
It should also be understood that terms referring to orientation and position are relative terms rather than absolute ones. Thus, terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “forward,” “rearward,” “leftward,” “rightward,” etc. should be regarded as words of convenience rather than limiting terms. It should be understood that components may in fact be located in different relative positions depending on the overall orientation and configuration of the apparatus.
Various preferred versions of the invention are shown and described above to illustrate different possible features of the invention and the varying ways in which these features may be combined. Apart from combining the different features of the foregoing versions in varying ways, other modifications are also considered to be within the scope of the invention. Following is an exemplary list of such modifications.
First, the central webbing 100 need not be a single band having a linear, rectangular configuration as shown in
Second, instead of a central webbing 100 linearly extending from a webbing first end 100A to a webbing second end 100B, the ends 100A, 100B of the central webbing 100 may be wrapped around to form a loop or belt. The separation distance 290 between the first and second bridges 110, 120 may be adjustable, for example, by adjusting a belt buckle secured to the looped/belted central webbing 100.
In a “true loop” configuration, the bridges 110, 120 may incorporate closed slots that allow the central webbing 100 to freely pass therethrough. The buckle is free to move between the bridges 110, 120. One end of the central webbing 100 could be attached to the buckle. The other end could pass through one bridge slot, the other bridge slot, and back to the buckle. At the buckle, the free end is passed through a cam buckle opening under a cam lever and out. The free end is used to pull webbing out of the loop, causing the distance between the bridges to shorten. In one variation, one of the bridges may be slightly tighter or fixed to the webbing near the free buckle. This arrangement pulls one bridge 110 towards the other 120. In another variation, the buckle may snap onto a bridge.
In an “anchored loop” configuration, the belt buckle may be integrated into one of the bridges 110, 120, which is secured to the central webbing 100. The free end of the looped/belted webbing then passes through the closed webbing slot in the other bridge and back to the buckle. At the buckle the free end is passed through the cam buckle opening under the cam lever and out. The free end is used to pull webbing out of the loop, causing the distance between the bridges 110, 120 to shorten.
Third, although
Fourth, although a pair of cradles on opposing sides of the bridge is shown in
Fifth, a foam rotator may be incorporated into a grip 180A, 180B of the handle 190, 200, allowing the user to perform pushups more comfortably as the foam-covered handle 190, 200 is trapped between the floor and the user's hand. Alternatively, a pushup type stand could be integrated into the handle 190, 200. For example, the handle 190, 200 shown in
Sixth, although one bridge 110 is shown as fixedly secured to the central webbing 100, while another bridge 120 is shown as adjustably secured to the central webbing 100 at a position between the webbing first end 100A and the webbing second end 100B, the bridges 110, 120 need not be so configured. For example, both bridges 110, 120 may be fixedly secured to the central webbing 100 at any position along the length of the central webbing 100, or both bridges 110, 120 may be adjustably secured to the central webbing 100.
Seventh, although the exercise device 10 of
Eight, although
Ninth, although the webbing first end 100A has been molded into the first bridge 110, the first bridge 110 may include a slot through which central webbing 100 may pass. The central webbing 100 could be sewn at the webbing first end 100A to resist being pulled through the slot in the first bridge 110. This could be used to allow small-runs of custom webbing into standard molded parts. Moreover, the webbing could be customized with graphic logos, colors, instructions, etc.
Tenth, although the bridges 110, 120 in
Eleventh, although the version in
Twelfth, the version of band 100 described and pictured is webbing made of polypropylene. Use of such webbing may have the advantages of being relatively simple and low cost. However, element 100 could be replaced by other structures made of different materials and having different configurations. For example, central webbing 100 could be replaced with any alternative structure that would provide one or more of: a large surface area of contact with the body; conformity to the shape of the body; and inelasticity.
Preferred versions of the invention have been described above in order to illustrate how to make and use the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to these versions, but rather is intended to be limited only by the claims set out below. Thus, the invention encompasses all different versions that fall literally or equivalently within the scope of these claims.
This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/672,499 filed Jul. 17, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61672499 | Jul 2012 | US |
