The present invention relates to an exercise and training device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular kit of parts allowing a plurality of different ballast elements to be mounted at different locations of an exercise device to thereby configure it for different training exercises or training loads. In embodiments, the exercise device may be used in conjunction with a head gear such as a helmet.
Various types of exercise gear exist that comprise a carrier structure for several ballast elements, such as dumbbell bars to be provided with a number of weight plates. Typically, the carrier structure comprises a mounting location at which the ballast elements may be attached and to which the ballast elements need to be secured.
The present invention seeks to provide an alternative design of an exercise device.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercise device as defined in claim 1. The exercise device comprises a kit of parts comprising a carrier structure and a plurality of ballast elements, wherein the carrier structure comprises a carrier body with at least two attachment locations, and wherein the ballast elements comprise two engaging structures, a first one of the engaging structures being configured for connection with an attachment location and a second one of the engaging structures being configured like an attachment location of the carrier, for connection with the first engaging structure of another ballast element.
It will be understood that the carrier structure is configured to allow it to be used with two or more ballast elements, e.g. weight discs, attached to it. By allowing two or more ballast elements to be attached at different locations of the carrier structure, the ballast distribution can be adjusted. The present disclosure suggests that a wide range of additional adjustments may be made by providing ballast elements that are inter-engageable, or interconnectable, so as to allow a ballast element to be attached either to a carrier structure or to another ballast element. This is achieved by providing attachment locations on the ballast elements that are functionally equivalent to the corresponding attachment locations of the carrier structure. It will be understood that in order to be configured as an attachment location, an engaging structure of a ballast element may be of the same engagement configuration as the carrier structure's attachment location, for instance by having a thread design, recess or socket shape, or the like, suitable for attachment of the first one of the engaging structures.
The engagement structures are understood to allow a physical connection to be made to secure the ballast elements to the carrier structure, so that they remain attached during typical use of the device for exercise. The attachment may be secure by way of a friction fit or a threaded connection. It will be appreciated that the strength of the connection required may depend on the size and mass of a ballast element.
In some embodiments, each ballast element is repeatably attachable and detachable from the carrier structure.
In some embodiments, each ballast element is repeatably attachable and detachable from another one of the ballast elements.
In some embodiments, the exercise device comprises a free structure accessible as a handle when the ballast elements are attached.
The free structure may be provided by a free portion, or segment, of a ring structure. As will be explained below, a ballast element may be attached, for instance, at one side of a ring-shaped carrier structure, such as a 6 o'clock position. In that case, the ring-shaped structure may comprise a portion opposite the ballast element, such as a 12 o'clock position, that is not provided with a ballast element, and thereby constituting a free portion. The free portion may be used as a handle allowing and the exercise device to be used in the manner of a kettle bell.
In some embodiments, the carrier structure is of unitary form.
In some embodiments, the carrier structure is of general annular form such as a ring, obround, oval or ovoid shape.
By generally annular form, it is meant that the carrier structure may be a closed loop shape, and may be of complex form, such as a closed ‘driving wheel’ or ‘handle bar’ shape.
In some embodiments, the carrier structure is of open hoop form.
The open hoop form may be in the form of curved bar with free ends. The free ends may be parallel to provide a “U” shape, splayed to provide a “V shape, or inward-returning to provide a “C” shape. The carrier structure may comprise undulations in the form of an “M” or “W” shape. The carrier structure may be an open shape of complex form, such as an open ‘driving wheel’ or ‘handle bar’ shape.
In some embodiments, the exercise device comprises a plurality of radially extending attachment locations.
In some embodiments, the exercise device comprises a plurality of attachment locations for attachment of a ballast element perpendicular to an extension of the carrier structure, wherein at least one of the attachment locations is oriented at a different angle perpendicularly to the extension than at least another one of the attachment locations.
For instance, two or more attachment locations may be located at opposite sides of a carrier structure.
In some embodiments, the exercise device comprises one or more attachment locations extending in a direction other than an extension of the carrier structure.
For instance, one or more attachment locations may be oriented at an angle, such that a ballast element attached to the attachment location is at an off-centre location relative to an axis of the carrier element. This enables exercises with off-centre weight distribution.
In some embodiments, the exercise device comprises a plurality of attachment locations spaced apart along the carrier structure.
The attachment locations may be spaced apart along an extension of the carrier structure. The attachment locations may be equi-distantly spaced apart along the extension of the carrier structure. It will be appreciated that in the case of a carrier structure having free ends, the free ends being two distal ends or two opposite ends, respectively, the attachment locations may be located between the free ends of a carrier structure.
In some embodiments, the exercise device comprises two attachment locations at opposite ends of the carrier structure.
The exercise device may comprise two or more attachment locations at opposite ends of the carrier structure, wherein one or more of the attachment locations may be oriented at a different angle perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension of the carrier structure. For instance, one attachment location may be at a first end of a carrier structure, oriented in a line of a longitudinal extension of the carrier structure, and one or more attachment locations may be at a second end of the carrier structure, oriented at a different angle than the line of the longitudinal extension of the carrier structure, e.g. to point laterally away from the line of longitudinal extension. The longitudinal extension is understood to be a straight axis line for a cylindrical carrier structure, or an arcuate line for an arcuate or round carrier structure.
In some embodiments, the exercise device comprises four attachment locations at 90 degrees angularly offset positions relative to each other.
In some embodiments, the exercise device comprises through holes extending through a thickness of the carrier structure and providing two attachment locations, one at each end of the through hole.
In some embodiments, the attachment locations are threaded.
The attachment locations may be provided by threaded sockets or threaded through holes.
In some embodiments, the carrier structure comprises an elongate body.
The carrier structure may be provided in the form of a straight bar, and may be configurable similar to a dumbbell bar, with multiple attachment locations at one or both ends of the dumbbell bar. The carrier structure may be provided in the form of a curved bar, for instance in the shape of a cross bow.
In some embodiments, one or more of the ballast elements comprise an elongate body.
The ballast elements may be provided in the form of rods that are suitable as a handle. The ballast elements may have relatively low mass to be used primarily as a handle.
For instance, the ballast elements may have a length of at least 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, or 30 cm. As such, either the carrier structure or one or more of the ballast elements may be used as handle.
The exercise device may be adjusted in several ways by attaching ballast elements at different locations of the carrier structure, onto other ballast elements, and/or elongate elements, and by attaching elongate elements at different locations of the carrier structure, onto other ballast elements, or to elongate elements.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures, in which:
Referring to the Figures, an exercise device 10 is comprised of individual components including a ring 12 constituting a carrier structure, and a plurality of (here: two) cylinders 20, 22 each constituting a ballast element. The ring 12 is a generally annular structure comprising a body 12a made from a sturdy material such as steel. The ring 12 has an external diameter of about 10 inches, and an internal diameter of about 9 inches, and a generally circular section diameter of 2 cm. It will be appreciated that other diameters and thicknesses may be used. For instance, the carrier structure may have a sectional diameter (i.e. the thickness of the ring) of no less than 1.5 cm, 2 cm, 2.5 cm, 3 cm, or 3.5 cm. The carrier structure may have a sectional diameter of no more than 5 cm, 4.5 cm, 4 cm, 3.5 cm, 3 cm, 2.5 cm, or 2 cm. The ring structure may have an internal diameter of no less than 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm, 25 cm, 26 cm, 27 cm or 28 cm. The ring structure may have an internal diameter of no more than 40 cm, 35 cm, 34 cm, 33 cm, 32 cm, 31 cm, 30 cm, 29 cm, 28 cm or 27 cm. The external diameter may exceed the internal diameter by no less than 1.5 cm, 2 cm, 2.5 cm, 3 cm, or 3.5 cm, and/or by no more than 5 cm, 4.5 cm, 4 cm, 3.5 cm, 3 cm, 2.5 cm, or 2 cm. However, the invention is not necessarily limited in this regard and embodiments may comprise smaller diameters, in the region of 5 cm, or larger diameters, in the region of 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm or 70 cm. The intention is for the exercise device to have dimensions convenient for manual handling, typically of a handle for one-handed and/or two-handed manipulation, although variants may be used as larger or smaller hoops for arm and leg training exercises, as well as neck training exercises.
The ring 12 comprises a longitudinal extension 13a, here in circular longitudinal extension, corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the body 12a, and surrounding the ring axis. The ring 12 is provided with eight threaded holes, each spaced apart from another along the longitudinal extension 13a and oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension 13a. Of the eight threaded holes, four threaded holes extend radially relative to the ring axis, providing radially extending threaded holes 14a-14d, and four threaded holes 16a-16d extend parallel to the ring axis, providing periaxially extending threaded holes 16a-16d.
The radially extending threaded holes 14a to 14d are oriented in a radial extension and equi-angularly spaced apart, at an angle of 90 degrees, and extend through the thickness of the body of the ring 12 from the inner surface towards the outer surface. Each radially extending threaded hole 14a to 14d therefore comprises an internal opening, facing the centre of the ring 12, and an external opening, facing outwardly.
The periaxially extending threaded holes 16a to 16d are oriented parallel to the axis of the ring 12 and extend parallel to it, and are equi-angularly spaced apart, at an angle of 90 degrees, and angularly offset by 45 degrees between the radially extending threaded holes 14a to 14d, such that each radially extending threaded hole 14a,b,c,d alternates, offset by 45 degrees, with a periaxially extending threaded hole 16a,b,c,d. Each periaxially extending threaded hole 16a to 16d extends through the thickness of the body of the ring 12 from one lateral side to the opposite lateral side and therefore comprises an opening on both sides.
The threads of each threaded hole 14a-d and 16a-d extend along the threaded holes such that each threaded hole provides two threaded openings suitable as an attachment location in the manner of a threaded socket. It will be appreciated that the eight threaded holes provide 16 attachment locations in this manner, four inwardly-facing attachment locations and four outwardly-facing attachment locations provided by the radially extending threaded holes, and four laterally-facing attachment locations on each of the two sides of the ring 12 provided by the periaxially extending threaded holes.
Each one of the threaded holes 14a-d and 16a-d is provided with the same geometry and pitch thread. Being located on an annular ring 12 of circular cross-section, each one of the threaded holes 14a-d and 16a-d has the same length of (in the example) 2 cm, corresponding to the cross-section of the ring 12. It will be appreciated that other dimensions may be used. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the threaded holes may not be through holes and instead blind holes, or sockets, allowing attachment from only one side.
By way of the parallel and perpendicular orientation of the threaded holes, the ring 12 comprises attachment locations arranged to secure a first ballast element, or an assembly of ballast elements, in a first orientation relative to the longitudinal extension of the carrier structure, and to secure a second ballast element, or an assembly of ballast elements, in a second orientation relative to the longitudinal extension 13a of the carrier structure. According to the illustrated example, the first orientation is perpendicular to a ring axis and the second orientation is parallel to a ring axis, both orientations being perpendicular to a longitudinal extension 13a of the ring 12. However, the invention is not so limited and the orientation may be, for instance, 45 degrees offset from the ring axis, or other angles such as 30 degrees, 60 degrees, etc.
The cylinders 20, 22 are discs comprising a body made from metal, for instance a steel body of unitary form, each providing a mass of 1.5 kg. It will be appreciated that the cylinders 20,22 may be made of other materials and may have different dimensions to provide different mass. By way of example, the mass of a cylinder may be no less, or no more, than 0.25 kg, 0.5 kg, 0.75 kg, 1 kg, 1.5 kg, 2 kg, 2.5 kg, or 3 kg. The weights need not be great for many training exercises particularly in rehabilitation or prevention training. To provide an illustrative example, a carrier structure may have a mass of 1 kg and may be provided with four 2 kg ballast elements, providing an exercise device with 9 kg training weight, which is comparable to some medicine ball types. Each cylinder 20, 22 comprises a generally cylindrical mantle and two flat end faces, whereby one of the flat end faces is provided with a threaded stem 20a, 22a, and the opposite flat end face is provided with a threaded recess 20b, 22b. Each threaded stem 20a, 20b is dimensioned to fit into each one of the threaded recesses 20b, 22b. Furthermore, each of the threaded holes 14a-14d and 16a-16d is of the same thread geometry, hand and pitch as the threaded recesses 20b, 22b. The length of each threaded stem 20a, 20b is no more than half of the threaded holes 14a-d and 16a-d, i.e. about 1 cm or 0.9 cm. Alternatively, the length of each threaded stem may be no more than the length of the threaded holes 14a-d and 16a-d. In embodiments comprising a carrier structure of non-circular or anisotropic cross section, such as an oval cross-section, the length of the threaded stems may be no longer than a shortest one of the through holes, to ensure that the threaded stem does not protrude through the thickness of a carrier structure when attached thereto.
Thereby, each one of the attachment locations provided by a threaded hole 14a-d or 16a-d can be used to engage any one of the threaded stems 20a, 22a, and each one of the threaded recesses 20b, 22b can be used to engage the threaded stem 20a, 22a of any other cylinder.
If the threaded stems 20a, 22a have no more than half the length of a threaded hole 14a-d or 16a-d, it will be understood that a threaded hole can be engaged from both open sides, stems attached in this manner avoiding mutual interference. If the stems have more than half the length, it will be understood that a threaded hole is to be fully engaged from one side at a time. A longer length of a threaded stem 20a, 20b may provide a more secure engagement. As such, a heavier ballast element, e.g. a 3 kg ballast, may be provided with a 2.5 cm threaded stem for a carrier structure with 2.5 cm threaded hole. A less heavy ballast element, e.g. 1.5 kg ballast, may be provided with a 1.2 cm threaded stem, allowing two 1.5 kg ballasts to be attached at the same time on both ends of a threaded hole. In that example, both 3 kg ballast element and 1.5 kg ballast element may comprise a 2.5 cm threaded hole to allow each one to be attached to the other. Alternatively, a smaller ballast element may comprise a shorter threaded hole, e.g. for receiving a 1.2 cm stem, to allow attachment of another 1.5 kg ballast element but hinder full attachment of a heavier ballast element.
The arrangements of
While the design allows different ballast sizes to be used, it has been found in trials with prototype embodiments that relatively low weight ballast items provide sufficient versatility when using ballast items of the same shape, size and mass. The cylinders could have any diameter, however a diameter in the region of 3, 4, 5 or 6 cm was found to be convenient for manual handling, allowing an average user to firmly grab a cylinder and tighten it sufficiently without the need for additional tools. By positioning the threaded holes radially spaced apart and alternating their direction (e.g. radially extending and periaxially extending), the ballast items may be of relatively large diameter without interfering with each other. The height of each cylinder is preferably a fraction of the inner diameter of the ring 12 such that several cylinders may be attached to an inner opening of a radially extending threaded hole. This allows the exercise device 10 to be configured in the manner of a kettle bell weight.
The exercise device 10a shown in
The exercise device 10b shown in
The exercise device 10 is provided at one of its radially extending threaded holes 14c with an elongate ballast element 52 that corresponds to the ballast element 50 described above. The ballast element 52 is affixed to the ring 12 by engagement of its threaded stem 52a in the threaded hole 14c. The ballast element 52 comprises a free end with a threaded recess 52b permitting attachment of another ballast element. Being elongate, the ballast element 52 comprises a free body portion 52c that can be used as a handle. The exercise device 10 of
The cylinders 60 and 70 provide an inverter function and may be used to extend a handle bar assembled from one or more cylinders 50.
As such, the threaded recess 72b extends in a direction other than the extension 72d of the carrier structure 72. As will be appreciated, in this manner, ballast or a handle component can be attached to the carrier structure 72 to extend at the oblique angle, practically off-centre.
In the aforementioned embodiments, one or more of the elongate cylinders 50, 72, 74 may be provided with a fat grip (not shown) to provide a handle, e.g. at a convenient location such as at the distal end of the shaft. This may be appropriate to better simulate swinging exercise devices such as golf clubs, axes, hockey sticks, and the like.
While the connections have been described as threaded connections, it will be appreciated that other attachment mechanisms may be appropriate. Other connection mechanism include magnetic, friction fit, snap fit, bayonet connection, clamping mechanisms and/or combinations thereof. For low weight attachments, the connection may comprise hook-and-loop type fasteners such as Velcro®. In embodiments, the attachment mechanism locks or secures a ballast element at a pre-defined angular orientation relative to the longitudinal extension of a carrier structure, providing an engagement that is irrotatable about the longitudinal extension, to prevent a rotation of the ballast element about the axis of the carrier structure. For instance, for mechanisms comprising a clamp or clasp, an irrotatable engagement may comprise a groove and protrusion that engage each other to hinder, when in engagement, rotation of the ballast element relative to the carrier structure in this manner.
The carrier structure is described in the form of a ring, but may be embodied by other shapes such as plates, open carrier shapes such as U-shaped forms. The carrier structure may be designed in size and shape to be suitable as a hand-held device. However, the invention is not so limited and may be provided as a larger or smaller hoop, band or sleeve for attachment to an ankle, knee, leg portion, wrist, elbow, arm portion and/or for finger segments. The carrier structure may be designed as a neck device in the form of a collar or head exercise device in the form of a head gear or helmet.
The kit of parts may further be provided with one or more cushioning bodies to be attached to either the ring 12 or one or more of the cylinders. The cushioning body may be attachable to a surface of the ring, preferably by way of straps, clamps or clips permitting temporary attachment and removal. The cushioning body may be attachable as a sleeve or open sleeve in the manner of a fat grip. Alternatively, the cushioning body may be configured for attachment to an attachment location, using the same mechanism such as a threaded engagement. The cushioning bodies may be made of a material that, compared to the carrier structure material, is softer, and/or of lower thermal conductivity, to provide a grip or seating surface more pleasant to handle. The cushioning body may comprise a shape memory material such as shape memory foam. The cushioning body may be inflatable.
The kit of parts may further be provided with attachable fasteners such as straps, harness elements, and the like, to allow the carrier structure to be secured firmly to different body parts.
It will be appreciated that the cushioning elements may usually be provided with the intention to render the exercise device more comfortable for use, and that fasteners may usually be provided to allow the exercise device to be attached to a location of the human body more securely. However, in some embodiments a cushioning function and a fastener function may be provided by the same one or more elements. The fastener may comprise a quick-release system such as a helmet clasp to allow the exercise device to be removed, or to automatically detach under excess load. In this manner, the exercise device may be used safely as a head hear with relatively large loads, whereby the exercise device will detach when loads reach unsafe levels.
In embodiments, the carrier structure can be provided with cushioning elements and straps to allow the exercise device to be used as head gear, sufficiently cushioned to allow the exercise device to be carried on a person's head, and with straps in the manner of chin straps to ensure the head gear can be affixed in a secure position on a person's head.
Embodiments of the invention may be used with exercise bands such as cables or resistance bands attachable one of the threaded holes or other attachment locations such as an eyelet. To this end, the threaded holes may be dimensioned to be compatible with a threaded anchor of a resistance band. Alternatively, the threaded holes or other attachment locations may be provided with an adapter component configured to engage the carrier structure and to engage an anchor structure of another exercise device such as an exercise band.
The exercise device is characterised by its versatility. It may be used as a kettle bell with a large number of interchangeable ballast configurations. It may be used as a cable machine grip attachment. It may be used as a whole body rehabilitation (“rehab”), “pre-hab”, or sports-specific workout device of the type used in whiplash recovery or prevention of knock outs in martial arts, boxing etc. The exercise device is relatively compact while allowing ballast to be attached in several off-centre configurations, at different angles relative to a longitudinal extension of the carrier structure, allowing it to be used also as training device for racket sports, golf and several other types of exercise. For instance, it is believed that the design may be used to practice and improve swing technique of racket sports, hockey, golf, etc. Due to its compact design the device may be used indoors.
The exemplary embodiments described herein are from metal material form, however other materials such as silicone, rubber, composites, and other suitable materials may be used.
Whilst the principle of the invention has been illustrated using exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not so limited and that the invention may be embodied by other variants defined within the scope of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2117258.0 | Nov 2021 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2022/053027 | 11/30/2022 | WO |