Patent Application
20210275871
The invention relates generally to exercise equipment and more particularly to a weight training exercise machine that targets human forearm muscles.
There are a number of devices that have been designed to facilitate arm wrestling contests and corresponding exercise of a person's arms, such as the arm wrestling device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,275. However, devices which facilitate arm wrestling are not suitable for use in strengthening the forearm muscles. In arm wrestling, the strength of the entire arm, including the upper arm and the biceps, is important. However, when targeting the forearms for strengthening, the upper arm and biceps should be isolated from the forearm for maximum effectiveness.
Various exercises, such as wrist curls, may be performed to strengthen the forearm. Wrist curls are performed by resting the forearm directly over the thigh (or other stationary platform), with the palm of the hand facing upwards, and with a dumbbell in the palm of the hand, bending the wrist so that the hand holding the dumbbell moves from a relatively low position to a relatively high position. Reverse wrist curls may be performed in a similar manner, except that the palm of the hand faces downwards. Although these exercises generally target the forearm muscles, they do not produce optimal results.
The disclosure relates generally to a forearm exercise apparatus that focuses on isolating and strengthening the forearm muscles.
In one example, the forearm exercise apparatus includes a base having a central pillar extending from a top surface thereof, and a central opening proximate the central pillar. A forearm support is disposed on the base, the forearm support having a forearm support platform and an elbow support coupled to the forearm support platform. The forearm support platform is inclined at an angle of between about 10 degrees and about 70 degrees with respect to the base. A first handle extends upward from the base, the first handle being offset from a lateral axis of the base that passes through a center of the forearm support and the central pillar on the base, the first handle being capable of being gripped by a first hand of a user when a user's opposite forearm is placed on the forearm support. A second handle extends upward from the base, the second handle being offset from a lateral axis of the base that passes through a center of the forearm support and the central pillar on the base, the second handle being capable of being gripped by a second hand of a user when a user's opposite forearm is placed on the forearm support. A plurality of legs extends downward, away from the central pillar and a lower shelf is spaced apart from the base and connected to at least one leg in the plurality of legs. A weight retainer rests on the lower shelf when not being used. A lower platform is spaced apart from the lower shelf, and proximate a lower end of the at least one leg, the lower platform extending outward, beyond at least one edge of the base.
In other embodiments, the example forearm exercise machine may include any one or more of the following optional forms.
In one optional form, a guide pulley is elevated above the base, the guide pulley being disposed between the central pillar and the forearm support platform.
In another optional form, the forearm exercise machine includes a handle and a cable attached to the handle at a first cable end, and the cable is attached to the weight retainer at a second cable end, the cable extending under the guide pulley and over the central pillar before passing through the central opening.
In yet another optional form, the elbow support is adjustable along a length of the forearm support platform.
In yet another optional form, the forearm support platform extends outward, beyond an edge of the base so that the forearm support platform hangs over the edge of the base.
In yet another optional form, a hook is located on a bottom of the base, the hook being adapted to connect to a turnbuckle connected to the lower platform.
In yet another optional form, one of the first handle and the second handle forms an acute angle with the base.
In yet another optional form, the acute angle is between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees, preferably between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees.
In yet another optional form, a pillar pulley is disposed on top of the central pillar.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
Turning now to
A forearm support 22 is attached to the base 2, the forearm support 22 having a forearm support platform 6 and an elbow support 11 coupled to the forearm support platform 6, the forearm support platform 6 being inclined at an angle P (
A first handle 7a extends upward, away from the base 2, the first handle 7a being offset from a lateral axis A (
In order for a user to switch arms, a second handle 7b extends upward, away from the base 2, the second handle 7b being offset from the lateral axis A of the base 2 that passes through a center of the forearm support 22 and the central pillar 9 on the base 2. The second handle 7b is capable of being gripped by a second hand (opposite of the first hand) of a user when a user's opposite forearm is placed on the forearm support 22.
One or both of the first handle 7a and the second handle 7b may form an acute angle Z (
A plurality of legs 3 extend downward, away from the central pillar 9. The base 2 is supported on the plurality of legs 3. A lower shelf 4 is spaced apart from the base 2 and is connected to at least one leg 3 in the plurality of legs 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 2 and the lower shelf 4 are both generally rectangular in shape and the lower shelf 4 has semi-circular cut-outs in two side edges thereof, which may allow a user to get closer to the base 2 by placing a portion of a leg in the cut-out. In other embodiments, the base 2, and/or the lower shelf 4, may take on other shapes, such as generally square, substantially circular or oval, or virtually any other shape that allows a user to place his or her forearm in the forearm support 22. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the base 2 and the lower shelf 4 are substantially parallel to one another.
A weight retainer 15 rests on the lower shelf 4 when not being actuated. The weight retainer 15 includes a weight column 30 for retaining weight plates with central holes, and a weight support platform 32, for preventing the weight column 30 from tipping over when no weight plates are present. In the example embodiment, the weight support platform 32 comprises a plurality of outwardly extending legs 34 in the form of an “X.” In other embodiments, the weight support platform 32 may have other shapes and/or configurations so long as the weigh support platform 32 is supported in the vertical position and the weight support platform 32 does not block access to one end of the weight column 30 so that weight plates may be stacked on the weight column 30.
A lower platform 17 is spaced apart from the lower shelf 4, and proximate a lower end of the at least one leg 3. The lower platform 17 extends outward, beyond at least one edge of the base 2 to provide a step or stabilization surface 40. When a user places his or her forearm in the forearm support 22 and leans on the forearm support 22 in preparation for using the forearm exercise apparatus 1, a tipping moment is created because the forearm support platform 6 hangs over an edge of the base. By placing a foot on the stabilization surface 40, the user can prevent the base 2 from tipping towards the user (due to the tipping moment) because the legs 3 are secured to the lower platform 17.
In some embodiments, a guide pulley 13 is elevated above the base 2. The guide pulley 13 is disposed between the central pillar 9 and the forearm support platform 6. The guide pulley 13 directs a cable 70 from a handle 72 to the weight retainer 15 (see
In some embodiments, the elbow support 11 is adjustable along a length of the forearm support platform 6. For example, in some embodiments, the elbow support 11 may slide along a slot 50 (
In some embodiments, a hook 60 (
Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. This description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure and method may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use of all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62985010 | Mar 2020 | US |
