MULTI-FUNCTION FITNESS POLE AND EXERCISE DEVICE

Abstract

A fitness pole system having first and second fitness poles, where each of the poles includes an elongated shaft having a first end grip portion coupled to a first terminal end region, a second end grip portion coupled to a second terminal end region, and an intermediate grip portion coupled to an intermediate region of the shaft and disposed between the first and second end grip portions. Each of the first and second end grip portions includes a user grip portion coupled to a respective terminal end region of the shaft, and a ground contacting portion coupled to a respective terminal end face of the shaft. The ground contacting portion has a main body having a bulbous contacting portion and an attachment member extending outwardly from a bottom surface of the contacting region. The attachment member can be coupled to the respective terminal end face of the shaft.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to fitness devices, and more particularly is directed to fitness poles that can be used for walking.

Walking for fitness is a fast-growing area of interest for many individuals as research continues to mount indicating the powerful benefits of a regular walking routine. Traditional walking poles can enhance the experience of walking for fitness and are becoming a more popular accessory among walking enthusiasts, especially in Europe. Walking with traditional walking poles is sometimes referred to as Nordic walking. Further, the use of traditional hand-weights and the use of a lightweight barbell to perform a variety of exercises is also becoming increasingly popular as people seek ways to enhance their fitness, mobility and strength outside of traditional gym environments. Currently, however, no device exists that can serve the function of both traditional walking poles and which is also suitable for the performance of exercises, similar to what one can perform with hand weights or with a lightweight barbell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a pair of fitness poles that are configured to enable individuals to enhance their fitness by using the poles for a variety of different types of exercises, including walking, fitness routines and exercises, and the like. The fitness poles of the present invention thus allow the users to reap the benefits of walking while concomitantly enabling them to use the poles as exercise equipment that allows them to perform both static and dynamic exercises, similar to the types of exercises that a person can perform using hand weights, lightweight barbells, or a stability barre. As such, the fitness poles of the present invention allow the user to combine fitness walking and a full-body workout using a single type of portable exercise equipment which can be used in virtually any location where a person can walk or exercise.

The present invention is directed to a fitness pole system having first and second fitness poles. Each of the poles includes an elongated main body in the form of a shaft having a first end grip portion coupled to a first terminal end region of the shaft, a second end grip portion coupled to a second terminal end region of the shaft, and an intermediate grip portion coupled to an intermediate region of the shaft and disposed between the first and second end grip portions. The first terminal end region includes a first terminal end face and the second terminal end region includes a second terminal end face. Each of the first and second end grip portions includes a user grip portion coupled to the respective terminal end region of the shaft, and a ground contacting portion (e.g., a foot or a boot) coupled to the respective terminal end face of the shaft. The ground contacting portion has a main body having a bulbous (or circular) contacting portion and an attachment member extending outwardly from a bottom surface of the bulbous contacting region. The attachment member is configured to be coupled to the respective terminal end face of the shaft.

According to one embodiment, the first and second end grip portions are identical. According to another embodiment, the user grip portion and the ground contacting portion of each of the first and second end grip portions are separate components. According to still another embodiment, the intermediate grip portion is equally spaced apart from the first and second end grip portions.

The shaft of the one or more of the poles has a uniform thickness or can have a varying thickness and/or diameter along an axial length thereof.

The main body of the pole, according to another embodiment, can be configured to have a plurality of sections, where one or more of the plurality of sections has a weight that is different than one or more of the remaining plurality of sections so as to adjust a balance point of the pole along an axial length thereof.

The poles can be configured to include a fastening mechanism for securing the user grip portion to the respective terminal end of the main body. Further, each of the user grip portions of the first and second end grip portions has a central portion having an arcuate shape so as to allow grasping thereof by a user. The user grip portions of the first and second end grip portions can optionally include flared end regions at opposed ends thereof.

The fitness pole system can include an optional light assembly attachment suitable for coupling to the shaft. The light assembly attachment can include a housing that includes a light element, a hook element coupled to one end of the housing, and a loop element coupled to an end of the housing opposite to the hook element. The loop element is flexible so as to engage with the hook element when a force is applied thereto.

The fitness pole system can also include an optional weight assembly attachment suitable for coupling to the shaft of the fitness pole. The weight assembly attachment can include a weight element, a hook element coupled to one end of the weight element, and a loop element coupled to an end of the weight element opposite to the hook element. The loop element is flexible so as to engage with the hook element when a force is applied thereto.

According to another embodiment, the main body of each of the first and second fitness poles are configured so as to nest together when not in use. Further, at least one of the first and second end grip portions of the first fitness pole includes a securing mechanism for securing thereto one of the first and second end grip portions of the second fitness pole. The securing mechanism can include a magnet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the different views. The drawings illustrate principles of the invention and, although not to scale, show relative dimensions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of fitness poles according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single fitness pole of the pair of poles of FIG. 1 according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cut-away view of one of the fitness poles showing the intermediate grip portion according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away view of one of the fitness poles showing the end grip portion according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the user grip portion of one of the fitness poles according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a bottom view of the ground contacting portion (e.g., foot or boot) of the pole according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the ground contacting portion (e.g., foot or boot) of the pole according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of a light assembly attachment suitable for coupling to the fitness poles of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a weight assembly attachment suitable for coupling to the fitness poles of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the weight assembly attachment of FIB. 8A according to the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a pair of fitness poles that are designed to enhance the fitness and walking experience of the user by employing selected elements that enable the poles to be utilized for walking and for the performance of a wide variety of static and dynamic exercises.

The fitness poles include a pair of pole elements 10, 12 as shown for example in FIG. 1. The fitness poles can include a selected arrangement of grips and contacting element so as to enhance the use and durability of the poles. The main portions and configurations of the fitness poles 10, 12 are essentially the same. As such, for purposes of clarity and simplicity, we describe below one of the fitness poles 10 although the noted features and elements are included on both fitness poles 10, 12 unless indicated otherwise. The fitness poles 10, 12 can include selected features that allow the poles to be used as walking poles as well as equipment for performing a wide variety of exercises similar to the types of exercises that a person can perform with hand-weights (e.g., dumbbells), a relatively lightweight barbell, or a barre typically used for stability. In addition, the fitness poles 10, 12 of the present invention make them suitable for use in class style exercise classes, such as barre classes, pilates classes, yoga classes, and the like.

The construction and elements of the fitness pole 10 are shown for example in FIGS. 2-4. The fitness pole 10 includes a main body 14 that is shaped as an elongated tube or shaft that extends along an axis. The main body 14 can be hollow or solid depending upon the desired weight of the fitness pole 10. According to one embodiment, the main body 14 has a central aperture or lumen formed therein and which extends throughout the main body 14. The main body 14 can have any selected diameter, and preferably includes a diameter that is comfortable for the user to hold and manipulate the pole, especially once grip portions are coupled thereto. According to one embodiment, the diameter of the main body can be in the range of about 20 mm to about 30 mm, and preferably is about 26.5 mm. The main body 14 also has a length that can vary based on the height of the user. The main body 14 can be uniform in thickness and diameter or the main body can vary in thickness and diameter over the axial length thereof. Further, the main body 14 can be constructed to have sections of varying and different weights so as to move or adjust the balance point of the pole along the length of the body. The fitness poles can be formed from any selected durable material suitable for use as exercise pole, such as, for example, aluminum and plastic. The fitness poles 10, 12 can weigh between about 30 and about 40 ounces per pair, and are thus significantly heavier than traditional walking poles.

The illustrated fitness pole 10 also includes a plurality of grip portions that are selectively coupled to and arranged on the main body 14. The grip portions include a pair of opposed end grip portions 20A and 20B and an intermediate grip portion 40. The intermediate grip portion 40 is disposed between the end grip portions 20A, 20B and is preferably disposed in an intermediate or middle section of the main body 14. The end grip portions 20A, 20B can have different configurations relative to each other or can be similarly or identically shaped and configured. According to the one embodiment, the end grip portions 20A, 20B are identically shaped. As such, and for the sake of clarity and simplicity, only the end grip portion 20A is shown and described in FIG. 4. The end grip portion 20B is similarly constructed.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the end grip portion 20A is mounted on a terminal end region 14A of the main body 14. The end grip portion can include a main body 22 having a user grip portion 24 and a ground contacting or boot portion 26. The user grip portion 24 and the ground contacting portion 26 can be integrally formed or can be formed as separate components. According to one embodiment, the user grip portion 24 and the ground contacting portion 26 are formed as separate components. The user grip portion 24 is mounted on an end region of the pole main body and has a main body 28 that includes a central aperture or lumen 30. The central aperture 30 preferably has an internal diameter that allows for the user grip portion 24 to be mounted on the outer surface of the main body 14 of the pole in a mechanical or friction fit arrangement. Alternatively, a fastening mechanism, such as an adhesive, can be employed to secure the user grip portion 24 to the end region of the main body 14 of the pole 10. The user grip portion 24 can be mounted towards or at a terminal end region 14A of the main body 14 of the pole. According to one embodiment, the user grip portion 24 can be shaped so as to facilitate easy grasping and handling of the pole. To that end, the main body 28 can have a central portion 28A that is arcuate in shape so as to allow easy grasping of the user grip portion 24. Alternatively, the central portion 28A can have any selected shape suitable for grasping. The main body can optionally include flared end regions 29A, 29B. The end regions can be flared as a consequence of the mounting of the user grip portion 24 on the main body 14 of the pole or the flared end regions can be shaped in this manner. The user grip portion 24 can be optionally formed from a flexible, stretchable material that allows the user grip portion to be easily mounted at the terminal end region 14A of the pole 10. The user grip portion 24 can thus be formed from rubber, silicone, foam, cork or plastic.

The ground contacting portion 26 of the end grip portion 20A is shown for example in FIGS. 1-2, 4 and 6A-6B. The illustrated ground contacting portion 26 can be coupled to or mounted on a terminal end face 14B of the main body 14 of the pole 10. The ground contacting portion 26 includes a main body having a contact region 32 and an attachment member 36 that extends outwardly from a bottom surface 34. The contact region 32 can have any selected shape or configuration, and preferably has a bulbous shape. The bulbous shape allows for easy contact of the pole 10 with a ground surface and the bulbous shape allows for easy pivoting of the pole 10 when contacting the ground. The attachment member 36 has a diameter that is sized and dimensioned for seating within a central aperture of the main body 14 of the pole. The attachment member 36 can be secured to the terminal end face 14B of the main body 14 by a friction fit or through any selected type of securing or fastening mechanism, such as by an adhesive. The ground contacting portion 26 can be formed from any suitable durable and easily grippable material, such as rubber. Unlike the ground contacting portion or foot of traditional walking poles, the ground contacting portion 26 of the fitness poles of the present invention are configured to allow the poles 10, 12 to be used in any selected vertical orientation. In addition, when planted on the ground, the ground contacting portion 26 provides stability for static movements, such as lunges or squats, as well as facilitates use of the poles for more complex movements, such as the exercises typically executed in barre, yoga, pilates or other studio style classes.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the intermediate grip portion 40 can have a main body 42 that has a central aperture (not shown). The central aperture can be sized and dimensioned for seating over an outer surface of the main body 14 of the pole 10. The intermediate grip portion 40 enables the user to easily and comfortably grasp the middle portion of the shaft when using the pole for various exercises. The intermediate handgrip and the weighting of the shaft allow the pole to be easily grasped in the middle or at the ends without loss of balance. That is, the poles are weighted so as to provide a balance point in the center of the pole. Similar to the user grip portion 24, the main body can be formed from a flexible material that allows the intermediate grip portion 40 to be easily mounted on the main body 14 of the pole 10. The intermediate grip portion 40 can be formed from the same material as the user grip portion 24 or can be formed from a different material, such as rubber.

The illustrated fitness poles 10, 12 of the present invention are preferably equally weighted throughout the shaft and have identical end grip portions 20A, 20B, namely, identical user grip portions 24 and ground contacting portions 26, mounted on each terminal end 14A of the main body 14 of the poles so as to equally balance the weight of the pole. As a consequence, the pole is balanced when held in a hand of the user by the intermediate grip portion 40 or when both the user grip portions 24 are held by the user, or when the poles 10, 12 are coupled together or held simultaneously by the user and used as an integrated piece of exercise equipment.

The fitness poles 10, 12 can also be utilized with specially configured attachments to form a fitness pole system. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a light assembly attachment 60 can be coupled or secured to the main body or shaft 14 of the pole 10. The light assembly attachment 60 can include a housing 62 that includes a light element 64 for generating light when actuated. The housing 62 can be secured to the pole by a fastening assembly 66. The fastening assembly 66 can include, for example, a loop element 68 that is coupled to one end of the housing and that is adapted to engage with a hook element 70 that is coupled to an opposed end of the housing. The loop element 68 can be formed of any type of flexible and stretchable material, such as silicone, that allows the loop element 68 to be stretched over and hence seat on the hook element 70 when a force is applied thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a weight assembly attachment 80 can be coupled or secured to the main body or shaft 14 of the pole 10. The weight assembly 80 can include a weight element 82 that includes a fastening assembly 84. The fastening assembly 84 can include, for example, a loop element 86 that is coupled to one end of the weight element and is adapted to engage with a hook element 88 that is coupled to an opposed end of the weight element. The loop element 86 can be formed of any type of flexible and stretchable material, such as silicone, that allows the loop element 86 to be stretched over and hence seat on the hook element 88 when a force is applied thereto.

The fitness poles 10, 12 can also be configured and shaped to allow the poles to nest together when not in use. This enables the fitness poles to be easily carried and transported by the user, allows the poles to be more easily stored when not in use, and enables the poles to be used together as one piece of exercise equipment, for the performance of a variety of exercises that one could perform with a barbell, while doubling the weight of a single pole. According to one practice, one or more of the ground contacting portions 26 of one of the fitness poles 10 can include a securing mechanism mounted thereto or therein, such as, for example, a magnet, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The ground contacting portion 26 of the other or second fitness pole 12 can also have a corresponding securing mechanism mounted therein that is intended to cooperate with the securing mechanism of the first walking pole. For example, the securing mechanism mounted to or in the second walking pole can also be a magnet that is intended to magnetically couple with the magnet in the first walking pole, thus retaining or securing together the fitness poles. This coupling or securing feature enables the fitness poles to be used to perform a variety of exercises either singularly or when they are disposed in the nested and connected position with the corresponding pole.

The fitness poles of the present invention can thus be configured to function as walking poles that provide more resistance than traditional walking poles and have sufficient weight and features to perform various different exercises. For example, the user can grasp either end of the pole since the end grip portions 20A, 20B are formed to be generally identical. The end grip portions include a user grip portion 24 that the user can grasp and use during walking or exercising. Alternatively, the user can grasp the intermediate grip portion 40, hold the pole in a middle position to allow the performance of exercises such as one might perform with dumbbells. Alternatively, the user can grasp both of the opposed user grip portions so as to allow the performance of exercises such as one might perform with a barbell, dumbbell, or hand weights. Alternatively, the user can plant the poles on the ground, hold them from either end, and use the poles to provide stability to perform exercises as one might perform with a barre.

The invention is detailed with certain specific features, however modifications may be made by those skilled in the art of production. Such modifications will not detract from the spirit and intent of the invention.

Claims

1. A fitness pole system, comprising first and second fitness poles, each of which includes an elongated main body in the form of a shaft having a first end grip portion coupled to a first terminal end region of the shaft,a second end grip portion coupled to a second terminal end region of the shaft, andan intermediate grip portion coupled to an intermediate region of the shaft and disposed between the first and second end grip portions,wherein the first terminal end region includes a first terminal end face and the second terminal end region includes a second terminal end face, and wherein each of the first and second end grip portions includes a user grip portion coupled to the respective terminal end region of the shaft, anda ground contacting portion coupled to the respective terminal end face of the shaft.

2. The fitness system of claim 1, wherein the ground contacting portion has a main body having a bulbous contacting portion and an attachment member extending outwardly from a bottom surface of the bulbous contacting region.

3. The fitness system of claim 2, wherein the attachment member is configured to be coupled to the respective terminal end face of the shaft.

4. The fitness system of claim 3, wherein the first and second end grip portions are identical.

5. The fitness system of claim 4, wherein the user grip portion and the ground contacting portion of each of the first and second end grip portions are separate components.

6. The fitness system of claim 5, wherein the intermediate grip portion is equally spaced apart from the first and second end grip portions.

7. The fitness system of claim 5, wherein the shaft has a uniform thickness.

8. The fitness system of claim 5, wherein the main body of the first and second poles can vary in thickness and diameter over an axial length thereof.

9. The fitness system of claim 5, wherein the main body is configured to have a plurality of sections, wherein one or more of the plurality of sections has a weight that is different than one or more of the remaining plurality of sections so as to adjust a balance point of the pole along an axial length thereof.

10. The fitness system of claim 5, further comprising a fastening mechanism for securing the user grip portion to the respective terminal end of the main body.

11. The fitness system of claim 5, further comprising a fastening mechanism for securing the ground contacting portion to the respective terminal end face of the main body.

12. The fitness system of claim 5, wherein each of the user grip portions of the first and second end grip portions has a central portion having an arcuate shape so as to allow grasping thereof by a user.

13. The fitness system of claim 12, wherein each of the user grip portions of the first and second end grip portions includes flared end regions at opposed ends thereof.

14. The fitness system of claim 5, further comprising a light assembly attachment suitable for coupling to the shaft.

15. The fitness system of claim 14, wherein the light assembly attachment comprises a housing that includes a light element,a hook element coupled to one end of the housing, anda loop element coupled to an end of the housing opposite to the hook element,wherein the loop element is flexible so as to engage with the hook element when a force is applied thereto.

16. The fitness system of claim 5, further comprising a weight assembly attachment suitable for coupling to the shaft.

17. The fitness system of claim 16, wherein the weight assembly attachment comprises a weight element,a hook element coupled to one end of the weight element, anda loop element coupled to an end of the weight element opposite to the hook element,wherein the loop element is flexible so as to engage with the hook element when a force is applied thereto.

18. The fitness system of claim 5, wherein the main body of each of the first and second fitness poles are configured so as to nest together when not in use.

19. The fitness system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first and second end grip portions of the first fitness pole includes a securing mechanism for securing thereto one of the first and second end grip portions of the second fitness pole.

20. The fitness system of claim 19, wherein the securing mechanism includes a magnet.