Patent Application
20180056120
The present invention relates to exercise and fitness equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose resistance-free exercise wheel configured to work out a user's abdominal, thigh, and leg muscles.
There are several exercise wheels currently available on the market, including devices with one wheel or two centrally positioned wheels. However, these exercise wheels are designed to work out a limited group of core muscles, focusing only or primarily on the abdominal area. Thus, users usually must employ other devices or routines to increase the strength of other muscles. Furthermore, many of these devices do not offer adequate support for a user, making it difficult to be used by people with limited upper body strength, and may potentially cause back or arm injuries. For instance, the rod located in between the wheels of traditional exercise devices includes a shorter length, which prevents users from grasping the rod, or a central region of the exercise wheel, with both hands. Additionally, traditional exercise wheels include smaller wheels and an overall smaller structure, making them unsuitable for fully bearing and supporting the weight of a heavier man or woman. Moreover, traditional exercise wheels often include a resistance feature including a spring coupled to the shaft or axle which causes the wheels to recoil, thereby providing resistance to the user. However, this spring feature limits the movement of these types of exercise wheels, thereby restricting users to a small range of exercises that can be performed using the exercise wheel. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a resistance-free exercise wheel including a more robust structure having larger wheels and an elongated support rod, which enables users to perform numerous exercises.
In light of the known exercise wheels, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing exercise wheels. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of abdominal exercise wheels now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a multi-purpose resistance-free exercise wheel wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when working out various core, leg, and thigh muscles.
In one example of the present invention, the multi-purpose resistance-free exercise wheel comprises an elongated shaft including a first end opposing a second end. A first wheel and a second wheel are slidably mounted onto the first end and the second the second end of the elongated shaft, respectively. Each wheel is positioned interiorly, or inwardly, relative to the first end and the second ends, such that the first end and second end of the elongated shaft extend horizontally outwardly from the first wheel and the second wheel. A tubular support rod is slidably mounted onto the elongated shaft between the first wheel and the second wheel. The tubular support rod includes a first end and a second end each including a bushing that is configured to rotatably receive the elongated shaft therein. The first wheel and the second wheel are configured to rotate independently of the tubular support rod. A pair of handles are removably disposed on the first and second ends of the elongated shaft. A centerbore disposed centrally on each of the wheels is configured to receive the elongated shaft therethrough. Each centerbore includes a diameter less than a diameter of the tubular support rod and a diameter of the handles, such that the centerbores prevent the pair of wheels from shifting longitudinally along the elongated shaft when in use.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the multi-purpose resistance-free exercise wheel. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
The pair of wheels 15 are slidably mounted onto the opposing ends 35 of the elongated shaft 20, such that each of the pair of wheels 15 is positioned interiorly, or inwardly, relative to the opposing end 35 on which the wheel 15 is mounted. The opposing ends 35 of the elongated shaft 20 extend outwardly relative to the pair of wheels 15, or exteriorly to the pair of wheels 15. The pair of wheels 15 are disposed parallel relative to each other so as to facilitate rotation on a surface. The pair of wheels 15 each include a centerbore 40 configured to receive the elongated shaft 20 when the pair of wheels 15 are mounted thereon. The centerbores 40 include a diameter less than a diameter of the tubular support rod 25 and less than a diameter of the handles 30, such that the centerbores 40 prevent the pair of wheels 15 from shifting longitudinally along the elongated shaft 20. Thus, the centerbores 40 in conjunction with the tubular support rod 25 and the handles 30 ensure that the pair of wheels 15 remain in place on the elongated shaft 20 while the exercise wheel 10 is in use.
Each of the pair of wheels 15 includes a preferred diameter ranging from 10-12 inches, i.e., 25.4-30.48 centimeters, such that the pair of wheels 15 are large enough to bear and support users having a weight of up to 350 pounds, while helping to maintain the structural integrity of the exercise wheel 10 without compromising the stability for such users. Moreover, the 10-12 inch range improves the overall stability of the exercise wheel 10, thereby providing a more robust exercise wheel 10 for users employing the exercise wheel 10 to perform various exercises. In the depicted embodiment, each of the pair of wheels 15 includes a contact surface 18 including rubberized material which is configured to increase grip and friction with a surface on which the exercise wheel 10 is utilized, and a plurality of support ribs 22 disposed around a perimeter edge of each of the pair of wheels 15 for providing structural support and more stability to the pair of wheels 15 when in use.
The tubular support rod 25 is slidably mounted onto the elongated shaft 20 and positioned between the pair of wheels 15. The tubular support rod 25 is coupled to the elongated shaft 20 and comprises a first end 45 and a second end 50 including a bushing 55 on which portions of the elongated shaft 20 are disposed. Each of the bushings 55 comprises a cylindrical liner configured to receive the elongated shaft 20. In operation, the bushings 55 stabilize the rotation of the elongated shaft 20 when revolving about itself, and reduce the effect of friction with the tubular support rod 25. In this way, the bushings 55 enable the elongated shaft 20 to rotate independently of the tubular support rod 25, such that the tubular support rod 25 stays in place while the pair of wheels 15 rotate along a surface. Moreover, in this way, the tubular support rod 25 may rotate freely and without resistance about the elongated shaft 20. In this way, a user many utilize the support bar to maneuver the exercise wheel 10 in horizontal, vertical, and angular directions along a variety of surfaces. The tubular support rod 25 includes a padded exterior surface 60 providing a comfortable and expanded gripping area, which a user can grasp with both hands to maneuver the exercise wheel 10. In one embodiment, the padded exterior surface 60 includes a tacky-like surface for serving as a grip for a user employing the exercise wheel 10.
The support rod 25 includes a preferred length of 12-18 inches, i.e., 30.48-45.72 centimeters, so as to provide sufficient surface area to allow a user to place both hands between the pair of wheels 15. Additionally, the 12-18 inch range optimizes the distance between the pair of wheels 15 such that it provides stability and support to the exercise wheel 10 without compromising the structural integrity of the exercise wheel 10. In one embodiment, the tubular support rod 25 includes a length equal to the length of the portion of elongated shaft 20 that is disposed between the pair or wheels 15. In this way, a user may grasp the exercise wheel 10 at any position between the pair of wheels 15 and apply a force thereto in order to perform an exercise. In another embodiment, the tubular support rod 25 includes a length less than a length of the portion of the elongated shaft 20 that is disposed between the pair of wheels 15, in order to minimize interference between the bushings 55 of the tubular support rods 25 and the pair of wheels 15.
The handles 30 are removably secured to the elongated shaft 20 and disposed on the opposing ends 35 of the elongated shaft 20 when secured thereto. Each handle 30 includes an open first end 65 and a closed second end 70. The open first ends 65 include an opening 75 configured to receive the opposing ends 35 of the elongated shaft 20 therein. The openings 75 include a diameter equal to or larger than a diameter of the centerbores 40 of the pair of wheels 15. In this way, the pair of wheels 15 are unable to slidably move towards the opposing ends 35 of the elongated shaft 20 while the exercise wheel 10 is in use. The handles 30 include a padded and tacky exterior surface 80 configured to provide a comfortable gripping area which the user can securely grasp to perform an exercise.
In another embodiment, the exercise wheel 10 includes a pair of pedals 85 removably secured to each of the opposing ends 35 of the elongated shaft 20 and outwardly relative to the pair of wheels 15, as seen in
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/381,629 filed on Aug. 31, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62381629 | Aug 2016 | US |
