Patent Application
20180140897
The present invention generally relates to a multi-purpose exercise apparatus and method for use thereof, and more particularly to a multi-segment roller exercise apparatus with a padded external surface and opened internal volumes for storage and weight control, and method for use thereof.
There are multiple types of exercise devices that can be used by athletes or users, as part of training, warming-up phases, or post-exercise routines. Some devices also serve a therapeutic role helping athletes and users keep their bodies in optimal shape. One such technology takes the form of compressible cylinders, commonly referred to as foam rollers, which are currently utilized by individuals to enhance core strength, help remove lactic acid buildup in a muscle, help stretch a muscle, and many other useful purposes such as, for example, to improve balance.
These rollers often have a padded exterior surface that can come in contact with the skin without damage. The padding, often made of foam, polymer, rubber, or other material, is often designed to offer both a cushion/padding effect and also has a surface capable of not absorbing sweat and being washable to remove any dirt or odor caused by frequent use. For example, these products could be used by multiple people in a class setting and therefore these products must be able to be disinfected using ordinary washing means.
An individual can use such a device by placing it on the floor and using gravity and the weight of his/her body, by pressing a portion of his or her body against the device (e.g., by lying on his or her back or side with the foam roller between his or her back or leg and the floor), or by pressing the foam roller against a wall or other static structure using the user's legs. Alternatively, a user could perform a body-weight exercise (e.g., a pushup) with the foam roller between the floor and his or her hands or feet. Also, to help offer diversity, such tools when used for one purpose can also be used for additional purposes such as a weight to be lifted above a user's head. These exercises enable an individual to improve balance and posture, tone muscles, and release muscle tension. Coaches and trainers also use different types of devices in classes to help enhance training experiences.
Foam rollers are generally made of a semi-rigid exterior material such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene foam, or another semi-compressible material. Foam rollers may include a rigid interior material, which lends strength to the device and constrains the amount by which the foam roller can deform. The utility of existing foam rollers is often limited. For example, the weight of the foam roller itself cannot be adjusted; therefore a studio owner, will own several different size rollers, often of different colors like hand weights. The exercises that may be performed with a foam roller are very limited. Accordingly, there is a need to provide an improved foam roller which can be adjusted by a user and is more versatile than existing designs.
The presently described apparatus and method overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel exercise system. In accordance with one embodiment of the presently claimed invention, a multi-segment roller exercise device is provided, along with a method for using and configuring such device.
In accordance with one embodiment of the presently claimed invention, an exercise apparatus comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow body with an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said body comprises a plurality of segments, each substantially cylindrical in shape, and a locking mechanism configured to connect adjacent removable segments of said plurality of segments together, wherein, when said plurality of segments are joined together, said interior surface of said body substantially surrounds an interior space, and wherein, at least one of said plurality of segments comprises an open end such that when said plurality of segments are separated, said interior space is accessible through said open end.
In accordance with another embodiment of the presently claimed invention, a method for using an exercise kit is provided, the exercise kit comprising a first end segment and a second end segment, each hollow, substantially cylindrical in shape, and comprising an open end opposite a closed end, an exterior surface extending between said open end and said closed end, and an interior surface opposite said exterior surface; a locking mechanism configured to removably connect said open ends of said first end segment and said second end segment such that together the interior surfaces of the first end segment and the second end segment substantially bind an interior space together; and a weighted bag sized so as to be removably contained within said interior space; the method comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting at least a portion of the weighted bag through the open end of the first end segment adjacent;
(b) placing the open end of the first end segment adjacent to the open end of the second end segment, such that the weighted bag is contained within the interior space;
(c) engaging the locking mechanism so as to secure the first end segment to the second end segment, forming a combination exercise device comprising the first end segment, the weighted bag, the locking mechanism, and the second end segment;
(d) performing a first exercise using the combination exercise device;
(e) disengaging the locking mechanism so as to separate the first end segment from the second end segment;
(f) removing the weighted bag from the first end segment and the second end segment; and
(g) performing a second exercise using the weighted bag.
In accordance with another embodiment of the presently claimed invention, an exercise kit is provided, the exercise kit comprising:
a first end segment, wherein the first end segment is hollow, substantially cylindrical in shape, and comprises an open end opposite a closed end, an exterior surface extending between said open end and said closed end, and an interior surface opposite said exterior surface;
a second end segment, wherein the second end segment is hollow, substantially cylindrical in shape, and comprises an open end opposite a closed end, an exterior surface extending between said open end and said closed end, and an interior surface opposite said exterior surface;
a locking mechanism configured to removably connect said open ends of said first end segment and said second end segment, such that together the interior surfaces of the first end segment and the second end segment substantially bind an interior space; and
at least one weighted bag, sized so as to be removably contained within said interior space.
The present disclosure generally relates to exercise devices, and in particular to a modular exercise device comprising multiple tubular-shaped segments that is easily configurable for use for performing different exercises in a wide variety of environments.
The following disclosure as a whole may be best understood by reference to the provided detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, drawing descriptions, abstract, background, field of the disclosure, and associated headings. Identical reference numerals, when found on different figures, identify the same elements or functionally equivalent elements. The elements listed in the abstract are not referenced but nevertheless refer by association to the elements of the detailed description and associated disclosure.
The present disclosure is not limited to the particular details of the apparatus depicted, and other modifications and applications may be contemplated. Further changes may be made in the apparatus, device, or methods without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure herein involved. It is intended, therefore, that the subject matter in this disclosure should be interpreted as illustrative, not in a limiting sense.
For purposes of contrasting various embodiments with the prior art, certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described where appropriate herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such aspects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Modifications and variations can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention. Moreover, any one or more features of any embodiment may be combined with any one or more other features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.
Disclosed herein is a modular, multi-segment roller exercise device and kit that is configured to be used in a variety of configurations. The modular, multi-segment roller exercise device allows a user to perform a large number of exercises by easily adjusting the configuration of the device, for example the number and width of each segment, and the weight of the overall multi-segment device so as to provide varying levels of resistance and varying levels of weight to the various exercises. For example, a user may have a much wider back or leg and this specific user would require a roller with a larger overall weight while in the same class setting, while a smaller user may be more comfortable with a narrower roller. Furthermore, the use of a wider multi-segment device may allow a user to lower the pressure per square inch on a muscle to allow for a more therapeutic approach to the use.
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In an embodiment, different densities of foam are applied to various portions of the exterior surface of the device 100. By way of example, end section 102 may comprise a softer foam (illustrated by the wavy shading), while end section 106 comprises a firmer foam (illustrated by the darker shading) that is more resistant to compression.
In an embodiment, an interior layer of the device 100 is substantially rigid and incapable of deformation. The interior layer may comprise, by way of example, a layer of polycarbonate or hard plastic. The interior layer may be configured to support a user's weight without deforming. The device 100 is used to perform a type of exercise termed “foam rolling” or “self-myofascial release” (often abbreviated as “SMR”). In use, a user positions a muscle group to be targeted (such as, by way of example and not limitation, the gastrocnemius, latissimus dorsi, piriformis, adductors, quadriceps, hamstrings, hip flexors, or thoracic spine) over the device 100. The user then pushes down on the device 100 using his or her body weight, so as to apply pressure to the targeted muscle group. The device 100 is then rolled under the targeted muscle group for a predetermined length of time, ranging from a period of 15 seconds to several minutes.
The device 100 may range from 12 to 48 inches in length and from 4 to 8 inches in diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the device 100 is 28 inches in length and 6 inches in diameter. As shown in
In an embodiment, the segments of the roller device 100 (i.e., first end segment 102, middle section 104, and second end segment 106) may be used independently. For example, a user may determine that an apparatus with a length less than the length of the entire device 100 is desirable for a particular exercise (e.g., because a particular targeted muscle is best reached by using a smaller device). Rather than employing the entire device 100 for the exercise, the user may separate end segment 102 from the remainder of the device 100 and perform the exercise using only end segment 102.
The sections of the device 100 may each have a different length, giving a user flexibility in performing exercises. In an embodiment where the entire device 100 has a length of 36 inches, first end segment 102 has a length of 20 inches, middle section 104 has a length of 12 inches, and second end segment 106 has a length of 4 inches. In an embodiment, two or more of the segments of the device may be used together, for example by combining first end segment 102 and second end segment 106 or by combining first end segment 102 and middle section 104.
The weighted bags 302, 304, 306 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and configured so as to be placed inside the device 100. In this manner, the weighted bags 302, 304, 306 may be stored within the device 100 while not in use. Similarly, the weighted bags 302, 304, 306 may be placed within or removed from the device 100 so as to adjust the weight of the device. In an embodiment, each weighted bag 302, 304, 306 includes a strap which may be used to lift the respective weighted bag 302, 304, 306. As shown, a user can hold one or more of the weighted bags 302, 304, 306 and perform weight exercises (such as, but not limited to, one-armed biceps curls and triceps curls). In an embodiment, a user may pass the strap of one of the weighted bags 302, 304, 306 over his or her foot and use the weighted bags 302, 304, 306 to perform leg exercises (such as, but not limited to, leg lifts). The user can increase the difficulty of the exercise by either using heaver weighted bags 302, 304, 306 or by using multiple weighted bags 302, 304, 306 at once.
In an embodiment, each weighted bag 302, 304, 306 comprises an outer wall 308 comprising two layers of fabric, such as Cordura® fabric, in a substantially cylindrical shape surrounding an interior cavity filled with a weighted material. The weighted material may comprise a blend of sand and metal shot or other suitable materials. In an embodiment, each weighted bag 302, 304, 306 further comprises one of a padded end strap 310 and a padded side strap 312. The padded straps 310, 312 are affixed to the outer wall and are configured such that a user may lift the weighted bag 302, 304, 306 using the padded straps 310, 312.
In an embodiment, the device 100 is configured to be held by a user and used to perform weight exercises. A user grips the device in both hands, lifts the device 100, and performs an exercise such as a biceps curl, a triceps curl, a bench press, a military press, etc. A user can adjust the difficulty of the exercise by inserting or removing weighted bags 302, 304, 306 within the device 100.
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As used herein, the verb “grip” refers to the action of interlocking a device and a body part. When used in an exercise device, a grip is attached to other elements that permit the force to be transferred to the device. Grips include devices that can be surrounded by a body part, for example, a flexible loop or a hook—or that a body part can surround, such as an elongated member that can fit within the grasp of a user's hand. In this context, a member that can be gripped, or is grippable, is one that can either surround a body part or be surrounded by a body part and has a size and configuration that permits the transfer of force from the user to the grip. A “hand grip” is a grip that is sized for grasping by the hand, a “foot grip” is a grip that is sized for being supported by or holding a foot, and a “finger grip” is a grip that is sized for grasping by one or more of a user's fingers
In an embodiment (not shown), the pair of straps 502a, 502b comprise a single closed loop forming a grip that may be held in a user's hand, held by a user's foot, or otherwise grasped by a user (e.g., placed over a user's arm or leg so as to support the device 100). In an embodiment, the device 100 comprises a plurality of straps 504a, 504b, 504c, 504d, each extending from a respective segment 102, 104, 106 of the device 100. Each strap 504a, 504b, 504c, 504d may be used to hold the device 100. In an embodiment, two overlapping straps, each fitted with a hook and loop fastener along a surface thereof, are used to create adjustable-length grips.
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In an alternative embodiment, the interior of the device 600 is open and a removable spacer is used to secure one or more weighted bags 302, 304, 306 in place. For example, a spacer may be inserted so as to secure one or more weighted bags 302, 304, 306 in a desired location within the device 600, thereby creating a asymmetrical load within the device 600. In an embodiment, the spacer is made of foam and is compressible, such that weighted bags 302, 304, 306 of varying sizes may all be secured in place. In an embodiment, both internal dividers and a removable spacer are used to enable a user to configure an asymmetrical load using one or more weighted bags 302, 304, 306 in any configuration, such that the weighted bags are incapable of moving during use.
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One of skill in the art will recognize that all the various components identified in this disclosure may be made from any material or combination of materials suitable for the expected structural load and environment, without limitation—metals, composites, engineered plastics, natural or synthetic materials, etc.
Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the disclosure. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of the disclosure is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective, based on the related art.
