Patent Application
20080070754
In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, different embodiments, or component parts of the same or different illustrated invention. Additionally, reference to the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are related, dissimilar, the same, etc. The use of the term “an embodiment,” or similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate optional features, which may or may not be part of the invention as claimed.
Each statement of an embodiment is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The independent embodiments are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.
Finally, the fact that the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, does not appear at the beginning of every sentence in the specification, such as is the practice of some practitioners, is merely a convenience for the reader's clarity. However, it is the intention of this application to incorporate by reference the phrasing “an embodiment,” and the like, at the beginning of every sentence herein where logically possible and appropriate.
As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”
Looking to the figure there is illustrated an object 110 with a portable exercise device 100 ready for attachment 115 to the object 110. The portable exercise device 100 includes a clamp 120 which is configured to be removably coupled to the object 110. The portable exercise device 100 may attach to a plurality of objects, for example: an exercise bike, a door, and so forth.
The illustrated clamp 120 includes a spacing member 210 and a first clamping member 220. The first clamping member 220 is coupled to the spacing member 210 and extends outward from the spacing member 210. A second clamping member 230 is spaced from the first clamping member 220. The second clamping member 230 is coupled to the spacing member 210, and extends outward from the spacing member 210.
The illustrated portable exercise device 100 includes a clamping device 240. The clamping device 240 is coupled to the second clamping member 230, and includes a pressure reducing plate 250 and an adjustment device 260. The pressure reducing plate 250 is disposed between, and substantially parallel to, each of the first clamping member 220 and the second clamping member 230. It is understood that the pressure reducing plate 250 may be composed of a substantially rigid and/or firm material. Some non-limiting examples include: steel, metal, aluminum fiberglass, hardened rubber, and any other material known in the art.
The illustrated adjustment device 260 is mechanically coupled to the pressure reducing plate 250. The adjustment device 260 is configured to adjust a position of the pressure reducing plate 250. The adjustment device 260 may be a threaded member 270, configured to be adjustable via rotation.
The illustrated clamping device 240 includes a hole 290 disposed through the second clamping member 230 with the adjustment device 260 disposed therein. The hole 290 may be threaded so as to receive the threaded member 270 of the adjustment device 260.
The illustrated portable exercise device 100 includes a first attachment member 130 coupled to, and extending outwardly from, the clamp 120. The first attachment member 130 may be threaded such that the first attachment member 130 is able to receive another threaded member. The portable exercise device 100 may also include a second attachment member 140 and a third attachment member 150. The second attachment member 140, and the third attachment member 150, may be substantially identically to the first attachment member 130, both extending outwardly from the clamp 120. In being substantially identical to the first attachment member 130, the second attachment member 140 and the third attachment member 150 may or may not be threaded and/or may or may not extend outward from the clamp 120 at a slightly different angle. The first attachment member 130, second attachment member 140, and the third attachment member 150 may be selectively coupled at different areas on the clamp 120.
There is shown a first exercise handlebar 160 which is removably coupled to the first attachment member 130. The first exercise handlebar 160 may be composed of a substantially rigid elongated member. The first exercise handlebar 160 includes a coupling member 165, a spring portion 170, and a gripping portion 180. The coupling member 165 may be configured to removably couple the first exercise handlebar 160 to the first attachment member 130. The coupling member 165 may be threaded such that the coupling member 165 may receive the first attachment member 130.
The illustrated first exercise handlebar 160 also includes a spring portion 170. The spring portion 170 is disposed between the gripping portion 180 and the coupling member 165, and is configured to provide the gripping portion 180 with resistant flexibility. The spring portion 170 may be composed of a variety of spring types, such as: conventional, non conventional, springs with different designs and/or colors, and/or with varying degrees of resistance.
There is also shown a first exercise handlebar 160 which includes a gripping portion 180. The gripping portion 180 extends from the spring portion 170, sufficient to enable a user to grasp the first exercise handlebar 160. The gripping portion 180 may be tubular, as illustrated, or any other shape and/or design known in the art. The gripping portion 180 may be encased by a variety of materials that enhance the grip and/or comfort and/or ergonomic feel of the user when grasping the gripping portion 180. Some non limiting examples include: soft or hard rubber, foam, an ergonomic handlegrip, and so forth.
The illustrated portable exercise device 100 also includes a second exercise handlebar 190 and/or a third exercise handlebar (not shown), substantially identical to the first exercise handlebar 160. The second exercise handlebar 190 and/or a third exercise handlebar may be removably coupled to the second attachment member 140 and the third attachment member 150, respectively. In being substantially identical to the first exercise handlebar 160, the second exercise handlebar 190 and/or the third exercise handlebar are composed of a substantially rigid elongated member, including a coupling member 165, a spring portion 170, and a gripping portion 180. The first exercise handlebar 160, second exercise handlebar 190, and/or third exercise handlebar may be different in some respects. Some non-limiting examples of differences may include: length and size of the gripping portion 180, threaded or non threaded nature of the coupling member 165, degree of resistant strength in the spring portion 170, and so forth.
The illustrated portable exercise device 100 includes a buffering material 280 selectively disposed on the pressure reducing plate 250 and the first clamping member 220. The buffering material's 280 location on the pressure reducing plate 250 and first clamping member 220 may vary in its location depending on the user's needs and/or desires. The amount of buffering material 280 on the pressure reducing plate 250 and first clamping member 220 may vary depending on the on user's needs and/or desires. The buffering material 280 may include any material known in the art. Some non limiting examples include: hard and/or soft rubber, foam, soft plastic, polyurethane, and so forth. This buffering material provides a buffer between the clamp 120 and the object 110 to which the clamp 120 is attached. This may prevent unwanted scratches, marks, and/or abrasions on the object 110. Further this may allow the user to attach the portable exercise device 100 to any object 110 without having to worry about damaging the object 110.
Advantageously, the illustrated portable exercise device 100 is simple and easy to use, and can be coupled to a plurality of object types. For example, a user may simply adjust the clamp 120 to fit the object intended to support the portable exercise device 100. This can easily be done by sizing the space 310 between the first clamping member 220 and the pressure reducing plate 250 to match size of the object 110. The object 110 may then be placed in the space 310 and the clamp 120 tightened around the object 110 by rotating the adjustment device 260. The first exercise handlebar 160, second exercise handlebar 190, and/or third exercise handlebar may be attached to any of the first attachment member 130, the second attachment member 140 and/or the third attachment member.
It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
For example, the Figures illustrate the portable exercise device 100 being attachable to a vertical object 110 with handlebars. The portable exercise device 100 may be attached to any object 110 which may fit within the clamping device 240. Some non-limiting examples include: an exercise bike, a door, a doorway, a pole, a beam, and so forth.
Furthermore, although the figures illustrate the portable exercise device 100 attaching vertically to an object 110, the portable exercise device 100 may attach horizontally. For example, the portable exercise device 100 may attach to a desk, shelf, and so forth.
Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the portable exercise device 100 may be constructed of a variety of materials. Some non-limiting examples include metal, steel, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, and any other material known in the art.
Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.
