UNIVERSAL, ADJUSTABLE EXERCISE SYSTEM USER INTERFACE WITH LOOPED TENSION MEMBER AND PULLEY FOR CONNECTION TO RESISTANCE

Abstract

An exercise system includes a looped tension member including a closed loop. A first body-engagement member and a second body-engagement member are slidably attached to the looped tension member. A loop pulley has a base and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the base. The first body-engagement member and the second body-engagement member are slidable to define a first and second end portions, and first and second side portions of the looped tension member when the first and second body-engagement members are loaded to place the looped tension member under tension. The first side portion and the second side portion of the looped tension member and the loop pulley are arranged so that when the looped tension member is loaded in tension, the first side portion and the second side portion of the looped tension member engage a same side of the wheel of the loop pulley.

Description

BACKGROUND

Some exercise systems incorporate a tension member such as a strap or cable, with the tension member being operatively connected to a resistance or load and configured to be reciprocated by a user. In a first group of such exercise systems, a first end of a tension member is connected to a resistance such as a weight, an elastic member, or another load. The tension member typically partially encircles and engages a pulley. A second end of the tension member is attached to a user interface in the form of a grip, loop, or other device gripped by or connectable to the user's body. The user applies force via the user interface to the tension member to lift the weight, extend the elastic member, or otherwise work or exert force against the load.

In a second group of such exercise systems, a resistance in the form of a tension member is provided with a user interface in the form of a grip or other attachment at each end thereof for engagement by a body part of a user. In some such systems, the tension member may engage one or more pulleys, and the tension member may be reciprocated by opposing hands of the user, being moved in alternating fashion proximally with respect to the user and then distally with respect to the user by the user's left hand, with movement being opposite with respect to the user's right hand. In other words, the user's left hand pulls the tension member toward the user while the user's right hand moves away from the user; the process is then reversed to form a reciprocating motion as to the user.

The present disclosure relates generally to a system or device for resistance exercise, and more particularly relates to a system or device including a user interface configured for allowing both reciprocating and simultaneous movement by the user of a looped tension member forming the user interface for connection to a resistance. In certain embodiments of the system, the user interface contains a looped tension member, separate from any tension member provided as part of the resistance device. A load provided by the resistance device may be opposed or worked against by the user by the user exerting tension on the looped tension member, either during reciprocating movement of the looped tension member, or when the tension member is maintained in a non-reciprocating motion or in a static position by the user.

By providing a user interface as disclosed herein for use with a resistance, several advantages may be obtained. A user interface as disclosed herein may be able to provide a variety of configurations, movements, and exercises without changing between multiple user interfaces such as straight bars, curl bars, ropes, fixed dual grips, or the like), all as described further below. Moreover, a user interface as disclosed herein may be allow the user to rotate the user's grip, hand position, and arm position to any selected orientation for each hand independently, to change the distance between the user's hands while grasping the grips, or to change the angle of height of the grips, all without releasing and re-gripping the user interface. The ability to make these changes during a repetition aids user comfort, may allow increased range of motion, and allows a variety of exercises and movements that would not be possible using a conventional bar or other conventional user interface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, an exercise system may include a looped tension member. The looped tension member includes a tension member secured to form a closed loop. A first body-engagement member is slidably attached to the looped tension member. A second body-engagement member is slidably attached to the looped tension member; and a loop pulley having a base and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the base, wherein the first body-engagement member and the second body-engagement member are configured to be engageable with a body of a user to place the looped tension member under a tension, and the first body-engagement member and the second body-engagement member are slidable upon the tension member to define a first end portion and a second end portion of the looped tension member and to define a first side portion and a second side portion of the looped tension member when the looped tension member is under the tension, and wherein the first side portion and the second side portion of the looped tension member and the loop pulley are disposed so that when the looped tension member is loaded in tension, the first side portion and the second side portion of the looped tension member engage a same side of the wheel of the loop pulley.

In any embodiment of the exercise system, the looped tension member may include a means for adjusting a length of the looped tension member.

In any embodiment of the exercise system, the looped tension member may include a second means for adjusting the length of the looped tension member.

In any embodiment of the exercise system, the tension member may be a strap.

Any embodiment of the exercise system may include a superimposed-load means, the superimposed-load means being engaged with the base of the loop pulley.

In any embodiment of the exercise system, the superimposed-load means may include a superimposed-load tension member with a first end engaging a tensile-load means and a second end engaging the base of the loop pulley.

Any embodiment of the exercise system may further include an anchor pulley having a base and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the base, wherein the superimposed-load tension member engages the wheel of the anchor pulley, and the superimposed-load means includes a weight.

Any embodiment of the exercise system may further include a length-adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the looped tension member.

Any embodiment of the exercise system may further include a second length-adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the looped tension member.

Any embodiment of the exercise system may further include an angled standing surface for engaging a foot of the user to support the user.

In any embodiment of the exercise system, the first grip may have a principal length extending from a first end to a second end, and the tension member may engage the first grip at or near the first and second ends, so that a torque exerted on the first end of the first grip is offset or balanced by a second torque exerted on the second end of the first grip.

In another aspect, an exercise method may include: engaging a left hand of a user with a with a first grip and a right hand of a user with a second grip of a user-interfacing pulley system of an exercise system, the user-interfacing pulley system including: a looped tension member including a tension member secured to form a closed loop; and a loop pulley having a base and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the base, wherein the first grip is slidably attached to the looped tension member, and the second grip is slidably attached to the looped tension member, wherein the first grip and the second grip are configured to be engageable with a body of a user to place the looped tension member under a tension, and the first grip and the second grip are slidable to define a first end portion and a second end portion of the looped tension member and to define a first side portion and a second side portion of the looped tension member when the first grip and the second grip are loaded to place the looped tension member under tension, and wherein the first side portion and the second side portion of the looped tension member and the loop pulley are disposed so that when the looped tension member is loaded in tension, the first side portion and the second side portion of the looped tension member engage a same side of the wheel of the loop pulley; pulling on the looped tension member using at least one of the left hand and the right hand to place the looped tension member under tension; and applying force to the looped tension member or reciprocating the looped tension member.

In any embodiment, the exercise method may further include adjusting a length of the looped tension member using a length-adjustment mechanism.

In any embodiment, the exercise method may further include a superimposed-load means, and the exercise method further includes at least one of exerting force against or doing work against the superimposed-load means.

In any embodiment, the exercise method may further include using at least one of the first grip and the second grip to twist one of the first grip and the second grip to increase a pronation-supination force required for the user to perform at least one of a pronation or a supination with respect to at least one of the left hand and the right hand of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the system and method of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the system and method, there is shown in the drawings one or more presently preferred embodiments thereof. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective, partially schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a first example of components of the exercise system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a second example of components of an exercise system, the components being usable in an exercise system of the type shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective, partially schematic view of components of the exercise system of FIG. 1, in use with the grips in a first orientation;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, partially schematic view of components of the exercise system of FIG. 1, in use substantially as in FIG. 4, but with the grips in a second orientation;

FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially schematic view of components of the exercise system of FIG. 1, in use with the grips in a first orientation; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective, partially schematic view of components of the exercise system of FIG. 1, in use substantially as in FIG. 6, but with the grips in a second orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made, and/or a side or direction with respect to the body of a user, consistently with respect to the context thereof. The words “inwardly” or “distally” and “outwardly” or “proximally” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the user's body, or the geometric center of the preferred body model system for temporary hemorrhage control training and simulation and related parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. The devices and methods disclosed herein are disclosed as imposing a movement or a load upon a body part of a user. From the standpoint of the disclosed devices and methods, any mechanism, configuration, or step involving imposing a desired load (force or torque) is interchangeable with the same mechanism, configuration, or step used to impose a desired movement; and any mechanism, configuration, or step involving imposing a desired movement is interchangeable with the same mechanism, configuration, or step used to impose a desired load.

Further, the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the preferred invention, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude variations therefrom that are functionally the same or similar, as would be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective, partially schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise system according to the present disclosure. As shown, the exercise system 100 comprises a user interface in the form of a user-interfacing pulley system 20, which in turn comprises a looped tension member 12. In FIG. 2, the elements of the looped tension member 12 are identified in more detail. The looped tension member 12 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a tension member in the form of a rope 14, which is secured to form the looped tension member 12. Alternatively, the tension member may take the form of a cable, strap, belt, band, or other suitable member for carrying a tensile load and engaging a wheel of a pulley. The exercise system may include a plurality of tension members 10—for example, two, three, or four tension members 10—placed side-by-side, and optionally attached to one another, to form the looped tension member 12.

In the exercise system 100 and the user interface or user-interfacing pulley system 20 as shown, a first body-engagement member in the form of a first grip 40 or 140 (FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) is slidably attached to the looped tension member (rope 14). A second body-engagement member in the form of a second grip 46 or 146 (FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) may be slidably attached to the tension member of the looped tension member 12, which in the illustrated embodiments is rope 14. The first grip 40 and the second grip 46 each may include a tubular body portion configured so that the rope (or other tension member) may slidably pass therethrough and slidably engage therewith.

FIG. 3 is a view of a user-interfacing pulley system 120, which may be substituted for user-interfacing pulley system 20 in the exercise system 100 of FIG. 1. The user-interfacing pulley system 20 is substantially identical to the user-interfacing pulley system 20, except for the substitution of an alternative first grip 140 and an alternative second grip 146, which may be contoured with ridges or other features to provide an anatomically correct or desired gripping surface for the user.

The first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146, are slidingly engaged with the tension member (rope 14), with the tension member passing through an aperture in the first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146 to engage end portions spaced apart by a spacing distance at least approximately equal to or exceeding a gripping surface width of the first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146. Preferably the first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146 have a principal length extending from a first end 142, 148 (FIG. 3) to a second end 144, 150, and the tension member engages the first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146 at a first engagement point and a second engagement point or near the first end 142, 148 and second end 144, 150 thereof. As a result, a torque exerted on, for example, the first end 142 of the first grip 140 is offset or balanced by a second torque exerted on the second end 144 of the first grip 140. The same is true for the first grip 40 and for the second grips 46, 146 of FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. The offsetting of the torque exerted on the first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146 in turn decreases the torque which must be opposed or balanced by the user in performing exercise movements, allowing the user to maintain an anatomically correct and/or comfortable orientation of the user's arms or other body parts during exercise. Many prior devices, such as straight rigid bars, curl bars, and other non-flexible and non-movable devices, require the user to alter the orientation of the user's hands with respect to the user's body to conform to the device and to remain unchanged if the user is to maintain the user's grip on the user interface during a repetition of an exercise.

Even prior flexible devices such as flexible cables or ropes grasped directly by the user, or devices having a non-looped flexible cable or rope with a handle, may require the user to exert significant torque to maintain a desired orientation of the user's hands and arms. In fact, in some such prior devices, the strength of the user's hands, or the ability of the user to oppose the unbalanced torque imposed on the handle of the prior device, is a limiting factor in the user's ability to exercise in opposition to a tensile load or resistance. In contrast to these prior devices, in the disclosed device, the user has freedom to change the orientation, relative distance, height, and the like of the grips with respect to one another during a repetition of an exercise, without changing or even releasing and re-gripping the user interface. Moreover, the devices disclosed herein allow the user to choose from a wide range of selected distances between the user's hands, from the hands being held together to the arms being fully outstretched; a rigid user interface of similar maximum width would require a length of about 2 meters (about 6 feet) and is likely to be unwieldy. Moreover, the user-interfacing pulley system 20 and the user-interfacing pulley system 120 disclosed herein may be collapsed, folded, or otherwise formed into a small volume or small container (such a carrying bag, carrying case, or the like) for portability, in contrast to devices with rigidly supported hand grips.

The user-interfacing pulley system 20 and the user-interfacing pulley system 120 disclosed herein allow the user to change configurations and exercises without changing between multiple user interfaces (such as straight bars, curl bars, ropes, dual grips, or the like), all as described further below, as well as the ability to rotate the user's grip, change the distance between grips, and change the angle and height of the grips, without releasing and re-gripping. The user-interfacing pulley system 20 and the user-interfacing pulley system 120 disclosed herein allow the user to make these changes during a repetition and thus may aid user comfort, may allow ergonomically and kinesthetically desired positioning (including variation thereof during a repetition), may allow increased range of motion, and may allow a variety of exercises that would not be possible using a single conventional bar or other conventional user interface. The first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146 may allow for 360 degrees of rotation or more without hindering the user from re-orienting the user's arms or hands. The user-interfacing pulley system 20 and the user-interfacing pulley system 120, in which the tension member may act upon opposite ends of the first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146 to offset or balance the torque that the user most oppose, may lead to a more anatomically correct and comfortable grip and movement by the user, allowing the user to target muscles by opposing a tensile load with those muscles, without the complication or physical stress of simultaneously opposing an unbalanced, un-offset torque exerted on the user's hands and arms through a rigid bar, un-looped cable member, or handle. As a result of the offset of balancing or the torque that must be exerted by the user on the first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146, and as a result of the use of a looped tension member 12 having flexibility, the user may have freedom to changing the orientation of the user's hands and arms in pronation or supination during a repetition of an exercise and without releasing the first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146, with the user being able to select any rotational position of the user's joint at any point during a repetition of an exercise; see FIGS. 4-7. For additional examples, see Applicant's U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/620,140, filed on Jan. 11, 2024.

Using the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 according to the present disclosure, the user may have freedom to changing the orientation of the user's hands and arms in pronation or supination without changing between user interfaces such as straight bars, curl bars, ropes, etc. As a result, the user may have freedom to perform a variety of exercises without having to own various user interfaces (in a home setting), and without having to locate, wait for, or wipe down a specific user interface (in a gym setting) to change exercises. A user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 according to the present disclosure may be sold or provided separately from a resistance device (such as a commercial resistance exercise device), with the user bringing the user's own user interface for connection to a shared or public resistance device such as in a public gym or workout facility. Moreover, the user may be able to move the user's hands from in front of the user to behind the user during an exercise—a movement that is more difficult or even impossible with rigid grip members or members requiring the user to oppose an unbalanced or un-offset torque with the user's hands and arms.

Use of the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 according to the present disclosure may lead the user into using proper form and proper joint orientation, promoting a more kinesthetically correct and optimal muscle contraction throughout a repetition, with the position of the grips being variable and self-correcting. In this way the user interface as disclosed herein may promote kinesthetic awareness and new muscle memory in dormant muscle fibers due to new/additional and previously unexplored movements and movement planes that are unavailable via prior user interfaces such as straight bars, curl bars, ropes, fixed dual grips, or the like.

Other types of body-engagement members may be provided as alternatives to grips—for example, loops for engaging a wrist, angle, or other part of the body of the user, with said loops being slidably attached to the looped tension member 12 by an eye, loop, slot, or other comparable structure having an opening permitting the looped tension member 12 to pass therethrough and slide therein. As described above, such body-engagement members may preferably be engaged by the looped tension member 12 at a first engagement location and a second engagement location so that the torques imposed by the looped tension member 12 are offset or balanced, reducing the torque exerted by the body-engagement members on the user's body.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a loop pulley 16 has a base 16a and a wheel 16c rotatably mounted with respect to the base 16a. The loop pulley 16 has a wheel 16c rotatably mounted with respect to the base 16a; the base 16a includes essentially the entire pulley mechanism other than the wheel 16c. The base 16a may include an eye 16b, which may comprise a sturdy closed loop for attachment of cables or other hardware to connect the base 16a to a fixed object or to a resistance such as a weight, a tension member, or a resistance mechanism of an exercise machine. Alternatively, the base 16a may provide another attachment point for such cables or hardware so that the loop pulley 16 may be secured to an object such as a support frame, an overhead portion of a building, or the like. The looped tension member 12, and in particular the first side portion 12c and the second side portion 12d thereof, are disposed to be engaged with a same side of the wheel 16c—meaning a side of the wheel 16c that is facing away from the user 200 at a particular moment in time. The first side portion 12c and the second side portion 12d may lie adjacent or close to one another on the same side of the wheel 16c, with forces exerted by both the first side portion 12c and the second side portion 12d acting, or having the potential to act, to rotate the wheel 16c of the loop pulley 16. The looped tension member 12 of the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 is separate from any tension member of the resistance, such as the anchor rope 102 and superimposed-load means 100 discussed below.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-2, the first grip 40 or other body-engagement member and the second grip 46 or other second body-engagement member are configured to be engageable with a body of a user 200 (FIGS. 4-7) to place the looped tension member 12 under a tension. When the looped tension member 12 is placed in tension by urging or moving the first grip 40 and the second grip 46 (or other body-engagement members) apart from each other, the looped tension member 12 may form an elongated shape defined by the first grip 40 and the second grip 46 at ends of the shape. Thus the first grip 40 (or other body-engagement member) and the second grip 46 (or other body-engagement member) are slidable upon the tension member to define a first end portion 12a and a second end portion 12b of the looped tension member 12 and to define a first side portion 12c and a second side portion 12d of the looped tension member when the looped tension member 12 is under tension exerted by the user through the first grip 40 and the second grip 46. The first side portion 12c and the second side portion 12d together engage the same side of a wheel 16c of the loop pulley 16, which is described below, with the same side being a side of the wheel 16c opposite the user.

The tension member of the looped tension member 12 may include a means for adjusting a length of the looped tension member 12, which means for adjusting may include a length-adjustment mechanism releasably securing a portion or portions of the tension member such as the rope 14 to allow adjustment of a length thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, a first length-adjustment mechanism and a second length-adjustment are provided in the form of a first cam device 90 and a second cam device 90.

The first cam device 90 and the second cam device 90 are configured to grip the rope 14 frictionally to adjust the length thereof by securing two portions of the rope 14 to prevent relative movement thereof. By positioning at least one of the first cam device 90 and the second cam device 90, or other embodiments of the first length-adjustment mechanism and the second length-adjustment mechanism, the length of the looped tension member 12 may be adjusted as needed for a particular exercise and/or a particular user. The first length-adjustment mechanism and the second length-adjustment mechanism may comprise other types of securing mechanisms compatible with the rope 14 or with other tension members where used, such as pins, rope clamps, rope fixers, D-rings, cleats, knots, and the like. Many examples of suitable securing mechanisms are available commercially.

Although a single length-adjustment mechanism could be employed to adjust the length of the looped tension member 12, including both the first length-adjustment mechanism and the second length-adjustment mechanism allows for more convenient adjustment and may prevent having a length-adjustment mechanism clash with the loop pulley 16. The tension member may comprise a rope, a cable, a strap, or the like. The tension member may be formed from two separate portions of rope, cable, strap, or the like, with the two portions joined by length-adjustment mechanisms to form the looped tension member 12. The ends of the two portions may optionally be secured for convenience, such as by knots 15.

In some embodiments, the exercise system 100 comprises the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 or the user-interfacing pulley system 120 operatively connected to a resistance in the form of a superimposed load, the superimposed load being applied by a superimposed-load means 100. The superimposed-load means illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a superimposed-load tension member in the form of an anchor rope 102. The anchor rope 102 has a first end 104 engaged with a tensile-load means in the form of a weight 108. The anchor rope 102 has a second end 106 engaged with the eye 16b of the base 16a of the loop pulley 16. In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the superimposed-load means 100 further comprises an anchor pulley 60 having a base 62 and a wheel 64 rotatably mounted with respect to the base 62. An anchor 70 is fixed to the base 62 via a vertical support 68, which may include a chain, cable, link, or the like. The first end 104 of the anchor rope 102 may be operatively connected to a weight 108 (to allow the anchor rope 102 to lift the weight 108); and a second end 106 of the anchor rope 102 may be operatively connected to the base 62 of the anchor pulley 60. The superimposed-load means may include other elements or devices, including commercially available exercise machines, capable of applying a tensile load to the base 16a while allowing the base 16a to move.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7, the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20, the first grip 40 and the second grip 46 and the tension member may be configured to be twisted—for example, to be twisted one hundred eighty degrees (180°) by the user. The looped tension member 12 has an untwisted state in which portions of the looped tension member do not cross one another. In the untwisted state, a user may, at first level of applied force, which may be a pronation-supination force required for the user to perform at least one of a pronation or a supination with respect to at least one of the left hand 204 and the right hand 206 of the user, alter the orientation of the first grip 40 and the second grip 46 to change a spatial orientation of the user's hands and lower arms relatively freely. The looped tension member 12 also has a twisted state, which may be achieved by the user twisting or rotating an end of the looped tension member by rotating one of the first grip 40 or the second grip 46 by about 180 degrees. In the twisted state, the looped tension member 12 provides increased resistance to an effort by the user to change the spatial orientation of first grip 40 and the second grip 46 using the user's hands, requiring a second level of applied force. The applied force may be a pronation-supination force with respect to the user's hand or arm, which is greater than the first level of applied force. The looped tension member 12 can be returned to the untwisted state to return to the first level of applied force for changing the spatial orientation of the user's hands. Alternatively, the looped tension member may be twisted by about 180° a second time, creating a double-twisted state with a third level of applied force similar to the first level of applied force required to alter the spatial orientation of the user's hand (and less than then second level of applied force). The looped tension member 12, when in an untwisted state or when subjected an even number of applied twists, may have a relatively low requirement for applied force for changing the spatial orientation of the user's hands and arms as described above; in contrast, in a twisted state with on odd number of applied twists, the looped tension member 12 may have a relatively high requirement for applied force for changing the spatial orientation of the user's hands and arms as described above.

Referring to FIG. 1, some embodiments of the exercise system 100 include an angled standing surface 250 for engaging a foot 202 of the user 200 to support the user 200.

To use the exercise system 100 or the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20, the user may begin by connecting the user-interfacing pulley system 20 to a resistance and then may proceed to adjust the length of the tension member using a length-adjustment mechanism such as at least one cam device 90. The user 200 may then grip the first grip 40 and the second grip 46 and maintain the looped tension member 12 in an untwisted configuration. The user 200 may then hold the first grip 40 steady or essentially steady with the user's left hand 204 while reciprocating the second grip 46, thus lifting the weight 108 with the user's right arm; the process may be reversed to lift the weight with the user's left arm. The user may thus work against the weight 108 by pulling one of the first grip 40 and the second grip 46 while holding the other steady, providing a different degree and type of work (static versus moving) to each arm, in either case transferring force from the tension member, to the base 16a of the loop pulley 16, to the anchor rope 102, to the weight 108. The user-interfacing pulley system 120, which differs from the user-interfacing pulley system 20 in the first grip 140 and the second grip 146, may be employed in a substantially identical manner to that employed with the user-interfacing pulley system 20.

Alternatively, the user may twist the hand grips one hundred eighty degrees (180°) or another suitable amount to lock the loop pulley 16, preventing rotation of the wheel 16c with respect to the base 16a. In the twisted configuration, the user may pull the first grip 40 and the second grip 46 to lift the weight 108. The user may thus work against the weight 108 by pulling the first hand grip and the second grip 46, transferring force from the tension member, to the base 16a of the loop pulley 16, to the anchor rope 102, to the weight 108.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1-3 with respect to the exercise system 100, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, an exercise method comprises engaging a right hand 206 and a left hand 204 of a user respectively with a first grip 40 and a second grip 46 of a user-interfacing pulley system 20 of an exercise system 100, which includes a loop pulley 16 having a base 16a and a wheel 16c rotatably mounted with respect to the base. An adjustable tension member is engaged with the wheel 16c. The first grip 40 is attached to a first end of the tension member, and the second grip 46 is attached to a second end of the tension member. A length-adjustment mechanism such as a cam device 90, as described above, is connected to the tension member, also as described above. In the preferred embodiment of the exercise method, the engaging of the right hand 206 comprises gripping the first grip 40, and the engaging of the left hand 204 comprises gripping the second grip 46. As noted above, the user-interfacing pulley system 120, which differs from the user-interfacing pulley system 20 in the first grip 140 and the second grip 146, may be employed in a substantially identical manner to that employed with the user-interfacing pulley system 20.

Some embodiments of the exercise method include adjusting the length of the tension member using the length-adjustment mechanism such as the cam device 90.

Some embodiments of the exercise method include performing an exercise in which the user changes the angular orientation of the user's hands during a repetition of an exercise without releasing the user's grip on the user interface.

Some embodiments of the exercise method include performing an exercise in which the user's hands pass from in front of the user's body to rearward of the user's body, encompassing a range of motion not available with a user interface in the form of a fixed, straight bar.

In some embodiments of the exercise method, the exercise system further comprises a superimposed load, the superimposed load being a tensile load engaged with the base 16a of the loop pulley 16 and separate from any load imposed on the loop pulley 16 by the tension member.

In some embodiments of the exercise method, the superimposed load includes an anchor rope 102 attached in tension to the base 16a of the loop pulley 16.

In some embodiments of the exercise method, the exercise system 100 further comprises an anchor pulley 60 having a base 62 and a wheel 64 rotatably mounted with respect to the base 62; and an anchor 70 fixed to the base 62 of the anchor pulley 60, as shown in FIG. 1. A first end 104 of the anchor rope 102 is operatively connected to a weight 108 (to allow the anchor rope 102 to lift the weight 108); and wherein a second end 106 of the anchor rope 102 is operatively connected to the base 62 of the anchor pulley 60.

In some embodiments of the exercise method, the first grip 40, 140 and the second grip 46, 146 and the tension member, which in the illustrated embodiment is the rope 14, are configured so that the first grip 40 or the second grip 46 can be used to twist the rope 14 by one hundred eighty degrees (180°) by the user to alter the performance of the user-interfacing pulley system 20.

Various embodiments of the exercise system 100, the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20, the user-interfacing pulley system 120, and the exercise method may provide one or more of the following characteristics and advantages. The exercise system 100 allows for adjustment of the distance between the first grip 40 and the second grip 46, and between the user and the loop pulley 16 and/or the anchor pulley 60 and/or the anchor 26.

The effort expended by the user in stabilizing or balancing both the tension member and the anchor rope 102 and the weight 108 encourages kinesthetic awareness, moving user into user friendly kinetically correct movement and form, allowing the user many different angles, handle movements, and planes of movement for exercising. The exercise system 100 provides essentially equal work eccentrically and concentrically. The exercise system 100 may produce a stretching effect or a traction effect.

The disclosed exercise system 100 and the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 and the user-interfacing pulley system 120 may allow performance of a variety of exercises, which may include exercises that are not available using prior devices. The exercise system 100 and the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 and the user-interfacing pulley system 120 may be used as a traction device to pinpoint and isolate certain muscles and muscle groups, as a result relieving joint pain and waking up the mind muscle connection to damaged and dormant muscle fibers. The exercise system 100 and the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 and the user-interfacing pulley system 120 may be used in rehabilitation, where limited mobility is an issue because the exercise system 100 has great versatility and provides a traction effect. Use of the exercise system 100 may stimulate blood flow, stimulating nerves and opening up joints, allowing the body to heal. The exercise system 100 and the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 and the user-interfacing pulley system 120 may increase the user's mind-muscle connection and may become more effective with each use. This effect may increase the effectiveness of other types of resistance training performed along with use of the disclosed exercise system and methods.

With the exercise system 100 and the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 or the user-interfacing pulley system 120, one device can provide an entire-body workout with combinations of resistance adjustability by changing the superimposed-load means, fulcrum length, rope length, and body positioning. The structure of the exercise system 100 and the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 or the user-interfacing pulley system 120 may make such changes more convenient and efficient than comparable changes under other systems, as the user need simply reposition himself or herself, adjust the length of the looped tension member, and twist or untwist the looped tension member. There is no need to remove and replace gripping hardware, or to have a room full of machines as may be common in the prior art.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the user has the option to rotate the first grip 40 and the second grip 46 while moving through many planes of resistance during the course of an exercise repetition. The user may fully contract muscles through entire range of motion. The exercise system 100 may train the body awareness and mind muscle connection to proper form and function of each individual user equally. Referring to FIG. 3, the user-interfacing pulley system 120, which differs from the user-interfacing pulley system 20 in the first grip 140 and the second grip 146, may be employed in a substantially identical manner to that employed with the user-interfacing pulley system 20.

The exercise system 100 and the user interface in the form of the user-interfacing pulley system 20 or the user-interfacing pulley system 120 may provide for significantly less weight to be used because in the illustrated embodiment the user can adjust fulcrum length variably or “on the fly” (which may in some cases occur during a repetition of an exercise) by repositioning the user's body, effectively increasing or decreasing the “perceived” weight against which the user is working or exerting force.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An exercise system comprising: a looped tension member comprising a tension member secured to form a closed loop;a first body-engagement member slidably attached to the looped tension member;a second body-engagement member slidably attached to the looped tension member; anda loop pulley having a base and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the base,wherein the first body-engagement member and the second body-engagement member are configured to be engageable with a body of a user to place the looped tension member under a tension, and the first body-engagement member and the second body-engagement member are slidable upon the tension member to define a first end portion and a second end portion of the looped tension member and to define a first side portion and a second side portion of the looped tension member when the looped tension member is under the tension, andwherein the first side portion and the second side portion of the looped tension member and the loop pulley are disposed so that when the looped tension member is loaded in tension, the first side portion and the second side portion of the looped tension member engage a same side of the wheel of the loop pulley.

2. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the looped tension member comprises a means for adjusting a length of the looped tension member.

3. The exercise system of claim 2, wherein the looped tension member includes a second means for adjusting the length of the looped tension member.

4. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the tension member is a strap.

5. The exercise system of claim 1, further comprising a superimposed-load means, the superimposed-load means being engaged with the base of the loop pulley.

6. The exercise system of claim 5, wherein the superimposed-load means includes a superimposed-load tension member with a first end engaging a tensile-load means and a second end engaging the base of the loop pulley.

7. The exercise system of claim 6, further comprising an anchor pulley having a base and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the base, wherein the superimposed-load tension member engages the wheel of the anchor pulley, and the superimposed-load means comprises a weight.

8. The exercise system of claim 1, further comprising a length-adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the looped tension member.

9. The exercise system of claim 8, further comprising a second length-adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the looped tension member.

10. The exercise system of claim 1, further comprising an angled standing surface for engaging a foot of the user to support the user.

11. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein a first grip has a principal length extending from a first end to a second end, and the tension member engages the first grip at or near the first and second ends, so that a torque exerted on the first end of the first grip is offset or balanced by a second torque exerted on the second end of the first grip.

12. An exercise method comprising: engaging a left hand of a user with a with a first grip and a right hand of a user with a second grip of a user-interfacing pulley system of an exercise system, the user-interfacing pulley system including: a looped tension member comprising a tension member secured to form a closed loop; anda loop pulley having a base and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the base,wherein the first grip is slidably attached to the looped tension member, and the second grip is slidably attached to the looped tension member,wherein the first grip and the second grip are configured to be engageable with a body of a user to place the looped tension member under a tension, and the first grip and the second grip are slidable to define a first end portion and a second end portion of the looped tension member and to define a first side portion and a second side portion of the looped tension member when the first grip and the second grip are loaded to place the looped tension member under tension, andwherein the first side portion and the second side portion of the looped tension member and the loop pulley are disposed so that when the looped tension member is loaded in tension, the first side portion and the second side portion of the looped tension member engage a same side of the wheel of the loop pulley;pulling on the looped tension member using at least one of the left hand and the right hand to place the looped tension member under tension; andapplying force to the looped tension member or reciprocating the looped tension member.

13. The exercise method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting a length of the looped tension member using a length-adjustment mechanism.

14. The exercise method of claim 12, wherein the exercise system further comprises a superimposed-load means, and the exercise method further comprises at least one of exerting force against or doing work against the superimposed-load means.

15. The exercise method of claim 14, further comprising using at least one of the first grip and the second grip to twist one of the first grip and the second grip to increase a pronation-supination force required for the user to perform at least one of a pronation or a supination with respect to at least one of the left hand and the right hand of the user.