The present disclosure relates generally to exercise devices for exercising the upper body of a user. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an exercise device in which a user can use resistance training to exercise different sets of upper body muscles by applying tensile forces to the exercise device. This type of training may allow the user to strengthen and tone his or her upper body without building bulky muscles by performing multiple exercises at once.
Traditional upper body workout equipment is either intended to increase the size or “bulkiness” of upper body muscles of the user or is difficult for the user to properly use to obtain the results that the user desires. For example, to obtain certain results, a user that trains using free weights must be familiar with proper weight-training techniques to target specific muscles or muscle areas and further be knowledgeable of the proper size of weights to use. Using improper techniques and equipment can result in injury or other unintended results, such as unintentionally increasing the size of certain muscles. Another disadvantage of traditional upper body workout equipment is that it only enables a user to perform a single exercise at a time because the user's hands are required to be engaged with the equipment.
One embodiment relates to an exercise device that includes a first set of one or more finger loops having a first palm portion coupled to a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first set of one or more finger loops are configured to be worn on a first hand of a user such that the first surface of the first palm portion interfaces with a palm of the first hand. The exercise device also includes a second set of one or more finger loops coupled to a second palm portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second set of one or more finger loops are configured to be worn on a second hand of the user such that the first surface of the second palm portion interfaces with a palm of the second hand. The exercise device also includes a first connecter coupled to and located on the second surface of the first palm portion and a second connecter coupled to and located on the second surface of the second palm portion. The first connector and the second connector are secured to opposite ends of a tension member linking the first palm portion and the second palm portion.
Another embodiment relates to an exercise device that includes a first set of one or more finger loops coupled to a first palm portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first set of one or more finger loops are configured to be worn on a first hand of a user such that the first surface of the first palm portion interfaces with a palm of the first hand. The exercise device includes a second set of one or more finger loops coupled to a second palm portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second set of one or more finger loops are configured to be worn on a second hand of the user such that the first surface of the second palm portion interfaces with a palm of the second hand. The exercise device also includes a first connecter coupled to and located on the second surface of the first palm portion and a second connecter coupled to and located on the second surface of the second palm portion. Each of the connectors are secured to opposite ends of a tension member linking the first palm portion and the second palm portion. Each of the connectors include a looped structure and a grommet configured to reinforce a portion of the connector that interfaces with the tension member.
Another embodiment relates to an exercise device that includes a first set of one or more finger loops coupled to a first palm portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first set of one or more finger loops are configured to be worn on a first hand of a user such that the first surface of the first palm portion interfaces with a palm of the first hand. The exercise device includes a second set of one or more finger loops coupled to a second palm portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second set of one or more finger loops are configured to be worn on a second hand of the user such that the first surface of the second palm portion interfaces with a palm of the second hand. The exercise device also includes a first connecter coupled to and located on the second surface of the first palm portion and a second connecter coupled to and located on the second surface of the second palm portion. Each of the connectors comprise a looped structure that is configured to releasably couple with a tension member such that the tension member is interchangeable with another tension member. Each of the connectors are configured to rotate about the second surfaces of the palm portions, and move laterally to enable at least a portion of the connector to lay flat against the second surface of its corresponding palm portion.
This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.
Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring generally to the figures, an exercise device is shown accordingly to exemplary embodiments. The exercise device can be used by a user to exercise an upper body of the user. The exercise device includes two gloves attached together by a tension member, which advantageously enable the user to retain freedom to rotate and position his or her hands without the tension member obstructing the movement. The user may rotate and position his or her hands to target specific muscles or muscle groups. The exercise device also advantageously enables the user to maintain a constant tension in the tension member during an exercise.
Referring now to
The left-hand glove 102 is attached to the right-hand glove 104 via a tension member 106. The tension member is secured to the left-hand glove 102 and the right-hand glove 104 at opposite ends via connectors 108 located on the bottom of the left-hand glove 102 and the bottom of the right-hand glove 104. The connectors 108 may include grommets 109 to route the tension member 106 through and reinforce a portion of the connector 108 that interfaces with the tension member 106 (e.g., by preventing the entirety of the tension member 106 from being pulled through). In some embodiments, the materials of exercise device 100 may include nylon, elastic, fabric, rubber, plastic, metal, etc., and any combination thereof. It will be appreciated that the exercise device 100 can be made of any suitable material.
The exercise device 100 may be worn by a user on his or her hands. The user can put on the left-hand glove 102 by placing his or her palm on the same surface of left-hand glove 102 on which the finger loops 110 are attached, hereby referred to as the top of the left-hand glove 102, and by inserting his or her fingers into the finger loops 110 located on the top of the left-hand glove 102.
To secure the left-hand glove 102 in place on the left-hand of the user, the user may attach the left-wrist strap 103 to a left wrist of the user. For example, the left-wrist strap 103 can wrap tightly around the left wrist of the user to prevent the left-hand glove 102 from moving or rotating during a workout. The left-wrist strap 103 can be wrapped around the left wrist of the user in such a way that allows for the fastener 116 to attach to fastener 112 and for the fastener 118 to attach to fastener 116. In various embodiments, the fasteners 112, 114, 116, and 118 may be hook-and-loop fasteners, snap fasteners, buckle fasteners, or any other appropriate fastener that enables the user to selectively secure the gloves to the appropriate hand of the user.
The user can put on the right-hand glove 104 by placing his or her palm on the same surface of right-hand glove 104 on which the finger loops 110 are attached, hereby referred to as the top of the right-hand glove 104, and by inserting his or her fingers into the finger loops 110 located on the top of the right-hand glove 104.
To secure the right-hand glove 104 in place on the right-hand of the user, the user may attach the right-wrist strap 105 to a right wrist of the user. For example, the right-wrist strap 105 can wrap tightly around the right wrist of the user to prevent the right-hand glove 104 from moving or rotating during a workout. The right-wrist strap 105 can be wrapped around the right wrist of the user in such a way that allows for the fastener 116 to attach to the fastener 112 and for the fastener 118 to attach to the fastener 116. In various embodiments, the fasteners 112, 114, 116, and 118 may be hook-and-loop fasteners, snap fasteners, buckle fasteners, or any other appropriate fastener that enables the user to selectively secure the gloves to the appropriate hand of the user.
The right-hand glove 104 and the left hand glove 102 may comprise pads to provide additional comfort for the user. For example, the finger loops 110 may include a padding such that the padding contacts the fingers and hands of the user when exercises are performed using the exercise device 100. Additionally, other portions of the right-hand glove 104 and the left-hand glove 102 may comprise pads, for example the portion of the gloves configured to interface with and contact the palms of the user. For example, a user may be performing an exercise in which one hand of the user is placed on the ground to support at least a portion of the user. A padded portion of the glove on the hand of the user placed on the ground may provide the user cushion from the ground and ultimately facilitate a more comfortable exercise experience for the user.
The right-wrist strap 105 and the left-wrist strap 103 can be configured to accommodate adjustable and/or incremental weights, according to some embodiments. For example, the right-wrist strap 105 and the left-wrist strap 103 may include pockets (e.g., pockets sewn to the straps) that allow a user to insert one or more weights into said pockets. The pockets may also include a means of securing any such weights within the pockets, such as elastic, or loop and hook fasteners configured to close a flap over the pockets. For example, a user may wish to add additional resistance to an exercise than that offered by the tension member 106. Accordingly, the user may insert incremental and/or adjustable weights into pockets of the right-wrist strap 105 and/or the left-wrist strap 103. Incremental and/or adjustable weights added by the user may include metal weights, weights comprising containers defining a volume that may be filled with sand, water, or other substances, as well as other possible varieties of weights. In some embodiments, adjustable or incremental weights may be added to the right-wrist strap 105 and/or the left-wrist strap 103 through other means, for example an additional component that may couple to the right-wrist strap 105 and/or the left-wrist strap 103 to allow for a weight (e.g., a small dumbbell) to be secured between the layers of the right-wrist strap 105 and/or the left-wrist strap 103 when secured and worn by a user.
Still referring to
Referring now to
The connectors 108 are located on the bottom of both the left-hand glove 102 and the right-hand glove 104. The locations of the connectors 108 positions the tensile force from the tension member 106 onto the palms of the user. This can be important for engaging certain muscle groups during exercises, such as the exercises described with reference to
The location of the connectors 108 may allow the user to retain freedom to rotate and position his or her hands without the tension member 106 obstructing the movement. The user may rotate or position his or her hands to engage different muscle groups during exercises. For example, if the user rotates either or both of his or her left hand and right hand during and exercise, the connectors 108 are able to rotate in the opposite direction of the hand movement. This may prevent the tension member 106 from wrapping itself around the hands of the user.
The user may grasp the connectors 108 or any other object with his or her hands during an exercise while wearing the exercise device 100 without the tensile member 106 or the connectors 108 interfering. The connectors 108 can move laterally in a way that allows at least a portion of the connectors 108 to lay flat against the second surfaces of the gloves. For example, the user may be able to place both palms flat on the ground (e.g., to do a pushup) while wearing the exercise device 100 or may comfortably grip an object with the palms of his or her hands without the connectors 108 interfering. The connectors 108 can be secured or held in place in the palms by the user positioning his or her thumbs over the connectors 108 to hold the connectors 108 in place against the second surfaces of the gloves.
Referring now to
Referring to
The coupling facilitated by the loop 122 and the clasp 128, as shown in
Referring now to
Exercise 900 can be performed by a user by lifting his or her arms above his or her head and pulling the tension member 106 taut. The user may then pull one arm down to the side while keeping the other arm in place. The tension member 106 imposes tensile forces between the hands of the user. This exercise may be repeated any number of times, and the function each arm performs may be switched to the other arm.
Exercise 1000 can be performed by a user by bending his or her arms at the elbow to a 90-degree angle. The user can keep one arm steady and pull down the other arm, keeping the arms bent at the 90-degree angle. The user may slowly pull until he or she starts to feel resistance in the tension member 106. This exercise may be repeated any number of times, and the function each arm performs may be switched to the other arm.
Exercise 1100 can be performed by a user by placing one foot behind the other foot and tilting forward with his or her back kept straight. The user can extend both arms straight ahead at shoulder-level. If the user places his or her left foot behind the right foot, the user may pull his or her left arm down towards his or her thigh, while the right arm stays completely still. The tension member 106 imposes tensile forces between the hands of the user. This exercise may be repeated any number of times, and the function each arm or leg performs may be switched to the other arm or leg.
As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.
The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element may be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/153,454 filed Oct. 5, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16153454 | Oct 2018 | US |
Child | 16557331 | US |