The benefits of exercise are numerous and well documented. For example, exercise can reduce the instance and severity of many diseases. In addition, exercise can make a person feel better about themselves and provide the user with increased self-confidence and feelings of self-worth. However, many would be exercisers are intimidated by complex fitness machines and uncomfortable and unnatural motions associated with exercising. In addition, they may be reluctant to use heavy weights which can cause injury to the user.
Fitness machines have been made in the past that eliminate the heavy weights by using resistance within materials, such as elastic materials. These can allow the user to vary resistance. However, this creates the side effect of creating “reactive-force”. I.e., as the user performs the exercise movement, the resistance being used causes a reaction force into the user's body. The greater the resistance, the greater the reactive force.
Reactive force can cause damage to the user's body if the resistance is too strong for a user and the exercise movement becomes uncontrolled. Additionally, reactive force can also accumulate a “break-down” effect in the ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues in the exercising user, and their associated muscle groups. Further, reactive force is a dissipated energy, and means a less than optimal result to the exerciser, meaning a poor return on time and effort invested in the exercise.
Additionally, many exercise systems allow only a single resistance setting. I.e., the system allows for a single exercise at a single resistance. This does not allow the exercise system to be used by individuals of different fitness levels. In particular, some individuals will be too new to exercising to use the exercise system while other individuals will be too advanced. Only the small group in the middle will be able to use the system.
In addition, elastic materials can rebound if the material fails. I.e., as the elastic material is stretched, the force is stored in the material. When the material fails the force in the material can cause sudden and unpredictable movement, which has potential to injure the user or damage the equipment. This is an inherent danger of the materials and the ability to reduce or eliminate this danger is very limited.
Further, many exercise systems use unnatural movements. I.e., they involve movements that the user does not perform when not doing that particular exercise. These unnatural movements can cause injury to the user. Often, the user will not even be aware of the injury until it becomes a major injury because they don't perform that movement unless exercising.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an exercise system which uses resistance that is not produced by elastic materials. Additionally, there is a need in the art for the exercise system to allow the user to select from variable resistance. Further, there is a need in the art for the system to prevent reactive forces from entering the user's body. Moreover there is a need for the exercise system to allow the user to exercise using natural movements.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
One example embodiment includes a resistance chamber for use in an exercise system. The resistance chamber includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber is configured to attach to the first chamber and rotate relative to the first chamber. The resistance chamber also includes a core rod. The core rod resides within the first chamber and the second chamber and is attached to the interior of the second chamber. The resistance chamber further includes a resistance tube, where at least of a portion the resistance tube is configured to be placed between the interior surface of the first chamber and the core rod.
Another example embodiment includes a system for allowing a user to exercise. The system includes a resistance chamber. The resistance chamber includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to rotate relative to the second portion. The system also includes a first ring attached to the first portion of the resistance chamber and a second ring attached to the second portion of the resistance chamber.
Another example embodiment includes a system for allowing a user to exercise. The system includes a resistance chamber. The resistance chamber includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber is configured to attach to the first chamber and rotate relative to the first chamber. The resistance chamber also includes a core rod. The core rod resides within the first chamber and the second chamber and is attached to the interior of the second chamber. The resistance chamber further includes a resistance tube, where at least of a portion the resistance tube is configured to be placed between the interior surface of the first chamber and the core rod. The resistance chamber additionally includes an adjustment knob, where the adjustment knob is configured to change the resistance to rotation of the second chamber relative to the first chamber. The system also includes a first ring and a first handle. The first handle is located at least partially within the interior of the first ring and is configured to rotate within the interior of the first ring. The system further includes a first ring attachment, where the first ring attachment is configured to attach the first ring to the first chamber. The system additionally includes a second ring and a second handle. The second handle is located at least partially within the interior of the second ring and is configured to rotate within the interior of the second ring. The system also includes a second ring attachment, where the second ring attachment is configured to attach the second ring to the second chamber.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered 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:
Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.
In at least one implementation, the handles 104 can rotate within the plane of the rings 102. For example, handles 104 can rotate relative to the rings 102. Additionally or alternatively, the handles 104 can be attached to a first portion of the rings 102 which can be rotated relative to the other portions of the rings 102. I.e., the rings 102 can include one or more portions, which are able to rotate relative to one another and the handles 104 can be attached to one or the portions of the rings 102.
In at least one implementation, the exercise system 100 can include attachments other than the rings 102. In particular, the exercise system 100 can include any other attachment desired by the user. For example, the user can include attach a push up attachment. The push up attachment can include a first portion of a ring. The first portion can have a flat portion and/or a pad that is configured to be placed on the ground. The push up attachment can include a second portion of a ring. The second portion of the ring can be smaller than the first portion, such that the second portion is free to rotate within the circumference of the first portion. The second portion can be attached to the first portion such that it is configured to rotate about the first portion rather than the resistance chamber 106. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment can include an exercise bag, as described below.
In at least one implementation, the exercise system 100 can be configured to electronically communicate with an external device. For example, the exercise system 100 can be connected to a computer, a smart phone, a gaming console or any other electronic device. The electronic device can monitor the user's movements and/or the effectiveness of the user's exercise routine. For example, the electronic device can measure the user's heart rate or provide feedback for the user's exercise routine. E.g., the electronic device can monitor the motion of the various parts of the exercise system 100 and inform the user regarding motion that is overextended or underextended or regarding motion that includes starts and stops or interruptions to the user's exercise routine. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device can provide information over numerous exercise sessions or routines. For example, the electronic device can show the user's progress as the user increases in strength and health.
The exercise system 100 can connect to the external device using any communications means. For example, the exercise system 100 can be physically connected or can be wirelessly connected to the external device. Additionally or alternatively, the exercise system 100 can connect to the external device using a network. The network exemplarily includes the Internet, including a global internetwork formed by logical and physical connections between multiple wide area networks and/or local area networks and can optionally include the World Wide Web (“Web”), including a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet. Alternately or additionally, the network includes one or more cellular RF networks and/or one or more wired and/or wireless networks such as, but not limited to, 802.xx networks, Bluetooth access points, wireless access points, IP-based networks, or the like. For example, the network can include cloud based networking and computing. The network can also include servers that enable one type of network to interface with another type of network.
In at least one implementation, the adjustment knob 306 can move laterally with respect to the first chamber 302. For example, the adjustment knob 306 can include threading or other elements which translate rotational movement into lateral movement. The resistance knob 306 can be turned a first direction to increase resistance and turned the opposite direction to reduce resistance. Additionally or alternatively, the resistance knob 306 can include a maximum point with rotation from that point in either direction reducing the resistance, and a minimum point with rotation from that point in either direction increasing the resistance.
In at least one implementation, the user 502 can use a supplemental exercise device, such as a vertical movement vibrating exercise and wellness platform. An example of a vertical movement vibrating exercise and wellness platform is disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______ filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “VERTICAL MOVEMENT VIBRATING EXERCISE AND WELLNESS PLATFORM” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.3), previously referenced. In particular, the user 502 can balance himself/herself on the platform while using the exercise system 100. However, the platform is moving up and down. Therefore, the user 502 must balance himself/herself while directing the movement of the rings 102, making the exercise routine more difficult and, consequently, more beneficial to the user.
Additionally or alternatively, the user 502 can use a supplemental exercise device, such as a tri-circular exercise device. An example of a tri-circular exercise device is disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______ filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “TRI-CIRCULAR EXERCISE DEVICE WITH VARIABLE ROTATION RESISTANCE” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.6), previously referenced. In particular, the user 502 can balance himself/herself on the secondary plates or the main plates while using the exercise system 100. Therefore, the user 502 must balance himself/herself while directing the movement of the rings 102, making the exercise routine more difficult and, consequently, more beneficial to the user.
Additionally or alternatively, the user 502 can use other supplemental exercise devices, such as weights or other exercise systems, while using the exercise system 100.
In at least one implementation, the exercise bag 600 can include an attachment mechanism. In at least one implementation, the attachment mechanism can secure the cap 606 to the collar 604. In particular, the attachment mechanism can ensure that the cap 606 remains attached to the collar 604 even during high force situations such as an exercise routine. For example, the attachment mechanism can include threading or other devices configured to secure the cap 606.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims 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.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/395,784 filed on May 17, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______, filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “BALL NEST WITH VARIABLE RESISTANCE FOR FITNESS AND WELLNESS MOVEMENT” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.2), which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______ filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “BALL NEST WITH VARIABLE RESISTANCE FOR FITNESS AND WELLNESS MOVEMENT” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.2) claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/395,823 filed on May 17, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______, filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “VERTICAL MOVEMENT VIBRATING EXERCISE AND WELLNESS PLATFORM” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.3), which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______ filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “VERTICAL MOVEMENT VIBRATING EXERCISE AND WELLNESS PLATFORM” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.3) claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/395,815 filed on Mary 17, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______, filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “VARIABLE-RESISTANCE FUNCTIONAL FITNESS BAG” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.4), which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.__/______ filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “VARIABLE-RESISTANCE FUNCTIONAL FITNESS BAG” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.4) claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/395,822 filed on May 17, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______, filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “VARIABLE RESISTANCE PULLEY FOR BODY-WEIGHT ROTATION EXERCISE” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.5), which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______ filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “VARIABLE RESISTANCE PULLEY FOR BODY-WEIGHT ROTATION EXERCISE” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.5) claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/395,845 filed on May 17, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is related to co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______, filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “TRI-CIRCULAR EXERCISE DEVICE WITH VARIABLE ROTATION RESISTANCE” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.6), which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. __/______ filed on May 17, 2011, and entitled, “TRI-CIRCULAR EXERCISE DEVICE WITH VARIABLE ROTATION RESISTANCE” (Attorney Docket No. 10314.6) claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/395,817 filed on May 17, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61395784 | May 2010 | US | |
61395823 | May 2010 | US | |
61395815 | May 2010 | US | |
61395822 | May 2010 | US | |
61395845 | May 2010 | US | |
61395817 | May 2010 | US |