Patent Application
20130324366
This invention relates generally to resistance exercise equipment and, more particular, to a wearable resistance exercise apparatus that employs a resistance pulley system and that can be used to perform resistance exercises when in position on a wearer.
Resistance exercise equipment is a popular tool used for conditioning, strength training, muscle building, and the like. Various types of resistance exercise equipment are known, such as free weights, exercise machines, and resistance exercise bands or tubing. Various limitations exist with the prior art exercise devices. For example, many types of exercise equipment, such as free weights and most exercise machines, are not portable. With respect to exercise bands and tubing, they may need to be attached to a stationary object, such as a closed door or a heavy piece of furniture. This becomes a problem when, for example, the user wishes to perform resistance exercises in a location where such stationary objects are not readily found, such as outdoors. For the prior art devices that do not need to be attached to stationary objects, such as other types of bands or tubing, such prior art systems typically provide only one level of resistance. This is a disadvantage for a user who wishes to increase or decrease the level of resistance for the user's resistance exercises. For such users, it becomes necessary to acquire more than one set of resistance exercise bands or tubing.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method that overcomes the above problems. The apparatus and method would provide for resistance exercise equipment that is portable, that may be used on its own without the need to employ other types of equipment, and that allows for adjustable resistance levels.
A wearable resistance exercise apparatus has at least one pulley. A cable is coupled to the at least one pulley. At least one handle is located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user. A wearable support member is provided, wherein the at least one pulley is located on the wearable support member. At least one exercise accessory is coupled to the wearable support member
The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments.
Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring first to
In this embodiment, the wearable support member 12 is a vest. However, other forms of wearable support members, such as jackets, jumpsuits, or the like may be used. Preferably, the wearable support member 12 is composed of a heavy duty material, so that use of the pulley devices 20, as herein described, do not cause the wearable support member 12 to stretch, sag or tear. Preferably, the wearable support member 12 has front closures 14, so that it may be remain securely in position on a wearer during use of the exercise apparatus 10. It may be desired to use side or back closures in addition to or instead of the front closures 14.
In one embodiment, the handles 24 are attached to the cables 22 with fasteners, such as a snap hooks or carabineers. It may be desired to use hollow handles, which may be slipped over the cables 22.
Referring now to
In this embodiment, the tension adjusting devices 30 are positioned on the front of the wearable support member 12. In this way, they are within easy reach of a wearer of the exercise apparatus 10, who can adjust tension without needing to remove the wearable support member 12 by rotating the tension adjusting devices 30. However, it may be desired to position the tension devices 30 elsewhere, such as on the back or sides of the wearable support member 12.
Referring now to
An increase in load on the load spring 36 causes anterior movement of a clutch plate 38, which provides increased tension on the corresponding pulley device 20. This will create increased resistance for the user. A decrease in load on the load spring 36 causes posterior movement of a clutch plate 38, which provides decreased tension on the corresponding pulley device 20. This will create decreased resistance for the user.
Referring now to
The pulley device 20′ has a “U” shape frame 42. A channel 44 is formed in the “U” shaped frame 42. The wheel and axle unit 46 is positioned in the channel 44 with the axle portion secured in the “U” shaped frame 42. A hinge mechanism 48 is kingly coupled to the “U” shaped frame 42. The hinge mechanism 48 allows the pulley device 20′ to be removably attached to different areas of the wearable support member 12.
Referring now to
The exercise computer 50 may be built into the wearable support member 12. Alternatively, the exercise computer 50 may be removably attached to the wearable support member 12. The exercise computer 50 is an electronic device that will provide feedback on your exercise routine such as: length of exercise time; calories burned; heart rate; tension on the pulley device 20/20′; time of day; store digital recordings such as music, exercise instructions, etc. and the like. The above listing is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner.
If the exercise computer 50 is used to measure heart rate, the wearable support member 12 may have a built in heart rate strap 52. The heart rate strap 52 may be used to measure the wearer's heart rate and to transmit this information to the exercise computer 50.
If the exercise computer 50 is used to store digital recordings such as music, exercise instructions, etc., the wearable support member 12 may have built in headphones 54. The built in head phones 54 may be used to allow the wearer of the wearable support member 12 to listen to the digital recordings.
The exercise computer 50 may also be stored in one or more pockets 78 formed on the wearable support member 12. The pockets 78 may further be used o store other items such as an MP3 player, food, keys, and the like.
The wearable support member 12 may further have heating and or cooling elements 80 and or a massage device 82 formed therein. The heating and cooling elements 80 may be sued based on the weather conditions to keep the user at an optimal temperature during a workout. The massage device 82 may be used to relax the muscles after a workout.
Referring now to
An opening 62 may be formed on each of the end sections 58. The openings 62 may be used to allow the tension cable 22 and handles 24 to be inserted there through. By altering the position of the exercise board 56, different exercises may be performed for different parts of the body. For example, as shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it may be desired for the wearable support member 12 to include only one pulley device 20 to which two handles 24 are attached. It may also be desired for the wearable support member 12 to include only one pulley device 20 to which only one handle 24 is attached. In this latter embodiment, a user would be required to either grasp the single handle 24 with both hands, or exercise using one hand at a time.
In order to position the wearable resistance exercise apparatus 10 so that it may be used to perform resistance exercises, a user would put the exercise apparatus 10 on the user's upper body, so that the pulley devices 20 are positioned over the user's back and the tension adjusting devices 30 are positioned over the user's chest. The user would set a desired level of resistance by manipulating the tension adjusting devices 30. The user would then perform resistance exercises by gripping the handles 24 and pulling them in a manner intended to stimulate muscle building.
For example, a user may wish to grasp the handles 24 and bring both hands directly forward, in a rowing or bench press type of motion. A user may wish to bring the handles 24 in an arc-type of motion until they contact each other in front of the user's body, in a fly type of motion. A user could extend both hands upward from a point beginning behind the neck, in a triceps extension type of motion. Numerous other variations are also possible.
A user may wish to utilize a single resistance setting for an exercise session. Alternatively, a user may wish to perform multiple sets of a particular exercise, and may wish to increase resistance between sets to perform a pyramid-style workout. The user may also wish to change resistance between different exercises.
While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.
