The present disclosure is related to exercise devices and equipment. Specifically, devices that can be used in a variety of environments and movements for isolation and exercise of body parts to improve the fitness of muscles and muscle groups and to rehabilitate muscles and muscle groups.
Many devices exist to assist people in the improvement of their physical well-being. One category of devices is intended to assist people to participate in exercises that improves strength, muscle tone, and overall fitness. These devices have other uses including assisting people to perform exercises and movements to aid in the rehabilitation of the body after injury, surgery or prolonged periods of non-use.
Free weights are often used for rehabilitation or to improve overall fitness. Free weights in their most common form are sets of varied weighted plates used in conjunction with different sized and shaped bars capable of retaining the weights. The user places the desired amount of weight on a bar and then lifts the bar with the connected weights in different movements and exercises to work particular muscles and muscle groups. One drawback of free weights is the bulk of individual dumbbells and/or the weighted plate set and the associated bars. A further drawback of free weights is the risk of injury from unsupported movement of the body using the weights.
Weight machines are another type of device that is often used to improve fitness or during rehabilitation. A typical weight machine has a series of weights connected to a metal cable. The cable, in turn, follows a path of pulleys or guide members and is ultimately connected to one of various hand or foot attachments. A user of the weight machine is then able to choose a desired amount of weight and then lift or exercise a muscle or muscle group by pushing or pulling the bar or foot pedal that is connected to the weight via the cable. One drawback of a typical weight machine is that it is not portable. Further, weight machines are large in size and often expensive for an individual to purchase.
Resistance bands are also a device for use by individuals to exercise and improve fitness. A resistance band is a length of elastic material. Force is required to stretch the resistance band along its length and thus can be used to exercise muscles. Typical uses of a resistance band can include a user grabbing two ends of a resistance band and pulling each end opposite one another. Force is required to accomplish the extension of the resistance band and muscles are worked from this type of movement. Another use is to secure one end of the resistance band to prevent its movement and then grab the non-secured end and pull along the band's length. This again requires the exertion of force and results in the exercise of a muscle or muscle group. Handles, pedals or other attachments can be secured to the ends of a resistance band to assist the user in the above-described movements. One drawback of resistance bands is that it can be difficult for the user to maintain a smooth movement during the extension of the band. This can lead to injury or movements that do not efficiently isolate and target a specific muscle group.
Given the drawbacks associated with the above devices, there is a need to provide an exercise device that assists the user in targeting specific muscles and muscle groups to improve fitness or to aid in rehabilitation while minimizing the risk of injury. There is also a need to provide an exercise device that is small enough and simple enough for an individual to purchase and maintain in his or her home. There is further a need to provide an exercise device that assists the user in making smooth, beneficial movements during exercising to obtain maximum benefit and fitness. Also, in a physical therapy context or during rehabilitation, a device is needed to assist in the isolation of muscles and muscle groups and provides a means for a user to exercise with varying levels of resistance in specific, targeted movements.
The present disclosure relates to devices for use during physical exercise. In one embodiment, a device includes a shaft, a handle, a first wheel and a second wheel connected to the shaft with the handle located between the first wheel and the second wheel. The device also includes an attachment point operably connected to the shaft with the attachment point located radially outward of an outer surface of the handle.
In another embodiment, the device may additionally include at least one extension wherein the extension is removably connected to the shaft and is located axially outward of the first wheel or the second wheel. The extension can be configured to receive a plurality of weighted plates.
In another embodiment, the attachment point is located on a yoke that is connected to the shaft by at least two sleeves wherein the at least two sleeves are located on either side of the handle.
In still another embodiment, the first wheel includes an outer rolling surface and the attachment point is located radially inward of the rolling surface.
In other embodiments, the handle is configured to be locked into orientations and rotate about a handle axis substantially perpendicular to the central axis or is configured to be gripped by hand or receive a foot.
The following disclosure as a whole may be best understood by reference to the provided detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, drawing description, abstract, background, field of the disclosure, and associated headings. Identical reference numerals when found on different figures identify the same elements or a functionally equivalent element. The elements listed in the abstract are not referenced but nevertheless refer by association to the elements of the detailed description and associated disclosure.
The present disclosure is not limited to the particular details of the apparatus depicted, and other modifications and applications may be contemplated. Further changes may be made in the apparatus, device or methods without departing from the true spirit of the scope of the disclosure herein involved. It is intended, therefore, that the subject matter in this disclosure should be interpreted as illustrative, not in a limiting sense.
In one example, shaft 14 is an elongated cylinder. Other configurations of shaft 14 may be used but shaft 14 serves as a central support member of the wheeled exercise device. In a preferred embodiment, shaft 14 may be an approximately 10 inch long piece of one inch diameter steel rod (tubular or solid) with a black oxide coating. The ends of shaft 14 may optionally include external threads on each end covering a portion of the outer diameter. Shaft 14 additionally may include a hole or bore concentric with the center axis of shaft 14. The hole also may contain internal threads and be configured such that other parts, such as extensions as will be explained later, can be secured to one or both ends of shaft 14. Other conventional methods of connecting parts to shaft 14 may also be used.
In one example, the wheeled exercise device 1 also may include two wheels as shown in
The wheeled exercise device 1 may also include a handle 12. In one example, handle 12 can be a hollow elongated cylinder with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of shaft 14. This configuration can allow handle 12 to rotate about shaft 14. Handle 12 can assist the user to grip the wheeled exercise device during some movements as will be explained in more detail later. In one embodiment, handle 12 is approximately five and a half inches long and is made of steel with a chrome finish. Handle 12 may also be molded into various shapes that can assist in reducing hand fatigue and make gripping the wheeled exercise device more comfortable. In other configurations, handle 12 is not separate from shaft 14 but is integrally formed as part of shaft 14. Additionally, foam, rubber or other materials may be used on the outer surface of handle 12.
The yoke 16 may also be a component of the wheeled exercise device. In one example shown in
The wheeled exercise device 1 may also include wheel collar 18. Wheel collar 18 retains other components of the wheeled exercise device 1 to shaft 14. One embodiment of wheel collar 18 is a ring-shaped component that has an inner diameter roughly equal to or slightly less than the outer diameter of shaft 14. As seen in
In another embodiment of wheel collar 18, wheel collars 18 can be ring shaped members with an internal thread on an inner diameter. The internal thread interacts with an external thread on shaft 14 such that wheel collar 18 can be tightened onto the ends or some portion of shaft 14. Other types of wheel collars can be used, however, such as spring clips, cotter pins, and other devices known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Wheeled exercise device 1 may optionally also include extensions 20. Extensions 20 are components that may include attachment portion 108 and interface surface 110. Attachment portion 108 is a part of extension 20 that allows extension 20 to be secured to the wheeled exercise device 1. Interface surface 110 is a surface of extension 20 that may be gripped by the user or receive weighted plates as will be explained in more detail later. Attachment portion 108 is the portion of extension 20 that is configured to secure extension 20 the wheeled exercise device. In one example, attachment portion 108 of extension 20 may be cylindrically shaped and include threads on its outer diameter. In one embodiment, attachment portion 108 is approximately one inch long with a threaded outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of interface surface 110. Interface surface 110 may also be cylindrically shaped. In one embodiment, interface surface is either one or two inches in diameter to receive standard sized weighted plates and is approximately four inches in length. Extensions 20 may be made of various materials and combinations of materials such as metals, plastics, composites and the like. in addition, extensions 20 can have various configurations and shapes so as to aid in the addition of weights, forms of resistance, and to aid the user in gripping or performing various exercises with wheeled exercise device 1.
Extensions 20 can optionally be separate components that are attached to shaft 14. Extensions 20 can also be made such that extensions 20 and shaft 14 are a single unit. In one such embodiment, extensions 20 have an outer diameter either the same or smaller diameter than shaft 14.
The wheeled exercise device may also optionally include one or more extension collars 22. In one example, extension collar 22 may be substantially similar to wheel collar 18 as discussed earlier. Extension collar 22, however, is appropriately sized so as to interface with extension 20. Extension collar 22 can also have other configurations such as, for example, a spring collar, ring with cotter pin or other fastener and the like.
The assembly of wheeled exercise device 1 will now be explained in more detail. In one example, shaft 14 may serve as the central member of wheeled exercise device 1. In one embodiment, as illustrated in
Optionally, extensions 20 can be installed onto wheeled exercise device 1. Extensions 20 may be secured onto wheeled exercise device 1 by tightening the attachment portion 108 of extension 20 into an internally threaded hole of shaft 14 at each end of shaft 14. Extension collars 22 can then be secured into place after they are installed on either end of extensions 20. Alternatively, in other examples, extensions 20 can be installed by sliding a pin of extension 20 into a hole of shaft 14 and secured with a mating fastener or by sliding or securing a portion of shaft 14 into a mating hole in extensions 20. Additionally, in other examples, as discussed earlier, extensions 20 may be integrally formed as part of shaft 14 such that extensions 20 extend beyond wheels 10 after assembly.
The above description of the components of wheeled exercise device are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other embodiments known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be used. The components described above can be made in other materials and finishes. Plastics, composites, woods, other metals, etc. are some acceptable materials.
The use of the wheeled exercise device will now be explained in greater detail. The wheeled exercise device can be used in a variety of environments, configurations, and movements.
A first method of use of the wheeled exercise device is use as a dumbbell. Weighted plates can be placed on extensions and secured with the extension collars are previously described and shown in
Another way to use the wheeled exercise device is by using the device or two devices together. The user attaches two wheeled exercise devices together with an elastic band. Elastic or resistance bands are known to one of ordinary skill in the art and are not explained in more detail here. After attaching the two wheeled exercise devices together, the user grabs the two wheeled exercise devices by their handles 12 and assumes a push-up position. The user then lowers the torso towards the wheeled devices and, in the same motion, extends one or both arms perpendicularly from the body to a âTâ position. In doing so, the elastic band is extended, requiring additional force to be exerted while performing the motion. The user then returns to the original position and repeats a desired number of times.
In another example movement, the wheeled exercise device is connected to rigid object such as a door with an elastic or resistance band as shown in
In still another example, a wheeled exercise device is connected to a weight machine as shown in
In another example, a wheeled exercise device is used with or without attachment to a form of resistance at the attachment point. The user grips the device by placing one hand on each of the extensions. Many different exercises can be performed when gripping the device in this manner. One example movement is to place the device on the floor and while gripping the device with one hand on either extension, the user extends the feet straight behind and assumes a push-up-like position. The user can then roll the device either up away from the feet and/or back towards the waist. In this manner, many muscles can be exercised.
The wheeled exercise device can be used in many other movements and exercises that are not explained in detail here. Many of the muscle groups of the human body can be exercised with different movements utilizing the wheeled exercise device. Resistance bands, weight machines, and other forms of resistance can be utilized in conjunction with the wheeled exercise device to require the user to expend effort and improve fitness or assist in rehabilitation.
One setting in which the wheeled exercise device can be used is in a gym setting. In this type of setting, weight machines are typically available as well as many attachments and configurations for use in a multitude of exercises. The wheeled exercise device and variations on the configuration explained above can be used.
A physical therapy or rehabilitation clinic is still another example setting where the wheeled exercise device can be used. The exercises explained above as well as the example embodiments explained below can all be used to isolate and exercise muscles to assist in the rehabilitation of the body after injury, surgery, prolonged non-use and other circumstances.
The wheeled exercise device in the standard configuration can be used as described above. The standard wheeled exercise device, shown in
Another configuration of the wheeled exercise device is an orbital wheeled exercise device. One embodiment of the configuration is shown in
Still another configuration of the wheeled exercise device is an in-line wheeled exercise device. One embodiment of this configuration is shown in
Another configuration of the wheeled exercise device is a foot pedal wheeled exercise device. One embodiment is shown in
In this example configuration, Cradle 310 may include lower support 322 and stub axles 320. One stub axle 320 is attached to each of the vertical arms of lower support 322. Upper support 306 is configured such that it nests inside lower support 322. Upper support 306 may be fixed to lower support 322 by a fastener such as a bolt and nut as shown in
In one embodiment, the rotating hand grip configuration of the wheeled exercise device is assembled by fixing the upper support 306 to the lower support 322 as discussed above. In this example, in order to facilitate the rotation of rotating grip assembly 300 in lower support 322, sleeve 312 is installed over a bolt. Upper thrust washer 316, thrust bearing 314, and lower thrust washer 318 are installed over sleeve 312 and sandwiched in between upper support 306 and lower support 322. Spring pin 304 of rotating grip assembly 300 mates with a series of holes in lower support 322 to lock grip 302 at a desired orientation. Other configurations can also be used such as combination of bearings, fasteners and other components that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
In one example, yoke 16 is installed onto the rotating hand grip configuration by inserting the ends of yoke 16 into through-holes of stub axles 320. The ends of yoke 16 may then have holes such that pins or other retention elements can be used to prevent yoke 16 from separating from its position through stub axles 320. Other yoke configurations can also be used with the rotating hand grip configuration such as the example yokes previously described or other configurations known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
In this example, assembly of the rotating hand grip configuration may additionally include installing wheels 10 over stub axles 320 and retaining wheels 10 in place by wheel collars 18. Other embodiments of rotating hand grip configuration of the wheeled exercise device can also be used. Other configurations may include a structure substantially similar to the other configurations of wheeled exercise device 1 described earlier, with add-on features to provide rotating functionality or other configurations that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
The rotating hand grip configuration of the wheeled exercise device allows the user to exercise in many of the same manners as previously described. Embodiments of the device additionally allows the user to rotate grip 302 of the device relative to the center axis of wheels 10. The rotating hand grip configuration permits the user to operate the device in a free mode in which spring pin 304 is disengaged and grip 302 can freely rotate about the center axis of sleeve 312. Additionally, the configuration can be operated in locked modes in which spring pin 304 is inserted into one of many mating holes in lower support 322 that fixes the orientation of grip 302 relative to the axis of wheels 10. The rotating hand grip configuration further provides the advantage of balance for the user because the center axis of grip 302 is substantially collinear with the center axis of wheels 10.
The preceding detailed description merely sets forth some examples and embodiments of the present disclosure and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from its spirit or scope. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure but to provide sufficient disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention without undue burden.
This application is based on and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/522,863 filed on Aug. 12, 2011 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/567,214 filed on Dec. 6, 2011, the contents of each are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61567214 | Dec 2011 | US | |
61522863 | Aug 2011 | US |