1. Field
Example embodiments in general are directed to a wheeled exercise device, more particularly a wheel exercise device including handles for performing abdominal or core exercises.
2. Related Art
A number of hand-grasped, wheeled exercisers are known in the art. A conventional device comprises a roller/wheel mounted centrally on a shaft, with the shaft having gripper members on opposite ends. As a force is applied to the gripper members to rotate the wheel/roller along a surface, the user may conduct an exercise, such as an exercise for the abdominal or core region of the body.
Another conventional wheeled exercise device employs coil springs to provide resistance and restoring forces. Known commercially as the AB SLIDE™ slider roller, this device is a wheeled abdominal exerciser with handles, which through internal coil springs generates resistance in moving the exerciser forward, and also generates a restoring force after traveling forward to a desired position, so as to lessen the manual effort required to move the wheeled exerciser backward to its original starting position.
The AB SLIDE™ is arranged with two main traction wheels and two auxiliary wheels pivoted on a housing having handles protruding perpendicularly from the vertical sides thereof. One or two springs are used to provide a restoring force against forward movement of the exerciser. One end of each spring is fixed to the housing of the exerciser and another end of the spring is attached to a main traction wheel of the exerciser. Bearings are used to provide some friction on the main traction wheels when the user presses them against the floor or the ground.
Other conventional hand-grasped wheeled exercisers either require the user to hold the handles firmly against the restored turning three of the spring(s) or have the storing force of the spring(s) transmitted through a set of gears which may tend to reduce the effectiveness of the restoring spring force. Many conventional wheeled exercisers have one or more non-optimal characteristics, such as being cumbersome, costly, unstable, complex and/or otherwise non-optimal. Very little effort has been made in addressing the ergonomic design of the handles or design of the roller/wheel in these wheeled exercises devices, nor has there been significant implementation of electronics or software processing therein which provide real-time visual feedback of progress during exercise in such wheeled exercise devices to the user.
An example embodiment is directed to a wheeled exercise device. The device includes a wheel adapted to be rolled along a ground surface by a user for exercise, the wheel bounded by wheel side surfaces with a central opening in each wheel side surface, and an elongate central axle extending along a central horizontal axis through the wheel that is parallel to the ground surface. The device further includes a pair of elongate handles coupled to the central axle, each attached to an end of the axle at a corresponding central opening in a wheel side surface. Each handle further includes upper and lower elongate surfaces that are oriented at an angle to the central horizontal axis so that a substantial length portion thereof extends away from its corresponding wheel side surface and downward toward the ground surface with the wheel at rest or rotating thereon.
Another example embodiment is directed to a wheeled exercise device having a wheel adapted to be rolled along a ground surface by a user for exercise, the wheel bounded by wheel side surfaces with a central opening in each wheel side surface, and an elongate central axle extending along a central horizontal axis through the wheel that is parallel to the ground surface. The device further includes a pair of elongate handles coupled to the central axle, each attached to an end of the axle at a corresponding central opening in a wheel side surface. A substantial length portion of each handle is oriented at an angle to the central horizontal axis so that the substantial length portion extends below the central horizontal axis. The device further includes a coiled spring element adapted to impart resistance to wheel rotation or to provide a restoring or assistive force to aid the user, dependent on which direction the wheel is rotated by the user along the ground surface.
Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.
As used herein, the phrase “present invention” should not be taken as an absolute indication that the subject matter described by the term “is covered by either the claims as they are filed, or by the claims that may eventually issue after patent prosecution; while the term “present invention” is used to help the reader to get a general feel for which disclosures herein are believed as maybe being new, this understanding, as indicated by use of the term “present invention,” is tentative and provisional and subject to change over the course of patent prosecution as relevant information is developed and as the claims are potentially amended.
Reference throughout this specification to “one example embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular system, method, feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one example embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular systems, methods, features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.
The term “and/or” may be understood to mean non-exclusive or; for example, A and/or B means that: (i) A is true and B is false; or (ii) A is false and B is true; or (iii) A and B are both true.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The size and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims that follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises” and “comprising,” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.”
As used in the specification and appended claims, the terms “correspond,” “corresponds,” and “corresponding” are intended to describe a ratio of or a similarity between referenced objects. The use of “correspond” or one of its forms should not be construed to mean the exact shape or size.
As to be described in further detail hereafter, the example embodiments are directed to a wheeled exercise device having at least one circular overmold tire or wheel part with a pair of handles that flair at an angle outward and downward from a corresponding central axis from either side of the central wheel. The device thus provides a wheel having a contiguous central flat portion and curved side portions for carving along a surface so as to exercise the abdominal or core regions of the body.
As to be shown hereafter, each handle includes an ergonomic handle or gripping surface flared down from a support structure, in an example a handle support tube coupled to an axle which extends through the center wheel formed by the pair of wheel parts.
Additionally, the device includes tensioning means and/or a resistance mechanism for imparting resistance to the exerciser using the device with wheel rotation in one direction, while imparting a restoring force so as to assist the exerciser with wheel rotation in an opposite direction.
The wheeled exercise device, hereafter “device 100” includes a central main wheel 103 which that includes aloft-hand angled or curved wheel part 103A, aright-hand angled or curved wheel part 103B and a central, display band 101 positioned between the wheel parts 103A and 103B. The display band 101 may be clear or colored but translucent, so as to be able to see through to visually view digital numbers and data, or to receive projected digital data thereon regarding information related to a workout during exercise or other parameters of a removable electronics module (not shown).
A central shaft or axle (not shown) extends through the main wheel 103 and connects a pair of handles 110 at ends thereof. In an example, each handle 110 is oriented downward from a central axis of each wheel part 103A/B, such as in the fashion of a pilot's steering mechanism on an aircraft, for example. The downward, outward orientation of the handles 110 may reduce the stresses imparted to the wrists and shoulders during abdominal or core exercises when using the device 100. The concept is that since the user engages more of the triceps muscles by holding the handles 110 at an angle, the user may have additional strength to hold on to the device 100 as compared to a case where the handles 110 extend directly straight out from the center of each wheel part 103A/B. Additionally, and as shown in
In operation, a user may place their hands on the handles 110 and extend their body outward left, straight out or right to work abdominal/oblique regions. The left or right motion may be referred to as carving, such as is known in the snowboard or skateboard regimens for example. Each of the wheel parts 103A and 103B has a flat surface portion 102 that abuts the edge of the display band 101, and a carving surface 104 that falls over toward each far edge. Each wheel part 103A, 103B also has a wide profile to mimic that of a “fat motorcycle tire” and also to aid in stability, and includes a corresponding tire overmold 105A, 105B with treads 106 formed therein. The curved nature of the carving surfaces 104 on the left and right wheel parts 103A and 103B facilitates this carving exercise action, which can work the back, side, quad/glute and abdominal muscle groups on either side of the body.
In an example, the handles 110 may be removable such as for replacement by other accessories and/or for stowage of device 100 such as for travel. In lieu of handles 110, the axle of device 100 may be configured for one or more of the following: knee drop accessory attachment with hands on the floor; feet accessory attachment to the axle; elbow drop in accessory to the axle; knee pad accessory.
As to be described in further detail hereafter, in one example, device 100 may be configured to provide a resistance to rotation of the wheel 103. In this example, such may be realized as a fixed tension applied to the axle 140 against the rotation thereof, such as by spring pressure imparted by one or more springs for example. No tension can be applied, or set tensions at a desired force (e.g., 5, 10 or 15 ft-lb, etc. of force) may be set. In another example, the tension may be fixed or variable, as selected or set by the user thereof.
In one example, the tension may be applied by way of constant spring pressure, with no clutch mechanism employed. In another example, a single clutch mechanism may be employed to engage or disengage frictional resistance in the device 100. In a further embodiment, multiple clutch mechanisms may be employed to vary the resistance against wheel 103/axle 140 rotations within device 100.
As shown best in
As to be described in further detail hereafter, device 100 includes an electronic module (hereafter “module 190”) configured to track certain user information, display certain system and user information and to interact with certain sensors. The module 190 may be removably supported within the device 100 as to be shown hereafter. In one example, module 190 may be configured to detect device 100 movement so as to energize and turn on, so as not to drain internal system power.
As to be described in further detail hereafter, the module 190 controls a display, which in one example may be projected onto the display band 101 and in another embodiment may be a back lit LED that can be viewed through the display band 101. Additionally, the module 190 may be configured so that a user may be able to retrieve data therefrom or import data thereto. In an example, the module 190 may be configured to interface with any well known and/or developing data storage devices or cards, including those passing data by wired, wireless/Bluetooth interfaces, smart card and/or QR code technologies, for example.
Referring to the left side, each handle 110 may be composed of a support tube 111 that is attached to the axle 140, with an upper half molded handle part 112 and lower half molded handle part 113 encompassing the support tube 111. In an example, the support tube may 111 be formed of a metal such as steel and each handle part of a tough plastic such as polypropylene, for example.
Each wheel part 103A/B may be formed of a hard plastic such as TPE or polypropylene and include a corresponding tire overmold 105A/B made of PET for example having treads 106 formed therein. Left hand tire overmold 105A fits over left wheel part 103A; right hand tire overmold 105B fits over right wheel part. 103B. Each wheel part 103A/103B may include a decorative (optional) trim cap 117 (see
A center hoop 115 includes the display band 101 with removable access door 155 and is situated between the wheel parts 103A, 103B. One side of the center hoop 115 terminates as a right clutch 133B.
Referring to the left side of
The rear of first (or left) clutch 133A has a plurality of latches 135A attached around an outer circumferential periphery thereof (only one latch 135A shown for clarity) Each latch is biased by a corresponding latch spring 136A. These latches 135A interact with the switches 131A and 132A as to be described in more detail hereafter. One end of first spring 138A is secured to first clutch 133A by a spring clip 139A and screw 137. The other end of first spring 138A is secured to axle 140 via the hub 150 that is connected thereto, specifically by being connected to the left module housing support half 151 by a spring clip 164 through detent spring 161 and detent block 162. As to be described in more detail hereafter in one example embodiment, the spring 138A serves as a resistance mechanism for imparting frictional resistance to rotation of the left wheel part 103A (or main wheel 103 in a single spring or single clutch embodiment) during exercise, with the clutch 133A engaged via manual actuators 129/130. In another example without a clutch 133A or manual actuators 129/130, the spring 138A may be coupled between the axle 140 and a wheel part 103A/B to provide a constant frictional resistance to rotation of the main wheel 103 in the forward direction during exercise.
Referring to the center of
Both sides include handle locks 145A and 145B which fit within and between axle 140 and inner tubes 111. One end of each handle lock 145A/B fits within a corresponding end of axle 140. The other end of handle lock 145 A/B has a spring—biased detent (not shown) that captures a bore 119 formed in the corresponding handle tube part 111 to lock the handle tube part 111 to the handle lock 145A/B and hence axle 140.
Referring now to the right hand side of
Although
Additionally, although
In one example, and referring initially to
Referring to
In this configuration, the primary switch 131A has been rotated counterclockwise, such that it has become offset from secondary switch 132A, exposing a series or ramps 181 and ratchet teeth 184 of the secondary switch 132A. In the disengaged position, with the primary switch 131A rotated slightly clockwise within slot 128 (see
However, by moving the actuators 129/130 counterclockwise, the primary switch 131A thus rotates and becomes offset from the secondary switch 132A, exposing the ramps 181 and ratchet teeth 184 so as to engage the clutch pins 183 of the clutch 133A. As can be seen in
The springs 138A/B store potential energy as they become compressed/stretched or deformed during forward wheel rotation, exerting a resistive force against forward wheel rotation that is transmitted to the axle 140 and wheel parts 103A/B. But on the reverse rotation of device 100 back to the original position, the springs 138A/B release this potential energy to provide a restoring force which acts to assist the exerciser in rolling the device 100 back to the original, starting position of the exercise. Thus, the resistance mechanism described herein can be said to impart resistance to rotation of the main wheel 103 during exercise in one direction (i.e., forward direction), but provide assistance to the exerciser in another (i.e., the opposite or reverse) wheel direction.
The housing 191 includes a power source compartment access 193 which houses a power source. Module 190 may be powered by a suitable rechargeable battery pack (NiCd, NiMH and/or Li-ion) or one or more non-rechargeable batteries, for example.
Element 194 indicates the general location of the internal microprocessor. The microprocessor 194 may be embodied as a microchip and included associated storage elements therein for storing various system parameter data. The storage elements, memory or storage medium may be part of the microchip or a separate storage element in communication therewith.
The microprocessor 194 includes circuitry to detect movement for power on and timing circuitry to power off display and main power. For example, microprocessor 194 includes a movement sensor (not shown, provided on the PCB) that powers on the module 190 after it has detected sustained wheel movement (multiple rotations) on the device 100. Additionally, microprocessor 194 includes timing circuitry on the PCB that detects the absence of movement to begin powering down display electronics (such as LED elements) and then main power after an absence of movement has been determined for a specified period of time. The thresholds for power on and power off may be coded in software at time of manufacture, as is within the skill of the art. In a specific example, the module 190 may also be designed to time out after a preset time of non-use, i.e., 5 minutes, so as to conserve main power.
Aperture 198 represents an area for display. The module 190 may be configured with a custom back lit LCD or LED display in the area filling aperture 198. In this example, the back-lit display filling aperture 198 may include a plurality of LED segments, at least up to 96 segments, for easy of view in roughly a 1″ by 3″ viewing screen on the module 190 through the display band 101.
In another example, the electronics module 190 may be configured to interface with an LED projector unit so that all information is displayed on the display band 101. In this example, the projector unit fills aperture 198 and may be embodied by a super bright 3V LED light source, providing approximately a 1″×3″ active display area that is projected on the display band 101. Various types of information may be displayed for review by the user on display band 101 (via the projection unit in aperture 198, or back lit LED display in aperture 198).
In an example, the electronics module 190 is configured to receive future software/firmware updates via PC. Accordingly, module 190 may be configured with an output port such as USB port 201, or other similar interface to connect it to a remote device (wired and/or wireless) to move data thereto, such as to a user account, in one example. Instead of or in addition to a USB port 201, device 100 may include wireless transceiver circuitry, shown by wireless indicator 189 thereon.
Device 100 is configured with a multi-sensor system which is in communication with the microprocessor 194 of module 190 to calculate certain data of interest. In an example, this may include LED emitters 195 (primary) and a secondary set of LED receivers 196. Operation of how data is measured and recorded with regard to distance and repetitions are described in more detail hereafter. An on/off switch 197 may optionally be provided.
In another example, the primary sensor system may be embodied by a Holoflex® sensor; a ¼″ magnetic strip with polarity change minimum every ¼. The strip may be bonded and/or tabbed into the inner circumference of the wheel parts 103A/B. As the wheel 103 rotates backwards or forward, the Holoflex® sensor may measure incremental rotation in both directions; this is communicated to the microprocessor in module 190.
Further, module 190 may include two tilt switch sensors 199A and 199B that individually can determine preset angles (i.e., carving left or carving right) on the left and right sides as well as upside-down and right side up. These tilt switch sensors 199A and 199B facilitate in sensing optimal tilt on the device 100 to engage oblique abdominal muscles. When tilted to the left or right, a progress bar on a display provided by module 190 will respond accordingly. In another example, the device 100 will “wake up” via a state change detected in one or both of tilt switches 199A/B. In another example, the one or both of the tilt switch sensors 199A/B may also be used as a soft reset for the electronics when the device 100 is turned upside down.
As shown in
The light wheel 156 includes a plurality of alternating reflecting (light or “1”) segments 171 and absorbing (dark or “0”) segments 172 on a circumferential edge surface thereof. The use of two pairs of LED emitter/receivers 195/190 facilitates determining whether the direction is forward or reverse. Each LED emitter 195 sends out a light signal that reflects off reflecting segment 171 and is captured by its corresponding receiver 196 as a “1”, then a zero for the dark segment 172, alternating back and forth, etc. So in the forward direction, the front receiver 196 receives the first “1” than the first “0”, the second or rear receiver receives the second “1” and the second “0” and so on, indicating to the processor that the wheel 103 is being rotated in the forward direction and counting the number of ‘1” and “0” pairs which equates to a full revolution (coded in software and set to a foot length, in one example). As the user travel backwards with device 100 back to the original position, the rear or now “first” receiver 196 receives the first “1” than the first “0”, the “second” or front receiver receives the second “1” and the second “0” and so on, indicating to the processor that the wheel 103 is being rotated in the backward direction and counting the number of ‘1” and “0” pairs which equates to a full revolution. Software in the microprocessor 194 determines when the number of forward and backward revolutions equate to a complete “repetition” and increments that (such as in a separate counter, for example). Software in the microprocessor also aggregates the total distance traveled (forward and back) in a separate counter, for example. Distance and revolution parameters may be accessed by the user on the display for visual review.
Unlike the embodiment of
Device 100′ (as in
The hub 170 includes a vertical central rib 171 and side horizontal ribs 172 for structural support. A pin 175 attaches the hub 170 to axle 140 via element 174 having a threaded bore therein. Catches 176 on vertical rib 171 help secure and align the axle 140 to hub 170 so that pin 175 aligns into the bore of element 174. One end of spring 138′ is attached to the hub 170 via a fixed, friction washer 178. The other end of the spring 138B is attached to a wheel part 103A/B (not shown).
As the device 100′ is rotated in the forward direction during exercise, the spring 138′ rotates out to compress down on the hub 170 to impart resistance against the forward main wheel 103 rotations. The hub 170 prevents spring 138′ from compressing beyond a certain point during forward rotation which would cause the spring 138′ to become over—twisted and deformed. As a user rolls the device 100′ in the reverse direction back to the original position during exercise, the spring 138′ is prevented from becoming bound up; specifically, the interior ribs 179 on the inside facing of the wheel parts (shown on left wheel facing 103A in
Moreover, and as previously discussed with respect to
The example embodiment having been described, it is apparent that such may have many varied applications. Various changes and modifications thereof may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of protection. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments could be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure.
The present invention, in its various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatuses substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in its various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost of implementation.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects of the invention may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.
Moreover, though the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
The present application claims the benefit under 35 §120 of co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/329,079 to MacColl et al., filed Dec. 16, 2011 and entitled “WHEELED EXERCISE DEVICE”, pending, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13329079 | Dec 2011 | US |
Child | 14593218 | US |