US20140038793A1

US20140038793A1 - Exercise Device

Info

Publication number: US20140038793A1
Application number: US13/957,238
Authority: US
Inventors: John F. Hetzel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-08-01
Filing date: 2013-08-01
Publication date: 2014-02-06

Abstract

The present invention sets out a bow shaped portable exercise device having a plurality of interchangeable flexible resistance elements. The device can be utilized to engage several different muscle groups and tissue types, during varying slow stretching and fast force application movements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of exercise equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of portable lightweight resistance exercise equipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, exercise devices have been proposed which utilize spring like elements which provide resistance against movement by a user. However, these prior art devices suffered from a number of deficiencies.
Most noticeably, prior art devices exhibited an extremely limited application to the movements of a user, thereby severely limiting the muscle groups and other tissue which were affected by the exercise movements.
Also, prior art devices which provided a larger selection of exercise movements at the same time exhibited bulky, non-portable structures.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an exercise device which facilitates a wide range of exercise movements.
It is a further object to provide an exercise device which facilitates myofascial movements, and plyometric movements.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise device which allows varying levels of force resistance.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise device which is lightweight and easily portable.
These and other objects of the invention are satisfied by the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a flexible bow with interchangeable elastic resistance bands that can individually be added or removed from the bow, allowing the exerciser to adjust for varying degrees of resistance while the exerciser performs a variety of strength, stretching and fitness exercises. Additionally, attachable grip pads are included to provide comfort and secure grip during use.
The invention will allow the exerciser to adjust for varying degrees of resistance, allowing the exerciser to perform a variety of strength, stretching and fitness resistance exercises in any location, anywhere, anytime. Because of the unique nature and simplicity of the bow design, and the ability to easily attach the elastic resistance bands to the bow, this allows the exerciser to interchange and attach any one of the various elastic resistance bands to the bow, thus allowing the exerciser to achieve multiple resistance levels, thus making the product invention ideal for various strength, stretching and fitness resistance exercises not previously found in a compact and portable exercise workout system.
The product invention will be manufactured to be sold to through wholesale, distributor, home shopping channel, direct response, ecommerce and retail brick and mortar distribution channels.

- Resistance Training
- Includes multiple resistance bands with various resistance levels for multiple exercise options
- Easy to use versatile bow design and interchangeable resistance bands
- Simply and quickly change resistance bands with easy on &easy off assembly
- Adjustable slip-resistant grips provide secure positioning & comfort for hands or feet
- For beginner, intermediate, advance use
- Lightweight, portable & compact
- Training options include: strength, stability, stretching, resistance, balance, coordination, myofascial, plyometric and triathlete

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exercise apparatus elastic member, bow member and grip member(s)

FIG. 3 is a front view of the assembled exercise apparatus

FIG. 4 is a side view of the assembled exercise apparatus

FIG. 5 is a front view of the bow member

FIG. 6 is a side view of the bow member

FIG. 7 is a front view of the elastic member

FIG. 8 is a side view of the elastic member

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus and interchangeable individual elastic members with various resistance levels

FIG. 10 is a front view of muscle groups

FIG. 11 is a back view of muscle groups

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention

FIG. 13 is a front view of another embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1, shown therein is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus that shows the interface with the user's body consisting of the bow member, the elastic member and the grip member(s). The drawing illustrates the shape of the preferred embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, shown therein is an exploded view of the exercise apparatus members. The bow member 1 may be formed from various materials, and in particular may be molded from various composite materials. The elastic member 2 may be formed from various materials and in particular may be molded or extruded from various natural or synthetic materials. The grip member(s) 4 may be formed from various natural or synthetic materials.
The bow member 1 includes receiving ends on both ends of the bow member 1 to receive, attach and secure the elastic member 2 to the bow member 1. The elastic member 2 includes an attachment member 3 at each end, to secure each end of the elastic member to each receiving end of the bow member 1, allowing the elastic member 2 to be easily attached or removed to the bow member 1. The grip member(s) 4 can be easily added or removed from the bow member 1. The grip member(s) 4 provide comfort and secure handling when attached to the bow member 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 9 shown therein is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus and multiple interchangeable, individual, elastic members with various resistance levels, each elastic member can be easily attached or removed from the bow member.
Following is a chart which describes various muscle groups and how they are exercised. The present invention is arranged and constructed to allow controlled contraction and expansion of the muscle groups described in the chart below, and set out in FIGS. 10 and 11.


Major Muscle		Functional	Exercise to
Group	Location	Role	Strengthen	Sample Stretch	Notes

Abdominal	Stomach	Sitting up,	Crunches,	You typically don't	The rectus
		postural	leg raises,	stretch your abs.	abdominus is the
		alignment	twisting	For most people,	muscle that is
			crunches	the abs are not	visible. The
				strong enough, so	transversus
				you need to work	abdominus
				on strengthening	muscle, which
				them rather than	stabilizes your
				stretching them	back is
					underneath.
Biceps	Front of	Lifting,	Bicep Curls	Sit on floor. Place	Anytime you move
	upper arm	pulling		hands behind you	your hand toward
				with fingers	your shoulder, you
				pointing away from	are using your
				your body. Walk	biceps.
				your hips away
				from your hands.
Deltoids	Top of	Overhead	Push ups,	“Scratch your Back” -	The deltoids are
	shoulder	lifting	bench	Put both hands	composed of three
			press, side	over your head.	parts, anterior,
			& rear arm	Bend one elbow	posterior &
			raises	and place hand on	medial. Anytime
				back. With other	you “flap” your
				hand, push elbow	arms, your
				to stretch triceps,	deltoids are
				deltoids, lats	working.
Erector Spinae	Low back	Postural	back	“Cat Stretch” -	The erector spinae
		alignment	extensions	Kneel on all fours,	is sometimes
				round back like a	called the “low
				cat. Sit on chair with	back” muscle,
				feet shoulder	although it runs up
				distance apart.	your entire back.
				Bend over and place
				shoulders between
				your knees
Gastrocnemius	Back of	Push off for	Standing	Lunges with a	The gastrocnemius
& Soleus	lower leg	walking,	calf raises,	straight back leg for	give your legs a
		standing on	seated calf	gastrocnemius.	rounded shape.
		tiptoes	raises	Lunges with bent	The soleus is
				knees for soleus.	underneath the
					gastrocnemius.
Gluteus	Buttocks	Climbing	Squat, leg	Sit on chair, cross	Made up of
		stairs,	press	other leg over thigh	several muscles.
		walking,		of bent leg, lean	The largest muscle
		standing up		forwards.	in the body is the
					gluteus maximus.
Hamstrings	Thigh - back	Walking	Squats,	While standing,	The hamstrings
			lunges, leg	place heel of leg to	are made up of
			extensions,	be stretched on a	three muscles.
			leg curls	chair. Keep your leg	Don't squat below
				as straight as	90 degrees,
				possible, your hips	otherwise you
				square and your	could damage
				back flat. Bend at	your knees.
				the waist toward
				your leg.
Latissimus	Back - Lats	Postural	Lats - pull	“Scratch your Back” -	Developed lats
Dorsi &	are the large	alignment,	ups, chin	Put both hands	give your back a
Rhomboids	triangular	pulling	ups, lat pull	over your head.	“V” shape, making
	muscle in	open a	downs	Bend one elbow	your waist appear
	the	door	Rhomboids -	and place hand on	smaller.
	midback.		chinups &	back. With other
	Rhomboids		bent arm	hand,
	are between		rows	To stretch
	the shoulder			rhomboids, “hug
	blades			yourself” Cross your
				hands in front of
				you, place both
				hands on your
				shoulder blades.
Obliques	Side of body	Rotation	Twisting	Lie on your back	Strong internal
		and side	crunches,	with your arms	and external
		flexion of	rotary torso	extended out (“T”	oblique muscles
		body		shape) Bend both	ward off back
				knees. Rotate your	pain.
				hips and put your
				bent legs on the
				floor on your side.
Pectoralis	Front of	Push up	push-up,	While standing,	The pectoralis
	upper chest	from lying	pull-up,	hold both arms out	muscles pull the
		position,	bench press	at shoulder height,	shoulder and arm
		push open		palms forward. Pull	forward.
		a door		arms back.
Quadriceps	Thigh - front	Climbing	Squats,	While lying on side,	The quads are
		stairs,	lunges, leg	grasp ankle, push	made up of four
		walking,	presses	hips forward	muscles.
		standing up
Trapezius	Large	Moves	upright	Upper trap stretch.	Your upper
	muscle in	head	rows,	Sit in a chair, put	trapezius connects
	upper and	sideways,	shoulder	your left hand	your head to your
	mid-back.		shrugs	behind you. Tilt	shoulders. When
				your head so your	you feel “knots in
				right ear moves	your neck”, it's
				toward your right	your trapezius.
				shoulder. Repeat on
				the other side.
Triceps	Back of	Pushing	Push ups,	“Scratch your Back” -	Anytime you
	upper arm		tricep	Put both hands	extend your lower
			extensions,	over your head.	arm, you are using
			dips	Bend one elbow	your triceps.
				and place hand on
				back. With other
				hand, push elbow
				to stretch triceps,
				deltoids, lats

PARTS LIST

1. Bow member
2. Elastic member
3. Attachment member
4. Grip member
5. Bow elastic member receiver
6. Low resistance replacement elastic member
7. Medium low resistance replacement elastic member
8. Medium high resistance replacement elastic member
9. High resistance replacement elastic member
In practice, the present device presents a multitude of variations in the operation of the device.
Positioning a fixed object between the elastic member 2 and the bow member 1, such as a vertical post, horizontal post or other attachment point, allows a user to exert force and movement through the grip member, upon the bow member 1, which force and movement is increasingly resisted by the stretching elastic member 2. The user may either pull the bow member 1 away from the fixed object, or push the bow member away from the fixed object, using virtually any and all of the body muscle groups, through the legs, arms, neck, and back, depending on which body part is in contact with either the inside surface or outside surface of the grip member 4.
Further, the application of force may be slow and stretching, to gradually involve muscle groups and related tissue, or may be extremely rapid, to develop the fast-acting muscle activity important to certain activities.
Other positions and utilizations of the device are possible according to the targeted muscle group. Virtually every muscle group shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be exercised and in particular contracted and expanded utilizing the present invention.
A user may be positioned entirely inside of the device, holding it at chest level, with the bow against the back and the elastic member at the front, to push out against the elastic member in a bench press movement.
The bow member may be places on the ground with feet upon it, hands gripping the elastic rope, pulling up in an upward row movement, or in a front raise movement.
Lying on the ground, the bow may be placed under the legs, moving the leg up against the elastic member in a straight leg extension movement.
Sitting on a chair, the bow may be secured behind the rear legs, the lower leg moving out against the elastic member in a leg extension movement.
With the bow secured above the head, the elastic member may be pulled or pushed upon in a pull down or pushdown motion.
With the bow device secured between the legs, the elastic member may be stretched in a side lateral movement.
Sitting with the bow underneath the legs, the elastic member maybe stretched in an overhead press motion.
Standing with the bow element under the feet, the elastic member may be stretched in a curl, reverse curl, or front raise movement.
With the bow secured under a bench, the elastic member may be stretched in a pullover movement.
Many movements may be carried out by gripping or pushing against either the bow element or the elastic member, depending on the position and comfort of the user.
A device is presented which replaces the downward only force of gravity against weighted exercise devices with the resistive force of elastic members. The unique shape and structure of the device frees the user from connection to a fixed device, and from the limited range of movement of gravity-driven weights.
Virtually all muscle groups may be contracted against the force of the elastic bands, as the device may be positioned at and around the user limited only by the user's own individual physiology. The flexibility in positioning the achieved only through the disclosed closed loop structure and lightweight ergonomic materials and shape.
Both the bow member 1 and various strength elastic members 2 contribute to the resistive force of the device which opposes the applied force of the user.
The device is extremely lightweight, and can be easily disassembled and transported, by removing the elastic member 2 from the bow member 1.
The bow member may be constructed of several different materials, including metals and metal alloys, plastics, wood, carbon composites and carbon fiber.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising:

a flexible curved bow element,

at least one padded gripping element disposed near a center section of said bow element,

at least one elastic member connectable to and extending between two endpoints of said bow member, and

elastic member receiving elements disposed at each end of said bow element,

wherein said elastic member and said bow element act together to flex and thereby provide varying resistance to force and movement inputs of a user.

2. An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein

said elastic member receiving elements are outward opening C-shaped elements,

said elastic member having ring elements at each end, said ring elements connectable with said C-shaped elements to removably connect said elastic member to said bow member.

3. An exercise device according to claim 3,

further comprising a plurality of elastic members of varying elastic properties, which may be selectively attached to said bow member to provide various elastic movement and resistance characteristics.