AU2021104700B4

AU2021104700B4 - Exercise device

Info

Publication number: AU2021104700B4
Application number: AU2021104700A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kieran Turner
Original assignee: S Bell Training Pty Ltd
Current assignee: S Bell Training Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-28
Filing date: 2021-07-29
Publication date: 2022-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-29
Also published as: AU2021104700A4; WO2023004455A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exercise device comprising an upper longitudinally extending load bearing portion; and an opposed spaced apart longitudinally extending lower load bearing portion, which is connected thereto via an interconnecting web member. The lateral width of the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions is less than the vertical height between the upper and lower load bearing portions.

Description

EXERCISE DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of exercise devices, and more particularly the invention relates to a portable handheld exercise device which can be used as an exercise apparatus for different types of resistance training exercises.

BACKGROUND

[0002] There are many different types of exercise equipment, with many have specific purposes or being designed for a unique set of exercises designed to strengthen and tone specific muscles or groups of muscles. However, there is a desire to having exercise equipment that can be used in different training techniques in order to target different muscle groups, or at least simply allow for a range of different exercises to be performed using the single piece of equipment.

[0003] One particularly common exercise equipment is a kettlebell, which usually have a spherical weighted side for different type of kettlebell exercise such as the figure eight exercise and variations. Usually kettlebells provide a smooth handle with a hint of grittiness because the handle will be moving within the grip for ballistic exercises, like kettlebell swings, kettlebell snatches, and kettlebell cleans. The offset weight of the kettlebell, combined with its large, curved handle, allows holding it in a variety of ways. In addition, the offset weight of kettlebells allows you to rest them on the back of your arm while holding the handle. With kettlebells, the weight is offset and unbalanced. The handle of a kettlebell weighs much less than the "ball" of the kettlebell, whereas dumbbells are balanced from end to end. This offset weight makes a kettlebell more realistically similar to the use of daily tools.

[0004] Another common piece of exercise equipment is a push-up bar, which is a structure that is placed on the floor for gripping by hands at the time of practising push-up. It features a single bar running perpendicular to the body so that when gripping it, the palms are facing the feet. Push-up handles typically are two separate pieces of equipment that are gripped with each hand. They allow changing the direction of the wrists, so the palms can face each other or the feet as you perform the push-up.

[0005] As discussed above, exercise equipment such as kettlebells and push up stands are typically designed for one type of exercise only, although that is not to say that some users of exercise equipment don't 're-purpose' exercise equipment and use them in alternate ways that were perhaps not originally intended, which at worst can often be dangerous and lead to an increase possibility of injury, and at best may simply be uncomfortable and not exactly 'fit for purpose'.

[0006] It is desirable that exercise equipment can be used to perform multiple different exercises, which increases the versatility of the exercise equipment. This is particularly the case for small gymnasiums or home set ups, where space may be at a premium and having multi-purpose exercise equipment can be particularly desirable, so that a broad spectrum of exercises can be performed without the need for a huge array of exercise equipment.

[0007] In addition, it is particularly desirable for some users of exercise equipment to target both macro and micro muscles when training and using a device. For example, it is a commonly utilised strategy when exercising to incorporate 'off balance' training, as this will target and strengthen both the macro group of muscles specific to that exercise (for example performing push ups will target the following macro muscle groups chest muscle group, including the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor, shoulder muscle group, including the deltoid major and deltoid minor, upper and middle back muscles, including the latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, and trapeze muscles, biceps, at the front of the upper arm, triceps, at the back of the upper arm, and the serratus anterior, which sits on the side of the chest beneath the upper arm), but also corresponding micro group of muscles, which are activated because the person doing the exercise needs to maintain 'balance' whilst using the device.

[0008] Push-ups are one of the basic weight training exercises, but they are undoubtedly one of the most effective fitness exercises, both because of the simplicity of the exercise (requiring no or minimal exercise equipment), but also because of the effectiveness of the exercise. The big advantage of push-ups is that they can be performed anywhere, and because there is no need necessarily to use any equipment for the exercise, the training remains extremely flexible. Push-ups strengthen and harden chest muscles and various other parts of the upper body. Whilst push-ups can be performed without the need for any equipment, push-up bars (also known as push-up grips) are an excellent way to get the most out of this exercise. The use of push-up bars not only intensify the effects of push-ups, but are also a great way to train muscles with minimum impact on the joints. The use of push-up bars (or the like) can provide for a number of push-up variations to be performed very effectively. Further, if the person carrying out the exercise does not have enough strength in their arms and chest (yet), they will be putting a lot of strain on your wrists, which can result in pain. One ideal solution for this is to use push-up bars (or similar).

[0009] As shown in FIG A and FIG B of the prior art, push up bars are well known. Push-up bars for a high level of comfort because whilst push-ups can be done anywhere, some surfaces are less suitable than others. A rough surface, for example, can limit the training comfort and even lead to skin or hand injuries. The use of push-up bars (or the like) is desirable because these handy training devices can easily be taken anywhere, making training as hygienic and comfortable as possible.

[0010] Another significant advantage of push-up bars (or the like) is the extended range of movement during the exercise. You can lower your upper body much further than is the case without the grips. With push-up bars, each push-up becomes more intense and effective, because the different muscles are subjected to more strain.

[0011] However, push-up bars are generally only suitable for use with push ups (or similar exercises) and are generally not particularly effective for use with other training, especially weight based strength and resistance training. Conventional push-up bars such as those shown in FIGS A and B of the prior art do not completely effectively engage both the macro and micro muscles when a person is performing push-up based exercises.

[0012] As shown in FIG C of the prior art, it is well known to use weight plates as an alternate to using a push-up bar to achieve the benefits of performing push-up based exercises when using a push-up bar. As shown, this is achieved by 're-purposing' the weight plates by placing them on the ground surface on their skinny edge, and then the user performing the push-up exercises on the weight plates. As can be envisaged, this is potentially dangerous, and could easily see the person slip off the inverted weight plates, or see the weight plate itself slipping over, resulting in the person injuring themselves.

[0013] As shown in FIG D of the prior art, it is also known to use inverted kettle bells in this way. It goes without saying that re-purposing conventional kettle bells in this arrangement results in a situation that is particularly susceptible to the person injuring themselves by slipping off the inverted kettle bells, or more likely, the inverted kettle bell slipping out from under them, resulting in a nasty 'face-plant' or some other trauma based injury. The rounded edges of the kettle bell handle (which is provided for better user comfort when holding the kettle bells for their conventional purpose) particularly exacerbate the likelihood of the inverted kettle bells slipping out from under the person whilst performing a push-up.

[0014] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a multi-purpose exercise device that is safe for use in each configuration for a range of exercises, and which overcomes the limitations of the prior art, or at least provides an alternative thereto.

DISCLOSUREOFTHE INVENTION

[0015] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an exercise device comprising an upper longitudinally extending load bearing portion; and an opposed spaced apart longitudinally extending lower load bearing portion, which is connected thereto via an interconnecting web member. The lateral width of the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions is less than the vertical height between the upper and lower load bearing portions.

[0016] Preferably, at least one of the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions includes a handle section adapted to be gripped by a user during use.

[0017] Most preferably, both the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions includes a handle section adapted to be gripped by a user during use.

[0018] Preferably, the interconnecting web member includes a central portion that extends in a direction parallel with the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions, with a first portion extending from a first end thereof towards the upper longitudinally extending load bearing portion, and a second portion extending from a second end thereof towards the lower longitudinally extending load bearing portion.

[0019] Most preferably, the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions and interconnecting web member form an S-Shaped body.

[0020] Preferably, at least one of the upper or lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions or the interconnecting web member is weighted such that the device can be used for strength or resistance training.

[0021] Preferably, the first portion of the interconnecting web member extending towards the upper longitudinally extending load bearing portion includes a first recess on the rear surface thereof, and a first protrusion on the opposite front surface thereof.

[0022] Preferably, the second portion of the interconnecting web member extending towards the lower longitudinally extending load bearing portion includes a second recess on the rear surface thereof, and a second protrusion on the opposite front surface thereof.

[0023] Most preferably, when two like devices are stacked vertically on top of one another, the first protrusion of the first device is adapted to fit within and be removably retained within the first recess of the second device; and the second protrusion of the first device is adapted to fit within and be removably retained within the second recess of the second device.

DESCRIPTIONOFFIGURES

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in relation to figures, wherein:

FIG 1 depicts an isometric or perspective view of an exercise device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 2 depicts a top view of the exercise equipment shown in FIG 1; and

FIG 3 depicts a front view of the exercise equipment shown in FIG 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The present invention relates to an exercise device 1, which is designed to be multi-functional and allow a user to utilise the device to carry out a range of different exercises. In particular, the device 1 is weighted (and may come in a number of different weight ranges), thereby allowing the user to perform strength and resistance training, as well as providing the user with an improved push-up training device, which targets both macro and micro muscle groups by providing 'off-balance' training.

[0026] The exercise device 1 includes an upper longitudinally extending load bearing portion 2 and an opposed spaced apart longitudinally extending lower load bearing portion 3, which is connected thereto via an interconnecting web member 4. Importantly, the lateral width of the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions (2,3) is less than the vertical height between the upper and lower load bearing portions (2,3).

[0027] In this way, when the device 1 of the present invention is placed on a ground surface and used for push-up training, the smaller size of the lateral width of the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions (2,3) relative to the vertical height between the upper and lower load bearing portions (2,3) makes the device 1 slightly unstable on the ground surface for the user when performing the push-up exercises. This can generally be defined as 'off balance' training, and this slight instability of the device 1 on the ground surface activates both the macro and micro muscle groups of the user when using the device 1 to perform push-up based exercises. This slight instability will cause the user to slightly wobble as they perform the push-up based exercises, which forces them to engage their core to maintain their balance, and thereby engaging both the macro and micro muscle groups.

[0028] As can be seen in the drawings, the interconnecting web member 4 includes a central portion 4a that extends in a direction parallel with the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions, with a first portion 4b extending from a first end of the central portion 4a towards the upper longitudinally extending load bearing portion 2, and a second portion 4c extending from a second end of the central portion 4a towards the lower longitudinally extending load bearing portion 3. In this way, the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions (2,3) and interconnecting web member 4 form an S-Shaped body.

[0029] The exercise device 1 is also designed to be used in weight based strength or resistance training. Accordingly, at least one of the upper or lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions (2,3) or the interconnecting web member 4 is weighted such that the device 1 can be used for strength or resistance training. It is envisaged that there would be a number of devices 1 in a 'set', which would have a number of differently weighted versions (say 2kg, 4kg, 6kg, 10kg etc.), much in the same way as conventional kettle bells, dumbbells etc. have a number of differently weighted options in a set thereof.

[0030] To facilitate the ease of use, each of the devices 1 of the present invention are designed to effectively stack together, particularly such that they can easily form a set as discussed. To do this, like devices 1 are designed to interfit with each other for ease of stacking. Specifically, the first portion 4b of the interconnecting web member 4 includes a first recess 8 on the rear surface thereof, and a first protrusion 10 on the opposite front surface thereof. Further, the second portion 4c of the interconnecting web member 4 includes a second recess 9 on the rear surface thereof, and a second protrusion 11 on the opposite front surface thereof.

[0031] Accordingly, when two like devices 1 are stacked vertically on top of one another, the first protrusion 10 of the first device la is adapted to fit within and be removably retained within the first recess 8 of the second device 1b, and the second protrusion 11 of the first device la is adapted to fit within and be removably retained within the second recess 9 of the second device 1b. This arrangement assists in stacking the devices la, lb vertically on top of each other, and decreases the likelihood of the stacked devices from falling over unintentionally. Obviously, more than two devices la, lb can be vertically stacked in this way, and it is envisaged that the number of devices 1 arranged to be vertically on top of each other would be a full set - so likely to range in weight from 2kg, 4kg, 6kg, 10kg etc.(1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, etc.).

[0032] As the device 1 of the present invention is adapted to be utilised by a person performing weight based strength resistance training (in addition to push-up based exercises), at least one of the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions (2,3) includes a handle section (6,7) adapted to be gripped by a user during use. It is preferred that both the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions (2,3) includes a respective handle section (6,7), which increases the flexibility of using the device 1 in a range of training exercises.

[0033] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms, variations and modifications other than those specifically described. The invention includes all such variation and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, components and/or devices referred to or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively and any and all combinations or any two or more of the steps or features.

[0034] In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the word "comprising" is not intended to have the exclusive meaning of the word such as "consisting only of", but rather has the non-exclusive meaning, in the sense of "including at least". The same applies, with corresponding grammatical changes, to other forms of the word such as "comprise", etc.

[0035] Other definitions for selected terms used herein may be found within the detailed description of the invention and apply throughout. Unless otherwise defined, all other scientific and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.

[0036] Any promises made in the present document should be understood to relate to some embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to be promises made about the invention in all embodiments. Where there are promises that are deemed to apply to all embodiments of the invention, the applicant/patentee reserves the right to later delete them from the description and they do not rely on these promises for the acceptance or subsequent grant of a patent in any country.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An exercise device comprising:

an upper longitudinally extending load bearing portion; and

an opposed spaced apart longitudinally extending lower load bearing portion connected thereto via an interconnecting web member, which includes a central portion that extends in a direction parallel with the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions, with a first portion extending from a first end thereof towards the upper longitudinally extending load bearing portion, and a second portion extending from a second end thereof towards the lower longitudinally extending load bearing portion;

wherein the lateral width of the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions is less than the vertical height between the upper and lower load bearing portions.

2. An exercise device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the upper and lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions includes a handle section adapted to be gripped by a user during use.

3. An exercise device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the upper or lower longitudinally extending load bearing portions or the interconnecting web member is weighted such that the device can be used for strength or resistance training.

4. An exercise device according to claim 3 wherein the first portion of the interconnecting web member extending towards the upper longitudinally extending load bearing portion includes a first recess on the rear surface thereof, and a first protrusion on the opposite front surface thereof, and wherein when two like devices are stacked vertically on top of one another, the first protrusion of the first device is adapted to fit within and be removably retained within the first recess of the second device.