AU715957B3

AU715957B3 - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU715957B3
Application number: AU52598/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robert Joseph Bauer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-30
Filing date: 1999-09-30
Publication date: 2000-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2001-02-10
Also published as: WO2001023043A1

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A PETTY PATENT Name of Applicants: ROBERT JOSEPH BAUER ROBERT JOSEPH BAUER Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, QId. 4000, Australia.

EXERCISE APPARATUS Details of Associated Provisional Applications: The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: EXERCISE APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to exercise equipment and has relevance to weight exercising equipment, in particular hand held exercise apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART The benefits of exercise using weights have become increasingly recognised in recent years.

There are many types of weight lifting equipment ranging from traditional barbells and dumbbells, stretching devices, gymnastic equipment to elaborate resistance machinery where a range of exercises can be conducted against the resistance of weight stacks, mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic systems.

Some modern exercise equipment has been refined to the point that specific muscles and muscle groups can be accurately targeted.

Equipment of this type however tends to be bulky and prohibitively expensive.

Free weight exercises using dumbbells or the like should be part of a balanced exercise program.

It is an object of the present invention to provide held hand exercise apparatus in which a resistance can be positioned and adjusted to optimise the benefit on the targeted muscles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide exercise apparatus where resistances can be readily adjusted without the need to have an extensive range of weights.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided an exercise apparatus comprising a handgrip, a rail extending from a handgrip mounting forearm engagement means, and resistance means attached to the rail, the arrangement and construction of the apparatus being such that a range of exercises can be conducted against the resistance when the handgrip is gripped by a person's hand and the forearm engagement means is engaged with the person's forearm.

The resistance can be a weight.

The weight can be a disc weight attached to the rail by a bar.

The bar can be slidable and lockable on the rail for the purpose of varying the position of the weight relative to the handgrip.

The forearm engagement means can be in the form of a collar.

The forearm engagement means can include straps or ties.

The forearm engagement means can be slidable on the rail for the purpose of varying the proximity of same with respect to the handgrip.

The bar can have a disc weight locking collar.

The handgrip can be pivotable on the rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

Aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figqure 1 is a rear perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with one possible embodiment of the present invention, and Figqures la and 2 are side views of the apparatus of figure 1, and Fiqure 2 is a cross-sectional drawing taken at 111:111 of figure 2, and Figqures 4A to 4E are illustrations and examples of various kinds of exercises which can be performed with the apparatus of the present invention.

With respect to figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, apparatus according to the present invention generally indicated by arrow 1 can comprise a handgrip generally indicated by arrow 2, a rail generally indicated by arrow 3 which extends from the handgrip and which mounts forearm engagement means 4.

Resistance means generally indicated by arrow 5 is attached to the rail. In the illustrated example the resistance means 5 is a weight stack although it will be appreciated that a resistance could be provided by alternative means such as stretch cords or springs attached to a fixture.

As indicated by figure la and figures 4A to 4E a range of exercises can be conducted using the apparatus against a resistance when the handgrip 2 is gripped by a person's hand 6 and the forearm engagement encapsulates a person's forearm 7.

Where the resistance 5 is a weight stack as illustrated one or more disc weights 8 can be attached to the rail 3 via a bar 9. The weights 8 can be secured to the bar 9 by a threaded or locking collar The weight(s) are slidable and lockable with respect to the rail for the purpose of varying the position of same relative to the handgrip 2. In this respect the bar 9 can be attached to the rail 3 by a slide plate 11 (see figure 3).

It will be appreciated that in relation to the mode of use of the apparatus is concerned that the closer the resistance 5 is to the handgrip the greater is the resistance to be overcome, and that the resistance can be varied by adjustments of the weight stack 8 and/or the position of the weights relative to the handgrip.

The handgrip 2 can be provided with bi-furcated forks 13 attached to the rail 3 via the base 14 of the forks.

In an alternative form of the present invention (not illustrated) the base 14 of the forks may be pivotally attached to the rail 3 in a manner which would allow swiveling of the handgrip with respect to the rail.

The forearm engagement means 4 can be in the form of a collar as illustrated, or may include straps or ties (not illustrated) and the base can also be slidable with respect to a strap 16 of the rail so that its position in relation to the handgrip can be adjusted and secured for the comfort of individual wearers.

The forearm engagement means 4 can be provided with padding and may be produced in a variety of materials.

The apparatus of the present invention can be used for a variety of exercises to accurately target muscle groups and examples of a range of exercises are given by figures 4A to 4E.

Figure 4A of the drawings illustrates the apparatus being used to perform supline exercises in a prone position.

Figure 4B of the drawings illustrates the apparatus being used to perform press exercises in a prone position.

Figure 4C of the drawings illustrates the apparatus being used to perform raise and/or overhead exercises from a standing position.

Figure 4D of the drawings illustrates the apparatus being used to perform shoulder press exercises from a standing position.

Figure 4E of the drawings illustrates the apparatus being used to perform arm curling exercises from a standing position.

I consider that the present invention provides an economic and versatile alternative to the traditional barbells and will be useful for both the home and commercial gyms. The apparatus has a number of advantages in relation to specific exercises. For example, when completing flies the apparatus allows the resistance to be positioned closer to the leverage point (the shoulder) and for the pectoral muscles to be specifically targeted whilst eliminating assisting muscle groups which would be active if similar exercise was performed using conventional dumbbell equipment. The fact that the resistance is disposed at the outer forearm region also enhances the benefits of fly type exercises. Another advantage is that the users hands are able to be brought closer together in the finish position maximising muscle contraction.

When completing front and lateral raises the closeness of the resistance to the leverage point is also beneficial.

When completing curl exercises the apparatus provides a continuous and even resistance throughout each movement.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Exercise apparatus comprising a handgrip, a rail extending from a handgrip mounting forearm engagement means, and resistance means attached to the rail, the arrangement and construction of said apparatus being such that a range of exercises can be conducted against the resistance when the handgrip is gripped by a person's hand and the forearm engagement means is engaged with the person's forearm.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the resistance means is a disc weight or weights attached to the rail by an adjustable 1O attachment means.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the weight(s) is/are slidable and lockable on the rail for the purpose of varying the position of the weight(s) relative to the handgrip. DATED this 19 day of November 1999 Robert Joseph BAUER By his Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.