GB2096005A - Multi-purpose exercise device and swimming aid - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a substantially spherical body (1) disposed about an axle (3) which passes through the geometric centre of the body and which extends outwardly on either side thereof to provide hand-grips. In exercising, the device is gripped and "wheeled" over a surface or may be used in lifting exercises, its weight then being increased by the addition of sand or water through a removable plug (4). The device may constitute a swimming aid in which the substantially spherical body is formed from cork or from a closed cell polyurethane foam having an outer skin of collapsed foam formed thereon which provides a semi-hard layer over the surface of the spherical body. <IMAGE>

Description

1

GB 2 096 005 A

1

SPECIFICATION

Multi-purpose device for physical exercises

5 The present invention relates to a multi-purpose device for physical exercise.

There are available on the market many different types of exercise device to aid physical development. In recent years there has been a move towards 10 supplying multi-purpose equipment to provide exercise for different parts of the body. However, as these devices have developed, they have tended to become bulky objects built around tubular metal frames, fitted with a variety of chains, pulleys and 15 springs, and occupy so much space that a separate room or area in a house is required for what is essentially a permanent fixture.

One form of known exercise device consists of a small diameter rubber tyred wheel with the axle 20 extended from each side, to which hand grips are fitted. This is a single purpose device which is used for rolling along the floor whilst in a kneeling or crouching position; alternatively for rolling against a vertical plane such as a wall. This device, whilst 25 providing certain exercises for the arms and chest, can be extremely dangerous because any uneven distribution of weight between the two handles causes the wheel to cant over on to one side, causing severe spraining and even dislocation of the user's 30 wrists. To overcome this problem, a modified device is available whereby two wheels have been fitted side by side, to widen the wheel base and give more stability. However, this has given only a slight improvement and of course does not increase the 35 usefulness of the article as an exercise aid.

There are available on the market many different swimming aids. One form of known swimming aid is an oblong compressed polystyrene of the type used for packing materials, etc. Another is the use of 40 bands of air encased in plastic adapted to be disposed around the upper arm. These, whilst giving a certain amount of versatility in the water, can have their disadvantages, i.e. children can pick and prod the first type thereby clogging up the filter system of 45 swimming pools with the debris and the second type can deflate or be burst or punctured and need to be physically blown up.

The present invention has for its principle object the provision of an exercise device which is compact 50 so that it can be easily transported and stored, and yet provides the user with a multiplicity of exercises to cater for all aspects of physical development of the body.

Another object is to provide an exercise device 55 which has a centre of gravity always perpendicularly above the point of contact with the surface against which it is pressed.

Yet another object is to provide an exercise device which minimises the risk of accidental injury to the 60 user's wrists.

Still a further object is the provision of an exercise device which can be used as a swimming aid.

Another object is the provision of a swimming aid which maintains its centre of gravity directly above 65 the point of the level of the water.

A still further object is the provision of a swimming aid which can be gripped with both hands a set distance apart.

According to the present invention these objects 70 are achieved by providing an exercise device comprising a substantially spherical body formed about an axle which passes through the geometric centre of the spherical body and which extends outwardly on either side of the spherical body to provide 75 hand-grips.

In a preferred embodiment the spherical body is provided with a diametrically extended tube integral with said spherical body and through which the axle passes. Preferably a pair of brushes are disposed at 80 the outer ends of the said tube to aid free relative rotation of the axle and tube. The hand-grips are preferably covered by a soft and/or resilient material to ensure a firm grip can be obtained.

In one embodiment the spherical body is hollow 85 and is preferably provided with a removable closure member to enable the hollow interiorto be filled with a suitable fluid such as water or a particulate solid such as sand and to be sealed again after filling.

90 In another embodiment adapted to be used primarily as a swimming aid the spherical body is made from a low density material such as foamed plastic or cork with a semi-hard coating to the outside to enable it not to be prodded or picked by children. In 95 one embodiment of the swimming aid the spherical body is provided with a diametrically extended tube integral with said spherical body and through which the axle passes. The hand-grips are preferably covered with a soft and/or resilient material to 100 ensure a firm grip can be obtained.

In another embodiment of the swimming aid, the spherical body is formed about a spindle integral therewith. In this embodimentthe hand-grips may be journalled about the spindle if desired. Preferably 105 the foamed plastic material has a closed cellular structure. The semi-hard coating may be formed by collapsing the surface of the foam against the mould and spindle during the moulding of the spherical body.

110 The invention will be further illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred form of the exercise device of the invention, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a form of the 115 exercise device adapted as a swimming aid; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of another form of the exercise device adapted as a swimming aid.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a hollow sphere (1) approximately 200 mm in diameter, has a 120 central tube (2) integral therewith and through which a spindle (3) passes. A removable plug (4) is provided in the hollow sphere (1) which allows the sphere to be filled with fluid or particulate solid to increase the weight thereof. The spindle (3) passing 125 through the centre of the sphere acts as an axle and a pair of soft grips (5) are disposed on the extremities of the spindle, one at each side, to enable the user to take a firm, two handed grip on the device. A pair of bushes (6) are inserted at the extremities of 130 the central tube (2) to reduce friction between the

2

GB 2 096 005 A

2

spindle (3) and the tube (2) to ensure free relative rotation.

Thus the device of Figure 1 provides for "wheeled" exercises but has the advantage of being 5 sphere so that its centre of gravity is always directly above the point of contact with the floor and does not easily flip over as in the case of a narrow wheel.

Additionally the device of Figure 1 can be used for exercises involving lifting and has the ability to be 10 increased in weight by a ratio of 4:1 by simply adding the required quantity of fluid such as water. This feature enables it to be used by young children as well as fully grown men and women.

In addition to its function as a gymnastic, athletic 15 device, the device of Figure 1 can also be used as a swimming aid. The device of Figure 1 is basically a hermetically sealed sphere which, when empty provides a high degree of floatation, and because it has handles the user is enabled to take a firm grip 20 whilst in a swimming bath. When used in this fashion, the device of Figure 1 is a superior aid for a person learning to swim.

Experienced swimmers will also find the device of Figure 1 an excellent aid to practice of the leg 25 strokes, whilst holding it at arms length in front of the body.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, a solid sphere 10 composed of a low density material such as cork or a polyurethanefoam of closed cellular 30 structure has an outer semi-hard skin 20 over the surface thereof. The solid sphere 10 is formed about a spindle 3 which passes through the centre of the sphere and is integral therewith, the skin 20 in contact with the said spindle 3 being adherent 35 thereto. A pair of soft grips 5 are disposed on the extremities of the spindle one on each side, which enable the user to take a firm two handed grip on the swimming aid.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, a solid 40 sphere 10 composed as in Figure 2 and also having an outer skin 20 is formed about a spindle 3 as in Figure 2. Handles 7 are journalled about the extremities of the spindle, a pair of bushes 8 being inserted between the spindle and each of the handles to 45 facilitate rotation of the handles about the spindle 3. A pair of soft grips 9 are disposed one on each of rotatable handles 7 to enable the user to exert a firm grip on the handles.

It will be apparent the fixed spindle and rotatable 50 handles of Figure 3 could also be used in the construction shown in Figure 1 and the rotatable spindle mounted within a tube construction of Figure 1 could also be utilised in the construction of Figure 3.

55

Claims (11)

1. An exercise device comprising a member capable of being rolled over a flat surface and 60 provided with a pair of hand grips extending therefrom characterised in that said member comprises a substantially spherical body disposed about an axle which passes through the geometric centre of the said spherical body and which extends outwardly on 65 either side of the said spherical body to provide the said hand-grips.

2. An exercise device as claimed in claim 1, in which the spherical body is journalled about said axle.

70

3. An exercise device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the spherical body is hollow.

4. An exercise device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the spherical body is composed of a cellular material having a semi-hard skin disposed over the

75 surface thereof an integral therewith.

5. A swimming aid characterised by comprising a solid, substantially spherical body composed of a material having a density lower than that of water, said body being disposed about an axle which

80 passes through the geometric centre thereof and which extends outwardly on either side of the said spherical body whereby to provide hand grips and in which the said spherical body has disposed overthe whole of its surface a semi-hard layer.

85

6. A swimming aid as claimed in claim 5, in which the said semi-hard layer is integral with said spherical body.

7. A swimming aid as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the said spherical body is composed

90 of a closed cell polyurethane foam, said foam having an outer skin of collapsed foam formed thereon which provides said semi-hard layer.

8. A swimming aid as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that said spherical body is formed about

95 said axle and is integral therewith said outer skin being present between said closed cell polyurethane foam and said axle and integral both with said axle and said foam.

9. A swimming aid as claimed in claim 8, char-100 acterised in that a handle in the shape of a hand grip is journalled about each protruding end section of said axle.

10. An exercise device as claimed in claim 5,6 or 7, in which said spherical body is journalled about

105 said axle.

11. An exercise device as claimed in claim 10, in which said spherical body is provided with a diametrically extended tube integral therewith and through which the said axle passes.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, by Croydon Printing Company Limited, Croydon, Surrey, 1982.

Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London,

WC2A1 AY, from which copies may be obtained.