GB2504349A

GB2504349A - Exercise Aid Capable of Housing a Plurality of Weighted Inserts

Info

Publication number: GB2504349A
Application number: GB201213393A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laura Honey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-27
Filing date: 2012-07-27
Publication date: 2014-01-29
Also published as: GB201213393D0

Abstract

An exercise aid comprises an outer casing formed of at least two parts; said parts capable of internally housing a plurality of weighted inserts. The inserts may form a set so that the weight of the aid may be incrementally increased. The inserts may be flat and shaped according to the aid. At least one part of the aid may be moulded to provide a stepped inner, to accept cumulative or contiguous inserts. The inserts may be held in place by a detent mechanism, friction, tolerance fitting or magnetic portions. At least one of the parts may include a semi-spherical outer face. There is also a method of providing abdominal exercise to a post-pregnancy woman according to the claims and figures.

Description

A WEIGHTABLE EXERCISE AID

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a weightable exercise aid, more particularly but not exclusively a weighted exercise aid for free resistance training.

Backciround It is important for new mothers to keep fit and healthy post the birth. Often new mothers are encouraged to begin gentle exercise, under doctors guidance, in order to help the body's recovery, in particular the repair of stomach muscle which stretch, and sometimes tear, during childbearing.

However new mothers are often reluctant to leave their new born child to go and exercise and may be overly conscious to attend a gym or similar establishment.

An array of exercises and complimentary equipment has been adapted for home use such as weights and abdominal rollers, however such devices are typically for standard exercises and may not be applicable to someone who has just had a baby for example and may not be able to use some muscles in a certain way: A number of personal trainers provide guidance on exercises that can be done with the baby for example running with the buggy and lifting the baby in certain ways.

This method of exercise also enhances bonding with the baby or child but may not always be possible for example if the child is distressed or sleeping.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United States patent US 7 604 581 (WILLIAMS) discloses an exercise device, comprising: an object having resilient properties so as to be deformable; and a hand-held frame having opposing handles for gripping by a user of the device, where said opposing handles are immovable with respect to each other during use, said frame having rigid spaced apart members adapted for squeezing therebetween said deformable object during use and during non-use by a user of the device and to contain said deformable object within said frame and prevent rotation of said deformable object, said hand-held frame constructed with a size and insert adapted to be grasped and held with said deformable object above a body of the user while lying in a supineposition so that said deformable object can be repeatedly moved up and down against the body of the user, and said handles each having a longitudinal axis, and the axes of said handles are located in a plane, and said plane intersects said deformable object, whereby the user can grip the handles and pull the deformable object against the body of the user.

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 474 062 (BOOTH et al) discloses an insert designed to be used in both physical training exercises and physical medical recovery (physiotherapy). This is comprised of a cylindrical outer-bag, within which a variable number of inner bags (a minimum of three 3), can be manually placed. The inner-bags contain a flowable substance. The outer-bag has at least two handles, which protrude both axially and circumferentially. The inner-bags do not have any handles.

Granted United States patent US 7 150 703 (GARY) discloses a method of performing an abdominal crunch exercise comprising the steps of: (a) placing an object on the anterior torso of a user while lying in a supine position, said object providing resistance to a compressive force; (b) engaging the object with the upper thighs and the arms of the user; and (c) contracting the abdominal muscles so as to attempt to compress the object between the upper thighs and the arms of the user.

Granted United States patent US 6 709 371 (WU) discloses a handy insert for exercising, comprising; a hollow body having a top handle and a convex bottom, said body being formed with a hand hole for a user to grip said handle; and wherein said handy insert has a fixed centre of gravity sufficiently low enough to enable said body to define a stable equilibrium position in which said handle is at an uppermost position and to enable said body to recover to said stable equilibrium position after being placed away from said position on a bearing surface.

United States patent application US 5 630 777 (GARREN et al) discloses an exercise block comprising; a unitary body fabricated from compressible material that returns to its original shape after being compressed; the unaary body including a front end wall, a rear end wall, opposite side walls a top wall and a bottom wall: pairs of spaced apart flexible hand straps attached to at least some of the walls; and an inner core also fabricated from compressible material that returns to its original shape after being compressed removably associated with the unitary body, both the unitary body and the removable inner core each having a different density, and at least one additional inner core having a similar shape but having a different density from the other inner core whereby the overall compressibility of the exercise block is changeable depending upon which one of the inner cores is associated with the unitary body.

In contrast the present invention provides a variable, comfortable but targeted exercise means well suited to women post-pregnancy.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a weightable exercise aid comprising; an outer casing formed of at least two parts, said parts capable of internally housing a plurality of weighted inserts.

The weightable exercise aid or exercise aid may be used for resistance training in particular for stomach muscles wherein the exercise aid in place on the stomach of a user and lifted by the user tensing and relaxing their stomach muscles.

The exercise aid may also be used as a free weight wherein it may be held in the user's hands and lifted in different directions and planes in order to engage different muscle groups.

Preferably the casing includes a hollow central container adapted to accept different weighted inserts or inserts. In typical embodiments the inserts are different sizes and/or shapes.

Further embodiments may use inserts that are standardised in shape and/or size however it may be envisaged in some embodiments that the user may choose to use third party or improvised weights or inserts and consequently the container may be adaptable for acceptance of a plurality of styles or shapes of inserts.

Ideally each part is hollow or contains a concave indentation, so as to provide balanced weighting, however in other preferred embodiments only one part may be hollow or indented so as to accept inserts, and the other part may be solid or weighted so as to provide base-level weighting for the exercise aid without inserts.

In preferred embodiments the exercise aid is pear-shaped wherein the casing is formed of two parts, an upper part and a lower part.

In preferred embodiments therefore the lower part may include an integrated insert so that the exercise aid is bottom heavy thus making it more stable when in use. The weight of the lower part is adjustable by accepting one or more of the insert& Preferably the lower part has a flat base so that the exercise aid can be placed on a surface and will remain stably in situ. Typically the upper part is rounded so as to have the appearance of a baby bump on a pregnant woman and further allow the exercise aid to be used to massage the user.

In other embodiments the exercise aid may be hemispherical, foetal or ovaloid, or other organic shape. In some preferred embodiments both of the parts may provide varying surface shapes, so as to provide variety in application of weight to a user Ideally at least one part is moulded to provide a stepped inner, so as to accept contiguous or cumulative inserts, wherein the number of inserts housed at any one time can be changed, so as to adjust the weight of the exercise aid. In preferred embodiments the inserts may be held in place by a detent mechanism, friction or tolerance fitting, or magnetic portions.

In such preferred embodiments weight -of each insert varies, typically incrementally, so that intensity of exercise carried out by the user can be adlusted by varying the number of inserts. Ideally each insert may be inserted and held in place or multiple inserts simultaneously.

Advantageously there may be a range of inserts forming a set so that weight of the exercise aid can be incrementally increased so as to increase the intensity of an exercise, wherein the maximum weight is achieved when all inserts are placed within the exercise aid. Said set may be provided with magnetic portions so as to enable attachment to one another, both within the exercise aid and without.

In further embodiments there may be alternative sets of inserts that have different weight ranges enabling progressive training, to result in heavier weights being supported or lifted by the user.

In preferred embodiments each insert is a predominantly flat and shaped according to the exercise aid, wherein preferred embodiments are pear shaped. Typically each step in the inner or inners is of equal depth to an insert the in order that each insert can only be filled into one position facilitating easy use.

Each insert may be provided in different colour/s so as to clearly distinguish between.

It is further envisaged that steps in the inner or inners to receive the insert or inserts may be colour coded appropriately making it quick and easy to make adjustments.

In preferred embodiments the inserts are developed to represent average baby weights from new born upwards, for example newborn -3.5kg, 3 months -5.5kg, 6 months -7.25kg and 9 months -8.25kg. This enables a new mother to be able to use a relevant insert instead of their child, for example if the child is sleeping, to carry out recommended exercises.

In some embodiments inserts may have moving internal features that change position dependent upon orientation. This movement may replicate organic weighting and in addition or the alternative makes the user's muscles work harder to stabilise the exercise aid.

In preferred embodiments both parts of the casing are joined by a clip or locking mechanism or other means of connection such as clamps, hooks, hook and loop attachment such as Velcro (Trade Mark) or detent mechanisms.

The pads may additionally or alternatively be hinged together.

In preferred embodiments the exercise aid includes at least one grip to assist the user to hold the device without the exercise aid slipping. In such embodiments the exercise aid preferably includes two grips opposingly positioned.

It is envisaged that the grips may also be used to assist with opening the casing, providing a visual indicator as to where it opens and helping the user to handle the aid when adjusting weighting and/or inserts.

In other embodiments the exercise aid may have a pair of handles that protrude from casing in a horizontal orientation enabling the device to be easily lifted and articulated by the user when in use.

The handles may be a bar or loop around which the user can place their hands.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the exercise aid and insert; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of the exploded view of the embodiment of the exercise aid and insert shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an end view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a second end view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a top view of the lower pad of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the lower part shown in Figure 7.

The pictured and preferred embodiment of the exercise aid provides an innovative baby weight designed to help women after childbirth or weight loss to tone abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.

The exercise aid is embodied to be user friendly, to feel and resemble a baby in the The baby weight would be designed to be bottom heavy and have soft padding surrounding it.

The product will come in a variety of sizes that are design to be the same weight as a baby from the weight of a newborn, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months.

The embodiment features rubber grips at either side and grips that are ergonomically shaped and comfortable to hold.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A weightable exercise aid comprising: an outer casing formed of at least two parts, said parts capable of internally housing a plurality of weighted inserts.
2. A weightable exercise aid according to claim 1 for use with a range of inserts forming a set so that weight of the weightable exercise aid can be incrementally increased.
3. A weightable exercise aid according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the insert is a predominantly flat and shaped according to the weightable exercise aid.
4. A weightable exercise aid according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein at least one part is moulded to provide a stepped inner, so as to accept contiguous or cumulative inserts.
5. A weightable exercise aid according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the inserts may be held in place by a detent mechanism.
6. A weightable exercise aid according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein inserts may be held in place by friction or tolerance lifting.
7. A weightable exercise aid according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein inserts may be held in place by magnetic portions.
8. A weightable exercise aid according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the parts includes a semi-spherical outer face or section.
9. A method of providing abdominal exercise to a post pregnancy woman according to any preceding claim or with reference to the figures.