GB2530266A

GB2530266A - An upper body exercise device

Info

Publication number: GB2530266A
Application number: GB1416338.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Alderman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-16
Filing date: 2014-09-16
Publication date: 2016-03-23
Also published as: GB201416338D0

Abstract

A device for exercise of the upper body having a base 10 containing rollers 12 configured to permit the base to roll in any direction on a surface. The device further contains an upper body 14 mounted on the base such that the upper body is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the base. A handle 18 is provided on and extending above the upper body. The grip 18 is adapted to support a portion of the body weight of a user. The device also has a brake 20 selectively operable to prevent the base from rolling movement relative to said surface. There may be three or more transfer bearings 12. The brake base plate (20, fig. 5) may extend or retract in relation to the wheels 12 in order to engage the surface and may further either project level with the rollers or extend past them so that only the base plate is in contact with the surface. The base plate has apertures (24, fig. 5) through which the bearings 12 may protrude and the braking mechanism may be activated by rotating the base plate in relation to the base so that a cam causes the base plate to move between its raised and lowered positions. A tapered bearing (30, fig. 5) and second coaxial bearing (32, fig. 5) may be located around the axis of rotation of the body relative to the base.

Description

An upper body exercise device

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for use in upper body exercise, in particular in doing press-up exercises.

Background

A number of prior art devices exist to enhance press-up exercise, including devices adapted to roll relative to the ground in one or multiple directions and devices that have a rotary movement of a handle about a base adapted not to move relative to the ground that allows rotation of the wrist as the body is lifted. It is a challenge in such exercises that a user sometimes wants to do both kinds of exercise, and exercises using rollable support devices need experience and strength to do correctly without risk of injury. The prior art devices do not provide controllable multifunction capability.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: W0201312843 discloses an omnidirectional exercise platform which includes a base member, a pad member and a plurality of ball transfer units. The pad member is coupled to a top surface of the base member. The plurality of ball transfer units is coupled to a bottom surface of the base member. An angular offset is provided between the plurality of ball transfer units to stabilize the omnidirectional exercise platform during use. The ball transfer units each comprise a hemispherical housing, a primary ball member and a plurality of secondary ball members disposed between an inner surface of the hemispherical housing and the primary ball member. The housing further includes an aperture located and sized to facilitate cleaning and maintenance procedures of the ball transfer unit. A handle is releasably coupled to the top surface of the base member to thereby provide a user with a variety of hand placement positions.

US20120295775 discloses: A dumbbell caster assembly comprises a first omnidirectional wheel assembly mechanically coupled to a grip. A second omnidirectional wheel assembly is mechanically coupled to the grip.

The above devices provide omindirectional movement, but does not comprise means to control or prevent that movement.

US20120083397 discloses: The present invention relates to an apparatus, method and system for a human individual to exercise his body in a novel manner wherein the user, when he is in the prone position, is able to move his arms, while holding the instant apparatus placed on a relatively flat surface, in all three planes of human motion simultaneously; i.e. saggital, frontal and transverse planes.

This device provides omnidirectional movement by means of ball rollers and proposes a brake assembly -however, no brake assembly is shown in the

disclosure.

US20120083396 discloses a portable set of exercise equipment that includes a pair of push-up units each having a base and a rotatable handle mounted on the base, a pair of kneepad units, and a pair of roller wheel units having a set of ball bearings around the periphery of the bottom surface thereof for allowing said roller wheel units to move in any direction on a floor, and an upwardly extending shaft for meeting with corresponding apertures in the face of said push-up units and said kneepad units for mounting either of such units on the roller wheel units for movement in an and direction on the floor. A pair of handle shafts is also provided each having a central gripping portion and extending mounting portions for mounting the bases of the push-up units on either end of one of the handle shafts and the kneepad units on either end of the other of the handle shafts for forming dumbbells.

W02010127337 discloses a method and system for performing linear and circular movement patterns. The method and the system include a limb-activated linearly and circularly moveable apparatus comprising a rotatable platform coupled to a slideable base. A limb gripping the apparatus can slide the apparatus across a surface while rotating the platform. The apparatus is designed to constantly realign the joints involved in the movements and without straining the joints of the body to maximize productivity and promote joint comfort.

The above two devices again comprise ball roller assemblies, but again do not have means such as a brake to constrain the movement CN201320369U discloses a push-up exercise machine, which comprises a handle, two supporting arms and a base, wherein two ends of the handle are respectively fixed to the upper ends of the two supporting arms, both the lower ends of the two supporting arms are fixed on the base, and a rolling device and a locking mechanism of the rolling device are arranged on the base. The push-up exercise machine is more in functions, wider in application and higher in enjoyment.

This device has wheels on the base and a brake mechanism to stop the wheels, but only has a single axis of wheel movement. Conventional brakes of this kind can not be applied to a multi-directional roller supported device.

Sum mary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a device for exercise of the upper body comprising a base comprising rollers configured to permit the base to roll in any direction on a surface; an upper body mounted on the base such that the upper body is rotatable relative to the base about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the base; a handle provided on and extending above the upper body, the handle being adapted to support a portion of the body weight of a user; and a brake selectively operable to prevent the base from rolling movement relative to said surface.

In use an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the base may also extend substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the base rests in use.

Herein the surface on which the device may rest is referred to as the ground and is assumed for discussion herein to be planar.

In some embodiments the rollers comprise three or more transfer bearings mounted on the underside of the base.

In some embodiments the brake comprises a brake member mounted on the base and having a friction surface that may be extended vertically relative to the base so as to project at least level with the rollers to engage the ground. In this way friction between the friction surface of the brake member and the ground will prevent the base from rolling on the rollers.

In some embodiments the device is configured such that the when the brake member is so extended the both the brake member and the rollers engage the ground, such that in use the weight of the device and a user is borne by both the rollers and the brake member.

In some embodiments the device is configured such that when the brake member is so extended it projects beyond the rollers such that in use the weight of the device and a user is borne by the brake member alone.

In some embodiments the brake member comprises a baseplate mounted on the underside of the base and comprising a apertures through which each transfer bearing may project, the baseplate being movable between a first raised position in which the transfer bearings project through the apertures beyond the lower surface of the baseplate and a second lowered position in which the transfer bearings do not so project.

In this way, in the lowered position the baseplate prevents the transfer bearings from touching the ground and so prevents the device from rolling. The weight of the device and when in use a user pressing on the device is supported by the baseplate.

When in the raised position the transfer bearings touch the ground and the weight is supported by the transfer bearings.

In some embodiments the device comprises a baseplate control operable to move the baseplate between the raised and lowered positions.

In some embodiments the device comprises a cam means operable to move the baseplate between the raised and lowered positions.

In some embodiments the baseplate control comprises a lever mounted on the base to drive a linear sliding cam mechanism comprising a linear cam acting between the baseplate and the base to raise and lower the baseplate in response to movement of the lever.

In some embodiments the device comprises a rotatable baseplate control mounted on the base to drive a rotary cam action mechanism comprising a rotary cam acting between the baseplate and the base to raise and lower the baseplate in response to rotation of the baseplate control.

In some embodiments the baseplate is itself rotatable about the axis relative to the base in order to drive the rotary cam action.

In some embodiments the baseplate is held in the raised position by a tension spring until the baseplate control is operated.

In some embodiments the device comprises a tapered bearing disposed around the axis of rotation of the body relative to the base to support the body on the base. In this way the tapered bearing provides adequate load carrying capacity to support the force exerted by a user's weight.

In some embodiments the device comprises a first and a second coaxially located bearings supporting the body on the base, one of the bearings being a tapered bearing.

In some embodiments the device comprises one or more of the following features: The lower surface of the baseplate comprises one or more of: regions of a high friction material such as rubber, friction feet mounted on the baseplate, a ridged region, or one or more projections, to resist it sliding on the ground when in the lowered position.

The baseplate control may be provided on the underside of the base, coaxial with the axis of rotation of the body with respect to the base.

The body and the base may be formed from moulded polymer material, and the handle may comprise a metal bar supported at both ends by a portion of the body moulding.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 5 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a cutaway isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 with the baseplate in the raised position such that the rollers project beyond the lower surface of the baseplate and the device is free to roll.

Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 6 with the baseplate in the lowered position such that the device rests on the lower surface of the baseplate.

Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1, with a handle bar grip rotatable about the axis of the handle.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to figures 1 to 8, an embodiment of a device according to the invention comprises: A base 10 comprising rollers 12 configured to permit the base to roll in any direction on a surface, An upper body 14 mounted on the base such that it may rotate relative to the base about an axis 16 substantially perpendicular to the base, A handle 18 provided on the upper body and extending above it, the handle being adapted to support a portion of the body weight of a user, and A brake selectively operable prevent the base from rolling movement relative to said surface.

In this embodiment the rollers comprise five transfer bearings 12 mounted on the underside of the base.

In this embodiment the brake comprises a brake member in the form of a baseplate 20 mounted on the base and having a friction surface 22 that may be extended vertically relative to the base so it projects beyond the transfer bearings 12 such that in use the weight of the device and a user is borne by the baseplate alone.

In this embodiment the baseplate 20 comprises apertures 24 through which each transfer bearing may project, the baseplate being movable between a first raised position as shown in figures 1 and 6 in which the transfer bearings 12 project through the apertures 24 beyond the lower surface 22 of the baseplate and a second lowered position in which the transfer bearings do not so project.

In this way, as shown in figure 7 in the lowered position the baseplate prevents the transfer bearings from touching the ground and so prevents the device from rolling.

The weight of the device and when in use a user pressing on the device is supported by the baseplate. When in the raised position as shown in figure 6 the transfer bearings may touch the ground and the weight is supported by the transfer bearings.

In this embodiment the baseplate is rotatable about the axis 16 to move between the raised position as shown in figure 6 and the lowered position as shown in figure 7, rotation of the baseplate driving a rotary cam action mechanism comprising a rotational cam 26 acting between the baseplate and the base to raise and lower the baseplate in response to rotation of the baseplate control.

In this embodiment the baseplate is held in the raised position by a tension spring 28 until the baseplate control is operated.

In this embodiment the device comprises a tapered bearing 30 disposed around the axis of rotation 16 of the body relative to the base to support the body on the base.

In this way the tapered bearing provides adequate load carrying capacity to support the force exerted by a user's weight.

In this embodiment the device comprises a second bearing 32 coaxially located with the first, tapered bearing 30. In this way the embodiment provides load bearing capability and ready rotation of the body relative to the base.

Referring particularly to figures 5 to 7, the embodiment comprises the following features: A body moulding 40 and a rim moulding 42 together forming the shell of the body 14, having a domed profile with a recess 50 aligned diametrically in its upper surface to provide a space below a handle supported by the body moulding, comprising an inner metal handle bar 44 and an outer grip material 46, for example formed from an elastomer, optionally over-moulded on the metal bar. The handle bar 44 is mounted in recesses or apertures 48 in the body moulding.

The body moulding 40 is supported on an insert component 54 adapted to locate the bearings 30 and 32 and located on the body moulding by means of location feature 52. The insert component may be formed from metal, and comprises a hollow inner shaft 56 around the outer surface of which the tapered bearing 30 is mounted.

The base comprises a base moulding 64 having a central raised bearing support feature 66 having an upward facing recess having an upward facing surface 68 to support the tapered bearing 30 and a central aperture 70 to receive the shaft 56.

When assembled the shaft 56 passes through aperture 70 and below the aperture the second bearing 32 is located around the shaft. The lower end of the shaft has an external screw thread and the bearings are held in place, and the base fixed to the body, by means of lock nut 62 on the screw thread. Five transfer bearings 12 are mounted on the base moulding 64 in mounting features 72.

Within the shaft the tension spring 28 is attached to the body by means of attachment 58, and to the baseplate 20 by means of attachment 60. The baseplate 20 comprises apertures 24 through which the bearings 12 may project and rotary cams 26 having a ramped surface. The baseplate is held in place by means of retaining component 74.

The operation of the brake in the form of the rotatable baseplate 20 is as follows. In the first, raised position as shown in figure 6 the baseplate is held in position by the spring 28 with rim projections 76 within the recesses 78 in the base moulding. The device is adapted such that the baseplate may rotate relative to the base moulding, the cam surface 80 on the rotary cam 26 bearing against a support feature 82 on the base moulding so as to force the baseplate downwards against the tension of the spring, to reach the second, lowered position as shown in figure 7. The device comprises a plurality of cams 26 such that the body and the weight of a user is supported in use by the support features 82 and a flat portion of the cam surface 80.

The baseplate may be formed from moulded polymer, or may be formed from a metal. The cams 26 and the support features 82 may be formed from metal to give a robust support for the body.

Referring to figure 8, in some versions of this embodiment the handle 18 is adapted to have a rotation capability about its axis. The handle 18 comprises a metal support bar 44, a sleeve 90 that is a rotating fit to the bar 44 and a polymer grip 46 fixed to the sleeve 90.

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. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the pads 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, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. 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 as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for exercise of the upper body comprising a base comprising rollers configured to permit the base to roll in any direction on a surface; an upper body mounted on the base such that the upper body is rotatable relative to the base about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the base; a handle provided on and extending above the upper body, the handle being adapted to support a portion of the body weight of a user; and a brake selectively operable to prevent the base from rolling movement relative to said surface.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the rollers comprise three or more transfer bearings mounted on the underside of the base.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the brake comprises a brake member mounted on the base and having a friction surface extending vertically relative to the base so as to project at least level with the rollers to engage the ground.
4. A device according to claim 3 configured such that the when the brake member is so extended both the brake member and the rollers engage the ground, such that in use the weight of the device and a user is borne by both the rollers and the brake member.
5. A device according to claim 3 configured such that when the brake member is so extended it projects beyond the rollers such that in use the weight of the device and a user is borne by the brake member alone.
6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the brake member comprises a baseplate mounted on the underside of the base and comprising apertures through which each transfer bearing may project, the baseplate being movable between a first raised position in which the transfer bearings project through the apertures beyond the lower surface of the baseplate and a second lowered position in which the transfer bearings do not so project.
7. A device according to claim 6 comprising a baseplate control operable to move the baseplate between the raised and lowered positions.
8. A device according to claim 6 or claim 7 comprising a cam means operable to move the baseplate between the raised and lowered positions.
9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the baseplate is rotatable to operate a rotary cam acting between the baseplate and the base to move the baseplate between the raised and lowered positions.
10. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a tapered bearing disposed around the axis of rotation of the body relative to the base to support the body on the base.
11. A device according to claim 10 comprising a second bearing coaxially located with a tapered bearing.