GB2543735A

GB2543735A - Exercising apparatus and method of exercising

Info

Publication number: GB2543735A
Application number: GB1515905.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mcnaughton David
Original assignee: Ergo Fitness Ltd
Current assignee: Ergo Fitness Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-08
Filing date: 2015-09-08
Publication date: 2017-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-08
Also published as: GB201515905D0; GB2543735B

Abstract

Exercising apparatus 10 having first and second opposed hand grips 26 which each have a gripping axis G that coincides with the gripping axis of a user's clasped hand. An arcuate spacing member 12 extends between the first and second opposed hand grips and which has a central region 13 flanked by two end regions 15, 17. The first and second hand grips are positioned toward each end region and extend inwardly. The hand grips are angled such that the respective gripping axes of each hand grip extend toward the central region of the arcuate spacing member and intersect at angle alpha. The end regions of the arcuate member may comprise a weighted resistance member, which may be a removable weight in the form of a weighted plate. The apparatus may have gripping surfaces comprising an outer grip 24 and an inner grip 22.

Description

EXERCISING APPARATUS AND A METHOD OF EXERCISING

The present invention relates to exercising apparatus, particularly, but not exclusively, exercising apparatus of the type found in gymnasiums, domestic homes and swimming pools. A number of inertia based exercises which deliberately create added dynamic resistance to a user’s movements during exercise are known and widely performed. These often involve the use of universal weighted accessories such as dumb bells, kettle bells, sand bags, medicine balls etc. which can be used in other inertia based exercises; however, a problem with using such universal equipment is that it is often ill-suited to being grasped by the user and can result in strains or other injuries which could be otherwise avoidable.

One type of exercise device which removes some of the disadvantages of universal weighted accessories is described in United States Patent No. 5, 248, 587; however, this product is designed to be placed only around the user's back in order to improve technique and efficacy of abdominal and oblique muscle exercises by locking the relative position of portions of the user's upper torso and, as such, the range and diversity of movements available to a user using this device is greatly restricted.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided exercising apparatus comprising:- first and second opposed hand grips each having a gripping axis which substantially coincides with a gripping axis of a user's clasped hand in order to allow the user to comfortably grip the apparatus during exercise; and an arcuate spacing member which extends between the first and second opposed hand grips, the length of the arcuate spacing member having a central region flanked by two end regions, the first and second hand grips being positioned toward and extending inwardly from either end region of the arcuate spacing member, and wherein the hand grips are angled with respect to the end regions of the arcuate member such that the respective gripping axes of each hand grip extend toward the central region of the arcuate spacing member such that said axes intersect one another at an angle a to allow a user to grip the apparatus and move it against its inertia during an exercising movement.

The angular nature of the first and second hand grips defined above allows for a user to adjust the width of their grip whilst also allowing the bar to be rotated and used in the opposing sense to increase the range of exercises available.

The end regions of the arcuate spacing member may comprise a weighted resistance member which creates additional inertia and hence additional resistance to movement of the apparatus by the user during an exercising movement.

As well as facilitating removal and adjustment, positioning the weighted resistance members at the end regions of the apparatus provides better weight distribution on the apparatus which in turn provides a better feel to the user when using the apparatus since the majority of weight is situated as close to the user’s hands as possible. For instance, the apparatus centre of gravity will be substantially aligned with the handles meaning that the apparatus does not tend to rotate in the vertical plane when held horizontally by a user. Furthermore, placing the weighted resistance members at the end regions of the apparatus creates a preferred distribution of mechanical leverage which results in a more favourable weight to rotational and translational inertia ratio.

Each end region of the arcuate spacing member may also comprise at least a removable weight which allows the inertia and hence the resistance to movement of the apparatus during an exercising movement to be increased by adding the or each removable weight, or decreased by removing the or each removable weight. Adding said weights at the ends of the arcuate spacing member has the advantage of retaining a fixed location for the apparatus centre of gravity regardless of any increase or decrease in weight selected.

The weighted resistance member may comprise a first weighted plate and a pair of additional removable weights which are removably attached to the first weighted plate.

When the pair of additional weighted plates are attached to the apparatus, the first weighted plate may be clamped between the second and third weighted plates in order to maintain the apparatus centre of gravity whether the second and third weighted plates are attached to the apparatus or not.

The first weighted plate may comprise a substantially crescent shaped member having a first anchor point at one end, the first anchor point being adapted to attach to an end of the arcuate spacing member, and a second anchor point at the other end, the second anchor point being adapted to attach to an end of a hand grip.

The first and second anchor points are positioned such that the angle a at which the axes of the hand grips intersect one another is between 20° and 120°.

Secondary gripping surfaces may be provided at either end of the arcuate spacing member adjacent the grip members in order to provide an alternative location for a user to grip the apparatus.

The secondary gripping surfaces may comprise a resilient covering moulded over the ends of the arcuate member and the crescent shaped member.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which:-

Fig. 1 is front view illustration of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded illustration of the component parts of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is schematic front view illustration of a user performing a combined shoulder press with rotation exercise using the apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 5 is schematic transverse illustration of a user performing a combined triceps and biceps curl exercise using the apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 6A and 6B are respective schematic front and transverse view illustrations of a user performing a combined abdominal curl and back extension exercise using the apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a schematic front view illustration of a user performing a straight shoulder press exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of a user performing an abdominal down thrust exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Figs. 9A and 9B are respective schematic front and transverse illustrations of a user performing an overhead exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a schematic front view illustration of a user performing a diagonal twist exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a schematic front view illustration of a user performing a forward step squat exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a schematic illustration of a user performing a combined triceps and forward step exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Figs. 13A and 13B are respective front and transverse schematic illustrations of a user performing a rear triceps thrust exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a schematic transverse illustration of a user performing a combined abdominal and leg extension exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 15 is a schematic transverse illustration of a user performing a combined abdominal and arms exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 16 is a schematic front view illustration of a user performing a diagonal scythe exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 17 is a schematic transverse illustration of a user performing a leg and arm extension exercise using the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 18 is a schematic front view illustration of a user performing a 360 degree overhead rotation exercise using the apparatus of the present invention; and

Fig. 19 is a schematic transverse illustration of a user performing a single leg full body extension exercise using the apparatus of the present invention.

With particular reference to Figs. 1 to 3, exercising apparatus generally designated 10 comprises an arcuate spacing member or bar 12 having a left hand end furl 14 attached at one end of the bar 12 and a right hand end furl 16 attached at the other end of the bar 12.

The bar 12 is shaped and dimensioned to allow the apparatus to readily pass over and around various parts of the user e.g. around the user’s head or waist etc. whilst being used in the various exercises illustrated in Figs. 4 to 19.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the spacing bar comprises a core member 18 formed of a suitably robust and resilient material (such as e.g. metallic or hardened plastic) and a resilient outer sheathing 20 which facilitates gripping of the bar whilst protecting the bar from damage and protecting the user from being injured by the bar 12. End caps 21 and 23 are also provided to secure the sheathing 20 in place on the core member 18.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the length of the bar 12 is conceptually divided into a central region 13 which is flanked on either side by two end regions 15 and 17.

Each end furl 14,16 comprises a rubberised outer grip 22 and a corresponding rubberised inner grip 24 which are each ergonomically shaped to the contour of a user’s hand such that a user may comfortably grip the outer or inner edges of the end furls 14, 16. An additional thumb grip insert 37, 39 is also provided on either end furl 14,16 primarily for use by the user when holding the apparatus at its extreme ends.

An inner left hand grip 26 and a corresponding inner right hand grip 28 project inwardly from the end furls 14,16. Each of the inner hand grips 26,28 have a longitudinal gripping axis G which is angled with respect to the end furls 14,16 such that the gripping axis G of each hand grip extends towards the central region 13 of the bar 12 and intersect one another at an angle a.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, like the bar 12, the hand grips 26,28 each have a core member 30, 32 which is formed of a suitably robust and resilient material [such as e.g. metallic or hardened plastic) and a resilient outer sheathing 34, 36 which provides a comfortable and secure grip for the user’s left and right hands. End caps 38 and 40 are also provided to secure the sheathing 34, 36 of each hand grip in place on the core member 30, 32.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the rubberised outer grips comprise four parts which are assembled together during construction of the apparatus 10, the parts comprising a first half body 22A which is mated with a second half body 22B, a first gripping surface 22C which is attached to the half body 22A and a second gripping surface 22D which is attached to the half body 22B.

Left and right hand crescent shaped furl members 40,42 are located at either end of the bar 12 and each have a bar spigot 44, 46 and a handle spigot 48, 50 projecting upwardly therefrom to provide an anchor point to which the inner core of bar 18 and handle grips 30, 32 are attached. The relative positioning of each bar spigot with respective to each handle spigot is such that the longitudinal [gripping) axes of the two handle members 26, 28 converge on one another at an angle a which in the present embodiment is approximately 40°; however, this angle could reasonably be anywhere in the region of e.g. 20 to 120°.

The end furls 14,16 co-act to define an inertia zone, generally designated Z in Fig. 1, which is delimited at its upper end by the tops of the end furls 14 and 16 (as indicated by dashed line Z1 in Fig. 1) and at its lower end by the bottoms of the end furls 14 and 16 (as indicated by dashed line Z2 in Fig. 1).

The resulting orientation and alignment of the user’s hands resulting from the angled nature of the handle members 26, 28 has the effect of maximising the user’s ability to resist the inertia of the apparatus during exercise in view of the human body’s inherent musculoskeletal attributes. Furthermore, this angled arrangement allows the user’s head and legs to pass between the gap between the handle members when desired.

Optional weighted resistance members in the form of weighted plates 52, 54 may be provided on each face of the crescent shaped furl members 40, 42. Providing these weighted resistance members at the ends of the apparatus results in the apparatus centre of gravity lying within the inertia zone Z which prevents the apparatus from unintentionally rotating out of plane when being held by a user during exercise.

In the illustrated embodiment the components of the apparatus 10 are secured to one another by sets of threaded screws 56; however, this could alternatively be achieved by any alternative securing means / methodology such as for example, rivets, bolts, welded seams etc.

In use, the user or owner (which may be a gymnasium or other fitness training established etc.) may wish to select a high, medium or low level of resistance to movement and hence a high, medium or low intensity workout depending upon a user’s physical abilities, exercises undertaken and desired objectives. This can be achieved by unscrewing the screws securing the end furls together, either removing both or one of the weighted plates 52, 54 from each end of the bar 12 and then reassembling the end furls. If the user chooses to remove all four plates 52, 54 the apparatus 10 will have a relatively low inherent inertia meaning that it will create a correspondingly low level of resistance to movement during exercise.

If the user chooses to remove only two of the plates 52, 54 the apparatus 10 will have a medium inherent inertia meaning that it will create a correspondingly medium level of resistance to movement during exercise.

If the user chooses to leave all four plates 52, 54 attached to the apparatus 10 it will have a relatively high level of inherent inertia meaning that it will create a correspondingly high level of resistance to movement during exercise.

Adhesive stickers, a rotating dial, sliding switch, interchangeable colour coded panels or other indicators may be provided on the apparatus 10 in order to allow a user to visually determine whether the apparatus 10 is set up to provide a low, medium or high level of resistance to movement during an exercise routine.

Once the user has selected the desired level of resistance to movement or [in the case of a gymnasium) has selected the apparatus with the desired setup from an array of apparatus having alternative setups, they may grip the apparatus ready for commencing exercise.

With reference to Fig. 1, when a user grips the apparatus 10 he has the option of gripping it in a variety of places and in a variety of orientations. This choice of gripping location derives from the angled nature of the handles 26, 28 since this allows the user to comfortably grip these with either the bar portion directed away from the user’s torso, behind the user’s torso or over the user’s head etc. This flexibility in desired gripping position is due to the ergonomic angling of the handles 26, 28 which work in concert with the user’s joints and limbs to provide maximum comfort and flexibility during exercise. For example, the pronation and supination abilities of a user’s forearm and associated bones and joints are all well accommodated by the angle a present between the handles 26, 28. Indeed, this coupled with the fact that the apparatus 10 may also be gripped by the user by its bar 12 allows a great number and diversity of exercises to be performed which would otherwise require the user to make use of a different piece of equipment and / or change their grip during the exercise routine.

The apparatus 10 may therefore be used in several different exercises and a non-exhaustive list of example exercises is illustrated in Figs. 14 to 19.

The present invention therefore provides exercising apparatus which can be used to perform numerous exercises at the desired intensity level in a multitude of environments including e.g. a gymnasium fitness class or at home. In addition, the apparatus is well suited to being used in swimming pools during submerged or semi-submerged exercise routines.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims.

It is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Exercising apparatus comprising: - first and second opposed hand grips each having a gripping axis which substantially coincides with a gripping axis of a user’s clasped hand in order to allow the user to comfortably grip the apparatus during exercise; and an arcuate spacing member which extends between the first and second opposed hand grips, the length of the arcuate spacing member having a central region flanked by two end regions, the first and second hand grips being positioned toward and extending inwardly from either end region of the arcuate spacing member, and wherein the hand grips are angled with respect to the end regions of the arcuate member such that the respective gripping axes of each hand grip extend toward the central region of the arcuate spacing member such that said axes intersect one another at an angle a to allow a user to grip the apparatus and move it against its inertia during an exercising movement.

2. Exercising apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the end regions of the arcuate spacing member comprise a weighted resistance member which creates additional inertia and hence additional resistance to movement of the apparatus by the user during an exercising movement.

3. Exercising apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the end regions define an inertia zone therebetween and wherein the weighted resistance members are positioned such that the resultant centre of gravity of the apparatus is located within the inertia zone of the apparatus.

4. Exercising apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each end region of the arcuate spacing member comprises at least a removable weight which allows the inertia and hence the resistance to movement of the apparatus during an exercising movement to be increased by adding the or each removable weight or decreased by removing the or each removable weight.

5. Exercising apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the weighted resistance member comprises a first weighted plate and wherein a pair of additional removable weights are removably attached to the first weighted plate.

6. Exercising apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the pair of additional weighted plates are attached to the apparatus, the first weighted plate is clamped between the second and third weighted plates in order to maintain the apparatus centre of gravity whether the second and third weighted plates are attached to the apparatus or not.

7. Exercising apparatus according to either of claims 5 or 6, wherein the first weighted plate comprises a substantially crescent shaped member having a first anchor point at one end, the first anchor point being adapted to attach to an end of the arcuate spacing member, and a second anchor point at the other end, the second anchor point being adapted to attach to an end of a hand grip.

8. Exercising apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first and second anchor points are positioned such that the angle a at which the axes of the hand grips intersect one another is between 20° and 120°.

9. Exercising apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first and second anchor points are positioned such that the angle a at which the axes of the hand grips intersect one another is around 40°.

10. Exercising apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein secondary gripping surfaces are provided at either end of the arcuate spacing member adjacent the grip members in order to provide an alternative location for a user to grip the apparatus.

11. Exercising apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the secondary gripping surfaces comprise a resilient covering moulded over the ends of the arcuate member and the crescent shaped member.

12. A method of exercising with apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is rotated, tilted, pivoted or swung relative to a user’s body such that the inertia and momentum of the apparatus resists said movement and thereby creates and exercising effect on the user.

13. Exercising apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, or as illustrated in any of Figs. 1 to 3.

14. A method of exercising substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, or as illustrated in any of Figs. 4 to 19.