GB2607044A

GB2607044A - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2607044A
Application number: GB2107485.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Goldwin Gowyn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-05-26
Filing date: 2021-05-26
Publication date: 2022-11-30
Also published as: GB202107485D0

Abstract

An exercise apparatus comprises a housing 10 enclosing an interior space and having an opening 12 which provides access to the interior space from the exterior of the housing, there being a resistance arrangement provided in the interior space of the housing. The resistance arrangement comprises a spring 16 having a first end 16a which is secured to the housing and a second end 16b. A first pulley 18 is secured to the housing and a second pulley 20 is secured to the second end 16b of the spring 16. A cable 22 having a first end 22’ and a second end 22’’ extends around the first pulley 18, around the second pulley 20 and through the opening 12 to the exterior of the housing. Also disclosed is a glove with an anchor to which the second end of the cable may be attached.

Description

EXERCISE APPARATUS

The present disclosure relates to an exercise apparatus, and particularly an exercise apparatus which can worn by the user or mounted on an item of furniture, and used by a user to carry out a range of resistance excises.

BACKGROUND

It is known to use resistance exercise equipment for strength training, conditioning and muscle building. Resistance exercise equipment comes in many forms from free weights and elastomeric resistance bands to large fixed exercise machines with weights which are lifted by a user using a cable and pulley arrangement. It is also io know to incorporate resistance exercise equipment into a wearable gym in order to provide a more portable solution.

Publications which may be useful to understand the background include US2018/0021624W02013/184803, US 9,609,501, US 5,792,034 andUS20070219074.

is The present disclosure relates to a new form of portable resistance exercise apparatus which may be worn by a user, or mounted on an item of furniture such as a chair or bed.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide an exercise apparatus having a housing enclosing an interior space and having an opening which provides access to the interior space from the exterior of the housing, there being a resistance arrangement provided in the interior space of the housing, the resistance arrangement comprising a spring having a first end which is secured to the housing and a second end, a first pulley which is secured to the housing, a second pulley which is secured to the second end of the spring, and a cable having a first end and a second end, the cable extending around the first pulley, around the second pulley and through the opening to the exterior of the housing.

The second end of the cable may be located at the exterior of the housing. A handle may be attached to the second end of the cable A glove may be attached to the second end of the cable by means of an anchor secured to the glove.

Alternatively, the second end of the cable may be provided with a connector, and the apparatus may include an external cable which is secured to the connector.

A stop may be mounted on the cable at or adjacent to the second end of the cable, the stop being bigger than the opening, and thereby preventing the second end of the cable from being pulled by the resistance arrangement into the interior of the housing.

The first end of the cable may be secured to the second end of the spring.

Alternatively, the housing may be provided with a first opening and a second opening, the cable extending through the first opening so that the first end of the cable is located at the exterior of the housing, and through the second opening so that the second end of the cable is located at the exterior of the housing. In the latter case, a stop may be mounted on the cable at or adjacent to the first end of the cable, the stop being bigger than the opening, and thereby preventing the first end of the cable from being pulled by the resistance arrangement into the interior of the housing.

The spring may be a tension spring. The spring may be a coil spring. Alternatively, the spring may be a gas spring.

The resistance arrangement may comprise a plurality of pulleys which are secured to the housing, the cable extending around each of the pulleys from one pulley which is secured to the housing to a pulley which is secured to the second end of the spring and then back to another of the pulleys which is secured to the housing. In this case, the plurality of pulleys may be arranged in a block so that they rotate about a common axis of rotation.

The resistance arrangement may comprise a plurality of pulleys which are secured to the second end of the spring, the cable extending around each of the pulleys from one pulley which is secured to the second end of the spring to a pulley which is secured to the housing and then back to another of the pulleys which is secured to the second end of the spring. In this case, the plurality of pulleys may be arranged in a blocks so that the pulleys in each block rotate about a common axis of rotation.

The exercise apparatus may comprise a plurality of resistance arrangements located in the interior of the housing. In this case, the housing may be provided with an opening or pair of openings for each resistance arrangement so that the cable associated with each resistance arrangement extends through a different opening or openings to the cable associated with each other resistance arrangement. In this case, the housing may have two generally parallel sides, the opening or openings associated with one of the resistance arrangements being provided in one of the said sides, and the opening or openings associated with another of the resistance arrangements being provided in the other of the said sides.

The exercise apparatus may comprise four resistance arrangements located in the interior of the housing, and the housing may have two pairs of parallel sides, there being an opening or openings in each of the said sides, the cable associated with each of the four resistance arrangements extending through one or more openings in a different side of the housing to the cable associated with any of the other resistance arrangements.

The exercise apparatus may comprise a wearable support configured to be worn by a user, the housing being secured to the wearable support so that, in use, the housing is secured to the back of the user.

The wearable support may comprise a harness or vest.

The exercise apparatus could be provided with one or more electrical generators which use the rotation of one or more of the pulleys in the resistance arrangements to generate electricity.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a connector glove comprising at least one anchor to which a cable may be attached.

The glove may be provided with an anchor at one or more of the following locations: the thumb side of the hand, the centre of the back of the hand, and the little finger side of the hand.

The or each anchor may comprise a hook.

The or each anchor may further be provided with a catch which is operable to engage with the hook so that the hook and catch together form a closed loop. Each catch may be connected to the one of the fingers of the glove by means of a wire which is secured at a first end to a finger of the glove and at a second end to the catch, so that the catch is moveable into engagement with the hook by movement of the users finger into an engaged position.

A spring may be provided to urge the catch out of engagement with the hook when 5 the users finger is moved out of the engaged position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached drawings, of which Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of housing and resistance io arrangement of an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of housing and resistance arrangement of an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a further alternative embodiment of housing and resistance arrangement of an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a further alternative embodiment of housing and resistance arrangement of an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a further alternative embodiment of housing and resistance arrangement of an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a further alternative embodiment of housing and resistance arrangement of an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a further alternative embodiment of housing and resistance arrangement of an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a further alternative embodiment of housing and resistance arrangement of an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the embodiment of housing and 5 resistance arrangement illustrated in Figure 7, Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of a side view of the embodiment of housing and resistance arrangement illustrated in Figure 8, Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of a further alternative embodiment of housing and resistance arrangement of an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of a further alternative embodiment of housing and resistance arrangement of an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, Figure 13 is an illustration of one way in which the exercise apparatus according to is the first aspect of the invention may be used, Figure 14 is an illustration of an alternative way in which the exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention may be used, Figure 15 is an illustration of how an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention may be mounted on a bed, Figures 16a and 16b are illustrations of a user wearing an exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention mounted on a harness, Figure 16a showing the user's front, and Figure 16b showing the user's back, Figure 17 is an illustration of a user carrying out squats using the exercise apparatus and harness illustrated in Figures 16a and 16b, Figure 18 is an illustration of a connector glove according to the second aspect of the invention, and Figure 19 is an illustration of a side view of an anchor suitable for use with the connector glove illustrated in Figure 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description may use terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "lateral", "back and forth", "up and down", "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "forward", "rear", etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader's convenience only and shall not be limiting.

Referring now to Figures 1 -10 these show a housing 10 enclosing an interior space 10a and having an opening 12 which provides access to the interior space 10a from the exterior of the housing 10. A resistance arrangement 14 is provided in io the interior space 10a of the housing 10, the resistance arrangement 14 comprising a spring 16 having a first end 16a which is secured to the housing 10 and a second end 16b, a first pulley 18 which is secured to the housing 10, a second pulley 20 which is secured to the second end 16b of the spring 16. The resistance arrangement 14 further comprises a cable 22 having a first end 22' and a second end 22", the cable 22 extending around the first pulley 18, around the second pulley 20 and through the opening 12 to the exterior of the housing 10. In these embodiments, the cable extends through the opening so that the second end 22" of the cable 22 is located at the exterior of the housing.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 7 and 9, the first end 22' of the cable 20 22 is secured to the second end 16b of the spring 16.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, the housing is provided with a first opening 12' and a second opening 12, and the cable 22 extends through the first opening 12' so that the first end 22' of the cable 22 is located at the exterior of the housing 10, and through the second opening 12 so that the second end 22" of the cable 22 is located at the exterior of the housing 10. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, the two openings 12, 12' are provided in the same side of the housing 10, but this need not be the case. The openings could be provided in different sides of the housing, as in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, in which the openings 12, 12' are provided opposite sides of the housing 10.

In order to prevent the cable 22 from being pulled by the resistance arrangement 14 into the interior of the housing 10, a stop 24 may be mounted on the or each portion of the cable 22 at the exterior of the housing 10, as illustrated in Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10. The stop 24 is bigger than the opening 12, 12' through which that portion of the cable 22 extends, and therefore cannot pass through the opening 12, 12' into the interior 10a of the housing 10.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, where both ends of the cable extend to the exterior of the housing 10, two stops 24 are provided on each cable 22 -one adjacent the first end 22' of the cable 22, and one adjacent the second end 22" of the cable 22. It will be appreciated that if desired, a stop 24 could be mounted on the cable 22 adjacent to the second end 22" of the cable 22, in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 7, and 9.

The spring 16 is a tension spring, and in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 - 9 is a coil spring. It will be appreciated, however, that this need not be the case, and the spring 16 could be any other suitable configuration of spring. It could, for example, be a gas spring, or simply an elongate elastomeric element such as a rubber band.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 -9, the resistance arrangement 14 comprises a plurality of pulleys 18, 18', 18", 18" which are secured to the housing 10, and a plurality of pulleys 20, 20', 20", 20" which are secured to the second end 16b of the spring 16. The cable 22 extends around each of the pulleys 18, 18', 18", 18", 20, 20', 20" from one pulley 18, 18', 18", 18" which is secured to the housing 10 to a pulley 20, 20', 20" which is secured to the second end 16b of the spring 16 and then back to another of the pulleys 18, 18', 18", 18" which is secured to the housing 10.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1, 5, 7 and 9, there are three pulleys 18, 18', 18" secured to the housing 10, and three pulleys 20, 20' 20" secured to the first end of the spring 16. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 6 and 8, the first end of the cable 22a is secured to the second end 16b of the spring 16. The cable then extends around a first one of the pulleys 18 secured to the housing 10, around a first one of the pulleys 20 secured to the spring 16, around a second one of the pulleys 18' secured to the housing 10, around a second one of the pulleys 20' secured to the spring 16, around a third one of the pulleys 18" secured to the housing 10, around a third one of the pulleys 20" secured to the spring 16, and then through the opening 12 to the exterior of the housing 10. The opening 12 is located in the same side of the housing 10 to which the pulleys 18, 18', 18" are secured.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the first end of the cable 22a is located at the exterior of the housing 10. The cable then passes into the interior 10a of the housing 10 via the first opening 12', extends around a first one of the pulleys 20 secured to the spring 16, around a first one of the pulleys 18 secured to the housing 10, around a second one of the pulleys 20' secured to the spring 16, around a second one of the pulleys 18' secured to the housing 10, around a third one of the pulleys 20" secured to the spring 16, around a third one of the pulleys 18" secured to the housing 10, and then through the second opening 12 to the exterior of the housing 10. The first opening 12' is located in the same side of the housing 10 to io which the pulleys 18, 18', 18" are secured, whilst the second opening 12 is located in the opposite side.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2, Band 10, there are two pulleys 18, 18" secured to the housing 10, and three pulleys 20, 20' 20" secured to the first end of the spring 16. The first end of the cable 22a is located at the exterior of the housing 10. The cable then passes into the interior 10a of the housing 10 via the first opening 12', extends around a first one of the pulleys 20 secured to the spring 16, around a first one of the pulleys 18 secured to the housing 10, around a second one of the pulleys 20' secured to the spring 16, around a second one of the pulleys 18' secured to the housing 10, around a third one of the pulleys 20" secured to the spring 16, and then through the second opening 12 to the exterior of the housing 10. The openings 12, 12' are located in the same side of the housing 10 to which the pulleys 18, 18', 18" are secured.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, there are four pulleys 18, 18', 18", 18" secured to the housing 10, and three pulleys 20, 20' 20" secured to the first end 25 of the spring 16.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the first end 22' of the cable 22 is secured to the second end 16b of the spring 16. The cable then extends around a first one of the pulleys 18 secured to the housing 10, around a first one of the pulleys 20 secured to the spring 16, around a second one of the pulleys 18' secured to the housing 10, around a second one of the pulleys 20' secured to the spring 16, around a third one of the pulleys 18" secured to the housing 10, around a third one of the pulleys 20" secured to the spring 16, around a fourth one of the pulleys 18" secured to the housing 10, and then through the opening 12 to the exterior of the housing 10.

The opening 12 is located in the opposite side of the housing 10 to which the pulleys 18, 18', 18" are secured.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the first end of the cable 22a is located at the exterior of the housing 10. The cable then passes into the interior 10a of the 5 housing 10 via the first opening 12', extends around a first one of the pulleys 18 secured to the housing 10, around a first one of the pulleys 20 secured to the spring 16, around a second one of the pulleys 18' secured to the housing 10, around a second one of the pulleys 20' secured to the spring 16, around a third one of the pulleys 18" secured to the housing 10, around a third one of the pulleys 20" secured to the spring 16, around a fourth one of the pulleys 18" secured to the housing 10, and then through the second opening 12 to the exterior of the housing 10. The openings 12, 12' is located in the opposite side of the housing 10 to which the pulleys 18, 18', 18" are secured.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the number of pulleys in 15 these embodiments, and more or fewer pulleys may be provided, for reasons which will be described in more detail below.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 -6, the pulleys 18, 18', 18", 18", 20, 20', 20" are secured separately to the housing 10, and arranged in a row such that the axis of rotation of each pulley 18, 18', 18", 18", 20, 20', 20" is generally parallel to, but spaced from the axis of rotation of the other pulleys 18, 18', 18", 18-, 20, 20', 20". The plurality of pulleys 18, 18', 18", 18", 20, 20', 20" may, however, be arranged in blocks so that they rotate about a common axis of rotation, with the pulleys 18, 18', 18", 18" secured the housing 10 arranged in one block, and the pulleys 20, 20' 20" secured to the spring 16 arranged in another block. This is the case with the pulleys in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 7-10. Figures 9 and 10 show the side views of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 respectively, and, as such, in these figures, only the first one of the pulleys 18 secured to the housing 10, and the first one of the pulleys 20 secured to the spring 16 are visible.

It will be appreciated that the use of pulley blocks is not restricted to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 7-10, and any number of pulleys could be provided in each block.

A guide may be mounted on the housing 10 adjacent to one or more of the openings to ensure that the cable passes through the opening without contacting or catching on the housing at the edge of the opening.

The guide could be a pair of rollers 26, which could be mounted in the interior 10a of the housing 10, one on either side of the opening 12, 12' as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. A guide or guide could equally be provided in any of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 3 -10. Additionally or alternatively, the guide or guide could equally be mounted at the exterior of the housing 10.

The exercise apparatus may comprise a plurality of resistance arrangements io located in the interior of the housing. In this case, the housing may be provided an opening or pair of openings for each resistance arrangement so that the cable associated with each resistance arrangement extends through a different opening or openings to the cable associated with each other resistance arrangement. The housing may have two generally parallel sides, the opening or openings associated with one of the resistance arrangements being provided in one of the said sides, and the opening or openings associated with another of the resistance arrangements being provided in the other of the said sides.

In one embodiment, the housing 10 is generally cuboidal, with openings being provided in and cables extending from two pairs of opposite faces, as illustrated in Figures 11 or 12. In a preferred embodiment, at least two cables extend from each of the four sides of the two pairs of opposite faces, although it will be appreciated that this need not be the case.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, four resistance arrangements 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are located in the interior 10a of the housing 10. The housing 10 comprises dividers which are located in the interior 10a of the housing 10 to separate it into four separate compartments, one resistance arrangement 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d being located in each compartment. In this embodiment, each resistance arrangement 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d correspond to the resistance arrangement illustrated in Figures 8 and 10, although it will be appreciated that this need not be the case, and any of the arrangements described about in relation to Figures 1 -10 could be used.

The housing 10 has two pairs of parallel sides, and there are two openings in each of the said sides so that the cable 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d associated with each of the four resistance arrangements 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d extends through the openings in a different side of the housing 10 to the cable 22a, 22b, 22c, 22s associated with any of the other resistance arrangements.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 12, two resistance arrangements 14e, 14f, 5 14g, 14h, 14a, 14j, 14k, 141 are provided in each compartment, each resistance arrangement corresponding to the resistance arrangement 14 illustrated in Figures 7 and 9. Two openings are also provided in each side of the housing 10, but in this embodiment, this facilitates the cable 22e, 22f, 22g, 22h, 22i, 22j, 22k, 221 associated with each resistance arrangement 14e, 14f, 14g, 14h, 14a, 14j, 14k, 141 io extending through a separate opening.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, the first end of the spring of each resistance arrangement 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f, 14g, 14h, 14i, 14k., 14j is secured to one of the dividers, whilst the pulleys which are secured to the housing 10 are secured to the sides of the housing 10.

It should be appreciated, however, that any of the resistance arrangements described above could be used in the arrangements illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. It will be appreciated that if the resistance arrangements illustrated in Figures 3, or 4 were used, the first end of the spring would be secured to one of the sides of the housing 10, and pulleys secured to one of the dividers.

Equally, not all the resistance arrangements 14a,14b, 14c, 14d need to be of the same configuration. One or more of the resistance arrangements 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d could be different to any of the others -having more or fewer pulleys than the others, or having separate pulleys rather than pulleys arranged in blocks.

The housing could be divided into only two compartments, with the cable associated 25 with the or each resistance arrangement in each compartment extending through an opening or openings in opposite sides of the housing.

More than two resistance arrangement could be provided in each compartment, with an appropriate number of openings being provided to ensure that the cable associated with each resistance arrangement can pass to the exterior of the 30 housing.

Whilst in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, only one cable passes through each opening, this need not be the case. The resistance arrangements could be arranged so that a cable from more than one resistance arrangement passes through one or more of the openings.

It should also be appreciated that whilst in the embodiments described above, only one spring 16 is provided, a plurality of springs may be used instead. These could be arranged side by side, in a row, or in the case of coil springs, concentrically with one inside another. One such possible arrangement is illustrated in Figure 6, in which three springs 16a, 16b, 16c are arranged side by side, with three pulleys 20a, 20a', 20a", 20b, 20b', 20b", 20c, 20c', 20c" being secured to each spring 16a, 16b, 16c.

It should appreciated that the cable could be any form of suitable flexible, elongate, inelastic filament. For example, it could be an extruded metallic or polymeric wire, or a string, twine, cord or rope made from natural or synthetic fibres, or from metallic or polymeric wires. It could have a cord or rope core surrounded by a protective sheath.

A handle may be attached to the second end 22"of the cable Alternatively, the second end 22" of the cable 22 may be provided with a connector, to which may be attached a further inelastic elongate filament (hereinafter referred to as the external cable) It should appreciated that the external cable could be any form of suitable flexible, elongate, inelastic filament. For example, it could be an extruded metallic or polymeric wire, a string, twine, cord or rope made from natural or synthetic fibres, or from metallic or polymeric wires, or a woven strap made from natural or synthetic fibres. It could also have a cord or rope core surrounded by a protective sheath. A first end of the external cable could be attached to the connector, and a handle provided a second end thereof. The length of the external cable may be adjustable, for example, using a buckle arrangement.

A plurality of external cables could be secured to the connector, each additional cable being provided with a handle.

Where the first end 22a of the cable 22 also extends to the exterior of the housing 10, the first end 22a may also be provided with a handle in the same way.

The handle could be releasably attached to the cable or external cable, thus enabling a user to select one from a range of configurations of handles to the cable or external cable. The handle could be configured to be grasped by the user with a hand, or configured to allow the user to pull on the cable with a leg, for example by means of a foot or ankle strap, and the term handle should be considered to include any of these possibilities.

A user may then grasp the handle attached to one or both of the ends 22a, 22b of 5 the cable, and pull on the cable 22 to extend the spring 16 of the resistance arrangement 14 associated with the cable 22.

It will be appreciated that the pulleys and cable act as a block and tackle arrangement which operates such that if a force is exerted on the cable pulling it away from the housing 10, the spring 16 will be placed under tension. If the pulling io force is sufficiently large, the spring will stretch, and the pulleys secured to the spring will move closer to the spring secured to the housing. The mechanical advantage gained by the use of the pulleys amplifies the force applied to the cable, so that a lower force is required to stretch the spring than would be required without the pulleys. The length of travel of the end of the cable being pulled relative to the housing is also increased compared to the length of extension of the spring. The degree of amplification of the force and length of travel depends on the number of turns of the cable in the interior of the housing, i.e. on the number of pulleys used, and whether the pull on the spring is in the direction of the pulling force (whether there is "rove to advantage".

For example, in the embodiments of resistance arrangement illustrated in Figures 1, 7 and 9 there are six turns of cable and rove to advantage, so the force and length of travel are amplified by a factor of seven. In the embodiment of resistance arrangement illustrated in Figure 3 there are seven turns of cable and rove to disadvantage, so the force and length of travel are also amplified by a factor of seven.

In the embodiments in which handles are attached to both the first end 22a and the second end 22b of the cable 22, if the user pulls on the handle attached to only one end 22a, 22b of the cable 22, the stop 24 adjacent the other end 22a, 22b of the cable 22 engages with the housing 10 to prevent the other end 22a, 22b of the cable 22 from being pulled into the housing 10, and enabling the user to pull against the resistance arrangement 14 to extend the spring 16.

In the embodiments illustrated in 2, 8 and 10, if the user pulls on one end 22a, 22b of the cable 22 so that one of the stops engages with the housing 10, there are five turns of cable and rove to advantage, so the force and length of travel are amplified by a factor of six. If, however, the user pulls on both ends 22a, 22b of the cable simultaneously, and with substantially equal force, the force and length of travel of amplified only by a factor of three.

Similarly, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, if the user pulls on one end 22a, 22b of the cable 22 so that one of the stops engages with the housing 10, there are seven turns of cable and rove to disadvantage, so the force and length of travel are amplified by a factor of six. If, however, the user pulls on both ends 22a, 22b of the cable simultaneously, and with substantially equal force, the force and length of lo travel of amplified only by a factor of three.

The exercise apparatus may be used in a variety of ways.

Advantageously, the housing 10 is generally sufficiently robust for a user to place it on the ground, stand on top of the housing 10, and to use his bodyweight to keep the housing on the ground as he pulls on the cable or one or more of the cables to 15 extend the spring.

To facilitate this, advantageously, the housing 10 has two generally parallel faces, so that the user may rest one of these face on the floor, and stand on the other. The openings may be arranged in one or more of the faces which are perpendicular to the floor, or in the uppermost face of the two generally parallel faces.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing 10 is generally cuboidal, with openings being provided in and cables extending from two pairs of opposite faces, as illustrated in Figures 11 or 12. In this case, preferably the user places of the two parallel faces in which no openings are provided on the ground and stands on the other. In a preferred embodiment, at least two cables extend from each of the four sides of the two pairs of opposite faces.

For example, user could then pull on one or more of the cables with the exercise apparatus in this way, and grasp one or more of the handles with his hands in order to carry out bicep curls, as illustrated in Figure 13, lateral arm raises, or deadlifts. The user could equally engage a cable to one of his legs (using a handle or a special foot or ankle strap) and use his leg to extend the spring 16, e.g. to carry out leg raises or leg extensions.

A user could also place the housing 10 with one of the two parallel faces against a wall, and lean against the wall so that the housing 10 is clamped between his back and the wall, as illustrated in Figure 14. The user may then pull on one or more of the cables to carry out exercises such as chest presses or rows, or leg extensions.

Alternatively, the housing 10 could be mounted on to an item of furniture such as a chair or bed, and the user pull with on one or more of the cables with one or more of his arms or legs to carry out resistance exercises whilst seated or lying on the chair! bed. In this case, one or more of the cables may engage with one or more guides also mounted on the item of furniture. The guide may comprise a roller to ensure that the cable moves smoothly over the furniture when pulled by the user, and does not catch on, for example on corners of, the furniture. The guide could equally comprise a channel with a generally U-shaped cross-section, or a section of tubing through which the cable extends. The guide may comprise a pair of rollers, the cable passing between the rollers, to ensure that the cable remains in a desired location relative to the item of furniture. Alternatively, a combination of such guides could be used.

For example, the housing 10 could be mounted on the underside of a hospital bed, as illustrated Figures 15, with guides being provided at one or more of the points labelled X in this figure.

In a further alternative embodiment, the housing 10 could be mounted on a garment or harness, and secured to the user by means of the garment or harness. The housing 10 could, for example, be secured to the user's torso.

Advantageously, the housing 10 is strapped to the user's lower back, as illustrated in Figures 16a and 16b, for example. In this embodiment, the housing 10 is mounted on a harness 30 which has straps extending over the user's shoulders, around the user's back just below shoulder level, around the user's hips and under the user's groin. The housing 10 is mounted on straps which extend from the strap around the user's back to the hip straps, as illustrated in Figure 16b, which shows the back view of the user.

The garment or harness could be provided with a plurality of guides which are configured to facilitate smooth movement of the cable or external cable over the garment. Each guide preferably comprises a roller, but could equally comprise a channel with a generally U-shaped cross-section, or a section of tubing through which the cable extends. The guide may comprise a pair of rollers, the cable passing between the rollers, to ensure that the cable remains in a desired location relative to the garment. Alternatively, a combination of such guides could be used.

The guides may act as anchor points for the cable, the position of the anchor point 5 determining the nature of the exercise for which each cable may be used.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 16a and 16b, the position of such guides are indicated with arrows in Figure 16a.

For example, guides may be positioned on top of each of the user's shoulders, so that the user can carry out shoulder presses by using their hands to pull the cables passing through these two shoulder guides vertically upwardly relative to their shoulders. In this case, advantageously, the housing 10 is mounted on the harness such that the two cables which pass through these shoulder guides come from openings on the uppermost side of the housing 10.

Guides may additionally or alternatively be positioned on the user's chest, so that that the user can carry out chest presses by using their hands to pull the cables passing through these two chest guides generally horizontally away from their chest. In this case, advantageously, the housing 10 is mounted on the harness such that the two cables which pass through these chest guides come from openings on the right and left sides of the housing 10-one cable extending from the right side of the housing to the right hand chest guide, and one cable extending from the left side of the housing to the left hand chest guide.

Guides may additionally or alternatively be positioned on the user's hips, so that that the user can carry out arm raises by using their hands to pull the cables passing through these two hip guides away from their hips. In this case, advantageously, the housing 10 is mounted on the harness such that the two cables which pass through these hip guides come from openings on the right and left sides of the housing 10 -one cable extending from the right side of the housing to the right hand hip guide, and one cable extending from the left side of the housing to the left hand hip guide.

A guide or guides may additionally or alternatively be positioned in the user's groin area, and a cable or cables 22 passing through the guide or guides secured to the user's foot by means of a foot or ankle strap 32 as illustrated in Figure 17. The or each cable 22 could extend from the uppermost side of the housing 10 and through the shoulder and hips guides before reaching the groin guide, it could extend from the right or left side of the housing 10, through the hip guide and on to the groin guide, or it could extend from the lowermost side of the housing 10 and straight to the grain guide. The user can use the exercise apparatus to carry out leg presses, squats or leg extensions. A roller could be mounted on the foot or ankle strap 32, and a cable 22 pass from the groin guide and around this roller, so that the user could grasp the cable with one or both hands in order to carry out seated rows.

Where a plurality of external cables are secured to a cable associated with a resistance arrangement 14, each of the external cables could extend to a different guide. In this arrangement, the same resistance arrangement 14 would be used for each exercise. For example, two external cables could extend from each of the cables associated with the two openings on the uppermost side of the housing, one of these external cables extending to one of the shoulder guides, and the other extending to one of the chest guides.

Where the user carries out bilateral exercises pulling on two cables simultaneously, the two cables could be connected to a single resistance arrangement, for example using the embodiments of resistance arrangement illustrated in Figures 2, 4, 7, 9 or 10, or to two separate resistance arrangements.

It will be appreciated that to carry out a range of exercises, the user may require the distance between the handle and the housing prior to extension of the spring 16 to be different depending on the exercise. To facilitate this, where an external cable is provided, the user may select one from a selection of different length external cables for attachment to the cable of the desired resistance arrangement. Alternatively, where the length of the cable or external cable is adjustable, the user may adjust the length of the cable or external cable to the desired value.

It will be appreciated that, as mentioned above, the force required to extend each cable depends not only on the strength of the spring, but also the number and arrangement of pulleys in each resistance arrangement. The range of movement of each cable will also be determined by the number and arrangement of pulleys. As such, for each resistance arrangement, the spring strength and number! arrangement of pulleys can be selected to provide the optimum force and range of movement for each exercise to be carried out with the cable or external cable associated with that resistance arrangement.

In order to provide a user to increase the resistance associated with each exercise, advantageously, a range of configurations of resistance arrangement may be provided in the housing. The force required to be exerted by the user to pull the cable away from the housing (hereinafter referred to as the extension force) can then be varied by changing which cable is used, or, where an external cable is employed, the resistance arrangement to which the external cable is connected.

The extension force may also be varied by connecting an external cable to a io plurality of resistance arrangements, the total extension force being the sum of the extension force of the individual resistance arrangements.

As mentioned above, it is possible to arrange the resistance arrangements in the housing such that a cable from a plurality of resistance arrangements passes through one opening. In this case, the total extension force can be varied by connecting the external cable to the connector associated with two or more of the cables at the opening.

Rather than providing each cable 22 or external cable with a handle for a user to grasp, the cable 22 or external cable may be connected to a user's hand by means of a connector glove as illustrated in Figure 18. Such a connector glove 40 is provided with at least one anchor to which the cable may be attached. The glove 40 is made from a substantially inelastic material, and may for example, be made from a material woven from relatively high strength synthetic fibres so that the glove does not stretch when the users uses the glove 40 to pull on the cable 22. In this embodiment, the glove is a fingerless glove.

The glove 40 may be provided with an anchor at one or more of the following locations: the thumb side of the hand, the centre of the back of the hand, and the little finger side of the hand. Advantageously, the glove 40 is provided with anchors 42a, 42b, 42c at all three of these locations, as illustrated in Figure 18.

The or each anchor 42a, 42b, 42c may comprise a hook 44a, 44b, 44c which is secured to the fabric of the glove by a rivet-type fastener 45 or any other conventional suitable fastener. This is the case in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 18. The cable 22, or one of the cables 22 of the exercise apparatus may be secured to the glove 40 by placing a ring or loop secured to the cable 22 around the hook 44a/44b/44c. It should be appreciated, however, that the anchor 42a, 42b, 42c could equally comprise a ring or loop, and the cable 22 could be provided with a hook or a coupling link such as a karabiner, which may be secured to the ring or loop on the glove 40.

Where each anchor 42a, 42b, 42c is a hook 44a, 44b, 44c, each may further be provided with a catch 46a, 46b, 46c which is operable to engage with the hook so that the hook 44a, 44b, 44c and catch together form a loop which capture a ring or loop placed around the hook 44a, 44b, 44c.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 18, each catch 46a, 46b, 46c is connected to the user's fingers by means of a wire 48a, 48b, 48c which is secured at a first end to a finger of the glove 40 and at a second end to the catch, so that it is moveable into engagement with the hook 44a, 44b, 44c by movement of the user's fingers into an engaged position. In this embodiment, the user's fingers when curled to make a fist move into the engaged position. A spring 50a may be provided to urge the catch 46a, 46b, 46c out of engagement with the hook 44a, 44b, 44c when the user's fingers are moved out of the engaged position (i.e. in this embodiment straightened). The spring 50a could be a leaf spring, but this is not necessarily the case.

An embodiment of suitable anchor 42a is illustrated in Figure 19. The catch 46a is shown in dashed lines when the spring 50a has moved it out of engagement with 25 the catch 46a.

Guide loops 52a, 52b, 52c may be mounted on the glove 40 and use, by threading the wire 48a, 48b, 48c through one or more such loops 52a, 52b, 52c, to direct the wire to its respective catch 46s, 46b, 46c.

The glove 40 may include a wrist strap which is located around the user's wrist, to 30 assist in preventing the glove 40 from sliding of the user's hand when the user is pulled on a cable 22 secured to the glove. The wrist strap may be fastened with a buckle, VelcroTM, or any other suitable fastener.

The glove 40 may include a sensor 54 which is operable to measure the wearer's heart rate, or other biological response to exercise. Load sensors which are operable to measure the force pulling on each anchor 42a, 42b, 42c may also be incorporated into the glove 40. The or each sensor may be connected to a transmitter which is capable of transmitting the signals from the sensor to a remote receiver via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or another wireless network.

It should be appreciated that this configuration of glove 40 is not restricted to use with the exercise apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. It could equally be used with any other exercise apparatus in which the user grasps a 10 handle to pull on a cable against resistance.

The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above; reference should be had to the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 An exercise apparatus having a housing enclosing an interior space and having an opening which provides access to the interior space from the exterior of the housing, there being a resistance arrangement provided in the interior space of the housing, the resistance arrangement comprising a spring having a first end which is secured to the housing and a second end, a first pulley which is secured to the housing, a second pulley which is secured to the second end of the spring, and a cable having a first end and a second end, the cable extending around the first pulley, around the second io pulley and through the opening to the exterior of the housing.An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second end of the cable is located at the exterior of the housing.An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a handle is attached to the second end of the cable.An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second end of the cable is provided with a connector, and the apparatus further includes an external cables which secured to the connector.An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein a stop is mounted on the cable at or adjacent to the second end of the cable, the stop being bigger than the opening, and thereby preventing the second end of the cable from being pulled by the resistance arrangement into the interior of the housing.An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the first end of the cable is secured to the second end of the spring.An exercise apparatus according to any one of claims 1 -5 wherein the housing is provided with a first opening and a second opening, the cable extending through the first opening so that the first end of the cable is located at the exterior of the housing, and through the second opening so that the second end of the cable is located at the exterior of the housing. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7 wherein a stop is mounted on the cable at or adjacent to the first end of the cable, the stop being bigger than the opening, and thereby preventing the first end of the cable from being pulled by the resistance arrangement into the interior of the housing. An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the resistance arrangement comprises a plurality of pulleys which are secured to 4 7 8 the housing, the cable extending around each of the pulleys from one pulley which is secured to the housing to a pulley which is secured to the second end of the spring and then back to another of the pulleys which is secured to the housing.10 An exercise apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the plurality of pulleys are arranged in a block so that they rotate about a common axis of rotation.11 An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the resistance arrangement comprises a plurality of pulleys which are secured to the second end of the spring, the cable extending around each of the pulleys from one pulley which is secured to the second end of the spring to a pulley which is secured to the housing and then back to another of the pulleys which is secured to the second end of the spring.12 An exercise apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the plurality of pulleys are arranged in blocks so that the pulleys in each block rotate about a common axis of rotation.13 An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a plurality of resistance arrangements located in the interior of the housing.14 An exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the housing is provided with an opening or pair of openings for each resistance arrangement so that the cable associated with each resistance arrangement extends through a different opening or openings to the cable associated with each other resistance arrangement.An exercise apparatus according to claim 14 the housing may have two generally parallel sides, the opening or openings associated with one of the resistance arrangements being provided in one of the said sides, and the opening or openings associated with another of the resistance arrangements being provided in the other of the said sides.16 An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the exercise apparatus comprises four resistance arrangements located in the interior of the housing, and the housing has two pairs of parallel sides, there being an opening or openings in each of the said sides, the cable associated with each of the four resistance arrangements extending through one or more openings in a different side of the housing to the cable associated with any of the other resistance arrangements.17 An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a wearable support configured to be worn by a user, the housing being secured to the wearable support so that, in use, the housing is secured to the back of the user.18 An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim further provided with one or more electrical generators which use the rotation of one or more of the pulleys in the resistance arrangements to generate electricity.19 An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a glove attached to the second end of the cable by means of an anchor to secured to the glove.A connector glove comprising at least one anchor to which a cable may be attached.21 A connector glove according to claim 20 wherein the glove is provided with an anchor at one or more of the following locations: the thumb side of the Is hand, the centre of the back of the hand, and the little finger side of the hand.22 A connector glove according to claim 20 or 21 wherein the or each anchor comprises a hook.23 A connector glove according to claim 22 wherein the or each anchor is further provided with a catch which is operable to engage with the hook so that the hook and catch together form a closed loop.24 A connector glove according to claim 23 wherein each catch is connected to the one of the fingers of the glove by means of a wire which is secured at a first end to a finger of the glove and at a second end to the catch, so that the catch is moveable into engagement with the hook by movement of the user's fingers into an engaged position.A connector glove according to claim 24 wherein a spring is provided to urge the catch out of engagement with the hook when the user's fingers are moved out of the engaged position.