U.S. patent application number 10/282434 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-29 for apparatus and method for conditioning and strengthening.
Invention is credited to Zabel, Steve.
Application Number | 20040082445 10/282434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32107358 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040082445 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zabel, Steve |
April 29, 2004 |
Apparatus and method for conditioning and strengthening
Abstract
An apparatus and method for conditioning and strengthening two
or more individuals while allowing observation of the competitive
nature of the individuals. The apparatus includes a housing and at
least two handles. The housing is constructed of elastomeric
material and defines a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive
fluid to provide the housing with a predetermined weight. The
handles extend outwardly from the housing and are spatially
disposed on the housing so as to permit the individuals to lift the
housing and exert opposing forces on the housing.
Inventors: |
Zabel, Steve; (Edmond,
OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUNLAP, CODDING & ROGERS, P.C.
P. O. Box 16370
Oklahoma City
OK
73113
US
|
Family ID: |
32107358 |
Appl. No.: |
10/282434 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/109 ;
482/906 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/12 20130101;
A63B 21/28 20130101; A63B 21/06 20130101; A63B 21/0602
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/109 ;
482/906 |
International
Class: |
A63B 015/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for conditioning and strengthening at least two
individuals while allowing observation of the competitive nature of
at least one of the individuals, comprising: a housing defining a
fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid such that the
housing can be provided with a predetermined weight; and at least
two handles extending from the housing, the handles being spatially
disposed on the housing so as to permit the individuals to lift the
housing and exert opposing forces on the housing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprises: an effective amount
of fluid to provide the housing with the predetermined weight.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least two handles extend
outwardly from the housing and are substantially opposite one
another.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing and the handles are
constructed of an elastomeric material.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprises: a frame embedded
within the housing, the frame having a body portion providing
structural integrity and support to the housing and at least two
handle portions for providing structural integrity and support to
the handles extending from the housing.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is provided with an
opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a plug or cap for
sealing the opening.
7. An apparatus comprising: a housing having a fluid retaining
chamber adapted to receive fluid to provide the housing with a
predetermined weight; a fluid disposed in the fluid retaining
chamber in an amount sufficient to provide the housing with the
predetermined weight; and at least two handles extending from the
housing so as to permit at least two individuals to lift the
housing and exert forces on the housing for conditioning and
strengthening the individuals, while allowing observation of the
competitive nature of the individuals.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the forces exerted on the
housing for conditioning and strengthening individuals are
opposing.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least two handles extend
outwardly from the housing and are substantially opposite one
another.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the housing and the handles
are constructed of an elastomeric material.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprises: a frame embedded
within the housing, the frame having a body portion providing
structural integrity and support to the housing and at least two
handle portions providing structural integrity and support to the
handles extending from the housing.
12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the housing is provided with
an opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a plug or cap for
sealing the opening.
13. An apparatus, comprising; a housing; and at least two spatially
disposed handles extending from the housing, the handles permitting
at least two individuals to lift the housing and exert pulling and
pushing forces on the housing.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the housing defines a fluid
retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid to provide the housing
with a predetermined weight.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein a fluid is disposed in the
fluid retaining chamber in an amount sufficient to provide the
housing with the predetermined weight.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein at least two handles extend
outwardly from the housing and are substantially opposite one
another.
17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the housing and the handles
are constructed of an elastomeric material.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprises: a frame embedded
within the housing, the frame having a body portion for providing
support to the housing and at least two handles portions for
providing support to the handles extending from the housing.
19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the housing is provided with
an opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a removable plug or
cap for sealing the opening.
20. A method of conditioning and strengthening at least two
individuals while allowing observation of the competitive nature of
at least one of the individuals, comprising the steps of: providing
an apparatus, comprising: a housing defining a fluid retaining
chamber adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be
provided with a predetermined weight; a fluid disposed in the fluid
retaining chamber in an amount sufficient to provide the housing
with the predetermined weight; and at least two handles extending
from the housing, the handles being spatially disposed so as to
permit the individuals to lift the housing and exert opposing
forces on the housing for conditioning and strengthening the
individuals, while allowing observation of the competitive nature
of the individuals; grasping the handles by the individuals;
lifting the housing by the individuals; and exerting opposing
forces on the housing by individuals so that muscle groups of the
individuals are conditioned and strengthened.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprises observing the
competitive nature of the individuals.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein the housing is constructed of an
elastomeric material and where the method further comprises
exerting a force by the individual to attempt to stretch the
housing and thus create a resistant biasing force.
23. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of flags; positioning the flags to define a
competition area whereby the winner of the competition is
determined by the housing crossing an imaginary line corresponding
with one of the plurality of flags; and attempting to move the
housing by an individual from a predetermined starting point across
the imaginary line of one of the plurality of flags.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to athletic training devices,
and more particularly, to a conditioning and strengthening
apparatus and methods for using same.
[0004] 2. Brief Description of Related Art
[0005] A number of devices exist that allow an individual to
exercise and condition one's body. Some of these devices are used
to test an individual's strength and skill by providing the device
as a game of physical ability. However, such devices are intended
only to exercise and strengthen a specific muscle group or train to
improve a specific athletic skill. Such devices are not intent on
displaying an individual's competitive nature.
[0006] Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus and method that
conditions and strengthens various muscle groups of an individual's
body while providing an observer with a visual determination of the
individual's competitive nature. It is to such an apparatus and
method that the present invention is directed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conditioning and
strengthening apparatus constructed in accordance with the present
invention being used by two individuals.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away top view of the conditioning
and strengthening apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away side view of the conditioning
and strengthening apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away top view of another
embodiment of a conditioning and strengthening apparatus
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a physical contest
using the conditioning and strengthening apparatus of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.
1, an apparatus 10 for conditioning and strengthening two
individuals, such as individuals 11 and 12, is shown. The apparatus
10 includes a housing 14 and a plurality of handles 16 and 18. The
housing 14 is shown as having a substantially cylindrical
configuration. However, it should be understood that the housing 14
may be constructed in various shapes and the size of the housing 14
may be varied for use by individuals of different size and
ability.
[0013] The handles 16 and 18 are substantially U-shaped members
which extend outwardly from the housing 14 so as to be disposed
substantially opposite one another. The handles 16 and 18 permit
the individuals 11 and 12 to lift the housing 14 by grasping the
handles 16 and 18. Once the individuals 11 and 12 have lifted the
housing 14, the individuals 11 and 12 exert opposing forces on the
housing 14. Though FIG. 1 shows the individuals 11 and 12 exerting
opposing forces on the housing 14 by pulling the housing 14, it
should be understood that the individuals 11 and 12 may exert
opposing forces on the housing 14 by pushing the housing 14, as
well as any other such combination of exerting opposing forces
thereof.
[0014] The exertion of opposing forces on the housing 14 by the
individuals 11 and 12 allows for conditioning and strengthening of
the arms, upper torso, and legs of the individuals 11 and 12. It
should be understood that the housing 14 may be provided with
additional handles (not shown) to accommodate more than two
individuals.
[0015] The housing 14 and the handles 16 and 18 may be fabricated
from any suitable material such as canvas, rubber, or any polymeric
material. However, the housing 14 and the handles 16 and 18 are
preferably constructed from a resilient material having an
elastomeric memory which allows the housing 14 and the handles 16
and 18 to return to their original shape after being stretched or
compressed.
[0016] As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 14 has a
fluid retaining chamber 20 adapted to receive fluid. The fluid may
be any substance that flows and takes the shape of the fluid
retaining chamber 20, such as a liquid, a gas, sand and the like.
The fluid is disposed in the fluid chamber 20 in an amount
sufficient to provide the housing 14 with a predetermined weight.
The size of the housing 14 and the capacity of the fluid retaining
chamber 20 can vary widely so as to provide an apparatus suitable
for use by individuals of various size and strength. That is, for
children the housing 14 would be small in size and may have an
empty fluid retaining chamber 20. In contrast, the housing 14 for
men would be larger and the fluid retaining chamber 20 may contain
a large volume of fluid to increase the weight of the apparatus
10.
[0017] The housing 14 is provided with an opening 22 (FIG. 2) which
is in fluid communication with the fluid retaining chamber 20 so
that fluid can be introduced into or withdrawn from the fluid
retaining chamber 20. A removable plug and/or cap 24 (FIG. 3) is
provided for sealing the opening 22. A valve stem and the like may
also be used to seal the opening. It should be understood that
though the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 is shown in
FIG. 2 with an opening 22, the housing 14 may be continuous without
an opening wherein the fluid is disposed within the fluid retaining
chamber 20 during construction of the apparatus 10.
[0018] The apparatus 10 further may include a frame 26 embedded
within the housing 14 for increasing the structural integrity of
the housing 14. Any suitable construction may be used so that the
frame 26 supports the housing 14 in order to provide structural
integrity to the housing 14.
[0019] The frame 26 is shown as having a cylindrical body portion
27 providing support for the housing 14 and two handle portions 28
and 30 providing support for the handles 16 and 18 extending from
the housing 14. The frame 26 may be constructed into any desired
shape such as an oval, ellipse, or square. However, the frame 26 is
desirably provided with a configuration corresponding to the
peripheral configuration of the housing 14.
[0020] The body portion 27 of the frame 26 is desirably constructed
from a material such that the body portion 27 of the frame 26 is
able to be compressed and extended repeatedly without degrading the
structure of the frame 26, without breaking or twisting, and also
without looping. Looping is a tendency of a circular frame to form
a figure eight when opposing sides are drawn forward, or away from
each other. The resilient nature of the frame 26 allows the body
portion 27 of the frame 26 to return to its original shape after
being distorted by individuals 11 and 12. However, it should be
understood that the body portion 27 of the frame 26 may also be
constructed from a rigid material.
[0021] The two handle portions 28 and 30 are attached to the body
portion 27 of the frame 26 to provide structural integrity and
support to the handles 16 and 18 of the housing 14. The handle
portions 28 and 30 are substantially U-shaped and extend outwardly
from the body portion 27 of the frame 26 so as to provide a secure
and stable position permitting individuals 11 and 12 to grip the
housing 14. The handle portions 28 and 30 may be constructed from
the same material as the body portion 27 of the frame 26,
especially when continuously constructed as part of the body
portion 27 of the frame 26. However, the handle portions 28 and 30
may also be rigid and may be attached to the body portion 27 of the
frame 26 by rivets, screws, or any other suitable connector. The
handle portions 28 and 30 function to desirably prevent any
substantial distortion. It should be noted that two handle portions
are shown for illustrative purposes only and that the number of
handle portions provided may vary with different embodiments of the
apparatus 10 depending upon the number of handles provided on the
frame 26 of the apparatus 10.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of an apparatus 32
is shown. The apparatus 32 is similar to the apparatus 10 herein
before described except as described hereinafter. The apparatus 32
includes a housing 34 and four handles 36, 38, 40, and 42. The
apparatus 32 is further provided with a frame 44 having a body
portion 45 providing structural integrity and support to the
housing 34 and handle portions 46, 48, 50, and 52 providing
structural integrity and support to the handles 36, 38, 40, and 42
that extend from the housing 34. The frame 44 is desirably provided
with a configuration corresponding to the peripheral configuration
of the housing 14.
[0023] The use of the apparatus 10 and 32 is similar. Thus, only
the use of the apparatus 10 will be described with reference in
FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. The individual 11 grasps the handle 16 and the
individual 12 grasps the handle 18. The individuals 11 and 12 each
then lift and exert a force against the housing 14 which exerts a
force against the opposing individual.
[0024] The apparatus 10 may be used to play a game of skill. A
plurality of flags, such as flags 54 and 56 are placed at opposite
positions from one starting point (flags 55) so as to define a
playing area. The individuals 11 and 12 attempt to maneuver the
apparatus 10 and each other from a starting point as indicated by
flags 55 toward the flag 54 or 56 behind the individual 11 or 12.
For example, as shown, the individual 11 attempts to force the
apparatus 10 and thus the individual 12 across an imaginary
horizontal line that corresponds with flag 54 and the individual 12
attempts to force the apparatus 10 and thus the individual 11
across the imaginary horizontal line that corresponds with flag 56.
A winner is declared when one of the individuals 11 or 12 forces
the opposing individual across the imaginary line coinciding with
one of the flags 54 or 56. Any number of flags may be used to
define a competitive area for any number of individuals. It should
be understood that the apparatus 10 may be used in other
competitive situations and exercises with or without the use of the
flags.
[0025] The game with the apparatus 10 allows each individual 11 and
12 to condition and strengthen the trunk muscles, leg muscles, and
muscles of the hands, arms, and wrists. In addition, the apparatus
10 may be used as a diagnostic tool allowing a coach, trainer, or
other competitor to observe the competitive nature of at least one
of the individuals using the apparatus 10.
[0026] From the above description it is clear that the present
invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain
the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the
invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention
have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be
understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily
suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are
accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed and as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *