U.S. patent application number 10/391495 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-23 for portable exercise apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Bareilles, Charles Ball, Orescan, Rob.
Application Number | 20040185990 10/391495 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32987708 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040185990 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Orescan, Rob ; et
al. |
September 23, 2004 |
Portable exercise apparatus and method
Abstract
A portable exercise apparatus sufficiently lightweight and
compact to easily fit into a travel bag for use at remote
locations, comprising a rigid telescoping pole that can be
temporarily locked at an intermediate length depending on the
exercise, an elastic member having handles on each end and
removably and slidably coupled to the pole through an attachment
collar. The attachment collar has an inwardly facing gripping
surface for gripping a portion of the outer surface of the pole and
an outward facing coupling ring for encircling a portion of the
elastic member and thereby causing the elastic member to be
removably and slidably coupled to the pole.
Inventors: |
Orescan, Rob; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Bareilles, Charles Ball; (Redondo Beach,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CISLO & THOMAS, LLP
233 WILSHIRE BLVD
SUITE 900
SANTA MONICA
CA
90401-1211
US
|
Family ID: |
32987708 |
Appl. No.: |
10/391495 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/126 ;
482/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/16 20130101;
A63B 60/0085 20200801; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 21/0552
20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B 21/0442 20130101; A63B
2209/10 20130101; A63B 69/36 20130101; A63B 23/0355 20130101; A63B
21/0557 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/126 ;
482/121 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable exercise apparatus comprising: a. a rigid lightweight
pole comprising at least a first pole section and a second pole
section, wherein said first pole section has an outer surface and
an inner surface defining a hollow, and wherein said second pole
section has an outer surface that is generally concentric with the
inner surface of said first pole section, is configured to at least
partially retract into the hollow of said first pole section, and
may be temporarily locked relative to said first pole section at an
unextended position, at a fully extended position, and at one or
more intermediate positions as desired by a user; b. an elastic
member having a first end and a second end; c. a first handle strap
fixed to said first end of said elastic member; d. a second handle
strap fixed to said second end of said elastic member; and e. an
attachment collar comprising an inwardly facing gripping surface
for removably mounting on and gripping a portion of said outer
surface of either the first or second pole section at a desired
position along said pole section, and an outward facing coupling
ring for encircling a portion of said elastic member and thereby
causing said elastic member to be removably coupled to said pole;
wherein said pole when fully unextended is sufficiently small in
size and light in weight to easily be placed and carried in a golf
bag or suitcase; and wherein said pole when extended or partially
extended coupled with said elastic member may be used to perform
exercises in locations remote from a gym environment.
2. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said
attachment collar further comprises a first strap portion extending
in a first direction and having an inner surface and an outer
surface; a second strap portion extending in a direction opposite
said first direction and having an inner surface and an outer
surface; and a middle loop portion intermediate said first and
second strap portions configured to house a portion of said outward
facing coupling ring.
3. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein said inwardly
facing gripping surface is disposed only on the inner surface of
said first strap portion and wherein the inner surface of said
second strap portion comprises an attachment mechanism for
attaching to a mating mechanism on the outer surface of said first
strap portion so that said attachment collar can be tightened as
necessary before an exercise and loosened as necessary to move said
collar attachment between various exercises of different
configurations.
4. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein said
attachment mechanism and said mating mechanism comprise a hook and
loop type fastener.
5. The exercise attachment collar of claim 1 wherein said coupling
ring has an inner dimension that is sufficiently large to encircle
a portion of said elastic member and allow said elastic member to
freely slide within said ring and that is sufficiently small to
preclude said handle straps to pass therethrough.
6. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein a user may
pull on one of said handle straps for a given exercise and
encounter a predetermined amount of resistance for said exercise,
or alternatively the user may pull on both of said handle straps at
the same time and in the same direction in order to increase the
amount of resistance for said exercise.
7. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pole
further comprises a traction surface on at least one end to
increase the friction force encountered by the ground or by the
user's hand during the exercise.
8. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said each of
said handle straps further comprises a handle grip section for
receiving the palm of a hand or the bottom of a foot of the user,
said handle grip section being at least partially rotatable
relative to said handle strap so that a desired orientation of said
hand or foot may be maintained throughout the exercise.
9. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said
first and second pole sections of said pole has a generally
cylindrical shape.
10. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second
pole section of said pole can be locked relative to said first pole
section of said pole by twisting said second pole section about a
quarter turn relative to said first pole section.
11. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said
coupling ring is made of a single continuous loop of resilient
material and said attachment collar is sewn around a portion of
said coupling ring so that the attachment collar and coupling ring
combination is durable and substantially resistant to breaking for
a long useful life.
12. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pole
weighs less than two pounds.
13. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said
attachment collar, elastic member, and handle straps combined weigh
less than one-half pounds.
14. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pole
measures less than four feet in length when said second pole
section is fully unextended.
15. An exercise attachment collar for use with a lightweight pole
and an elastic tubing member having handle straps thereon,
comprising a first strap portion extending in a first direction and
having an inner surface and an outer surface; a second strap
portion extending in a direction opposite said first direction and
having an inner surface and an outer surface; and a middle loop
portion intermediate said first and second strap portions
configured to house a portion of an outward facing coupling ring;
an inwardly facing gripping surface mounted on said inner surface
of said first strap portion for removably mounting and gripping an
outer surface of said pole at a desired position along the pole, an
outward facing coupling ring partially held in place by said middle
loop portion for engaging said elastic tubing member and thereby
causing said elastic tubing member to be removably coupled to said
pole; an attachment mechanism on said inner surface of said second
strap portion and a mating mechanism on said outer surface of said
first strap portion so that the attachment collar can be tightened
as necessary before an exercise and loosened as necessary after
said exercise in order to insure a sufficiently tight fit between
said attachment collar and said pole.
16. The exercise attachment collar of claim 15 wherein said
attachment mechanism and said mating mechanism comprise a hook and
loop type fastener.
17. The exercise attachment collar of claim 15 wherein said
coupling ring has an inner dimension that is sufficiently large to
encircle a portion of said elastic tubing member and allow said
elastic tubing member to freely slide therethrough and that is
sufficiently small to preclude said handle straps to pass
therethrough.
18. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 15 wherein said
coupling ring is made of a single continuous loop of resilient
material and said attachment collar is sewn around a portion of
said coupling ring so that the attachment collar and coupling ring
combination is durable and substantially resistant to breaking for
a long useful life.
19. A method of exercising comprising the steps of a. removing from
a golf bag or suitcase a rigid telescoping pole; b. extending said
telescoping pole to a desired length for a selected exercise; c.
locking said telescoping pole at said desired length; d. removably
attaching an elastic member to said pole at a desired location
along the length of said pole; e. holding a first end of said pole
in a first hand; f. placing the other end of said pole on the
ground; g. applying sufficient downward pressure on said first end
of said pole so that said other end of said pole does not slip
along the ground during the exercise; and h. extending one end of
said elastic member away from said pole in order to stretch or
exercise the body of the golfer as a result of the resistance
exerted by the elastic member as the elastic member is
extended.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein a user may pull on one end of
said elastic member to encounter a predetermined amount of
resistance for said exercise, or alternatively the user may pull on
both ends of said elastic member at the same time and in the same
direction in order to increase the amount of resistance for said
exercise.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein said pole further comprises a
traction surface on at least one end to increase the friction force
encountered by the ground or by the user's hand during the
exercise.
23. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of twisting
one end of said pole about a quarter turn relative to the other end
of said pole to lock the telescoping pole at a desired length.
24. The method of claim 19 wherein each end of said elastic member
further comprises a handle grip section for receiving the palm of a
hand or the bottom of a foot of the user, said handle grip section
being at least partially rotatable relative to said handle strap so
that a desired orientation of said hand or foot may be maintained
when extending said elastic member during an exercise.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to portable exercise devices, and in
particular, to portable exercise devices that are light and compact
for use in remote locations, such as on a golf course.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] While the popularity of exercise has continued to increase
over the years as more and more people take joy in the health and
athletic benefits associated with it, there has been a recent trend
towards functional exercises. Functional exercises focus on
providing benefits that specifically relate to our every day lives.
They also help to improve on existing health issues, such as post
surgical rehabilitation to a knee, shoulder or hip injury. In
addition, these types of exercises are designed to be preventative
care in nature and are low impact on joints and muscles so as to
minimize the risk of injury during exercise. Examples of these
types of exercises are core fitness (the region of the body from
the abdomen to the thighs), stretching and balance, which are
embodied in such exercise classes as yoga and Pilates. Apparatuses
often associated with these types of exercises include the wobble
board, balancing discs, exercise ball, resistance bands.
[0005] The popularity of golf has increased as well. The golf swing
places a great deal of stress on the body, specifically the back,
abdomen, hips and shoulders. Strengthening and conditioning these
areas of the body are crucial in order to optimize one's golf game
because it allows a golfer to hit a ball farther, straighter and
more solid due to better neuro-muscular actions. In other words,
appropriate stretching and balance exercises help the golfer to
play golf at a higher level.
[0006] Warming up prior to an activity is an important aspect of
any type of activity or exercise, especially a physical exercise.
People's busy lives limit the time spent on warming up prior to
exercise, and as a result, their bodies are more inclined to become
injured during exercise.
[0007] The effects of aging on the body, minor aches, loss of range
of motion, and muscle fatigue lead to a decreased ability to
properly exercise. As we age our bodies slow down, thus making it
more difficult to maintain and sustain rigorous physical
activity.
[0008] Over 50 billion dollars are spent per year on back-related
injuries in the United States, and it is estimated that 75% of all
Americans experience back pain in their lifetime. Many of these
injuries are related to muscle imbalances, sprains, strains, and
disccopathies. These injuries, in addition to causing pain and
discomfort, lead to decreased range of motion of the joint complex
and minimized elasticity of the muscle.
[0009] The need for developing an exercise apparatus with specific
exercises to provide neurological, physiological, biomechanical
benefits to counter these types of ailments is great. Further, the
need is for an apparatus that is easy to use (no complex parts),
portable, lightweight and should provide strength and conditioning
at a low impact to minimize injury during exercise and it should
focus on functional routines specifically embracing core,
stretching and balance type activities. Moreover, there is a need
for the apparatus to be able to be used by people of all ages,
elite athletes and couch potatoes alike.
[0010] The device should pertain to those who perform sports that
require specific use of a twisting, swinging motion such as golf.
The need is high for an exercise device to assist in optimizing
one's game by strengthening, conditioning and preparing the muscles
used during golf is high.
[0011] Additionally, the device should provide a quick and easy way
for people to warm-up prior to tough physical exercise, such as
between swings during a session of golf. The device should
stimulate the correct neuro-physical pathways and get the blood
flowing to major core areas of the body and do so in a minimal
amount of time.
[0012] There have been a number of approaches made to achieve an
exercise apparatus that can provide directed functional exercises
for golfers or tennis players:
[0013] The invention in U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,013, issued to Wolf, is
not portable. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,809, issued to Nichols, the
invention is not configured to have a place for the user to hold
the cross bar for torso exercises, nor does this apparatus
incorporate any leg exercises. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,495 issued to
Yalch, the invention provides no attachment for other exercises to
be executed and is limiting in the scope of exercises offered.
[0014] Other configurations for an exercise apparatus have been
attempted to incorporate a bar or a bar connected to elastic
tubing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,805, issued to Ayres, discloses a
specific process for permanently attaching an elastic tubing to a
bar at a single, unmovable middle point on the wall of the bar. The
configuration in Ayers does not allow for the elastic member to be
easily removed from the bar or moved from one point to another
point along the length of the bar. There is only one handle on the
end of the elastic tubing, and thus many of the diverse exercises
that can be accomplished by the apparatus of the present invention
cannot be accomplished by Ayers. Also, the bar in Ayers is too
short to accomplish many of the diverse exercises that can be
accomplished by the apparatus of the present invention.
[0015] In U.S. Pat. No. 3,606,321 issued to Macoulis, the invention
is directed to simulating leg cycling action. The device disclosed
is limited in scope of exercises that can be performed requiring,
among other things, for the user to use both legs to work the
device and for the user to be seated throughout the exercise.
Macoulis does not contemplate exercises that involve only one leg
or for the user to be standing during the workout, and thus the
device does not exercise the muscles of the torso or the selected
leg, or exercises that allow the user to stand, such as in
instances where there is no chair to sit in during the exercise.
Moreover, Macoulis also discloses only a fixed attachment point for
the elastic tubing.
[0016] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,512 issued to Curran, the pole is
also long and not collapsible involves only a tethered harness
attachment to the user's waist. Further, the invention discloses a
thumbscrew to adjust the length of the bar, which in considerably
more cumbersome than the present invention's locking mechanism.
Additionally, no leg exercises are described, and the pole is not
meant to use the ground as a part of the exercise.
[0017] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,041 issued to Fisher, the pole is not
collapsible and the attachments are not easily moved to different
locations along the length of the pole or removed from the pole.
Also, the pole does not appear to be intended to use the ground as
part of the exercises. Moreover, the invention does not pertain to
stretching or rotation exercises that provide athletic and
essential neurological enhancements as described below.
[0018] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,608 issued to Wilkinson, the
invention does not provide for using the ground in combination with
the elastic member to provide a wide array of leg, arm, and torso
stretching exercises of the present invention as described below.
Also, it does not disclose any mechanism for removably attaching an
elastic member to the shaft at various locations.
[0019] Thus, what is needed in an exercise device that comprises a
telescoping bar that is lightweight for carrying to remote
locations that may be used alone as well as with an elastic tubing
that may be removably attached to the bar at any place along the
length of the bar and capable itself of being used separately as
well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention is an exercise device and the method
for using the device in which the device is sufficiently
lightweight and compact that it can be easily fit into a golf bag,
suitcase, or other travel bag for use at remote locations, and
which comprises a rigid lightweight pole having a first pole
section and a second pole section. The first pole section has an
outer surface and an inner surface defining a hollow, and the
second pole section has an outer surface that is generally
concentric with the inner surface of the first pole section. The
second pole section is configured to at least partially retract
into the hollow of the first pole section, and thereby telescope to
a fully extended position, a fully unextended position, or one or
more intermediate positions as desired by a user. The two pole
sections can then be temporarily locked relative to one another at
a length desired by the user for a given exercise or for storing
and traveling.
[0021] The device also comprises an elastic member having a first
end and a second end, a first handle strap fixed to the first end
of the elastic member, a second handle strap fixed to the second
end of the elastic member, and an attachment collar for mounting to
the pole and slidably coupling the elastic member to the pole. The
attachment collar itself comprises an inwardly facing gripping
surface for removably mounting on and gripping a portion of the
outer surface of either the first or second pole section at a
desired position along the pole section, and an outward facing
coupling ring for encircling a portion of the elastic member and
thereby causing the elastic member to be removably and slidably
coupled to the pole.
[0022] With this combination of elements, the portable exercise
device offers a surprisingly large multitude of possible exercises
in a very compact and lightweight package that may easily be
carried to remote locations for stretching exercises outside of the
gym environment.
[0023] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from a review of the following
specification and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1 with the attachment collar detached from the
extendable pole.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an attachment collar for one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the attachment collar of
FIG. 3 showing the middle loop and stitching around the coupling
ring.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention showing the configuration and positioning of the
attachment collar for a hamstring curl exercise.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention showing the configuration and positioning of the
attachment collar for a side shoulder raise exercise.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention showing the configuration and positioning of the
attachment collar for a sub-scapula exercise.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention showing the configuration and positioning of the
attachment collar for a triceps extension exercise.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention showing the configuration and positioning of the
attachment collar for an exercise of the latissimus dorsi
muscles.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention showing a forward bend rotation stretching
exercise.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0034] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently
preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to
represent the only forms in which the present invention may be
constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the
functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating
the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent
functions and sequences may be accomplished by different
embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the
spirit and scope of the invention.
[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the present
invention, in which there is a portable exercise device comprising
a rigid lightweight pole 20 having a first pole section 22 and a
second pole section 32. The first pole section 22 in FIG. 1 has an
outer surface 24 that is cylindrical in shape, but may be of any
number of other general shapes, such as square or rectangular cross
sections. The first pole section 22 is at least partially hollow
having an inner surface defining the hollowed portion of first pole
section 22.
[0036] The second pole section 32 has an outer surface 34 that is
generally concentric with the inner surface of the first pole
section 22. The second pole section 32 is configured to partially
retract into the hollow of the first pole section 22 so that the
pole 20 may retract to a length suitable for storage in a golf bag,
suitcase, or other such portable bag or container. That is, the
embodiment of FIG. 1 is designed to be convenient for the user to
carry the device to locations that are remote from a gymnasium,
such as a golf course, office, hotel room, or the like. For this
reason, the overall length of the pole 20 when fully retracted is
generally less than five feet in this embodiment, and preferably
less than four feet, and the weight of the pole is less than three
pounds, and preferably less than one-and-a-half pounds.
[0037] Also, for the present invention, more than two telescoping
sections may be employed, allowing for a greater maximum length
when fully extended and even a smaller package for traveling when
fully unextended. The present application describes two telescoping
pole sections for ease of illustration and description only. One
should notice that additional telescoping sections can be employed
as contemplated by the present invention, and where two sections
are described, what is meant is at least two such sections.
[0038] The pole 20 is preferably equipped with a cam lock device
between the two pole sections so that the pole may be temporarily
locked in the fully unextended position, in the fully extended
position, or at any length in between simply by twisting the second
pole section 32 about a quarter turn in either direction relative
to the first pole section 22. The cam lock causes a friction
locking effect that locks the second pole section 32 with respect
to the first pole section 22 at a desired length for a given
workout. Between exercises, the user may twist the second pole
section 32 about a quarter turn in the opposite direction to unlock
the second pole section 32 so that the length of the pole can be
changed for the next exercise or for storing back in the bag or
suitcase for traveling.
[0039] Alternatively, the two pole sections could be equipped with
other standard temporary locking mechanisms. For example, the first
pole section could comprise a series of holes designed and
positioned to receive one or more spring-loaded detents (not shown)
that cause a locking action between the first and second pole
sections. The user would then have to press down in the detents so
that the second pole could be unlocked relative to the first pole
and the length of the pole could then be changed for the next
exercise or for storing away. Presently, lock configuration is
preferable since it is comparatively easy to use, it provides a
locking force that is sufficient for the forces the pole 20 is
likely to encounter during the exercises contemplated by the
present invention, and it allows the user to set the length of the
pole 20 to an infinite number of lengths rather than just a finite
set of lengths.
[0040] The pole 20 when fully unextended is thus designed to be
sufficiently small in size and light in weight to be easily and
conveniently placed and carried in a golf bag, suitcase, or other
carrying bag. When it is fully or partially extended, and coupled
with the elastic member 40, discussed in more detail below, the
pole 20 may be used to perform exercises in locations remote from a
gym environment.
[0041] The pole 20 is also preferably equipped on each end 21 and
31 with one or more traction surfaces 25 and 35 respectively to
increase the friction force between the user's hand and the pole
20. Several of the exercises contemplated with the present exercise
device include placing one end of the telescoping pole 20 on the
ground or floor where the exercise(s) is to be performed. To
facilitate these exercises as well, traction surfaces 25 and 35 are
also positioned on the distal ends of the pole 20. This increases
the friction force between the pole 20 and the ground or floor
surface.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the exercise device also comprises an
elastic member 40, such as a rubber band, an elastic tubing, but
could also include a coil spring or the like and remain within the
scope of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
handles 50 and 54 are preferably attached to the ends of the
elastic tubing. The handle 50 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1
comprises a loop of resilient material. One portion of the handle
loop 50 is attached to the elastic member, while a handle grip
section 52 is attached to another portion of the handle loop 50 for
receiving the palm of a hand or the bottom of a foot of the user.
The grip 52 of handle 50 and grip 56 of handle 54 could be of any
suitable material conducive to gripping by hand but also
sufficiently sturdy to withstand the sole of a shoe. Presently, the
handle grip 52 shown in FIG. 1 is black rubber tubing that
encircles a portion of the handle loop 50.
[0043] The tubing of the handle grip 52 provides another benefit,
namely, it allows the user's hand to remain at a given orientation
throughout an exercise. That is, for several of the contemplated
exercises, the user grips the handle grip 52 with one hand and
pulls on the elastic member 40. As the user extends the elastic
member 40 in this way, the angle between the user's arm or forearm
and the elastic member 40 changes.
[0044] Without the tubing used for the handle grip 52, the user
would instead grip just the handle loop 50 itself, and the user
handle loop 50 would get twisted during this action. The user would
experience the twisting effect and may have a tendency to rotate
his or her wrist to compensate. Whether or not the user rotates his
or her wrist to compensate for this twisting effect, the twisting
effect could be considerable and would be quite distracting during
many of the exercises. Also, the twisting action, over time, would
cause the handle loop 50 to wear out and may cause the handle loop
to eventually fail.
[0045] By the addition of the handle grip tubing, the handle loop
50 does not twist as the user performs an exercise, and the user
does not experience any twisting. Instead, the handle grip 52 is
free to rotate about the portion of the handle loop 50 that it
encircles. As a result, regardless of the beginning and ending
orientation of the elastic member 40 and the user's arm or forearm
for a given exercise, the user can repeatedly perform the complete
exercise without ever feeling the need to rotate the wrist--or the
foot--for exercises involving placing the foot inside the handle
loop 50.
[0046] The elastic member 40 shown in FIG. 2 is removably attached
or coupled to the telescoping pole 20 by a coupling ring 82 mounted
to the pole. The ring 82 may be removable and movable along the
length of the pole 20 by a removable attachment collar 60. As shown
in FIG. 3, the removable attachment collar 60 is preferably made of
a resilient strap material. It comprises a first strap portion 62
and a second strap portion 70 extending in opposite directions and
separated by a middle loop portion 80 intermediate the first and
second strap portions that houses a portion of the coupling ring
82.
[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling ring 82 is made of a
single continuous polymeric or composite loop, and the middle loop
80 of the attachment collar 60 is sewn around a portion of the
coupling ring 82. In this way, the coupling ring 82 is durable and
substantially resistant to breaking thus allowing for a long useful
life. The stitching 81 of the middle loop 80 of the attachment
collar 60 is likewise durable as it may span the entire width of
the attachment collar 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the stitching 81 is
disposed perpendicular to any stresses exerted on it by the
exercises contemplated by the present invention, and thus the
stresses are distributed evenly along the stitching so as to reduce
the effect of the stresses on the stitching 81 and on combination
of the attachment collar 60 and coupling loop 82.
[0048] The coupling ring 82 in the preferred embodiment has an
inner dimension that is sufficiently large to loosely encircle a
portion of the elastic member 40 and allow the elastic tubing to
freely slide within the ring 82. This inner dimension also is, in
the preferred embodiment, sufficiently small to preclude the handle
loop straps 50 and 54 to pass through. As a result, the elastic
member 40 and the handle loops will not be easily removed or lost
from the attachment collar 60. Therefore, the combination of the
elastic member 40, handle loop straps 50 and 54, and the attachment
collar 60 in this embodiment is always available as a unit always
readily available to be easily attached to the extendable pole 20
at a desired location for an exercise, easily moved to another
location for another exercise, and easily removed from the pole 20
and stored away in the travel bag or suitcase when it is not
needed.
[0049] The attachment collar 60 further has a self attachment
means, such as buttons, latches, clasps, or a hook and loop type
fastener, commonly referred to as Velcro.RTM.. That is, the inner
surface 72 of the second strap portion 70 comprises an attachment
mechanism 79 for attaching to a mating mechanism 69 on the outer
surface 68 of the first strap portion 62. A hook and loop fastener,
such as that shown in FIG. 4, is presently preferred since, by
using a hook and loop fastener, the attachment collar 60 can be
tightened as necessary around the pole 20 for a given exercise, and
it may be loosened as necessary to remove the collar 60 or moved it
to a different location for a different exercise.
[0050] The attachment collar 60 also has an inwardly facing
gripping surface 66 that is disposed on the inner surface 64 of the
first strap portion 62. Once tightened around the pole 20, the
attachment collar 60 is held in place by the friction force between
the gripping surface 66 and the outer surface 25 and/or 35 of the
pole 20. The gripping surface 66 is preferably a rubber or neoprene
sheet sewn, glued, or otherwise affixed to the inner surface 64 of
the first strap portion 62.
[0051] Since the elastic member 40 can freely slide through the
coupling loop 82, the user can either pull on one of the handle
loops 50 or 54 for an exercise, or the user can pull on both of the
handle loops 50 and 54 for the exercise. If the user pulls on just
one of the handles, the handle on the other end of the elastic
member 40 will be pulled into contact with the coupling ring 82,
and the user stretches the entire length of the elastic member 40
and encounters a resistance for the exercise that is a function of
the length of the elastic member 40.
[0052] If, on the other hand, the user pulls on both handle loops
50 and 54 at the same time and in the same direction, the mid point
of the elastic member 40 will be pulled into contact with the
coupling ring 82, and the user effectively stretches two parallel
halves of the elastic member 40 at the same time and encounters a
much greater resistance as the two halves of the elastic member 40
are stretched. That is, due to the free sliding coupling
arrangement between the pole 20 and the elastic members 40, the
user has two distinct options for the amount of resistance he or
she encounters in each exercise, along with two correspondingly
distinct options for the range of motion that he or she can have
during each exercise.
[0053] For a given exercise, therefore, the user may begin by
removing the telescoping pole 20 from a golf bag, suitcase, or
other travel bag (not shown). The user extends the telescoping pole
20 to a desired length for a selected exercise by pulling on the
second pole section 32 in an axially outward direction relative to
the first pole section 22.
[0054] When the user has extended the pole 20 out to the desired
length, the user locks the length of the pole 20 by twisting the
second pole section 32 about a quarter turn relative to the first
pole section 22. Alternatively, the user may have to position the
second pole section 32 relative to the first pole section 22 in
such a way that one or more spring-loaded detent members (not
shown) in the second pole section 32 extend radially outward into
one or more holes in the first pole section 22 to lock the two pole
sections at a desired length.
[0055] Then, the user removably attaches an elastic member 40 to
the pole 20 at a desired location along the length of the pole 20,
such as by wrapping an attachment collar 60--which is coupled to
the elastic member 40--to the outer surface 26 or 34 of the pole
20, and tightening the collar 60 around the pole 20 with sufficient
force to insure that the collar 60 will not slide during the
exercise.
[0056] The user then holds one end 21 of the pole 20 in one hand,
and places the other end 31 of the pole 20 on the ground or floor
or other generally flat surface, applying a sufficient downward
pressure on the pole 20 so that the pole 20 does not slip along the
ground or floor during the exercise. The user then extends one or
both ends of the elastic member 40 away from the pole 20 with
either his or her free hand or foot. In doing so, the user
stretches or exercises the arm, leg, or torso of his or her body as
a result of the resistance exerted back on the hand or foot by the
elastic member 40 as it is extended. Throughout this exercise, the
user is able to keep his or her free hand or foot in a single
orientation without rotating it because of the ability of the
handle grips 50 and 56 to rotate about the portion of the handle
loop 50 they encircle.
[0057] By performing these steps, a surprisingly great multitude of
exercises become available to the user. For example, the user can
thereby perform quad extensions wherein the user places the
attachment collar 60 six to twelve inches from one end 21 of the
telescoping pole 20 and places this end 21 of the pole 20 on the
ground about twelve inches to the side of her left foot, holds the
other end of the pole 20 with her left hand, standing with her feet
shoulder distance apart, keeping her knees slightly flexed in an
athletic position. She then places her left foot in the handle loop
50 and, looking away from the pole 20, raises her left knee up so
that it is parallel to the ground while balancing on the other
foot. While keeping her hip still, the user then slowly extends her
left leg so that it is also parallel to the ground. This is
repeated several times for the left leg and then for the right leg.
For optimal results, the user should ordinarily try to avoid using
the pole 20 for balance or as a weight-bearing tool.
[0058] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the user can perform
hamstring curls in which the user stands with her feet shoulder
distance apart, keeping knees slightly flexed in an athletic
position, positions the attachment collar 60 around the pole 20
about six inches from one end 21 of the pole 20, places this end 21
of the pole 20 with attachment side on the ground about twelve
inches to the side of her left foot, and holds the upper traction
surface 25 with her left hand. She then places her left foot in the
handle loop 50 and, while balancing on right leg, slowly lifts the
back of her left foot towards her buttocks bending the left leg at
the knee, repeating several times for each leg.
[0059] This same stance can then be used to perform so-called glute
contractions, in which, instead of bending the left leg at the
knee, the user keeps the left leg straight and extends her left
foot back away from the pole 20, so as to contract the gluteus
maximus muscles.
[0060] The user can also readily perform abductor exercises by
standing with his feet shoulder distance apart, keeping his knees
slightly flexed in an athletic position, holding one of the
traction surfaces 25 on one end 21 of the telescoping pole 20 with
the left hand, and again placing the other end 31 of the pole 20
about twelve inches to the side and a few inches in front of his
left foot. The attachment collar 60 can be moved up along the pole
20 to about six to twenty-four inches from the end of the pole 20.
He then places his right foot in the handle loop 50 or through both
handle loops 50 and 54, balances on his left leg and, keeping his
right leg straight, extends his right foot to the front so that it
remains in the same plane as the pole 20. The exercise then
involves him slowly extending his right foot to the right away from
the telescoping pole 20 and across his other leg as far as
possible. This once again can be repeated several times for the
right foot.
[0061] The left foot can then be placed in the handle loop 50 with
the pole 20 still placed as described in the foregoing paragraph.
The user then balances on his right leg and, keeping his left leg
straight now, extends his left foot to the front so that it is in
the same plane as the pole 20. This complementary exercise then
involves him slowly extending his left foot to the right, away from
the telescoping pole 20 and away from his other leg as far as
possible, and repeating several times for the left foot.
[0062] Arm exercises include forward and side shoulder raises. The
front shoulder raise includes the same stance as discussed above,
but instead of placing the foot in the handle loop 50, the user
places her right hand in the handle loop 50 and, keeping her right
arm straight and in front of her torso, slowly lifts her right hand
over her head as high as possible, repeating several times. The
side shoulder raise, shown in FIG. 6, is similar, but instead of
keeping her right arm in front of her torso, she slowly lifts her
right arm outward to the side of her torso. For maximum resistance
by the elastic member 40, the attachment collar 60 can be attached
to the pole 20 as close to the ground as possible. For a lighter
stretching exercise, the attachment collar 60 attached higher up on
the pole 20.
[0063] The device configured as illustrated in FIG. 7 can also be
used to perform sub-scapula exercises. Here, the attachment collar
60 is placed about halfway up the pole 20 or higher depending on
the height of the user, and depending on the amount of resistance
the user wants. The user then performs the steps for the front
shoulder raise, except that the right arm is angled directly away
from the user's torso with the forearm bent forward 90.degree.. The
user then rotates her right arm so that at the end of this rotation
her forearm is bent upward 90.degree., and this motion is repeated
several times.
[0064] A bicep curl may also be performed. The stance and
configuration of the device is similar to the front shoulder raise
above, except that the attachment collar 60 positioned as low as
possible along the pole 20, and that the right elbow is tucked in
close to the user's torso. The right arm is not kept straight but
rather is allowed to bend at the elbow. This causes the right bicep
to be exercised. The attachment collar 60 can be attached higher up
on the pole 20 to reduce the amount of resistance experienced
during the exercise, and the user can grasp both handle loops 50
and 54 rather than just one to multiply the amount of resistance
during the exercise.
[0065] By bending forward at the waist, as illustrated in FIG. 8,
the user can perform triceps extensions. Triceps extensions are
performed by standing with her feet shoulder distance apart,
keeping her knees slightly flexed in an athletic position, holding
the upper end 21 of the pole 20 with her left hand, placing the
other end 31 of the pole 20 on ground about twenty-four inches in
front of her right foot, and placing the attachment collar 60 about
one or two feet above the ground. The user then grasps one or both
handle loops 50 and/or 54 with the right hand and, keeping her back
straight, bends forward 90.degree. at the waist so that her back is
parallel to the ground. Keeping her right elbow tucked in near her
right side of her body, she slowly extends her hand away from the
pole 20, thereby exercising her triceps.
[0066] The user can also exercise his latissimus dorsi muscles by
placing the entire pole 20 lengthwise on the ground in front of and
perpendicular to his feet and stepping on the pole 20 with his left
foot as shown in FIG. 9. Keeping his back straight, he bends
forward 90.degree. at the waist so that his back is parallel to the
ground, grasps one or both of the handle loops 50 and/or 54 with
his right hand, and pulls his right hand towards the right side of
his body as high as possible and away from the pole 20, bending his
right arm at the elbow.
[0067] The additional benefit of the present invention also
includes not only that the elastic member 40 may be easily moved
from place to place along the length of the extendable pole 20, but
further that the elastic member 40 may also be entirely removed
from the pole 20. This allows the user to perform many additional
well-known exercises that use a device having two handles connected
by elastic tubing or a spring. It also allows the user to perform
many well-known stretches and exercises that use a straight pole.
These include oblique exercises, shoulder stretches, standing torso
rotations, forward bending torso rotations, and chest stretches. A
forward bend rotation stretching exercise is illustrated in FIG.
10.
[0068] That is, by having the attachment collar 60 made so that it
may be attached to the extendable pole 20 in various locations,
whole sets of exercises and stretching exercises are made available
to the user. And additionally, by having the pole 20 separable from
the elastic member 40 and attachment collar 60 combination, two
additional sets of exercises and stretching exercises are made
available to the user, namely exercises that use the pole 20 alone
and exercises the utilize the elastic member 40 alone.
[0069] At all times, however, the elastic member 40 is preferably
never removed from the attachment collar 60 so that there are
preferably only two separate pieces, the pole 20 and the elastic
member/attachment collar combination. In this way, assembly of the
device is made quick and simple, providing for the largest possible
combination of exercises while also providing a particularly easy
to use, lightweight, compact, and portable exercise system for use
in locations remote from a gym. All of the above exercises are made
available with just two components, used separately for some of the
exercises, and used together for the other exercises. Also, for
many of the exercises described above, the two components are used
in combination and making full use of the ground or other flat
surface in contact with one of the traction surfaces 25 and 35 of
the pole 20 so that the portable components of the device are as
compact as possible.
[0070] While the present invention has been described with regards
to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional
variations of the present invention may be devised without
departing from the inventive concept.
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