U.S. patent application number 10/909174 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for 360 degree rotator attachment for exercise equipment.
Invention is credited to Baxter, Brent Alan.
Application Number | 20050085352 10/909174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34526262 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050085352 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baxter, Brent Alan |
April 21, 2005 |
360 degree rotator attachment for exercise equipment
Abstract
Disclosed is a weight lifting apparatus having mechanism for
assisting in adding a rotational element to the traditional
front/back (or flexion and extension) activities during the lifting
of weights or other athletic resistance activitiesl. This invention
to provides an attachment apparatus that provides a weight holding
means that is able to offer 360 degrees of smooth movement which
allows complete rotational positionability for use with any
stationary or moving resistive weight apparatus. This invention
also provids an apparatus wherein the weight holding means also
provides a safety measure which can limit the speed of rotation or
even stop this motion in the event that the weight is dropped or
rotational exertion limits are reached.
Inventors: |
Baxter, Brent Alan; (Castro
Valley, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Brent Alan Baxter
5209 Seaview Ave.
Castro Valley
CA
94546
US
|
Family ID: |
34526262 |
Appl. No.: |
10/909174 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60491945 |
Aug 1, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/100 ;
482/139; 482/147 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0724 20130101;
A63B 21/4017 20151001; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/4049
20151001; A63B 2023/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/100 ;
482/139; 482/147 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/062; A63B
071/00; A63B 022/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A Weight lifting apparatus for assisting a weight lifters and
athletes in adding 360 degree rotational directional movement to
their regular unidirectional weight training activities,
comprising: a fastening device which is permanently, or temporarily
fastened or is designed of an integrally built in construction
changeable 360 degree circular plane resistance for added
resistance training along the rotational direction smooth,
continuous, non-jerky movement for safe predictable rotation usage
a supportive outer including a support and comfort, substance grip
base a grip side body component for grip to attach to and for
attaching to base or fastening component a ball bearings or other
smooth rotational vehicle method for creating 360 movement
capabilities to stationary sections of exercise equipment which
provide stationary or unidirectional movement which the rotator
will convert to torsion/twisting 360 degree rotational movement. an
attachment side body component for attachment to opposite grip side
of rotator mechanism a fastening bar, encircling apparatus for
attachment to other exercise equipment, or a pad/friction padded
platform which replaces a handle during supported use such as
standing an adjustable gripping foot, pad or other mechanism to
solidly secure rotator to other equipment or to a flat planar
surface without slipping or a pad/friction padded platform for use
with flat planar surfaces such as the floor for use during
supported use such as standing an adjustable mechanism such as a
screw type bolt to controllably fasten rotator unit to other
equipment an adjustable mechanism handle or tool to allow for
manual tightening an adjustment mechanism for controlling the speed
of circular rotation a safety and a braking mechanism to slow or
stop rotation if desired or needed
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] N/A
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of exercise
technology.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Most all exercise equipment focus on movement in a
particular direction so as to strengthen muscles by repetitive
exertion use. While there are a number of apparatus which allow for
a range of motion, still the common focus is on limiting and
resisting muscle movement. However, those wishing to increase their
ability to enact full range movement while receiving the benefit of
muscle resistance exercising will not have their needs be met.
There is a real need to be able to offer safe and easy to use
exercise equipment that allows for a complete range of movement
while offering the traditional weight machine, free weights and any
other method which typically offers unidirectional movement, or
even movement with a range of motion such as the bow flex equipment
or those using band/elastic bands etc. Even non-movable devices
such as pullup and pushup bars would be better exercise devices
should they offer more movability. Specific of this concern is the
ability to create rotational movement while at the same time
offering forward/back resistive movement offered by typical
exercise devices.
[0004] Such resisted forward/back movement of course is fundamental
to exercise dynamics where the muscles must strain against a
resistive force allowing the muscles to grow stronger.
Unfortunately this unidirectional resistive movement is limited in
muscle development. Muscles do not develop in a natural looking
manner and athletes or those wishing to exercise for a particular
combination movement such as pitching a baseball which uses torsion
and twisting movements as well as forward and back will not have
their needs be met.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus for assisting in adding a rotational element to the
traditional front/back (or flexion and extension) activities during
the lifting of weights.
[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide such an
attachment apparatus that provides a weight holding means that is
able to offer 360 degrees of smooth movement which allows complete
rotational positionability for use with any stationary or moving
resistive weight apparatus.
[0007] It is still another object of the invention to provide such
an apparatus wherein the weight holding means also provides a
safety measure which can limit the speed of rotation or even stop
this motion in the event that the weight is dropped or rotational
exertion limits are reached.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the
invention will be better understood by reading the following more
particular description of the invention, presented in conjunction
with the following drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a semi exploded side view of the rotational
weight lifting apparatus with a representational sample of the
locking mechanism;
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the rotational weight lifting
apparatus put together;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the 360 degree smooth
movement nature of the apparatus as it is positioned over an
exercise bar;
[0012] FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the rotational
weight lifting apparatus with a representational sample of the
locking mechanism;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the 360 degree smooth
movement nature of the apparatus as it is being used with bench
press type free weights;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the 360 degree smooth
movement nature of the apparatus as it is being used with a pull up
bar;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the 360 degree smooth
movement nature of the apparatus as it is being used during push up
activities.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the 360 degree smooth
movement nature of the apparatus as it is being used on the floor
with aerobic standing activities.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a representation of an alternative embodiment of a
cylinder block rotation device which can be stood on with, or
pushed on with the hands or even sat on which would create 360
degree movement for any supported activity.
[0018] FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective view of the rotational
weight lifting apparatus of FIG. 9 as shown.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0019] 02 grip or handle
[0020] 04 grip side body component
[0021] 06 ball bearings (or other smooth rotational vehicle)
[0022] 08 attachment side body component
[0023] 10 fastening bar or encircling apparatus for attachment to
other exercise equipment
[0024] 12 adjustable gripping foot or other mechanism to solidly
secure rotator to other equipment
[0025] 14 adjustable mechanism such as a screw type bolt to draw 12
closer to other equipment
[0026] 16 adjustable mechanism handle to allow for manual
adjustment of 12 and 14
[0027] 18 a representation of a stationary section of exercise
equipment which provides unidirectional movement (or is stationary)
which the rotator will convert to torsion/twisting 360 degree
rotational movement.
[0028] 20 a pad/friction padded platform which replaces 02 during
supported use such as standing
[0029] 22 a pad/friction padded platform which replaces 08 during
supported use such as standing on flat surfaces not needing
attachment but rather non sliding stability
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] The following description is of the best presently
contemplated mode of carrying out the present invention. This
description is not to be taker in a limiting sense but is made
merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the
invention. The scope of the invention should be determined by
referencing the appended claims. Nevertheless, taken as a whole,
this invention is a direction converter which will convert
directional movement and resistance exercise movement and the
associated muscular strengthening benefits from stationary,
unidirectional or single planar directed exercise activities to
those of a rotational direction. Equipment used can be stationary
apparatus such as a pullup or pushup bar, weight bench apparatus
using straps, cables and bow technology or other flexible resist
methods such as cables and wires and pulley systems used in a
variety of weight training apparatuses. This invention can be
manufactured in two forms, either as a free standing attachment
which can readily attach to existing weight training machinery by
standard methods such as straps, clamps, and hook and loop
fastening devices such as Velcro and the like. In addition said
version can be adhesively fastened with a secure adhesive, or can
be fundamentally bonded such as in soldering to metal parts.
Alternatively, this invention can be created as an integral
component in designs of weight training apparatus such that once
unilateral or stationary apparatus can now have the benefit of 360
degree rotational capacity.
[0031] Regarding direction conversion, when used on stationary
apparatus, it is the users muscles and body which moves but the 360
rotator will provide complete circular movement in a single plane.
When used with unidirectional apparatus, this invention will
provide same circular planar movement but now the added directions
(generally perpendicular to movement of rotator) will create a
torsion and corkscrew continuous resistance conversion. With
apparatus of free range movements such as cables and pulley
devices, the corkscrew effect will follow the path and direction of
the free ranging movement of the apparatus itself. In addition, the
movement is designed to be smooth and continuous and op optionally
resistive 360 degree movement capabilities to further offer
changeable resistance along the 360 degree circular plane.
[0032] FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 10 show perspective views of the rotator
apparatus for identification of basic component parts and
illustration of the simplicity of the design. Those skilled in the
arts of movement technology will doubtless know alternative methods
for creating 360 smooth movement which will not wear out over time.
It is understood that these illustrations are for functional design
awareness and variations and methods to create same will be readily
adjustable without affecting the basic design of this invention.
However, ball bearings offer a stable controllable means of
movement. The rotator mechanism is designed to offer smooth
movement through a circular angle. It should be noted that this
invention intends to be completely safe, as with any exercise
system there is risk of accidents. The rotator mechanism is
designed to provide smooth, non-jerky movement. Speed of rotation
can be controlled by either tightening or realeasing a progressive
attachment connection between the attachment body components 04 and
08, or better with integrally designed speed limiting construction.
In addition this rotator apparatus can contain a stop rotation
button or switch (not illustrated) which will stop any unwanted
rotation with integral brake technologies which can be easily
derived using well known braking techniques.
[0033] FIGS. 3 and 5 through 9 show variations in design with which
this rotator apparatus can be designed. It should be obvious that
the rotator needs to be attached to a stationary component of an
exercise equipment. This attachment is intended to be solid and
fast. The figures illustrated show only one method for locking onto
such equipment. Other methods include hook and loop fasteners such
as Velcro Brand fastener, straps or other standing locking
mechanisms, especially of the type typically used to lock on free
weights at athletic gyms (of typed patrons would be comfortable and
use to using). Also, this rotator can be permanently fastened such
as being welded to a stationary pullup bar mounted against the wall
etc.
* * * * *