U.S. patent application number 11/375829 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for wearable resistance exercise apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Gary A. Pride.
Application Number | 20070219074 11/375829 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38518668 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070219074 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pride; Gary A. |
September 20, 2007 |
Wearable resistance exercise apparatus and method
Abstract
A wearable resistance exercise apparatus comprises at least one
pulley, a cable coupled to the at least one pulley, at least one
handle located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by
a user, and a wearable support member, wherein the at least one
pulley is located on the wearable support member. A tension
adjusting device on the wearable support member allows for varying
levels of resistance to be set. The apparatus is worn by a user
wishing to perform resistance exercises. The user establishes a
level of resistance desired for the exercises by manipulating the
tension adjusting device. Exercises are performed by gripping the
handle and pulling it in a manner intended to stimulate muscle
building.
Inventors: |
Pride; Gary A.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEISS & MOY PC
4204 NORTH BROWN AVENUE
SCOTTSDALE
AZ
85251
US
|
Family ID: |
38518668 |
Appl. No.: |
11/375829 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/124 ;
482/121; 482/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/023 20130101;
A63B 21/153 20130101; A63B 21/4025 20151001; A63B 21/154
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/124 ;
482/121; 482/126 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02 |
Claims
1. A wearable resistance exercise apparatus comprising, in
combination: at least one pulley; a cable coupled to the at least
one pulley; at least one handle located at the end of the cable and
adapted to be gripped by a user; and a wearable support member,
wherein the at least one pulley is located on the wearable support
member.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising two pulleys, each having a
cable with a handle.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wearable support member is
a vest.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vest has at least one
closure located on an anterior portion of the vest.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a tension adjusting
device coupled to the at least one pulley.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tension adjusting device
is activatable from a position that is remote from the pulley.
7. A wearable resistance exercise apparatus comprising, in
combination: a first pulley and a second pulley; a first cable and
a second cable, wherein the first cable is coupled to the first
pulley and the second cable is coupled to the second pulley; a
first handle and a second handle, wherein the first handle is
located at the end of the first cable and adapted to be gripped by
a user and the second handle is located at the end of the second
cable and adapted to be gripped by a user; and a wearable support
member comprising a vest, wherein the first pulley and the second
pulley are located on the wearable support member.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the vest has at least one
closure located on an anterior portion of the vest.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a first tension
adjusting device and a second tension adjusting device, wherein the
first tension adjusting device is coupled to the first pulley and
the second tension adjusting device is coupled to the second
pulley.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first tension adjusting
device is activatable from a position that is remote from the first
pulley and the second tension adjusting device is activatable from
a position that is remote from the second pulley.
11. A method for exercising at least a portion of an upper body of
a user, comprising: providing a wearable resistance exercise
apparatus comprising, in combination: at least one pulley; a cable
coupled to the at least one pulley; at least one handle located at
the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user; and a
wearable support member, wherein the at least one pulley is located
on the wearable support member; positioning the wearable support
member on a user's upper body; positioning the at least one pulley
on a posterior portion of the user's upper body; and performing an
exercise by the user grasping the at least one handle and the user
pulling the at least one handle in a manner intended to stimulate
muscle building.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the apparatus comprises two
pulleys, each having a cable with a handle.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the wearable support member is
a vest.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the vest has at least one
closure located on an anterior portion of the vest.
15. The method of claim 1 further comprising a tension adjusting
device coupled to the at least one pulley.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the tension adjusting device is
activatable from a position that is remote from the pulley.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to resistance exercise
equipment and, more particular, to a wearable resistance exercise
apparatus that employs a resistance pulley system and that can be
used to perform resistance exercises when in position on a
wearer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Resistance exercise equipment is a popular tool used for
conditioning, strength training, muscle building, and the like.
Various types of resistance exercise equipment are known, such as
free weights, exercise machines, and resistance exercise bands or
tubing. Various limitations exist with the prior art exercise
devices. For example, many types of exercise equipment, such as
free weights and most exercise machines, are not portable. With
respect to exercise bands and tubing, they may need to be attached
to a stationary object, such as a closed door or a heavy piece of
furniture. This becomes a problem when, for example, the user
wishes to perform resistance exercises in a location where such
stationary objects are not readily found, such as outdoors. For the
prior art devices that do not need to be attached to stationary
objects, such as other types of bands or tubing, such prior art
systems typically provide only one level of resistance. This is a
disadvantage for a user who wishes to increase or decrease the
level of resistance for the user's resistance exercises. For such
users, it becomes necessary to acquire more than one set of
resistance exercise bands or tubing.
[0003] A need therefore exists for resistance exercise equipment
that is portable, that may be used on its own without the need to
employ other types of equipment, and that allows for adjustable
resistance levels.
[0004] The present invention satisfies these needs and provides
other, related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
wearable resistance exercise apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus
comprises, in combination: at least one pulley; a cable coupled to
the at least one pulley; at least one handle located at the end of
the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user; and a wearable
support member, wherein the at least one pulley is located on the
wearable support member.
[0006] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a wearable resistance exercise apparatus is disclosed.
The apparatus comprises, in combination: a first pulley and a
second pulley; a first cable and a second cable, wherein the first
cable is coupled to the first pulley and the second cable is
coupled to the second pulley; a first handle and a second handle,
wherein the first handle is located at the end of the first cable
and adapted to be gripped by a user and the second handle is
located at the end of the second cable and adapted to be gripped by
a user; and a wearable support member comprising a vest, wherein
the first pulley and the second pulley are located on the wearable
support member.
[0007] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present
invention, a method for exercising at least a portion of an upper
body of a user is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a
wearable resistance exercise apparatus comprising, in combination:
at least one pulley, a cable coupled to the at least one pulley, at
least one handle located at the end of the cable and adapted to be
gripped by a user, and a wearable support member, wherein the at
least one pulley is located on the wearable support member;
positioning the wearable support member on a user's upper body;
positioning the at least one pulley on a posterior portion of the
user's upper body; and performing an exercise by the user grasping
the at least one handle and the user pulling the at least one
handle in a manner intended to stimulate muscle building.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a wearable resistance exercise
apparatus, consistent with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a back view of the exercise apparatus of FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is front view of a pulley device, consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front, perspective, mirror image view of the
pulley device of FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tension adjusting
device, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the pulley device of FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the pulley device of FIG. 4, with
a portion thereof being shown in phantom.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a top view of the pulley device of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a
wearable resistance exercise apparatus 10 consistent with an
embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment,
the exercise apparatus includes the following main components: two
pulley devices 20, cables 22 which are coupled to the pulley
devices 20, handles 24 which are coupled to the ends of the cables
22, and a wearable support member 12, to which the pulley devices
20 are attached. In this embodiment, the exercise apparatus 10
further includes tension adjusting devices 30, which are coupled to
the front of the wearable support member 12. Also in this
embodiment, the wearable support member 12 includes front closures
14.
[0017] In this embodiment, the wearable support member 12 is a
vest. However, other forms of wearable support members, such as
jackets, jumpsuits, or the like may be used. Preferably, the
wearable support member 12 is composed of a heavy duty material, so
that use of the pulley devices 20 as herein described do not cause
the wearable support member 12 to stretch, sag or tear. Preferably,
the wearable support member 12 has front closures 14, so that it
may be remain securely in position on a wearer during use of the
exercise apparatus 10. It may be desired to use side or back
closures in addition to or instead of the front closures 14.
[0018] In one embodiment, the handles 24 are attached to the cables
22 with fasteners, such as a snap hooks or carabiners. It may be
desired to use hollow handles, which may be slipped over the cables
22.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIGS. 6-8, an embodiment
of a pulley device 20, consistent with an embodiment of the present
invention is shown. In this embodiment, the pulley device 20
includes a backplate 26 having a plurality of openings (not shown)
through which coupling members 28, such as bolts, may be inserted
in order to couple the pulley device 20 to the wearable support
member 12 (as best seen in FIG. 2). Preferably, the backplate 26 is
composed of a rigid material, such as metal, so that it is capable
of supporting the weight of the pulley device 20. A tension cable
32 extends from the pulley device 20 to a tension adjusting device
30 (as best seen in FIG. 1).
[0020] In this embodiment, the tension adjusting devices 30 are
positioned on the front of the wearable support member 12. In this
way, they are within easy reach of a wearer of the exercise
apparatus 10, who can adjust tension without needing to remove the
wearable support member 12 by rotating the tension adjusting
devices 30. However, it may be desired to position the tension
devices 30 elsewhere, such as on the back or sides of the wearable
support member 12.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 5, the structure of an embodiment of a
portion of an exercise apparatus 10 is shown, with particular
attention to the tension adjustment feature. A worm screw 34 is
provided, with the worm screw 34 being rotatable by a turning of
its corresponding tension adjusting device 30 (not shown), with the
rotation being communicated through tension cable 32 (not shown).
Rotation of the worm screw 34 alters the load on load spring 36.
Where it is desired to increase resistance, the tension adjusting
device 30 should be turned in the direction that will cause
increased load on the load spring 36. To decrease resistance,
rotation should occur in the opposite direction.
[0022] An increase in load on the load spring 36 causes anterior
movement of a clutch plate 38, which provides increased tension on
the corresponding pulley device 20. This will create increased
resistance for the user. A decrease in load on the load spring 36
causes posterior movement of a clutch plate 38, which provides
decreased tension on the corresponding pulley device 20. This will
create decreased resistance for the user.
[0023] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing
and other changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example,
it may be desired for the wearable support member 12 to include
only one pulley device 20 to which two handles 24 are attached. It
may also be desired for the wearable support member 12 to include
only one pulley device 20 to which only one handle 24 is attached.
In this latter embodiment, a user would be required to either grasp
the single handle 24 with both hands, or exercise using one hand at
a time.
Statement of Operation
[0024] In order to position the wearable resistance exercise
apparatus 10 so that it may be used to perform resistance
exercises, a user would put the exercise apparatus 10 on the user's
upper body, so that the pulley devices 20 are positioned over the
user's back and the tension adjusting devices 30 are positioned
over the user's chest. The user would set a desired level of
resistance by manipulating the tension adjusting devices 30. The
user would then perform resistance exercises by gripping the
handles 24 and pulling them in a manner intended to stimulate
muscle building.
[0025] For example, a user may wish to grasp the handles 24 and
bring both hands directly forward, in a rowing or bench press type
of motion. A user may wish to bring the handles 24 in an arc-type
of motion until they contact each other in front of the user's
body, in a fly type of motion. A user could extend both hands
upward from a point beginning behind the neck, in a triceps
extension type of motion. Numerous other variations are also
possible.
[0026] A user may wish to utilize a single resistance setting for
an exercise session. Alternatively, a user may wish to perform
multiple sets of a particular exercise, and may wish to increase
resistance between sets to perform a pyramid-style workout. The
user may also wish to change resistance between different
exercises.
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