U.S. patent application number 11/458549 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Adam Halbridge.
Application Number | 20080039301 11/458549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39051522 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080039301 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Halbridge; Adam |
February 14, 2008 |
Exercise Apparatus
Abstract
An exercise apparatus is for use with a chair, the chair having
a base, a pedestal, and a seat, with the exercise apparatus
including a support structure that is adapted to removably attach
to the chair pedestal, the support structure is also substantially
adjustably interposed between the chair base and the chair seat.
Also included in the exercise apparatus is a resilient rod having a
first end portion and a second end portion, the rod first end
portion is adjacent to the support structure in a cantilevered
configuration with the rod second end portion free. Further
included in the exercise apparatus is an attachment element
adjacent to the rod second end, wherein the attachment element is
adapted to removably engage to a portion of human anatomy for the
purpose of exercise by omni directional flexing of the rod along
its length causing a resistive force at the attachment element.
Inventors: |
Halbridge; Adam; (San Diego,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACKSON ESQUIRE;ROGER A. JACKSON
1115 GRANT STREET, SUITE G-7
DENVER
CO
80203-2399
US
|
Family ID: |
39051522 |
Appl. No.: |
11/458549 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/1609 20151001;
A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/045 20130101; A63B 23/12 20130101;
A63B 23/03541 20130101; A63B 2210/02 20130101; A63B 21/4043
20151001; A63B 21/026 20130101; A63B 23/1209 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/121 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/04 20060101
A63B021/04 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus for use with a chair, having a base, a
pedestal and a seal, said exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a
support structure adapted to removably attach to the chair
pedestal, said support structure also to be substantially
adjustably interposed between the chair base and the chair seat;
(b) a resilient rod having a first end portion and a second end
portion, said rod first end portion is adjacent to said support
structure in a cantilevered configuration with said rod second end
portion free; and (c) an attachment element adjacent to said rod
second end, wherein said attachment element is adapted to removably
engage to a portion of human anatomy for the purpose of exercise by
omni directional flexing of said rod along its length causing a
resistive force at said attachment element.
2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support
structure includes a selectively rotatably lockable socket that is
sized and configured to receive said rod first end portion.
3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said rod has
a non symmetric cross-section, wherein said rod is rotatable about
its lengthwise axis through said socket being operational to allow
for selected different resistive forces at said attachment element
by varying a rod effective area bending moment of inertia in
relation to the rod flexing along its length.
4. An exercise apparatus ac cording to claim 3 wherein said
attachment element includes a hand grip and a selectively
lengthwise adjustable extension between said hand grip and said rod
second end portion.
5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said hand
grip selectively adjustable extension is selectively removably
engagable from itself.
6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said
attachment element includes a foot harness and a selectively
adjustable extension between said foot harness and said rod second
end portion.
7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said foot
harness selectively adjustable extension is removably engagable
from itself.
8. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said rod non
symmetric cross-section is substantially in the form of a rectangle
with a major to minor axis relationship of about two (2).
9. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rod is
constructed of materials selected from the group consisting
essentially of nylon, fiberglass, composites, and plastics.
10. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rod is
constructed of materials selected from the group consisting
essentially of spring steels.
11. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said
selectively lengthwise adjustable extension includes a strap and a
selectable lengthwise locking element that is selected from the
group consisting essentially of double D rings, a compression
clamp, a belt buckle, a hook and loop fastener, and a fold over
strap clamp.
12. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said
selectively rotatably lockable socket includes a disk affixed to
said support structure that has a plurality of apertures and an
extension affixed to said selectively rotatable lockable socket,
wherein said extension removably engages said apertures being
operational to selectively secure said selectively rotatable
lockable socket at a particular rotational position.
13. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support
structure removable attachment is in the form of a split clamshell
having a split line including a plurality of quick release
fasteners that are adjacent to said split line, said clamshell also
including a split resilient liner being operational to
substantially accommodate differing pedestal sizes.
14. An exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said
support structure adjustable interposing is in the form of an
externally engaging substantially hollow lengthwise split shaped
cylinder that is removably engaged to an inner surface of said
clamshell being operational to selectively adjust said support
structure telescopically lengthwise to substantially match the
variable distance between the chair base and the chair seat.
15. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a
plurality of selectively rotatable lockable sockets and rods that
are operational to further increase the number of exercises
accommodated.
16. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said
attachment element that is adjacent to said rod second end portion
includes structure to rotatably and pivotally engage said rod
second end.
17. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a
flexible sleeve that slidably engages said rod being operational to
decrease said flexing thereby increasing said resistive force.
18. An exercise apparatus for use with a chair, having a base, a
pedestal, and a seat, said exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a
support structure in the form of a shell that includes a pair of
outer removably attachable semicircular lengthwise split clam shell
halves that are adjacent at a split line, that include a
selectively rotatable lockable socket disposed on an exterior of
said shell, said socket having a rotation axis, said shell halves
substantially encase the pedestal, said support structure also
includes a telescopically connected inner pair of semicircular
shell halves that selectively removably engage lengthwise said
outer shell halves being operational to be substantially adjustable
to be interposed between the chair base and the chair seat; (b) a
resilient rod having a first end portion and a second end portion,
wherein said first end portion is selectively rotationally received
into said socket in a cantilevered configuration with said rod
second end portion free, with said socket rotation axis
substantially about a rod lengthwise axis, said rod also including
a non symmetric cross-section; and (c) an attachment element
adjacent to said rod second end, wherein said attachment element is
adapted to removably engage to a portion of human anatomy for the
purpose of exercise by omni directional flexing said rod along its
length resulting in a variable resistive force at said attachment
element from selectively rotating said rod about its lengthwise
axis.
19. An exercise apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said rod
non symmetric cross-section is substantially in the form of a
rectangle with a major to minor axis relationship of about two
(2).
20. An exercise apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said rod is
constructed of materials selected from the group consisting
essentially of nylon, fiberglass, composites, and plastics.
21. An exercise apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said rod is
constructed of materials selected from the group consisting
essentially of spring steels.
22. An exercise apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said
support structure removable attachment includes a plurality of
quick release fasteners are adjacent to said split.
23. An exercise apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said
attachment element that is adjacent to said rod second end includes
structure to rotatably and pivotally engage said rod second
end.
24. An exercise apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said shell
also includes a split resilient liner being operational to
substantially accommodate differing pedestal sizes.
25. An exercise apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising
a flexible sleeve that slidably engages said rod being operational
to decrease said flexing thereby increasing said resistive force.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for
accomplishing exercise in a non traditional exercise or working out
environment, wherein an individual does not have ready access to a
gym, health club, spa, or other type of facility for exercise or
working out. More particularly, the present invention is an
exercise apparatus that is adapted to be adjacent to a readily
available piece of furniture that an individual uses in an office
or work environment to facilitate exercise in a convenient time and
place, thus allowing the individual to enjoy the health benefits of
exercise when circumstances don't readily allow for the time and
expense of using a traditional exercise facility such as a gym,
health club, spa, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] The health benefits of exercise are well known and
applicable to all ages of individuals, including cardiovascular
improvement muscle strengthening, stretching, increased blood
circulation, better coordination, sharper motor abilities, flexible
joint mobility, bone health, general overall wellness, and the
like. One problem as an individual typically moves from being a
child to being an adult, their physical activity levels decline
just when maintaining good health is at its most important as an
individual ages, topically their exercise levels decline that can
work against maintaining good health, thus just when an individual
should be exercising and being active, their exercise and activity
levels tend to decrease. Children are normally active in going
places (i.e. walking or riding a bike), playing active games in
their spare time, such as football, soccer, baseball, tag, hide and
seek, and the like, plus being in school children are also active
in physical education classes and after school hours sports
leagues. Thus as children we are normally plenty active and in the
best of health due to our young age. However, as we become adults,
societal norms tend to drive us into a much more sedentary
lifestyle, for instance by having a car, we tend to walk very
little, nor ride a bicycle much, and as an office worker we tend to
sit at a desk for long periods of time, sit in meetings, sit on
airplanes, and then go out for high fat and calorie content meals
at high end restaurants, thus as a result most adults tend to gain
weight by consuming more calories coupled with a lower activity
lifestyle, just when our bodies should be in better shape to
compensate for aging we topically get in worse shape.
[0003] Although the benefits of exercise especially for adults are
acknowledged by most everyone for weight control, maintaining
agility, preventing diabetes, preventing joint stain from excessive
body weight, preventing higher various internal organ workloads
(especially the heart) from excessive body weight, and so on, few
adults are active enough to maintain even a recommended weight
typically being only about one-fourth of the adult population is
not overweight. So the question to ask is, why don't the majority
of adults exercise especially if the health benefits are widely
known? One probable answer is that available time and convenience
are a problem for engaging in an exercise program, as most adults
have a full time job, a family, and other interests that all
together consume most of an adults time. Thus, a potentially
helpful solution is to minimize the time and convenience obstacles
to allow for an exercise program to be possible for a working
adult.
[0004] This issue is well-recognized to the prior art wherein there
are a number of portable exercise machines available that vary
considerably in complexity and what they use to exercise with, such
as a chair, or a desk, or the like, or the portable exercise
machine can be a standalone type item. One prior example is in
United States patent application publication number US 2005/0239616
A1 to Tuller et al., that discloses an abdominal exercise machine
that includes a semi rigid center member having an upper member
adapted to be grasped by the hands of the user and a lower member
adapted to contact the user's lap, wherein the semi rigid member
center member is placed adjacent to the chest of the user, with the
user grasping the upper member with their hands and placing the
lower member against their lap and performing abdominal type
"crunch" exercises by leaning forward and flexing the semi rigid
member. Thus, Tuller et al., is a small and portable device,
however, being limited to strictly abdominal type exercises.
Another example in the prior art of exercise machines using
flexible members is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,057 to Shifferaw
which is a continuation U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,704 also to Shifferaw
of which both patents disclose a portable universal exercise
machine that includes a plurality of resilient flexible rods
wherein each rod has one end that is fixed in a base portion of the
exercise machine with each rod being positioned in a cantilever
fashion having a free end that has are movable cable type member
attached to it, wherein the cable type member is routed through a
series of pulleys having on its other end a bar or a handgrip for
the user to grasp. Thus, in Shifferaw when the user effectuates a
movement upon the handgrip or with the bar the cable type member is
moved through the pulleys and eventually creates a unidirectional
force on the free end of the cantilevered resilient flexible rod
which resists movement thereby creating resistance for the exercise
movement. The advantage of Shifferaw is that a plurality of
flexible members can be utilized to create varying levels of
exercise movement resistance and also with the advantage of a more
lightweight and compact exercise machine due to the relatively
small size and lightweight of the flexible rod members as compared
to conventional weight machines that would utilise steel weight
plates there are quite heavy and bulky.
[0005] A further example in the prior art of exercise machines
using flexible members is given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,064 to
Williams, Jr. that discloses an exercise glove that incorporates
flexible resistance strips parallel to the lengthwise finger
portions of the glove, thus allowing the user to flex their hand
while wearing the glove with the purpose to strengthen their hands
due to the increased resistance of flexing the glove from the
flexible resistance strips. Again, in Williams, Jr., Shifferaw, and
Tuller et al., the current technology dictates that a portable
exercise machine can beneficially take advantage of some sort of
flexible composite elements to generate exercise movement
resistance for the exercise desired and as previously stated these
flexible composite elements are typically small and lightweight
which is a necessary advantage of the portable exercise machine.
However, there are other methods of creating exercise movement
resistance besides use of a conventional weight mass, such as
springs as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,983 to Dawes et al., or
the form of a mechanical resistance clutch utilizing a cable
attached to a handgrip, wherein pulling on the handgrip that is on
the cable activates the resistance clutch that provides resistance
to the cable movement for exercise with an example being in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,813,953 to Whipple.
[0006] Moving to the prior art that discloses portable exercise
machines that are adapted to attached to be piece of office
furniture, for instance in United States patent application
publication number US2004/0053756 A1 to Tremayne that discloses an
exercise device utilizing handles having movement resistance
connected to a chair, wherein the device is separable from the
chair being adapted to attach to a standard chair. The exercise
device in Tremayne has foldable handle supports and a leg exercise
option with the resistance being in a combination of a resilient
element and pulleys housed in a series of telescopic segments that
extend when the handle is pulled to protect the user from exposure
to the resilient element and to change pulley spacing to vary
resistance. Similarly in U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,445 to Rovinsky et
al., also disclosed is an exercise device that attaches to a chair
by having its own separate frame for the exercise device that
further includes several exercise attachments working in
conjunction with resilient elements with handles and the tike for
exercise movement resistance. Continuing, in a similar manner in
United States patent application publication number US2002/0142898
A1 to Willis et al., disclosed is a pair of exercise handles that
can each attach to an office chair or a desk, with variable
resistance being effectuated by frictional members at joints or
couples in the exercise handles, also to the same inventor Willis
et al., in United States patent application publication number
US2002/0137606 A1 as a complement to the previously described
Willis et al., exercise handles, which disclosed is a portable leg
or arm powered exercise device that rests on the ground wherein the
resilient resistance elements are attached between the device and
the chair seat enabling the user to exercise either their legs or
arms.
[0007] Further, on exercise machines that are adapted to be
attached to a conventional chair in U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,133 to
Shugg disclosed is a seat mounted workout station that utilises
springs, cables, and pulleys for exercise movement resistance as
opposed to resilient elements, thus a drawback to Shugg would be in
the mechanical complexity and additional weight and bulk that would
accompany the use of springs, cables, and pulleys as opposed to
resilient elements. Another prior example is in an exercise device
that is adapted to attach to a chair using resilient elements being
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,056 to Cataldi, Jr. et al. that discloses an
isotonic exercise device that attaches to the chair utilising
elastic or resilient bands that have removably engagable hand or
ankle grips. Also, in this same area in U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,900 to
Mankovits disclosed is an exercise apparatus for use with a chair
having resilient elements that are attached to the chair frame and
that are also affixed to the roller elements that are in contact
with the floor surface, in using the exercise apparatus, the user's
feet rest against the roller elements and exert force against the
resilient elements for a leg exercise as the roller elements move
along the floor surface. Other prior art examples for chair related
exercise machines are in U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,296 to Wang et al.,
that discloses a chair mounted exercise unit that utilises elastic
pull ropes and pulleys that attach to the seat back, wherein the
ropes terminate in adjustable hand grips. Another prior example
would be in U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,243 to Wilkinson that discloses a
seat back unit similar to Wang et al., utilising either resilient
elements or springs for resistance to the exercise movement having
the addition of a rotatable hub, wherein the rotatable hub provides
additional exercise options for the user's arms and legs. In a
somewhat similar vein, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,694 to Pauls et al.,
disclosed is a chair exercise unit having hand grips on cord
elements, wherein these cord elements are attached to a load
resistance means in the form of a centrifugal friction system
mounted underneath the se at back, as opposed to the more
conventional resilient elements or spring type designs.
[0008] Another offshoot in the chair exercise machine prior art is
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,247 to Sterling that discloses an exercise
chair, wherein exercise machine is not adapted to be attached as an
add-on to the chair but the chair itself is an integral exercise
machine having built in hand grips with spring resistance elements
and a bicycle type pedal arrangement that extends from the chair
front. Also in the integral exercise chair machine area, an example
is given in U.S. Pat. No. 217,918 to White that discloses an
exercise chair having integral springs, pulleys, and ropes to
exercise the arms and the legs.
[0009] A number of versions of portable exercise machines have been
previously discussed, upon looking at the numerous disclosures in
the prior art a few common attributes of portable exercise machines
are noted, being the requirement of small size, lightweight, the
ability to stow away easily and if a chair or desk is utilized in
conjunction with the portable exercise machine wherein the portable
exercise machine is sized and configured to attach/detach from the
chair or desk in an easy and convenient manner. As all exercise
machines rely upon a means to create exercise movement resistance,
the portable exercise machine has a narrow group of options in this
area, wherein conventional weights that are made from either steel
or concrete are typically out of the question due to their size and
bulk so that other means of exercise movement resistance must be
used. These other means of movement resistance would include
resilient elements similar to large robber bands, wherein the
movement resistance is derived from stretching the rubber band, or
a flexible rod wherein the movement resistance comes from the
lateral bending of the rod, or springs, which would function
similarly to the resilient elements in creating resistance, or some
sort of mechanical friction device, such as a clutch that would
typically resist lateral movement of a cable that is on a spool.
The key of the movement resistance is that it needs to be variable
which adds a further complication, such that multiple resilient
elements, or multiple flexible rods, or multiple springs, or
adjustment on the mechanical friction device is required. Thus,
this requirement for variable exercise movement resistance adds a
complication to the size, bulk, and weight requirements of the
portable exercise machine. What is needed therefore, is a portable
exercise machine that can accommodate variable exercise movement
resistance without the aid of the bulk and weight adding multitude
of resistance elements that each have a different level of exercise
movement resistance as is disclosed in the prior art. This variable
exercise movement resistance could be accomplished by the use of an
asymmetrical or variable cross-section flexible rod that could be
rotatable along its longitudinal axis to create a changing bending
axis moment of inertia, thus resulting in variable exercise
movement resistance potentially being accomplished by a single
flexible rod mounting to a base member.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0010] Broadly the present invention of an exercise apparatus is
for use with a chair, the chair having a base, a pedestal, and a
seat, with the exercise apparatus including a support structure
that is adapted to removably attach to the chair pedestal, the
support structure is also to be substantially adjustably interposed
between the chair base and the chair seat. Also included in the
exercise apparatus is a resilient rod having a first end portion
and a second end portion, the rod first end portion is adjacent to
the support structure in a cantilevered configuration with the rod
second end portion free. Further included in the exercise apparatus
is an attachment element adjacent to the rod second end, wherein
the attachment element is adapted to removably engage to a portion
of human anatomy for the purpose of exercise by omni directional
flexing of the rod along its length causing a resistive force at
the attachment element.
[0011] These and other objects of the present invention will become
more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the
following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the
present invention when taken together with the accompanying
drawings, in which;
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exercise
apparatus;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the exercise apparatus
denoting the expanded views as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an expanded perspective view of a selectably
rotatable lockable socket;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows an expanded perspective view of an attachment
element specifically a removable engagement with rotational and
pivotal movement;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the exercise
apparatus;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows an exploded front view of the exercise
apparatus;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows an assembled front view of the exercise
apparatus;
[0019] FIG. 8 shows sectional view 8-8 from FIG. 7 for an
alternative embodiment of a flexible rod cross section with the
attachment element;
[0020] FIG. 9 shows sectional view 9-9 from FIG. 7 showing the
chair pedestal, base, seat, and support structure interposed bet we
en the base and seat;
[0021] FIG. 10 shows an assembled top view of the exercise
apparatus;
[0022] FIG. 11 shows a top view of the flexible rod with a non
symmetric cross section;
[0023] FIG. 12 shows a side view of the flexible rod with the non
symmetric cross section as shown in FIG. 11;
[0024] FIG. 13 shows an end view of the flexible rod second end
distal portion as shown in FIG. 11;
[0025] FIG. 14 shows a side view of the distal end fitting for the
flexible rod second end distal portion;
[0026] FIG. 15 shows an end view of the distal end fitting for the
flexible rod second end distal portion;
[0027] FIG. 16 shows a side view of a proximal end fitting for the
flexible rod first end proximal portion;
[0028] FIG. 17 shows an end view of the proximal end fitting for
the flexible rod first end proximal portion;
[0029] FIG. 18 shows section 18-18 from FIG. 11 for the cross
section of the non symmetric flexible rod cross section
substantially in the form of a rectangle;
[0030] FIG. 19 shows a top view of the flexible rod with the non
symmetric cross section substantially in the form of a rectangle
with a stiffening sleeve slidably engaged;
[0031] FIG. 20 shows a side view of the flexible rod having the
symmetric cross section with the stiffening sleeve slidably
engaged;
[0032] FIG. 21 shows a front perspective view of the exercise
apparatus in use for a butterfly type exercise;
[0033] FIG. 22 shows a rear perspective view of the exercise
apparatus in use for a butterfly type exercise;
[0034] FIG. 23 shows a front perspective view of the exercise
apparatus in use for a triceps type exercise;
[0035] FIG. 24 shows a rear perspective view of the exercise
apparatus in use for a triceps type exercise;
[0036] FIG. 25 shows a front perspective view of the exercise
apparatus in use for a shoulder shrug type exercise;
[0037] FIG. 26 shows a rear perspective view of the exercise
apparatus in use for a shoulder shrug type exercise;
[0038] FIG. 27 shows a front perspective view of the exercise
apparatus in use for a curling type exercise; and
[0039] FIG. 23 shows a rear perspective view of the exercise
apparatus in use for a curling type exercise.
REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS
[0040] 30 Exercise apparatus [0041] 32 Chair [0042] 34 Base of the
chair 32 [0043] 36 Pedestal of the chair 32 [0044] 38 Seat of the
chair 32 [0045] 40 Support structure [0046] 41 Removable attachment
of support structure 40 [0047] 42 Distance between the chair base
34 and the chair seat 38 [0048] 43 Adjustable interposing of
support structure 40 between the chair base 34 and the chair seat
38 [0049] 44 Resilient flexing rod [0050] 46 First end proximal
portion of the resilient rod 44 [0051] 48 Second end distal portion
of the resilient rod 44 [0052] 50 Attachment element [0053] 51
Removable engagement of attachment element 50 [0054] 52 Exercising
human [0055] 54 Anatomy of the exercising human 52 [0056] 56
Curling exercise movement [0057] 58 Butterfly exercise movement
[0058] 64 Triceps exercise movement [0059] 68 Shoulder shrug
exercise movement [0060] 80 Omni directional movement of flexing
rod 44 [0061] 82 Axis, lengthwise of rod 44 [0062] 84 Force,
resistive for exercise movement [0063] 85 Substantially symmetric
cross section of rod 44 [0064] 86 Selectively rotatably lockable
socket [0065] 87 Rotational axis of socket 86 [0066] 88 Non
symmetric cross-section of rod 44 substantially in the form of a
rectangle [0067] 89 Non symmetric cross-section of rod 44
substantially in the form of an ellipse [0068] 90 Rotation of rod
44 about rod lengthwise axis 82 [0069] 91 Thickness of non
symmetric cross section of flexible rod 44 [0070] 93 Radius of non
symmetric cross section of flexible rod 44 [0071] 94 Handgrip of
the attachment element 50 [0072] 96 Selectively lengthwise
adjustable extension of attachment element 50 [0073] 98 Selectively
removable engagement for the hand grip 94 of the selectively
lengthwise adjustable extension 96 [0074] 102 Rod 44 non symmetric
cross section substantially in the form of a rectangle [0075] 104
Major axis of rod 44 non symmetric cross section [0076] 106 Minor
axis of rod 44 non symmetric cross section [0077] 126 Strap [0078]
128 Selectable lengthwise be king element for strap 126 [0079] 140
Disk for selectively rotatably lockable socket 86 [0080] 142
Apertures for disk 140 [0081] 144 Extension for selectively
rotatably lockable socket 86 [0082] 146 Removable engagement for
extension 144 [0083] 145 Socket 86 at a particular rotational
position [0084] 148 Internally engaging split clamshell for support
structure 40 removable attachment 41 [0085] 149 Split line of
clamshell 148 [0086] 150 Quick release fasteners that are adjacent
to the split of the clamshell 148 [0087] 151 Inner engaging surface
of split clamshell 148 [0088] 152 Split resilient liner of split
clamshell 148 [0089] 154 Externally engaging substantially hollow
lengthwise split shaped cylinder [0090] 156 Engagement of
substantially hollow lengthwise split shaped cylinder 154 and split
clamshell 148 [0091] 158 Lengthwise telescopic movement of the
support structure 40 [0092] 160 Variable distance between the chair
base 34 and the chair se at 38 [0093] 162 Structure to rotatably
and pivotally engage the rod second end 48 to the attachment
element 50 [0094] 164 Rotational movement of the attachment element
50 to the rod second end 48 [0095] 165 Pivotal movement of the
attachment element 50 to the rod second end 48 [0096] 166 Flexible
sleeve [0097] 168 Distal end fitting [0098] 170 Proximal end
fitting [0099] 172 Outer surface of the flexible rod 44 having a
cross section substantially in the form of a rectangle 88 [0100]
174 Outer surface of the flexible rod 44 having a cross section
that is substantially symmetric 85 [0101] 175 Outer surface of the
second end distal portion 48 of the flexible rod 44
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0102] Broadly with initial reference to FIG. 1 shown is a
perspective view of the exercise apparatus 30, FIG. 2 also shows a
perspective view of the exercise apparatus 30 denoting the expanded
views of a selectively rotatable lockable socket 86 as shown in
FIG. 3 and an attachment element 50 as shown in FIG. 4, with FIG. 3
showing an expanded perspective view of the selectively rotatable
lockable socket 86 associated with the support structure 40, the
base 34, and the resilient flexing rod 44. Continuing, FIG. 4 shows
an expanded perspective view of the attachment element 50
associated with the resilient flexing rod 44, the strap 126, and
structure 162 to rotatably 164 and pivotally 165 engage the rod 44
second end 48 to the attachment element 50. Further, FIG. 5 shows
an exploded perspective view of the exercise apparatus 30, while
FIG. 6 shows an exploded front view of the exercise apparatus 30,
and FIG. 7 shows an assembled front view of the exercise apparatus
30. FIG. 8 shows sectional view 8-8 from FIG. 7 for an alternative
embodiment of a flexible rod 44 cross section substantially in the
form of an ellipse 89 with the attachment element 50, with FIG. 9
showing sectional view 9-9 from FIG. 7 that denotes the chair 32
pedestal 36, base 34, seat 38, and support structure 40 that is
interposed between the base 34 and seat 38.
[0103] Further continuing, FIG. 10 shows an assembled top view of
the exercise apparatus 30, FIG. 11 shows a top view of the flexible
rod 44 with a non symmetric cross section substantially in the form
of a rectangle 88, with FIG. 12 showing a side view of the flexible
rod 44 again with the non symmetric cross section substantially in
the form of a rectangle 88 as shown in FIG. 11. Yet, further FIG.
13 shows an end view of the flexible rod 44 second end distal
portion 48 as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 14 shows a side view of the
distal end fitting 168 for the flexible rod 44 second end distal
portion 48. Moving to FIG. 15 shown is an end view of the distal
end fitting 168 for the flexible rod 44 second end distal portion
48, FIG. 16 shows a side view of a proximal end fitting 170 for the
flexible rod 44 first end proximal portion 46, and FIG. 17 shows an
end view of the proximal end fitting 170 for the flexible rod 44
first end proximal portion 46. Next FIG. 18 shows section 18-18
from FIG. 11 for the cross section of the non symmetric flexible
rod 44 cross section substantially in the form of a rectangle 88,
FIG. 19 shows a top view of the flexible rod 44 with the non
symmetric cross section substantially in the form of a rectangle
88, with the stiffening sleeve 166 slidably engaged to the outer
surface 172, and FIG. 20 shows a side view of the flexible rod 44
having the symmetric cross section 85 with the stiffening sleeve
166 slidably engaged to the outer surface 174.
[0104] Continuing, FIG. 21 shows a front perspective view of the
exercise apparatus 30 in use for a butterfly 58 type exercise by an
exercising human 52, FIG. 22 shows a rear perspective view of the
exercise apparatus 30 in use for the butterfly 58 type exercise by
the exercising human 52, and FIG. 23 shows a front perspective view
of the exercise apparatus 30 in use for a triceps 64 type exercise
by the exercising human 52. Further continuing, FIG. 24 shows a
rear perspective view of the exercise apparatus 30 in use for the
triceps 64 type exercise by the exercising human 52, FIG. 25 shows
a front perspective view of the exercise apparatus 30 in use for a
shoulder shrug 68 type exercise by the exercising human 52, and
FIG. 26 shows a rear perspective view of the exercise apparatus 30
in use for the shoulder shrug 68 type exercise by the exercising
human 52. Next, FIG. 27 shows a front perspective view of the
exercise apparatus 30 in use for a curling 56 type exercise by the
exercising human 52 and FIG. 28 shows a rear perspective view of
the exercise apparatus 30 in use for the curling 56 type exercise
by the exercising human 52.
[0105] Broadly in referring to FIGS. 1-20, the present invention of
an exercise apparatus 30 is for use with a chair 32, the chair 32
having a base 34, a pedestal 36, and a seat 38, with the exercise
apparatus 30 including a support structure 40 that is adapted to
removably attach to the chair 32 pedestal 36. In addition, the
support structure 40 is also to be substantially adjustably
interposed between the chair 32 base 34 and the chair 32 seat 33,
with the preferred purpose being to adjustably restrict movement of
the support structure 40 as between the base 34 and the seat 38,
thus helping to restrict the support structure 40 moving in
relation to the pedestal 36 in a limited manner. Also included in
the exercise apparatus 30 is a flexible resilient rod 44 having a
first end proximal portion 46 and a second end distal portion 48,
with the rod first end proximal portion 46 positioned adjacent to
the support structure 40 in a cantilevered configuration (as best
shown in FIG. 1) with the rod second end distal portion 48 free to
flex in an omni directional 80 manner (in referring to FIGS.
21-28). Further included in the exercise apparatus 30 is an
attachment element 50 that is adjacent to the rod second end 48,
wherein the attachment element 50 is adapted to removably engage to
a portion of human 52 anatomy 54 for the purpose of exercise by
omni directional flexing 80 of the rod 44 along its length,
referring to a lengthwise axis 82, thus causing a resistive force
84 at the attachment element 50 for the purpose of exercise by the
human 52.
[0106] Optionally, the exercise apparatus 30 support structure 40
can include a selectively rotatably lockable socket 86 that is
sized and configured to rotationally receive the rod 44 first end
portion 46, as best shown in FIG. 3, wherein the socket 86
facilitates rotational movement 90 of the rod 44 substantially
about the rod 44 longitudinal axis 82 by the socket 86 rotating
about its axis 87, wherein axis 87 and axis 82 are substantially
parallel but not necessarily co-axial. Further, the selectively
rotatably lockable socket 86 includes a disk 140 affixed to the
support structure 40 that has a plurality of apertures 142 and an
extension 144 affixed to the selectively rotatable lockable socket
86, wherein the extension 144 removably engages the apertures 142
through a manual removable engagement 146 that is operational to
selectively secure the selectively rotatable lockable socket 86 at
a particular rotational position 145, thus resulting in the rod 44
rotation 90 being secured at a particular rotational position. In
referring to FIGS. 21-28 the preferred purpose of the rod 44
rotation 90 is to allow for the desired benefit of variable rod 44
flexing or movement 80 resistance thus resulting in variable
exercise resistive force 84 for the human 52 to accommodate a
larger number of exercises that would be possible, without the need
for using different rods 44 for different flexing or exercise
resistive force 84 levels. Additionally the exercise apparatus 30
can optionally have a plurality of selectively rotatable lockable
sockets 86 and/or rods 44 adjacent to the support structure 40,
with the plurality of sockets 86 and/or rods 44 being operational
to further increase the number of exercises accommodated on the
exercise apparatus 30.
[0107] To eliminate the need for using different rods 44 for
different flexing or exercise resistive force 84 levels, the use of
a rod 44 that can have various a non symmetric cross sections,
referring specifically to FIGS. 8, 11, 12, and 18 is employed.
Thus, when the rod 44 is rotated about its axis 82 the bending area
moment of inertia changes, due to the rod 44 bending plane which
would be substantially parallel to the resistive force 84 (see
FIGS. 12-28) such that the rod 44 bending plane is changing in its
relationship to the non symmetrical cross section of the rod 44. As
an example in looking specifically at FIG. 18, if the rod 44
bending plane was substantially parallel to the major axis 104 the
rod 44 flexing strength would be higher and if the rod 44 bending
plane was substantially parallel to the minor axis 106 the rod 44
flexing strength would be lower. This rod 44 flexing strength can
be defined as a mathematical relationship for a defined non
symmetric cross section, as an example in FIG. 18, starting with a
round rod 44 of radius 93 wherein the rod 44 had shaved sides that
result in a substantially rectangular 102 cross section, with the
shaved sides resulting in thickness 91 being the cross sectional
distance along the minor axis 106 with two times the radius 93
being the cross sectional distance along the major axis 104. Thus,
for the non symmetric rod 44 cross section as previously defined in
FIG. 18 the thickness 91 equals two times the radius 93 divided by
the square root of the ratio of bending stiffness desired, which is
the maximum differential between the rod 44 flexing strength by
bending in a plane substantially parallel to the minor axis 106
(minimal flexing strength of the rod 44) and major axis 104
(maximum flexing strength of the rod 44). As an example, if the
radius 92 equals one inch, and the desired stiffness ratio is five
(meaning that the rod 44 is five times as strong bending along the
major axis 104 as opposed to bending along the minor axis 106) the
calculated thickness 91 is equal to about nine-tenths of an inch,
or the non symmetric cross section has a ratio of about two between
the non symmetric cross section along the major axis 104 to the non
symmetric cross section along the minor axis. Note that the
aforementioned equation relationship is irrespective of the
materials of construction used, as the equation is geometric in
nature. Although FIGS. 1-7 and 21-28 show the rod 44 somewhat
tapered from the first end 46 to the second end 48, the rod 44 can
also be non tapered.
[0108] The preferred materials of construction for the rod 44 are
DuPont DELRIN acetal resin, specifically being part number 570
NC000 that is a twenty percent glass filled acetal, other
acceptable acetals would include acetal copolymers, DELRIN
homopolymers, DELRIN AF PTFE filled, or various other materials
such as nylon, fiberglass, composites, and plastics, or even spring
steels that can exhibit the properties of flexing repetitively in
the range of motion or omni directional movement 80 up to about
one-hundred pounds of exercise resistive force 84 created at the
attachment element 50 from the rod 44 flexing. In referring to
FIGS. 14-17, to better accommodate the rod 44 preferred materials
of construction, the rod 44 first end proximal portion 46
preferably uses the proximal end fitting 170 that engages the outer
surface 172 or 174 of either the non symmetric or symmetric rod 44
respectively to protect the rod 44 preferred materials of
construction while the rod 44 first end 46 is received in the
socket 86. Also, correspondingly the rod 44 second end distal
portion 48 uses the distal end fitting 168 that engages the outer
surface 175 of the rod 44 second end distal portion 48 to protect
the rod 44 preferred materials of construction at the attachment
element 50 interface with the rod 44 second end distal portion 48.
The preferred materials of construction for the distal end fitting
168 and the proximal end fitting 170 are aluminum or any other
alternative material that would meet the aforementioned functional
requirements.
[0109] Therefore, in still referring to FIG. 1S in using the above
example the maximum difference available between the maximum and
minimum exercise force 84 is five, thus when the rod 44 is rotated
90 to having a bending plane intermediate to the major axis 104 and
the minor axis 106, of necessity the rod 44 bending or flexing
strength and thus exercise force 34 will be in between the maximum
and minimum exercise force 34 of five to one, such that as an
example the minimum exercise force 34 is ten pounds force and the
maximum exercise force 34 in fifty pounds force. The intermediate
exercise force 34 can be calculated by applying the parallel axis
theorem in engineering statics to the rod 44 as a beam, wherein the
bending plane is at a position intermediate to the major axis 104
and the minor axis 106 with the rod 44 non symmetric cross section
subdivided into sections parallel to the bending plane, with an
area moment of inertia calculated for each section, then adding the
section inertias by the parallel axis theorem to obtain a composite
area moment of inertia for the non symmetric cross section at a
bending plane in between the major axis 104 and the minor axis 106
per normal engineering standards. Through normal statics
engineering calculations once the composite area moment of inertia
is known, then various stresses, forces, and deflections can be
calculated for the rod 44. Accordingly, the rod 44 is rotatable 90
about its lengthwise axis 32 through the socket 36 being
operational to allow for selected different resistive forces 34 at
the attachment element 50 by varying the rod 44 effective area
bending moment of inertia in relation to the rod 44 flexing along
its length. Thus, in summary the non symmetric cross section rod 44
allows for the same rod 44 to be able to have different flexing
strengths, that results in different variable exercise resistive
forces 84 by utilising the rotatable locking socket 36 that allows
for a selected rod 44 rotational position 145 by the rod 44
rotating 90 about its longitudinal axis 82. Although the rod 44 non
symmetric cross section substantially in the form of a rectangle
102 has been described, other non symmetric cross sections of the
rod 44 can be utilised such as an ellipse (as shown in FIG. 8), or
semi circular, triangular, or any other number of non symmetric
cross sectional shapes for which area moment of inertia equations
have been developed in engineering statics.
[0110] Further, the attachment element 50 is preferably a hand grip
94 and a selectively lengthwise adjustable extension 96 between the
hand grip 94 and the rod 44 second end portion 43. The hand grip 94
is a conventional type as best shown in FIG. 1 and the lengthwise
adjustable extension 96 is preferably a selectable lengthwise
locking element 123 for a strap 126 in the form of a compression
clamp 123 similar to a furniture strap or motorcycle tie down
strap. Wherein the strap 126 is selectably adjustable lengthwise by
manually pushing a lever that releases the compression clamp 123
allowing the strap 126 to freely move lengthwise and when the lever
is manually released the clamp 123 "pinches" the strap to secure
its lengthwise selected position. Alternatives for the lengthwise
adjustable extension 96 would include double D rings, a belt type
buckle, a hook and loop fastener, a fold over strap clamp, any
other structure that can accomplish selectively securing the strap
at a particular lengthwise position. Optionally, the selectively
lengthwise adjustable extension 96 can selectively removably engage
93 from itself 51, preferably by way of a auto seatbelt type of
lengthwise fastener or any other functional alternative that is
operational to allow replacement of the hand grip 94 with a foot
harness (not shown) for instance as is known in the art, wherein
the foot harness or any other attachment element 50 to a portion of
the human 52 anatomy 54 would preferably utilize the previously
mentioned lengthwise adjustable extension 96 and the selectively
lengthwise adjustable extension 96 that can selectively removably
engage from itself 51 or any other alternative that would be
functionally acceptable as also previously described. Another
option for the attachment element 50 that is adjacent to the rod 44
second end portion 43 is to include structure to rotatably 164 and
pivotally 165 engage the rod 44 second end 43 as best shown in FIG.
4. As the rod 44 while in use engages in rotational movement 90 and
omni directional movement 50 from the rod 44 flexing along its
length, having the attachment element 50 that is adjacent to the
rod 44 second end 43 rotatably 164 and pivotally 165 engage the rod
44 second end 43 will help to keep the strap 126 straight
regardless of the rod 44 movement as previously described. The
structure to accomplish rotation 164 and pivot 165 can be
conventional pins, collars and the tike.
[0111] Returning to the support structure 40, in referencing FIGS.
1-7 and 9, the support structure 40 includes a removable attachment
41 is preferably in the form of a split clamshell 14S as best shown
in FIGS. 5-7 and 9, the split clamshell 14S includes a pair of
outer removably attachable semicircular lengthwise split 149
clamshell halves that are adjacent at a split line 149, including a
plurality of quick release fasteners 150 that are also adjacent to
the split line 149. With the clamshell 148 also including a split
resilient liner 152 that is preferably made of a stiff yet
resilient material, such as rubber, that is operational to
substantially accommodate differing pedestal sizes and functionally
keeping the support structure 40 substantially centered about the
pedestal 36 to minimize the lateral "looseness" of the support
structure 40 or the clamshell 148 in relation to the pedestal 36.
In conjunction with the aforementioned lateral looseness
minimization issue for the clam shell 148 to the pedestal 36,
another issue is the vertical looseness of the support structure 40
between the base 34 and the seat 38, with the support structure 40
being about the pedestal 36 due to the varying distance 42 between
the base 34 and the seat 38 wherein the desirable adjustable
interposing 43 of the support structure 40 between the base 34 and
the seat 38 to also minimize the vertical looseness of the support
structure 40 to the chair 32 to better enable a higher number of
multiple exercises to be performed with the exercise apparatus 30.
The support structure 40 adjustable interposing 43 is preferably
accomplished by use of an externally engaging substantially hollow
lengthwise split shaped cylinder 154 that is removably engaged 156
to an inner matably engaging surface 151 of the clamshell 148 being
operational to selectively adjust the support structure 40
telescopically lengthwise 158 to substantially match the variable
distance 160 between the chair base 34 and the chair seat 38. Thus
resulting in the support structure 40 that has the telescopic
lengthwise adjustment 158 to substantially fill in the distance 42
between the base 34 and the seat 38 to minimize the vertical
looseness of the support structure 40 to the chair 32 to better
enable a higher number of multiple exercises to be performed with
the exercise apparatus 30 as best shown in FIG. 9. Further,
optionally structure could be added preferably in the form of an
anti rotation pin 180 adjacent to the base 34, as shown in FIG. 1,
wherein the pin 180 could be added to help prevent rotational
movement 178 of the support structure 40 in relation to the
pedestal 36 to add to the exercises that would be possible on the
exercise apparatus 30. The materials of construction for the
clamshell 148, cylinder 154, fasteners 150, pin 180, and
selectively rotatably lockable socket 86 can be metals or
composites that meet the aforementioned functional requirements,
wherein the selectively rotatably lockable socket 86 is disposed on
an exterior of the clamshell 148 as best shown in FIG. 3.
[0112] As an option to the previously described non symmetric cross
section for the rod 44 to have the advantage of helping to have
variable resistive force for exercise movement 84 with the use of a
single rod 44, another option would be to utilise a flexible
stiffening sleeve 166 as best shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 that
slidably engages the outer surface 172 of the non symmetric rod 44,
(see FIG. 19) or that slidably engages the outer surface 174 of the
symmetric rod 44 (see FIG. 20). Note that the flexible stiffening
sleeve 166 could slidably engage the outer surface of any cross
sectional configuration rod 44 as previously mentioned such as
other non symmetric cross sections of the rod 44 can be utilized
such as an ellipse (as shown in FIG. 8), or semi circular,
triangular, or any other number of non symmetric cross sectional
shapes for which area moment of inertia equations have been
developed in engineering statics, wherein the sleeve 166 could
slidably engage any configuration of the outer surface of the rod.
The flexible sleeve would be constructed of materials same as
previously described for the rod 44, wherein the flexible sleeve
166 would add stiffness to the rod 44, thus reducing rod 44
flexing, thereby increasing the exercise resistive force 84 by
adding to the bending area moment of inertia to the rod 44. A
plurality of sleeves 166 could be used with varying wall
thicknesses to further vary the range of rod 44 stiffness increases
resulting in further varying the exercise resistive force 84.
Method of Use
[0113] A method is disclosed for the multitude of uses or types of
exercises that can be performed on the exercise apparatus 30,
however, the following is not to be construed as limiting in any
way the number of exercises that can be performed on the exercise
apparatus 30. Referring in particular to FIGS. 21-28 a sampling of
potential exercises is shown, starting with FIG. 21 showing a front
perspective view of the exercise apparatus 30 shown in use for the
butterfly 58 type exercise by an exercising human 52, with FIG. 22
showing a rear perspective view of the exercise apparatus 30 in use
for the butterfly 58 type exercise by the exercising human 52, and
FIG. 23 showing a front perspective view of the exercise apparatus
30 in use for the triceps 64 type exercise by the exercising human
52. Further, continuing to FIG. 24 shown is a rear perspective view
of the exercise apparatus 30 in use for the triceps 64 type
exercise by the exercising human 52, FIG. 25 shows a front
perspective view of the exercise apparatus 30 in use for the
shoulder shrug 68 type exercise by the exercising human 52, and
FIG. 26 shows a rear perspective view of the exercise apparatus 30
in use for the shoulder shrug 68 type exercise by the exercising
human 52. Next, FIG. 27 shows a front perspective view of the
exercise apparatus 30 in use for the curling 56 type exercise by
the exercising human 52, and FIG. 28 shows a rear perspective view
of the exercise apparatus 30 in use for a curling 56 type exercise
by the exercising human 52.
[0114] Note that a number of other exercises could be done on the
exercise apparatus 30 that are not shown in FIGS. 21-28, such as
referencing FIGS. 21 and 22 for a front butterfly by the human 52
leaning back in the chair 32 and referencing FIGS. 25 and 26 for a
rear butterfly by the human 52 straddling the chair 32 backwards,
or referencing FIGS. 27 and 28 for a military press by the human 52
that can be accomplished by selectively lengthening the attachment
element 50, or referencing FIGS. 25 and 26 by the human 52 bending
over to simulate a rowing type exercise or even a type of vat
exercise by the human 52 pulling their arms to their sides. Also,
in referencing FIGS. 27 and 28 the human 52 by pulling their arms
in front of themselves could simulate a chest pull type of
exercise, further by having the attachment element 50 removably
attach to the human's 52 legs or feel, leg adduction and abduction
exercises could be performed, as well as leg lifts and leg
extensions, in addition referencing FIGS. 25 and 26 reverse leg
extensions could be done to tone the gluteal, thigh biceps, and
calf muscles. In addition, the attachment element 50 could attach
to any other portion of the human 52 anatomy 54 outside of the
human's hands, arms, legs or feet, for a multitude of possible
other exercises to be performed with the exercise apparatus 30 by
the human 52.
CONCLUSION
[0115] Accordingly, the present invention of an exercise apparatus
30 has been described with some degree of particularity directed to
the embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated,
though, that the present invention is defined by the following
claims construe din tight of the prior art so modifications of the
changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained
therein.
* * * * *