U.S. patent application number 11/908764 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for exercise device and method of exercising.
This patent application is currently assigned to SHADOWBOXER SYSTEMS PTY LTD. Invention is credited to Paul Todd.
Application Number | 20080194390 11/908764 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37682930 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080194390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Todd; Paul |
August 14, 2008 |
Exercise Device And Method Of Exercising
Abstract
An exercise device includes a belt configured to be secured
around the waist, hips or torso of a person, or to a fixed object
adjacent a person. The belt has a front portion configured to be
disposed at the front of the person and a back portion configured
to be disposed at the back of a person. A pair of spaced apart
elastomeric cords are mounted from a proximal cord end to the front
portion of the belt and a grip mounted to a distal end of the
elastomeric cord. A method of using the device and exercises that
can be used therewith are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Todd; Paul; (New South
Wales, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
SHADOWBOXER SYSTEMS PTY LTD
Bellevue Hill, NSW
AU
|
Family ID: |
37682930 |
Appl. No.: |
11/908764 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
July 28, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2006/001070 |
371 Date: |
February 7, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0552 20130101;
A63B 21/00185 20130101; A63B 21/0442 20130101; A63B 21/4013
20151001; A63B 21/4017 20151001; A63B 21/4007 20151001; A63B
21/4001 20151001; A63B 21/4021 20151001; A63B 21/4025 20151001;
A63B 23/0355 20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B 21/4009
20151001; A63B 21/0557 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B
2208/0223 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/124 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/018 20060101
A63B021/018 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 29, 2005 |
AU |
2005904094 |
Claims
1. An exercise device comprising: a belt configured to be secured
around the waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt having a
front portion configured to be disposed at the front of the person
and a back portion configured to be disposed at the back of a
person; a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a
proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt; and a grip
mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord wherein each cord
is removably mounted directly intermediate the front portion of the
belt and a grip.
2. An exercise device comprising: a belt configured to be secured
around the waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt having a
front portion configured to be disposed at the front of the person
and a back portion configured to be disposed at the back of a
person; a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a
proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt; and a grip
mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord wherein the
elastomeric cords are looped at one end to allow their length to be
adjusted.
3. An exercise device including comprising: a belt configured to be
secured around the waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt
having a front portion configured to be disposed at the back of a
person; a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords mounted from a
proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt; and a grip
mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric cord; wherein the grip
at the end of each elastomeric cord includes a glove.
4. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein
the belt includes a fastener disposed at each end such that when
secured around the person the belt length can be selectively
adjusted.
5. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein
the belt is formed from two pieces wherein ends of a back belt
piece are configured to be releasably mounted to the ends of a
front belt piece.
6. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein
the elastomeric cords are mounted to a left-hand side and a
right-hand side of the front portion of the belt.
7. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein
the cords are moveable a predetermined distance along the length of
the belt and fixable therealong.
8. An exercise device according to claim 1 to 3 wherein the
elastomeric cords are looped at one end to allow a respective
length thereof to be adjusted.
9. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein
the elastomeric cords are detachably mounted to the belt.
10. An exercise device according to any one of claims 1 to 3
wherein the grip at the end of each elastomeric cord includes a
stirrup.
11. An exercise device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the grip
at the end of each elastomeric cord includes a glove.
12. A method of exercising using the device according to claim 1,
the method comprising: fastening the belt around the hips, waist or
torso of a person, or a fixed object adjacent a person; connecting
the handle of each elastomeric cord to an arm or a leg; and
extending the elastomeric cords.
13. A method of exercising using an exercise device including a
belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a
person, the belt having a front portion configured to be disposed
at the front of the person and a back portion configured to be
disposed at the back of a person, and a pair of spaced apart
elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front
portion of the belt, and a grip mounted to a distal end of each
elastomeric cord, the method comprising: a pair of spaced apart
elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front
portion of the belt; and a grip mounted to a distal end of the
elastomeric cord; placing the belt on a floor with the front
portion of the belt facing upward; connecting the handle to each
arm; and extending the elastomeric cords in a predetermined manner
and at a predetermined rate.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the step of placing the
belt on a floor includes on a floor under a user's foot/feet or
under adjacent object.
15. A method of exercising using an exercise device including a
belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a
person, the belt having a front portion configured to be disposed
at the front of the person and a back portion configured to be
disposed at the back of a person, and a pair of spaced apart
elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front
portion of the belt, and a grip mounted to a distal end of each
elastomeric cord, the method comprising: a pair of spaced apart
elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front
portion of the belt; and a grip mounted to a distal end of the
elastomeric cord placing the belt behind a user's head with the
front portion of the belt facing the user's head connecting the
handle to each arm; and extending the elastomeric cords in a
predetermined manner and at a predetermined rate.
16. A method of exercising using an exercise device including a
belt configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a
person, the belt having a front portion configured to be disposed
at the front of the person and a back portion configured to be
disposed at the back of a person, and a pair of spaced apart
elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front
portion of the belt, and a grip mounted to a distal end of each
elastomeric cord, the method comprising: a pair of spaced apart
elastomeric cords mounted from a proximal cord end to the front
portion of the belt; and a grip mounted to a distal end of the
elastomeric cord; placing the belt over the soles of a user's feet
with the front portion of the belt facing toward the user upward;
connecting the handle to each arm; and extending the elastomeric
cords in a predetermined manner and at a predetermined rate.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to exercise equipment and, in
particular, to an exercise device and a method of exercising.
[0002] The invention has been developed primarily for use as a
general fitness and training exercise device and will be described
hereinafter with reference to this particular application. However,
it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this
particular field of use and is applicable for use in other fields
such as rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A large variety of personal exercise equipment is known.
Such comes in many shapes and sizes. A particularly common type of
exercise equipment is a gymnasium machine that includes a weight
stack mounted for vertical movement. The number of weights in the
stack is selectable, and the stack is connected to one end of a
cable. The cable is passed over one or more pulleys and extends
adjacent to the machine at about the shoulder height of a person
and is connected to one or more handles.
[0004] In use, a person is disposed adjacent the machine with their
front pointing away from it. The person clasps the handle(s) from
over their shoulder and extends their arms. This pulls the cable
away from the machine resulting in the weight stack being moved
vertically providing resistance to the pulling of the cable. It
will be appreciated that these known types of exercise machines are
capable of exercising a particular muscle group.
[0005] However, the conventional exercise machines are typically
large and fixed to a floor. The machines therefore are best suited
to a gymnasium or a large personal gym. Unfortunately, the use of
the machines in a home environment is relatively prohibitive due to
the significant cost of the machines. Furthermore, such machines
are generally only configured to exercise a single muscle group,
for example, the latissimus or shoulders can cannot be simply used
to exercise other muscle groups.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
portable exercise device that can be used to exercise a plurality
of muscle groups and that can be used in a plurality of
environments, or to provide a useful alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is disclosed an exercise device including: [0008] a belt configured
to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt
having a front portion configured to be disposed at the front of
the person and a back portion configured to be disposed at the back
of a person; [0009] a pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords
mounted from a proximal cord end to the front portion of the belt;
and [0010] a grip mounted to a distal end of the elastomeric
cord.
[0011] Preferably, the belt includes a fastener disposed at each
end such that when secured around the person the belt length can be
selectively adjusted. More preferably, the belt is formed from two
pieces wherein ends of a back belt piece are configured to be
releasably mounted to the ends of a front belt piece.
[0012] In preferred embodiments, the elastomeric cords are mounted
to a left-hand side and a right-hand side of the front portion of
the belt, and cords are movable a predetermined distance along the
length of the belt. More preferably, the elastomeric cords are
looped at one end to allow their length to be adjusted and the
cords are detachably mounted to the belt.
[0013] Preferably, the grip at the end of each elastomeric cord
includes a stirrup or a glove.
[0014] According to second aspect of the present invention there is
disclosed a method of exercising using the device according to the
first aspect or any one of its preferments, the method including
the steps of: [0015] fastening the belt around the hips, waist or
torso of a person, or a fixed object adjacent a person; [0016]
connecting the handle of each elastomeric cord to an arm or a leg;
and [0017] extending the elastomeric cords.
[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention there
is disclosed a method of exercising using the device according to
the first aspect or any one of its preferments, the method
including the steps of: [0019] placing the belt on a floor with the
front portion of the belt facing upward; [0020] connecting the
handle to each arm; and [0021] extending the elastomeric cords in a
pre-determined manner at a pre-determined rate.
[0022] It can therefore be seen that there is advantageously
provided an exercise device and a method of exercising that
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exercise device according to a
first preferred embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front elevation of an exercise device according
to a second preferred embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an exercise device according to
another preferred embodiment; and
[0027] FIG. 4 shows the device of any one of FIGS. 1 to 3 in
use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] Referring to the drawings generally, it is noted that like
reference numerals are used to denote like components. In FIG. 1,
there is shown a plan view of an exercise device 1 according to a
first preferred embodiment. The exercise device 1 includes a belt 2
that is configured to be secured around the waist, hips or torso of
a person.
[0029] The belt 2 includes a front portion 3 that is configured to
be disposed adjacent the front of a person when secured about them.
The belt 2 also includes a back portion 4 configured to be disposed
adjacent the back of a person when secured to them.
[0030] The belt 2 includes a fastener 5 in the form of a buckle.
The buckle 5 is disposed at one end 6 of the belt 2 such that the
other end 7 of the belt 2 can be fastened thereto to secure the
belt 2 about a person with a preferred degree of "tightness".
[0031] A pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are mounted
to the front portion 3 of the belt 2. The cords 8 and 9 are mounted
to the front portion 3 at a proximal end of the cords and are
disposed such that one cord 8 is disposed on a left hand side of
the front portion 3 and the other cord 9 is disposed on a right
hand side of the front portion 3.
[0032] Both of the elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are mounted to the
front portion 3 of the belt 2. In FIG. 1, the cords 8 and 9 are
mounted to the belt 2 to allow the cords to be selectively
positioned along the front 3 of the belt 2. In this embodiment, the
cords 8 and 9 have a latch 10 that removably engages with notches
11 to secure the proximal end of the cords 8 and 9.
[0033] The distal end of each cord 8 and 9 includes a grip 12 in
the form of a glove. Each glove 12 is in the form of a sheet having
a thumb aperture 13 such that the glove 12 is wrapped around the
hand of a person. The glove 12 is secured to a hand with Velcro
tabs 14 that engage with each other to secure the glove 12 on a
hand.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an exercise device 1
according to a second preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the
belt 2 is formed from two halves defining a belt front portion 3
and a belt back portion 4.
[0035] The belt back portion 4 includes a buckle 15 at each end,
however, only one buckle is visible in FIG. 2. Each buckle 15 is
configured to be secured to an end of the belt front portion 3 to
secure the belt 2 to a person.
[0036] As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the cords 8 and 9 are
mounted to the front portion 3 of the belt 2. The cords 8 and 9 are
retainable within one of three loops disposed on each of the left
and right hand sides the front portion 3 of the belt 2. In this
way, the cords 8 and 9 can be moved along the belt 2 to secure the
proximal ends of the cords 8 and 9 in a preferred position.
[0037] The cords 8 and 9 are each looped around one of the loops on
the belt front portion 3. These cord loops 16 are secured by a
clamp 17 that can be selectively loosened to allow the loops 16 to
be increased in size and thereby reduce the length of the cords 8
and 9, or the loops 16 decreased in size and thereby increase the
length of the cords 8 and 9. In this way, the clamps 17 can be used
to release the cords 8 and 9 from the belt front portion 3.
[0038] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, each grip 12 at the distal end
of the cords 8 and 9 is in the form of a stirrup 12. A wrist strap
18 is disposed adjacent each stirrup 12. The wrist straps 18 are
configured to wrap around the wrist of a person when gripping the
stirrups.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a plan view of another preferred embodiment of the
exercise device 1. In this embodiment, the device 1 includes a belt
2 having a front portion 3 and a back portion 4. The back portion 4
is in the form of a strap connected to the front portion 3. The
strap of the back portion 4 is configured to releasably engage with
a belt faster 5 disposed on the front portion 2.
[0040] The elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are fixedly mounted to the
front portion 3 of the belt 2. The elastomeric cords 8 and 9 each
include a handle 12 mounted to a free end.
[0041] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, where there is shown
various views of a person 19 exercising with the device 1. The
person 19 exercising their biceps simply secures the belt 1 around
their hips and their lower arms are moved upwardly against the bias
of the elastomeric cords. Punching exercises are performed by
securing the belt 1 about the torso of the person 19 and thrusting
the arms forward in a reciprocating or piston-like manner. It will
be appreciated the punching exercises can include uppercuts or
other preferred type of punch.
[0042] Shoulder press exercises are performed by securing the belt
2 about the torso of the person 19 and extending both arms above
their head. A delta fly exercise can be performed by securing the
belt about the torso of the person 19 and having them raise their
arms laterally or move them forward. Triceps extension exercises
can be performed by securing the belt 2 about the torso of the
person 19 such that the person leans forward by bending at the
waist and then extending and bending their arms.
[0043] In the bicep curl exercise shown in FIG. 4, it will be
appreciated that the belt 2 can be advantageously disposed about
the knee or thighs of the person to perform the exercise in
addition to about the waist/torso as shown.
[0044] Lower body exercises can also be used with the belt 2 by
securing the grips 12 to the ankles of the person 19. For example,
a leg extension exercise can be performed by securing the belt 2
about the waist of the person 19 where the person sits down and
bends and flexes their knees. Likewise, squat exercises can be
performed by securing the belt 1 about the waist of the person 19
where the person stands and bends and flexes both legs. In another
lower body exercise, the belt one is disposed about the waist of
the person and the grips 12 secured to be ankles of the person
wherein the person thrusts their leg forward in a kicking
manner.
[0045] In another form of exercise using the exercise device 1, the
device 1 is placed on the floor with the front portion 3 of the
belt facing upward. The person 19 stands on the belt and secures
the grips to their hands. The person then bends slightly forward
with their arms being pulled up in a rolling like manner.
[0046] The next exercise shown in FIG. 4 is a standing rowing
exercise. It will be appreciated that the user can place the belt 2
about the ends of their feet when in a seated position so as to
exercise by simulating a conventional rowing-type stroke. The
user's legs can be bent or straight in the rowing exercise.
[0047] Although not illustrated, it will also be appreciated that
other exercises can be performed with the device 1. For example,
the belt 2 can be disposed about, or otherwise secured to, a fixed
object that is on or adjacent a floor. In this way, the person can
lay on their back or side with their head adjacent the belt 2 so
that the cords 8 and 9 extend over their shoulder(s) to provide
resistance against a forward or sideways sit-up movement.
[0048] The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present
invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art,
can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *