U.S. patent application number 12/582402 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 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 | 20100041528 12/582402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37682930 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100041528 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Todd; Paul |
February 18, 2010 |
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; (Bellevue Hill,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN, LLP
P.O. BOX 10500
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
SHADOWBOXER SYSTEMS PTY LTD
Bellevue Hill
AU
|
Family ID: |
37682930 |
Appl. No.: |
12/582402 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11908764 |
Feb 7, 2008 |
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PCT/AU2006/001070 |
Jul 28, 2006 |
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12582402 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4035 20151001;
A63B 21/00185 20130101; A63B 23/0355 20130101; A63B 21/4021
20151001; A63B 2208/0223 20130101; A63B 21/4025 20151001; A63B
21/4001 20151001; A63B 21/4007 20151001; A63B 21/4009 20151001;
A63B 21/0442 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B 21/0557
20130101; A63B 21/4013 20151001; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B
21/4017 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/124 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02 |
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 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.
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 movable a predetermined distance along the
length of the belt and fixable therealong.
3. 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 behind the heel of a person or under the feet
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; or including the steps of: 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 pre-determined manner and at a pre-determined rate.
4. A method of exercising using the device according to claim 2,
the method comprising: fastening the belt around the hips, waist or
torso of a person or behind the heel of a person or under the feet
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; or including the steps of: 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 pre-determined manner and at a pre-determined rate.
5. An exercise device, comprising: a belt configured to be secured
around a waist, hips or torso of a person, the belt having a front
portion configured to be disposed at a front of the person and a
back portion configured to be disposed at a 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 it
distal end of each of the spaced apart elastomeric cords, wherein
the elastomeric cords are each looped at one end thereof and
configured to allow an associated length to be adjusted.
6. An exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the belt
extends between a pair of ends and includes a fastener disposed at
each end such that, when secured around the person, a belt length
can be selectively adjusted.
7. An exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the belt
comprises two pieces, wherein ends of a back belt piece are
configured to be releasably mounted to corresponding ends of a
front belt piece.
8. An exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the elastomeric
cords are mounted to a left-hand side and a right hand side of the
front portion of the belt, respectively.
9. An exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the cords are
moveable a predetermined distance along a length of the belt and
fixable therealong.
10. An exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the
elastomeric cords are detachably mounted to the belt.
11. An exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the grip at
the end of each elastomeric cord comprises a stirrup.
12. An exercise device according to claim 5, wherein the grip at
the end of each elastomeric cord comprises a glove.
13. A method of exercising using the device according to claim 5,
the method comprising: fastening the belt to a fixed object
adjacent the person; connecting the grip of each elastomeric cord
to an arm or a leg; and extending the elastomeric cords.
14. A method of exercising using an exercise device comprising a
belt configured to be secured around a waist, hips, arms, feet, or
torso of a user, the belt having a front portion configured to be
disposed at a front of the user and a back portion configured to be
disposed at a back of a user, 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: placing the belt on a
floor with the front portion of the belt facing upward; connecting
at least one of the grips to an arm of the user; and extending at
least one elastomeric cord in a predetermined manner and at a
predetermined rate.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said placing the belt
on a floor comprises placing the belt under one or more of the feet
of the user or under an adjacent object.
16. A method of exercising using an exercise device comprising a
belt configured to be secured around a waist, hips, arms, feet, or
torso of a user, the belt having a front portion configured to be
disposed at a front of the user and a back portion configured to be
disposed at a back of the user, 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: placing at least a portion of the belt
behind the user's upper spine with the front portion of the belt
facing the user's spine and connecting the grip to each arm; and
extending the elastomeric cords in a predetermined manner and at a
predetermined rate.
17. A method of exercising using an exercise device comprising a
belt configured to be secured around a waist, hips, feet, arm, or
torso of a user, the belt having a front portion configured to be
disposed at a front of the user and a back portion configured to be
disposed at a back of the user, 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: placing the belt over soles of the feet with
the front portion of the belt facing toward the user upward;
connecting the grip to each arm; and extending the elastomeric
cords in a predetermined manner and at a predetermined rate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120
of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/908,764 filed on Sep. 14,
2007. U.S. application Ser. No. 11/908,764 is a National Stage
entry under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.371 of International Application serial
no. PCT/AU2006/001070 filed on Jul. 28, 2006. International
Application serial no. PCT/AU2006/001070 claims priority under the
Paris Convention to Australian application serial no. 2005904094
filed on Jul. 29, 2005. The entire contents of each of these
applications is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to exercise equipment and, in
particular, to an exercise device and a method of exercising.
[0003] The inventive concept described herein 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 inventive
concept is not limited to this particular field of use and is
applicable for use in other fields such as rehabilitation.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
SUMMARY
[0007] One or more embodiments of this disclosure 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.
[0008] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an exercise
device includes 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.
[0009] In one embodiment, the belt includes a fastener disposed at
each end such that when secured around the person the belt length
can be selectively adjusted. In another aspect, 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.
[0010] In one or more 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. In one aspect, the elastomeric cords
are looped at one end to allow their length to be adjusted and the
cords are detachably mounted to the belt.
[0011] In one embodiment, the grip at the end of each elastomeric
cord includes a stirrup or a glove.
[0012] According to second aspect, a method of exercising using the
device according to the first aspect or any one of its variations
includes the steps of 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.
[0013] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method of
exercising using the device according to the first aspect or any
one of its variations includes the steps of 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
pre-determined manner at a pre-determined rate.
[0014] It can therefore be seen that there is advantageously
provided an exercise device and a method of exercising that
overcomes limitations of conventional approaches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Various embodiments of this disclosure will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exercise device according to one
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front elevation of an exercise device according
to another embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an exercise device according to yet
another embodiment; and
[0019] FIG. 4 shows the device of any one of FIGS. 1 to 3 in
use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring to the drawings generally, it is noted that like
reference numerals are used to denote like components. In FIG. 1, a
plan view of exercise device 1 is shown according to an embodiment.
Exercise device 1 includes belt 2 that is configured to be secured
around the waist, hips or torso of a person.
[0021] Belt 2 includes front portion 3 that is configured to be
disposed adjacent the front of a person when secured about them.
Belt 2 also includes back portion 4 configured to be disposed
adjacent the back of a person when secured to them.
[0022] Belt 2 includes fastener 5 in the form of a buckle. Buckle 5
is disposed at one end 6 of belt 2 such that the other end 7 of
belt 2 can be fastened thereto to secure belt 2 about a person with
a preferred degree of "tightness".
[0023] A pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are mounted
to front portion 3 of belt 2. Cords 8 and 9 are mounted to 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 front portion 3 and
the other cord 9 is disposed on a right hand side of front portion
3.
[0024] Both of elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are mounted to front
portion 3 of belt 2. In FIG. 1, cords 8 and 9 are mounted to belt 2
to allow the cords to be selectively positioned along front 3 of
belt 2. In this embodiment, cords 8 and 9 have latch 10 that
removably engages with notches 11 to secure the proximal end of
cords 8 and 9.
[0025] The distal end of each cord 8 and 9 includes grip 12 in the
form of a glove. Each glove 12 is in the form of a sheet having
thumb aperture 13 such that glove 12 is wrapped around the hand of
a person. Glove 12 is secured to a hand with Velcro tabs 14 that
engage with each other to secure glove 12 on a hand.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown exercise device 1
according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, belt 2 is
formed from two halves defining belt front portion 3 and belt back
portion 4.
[0027] Belt back portion 4 includes 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 belt front portion 3 to secure belt 2 to
a person.
[0028] As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, cords 8 and 9 are mounted
to front portion 3 of belt 2. Cords 8 and 9 are retainable within
one of three loops disposed on each of the left and right hand
sides of front portion 3 of belt 2. In this way, cords 8 and 9 can
be moved along belt 2 to secure the proximal ends of cords 8 and 9
in a user-preferred position.
[0029] Cords 8 and 9 are each looped around one of the loops on
belt front portion 3. These cord loops 16 are secured by clamp 17
that can be selectively loosened to allow loops 16 to be increased
in size and thereby reduce the length of cords 8 and 9, or loops 16
can be decreased in size to thereby increase the length of cords 8
and 9. In this way, clamps 17 can be used to release cords 8 and 9
from belt front portion 3.
[0030] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, each grip 12 at the distal end
of cords 8 and 9 is in the form of stirrup 12. Wrist strap 18 is
disposed adjacent each stirrup 12. Wrist straps 18 are configured
to wrap around the wrist of a person when gripping the
stirrups.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of exercise
device 1. In this embodiment, device 1 includes belt 2 having front
portion 3 and back portion 4. Back portion 4 is in the form of a
strap connected to front portion 3. The strap of back portion 4 is
configured to releasably engage with belt faster 5 disposed on
front portion 2.
[0032] Elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are fixedly mounted to front
portion 3 of belt 2. Elastomeric cords 8 and 9 each include handle
12 mounted to a free end.
[0033] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 in which various views of a
person 19 exercising with device 1 are shown. Person 19 exercising
their biceps simply secures 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 belt 1 about
the torso of 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.
[0034] Shoulder press exercises are performed by securing belt 2
about the torso of person 19 and extending both arms above their
head. A delta fly exercise can be performed by securing the belt
about the torso of person 19 and having them raise their arms
laterally or move them forward. Triceps extension exercises can be
performed by securing belt 2 about the torso of person 19 such that
the person leans forward by bending at the waist and then extending
and bending their arms.
[0035] In the bicep curl exercise shown in FIG. 4, it will be
appreciated that 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.
[0036] Lower body exercises can also be used with belt 2 by
securing grips 12 to the ankles of person 19. For example, a leg
extension exercise can be performed by securing belt 2 about the
waist of person 19 where the person sits down and bends and flexes
their knees. Likewise, squat exercises can be performed by securing
belt 1 about the waist of person 19 where the person stands and
bends and flexes both legs. In another lower body exercise, the
belt 1 is disposed about the waist of the person and grips 12
secured to be ankles of the person wherein the person thrusts their
leg forward in a kicking manner.
[0037] In another form of exercise using exercise device 1, device
1 is placed on the floor with front portion 3 of the belt facing
upward. 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.
[0038] The next exercise shown in FIG. 4 is a standing rowing
exercise. It will be appreciated that the user can place 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.
[0039] Although not illustrated, it will also be appreciated that
other exercises can be performed with device 1. For example, 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 belt 2 so that cords 8 and 9
extend over their shoulder(s) to provide resistance against a
forward or sideways sit-up movement.
[0040] The foregoing describes only various embodiments and aspects
of the present disclosure and modifications, obvious to those
skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the
scope of the inventive concept as set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *