U.S. patent application number 12/270767 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-13 for portable walking exercise gym.
Invention is credited to Nader Shaterian.
Application Number | 20100120591 12/270767 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42165777 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100120591 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shaterian; Nader |
May 13, 2010 |
PORTABLE WALKING EXERCISE GYM
Abstract
An exercising/rehabilitating device that is portable, durable
and easily manufactured comprising of a flexible rod, a medially
located pad with two weighted handles on each end of the rod. The
device can be used to stretch various muscle groups by providing
uniform resistance to forces, thus allowing for conditioning and
muscle growth. Or, it can be slung over one's shoulders and carried
when jogging or walking to reduce the stresses on the spine,
because of its damping effect and its realignment and concentration
of these normal forces.
Inventors: |
Shaterian; Nader; (Mill
Valley, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John Bargero
P.O BOX 471857
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94123
US
|
Family ID: |
42165777 |
Appl. No.: |
12/270767 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/106 ;
482/126; 482/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/00185 20130101;
A63B 21/4003 20151001; A63B 21/045 20130101; A63B 69/0028 20130101;
A63B 21/065 20130101; A63B 21/0601 20130101; A63B 2023/003
20130101; A61H 15/0092 20130101; A63B 21/072 20130101; A63B 21/06
20130101; A61H 2015/0042 20130101; A63B 21/0608 20130101; A63B
23/0233 20130101; A63B 21/00043 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/106 ;
482/126; 482/127 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/072 20060101
A63B021/072; A63B 21/045 20060101 A63B021/045 |
Claims
1. An exercise device comprising: a flexible elongated rod of a
fixed length with opposing ends; a pair of weighted handles affixed
to said opposing ends; a padding affixed to the center of said
elongated rod.
2. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein said elongated rod is a
pultruded fiberglass rod.
3. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein said elongated rod is at
least four feet long.
4. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein said weighted handles
comprise metal shavings embedded in a rubber resin.
5. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein said weighted handles are
spherically shaped.
6. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein said weighted handles are
removable.
7. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein said padding is a weight.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an exercise and stretching
device for stretching, strengthening, and firming one's upper
torso, shoulders and arms, with the added benefit of aiding those
that may have difficulty running or walking due to either injury or
pre-existing conditions.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] The use of a stick-like or rod-like device for stretching
and exercising the upper body of humans is commonplace. The most
rudimentary consist of a stick, rod, or dowel that is rested on
one's deltoids or upper shoulders, while the arms and hands are
draped over opposing ends. In this configuration, the user can
stretch and strengthen his upper body by providing resistance
against the rod, the stronger the rod, the more force can be
applied and therefore more resistance transferred to the muscle
groups.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,174 (Benach) relates to a flexible tube
with handgrips at its end segments, with a central cushion suitable
for resting on one's neck while resisting forces are applied by the
user's arms and hands.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,648 (Travis) relates to an aerobic
exercise device formed from elongated tube sections that are
interconnect by a cushioned central spring member that is used in a
similar fashion as the aforementioned patent.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,146 (Jackson) relates to an elongated
bar with a bar of weights mounted at each end with a cushioned
central member that houses a spring and bearing mechanism to allow
for elongation and contraction of the bar in an exercise
regiment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is
designed to aid in the rehabilitation of persons with back injuries
as well, as to strengthen the arms, shoulders, and back muscles.
When the device is used as prescribed, it is believed that the
combination of the counter-levering weights and the flexible rod
configuration simultaneously provide stretching, strengthening and
shock absorption to the back and spine when the user is walking or
running. This is, in part, due to the oscillation of the weights
that damp out or counteract the forces transmitted to the back and
spine when the user's feet contact the ground. It is also
contemplated, that the invention also transfers and stabilizes the
forces caused by ones' arms during the jogging or walking motion to
the spine or neck via the central padding member.
[0009] It is an object of this invention to provide an exercise
device that resembles a flexible tubular rod or stick with weights
on each of the opposing ends that is approximately the length of
the user's arm span, that is the distance from fingertip to
fingertip when one's arms are outstretched parallel to the ground.
Medially located on the rod or stick is a pad or series of padding
to allow the device to be placed on the nape of the users neck.
This medially located pad may also be weighted to allow for
additional resistance when the user is walking or performing
various exercises.
[0010] The end weights can be virtually any shape or size and can
be removable or fixed, symmetrical or non symmetrical, depending on
the desired effect. It has been contemplated to have the end
weights removable, so that various different weight configurations
can be accomplished, either symmetrical or asymmetrical. So that
one weight is heavier than the other to help compensate for injury
or atrophy of one side of the body.
[0011] The weights could have a female threading that attaches to
the male threads of the central rod, or a bayonet-type fitting may
be used.
[0012] It has been contemplated to fashion the weight out of a
soft-rubber material embedded with dense metal flakes or
alternatively heavy material, of a diameter similar to that of a
tennis ball. This provides an aesthetic device with the added
safety features of no sharp edges and in the event that the weight
strikes anything, the soft rubber material will absorb the impact.
Furthermore, these end weights also may serve as handles when
performing various exercises and we have found that the malleable
spherical shapes serve well for this purpose because they fit the
average persons hand and because they are flexible and easily
gripped. In addition, the spherical shape is conducive for
inserting into ones pocket to perform various exercises.
[0013] It is further contemplated to have a handle or retaining
device attached to the end weights as an additional safety feature
to prevent the user from dropping the invention. One embodiment
would utilize a loop, such as found on dog leashes or cross-country
ski poles.
[0014] The flexible rod can be fashioned from a myriad of
materials, such as bamboo, spring steel, graphite rods, filament
matrix rod, or flexible fiberglass pultruded rod. The material
properties are important, that is the rod must be able to deform or
bend when pressure is applied and once the pressure is released, it
must return to its original state. That is, if the rod was
originally linear at rest and then deformed into an arch by
application of a force, then once that force has been removed the
rod should return to its linear configuration. One embodiment
contemplates a fiberglass reinforced plastic pultruded rod with a
contemplated a rod radius ranging from 1/8'' of an inch up to 1'',
depending on the amount of resistance required and other practical
factors, such as availability, cost of manufacturing, etc . . .
.
[0015] It is a further object of the current invention that the rod
has sufficient characteristics, so that it will oscillate when the
user is walking. The combination of the weights and the flexibility
of the rod will cause the user's arms to slightly flap up and down,
like a bird's wings, when they are draped over the exercise device
in the prescribed fashion. This will produce a massaging sensation
to the arms and shoulders.
[0016] It is a further object of this invention for the device to
be simple, inexpensively and easily manufactured. A further object
is that the device is relatively light, so that it is easily
transported.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Taking the following specifications in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings will cause the invention to be better
understood regarding these and other features and advantages. The
specifications reference the annexed drawings wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the exercise device in a
static position.
[0019] FIG. 1a is analogous to FIG. 1 with an alternate embodiment
of the central pad.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the exercise device in
oscillation mode.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the exercise device and a
human figure.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the exercise device with an
ambulatory human figure.
[0023] FIG. 5 is analogous to FIG. 4 depicting the oscillation of
the exercise device.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a front elevation of two exercise devices in an X
configuration and a human figure.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a front elevation the exercise device and a human
figure in an alternative mode of operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] While describing the invention and its embodiments, various
terms will be used for the sake of clarity. These terms are
intended to not only include the recited embodiments, but also all
equivalents that perform substantially the same function, in
substantially the same manner to achieve the same result.
[0027] A preferred embodiment of the present invention discloses an
exercise/rehabilitation device, generally indicated by numeral 100
is used for general strengthening of various muscle groups through
resistance training regimes as well as for rehabilitation from back
injuries when used as a walking or jogging aid.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the
exercise/rehabilitation device 100, at rest or in a static position
depicting its three salient features. An flexible elongated rod 20
with a medially located padding 30 with two weighted handles 10
affixed to two endpoint of the flexible elongated rod 20.
[0029] FIG. 1a is a front elevation of an embodiment of the
exercise/rehabilitation that utilizes a variant of the medially
located padding 30 of a more ergonomic configuration. Although, the
term padding is used extensively for the medially located padding
30 it is further contemplated that this padding may be formed of a
dense material to act as not only a padding, but also as a weighted
member to aid in performing various exercises.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the
exercise/rehabilitation device 100, similar to FIG. 1 with the
exception that it depicts the two weighted handles 10 oscillating
or moving in relationship to the medially located padding 30, which
occurs when the user is walking, jogging, jumping, or providing
resistance against the exercise/rehabilitation device 100.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the
exercise/rehabilitation device 100, interacting with a humanoid 200
to depict a preferred method of utilizing the device.
[0032] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are side elevations of a preferred
embodiment of the exercise/rehabilitation device 100, flexing and
oscillating while the humanoid 200 is in various stages of walking
or jogging.
[0033] FIG. 6 depicts a front elevation of the use of two preferred
embodiments of the exercise device 100, interacting with a humanoid
200 wherein the two exercise devices 100 are configured in an "X"
pattern behind the humanoid 200 while one of the weighted handles
10 of each exercise devices 100 is inserted into a weight securing
assembly 300. One preferred embodiment of a weight securing
assembly 300 is simply one's pant's back pockets, while another
embodiment contemplates a belt and holster-type apparatus suitably
dimensioned to accommodate the shape and size of the weighted
handle 10.
[0034] FIG. 7 depicts a front elevation of exercise device 100
being bent by the user or human 200. Bending and releasing of the
exercise device provides strength training of the major muscles
through resistance and provides a massaging action to the body due
to the oscillation of the device.
[0035] The invention has been described in terms of the preferred
embodiment. One skilled in the art will recognize that it would be
possible to construct the elements of the present invention from a
variety of means and to modify the placement of the components in a
variety of ways. While the embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings, it will
be evident that various further modifications are possible without
departing from the scope of the invention as set forth.
[0036] While the inventor understands that claims are not a
necessary component of a provisional patent application and has not
included detailed claims, the inventor reserves the right to claim,
without limitation, the following subject matter.
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