U.S. patent application number 12/642678 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-24 for forearm, wrist and hand strengthener.
Invention is credited to Michael T. O'Connor, Sean T. O'Connor.
Application Number | 20100160119 12/642678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42266973 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100160119 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Connor; Sean T. ; et
al. |
June 24, 2010 |
FOREARM, WRIST AND HAND STRENGTHENER
Abstract
An apparatus comprises: a first cylindrical handle rotatable
about a first cylindrical axis; a second cylindrical handle
rotatable about a second cylindrical axis disposed such that the
first handle and the second handle form an angle of less than 180
degrees; and a resistance adjuster operable to adjust a rotational
resistance of the first handle about the first cylindrical axis and
the second handle about the second cylindrical axis.
Inventors: |
O'Connor; Sean T.; (Redondo
Beach, CA) ; O'Connor; Michael T.; (Auburn,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Wendy O'Connor
2230 Curtis Avenue
Redondo Beach
CA
90278
US
|
Family ID: |
42266973 |
Appl. No.: |
12/642678 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61138934 |
Dec 18, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/45 ;
482/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2023/003 20130101;
A63B 23/14 20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 23/16 20130101;
A63B 21/012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/45 ;
482/115 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/14 20060101
A63B023/14; A63B 21/015 20060101 A63B021/015 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a first cylindrical handle rotatable
about a first cylindrical axis; a second cylindrical handle
rotatable about a second cylindrical axis disposed such that the
first handle and the second handle form an angle of less than 180
degrees; and a resistance adjuster operable to adjust a rotational
resistance of the first handle about the first cylindrical axis and
the second handle about the second cylindrical axis.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a housing that
connects the first cylindrical handle and the second cylindrical
handle and encloses a portion of the first cylindrical handle, a
portion of the second cylindrical handle, and a portion of the
resistance adjuster.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the resistance adjuster
further comprises: a tension handle rotatable in a first direction
to increase rotational resistance of the first handle about the
first cylindrical axis and the second handle about the second
cylindrical axis and further rotatable in a second direction
opposite of the first direction to decrease rotational resistance
of the first handle about the first cylindrical axis and the second
handle about the second cylindrical axis.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tension adjuster further
comprises: a first friction block that contacts at a first side and
exerts pressure on a portion of the first cylindrical handle; and a
second friction block that contacts at a second side and exerts
pressure on a portion of the second cylindrical handle; wherein the
first side of the first friction block and the second side of the
second friction block are concave in shape to accommodate the first
cylindrical handle and the second cylindrical handle; wherein the
tension handle, when rotated in the first direction, causes the
first friction block to increase the pressure exerted on the
portion of the first cylindrical handle and causes the second
friction block to increase the pressure exerted on the portion of
the second cylindrical handle; and wherein the tension handle, when
rotated in the second direction, causes the first friction block to
decrease the pressure exerted on the portion of the first
cylindrical handle and causes the second friction block to decrease
the pressure exerted on the portion of the second cylindrical
handle.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the tension adjuster further
comprises: a tension block, disposed between the first friction
block and the second friction block, that contacts and exerts a
pressure on a portion of the first friction block and a portion of
the second friction block; wherein the tension handle, when rotated
in the first direction, causes the tension block to increase the
pressure exerted on the portion of the first friction block and the
portion of the second friction block; and wherein the tension
handle, when rotated in the second direction, causes the tension
block to decrease the pressure exerted on the portion of the first
friction block and the portion of the second friction block.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tension block applies
equal pressure to the first friction block and the second friction
block.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tension adjuster further
comprises: a threaded cylindrical rod connected to the tension
handle that, when the tension handle is rotated in the first
direction, moves towards to the tension block and that, when the
tension handle is rotated in the second direction, moves away from
the tension block.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the tension adjuster further
comprises: a tension spring wrapped around a portion of the
threaded cylindrical rod and pressed against the tension block;
wherein the tension handle, when rotated in the first direction,
causes the tension spring to increase pressure exerted on tension
block; and wherein the tension handle, when rotated in the second
direction, causes the tension spring to decrease pressure exerted
on the tension block.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the housing further comprises:
a flange weld nut situated at an opening of the housing, through
which the threaded cylindrical rod threads so that a portion of the
threaded cylindrical rod enters the housing.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the angle of less than 180
degrees comprises an angle of approximately 90 degrees.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
provisional patent application titled "FOREARM, WRIST AND HAND
STRENGTHENER", application No. 61/138,934 filed Dec. 18, 2008, and
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to an exercise
device and, more specifically, relates to an exercise device that
works to strengthen the forearms, wrists, and hands of a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus
comprises: a first cylindrical handle rotatable about a first
cylindrical axis; a second cylindrical handle rotatable about a
second cylindrical axis disposed such that the first handle and the
second handle form an angle of less than 180 degrees; and a
resistance adjuster operable to adjust a rotational resistance of
the first handle about the first cylindrical axis and the second
handle about the second cylindrical axis.
[0004] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exercise device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the exercise device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 shows an internal view of the exercise device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the exercise device
taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0009] FIG. 5 shows another cross-sectional view of the exercise
device taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3 in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0011] Various inventive features are described below that can each
be used independently of one another or in combination with other
features.
[0012] Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally
provide an exercise device for strengthening the forearms, wrists,
and hands of a user that may be used by having the user grip and
twist a pair of handles of the device to rotate the handles about
its axis, thus exercising the user's forearms, wrists, and hands.
Further, the resistance of the handles to being twisted and rotated
may be adjusted, thereby enabling a user to increase or decrease
the resistance of the handles to being twisted in order to adjust
to the level of difficulty desired.
[0013] Referring now to the figures, an exemplary embodiment of the
exercise device 10 may comprise a pair of handles 16, such as
cylindrical rods, that may be partially enclosed in a housing. The
two handles 16 may be situated such that they form an angle of less
than 180 degrees between the two handles 16. In one exemplary
embodiment, the two handles 16 may be situated such that they form
an angle of approximately 90 degrees between the two handles 16 in
order to better optimize the ergonomics of the exercise device
10.
[0014] A user may use one hand to grip one handle 16 of the
exercise device 10 and may use another hand to grip the other
handle 16 of the exercise device 10, and may exercise his body by
twisting the handles 16 of the device 10 so that the handles 16
rotate about its axis. To adjust the resistance of the handles 16
to rotating about its axis, the user may adjust a tension handle 18
that may be part of a resistance adjuster of the exercise device
10. In one exemplary embodiment, the user may rotate the tension
handle 18 in one direction in order to equally increase the
resistance of both handles 16 and may rotate the tension handle 18
in an opposite direction in order to equally decrease the
resistance of the handles 16. In another exemplary embodiment, the
tension handle 18 may be connected to the housing and may be
situated so that it juts out of the housing and bisects the angle
formed by the two handles 16.
[0015] Further, The housing may be shaped to allow the two handles
16 to be situated such that the two handles 16 form an angle
between them of less than 180 degrees and more typically
approximately 90 degrees, such as by situating each handle 16 such
that they are each 45 degrees from vertical in opposite directions,
in order to provide better ergonomics for a user of the exercise
device 10. In one exemplary embodiment, the housing may be molded
such that the angle between the handles 16 remains stationary. In
another exemplary embodiment, two halves 12 and 14 of the housing
may be attached together with six sets of housing nut and bolt
pairs 16 that fit into holes 38 on the housing.
[0016] Further, each of the handles 16 may have a portion exterior
to the housing and a portion inside the housing. The portion of the
handles 16 exterior to the housing may be wrapped with a handle
grip. The portion of the handles 16 inside the housing may each be
in contact with a friction block 34. Retaining washers may be used
to secure the handles 16 and prevent the handles 16 from slipping
out of the housing. The retaining washers may be slid over the
handles 16 and secured via retaining roll pins driven through each
of the handles 16. In one exemplary embodiment, the retaining roll
pins may be driven through holes drilled approximately 15/8 inch
from the ends of the handles 16 situated within the housing.
[0017] Each of the two friction blocks 34 may be situated parallel
to one of the two handles 16 and may comprise a concave shape on
the side of the friction blocks 34 that contact the handles 16, in
order to provide a better fit between the friction blocks 34 and
the handles 16. Further, the surface of the friction blocks 34 may
be abrasive, in order to create a level of resistance as the
handles 16 rotate against the sides of the friction blocks 34. A
tension block 32 may be situated between the friction blocks 34 and
may contact both of the friction blocks 34 at the same time. In an
exemplary embodiment, the resistance of the handles 16 rotating
about its axis may be determined by the level of pressure put on
the handles 16 by the friction blocks 34, such as how tightly the
friction blocks 34 contact the handles 16.
[0018] A tension handle 18 may be connected to a threaded
cylindrical rod 20. The threaded cylindrical rod 20 may thread
through a flange weld nut 24 having a threaded interior so that a
portion of the threaded cylindrical rod 20 may be situated within
the housing of the device past the flange weld nut 24. In an
exemplary embodiment, the flange weld nut 24 may be inserted into a
slot in the housing at a position that bisects the angle created by
the handles 16. A tension roll pin 22 may be inserted
perpendicularly through a drilled hole in the threaded cylindrical
rod 20 and may stick out of both sides of the threaded cylindrical
rod 20. The tension roll pin 22 may be positioned such that the
flange weld nut 24 may be situated between the tension roll pin 22
and the portion of the threaded cylindrical rod 20 outside of the
housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the drilled hole may be
approximately 1/2 inch from an end of the threaded cylindrical rod
20 enclosed within the housing. The threaded cylindrical rod 20 may
be threaded through the tension washer 26 so that the tension
washer 26 may be supported by the threaded cylindrical rod 20 and
the tension roll pin 22.
[0019] A tension spring 30 may be placed around the threaded
cylindrical rod 20 so that the tension washer 26 may support the
tension spring 30. The tension spring 30 may contact and press into
a hole in the tension block 32, thus causing the tension block 32
to more tightly contact the friction blocks 34, such that an equal
amount of resistance may be applied to both of the two handles 16
by the tension block 32.
[0020] As a user rotates the tension handle 18, such as by turning
the tension handle 18 clockwise, the threaded cylindrical rod 20
may rotate and move towards the tension block 32, thus causing the
tension spring 30 to put more pressure onto the tension block 32,
thus causing the tension block 32 to even more tightly contact the
friction blocks 34, thus causing the friction blocks 34 to even
more tightly contact the handles 16, and thus increasing the
resistance of the handles 16 by making it harder for the handles 16
to rotate about their axes.
[0021] As the user then rotates the tension handle 18 in another
direction, such as by turning the tension handle 18
counter-clockwise, the threaded cylindrical rod 20 may then rotate
and move away from the tension block 32, thus causing the tension
spring 30 to lessen its pressure onto the tension block 32, thus
causing the tension block 32 to lessen its pressure on the friction
blocks 34, thus causing the friction blocks 34 to lessen its
pressure on the handles 16, and thus decreasing the resistance of
the handles 16 by making it easier for the handles 16 to rotate
about their axes.
[0022] In one exemplary embodiment, the handles may be typically
made of aluminum tubing, but may be made of various materials such
as, but not limited to wood, plastic, aluminum, steel or any other
metal or metal alloy. The handle grips may typically be made of
plastic, but may be made of various materials such as but not
limited to rubber, plastic, neoprene, or foam. The housing may be
typically made of plastic, but may be made of various materials
such as but not limited to cast iron, plastic, or milled aluminum.
The tension block may typically be made of plastic, but may be made
of various material such as but not limited to wood, aluminum, cast
iron, or plastic. The friction blocks may typically made of a
polyoxymetylene plastic such as DELRIN.TM., but may be made of
various material such as but not limited to TEFLON.TM., DELRIN.TM.,
nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or polypropylene. The
tension spring may typically be made of spring steel, but may be
made of any suitable material. The retaining washers may typically
be made of plastic, but may be made of various material such as but
not limited to steel, aluminum, or plastic. The handle grips may
typically be attached to the handles via adhesives, but may be
attached via any suitable means.
[0023] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *