U.S. patent application number 13/013476 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-28 for body gym.
Invention is credited to Sire Pharoe.
Application Number | 20110183819 13/013476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44309404 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110183819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pharoe; Sire |
July 28, 2011 |
BODY GYM
Abstract
A wearable exercise device in the form of a backpack has
resistant pull cables at both shoulders and at both hips. Handgrips
can be connected to the pulls in various ways to provide for
varying degrees of resistance. The tension of the pulls is
adjustable as is the mass of the backpack as a whole. A weight
compartment can hold one or two weights of varying masses. The
pulls at the hips can be connected either to handgrips or to the
back of specialized shoes. When connected to shoes, the resistance
of the pulls simulate running up hill.
Inventors: |
Pharoe; Sire; (Pasadena,
CA) |
Family ID: |
44309404 |
Appl. No.: |
13/013476 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61297903 |
Jan 25, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0552 20130101;
A63B 21/025 20130101; A63B 21/153 20130101; A63B 21/4015 20151001;
A63B 23/0355 20130101; A63B 21/0442 20130101; A63B 21/4025
20151001; A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 21/00065 20130101; A63B
21/065 20130101; A63B 21/00061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/105 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/065 20060101
A63B021/065 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a backpack having at least one
resistant cable pull at an upper corner and at least one resistant
cable pull at a lower corner and further having a compartment for
holding variable mass.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the backpack is a
hard-shell.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one cable pull at
an upper corner is at least one pull at each upper corner so as to
be user-accessible over each shoulder, respectively, and
furthermore wherein the resistance of at least one cable pull is
adjustable by the wearer while the backpack is in its use
position.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the at least one cable pull at
an upper corner and the at least one pull at a lower corner
comprise at least one pull at both upper corners and at least one
pull at each lower corner such that there is a readily accessible,
by the wearer, pull over each shoulder and at each hip.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are at least two distinct
cable pulls located at a shoulder position and at least two
distinct cable pulls located at a hip position.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising an elongated
generally straight bar with a first and a second cord end
connection points spaced apart on said bar at a distance such as,
with the first connection point connected to a right shoulder cord
end, the second connection point is effectively proximate to a left
shoulder cord end to be readily, mutually connected.
7. A method of exercising by a person comprising: a. wearing a
weighted backpack; b. pulling, repeatedly, on a resistant cable
emanating from a shoulder region of the backpack; c. pulling,
repeatedly, on a resistant cable emanating from a hip-proximate
region of the backpack.
8. The method of exercising of claim 7 further comprises
ambulating.
9. A method of exercising by a person comprising: a. wearing a
weighted exercise apparatus secured to the wearers body at least at
the waist, the apparatus having tensioned cord ends in both the
left and right hip positions; b. connecting a left tensioned cord
end to a left shoe; c. connecting a right tensioned cord end to a
right shoe; d. extending and retracting at least one of the cord
ends by moving the wearer's foot relative to the wearer's
torso.
10. The method of exercising of claim 9 further comprises
ambulating.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
application 61/297,903 filed Jan. 25, 2010, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The teachings herein relate to exercise equipment; more
specifically exercise equipment worn by the user.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Physical exercise is engaged in for general health and for
athletic training as well as for other goals. Some forms of
exercise are classified as aerobic, including walking, running, and
cycling. Other forms are known as anaerobic including weight
lifting and sprinting. While many exercise activities, such as
walking, require no special equipment, a modern gym contains a wide
variety of both simple and quite complex equipment--most of it
being equipment fixed in place. It is desirable to have a
relatively simple exercise apparatus that is highly portable and
provides specific facilities to enhance both aerobic and anaerobic
exercise.
SUMMARY
[0004] Apparatus and systems that can be in the form of a wearable,
weighted apparatus with included cable pulls solve the problem of a
portable multi-mode exercise device. In some versions consistent
with these teachings, an apparatus in the form of a backpack can
have resistant cable pulls at each shoulder and at each hip. Some
aspects can include provisions for adjusting the resistance
presented by the various pulls. Some versions can include
facilities for attaching a pull to a handgrip. Some versions can
include facilities for attaching a pull to a shoe. The worn
apparatus can have compartments to accept weights of various
masses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a version of an exercise
backpack;
[0006] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the unit from the
inside;
[0007] FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the unit from
the side;
[0008] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view from the back;
[0009] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view with housing removed showing
the tension mechanism;
[0010] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the base plate with the
upper cord guides removed;
[0011] FIG. 7 shows the unit with housing removed and upper dual
spools and tension knob exploded;
[0012] FIG. 8 shows a person using the attachable bar;
[0013] FIG. 9 shows a wearer of the unit with the tension cords
connected to shoes;
[0014] FIG. 10 shows a plan view, and elevation views of the front,
back, and left side of a shoe with an integral shoe loop that has a
clasp;
[0015] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the heel area of the shoe of
FIG. 10;
[0016] FIG. 12 shows a wearer exercising with the unit using
handles on one upper cord and one lower cord on the left and right
sides respectively;
[0017] FIG. 13 shows a wearer exercising with the unit using
handles connected to a lower cord on the left and a lower cord on
the right while running;
[0018] FIG. 14 shows the unit of FIG. 1 and an exercise bar in
perspective illustrating how the exercise bar might be connected to
upper cords.
[0019] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the unit from the top;
[0020] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the unit from the bottom;
[0021] FIG. 17 is an elevation view of the unit from the right
side;
[0022] FIG. 18 is an elevation view of the unit from the left
side;
[0023] FIG. 19 is an elevation view of the unit from the front;
[0024] FIG. 20 is an elevation view of the unit from the back;
[0025] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the unit from the
front;
[0026] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the unit from the back;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In conjunction with the included drawings this detailed
description is intended to impart an understanding of the teachings
herein and not to define their metes and bounds.
[0028] Structure
[0029] The initial embodiment being described is an exercise
apparatus in the form of a backpack as seen in FIG. 1. As shown in
that figure there are tension cord termini at each shoulder and at
the right hip. Not seen in FIG. 1 is a similar structure at the
left hip. The unit includes a hard-shell housing 3, straps 4, and
adjustments for the upper 15 16 and lower 17 18 tension cords
respectively. As seen in FIG. 2, at each of the four points of
tension cord termini there are, in fact, two cords shown. In each
case there is a higher tension cord 15 17 and a lighter tension
cord 16 18. Each cord is shown ending in a loop. To use the cords
in any given position one, or the other, or both, can be attached
to a handle 1 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0030] As well as the tension cords, this unit also is weighted. As
seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 there is a foam pad 5 that would be
against a wearer's back, for comfort. Behind the readily removable
foam pad is a butterfly shaped weight compartment 19, seen in the
exploded view of FIG. 3. This version can accommodate up to two
weights 6 that are secured in place by locking knobs 20.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view from the back. The major sub
units of this version are a hard-shell housing 3, a base plate 2,
the optional weights 6, and the straps 4. The base plate provides a
mechanism to adjust the tension cords. Using the right shoulder
cord ends 12 for explanation purposes, the higher and lighter
tensioned cord ends 15 16 are seen in FIG. 5. As mentioned above,
there are loops at each of the cord ends. Both cords are led
through a cord guide 41 to an upper central tensioning mechanism
33. The structure is symmetric from left to right. The left and
right shoulder cord end termini are ends of the same cord. The
upper higher tension and lighter tension cords 15 16 go around dual
spools 31 seen in FIG. 7. When the tension knob 32 is pressed in to
become engaged, it provides for turning of the spools, thus
increasing or decreasing the tension and resistance provided by the
pair of cords. FIG. 6 shows the base plate 3 with the upper cord
guides 41 removed.
[0032] The structure of the cords emanating from the housing 3 at
the left and right hips and their tensioning mechanism is symmetric
with that of the upper system described immediately above.
[0033] Kit
[0034] The Body Gym Backpack 50 described can be the foundation of
a more complex exercise system. FIG. 8 shows an exercise bar 44
attached to the left and right shoulder cord loop ends 11 12.
Rather than pull the left and right cords separately this allows
them to be pulled together and would constrain the arm movements.
In FIG. 9, a wearer is shown with the lower tension cords 17, 18
connected to the back of the heel of shoes 42 configured for this
purpose. In FIG. 10, a shoe 42 is shown with a shoe loop 43 with a
clasp 45 that opens and closes. FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view of
the shoe loop 43 and clasp 45.
[0035] Variations
[0036] One set of variations of the above-described unit is to use
only a single tension cord in some or all of the four portions.
Another would be to locate access to the weight compartment
differently, through the back, top, bottom or side, for example. If
a device was desired primarily for use connected to shoes, a unit
might only have the left and right two hip cord ends and therefore
the base and housing might not be a full backpack
configuration.
Alternate Embodiment
Constant Force Spring
[0037] Rather than using an elastomeric "bungee cord" spring
resistance, embodiments might use a constant force spring. Such a
version would use cords that are not substantially stretchable and
would add a constant torque spring into the spool mechanism. The
force of resistance could be changed by using alternate springs or
by varying the effective diameter of the spool.
[0038] Operation
[0039] The body gym embodiment described above is a flexible device
that can be used in many ways. A user can chose an amount of weight
to add into the weight compartment 19 and can set the upper and
lower tension to a desired degree of resistance. An additional
flexibility is provided by having a pair of cord ends at each
position. By connecting the load (either a handle 1, a bar 44, or a
shoe 42) to one or the other or both end loops a great range of
resistance is selectable by a user. Typical ranges of resistance
might be 5 to 25 lbs for women and up to 40 lbs for men.
[0040] As seen in FIG. 12 a user might remain stationary while
pulling up a cord 15 from his left shoulder and pulling down a cord
18 from his hip. In FIG. 9 a women is seen running with the right
and left hip cords 17 18 attached to a specialized shoe 42 with a
molded in hook, referred to as a shoe loop 43. Another use is seem
in FIG. 8 In that use the bar 44 is attached to upper cords 15 16
at the users right and left and the bar is raised and lowered. In
FIG. 13 a women is shown running while alternately pulling on the
right 18 and left 17 hip position cords.
[0041] Other uses might include doing jumping jacks with the
handles 1 on the upper tension cords 15 16 and the hip cords 17 18
connected to the specialized shoes 42.
[0042] FIG. 14 shows the unit of FIG. 1 and an exercise bar in
perspective illustrating how the exercise bar might be connected to
upper cords. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the unit from the top. FIG.
16 is a plan view of the unit from the bottom. FIG. 17 is an
elevation view of the unit from the right side. FIG. 18 is an
elevation view of the unit from the left side. FIG. 19 is an
elevation view of the unit from the front. FIG. 20 is an elevation
view of the unit from the back. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of
the unit from the front, and FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the
unit from the back.
[0043] Those skilled in the art will be aware of materials,
techniques and equipment suitable to produce the example
embodiments presented as well as variations on the those examples.
This teaching is presented for purposes of illustration and
description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the
forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments and versions
help to explain the principles of the invention, the practical
application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to
understand it. Various embodiments with various modifications as
are suited to the particular application contemplated are
expected.
[0044] As used herein the terms "cable" and "cord" are used
substantially interchangeably.
[0045] In the following claims, the words "a" and "an" should be
taken to mean "at least one" in all cases, even if the wording "at
least one" appears in one or more claims explicitly. The scope of
the invention is set out in the claims below.
* * * * *