U.S. patent application number 13/151965 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-08 for exercise device.
Invention is credited to Eddie Pullen.
Application Number | 20110301000 13/151965 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45064892 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110301000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pullen; Eddie |
December 8, 2011 |
Exercise Device
Abstract
An exercise device has a two-part telescoping elongate bar with
a first rod and second rod. The first rod includes a weighted
collar affixed to each end that can hold additional weights. The
second rod is received within the first rod and engages via a
coupling for axial sliding movement outward from an open end of the
first rod for telescoping operation such that the device is
extensible. A person holds the device using hand grips attached to
one end of the first rod and an opposing end of the second rod.
Inventors: |
Pullen; Eddie; (Dublin,
GA) |
Family ID: |
45064892 |
Appl. No.: |
13/151965 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61350751 |
Jun 2, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2201/0192 20130101;
A61H 2201/1253 20130101; A61H 1/0292 20130101; A61H 2201/0153
20130101; A61H 1/0281 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/109 |
International
Class: |
A63B 17/00 20060101
A63B017/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise device comprising: an elongate first rod; an
elongate second rod received within an open end of the first rod
with a first end of the second rod being inserted into the open end
the first rod and said second rod being engaged for axial sliding
movement outward from the open end of the first rod for telescoping
operation such that said exercise device is extensible and said
first rod having an inner diameter greater than the diameter of
said second rod; a coupling for limiting the extent of said axial
sliding movement of said second rod relative to said first rod and
that retains the second rod within the open end of the first rod; a
first collar and a second collar, said first collar mounted in a
fixed position near one end of the first elongate rod and said
second collar mounted in a fixed position near the opposite end of
the first elongate rod; and a first hand grip and a second hand
grip extensible from the first hand grip, said first hand grip
mounted in fixed position on an end of said first rod and on one
side of said first collar, said second hand grip mounted in fixed
position on a second end of said second rod being situated opposite
the first end of the second rod.
2. The exercise device as in claim 1, wherein said coupling
comprises a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) coupling mounted within said
open end of the first rod that provides resistance to the movement
of the second rod within the first rod during the sliding movement
of the second rod.
3. The exercise device as in claim 1, wherein said coupling
comprises a bearing joining said first rod and said second rod that
provides for sliding movement of the second rod within the first
rod with suitable resistance.
4. The exercise device as in claim 1 in which said first rod and
second rod are constructed of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe.
5. The exercise device as in claim 1 in which said hand grips are
both axially aligned with the rods and each comprise a rubber or
plastic member covering the respective end of each rod and having a
surface providing a secure grip for the respective rods.
6. The exercise device as in claim 1 in which said first collar and
said second collar each are equally weighted and comprise suitable
fill material of a predetermined weight.
7. The exercise device as in claim 6 wherein said equally weighted
collars are integrated as a compact weight member on each end of
the first rod and are not removable.
8. The exercise device as in claim 1 in which said first collar and
said second collar each include a receptacle for holding additional
weight.
9. The exercise device as in claim 7 wherein said receptacles each
provide a sleeve for receiving one or more stretchable weight
rings.
10. The exercise device as in claim 8 wherein each sleeve may
receive up to three one-pound weight rings for providing three
pounds of additional weight on each end of the first rod.
11. The exercise device as in claim 1 wherein each handle is
removable and each collar is removable from the first rod to remove
weight from the exercise device.
12. The exercise device as in claim 10 wherein each collar is
attached to the first rod by clips, and the clips are manipulated
to detach and remove the collars.
13. A method for exercise comprising the steps of: a. providing an
exercise device comprising a first rod and a second rod arranged
for sliding movement and extension with respect to the first rod;
b. providing opposing handles with one handle on an end of the
first rod and the opposing handle on the second rod; c. gripping
the opposing handles with a person's hands; d. holding the exercise
device behind the person's back; e. rotating the person's body
while gripping the opposing handles; and f. extending the second
rod from the first rod by sliding movement during rotation of the
person's body to provide improve stretching exercise.
14. A method for exercise as in claim 13 including the additional
step of providing belt around the person's waist on which the
exercise device bears against on the person's back during
rotation.
15. A method for exercise as in claim 13 in which the step of
extending the second rod from the first rod include pulling the
hand grip on the second rod away from the hand grip on the first
rod by sliding movement of the second rod during rotation of the
person's body.
16. A method for exercise as in claim 13 including the additional
step of providing a weighted member on each opposing end of the
first rod.
17. A method for exercise as in claim 16 including the additional
step of providing a collar having a sleeve for each of said
weighted members and placing several stretchable rings around each
sleeve to add additional weight to each of the opposing ends of the
first rod.
18. An exercise device comprising: an elongate first rod; an
elongate second rod received within an open end of the first rod
with a first end of the second rod being inserted into the open end
the first rod and said second rod being engaged for axial sliding
movement outward from the open end of the first rod for telescoping
operation such that said exercise device is extensible and said
first rod having an inner diameter greater than the diameter of
said second rod; a coupling mounted within said open end of the
first rod that provides resistance to the movement of the second
rod within the first rod during the sliding movement of the second
rod, and for limiting the extent of said axial sliding movement of
said second rod relative to said first rod, and that retains the
second rod within the open end of the first; a first collar and a
second collar, said first collar integrated as a weight near one
end of the first elongate rod and said second collar integrated as
a weight near the opposite end of the first elongate rod, each
collar including a sleeve receiving and retaining additional weight
rings; and a first hand grip and a second hand grip, both axially
aligned with the rods and each comprising a rubber or plastic
member covering the respective end of each rod, the second hand
grip extensible from the first hand grip, said first hand grip
mounted in fixed position on an end of said first elongate rod
section and on one side of said first collar, said second hand grip
mounted in fixed position on a second end of said second rod being
situated opposite the first end of the second rod.
19. An exercise device as in claim 18 comprising a bearing member
attached to said second rod between said second hand grip and said
second collar.
20. An exercise device as in claim 19 in which said bearing member
comprises a flexible rubber sphere about the second rod.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application claims benefit of U.S. provisional
application no. 61/350,751 filed on Jun. 2, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an exercise device that has
particular utility for stretching and improving the condition of a
person's back. Particularly, the invention relates to an extensible
exercise bar device for stretching.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Various exercise devices are presently known that comprise a
bar having hand grips. However, each of these devices have
shortcomings with respect to stretching the back.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,591 (Evans, Sr.) relates to an
exercising device that comprises a bar with variable length having
hand grips at each of its opposing ends. However, the device does
not have a secure means for adding weight and does not provide an
axially sliding member for improving a stretch.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,006,646 (Nanni) relates to an exercise
device that includes a hollow tube in which a weight is slidably
mounted. Nanni does not provide a stable weighted bar that includes
an axially sliding member to improve a stretch.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,146 (Jackson) relates to an exercise
device with removable weight on opposite ends of a bar and a sleeve
fixed to the center of the bar. The device does not provide a
weighted bar with weights a fixed distance apart and a pair of rods
that are coupled to telescope and axially slide sufficient distance
to provide a useful stretch.
[0009] Thus, a need exists for a useful device having stable
weights separated by fixed distance and wherein the device axially
slides and is extensible to improve back stretches during rotating,
bending and twisting exercises.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The extensible exercise bar device provides an elongate
first rod and an elongate second rod of smaller diameter than the
first rod. The elongate second rod is received within an open end
of the first rod. The second rod is held within the first rod by a
coupling for axial sliding engagement, whereby the second rod
telescopes from the first rod upon outward sliding movement from
the first rod. The rods of the exercise bar device may be
constructed of polyvinyl chloride and joined together by a PCV
coupling. The second rod will have some resistance when extending
from the first rod to provide for exercise and improved results
during stretching. Additionally, the first rod includes a first
collar and a second collar on opposing ends of the first rod that
are either integrated therein or removable. These collars add
weight to the first rod that further improves exercise results. The
weight of these collars may be adjusted by adding additional weight
to sleeves on each collar that receive the weights, which may
consist of stretchable weight rings placed on the sleeves.
[0011] In use, a person grips opposing handles in his or her hands
that are provided on one end of the first rod and on the opposing
end of the second rod. In one effective stretching exercise, the
person holds the exercise device behind their back and rotates his
or her body while gripping the opposing handles. As he or she
rotates, they extend the second rod from the first rod by sliding
movement to provide improvement to the stretching exercise. The
person may wear an exercise belt around their waist to rest the bar
and cushion the device while protecting the person's back from
excess strain during the stretching exercise.
[0012] In another embodiment, the person grips the opposing handles
and uses the device in front of his or her body. In this position,
the user can stretch the chest, arms and shoulder areas of the
body. These exercises are especially helpful for relieving stress,
improving overall flexibility and adding strength. A bearing member
may be included between the handle and the weight collar to assist
the user when operating the device in front of the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an exercise device in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the exercise device
illustrating additional features of the invention shown in FIG. 1
including a feature providing additional weight and the feature of
being extensible.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a partial front assembly view of the exercise
device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial front plan view illustrating a first
handle and collar features of an embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIGS. 5A and 5B are sectional end views of the collar
feature of FIG. 4 illustrating a means for removable attachment of
the collar feature according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a partial front plan view illustrating a second
collar feature of an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a sectional end view illustrating an embodiment of
a coupling feature of the invention.
[0020] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a method for using the exercise
device in accordance with the invention.
[0021] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate another method for using the
exercise device in accordance with the invention.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a partial front plan view illustrating an
embodiment of the invention having a bearing member between the
collar feature and the handle feature to improve operation in front
of the user's body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment of an exercise
device 2 in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The
exercise device 2 is a bar-type device comprising a pair of
elongate rods coupled together in extensible sliding relationship.
The rods include an elongate first rod 4 and an elongate second rod
6. The first rod 4 receives the second rod and, thus, has a larger
diameter in which the second rod 6 can slide into and
telescopically retract. Accordingly, the second rod 6 has a smaller
diameter than the first rod 4. The rods may be constructed of PVC
(polyvinyl chloride) to provide a strong and stiff construction
that is yet inexpensive and efficient to manufacture.
Alternatively, other suitable materials like metals or other
plastics and composites could be used for commercial gym
applications or specific medical rehabilitation applications of the
device.
[0024] The second rod 6 is inserted into the first rod 4 through an
open end 8 of the first rod for axial sliding movement inward for
retraction and outward from the open end for extension for the
telescoping operation. The second rod 6 is joined to the first rod
4 through the open end 8 of the first rod by a coupling 10 arranged
within the open end as shown in FIG. 7. Particularly when the rods
are constructed of PVC, the coupling 10 may comprise a standard PVC
coupling with ridge means to retain the rods in sliding engagement.
In more robust commercial or medical applications, an engineered
bearing may be used to couple the rods in sliding engagement.
Regardless, in the invention, the coupling 10 will limit the extent
of axial sliding movement of the second rod 6 relative to the first
rod 4 and retain the second rod within the open end 8 of the first
rod when the second rod is completely extended from the first as
shown in FIG. 2. The coupling 10 or bearing also provides some
resistance to axial movement of the second rod within the first rod
which improves the effect of exercise with the device 2. The
resistance may be provided by frictional forces between the
coupling and the rods, spring mechanisms between the rods or by
pressure such as air pressure or hydraulic pressure. For instance a
PVC coupling may be arranged to provide a relatively tight seal and
create a degree of air pressure between the rods that imposes a
degree of resistance as air is forced out or air is drawn into the
first rod during axial sliding movement of the rods with respect to
each other.
[0025] FIGS. 1-2 show a first collar 12 and a second collar 14 on
opposing ends of the first rod 4. As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the
collars are mounted on the first rod in fixed positions. The first
collar 12 is mounted in a fixed position near one end of the first
rod 4 as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The second collar 14 is
mounted in a fixed position near the opposite end of the first rod
4 as shown in FIG. 6. The collars are both mounted on the first rod
4 for the present invention whereby the first rod and the collars
are stable during use of the invention to prevent risk of injury
and the negative effects that would be had if the distance between
the collars were variable. It is an aspect of the invention that
the collars are fixed distance from each other, and the second rod
6 is extensible from the first rod 4 without changing the distance
between the collars. Thereby, the collars provide means for adding
weight to the exercise device 2. The collars may be integrated as
equally weighted compact weight members onto the ends of the first
rod 4. Optionally, the collars may be removable to remove weight
from the exercise device 2 and reduce the overall weight. FIGS. 4-6
illustrate a clip means comprising clips 16 for holding the collars
onto the ends of the first rod 4. In one embodiment, the clips 16
may include buttons 18 received by holes 20 in the first rod 4 to
retain the collars. The clips 16 may be removed by using levers 22
attached to the buttons 18 to manipulate and pull the buttons out
of the holes 20 and allow detachment and removal of each collar 12,
14. Other variations of clips will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
[0026] The first collar 12 and second collar 14 may include a fill
material of predetermined weight or be constructed of an
intentionally heavy material that will add weight to each end of
the first rod. Additionally, the collars may be constructed to
provide a receptacle for additional weight. In particular, the
collars may include a smooth cylindrical exterior surface as shown
in FIGS. 4 and 6, providing a sleeve 24 for receiving weights. As
shown in FIG. 2., with respect to the first collar 12, the weights
may comprise stretchable rings 26 that are placed around the sleeve
24 and held in place by friction or by the addition of a lip on
either end of the sleeve. One or more rings 26 may be placed on the
sleeves to add the desired amount of weight. For example, a one
pound ring could be placed on each end on the opposing sleeves 24
to add a total of two pounds of weight to the exercise device. The
representation in FIG. 2 shows three one-pound ring weights on the
first collar 12. Generally, the collars will be of equal weight and
the sleeves will be arranged with equal amounts of any added
weights for balance. Thus, in the example shown, three rings would
be added to both the first collar 12 and second collar 14 for six
total pounds of additional weight, three pounds on each end of the
first rod 4. The addition of weights on the first collar 12 in FIG.
2 and not on the second collar 14 is for illustrative purposes to
show the variation available in the amount of weight that can be
provided on the collars. The several weights or rings 26 are placed
on the second collar 14 in the same manner as the first. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art to vary the design or the
collar and the weight added to the collar. However, the ring
weights 26 shown provide a simple consumer oriented manner for
safely varying the weight of the device.
[0027] While both collars 12-14 are arranged on the first rod 4,
the hand grips shown in the figures are arranged separately on the
first rod 4 and second rod 6. The first hand grip 30 and the second
hand grip 32 are extensible from one another such that the second
hand grip moves away from the first hand grip during a person's
stretching motion. The first hand grip 30 is mounted in a fixed
position on an end of the elongate first rod 4 and on one side of
the first collar 12, generally the outside end of the first rod
opposing the open end 8. The second hand grip 32 is mounted in a
fixed position on a second end of the second rod 6, which is
situated opposite the first end of the second rod, opposite where
the second rod is inserted into the first rod's open end. In the
preferred embodiment shown, the hand grips are both axially aligned
with the rods that provide an ergonomic design favorable for many
of the stretching exercises capable of being performs with the
exercise device 2. Also, the hand grips are preferably constructed
of comfortable material for gripping the rods. Each grip may be
comprised of rubber or plastic members that cover the respective
ends of each rod, and each grip may include a contoured surface,
surface texture or surface covering that improve the use of the
hand grips for a secure and comfortable grip on the exercise
device. Alternatives may include providing some angle to the hand
grips; however, this may complicate construction and removal of the
collars. In this regard, the grips may be removable by sliding or
screwing on and off. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the hand
grips could screw on using a threaded member 34 on the ends of the
rods, which would promote easy removal of the hand grips and the
collars. In this manner, the exercise device 2 could even be
provided alternative configurations of hand grips for attachment to
the rods' ends.
[0028] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate a person 40 using the invention
according to one method in which the exercise device 2 includes the
first rod 4 with the second rod 6 arranged for sliding movement and
extension with respect to the first rod. The opposing handles 30-32
are gripped by the person's hands, and the device is held behind
their back. The person rotates their body as shown by the different
positions in the figures, and, as they rotate, the second rod
extends from the first rod by sliding movement to provide an
improved stretching exercise. The second rod 6 is extended from the
first rod 4 by pulling the second hand grip 32 on the second rod
away from the first hand grip 30 on the first rod by sliding
movement as described. The exercise may be enhanced by providing a
belt 36 around the person's waist on which the exercise device
bears and rests against the person's back during some portion of
the rotation. The belt 36 may improve the comfort of the device
during this method of the device and may prevent injury. Further,
the exercise may be enhanced by adding weight members to the
collars on opposing ends of the first rod 4. As shown, a one pound
ring 26 of weight is added to each collar by placing the ring on
the collar sleeve 24 and held in place by the friction of the
weight ring being stretched around the respective collar.
[0029] FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate alternative methods for using the
invention to stretch and exercise. In 9A the exercise device 2 is
held above the person's head. The person 40 may use the device to
obtain a very good stretch by leaning from side to side while
holding the device above their head. As the person leans to a side,
the exercise device will extend to improve and increase the
stretch. In 9B the exercise device is held in front of the person's
chest. In this case the person may use the device to obtain a good
stretch by twisting from side to side about the person's waist
while holding the device in front. As the person twists to a side,
the device will extend to improve and increase the stretch provided
by the exercise.
[0030] To improve operation of the device in front of the body as
shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a bearing member 50 may be inserted
between the handle on the second rod and the collar sleeve 24. The
bearing 50 buffers the hands and enables the user to use the device
for stretching and strengthening in the chest, arms and shoulders.
In order to provide a cushioned response, the bearing member may be
formed of a flexible rubber sphere, such as a ball, that is
received about the circumference of the second rod.
[0031] The goal of the present device is to build muscles and
relieve stress in the back, shoulder, chest and arm areas. Further,
regular use of the device will improve a person's flexibility. As a
result, the present device increases both the quality of life and
longevity of life for those who otherwise might become unhealthy
and immobile.
* * * * *