U.S. patent application number 12/813790 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-15 for exercise apparatus for permitting a user to build muscle strength in an ergonomic fashion.
This patent application is currently assigned to GOFIT LLC. Invention is credited to Charles Caswell, Richard Davis.
Application Number | 20110306475 12/813790 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45096684 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110306475 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caswell; Charles ; et
al. |
December 15, 2011 |
Exercise apparatus for permitting a user to build muscle strength
in an ergonomic fashion
Abstract
An exercise apparatus for permitting a user to build muscle
strength in an ergonomic fashion comprising a weighted body with a
first and second opposing faces with a handle attached to the body
in a manner that permits the user to grip the apparatus during use
without having to grip the body directly, and the first face
comprises an ergonomic generally concave surface configured to more
closely conform to the user's forearm profile when the apparatus is
gripped by the user in a manner such that the body comes in contact
with the user's forearm. Alternate embodiment incorporates a second
face comprising an ergonomic generally concave surface.
Inventors: |
Caswell; Charles; (Tulsa,
OK) ; Davis; Richard; (Tulsa, OK) |
Assignee: |
GOFIT LLC
Tulsa
OK
|
Family ID: |
45096684 |
Appl. No.: |
12/813790 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/072 20130101;
A63B 21/4039 20151001; A63B 21/0601 20130101; A63B 21/4035
20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/93 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus for permitting a user to build muscle
strength in an ergonomic fashion, the apparatus comprising: a
weighted body with a first and second opposing faces; a handle
attached to the body in a manner that permits the user to grip the
apparatus during use without having to grip the body directly and
which permits "catch and release" exercises by a user; wherein the
first face comprising an ergonomic generally concave surface
configured to more closely conform to the user's forearm profile
when the apparatus is gripped by the user in a manner such that the
body comes in contact with the user's forearm.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second face also comprises
an ergonomic generally concave surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the body
comprises a generally geometric shape.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a
kettle bell.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle is attached to the
body at a single point.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle is attached to the
body at a plurality of points.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is coated with a
resilient layer of material designed to soften the force of contact
with the user during use.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is concave beneath
the handle to assist the user with "catch and release" exercises.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The exercise apparatus herein for permitting a user to build
muscle strength in an ergonomic fashion herein is a kettlebell
which is used for weight training in physical fitness
activities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The kettle bell or girya (Russian: rnpR) is a cast iron
weight looking somewhat like a cannonball with a handle. The
kettlebell first appears in a 1704 Russian Dictionary (Cherkikh,
1994). Originally, kettlebells were counter-weights used in Russian
markets. Russian country folk started throwing them around and
eventually they became very popular in Russia as a training tool.
In 1913 the Russian magazine Hercules reported "Not a single sport
develops our muscular strength and bodies as well as kettlebell
athletics."
[0003] In the recent history of the kettlebell has become
increasingly popular within the United States thanks to a man named
Pavel Tsatsouline. Tsatsouline is a fitness author who used to be a
trainer for not only the United States armed forces but the Soviet
Union forces as well. Once the United States noticed that they
could not endure as long as their Russian counterparts within
competitions, they began incorporating the kettlebell into their
training routines. In 1985 a committee for the sport of kettlebell
lifting was created, and the first National Championship for
Kettlebells was held in Russia in 1985 with its own set of rules
and standards. Today, the kettlebell is being introduced into the
fitness routines of the everyday man, as their benefits have proven
them to be one of the most useful tools for building strength.
[0004] Many companies produce their own brands of kettlebells and
kettlebell exercise programs. Some modern kettlebells feature
adjustable weights or are rubber coated to improve safety for
floors. Kettlebells range in size from 5 lbs to 175 lbs, the
traditional Russian kettlebell is usually one weight which weighs 1
Pood (roughly 16 kg/35 lbs).
[0005] Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettlebell's center of
mass is extended beyond the hand, similar to a Clubbell's. This
allows for swing movements not possible with traditional dumbbells.
Because more muscle groups are utilized in the swinging and
movement of a kettlebell than during the lifting of dumbbells, a
kettlebell workout is said to be more effective, and yields better
results in less time. The existence of a handle allows for "release
and catch moves" which are not available with a dumbbell. A
"release and catch move" is either the transitioning of the
kettlebell from one hand to other hand, or the releasing of the
kettlebell and catching it with the same hand.
[0006] As a result of the common cannon ball shape of kettle bells,
the weight of the bell is unduly concentrated at a single point on
the user's forearm or wrist when the kettle bell in the user's hand
is raised to a generally vertical position with the bell resting on
the user's carpal bones (wrist) or radius and ulna (forearm). This
common complaint can result in bone bruising as well as dermal
edemas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Conventional kettle bells generally resemble a cannon ball
with a handle attached thereto. When lifted vertically by the user,
the generally sphere shape bell of the conventional kettle bell
uncomfortably rests on the user's forearm and/or wrist with the
weight concentrated at a single location. In contrast, the
kettlebell disclosed herein accommodates the user's forearm and
wrist when the kettle bell is lifted generally vertical by the user
which causes the body and weight of the kettle bell to rest along
the user's forearm. This accommodation spreads the weight of the
bell along a greater surface area in lieu of a concentration of
weight at a distinct localized point on the user's wrist and
forearm when the weight is lifted generally vertically resulting in
the bell resting against the user's forearm and/or wrist. In sum,
the accommodation creates a more pain free work out and reduces
bone and dermal bruising by spreading the bell weight over a
greater area of the user's wrist and forearm.
[0008] The angle of the opposing concave faces permits the user to
grasp the bell along its vertical sides in lieu of using the handle
at the top of the bell to perform additional exercises.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be better understood and further objects,
characteristic features, details and advantages thereof will appear
more clearly with reference to the following diagrammatic
drawings.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view a first embodiment of the
apparatus with a concave face.
[0011] FIG. 2. is a front view the first embodiment of the
apparatus with a concave first face.
[0012] FIG. 3. is a lateral view of a second embodiment with a
concave first and second face.
[0013] FIG. 4. is a top view of the second embodiment with a
concave first and second face.
[0014] FIG. 5. is a bottom view of the second embodiment with a
concave first and second face.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus in use and
resting against the user's forearm.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, an embodiment of the
apparatus provides a kettle bell 5 with a face to comfortably
accommodate a user's forearm when the kettle bell is lifted
generally vertically resulting in the face of the kettle bell
resting against the user's forearm as depicted in FIG. 6. The
apparatus 5 comprises a body 15 and a handle 10. The body 15
comprises a top 30, a bottom 35, and at least two faces 20, 25.
[0017] The handle 10 is attached to the top 30 of the body 15 to
accommodate the user's hand and permit use of the kettle bell in
swinging and "release and catch" exercises. The handle is rigid and
fixed in relation to the body. The handle 10 is either a generally
an inverted triangle shape with a single point of attachment or
generally a loop shape with at least two points of attachment to
the body as depicted in FIGS. 1-5. The aperture created within the
handle permits the user to freely release and capture the
kettlebell using the handle. The handle may be completely
integrated with the body either through the casting or molding
process. In the alternative, the handle may be a separate unit
fastened to the body.
[0018] The first face 20 and the second face 25 oppose each other
and are in generally parallel alignment with the handle 10 to
permit the kettle bell to hang down from the user's hand when held
in a semi-vertical position allowing the face to rest against the
user's forearm. At least one of the faces comprises a vertical
concave depression 40 to accommodate the user's forearm therein.
The concave depression 40 of the face is generally parallel with
the handle 15 to permit a user's forearm to rest therein allowing
the weight to be equally distributed along the length of the kettle
bell and against the user's forearm when said kettle bell is held
by the user in semi-upright position with the concave face is
resting against said user's forearm.
[0019] An alternate embodiment of the apparatus incorporates a
second vertical concave depression 40 within the second face 25
generally parallel with the handle to permit a user's forearm to
rest within the concave shape when said kettle bell is held by the
user in an upright position with said second face 25 resting
against the user's forearm. The existence of opposing concave faces
permits the user to grasp the bell along its vertical sides in lieu
of using the handle at the top of the bell to perform additional
exercises.
[0020] The shapes of the apparatus' body 15 are unlimited. The body
may be a parallelogram, a truncated pyramid, a pentagonal prism, or
take the shape of generally circular cross-sectional form.
[0021] To protect the apparatus from chips and the floors of the
gym or the user's home, the kettle bell may be coated in protective
material 45 such as rubber, foam, or other like material.
[0022] Further minor modifications can be made to the above
described embodiment without departing from the scope of the same
as defined in the appended claims.
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