U.S. patent application number 13/430458 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-27 for exercise device and method of exercising.
This patent application is currently assigned to SHADOWBOXER SYSTEMS PTY LTD. Invention is credited to Paul TODD.
Application Number | 20120245002 13/430458 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46877821 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120245002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TODD; Paul |
September 27, 2012 |
EXERCISE DEVICE AND METHOD OF EXERCISING
Abstract
An exercise device handpiece includes a handgrip extending
between a lower end and an upper end with a wrist extension
disposed on the handgrip. The wrist extension extends a distance
from the handgrip to the wrist of a user holding the handgrip. The
wrist extension having an inner facing portion configured to be
disposed adjacent to or contiguous with said user's wrist and an
opposing outer facing portion adapted to releasably receive a
resistance band connector attached to a resistance band. The
handpiece prevents or opposes abduction or adduction of the wrist
of the user when holding the handgrip.
Inventors: |
TODD; Paul; (Bellevue Hill,
AU) |
Assignee: |
SHADOWBOXER SYSTEMS PTY LTD
Bellevue Hill
AU
|
Family ID: |
46877821 |
Appl. No.: |
13/430458 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12582402 |
Oct 20, 2009 |
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13430458 |
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11908764 |
Feb 7, 2008 |
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PCT/AU2006/001070 |
Jul 28, 2006 |
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12582402 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/20 20130101;
A63B 21/4013 20151001; A63B 23/0355 20130101; A63B 21/0442
20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B 2220/10 20130101; A63B
21/4001 20151001; A63B 21/0557 20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101;
A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 21/4009 20151001; A63B 2208/0223
20130101; A63B 21/4025 20151001; A63B 21/4043 20151001; A63B
21/4017 20151001; A63B 21/4007 20151001; A63B 2220/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/124 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 29, 2005 |
AU |
2005904094 |
Claims
1. An exercise device handpiece comprising: a handgrip extending
between a lower end and an upper end; a wrist extension disposed on
said handgrip and extending therefrom to the wrist of a user
holding said handgrip, said wrist extension having an inner facing
portion configured to be disposed adjacent to or contiguous with
said user's wrist and an opposing outer facing portion adapted to
releasably receive a resistance band connector attached to a
resistance band; wherein said handpiece prevents or opposes
movement of said user's hand about their wrist when holding said
handgrip.
2. A handpiece according to claim 1 wherein handpiece prevents or
opposes adduction/abduction and/or extension/flexion of said wrist
of said user holding said handgrip.
3. A handpiece according to claim 1 wherein said wrist extension
extends from said handgrip terminating a predetermined distance
beyond said wrist towards the elbow of said user.
4. A handpiece according to claim 1 wherein said wrist extension is
substantially planar and said outer facing portion of said wrist
extension is configured to releasably receive said resistance band
connector.
5. A handpiece according to claim 4 wherein said wrist extension
outer face includes a shaped slot, one end configured to receive
said connector and an opposing end to retain said connector in said
slot, and a latch movable between a locked position to prevent
movement of said band connector along said slot and an open
position allowing movement.
6. A handpiece according to claim 5, wherein said latch is
substantially planar and spaced apart from said slot and includes a
pin extending toward or in to said slot when in said latch locked
position to prevent movement of said band connector along said
slot, said pin being disposed clear of said slot when said latch is
moved in to said open position.
7. A handpiece according to claim 5 wherein said latch is biased in
to said closed position.
8. A handpiece according to claim 1, wherein said wrist extension
is disposed at or adjacent said handgrip lower end and said
handpiece includes a strap mounted to opposing ends of said
handgrip and being releasably attachable at said handgrip lower
end.
9. A handpiece according to claim 1 including a position sensor
disposed within said handgrip and/or said wrist extension, said
position sensor configured to transmit signals for receipt by a
remotely disposed position receiver, said signals indicative of
movement of said position sensor.
10. A handpiece according to claim 9 wherein said resistance bands
extend from said handpiece and attach at another end to said user
and said position receiver is attached to said user.
11. A handpiece according to claim 10, wherein said resistance
bands connect at said another end to a belt configured to be worn
about the waist or torso of said user and said position sensor is
disposed in or on said belt.
12. A handpiece according to claim 5 wherein said resistance band
connector includes: a body extending between a top end and a lower
end having a resistance band rotatably mounted thereto; an
extension portion disposed at or adjacent said body top and
extending therefrom a predetermined distance, said extension
portion projecting outwardly away from said body and upwardly away
from said lower end; a head support shaft extending from said
extension portion, said head support shaft configured to slide
along said slot; and a head disposed on or about an end of said
support shaft distal said body, said ahead having a wider diameter
and said head support shaft such that said shaft is configured to
slide along said slot, and wherein part of said slot on one side of
said latch is narrower than set head diameter to retain said
resistance band connector.
13. A handpiece according to claim 12 wherein said band connector
body extension portion is configured to rotate about an axis
substantially perpendicular to said slot.
14. A handpiece according to claim 10 wherein movement of said
handpiece relative to said position receiver and corresponding
movement of said resistance band is determined from signals
received by said position receiver, and work or energy to move said
resistance band is determined to provide an energy expenditure in
moving said handpiece and said resistance band.
15. An exercise device comprising a belt configured to be worn by a
user, and a pair of exercise device handpieces according to claim
1, each said handpiece being releasably attachable to said belt by
respective resistance bands disposed intermediate.
16. An exercise device according to claim 15 including a position
sensor disposed in each said handpiece and configured to wirelessly
transmit a signal indicative of the position of each handpiece and
movement thereof to a remote position receiver disposed within said
belt.
17. An exercise device according to claim 16, wherein said position
receiver is configured to transmit signals to a remote computing
device to determine movement of said handpieces relative to said
position receiver and corresponding movement of said resistance
band and calculate work or energy to move said resistance bands
determined to provide the energy expenditure in moving said
handpieces and said resistance bands.
18. An exercise device according claim 17 including a pair of
position receivers, wearing one said position receiver is disposed
at or adjacent said connection of said resistance bands to said
belt and said energy or work is calculated corresponding to
movement of each said handpiece.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 USC 120 as a
continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. application
Ser. No. 12/582,402, filed on 20 Oct. 2009. Application Ser. No.
12/582,402 is a continuation under 35 USC 120 of application Ser.
No. 11/908,764, filed on 7 Feb. 2008. Application Ser. No.
11/908,764 is a National Stage Application under 35 USC 371 of
International Application PCT/AU2006/001070 filed on 28 Jul. 2006.
International application PCT/AU2006/001070 claims Paris Convention
priority to Australian application serial no. 2005904094 filed on
29 Jul. 2005. The entire contents of each of these applications is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to exercise equipment and, in
particular, to an exercise device and a handpiece for the exercise
device.
[0003] Embodiments described herein have been developed primarily
for use as a general fitness and training exercise device and will
be described hereinafter with reference to this particular
application. However, it will be appreciated that the inventive
concept is not limited to this particular field of use and is
applicable for use in other fields such as rehabilitation.
[0004] A large variety of personal exercise equipment is known.
Such comes in many shapes and sizes. A particularly common type of
exercise equipment is a gymnasium machine that includes a weight
stack mounted for vertical movement. The number of weights in the
stack is selectable, and the stack is connected to one end of a
cable. The cable is passed over one or more pulleys and extends
adjacent to the machine at about the shoulder height of a person
and is connected to one or more handles.
[0005] In use, a person is disposed adjacent the machine with their
front pointing away from it. The person clasps the handle(s) from
over their shoulder and extends their arms. This pulls the cable
away from the machine resulting in the weight stack being moved
vertically providing resistance to the pulling of the cable. It
will be appreciated that these known types of exercise machines are
capable of exercising a particular muscle group.
[0006] However, the conventional exercise machines are typically
large and fixed to a floor. The machines therefore are best suited
to a gymnasium or a large personal gym. Unfortunately, the use of
the machines in a home environment is relatively prohibitive due to
the significant cost of the machines. Furthermore, such machines
are generally only configured to exercise a single muscle group,
for example, the latissimus or shoulders can cannot be simply used
to exercise other muscle groups.
[0007] The genesis of the inventive concept is a desire to provide
a portable exercise device and handpiece therefor that can be used
to exercise a plurality of muscle groups and that can be used in a
plurality of environments, or to provide a useful alternative.
SUMMARY
[0008] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, an exercise
device handpiece includes a handgrip extending between a lower end
and an upper end; a wrist extension disposed on said handgrip and
extending therefrom to the wrist of a user holding said handgrip,
said wrist extension having an inner facing portion configured to
be disposed adjacent to or contiguous with said user's wrist and an
opposing outer facing portion adapted to releasably receive a
resistance band connector attached to a resistance band; wherein
said handpiece prevents or opposes movement of said user's hand
about their wrist when holding said handgrip.
[0009] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an exercise
device includes a belt configured to be worn by a user, and a pair
of exercise device handpieces according to the first aspect of this
disclosure, each said handpiece being releasably attachable to said
belt by respective resistance bands disposed intermediate.
[0010] It can therefore be seen that there is advantageously
provided a handpiece for an exercise device the use of which
maintains the hand 106 and wrist 105 in a straight position with
substantially no, or some fixed, adduction or abduction; extension
or flexion. Further, the handpiece allows energy expended without
significant energy expenditure on the flexion/extension or
adduction/abduction of the wrist which is substantially eliminated
so that the user can more accurately calculates their energy
expenditure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Various embodiments of this disclosure will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exercise device according to an
embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front elevation of an exercise device according
to a second embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an exercise device according to
another embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows the device of any one of FIGS. 1 to 3 in
use;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an alternative
handpiece of the exercise device of FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the handpiece of FIG.
5 with a resistance band connected thereto;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the handpiece of the
exercise device of FIG. 5;
[0019] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the handpiece of FIG. 7;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the handpiece with
resistance band of FIG. 6;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a right hand side view of the handpiece of FIG. 5
held by a user; and
[0022] FIG. 11 is a [front or rear] perspective view of a
resistance band connector of the exercise device of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Referring to the drawings generally, it is noted that like
reference numerals are used to denote like components unless noted
otherwise. In FIG. 1, there is shown a plan view of an exercise
device 1 according to a first embodiment. The exercise device 1
includes a belt 2 that is configured to be secured around the
waist, hips or torso of a person.
[0024] The belt 2 includes a front portion 3 that is configured to
be disposed adjacent the front of a person when secured about them.
The belt 2 also includes a back portion 4 configured to be disposed
adjacent the back of a person when secured to them.
[0025] The belt 2 includes a fastener 5 in the form of a buckle.
The buckle 5 is disposed at one end 6 of the belt 2 such that the
other end 7 of the belt 2 can be fastened thereto to secure the
belt 2 about a person with a preferred degree of "tightness".
[0026] A pair of spaced apart elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are mounted
to the front portion 3 of the belt 2. The cords 8 and 9 are mounted
to the front portion 3 at a proximal end of the cords and are
disposed such that one cord 8 is disposed on a left hand side of
the front portion 3 and the other cord 9 is disposed on a right
hand side of the front portion 3.
[0027] Both of the elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are mounted to the
front portion 3 of the belt 2. In FIG. 1, the cords 8 and 9 are
mounted to the belt 2 to allow the cords to be selectively
positioned along the front 3 of the belt 2. In this embodiment, the
cords 8 and 9 have a latch 10 that removably engages with notches
11 to secure the proximal end of the cords 8 and 9.
[0028] The distal end of each cord 8 and 9 includes a grip 12 in
the form of a glove. Each glove 12 is in the form of a sheet having
a thumb aperture 13 such that the glove 12 is wrapped around the
hand of a person. The glove 12 is secured to a hand with Velcro
tabs 14 that engage with each other to secure the glove 12 on a
hand.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an exercise device 1
according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the belt 2 is
formed from two halves defining a belt front portion 3 and a belt
back portion 4.
[0030] The belt back portion 4 includes a buckle 15 at each end,
however, only one buckle is visible in FIG. 2. Each buckle 15 is
configured to be secured to an end of the belt front portion 3 to
secure the belt 2 to a person.
[0031] As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the cords 8 and 9 are
mounted to the front portion 3 of the belt 2. The cords 8 and 9 are
retainable within one of three loops disposed on each of the left
and right hand sides the front portion 3 of the belt 2. In this
way, the cords 8 and 9 can be moved along the belt 2 to secure the
proximal ends of the cords 8 and 9 in a preferred position.
[0032] The cords 8 and 9 are each looped around one of the loops on
the belt front portion 3. These cord loops 16 are secured by a
clamp 17 that can be selectively loosened to allow the loops 16 to
be increased in size and thereby reduce the length of the cords 8
and 9, or the loops 16 decreased in size and thereby increase the
length of the cords 8 and 9. In this way, the clamps 17 can be used
to release the cords 8 and 9 from the belt front portion 3.
[0033] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, each grip 12 at the distal end
of the cords 8 and 9 is in the form of a stirrup 12. A wrist strap
18 is disposed adjacent each stirrup 12. The wrist straps 18 are
configured to wrap around the wrist of a person when gripping the
stirrups.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the exercise
device 1. In this embodiment, the device 1 includes a belt 2 having
a front portion 3 and a back portion 4. The back portion 4 is in
the form of a strap connected to the front portion 3. The strap of
the back portion 4 is configured to releasably engage with a belt
faster 5 disposed on the front portion 2.
[0035] The elastomeric cords 8 and 9 are fixedly mounted to the
front portion 3 of the belt 2. The elastomeric cords 8 and 9 each
include a handle 12 mounted to a free end.
[0036] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, where there is shown
various views of a person 19 exercising with the device 1. The
person 19 exercising their biceps simply secures the belt 1 around
their hips and their lower arms are moved upwardly against the bias
of the elastomeric cords. Punching exercises are performed by
securing the belt 1 about the torso of the person 19 and thrusting
the arms forward in a reciprocating or piston-like manner. It will
be appreciated the punching exercises can include uppercuts or
other preferred type of punch.
[0037] Shoulder press exercises are performed by securing the belt
2 about the torso of the person 19 and extending both arms above
their head. A delta fly exercise can be performed by securing the
belt about the torso of the person 19 and having them raise their
arms laterally or move them forward. Triceps extension exercises
can be performed by securing the belt 2 about the torso of the
person 19 such that the person leans forward by bending at the
waist and then extending and bending their arms.
[0038] In the bicep curl exercise shown in FIG. 4, it will be
appreciated that the belt 2 can be advantageously disposed about
the knee or thighs of the person to perform the exercise in
addition to about the waist/torso as shown.
[0039] Lower body exercises can also be used with the belt 2 by
securing the grips 12 to the ankles of the person 19. For example,
a leg extension exercise can be performed by securing the belt 2
about the waist of the person 19 where the person sits down and
bends and flexes their knees. Likewise, squat exercises can be
performed by securing the belt 1 about the waist of the person 19
where the person stands and bends and flexes both legs. In another
lower body exercise, the belt one is disposed about the waist of
the person and the grips 12 secured to be ankles of the person
wherein the person thrusts their leg forward in a kicking
manner.
[0040] In another form of exercise using the exercise device 1, the
device 1 is placed on the floor with the front portion 3 of the
belt facing upward. The person 19 stands on the belt and secures
the grips to their hands. The person then bends slightly forward
with their arms being pulled up in a rolling like manner.
[0041] The next exercise shown in FIG. 4 is a standing rowing
exercise. It will be appreciated that the user can place the belt 2
about the ends of their feet when in a seated position so as to
exercise by simulating a conventional rowing-type stroke. The
user's legs can be bent or straight in the rowing exercise.
[0042] Although not illustrated, it will also be appreciated that
other exercises can be performed with the device 1. For example,
the belt 2 can be disposed about, or otherwise secured to, a fixed
object that is on or adjacent a floor. In this way, the person can
lay on their back or side with their head adjacent the belt 2 so
that the cords 8 and 9 extend over their shoulder(s) to provide
resistance against a forward or sideways sit-up movement.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 11, there is shown various views of
a handpiece 100 for the exercise device of FIG. 3 in place of each
grip 12. FIGS. 5 to 11 show a left-hand handpiece 100 and it will
be appreciated like configuration can be provided for a right
handed handpiece 100. The handpiece 100 is used in the same manner
as the grip 12 described above with reference to FIG. 3 and the
connection means are the same.
[0044] The handpiece 100 includes a handgrip 101 to be grasped by
the person 19, the hand 106 of which is shown in FIG. 10. The
handgrip 101 extends between a lower end 102 and a spaced apart
upper end 103. The handgrip 101 is contoured to fit the profile of
an attached hand for comfort of a person 19.
[0045] A wrist extension 104 is integrally formed with the handgrip
103 and extends from the lower end 102 of it. The wrist extension
104 is sized and shaped to abut the wrist 105 of the person 19
beyond their hand 106 to prevent or significantly oppose adduction
or abduction, and extension or flexion, of the hand 106 when
holding the handpiece 100. That is, the hand 106 and wrist 105 are
maintained in a straight position with substantially no, or some
fixed, adduction or abduction; extension or flexion. In other
words, the hand is not moveable relative to the fixed position
holding the handgrip 101. This is most advantageous for the reasons
described below.
[0046] The wrist extension 104 has an inner facing portion (or
inner face) 107 to be disposed against the base of the had 106 and
the wrist 105 and to support the region to prevent the
flexion/extension and adduction/abduction movement. This
significantly reduces wrist fatigue of the person 19 using the
exercise device 1 with the handpieces 100. The wrist extension 104
has an outer facing portion (or outer face) 108 facing in a
direction away from said wrist 105. The wrist extension of this
embodiment is substantially planar.
[0047] The outer face is adapted to releasibly receive one end 109
(best shown in FIG. 9) of a resistance band 8/9. The resistance
band end 109 includes a resistance band connector 110 which is best
shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 9 & 11. The connector 110 has a body
111 extending between a top end 112 and a lower end 113 where the
resistance band 8/9 attaches. The resistance band 8/9 is able to
rotate about an axis parallel to said resistance band 8/9 but not
move away from the lower end 113.
[0048] As best seen in FIG. 11, the connector 110 has a
substantially cylindrical extension portion 114 mounted to the body
111 towards the top end 112. The extension portion 114 projects
upwardly and outwardly. It can be seen in this embodiment that the
longitudinal axes of the body 110 and extension portion 114 are
disposed at an angle less than 90.degree. to each other. A
connector head support shaft 115 extends from the extension portion
114. A connector head 116 is disposed on an end of the head support
shaft 115 at an end distal the extension portion 114.
[0049] The wrist extension outer face 108 includes a shaped slot
117 configured to allow the head support shaft 115 to be retained
thereby to able to slide therealong. One end of the slot 117 has an
opening 118 to receive the connector head 116 and the remainder of
the slot is smaller than the diameter of the connector head 116 to
retain the connector head 116. A latch plate 119 is disposed behind
the slot 117 and extends parallel to it. The latch plate 119
prevents movement of the connector head 116 too far past the slot
117 so that the head support shaft 115 is in the slot 117 so it is
retained thereby except at the opening 118.
[0050] The latch plate 119 includes a pin 120 extending into the
slot 117 and movable clear of it by pressing button 121. The latch
plate 119 is resiliently biased to prevent movement of the head
support shaft 115 therepast. This allows connection and
disconnection of the connector 110 from the handpiece 100 and
whilst retained in the slot 117, the connector extension portion
114 is able to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to
a plane formed by the outer face 108. Advantageously, the
resistance band 8/9 projects away from the wrist extension 104 when
in use.
[0051] A strap 122 is mounted at each end to a respective lower 102
and upper 103 ends. The strap is releasably attached at the lower
end 102 and has an adjustable length. In the embodiment shown, a
knob projects from the lower end 102 to retain one of a plurality
of apertures along the strap.
[0052] In addition to reducing wrist fatigue and allowing the
connector 110 to swivel clear of the wrist extension 104, the
handpiece 100 includes position sensing and transmission means.
Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, a cover 125 forms part of
the handgrip 101 covering a cavity 126. Within the cavity 126, a
position sensor in the form of an accelerometer in the case of this
embodiment, is mounted to record movement of the handpiece 100
relative to a position receiver (not shown) disposed in the belt
2.
[0053] Signals from the position sensor are sent to the position
receiver wirelessly and a battery (not shown) and an accelerometer
control circuit and processor 127 (shown integrated) configured to
receive the accelerometer signals and transmit those to the
position receiver in the belt. A power button 128, USB connector
port 129 for programming or data retrieval (from associated memory
in the handpiece 100) and a calibration button 130 are provided.
The calibration button 130 is depressed when the resistance band
8/9 are in a relaxed state or fully stretch so that a base point is
determined for movement signals provided by the accelerometer.
[0054] In this way, movement of the accelerometer position sensor
corresponds to the length of stretching of the resistance bands
8/9. Any preferred wireless handpiece positioning means as desired
because the hand piece allows energy expended without the typical
not insignificant energy expenditure in the flexion/extension or
adduction/abduction of the wrist which is substantially eliminated.
The person 19 thus more accurately calculates their energy
expenditure of the intended anatomical regions or muscle groups
from exercising with the device 1 in stretching the resistance
bands 8/9.
[0055] The position receiver may have a controller associated
therewith to transmit the accelerometer signals to a remote
computing device for that device to process and calculate energy
expenditure. Alternatively, the position receiver may compute the
movement and associated energy expenditure of the accelerometer
position sensor and send this data to the remote computing device.
The accelerometer controller may also have associate memory to
retain sensed data for transfer via the USB port 129.
[0056] The foregoing describes only one embodiment of this
disclosure and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art,
can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the
inventive concept.
* * * * *