U.S. patent application number 13/860256 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-16 for most fit exercise sledge hammer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Andrew Gavigan. Invention is credited to Andrew Gavigan.
Application Number | 20140309081 13/860256 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51687168 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140309081 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gavigan; Andrew |
October 16, 2014 |
MOST FIT EXERCISE SLEDGE HAMMER
Abstract
A sledge hammer with an elongate handle having a longitudinal
axis and a flexible generally geometrically uniform removable mass
affixed to the handle at a distal end thereof. The mass is secured
to the handle with a bolt adapted to extend through the mass and
into the distal end of the handle. The bolt is threaded and engages
mating threads in the handle. A cone is disposed on the distal end
of the handle between the handle and the mass to secure the mass to
the handle In the best mode, the mass is a ball which may be
perfectly round or have one or more flat surfaces. The ball should
have some dampening properties.
Inventors: |
Gavigan; Andrew; (West
Hills, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gavigan; Andrew |
West Hills |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51687168 |
Appl. No.: |
13/860256 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/8 ; 482/1;
482/109; 482/83; 482/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/53 20130101;
A63B 2225/54 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 2220/806
20130101; A63B 15/00 20130101; A63B 2071/0694 20130101; A63B
2220/17 20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101; A63B 2220/13 20130101;
A63B 2225/74 20200801; A63F 13/245 20140902; A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 43/02 20130101; A63B 15/02 20130101; A63B 60/54 20151001; A63B
65/04 20130101; A63B 21/0608 20130101; A63B 43/06 20130101; A63B
2071/0666 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/8 ; 482/109;
482/1; 482/83; 482/84 |
International
Class: |
A63B 15/00 20060101
A63B015/00; A63B 24/00 20060101 A63B024/00; A63B 21/072 20060101
A63B021/072; A63B 15/02 20060101 A63B015/02 |
Claims
1. A sledge hammer comprising: an elongate handle having a
longitudinal axis and a flexible generally geometrically uniform
removable mass affixed to said handle at a distal end thereof.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said mass is secured to said
handle with a bolt adapted to extend through said mass and into the
distal end of said handle.
3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said bolt is threaded and
engages mating threads in said handle.
4. The invention of claim 1 further including a cone disposed on
said distal end of said handle between said handle and said mass to
secure said mass to said handle.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said mass is secured to said
handle with a Velcro strap.
6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said mass is a ball.
7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said ball is round.
8. The invention of claim 6 wherein said ball is generally round
with numerous flat surfaces.
9. The invention of claim 6 wherein said ball is elastic.
10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said all is rubber.
11. The invention of claim 9 wherein said ball is made of at least
partially translucent material.
12. The invention of claim 11 further including a light inside said
ball.
13. The invention of claim 6 further including a striking
target.
14. The invention of claim 13 wherein said target includes a
mechanism for registering the number and/or impact of each strike
by said hammer.
15. The invention of claim 14 further including a digital
readout.
16. The invention of claim 6 further including means for sensing
the position of said hammer and/or said user and providing a
display on a monitor.
17. The invention of claim 16 wherein said display is provided in a
virtual or gaming environment.
18. The invention of claim 16 wherein said means includes a gaming
platform.
19. The invention of claim 16 wherein said display includes virtual
goggles.
20. An exercise sledge hammer comprising: an elongate handle having
a longitudinal axis; a flexible generally geometrically uniform
removable rubber ball affixed to said handle at a distal end
thereof, said ball being generally round with numerous flat
surfaces and secured to said handle with a bolt adapted to extend
through said ball and into the distal end of said handle, said bolt
being threaded and adapted to engage mating threads in said handle;
and a cone disposed on said distal end of said handle between said
handle and said mass to secure said mass to said handle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to exercise apparatus. More
specifically, the present invention relates to systems and
techniques for exercising using sledge hammers, medicine balls and
other similar apparatus.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In the fitness industry, a plethora of machines and devices
have been used to facilitate muscular development, body health and
overall fitness. One such device is a sledge hammer. As is
well-known by many with experience in the use of sledge hammers for
construction, exercise and other purposes, the repetitive motion of
lifting a sledge hammer works a number of muscle groups including
triceps, latissimus dorsi, rectus abdominus, transverse abdominus,
internal and external obliques, lateral deltoids, rear deltoids,
anterior deltoids, glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings. Supplemental
benefits of using the sledge hammer include aerobic conditioning,
neuromuscular facilitation, coordination and increased excess
post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC).
[0005] Typically, a conventional sledge hammer has a wooden handle
and a metallic head. The handle can range from 0.5 meters (1 ft 8
in) to a full 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) in length, depending on the mass
of the head. The head mass is usually 1 to 3 kilograms (2.2 to 6.6
lb). Modern heavy duty sledgehammers come with 10 to 20 pounds (4.5
to 9.1 kg) heads.
[0006] Sledgehammers usually require two hands and a swinging
motion involving the entire torso, in contrast to smaller hammers
used for driving in nails. The combination of a long swinging
range, and heavy head, increase the force of the resulting impact,
(See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sledgehammer.)
[0007] Sledgehammers are increasingly being used as inexpensive
exercise equipment; since all major upper body muscle groups need
to put forth a significant amount of force when swinging a
sledgehammer, it can easily be used to work muscles to failure as
in resistance training.
[0008] When used for exercise, the hammer is struck against a
flexible surface that safely dampens the momentum of the head. A
rubber tire is often used as the hammer's target as its elasticity
reduces the shock to the user's joints when used for this
purpose.
[0009] Hence, conventional sledge hammers used for exercise
typically require two components, a hammer and a target surface for
safely receiving the impact of the hammer. This adds to the cost
and limits the options of a conventional sledge hammer as an
exercise solution.
[0010] In addition, most sledge hammers do not allow for the weight
of the head to be changed or adjusted. Accordingly, a hammer may be
too light for some users and too heavy for others.
[0011] Hence, a need remains in the art for a simple all in one low
cost sledge hammer implementation for exercise purposes that
enables hammer heads of different weights and sizes to be used as
an all-in-one solution without the need for supplemental
equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The need in the art is addressed by the sledge hammer of the
present invention. The inventive hammer includes an elongate handle
having a longitudinal axis and a flexible generally geometrically
uniform removable mass affixed to the handle at a distal end
thereof.
[0013] In the illustrative embodiment, the mass is secured to the
handle with a bolt adapted to extend through the mass and into the
distal end of the handle. The bolt is threaded and engages mating
threads in the handle. Preferably, a cone is disposed on the distal
end of the handle between the handle and the mass to secure the
mass to the handle. As an alternative, the mass may be secured to
the handle with a Velcro strap.
[0014] In the best mode, the mass is a ball which may be perfectly
round or have one or more flat surfaces. The ball should have some
dampening properties and may be elastic is as well. Rubber would be
an ideal material for the construction of the ball. The ball may be
at least partially translucent. If so, a light may be mounted
inside the ball.
[0015] A striking target may be used. The target may be a simple
surface or object. In the alternative, the striking target may
include an electronic sensor for measuring the number and strength
of each hammer strike and provide a digital readout with respect
thereto.
[0016] In addition, a camera or radio frequency (RF) ID tag may be
used to sense the position of the hammer and provide a display on a
monitor with respect to the position thereof. As an alternative,
the display may be implemented with virtual goggles. The display
may be implemented in the context of a virtual or gaming
environment allowing the user to easily visualize the exercise
session m a realistic or fantasy context.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the
sledge hammer of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of an illustrative
embodiment of an electronic striking target in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now
be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to
disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention.
[0020] While the present invention is described herein with
reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications,
it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto.
Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings
provided herein will recognize additional modifications,
applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and
additional fields in which the present invention would be of
significant utility.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the
sledge hammer of the present invention. The inventive hammer 10
includes an elongate handle 12 having a longitudinal axis and a
flexible generally geometrically uniform removable mass 14 affixed
to the handle 12 at a distal end thereof. In the best mode, the
handle 12 is fiberglass. However, wood, plastic, metal and other
suitably stiff materials may be suitable. In any case, in the
illustrative embodiment, the handle 12 is approximately three (3)
feet (less than one (1) meter) in length and approximately 1.5
inches in diameter. A grip 13 is included at the proximal end of
the handle 12. The grip 13 may be implemented with grooves cut into
the handle or with tape wrapped around the handle 12.
[0022] In the best mode, the mass 14 is a ball which may be
perfectly round or have one or more flat surfaces. The ball 14
should have some dampening properties and may be elastic as well.
Rubber would be an ideal material for the construction of the ball
however the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0023] In the illustrative embodiment, the ball 14 is secured to
the handle with a bolt 16 adapted to extend through the ball 14 and
into the distal end of the handle 12. (As an alternative, the ball
14 may be secured to the handle 12 with a Velcro strap (not
shown)).
[0024] The bolt 16, which may be steel, aluminum, plastic. or other
suitable material, is threaded and engages mating threads in the
handle 12 aligned around the longitudinal axis thereof. In the best
mode, the bolt head 22 is flat and has a cutout not shown to
receive a hex key or Allen wrench, or other suitable tool, to
effect tightening or removal thereof. The ball has a conical recess
24 to effect a flush mounting of the bolt in the mass 14. The
threaded bolt mounting arrangement allows for an easy
interchangeability of the ball 14 allowing the user to readily to
change the ball to select a lighter or heavier weight. Hence, the
ball can be as light as 6 pounds and as heavy as 15 pounds.
[0025] The ball 14 may be at least partially translucent. If so, a
light (not shown) may be mounted inside the ball. Electronics may
be included inside the ball (i.e., piezoelectric transducer,
battery, switch etc.) to cause the light to activate on impact for
a pleasing visual effect when in use. The circuit could be set to
cause the ball to glow brighter or in a different color depending
on the number or intensity of the impact. This could add a level of
motivation for the user to meet or exceed a threshold or workout
goal.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, a cone 20 is disposed on the distal end
of the handle 12 between the handle 12 and the ball 14 to secure
the ball 14 to the handle. The cone 20 is approximately six inches
in length. The cone 20 has a diameter at the proximal end thereof
that is slightly greater than the diameter of the handle 12 so that
it fits over the distal end 18 of the handle 12. The distal end of
the cone 20 has a diameter of approximately six (6) inches to
receive and retain the ball 14.
[0027] In the best mode, the optional battery, electronics, etc.,
discussed above, are disposed within the cone 20 and the light, if
an mounted within the ball is a length of fiber optic that is
illuminated by a lamp in the cone, not shown. In this case, in the
best mode, the optical fiber light is disposed on or just below the
surface of the ball, permitting illumination with ball materials
that are not translucent. Metal contacts may be disposed on the
surface of the ball connected to a lamp disposed within the ball
and adapted to engage corresponding contacts in the cone to effect
electrical connection to the circuitry therein in the event the
optional display is implemented. Other electronic features could be
included as well such as an audio capability, motion sensing,
wireless connectivity, etc.
[0028] In use, the hammer 10 is repeated lifted and slammed onto a
suitable surface or target. The target may be a simple surface or
object.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of an illustrative
embodiment of an electronic striking target in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this
embodiment, an optional electronic striking target 30 is added. The
striking target 30 includes an electronic sensor 34 mounted on a
base 36 for measuring the number and strength of each hammer strike
and provide a digital readout with respect thereto. The sensor is
exaggerated in size and in practice should be flush with the base
surface. The readout is effected via display 38 mounted in the base
36. Circuitry may be included in the base 36 or the cone 20 to
display beats per minute, total beats, calories burned, etc. on the
base unit. Ideally, the sensor, circuitry and display are all
embodied in a mat mounted parallel to the floor.
[0030] Thus, the present mention has been described herein with
reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application.
Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present
teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and
embodiments within the scope thereof. For example, a camera or
radio frequency (RF) ID tag (not shown) may be used to sense the
position of the hammer and provide a display on a monitor with
respect to the position thereof. As an alternative, the display may
be implemented with virtual goggles. The display may be implemented
in the context of a virtual or gaming environment allowing the user
to easily visualize the exercise session in a realistic or fantasy
context.
[0031] It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any
and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the
scope of the present invention.
[0032] Accordingly,
* * * * *
References