Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EXERCISING DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING THE BODY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an exercise device for performing a series of
exercises for conditioning the body, having a base member, a left side arm and
a
right side arm and a tensioning means for biasing the left and right side arms
into
a normally extended position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The need for keeping the human body fit and in good physical condition is well
known, and for this reason, fitness and health clubs, with their wide
assortments of
weight training and other exercise equipment, have become popular places.
However, what has not been adequately addressed are means to maintain one's
hard earned good physical condition when one is required to frequently travel
and
can not visit his/her regular health club or gym. Moreover, the vast majority
of
persons do not even avail themselves of the benefits of regular workouts,
whether
at health clubs or otherwise. Thus, a tremendous need exists for providing
simple,
lightweight, compact portable exercise devices that are adaptable for use in
training a large variety of human muscle groups.
It is well recognized that the human body requires a sufficient amount of
proper
exercise for stimulation and improvement of the cardiovascular system
necessary
for the maintenance of good health. In this regard, numerous exercising
devices
have been designed to achieve this goal. Some of the well known types of
exercising devices employ weights which are lifted in a prescribed manner
through
a range of motion for exercising a particular set of muscles. Other well known
types of exercising devices employ mechanisms, such as springs or rubber
bands,
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to produce elastic resistance to movement in a particular direction. Still
other well
known types of exercising devices utilize a friction mechanism which generates
a
resistance proportional to relative movement of various components of the
exercising device.
Devices to aid in the exercise of various muscle groups have been manufactured
for many years. The use of a bar with an elastic cord to simulate weight
lifting was
described as early as 1912 in U.S. Pat. No. 1,019,861. More recent attempts
employing a bar and/or an elastic cord member, either separately or together,
to
facilitate exercise are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,458,555 (1995),
5,669,862,
and 5,741,207 (1998). Each of these devices provides means for exercising
select
muscle groups and some are relatively compact. However, none of the prior art
devices provide a single, fully reducible, compact exercise device that is
adaptable
for exercising and training a full complement of human muscle groups. It is
toward
this that the present invention is directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an exercising device is provided for
conditioning the body, said exercising device having a base member, left side
arm
and a right side arm and a tensioning means for biasing the left and right
side
arms into a normally extended position.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a
compact,
portable, lightweight exercising device. As presently preferred, the
exercising
device is configured to enable a user to perform exercises for working the
muscle
groups of the upper and lower anatomy. However, the exercising device may also
be configured for other ranges of motion to exercise other muscle groups, such
as
sit-ups and thigh crunches.
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It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercising apparatus
which is
anatomically and ergonomically designed for the exercise to be performed such
that it is simple and safe to use by able-bodied individuals and disabled
individuals
without the assistance of others.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable exercising
apparatus which is readily adaptable to a wide range of individuals, including
children, women and men.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise
device
which uses an adjustable resistance mechanism in which the load is easily
adjustable from a low resistance/high repetition aerobic mode to a high
load/low
repetition muscle building, anearobic mode.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a resistance
mechanism
which employs an elastic resistance mechanism for providing a quiet, smoothly
operating resistance mechanism for creating resistance.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an exercising
apparatus which may be stowed in a compact arrangement for facilitating
storage
and transportation of the device.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent
from a consideration of the following description and the appended claims when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercising device for conditioning the
body in
the contracted position.
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FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercising device in the contracted position.
FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the exercising device in the extended
position.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the exercising device in the contracted position.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the exercising device in the contracted position.
FIG. 6 is a detail side view of the exercising device in the contracted
position.
FIG. 7 is a detail top view of the exercising device in the contracted
position.
FIG. 8 is an exploded elevational view of the exercising device.
FIG. 9 is a detail side view of the exercising device illustrating a locking
device and
eyelets.
FIG. 10 is a detail elevational view of the exercising device illustrating
foot straps.
FIG. 11 is a detail elevational view of the exercising device illustrating a
foot
inserted in the foot strap.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the exercising device illustrating a first
alternative
adjusting means for varying tension.
FIG. 13 is a series of view of the exercising device illustrating a second
alternative
adjusting means for varying tension.
FIG. 14 is a series of view of the exercising device illustrating a third
alternative
adjusting means for varying tension.
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FIG. 15 is a detail side view of the exercising device illustrating a first
alternative
locking device and eyelets.
FIGS. 16 to 24 are examples of the different types of exercises that can be
5 performed with the device of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is shown an exercising device, 1,
according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the device has
an
elongated base member 2, and first and second side arms 3. The side arms 3 are
connected by a pivot 11 proximate to the ends of the elongated base member 2.
A
first and second biasing means each preferably comprised of an elastic cord 7
and
an adjustable slide assembly 9 are coupled between said side arms and said
elongated base member for biasing said side arms to a normally extended
position
(shown in FIG. 3). The elastic cord 7 exerts tension on the side arm 3 such
that
when the side arm is released by the user it will move from the contracted
position
to the extended position. Conversely, when the side arm is pulled by the user
inwardly, it offers resistance.
A pair of adjustable foot straps 13 are attached to the upper surface of the
elongated base member 2 as better shown in FIG. 11, for performing different
exercises.
At each of the free ends of the side arms 3, a hand grip 5 is located,
fashioned
from an appropriate non-slip material. Eyelets 19, are also located at the
free ends
of the side arms. In another embodiment, a pair of handles 17 can be attached
to
the eyelets for performing different exercises.
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Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the same embodiment of the present
invention in the normally extended position. When the side arm 3 is moved from
the normally extended position to the contracted position a force is exerted
by the
elastic cord 7 against the direction of movement. Movement of the adjustable
slide
away from the middle towards the end of the elongated base member 2 increases
the amount of tension which is exerted by the elastic cord on the side arm.
Thus, a
user can adjust the tension, depending on the type of exercise done.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a side detailed view of the biasing
means
of the same embodiment of the present invention. An adjustable slide assembly
9
is released by depressing a button 10 and is positionable at one of three
positions
corresponding to low, medium and high tension, which is then exerted on the
side
arm 3 by the elastic cord 7. Release of the button 10 locks the slide assembly
9 in
one of the three positions. Alternatively, a fine adjustment knob 15 can also
be
included to increase or decrease tension exerted by the elastic cord on the
side
arm.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the elastic cord 7 is attached at the first end to a
threaded
rod 27. The elastic cord passes over a pulley 23 which forms part of the
adjustable
slide assembly 9. The elastic cord continues over a second pulley 25 and is
attached proximate to the free end of the side arm 3. Twisting the adjusting
knob
15 causes the threaded rod 27 to move inwardly or outwardly depending on the
direction the adjusting knob is moved. Movement of the threaded rod towards
the
centre of the elongated base member 2 causes an increase on the tension in the
elastic cord 7.
Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a side detail view of the locking
means 31
located at the free ends of the side arms 3. The locking means consist of a
hook
shaped clasp 33 attached proximate to the free end of the side arm 3 by means
of
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a pivot 35. The hooked shaped portion of the clasp fits over a pin located
similarly
proximate to the free end of the other side arm 3, retaining the side arms in
a
contracted position. The eyelets 19 located at the free ends of the side arms
are
also detailed. The locking means are appropriate for storage and transport of
the
device in a compact and discreet fashion.
Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown an elevational view of the elongated
base
member 2 attached to the upper surface of which is an adjustable foot strap,
13.
Preferably, the adjustable foot strap is covered by a cushion which is held in
place
by VELCROTM or the like on which the user may sit or kneel when performing
exercises, or which is used for providing comfort when the elongated base
member is pressed firmly against the shoulders or back of the neck.
Referring now to FIG. 11 there is shown an elevational view of the elongated
base
member 2 attached to the upper surface of which is an adjustable foot strap,
13,
into which has been inserted a foot 23.
The structure and configuration of the device of a present invention makes
particularly suited for performing aerobic and anaerobic exercises. As an
example
of the types of exercises which can be done with the apparatus of the present
invention, reference is now made to figures 16 which exercises the pectorals,
biceps and deltoids; figure 17 which exercises the triceps, pectorals and
forearms;
figure 18 which shows stretching; figure 19 which shows set-ups for the
abdominals; figure 20 which shows an exercise for the inner thigh; figure 21
which
shows the type of exercise for cardio-vascular exercises as well as figure 22;
figure 23 and figure 24 show different exercises as well.
It will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that the present
device used
in combination with the handles can be placed in a variety of different
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configurations and used for a variety of different exercises left only to the
imagination of the health professional devising the same.
One of the advantages of the present invention is that since all of the
elements of
the device lie in the same plane, it is firstly, very versatile and secondly,
very
compact when transported.
Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a
preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications
to
this preferred embodiment, within the scope of the appended claims is not
deemed
to change or alter the nature and scope of the present invention.
