Abstract:
An exercise device includes a pair of opposing axially-aligned elongated members each having a first end and a second end, first and second wheels being rotatably connected to each of the first ends of pair of the elongated members, respectively, and a connecting bar having each end operatively connected to the second end of each elongated member, the connecting bar being adapted for cooperation with the elongated members to selectively vary the distance between the elongated members, thereby controlling the width between the first and second wheels.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to fitness-related products, and more particularly to physical exercise devices. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Exercise involves the active use of the body to build or maintain strength and endurance and to make the body healthier. This can include any form from running marathons to taking brisk walks, for anyone from the professional athlete to the sedentary person trying to get in shape. Exercise as a recreational activity, is a relatively modern development. In the past, many aspects of life in and out of the home involved physical labor. Today, relatively few occupations involve physical labor especially in developed nations such as the United States. As a result, physical activity is now often associated with recreational exercise. Increasingly, as larger segments of the population become less physically active, the incidence of preventable disease and health risk, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and the like, has risen dramatically. It is well known that regular daily physical activity and exercise even at a minimal level, is extremely beneficial to one&#39;s health, and can significantly slow or even reverse the progression of many diseases. 
   For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an exercise device that is capable of providing the user with a convenient outlet for physical activity to obtain health benefits. It is desirable to provide an exercise device that can be easily implemented and can accommodate users having different builds and gripping styles. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide an exercise device which allows the user to adjust the tension or exercise resistance through its wheels according to the user&#39;s physical capability and fitness level. It is further desirable to provide an exercise device which is cost efficient to construct and assemble with the minimal number of parts for extended operating life and simplicity in use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is generally directed to an exercise device which allows the user to exercise the arms, legs, and the body and attain strength and aerobic benefits from such physical exercise. The exercise device is adapted to be gripped and reciprocally maneuvered by the user across a flat surface. The exercise device may be used on a flat surface that is horizontal or inclined. The exercise is further adapted to permit the user to adjust the width of the device according to the user&#39;s physical size and/or desired gripping style. In addition, the exercise device of the present invention also allows the user to adjust the tension or exercise resistance to conveniently vary the exercise amount and/or intensity over the flat surface. 
   In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exercise device which comprises: 
   a pair of opposing axially-aligned elongated members each having a first end and a second end; 
   first and second wheels being rotatably connected to each of the first ends of pair of the elongated members, respectively; and 
   a connecting bar having each end operatively connected to the second end of each elongated member, the connecting bar being adapted for cooperation with the elongated members to selectively vary the distance between the elongated members, thereby controlling the width between the first and second wheels. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which like items are identified by the same reference designation, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercise device for one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded assembly view of the exercise device in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross sectional view of the exercise device taken along line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of an elongated member and a connecting bar in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an end or side elevational view of the connecting bar in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is an illustration of the user in phantom in one position using the exercise device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial cross sectional view of the device for a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of a connecting bar at a throughhole for a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of a connecting bar at a throughhole for a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to an exercise device useful for affording the user with an effective outlet for physical activity. The exercise device of the present invention is simple to use, and lightweight and portable for easy carry and compact storage. The exercise device is cost efficient to construct and comprises a minimal number of parts. In addition, the exercise device allows the user to adjust its width according to the user&#39;s size (shoulder width, for example) and/or desired gripping style. The exercise device is adapted to be gripped and reciprocally maneuvered by the user across a flat surface. The exercise device further allows the user to adjust the tension or exercise resistance to vary the concentrated amount of exercise in a convenient manner as will be described. The portability and the compactness of the exercise device of the present invention makes it transportable. 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exercise device identified generally by reference numeral  10  is shown for one embodiment of the present invention. The exercise device  10  comprises generally a pair of opposed elongated members  12 , a wheel  14  rotationally connected to each elongated member  12 , and a connecting bar  16  located between the opposed elongated members  12 . The connecting bar  16  is adapted for operative engagement with the elongated members  12  as will be described hereinafter. The device  10  is adapted to travel on the wheels  14  over a flat surface for a smooth rolling operation. The surface may be oriented in either a horizontal or inclined plane. The user holds the exercise device  10  and causes it to move back and forth on the flat surface, thereby manually exerting a force to produce healthy physical activity as will be described hereinafter. The tension or rolling resistance may be adjusted in the wheels  14  to vary the concentrated amount of exercise in a convenient manner as described below. The wheels  14  may include an elastomeric material such as rubber and the like, at least encircling along the edge thereof to provide non-skid wheels as well as cushioning and quietness during exercise. The elongated members  12  each include a guide throughhole  36  which is described specifically in connection with  FIG. 2  below. 
   The elongated members  12  are generally tubular and cylindrical in shape. The elongated members  12  may be composed of any suitable structurally rigid and durable material including metal, plastic, wood and the like. Each elongated member  12  also includes a gripping surface portion  18 , and a flange portion  20  extending radially around the end thereof. The gripping surface portions  18  of the elongated members  12  provides gripping contact with the user&#39;s hands during exercise. The gripping surface portions  18  extends along the entire length of each respective elongated member  12  which is useful for accommodating varying grips and hand sizes. In one form, the gripping surface portions  18  may be padded or cushioned to provide the user with a comfortable grip. The flange portions  20  are located at the outer ends of respective elongated member  12  adjacent to an associated wheel  14 , and serve to partition the user&#39;s hands from the rotating wheels  14  during exercise. 
   The connecting bar  16  is generally cylindrical, and connects the opposed elongated members  12  to one another for a secure engagement therebetween. The elongated members  12  can be moved back and forth along a portion of the connecting bar  16 . This feature permits the user to adjust the width of the device  10  according to the user&#39;s build, particularly shoulder width and/or desired gripping style. By varying the gripping style, the user can exercise specific muscles selectively. In addition, the user can push or slide the elongated members  12  against each other for compact storage or transport. Alternative, the device  10  can be easily disassembled by detaching the elongated members  12  from the connecting bar  16  for more convenient packing or storage. The connecting bar  16  is preferably constructed from a durable, high strength material such as metal and plastic that can at least support the weight of the user, and is secured to the elongated members  12  in a manner described below. 
   The connecting bar  16  further includes a plurality of transverse throughholes  22  located along the length thereof. The throughholes  22  are adapted to align axially with an associated connecting hole or port  24  located in each of the elongated members  12 , whereby a connecting pin  26  can be inserted through a connecting port  24  and its corresponding throughhole  22  for secure retainment therein. The inserted connecting pins  26  hold the elongated members  12 , respectively, in place on the connecting bar  16 , thus preventing movement of the elongated members  12  in either direction thereon. The exercise device  10  can easily be adjusted to a particular width, by removing the connecting pins  26 , sliding each of the elongated members  12  to the desired positions on the connecting bar  16 , and inserting the connecting pins  26  into the aligned connecting ports  24  and throughholes  22 . The connecting bar  16  further includes a guide groove  28  extending along the length thereof and cooperates with the elongated members  12  to ensure proper alignment of the throughholes  22  and the corresponding connecting port  24 , as will be described hereinafter. 
   With reference to  FIG. 2 , an exploded assembly view of the exercise device  10  is shown to illustrate the position of the components. The elongated members  12  each further include a recess  32  for receiving an end portion of the connecting bar  16 . The cross sectional shape of the connecting bar  16  and the recess  32  of the elongated members  12  are dimensioned to provide a flush coupling therebetween. Each elongated member  12  includes a guide pin  34  extending partially into the recess  32  through a guide throughhole  36 . With the elongated member  12  mounted on the connecting bar  16 , the guide pin  34  is configured to fit into the guide groove  28  of the connecting bar  16 . The guide groove  28  is configured to be slidable along its length with the guide pin  34 . The cooperation of the guide pin  34  and the guide groove  28  ensures that the connecting bar  16  is properly oriented within the elongated member  12 , and that the alignment between the throughholes  22  and the corresponding connecting port  24  is maintained. 
   Each elongated member  12  further includes an opening  40  adapted for receiving and retaining a proximal end portion of a spindle  38 . The distal end of the spindle  38  projects from an associated elongated member  12 , and connects to an associated wheel  14  for facilitating rotational movement. The proximal end of each spindle  38  includes a plurality of ribs  42  adapted for rigid frictional retainment in the opening  40  of the associated elongated member  12 . An adhesive may also be applied between the proximal end of each spindle  38  and an associated opening  40  for secure coupling therebetween. The distal end of each spindle  38  includes a threaded portion  48  which extends through a centrally-located throughhole  44  of an associated wheel  14 . A washer  46  is placed on each side of the wheel  14 . The threaded portion  48  of the spindle  38  is adapted for threaded engagement with a fastener  30 . The fastener  30  ensures that the wheel  14  is secured to exercise device  10 . The fastener  30  is preferably a locking nut, however, it is noted that the fastener  30  is not limited as such and may include other forms of suitable fasteners. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the end portions of the connecting bar  16  each reside, respectively, within the recess  32  of the elongated members  12 , respectively. As noted above, the elongated members  12  are adapted to slide along the length of the connecting bar  16  to adjust the width of the exercise device  10 . The guide pins  34  cooperates with the guide groove  28  of the connecting bar  16  to ensure proper alignment of the throughholes  22  with the connecting port  24  during adjustment. The exercise device  10  further allows the user to adjust the rotational resistance of the wheels  14 . The fastener  30  can be tightened or loosened against the wheel  14  to increase or decrease, respectively, the amount of force required push the exercise device  10  across a flat surface. In this manner, the user can conveniently adjust the tension or exercise resistance of the exercise device  10  according to the user&#39;s physical capability and fitness level. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the guide groove  28  of connecting bar  16  is shown aligned with a guide throughhole  36  in which a guide pin  34  has been inserted. The connecting port  24  extends through the elongated member  12  in alignment with the throughhole  22  of the connecting bar  16 . The connecting pin  26  is adapted to be inserted through the connecting port  24  in one side, the associated throughhole  22 , and at least preferably partially into the connecting port  24  in the opposing side, for secure retainment. Once the connecting pin  26  is inserted, the connecting bar  16  is locked longitudinally and radially into position with respect to the elongated member  12 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a side elevational or end view of the connecting bar  16  is shown. The connecting bar  16  is substantial circular in cross section and includes the throughhole  22  and the guide groove  28  for aligning the throughhole  22  and the connecting port  24  as described above. The connecting bar  16  may be composed of any suitable durable, structurally rigid material such as metal, wood, plastic and the like. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , the exercise device  10  is shown during exercise by a user. The exercise device  10  is configured for use on a surface  50  preferably a flat surface which may be in a horizontal or inclined plane. The wheels  14  of the device  10  in contact with the surface  50 , enables the device  10  to be moved in a back and forth direction. The user grasping the gripping surface portions  18  of the elongated members  12 , can exert a force to cause the device  10  to proceed along the flat surface  50 . The user in a kneeling position, can exercise different parts of the body depending on the grip and the movement by the user. It is noted that the user is not limited to this kneeling position and may use the exercise device  10  in other suitable body positions and gripping styles to effect exercise. With suitable exercise techniques, the user can effectively strengthen the appropriate muscles in the body, and obtain therefrom aerobic and cardiovascular benefits. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , an exercise device  60  for a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The exercise device  60  is similar in many features to the previous embodiment. The exercise device  60  includes two removable spindles  62  for permitting easy disassembly of the wheels  14  for convenient packing and carrying. Each spindle  62  includes a bearing surface portion  44  for sliding contact with an associated wheel  14 , a threaded portion  68 , and a pair of wing shaped handles  66  at the opposite end from the threaded portion  68 . The opening  40  in each elongated member  12  is threaded to accept the threaded portion  68  of the associated spindle  62  for secure coupling therebetween. The user can conveniently tighten or loosen the spindle  68  without the use of tools to remove the wheels  14  for disassembly or to adjust the tension or exercise resistance in the wheels  14 . The washers  46  should be thick enough to prevent interference between the handle  66  and wheels  14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , a connecting bar  70  is shown for a third embodiment of the invention. The connecting bar  70  has a rectangular cross section for coupling into a corresponding rectangular recess in the elongated member (not shown). The rectangular cross section maintains the connecting bar  70  at an orientation where the throughholes  22  remain aligned with the connecting port  24  of the elongated member (not shown) without the use of a guide groove and pin assembly. In  FIG. 9 , the cross section of a connecting bar  80  is shown with a triangular shape useful for the same purpose. It is noted that a range of cross sectional shapes may be utilized to effectively maintain the proper orientation of the connecting bar within the elongated members. 
   Although various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, they are not meant to be limiting. Those of skill in the art may recognize various modifications to these embodiments, which modifications are meant to be covered by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.