Abstract:
An exercise device having a longitudinal tensioner having a first and second end, a elastomeric member having a first and second end disposed around said longitudinal tensioner along a portion of the length of said tensioner, weighted members operably connected to said tensioner at said first and second ends and a handle circumferentially disposed about said longitudinal member substantially equidistantly spaced between said weighted members. The tensioner may be surrounded by an ribbed cylindrical portion and have weighted members covered in compressible material.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims Priority to: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/386,563, filed 27 Sep. 2010, titled “Handheld Exercise Device” and is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to Exercise Equipment. In particular, the present invention relates to a handheld exercise bar with flexible ends that may be used by a human appendage. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Since the beginning of time, mankind has experienced a wide variety of ailments that affect the body. From joint pain to fatigue to a lack of flexibility; almost all of these problems can be fixed through simple exercises. Various exercise programs have been developed over the years, many of which employ stretching techniques and others which use accessories in combinations. 
         [0006]    Numerous accessories have been developed to assist in exercises. Some of these accessories include both freestanding weights, while others include intricate mechanical components which require regular maintenance. Those components which require maintenance can from time to time break down. Exercise equipment has certainly improved over the last few years. 
         [0007]    Yet, despite the fervor over various types of exercises, the endless amounts of money expended in investing in exercise regimes and exercise equipment, none so far have been able to sufficiently exercise various muscles. Overall, there has been a general lack of stimulation of the hand, arm, and finger muscles. Numerous devices have been made to improve grip strength along with various muscles affecting the human appendages. However, these devices are often bulky and/or complex, such that they require continued maintenance. Thus there exists a need for a relatively simple piece of exercise equipment that can sufficiently exercise multiple parts of the body through interactive movement of extensions attached to a handheld bar. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross sectional view of an exercise device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view of an exercise device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an exercise device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a weighted member according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates exercise device  10 . Exercise device  10  includes elastomeric longitudinal members  20 , tensioner member  30 , weighted members  40   a  and  40   b,  and handle  50 . Tensioner member  30  has a first end  32  and a second end  34 . First end  32  and second end  34  are disposed within and along the length of longitudinal members  20 . Weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  are operably connected to tensioner member  30  about first end  32  and second end  34 . Additionally handle  50 , is circumferentially disposed about tensioner member  30 . Tensioner member  30  may be of any of a variety of memory type system for creating tension including springs, carbon rods, torsion bars, or other flexible composite or plastic materials. So long as tensioner member  30  is flexible and can freely move about the desired range of motion, it is sufficient for these purposes. 
         [0014]    Elastomeric longitudinal members  20  may be configured in accordion fashion with a series of ribs that flex upon movement of the member. The accordion style configuration permits use of flexible plastics or other composite materials and provides a cover to the tensioner member  30 . If tensioner member  30  is composed of a coiled spring, the elastomeric member  20  does not interfere with the full range of motion available in the spring as it flexes-or stretches upon use 
         [0015]    In this particular embodiment, elastomeric longitudinal members  20  serve as a flexible barrier to provide a user protection for his or her hands from tensioner member  30 . Preferably, elastomeric longitudinal members  20  are attached to tensioner member  30  in a manner that allows it to remain disposed between each of weighted members  40   a  and  40   b.  As weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  transition via tensioner member  30 , elastomeric longitudinal members  20  remains relatively flexible. Weighted member  40   a  comprises core  41   a  fixedly attached to threaded bushing  47  via bolt  48 . Core  41   a  is threaded into tensioner  30  until it is tightly engaged at the end of tensioner  30 . As is readily apparent, in a preferred embodiment tensioner  30  has a series of spring coils for reception of threaded bushing  47 . Core  41   b  is similarly attached to tensioner  30 . 
         [0016]    Sheath  49  is fixedly attached to tensioner member  30  through any of a variety of conventional Means, including crimping the sheath around the tensioner member for stable engagement. In one embodiment, sheath  49  may be a metal cylinder configured to fit around tensioner  30  which in a preferred embodiment is a coiled spring. Sheath  49  may also be made of a flexible material that is fixedly attached to a more rigid metal sheath. In other embodiments, sheath  49  may be attached with glue or affixed with fasteners. Handle  50  is disposed about sheath  49  and provides a compressible handle positioned between elastomeric longitudinal members  20 . Handle  50  is configured for easy engagement by a human hand and for holding the exercise device. 
         [0017]    However, tension member  30  flexes substantially to allow an almost free flow of weighted members  40   a  and  40   b,  such that weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  can extend towards and almost touch elastomeric longitudinal members  20 . Tensioner member  30  not only flexes to allow weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  to flex about a lateral direction but also flexes in the longitudinal direction. For example tensioner member  30  can flex such that it extends and contracts in a longitudinal direction. Because tensioner member  30  has memory, it can both partially wind and unwind allowing for the length to expand and contract. The composition of tensioner member  30  to wind and unwind adds to the ability for each of weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  to rotate almost freely, relative to elastomeric longitudinal member  20 . For example, tensioner member  30  is capable of allowing weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  to rotate relative to elastomeric longitudinal member  20  in an almost fixed location. Because weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  extend from a sufficient distance from elastomeric longitudinal member  20 , the weight of each members provides for a sufficient moment to be established upon minimal movement. 
         [0018]    Weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  are comprised of core  41   a  and  41   b  respectively which are fixedly attached to tensioner member  30 . Flexible covers  43   a  and  43   b  are placed around cores  41   a  and  41   b  to provide a relatively soft and graspable ball for human use. Weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  also provide users with individual exercise capabilities as they can be modified and changed in dimension and mass according to a user&#39;s specifications. Weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  are preferably comprised of an elastomeric material that allows for compression. Users can perform strength routines by grasping and squeezing each weighted member  40   a  and  40   b  and allowing them to compress and redeploy. Additionally users can grasp each of weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  individually and perform various exercises. By grasping either weighted member  40   a  or  40   b,  the opposing weighted member establishes a significantly greater moment than if exercise device  10  is grasped via the middle at elastomeric longitudinal member  20 . Similarly, one can grasp exercise device  10  about either of weighted members  40   a  or  40   b  in combination with elastomeric member  20  in order to stabilize exercises performed when a moment is disposed about the opposing weighted member. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view of exercise device  10  with weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  with elastomeric longitudinal member  20  and handle  50 . Elastomeric longitudinal member  20  is positioned about the spring or tensioner (not visible) and on each end of the device. The elastomeric member  20  may abut handle  50  to permit free movement of the weighted members upon activation of movement to the handle.  FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of exercise device  10 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a Perspective view of weighted member according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Weighted member  40   a  is shown with protruding bushing  47  engaged to bolt  48 . Void  55  is sufficiently sized to receive a portion of the elastomeric member  20  (not shown) that contains one end of tensioner  30  (not shown) that is in turn threadably engaged to bushing  47 . In an alternative embodiment, the spring may be fitted with a threaded member that in turn is fixedly attached to the mateable threading of the bushing. It will be understood to those of skill in the art that any of a variety of conventional means for stable engagement of the core to the tensioner or spring may be employed. As previously described, flexible covers may be placed around core  41   a.    
         [0021]    In alternative embodiments, exercise device  10 , can take different shapes. For example, exercise device  10  can be styled such that it includes two tensioner members  30  extending about each end of elastomeric longitudinal member  20 . From each tensioner member  30 , various weighted members  40  can be connected from each tensioner member  30 . In certain embodiments, different numbers and various combinations of tensioner members  30  can extend from elastomeric longitudinal member  20 . For example, in one embodiment, a singular tensioner member  30  can extend about one end of elastomeric longitudinal member  20  while two or more tensioner members  30  can extend from another end of elastomeric longitudinal member  20 . 
         [0022]    In certain embodiments various modifications may be made to exercise device  10 . For example weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  can individually be made to form different shapes. While weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  are preferably spherical, in other embodiments, they may take any sort of “-hedron” shapes. In particular embodiments, weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  can take the shape of an octahedron, an icosahedrons, or a cuboctahedron. Yet in other embodiments weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  can also be formed as a prismoid or a similar shape. Still in other embodiments, weighted members may take the shape of cubes. In such embodiments the cube shapes can be formed out of pads to assist in boxing exercises. 
         [0023]    Further, the surface of the weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  can have various textures. The surface of weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  can be rough or smooth if desired or be a combination of various textures in various portions to allow greater or less grip if desired. 
         [0024]    In various embodiments, elastomeric member  20  can also be formed to separate into various pieces. For example, elastomeric longitudinal member  20  can be formed to a set of components that interlock to establish a singular device. In such embodiments, tensioner member  30  can be formed of two component devices that share an interlocking juncture along tensioner longitudinal member  30 . As such, each component tensioner longitudinal member  30  could individually be grasped such that a person could hold separate portions of tensioner longitudinal member  30  in both hand and each arm can perform separate exercises. In the event that a user desired, each component longitudinal tensioner  30  could be recombined to establish a single longitudinal tensioner  30 . 
         [0025]    In operation, exercise device  10  may be used to perform a variety of exercises. For example, a user can lift exercise member  10  at which point weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  impose a load on ones muscles. For further exercise, a user can then rotate exercise device  10  via elastomeric longitudinal member  20  using one&#39;s wrist. As a wrist rotates exercise device  10 , the flexibility of tensioner member  30  allows weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  to follow its motion which in turn forces various hand muscles to flex. Rotating ones wrist while holding exercise member  10 , causes weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  to transition and in turn exercises the triceps and other similarly situated muscles. In the event than one desired to employ exercise device  10  for the use with another appendage, straps, which connect exercise device  10  about ones legs and feet can be used. Such straps can wrap from about tensioner member  30  and about the outside of handle  50 . 
         [0026]    In the event that one desires to store exercise device  10 , a holding mechanism can be employed to suspend exercise device  10  about between longitudinal tensioner  30  and weighted members  40   a  and  40   b.  In certain embodiments, longitudinal tensioner can be suspended in storage such that one weighted member rests at a greater height than the other weighted member. 
         [0027]    Additionally, in certain embodiments of the present application, various electronic devices can be included in component parts of the present application to interact with another device. For example, in certain embodiments; signaling mechanisms can be disposed about longitudinal tensioner  30  and optionally within weighted members  40   a  and  40   b.  In such an application, as weighted members are rotated relative to longitudinal tensioner  30 , signaling mechanisms embedded within each component can track the locations within each component and in turn relay it to a receiving apparatus to track the various locations of each component. Such a receiving apparatus could then convey the signals to another input or output such as a video gaming device. 
         [0028]    In the event that additional exercises are desired, the elasticity of weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  allows for squeezing. For example, a user can grasp and squeeze each of weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  in one&#39;s hand, either singularly or in unison. As each of weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  are squeezed their material composition is such that they will return to their original shape in a short period of time. After either of weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  returns to its original shape, a user can again squeeze either of member for additional exercise 
         [0029]    Various components of exercise device  10 , including stationary member  11 , and weighted members  40   a  and  40   b  may be made from a wide variety of materials. These materials may include metallic or non-metallic, magnetic or non-magnetic, elastomeric or non-elastomeric, malleable or non-malleable materials. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include metals, plastics, polymers, wood, alloys, composites and the like. The metals may be selected from one or more metals, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel, magnesium, or any other structural metal. Examples of plastics or polymers may include, but are not limited to, nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PE), polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), or polycarbonate and combinations thereof, among other plastics. Exercise device  10  and its various components may be molded, sintered, machined and/or combinations thereof to form the required pieces for assembly. Furthermore exercise device  10  and its various components may be manufactured using injection molding, sintering, die casting, or machining. 
         [0030]    It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims. 
         [0031]    All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of various embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that other variations can be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.