Abstract:
An exercise device includes a frame having a width and a length and defining a first opening extending in a direction perpendicular to the width and the length. The first opening is sized to retain at least a portion of a weighted object therein such that the width and the length of the frame extends along at least a portion of a width and a length of the weighted object, respectively, and externally thereto when the frame is connected to the weighted object. A handle member is connected to the frame to be gripped by a user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/231,709 filed Jul. 15, 2015 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Physical exercise is well understood to promote physical health and mental well-being. Exercise is facilitated by a variety of exercise equipment to help a user achieve particular results and objectives. One such piece of equipment that has become increasingly popular is the exercise tire. An exercise tire is a heavy, large diameter tire, such as a tractor tire, that is typically used to perform a “tire flip.” A tire-flip exercise generally involves a user entering into a squat or bent-over position adjacent to an edge of the tire, placing the palms of their hands in an upward facing orientation on a bottom surface of the tire, and then exploding upward to flip the tire onto an opposite side. 
         [0003]    While an effective piece of equipment, particularly for developing explosive strength, the exercise tire is not without its drawbacks. Aside from the difficulty of justifying floor space for a large piece of equipment that is typically used for a small number of exercises, the physical structure of the tire is such that its current use can lead to injury. When performing the tire-flip, a user must orient their hands so that their palms face upward against a downward facing surface of the tire. However, this places the user&#39;s biceps in a vulnerable condition particularly susceptible to injury, such as muscle strain or tendon damage. Also, there is a tendency for users to round their lower back while in the squat or bent-over position in order to position their hands sufficiently underneath the tire, which may also make injury more likely when performing the explosive movement of a tire-flip. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there is a need for a device that increases the versatility of the exercise tire while also making it safer and easier to use. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    An exercise device includes a frame having a width and a length and defining a first opening extending in a direction perpendicular to the width and the length. The first opening is sized to retain at least a portion of a weighted object therein such that the width and the length of the frame extends along at least a portion of a width and a length of the weighted object, respectively, and externally thereto when the frame is connected to the weighted object. A handle member is connected to the frame to be gripped by a user. 
         [0006]    An exercise device for use with a weighted object includes a frame comprised of a plurality of interconnected members that define first and second openings. The first opening is sized to retain a portion of an weighted object therein such that, when the frame is connected to the weighted object and is retained within the first opening. The second opening aligns with an opening of the weighted object. A first member of the plurality of interconnected members includes a grip segment configured to be gripped by a user and is disposed external to the weighted object and adjacent to a width thereof when the frame is connected to the weighted object. 
         [0007]    A device for facilitating physical exercise includes first and second lateral portions each comprised of a plurality of intersecting horizontal and vertical members that form a perimeter of a first passageway sized to at least partially retain a weighted object therein. A plurality of intermediate members extends between and connects the first and second lateral portions. At least one of the intermediate members is configured to be gripped by a hand. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an exercise tire frame according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the frame of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the frame of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the frame of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the frame of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 1  coupled to an exercise tire. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  depicts a method of using the frame of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  depicts a method of using the frame of  FIG. 1  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  depicts a method of using the frame of  FIG. 1  according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    As used herein, the terms “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” are intended to mean that slight deviations from absolute are included within the scope of the term so modified. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1-5  depict an exercise tire frame  10  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Frame  10  generally includes a first lateral portion  20 , a second lateral portion  30 , intermediate members  40 , and a skid plate  50 . 
         [0020]    The first lateral portion  20  is comprised of first and second horizontal members  22 ,  26  and first and second vertical members  24 ,  28 . Vertical members  24 ,  28  intersect the horizontal members  22 ,  26  to form a substantially rectangular-shaped loop wherein the corners of such loop are rounded. The second lateral portion  30  is similar to first lateral portion  20 . In this regard, the second lateral portion  30  is comprised of first and second horizontal members  32 ,  36  and first and second vertical members  34 ,  38  that intersect to form a substantially rectangular-shaped loop. Vertical members  24 ,  28 ,  34 , and  38  extend along and define a width (W) of frame  10 , and horizontal members  22 ,  26 ,  32 , and  36  extend along and define a length (L) of frame  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0021]    The plurality of intermediate members  40  includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth intermediate members  40   a - f . First and second intermediate members  40 - a - b  connect to and extend between first vertical members  24  and  34  of lateral portions  20  and  30 , respectively. Third and fourth intermediate members  40   c - d  connect to and extend between second vertical members  28  and  38  of lateral portions  20  and  30 , respectively. Intermediate members  40 - a - d  extend in an arcuate path away from and back toward lateral portions  20  and  30  so that a grip segment  41  of intermediate members  40   a - d  is offset from lateral portions  20  and  30  as is best shown in  FIG. 4 . Grip segment  41  is generally straight along its length so that a user can grip this segment to perform a tire flip, as is described in more detail below. However, in some embodiments, the entirety of each intermediate portion  40 - a - d  may be curved into an arc rather than bent into a plurality of straight segments, as is shown. 
         [0022]    Fifth intermediate member  40   f  connects to first horizontal members  22  and  32  of the lateral portions. Unlike intermediate members  40   a - d , fifth intermediate member  40   f  is substantially straight along its length. Fifth intermediate member  40   f  provides support for skid plate  50 . Skid plate  50  connects to and extends between second and fifth intermediate members  40   b,    40   f.  Skid plate  50  is curved and allows the weight of frame  10 , as well as a tire within the frame  10 , to be rested on the skid plate  50  and pushed along the ground, as described in more detail below. 
         [0023]    First and second lateral portions  20 ,  30  are connected by intermediate members  40 - a - f  so that lateral portions  20  and  30  are substantially parallel. However, in some embodiments, lateral portions  20  and  30  may be connected so that they are slightly angled toward each other. In addition, lateral portions  20  and  30  are connected so that their respective members define a laterally extending opening or passageway  90  of frame  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . This passageway  90  extends in a direction perpendicular to the length and width of frame  10 . Also, horizontal members  22 ,  26 ,  32 , and  36  and intermediate members  40 - a - f  define a vertically extending opening or passageway  92  (see  FIG. 4 ) that intersects laterally extending passageway  90 . Laterally extending passageway  90  is sized to receive and retain a portion of an exercise tire, such as a tractor tire, airplane tire, truck tire, or car tire, for example. In addition, vertically extending passageway  92  is sized to allow a user to stand between horizontal members  22 ,  26  and  32 ,  36 . 
         [0024]    Lateral portions  20  and  30 , intermediate members  420   a - f , and skid plate  50  are generally made from a metallic material, such as steel or aluminum, for example. In addition, intermediate members  40 - a - f  and lateral portions  20  and  30  are preferably tubular structures that have a hollow core which allows frame  10  to be durable yet light in weight. However, in some embodiments, lateral portions  20  and  30  and intermediate members  40 - a - f  may alternatively be cylindrical structures with solid cores. In addition, lateral portions  20  and  30  and intermediate members  40 - a - f  can vary in diameter between each other. For example, lateral portions  20  and  30  may have a larger diameter than intermediate members  40   a - f . However, the cross-sectional dimensions of each of the lateral portions  20  and  30  and intermediate members  40 - a - f  are such that they can be gripped by various hand sizes. The lateral portions  20  and  30 , intermediate members  40   a - f , and skid plate  50  are preferably welded together. However, in some embodiments they may be connected via fasteners, press-fit, snap-fit, or the like. 
         [0025]    As depicted in  FIG. 6 , tire frame  10  connects to an exercise tire  100 . To help facilitate this connection, tire frame  10  may be provided disassembled in pieces so that it can be assembled about the exercise tire  100 . In this regard, as shown in  FIG. 2 , tire frame  10  may be broken down into an upper assembly  60  and a lower assembly  70 . The upper and lower assemblies  60 ,  70  are separated along vertical members  24 ,  28 ,  34 , and  38 . In this regard, the vertical members may be segmented so that they can be split along their respective lengths. In addition, as mentioned above, vertical members  24 ,  28 ,  34 , and  38  may be constructed from tubular structures. The tubular structures that comprise the segmented vertical members may be constructed so that segments of such tubular structures may have a smaller outer diameter than an inner diameter of corresponding segments to allow the upper and lower assemblies  60 ,  70  to come together and be connected by fasteners  80  (best shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0026]    When connected to tire  100 , lateral portions  20  and  30  surround tire  100  so that tire  100  extends through laterally extending passageway  90 , and vertically extending passageway  92  aligns with an opening  102  of the tire (best shown in  FIG. 6 ). Horizontal members  22 ,  26 ,  32 , and  36  extend along the length or partial length (e.g., chord length) of the exercise tire, while vertical members  24 ,  28 ,  34 , and  38  extend along a width of tire  100 . Also, intermediate members  40 - a - d  are disposed external to and between a width of tire  100  to facilitate a tire flip and other exercises as described below. In addition, as mentioned above, intermediate members  40 - a - d  extend from lateral portions  20  and  30  in an arcuate path so that grip segments  41  thereof are offset from lateral portions  20  and  30 . This configuration provides relief for the curvature of tire  100  and also provides space between each grip segment  41  and tire  100  so that a user can comfortably grip the grip segment  41  without obstruction from tire  100 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 7  depicts a method of using frame  10  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this method, a user flips tire  100  using frame  10 . In this regard, tire frame  10  surrounding tire  100  lay on the ground so that frame  10  rests on horizontal members  22  and  32 . The objective is to flip tire  100  to the other side so that frame  10  rests on horizontal members  26  and  36 . A user  200  approaches frame  10  and assumes a starting position in which the user grips one of intermediate members, such as member  40   d,  and enters into a squat. As shown, user  200  may grip intermediate member  40   d  with a pronated grip (i.e., palms facing downward). This may help shield the user&#39;s biceps from excessive stress during the tire flip, particularly as compared to a supinated grip (i.e., palms facing upward) which is typical of a tire flip without frame  10 . In addition, the distance that intermediate member  40   d  is offset from tire  10  helps the user assume a comfortable squat without the need to significantly arch his or her back. After assuming the starting position, user  200  explodes out of the squat, as shown in  FIG. 7 , and flips tire  100  so that frame  10  and tire  100  land on an opposite side thereof. Thereafter, user  200  can immediately perform another tire flip using another intermediate member without having to walk around tire  10 . It is noted that intermediate members  40 - a - d  are located along respective vertical members  24 ,  28 ,  34 ,  38  so as to not interfere with the tire flip as tire  100  and frame  10  are pivoted from one side to another. In addition, skid plate  50  is sufficiently curved so as to not oppose the flip. 
         [0028]      FIG. 8  depicts a method of using frame  10  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this method, user  200  carries tire  100  using frame  10 , which, without frame  10 , would be very difficult if not impossible. In this regard, tire frame  10  surrounding tire  100  lay on the ground so that frame  10  rests on horizontal members  26 ,  36 . User  200  steps into opening  102  in the tire between horizontal members  22 ,  26  and  32 ,  36 . The user  200  squats and grips horizontal members  22 ,  32 . Horizontal members  22 ,  32  may partially extend over tire opening  102  so as to provide user  200  with an unobstructed grip. User  200  then stands and walks while carrying tire  100 . The positioning of horizontal members  22 ,  26 ,  32 , and  36  allows the user&#39;s hands to assume natural position with his or her palms facing toward their body. 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  depicts a method of using frame  10  according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. In this method, user  200  carries tire  100  using frame  10 , which again, without frame  10 , would be very difficult if not impossible. In this regard, tire frame  10  surrounding tire  100  lay on the ground so that frame  10  rests on rests on horizontal members  22  and  32  and skid plate  50  faces the ground. User  200  approaches frame  10 , assumes a squat position, and grips vertical members  28 ,  38  with a neutral grip, as shown. User  200  then lifts one end of the frame and tire assembly so as to pivot the assembly onto skid plate  50 . User  200  then pushes the tire and frame assembly so that skid plate  50  slides along the ground. 
         [0030]    Numerous variations, additions, and combinations of the features discussed above can be implemented without departing from the present invention. For example, in some embodiments more or less intermediate members  40  may interconnect lateral portions  20  and  30 . More particularly, one tire frame embodiment, not shown, may not include a skid plate and may only include a first intermediate member connecting first vertical members  24 ,  34  and a second intermediate member connecting second vertical members  28 ,  38 . In another tire frame embodiment, three or more intermediate members  40  may connect first vertical members  24 ,  34  and second vertical members  28 ,  38 , respectively. 
         [0031]    Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.