Vibratory exercise device with low center of gravity and modular weights

A handheld, vibratory exercise device with a handle that has a low center of gravity and selectively removable modular weights for incorporating an adjustable and additional resistance. The present invention is a vibratory system with a hand-held resistance device that may have a pendulous shape of “low center of gravity” or “low center of mass” and adjustable weights and thereby provides the opportunity for a unique, multi-faceted neuromuscular load.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention lies in the field of resistance training exercise equipment. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a handheld, vibratory system with a pendulous shape that incorporates modularly connected weights to increase resistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an effort to achieve physical fitness, people of all sizes, ages and physical abilities have used weight lifting, resistance training or conditioning as measures for improving or gaining muscle strength and tone throughout the body by lifting weights against the downward force of gravity. In one form of weight training, free weights that do not limit the user to a specific movement or exercise, such as dumbbells and barbells and a number of variations thereof, are used to perform repetitive lift exercises or are carried or moved during other exercise movements that are performed in conjunction with carrying the weights. Free weights are usually available in a set of individual weights of incremental weight amounts or, in the case of dumbbells and barbells, may be comprised of a set of modular plates of incremental weight that are assembled in weight stacks whereby each plate in the stack has a central hole through which the dumbbell or barbell shaft fits. The specific amount of weight of the free weights are chosen or adjusted based upon the targeted muscle, the type and desired result of the exercise and the physical ability of the particular user. Athletes have used free weight systems, including modular plates, to increase or decrease the counterweight loads during resistance training exercises by adjusting the total weight of the weight stack by increasing or decreasing the size and number of modular plates in the weight stack.

With respect to free weights, competitive athletes have used kettle bells (or kettlebells or Russian kettlebells) for decades to develop explosive multi joint strength and power. Generally, a kettle bell is comprised of a ball-like or other shaped weight (e.g., a cannon ball) and a handle. Kettle bells are usually constructed of solid cast iron and come in a variety of different and incremental weights associated with their particular mass and girth. In contrast with a typical barbell or dumbbell weight, the kettle bell's low center of mass relative to its handle makes the kettle bell especially functional in exercises that use dynamic swinging or arcing movements designed to incorporate the entire body as a functional “kinetic chain” that transfers strength and power through the muscles in a series of linked movements across a variety of angles.

However, despite the unique form of exercise provided by the kettle bell, existing kettle bell designs have a number of disadvantages. For example, unlike existing dumbbells and barbells, the weight amount of an individual kettle bell is typically not adjustable and therefore, unfortunately, a variety of individual kettle bells of differing sizes and weights are needed to provide a range of weight amounts. Disadvantages of such sets include the amount of storage space needed to store the set and the drastic increase in the cost of purchasing an entire set. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an individual kettle bell whose total weight amount is adjustable.

In connection with neuromuscular exercise and resistance training, acute vibration has also been applied to the body during exercise and, as documented in scientific literature, has demonstrated a positive impact on improving muscle strength, muscle power and balance. See e.g., Cochrane D. J., et al., “The Acute Effect of Vibration Exercise on Concentric Muscular Characteristics,”Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport,11(6): 527-534 (2008). Currently, there exists a number of whole body vibration platforms designed to target the lower body musculature and there exists a limited number of devices, namely vibration plates, that apply vibration over a relatively large surface are of the upper body in an effort to trim abdominal fat. There also exist a limited number of devices that apply vibration to the upper body musculature using vibrating cables, dumbbells and barbells. One form of perturbating dumbbell is available commercially and is referred to as the Galileo® Up-X Dumbbell and is made by the German company, Galileo Systems. According to the scientific literature, the oscillatory movements of the muscle, as a result of the vibration, are thought to cause the rapid repeating of eccentric/concentric muscle contractions and the stretching of the muscle fibers thereby increasing the metabolic rate of the muscle.

However, there are disadvantages associated with the existing devices for applying vibration to the body musculature. For example, the majority of the small number of upper body devices that have incorporated vibration technology in them are relatively cumbersome, bulky and heavy due to the added vibration capabilities and therefore, are limited in the ways that the devices can be used and without causing tissue damage in comparison to conventional free weights. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a device that effectively imparts a vibration to the upper body muscles and yet, has the size, weight and shape that is similar to a conventional free weight so that it may be used with the relative ease and range of movements provided by a free weight.

In another example, the vibration capabilities in the existing devices are generally not battery-operated and therefore, power cables are necessary to supply power to the device. Thus, the freedom to move the device is further constrained by the fact that it is tethered by the power cable. Therefore, it would also be desirable to have a device that effectively imparts a vibration to the upper body muscles that does not require a power cable connection between the device and the power source in order to provide power to the device.

In addition, currently there are no existing devices having some type of vibration technology that resemble a kettle bell having a low center of gravity or center of mass. As used herein, the term “low center of gravity” or “low center of mass” is defined to mean that more than half of the weight associated with the device is placed below a plane parallel to the floor and bisecting the kettle bell between its upper and lower extremities when the latter of which is resting on the floor in a storage position. Such a device allows the dynamic swinging and support exercises that are available with a kettle bell to be combined, along with the added training stimulus provided by vibration. Thus, it would be desirable to have a kettle bell-like device that incorporates into it some type of vibration technology for imparting an oscillatory force on the muscles of the upper body.

The present invention combines a vibratory system with a hand-held resistance device having a pendulous shape of “low center of gravity” or “low center of mass” and adjustable weights and thereby provides the opportunity for a unique, multi-faceted neuromuscular load. The vibration caused by the vibratory technology, for example, by the device's internal motor, causes alternating accelerations towards and away from the pull of gravity. The vibratory oscillations increase the acceleration on the device. The laws of physics state that the amount of force (“F”) imparted by an accelerating object is equal to the object's mass (“m”) multiplied by its acceleration (“a”). Thus, F=ma. Accordingly, the increase in acceleration due to the vibratory activity of the device can therefore advantageously increase the force or resistance that the device transfers to the muscles without ever adjusting the object's mass. However, in conjunction with the benefits created by the vibratory activity of the device, the device of the present invention also provides a unique system for adjusting the weight or mass of the device. In this way, both the mass and acceleration of the device can be used to train the neuromuscular system.

Viewing acceleration and mass separately provides a picture of how each of these overloads can act synergistically to improve the neuromuscular fitness of the user. For example, as discussed in detail below, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a vibratory motor mounted towards the bottom of the device as far as possible from the device's handle. This creates a long lever arm from the handle to the vibratory source and therefore, mechanically increases the impact of the vibration during exercise performance. Additionally, the lever arm length, i.e. the length between the handle and the vibratory motor, has been designed so that the device provides the optimal frequencies, i.e. 25-35 Hz, for maximizing the neuromuscular response while minimizing the potential for muscle, connective tissue, neuronal or vascular damage.

With respect to the mass aspect of the device, the counterweight system of the present embodiment is attached to the vibratory motor shaft and features two parallel mounted weights. Because the device is intended to move through various planes of motion during exercise and the displacement caused by the vibratory motor is multidirectional, the vibratory stimulus will be applied in multiple directions allowing the neuromuscular improvements to occur in multiple places of movement, as opposed to the single plane of movement response that is common with standard, conventional resistance training equipment.

As a result, the level of neuromuscular activity is increased when the vibratory stimulus is applied and therefore, the level of fatigue, as measured by time to failure, is increased. Putting these two facts together, the device of the present invention has the potential to offer a more efficient, less time-consuming and more palatable exercise option compared to standard exercise equipment and techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a vibratory exercise device, comprising an upper portion having a handle portion for gripping the device and a body portion, a base portion capable of being removably attached to the upper portion, a vibratory unit mechanically connected to at least one of the upper and base portions and capable of causing the respective at least one of the upper and base portions to vibrate, and at least one modular weight, the upper and base portions capable of selectively removably holding the at least one modular weight therebetween such that when so holding the at least one modular weight, the upper portion, the at least one modular weight and the base portion have a low center of mass.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a handheld, vibratory exercise device comprising an upper portion having a handle portion for gripping the device and a body portion, a base portion capable of being removably attached to the upper portion, a vibratory unit mechanically connected to at least one of the upper and base portions and capable of causing the respective at least one of the upper and base portions to vibrate, and a plurality of selectively removable modular weights, the upper and base portions capable of removably holding therebetween the plurality of selectively removable modular weights in a serial vertical stack, the handle and base portions and the plurality of selectively removable modular weights having a pendulum-type ball exterior shape with a low center of mass.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is further provided a handheld, vibratory exercise device comprising an upper portion having a handle portion for gripping the device and a body portion, a base portion capable of being removably attached to the upper portion, the upper and base portions capable of cooperatively holding therebetween at least one selectively removable modular weight, and a vibratory unit mechanically connected to at least one of the upper and base portions and capable of causing the respective at least one of the upper and base portions to vibrate, the upper and base portions together with the vibratory unit having a low center of mass.

Additional advantages and other features characteristic of the present invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows and may be apparent from the detailed description or may be learned by practice of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Still other advantages of the present invention may be realized by any of the instrumentalities, methods, or combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a handheld, vibratory exercise device with a handle that has a low center of gravity and modular weights for incorporating an adjustable and additional resistance, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

The device of the present invention provides a unique way to apply resistance to the body's musculature. The inventive device combines the pendulous power-oriented structure of a kettle bell with a vibratory unit and modular weight plates, the latter of which are used to increase and decrease the total weight of the device.

The invention is a handheld, vibratory exercise device having a handle that places the center of gravity at a low position, e.g., a position opposite the handle and in an area that is closer to the flat base of the device than the handle when the device is at rest on the ground with the handle oriented upwards at the top of the device. Locating the handle at the top of the device allows it to be used in pendulum-type exercise movements that cannot be performed using dumbbells, barbells, or other resistive devices with the exception of kettle bells. The flat base of the device also allows the device to be used for upper body support exercises, for example, push-ups (see, e.g.,FIG. 14E), that cannot be performed using conventional dumbbells, barbells, or other resistive devices with the exception of kettle bells. Unlike Russian kettle bells, which are typically comprised of solid, cast-iron, dead weights, the inventive device of the present invention has a kettle bell-like shaped shell exterior, but also has a hollow interior that contains a vibratory motor enclosed within the device's superstructure. In an exemplary embodiment, the shell is made of high-impact plastic.

Additionally, the device has a supplementary weight system that allows a user to adjust the total weight or the resistance load of the device to the desired amount for a particular exercise. The ability to add or remove weights gives the user the ability to change (i.e., increase or decrease, respectively) the resistance felt during the exercise. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the weights are modular.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly toFIGS. 1-6thereof, there is shown a first exemplary embodiment of the exterior view of an exercise device according to the present invention. The exercise device10is comprised of a handle1, a pendulum-like ball-shaped body2, a battery access door3that houses a battery for powering the vibratory motor (see e.g.,FIG. 6, described in detail below), a set of modular weights4,5in the exemplary form of plates that are not enclosed in the body2and may be removed from the device, a base6, and a footpad7. For purposes of this embodiment, the body2and the base6are shown and described as being half-moon shaped such that when they are assembled together to form the device, their combined shapes form a pendulum-like ball shape. However, the body2and/or the base6are not limited to this shape and it is contemplated that the body2and base6can be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes that effectively result in the exercise device having a low center of mass relative to its handle1. Alternative designs for the shape and size of the body2, base6and handle1are found in various embodiments of the present invention, including, but not limited to, those depicted inFIGS. 7-30.

Also, although the weight component of the device has been described above as a set of modular weights4,5in the form of plates, it is contemplated that the weight component can be in the form of a single weight or a set of a plurality of weights, and can be of a variety of modular shapes, weight amounts and sizes that can be selectively removable from the body2of the device10such that the user can change the total weight of the device by adding, removing or interchanging the various weights. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the device10has a set of two modular weights plates4,5of two different weight amounts. If desired, the first modular plate4can weigh, for example, 2.5 pounds, and the second modular plate5can weigh, for example, 5 pounds. As a result, when both plates4,5are used, the device10has a combined total added weight of 7.5 pounds.

FIG. 5is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the device ofFIG. 1, which illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the mechanism for assembling the device whereby the modular plate-shaped weights4,5are selectively removable from the body2and the base6of the device.FIG. 6shows a cover9is attached to the bottom base of the body2. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 6, the cover9has a bottom surface with a non-illustrated boss having a series of exterior threads. Additionally, the top surface of each modular weight plate4,5has a depression with a series of interior threads (not illustrated due to the scale of the drawing) that opposingly correspond to the exterior threads of the cover9such that the top surface of the adjacent modular weight plate (inFIG. 6, this is plate4) can be removably attached to the cover9of the body2by threading the interior threads of the modular weight plate onto the exterior threads of the cover9. The bottom surface of each modular weight plate4,5has a non-illustrated boss with a series of exterior threads that are identical to the exterior threads of the boss of the cover9and, accordingly, also opposingly correspond to the interior threads of the depression in the top surface of each modular weight plate. Thus, where the user desires to add additional weight plates to the device (as shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6), the interior threads of the top surface of each weight plate threadingly engage the exterior threads of the adjacent boss at the bottom surface of each weight plate. As such, that the weight plates may be removably attached to one another in a vertically oriented stack.

To complete the assembly of the device, the base6of the device is connected with the handle1, the body2, and the one or more weight plates4,5. Accordingly, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the base6may be similarly removably attached to the bottom surface of each modular weight plate4,5. InFIGS. 5 and 6, the base6is shown as having a depression with a series of interior threads that opposingly correspond to the exterior threads of the boss at the bottom surface of each weight plate such that the base6may be threaded onto and removably attached to the bottom surface of the weight plate that is positioned at the bottom-most position in the weight stack. This “screw-in” design allows the mass of the device to be easily adjusted to maximize the benefits during different exercises and to match the fitness level of the user during those exercises. In this configuration, the modular weight plates4,5can be removably attached between the body2and the base6of the device in any order. For example, if the modular weight plates4,5are available in incremental weights of 2.5 and 5 pounds respectively, then the device can be altered to change the total weight and resistance load of the device by adding and removing any combination of 2.5 pounds, 5 pounds and 7.5 pounds in this exemplary embodiment. In general, it is contemplated that there can be any number of modular weight plates having any desired amount of weight that is reasonable and safe for use with the device.

The mechanism described above and shown inFIGS. 1-6for assembling the device10serves as just one illustration of a large number of mechanisms that are contemplated by the present invention for attaching the body2to the base6of the device. As shown in some of the embodiments of the present invention depicted inFIGS. 7 to 30, the body2and base6may be formed into corresponding, mating shapes whereby the body2is directly removably attached to the base6whereby the one or more modular weights are completely enclosed inside the device10, are not visible from the exterior of the device, and are not a part of the mechanism for interconnecting the body2with the base6. In addition, one or more latches or other mechanical methods of attaching and securing the body2to the base6, such as a rotating hinge as shown inFIG. 19, may be utilized. Furthermore, as shown by way of example inFIGS. 16 and 18, the body2and/or the base6may be specifically molded into a shape that is conducive to a hand grip such that a user may easily disassemble the base6from the body2, or vice versa, using his or her hands. Also, visual indicators may be applied to the body2and/or the base6to aid and confirm to the user that the body2and the base6have been properly assembled and attached to one another.

A number of ways for securing the one or more modular weights inside or amongst the body2and base6of the device, based upon the respective shapes of the weights, body2and the base6of the device, are also contemplated by the present invention. For example, as shown inFIGS. 13A-13C,15B,19A-19B,21A-21B, and24A-24B, one or more pockets, slots, or keyed portions may be formed in the exterior surface of the body2and/or the base6of the device for mateably holding or containing the one or more modular weights.

As shown in detail inFIGS. 4-6, for purposes of being able to rest the device10on a surface without fear that the device will not remain stationary while adjusting the one or more modular weights, the bottom portion of the base6may be flat. Furthermore, a tactile, traction-like footpad7that may be made of rubber or multiple rubber “feet” may also be incorporated on the bottom portion of the base6to further aid in preventing the device from moving around when it is placed on a surface and to prevent the device from damaging the surface. This design option allows the device to be used as a support system during exercises such as push-ups or planks thereby allowing the increased benefit of the vibrational overload to be added to these ordinarily mundane exercises. In addition, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the interior of the base6may be made to be relatively hollow to reduce the amount of weight that it contributes to the overall total weight of the device and/or to reduce production cost.

With respect to the vibratory capabilities of the device, a vibration unit may be incorporated inside the device10. In the exemplary embodiment of shown inFIGS. 1-6, the vibration unit is comprised of a battery-powered motor12that is incorporated into the hollow interior of the body2. For example,FIG. 6shows an exploded view of the motor12. Attached to a shaft (central axel) (not shown) protruding from either or both ends of the motor12are two asymmetrically shaped weights (not shown) designed to cause the entire device to vibrate. The sizes of the attached weights can be varied to change the amplitude of the vibration, as can the size of the motor to accommodate the weights. In one exemplary embodiment, the weights have sufficient mass and displacement to create a displacement of 2-4 mm at a frequency of approximately 28 Hz. Here, in comparison toFIG. 5, two opposing battery access doors3are shown as being removed from the body2to expose their respective battery compartments18. Each of the battery compartments18may hold one of two exemplary battery packs11that are electrically coupled to the vibration motor12thereby providing power to the motor12. Alternatively, a single access door may be used to incorporate the batteries needed in a single compartment. It is desirable that these battery packs11are rechargeable and a charging socket may be incorporated into the device in a position opposite the power switch on the body of the device. As described above, the cover9is attached to the bottom of the body2and can, if desired, form the floor of the one or more battery compartments18in the body2. To secure the vibration motor12inside the body2of the device, a combination of large mounting pins13, motor mounting brackets14, smaller mounting pins15, and offset weights16may be used.

The vibratory movement imparted by the motor12may be of any suitable displacement amount and frequency for purposes of improving the metabolic rate of the upper body musculature. For example, with respect to the exemplary embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-6, the motor12may be capable of applying a displacement of between 2 and 4 mm at a frequency of between 25 and 35 Hz. To control or to adjust the operation of the vibration motor (e.g., to activate the device between ON and OFF modes, to adjust frequency settings, etc.), one or more switches or buttons may be provided. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, an ON/OFF switch8is provided on the handle1of the device.

With respect to the handle1, it is envisioned that the handle may be made in a variety of suitable shapes, thicknesses and sizes that take into account a number of considerations that include, but are not limited to, the type of exercise that should be performed with the device, the particular physical capabilities, grip strength, and endurance of the target user of the device, and the challenges in gripping the device as it vibrates.FIGS. 7-30depict alternative embodiments of the device having a wide range of possible configurations of the handle, including wherein the handle is comprised of more than one sub-handle where it is desirable that a user uses both hands to grip the device (for example, seeFIGS. 10A-10B). In addition, to provide an added gripping surface at the handle, the handle may be shaped in ways or constructed of materials that are well suited for contact with a human hand and/or a tactile, traction-like grip material may be applied to a portion of the exterior surface of the handle (for example, seeFIG. 11,14,15A,18,22, and29A).

Additionally, gaskets17can be provided between any of the components of the device. Illustratively,FIG. 6depicts three gaskets17as separating the components of the device. These gaskets17separate the metal parts to lessen the friction felt therebetween when the device is in use thereby decreasing the wear of the adjacent parts.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.