All-in-one multipurpose resistance band based portable strength training device

The present invention is directed at a novel portable fitness device used for conducting strength training exercises. The device comprises a foldable frame that can hold exercise accessories inside the device while the device is folded. The device further comprises an anti-slide plate and anchor slots wherein at least one resistance band can be locked into the anchor slots. The resistance bands may connect to handles or a bar and the resistance bands may offer up to 300 pounds of resistance. The foldable frame doubles as a carrying case.

BACKGROUND

Field of Invention

The present disclosure relates to a portable fitness device, and, more particularly, to a platform with extending arms wherein resistance bands are attachable to the extending arms in order to conduct strength training exercises.

Description of Prior Art

It has long been recognized that regular exercise and stretching improves health and quality of life. Reduced stress, improved physical and mental wellbeing, injury prevention, reduced pain, increased strength and endurance, and the restoration of function are all clinically accepted benefits.

Although numerous portable devices exist for exercising, including portable devices for training, stretching, balancing, and therapy, a continued need exists for an exercise device having a broad spectrum of exercise applications, that is simple and safe to use, space efficient, relatively inexpensive, durable, portable, and more accessible to a wider range of individuals with the capability to exercise.

Conventionally used devices for resistance workouts are complicated and unwieldy. They lack the versatility to be integrated into most exercise programs. For example, some platforms are designed to only incorporate a user's body weight, thereby eliminating their potential use for a heavy lifter, while other platforms have bulky parts or bands that can only be incorporated into a limited number of workouts due to the limited options in the direction and intensity of resistances. Its apparent that there is a need for a versatile and lightweight exercise machine that can be incorporated into almost any exercise program.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention is directed at a portable and foldable fitness device. The fitness device has two frames that extend and resistance bands may be attached to the periphery of these frames in order to conduct strength training exercises.

The device includes a foldable platform having at least a first frame and at least a second frame. Each of the first frame and the second frame includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The foldable platform may be made of polycarbonate. The top surface has an anti-slide plate coupled thereto for providing slide resistance to a user. The anti-slide plate may be made of rubber. At least one anchor slot provided on each of the first frame and the second frame allows the locking of one or more resistance bands in the anchor slots to thereby change the intensity or location of the resistance a user would experience during exercise, allowing for almost a limitless number of exercises.

The fitness device enables the user to exercise using at least a portion of body weight for resistance while using at least one the first frame and the second frame for support. Each of the first frame and the second frame encloses an aluminum plate. Each of the first frame and the second frame are connected to each other through a hinge allows the angle between the bottom surface of the first frame and the bottom surface of the second frame to be adjusted between 0 and 180 degrees, allowing the fitness device to be folded and unfolded.

In its folded configuration, the fitness device has handholds that allow the foldable platform to double as a carrying case for the convenience of the user. The foldable platform has a locking mechanism that prevents the user from having to use his or her body weight to keep the first frame and the second frame from collapsing inward.

At least one anchor slot is provided on the periphery of each of the first frame and the second frame. Each of the one or more resistance bands has a plurality of small balls inserted inside at pre-determined intervals operating as protrusions to lock the resistance bands into at least one anchor slot. The protrusions allow the intensity and location of the resistance a user experiences during exercise to be adjusted, making it possible to perform deadlifts, overhead presses, or countless other exercises with the one or more resistance bands.

At least one of the resistance bands comprises a carabiner clip at one end. The device includes one or more removable handles connectable to each of the one or more resistance bands. At least one of the removable handles includes a plurality of sub-handles connectable to each other to form at least one handle from the one or more sub-handles.

The device includes one or more removable steel bars adapted to couple with the one or more resistance bands. The removable steel bars include a plurality of sub-bars that connect to each other to form at least one steel bar from the one or more sub-bars. Each of the one or more resistance bands comprise a hollow tube having one or more balls inserted at the pre-determined intervals, wherein an elastic cover encases the protrusion caused by the rubber ball and a surrounding portion of the hollow tube. The device includes a custom hook that can lock in up to four resistance bands and can be attached to a carabiner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is made with reference to the technology disclosed. Preferred implementations are described to illustrate the technology disclosed, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of equivalent variations on the description.

InFIG.1AandFIG.1B, one exemplary portable fitness device100is shown and described in detail. The portable fitness device100may comprise a first frame102and a second frame104. The first frame102and the second frame104may be identical and may be generally square or rectangular. The first frame102and the second frame104may be made of a lightweight and rigid material, or a combination of lightweight and rigid materials, including, but not limited to, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, aluminum, plastics, or any other suitable material.

The first frame102and the second frame104may each have a top surface and a bottom surface. The first frame102and the second frame104may each have a plurality of leg holes122positioned at several points on the bottom surface. These leg holes may allow a rubber leg to be attached to the bottom surface of the first frame102and the second frame104.

The first frame102and the second frame104may each have an anti-slide plate110attached to the top surface of the first frame102and the second frame104. The anti-slide plate110may be attached to the top surface of the first frame102and the second frame104using screws, rivets, nuts and bolts, adhesives, or other common fastening methods. The anti-slide plate100may have a surface texture that improves grip. The anti-slide plate100may be made high-grip materials including, but not limited to, rubber.

The first frame102and the second frame104may each have a central cavity and each central cavity may have at least one screw hole positioned along the walls of the central cavity. The central cavity may approximately take up the central third portion of the first frame102and the second frame104and may run lengthwise from the hinge112area to the periphery of the first frame102and the second frame104. The central cavity of the first frame102and the second frame104may house an aluminum plate200. Each aluminum plate200may have at least one screw hole positioned corresponding to the screw hole or holes on each of central cavities of the first frame102and the second frame104. Each aluminum plate200may be attached to the first frame102and the second frame104by screwing in a screw through any of the screw holes on the aluminum plate200and the corresponding screw holes on the first frame102or the second frame104. In other variations, each aluminum plate200may be integrated into the first frame102and the second frame104or each aluminum plate200may be attached to the first frame102and the second frame104using rivets, nuts and bolts, adhesives, or other common fastening methods. In other variations, each aluminum plate200may made of a lightweight and rigid material, or a combination of lightweight and rigid materials, including, but not limited to, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, aluminum, plastics, or any other suitable material.

The first frame102and the second frame104may each have an outer cavity124or cavities124located on either side of the central cavity. These outer cavities124may appropriately be positioned lengthwise along the outer third portions of the first frame102and the second frame104. The outer cavities124may be half-cylinder shaped wherein an outer cavity124of the first frame102may correspond to an outer cavity124of the second frame, wherein the corresponding outer cavities124combine to form a single cylinder-shaped cavity while the portable fitness device100is in the folded configuration, wherein this cylinder shaped cavity may hold steel bar sub-bars or other cylindrical exercise accessories, wherein these steel bar sub-bars are secured inside of the portable fitness device100while the portable fitness device100is in the folded configuration. In another variation, the outer cavities124may be shaped into a single large cavity or may comprise several smaller cavities, wherein the outer cavity or cavities hold at least one exercise accessory including, but not limited to, handles, resistance bands, custom hooks, carabiners, handle straps, and sub-bars, and wherein the exercise accessories are secured within the outer cavity124or cavities124of the first frame or the second frame200while the portable fitness device100is in the folded configuration.

Each aluminum plate200may have an inner portion, wherein the hinge piece112is positioned at the inner portion. Each aluminum plate200may have a peripheral section, wherein the handhold108and the anchor slot protrusions106are positioned at the peripheral section. Each handhold108, may have a handhold opening116. Each anchor slot protrusion106may enclose an anchor slot114.

Each hinge piece112may have at least one opening through which a hinge pin can be inserted. One aluminum plate200may be connected to the other aluminum plate200by aligning the openings on the hinge piece112of one aluminum plate200with the openings on the hinge piece112of the other aluminum plate200and inserting a hinge pin through the hinge piece112openings, forming a hinge and securing the aluminum plates200together.

The portable fitness device100has an aluminum plate200attached to each of the first frame102and the second frame104, and the hinge piece112of one aluminum plate200is secured to the hinge piece112of the other aluminum plate200using the hinge pin, allowing the first frame102and the second frame104to be rotated around the hinge, allowing the portable fitness device100to be folded and unfolded.

The portable fitness device100may have an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. In the unfolded configuration, the bottom surface of the first frame102and the bottom surface of the second frame104are separated by 180 degrees and are parallel to each other. In the unfolded configuration, the bottom surface of the first frame102and the bottom surface of the second frame104are separated by 0 degrees and are flush. The portable fitness device100can be transformed between the unfolded configuration and the folded configuration by rotating the first frame102and the second frame104around the hinge, folding or unfolding the portable fitness device100. When the portable fitness device100is in the folded configuration, the handhold108of the first frame102is flush with the handhold108of the second frame104, forming a combined handhold. Users of the portable fitness device100may insert their fingers through the handhold openings116and may grip the handholds108, allowing the portable fitness device100in the closed configuration to be carried by using the handholds108.

The hinge112may have a mechanism that restricts rotation past 180 degrees, wherein an angle between the bottom surface of the first frame102and the bottom surface of the second frame104cannot exceed 180 degrees, preventing the foldable platform of the portable exercise device from collapsing inward. This mechanism may be built into the hinge pieces112in the form of metal plates on each of the hinge pieces112, wherein these metal plates contact each other once the angle between the bottom surface of the first frame102and the bottom surface of the second frame104reaches 180 degrees, and wherein these metal plates prevent rotation of the bottom of the first frame102relative to the bottom of the second frame104past 180 degrees. In other variations, such metal plates may be positioned on the inside of the first frame102and the second frame.

Referring now toFIG.2, one exemplary aluminum plate200is shown and described in detail. The aluminum plate is identical to the aluminum plate200inFIG.1AandFIG.1B. The aluminum plate200may have at least one cavity118, wherein the cavity118or cavities118hold at least one exercise accessory including, but not limited to, handles, resistance bands, custom hooks, carabiners, handle straps, and sub-bars, and wherein the exercise accessories are secured within the cavity118or cavities118of the aluminum plate200while the portable fitness device100is in the folded configuration.

Referring now toFIG.3, one exemplary steel bar300is shown and described in detail. The steel bar300may be comprised of sub-bars, wherein the sub-bars may be two shorter sub-bars306and one longer sub-bar308. The shorter sub-bars306and the longer sub-bar308may be generally cylindrical and hollow. The shorter sub-bars306may have a circular top side at one end and a circular bottom side at the other end. The longer sub-bar308may have two identical circular sides at each end. The outer circumference of the top side of the shorter sub-bars306may be equal to or smaller in radius than the inner circumference of either one of the circular sides of the longer sub-bar308, permitting the top side of the shorter sub-bars308to be inserted into either one of the circular sides of the longer sub-bar308. The longer sub-bar308may have at least one hole located on both of the circular sides of the longer sub-bar308. The shorter sub-bars306may have at least one hole located on the top side of the shorter sub-bars308and a spring mechanism that pushes a protrusion out of the hole or holes. This protrusion may protrude into at least one hole located on both of the circular sides of the longer sub-bar308, locking the shorter sub-bars306into the longer sub-bar308. In one variation, the shorter sub-bars306may have outer threading at the top side of the shorter sub-bars306and the longer sub-bar308may have inner threading at both of the circular ends, allowing the shorter sub-bars306to be screwed into the longer sub-bars308, locking the shorter sub-bars306into the longer sub-bar308. Alternatively, other common methods may be used to connect the shorter sub-bars306with the longer sub-bar308.

The shorter sub-bars306may have at least one hole through the bottom side of the shorter sub-bars306. This hole may hold the flat portion of a D-ring310. The D-ring310may rotate freely around the axis formed between the two openings of the hole.

The middle section of the shorter sub-bars306may be encased by a shorter rubber handle302. The shorter rubber handle302may provide increased grip, should not slide around during use, but should be removable. The middle section of the longer sub-bars308may be encased by a longer rubber handle304.

Referring now toFIG.4A, one exemplary handle strap400is shown and described in detail. The handle strap400may comprise a main body402and at least one strap404. The strap404may be permanently attached to the main body402at one end. The strap404may have an attachment point406at the other end of the strap404. The strap404can be attached and detached from the main body402at the attachment point406. The main body402may have an attachment point corresponding to the attachment point406of the strap404. The attachment point406of the strap may be one part of a hook and loop fastener, a button hole, or any other common fastening method. The attachment point of the main body402may be the corresponding part of a hook and loop fastener, a button, or any other corresponding common fastening method.

The main body402and the strap404may be made of a durable fabric or a combination of durable fabrics. The main body402may have outer lining408, wherein the outer lining408may be a soft material, including, but not limited to, rubber. The main body may have a handle-shaped opening, wherein the handle-shaped opening may have inner lining410, and wherein the inner lining410may be a soft material, including, but not limited to, rubber.

Referring now toFIG.4B, one exemplary handle strap400attached to the portable fitness device in the folded configuration is shown and described in detail. The main body402may be positioned over the peripheral edges of the aluminum plates. The main body402may be slightly wider than the height of the portable fitness device in the folded configuration in order for part of the fabric of the main body to surround the peripheral edges of the aluminum plates. The strap404may be long enough to go through the handhold opening116and reattach to the main body402. This handle strap400, portable fitness device configuration allows the portable fitness device to be carried around using the handhold opening of the handle strap400.

Referring now toFIG.5, one exemplary removable handle500is shown and described in detail. The removable handle500may comprise at least one ring502, a garment504, and a grip506. The ring502may be a D-ring. The garment504may be a strong and flexible fabric. The grip506may be a rubber grip. The ring502and the grip506may be held together with the garment504. A carabiner may be attached to the ring502.

Referring now toFIG.6, one exemplary resistance band600is shown and described in detail. The resistance band600may comprise a hollow tube602, at least one protrusion604, and at least one elastic cover606. The hollow tube602may be made of an elastic material, including, but not limited to, rubber. The hollow tube602may have increasing tension based on how stretched out it is. The protrusions604may be created by inserting balls into the rubber tube at pre-determined intervals, wherein the intervals may be positioned as necessary in order to provide a desired intensity and location for the resistance the user will encounter during exercise. The balls must have a greater diameter than the inner diameter of the hollow tube. The elastic cover606may enclose the protrusions604and a portion of the hollow tube602surrounding the protrusions604. The elastic cover606may prevent the balls from moving around within the hollow tube602. The elastic cover606may be made of an elastic material, including, but not limited to, rubber. A washer608may located along the hollow tube602between a first and second protrusion.

A resistance band600may be attached to the portable fitness device by inserting a segment of the hollow tube602into an anchor slot and locking in the resistance band602by pulling on the resistance band602until one protrusion604is firmly placed against an anchor slot. The resistance band600may offer 10, 20, 30, or 50 pounds of resistance. Each portable fitness device may come with two resistance bands600with 10 pounds of resistance, two resistance bands600with 20 pounds of resistance, two resistance bands600with 30 pounds of resistance, and four resistance bands600with 50 pounds of resistance. The resistance bands600may provide a required resistance intensity when stretched to 250% of a base length.

The intensity and location of the resistance a user encounters during exercise may be adjusted by changing which protrusion604of the resistance band600is used to lock the resistance band600into an anchor slot. The intensity and location of the resistance a user encounters may be further adjusted by changing the quantity of resistance bands600used in the workout. Multiple resistance bands600may locked into the anchor slots on the periphery of the first frame or the second frame. A user may work out with between 1-20 resistance bands simultaneously, and most preferably with between 1-8 resistance bands simultaneously.

The resistance bands600may have varying resistance properties based on the material used for the hollow tube602, the thickness of the hollow tube602, and the number and location of protrusions604in the hollow tube602.

In an exemplary embodiment, a custom hook attaches to the protrusions604on the resistance bands600. The custom hook may be further attached to a carabiner, wherein this carabiner is attached to a D-ring on one end of a steel bar.

A carabiner may be attached to an end of the resistance band600. The carabiner may be attached to the washer608. In an exemplary embodiment, the resistance band600may be split into 6 loops at 1-inch intervals, with a carabiner on one end. These straps are for making minor adjustments to different exercises.

In order to prepare a resistance band600, a first rubber clamp may first be clamped at one end of the hollow tube602. A second rubber clamp may then be clamped at a pre-determined position where a small ball needs to be placed. A small ball may then be inserted through the open end of the hollow tube602. The small ball may then be pushed, using a pneumatic device, until it reaches the second rubber clamp. This procedure may be repeated until all of the required small balls are placed at their pre-determined positions. An elastic cover606may then be expanded using a stretching tool and moved onto a position of a rubber ball. The stretching tools may then be removed and the elastic cover606is allowed to contract onto the protrusion604caused by the rubber ball, and a portion of the surrounding hollow tube602. This procedure may be repeated until all protrusions604are enclosed in an elastic cover606. The resistance band600may be ready for use once the small balls are inserted at pre-determined intervals and elastic covers606are placed over the protrusions604caused by the small balls. Any movement between the rubber balls and the hollow tube602may be checked as safety measure.

Now referring toFIG.7, one exemplary custom hook700is shown and described in detail. The custom hook700may comprise a main segment702and loop segments704. The main segment702may have a U-shaped end that allows the main segment702to lock in up to four resistance bands. The loop segment704may have two loop-shaped ends that may allow the attachment of a carabiner706. The carabiner706may be sufficiently large in order to be attached to the loop segment702of the custom hook700. The custom hook700may be made of steel and may be black in color.

The present invention further provides means for adapting the workout from a beginner routine to an advanced routine by simply changing the degree of motions used. For example, the degree the user dips their body or raises a limb. Although various adjustable components are contemplated such as a restrictive force pivot assembly and restrictive motion bands, no adjustment to the exercise device is required. The present invention is advantageously adapted for use in a group exercise or class setting much like a step class or aerobic dance class. The small size of the device makes it easy to store multiple units at the facility or gives the user the option of bringing their own device to the class. Beginners can workout alongside advanced users performing moves to the same commands and if desired, to the same music, and at the same time. This advantageously eliminates the need and expense for an exercise facility to offer classes to users with different fitness levels, or even to offer the required equipment as it may be user provided.

The present invention further provides a safe and improved core exercise device that advantageously increases access to core training to a larger population. As most core training is currently performed on the floor, using an exercise ball, or expensive machines found only in gyms, many people cannot perform such exercises. For example, many people are unable to lie on the floor due to excessive weight, weakness, or injury. The elderly and obese are typically precluded from most core training exercises. This present invention, however, may advantageously be used by the obese, elderly, and even those with limited mobility.

The sections above may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments and thus are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims in any way. Embodiments have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

Following from the above description summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods, apparatuses and data structures herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the current disclosure, it is to be understood that the inventions contained herein are not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of the inventions, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the current disclosed embodiments may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.