Abstract:
The present invention concerns exercise apparatus. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns an exercise device for weight training. The invention also concerns adjusting the weight of an exercise device. The invention provides an exercise device comprising a resiliently deformable tube and a removable weight. The removable weight is removably engaged with an inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube by one or more formations.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of PCT application 
         [0002]    Serial Number PCT/GB2012/050847, filed on Apr. 17, 2012, which claims the benefit of GB application Serial Number 1106602.4, filed on Apr. 19, 2011, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention concerns exercise apparatus. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention concerns an exercise device for weight training. The invention also concerns adjusting the weight of an exercise device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Weight training is typically performed using either dumbbells or barbells. The dumbbells and barbells comprise metal bars onto which metal weight plates are secured using screw or spring collars. It is not uncommon for these collars to become loose, with the possibility that the weight plates may fall off during exercise, causing injury to the exerciser or others. This is particularly true when functional training techniques are being performed, in which the weight bars often leave the horizontal orientation. Alternative weight training equipment, designed specifically for functional weight training, is disclosed in International Patent Application Number PCT/CA2007/001503, the contents of which are incorporated herein. This application discloses a resiliently deformable tube that is currently sold by the applicant under the ViPR &lt;®&gt; trade mark. A user may grip the tube by one or more handles and perform many functional weights exercises. The tube is resiliently deformable, which makes it comfortable to use and reduces the chance of injury or property damage should the tube be dropped accidentally. If a user wants to exercise using a heavier or lighter weight, they may use a tube that weighs more or less respectively, provided they have access to the different variations of tube weight. Therefore, in order to provide maximum flexibility, and allow different ability users to use different weight tubes, a gymnasium must purchase and store many different sized tubes. 
         [0005]    The present invention seeks to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved exercise device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention provides, according to a first aspect, an exercise device comprising: a resiliently deformable tube; and a removable weight; wherein the removable weight is removably engaged with an inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube by one or more formations. The formations may be formed on the removable weight or inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. 
         [0007]    Advantageously, the weight of the exercise device according to this aspect of the invention may be adjusted by removing the removable weight. The weight of the exercise device may be adjusted by removing the removable weight from the resiliently deformable tube and replacing it with a heavier or lighter removable weight. The weight of the exercise device may be adjusted by engaging a further removable weight with the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. Advantageously, the exercise device requires no further means to engage with the removable weight. The inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube may engage with and entirely support the removable weight. 
         [0008]    The one or more formations may be a screw thread. The inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube may comprise an internal thread. The outer surface of the removable weight may comprise an external thread. The outer surface of the removable weight may include a projection configured for removable engagement with the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. The inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube may include a groove arranged to receive and engage with a projection from the outer surface of the removable weight. The groove may be a helical groove. The inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube may include a projection for removable engagement with the outer surface of the removable weight. The outer surface of the removable weight may include a groove arranged to receive and engage with a projection from the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. 
         [0009]    The removable weight may be removably engaged with the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube by virtue of a rotational motion. The groove may prevent the removable weight being inserted within and engaged with the resiliently deformable tube more than a limited distance. The groove may be arranged to reduce in diameter such that as the removable weight is rotated into the resiliently deformable tube, a tight fit between the resiliently deformable tube and the removable weight is created. 
         [0010]    The projection may comprise an expander element arranged to bias the projection against the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. The expander element may be a spring. 
         [0011]    The removable weight may be cylindrical. The removable weight may be a hollow cylinder. The removable weight may be tapered, for example, frustroconical, in order to allow easy insertion into the resiliently deformable tube. The removable weight may be tapered such that it may only be inserted a certain distance into the resiliently deformable tube. The removable weight may be entirely housed by the resiliently deformable tube when engaged with the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. A plurality of removable weights may be provided, each of the removable weights having a different mass. The plurality of removable weights may be made of the same material. The plurality of removable weights may be made of different materials. The plurality of removable weights may be configured to engage with the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube in the same way, regardless of the mass of each removable weight. The plurality of removable weights may be colour coded to indicate their mass. The removable weight may include a handle. The handle of the removable weight may be configured to allow a user to engage and or disengage the removable weight with the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. 
         [0012]    There may be a removable weight engaged with the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube at a first end and second end of the resiliently deformable tube. 
         [0013]    The resiliently deformable tube may comprise at least one handle. The handle of the resiliently deformable tube may be an integral part of the resiliently deformable tube. The handle of the resiliently deformable tube may comprise an opening removed from the resiliently deformable tube. The handle may comprise a plurality of openings. The resiliently deformable tube may comprise a substantially tubular outer surface and substantially tubular inner surface. The resiliently deformable tube may be elastomeric. The resilient deformable tube may be a rubber material, for example, neoprene rubber. 
         [0014]    The invention according to a second aspect provides a removable weight for use with an exercise device described above. 
         [0015]    The invention according to a third aspect provides a resiliently deformable tube for use as an exercise device as described above, the resiliently deformable tube including a formation arranged to engage with a removable weight. 
         [0016]    The invention according to a fourth aspect provides a kit of parts comprising a resiliently deformable tube and a weight, wherein the weight is configured to be removably engaged with an inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube by one or more formations. The formations may be on the outer surface of the removable weight or the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. 
         [0017]    The invention according to a fifth aspect provides a method of adjusting the weight of an exercise device, the exercise device comprising a resiliently deformable tube, the method comprising the step of engaging a removable weight with the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube, the removable engagement via one or more formations. The formations may be on the outer surface of the removable weight or the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. 
         [0018]    The invention according to a sixth aspect provides a method of adjusting the weight of an exercise device, the exercise device as described above, the method comprising the step of disengaging the removable weight from the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. 
         [0019]    It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, the method of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the apparatus of the invention and vice versa. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exercise device according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a different side of the exercise device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of a resiliently deformable tube according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the resiliently deformable tube shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a removable weight according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  shows an end view of the removable weight shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  shows an end view of a removable weight according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  shows an end view of a removable weight according to a third embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0029]      FIGS. 9 to 12  show various exercises that may be performed by a user of an exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show an exercise device  10  according to one aspect the invention, comprising a resiliently deformable tube  12  with a longitudinal axis X-X. A plurality of openings  14 ,  16 ,  18 , define a corresponding plurality of handles  14 ′,  16 ′, and  18 ′. The handles  14 ′ and  16 ′ are longitudinally displaced relative to each other, towards the outer ends of the tube  12 , and the orientation of the two handles is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube  12 . They are spaced such that each handle may be comfortably gripped by a person at the same time, thereby allowing a user to perform exercises while holding the exercise device in both hands. The handle  18 ′ is located at the approximate centre of the tube  12  and the orientation of the handle is approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The handle  18 ′ may be comfortably gripped by a single hand of a person, thereby allowing a user to perform exercises while holding the exercise device in a single hand. The tube  12  also includes a pair of openings  20 . The openings  20  may be used to secure a rope or leash to the exercise device  10 , for example to allow the exercise device to be dragged along the ground by a user. A removable weight  26  is shown engaged with the inner surface of the tube  12 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show the inner configuration of the tube  12 . The outer configuration is not shown for ease of viewing. Each of the outer ends of the inside of the tube  12  include a helical groove  22 . The cross-sectional view shown in  FIG. 4  shows that the helical grooves  22  complete a full circle around the inside of the tube  12 . The inside of the tube  12  also includes two stopper elements  24 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a removable weight  26  according to one aspect of the invention. The removable weight  26  comprises a hollow cylindrical body  28 . The diameter of the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical body  28  is approximately the same as the diameter of the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube  12 . The removable weight  26  includes a projection  30  extending from the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical body  28 . The projection  30  is sized and orientated such that it may be received within the groove  22  and rotational motion will cause it to screw into, or out of, the inside of the resiliently deformable tube  12 . The removable weight  26  also includes a handle  32  that extends across the hollow centre of the hollow cylindrical body  28 . The handle  32  may be used to rotate the removable weight, thus screwing the weight into, or out of, the resiliently deformable tube  12 . 
         [0033]    In order to prepare the exercise device for use, a user may take a removable weight  26  by the handle  32  and insert it, with rotational motion, into one of the ends of the resiliently deformable tube  12 . The projection  30  engages with the helical groove  22  and the removable weight is screwed into the resiliently deformable tube  12  until it abuts the stopper element  24 . To balance the weighting of the tube  12 , a user may then take a second removable weight and insert it, with rotational motion, into the opposite end of the resiliently deformable tube  12 . The engagement of the projection  30  and the groove  22  secures the removable weight in place, allowing the user to perform various exercises with the exercise device  10 . In order to improve the engagement between the resiliently deformable tube  12  and the removable weight, the diameter of the hollow cylinder  28  may be very slightly greater than the diameter of the inner section of the resiliently deformable tube. In such an arrangement the resiliently deformable tube may stretch to accommodate the removable weight  26 , such that the whole inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube  12  in contact with the hollow cylinder  28  is biased against the removable weight. 
         [0034]    If a heavier or lighter exercise device is desired, a user may remove the removable weights  26  and replace them with a different set of removable weights, the replacement weights being heavier or lighter as desired. The removable weights may be varied in thickness or material in order to make them heavier or lighter. The removable weights may be classified by weight by varying colour and/or include a numerical indication of their weight. The removable weights  26  may be made of the same resiliently deformable material as the resiliently deformable tube  12 . Alternatively, the removable weights  26  may be substantially rigid. The removable weights may be made of metal. The metal may be covered in a plastic in order to improve how they feel when being handled by a user. 
         [0035]    In an alternative embodiment the projection  30  and groove  22  may be reversed, such that the inner surface of the tube comprises a projection and the outer surface of the removable weight comprises a groove. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows a removable weight  34  according to an alternative aspect of the invention. The configuration of the removable weight is functionally the same as for  FIGS. 5 and 6 , though instead of comprising a hollow cylinder, the removable weight has a bow shaped cross-section  36 . This configuration does not require the provision of a handle as the user may grip the centre section of the bow in order to provide rotational motion for inserting and removing the removable weight. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  shows a removable weight according to an alternative aspect of the invention. The removable weight  38  comprises a hollow cylinder  40  including a number of spring-loaded protrusions  42 . The removable weight  38  also includes means for compressing the spring-loaded protrusions  42  to allow the removable weight to be inserted into a resiliently deformable tube. Once inserted, the spring-loaded protrusions are released and engage with, and are biased against, the inner surface of the resiliently deformable tube. In order to remove the removable weight, the spring-loaded protrusions are recompressed and the weight pulled out of the resiliently deformable tube. In this aspect of the invention, the resiliently deformable tube does not require any inner grooves formed in the inner surface of the tube. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 9 to 12  show a user  100  performing various exercises with an exercise device  10  according to one aspect of the invention, in some cases using the handles  14 ′ and  16 ′, the handle  18 ′, or a leash connected to an opening  20 . 
         [0039]    Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. 
         [0040]    Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.