Abstract:
A wearable exercise device in the form of a backpack has resistant pull cables at both shoulders and at both hips. Handgrips can be connected to the pulls in various ways to provide for varying degrees of resistance. The tension of the pulls is adjustable as is the mass of the backpack as a whole. A weight compartment can hold one or two weights of varying masses. The pulls at the hips can be connected either to handgrips or to the back of specialized shoes. When connected to shoes, the resistance of the pulls simulate running up hill.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application 61/297,903 filed Jan. 25, 2010, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The teachings herein relate to exercise equipment; more specifically exercise equipment worn by the user. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Physical exercise is engaged in for general health and for athletic training as well as for other goals. Some forms of exercise are classified as aerobic, including walking, running, and cycling. Other forms are known as anaerobic including weight lifting and sprinting. While many exercise activities, such as walking, require no special equipment, a modern gym contains a wide variety of both simple and quite complex equipment—most of it being equipment fixed in place. It is desirable to have a relatively simple exercise apparatus that is highly portable and provides specific facilities to enhance both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Apparatus and systems that can be in the form of a wearable, weighted apparatus with included cable pulls solve the problem of a portable multi-mode exercise device. In some versions consistent with these teachings, an apparatus in the form of a backpack can have resistant cable pulls at each shoulder and at each hip. Some aspects can include provisions for adjusting the resistance presented by the various pulls. Some versions can include facilities for attaching a pull to a handgrip. Some versions can include facilities for attaching a pull to a shoe. The worn apparatus can have compartments to accept weights of various masses. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a version of an exercise backpack; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the unit from the inside; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded perspective view of the unit from the side; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view from the back; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view with housing removed showing the tension mechanism; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the base plate with the upper cord guides removed; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  shows the unit with housing removed and upper dual spools and tension knob exploded; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  shows a person using the attachable bar; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  shows a wearer of the unit with the tension cords connected to shoes; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  shows a plan view, and elevation views of the front, back, and left side of a shoe with an integral shoe loop that has a clasp; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the heel area of the shoe of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  shows a wearer exercising with the unit using handles on one upper cord and one lower cord on the left and right sides respectively; 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  shows a wearer exercising with the unit using handles connected to a lower cord on the left and a lower cord on the right while running; 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  shows the unit of  FIG. 1  and an exercise bar in perspective illustrating how the exercise bar might be connected to upper cords. 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of the unit from the top; 
           [0020]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of the unit from the bottom; 
           [0021]      FIG. 17  is an elevation view of the unit from the right side; 
           [0022]      FIG. 18  is an elevation view of the unit from the left side; 
           [0023]      FIG. 19  is an elevation view of the unit from the front; 
           [0024]      FIG. 20  is an elevation view of the unit from the back; 
           [0025]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the unit from the front; 
           [0026]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the unit from the back; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    In conjunction with the included drawings this detailed description is intended to impart an understanding of the teachings herein and not to define their metes and bounds. 
         [0028]    Structure 
         [0029]    The initial embodiment being described is an exercise apparatus in the form of a backpack as seen in  FIG. 1 . As shown in that figure there are tension cord termini at each shoulder and at the right hip. Not seen in  FIG. 1  is a similar structure at the left hip. The unit includes a hard-shell housing  3 , straps  4 , and adjustments for the upper  15   16  and lower  17   18  tension cords respectively. As seen in  FIG. 2 , at each of the four points of tension cord termini there are, in fact, two cords shown. In each case there is a higher tension cord  15   17  and a lighter tension cord  16   18 . Each cord is shown ending in a loop. To use the cords in any given position one, or the other, or both, can be attached to a handle  1  as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0030]    As well as the tension cords, this unit also is weighted. As seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  there is a foam pad  5  that would be against a wearer&#39;s back, for comfort. Behind the readily removable foam pad is a butterfly shaped weight compartment  19 , seen in the exploded view of  FIG. 3 . This version can accommodate up to two weights  6  that are secured in place by locking knobs  20 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view from the back. The major sub units of this version are a hard-shell housing  3 , a base plate  2 , the optional weights  6 , and the straps  4 . The base plate provides a mechanism to adjust the tension cords. Using the right shoulder cord ends  12  for explanation purposes, the higher and lighter tensioned cord ends  15   16  are seen in  FIG. 5 . As mentioned above, there are loops at each of the cord ends. Both cords are led through a cord guide  41  to an upper central tensioning mechanism  33 . The structure is symmetric from left to right. The left and right shoulder cord end termini are ends of the same cord. The upper higher tension and lighter tension cords  15   16  go around dual spools  31  seen in  FIG. 7 . When the tension knob  32  is pressed in to become engaged, it provides for turning of the spools, thus increasing or decreasing the tension and resistance provided by the pair of cords.  FIG. 6  shows the base plate  3  with the upper cord guides  41  removed. 
         [0032]    The structure of the cords emanating from the housing  3  at the left and right hips and their tensioning mechanism is symmetric with that of the upper system described immediately above. 
         [0033]    Kit 
         [0034]    The Body Gym Backpack  50  described can be the foundation of a more complex exercise system.  FIG. 8  shows an exercise bar  44  attached to the left and right shoulder cord loop ends  11   12 . Rather than pull the left and right cords separately this allows them to be pulled together and would constrain the arm movements. In  FIG. 9 , a wearer is shown with the lower tension cords  17 ,  18  connected to the back of the heel of shoes  42  configured for this purpose. In  FIG. 10 , a shoe  42  is shown with a shoe loop  43  with a clasp  45  that opens and closes.  FIG. 11  shows an enlarged view of the shoe loop  43  and clasp  45 . 
         [0035]    Variations 
         [0036]    One set of variations of the above-described unit is to use only a single tension cord in some or all of the four portions. Another would be to locate access to the weight compartment differently, through the back, top, bottom or side, for example. If a device was desired primarily for use connected to shoes, a unit might only have the left and right two hip cord ends and therefore the base and housing might not be a full backpack configuration. 
       Alternate Embodiment 
     Constant Force Spring 
       [0037]    Rather than using an elastomeric “bungee cord” spring resistance, embodiments might use a constant force spring. Such a version would use cords that are not substantially stretchable and would add a constant torque spring into the spool mechanism. The force of resistance could be changed by using alternate springs or by varying the effective diameter of the spool. 
         [0038]    Operation 
         [0039]    The body gym embodiment described above is a flexible device that can be used in many ways. A user can chose an amount of weight to add into the weight compartment  19  and can set the upper and lower tension to a desired degree of resistance. An additional flexibility is provided by having a pair of cord ends at each position. By connecting the load (either a handle  1 , a bar  44 , or a shoe  42 ) to one or the other or both end loops a great range of resistance is selectable by a user. Typical ranges of resistance might be 5 to 25 lbs for women and up to 40 lbs for men. 
         [0040]    As seen in  FIG. 12  a user might remain stationary while pulling up a cord  15  from his left shoulder and pulling down a cord  18  from his hip. In  FIG. 9  a women is seen running with the right and left hip cords  17   18  attached to a specialized shoe  42  with a molded in hook, referred to as a shoe loop  43 . Another use is seem in  FIG. 8  In that use the bar  44  is attached to upper cords  15   16  at the users right and left and the bar is raised and lowered. In  FIG. 13  a women is shown running while alternately pulling on the right  18  and left  17  hip position cords. 
         [0041]    Other uses might include doing jumping jacks with the handles  1  on the upper tension cords  15   16  and the hip cords  17   18  connected to the specialized shoes  42 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 14  shows the unit of  FIG. 1  and an exercise bar in perspective illustrating how the exercise bar might be connected to upper cords.  FIG. 15  is a plan view of the unit from the top.  FIG. 16  is a plan view of the unit from the bottom.  FIG. 17  is an elevation view of the unit from the right side.  FIG. 18  is an elevation view of the unit from the left side.  FIG. 19  is an elevation view of the unit from the front.  FIG. 20  is an elevation view of the unit from the back.  FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the unit from the front, and  FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the unit from the back. 
         [0043]    Those skilled in the art will be aware of materials, techniques and equipment suitable to produce the example embodiments presented as well as variations on the those examples. This teaching is presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments and versions help to explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand it. Various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular application contemplated are expected. 
         [0044]    As used herein the terms “cable” and “cord” are used substantially interchangeably. 
         [0045]    In the following claims, the words “a” and “an” should be taken to mean “at least one” in all cases, even if the wording “at least one” appears in one or more claims explicitly. The scope of the invention is set out in the claims below.