Abstract:
The present disclosure contemplates portable strength-training apparatus, system, and method for conducting strength-training exercises using resistance bands. The apparatus of the present disclosure can serve as an anchor while conducting strength training exercises using resistance bands. The apparatus and system of the present disclosure can allow for safe strength-training exercises at varying resistance levels while allowing exercises at any angle. The apparatus, system, and method of the present disclosure may allow a user to strength train with resistance bands throughout entire body. The apparatus and system of the present disclosure may include a base platform with base attachment mechanisms that can be coupled with resistance bands which are in turn coupled with human interface mechanisms such as grips, wraps, or bars.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/055,751, filed on Sep. 26, 2014. The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/055,751 is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure contemplates an apparatus, system and method for conducting strength training exercises using resistance bands. The present disclosure further contemplates an apparatus, system, and method for conducting strength training exercises where resistance bands may be attached to a portable platform base. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Previous apparatuses and systems used for resistance workouts are complicated and unwieldy. Previous apparatuses and systems are also susceptible to limiting constraints, such as the portability of the device, the limited use of a single participant, and the lack of personalization to individual skill level. Still further, previous anchoring apparatuses and systems lack versatility in their integration into an exercise program. For example, some platforms are designed to only incorporate a user&#39;s body weight, thereby eliminating its potential use for a heavy lifter, while other platforms have bulky parts or bands that can only be incorporate in a limited number of directions and amount in resistance, thereby eliminating its use for effectiveness. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present disclosure contemplates portable strength-training apparatus and system for conducting strength-training exercises using resistance bands. The apparatus of the present disclosure can serve as an anchor while conducting strength training exercises using resistance bands. The apparatus and system of the present disclosure can allow for safe strength-training exercises at varying resistance levels while allowing exercises at any angle. Resistance band strength-training may reduce the risk of injury compared to traditional weight-based strength-training The apparatus and system of the present disclosure may allow a user to strength train with resistance bands throughout entire body. The apparatus and system of the present disclosure can be used in home workouts, at the gym, with personal trainers, for professional athletes, for physical therapy, or in the outdoors. 
         [0005]    The apparatus and system of the present disclosure may allow for more rapid alteration of the level of resistance than prior resistance workout apparatuses or systems. The apparatus and system of the present disclosure may allow resistance to be quickly altered by manipulating the length of a resistance band that is already in use or by adding or removing resistance bands. The apparatus and system of the present disclosure allow the user to use multiple resistance bands during a workout. The platform base of the present disclosure is designed to allow multiple bands to be securely attached to the platform base. The variability of the apparatus and system of the present disclosure—manipulating the length of the resistance bands or using multiple bands—may allow the user to experience a wide range of resistance from just a few pounds of resistance up to hundreds of pounds of resistance. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment the portable strength training apparatus can have a platform base with one or more base attachment mechanisms for attaching resistance bands. The platform base can be portable to allow workouts to be conducted at many locations, such as inside a home, outside in a park, in the office, or at the gym. The platform base can be lightweight so that it can be moved by one person. Base attachment mechanisms on the platform base can allow one or more resistance bands to be attached to the platform base. The one or more resistance band(s) can attach to the base attachment mechanisms on the platform base using a hook or clip or other common coupling mechanism. The resistance bands can also wrap around the base attachment mechanisms or weave through the base attachment mechanisms to shorten the effective length of the resistance band allowing the user to quickly alter the difficulty of the strength training exercise. The base attachment mechanisms on the platform base can extend upward from the top surface of the platform base and be located at various positions throughout the top surface of the platform base or the base attachment mechanisms can be situate in base voids that pass through the platform base. When the base attachment mechanisms extend upward from the top surface of the base platform, one or more securing mechanism can be used to secure resistance bands that are wrapped around or weaved through the base attachment mechanism. The securing mechanism can be elastic bands that squeeze the resistance band and part of the base attachment mechanism together thus ensuring that the resistance band does not unwind or unweave from the base platform during use. 
         [0007]    A person using the platform base can stand on the top surface of the platform base when conducting strength-training exercises or the person can stand off of the platform base if the platform base is fixed to an immobile structural component or secured with weights. Standing on the platform base can allow the user to incorporate resistance bands in multiple strength exercises. The portable strength-training apparatus can have a hinge in the platform base that allows the platform base to fold over on to itself for easier portability. The portable strength-training apparatus can have a handle such as a handle which may allow the user to more easily transport the portable strength-training apparatus. 
         [0008]    The present disclosure further contemplates a portable strength training system that includes a platform base, resistance bands, base attachment mechanisms, human attachment mechanisms, and coupling mechanisms. The resistance bands may have the coupling mechanisms attached to either end with one end coupling with the base attachment mechanisms and one end coupling to the human attachment mechanism. The human attachment mechanism can be hand grips, wrist straps, ankle straps, a waist strap, or a workout bar. The human attachment mechanisms can allow one or more resistance bands to be attached. The workout bar can also be broken down in to two or more components for transporting with the base platform. Again, the portable strength training system of the present disclosure may allow for safe strength training exercises at varying resistance levels while allowing exercises at any angle. The system of the present disclosure may allow the user to incorporate nearly unlimited levels of resistance to multiple strength-training exercises. 
         [0009]    The present disclosure further contemplates a method for strength training that includes the steps of coupling one or more resistance bands to a portable platform base, where the platform base has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of base attachment mechanisms. In the contemplated method the one or more resistance bands are coupled to the platform base at the base attachment mechanisms via a coupling mechanism. The method of strength training further includes standing on top of the platform base and stretching the one or more resistance bands by applying pressure to one or more of a human interface mechanism. The one or more of the human interface mechanisms may be coupled to the one or more resistance bands which are in turn coupled to the platform base at the base attachment mechanisms. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top view of an example portable strength training apparatus with base attachment mechanisms situated in base voids. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an example portable strength training apparatus with base attachment mechanisms situated in base voids where the platform base is folded along the hinge. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a portion of an example portable strength training system with base attachment mechanisms extending upward from the top surface of the platform base. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an example portable strength training system with base attachment mechanisms extending upward from the top surface of the platform base. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an example portable strength training system with base attachment mechanisms extending upward from the top surface of the platform base. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an example method for strength training. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  depict an example portable strength training apparatus  100  having a platform base  101  having a top surface  1011 , a bottom surface  1012 , and a plurality of base attachment mechanisms  103 , wherein one or more of the plurality of base attachment mechanisms  103  may be removably coupled with a resistance band. In  FIG. 1  the base attachment mechanisms  103  are situated within base voids  103  that pass through the platform base  101 . The base attachment mechanisms  103  may be metal, plastic, or another material capable of withstanding the pressure of the resistance bands. The base voids  102  may be placed anywhere throughout the platform base  101  and there may be any number of base voids  102  and corresponding base attachment mechanism  103 . The base voids  102  should be large enough to allow coupling between the resistance band and the base attachment mechanism  103 . The platform base  101  may be made of plastic, metal, or another material that will not bow or shift when pressure is applied through the resistance bands. The platform base  101  and included base voids  102  and base attachment mechanisms  103  may be formed using common injection molding, stamping, vacuum molding, or welding processes. The platform base  101  may have a lower weight to allow a single person to transport the portable strength training apparatus  100 . 
         [0019]    Resistance bands  106  (not shown) may be wrapped around one or more of the plurality of base attachment mechanisms  103  before or after the resistance band  106  is coupled to one of the plurality of base attachment mechanism  103 . The wrapping and weaving of the resistance band  106  shortens the effective length of the resistance band  106 , thus increasing the pressure that must be applied to stretch the resistance band  106 . The base voids  102  may allow the resistance bands  106  to wrap around and weave through base attachment mechanisms  103 . 
         [0020]    The portable strength training apparatus  100  may have a hinge  104 . The hinge  104 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , may allow the platform base  101  to fold over on to itself for easier transportation. The portable strength training apparatus  100  may have a handle  105 , such as hand holds, again for easier transportation. The handle  105  may be rope, plastic, metal, or other material capable of sustaining the weight of the portable strength training apparatus  100  during transportation. The handle  105  may be attached to the platform base during molding process, through welding, using an adhesive, or using another method capable of sustaining the weight of the portable strength training apparatus  100  during transportation. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  depicts a portion of an example portable strength training system  200  with the plurality of base attachment mechanisms  103  extending upward from the top surface  1011  of the platform base  101  when the bottom surface  1012  of the platform base  101  is in contact with the ground. The coupling mechanism  107  allows a resistance band  106  to be removably coupled to one or more of the plurality of base attachment mechanisms  103 . The resistance band  106  may be wrapped around one or more of the plurality of base attachment mechanisms  103  before or after the resistance band  106  is coupled to one of the plurality of base attachment mechanism  103 . One or more securing mechanisms  1031  can be used to secure resistance bands  106  that are wrapped around or weaved through the base attachment mechanism  103 . The securing mechanism  1031  can be elastic band that squeezes the resistance band  106  and part of the base attachment mechanism  103  together to further lock the resistance band  106  during use so the resistance band  106  does not unwind or unweave from the base platform  101  during use. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  depict example portable strength training systems  200  with the plurality of base attachment mechanisms  103  extending upward from the top surface  1011  of the platform base  101  when the bottom surface  1012  of the platform base  101  is in contact with the ground. Again the coupling mechanism  107  allows a resistance band  106  to be removably coupled to one or more of the plurality of base attachment mechanisms  103 . Again, resistance bands  106  may be wrapped around one or more of the plurality of base attachment mechanisms  103  before or after the resistance band  106  is coupled to one of the plurality of base attachment mechanism  103 . The wrapping and weaving of the resistance band  106  shortens the effective length of the resistance band  106 , thus increasing the pressure that must be applied to stretch the resistance band  106 . 
         [0023]    The portable strength training systems  200  includes one or more human interface mechanisms  109 . The human interface mechanism  109  allow the one or more resistance bands  106  to be stretched by applying pressure to the one or more human interface mechanisms  109 . The human interface mechanism can be a hand grip or an ankle strap as shown in  FIG. 4  or a workout bar as shown in  FIG. 5 , or another strap or grip, such as a wrist strap, a waist strap, or foot grip. Any combination of human interface mechanisms  109  can be applied to vary the maneuver and the angle of the maneuver used to stretch the resistance bands  106  in order to strengthen difference muscles and muscle groups. Coupling the resistance bands  106  to base attachment mechanisms  103  at different locations on the base platform  101  can also vary the maneuver and the angle of the maneuver used to stretch the resistance bands  106  in order to strengthen difference muscles and muscle groups. When the human interface mechanism is a workout bar as shown in  FIG. 5 , it may be disassembled into two or more pieces for easier transport, thus further enhancing the portability of portable strength training systems  200  of the present disclosure. The human interface mechanisms  106  can have a rounded or V-shaped area that allows coupling with multiple resistance bands  106  via the coupling mechanisms  107 . The coupling mechanisms  107  may be metal or plastic clips or hooks or another element capable of removably coupling the resistance band  106  to the base attachment mechanisms  103  and the human interface mechanisms  109 . 
         [0024]    The resistance bands  106  may be of varying length, diameter, and elastic material to allow for varying resistance. The resistance bands  106  may include a protective cover made of cloth or another enclosing material that protects the user of the portable strength training system  200  in case the resistance band  106  breaks during use. As shown in  FIG. 5 , multiple resistance bands  106  can be used between the same base attachment mechanisms  103  and human interface mechanism  109  to increase the pressure needed to stretch the resistance bands  106 . The user of the portable strength training system  200  of the present disclosure can apply downward pressure to the base platform  101  with a hand as shown in  FIG. 4  or by standing on the base platform  101  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The base platform  101  can also be rendered immobile by fixing it to secure structure, applying weights to the base platform  101 , by the user applying pressure to the base platform  101  through a body part, or by a spotter applying pressure to the base platform  101  by standing on it or applying pressure through a body part. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  depicts an example of a method for strength training  300  that includes coupling one or more resistance bands to a platform base  301 , standing on the top surface of the platform base  302 , and stretching one or more resistance bands by applying pressure to one or more human interface mechanisms  303 . The method for strength training  300  may use the portable strength training apparatus  100  and portable strength training system  200  described above. 
         [0026]    While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. 
         [0027]    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. 
         [0028]    The foregoing description of specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptation and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. 
         [0029]    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.