Abstract:
A portable exercise device includes an elongated base sheet and at least one attachment mechanism secured to the elongated base sheet at preselected locations on one side of said base sheet. The at least one attachment mechanism has at least one apparatus to receive an appendage of a user of the device and to provide a mechanism by which to secure a variety of exercise accessories to the base sheet. A retention mechanism for selectively removably connecting the device to a door sufficiently secures the device to the door that it will permit vigorous repeated use of the device without causing the device to inadvertently separate from the door during use and will also permit rapid, facile removal of the device from the door.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application relies upon and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/343,398, filed Apr. 28, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to portable exercise devices, and, more particularly, to a light-weight, multifunctional exercise device designed to be secured to a door for use as a basis for an exercise system, and which is formed of suitable material for airline travel and which is readily compactable to a size easily transported in a carry-on suitcase. 
     2. Related Art 
     Some previous portable exercise devices have been limited in the variety and number of exercises that can be performed with a particular device. Others are limited by the age or physical condition of a potential user of the apparatus. In some cases a light-weight exercise device may nor be sufficiently strong and durable to withstand repeated use by a large or very fit person. Many other known exercise devices are completely unusable by a person who is very young, very old, frail or impeded by any of a number of physical disabilities. 
     Known exercise devices that are suited for a wide variety of individuals of varying size, fitness and strength generally are stationary and/or very expensive. In some cases, known exercise devices are too complicated or intimidating for many individuals to feel comfortable with even trying to use, much less using regularly. Many such devices also require the use of electricity to function. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The new exercise device described herein is the first known portable exercise device that is capable of permitting substantially any user to do a large number and wide variety of exercises, while still being very light-weight and highly portable, and while being made of a size and materials that permit it to be passed through airport security and readily carried in conventionally sized carry-on luggage. 
     The new exercise device requires almost no assembly and is simple and fast to install for use on a conventional door, such as may be found in any residence, hotel or business; so it can be used virtually anywhere. The present device also permits: a) facile removal from a site of use and b) folding or rolling it into a very compact, light-weight unit for portability to an office or hotel room, for example. Further, the new device can be used in a home and left in place, if desired, for further use, while at the same time being very unobtrusive in size and appearance. In fact, the present device is substantially hidden from view from outside the room where it is set up for use. 
     Accordingly, there has been a long-felt need in the industry for an economically manufactured, light-weight, portable exercise device having the capability of being facilely mounted in a variety of settings. The new device has a very acceptable cosmetic appearance, while still providing the user with the capability of doing a wide variety of highly effective exercises and is highly durable in performance. 
     A wide variety of applications and features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is, briefly, a portable exercise device, which includes an elongated base sheet and at least one attachment mechanism secured to the elongated base sheet at preselected locations on one side of said base sheet. The at least one attachment mechanism has at least one apparatus to receive an appendage of a user of the device and to provide a mechanism by which to secure a variety of exercise accessories to the base sheet. A retention mechanism for selectively removably connecting the device to a door sufficiently secures the device to the door that it will permit vigorous repeated use of the device without causing the device to inadvertently separate from the door during use and will also permit rapid, facile removal of the device from the door. 
     The present invention is also briefly, a portable exercise system including the portable exercise device described above in combination with at least one exercise accessory connectable to the portable exercise device by securing the at least one exercise accessory to that at least one attachment mechanism having at least one apparatus to receive an appendage of a user of the device and to provide a mechanism by which to secure a variety of exercise accessories to said base sheet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one useful embodiment of the device, hung open and secured upon a conventional door, with the user side facing outwardly and showing an example of an optional attachment for use with the new device as an exercise system. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1  mounted for use on a door. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the device of  FIG. 1 , partially rolled up. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic front elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1  entirely rolled up for storage or transport and illustrating the carrying strap. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the lower end of the device of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the mechanism for securing the new portable exercise device to a door. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a person using the new exercise system including the new portable exercise device of  FIG. 1  removably attached to a door. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the attached illustrations, an exercise device, generally designated  10 , and useful variations thereof, are described further hereafter. The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended  10  limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates portable exercise device  10  in normal use position, removably mounted on a conventional door, the door being closed. Device  10  has an elongated base portion  12  preferably having at each of its two ends a position-retention mechanism  14   a ,  14   b  and strapping  20  which functions to provide multiple places for grasping the device or for selectively attaching accessories to device  10  in order to form an assembly or exercise system. A preferred placement in an X position for strapping  20  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 . These figures illustrate just one useful configuration of the strapping  20  secured to the elongated fabric base  12  of device  10 , although other useful positions can be conceived. Device  10  would certainly be useful with only one section of strapping  20  attached as described, but it is preferred to have at least two sections, as shown.  FIG. 1  also shows optional spaces formed beneath strapping  20  and the base sheet  12  thereunder, between areas  23  of strapping which are fixed to the elongated fabric. The preferred method of securely attaching strapping  20  to base sheet  12  at areas  23  is by stitching, but conceivably acceptable securement can be accomplished by other methods, such as by gluing or fixing spaced-apart portions of the strapping to the fabric, as by use of brads or other suitable attachment mechanisms. Stitching is preferred due to the strength that can be provided while being economical, versatile, and not adding significant weight to the finished device  10 . Alternatively, although not preferred, sewn-on loops of strapping  20  or other suitable material can be provided, instead of spaces  21 . The spaces, indicated for example at  21  in  FIG. 1  provide numerous convenient places to serve as a hand-hold (or even a foot-hold) or location to secure other exercise equipment or attachments which facilitate particular exercises. Of course useful combinations of loops and Open, unstitched strap spaces  21  can be conceived and are considered to be part of the present invention. 
     The sheet which forms the elongated base  12  or support portion of device  10  is preferably formed of a strong webbed or woven material, such as a sturdy nylon sheeting or Goretex® fabric. Other pliable sheet-like material may also be acceptable if it is sufficiently strong to withstand the forces applied to it during use without tearing or stretching. Although the useful dimensions of device  10  can vary to some extent, for optimal use the width is preferably approximately 22 inches and the overall length of base sheet  12  is preferably about 92 inches. Portable exercise device  10  has an overall length and width suitable for removably mounting on a standard residential door. Of course, if required, device  10  can be provided in other sizes; for example, to fit an extra high door in an office building or historical home, or a smaller device can be sized to fit on a closet door. It is preferred, however, for transport purposes, that base  12  not be significantly wider than 22 inches, so as to fit readily into a standard carry-on suitcase. Wider versions of course can still be readily portable and acceptably functional although less convenient to pack. Moreover, a convenient carrying strap  28  is secured at the uppermost end (in use) of device  10  and has at least one and preferably two enlarged areas; i.e. integral bumpers  30  to permit use of strap  28  as an extension to secure device  10  at the top of an unusually tall door. Bumpers  30  are sufficiently large to not be capable of being pulled through a normal above-door crack, but nor so large as to be burdensome or unsightly, ideally, strap  28  is about 32 inches long, although a strap somewhat shorter or longer could still be acceptably useful. 
     In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a substantially tubular, transverse sleeve  14   a ,  14   b  is securely formed, as by rolling and stitching the fabric, for example at each of the opposed ends of the elongated base  12 . Sleeves  14   a ,  14   b  are formed with a large enough diameter so that when there is placed within each sleeve a tube, pole or other material to hold the sleeve  14   a ,  14   b  in an expanded state, the upper and lower ends of device  10  can be placed, one each, respectively, on the top and bottom of the door, both on the same side of the door such that when the door is closed the user face of the device is disposed away from the door, on the opposite side from the expanded, sleeved ends of device  10 . In this manner, when door D is closed it effectively locks the device in position for use and essentially no amount of pulling on the straps or other equipment attached to the device straps will cause the device to pull away from the closed door. It is advisable to lock the door prior to use of device  10 , or the new system, to prevent accidental opening by another person or even by failure of the door latch. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates further the manner in which device  10  is disposed upon one side of a door D and removably but reliably retained in position on the door for use. As previously described, at each end of the elongated base  12  is a preferably, although not necessarily, transverse tubular sleeve  14 , shown in cross section in the figure. Within each sleeve  14  is a securing element, such as a plastic pipe length(s), indicated at  16 , or a solid rod, as indicated at  18 , as an alternative. By positioning the at least partly filled sleeves  14   a ,  14   b  both on the same side of the door, one each at the top and bottom of the door, and then closing the door, device  10  is snuggly and securely, although selectively removably positioned on the door for use. The user is positioned, necessarily, on the side of the door opposite the sleeves  14 . Once filled as described, sleeves  14  are sufficiently large in diameter that they cannot be pulled through the space between the top of the door and the upper door frame  26 , or through the space between the bottom of the door and the floor F, assuming a conventional distance between the door bottom and the surface of the floor. While device  10  is useful when mounted on either side of a door, it should be understood that the preferred side of the door for mounting is with sheet  12  on the side of the door which faces the trim on the inside of the door frame; i.e. with sleeves  14   a ,  14   b  on the inside of the door. When mounted in this manner the door frame trim acts as further insurance against sleeves  14   a ,  14   h  being able to slip through any space between the top or bottom of the door and the corresponding floor F or upper door frame  26 , and the trim prevents the door from opening. 
     The door mounting options for exercise device  10  can include, but are not necessarily limited to, securing a length of foam core, plastic tubing, a wooden stick or other suitable object(s) within a sleeve formed at each end of the elongated sheet, transversely to the length of the device. The object within a sleeve  14   a ,  14   b  must necessarily be large enough to fit readily into the sleeve, while at the same time being large enough to prevent the filled sleeve from being pulled through the space above or below the door during the intended use of device  10  for exercise.  FIG. 5  further illustrates the preferred construction of the retention mechanisms at each end of device  10 . This end view illustrates a short piece (preferably about three inches in length) of hollow rube or pipe  16  which is formed of a lightweight but strong material and is preferably substantially rigid and not more than slightly flexible. A material such as commonly used pvc tubing is ideal, but not necessarily required. Two pieces of rube  16  are used at each end of base sheet  12 , with one being positioned coaxially inside each end of a length of foam tubing  36 . Foam tubing  36  cushions the retaining mechanism at each end of base sheet  12  and increases the diameter thereof as well. While the size and length of foam tubing  36  may vary, it is preferably approximately as long as the width of base  12  (about 22 inches in the preferred embodiment) and is formed with an interior diameter of about ¾ inch, or approximately the same interior diameter as the exterior diameter of the length of pvc pipe (or rod) at each side of base sheet  12 . A wall thickness of about 6/16 of one inch is an example of a useful size suitable for the length of foam tubing  36 . Sleeve  14   a ,  14   b  (either one) is also shown in the end view of  FIG. 5 . Each sleeve is formed, preferably at least one at each end of base  12 , by folding or rolling over the ends of base sheet  12  toward the back surface of base  12  and stitching or otherwise securing the previously free edge transversely to the length of base  12 . It is preferred that two parallel such sleeves  14  are formed adjacent to each other across at least one of the upper and lower ends of device  10 , so as to provide an option as to how long device  10  will be when disposed in the use position on a door. Thus, because there is some variation in door lengths, an extra sleeve, which is preferably provided at the top of device  10  provides the device with a bit more range of use. The extra sleeve, nor in use in  FIG. 1 , is indicated by the broken line across device  10 , just below the upper door frame  26 . If desired, at least one additional sleeve  14  can be provided at either or both ends of sheet  12 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , on the user facing side of device  10 , there are indicated a plurality of portions  22  of strapping  20 , which can be raised sufficiently away from base  12  for use as a hand-hold. These raised lengths may instead be sewn-in loops (not shown) or other alternatively formed, but suitably strong securement areas or attachment mechanisms by which the user may either grasp the device by hand, or even by foot, depending upon the exercise. Additionally, the attachment mechanisms  22  of strapping  20  on the user-facing surface of device  10  are conveniently used for attachment to or insertion therethrough of, for example: 1) a carabiner for further assistance in attaching a longer gripping strap, for example, 2) other known types of exercise equipment such as conventional exercise rubber tubing  32  of selectable varying strength, or 3) even strips of rubber sheeting as are commonly used, for example in yoga exercises. Various types of physical therapy devices, such as a hoot, wrist support or neck support, for example, can also be used with device  10 , alone or in combination with accessories such as those listed above, merely as examples, as part of the new exercise system, by connecting such accessories or equipment to the device at an optimal location for the particular exercise or physical therapy to be performed. 
     It should now be apparent that new exercise device  10  is highly adaptable for a wide variety of exercises and for users of virtually any physical type and condition. Multiple known exercises that can be readily managed by use of device  10 . To assist the user it is preferred that the user face of base  12  be provided with numerous schematic or other applied figures, such as indicated at  34  on  FIG. 1 , illustrating the exercise to be performed, for example by attaching a length of rubber rubing  32  or other accessory at a given location on the base  12 . These exercises are merely examples and are not intended to limit the uses to which device  10  can be applied. 
     Once positioned where desired for use, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , portable exercise device  10  can be left in place on the selected door, or quickly removed and rolled or folded up into a compact, light-weight bundle for storage or travel, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . It is further apparent that device  10 , being formed preferably substantially entirely of pliable non-metallic material can readily be folded or rolled up rightly into a compact bundle for carrying or packing into a carry-on suitcase, duffel bag, hack pack or other package. The size when folded or rolled for carrying fits easily into a standard carry-on bag for air travel. Further, if device  10  is to be shipped in a container somewhat smaller than a standard carry-on bag, there is sufficient flexibility provided in the rolled-up position, due to the preferred materials and construction, to permit facile bending of the rolled device to fit the smaller container. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a preferred construction with hook and loop fastener strips  21  connected at the upper end of base  12 , preferably adjacent to or directly attached to the upper ends of strapping  20  such that when device  10  is compactly rolled up, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the hook and loop fastener strips  21  can be wrapped around the sides of rolled base  12  and secured. In an alternative conformation (not shown), an optional carrying strap is attached to one side of device  10  and positioned so that when base portion  12  is rolled up the carrying strap can be wrapped around the roll and secured, preferably by strips of known hook and loop fasteners. Of course other tying mechanisms or attachments will be apparent that are also suitable to keep the roll in carrying form, but the first-described construction just above is preferred.  FIG. 4  also illustrates that when device  10  is rolled or folded up for carrying there is ample space on the outward facing fabric of the device to accommodate text or illustrations, such as a brand name. 
     While a heavy duty nylon, or other tough synthetic fabric is preferred for use as the base sheet  12 , other fabric materials may exist or are yet to be developed, that will certainly suffice for use in device  10 , presuming that such other materials are relatively light weight to carry, as compared, for example to a heavier fabric, such a cotton “duck”, and also presuming that the fabric is sturdy enough to resist tearing under the forces applied by the user during a vigorous work out using the strap handle members  20  of device  10  to support a portion of the user&#39;s body weight as well as the force of pulling against the strap during certain exercises. Of course device  10  can be manufactured from a base fabric and strap material in any number of sizes, colors and designs, as may suit an individual user, although the preferred dimensions are provided above. 
     It should be apparent that portable exercise device  10  is a lightweight, handy and convenient exercise device which can be available to many users as being economical and suitable for persons of virtually any size, shape or condition. Moreover, device  10  provides the basis of a new exercise system that is highly adaptable to essentially any person wishing to make use of it. The variety of exercises that can be, performed using device  10  alone and/or in combination with other simple equipment is substantially limitless. Some of the exercises that can be readily performed with this system, and, if desired, accomplished in a very short amount of time, include (but are not limited to) known exercises referred to as: crunches, torso twists, cable side bends, woodchopping, rowing, incline chest presses, chest flys, lateral pull-downs, shoulder presses, overhead tricep extensions, bicep curls, tricep extensions, forearm curls, arm circles, back extensions, shoulder presses, rear deltoid flys, calf presses, squats, hip abduction, and walking with resistance. This is just a limited sampling of many exercises that can be readily and properly performed with device  10 . A completely inexperienced individual as well as an expert physical trainer can, if desired, even get a thorough work-out in even a very short time period, such as one minute, and can selectively exercise effectively nearly every major muscle group in the body. Portable exercise device  10  can be provided for sale as a convenient package with suitable instructions for many of the exercises that can be performed with the device. Alternatively, or in addition, the consumer can be provided, for example, with a website or other sources for training on various exercises to be performed using the new device and system. 
     As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.