Abstract:
An exercise device is provided for enabling a user to obtain a full body workout. By attaching the device at selected positions on the hands, feet, arms, legs, or torso, different muscle groups of a user&#39;s body can be isolated for training and strengthening purposes. The exercise device includes two or more pieces of tubing material fitted together in a telescoping manner. Pressurized air within the tubing provides a user with resistance to movement in order to tone and strengthen the muscles. At one end of the telescoping tubing material is a handgrip and at the other end is a strap of a suitable resilient or elastic material that allows a user to securely place a foot or hand in for exercise purposes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to physical fitness and exercise. More specifically, the present invention provides an improved exercise device for enabling a user to obtain a full body workout.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    In recent years, the public has grown increasingly aware of the benefits of certain types of exercises in improving overall health and fitness. It has become popular to engage in exercises that provide a full body workout, where a person performs a set of coordinated movements aimed at utilizing different muscle groups throughout the body simultaneously. Full body workouts are thought to be more efficient and beneficial than those exercises that focus solely on one body part or group.  
           [0005]    An example of a full body workout would be Tae Kwon Do, a form of martial arts in which a person performs movements that stretch and strengthen the muscles in the arms, legs, and upper and lower torso, including the back, buttocks, and abdomen, all at once. Using certain types of specialized equipment of the type available at certain gyms or health clubs and designed to provide resistance to movement can enhance the benefits to a person performing Tae Kwon Do or other full body workouts. However, many persons find it difficult to make time in their busy schedules to visit gyms or health clubs that have these types of specialized equipment.  
           [0006]    As a result, there have been proposed in the prior art various small, portable exercise devices that are convenient for use at home or while away from home and traveling. For example, certain patents disclosed tubular exercise devices that utilized pressurized air to create resistance to a user&#39;s movement. These types of devices had handgrips or handles at each end, so that a user could develop or tone the muscles of the arms and upper torso. These devices were not, as far as is known, adapted or suitable for developing or exercising muscles in the buttocks, legs, or other parts of the body other than the arms and upper torso. These devices also were not suitable for use in exercises to obtain the benefits of full body training and strengthening similar to those obtained through Tae Kwon Do or other forms of martial arts training.  
           [0007]    Certain other patents disclosed tubular exercise devices that utilized oil, springs, or resilient bonds instead of pressurized air to provide resistance to movement. These additional elements were problematic in that they were subject to fluid leaking or breakage. Again, these devices were not, as far as is known, adapted or suitable for allowing a user to exercise a variety of muscle groups all at once by simulating the movements made during Tae Kwon Do or other forms of martial arts training. Other patents allowed a user to simulate the movements made during specific outdoor sports, such as cross-country skiing. These devices, while useful for obtaining a full body workout, were cumbersome and not designed to be portable.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention relates to an improved exercise device for enabling a user to obtain a full body workout. A tubular exercise device is provided that has two or more pieces of tubing material fitted together in a telescoping manner. The device has a handgrip at one end and a strap of some resilient or elastic material at the other end that allows a user to securely place a foot for exercise purposes. The device utilizes pressurized air to create resistance to movement for a user, thereby allowing a user to exercise a variety of muscle groups all at once by simulating the movements made during Tae Kwon Do or other forms of martial arts training.  
           [0009]    The present invention may also include as additional features one or more of the following: a stretchable resistance band connected to the exercise device that expands to provide resistance to a user upon telescoping withdrawing movement of the innermost tubular member from the outermost tubular member; a counting mechanism on the device to tally the number of telescoping inward and outward movements of the tubular members; and a stretchable connecting band for connecting two of the exercise devices together and providing resistance when performing exercises where the devices are pulled apart from one another. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the detailed description set forth below is reviewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a side view, taken partly in cross-section, of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of that portion of FIG.,  1  encircled and having reference numeral “ 2 ” indicate same.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 4, 5 and  6  are isometric views, partially schematic, of the apparatus of the present invention being used for various forms of full body workout. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, an exercise device  10  according to the present invention is composed in the embodiment illustrated of at least two tubular members, including an inner tube  12  and an outer tube  14 . The tubular members are constructed of a material of suitable strength, for example plastic, metal, synthetic resin, or suitable composite fiber. Outer tube  14  has an outer end  16 , an open inner end  11 , and a hollow interior chamber  20  extending within interior of the tubing. Inner tube  12  has an outer end  22 , an inner end  24 , and is of an outer smaller than the inner diameter of outer tube  14 . Thus the inner end  24  of inner tube  12  is fitted into, and can be moved within, outer tube  14  in a telescoping manner.  
         [0016]    A collar  17  is provided on the tube  14  at its outer end  16  to receive the tube  12 . The collar  17  allows sliding movement of the tube  12  within the interior of tube  14 . A raised limit stop rim or shoulder  12   a  is provided to retain the collar  17  on the tube  12 . The collar  17  serves several purposes. The collar  17  serves to receive and restrain the end  22  of tube  12  from easily pulling apart from tube  14 . The collar  17  also serves as an insertion guide when tubes  12  and  14  are being fitted together. Further, the inner diameter of collar  17  and relative clearance between collar  17  and inner tube  12  govern the amount of air pressure or relative vacuum in the interior chamber  20 . The collar  17  by governing the amount of air pressure and relative vacuum governs the amount of resistance exerted in telescoping movement of the device.  
         [0017]    The collar  17  may also be made in adjustable form to adjust the amount of air pressure and relative vacuum to vary the amount of such resistance. For example, the collar  17  may be in the form of a first threaded male part mounted on top of the outer tube  14 , with a second part threadedly attached thereto. The inner tube  12  loosely fits within the collar  17 . A washer of resilient material such as rubber is mounted between the two threadedly connected parts of the collar  17 . The two threaded parts of the collar when moved together expand the washer inwardly, restricting the amount of air flow between tubes  12  and  14 , and also affording resistance to telescoping movement of the tubes  12  and  14  once frictional contact is achieved between the washer and inner tube  12 .  
         [0018]    The length of hollow chamber  20  within tube  14  is defined on one end by closed or sealed outer end  16  of outer tube  14  and on the other end by the inner end  24  of inner tube  12 . Thus, the length of hollow chamber  20  changes as a user moves inner tube  12  telescopically within outer tube  14  during exercise. Hollow chamber  20  holds compressible air that provides resistance to the movement of a user during exercise. The air is drawn in from the surrounding atmosphere during use of the device  10 .  
         [0019]    As shown in FIG. 2, the concealed inner end  24  of inner tube  12  is a hollow tubular opening provided with an end cap  26 . The cap  26  is a generally spool-shaped structure having an inner rim or shoulder  26   a  adjacent the opening  24  of tube  12 , a central shaft  26   b  and an outer rim or shoulder  26   c . The end cap  26  may be attached to the tube  12  by any suitable conventional technique. In one embodiment, the cap  26  has an inward portion (not shown) extending from inner rim  26   a  and fitted into the end  24 . The tube  12  is then fitted onto the inward portion. The end cap  26  and its inner rim  26   a  thus serve to close the inner tube  12  at its concealed inner end  24 . If desired, the central shaft  26   b  can be eccentrically located so that the tubes  12  and  14  can be locked together at a particular extended length by relative rotational movement between them. The end cap  26  is further provided with a gasket or ring  28  mounted around the circumferential extent of outer rim  26   c  to allow reciprocal sliding movement of the inner end  24  of inner tube  12  within the interior  20  of tube  14  adjacent an inner wall  14   a.    
         [0020]    The gasket or ring  28  of cap  26  does not, however, provide a hermetic or airtight seal against escape of air from within interior  20  of tube  14  into the atmosphere. Rather, small amounts of such air are allowed to pass by the ring  28  but at a rate that is less than the volume or amount of compression by the inner tube  12  during its movement inwardly into the outer tube  14 . In this manner, a resistive force is exerted on the air within interior  20  of outer tube  14  as it is being compressed by inward movement of the tube  12 .  
         [0021]    After the completion of an inward stroke of the tube  12  into the tube  14 , a replacement volume of air is drawn past collar  17  into the interior  20  of tube  14  as a user expands or elongates device  10  by pulling inner tube  12  telescopically outwardly from outer tube  14 . The air is drawn into hollow chamber  20  past the gasket or seal  28  on cap  26 . The indrawn air fills the volume of hollow chamber  20  as the volume of the chamber expands while tube  12  moves outwardly. Cap  26  blocks open inner end  18  of outer tube  14  to prevent the drawn-in air from escaping hollow chamber  20  into the interior of tube  12 . On the next compression cycle, as a user contracts device  10  by pushing inner tube  12  telescopically into outer tube  14 , the air contained in hollow chamber  20  is compressed and only small portions escape from chamber  20 , thus providing resistance from device  10  to muscle movement by a user.  
         [0022]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, a stretchable resistance band  30  can be attached to exercise device  10  to provide additional resistance to a user during expansion movement. Resistance band  30  is stretched as a user slides inner tube  12  telescopically out from within outer tube  14 . Resistance band  30  then contracts as a user slides inner tube  12  telescopically into outer tube  14 . In FIG. 3, stretchable band  30  is shown connected to the outside of device  10 ; however, stretchable band  30  can also be located in hollow chamber  20  inside of outer tubing  14 , so that it does not interfere with user during exercising.  
         [0023]    There is a gripping area  32  on at least one of outer ends  16 ,  22  of the tubing material for a user to grasp with his or her hand while using device  10 . FIG. 1 shows gripping area  32  on inner tube  12 , but it can be located on either inner tube  12  or outer tube  14 . Gripping area  32  can consist of the bare outer surface of the tubing. If desired, the tubing surface in the location of gripping area  32  could be modified or adapted to provide a better gripping surface for a user. For example, knurls (not shown) or crenellations (not shown) could be added to an exterior area of the bare surface of the tubing adequate for grip by a user&#39;s hand. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a grip member  34 , such as a cap, cover, sleeve, or other outer covering can also be provided at gripping area  32  to protectively cover the tubing material and to facilitate more comfortable gripping of the exercise device  10  by a user.  
         [0024]    A lower limb connector attachment in the form of a connecting strap  36  is provided on the exercise device  10  at an opposite end from the gripping area  32 . Thus, the opposite one of outer ends  16 ,  22  of the tubular member from gripping area  32 , as shown on outer end  16  in FIG. 1, has the connecting strap  36  mounted with it. The strap  36  may be a unitary band, or a closable loop as shown closed by a buckle  36   a  or other suitable connector or closure structure. Connecting strap  36  is made of a flexible material of suitable strength that allows for firm but gripping attachment to a limb of a user, preferably a lower limb such as the leg, ankle or foot. The flexible material of the strap  36  may be resilient, or elastic, if desired.  
         [0025]    It should be understood that the lower limb connector attachment of the preferred embodiment may take the form of various modifications or supplements to the strap  36 . For example, the strap  36  may be modified by addition of material to take the form of a boot, shoe, or other form of foot covering. The strap  36  alternatively may be replaced by such a detachable boot, shoe or other foot covering. It is preferable, however, that the connector attachment maintain firm but gripping attachment to the lower limb of the user.  
         [0026]    The connecting strap  36  of the connector attachment is typically about one or two inches in width and may be attached to the device  10  by any number of alternative arrangements. For example, the connecting strap  36  may be mounted directly or by a connector (as shown in FIG. 1) extending through an eyelet or port  37   a  of a socket or cap  37  fitted over the end  16  of tube  14 . The cap  37  serves to close or seal end  16  of tube  14 . Alternatively, the connecting strap  36  may be formed as an integral part of the cap  37 , or the strap  36  may be glued to cap  37  or attached by snaps, Velcro straps or a number of other suitable forms of connectors.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 shows connecting strap  36  attached to a foot (shown schematically in phantom at F) of a user. Strap  36  allows for cushioned migration across the foot as a user moves device  10  in various directions while exercising. Connecting strap  36  can be wrapped around a limb and fastened with Velcro, or else it could have a noose that can be tightened and adjusted to provide a secure attachment, so that strap  36  does not slip off of a user&#39;s limb during exercise. The fit of strap  36  should be secure, but not so rigid or tight as to possibly cause pain or injury to a user. It is to be noted that the strap  36  permits users to affix the device to their body at a selected portion of a limb, either an arm or leg, depending on the selected full body workout. The resilience or elasticity of the strap  36  causes the device  10  to remain engaged with the user&#39;s limb. Thus the device  10  is not as likely to slip or become disengaged, as would be the case if an exercise of earlier types with handgrips at each end were used.  
         [0028]    If desired, a conventional counting mechanism  38  could be attached such as on collar  17  to exercise device  10  to sense relative movement of the two tubular members  12  and  14  and count or tally the number of repetitions of telescopic movement of inner tube  12  and outer tube  14 . Counting mechanism  38  could also be used to provide a signal or other indication at the end of a preselected number of repetitions.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 4, 5 and  6  show a user performing a variety of full body workout exercises with device  10 . By grasping gripping area  32  with a hand and securing connecting strap  36  to a foot, users can expand and contract the device  10  by moving the tubes  12  and  14  in and out with respect to each other in while moving their body in a variety of directions. Further, the flexible material of strap  36  allows the strap to yield and conform to the shape of the point of attachment or connection to the user&#39;s body, whether the foot or other body portion of the user. Thus, as the user moves to various body positions (FIGS. 4, 5, and  6 ) during a full body workout with the device  10  of the present invention, the resistive forces of the device are maintained and applied to the user&#39;s body muscles. Exercises can be performed using one device  10 , as shown in FIG. 4, or with multiple devices  10 , as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows a stretchable connecting band  40  attached between two of the devices  10 , to provide resistance when a user pulls the devices  10  apart from one another.  
         [0030]    It can thus be seen that the exercise device  10  permits a user to perform a full body workout according to the present invention. The user may perform movements, working against resistive forces offered by the device  10  to stretch and strengthen muscles in the arms, legs and upper and lower torso at the same time. By connection the device at the user&#39;s hand with handgrip area  32  and to the user&#39;s foot or leg at the connecting strap  36 , various particular portions of the user&#39;s musculature may be selectively chosen and subjected to exercise for a selected number of repetitions or for a chosen length of time.  
         [0031]    It should be noted and understood that there can be improvements and modifications made of the present invention described in detail above without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.