Abstract:
An exercise system comprising an adjustable vest/harness comprising a plurality of straps which encompass a user&#39;s torso, shoulders and legs. The straps further comprise adjustable clip snaps which allow the user to easily put on and take off the harness, as well as adjust the size of the harness to their personal comfort, and can be adapted for people of any body type, size, age or handicap. Attached to the straps of the harness are a plurality of loops positioned at various locations on both the front and back for releasably attaching interchangeable resistance bands used in conjunction with various accessories such as handles, curling bars or floor plates. The bands are easily interchangeable and adjustable, depending on the desired resistance, and allow the user to exercise all major muscle systems of the body and subsequently travel with or store the system in minimal space.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application No. 11/180,944 filed on Jul. 13, 2005. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to exercise equipment. More particularly, this invention relates to portable exercise systems utilizing resilient resistance bands for exercising multiple muscle groups.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It has been researched and well documented that personal health is a crucial factor in a person&#39;s day-to-day regime and, within the category of personal health, exercise has been determined to be a critical component. Unfortunately, in today&#39;s modern age, the average individual is working a longer work day/week, traveling more frequently (whether it be employment related or recreational), and finding they have much less time for sports and/or leisure. It is often the case that time dedicated to the important activity of exercising suffers or is omitted all together. Many people, whether they are at home or on the road, find they are too tired to head off to the gym or do not have the initiative to seek out a workout facility. Others complain that purchasing a home gym, workout system, treadmill, exercise bike, etc. is either too expensive, would occupy too much space in their home, or that such a system would be difficult to store or too burdensome to set up.  
         [0004]     Many prior art exercise systems have been developed which attempt to provide a solution to the above problems. One of the most common types is an exercise system utilizing elastic bands or cords to provide the resistance necessary to build and tone various muscle groups. These systems allow the user to exercise at home and provide for lightweight portability, eliminating the need for weights and large home gyms.  
         [0005]     Two such systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,647,827 and 5,813,955 to Gutkowski et al. utilize a belt connected to a harness that the user wears when exercising. A plurality of elastic bands connects the user&#39;s arms and/or legs to the belt for exercising the muscle groups of the arms and legs during walking/running or stationary exercises. These devices are limited in design to only work the muscle groups of the arms and legs and do not provide for increased resistance and quick changeability of the resistance levels as the user strengthens.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,533 to Goldman utilizes a walking vest having a plurality of loops attached thereto through which elastic bands are strung for stretching with the arms, but is also limited to the muscle groups of the arms, and changing resistance bands is time consuming.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,097,376 to Marshman teaches of a body harness for exercising, wherein chords or cables are attached to hand grips and/or shoes worn by the user for exercising the legs and or arms. Unfortunately, the bands are not easily interchangeable and for the user to exercise their legs they must be wearing the specially designed shoes. Furthermore, the limited number of exercises that can be performed by this and the above-mentioned prior art still leaves a vacancy in the field for a portable, easy-to-store exercise system which can be worn by and adjusted to each individual user and which provides for simple interchangeability of resistance bands, support for a wide range of full-body exercises, and a plurality of compatible accessories and which can be utilized in strength training and aerobic exercise, as well as physical therapeutic applications.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a full body exercise device which is lightweight and easy to put on and take off.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise device which provides for the quick exchange of various resistance bands.  
         [0010]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise vest which allows the user to exercise all major muscle groups of the body.  
         [0011]     A further object of the present invention is to provide an exercise vest that is adjustable for all body types.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise vest that is easily packed in a user&#39;s luggage for use while traveling.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise system that is compatible with a plurality of exercise accessories, enhancing the work out of the individual user.  
         [0014]     Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise vest system that is simple and economical to manufacture and can be utilized for both exercise as well as physical therapy applications.  
         [0015]     These and other objectives will be more clearly understood from the detailed description and figures contained herein relating to an exercise system comprising an adjustable vest/harness worn by the user which comprises a plurality of straps that encompass the user&#39;s torso, shoulders and legs. The straps further comprise adjustable clip snaps which allow the user to easily put on and take off the harness as well as adjust the size of the harness to their personal comfort. Attached to the straps are a plurality of hook loops positioned at various locations on both the front and back for releasably attaching interchangeable resistance bands which are used in conjunction with various accessories such as handles, curling bars or floor plates.  
         [0016]     The bands are easily interchangeable for replacing a worn band or for increasing or decreasing the resistance and they releasably clip onto the hook loops in various locations on the harness to allow the user to exercise all major muscle systems of the body and can be quickly released and stored with the harness and accessories in minimal space when the work out is finished.  
         [0017]     Further areas of applicability 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. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a frontal perspective view of the body harness comprising the present invention as worn by an individual;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the body harness comprising the present invention as worn by an individual;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a partial perspective view of the resistance band and hook interface;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3B  is an isolated side view of the hook element of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3C  is an isolated frontal view of the hook element of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one of the various resistance bands of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5A  is an isolated frontal view of the handle element of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5B  is a bottom view of the handle element of  FIG. 5A ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5C  is a side view of the handle element of  FIG. 5A and 5B ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6A  is a partial perspective view of the attachment interface between the resistance band/clip assembly and one of the hook loops of the harness of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6B  is an isolated side view of one of the hook loops of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 6C  is a partial perspective close-up of the front side of the harness straps at the attachment point of the hook loops;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6D  is a partial perspective close-up view of the back side of the harness straps at the attachment point of the hook loops;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7A  is a side view of an ergonomic curling bar accessory utilized in conjunction with the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 7B  is a side view of a straight curling bar comprising another accessory utilized in conjunction with the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective aerial view of a floor plate comprising another accessory utilized in conjunction with the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a perspective side view of an ankle harness on the ankle of a user, comprising a further accessory utilized in conjunction with the present invention; and  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is a perspective isolated view of the ankle harness of  FIG. 8 , comprising a further accessory utilized in conjunction with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0037]     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0038]     With reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout, there is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  an exercise harness  10  comprising the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Harness  10  is constructed of a plurality of straps manufactured from a lightweight polymer such as nylon or polyester, but may be made from any number of high-strength materials known in the art. It can be manufactured in a variety of sizes, but each is fully adjustable to custom fit the individual user. Harness  10  comprises two horizontal and generally-parallel straps  12 ,  14  which wrap around the mid-section of an individual proximal the rib cage and the top of the hips, respectively. Each horizontal strap has a releasable clip snap closure  40  positioned approximately centered in front of the user which allows the strap to be attached or released and further provides an adjustment means for adjusting the length of the straps to contour to the individual&#39;s body dimensions. Additionally, size adjusters  44  are positioned approximately centered on the back of horizontal straps  12 ,  14 , further allowing the user to tailor the vest/harness to their individual dimensions.  
         [0039]     Extending downward from upper horizontal strap  12  to lower horizontal strap  14  are lateral side straps  20 ,  22 . These straps attach to the upper and lower horizontal straps  12 ,  14  and are positioned on the sides of harness  10  proximal the user&#39;s arms. Length adjusters  44  are also located on lateral side straps  20 ,  22  for height adjustment purposes, and both lateral straps  20 ,  22  extend downward along the side of the user beyond the lower horizontal strap  22  and approximately halfway down the thigh of the user, attaching to horizontal leg straps  24 ,  26 , respectively. The leg straps wrap around the user&#39;s legs approximately mid-thigh and further comprise releasable, adjustable-length clip snap closures  40  on the front side for ease of putting on and taking off the harness.  
         [0040]     Attaching to leg straps  24 ,  26  proximal the inner thighs of the user are corresponding groin support straps  28 ,  30 , respectively. These groin support straps cross over the front of the upper legs on the front side of the user, attaching to lower horizontal strap  14  proximal the hip bones. On the back side of the harness, groin support straps  28 ,  30  wrap around and support the user&#39;s right and left buttock, respectively, attaching to lateral side straps  20 ,  22  just below the lower horizontal strap  14 . Groin support straps  28 ,  30  also comprise adjustable length clip snap closures  40  in front and length adjusters  44  in the rear as described above.  
         [0041]     Referring now to the upper portion of harness  10 , shoulder straps  16 ,  18  are attached to upper horizontal strap  12  under the arms of the user, proximal the attachment of lateral side straps  20 ,  22 , respectively. Shoulder straps  16 ,  18  wrap up and over the user&#39;s shoulders front-to-back, forming a loop connected under the user&#39;s arms through which the user inserts their left and right arms, respectively. Front and rear horizontal upper-body straps  32 ,  34  connect the left and right shoulder straps  16 ,  18  proximal the upper. chest in the front and the shoulder blades in the rear. The rear upper-body strap  34  as well as the rear side of shoulder straps  16 ,  18  comprise further length adjusters  44 , and front horizontal upper-body strap  32  comprises an additional adjustable-length clip snap closure  40 . Harness  10  will further embody padding attached to the back side of the straps at various high-pressure areas such as the shoulders, crotch and legs. This will increase the comfort of the harness during use and allow the user to extend the duration of their workout.  
         [0042]     Positioned at various predetermined locations on the straps of harness  10  are hook loops  50 , disclosed later in further detail, stitched into the straps in both vertical and horizontal orientations. These hook loops, manufactured from a high-strength polymer such as plastic or nylon, provide the releasable attachment points of the resistance bands utilized by the user during exercise, and in the preferred embodiment consist of eighteen on the front side of the user and eight on the rear side. These include three on each of leg straps  24 ,  26 , six on lower horizontal strap  14 , six on upper horizontal strap  12  and four on each respective shoulder strap  16 ,  18 . Let it be known that additional or fewer hook loops  50  may be utilized while still remaining within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0043]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3C , as well as  FIG. 4  for reference to individual resistance bands  70 , attachment hooks  60  are shown in detail. The hooks may be manufactured of any suitable lightweight, high-strength material, such as aluminum, but in a preferred embodiment is manufactured from a polymer such as nylon or polyester resin. Each resistance band  70  attaches to two hooks  60  (one hook at each end), wherein each hook  60  comprises a base  64  having an elongated aperture  61  therein through which the end  71  of resistance band  70  is passed through. Hook  60  further comprises parallel side walls  65 ,  66 , with parallel, angled notches  68  cut partially through, which support and receive the resistance band pins  72  at concentric groves  73  located proximal the ends of resistance band pins  72  preventing lateral slide-out of the pin. Each pin  72  is positioned through a cross-passage  75  located in ends  71  of resistance band  70  once the end has been fed through aperture  61  of hook  60 , with end  71  of resistance band  70  positioned between side walls  65 ,  66 .  
         [0044]     A U-shaped clasp portion  62  extends from the base member having a hook-loop receiving channel  67  positioned parallel to pin  72 . On the end of partially-deflectable clasp portion  62  a plurality of detents  63  extend inward toward channel  67 , for preventing accidental release of hook  60  from the various hook loops once it is secured to loop  50  of harness  10 .  
         [0045]     To interchange resistance bands  70 , whether to replace a worn band or if the user desires a different resistance amount, the user simply releases hook  60  from harness  10  and partially extends resistance band  70  further through aperture  61  of hook  60 , thereby releasing pin  72  from notches  68 . The pin can then be slid laterally out of cross-passage  75  of resistance band  70 , at which time end  71  of resistance band  70  can be withdrawn from aperture  61  of hook  60 . Replacement band  70  is installed in the simple reversal of the above outlined steps and can be performed in mere seconds by the user.  
         [0046]     Each resistance band  70  is manufactured to have a predetermined level of resistance created by the bands elastic properties, thickness and width. They are designed to allow the user to twist the bands, increasing the resistance of any given band without having to change it out for a higher resistance band.  
         [0047]     Illustrated in  FIGS. 5A through 5C , a handle accessory  80  is shown. Manufactured from high strength plastic, the handle comprises a cylindrical grip  84  which is grasped by the user. A U-shaped, resistance band attachment loop  82  is attached at distal ends  81  to grip  84  so as to provide a grasping locale for either the right or left hand of the user there between. Centered on the attachment loop is a hook loop  86 , which releasably receives hook  60  attached to the distal end of a resistance band assembly, while the opposite end is attached to one of the various locations on the user&#39;s harness.  
         [0048]     Handle accessory  80  can be used to perform a plurality of exercises utilizing the extensor and reflexor muscles of the arms, shoulders, chest, back and abdomen.  
         [0049]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A through 6D , the details of the attachment of hook loop  50  to the various straps (shown here as  18 ) is illustrated. The hook loops, much like the rest of the preferred embodiment, are manufactured from high-strength plastic such as nylon or polyester. Each loop  50  comprises a cylindrical flattened U-shaped hook-receiving portion  52 , which is positioned centered on generally planar base plate  54 . Base plate  54  is generally square in shape and comprises tapered outer edges  55 ,  57  through which the hook loop is stitched to strap  18 . At the desired position for each hook loop  50 , an elongated aperture  19  is positioned through strap  18 . Orientated either perpendicular or parallel to strap  18  as shown in  FIG. 6A , aperture  19  is large enough to receive hook-receiving portion  52  there through from the back side of the strap.  
         [0050]     A cloth cover pad  21  is then positioned over base plate  54  on the back side of strap  18  and the pad  21  and plate  54  are stitched to strap  18 . The pad provides additional securement of hook loop  50  to strap  18 , while further preventing chafing of the user from the edges of base element  54  during use of the harness. As mentioned, the quantity and positioning of hook loops  50  on harness  10  can vary and are still intended to be within the scope of the present invention, but are shown in the desired locations of the preferred embodiment in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A-7C , additional accessories for the exercise system disclosed herein are shown. Particularly,  FIG. 7A  illustrates an ergonomic curling bar  90  comprising a plurality of hook attachment points  94  positioned at various locations on the distal ends of the bar. Symmetrical curved portions  91  and  93  allow the user to grasp bar  90  and position their hands in alternative orientations to those allowed with a straight bar (as shown in  FIG. 7B ), allowing different muscles to be exercised. In both  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the hook attachment points  94  (for connecting distal hooks  60  of resistance band assemblies to variable positions along the bars), provide different levels of resistance to the user. As shown in  FIG. 7C , a floor plate  100  is shown. Generally of planar-rectangular shape, floor plate  100  has a pair of non-skid step pads  102 ,  104  on which the user stands when they desire to exercise the muscles of the legs (for example during a squat-type exercise). Positioned at the rear of the step pads, a pair of raised, crescent-shaped heel locators  106 ,  108  are located to assist in preventing the user&#39;s feet from moving during use. Located adjacent the heel locators, a plurality of hook attachment points  110  are attached to base floor plate  100  for attaching distal hooks  60  of resistance bands  70 , while the opposite ends are attached to the desired position on the harness.  
         [0052]     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , additional accessories for the exercise system disclosed herein are shown comprising one or more (generally a pair) ankle harnesses  120  to be utilized in conjunction with the exercise apparatus of the present invention. Each ankle harness  120  is of similar manufacture as to harness  10  comprising a plurality of straps which surround the ankle with a plurality of means to attach to resistance bands  70 .  
         [0053]     Specifically, ankle harnesses  120  comprise a foot strap  124  having a fastening means  134  which surrounds the user&#39;s foot about midway between the toe and the heel. The fastening means is preferably hook-and-loop type fasteners, but any number of releasable securing means may be implemented. Heel strap  128  extends from foot strap  124  along the bottom of the foot, cradling the heel and traveling a short distance up the back of the leg and attaching to an upper ankle strap  122  encircling the lower leg. Upper ankle strap  122  is also releasably secured around the user&#39;s leg by similar means  32  as foot strap  124 , allowing for quick securement and removal of ankle harness  120  from the user.  
         [0054]     When secured to a user&#39;s ankle, an upper foot interconnecting strap  126  is located on top of the user&#39;s foot and is attached at one end to the top of foot strap  124  and at a second end to the front of the ankle strap  122 . Furthermore, a pair of inner and outer lateral straps  125 ,  127  attach from the heel strap  128  at a lower end, just below the user&#39;s ankle, and travel up the lateral sides of the user&#39;s ankles attaching at an upper end to upper ankle strap  122 .  
         [0055]     Attached to the upper edge of ankle strap  122 , a plurality of loops  50 , similar in design and function to the loops of the rest of the apparatus, is attached to ankle strap  122  and project upwards, parallel to the user&#39;s leg, for attaching the distal hooks of the resistance bands.  
         [0056]     Ankle harness  120  accessory is designed to allow the user to wear it before, during and after their exercise session within their shoe, without causing discomfort.  
         [0057]     Any number of aerobic, anerobic or physical therapy exercises may be performed utilizing the harness system for exercising, building and toning the various muscular systems of the body including, but not limited to, the trapezium, deltoids, pectoralis, tricepts, bicepts, latissimus dorsi, abdominus, gluteus maximus, sartorius, bicept femoris, rectus femoris and gastrocnemius.  
         [0058]     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.