Abstract:
A device for exercising and the associated method of using the device to exercise. The exercise device has a first handheld element on which is located a first surface. A second handheld element is also provided. A second opposing surface is located on the second handheld element. The first surface on the first handheld element can be aligned with the second opposing surface on the second handheld element when both the first handheld element and the second handheld element are positioned in a predetermined orientation. A biasing mechanism is provided between the first handheld element and the second handheld element. The biasing mechanism applies a force that opposes the positioning of the first handheld element and the second handheld element into the predetermined orientation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to exercise devices and methods of using exercise devices to perform exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to exercise devices and methods that utilize specially configured exercise bars or similar structures.  
           [0003]    2. Prior Art Statement  
           [0004]    The prior art of exercise equipment contains many different types of exercise bars and similar structures. Exercise bars seem to serve three different purposes. The first type of exercise bar is used to support weights so that a person can readily lift the weights. As such, the exercise bar does little more than act as the bar to a barbell. Such prior art exercise bars are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,588,102 to Gifford, entitled Exercise Bar.  
           [0005]    A second type of exercise bar is a bar that is used to help a person stretch their body. Such exercise bars do not support added weight, but merely help a person retain both their balance and form as they stretch. Such prior art exercise bars are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,847 to Ross, entitled Foldable Exercise Bar and U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,650 to Wedge, entitled Exercise Bar.  
           [0006]    A third type of exercise bar is a bar that actively provides resistance to movement. With such exercise bars, the exercise bar must be deformed from a set configuration. The deformation of the exercise bar provides the resistance for the exercise being performed. Such prior art exercise bars are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,284 to Wesley, entitled Flexible Barbell Exercise Apparatus and U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,043 to Nolan, entitled Exercise Device.  
           [0007]    The present invention provides an exercise bar of a type not previously used in the art. The present invention exercise device provides an exercise bar that is unstable when oriented as a bar. Exercise is achieved by a person trying to maintain the exercise bar in its unstable configuration. This utility and method are described and claimed below.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention is a device for exercising and the associated method of using the device to exercise. The exercise device has a first handheld element on which is located a first contact surface. A second handheld element is also provided. A second contact surface is located on the second handheld element. The first contact surface on the first handheld element can be aligned with the second contact surface on the second handheld element when both the first handheld element and the second handheld element are positioned in a predetermined orientation.  
           [0009]    A biasing mechanism is provided between the first handheld element and the second handheld element. The biasing mechanism applies a force that opposes the positioning of the first handheld element and the second handheld element into the predetermined orientation. Exercise is achieved when the first handheld element and the second handheld element are manually manipulated into the predetermined orientation against the opposing bias of the bias mechanism.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a front view of an exercise device in accordance with the present invention being held by a person;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the embodiment of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a fragmented and selectively cross-sectioned view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exercise device;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a fragmented and selectively cross-sectioned view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exercise device; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention exercise device.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention exercise device  10  is shown. The exercise device  10  includes two separate handheld elements  12 ,  14 . Each of the handheld elements  12 ,  14  has a longitudinal axis  16 ,  18 , wherein each of the handheld elements  12 ,  14  are symmetrically formed about its longitudinal axis. Disposed between the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  is an alignment mechanism  20 . As will be later explained, the alignment mechanism  20  provides an indication of when the longitudinal axes of the two handheld elements are linearly aligned. Also disposed between the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  is a biasing mechanism  22  that acts to oppose the linear alignment of the two handheld elements  12 ,  14 . As such, to align the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  of the device  10 , the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  must be manipulated against the force of the biasing mechanism  22 . It is this controlled manipulation of force that tones muscle and provides exercise.  
         [0017]    Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that each handheld element  12 ,  14  of the device  10  is a weighted structure that weighs between two pounds and twenty-five pounds. Each handheld element  12 ,  14  is symmetrically formed along is linear central axis,  16 ,  18 . In the shown embodiment, each handheld element  12 ,  14  has a slight barbell configuration, wherein each handheld element  12 ,  14  is held in a narrow central handle region  24 . However, such a configuration is merely exemplary and other shapes can be used, as will later be illustrated.  
         [0018]    In the shown embodiment of FIG. 2, the alignment mechanism  20  used is mechanical and includes a peg and hole configuration. An externally stepped male protrusion  26  extends from one end of one of the handheld elements  12 . An internally stepped annular female relief  28  is formed in one end of the other handheld element  14 . When the male protrusion  26  from the first handheld element  12  is squarely inserted into the female relief  28  of the second handheld element  14 , the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  are linearly aligned. However, if one or the other handheld element  12 ,  14  is tilted, the male protrusion  26  will touch the side of the female relief  28  in a manner that is easily seen and felt.  
         [0019]    In the shown embodiment, the surfaces of both the male protrusion  26  and the female relief  28  can be magnetized with repelling polarities. In this manner, the magnetic repulsion between the male protrusion  26  and the female relief  28  provides a biasing force that opposes the flush interconnection of the male protrusion  26  within the female relief  28 .  
         [0020]    Since both handheld elements  12 ,  14  of the device  10  are weighted, it takes strength to hold the two handheld elements in linear alignment with outstretched arms. The effort to hold the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  in alignment is complicated by both the presence of the biasing mechanism  22  and the magnetic repulsion between the male protrusion  26  and the female relief  28 .  
         [0021]    The biasing mechanism  22  in the shown embodiment is an elastic cord  30 . The elastic cord  30  is attached to the far ends of the handheld elements  12 ,  14 , opposite the ends that are to be aligned. The length of the elastic cord  30  is shorter than the combined length of the two handheld elements  12 ,  14 . Accordingly, when the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  are linearly aligned end-to-end, the elastic cord  30  becomes stretched. The stretched elastic cord  30  extends down one side of the linearly aligned handheld elements  12 ,  14 . As such, the elastic cord  30  applies a bending torque to the far ends of the handheld elements  12 ,  14  that acts to pull the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  out of linear alignment. The amount of bending torque is dependent upon the length of the elastic cord  30  and the spring constant rating of the elastic cord  30 .  
         [0022]    The purpose of the elastic cord is to apply a tension force to the far ends of the two handheld elements  12 ,  14 . As such, it should be understood that the illustrated elastic cord  30  can be replaced with a long metal spring or an elastic band. Both elements would work in the same manner as the described elastic cord  30 .  
         [0023]    To exercise with the present invention device  10 , each handheld element  12 ,  14  is grasped by a hand of a user. With outstretched arms, a user then attempts to linearly align the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  of the device  10  and maintain that linear alignment for a predetermined period of time. Proper linear alignment can be ascertained by the use of the alignment mechanism  20  between the two handheld elements  12 ,  14 . Resistance to the linear alignment is provided by the weight of the two handheld elements  12 ,  14 , the magnetic repulsion between the male protrusion  26  and the female relief, and the biasing mechanism  22  that all acts to bias the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  away from a linear orientation. The effort of a user to hold the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  in a linear orientation requires the use of several muscle groups in the arms and chest. Furthermore, the exercise requires extreme mental focus and muscle control. The result is an exercise that helps develop muscles in the arms and chest and also helps a person&#39;s ability to concentrate and develop controlled muscle coordination.  
         [0024]    As has been previously stated, exercise is performed when a person attempts to hold the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  in a linear orientation for a predetermined period of time. To assist in this endeavor, an optional timer  29  may be placed on one or both of the handheld elements. The timer is positioned and sized so that it can be viewed by a person holding the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  at an arm&#39;s length. The timer  29  displays the passage of time and can be preprogrammed with different time periods for different types of exercises.  
         [0025]    In FIG. 2, a peg and hole configuration was used as a mechanical alignment mechanism  20  to enable a person to determine when the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  of the device  10  are held in linear alignment. Such an alignment mechanism is merely exemplary and many other mechanisms can be used for the same purpose. For example, both ends of the handheld elements  12 ,  14  can be formed with flat ends. Linear alignment between the two handheld elements  12 ,  14  can be obtained when the two flat ends are held flush against each other.  
         [0026]    Referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the present invention exercise device  50  is shown. In this embodiment, a light source  52  is provided in one handheld element  54  of the exercise device  50 . The light source  52  transmits a beam of light out of the end of the handheld element  54 . The beam of light can be in the infrared or visible light spectrums. Optical elements  56  may be provided in front of the light source  52  to focus or collimate the beam of light. The second handheld element  58  contains an optical detector  60  that detects the beam of light emitted by the light source  52 . The optical detector  60  only detects the beam of light when the beam of light is linearly aligned with the optical detector  60 . Accordingly, in order for the optical detector  60  to detect the beam of light, the two handheld elements  54 ,  58  of the exercise device  50  must be linearly and concentrically aligned.  
         [0027]    The optical detector  60  can be coupled to either an audio or visual indicator  62 . When the two handheld elements  54 ,  58  of the exercise device  50  are aligned and the optical detector  60  detects the beam of light, the indicator  62  is activated. By either hearing and/or observing the indicator  62 , a person can determine whether or not the two handheld elements  54 ,  56  of the exercise device  50  are aligned.  
         [0028]    It will therefore be understood that many different alignment mechanisms can be adapted for use with the present invention. In each usable alignment mechanism, there is some mechanism that can provide a visual and/or audible indication of linear alignment. Such mechanisms can include mating mechanical devices, such as in FIG. 1, and optical devices, such as are shown in FIG. 3. Other alignment mechanisms can include reed switches and magnets, electrical couplings, contact switches and the like.  
         [0029]    Furthermore, in FIG. 1, an elastic cord is used as the biasing element. Such a selection is merely exemplary and it should be understood that other devices can be used. Referring to FIG. 4, one such alternate device  70  is shown. In this embodiment, both handheld elements  72 ,  74  of the exercise device  70  are provided with flat magnets  76 ,  78 . The flat magnets  76 ,  78  are oriented with common poles facing outward. As such, when the ends of the two handheld elements  72 ,  74  are brought together, the common pole of the two sets of magnets  76 ,  78  are brought into close proximity. Since both sets of the magnets  76 ,  78  are of the same pole, the magnets  76 ,  78  repel reach other. The repelling force of the magnets  76 ,  78  biases the two handheld elements  72 ,  74  of the device  70  out of linear alignment. Accordingly, to align the two handheld elements  72 ,  74  of the device  70 , the two handheld elements  72 ,  74  of the device  70  must be pushed together against the repulsive force of the magnets  76 ,  78 . As such, the magnets  76 ,  78  act as a biasing mechanism that biases the two handheld elements  72 ,  74  of the device  70  out of linear alignment. The strength of the repulsive force is directly proportional to the strength of the magnets  76 ,  78 . In the preferred embodiment, rare earth magnets  76 ,  78  are used in that rare earth magnets provides a stronger magnetic field than do most ferrite base magnets.  
         [0030]    Referring to FIG. 5, yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention exercise device  80  is shown. In this embodiment  80 , each of the handheld elements  82 ,  84  has a handle section  86 , where they are grasped. Furthermore, each of the handheld elements  82 ,  84  has a section  88  that accepts free weights  90 . By adding free weights to the handheld elements, the center of gravity of each of the handheld elements is moved toward the free weights  90 . Accordingly, when the handheld elements  82 ,  84  are held in a person&#39;s hands, the free weights  90  act to turn the handheld elements in the directions of arrow  91  and arrow  92 , respectively. The bias toward rotation created by the free weights  90  is the biasing mechanism that acts against the alignment of the first handheld element  82  with the second handheld element  84 .  
         [0031]    It will therefore be understood that many different biasing mechanisms can be adapted for use with the present invention. In each usable biasing mechanism, there is some mechanism that can provide a bias that opposes the linear orientation of the two halves of the exercise device. Such mechanisms can include tension elements like elastic cords and springs, such as is shown in FIG. 1. Biasing mechanisms can also include opposing magnets, such as are shown in FIG. 4. Biasing mechanisms can also include unbalanced handheld elements, such as is shown in FIG. 5. Other biasing elements can be physical obstructions, such as springs or elastomeric structures that are placed between the two halves of the exercise device. Accordingly, to linear align the two halves of the exercise device, the springs or elastomeric structures must be compressed between the two halves.  
         [0032]    It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention device described and illustrated are merely exemplary and a person skilled in the art can make many variations to the shown embodiment. All such alternate embodiments and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined below in the claims.