Abstract:
An exercise device is provided, having a frame with a first end opposite to a second end and a top portion opposite to a bottom portion, thereby defining four opposing corners. One or more pins may be coupled to the frame between the first end and the second end, the pins adapted to receive weight plates. A bumper may be coupled to each of the four opposing corners. The bumper may be a substantially longitudinal hollow member which may include a plurality of treads on a side opposite to that coupled to the frame. The device may then be supported by two of the bumpers and flipped over to be supported by the other two bumpers. The lifting and flipping of the device provides an exercise which employs many of the major muscles groups of the body. Weight plates may be added or removed to accommodate different users.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
       [0001]    Priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/459,330, filed on Dec. 10, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to exercise devices and, more particularly, to exercise devices which enable simulation of a functional activity. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Exercise has been shown to have significant benefits to the general population as well as athletes of all types. The term Functional Training has started to become more popular recently. Functional Training may be referred to as “purposeful training”, as it is not exercise for the sake of exercise or exercise to build a bigger biceps muscle. Functional training is performing exercises to simulate an activity or motion used on the playing field or in life. 
         [0004]    Endurance athletes have traditionally trained functionally. If they are runners, they ran. If they are cyclists, they rode. Many athletes fall under the umbrella of strength and power. Throwing a discus, jumping and sprinting are better equated to power development than to strength as an optimal result is the work done over the shortest amount of time. A football lineman exploding off the line to meet his opponent relies on his power for optimal performance. Holding his position against the forces of the opponent uses his strength. An athlete&#39;s strength is important when it comes to slow movements under a great deal of resistance. When power is important is when the movement is fast. It is easy to see that both strength and power are important in many physical events. 
         [0005]    Functional training in strength and power has only started to gain some popularity. Functional strength training in a gym or weight room has been very limited due to the lack of equipment available to simulate functional events. A barbell squat is very good for developing strength in the lower body extensor muscles of the user, but it is only functional if that athlete competes by lifting a bar placed on his back. For a powerlifter, it is functional, as this type of lifting is his how that athlete competes. For the football lineman, a squat may be a good supplementary exercise to build strength, but the conditions on the field are far from replicated in a squat rack. On the field, the athlete will move and step. Under load they may be momentarily balanced on one foot. Load may be applied to the hands and supported by the feet on the ground, thus the arms to the torso to the legs are all under stress. Little, if any, gym based exercise equipment is currently available to prepare the athlete for these conditions. 
         [0006]    One item currently used by strength and conditioning professionals is old truck tires. The tires are laid flat on the ground or turf. The user approaches the tire, puts their hands under the lower edge of the tire and then lifts the tire to vertical and pushes it over. Though this presents a very functional movement, the tire has several limitations as a form of resistance. First, the weight cannot be changed to accommodate different users or progressive resistance as an athlete increases in strength and power. The diameter and thickness (height) are different for many tires and are therefore inconsistent from one program to the next. New tires can cost tens of thousands of dollars and are therefore, not practical. The usual process is to buy tires before they are recycled. This presents a “this is what is available, take it or leave it” situation for the strength coach and his athletes. In addition, a 700 pound tire cannot be broken down to a 200 pound frame, that may be more easily moved and stored, and 500 pounds of weight plates that can be used elsewhere. The tire was designed to be a tire and not a piece of exercise equipment, so there are other natural limitations such as the lack of proper handles. Also, worn tires often have exposed steel belts that can rub against the athlete&#39;s arms, resulting in injury to the athlete and limiting the weight they can lift due to an inability to hold on to the tire. 
         [0007]    It should, therefore, be appreciated that there is a need for a functional training device that allows for altering resistance for different users, as well as enables progressive training as the user increases in strength and power development. The present invention fulfills this need and others. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a frame including a first end opposite to a second end and a top portion opposite to a bottom portion, thereby defining four opposing corners. A pin may be coupled to the frame between the first end and the second end. The pin may be adapted to receive one or more weight plates. A bumper may be coupled to each of the four opposing corners. The bumper may be a substantially longitudinal hollow member which may include a plurality of treads on a side opposite to that coupled to the frame. The device may be supported by two of the bumpers and flipped over to be supported by the other two bumpers. 
         [0009]    The frame may be substantially symmetrical about three orthogonal planes, the planes intersecting at a geometric center of the frame. The pin may be one or more pins positioned substantially midway between the top portion and the bottom portion of the frame. The exercise device may include a pair of pins, each pin may be positioned substantially midway between the top portion and the bottom portion of the frame and each pin positioned on opposing sides of a midpoint between the first end and the second end of the frame. 
         [0010]    The exercise device may include a chest support coupled to the frame and positioned adjacent to each bumper. The chest support may be coupled to a bumper. The chest support may be coupled to the frame such that a portion of the chest support has a greater distance from a geometric center of the frame compared to the distance from any portion of the frame to the geometric center of the frame. 
         [0011]    Handles may also be coupled to the frame and may be adjacent to the first end and the second end of the frame. The handles may be positioned such that a portion of the chest support may have a greater distance from a geometric center of the frame compared to the distance of the handle to the geometric center of the frame. 
         [0012]    An exemplary method for exercise using a device as disclosed, the steps including a user grasping the frame and lifting the device on one end with the other end of the device on the ground. The user may act to extend their body to flip the device over and away from the user. The user may change the weight plates on the pin, and repeat the lifting step. Additional steps of lifting the device may include the first pull, lifting one end of the device past the knee of the user, a second pull, lifting one end of the device from the above the knee toward the chest, a transition, resetting the arms from a pull grip to a push grip and a push, extending the arms and legs to cause the device to be flipped over away from the user. 
         [0013]    For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages can be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
         [0014]    All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments and drawings, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exercise device enabling functional exercise with a varied resistance, in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a detailed partial view of a first end of the device of  FIG. 1 , shown along line  2 - 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1 , shone with weight plates for added resistance. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the exercise device of  FIG. 3  in a starting position as it may be used with a user beginning to lift the device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the exercise device of  FIG. 3  during the lift prior to the second pull phase of the lift of the device by a user. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the exercise device of  FIG. 3  during the lift transitioning from the press phase to the throw phase of the lift of the device by a user. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a partially disassembled view of the first end of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a bumper as it may be used on each of the four ends of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a detail view of a top portion of the bumper of  FIG. 8  shown along line  9 - 9 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the bumper of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    With reference to the illustrative drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a functional exercise device  12 . The device may include a first end  14  and a second end  16 . The device may also include a top portion  18  and a bottom portion  20 . In this embodiment the device is symmetrical about each of the axes x-x, y-y and z-z. Therefore, plane x-z would bisect the device  12  between the first end  14  and the second end  16 . Plane x-y would bisect the device  12  between the top portion  18  and the bottom portion  20 . Plane y-z would bisect a left and right half of the device  12 . Here the centroid, or the dimensional center of the device  12 , is the intersection of all three axes (x-x, y-y and z-z), as well as planes x-y, x-z and y-z, which are understood to be orthogonal to one another. It is not critical that the device  12  be symmetrical about the centroid, but it may be preferred. This will become more evident as the use of the device  12  is disclosed in more detail. 
         [0028]    The device  12  may include a base frame  22  which may be substantially longitudinal in shape. The base frame  22  may extend from the first end  14  to the second end  16  of the device  12 . The base frame  22  may support one or more pins  24  which may be coupled to the base frame  22 , preferably as illustrated here, substantially centered on the base frame  22  in the x-y plane. In the preferred embodiment, as shown here, there are two pins  24  on each side of a center beam  26 . The pins  24  may be located substantially equal distance from the x-z plane, which may bisect the device  12  equally between the first end  14  and the second end  16 . The pins  24  may be adapted to receive one or more weight plates. Adding or removing weight plates enables the total weight of the device  12  to be altered. 
         [0029]    In this embodiment, the structure and features of the first end  14  are the same as that of the second end  16 . As such, the description and detail of the first end  14  may also apply to that of the second end  16 . A first bumper  28  may be coupled to the frame  22  on the top portion of the first end  14  and a second bumper  30  may be coupled to the frame  22  on the bottom portion of the first end  14 . In this embodiment, the device  12  is symmetrical about all three planes, therefore the top portion may be identical to the bottom portion. This symmetrical arrangement may allow the device  12  to be flipped over about the x-x axis and still maintain substantially the same physical representation to a user. For example, in  FIG. 1 , the device  12  would be supported on the second bumper  30  and the third bumper  32  on the ground or other supporting surface. If flipped over, the device  12  may be supported on the first bumper  28  and the fourth bumper  34 . Regardless of the orientation, the view from a user standing adjacent to the first end  14  or the second end  16  may be substantially the same. 
         [0030]    Adjacent to the first bumper  28  may be a chest support  36 . The chest support  36  may be coupled to the first bumper  28  by a screw  38  on either side of the chest support  36 . A support plate  39  may be used to help distribute the load of the screw  38  over a larger area of the chest support  36 . Alternatively, the chest support  36  may be made continuous with the first bumper  28  as one single molded part. The chest support  36  may be disassociated from the first bumper  28 , but it may be desirable to add structural integrity to the first bumper  28  by the added support of the chest support  36 , and also to the chest support  36  by way of the structure of the first bumper  28 . In a similar manner, a chest support  36  may be provided adjacent to each of the other bumpers ( 30 ,  32  and  34 ). 
         [0031]    To further assist in securing the chest supports  36 , one or more additional plates may be used. In this embodiment, a front plate  40  may be received by a recess in the chest support  36  and secured to the frame by screws  42 . In a similar manner, a bottom plate  44  may be used to capture a large portion of material of the chest support  36  and secure it to the frame provided under the chest support  36 . As previously noted, screws  46  may be used to fasten the bottom plate  44  to the frame. This may be desirable as the chest support  36  may be constructed of a pliable material such as rubber or polyurethane. When high compressive loads are placed on the chest support  36  it may tend to deform and be pulled off of the frame during use. The support structure as shown and described may help keep the chest support  36  in the proper position. 
         [0032]    A set of handles  48  may be provided wherein the handles are closer to the centroid of the device  12  as compared to a distal portion of the chest support  36 . In doing so, if a user places their chest against the chest support  36 , there may be a space between the user&#39;s torso and the handles  48 . The user may grasp the handles  48  on the bottom portion  20  with their chest against the chest support  36  on the top portion  18 . The space provided between the chest support  36  and the handles  48  may reduce the likelihood of inadvertent contact between the shoulders or arms of the user and the handles  48 . Without this spacing, the handles  48  on the top portion  18  may be in the way of the user. The handles  48  are necessary, as when the device  12  is flipped over, the top portion  18  then becomes the bottom portion  20 . By positioning the handles  48  more toward the centroid of the device  12 , compared to the outermost portion of the chest support  36 , the potential is reduced for interference between the arm or shoulder of the user and the unused handles  48  on the upper portion  18 . 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , the device is shown with weight plates  50  added to the pins  24 . A spring clip  52  may be used as a collar to secure the weight plates  50  in place on the pins  24 . A collar such as the spring clips  52  is not critical to the function of the device  12 , but it is desirable for safety so the weight plates  50  do not become displaced from the pins  24  during use. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 through 6 , a use of the device  12  is shown. In  FIG. 4  a user  54  is provided on the first end  14 . The user  54  is being shown to grasp the handles  48  on the bottom portion  20  of the device  12 . The chest support  36  on the upper portion  18  of the first end  14  of the device  12  may position the upper body of the user  54  such that the arms and shoulders of the user  54  may be positioned away from the handles  48  on the upper portion  18  of the first end  14  of the device  12 . This spacing reduces the potential of the arms of the user  54  to contact the handles  48  on the upper portion  18  of the device  12  during the lift. Prior to the lift, the device  12  is supported by the second bumper  30  and the third bumper  32  on a supportive surface  56 , such as the ground or floor. From this position, the user  54  extends their hips, knees and ankles to begin to lift the first end  14  of the device  12  off the supportive surface  56 , while the bottom portion  20  of the second end  16  of the device  12  remains in contact with the supportive surface  56 . This initial movement of the device  12  may be referred to as the “first pull”. 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the user  54  continues to lift the first end  14  of the device  12  higher off the supportive surface  56 . When the user  54  lifts the bottom portion  20  of the first end  14  of the device  12  to approximately knee height, the user  54  may step toward the device  12  while rapidly extending the hips, knees and ankles and driving the shoulders up and slightly back. This rapid movement drives the first end  14  of the device  12  up so that the bottom portion  20  of the first end  14  of the device  12  may move up toward the chest of the user  54 . This rapid movement of the device  12  toward the chest of the user  54  may be referred to as the “second pull”. 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 6 , the user  54  may continue to step toward the device  12  as the first end  14  continues to be elevated by the user  54 . At this point the user  54  may rotate their hand grip from a pull grip (wrists toward the body) to a push grip (wrists facing away from the body). This may be referred to as the “transition phase”. Immediately following the transition phase, the user  54  may begin to extend the elbows and move the upper arms forward to press the first end  14  of the device  12  off their chest. This may be done while continuing to move toward the second end  16  of the device  12 . As the user  54  nears full extension of the arms and anterior rotation of the shoulder, the user may continue to step toward the second end  16  of the device  12 , which has remained on the supportive surface  56 . With one final explosive extension of the legs, arms and slight flexion of the trunk, the user  54  may throw the first end  14  of the device  12  over the second end  16  of the device  12 . The contact of the device  12  with the supportive surface  56  will transition from the bottom portion  20  to the second end  16  of the device as it approaches a vertical orientation. The device  12  may continue to rotate until supported on the supportive surface  56  by the first bumper  28  and the fourth bumper  34 , thereby being flipped by the user  54 . This final phase may be referred to as the “press phase” of the lift. The user  54  may approach the device  12 , now inverted, and repeat the process. 
         [0037]    The weight plates  50  may be added to one or both of the pins  24 . By loading both pins  24  equally, the center of mass of the device  12  may remain at the centroid or dimensional center of the device  12 . This means the first complete lift as previously described would be equal in difficulty and work performed as a subsequent second lift, flipping the device  12  in the same direction. By loading one pin  24  different than the other pin  24 , the center of mass of the device  12  may not be located at the centroid of the device  12 . This would enable the user  54  to do more work during a flip of the device  12  when the center of mass is closer to the user  54 , compared to less work when performing a flip of the device  12  when the center of gravity is farther away from the user  54 . This enables varied training where a user  54  may do a light-heavy-light-heavy series of lifts without stopping to change weights. Also, two users  54  of different strength potentials may be paired to train together. Lifting in sequence, both users  54  may lift to their physical potentials by doing alternating lifts with varied loading on the pins  24 . This may be used to build teamwork between athletes of different physical abilities that must work together during their athletic competition. 
         [0038]    The internal structure of a preferred embodiment is shown in  FIG. 7 . The base frame  22  may be joined on each end by an end frame  58 . The end frame  58  may be identical on the top portion  18  and the bottom portion  20  of the device  12  and mounted to the base frame  22  by fastening one end frame  58  to the other end frame  58  with the base frame  22  in between. End frames  58  may summarily be mounted to the base frame  22  on the second end  16 . The combination of the end frames  58  and the base frame  22  may comprise a frame  60 . 
         [0039]    The handles  48  may be coupled to the end frame  58 . The end frame  58  may also support a leaf spring  62 . The leaf spring  62  may be positioned under the chest support  36  to offer additional resistance to deformation of the chest support  36  under the load of the device  12 . The chest support  36  may be produced of a pliable material, and therefore have elastic properties. It may also be desirable to increase the elastic strength of the chest support  36 , especially under heavy loads while flipping. The leaf spring  62  may offer this additional support. 
         [0040]    The first bumper  28  may include a hollow center  64 . This hollow center  64  may increase the ability of the first bumper  28  to deform slightly upon impact with the ground while being flipped. This deformation may result in a dissipation of energy to reduce the impulse load on the frame  60  and the ground on which the first bumper  28  will impact. By doing so, the first bumper  28  may act as a resilient spring to increase the time over which the impact takes place, thus reducing the peak force of the impulse. This feature may also be the same for the other bumpers ( 30 ,  32  and  34 ). 
         [0041]    This hollow center  64  may also be used to assist mounting of the first bumper  28  and the other bumpers ( 30 ,  32  and  34 ) to the end frames  58 . The first bumper  28  may be mounted to the end frame  58  by way of bumper bolts  66 . The bumper bolts  66  may extend through the end frame  58  and then through holes in the bottom of the first bumper  28 . A bumper plate  68  may be provided which includes a nut  70  for each bumper bolt  66 . The bumper plate  68  may be inserted into the hollow center  64  of the first bumper  28  such that the bumper bolts  66  may be received by the nuts  70  of the bumper plate  68 . The bumper bolts  66  may be secured to the bumper plate  68 , capturing the first bumper  28  between the bumper plate  68  and the end frame  58 , thus securing the first bumper  28  to the frame  60 . 
         [0042]    A first bumper  28  is shown in an end view in  FIG. 8 , a detail of the top portion of the bumper  28  is shown in  FIG. 9  and an isometric view of the entire bumper  28  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . As previously noted, the second bumper  30 , third bumper  32  and fourth bumper  34  may be similar in structure to the first bumper  28 . For the purposes of this disclosure, the details of the first bumper as shown and described herein may also be applied to the other bumpers ( 30 ,  32  and  34 ). The first bumper  28  may include a substantially flat base  72 . The base  72  may include one or more mounting holes  74  to receive the bumper bolts  66  to mount to the end frame  58  ( FIG. 7 ). Side holes  76  may also be provided to assist in securing the first bumper  28  to the chest support  36  by way of the screws  42  ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0043]    A primary function of the first bumper  28  may be to absorb the impact of the weight of the device  12  as it falls to the ground or floor at the conclusion of being flipped. It may then be desirable for the first bumper  28  to have elastic properties pursuant to the choice of material with which it is constructed as well as the design of the bumper  28 . As previously noted, the first bumper  28  may include a hollow center  64 . This hollow center  64  may allow for compression, or shortening of the dimension between a top section  78  relative to the base  72 . Deflection in this height dimension “H” results in energy that is absorbed and dissipated as heat, as the elastic nature of the first bumper  28  is deformed and returns substantially to its original shape after impact. This energy that is dissipated through the first bumper  28  is not transferred to the frame  60 , thereby reducing the stress on the more rigidly constructed frame  60 . 
         [0044]    Another unique design feature of the first bumper  28  may be an arcuate convex shape of the top section  78 . The outside edges  80  of the top section  78  may be closer to the base  72  as compared to the center section  82  of the top section  78 . This is graphically illustrated in that the height dimension “H” may be greater than “h”. This shape of the top section  78  may have more than one benefit, as opposed to a concave or flat top section. First, the gradual transition of material contact with a flat surface, such as the ground upon impact, further increases the time over which the impact takes place. This increase in time, decreases the peak forces of the impulse of the collision with the ground, thus decreasing the stress on the frame  60 . A second advantage may be an increased ability to displace air at the time of impact with the ground. This may reduce the shockwave amplitude, thus decreasing the noise as the first bumper  28  hits the ground. 
         [0045]    The side walls  84  of the first bumper  28  may offer the primary structural support to substantially maintain the height dimension “H”. The side walls  84  may be slightly wider near the base  72 , as compared to nearer to the top section  78 . This is not considered critical to the novelty of the invention but is considered an element in the optimization of the functional design of the first bumper  28 . 
         [0046]    Another added design element that may offer more than one functional feature is the tread  86  incorporated into the top section  78  of the first bumper  28 . The tread  86  may include a plurality of grooves  88  and ridges  90 . The combination of grooves  88  and ridges  90  may also offer a decreased section of material upon initial impact of the first bumper  28  with the ground. This may add to the cushioning effect of the first bumper  28  upon initial impact between the ground and the first bumper  28 . Secondly, the grooves  88  may allow for air to be channeled out to the sides of the first bumper  28  as it strikes the ground. This may also help reduce noise upon impact. A third advantage may be an increased resistance to slide or slip. During the initial stage of the first pull phase of the lift, there may be a good deal of horizontal force applied to the device  12 . If the device  12  slides away from the lifter at that time, the lifter may lose their balance and drop the device  12 . The placement of the longitudinal tread  86  in the top section  78  of the first bumper  28  may help grip the ground or floor, relying not just on the friction between the surfaces, but the sheer force of the material of the first bumper  28  as the tread  86  may interact with an uneven surface of the floor or ground. This may help stabilize the device  12  during the lift. 
         [0047]    An alternative to the preferred embodiment is shown in  FIG. 11 . The base frame  22 ′ may include an end frame  58 ′ on the top portion  18  and the bottom portion  20  of the first end  14  and the second end  16  of the device  12 ′. The base frame  22 ′ may include two pins  24 , which may be adapted to receive weight plates, as previously disclosed. The end frames  58 ′ may each support a handle  48 ′. A first bumper  28 ′ may be supported on the end frame  58 ′ on the top portion  18  of the first end  14  of the device  12 ′. In a similar manner, a second bumper  30 ′ may be positioned on the bottom portion  20  of the first end  14  of the device  12 ′. A third bumper  32 ′ and a fourth bumper  34 ′ may be on the bottom portion  20  and top portion  18  respectively of the second end  16  of the device  12 ′. In this embodiment, a first end pad  92  may act as a chest support for a lifter on the first end  14  of the device  12 ′ and a second end pad  94  may function in a similar manner for a lifter on the second end  16  of the device  12 ′. In that the end pads  92  and  94  may be centered about two axes of the frame  60 ′, the end pads  92  and  94  may function equally well regardless of the orientation of the upper portion  18  or the bottom portion  20  relative to the lifter. 
         [0048]    In this embodiment, the details of the first bumper  28 ′ and the other bumpers ( 30 ′,  32 ′ and  34 ′) as before, may be similar regardless of the location on the device  12 ′. The first bumper  28 ′ may include a hollow center, treads and a curved top section, as previously disclosed. Alternatively, the first bumper  28 ′ may be a foam pad covered with upholstery. In this embodiment, the air trapped in the covered first bumper  28 ′ acts as a damper to slow the deceleration of the device  12 ′ upon impact with the ground. The air trapped in the foam is forced to escape through vents incorporated into the construction of the bumper  28 ′. When not under load, the foam acts as a spring to slowly expand and draw the air back into the first bumper  28 ′, readying it for the next impact with the ground. 
         [0049]    The foregoing detailed description of the present invention is provided for purposes of illustration, and it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiment shown. The embodiments may provide different capabilities and benefits, depending on the configuration used to implement key features of the invention.