Abstract:
A hand-held exercise apparatus is provided. The hand-held exercise apparatus includes a body portion having a bar to allow a user to grip the apparatus, and a housing portion configured to sit atop of the body portion to receive a weight portion, wherein the weight portion is removable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61,402,928, filed on Sep. 8, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The following description relates to multi-functional hand-held exercise apparatus. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Exercising equipment and devices are well-known in the prior art. Many exercising devices, however, are often cumbersome and lack portability. There have been many attempts to create a portable and user friendly dumbbell alternative. However, the prior art does not provide versatility in utility and lacks user ability to do a wide variety of exercises including pull-ups, cable exercises, chin-ups, push-ups, pivoting push-ups, and assorted cross functional exercises. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,183 to Sakurada relates to a wrist exercising apparatus wherein a wrist securable band has positioned thereto a spring biased handle by which a user may strengthen a desired wrist by pivoting the handle relative to the band against the force of the associated springs. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat No. 4,330,120 to Netti relates to an exercising device that is securable about a user&#39;s hand, wrist, and forearm wherein variously orient pockets are secured about the device for insertion of various weights that is consistent with a normal swing motion, as in running or jogging. The Netti patent, however, relates to a weighted glove and fails to provide a means for exercising a user&#39;s wrist, forearm, and associated shoulder and body parts by means of properly aligned and oriented adjustable weight organization. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat No. 4,368,883 to Tiktin relates to a glove provided with a dangling flaccid chain organization whereby various weights may be secured. However, the glove varies the orientation of the suspended weight relative to the glove for secure organization. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat No. 4,858,916 to Beamont relates to an exercise device where the weight is organized in a manner where it is placed distally over the user knuckles and phalanges. However, the exercise device in Beamont does not have the weighted portion integrated throughout the body of the device, but rather places a vast majority in one location. 
         [0010]    A growing trend in the exercise world is versatility. As such, there is a need for multi-functional exercise equipment that may be used in a variety of exercising scenarios. Dumbbells, adjustable dumbbells, and kettle bells often do not lend themselves to facilitate the demand for versatility. Neither dumbbells nor kettle bells facilitate versatility when a user attempts to do a total body workout incorporating martial arts, push-ups or pull-ups. Additionally, many of the well-known exercise devices do not incorporate cables or tension bands, thus requiring the user to use different equipment to perform different exercises. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    In one general aspect, there is provided a multi-functional hand-held exercise apparatus including a weighted portion having a top side and bottom side and configured to cover a portion of a user&#39;s hand and wrist, the weighted portion having a predetermined amount of weight distributed thereabout and configured with a detachable rotatable disc on one side and another detachable rotatable disc on a side adjacent to the one side, and a bar shaped handle that extends across a portion of the bottom side to allow the user&#39;s hand to grip the apparatus. 
         [0012]    The weighted portion may be removable. 
         [0013]    The weighted portion may sit atop of a dorsal of the user&#39;s hand. 
         [0014]    The weighted portion may be configured with a mass aligned axially with a center of the user&#39;s hand and distributed over an area of the user&#39;s curled hand and distal wrist. 
         [0015]    In another general aspect, there is provided a hand-held exercise apparatus, including a body portion having a bar to allow a user to grip the apparatus, and a housing portion configured to sit atop of the body portion to receive a weight portion, wherein the weight portion is removable. 
         [0016]    Other features and aspects may be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a view of a hand-held exercise apparatus according to an example embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating another view of a hand-held exercise apparatus according to an example embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating another view of a hand-held exercise apparatus according to an example embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating another view of the hand-held exercise apparatus according to an example embodiment 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating another view of the modular weighted portion of the hand-held exercise apparatus 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating another view of the modular weighted portion of the hand-held exercise apparatus 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a view of the modular cylindrical portion of the hand-held exercise apparatus 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a view of the modular hook-loop portion of the hand-held exercise apparatus 
       
    
    
       [0025]    Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness. 
         [0027]    According to an aspect, there is provided a multi-functional hand-held exercise apparatus ergonomically configured for a user&#39;s hand to aid in the performance of exercise including but not limited to push-ups, pull-ups, cable exercises and upper body workouts, designed to optimize the effectiveness of upper arm workouts, and to reduce strain on upper arm joints (shoulder, elbow, and wrist) when being used in upper arm workouts. 
         [0028]    According to an aspect, the multi-functional hand-held exercise apparatus may be configured with attachable hook members to a dorsal of the apparatus to facilitate use with cable systems, a tension cord, tension bands, to facilitate exercises such as pull ups, seated rows, upright rows, and a variety of other upper body conditioning exercises where cables or tension is applied. 
         [0029]    According to an aspect, the multi-functional hand-held apparatus may be configured with a raised and flattened circular section located on the dorsal portion of the apparatus and may be configured with a raised and flattened circular section located on a side of the apparatus distal to the user&#39;s knuckles. The raised and flattened circular section may be, but not limited thereto, a disc shaped component. This circular aspect may be configured to facilitate the user rotating the apparatus to perform push-ups either on the dorsally located raised circular aspect or on the portion of the apparatus distal to the user&#39;s knuckles. For example, the circular aspect may allow the user on both sides of the apparatus to pivot the device while performing a push-up. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 1 through 8  are diagrams illustrating a view of a hand-held exercise apparatus according to an example embodiment. 
         [0031]    Referring to the  FIGS. 1 through 8 , the hand-held exercise apparatus may be designed to fit overtop the user&#39;s hand and may be grasped and secured by the user using the handle ( 3 ). A weighted portion of the apparatus ( 1 ) sits atop a dorsal of the user&#39;s hand providing a mass which may be axially aligned axially with a center of the user&#39;s hand and distributed over the area of the user&#39;s curled hand and distal wrist. 
         [0032]    The weighted portion may be of any mass value expressed either in kilograms or in pounds ranging, for example, from 2 lbs to 25 lbs. According to an aspect, the weighted portion may be fixed to the apparatus ( 1 ) and pre-manufactured that way. Yet, according to another aspect, the weighted portion may be removable and configured to slide in and out of the weight housing ( 2 ). According to an aspect, the weighted portion may be altogether removed along with the housing ( 2 ). 
         [0033]    A block or core of a device ( 4 ) may be manufactured from metal, metallic alloy, plastic, rubber or some rubberized agent and may serve as a frame for the apparatus ( 1 ). To the block a handle ( 3 ) may be affixed. The weighted portion of the apparatus ( 1 ) sits atop of the block ( 4 ) and may be secured to the block ( 4 ) in a modular design ( 8 ) or may be fixed to the block ( 4 ) via molding, casting, welding or some other method of permanent fixation. Alternatively, a modular hook, pivot point, or additional fixation point for cables or pull-ups may be attached to the block ( 4 ). The modular weighed devices ( 8 ), with the removable weight portion or hook or attachment portion may be secured by an interlocking mechanism, either a dove-tail design or some other tab-depression system, or twist-lock system well-known in the art to prevent the weight from becoming unintentionally dislodged during use. 
         [0034]    The user handle ( 3 ) may be covered or coated with a grip material ( 10 ) which may be of any type of grip including, but not limited to, rubber or a rubberized agent, cloth, nylon, neoprene, plastic, metallic smooth, metallic with a textured finish, wooden, or non-slip. The handle ( 3 ) may also be in a variation of designs having a slight curvature along the long axis or transversely to facilitate ergonomics, or it may be non-curved. The cross-section of the handle ( 3 ) may be circular, ovoid, elliptical, or eccentric to best accommodate user grip and comfort. 
         [0035]    The handle ( 3 ) may be affixed to the apparatus via a screw, lock, or bolt ( 5 ), or may be preassembled and fused or welded to the apparatus. The screw ( 5 ), which may be located in a screw housing ( 9 ), may permit the handle ( 3 ) to be adjusted or repositioned and allow the handle ( 3 ) to be oriented parallel with the base of the device or on some angle offset with respect to the same plane. The base of the device ( 7 ) may be, but not limited to, molded plastic, rubber or rubberized cast iron or another metal or metal alloy, ceramic or composite. 
         [0036]    The hand-held exercise apparatus rests on the user&#39;s wrist at a rear contact point ( 6 ) where the contact point ( 6 ) may be made of different materials and be offered in different configurations to increase device mobility while ensuring user comfort. The contact point ( 6 ) may be curved, scalloped, pre-contoured, or padded to minimize discomfort at the wrist. The contact point ( 6 ) may be rubber or a rubberized agent, cloth, nylon, neoprene, plastic, metallic smooth, metallic with a textured finish, wooden, or non-slip. The padding ( 11 ) may be cushioned either by material (cotton or rayon) or by fluid or air. The padding ( 11 ) may be manufactured from a durable material designed to withstand heavy use and wear. 
         [0037]    The hand-held exercise apparatus may be used as an exercise tool. The user places the apparatus on his or her hands, for example, as the user would a glove or gauntlet. The apparatus may then be worn on each hand by the user who grips the handle ( 3 ) for stability and control. The user then can do a variety of exercises with the weighted apparatus on his or her hand to simulate the natural movements of the body. The apparatus allows the user to move arms in a manner that is anatomically aligned with their natural range of motion. The apparatus, which comes in various weight increments, may be used in a wide variety of training and workout regimes from rehabilitation to strength training, flexibility and conditioning. The user can use the apparatus for numerous exercises including, but not limited to calisthenics training, boxing, jumping jacks, kickboxing, and rehabilitation for shoulder, chest, arm or back injury. 
         [0038]    According to an aspect, the weighted portion may be integrated and non-modular where such that the multi-functional hand-held apparatus is one-piece. 
         [0039]    According to aspect, however, an example embodiment may allow for a modular application of the weighted portion ( 8 ) where an engagement mechanism ( 15 ) may be used to achieve a secure fitting of the weighted portion to the body of the instant invention using a tongue ( 16 ) and groove ( 14 ) mating mechanism ( 13 ). For example, one possible mechanism of attachment may be a geometrical fit of the receiving portion of the body of the apparatus with the inferior, or underside aspect of the weighted portion ( 15 ). Whereas such a geometric fit is secured by a rotational engagement where the weighted member is rotated once it is placed on the receiving aspect of the body ( 13 ) of the invention to achieve lock. An example of this locking mechanism could include a circular protrusion ( 15 ) on the weighted portion and a circular receptacle ( 13 ) on the body of the invention, which is recessed some distance equal to the protrusion on the inferior side of the weighted portion to affect a flush fit. 
         [0040]    According to an aspect, the above mentioned receptacle ( 13 ) located on the dorsal aspect of the body of the apparatus may be used to attach a cylindrical member ( 22 ) featuring a hooked or ringed aspect ( 23 ) where the locking mechanism ( 21 ) of the attaching member may be the same as one of the locking mechanisms as described above. 
         [0041]    According to an aspect, the above mentioned receptacle ( 13 ) located on the dorsal aspect of the body of the instant invention can be used to attach a raised cylindrical member ( 18 ) with a flat smooth superior surface ( 19 ) where the locking mechanism ( 20 ) of the attaching member may be the same as one of the locking mechanisms as described above. 
         [0042]    According to an aspect, the weighted portion ( 8 ) may be non-modular and integrated into the body ( 7 ) of the apparatus, the most dorsal aspect ( 1 ) of the invention, or the most superior aspect of the integrated weighted portion ( 1 ) features a cylindrical or flattened surface where the user can pivot while perform exercises such as push-ups. 
         [0043]    According to an aspect, the weighted portion in combination with the body of the apparatus, either modular or non-modular, may range from 2.0 lbs. to 25 lbs to accommodate a wide range of users and exercises. Because of the placement of the weighted portion of the apparatus, the user may experience greater resistance and reduced wrist strain. In either the modular or the non-modular example embodiment, the body of the apparatus may have constant weight such that the weighted portion and the body combined may achieve the desired weight. This distribution of mass may be ideal to achieve designed objectives. The relationship between the body of the apparatus and the weighted portion may range from 10%/90% to 90%/10%. 
         [0044]    A number of examples have been described above. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.