Abstract:
A kit is provided so a person can exercise anywhere the person may be located. Body rockers have a handle to grip, which body rockers alone may be used by a user for many exercises. Elastic cords of varying lengths and strength may be attached to the body rockers with carabiners. By securing a part of the elastic cord to a stationary object, the limbs of the body can be exercised as well as abs and upper body. Door stops may be used to secure the elastic cords between a door and door frame. A rocker cover can be used for back and forth rocking motion of the user. All of these items may be loaded in a workout bag and carried with the user to exercise wherever the user may be located.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates exercise equipment and, more particularly, to a portable exercise kit someone can take with them and exercise anywhere. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     As our society transitions from a labor intensive society to a computer based service society, people get less and less exercise. Because of the sedentary nature of the work environment, it is important to be able to get exercise whenever and wherever possible. If a person is traveling and staying in a hotel and/or motel, being able to exercise is important to one&#39;s well being. A person that is physically fit is also sharper mentally and is more productive in the work place. A person that is physically fit misses fewer work days and is less of an administrative burden on the employer. 
     There are literally thousands of different types of inventions on exercise systems. Such exercise systems may range from complicated pieces of exercise equipment to foldable exercise equipment that may fold down into the size of a suit case such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,222 to Brown. Brown&#39;s invention is for a portable personal gym that folds down to suitcase size that can be used for aerobic exercise while traveling. 
     More complex exercise equipment is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,641 to Pertegaz-Esteban. While a very complex piece of exercise equipment is shown, the primary thrust of the invention is to the multi-positioning handles 
     The exercise equipment patented by Richmond in U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,807 is somewhat less complex, but has platforms for supporting the users arms and knees. Rollers provide for movement between the two units. 
     If a swimming pool is available, Kolarick et al. provides a personal flotation exercise kit as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,425,190. The individual can adjust the exercise kit for their body size and the water provides the resistance. 
     Renz provides a convertible exercise equipment in U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,187 that can be carried around in a carrying case. However, the equipment as shown in Renz is more for static exercise than dynamic exercise. 
     Equipment to exercise the upper body is shown in Woodruff, U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,625, which includes a head strap for attaching through an elastic member to a stationary object. Woodruff does recognize the benefits of working against a dynamic resistance provided by an elastic strap. 
     Mobile exercise equipment is shown in Aucamp, U.S. Pat. No. 7,364,538. Aucamp uses a rope that may be lengthen or shortened that connects through a platform via pullies with exercise being against the platform. 
     There are many other types of exercise devices, both in kit form and in stationary form. As our society becomes more sedate with people becoming much larger, there is an increased concern about exercise to maintain our health and well being. Different people have different preferences for the type of exercise they do. 
     The outdoor person may hike or backpack as a form of recreation and exercise. Others may prefer running or riding a bicycle. As exercise equipment has been developed, these type of exercised can be done inside. However, the equipment is large and stationary. Other people prefer to participate in sports for their exercise, but this depends upon a group of people and a location where the sport can be played. 
     For the person that is on the go, they need to be able to exercise wherever they may be located. This means any exercise equipment must also be lightweight and portable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide portable exercise equipment an individual can take with them. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise kit that is simple and easy to use wherever one may be staying. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a “gym in a bag” type of exercise equipment that provides for aerobic conditioning while working against stationary objects. 
     The kit includes body rockers that are arcuate shaped with a handle extending between opposing sides of the arch. The body rocker has numerous holes therein to which elastic cords may be attached by carabiners or other similar types of attaching devices. By having elastic cords of varying lengths and strengths, an individual can use the body rockers to do all types of exercises. A web strap is provided to attach between doors and door frames to provide a stationary object against which the elastic cords may be attached for dynamic exercise. The body rockers may also be used to provided back and forth motion for the body while performing the aerobic exercise. All of the exercise equipment that an individual will need, complete with instructions. A CD and a bag in which to carry everything, make up an exercise kit. The exercise kit is small and light enough that an individual may take the exercise kit wherever he/she may go. 
     The outer surface of the body rockers is covered with a nonscratch elastic material such as rubber. This prevents slipping of the body rockers and scratching of surfaces by the body rockers. When someone is using the body rocker to stand on and rock back and forth, a rocker cover may be necessary that will attach to the body rocker. The rocker cover must be of sufficient strength to support the individual. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing various items included in an exercise kit of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an example of an exercise that can be performed with the exercise kit shown in  FIG. 1  with an additional set of body rockers. 
         FIG. 3  is another example of an exercise that can be performed with the exercise kit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is another example of an exercise that can be performed with the exercise kit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective of a bottom side of a body rocker with a rocker cover. 
         FIG. 6  is an opposing perspective view from  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is yet another example of an exercise that can be performed with the exercise kit shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an example of push ups being performed with the body rockers. 
         FIG. 9  is an example of another exercise being performed with the body rockers. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a body rocker. 
         FIG. 11  is an opposing perspective view from  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11  along section lines  12 - 12 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     An exercise kit is shown in  FIG. 1  and is represented generally by the reference numeral  10 . The exercise kits include a plurality of body rockers  12  with at least two being included per kit and sometimes four per kit. The body rockers  12  have an arcuate plate  14  with a handle  16  being connected between opposing ends of the arcuate plate  14 . The arcuate plate  12  is covered with an elastic gripping material  17 . Holes  18  are provided through each corner of the arcuate plate  14  and on each side in the middle of the arcuate plate  14  along with the elastic gripping material  17 . 
     A series of elastic cords  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  25  are provided of varying lengths and strengths. Other elastic cords of different lengths and strengths may be used. On each end of the elastic cords  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  25  are located carabiners  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  31  respectively. The ends of the elastic cords  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  25  extend through the carabiners  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  31  respectively with a retaining loop  34  holding each of the elastic cords  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  25  firmly looped over carabiners  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  31  respectively. The retaining loops  34  may be a suitable shrink wrap type material that can cover a knot such as a  FIG. 8  knot, or a bowline knot at the ends of elastic cords  20 ,  22 ,  24  or  25 . Also, the ends of the elastic cords  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  25  can be frapped into place with the retaining loop  34  covering the frapping material. 
     Also included as part of the exercise kit is a solid ring  32  that can be used in a manner as will be described subsequently. 
     At least a pair of door straps  36  are provided per exercise kit  10 . The door straps  36  have rings  38  sewn into one end of flexible material  40 . On the opposite end of flexible material  40  from the retaining ring  38  is located a retaining loop  42  into which any type of plug  43  may be inserted. All that is necessary is the plug  43  be solid enough so that it cannot be pulled between a door and a door jam. The plugs  43  may or may not be included with the exercise kit  10 . 
     At least two rocker covers  44  are contained in each exercise kit  10 . The rocker covers  44  have on the underside thereof rips  45  for providing structural strength. Within the ribs  45  is located a cradle  46  in which the handle  16  of the body rocker  12  may rest. Horizontal posts  47  extend horizontally at one end of the cradle  46 . The horizontal post  47  may connect into holes  18  located on one end of the body rocker  12  as will be explained in more detail subsequently. 
     To complete the exercise kit  10  is an instructional booklet  48  and exercise music and/or video located on disc  50 . The complete exercise kit may be inserted into bag  52  which may be closed by drawstring  54  and easily carried by the end user. The drawstring  54  are of sufficient length that they can reach over both shoulders of an individual with the exercise kit  10  being easily carried on one&#39;s back much the same way a back pack would be carried. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3  in combination, an exercise kit  10  that has four body rockers  12  is shown and how the kit  10  could easily be used. The door straps  36  are inserted between door  55  and door frame  56 . The retaining loops  40  along with the plugs  43  (not shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) prevents the door straps  36  from being pulled through the crack between the door  55  and the door frame  56 . 
     A pair of body rockers are being held by the person doing the exercise as shown in  FIG. 2 . Connected to the body rocker  12  contained in the right hand is elastic cord  22  that connects through carabiner  28 . The elastic cord  22  also goes through the solid ring  32  at the user&#39;s book (see  FIG. 3 ) and ring  38  of door strap  36  immediately behind the right shoulder of the individual user. The body rocker  12  that is in the left hand connects to elastic cord  20  via carabiner  26  and extends through solid ring  32  and through ring  38  of door strap  36  behind the individuals left shoulder. By extending the arms towards the front of the individual user, the triceps, biceps and brachialis muscles of the upper arm are exercised. In the forearm, additional muscles including the brachioradialis, flexor carpi radialis, and palmaris longus are exercised. In the shoulder, the trapezius and deltoid muscles are exercised. The amount of energy used to extend each of the body rockers  12  can be varied be either increasing the elastic strength of the cord or by shortening the cord so that it is closer to the elastic limit. 
     To add an additional balancing feature that would involve the thigh and leg muscles, an additional body rocker  12  is located below each foot of the individual user, which body rocker has a rocker cover  44  on the top thereof. Now as the individual extends their arms, an additional rocking feature is provided to the leg. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an additional exercise that is good for the arm and forearm is illustrated when a body rocker  12  is held in each hand. The elastic cord  22  connected to body rocker  12  on the right hand extends below the right foot through an extra carabiner  60  and back up through carabiners  28  to connect to the body rocker  12 . Likewise connected to the body rocker  12  on the left hand of the individual is elastic cord  20  connected by carabiners  26  and extending through extra carabiner  58  around the left foot of the individual. By continually raising and lowering the left and right arms, a lot of tension can be put on the forearms including the brachiordialis, extensor carpi radialis longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, extensor carpi ulnaris, and extensor bigitorum muscles. Additional exercising of the shoulder muscles will also occur. 
     Another static exercise that is not shown is holding a body rocker  12  in each hand and pressing the body rockers together and rotating in and out. This is a static exercise with one body rocker pushing against the other when held in each band. 
     While not illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the door straps  36  can be at the lower part of the door  55  between the door  55  and door jam  56 . In this manner, the elastic cords can be connected so that one can sit on the floor and exercise their legs and thighs. Also exercises for the legs and thighs can be provided by wrapping the elastic cord around ones back and extending and retracting the legs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6  in combination, a further description of the body rocker  12  as used in combination with the rocker covers  44  is provided. Ribs  45  on the underside of the rocker cover  44  provides strength for the rocker cover  44  while still keeping it lightweight. Cradle  46  allows the handle  16  of the rocker cover  12  to fit snuggly therein. To connect the body rocker  12  and the rocker cover  44  together, holes  18  on one end of the arcuate  14  plate of rocker cover  12  are positioned over horizontal posts  47 . The opposite end of the arcuate plate  14  rests in channel  62  of the rocker cover  44 . In that manner, when someone stands on the rocker cover  44  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the rocker cover  44  will remain firmly pressed against the body rocker  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , another exercise is illustrated for using body rockers with a single cord  20  connected by carabiners  26 . The elastic cord  20  is wrapped around the foot of the individual that is exercising. With the cord  20  wrapped around the individuals foot, a whole series of exercises that stretch the elastic cord  20  can be designed. A push up exercise, pull up exercise or push out exercise can all be used. Even exercises of the legs can be designed due to the wrapping of the elastic cord around the foot. 
       FIG. 8  represents an individual using the body rockers  12  and gripping the handle  16  so that as the person goes down for a push up, the body rockers  12  will rock in and out. This gives additional exercise of the hands and forearms as the person is completing the push up. This is a more complete exercise while doing push ups than the normal style push up. 
     A similar type exercise can be done for hand stands as illustrated in  FIG. 9  where an individual grips the handle  16  of the body rockers  12 . This may be done with the feet up or the feet touching the floor. Again, the hands will rock back and forth to give a more complete exercise of the hands, arms and forearms. While  FIGS. 8 and 9  just describe two exercises using just the body rockers  12 , a whole series of different similar types of exercises can be utilized. 
     To keep the body rockers  12  from scratching furniture floors or other fixtures, the body rockers  12  are coated with an elastic gripping material  17  as is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12 . The handle  16  still extend to the opposite ends of the arcuate plate  14  of the body rockers  12  and is connected thereto by any suitable means such as welding. In each of the holes  18  in the arcuate plate  14  is located a revit  64 . The rivit  64  is located in a recess  66  of the elastic gripping material  17  so that the top of the revits  64  will not scratch against any surfaces. However, the revit  64  still holds a flange  68  of the elastic gripping material  17  so that it will not pull lose from the body rocker  12 . Also, the elastic gripping material  17  should be glued to the arcuate plate  14 . In this manner, the elastic cords  20 ,  22 ,  24  or  25  can be quickly connected via the carabiners  26 ,  28 ,  30  or  31  to any particular hole  18  and the revit  64  located therein. 
     The exercise kit as just described, through the use of the body rockers  12  along with the elastic cords  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  25  can be used for any number of exercises by quickly connecting the carbiners  26 ,  28 ,  30  or  31 . Thereafter, the individual pushes against the elastic cord with the exercises being performed. The door strap  36  provides an additional way for the individual connecting the elastic cord  20 ,  22 ,  24  or  25  to a fixed structure while exercising. Additional body rockers, carabiners or rings can be used as desired by the individual.