Abstract:
An exercise device attachable to a desk or table for use during, for example, office work. The exercise device includes a handle, an elastic cord, a cord clasp and a generally C-shaped support member which is mounted to the desk with a clamp. The length of the elastic cord is adjusted to determine the desired resistance level and to fit the length of the desk. The clamp allows the exercise device to be tightly fastened to desks of different thicknesses. The exercise device allows the user to perform a number of exercises including arm, shoulder, back, chest and wrist exercises.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims benefit of domestic priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/194,135 filed Sep. 25, 2008 and titled “Desk mounting exercise device”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to exercise devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise device which is mounted to a desk and employs elastic resistance. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Background 
         [0005]    Being healthy has become a central part of many peoples&#39; lifestyles, however whether for the lack of time, energy or interest many do not exercise on a regular basis. An increasing number of people sit by their desks for multiple hours throughout their work day. This long period of time in which one&#39;s body is practically inactive is an optimal opportunity to perform exercise activities. Exercising lightly while simultaneously typing, reading or talking on the phone is an efficient way to burn calories, decrease fatigue, flex muscles and relieve stress. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention includes an exercise device which can be used during work hours in a manner that does not intrude with one&#39;s daily tasks. 
         [0007]    Thus, one example of the invention is an exercise device. The exercise device includes a handle, an elastic cord, a cord clasp, and a desk clamp. The elastic cord has one end fixed to the handle. The cord clasp is configured to releasably secure the elastic cord. The desk clamp is coupled to the cord clasp for fixedly holding the exercise device to a desk or table. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the elastic cord is configured to provide mechanical resistance when stretched. The desk clamp may include a threaded bolt having a proximate end and a distal end. A knob can be fixed to the proximate end of the threaded bolt, and a flange can be coupled to the distal end of the threaded bolt. The flange is configured to press against an underside of the desk or table when the desk clamp is engaged to the desk or table. 
         [0009]    The exercise device may include a support member having a substantially C-shaped cross section. The support member couples the cord clasp to the desk clamp. The exercise device may include a threaded aperture defined by a bottom section of the support member. A threaded bolt may be configured to engage the threaded aperture. The threaded bolt may include a proximate end and a distal end. A knob may be fixed to the proximate end of the threaded bolt. A flange may be coupled to the distal end of the bolt. The flange may be configured to press against an underside of the desk or table when the desk clamp is engaged to the desk or table. 
         [0010]    The exercise device may include an arm pivotally secured to the support member. The elastic cord may be configured to pass between the arm and the support member. In one embodiment, a top section of the support member forms a cradle configured to store at least a portion of the handle. The exercise device may include a clip for securing a loose portion of the elastic cord. 
         [0011]    Another example of the invention is a method for operating a portable exercise device. The method may include a securing step for securing a support member of the exercise device to a desk or table. A fixing step fixes an elastic cord to the support member. The method further includes repeatedly stretching and releasing the elastic cord such that anaerobic exercise is performed. 
         [0012]    The method may further include providing a handle to assist in stretching and releasing the elastic cord. Securing the support member may include threading a bolt through an aperture defined by the support member such that a flange coupled to a distal end of the bolt is pressed against an underside of the desk surface or table. Fixing the elastic cord to the support member may include adjusting a length of the elastic cord such that a chosen amount of mechanical resistance is achieved when the elastic cord is stretched. The method may further include securing a loose portion of the elastic cord to the support member. 
         [0013]    Yet a further example of the invention is an exercise device including a handle, a cord, a desk clamp, and resistance means providing mechanical resistance when the cord is pulled at the handle. The desk clamp coupled to the resistance means and fixedly holds the exercise device to a desk or table. The exercise device may include a support member having a substantially C-shaped cross section. The support member couples the resistance means to the desk clamp. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows an example embodiment of the exercise device contemplated by the present invention in the process of being engaged to a desk or table. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows an example embodiment of the exercise device contemplated by the present invention in the process of adjusting the length of the elastic cord. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows an example embodiment of the exercise device contemplated by the present invention in the process of placing the handle in the cradle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows an example embodiment of the exercise device contemplated by the present invention in the process of being used for the purpose of exercising the biceps. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows an example embodiment of the exercise device contemplated by the present invention in the process of being used for the purpose of exercising the shoulder. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows an example embodiment of the exercise device contemplated by the present invention in the process of being used for the purpose of exercising the back. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  shows an example embodiment of the exercise device contemplated by the present invention in the process of being used for the purpose of exercising the forearm. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows an example embodiment of the exercise device contemplated by the present invention in the process of being used for the purpose of exercising the chest. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows an example embodiment of the exercise device contemplated by the present invention in the process of being used for the purpose of exercising the wrist. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an example method for operating a portable exercise device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The present invention is described with reference to embodiments of the invention. Throughout the description of the invention reference is made to  FIGS. 1-10 . 
         [0026]    The present invention includes an exercise device which is mounted to a desk and allows one to exercise muscles such as the biceps, forearms, shoulders, chest, back and wrists. The device includes a handle, an elastic cord, a cord clasp, a rigid c-shaped support member, and a clamp. The handle is connected to one end of the elastic cord and provides a steady tension when pulled outwardly from the support member. The clamp allows the exercise device to be tightly fastened to desks of different thicknesses. In addition the exercise device is mobile and can be easily mounted and dismounted from one desk or another. Varying resistance levels may be achieved by adjusting the length of the elastic cord. Moreover, the adjustment mechanism allows the exercise device to work on desks of different lengths. 
         [0027]    When not in use, the handle may be neatly placed in a cradle and the loose elastic cord can be folded into a clip, thus maintaining a tidy work environment. 
         [0028]    One embodiment of an exercise device  2  contemplated by the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The exercise device  2  includes a handle  4  and cradle  36 . The handle  4  is placed in the cradle  36  and is connected to one end of an elastic cord  6 . The handle  4  is ergonomically designed for user comfort and can be made of a durable plastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). 
         [0029]    The elastic cord  6 , which can be made of an elastic material such as rubber, runs through a length-adjusting cord clasp  8  which can be configured to releasably secure the elastic cord  6  by lifting and closing an arm  28 . The elastic cord  6  may include a clip to allow one to detach it from the handle  4  and replace it if it tears. The cord clasp  8  is pivotally secured to a support member  26 . The loose portion of the elastic cord  6  can be fastened to the support member  26  with a C-shaped clip  38 . 
         [0030]    The support member  26  is a rigid frame and is comprised of a bottom section of support member  32 , a threaded aperture  30  and a top section of support member  34 . In a particular configuration of the exercise device  2 , the support member has a substantially C-shaped cross section. 
         [0031]    The desk clamp  10  is comprised of a threaded bolt  14  which runs through the threaded aperture  30 . The support member  26  and the threaded bolt  14  are preferably made of a metal material; however they may consist of other rigid materials such as ABS plastic. A proximate end of the threaded bolt  16  is fixed to a knob  20  while a distal end the threaded bolt  18  is coupled to a flange  22 . The knob  20  can be turned counter clock-wise to a point in which the flange  22  is pressing tightly against the underside of desk or table  24 . 
         [0032]    The exercise device  2  is mounted on the desk or table  12  by placing the edge of the desk or table  12  between the top section of the support member  34  and the bottom section of the support member  32 . Once the edge of the desk or table  12  is pressing against the support member  26 , the knob  20  may be turned so that the threaded bolt  14  is screwed through the threaded aperture  30  and the flange  22  is pressing tightly against the underside of desk or table  24 . 
         [0033]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , once the exercise device  2  is tightly mounted to the desk or table  12 , the clip  38  may be opened to release the loose portion of the elastic cord  6 . In order to remove the handle  4  from the cradle  36 , the arm  28  is lifted so that the cord clasp  8  releases the elastic cord  6 . The length of the elastic cord  6  between the handle  4  and the cord clasp  8  will depend on the length of the desk or table  12  and will determine the level of pull resistance. 
         [0034]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , once the exercise activity has been completed the handle  4  may be placed in a cradle  36  while the loose section of the elastic cord  6  folds over the cord clasp  8 . The next time the handle  4  is pulled out of the cradle  36  no addition adjustments are necessary. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 4-9  show exemplary exercises a user may engage in when using the exercise device  2 . 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 4  a user may grasp the handle  4  with the back of the hand facing downwards. The user places the elbow on the desk or table  12  and pulls the handle  4  upward and towards the body without moving the elbow. By continuously pulling and releasing the handle  4  in such a manner the user may exercise the biceps. 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 5  a user may grasp the handle  4  with the back of the hand facing upwards. The user lifts the elbow from the desk and pulls the handle  4  upwards and away from the desk. By continuously pulling and releasing the handle  4  in such a manner the user may exercise the shoulder muscles. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 6  a user may grasp the handle  4  with the back of the hand perpendicular to the desk. The user lifts the elbow from the desk and pulls the handle  4  horizontally towards the body. By continuously pulling and releasing the handle  4  in such a manner the user may exercise the back muscles. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 7  a user may grasp handle  4  with the back of the hand facing upwards. The user places the elbow on the desk or table  12  and pulls the handle  4  upwards towards the body without moving the elbow. By continuously pulling and releasing the handle  4  in such a manner the user may exercise the forearms. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 8  a user may grasp the handle  4  with the back of the hand facing downwards. The user pulls the handle  4  diagonally towards the shoulder of the arm that is not grasping the handle. By continuously pulling and releasing the handle  4  in such a manner the user may exercise the chest muscles. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 9  a user may grasp the handle  4  with the back of the hand facing downwards. The user pulls the handle  4  by bending the wrist while holding the rest of the arm steady. By continuously pulling and releasing the handle  4  in such a manner the user may exercise the wrist muscles. 
         [0042]    An example method for operating a portable exercise device contemplated by the present invention is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0043]    The method includes a securing step  102  for securing a support member of the exercise device to a desk or table. This step may include threading a bolt through an aperture defined by the support member such that a flange coupled to a distal end of the bolt is pressed against an underside of the desk surface or table. 
         [0044]    A fixing step  104  fixes an elastic cord to the support member. This step may further comprise adjusting a length of the elastic cord such that a chosen amount of mechanical resistance is achieved when the elastic cord is stretched. 
         [0045]    At securing step  106 , any loose portion of the elastic cord is secured to the support member. As mentioned above, a clamp may be used to fixedly hold the exercise device to the desk or table. 
         [0046]    At exercising step  108 , the elastic cord is repeatedly stretched and released such that anaerobic exercise is performed. A handle may be provided to assist in stretching and releasing the elastic cord. 
         [0047]    While the preferred embodiments to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.