Abstract:
A hand held exercise device for providing a user with a portable workout. The device may generally comprise a central handle diametrically disposed within and spanning across a ring element having a toroidally shaped inner chamber. Internal bumpers within the inner chamber act to limit the range of motion or travel of at least one mobile element within the inner chamber. Rotational forces imparted by the user upon the handle cause movement of the at least one mobile element that is responded to and countered with user muscle flexion. In this manner, a user may perform a satisfactory workout by continually imparting and then resisting rotation force in alternating clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/313,305, filed with the USPTO on Mar. 12, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to exercise devices, more specifically, the present invention relates to generally handheld exercise devices that use and beneficially exploit the angular momentum of one or more free moving bodies rotating about a ring element of such devices. 
     2. Background Art 
     In recent years people have become more and more conscious of the need to exercise in order to maintain a healthy life-style. Many different types of exercise have become popular and some exercises are directed or devoted to improving various aspects of the body&#39;s fitness and performance. A comprehensive list of such types of exercises and exercise devices is, in today&#39;s society, overwhelming. Many people have become confused as to what exercise and what type of exercise device is suitable for their purposes. Thus, many types of exercise devices are of common knowledge to an informed consumer or physical fitness devotee. There are many examples of such exercise devices, including derivations of inertial-type exercise devices. 
     Much of the equipment developed in the prior art is relatively heavy or bulky, such as universal gyms and free weights. Due to their bulk and weight, these devices are not portable. 
     Although portable, lightweight devices have been known to exist, they generally do not provide a sufficient workout as they typically are simple weights merely scaled down to portable size. These include ankle, hand and wrist weights, weighing only a few pounds. 
     Thus, a user of such conventional exercising devices is often faced with the choice of operating heavy equipment or settling for less than a sufficient workout by using the heretofore known portable devices. 
     It is, therefore, an aspect of the present invention to provide an exercising device that is portable and yet provides a satisfactory workout. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a device and/or method that has one or more of the following features and/or steps, which alone or in any combination may comprise patentable subject matter. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an exercise device comprising a ring element having a toroidally shaped inner chamber therein, a handle disposed across the diameter of the ring element, wherein the handle comprises a first end and a second end each in communication with opposing sides of the ring element, and at least one mobile element disposed and movable within the toroidally shaped inner chamber to provide inertial resistance, wherein the external diameter of the at least one mobile element is less than the internal diameter of the toroidally shaped inner chamber. 
     It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an exercise device having a ring element with a handle fixed therein, whereby a user may grasp the handle and cause movement of at least one mobile element contained within the ring element. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an exercise device that increases physical strength, improves general muscle tone and coordination, and may stimulate the cardiovascular system of the user. 
     Another aspect of the present invention to provide an improved exercise device that comprises a ring element having a toroidally shaped inner chamber and at least one mobile element capable of circulating within the toroidally shaped inner chamber when the ring element is rhythmically rotated. 
     Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide an exercising device that may be economically constructed and thus be affordable by virtually everyone. 
     Yet still it is another aspect of the present invention to provide a device to improve coordination between the right and left sides of the body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a close-up perspective view of the embodiment of the device of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the device of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the view depicts the ring element and at least one mobile element. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a close-up perspective view of another embodiment of the device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a close-up perspective view of still another embodiment of the device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a close-up perspective view of yet still another embodiment of the device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a close-up perspective view of yet still another embodiment of the device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of an external configuration embodiment of the device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. 
     This invention generally relates to exercise devices having a ring element and at least one mobile element movable therein, and, more particularly to an exercise device in which the at least one mobile element is movable within a toroidally shaped inner chamber of the ring element by cyclical motion, upon movement of the ring element by means of a handle or any other supporting structure capable of transferring the motion to the at least one ball. 
     One embodiment of an exercise device  100  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . A first embodiment of the device  100  may generally comprises a ring element  10  having a toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  defined by the ring element  10 . Within the center of the ring element  10 , a handle  15  may span across the diameter of the ring element  10  from a first end  16  of the handle  15  to a second end  17  of the handle  15 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , at least one mobile element  20  may be disposed and movable within the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  of the ring element  10 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the range of motion or travel of the at least one mobile element  20  may be restricted to two semi-circular pathways that are equal to or less than one half of the entirety of the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  wherein at least one mobile element  20  may be disposed within each respective semi-circular pathway. An internal bumper  25  disposed at each end of the semi-circular pathway may provide the structure for limiting the range of motion or travel of the at least one mobile element  20  and/or reduce impact shock of the at least one mobile element  20 . In such a preferred embodiment, two respective semi-circular pathways may be present, wherein each pathway may have at least one mobile element  20  disposed therein (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     In a preferred embodiment of use, an individual may grasp the handle  15  with either one hand or both hands and rotate the device  100  within the plane of the ring element  10 . The device  100  may be held with a user&#39;s arms bent or fully extended at the elbow and the device  100  may be statically maintained in one position or moved about the user&#39;s body during use. In other preferred examples of use, the device  100  may be held with one or both arms in a relaxed downward position with the device  100  in front, behind, or at either side of the user. As an alternative, the device  100  may be held at shoulder height with the device  100  in front, behind, or out to either side of the user. Still further, the device  100  may be held overhead by the user during use. The scope of the present invention includes any and all incremental angular positions located within a user&#39;s bodily range of motion. 
     The ring element  10  and the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  defined therein may take one of several configurations. In a preferred embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the “top” of the ring element  10  may comprise a split-open top configuration. The split-open top may be very narrow (e.g. a thin slit) or the split-open top may be very wide (see  FIGS. 1-7 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , even with a wide split-open top the concave interior walls of the ring element  10  may encircle the circumference of each of the at least one mobile elements  20  to retain each of the at least one mobile elements  20  within the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  no matter the orientation of the ring element  10 . In this manner, the at least one mobile element  20  is free to move, roll, slide, and the like within the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  while the at least one mobile element  20  is also retained and may be “snap-fit” within the inner chamber  11 . In an alternative embodiment, the top surface of the ring element  10  may be completely solid thus obscuring any view of the at least one mobile element  20  therein. In narrow split-open top or solid-walled ring element  10  embodiments, one or more removable sections of a wall portion of the ring element  10  may allow for access to and/or replacement of the at least one mobile element  20 . 
     The handle  15  of the device  100  may comprise a variety of configurations that allow for use by either one hand or two hands of a user. The handle  15  may be composed of rigid material or, alternatively, the handle  15  may be composed a flexible resilient material. In a preferred embodiment the handle  15  may be slim and ergonomic, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . Such a slim-gripped handle  15  may allow for maximum muscle rotation flex and an improved muscle rotation tone as compared to use of a larger diameter handle  15 . Handle  15  may be unitary with the device  100  or the handle  15  may be removable to allow for the interchangeability of handles  15  and ring elements  10  that may change relative weights and/or materials of the components comprising the device  100 . A preferred embodiment of a removable handle is shown in  FIGS. 1-2  wherein a post  30  may be disposed on each of the first end  16  and second end  17  of the handle  15  wherein a complimentary post-hole  35  may be disposed at diametrically opposed portions of the inner circumference of the ring element  10 . The flexibility or resiliency of the handle  15  and/or ring element  10  may provide for a secure connection that is releasable with the application of a sufficient amount of force to slightly deform either of the components to allow for removal of the handle  15  from the ring element  10 . The scope of the present invention further includes all other manners known within the art for removably securing the handle  15  to the ring element  10  which may include but are not limited to complimentary screws and nuts or threaded recesses, tabs and grooves, and the like. A user&#39;s grip on the handle  15  may also be improved by providing any beneficial secure gripping surface known within the art including but not limited to an elastomeric or resilient outer coating, knurling, texturing, grooves, and the like on the outer surface of the handle  15 . 
     The at least one mobile element  20  is disposed within the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  of the ring element  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the at least one mobile element  20  may comprise a spherical structure known within the art including but not limited to a steel ball capable of rolling within the inner chamber  11 . In another preferred embodiment, the at least one mobile element  20  may comprise a cylindrical-shaped configuration that is capable of sliding within the inner chamber  11 . The at least one mobile element  20  is movable within the inner chamber  11  to provide an ever changing resistance against the muscle flexion of the user. In alternate embodiments the at least one mobile element  20  may comprise multiple ball members or multiple cylindrical members including but not limited to two, three, four, five, or six mobile elements  20  disposed within the inner chamber  11 . In other alternate embodiments, the at least one mobile element  20  comprise any shape configuration capable of sliding, rolling, or otherwise moving within the inner chamber  11  or the ring element  10 . 
     The clearance of the at least one mobile element  20  in the inner chamber  11  should be sufficient to allow for free and unobstructed rolling, sliding, or other movement of the at least one mobile element  20  within the inner chamber  11 . If the clearance is insufficient the diameter of the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  may be increased by any means known within the art, and if the clearance is too large the diameter of the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  may be decreased by any means known within the art. In a preferred embodiment, the clearance may be increased by sanding or otherwise abrading the inner surface of the ring element  10  to increase the internal diameter of the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11 . In another preferred embodiment, the clearance may be decreased by first sanding or otherwise abrading the inner surface of the ring element  10  and thereafter applying an appropriate thickness of one or more paint layers onto the inner surface of the ring element  10  to decrease the internal diameter of the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and  FIG. 4 , internal bumpers  25  may be disposed within the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  to separate the inner chamber  11  into two or more interior spaces. In a preferred embodiment four internal bumpers  25  may be used to separate the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  into four interior spaces. The majority of the volume of such an inner chamber  11  may comprise two semicircular pathways with each having at least one mobile element  20  disposed therein. The four internal bumpers  25  may further define a void space disposed between each of the two semicircular chambers and immediately adjacent each of the first end  16  and the second end  17  of the handle  15 . Such void spaces may be used to provide or facilitate access to the connection points between the handle  15  and the ring element  10  where the handle  15  is either permanently affixed or removably affixed to the ring element  10 . The internal bumpers  25  may comprise a flat, convex, or concave surface that interacts with the at least one mobile element  20  and provides a stopping point for the at least one mobile element&#39;s  20  range of motion or travel within the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the surfaces of the internal bumpers  25  that interact with the at least one mobile elements  20  may further comprise at least one resilient insert  40  that may include but is not limited to a spring, cylindrical-shaped resilient material, or any other resilient or soft material of any shape known within the art. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the at least one resilient insert  40  may be secured to the surface of the internal bumper  25  that contacts the at least one mobile element  20  and provide a rebounding spring action and/or dampen the sound of the at least one mobile element  20  when the at least one mobile element  20  reaches the end of its range of motion or travel within the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11 . In still another embodiment, the at least one resilient insert  40  may remain movable within the inner chamber  11  of the ring element  10  sharing the space with at least one mobile element  20 . In a preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the at least one resilient insert  40  may comprise a generally cylindrical configuration and may have an outer diameter sized less than the inner diameter of the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11 . Additionally, the at least one resilient insert  40  may have a roller bearing inserted therein to allow for unobstructed motion of the at least one resilient insert  40  within the inner chamber  11 . In alternate embodiments the at least one resilient insert  40  may comprise a plurality of resilient inserts  40  including but not limited to two, three, four, five, or six resilient inserts  40  disposed within the inner chamber  11  and the potential internal spaces thereof and/or a plurality of resilient inserts  40  fixed to the surface of one or more internal bumpers  25 . The scope of the present invention further includes the use of a plurality of resilient inserts  40  wherein each embodiment may be used either alone or in any combination with other embodiments of the at least one resilient inserts  40  (e.g. springs used along with cylindrical-shaped resilient material). 
     Still another alternate embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , may comprise at least one mobile element  20  having at least one magnet member  55  thereon. Additionally, at least one magnet member  55  may also be further incorporated onto one or more internal bumpers  25 , at least one resilient insert  40 , one or more springs  36 , or other resilient members to provide a repulsive magnetic force as the at least one mobile element  20  and its at least one magnet member  55  thereon approaches any of these other structures having at least one magnet member  55  thereon as well. In this manner, opposing magnetic forces may provide and/or assist in slowing and/or stopping the continued motion of the at least one mobile element  20  as it approaches the end of its range of motion or travel within the inner chamber  11 . Opposing or repulsive magnetic forces between the at least one mobile element  20  having at least one magnet member  55  thereon and any structures and/or surfaces in close proximity (e.g. an internal bumper  24 , a resilient insert  40 , a spring  36 , or other resilient member) may provide a rebounding magnetic force and/or assist in reducing or slowing the speed of the at least one mobile element  20  having the at least one magnet member  55  thereon as it reaches the end of its range of motion or travel within the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11 . In one exemplary embodiment, the at least one mobile element  20  may comprise a cylindrical structure, similar to the at least one resilient insert  40  described above, wherein the mobile element  20  may be weighted as needed and the diameter tolerances allow the at least one mobile element  20  to slide freely within the inner chamber  11 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a first flat end and a second flat end of such a cylindrically-configured mobile element  20  may have magnet members  55  disposed thereon. Any surface or structure that may approach and/or contact the at least one mobile element  20  and its at least one magnet member  55  thereon at the end of its range of motion within the inner chamber  11  (e.g. an internal bumper  24 , a resilient insert  40 , a spring  36 , or any other resilient material) may comprise a magnet member  55  that provides a beneficial opposing or repulsive magnetic force as the two structures come within close proximity to each another. 
     In another embodiment or configuration (not shown), one or more removable elements may be removably attached to both the first end  16  and the second end  17  of the handle  15  thereby effectively replacing the ring element  10 . The one or more removable elements may be available in different total weights to provide a variety of resistances for changing workout intensity. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more removable elements may comprise one removable element disposed at each of the respective ends  16 , 17  of the handle  15 . The two removable elements may be of equal weight or one removable element may be of a greater weight than the other removable element to provide an additional workout variation. The one or more removable elements may be provided in near endless variety of shape configurations, wherein a preferred variation may include the spherical configuration. Each of the one or more removable element may further comprise an attachment structure that is complimentary to a reciprocal structure found on each end  16 , 17  of the handle  15 . Such complimentary attachment structures provide for a removable connection between the handle  15  and the one or more removable elements and may include but are not limited to complimentary post and holes, screws and nuts or threaded recesses, tabs and grooves, and the like. 
     In still another embodiment or configuration, a plurality of resilient members  50  and/or struts  51  may be disposed either between the handle  15  and the inner circumference of the ring element  10  or between separate portions of the inner circumference of the ring element  10 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , any configuration of resilient members  50  and rigid struts  51  used alone or in combination may provide for alternate hand grip positions that allow additional exercise variations to be performed. Resilient members  50  in the form of bungee cords or other known pliant or resilient material allow a user to perform additional elastic resistance exercises while using the device  100  of the present invention. Connection points for the resilient members  50  and/or struts  51  may include end points independently selected from the ring element  10 , the handle  15 , other resilient members  50 , and other struts  51 . 
     The above-described embodiments comprise a generally internal configuration wherein the operative structures and elements are contained within the ring element  10  and function within the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the same operative principles and structures may be applied in an external configuration  200  of the present invention as well. In an external configuration  200 , the ring element  10  may comprise a structure having a solid cross-section wherein the other elements are disposed about the outer surface or circumference of the ring element  10 . The handle  15  may be attached to diametrically opposed portions of the ring element  10  in the same manner as described above for the previous embodiments. The at least one mobile element  20  may comprise a sphere, a cylinder, or any other shape that may have a cylindrical hole  60  defined there through. The at least one mobile element  20  may slide upon the outer surface of the ring element  10  wherein the diameter of the cylindrical hole  60  is greater than the outer diameter of the ring element  10 . The internal bumpers  25  of the internal configurations in the previous embodiments may be reconfigured as external bumpers  65  or flanges to provide a stopping surface for the at least one mobile element  20  on the outer surface of the ring element  10 . As with the internal configurations described in detail above, an external configuration  200  may also further comprise a plurality of mobile element  20 , at least one magnet member  55 , one or more springs  36 , at least one resilient insert  40 , or other resilient material disposed about the outer surface of the ring element  10  either alone or in any combination thereof. Such additional or alternative structures provide the same function whether incorporated on an internal or external configuration of the present invention. 
     Accordingly the reader will see that, in use one or more embodiments of the present invention provide for a hand held exercise device  100  that may be grasped by either one hand or two hands of the user. User rotation of the device  100  within the plane of the ring element  10  provides a force applied to the hand(s) and arm(s) of the user that must be countered by muscle flexion by the user. For a less intense workout, a user may rotate the device  100  with the user&#39;s arms pointing toward the ground. For increased intensity, the user may rotate the device  100  while the device  100  is held up to resist gravity (e.g. at shoulder level, overhead, and the like). In a preferred embodiment, rotation of the device  100  causes the at least one mobile element  20  disposed within the toroidally shaped inner chamber  11  to roll, slide or otherwise move within the semicircular pathway of the preferred embodiment as the device  100  is repeatedly rotated clockwise and then counterclockwise within the plane of the ring element  10 . 
     As the direction of rotation of the preferred embodiment is changed, the at least one mobile element  20  contacts an internal bumper  25  within the inner chamber  11  once the mobile element  20  has reached the end of its range of motion or travel within the inner chamber  11  causing a transfer of force to at least the hands and arms of the user. Muscle flexion on the part of the user may be required to stop the current rotation of the device  100  (as at least one mobile element  20  impacts the internal bumper  25 ) and then to impart a counter-rotation force that sends the at least one mobile element  20  back within its semicircular range of motion within the inner chamber  11 . As the rotation of the device  100  slows and then stops due to either muscular flexion or the limits of the user&#39;s bodily range of motion for his or her hands, wrist, or arms, the at least one mobile element  20  begins to travel back through the semicircular inner chamber  11  and impacts the internal bumper  25  at the opposite end of the semicircular pathway of the inner chamber  11 . The weight and the overall number of at least one mobile elements  20  may be changed to provide for varying exercise resistance level and/or intensity. Also, a user may desire to stop the rotation of the device  100  earlier via their own muscle flexion as opposed to ending rotation of the device  100  only when the user&#39;s bodily range of motion is reached. 
     While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. 
     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.