Abstract:
A wearable resistance exercise apparatus has at least one pulley. A cable is coupled to the at least one pulley. At least one handle is located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user. A wearable support member is provided, wherein the at least one pulley is located on the wearable support member. At least one exercise accessory is coupled to the wearable support member.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to resistance exercise equipment and, more particular, to a wearable resistance exercise apparatus that employs a resistance pulley system and that can be used to perform resistance exercises when in position on a wearer. 
         [0002]    Resistance exercise equipment is a popular tool used for conditioning, strength training, muscle building, and the like. Various types of resistance exercise equipment are known, such as free weights, exercise machines, and resistance exercise bands or tubing. Various limitations exist with the prior art exercise devices. For example, many types of exercise equipment, such as free weights and most exercise machines, are not portable. With respect to exercise bands and tubing, they may need to be attached to a stationary object, such as a closed door or a heavy piece of furniture. This becomes a problem when, for example, the user wishes to perform resistance exercises in a location where such stationary objects are not readily found, such as outdoors. For the prior art devices that do not need to be attached to stationary objects, such as other types of bands or tubing, such prior art systems typically provide only one level of resistance. This is a disadvantage for a user who wishes to increase or decrease the level of resistance for the user&#39;s resistance exercises. For such users, it becomes necessary to acquire more than one set of resistance exercise bands or tubing. 
         [0003]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method that overcomes the above problems. The apparatus and method would provide for resistance exercise equipment that is portable, that may be used on its own without the need to employ other types of equipment, and that allows for adjustable resistance levels. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A wearable resistance exercise apparatus has at least one pulley. A cable is coupled to the at least one pulley. At least one handle is located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user. A wearable support member is provided, wherein the at least one pulley is located on the wearable support member. At least one exercise accessory is coupled to the wearable support member 
         [0005]    The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a wearable resistance exercise apparatus, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is front view of a pulley device, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a front, perspective, mirror image view of the pulley device of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a tension adjusting device, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the pulley device of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the pulley device of  FIG. 4 , with a portion thereof being shown in phantom; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the pulley device of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a magnified view of another embodiment of the tension adjusting device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a front view of another embodiment of the wearable resistance exercise apparatus having magnified view of different attachments; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the wearable resistance exercise apparatus having the pivot board shown in  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of the wearable resistance exercise apparatus having a pivot board, the pivot board being used for another exercise; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11C  is a front view of the picot board used in  FIG. 11A-11B ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11A  is a side view of the wearable resistance exercise apparatus having the swing seat as shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11B  is a rear view of the wearable resistance exercise apparatus having the swing seat of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12A  is a front view of another embodiment of the wearable resistance exercise apparatus; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 12B  is a rear view of the wearable resistance exercise apparatus of  FIG. 12A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an embodiment of a wearable resistance exercise apparatus  10  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the exercise apparatus includes the following main components: two pulley devices  20 , cables  22  which are coupled to the pulley devices  20 , handles  24  which are coupled to the ends of the cables  22 , and a wearable support member  12 , to which the pulley devices  20  are attached. In this embodiment, the exercise apparatus  10  further includes tension adjusting devices  30 , which are coupled to the front of the wearable support member  12 . Also in this embodiment, the wearable support member  12  includes front closures  14 . 
         [0025]    In this embodiment, the wearable support member  12  is a vest. However, other forms of wearable support members, such as jackets, jumpsuits, or the like may be used. Preferably, the wearable support member  12  is composed of a heavy duty material, so that use of the pulley devices  20 , as herein described, do not cause the wearable support member  12  to stretch, sag or tear. Preferably, the wearable support member  12  has front closures  14 , so that it may be remain securely in position on a wearer during use of the exercise apparatus  10 . It may be desired to use side or back closures in addition to or instead of the front closures  14 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the handles  24  are attached to the cables  22  with fasteners, such as a snap hooks or carabineers. It may be desired to use hollow handles, which may be slipped over the cables  22 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4  and  FIGS. 6-8 , an embodiment of a pulley device  20 , consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the pulley device  20  includes a backplate  26  having a plurality of openings (not shown) through which coupling members  28 , such as bolts, may be inserted in order to couple the pulley device  20  to the wearable support member  12  (as best seen in  FIG. 2 ). Preferably, the backplate  26  is composed of a rigid material, such as metal, so that it is capable of supporting the weight of the pulley device  20 . A tension cable  32  extends from the pulley device  20  to a tension adjusting device  30  (as best seen in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0028]    In this embodiment, the tension adjusting devices  30  are positioned on the front of the wearable support member  12 . In this way, they are within easy reach of a wearer of the exercise apparatus  10 , who can adjust tension without needing to remove the wearable support member  12  by rotating the tension adjusting devices  30 . However, it may be desired to position the tension devices  30  elsewhere, such as on the back or sides of the wearable support member  12 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the structure of an embodiment of a portion of an exercise apparatus  10  is shown, with particular attention to the tension adjustment feature. A worm screw  34  is provided, with the worm screw  34  being rotatable by a turning of its corresponding tension adjusting device  30  (not shown), with the rotation being communicated through tension cable  32  (not shown). Rotation of the worm screw  34  alters the load on load spring  36 . Where it is desired to increase resistance, the tension adjusting device  30  should be turned in the direction that will cause increased load on the load spring  36 . To decrease resistance, rotation should occur in the opposite direction. 
         [0030]    An increase in load on the load spring  36  causes anterior movement of a clutch plate  38 , which provides increased tension on the corresponding pulley device  20 . This will create increased resistance for the user. A decrease in load on the load spring  36  causes posterior movement of a clutch plate  38 , which provides decreased tension on the corresponding pulley device  20 . This will create decreased resistance for the user. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of the pulley device  20 ′ is shown. In this embodiment, the pulley device  20 ′ is removable and may be attached to different areas of the wearable support member  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the wearable support member  12  may have one or more attachment loops  40 . The attachment loops may be formed on different areas of the wearable support member  12 . 
         [0032]    The pulley device  20 ′ has a “U” shape frame  42 . A channel  44  is formed in the “U” shaped frame  42 . The wheel and axle unit  46  is positioned in the channel  44  with the axle portion secured in the “U” shaped frame  42 . A hinge mechanism  48  is kingly coupled to the “U” shaped frame  42 . The hinge mechanism  48  allows the pulley device  20 ′ to be removably attached to different areas of the wearable support member  12 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the exercise apparatus  10  may have a plurality of attachment devices. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the exercise apparatus  10  may have an exercise computer  50 , an exercise board  56 , one or more pockets  78 , heating and or cooling elements  80 , a massage device  82  and/or a swing seat  66 . 
         [0034]    The exercise computer  50  may be built into the wearable support member  12 . Alternatively, the exercise computer  50  may be removably attached to the wearable support member  12 . The exercise computer  50  is an electronic device that will provide feedback on your exercise routine such as: length of exercise time; calories burned; heart rate; tension on the pulley device  20 / 20 ′; time of day; store digital recordings such as music, exercise instructions, etc. and the like. The above listing is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
         [0035]    If the exercise computer  50  is used to measure heart rate, the wearable support member  12  may have a built in heart rate strap  52 . The heart rate strap  52  may be used to measure the wearer&#39;s heart rate and to transmit this information to the exercise computer  50 . 
         [0036]    If the exercise computer  50  is used to store digital recordings such as music, exercise instructions, etc., the wearable support member  12  may have built in headphones  54 . The built in head phones  54  may be used to allow the wearer of the wearable support member  12  to listen to the digital recordings. 
         [0037]    The exercise computer  50  may also be stored in one or more pockets  78  formed on the wearable support member  12 . The pockets  78  may further be used o store other items such as an MP3 player, food, keys, and the like. 
         [0038]    The wearable support member  12  may further have heating and or cooling elements  80  and or a massage device  82  formed therein. The heating and cooling elements  80  may be sued based on the weather conditions to keep the user at an optimal temperature during a workout. The massage device  82  may be used to relax the muscles after a workout. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11A-11C , the exercise apparatus  10  may have an exercise board  56 . The exercise board  56  may be coupled to the pulley device  20 / 20 ′ to allow the user of the exercise apparatus  10  to do additional exercises. In accordance with one embodiment, the exercise board  56  is formed of a board member  56 A. The board member  56 A may be configured to be slightly curved in nature. A middle section  60  of the board member  56 A may have a wider width than the end sections  58  of the board member  56 A. 
         [0040]    An opening  62  may be formed on each of the end sections  58 . The openings  62  may be used to allow the tension cable  22  and handles  24  to be inserted there through. By altering the position of the exercise board  56 , different exercises may be performed for different parts of the body. For example, as shown in  FIG. 11A , the exercise board  56  may be positioned on the back of the user to perform shoulder presses. Further, as shown in  FIG. 11B , the user may place the exercise board  56  on a surface such as a floor to allow a user to stand on the exercise board  56  to perform calf raises and or leg extensions. The above are just a few examples of exercises that may be performed and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 12A-12B , the wearable resistant exercise apparatus  10  may have a swing seat  66 . The swing seat  66  may be movably attached to the wearable support member  12 . The swing seat  66  may be used for shoulder exercises. In accordance with one embodiment, the swing seat may be comprised of a body member  68 . The body member  68  may be formed of a flexible material. A flexible material may allow the body member  68  to conform to the body of the user as shown in  FIGS. 12A-12B . Located on each end section  70  of the body member  68  may be a strap member  72 . The strap member  72  may be coupled to an adjustment device  74 . The adjustment device  74  may be used to adjust a length of the strap member  72 . Located on one end of each strap member  72  may be an attachment mechanism  76 . The attachment mechanism  76  may be used to rotatably couple each strap member  72  to the wearable support member  12 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13A-13C , another embodiment of the wearable support member  12 ′ is shown. Like in the previous embodiments, the wearable support member  12 ′ is a vest. However, other forms of wearable support members, such as jackets, jumpsuits, or the like may be used. Preferably, the wearable support member  12 ′ is composed of a heavy duty material, so that use of the pulley devices  20 / 20 ′ do not cause the wearable support member  12 ′ to stretch, sag or tear. Preferably, the wearable support member  12 ′ has front closures  14 ′, so that it may be remain securely in position on a wearer during use of the exercise apparatus  10 . It may be desired to use side or back closures in addition to or instead of the front closures  14 ′. A top section of the wearable support member  12 ′ may be formed of a mesh material  12 A. 
         [0043]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it may be desired for the wearable support member  12  to include only one pulley device  20  to which two handles  24  are attached. It may also be desired for the wearable support member  12  to include only one pulley device  20  to which only one handle  24  is attached. In this latter embodiment, a user would be required to either grasp the single handle  24  with both hands, or exercise using one hand at a time. 
       Statement of Operation 
       [0044]    In order to position the wearable resistance exercise apparatus  10  so that it may be used to perform resistance exercises, a user would put the exercise apparatus  10  on the user&#39;s upper body, so that the pulley devices  20  are positioned over the user&#39;s back and the tension adjusting devices  30  are positioned over the user&#39;s chest. The user would set a desired level of resistance by manipulating the tension adjusting devices  30 . The user would then perform resistance exercises by gripping the handles  24  and pulling them in a manner intended to stimulate muscle building. 
         [0045]    For example, a user may wish to grasp the handles  24  and bring both hands directly forward, in a rowing or bench press type of motion. A user may wish to bring the handles  24  in an arc-type of motion until they contact each other in front of the user&#39;s body, in a fly type of motion. A user could extend both hands upward from a point beginning behind the neck, in a triceps extension type of motion. Numerous other variations are also possible. 
         [0046]    A user may wish to utilize a single resistance setting for an exercise session. Alternatively, a user may wish to perform multiple sets of a particular exercise, and may wish to increase resistance between sets to perform a pyramid-style workout. The user may also wish to change resistance between different exercises. 
         [0047]    While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.