Abstract:
There is now provided an expander type exercise device for performing physical workout exercise that can be configured in a simple manner to adjust the resiliency of an elastic strand for various physical workout exercises, by varying the length of the elastic strand that is disposed between two handgrips by means of which the elastic strand can be expanded by exerting a force of pull upon the elastic strand. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by  37  C.F.R § 1.72 (b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72 (b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, the abstract is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED PATENT APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a continuation-in-part application of my co-pending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 10/689,282 filed on Oct. 21, 2003 in Art Unit 3764. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an expander type exercise device.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     Expander type exercise devices are also referred to as pulling exercisers or strand-pulling exercisers. Such exercisers are intended to aid in performing a plurality of physical exercises that are conducive to improve the fitness of body muscles. Such exercise devices may serve to replace barbells or dumbbells for performing physical exercises.  
         [0006]     Some typical expander type exercise devices are described in the following references.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 399,699 issued to Sachs on Mar. 19, 1889 and entitled “Exercising apparatus,” shows a typical embodiment of a strand-pulling exercise device in which five elastic bands, either rubber or metallic springs, are individually respectively secured between handles. U.S. Pat. No. 2,930,614 issued to McIntosh on Mar. 29, 1960 and entitled “Body exercising device,” discloses five separate elongated resilient, rubber, tubes connected between two handgrips. The tubes according to McIntosh are connected at the handgrips by way of ball elements. U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,543 issued to Richardson on Jul. 18, 1972 and entitled “Elastic pull type exerciser,” discloses a single piece of elastic tubing with loops formed at the respective ends of the tubing that serve as the handgrips. An anchoring element is disposed at the portion of the tubing opposite to the handgrips. The anchoring element provides the counterweight for the pull type exerciser according to Richardson. U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,734 issued to Lee at al. on Apr. 26, 1977 and entitled “Elastic pull type isotonic/isometric exerciser,” discloses a single, elastic, resistant length of latex rubber with respective handle portions to perform pulling exercises. U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,318 issued to Phillips et al. on Aug. 9, 1988 and entitled “Exerciser,” discloses a single tension member that can be varied in length between two handgrips. U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,564 issued to Nelson on Sep. 2, 1997 and entitled “Exercise device,” discloses a structure that includes a single belt. The single belt serves to resist swinging movement of an upper housing upon movement of a handle assembly that is actuated during an exercise. The belt is connected to a pair of sprockets that cooperate with a further, centrally located, sprocket. The centrally located sprocket meshes with the cogs on the pair of sprockets, such that rotation of the centrally located sprocket in clockwise or counter-clockwise directions will rotate the adjacent sprockets in opposed directions to thereby adjust the tension of the single belt. U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,196 issued to Gvoich on Mar. 23, 1999 and entitled “Multiple elastic cable exercise device,” discloses three elastic cables, the respective ends of which are secured in the respective handles by way of conical plugs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,631 issued to Chiu on Apr. 20, 1999 and entitled “Handle structure for a chest pull,” discloses a handle with a tapered passage for a sphere member that is sized to be movably retained in the tapered passage.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,758 issued to Chiu on Nov. 28, 2000 and entitled “Handle assembly for connecting resilient ropes,” discloses a single rope that is passed through apertures in a pair of handles, with the rope being clamped in place in the handles by way of teardrop-shaped members.  
         [0009]     The Applicant herein also conducted a search in the database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with the search terms “exercise equipment.” The search located 1543 titles. A total of 229 references of these 1543 titles were studied separately, but no pertinent references were developed.  
         [0010]     Based on the disclosures described in the foregoing, my present invention is to overcome hitherto encountered limitations in terms of adjusting the operational resiliency or resistance of the elastic element and elements of an expander type exercise device or strand pulling exercise device.  
         [0011]     Thus, my present invention, in one aspect thereof, is directed to the improvement wherein a plurality of tension modes can be accomplished for an increase of the number of possible physical exercises that can be performed with my expander type exerciser during physical workout therewith.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is an object of the invention described below to solve the problems encountered on similar devices of the prior art.  
         [0013]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an expander type exercise device that allows quick and simple adjustment of the resiliency of the elastic element that is disposed between two handgrips.  
         [0014]     It is further an object of the present invention to provide a kit comprising an expander type exercise device and structures that permit to secure the expander type exercise device to stationary features in a room in which physical exercises are carried out.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     The invention teaches that these objects can be accomplished by an exercise device of the class of expander type exercisers and strand pulling exercisers in which an elastic member that is capable of expansion and contraction is disposed between a pair of handgrips that are configured to expand the elastic member for physical workout exercises by a user, said exercise device comprising: (a) a first handgrip and a second handgrip; each handgrip comprising a handle portion being configured to be held by a user; each handle portion comprising a first plane; said first plane comprising a substantial vertical plane when a corresponding handgrip is held by a hand of a user; each handle portion comprising a base portion being configured with a groove to mount a plurality of roller elements; each grooved base portion disposing a corresponding groove opening in the direction remote from a corresponding handle portion; (b) a group of at least four roller elements being configured to be mounted in the grooved base portion of said first handgrip; a group of at least four roller elements being configured to be mounted in the grooved base portion of said second said second handgrip; each roller element having a longitudinal axis of rotation being disposed to extend transversely in reference to a corresponding first plane of a corresponding handgrip; each roller element comprising a circumferential groove disposed transversely in reference to a corresponding longitudinal axis of a corresponding roller element; (c) for each roller element, a shaft structure being configured to be disposed in a corresponding grooved base portion and also being configured to mount a corresponding roller element in a corresponding grooved base portion; and (d) a single elastic strand element being configured to expand upon being pulled by a force of pull and being configured to contract upon release of a force of pull; said single elastic strand element being configured to be selectively disposed about said group of at least four roller elements of said first handgrip and said group of at least four roller elements of said second handgrip and between said first handgrip and said second handgrip in a first formation and in at least one other formation; said first formation comprising eight portions of said single elastic strand element being disposed about said group of at least four roller elements of said first handgrip and also about said group of at least four roller elements of said second handgrip, and between said first handgrip and said second handgrip; said at least one other formation comprising four portions of said single elastic strand element being disposed about at least two roller elements of said group of at least four grooved roller elements of said first handgrip and about at least two grooved roller elements of said group of at least four roller elements of said second handgrip, and between said first handgrip and said second handgrip.  
         [0016]     The invention further teaches that these objects can be accomplished by a kit for performing physical workout exercises, said kit comprising: an expander type exercise device for use in performing physical workout exercises by a user, said exercise device comprising: (a) a first handgrip and a second handgrip; each handgrip comprising a handle portion configured to be grasped by a hand of a user; each handle portion comprising at least one mounting portion configured and disposed to removably dispose a guide element; (b) at least one guide element; each said at least one guide element being configured to be removably disposed in said at portion configured and disposed to removably dispose a guide element, of a corresponding handle portion of each said first handgrip and said second handgrip; (c) for each said at least one guide element, at least one structure being configured to dispose a corresponding guide element for rotation at a corresponding handgrip; and (d) an elastic element being configured to be disposed as an endless band about a respective guide element of said first handgrip and also about a respective guide element of said second handgrip to permit expansion and contraction of said elastic element between said first handgrip and said second handgrip upon performing physical workout exercises; and (B) a structure configured to be secured at one of: a wall and a door of a room; said structure also being configured to connect a handgrip for performing physical exercises.  
         [0017]     The invention also teaches that these objects can be attained by an expander type exercise device for use in performing physical workout exercises by a user, said exercise device comprising: (a) a first handgrip and a second handgrip; each handgrip comprising a handle portion being configured to be grasped by a hand of a user; each handle portion comprising at least one portion being configured and disposed to removably retain a guide element; (b) at least one guide element for each handgrip; said guide element being configured to be removably disposed in said retaining portion of a corresponding handgrip; (c) a structure being configured to mount a corresponding guide element for rotation at a corresponding handgrip; and (d) an elastic element being configured to be disposed as an endless band about a respective guide element of said first handgrip and also about a respective guide element of said second handgrip to permit expansion and contraction of said elastic element between said first handgrip and said second handgrip upon performing physical workout exercises.  
         [0018]     The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will be described further hereinbelow. When the word “invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” includes “inventions”, that is the plural of “invention”. By stating “invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows the basic structure and use of the expander type exerciser device in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic illustration of the expander type exercise device according to  FIG. 1  with utilization of eight portions of the elastic element in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-section along line  2 A- 2 A in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-section similar to  FIG. 2A  and illustrating a possible different cross-sectional configuration;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a disgrammatic representation of the expander type exercise device according to  FIG. 1  with utilization of six portions of the elastic element in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a further diagrammatic representation of the expander type exercise device with utilization of four portions of the elastic element in another arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a further diagrammatic representation of the expander type exercise device with utilization of two portions of the elastic element in another arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a handgrip for the expander type exercise device in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a front view similar to  FIG. 6  illustrating a further embodiment of a handgrip in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a front view similar to  FIG. 6  of another embodiment of a handgrip in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation of a handgrip in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a side view similar to  FIG. 9  and illustrating another embodiment of a handgrip in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a roller element in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 12  is a front view of the roller element according to  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 13  is side view of a pin member to secure a roller element in a handgrip in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 13A  is a side view similar to  FIG. 13  of a pin member in accordance with another embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a retainer profile structure having hooks, to receive a handgrip, in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the retainer profile structure according to  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 16  is a front view of a further retainer profile structure in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 17  is a front view of yet another embodiment of a retainer profile structure in accordance with one embodiment of my present invention;  
         [0040]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the retainer profile structure according to  FIGS. 14 and 15  and fasteners to secure the respective retainer profile structure;  
         [0041]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the retainer profile structures according to  FIGS. 16 and 17  and fasteners to secure the respective retainer profile structure;  
         [0042]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a handgrip with two types of belting arrangements that may be used with the exercise device;  
         [0043]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the arrangement of a belting for holding a handgrip at the top of a door;  
         [0044]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the arrangement of a hook member that may be disposed at the bottom of a door to engage with a handgrip;  
         [0045]      FIG. 23  is a side elevation of a a snap type key ring element for connecting a handgrip of an expander type exercise device to a retainer structure according to one of  FIGS. 14, 16 , and  17 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 24  is an elevation of a handgrip comprising two portions connectable to one another;  
         [0047]      FIG. 25  is a top plan view of the handgrip in accordance with  FIG. 24 ; and  
         [0048]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the handgrip of  FIG. 24  showing a connector in removed position.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0049]      FIG. 1  illustrates a user  10  holding the expander type exercise device  20  by the right handgrip  21  and by the left handgrip  21 ′. In one embodiment of the invention, the handgrips are identical in structure, but different numerals are used in this description to identify left and right. Thus, in this description, the reference to left and right and top and bottom and like designations is in reference to the pictorial representation of the drawings as viewed by an observer.  
         [0050]     Elastic element  30  is disposed in eight portions between handgrip  21  and handgrip  21 ′. The elastic element  30  is preferably an elastic tubular element, such as, sold under the trademark THERABAND. THERABAND is used in physical therapy clinics and is available in drugstores and  10  similar outlets. THERABAND is produced by THERABAND INC., Akron, Ohio, in various colors and sizes, colors being yellow, red, green, blue, and black. The colors may indicate different tensile strengths or expansion and contraction properties or the resistance grade. PRIMELINE INDUSTRIES of Akron, Ohio, produces similar tubular elements. The size of the tubular element  30  may be in the range of from ⅛ of an inch (3.15 mm) outer diameter and {fraction (1/32)} of an inch (0.80 mm) wall thickness with {fraction (1/16)} of an inch (1.59 mm) inner diameter, to ½ of an inch (12.70 mm) outer diameter with ⅛ of an inch (3.15 mm) wall thickness and ¼ of an inch (6.35 mm) inner diameter and all manufactured and possible sizes in between and other sizes and dimensions as desired for a given situation. The tubular element  30  may be selected with a tensile configuration that is useful for a beginner of my exercise device  20 , for an advanced user of my exercise device  20 , or an intermediate user of my exercise device  20 . However, other elastic elements that can be expanded from its original state by application of a pulling force and that contract upon release of the pulling force to its original state may equally be used.  
         [0051]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of my expander type exercise device  20  in the configuration that is regarded as the basic configuration of the elastic element  30  between handgrip  21  and handgrip  21 ′. This configuration is particularly intended for performing physical exercises that develop and/or strengthen the muscles of the arms and upper torso of a user  10 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 2  shows a first, right, handgrip  21  that has a handle portion or grip portion  22  that is configured to be gripped by a hand of a user  10 . Connected next to handle portion  22  is a pair of side members  23   a  and  23   b  that serve to connect the handle portion  22  to a roller element mounting portion  24  that is configured to mount and dispose four rollers,  25 . 1 ,  25 . 2 ,  25 . 3 , and  25 . 4 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 2  further shows a second, left, handgrip  21 ′ which correspondingly comprises a handle portion or grip portion  22 ′ that is configured to be gripped by the other hand of a user  10 , in this illustration, the left hand. Connected next to handle portion  22 ′ is a pair of side members  23   a ′ and  23   b ′ that serve to connect the handle portion  22 ′ to a roller element mounting portion  24 ′ that is configured to mount or dispose four rollers,  25 . 1 ′,  25 . 2 ′,  25 . 3 ′, and  25 . 4 ′. Thus, the handgrips  21  and  21 ′ are substantially identical to reduce cost of manufacture of my device  20 , however, it is within the scope of my invention that the handgrips are dissimilar, but would each provide a means to mount or dispose the roller elements  25 . 1  to  25 . 4 , and  25 . 1 ′ to  25 . 4 ′ as is illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0054]     The elastic element  30  is disposed about the two pairs of four roller elements or rollers  25  each, as is described next: Commencing from roller  25 . 1 , portion  30   a  of elastic element  30  extends to the left to roller  25 . 1 ′ and is disposed about roller  25 . 1 ′. The extent or portion of elastic element  30  from the roller  25 . 1 ′ to the roller  25 . 2 , on the right side, is designated  30 b. Similarly, portion  30   c  of elastic element  30  extends from roller  25 . 3 ′ to roller  25 . 2 , and portion  30   d  extends from roller  25 . 3 ′ to roller  25 . 4 . Portion  30   e  extends from roller  25 . 4 ′ to roller  25 . 4 . Portion  30   f  extends from roller  25 . 4 ′, over portion  30   d,  to roller  25 . 3 , and portion  30   g  extends from roller  25 . 3  to roller  25 . 2 ′ by passing under portion  30   c.  Finally, portion  30   h  extends from roller  25 . 2 ′ to roller  25 . 1  by passing over portion  30   b.    
         [0055]     It will be appreciated that in this described example of my expander type exercise device  20 , the elastic element  30  is disposed to give a rather firm resistance to pulling as would be desired by a user  10 . In other words, the expander type exercise device  20  according to my invention provides, in this described embodiment, a greater resistance to being pulled than a single strand.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate possible cross-sectional configurations of the handle portion  22 .  FIG. 2A  shows a substantially square cross-section with walls  22   a,    22   b,    22   c,  and  22   d.    FIG. 2B  illustrates a substantialy circular cross-section with flat sides  22   e,    22   f,    22   g,  and  22   h.  However, other cross-sectional configations and embodiments of the handle portion  22  are within the scope of my invention.  
         [0057]     Merely by way of example, the distance between the handgrips  21  and  21 ′ in  FIG. 2  may be approximately 32 inches (81.3 cm).  
         [0058]     My device is not limited to the configuration of elastic element  30 , about the rollers  25 , that is shown in and described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  
         [0059]     Thus, the elastic element  30  of the device  20  is capable of being rearranged as is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3 , the right handgrip  21  is modified with respect to  FIG. 2 , by roller  25 . 2  not carrying a portion of elastic element  30 . The arrangement of elastic element  30  in  FIG. 3  is as follows: Portion  30   a  extends from roller  25 . 1  to roller  25 . 1 ′ on the left. The elastic element  30  is then passed about rollers  25 . 2 ′ and  25 . 3 ′ and continues as portion  30   d  to roller  25 . 4  by passing under portion  30   f.  Portion  30   d  is passed over roller  25 . 4  and continues as portion  30   e  to roller  25 . 4 ′ and there becomes portion  30   f  that extends between roller  25 . 4 ′ and roller  25 . 3  to continue as portion  30   g  from roller  25 . 3  to roller  25 . 2 ′ and thence as portion  30   h  between roller  25 . 2 ′ and roller  25 . 1 . It will be appreciated that the foregoing description refers to the winding of the elastic element  30  about the eight rollers in the illustrated manner to achieve a six portion configuration of the elastic element  30  between the handgrip  21  and the handgrip  21 ′. In comparison with the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a greater resiliency of the elastic element  30  is produced thereby to permit carrying out of less strenuous physical exercises with my expander type exercise device  20 .  
         [0060]     As mentioned, merely by way of example, the distance between the handgrips  21  and  21 ′ in  FIG. 2  may be approximately 32 inches (81.3 cm).  
         [0061]     By temporarily removing, for example, roller  25 . 2  at handgrip  21 , to remove the loop of elastic element  30  that was passed about roller  25 . 2 , upon stretching elastic element  30  between the handgrips  21  and  21 ′, according to  FIG. 3 , the distance between the handgrips  21  and  21 ′ is increased to approximately 48 inches (1.22 m).  
         [0062]     For sake of convenience so as not to misplace the roller  25 . 2  and its corresponding pin  26 , ( FIG. 2 ) which pin  26  is illustrated in greater detail in  FIG. 13 , the roller  25 . 2  may be conveniently re-connected by way of its corresponding pin  26 .  
         [0063]     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the elastic element  30  is disposed in four portions about the rollers  25 , as follows: Portion  30   a  extends between handgrips  21  and  21 ′, over roller  25 . 1  and under roller  25 . 2 ′ and thence over roller  25 . 3 ′. From roller  25 . 3 ′ the portion  30   d  extends over roller  25 . 4 , and portion  30   e  extends from roller  25 . 4  to roller  25 . 4 ′, thence under roller  25 . 3 ′ and over roller  25 . 2 ′, and, as portion  30   h,  to roller  25 . 1 . In other words, in order to achieve the described configuration of elastic element  30  according to  FIG. 4 , the rollers  25 . 2  and  25 . 3  are removed, by removing the corresponding pins  26 , and by pulling the elastic element  30  between the handgrips  21  and  21 ′. The rollers  25 . 2  and  25 . 3  that were temporarily removed can be conveniently remounted by inserting the corresponding pin  26  through the bores  25   c  ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ) in the rollers  25  and the bores  24   h  ( FIGS. 6, 7 , and  8 ) in handgrips  21  and  21 ′.  
         [0064]     With references to  FIG. 5 , the elastic element  30  is disposed with portion  30   a  about rollers  25 . 1  and  25 . 1 ′ and with portion  30   e  about rollers  25 . 4 .′ and  25 . 4 .  
         [0065]     As has been mentioned, merely by way of example, the distance between the handgrips  21  and  21 ′ in  FIG. 2  may be approximately 32 inches (81.3 cm). In  FIG. 3  the distance may possibly be 48 inches (1.22 m). In  FIG. 4  the distance may possibly be 56 inches (1.42 m). In  FIG. 5  the distance may possibly be 93 inches (2.36 m). Each increase of the distance is affording a reduction of the force that is to be applied by a user. The full length of the elastic element may be approximately 15 feet (4.55 m) to approximately 16 feet (4.85 m), it being understood that these dimensions are merely examples of possible embodiments and that other dimensions are within the scope of my present invention It will be appreciated that elastic element  30  has two ends that are suitably joined, such as, by clamping or by a connection with a cylindrical structure that is disposed at the adjacent ends of the elastic element  30  and the ends and the pin structure are fastened together to provide a continuous elastic element  30  that is placed about the rollers or pulleys  25 , as described herein above.  
         [0066]      FIG. 6  illustrates a handgrip  21 . Handgrip  21  comprises a curved grip or handle portion  22 , it being understood that grip portion  22  may be straight. The grip portion  22  may be hollow, or solid, and may have flattened exterior sides, such as described with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The grip portion  22  comprises lateral portions  23   a  and  23   b.  These lateral portions may be disposed at an angle of inclination as is shown, or they may be filly perpendicular, and other configurations of the handgrip portion  22  are within the scope of my invention.  
         [0067]     A portion or structure, generally identified by reference numeral  24  is disposed next to lateral portions  23   a  and  23   a ′. This portion  24  is configured to receive and dispose a set of rollers  25 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , four holes  24   h  are arranged in a straight line and equally distributed at and along the lower side of portion  24 . The holes  24   h  are dimensioned to receive a pin  26  in accordance with FIGS.  13  or  13 A, with a slight press fit so as to preclude a pin  26  from wandering out of the hole  24   h  upon use of the device  20 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 7  illustrates a further embodiment of a handgrip  21 . Handgrip  21  comprises a curved grip or handle portion  22 , lateral portions  23   a  and  23   a ′, and a portion or structure, generally identified by reference numeral  24 , as described above. The handle portion  22  has a centrally disposed notch  22   i  as well as support formations or projections  22   m  and  22   m ′ that are lateral continuations of the curved grip portion  22 . The projections  22   m  and  22   m ′ serve to permit a more secure and supported grip of the handgrip  21  according to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The notched portion  22   i  serves to dispose the handgrip  21  on a support structure as will be described in greater detail below.  
         [0069]      FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of a handgrip  21 . This handgrip  21  comprises, as described above, a curved grip or handle portion  22 , lateral portions  23   a  and  23   b,  a portion or structure, generally identified by reference numeral  24 , a centrally disposed notch  22   i  as well as support formations or projections  22   m  and  22   m ′ that are lateral continuations of the curved grip portion  22 . The handgrip  21  as shown in  FIG. 8  comprises an arched roller element support portion  24 . Thus, the roller support portion  24  comprises a straight portion  24 b that is inclined from the horizontal at a desired angle. The portion  24  further comprises a straight, horizontal, portion  24   c,  and a further portion  24   b ′ that is inclined from the horizontal symmetrical with respect to the right portion  24   b.  It will be appreciated that the holes  24   h  are disposed in a pattern that follows the arch configuration of the sides  24   b,    24   c,  and  24   b ′ of portion  24 . It is within the scope of my present invention that the portion  24  has other peripheral configurations, other than described herein.  
         [0070]      FIG. 9  shows a handgrip  21  in side elevation.  FIG. 9  illustrates most clearly the fork-structure of portion  24 , with a first tine or wall portion  24 . 1  and a second tine or wall portion  24 . 2 .  
         [0071]     It will be appreciated that the tines or walls  24 . 1  and  24 . 2  form a groove  24 . 3  to mount and dispose the corresponding rollers  25 . It is one advantage of my invention that the handgrip  21  may be comprised of two halves, such as,  21   a  and  21   b,  that are suitably joined to one another to provide favorable economics in producing my device.  
         [0072]      FIG. 10  illustrates a curved handgrip  21 ″, this embodiment otherwise comprising the structures of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0073]     Hand grip  21  may be of any desired material and may comprise a molded plastic in any desired color and may be a translucent material.  
         [0074]      FIG. 11  shows the side elevation of a roller element or roller  25 . Thus, roller  25  has lands or rims  25   a  and  25   a ′ between which extends a hemispherical groove  25 b. Roller  25  has a centrally disposed hole  25   c  that is configured to receive a pin  26 .  
         [0075]      FIG. 12  shows the front elevation of the roller  25  shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0076]      FIG. 13  shows a pin  26  with a shank portion  26   a  and a head portion  26   b.  It will be appreciated that a fully straight pin  26 ′ as shown in  FIG. 13A  may be used to mount and dispose a roller  25  in the portion  24  of handgrip  21 .  
         [0077]      FIGS. 14, 15 , and  18  illustrate a first retainer profile or support structure  40  with a base portion  41 . The base portion  41  has slanted apertures  41   a  (compare  FIG. 18 ) for fastening structure  40  to a solid, wooden or the like, base by means of screws or similar fasteners  45 . The structure  40  has a web portion  42  with a plurality of spaced apart hook portions  42   a  that are configured to retain a handgrip  21  and particularly engage the notched portion  22   i  of a handgrip  21  during an exercise in which one handgrip  21  is secured at a hook portion  42   a  and the other handgrip  21 ′ is manipulated by a user  10  during an exercise. The hook portion  42   a  is particularly used for exercises with upper body portions, and lower body portions may be exercised by engaging a handgrip  21  at a lower look portion  42   b.    
         [0078]      FIG. 16  and in conjunction with  FIG. 19  illustrates a further retainer profile or support structure  44 . The cross-section of structure  44  is shown in  FIG. 19  and comprises a substantially triangular configuration that has legs  44   b  with slanted passages  44   c  for fasteners  45 . The structure  44  has apertures  44   a  for a connection to a handgrip  21  by an intermediate means as will be described in greater detail below.  
         [0079]      FIG. 17  in conjunction with  FIG. 19  illustrates another embodiment of a retainer profile or support structure. Thus, support structure  46  has holes  46   a  for a connection to a handgrip  21  by an intermediate means as will be described in greater detail below.  
         [0080]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a handgrip  21 . Two possible uses are depicted in this illustration.  
         [0081]     A first strap, belting, or band  50  is tied about handgrip  21 , that is, handle portion  22 . The strap has a loop  50   a  that may be placed around the head of a user  10 . The opposite handgrip, say handgrip  21 ′ is then engaged at a structure such as shown in  FIG. 14 , with a notch  22   i  being engaged at hook  42   a  or  42   b.  The user  10  is then able to exercise using pulling movements of his head, for example. A user  10  could also use his leg or an arm with this arrangement.  
         [0082]     A further strap, belting, or band is designated  52  that is also knotted about handle portion  22  and the loop  52  carries a pin  54 . The strap or belting may be a ¾ of an inch (19 mm) wide by 20 inches (5 cm) long strap with a thickness of {fraction (1/16)} of an inch (1.59 mm). There may be a 1 inch (25.4 mm) overlap that is stapled together with ⅜ of an inch (9.55 mm) staples, say 12 staples, or the ends may be sewn together. Pin  54  may be a wooden ⅜ of an inch (9.51 mm) diameter dowel pin that is ⅞ of an inch (22 mm) long. The use of this strap  52  with pin  54  is shown in  FIG. 21 . Thus, the strap  52  is placed about the upper edge of a door with the pin  54  being disposed exteriorly and the handgrip  21  to which the strap  52  is tied or knotted is being disposed in a room. By disposing the handgrip near the top of a door, the user can exercise upper portions of his body.  
         [0083]     A possibility to perform exercises near the ground is illustrated in  FIG. 22 .  FIG. 22  shows a hook element  56  that has a first arm  56   a  and a hook portion  56   b.  Hook element  56  has pads  58  that protect a door and the floor. A handgrip  21  of device  20  can be engaged at hook portion  56   b  and the other handgrip  21 ′ can be used to pull against the force imparted at handgrip  21 .  
         [0084]     A key ring such as  60  that is shown in  FIG. 23  may be used as an intermediate connecting element between a handle  21  and a support structure such as support structure  44  or support structure  46 , that is, the respective holes or apertures  44   a  and  46   a  Thus, key ring or snap ring  60  has an arm  61  that can pivot about pivot  62 .  
         [0085]      FIG. 24  illustrates an embodiment of a handgrip  21  that comprises a right portion  21   d  and a left portion  21   e.  The two portions are joined by a dove-tail connection that comprises a projection  70  and a recess  72 , as well as a connector  76  that extends through a passage  74  between the connected handgrip portions  21   d  and  21   e.  It is a feature of my invention that the separated handgrip portions  21   d  and  21   e  are in turn configured as handgrips with lateral members  22 ′ and  22   m  at handgrip portion  21   d  and correspondingly with lateral members  22 ″ and  22   m ′ for handgrip portion  21   e.  Such separated handgrip portions can be used in conjunction with an opposite handgrip  21 ′ that may be hooked to a respective hook to carry out corresponding three-point exercises that make it desirable to exercise both arms with different tensile efforts, for example.  
         [0086]      FIG. 26  makes it clear that the right handgrip portion  21   d  has a projection  70 ′ and left handgrip portion  21   e  has a corresponding recess  72 ′. The connector  76  may comprise a shaft portion  77  that extends in the passage  74  to positively secure the handgrip portions together and a head  78  that can be easily grasped for removal when it is desired to use the separated handgrip portions  21   d  and  21   e.    
         [0087]     Some examples of exercises that may possibly be performed with Applicant&#39;s expander type exercise device may be found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,155 issued to Wallenbrock et al. on Oct. 1, 1985 and entitled “Exercise Device with stretchable elastomeric line;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,862 issued to Miller on Mar. 29, 1988 and entitled “Elastic resistance exerciser;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,764 issued to Tilberis on Jun. 23, 1998 and entitled “Tension-torsioner exercising device;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,954 issued to Wilkinson on Sep. 29, 1998 and entitled Buttock exercise device;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,625 issued to Woodruffon Mar. 14, 2000 and entitled “Upper body exercise equipment;” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,851 issued to Tu on Apr. 25, 2000 and entitled “Body exerciser.” All of the foregoing patents are hereby insorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.  
         [0088]     Some examples of exercises devices with rollers, features of which may possibly be used or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the present invention, may be found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 741,966 issued to Hernsheim on Oct. 20, 1903 and entitled “Exercising device;” U.S. Pat. No. 2,035,010 issued to Rawlings on Mar. 24, 1936 and entitled “Apparatus for providing physical health treatment;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,204 issued to Berger on Feb. 24, 1987 and entitled “Compact portable exercising apparatus;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,573 issued to Wehrell on Oct. 9, 1990 and entitled “Boxing exercise harness;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,461 issued to Bailey, Jr. on Oct. 25, 1994 and entitled “exerciser activated body-mounted lights and generator;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,368 issued to Chang on Jan. 16, 1996 and entitled “Muli-function pull bar;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,873 issued to Corn on Apr. 23, 1996 and entitled “Exercise device with adjustable resistance;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,962 issued to Hallmark on Dec. 24, 1996 and entitled “Multiple sport training and exercise apparatus;” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,231 issued to Corn et al. on Mar. 31, 1998 and entitled “Exercise device with variable resistance.” All of the foregoing patents are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.  
         [0089]     The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof. The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention, are schematically accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification. All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein. All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein, and recited in the Declaration attached hereto, and the references recited in such incorporated references are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. AU of the references and documents, cited in any of the documents cited herein, and the references they are in turn cited in, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All of the documents cited herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patent applications and publications cited anywhere in the present application. All of the references included herein as aforesaid include the corresponding equivalents published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and elsewhere. The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at Applicant&#39;s option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art. The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at Applicant&#39;s option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.  
         [0090]     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.  
         [0091]     The invention as described hereinabove in the context of the preferred embodiments is not to be taken as limited to all of the provided details thereof since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.