Abstract:
An exercise device for training the Biceps, Posterior Deltoids and Latissimus Dorsi using an exerciser&#39;s body weight that has a support pad and a fixed curl bar on a frame at an elevated position. The exerciser grasps the curl bar, rests his or her forearms on the support pad and lift his or her body to perform the exercise.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to exercise devices. Specifically those exercise devices that provide targeted anaerobic exercise through the use of the exerciser&#39;s body weight. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Physical exercise provides well known benefits. When performed properly and on a regular basis, physical exercise helps individuals control weight, combat health conditions and diseases, improve emotional well-being, increase energy and improve sleep. 
     Although overlap is common, athletes generally categorize exercises into aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise improves the strength and efficiency of the exerciser&#39;s cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Anaerobic exercise increases the efficiency and number of muscle fibers affected by a particular exercise. 
     Because anaerobic exercise primarily affects the muscle fibers targeted by a particular exercise, exercisers often perform exercises that isolate and target a particular muscle group. 
     Exercisers and athletes often attempt to train muscle groups in a manner that allows them to develop muscle fibers while improving their cardiovascular health. This type of training often involves performing several different anaerobic exercises with little or no rest between exercises. An example of this type of training is the Cross Fit style of training. Cross Fit requires an exerciser to perform, for example, push-up followed immediately by pull-ups and other compound exercises. 
     A variety of exercise devices have been developed to help exercisers isolate and target a particular muscle group. These devices often use an additional component to provide resistance during an exercise. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,382 B2 describes a device for targeting an exerciser&#39;s quadriceps and relies on elastic bands to provide resistance. 
     A variety of exercise devices have been developed that rely on the exerciser&#39;s body weight for resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,157 B2 discloses an exercise device that allows the exerciser to perform a variety of exercises using his or her body weight as resistance. While U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,157 B2 relies on body weight for resistance, it does not support the exerciser&#39;s body in a manner that prevents the exerciser&#39;s non-targeted muscle groups from assisting in an exercise. 
     Devices that isolate the biceps are common in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,125 discloses a biceps curling machine. The device successfully targets the exerciser&#39;s biceps, but has the disadvantages of requiring a large mechanical frame and heavy metallic weights for resistance and it fails to develop the exerciser&#39;s Posterior Deltoids and Latissimus Dorsi. These devices also have the disadvantage of requiring time to set up and, therefore, preventing the exerciser from combining aerobic and anaerobic training. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention disclosed in an exercise device that targets the exerciser&#39;s biceps and supporting muscle groups while using the exerciser&#39;s body weight as resistance. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     A person&#39;s body weight can provide significant resistance during exercise. The U.S. military services, for example, use a combination of push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups as a significant portion of their strength training programs for new recruits. Therefore, the proposed invention has the following intentions 
     a) To provide a device that targets the exerciser&#39;s biceps, posterior deltoids and latissimus dorsi 
     b) To provide the exerciser with the opportunity to perform exercises without the need for heavy metallic weights or elastic bands with varying resistance 
     c) To provide the exerciser with the opportunity to exercise his or her biceps without needing to spend time adjusting or setting up the exercise device 
     d) To offer a device that allows the exerciser to train his or her biceps, posterior deltoids and latissimus dorsi while being able to quickly transition to other exercises 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Overview: 
     All the drawings are listed as  FIGS. 1 through 8 . Each part in the drawings is numbered  100  through  900 . 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       100 —The preferred embodiment of the device 
       200 —The frame of the device 
       201 —The first rigid member 
       202 —The second rigid member 
       203 —The left-most rigid member 
       204 —The right-most rigid member 
       205 —The left-most horizontal rigid member 
       206 —The right-most horizontal rigid member 
       207 —The left-most angled rigid member 
       208 —The right-most angled rigid member 
       209 —The third rigid member 
       210 —The left-most pad support rigid member 
       211 —The right-most pad support rigid member 
       212 —The fourth rigid member 
       213 —The fifth rigid member 
       300 —The support pad 
       400 —The curl bar 
       500 —The mounting means 
       600 —A stand-alone embodiment of the exercise device 
       601 —The support base for the stand-alone embodiment of the exercise device 
       602 —The left-most frame extension of the stand-alone embodiment of the exercise device 
       603 —The right-most frame extension of the stand-alone embodiment of the exercise device 
       604 —The left-most pad support of the stand-alone embodiment of the exercise device 
       605 —The right-most pad support of the stand-alone embodiment of the exercise device 
       606 —The horizontal rigid member of the stand-alone embodiment of the exercise device 
       607 —The right-most angled rigid member of the stand-alone embodiment of the exercise device 
       608 —The left-most angled rigid member of the stand-alone embodiment of the exercise device 
    
    
     
       LIST OF FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  depicts an example of the exercise device mounted on an exercise cage 
         FIG. 2  depicts an example of the exercise device as viewed from a rear Perspective 
         FIG. 3  depicts an example of the exercise device as viewed from a side profile and mounted onto an exercise cage 
         FIG. 4  represents view A-A as defined in  FIG. 3  and depicts an example of the device&#39;s pad support structure 
         FIG. 5  depicts an example of the exercise device as viewed from a side profile and mounted onto a wall 
         FIG. 6  depicts the front view of the exercise device as a stand-alone unit 
         FIG. 7  depicts the rear view of the exercise device as a stand-alone unit 
         FIG. 8  depicts the side view of the exercise device as a stand-alone unit 
         FIG. 9  depicts an example of the exercise device mounted on an exercise cage with an exerciser at the beginning stage of the exercise 
         FIG. 10  depicts an example of the exercise device with an exerciser approaching the finishing position of the exercise 
         FIG. 11  depicts an example of the exercise device viewed from the side with an exerciser approaching the finishing position of the exercise. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description provides specific details and a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art, however, will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or in combination with other components. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an example of the exercise device  100  mounted onto an exercise cage  900 . The example exercise device  100  includes a frame assembly  200 , a support pad  300 , a curl bar  400  and mounting provisions  500 . 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of an example of the exercise device  100 . The example exercise device  100  includes a frame assembly  200  with a first rigid member  201 , a second rigid member  202 , a left-most rigid member  203 , a right-most rigid member  204 , a left-most horizontal rigid member  205 , a right-most horizontal rigid member  206 , a left-most angled rigid member  207 , a right-most angled rigid member  208 , a third rigid member  209 , a left-most pad support rigid member  210 , a right-most pad support rigid member  211 , a fourth rigid member  212  and a fifth rigid member  213 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first rigid member  201 , second rigid member  202  and third rigid member  209  will be of equal length. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the first rigid member  201 , second rigid member  202  and third rigid member  209  may be cut to any suitable length to satisfy a particular application. For example, larger cuts may be used to target men while smaller cuts may be used to target women. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first rigid member  201  and second rigid member  202  are horizontally oriented, spaced a distance apart and on the same plane. The left-most rigid member  203  is joined to the left-most ends of both the first rigid member  201  and the second rigid member  202 . The right-most rigid member  204  is joined to the right-most ends of both the first rigid member  201  and the second rigid member  202 . When viewed from the rear, the joined first rigid member  201 , second rigid member  202 , left-most rigid member  203  and right-most rigid member  204  will form a generally square or rectangular shape. 
     Continuing with the preferred embodiment,  FIG. 3  depicts a side profile of the exercise device. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the right-most horizontal rigid member  206  is joined at the junction of the second rigid member  202  and the right-most rigid member  204 . The right-most angled rigid member  208  is joined with both the right-most horizontal rigid member  206  and at the junction of the right-most rigid member  204  and the first rigid member  201 . Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 2  the left-most horizontal rigid member  205  is joined at the junction of the second rigid member  202  and the left-most rigid member  203 . The left-most angled rigid member  207  is joined with both the left-most horizontal rigid member  205  and at the junction of the left-most rigid member  203  and the first rigid member  201 . When viewed from the side and as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the joined right-most horizontal rigid member  206 , right-most rigid member  204  and right-most angled rigid member  208  will form a generally triangular shape. Similarly, the joined left-most horizontal rigid member  205 , left-most rigid member  203  and left-most angled rigid member  207  will form a generally triangular shape. In the preferred embodiment, the angle formed between the left-most angled rigid member  207  and the left most horizontal rigid member  205  will be between 45 and 50 degrees. This angle has been determined to provide maximum benefit from the exercise while promoting safe usage of the device. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the view A-A as defined in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  depicts the pad support portion of the exercise device&#39;s frame. In the preferred embodiment, the fourth rigid member  212  is joined at the junction of left-most angled rigid member  207  and the left-most horizontal rigid member  205 . Similarly, the fifth rigid member  213  is joined at the junction of the right-most angled rigid member  208  and the right-most horizontal rigid member  204 . The third rigid member  209  is located a distance between the first rigid member  201  and both the fourth rigid member  212  and the fifth rigid member  213  and joined with the left-most angled rigid member  207  and the right-most angled rigid member  208 . The left-most pad support rigid member  210  is joined with the third rigid member  209  and the fourth rigid member  212 . Similarly, the right-most pad support rigid member  211  is joined with the third rigid member  209  and the fifth rigid member  213 . When viewed from view A-A, the joined third rigid member  209 , fourth rigid member  212 , fifth rigid member  213 , left-most pad support member  210  and right-most pad support rigid member  211  will form a trapezoidal shape with a missing base. 
     While the combination of joined third rigid member  209 , fourth rigid member  212 , fifth rigid member  213 , left-most pad support member  210  and right-most pad support rigid member  211  will form a trapezoidal shape with a missing base in the preferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize that this feature is preferred but not necessary for the device. The exercise device will function with the fourth rigid member  212  and the fifth rigid member  213  joined as a single rigid member spanning the distance between the left-most angled rigid member  207  and the right-most angled rigid member  208  and with the left-most pad support rigid member  210  and right-most pad support rigid member  211  removed from the device. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3  and FIG.  2 ., a support pad  300  is mounted onto the structure formed by the right-most angled rigid member  208 , the left-most angled rigid member  207 , the third rigid member,  209 , the fourth rigid member  212 , the fifth rigid member  213 , left-most pad support member  210  and right-most pad support member  211 . The support pad  300  can be made with any material, but will preferably be made with a wooden support material covered with foam and vinyl as is typical in the art to cushion the exerciser&#39;s arms. In the preferred embodiment, the support pad will contain a cut-out on the side closest to the fourth rigid member  212  and fifth rigid member  213  and parallel to the third rigid member  209 . The cut-out will be sized to provide enough space so that an exerciser&#39;s stomach does not prevent the exerciser from performing the exercise in a full range of motion. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the exercise device will have a curl bar  400  that spans the distance between the left-most angled rigid member  207  and the right-most angled rigid member  208 . The curl bar  400  is mounted on to the left-most angled rigid member  207  and the right-most angled rigid member  208 . In the preferred embodiment, the curl bar  400  is curved to support an exerciser&#39;s wrists in a manner commonly known as an EZ curl bar. However, the curl bar  400  can be straight or contain any variety of angles. 
       FIG. 1  depicts the exercise device mounted onto a functional training cage  900 . The exercise cage  900  depicted in  FIG. 1  is an example of exercise cages that are common in the art. The exercise cage  900  generally consists of several rigid members with sets of coaxial holes spaced a distance apart. The device is mounted onto the functional training cage  900  by mounting provisions  500 . In the preferred embodiment, the mounting provisions  500  are joined at the junctions of the first rigid member  201 , the left-most rigid member  203  and right-most rigid member  204  as well as at the junctions of the second rigid member  202 , the left-most rigid member  203  and right-most rigid member  204 . In the preferred embodiment, the mounting provisions will consist of two coaxial holes that will accept a pin, bolt or rod that will support the device and the weight of the exerciser. The coaxial holes in the exercise device will be aligned with the coaxial holes in the exercise cage  900  and a pin, bolt or rod will pass through both the coaxial holes in the exercise cage  900  and the exercise device&#39;s mounting provisions  500  in order to support the weight of the device and the exerciser. Alternative embodiments include a wall mounted version of the device as depicted in  FIG. 5 . As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the mounting provisions  500  are joined to the device with the device supported on a wall by a series of screws or bolts. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an alternate embodiment of the exercise device where the device is a fixed stand-alone unit. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the support pad  300  and curl bar  400  are mounted onto the fixed stand-alone unit. The frame  600 , as depicted, consists of a support base  601 , left-most frame extension  602 , right-most frame extension  603 , left-most pad support  604  and right-most pad support arm  605 . As depicted in  FIG. 8 , the support base  601  extends a distance sufficient to assure that the device remains upright when being used. The left-most frame extension  602  and right-most frame extension  603  are joined to the support base  601  and extend a height sufficient to allow a user to perform the exercise without touching the ground. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 8 , the left-most frame extension  602  and right-most frame extension  603  are joined to the support base  601  at an angle that positions the user over the support base  601 . The left-most pad support arm  604  is joined with the left-most frame extension  602  at the end opposite of the support base  601  and forms an angle preferably between 45 and 55 degrees from the ground. Similarly, the right-most pad support arm  605  is joined with the right-most frame extension  603  at the end opposite of the support base  601  and forms an angle preferably between 45 and 55 degrees from the ground. In this alternate embodiment, the left-most pad support arm  604  and right-most pad support arm  605  are formed so that there are horizontal components that rejoin the left-most frame extension  602  and right-most frame extension  603 , respectively, at positions between the opposing ends of the left-most frame extension  602  and right-most frame extension  603 . The horizontal components of the left-most pad support  604  and right-most pad support  605  are intended to provide additional structural support for the exercise device. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the horizontal components of the left-most pad support  604  and right-most pad support  605  are not absolutely necessary for the exercise device. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a rear view of this alternate embodiment of the device. As seen in  FIG. 7 , a horizontal rigid member  606  is joined to the left-most pad support  604  and right-most pad support  605 . A right-most angled rigid member  607  is joined to the horizontal rigid member  606  and the right-most pad support  605 . Similarly, a left-most angled rigid member  608  is joined to the horizontal rigid member  606  and the left-most pad support  604 . The support pad  300  is mounted onto the left-most pad support  604  and right-most pad support  605  and is structurally supported by the horizontal rigid member  606 , right-most angled rigid member  607  and left-most angled rigid member  608 . The curl bar  400  is mounted onto the left-most pad support  604  and right-most pad support  605 . 
     Although  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  depict the left-most frame extension  602  and right-most frame extension  603  as attached to the end of the support base  601  and forming an angle to position the user over the support base  601 , one skilled in the art will recognize that the left-most frame extension  602  and right-most frame extension  603  can be vertical and positioned anywhere on the support base  601  that will maintain the device in the upright position. 
     Although three embodiments of the exercise device are described, one skilled in the art will recognize that this invention includes any embodiment that the support pad  300  and curl bar  400  to be placed in an elevated position so that the exerciser can grasp the curl bar, rest his or her forearms on the support pad and lift himself or herself from the ground. These other embodiments of the device include, but are not limited to, mounting the device onto a doorway, wall, or other exercise device. One skilled in the art will recognize that the device can be mounted by any means necessary to accomplish a particular mounting goal. 
       FIG. 9  depicts an exerciser using the preferred embodiment of the device. The exerciser will grasp the curl bar  400  and rest his or her elbows and forearms on the support pad  300 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the exerciser will contract his or her forearms, biceps, shoulders and back muscles in an effort to lift herself until her arms are fully contracted.  FIG. 11  depicts the upper and lower positions of the exerciser while using the device.