Patent Publication Number: US-2023145685-A1

Title: Rotation resistant exercise device

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure relates to exercise devices, and specifically to a new hand-held lightweight portable exercise device with variable resistance for concomitantly strengthening the entire body, targeted to the upper body, including the core, torso, shoulders, arms, and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many existing hand-held exercise devices available, most of which rely on gravity for their resistance. Examples of these might be dumbbells, kettle bells, and the like. Some such devices even have a moving mass inside them to provide extra resistance when momentum is applied. Nonetheless, all such devices rely on gravity and/or inertia, and are thus limited in their application and use. There are a select few hand-held exercise devices that employ rotational resistance. 
     Of these, most are intended to focus mainly or entirely on the muscles of the hands, wrists, and forearms. U.S. Pat. No. 8,747,286 to Simon shows a device with a resistance means similar to that of the current invention, but which uses handles aligned axially with each other. This grip style is useful for exercising the hands, wrists, and forearms, but does not allow the full body movements of the current invention. U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,214 to Osterman shows a device with an alternate means of rotational resistance, however it too positions the hands in such a way as to limit the usefulness of the device to the hands, wrists, and forearms. Although the ends of this device can be gripped with palms opposing each other, the hands are too far apart to be useful for the full body movements required for targeting the muscles of the chest, back, shoulders, and core. U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,125 to Clementi shows a device that provides rotational resistance with handles arranged so that they are gripped with palms facing each other. However, unlike the current invention, the Clementi device uses elastic resistance that automatically snaps back to a resting state, thereby only providing resistance in one direction of movement. Further, there is no variability to the resistance to allow for different user strength or different strength requirements of different muscle groups of the same user. U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,899 to Roehlk again shows a device with handles arranged to be gripped by the palms facing each other. However, this device too only provides resistance in one direction, with the spring driven mechanism snapping back to center automatically. As with the previous device, there is no variability to the resistance level to accommodate different user strengths, or differing strength requirements of different muscle groups of the same user. U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,417 to Nieman shows an exercise device with the gripping handles arranged in an axially aligned manner, again limiting the usefulness of the device to exclusively exercising the hands, wrists, and forearms. It is the object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of the prior devices and provide readily variable resistance to challenge any user, and any muscle group of the same user, while providing multiple grip options to allow full body motions freeing the user to train the muscles of the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, back, chest, core, and even the lower body when combined with proper full body movements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The current invention provides a new and unique method of challenging the muscles of the upper body in a way that allows the various muscle groups to work together, providing a functional, efficient, and dynamic training experience. Moreover, the device and the movements it permits allows exercises to be performed in the transverse plane of the human body, which is frequently ignored, although it is vital for many sports related activities. While there are other exercise products that feature resisted twisting mechanisms such as used in this (PowerSphere™) exercise device, none are designed to give a full upper body workout. The positioning of the two different grip styles of this exercise device allow the user to move in ways that are unique to the device, and recruit different but overlapping sets of large muscle groups in the entire body. Traditional exercises like crunches are greatly enhanced with the present exercise device, while a whole new range of exercises never before possible become available. This exercise device provides resistance in both directions of movement, which serves to work both the “push” and “pull” muscles of the body simultaneously, increasing workout effectiveness, and building balance and coordination between muscle groups. The current invention incorporates unique features, such as rapid adjustment of the tension level, and visual indication of said tension level. 
     The exercise device provides a resisted twisting motion. When used with full body movements, such as those practiced with a Tai Chi ball, the exercise device provides the user with a unique full body workout. The movements are facilitated by gripping the device either by the handles on each end, or by gripping the spherical surface between the palms, or with a mixed handle and palm grip. All usages feature a palms facing each other grip, which allows for the wide array of body movements that can be achieved with the device. This range of different movements assures that all of the various muscle groups of the upper body and core can be engaged and challenged. When combined with lunging and squatting motions, the entire musculature can be trained. The resisted twisting motion is achieved through a spring which compresses two parts together around a material that acts as a brake pad. A center bolt through the arrangement serves to hold the parts together, and an elongated nut on the bolt provides the variable compressive force on the spring, and thus the brake material. 
     The invention thus comprises an exercise device arranged to enable muscular engagement of core, pectoral, back, shoulders, hips and lower body muscles, and arms and hands, the device comprising: a first and a second hemispherical housing arrangement resistively rotationally joined about an elongated bolt having a first end secured to the first hemispherical housing and a second end secured to the second hemispherical housing; a rotationally resistive mechanism arranged about the elongated bolt having a second end rotatively arranged within an inner portion of the second hemispherical housing and a first end of the elongated bolt secured to an inner portion of the first hemispherical housing; a tension adjustment mechanism arranged between the first and second hemispherical housings to enable adjustable changing of rotational resistance between the first and the second hemispherical housings. The first and the second hemispherical housing each have a gripping handle extending therefrom to enable rotation of the first and the second hemispherical housing to be tensionally-adjusted and grippingly rotated with respect to one another by a user thereof. The first and the second hemispherical housing each have a palm-engageable gripping material covering an outer portion of each respective hemispherical housing to enable a further open palm gripping on each respective first or second hemispherical housing. The first end of the elongated bolt is secured to a first annular hub in the first hemispherical housing. The rotationally resistive mechanism arranged about the elongated bolt comprises a compressive spring arranged longitudinally there around, wherein the compressive spring biases against a second annular hub, the second annular hub secured to the second hemispherical housing. A rotation resistant brake material is compressively arranged between the first annular hub and the second annular hub to facilitate rotational resistance between the first annular hub and the second annular hub and their respective first and second hemispherical housings. 
     The invention also comprises a portable full body exercise device comprising: a hollow first housing rotatively engaging a hollow second housing, wherein the first housing and the second housing are rotatively and biasedly engaged with one another, and wherein the first housing and the second housing are rotatively adjusted with respect to one another to increase and decrease angular rotational resistance with respect to one another. The first housing and the second housing are connected to one another by an elongated bolt. An elongated compressive spring is disposed longitudinally about the elongated bolt, wherein the elongated spring has a first end thereof compressed against the second hub in the second housing and the elongated spring has a second end compressed against a washer and a nut arrangement around the bolt in the second housing. The first hub is arranged in the first housing for secure receipt of the opposite end of the bolt therein, and wherein a friction material is arranged between the first hub and the second hub to effect rotative motion therebetween, depending upon the amount of compression generated by the elongated spring thereagainst. Rotation of the second housing with respect to the first housing affects the compression of the elongated spring and the effort necessary to rotate the housings with respect to one another. The changes in the compression spring are indicated by a spring connected gauge visible on the outside of the second housing. The first housing and the second housing are each of hemispherical shape. 
     The invention also comprises a method of using a portable, personal exercise device, comprising the steps of: arranging a transverse handle on each end of a pair of resistively engaged housings; connecting each housing via a compressively resistant spring arranged longitudinally about an elongated bolt, which bolt connects the housings together; grabbing each transverse handle at the respective ends of the exercise device; rotating one handle and housing in one direction and simultaneously rotating the other handle and housing in the opposite direction. And rotating one housing with respect to the other housing so as to compress the elongated spring disposed about the elongated bolt between a first hub and a second hub so as to initiate a change in rotative resistance by compressing or decompressing a resistant braking material annularly arranged between the first hub and the second hub, to effect effort requirements for further “exercise-use” rotation of the respective housings therewith. 
     The invention also comprises an exercise device arranged to enable muscular engagement of core, pectoral, back, shoulders, hips and lower body muscles, and arms and hands, the device comprising: a first and a second hemispherical housing arrangement resistively rotationally joined about an elongated bolt having a first end secured within the first hemispherical housing and a second end secured to the second hemispherical housing; a rotationally resistive mechanism arranged about the elongated bolt having a second end rotatively arranged within an inner portion of the second hemispherical housing and a first end of the elongated bolt secured to an inner portion of the first hemispherical housing; a compression adjustment mechanism arranged between the first and second hemispherical housings to enable adjustable changing of rotational resistance between the first and the second hemispherical housings; and a first and a second user-gripping-means on both the first and the second hemispherical housings to enable a device user to use a different gripping manner on each respective hemispherical housing of the device. The first user-gripping-means comprises a handle attached to the first and the second hemispherical housings. The second user gripping means comprises a palm engageable surface on each hemispherical housing. The rotationally resistive mechanism arranged about the elongated bolt comprises an adjustable second hub secured to the second hemispherical housing and a first stationary hub secured to the first hemispherical housing, with a compressible braking material arranged between the first hub and the second hub to effect rotational resistance therebetween. The compression adjustment mechanism includes a radially extending indicator to externally display the existing rotational resistance of the compression adjustment mechanism. 
     The invention also comprises a spherically shaped exercise device comprised of an interconnected first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, arranged to enable concomitant muscular engagement of core, chest, back, shoulders, hips and lower body muscles, and arms and hands, by user palm-facing-palm engagement of respective ends of the device, the device comprising: a first and a second hemispherically-shaped palm-to-palm-facing-enabled grippable housing arrangement resistively-rotationally joined about an elongated bolt having a first end secured to the first hemispherical housing and a second end secured within the second hemispherical housing, the elongated bolt within the second hemispherical housing having a tabbed washer therearound engaging an tension indicator bracket, the tension indicator bracket having a protrusion distally thereon protruding through the second hemispherical housing to indicate the relative rotative positioning between the housings, and hence set-identifiable tension of the exercise device; a rotationally resistive mechanism arranged about the elongated bolt having a second end rotatively arranged within an inner portion of the second hemispherical housing and a first end of the elongated bolt secured to an inner portion of the first hemispherical housing, wherein the rotationally resistive mechanism arranged about the elongated bolt comprises a compressive spring arranged longitudinally there around, wherein the compressive spring is biasable against a second annular hub, the second annular hub being non-rotatively secured within the second hemispherical housing; a first annular hub secured within the first hemispherical housing, with the elongated bolt secured within the first annular hub, and, an annularly-shaped friction inducing compressible brake member rotationally unconstrained, pre-compressed, in an annulus between the second annular hub and the first annular hub; a rotationally effected tension adjustment mechanism arranged between the first and second hemispherical housings to enable adjustable changing of rotational resistance between the first and the second hemispherical housings; and wherein the rotationally resistive mechanism arranged about the elongated bolt comprises the adjustable second hub secured to the second hemispherical housing and the first stationary hub secured to the first hemispherical housing, with the compressible brake member arranged in the annulus between the first hub and the second hub to effect rotational resistance therebetween when biased between the first and second hubs. 
     The invention also comprises a spherically shaped opposed, palm-grippable exercise sphere, the exercise sphere comprising: a first hemispherically shaped housing and a second hemispherically shaped housing rotatably connected together by an elongated bolt, the elongated bolt having a first end secured within a first inner hub secured within the first housing, the elongated bolt having a second end secured within an elongated nut which is secured within an anti-rotational sleeve within the second housing; a second inner hub secured to the second housing, with a compressive spring arranged around the elongated bolt, the compressive spring disposedly spaced between the second inner hub and the elongated nut so as to enabaly bias the second inner hub towards the first inner hub; and a disk-shaped annular brake member arranged in an annulus between the first inner hub and the second inner hub so as to create an adjustable controlled rotational resistance between the first housing in the second housing when a user generates rotation between the first housing and the second housing. The elongated anti-rotational sleeve has a tension indicating bracket attached to a side thereof. The tension indicating bracket has a protrusion on a distal end thereof which extends through the second housing indicate to the user the pre-existing tension within the exercise sphere. The annular brake member is free-floating within the annulus between the first inner hub in the second inner hub until it is compressed therebetween by the compressive spring. The elongated nut secured within the anti-rotation sleeve permits a change in rotational resistance by a compression change in the compression spring against the second hub when the second housing is rotated with respect to the first housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood through examination of the drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the fully assembled exercise device. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the exercise device, allowing viewing of all components thereof. 
         FIG.  3    is a section view A-A through the front plane of the exercise device, as represented in  FIG.  7   , depicting where the internal components are relative to each other. 
         FIG.  4    is a section view B-B through the right plane of the exercise device, as represented in  FIG.  8   , allowing viewing of internal components not visible in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a view of the core components of the exercise device, in a state where no tension is in the resistance mechanism. 
         FIG.  6    is a view of the core components of the exercise device, in a partially tensioned state. 
         FIG.  7    is a side view showing the section line used for  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  8    is a front view showing the section line used for  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  9    is an overhead view with the top handle, grip material, cap, and locknut removed to allow many of the functioning components to be seen. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention, (commercially named the PowerSphere™) comprises an exercise device or assembly  10 , which consists of an independently rotatable first and a second hollow hemispherically-shaped housing  11  and  12 , respectively, as shown in the drawing  FIGS.  1  and  2   . Each housing  11  and  12  has a pair of supporting stalks  31  protruding outward for the purpose of affixing a handle  13  to each housing  11  and  12 , for gripping the exercise assembly  10 , as best shown in  FIG.  1   . The handles  13  are attached to and between their respective supporting stalks  31  via bolts  28 , as shown in  FIG.  3   . The exercise assembly  10  can be held either by the handles  13 , and/or by a non-slip hemispherical surface  15  affixed to each hemispherical housing  11  and  12 , with one hand of the user on either handle  13  or gripping surface  15 . Each hemispherical surface  15  is preferably a tactile grip material as shown in  FIG.  1   . In the preferred embodiment, these hemispherical housings  11  and  12  are preferably molded from a sturdy yet lightweight material such as plastic or aluminum. Inside the two hemispherical housings  11  and  12  is a multi-hand-positional, hand adjustable, position-visible indicator variable resistance tensioning assembly shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , and as shown  FIGS.  3  and  4   . 
     This resistance and tensioning mechanism shown prominently in  FIGS.  5  and  6    is permanently affixed to the outer hemispherical housings  11  and  12  as represented in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . In order to survive the friction, heat, and other rigors of usage, metal or another more robust material may be used to form a first and a second inner hub  16  and  17  respectively, as shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3  and  4   . These first and second inner hubs  16  and  17  each have an annular flange  35  and  36  respectively, shown in  FIGS.  2 - 6   , with holes  57  to provide means of bolted attachment to their respective first and second outer hemispherical housings  11  and  12 , and are attached by bolts  27  to the outer hemispherical housings  11  and  12 , as best shown in  FIG.  4   . 
     In between these metal inner hubs  16  and  17 , which each have a flat, smooth annular friction-enduring braking-surface  38  and  39  facing each other, as represented in  FIG.  2   , is a rotationally unconstrained (pre-compressed) frictional disc-shaped rotational resistance brake member  18  arranged to affect energy-required twisting to permit respective rotation of the hub  16  attached to and within the first housing  11  and the hub  17  within and attached to the second housing  12 , when pressured therebetween. 
     An elongated connecting bolt  19 , which holds the two hemispherical housings  11  (first) and  12  (second) together, best shown in  FIG.  3   , is non-rotatively captured in the lower inner hub  16 , in a manner rotationally locking the elongated bolt  19  to the inner lower hub  16 . Circular brake member  18  is compressed in an annulus between the second hub  17  and the first hub  16  by pressure of the adjustably compressed elongated spring  20 , to effect the resistance to rotation between the hubs  16  and  17 , and thus resistance to rotation between the first housing  11  and the second housing  12  for the exercise effect of a user to rotate them relative to one another. The elongated bolt  19  also collectively extends through a central opening in the upper hub  17 , a set of washers  26  and through the compressive spring  20 , as may be seen in  FIGS.  2 ,  3  and  4   . 
     A tabbed washer  21 , and an elongated nut  22 , are permanently captured by an upper or distal lock nut  24 , as shown in section in  FIGS.  2  and  3   . The elongated nut  22  fits within an anti-rotation sleeve  23 , as shown in  FIG.  2   . The anti-rotation sleeve  23  is captured within an outer sleeve  51 , shown best in  FIG.  9   , which is integral to the second housing  12 . A curved cap  25  is attached to the second housing  12 , as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , to complete the hemispherical shape of the second housing  12  and the spherical shape of the whole assembly/device  10 . The elongated bolt  19  has a hex head  55 , which is rotationally captured by a hexagonally shaped recess  56  in the lower inner hub  16 , as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . The upper or second hub  17  and the second hemispherical housing  12  are arranged over the elongated bolt  19  and a series of upper washers  26  and a tabbed washer  21  are arranged around the elongated bolt  19 . The elongated nut  22 , captured in the hex shaped anti-rotational sleeve  23  enables the (upper) housing half  12  of the assembly  10  to automatically activate the resistance mechanism (defined more completely hereinbelow), when the upper (second) half  12 , as shown in the drawings, is rotated relative to the lower (first) half  11 , thus permitting a user&#39;s palm-to-palm gripping on opposed hemispherical surfaces  15  and  15 . 
     The elongated connecting bolt  19  with its rotationally lockable hex head  55  engaged in the lower inner hub  16 , is captured by the first hemispherical housing  11  placed over the elongated bolt  19 , and the series of upper washers  26  and the compressive spring  20  which are arranged around the upper portion of the elongated bolt  19 , as shown in  FIG.  2   . One of the upper washers  21  has a tab  32 , as shown in  FIG.  2   , extending radially outward and is captured by a horizontally oriented slot  41 , shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3  and  6   , in order to interact with and activate the externally visible tension-indicating bracket  14 , (as shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3 ,  5 ,  6  and  7   ), observably moving the visible resistance-indicating-protrusion  33  thereon, (longitudinally in slot  30 ) to indicate the amount of resistance the exercise device  10  is set at currently, depending upon the relative rotational tightness between the housings  11  and  12 . This viewing slot  30  may have markings  34  to indicate a monitorable relative resistance level to which the exercise device  10  is currently set, or may be set. The resistance mechanism level is adjusted by rotation of the housings  11  and/or  12 , relative to the other housing  12  or  11 , thus compressing or decompressing the (resistance mechanism) elongated-bolt-surrounding elongated spring  20  and brakingly rubbing or separating the associated rotation-resistant braking components, that is, the hubs  16  and  17  and squeezing (or un-squeezing) the otherwise rotationally-unconstrained brake pad member  18  therebetween. 
     The elongated nut  22  is threaded onto the elongated bolt  19  at the outer end of the series of washers  26 , as may be seen in  FIGS.  2 ,  3  and  4   . This elongated nut  22  resides in a cavity  51  in the second hemispherical housing  12  that is large enough to allow the elongated nut  22  to spin freely, as represented in  FIG.  9   . The upper part of this cavity  51  as shown in  FIG.  9   , is hexagonally (or otherwise anti-rotationally) shaped. Another hexagonal (or other matching anti-rotational shape) sleeve  23  is arranged into this elongated chamber  51 , to enable the capture of the elongated nut  22 , subsequent to the engagement of the nut  22  within the cavity  51 , preventing it from turning relative to the second hemispherical housing  12 , as may be envisioned from  FIG.  9   . 
     The anti-rotational hexagonal sleeve  23  shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  9   , is subsequently captured by the hexagonally shaped cavity  51  in the second hemispherical housing  12 , and is thus prevented from turning independently of the second hemispherical housing  12 . This forces the elongated nut  22  to turn when the two hemispherical housings  11  and  12  of the exercise device  10  are rotated relative to one another, thus increasing or decreasing the tension in the exercise device  10  as the elongated nut  22  moves up and down the elongated bolt  19 , compressing or decompressing the spring  20 , thus increasing or decreasing the length of the elongated spring and hence the pressure applied to the friction brake member  18  residing between the two inner hubs  16  and  17 . This increases or decreases the amount of force the user must apply in order to turn the two housings  11  and  12  of the exercise device  10  relative to one another. Half a rotation (180 degrees, as used while exercising) creates a minimally noticeable differential in the tension, but when turned several times (i.e. 360 or 720 degrees) before actually exercising or between exercises, (enough to visibly move the tension indicator bracket  14 ) as shown by  FIG.  6    relative to  FIG.  5   , the tension will increase or decrease dramatically, as shown by the partially compressed spring  20  also shown in  FIG.  6   . This variability in the tension ensures that the exercise device  10  can be used by any exerciser able to hold the device as it is intended to be used. The hexagonal sleeve  23  and all other tensioning mechanism parts are permanently trapped in place by a locknut  24 , shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5    threaded onto the end of the elongated bolt  19 , which is subsequently covered by the domed-shaped cap  25 , held in place by screws  29  or other means, completing the spherical shape of the upper or second hemispherical housing  12  of the exercise device  10 . 
     The elongated nut  22  secured within the non-rotatable elongated sleeve  23  which itself is anti-rotatively captured within the outer sleeve  51 , as shown best in  FIG.  9   , all captured within the second housing  12 , permits the user&#39;s palm-facing-palm engagement on the respective gripping surfaces,  15  and  15 , on the first and second housings  11  and  12 , for full body exercise not available with the prior art devices. 
     In order to facilitate gripping the spherical surface of the exercise assembly  10 , the non-slip gripping material  15  is applied to both the first and second hemispherical housings  11  and  12  as part of the final assembly to permit the user several ways to grip the device  10 , either by the handles  13 , and/or by his/her palms engaging the gripping material  15  on the housings  11  and  12 .