Patent Publication Number: US-10780308-B2

Title: Elastic band for use in a resistance-type exerciser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/657,378, filed Jul. 24, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/996,546, filed Jan. 15, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,713,733, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/354,306, filed Jan. 19, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,248,332, which claims the filing benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/475,637, filed Apr. 14, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and, more particularly, to lightweight portable exercise devices, which provide numerous versatile exercises that target a variety of muscle groups within the upper and/or lower body. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional exercise devices, such as weights including those of the type of bar bells and dumb bells, stationary exercise machines of either weight bearing or other forms of mechanical or other resistance in nature and the like, are typically either immovable or exceedingly difficult to transport. It is difficult to use these devices in a house, office, or facility outside of a traditional gym because of their size and weight. Moving such devices typically requires several strong persons, or a sturdy wheeled vehicle such as a reinforced wagon or handcart. The difficulties of bringing such a device into a house or office are multiplied when stairs must be climbed or narrow hallways maneuvered. Further, given the size and weight of conventional exercise devices, it is exceedingly difficult or impossible to bring such exercise devices on a trip or excursion (where portability is important). Devices as those described, which are heavy and bulky in nature, do not lend themselves to the concept of portability and transport for a journey or use outside of the traditional gym. 
     Conventional devices are either too complicated to manufacture, too limited in the number and quality of exercises that can be performed with them, or both. Further, conventional exercise devices are often developed to train specific muscle groups. As a result, a multiplicity of devices to exercise the entire muscular system of the human body must be maintained and used. Such devices are dedicated in task to exercising limited muscle groups requiring unique devices to be maintained for the purpose of providing whole body workout routines. Such equipment is not only numerous due to exercise specificity; but, by nature it is bulky and requires significant space for setup and use, rendering them inappropriate to compact, portable use. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an exercise device that is compact, lightweight, portable, easy to manufacture, providing versatility in training multiple muscle groups. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other shortcomings and drawbacks of known exercisers, resistance bands, and other exercise devices. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an exerciser is provided which includes first and second arms, a connector, and at least one elastic band. The exerciser includes a first arm including a first body portion and first and second ends extending from the first body portion. The first body portion includes a first elongate slot and a first hinge portion disposed on opposite sides of the first body portion. The exerciser further includes a second arm having a second body portion and first and second ends extending from the second body portion. The second body portion includes a second elongate slot and a second hinge portion disposed on opposite sides of the second body portion. The connector rotatably couples the first and second hinge portions of the respective first and second arms. The exerciser further includes at least one elastic band formed as a continuous loop and disposed within the first and second elongate slots. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the first hinge portion includes at least first and second fingers and the second hinge portion includes at least third and fourth fingers interleaved with the first and second fingers. The first, second, third, and fourth fingers are configured to rotatably couple the first and second arms about the connector. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, the first hinge portion may have a single bearing section and the second hinge portion may have a single bearing section. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the connector is at least one of an expanding pin or a pin having first and second interlocking portions. In some embodiments, the connector is integrally formed to one of the first or second hinge portions. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first and second elongate slots includes a retention member located at an open end of the slot. The retention member is configured to retain at least one elastic band in the first and second elongated slots. 
     According to another embodiment, the first and second ends of the first and second arms include respective padded grips. 
     According to other embodiments, each of the first and second arms may include a U-shaped exterior curve separating the respective first and second ends. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, an elastic band is configured to be used with the exerciser. The elastic band may or may not have a generally uniform cross-sectional area. The elastic band includes a continuous loop of elastic having two receiving portions and two spanning portions. The receiving portions are configured to be received by the elongate slots and two spanning portions configured to span between the elongate slots. Each of the receiving portions has a cross-sectional area that is greater than a cross-sectional area of each of the spanning portions. 
     In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the receiving portion is at least three times greater than the cross-sectional area of the spanning portion. In some embodiments, the receiving portion has a generally rectangular cross-section configured to allow for stacking of multiple elastic bands within the first and second elongate slots. 
     According to another embodiment, the receiving portion does not stretch while the spanning portion stretches as the first or second ends of the first and second arms are moved. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exerciser according to one embodiment of the present invention in an open condition; 
         FIG. 2  is a side schematic view of the exerciser of  FIG. 1  in a closed condition; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of the exerciser of  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  detailing a connector, also referred to as a pivotal joining mechanism, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side schematic view of an exercise device according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the exercise device of  FIG. 4  taken across line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , wherein the connector is an expanding pin according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of the exercise device of  FIG. 4  taken across line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , wherein the connector is a pin mechanism according to an exemplary alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a resistance band according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the resistance band according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the figures, and to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4  in particular, an exerciser  10 ,  20 ,  40  is shown according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the exerciser  10  comprises first and second arms  11  and  12  secured in the center through a slot  36  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) by pin halves  33  and  34  of a pin  23   a  according to one embodiment allowing arms  11  and  12  to pivot about a connection point  13  and in the plane of the two arms, namely the first and second arms  11  and  12 . In this embodiment, the device configuration is comprised of an upper half of two (2) shorter handles  16   a  and  16   b , also referred to as first ends or first handle forming ends, fitted with padded rubber grips  19   a  and  19   b , respectively, and a lower half of two (2) longer handles  15   a  and  15   b , also referred to as second ends or second handle forming ends, fitted with padded rubber grips  18   a  and  18   b , respectively. A resistance band  14  of a type of an elastomeric or other resistive material is replaceably fitted into the slots  17   a  and  17   b  in the arms causing the shorter ends of the arms  16   a  and  16   b  to be drawn toward one another and the longer ends of the arms  15   a  and  15   b  to be forced apart from one another. 
     In more detail, and now referring to  FIG. 2 , the exerciser  20  as shown includes first and second arms  21  and  22  each having a first shorter end  26   a  and  26   b  and a second longer end  25   a  and  25   b . As shown, the first ends are the shorter ends  26   a  and  26   b  and the second ends are the longer ends  25   a  and  25   b . As shown, the shorter ends  26   a  and  26   b  of the arms are fitted with padded material  29   a  and  29   b  to provide comfortable grips and to add a friction surface to the device. In a similar manner, the longer ends  25   a  and  25   b  of the first and second arms  21  and  22  are also equipped with similar padding  28   a  and  28   b  for the same purpose of providing comfort and a friction like surface. 
     In further detail, the first and second arms  21  and  22 , having been joined through the central slot  36  (shown in  FIG. 3 ), with the exemplary pin  23   a  comprised of pin halves  33  and  34 , can now pivot about the joint  23  freely. A replaceable band  24 , potentially manufactured of elastic material, is fitted in slots  27   a  and  27   b  in such a fashion so as to cause the resistance band  24  to be placed in tension. The tension in band  24  causes the ends of arms  21  and  22  namely  26   a  and  26   b  to be drawn toward one another while at the same time causing the opposite ends of the arms namely  25   a  and  25   b  to be forced apart from one another. The tension in band  24 , or a plethora of such bands similarly configured, provides the resistance against which exercise is performed. Tension and thus the resistance against which exercise is performed can be controlled by adding multiple bands  24  or by adding bands of varying tension, weight, and alternate materials allowing the device to be used for a variety of exercises and with any number of resistance factors. While not shown, in an alternative embodiment, one or more replaceable bands  24  of elastic material may be attached to the exercise device, also referred to as exerciser  10 , through hooks or other suitable methods of attaching the band  24  to the device  10 . 
     In its resting or static state, also referred to as the closed condition, the exerciser is maintained in a closed configuration by tension in the elastic band  24  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) resulting in the upper, shorter, more closely spaced arms namely  26   a  and  26   b  being forced together and the lower, longer, less closely spaced arms namely  25   a  and  25   b  being forced apart. From this configuration and using the resistance within the device caused by the elastic band, results in exercises of a nature where the upper, shorter arms are pulled apart against the resistance or the lower, longer arms are pushed together against the resistance. 
     The construction details of the present invention as shown in the section view of  FIG. 3  depict arms  31  and  32  joined by pin halves  33  and  34  of pin  23   a  through slot  36 . This connection forms a frictionless joint about which arms  31  and  32  pivot on bearing sections  35   a  and  35   b . The device provides lateral movement about this pivot point of the joint providing both push and pull resistance exercises. When the exercise device  10  is equipped with a resistance band as described, exercises requiring a pushing or compressing movement can be accomplished using the longer ends of the arms  15   a  and  15   b  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), while exercises requiring an extension or pulling motion can be accomplished using the shorter ends of the arms  16   a  and  16   b.    
     Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the location of the slots  17   a  and  17   b  and the resistance band  14  could be changed to the opposite side of the pin halves  33  and  34  so that the resistance band  14  causes the device  10  to maintain a closed condition with the longer arms  25   a  and  25   b  being forced together and the shorter arms  26   a  and  26   b  being forced apart. In yet another alternative embodiment, it will be appreciated that the locations of the longer arms  25   a  and  25   b  and the shorter arms  26   a  and  26   b  could be reversed. In each of these alternative embodiments, exercises are provided of a nature where the upper, shorter arms are pushed together against the resistance and the lower, longer arms are pulled apart against the resistance. 
       FIG. 4  shows another exemplary embodiment, where the exerciser  40  comprises first and second arms  41  and  42 , a connector  43 , and at least one resistance band  70 . The first arm  41  includes a first body portion  41   a , a first end  41   b  extending in a first direction from the first body portion  41   a , and a second end  41   c  extending in a second direction from the first body portion  41   a . The first body portion  41   a  also includes a first elongate slot  45  and a first hinge portion  44  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) disposed on opposite sides of the first body portion  41   a . Similarly, the second arm  42  includes a second body portion  42   a , a first end  42   b  extending in a third direction from the second body portion  42   a , and a second end  42   c  extending in a fourth direction from the second body portion  42   a . The second body portion  42   a  also includes a second elongate slot  46  and a second hinge portion  47  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) disposed on opposite sides of the second body portion  42   a . While  FIG. 4  shows three resistance bands  70 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that other resistance bands, such as resistance bands  14 ,  24 , and  80 , for example, may be suitably used, alone or in combination. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the first arm  41  may include a generally U-shaped exterior curve  41   d  separating the respective first and second ends  41   b  and  41   c  to better accommodate certain exercises as described in greater detail below. Similarly, the second arm  42  may include a generally U-shaped exterior curve  42   d  separating the respective first and second ends  42   b  and  42   c . Additionally as shown, the first and second ends  41   b  and  41   c  of the first arm  41  and the first and second ends  42   b  and  42   c  of the second arm  42  include foam or other padding (such as rubber) for increased user comfort and gripability. In some embodiments, the first and second elongate slots  45  and  46  may include a retention member  48 , such as a protrusion or other interference, located at an open end of the slot  45  and  46 . The retention member  48  is configured to retain at least one resistance band  70  in the first and second elongated slots  45  and  46 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show the connector  43  according to two exemplary embodiments. In  FIG. 5 , the connector  43  is shown as an expanding pin  50 , while in  FIG. 6  the connector  43  is shown as a pin mechanism  60 . The expanding pin  50  and pin mechanism  60  rotatably couple the first hinge portion  44  of the first arm  41  to the second hinge portion  47  of the second arm  42 . Unlike  FIG. 3  showing the arms  31  and  32  as each including only a single bearing section  35   a  and  35   b , in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first hinge portion  44  includes at least first and second fingers  44   a  and  44   b , while the second hinge portion  47  includes at least third and fourth fingers  47   a  and  47   b  interleaved with the first and second fingers  44   a  and  44   b . The first, second, third, and fourth fingers  44   a ,  44   b ,  47   a  and  47   b  are configured to rotatably couple the first and second arms  41  and  42  about the connector  43 . Additionally, the first, second, third, and fourth fingers  44   a ,  44   b ,  47   a  and  47   b  provide for a stronger connection, resulting in greater rigidity in the plane of the first and second arms  41  and  42  and a more secure frictionless joint. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the expanding pin  50  extends through slot  51  to secure the first and second arms  41  and  42 , and includes a head portion  52  and an expandable locking portion  53 . In the embodiment shown, the upper surface  54  of the locking portion  53  of the expanding pin  50  contacts a lower surface  55  of the fourth finger  47   b  thereby securing the first, second, third, and fourth fingers  44   a ,  44   b ,  47   a  and  47   b  in place. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the expanding pin  50  may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, according to one exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 6  shows the connector  43  as a pin mechanism including a first connecting half  62  and a second connecting half  63 . The first connecting half  62  includes a threaded bore  66  to receive a threaded portion  67  of the second connecting half  63 . This threadably couples the first and second connecting halves  62  and  63 . While not shown, the connector  43  may be integrally formed to one of the first or second hinge portions  44  or  47 . One skilled in the art would appreciate that other suitable connectors may be used as connector  43 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show two exemplary embodiments of the resistance bands  70  and  80  formed as a continuous loop having a non-uniform cross-sectional area, as opposed to resistance bands  14  and  24  which have a generally uniform cross-sectional area, with reference to a cross-section taken along a plane “P” (shown in  FIG. 2 ) that extends in a direction parallel to a direction of an axis of rotation “AR” of bearing sections  35   a  and  35   b . Resistance bands  70  and  80  are configured to be placed within the first and second elongate slots  45  and  46  of exerciser  40 . However, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that resistance bands  70  and  80  may be placed within the slots  17   a  and  17   b  of the exerciser  10  or slots  27   a  and  27   b  of exerciser  20 . 
       FIG. 7  shows resistance band  70 , which may include a continuous loop of elastic having two receiving portions  71  and  72  and two spanning portions  73  and  74 . The receiving portions  71  and  72  are configured to be received by the elongate slots  45  or  46  of exerciser  40  and the two spanning portions  73  and  74  are configured to span between the elongate slots  45  and  46 . Each of the receiving portions  71  and  72  has a cross-sectional area, taken along a plane “P 1 ” that extends in a direction parallel to a direction of an axis of rotation “AS 1 ” of the first and second hinge portions  44  and  47 , that is greater than a cross-sectional area taken along a plane “P 2 ” also extending in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation “AS 1 ” of the first and second hinge portions  44  and  47 , of each of the spanning portions  73  and  74 . Further, the cross-sectional areas of the spanning portions  73  and  74 , taken along plane “P 2 ” may be varied to provide for different band resistances. In the embodiment shown, the cross-sectional area of the receiving portions  71  and  72 , taken along plane “P 1 ”, is three times greater than the cross-sectional area of the spanning portions  73  and  74 , taken along plane “P 2 ”. While the receiving portions  71  and  72  and the spanning portions may have a generally rectangular cross-section taken along plane “P 1 ” and “P 2 ” so as to be configured to allow for stacking of multiple elastic bands within the first and second elongate slots  45  and  46 , other cross-sectional shapes are envisioned. The receiving portions  71  and  72  are designed not to stretch, or to minimally stretch, while the spanning portions  73  and  74  stretch as the first or second ends  41   b ,  41   c ,  42   b , and  42   c  of the first and second arms  41  and  42  are moved. The receiving portions  71  and  72  provide additional strength and rigidity to the band, while reducing unwanted band deflection and friction between the resistance band  70  and the sides of the slots  45  and  46 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the resistance band  70  as shown in  FIG. 7 , it will be appreciated that when the band  70  is disposed in a horizontal orientation with a respective longitudinal axis of each spanning portion  73  and  74  being disposed in a common horizontal plane, respective uppermost surfaces  71   a  and  72   a  of each receiving portion  71  and  72  are vertically offset upwardly from respective uppermost surfaces  73   a  and  74   a  of each spanning portion  73  and  74 , and respective lowermost surfaces  71   b  and  72   b  of each receiving portion  71  and  72  are vertically offset downwardly from respective lowermost surfaces  73   b  and  74   b  of each spanning portion  73  and  74 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the respective spanning portions  73  and  74  have respective outermost side surfaces  73 c and  74 c that are offset laterally inwardly from respective outermost side surfaces  71 c and  72 c of each receiving portion  71  and  72 . 
     As shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7 , each of the spanning portions  73  and  74  comprises a single elongated member having a pair of opposite ends each joined to a respective one of the pair of receiving portions  71  and  72  at a respective single juncture  76 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7 , each juncture  76  is shown as being tapered from the respective outermost side surfaces  71   c  and  72   c  of each receiving portion  71  and  72  to the respective outermost side surfaces  73   c  and  74   c  of each spanning portions  73  and  74  which results in the respective outermost side surfaces  73   c  and  74   c  of the respective spanning portions being offset laterally inwardly from the respective outermost side surfaces  71   c  and  72   c  of each receiving portion  71  and  72 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an exemplary embodiment similar to  FIG. 7 , where the resistance band  80  includes a continuous loop of elastic having two receiving portions  81  and  82  and two spanning portions  83  and  84  configured to span between the elongate slots  45  and  46 . As shown, the cross-sectional area of the receiving portions  81  and  82  taken along plane “P 1 ” is greater than the cross-sectional area of the spanning portions  83  and  84  taken along plane “P 2 ”. As shown, the spanning portions  83  and  84  have a circular cross-section; however, other cross-sectional shapes are also envisioned. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , in the exemplary embodiment of the resistance band  80  as shown this figure, it will be appreciated that when the band  80  is disposed in a horizontal orientation with a respective longitudinal axis of each spanning portion  83  and  84  being disposed in a common horizontal plane, respective uppermost surfaces  81   a  and  82   a  of each receiving portion  81  and  82  are vertically offset upwardly from respective uppermost surfaces  83   a  and  84   a  of each spanning portion  83  and  84 , and respective lowermost surfaces  81   b  and  82   b  of each receiving portion  81  and  82  are vertically offset downwardly from respective lowermost surfaces  83   b  and  84   b  of each spanning portion  83  and  84 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the respective spanning portions  83  and  84  have respective outermost side surfaces  83   c  and  84   c  that are offset laterally inwardly from respective outermost side surfaces  81 c and  82 c of each receiving portion  81  and  82 . 
     As shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 8 , each of the spanning portions  83  and  84  comprises a single elongated member having a pair of opposite ends each joined to a respective one of the pair of receiving portions  81  and  82  at a respective single juncture  86 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 8 , each juncture  86  is shown as being tapered from the respective outermost side surfaces  81   c  and  82   c  of each receiving portion  81  and  82  to the respective outermost side surfaces  83   c  and  84   c  of each spanning portions  83  and  84  which results in the respective outermost side surfaces  83   c  and  84   c  of the respective spanning portions being offset laterally inwardly from the respective outermost side surfaces  81   c  and  82   c  of each receiving portion  81  and  82 . 
     A method of using the exerciser  10 ,  20  and  40  is also described, where a user may perform one or more of the following exercises: 
     The user may hold the exerciser with outstretched arms, and press or pull either set of the first and second gripping handles either inwardly or outwardly respectively against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may point the outstretched arms vertically in an overhead direction and presses or pulls either set of the first and second gripping handles either inwardly or outwardly against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may point the outstretched arms in front with the exerciser held out horizontally, parallel to the floor in front of the user and presses or pulls either set of the first and second gripping handles either inwardly or outwardly against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may hold the exerciser vertically over head and presses or pulls either set of the first and second gripping handles either inward or outward against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may point the exerciser downward toward the floor and presses or pulls either set of the first and second gripping handles either inward or outward against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may grip the exerciser and hold it behind the back of the user and presses or pulls either set of the first and second gripping handles either inwardly or outwardly against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may grip the exerciser and holds it in a manner either in front of, above, or behind the torso or head of the body of the user and presses or pulls either set of the first and second gripping handles either inward or outward against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band; 
     The user may grip the exerciser and hold it in a manner perpendicular to the body of the user in such a fashion as to allow the user to pull one of the interconnected arms toward the body with the other interconnected arm of the exerciser having been braced against the body and against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band; 
     The user may grip the exerciser and hold it in a manner with the exerciser lateral to one side of the body of the user with one of the interconnected arms being braced against the body in such a manner as to allow the other of the interconnected arms to be pulled toward the body in a lateral motion, against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may hold the first and second gripping handles at one end of the exerciser that can be laterally expanded outward, hold the exerciser with outstretched arms, and push the first and second gripping handles apart against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may grip the exerciser and hold the exerciser in a manner either in front of, above, or behind the torso or head of the body of the user and pull the first and second gripping handles apart against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may sit in a sitting position and place the exerciser on the lap of the user with one of the first and second gripping handles pointing laterally outward toward either side of the body of the user, hold the exerciser with the other of the first and second gripping handles, and bend at the torso in the direction of one of the first and second gripping handles thereby compressing the first and second gripping handles together against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may sit in a sitting position and place the first and second gripping handles laterally compressed inwardly between the left and right thighs of the user, hold the exerciser with outstretched arms for stability, and compress the first and second gripping handles inwardly together against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may hold the first and second gripping handles laterally compressed inward, and place the opposite ends of the first and second gripping handles firmly against the outside of the thighs of the user, and press the first and second gripping handles outward against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     The user may sit in a sitting position and place the exerciser on the lap of the user with one of the first and second gripping handles pointing laterally outward toward the side of the body, holding one of the first and second gripping handles that can be compressed downward and rotating one of user&#39;s arms downward such that the shoulder muscles of the user are stressed against the resistance provided by the elastomeric band. 
     As such, this exerciser  10 ,  20  and  40  has been designed to be simple and cost-effective to manufacture, and to be extremely portable and usable by the widest variety of people, from senior citizens to body builders and athletes. Further, exerciser  10 ,  20  and  40  allows a person to perform numerous exercises with varying degrees of resistance, is fully self-contained, and extremely lightweight and portable. It is in the simplicity of this invention that makes it novel. It is lightweight, portable and versatile in its application rendering it ideal for transport and use both in the home, on trips, and at other locations outside of the traditional gym. The uniqueness of the exerciser  10 ,  20  and  40  also renders the need for heavy, dedicated workout devices unnecessary, eliminating the need for multiple, complex workout equipment in the exercise of the whole body including multiple muscle groups. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by description of various embodiments and while those embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of Applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of Applicants&#39; invention.