Patent Publication Number: US-9884219-B2

Title: Exercise apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/983,360 filed Dec. 29, 2015 entitled Exercise Apparatus. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to exercise and in particular to a method and apparatus for permitting a user to exercise without interfering with their range of motion. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Many forms of exercise require a user to grasp and manipulate a handle against a resistance. One common way to do this is to suspend the handle from a cable or the like. One disadvantage that exists with common exercise equipment is that the centers of the handles are frequently aligned with the cable such that the cable may interfere with and overlap the path of at least part of the user&#39;s body. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that a user will therefore be limited in the movements that they are able to perform with such equipment. 
     Attempts have been made to provide a handle with connections at each end. However, such devices may commonly rely upon connecting the handle to two cables each having their own weight stack. It has been found that such devices may be unstable due to the differences in motion between the two weight stacks. 
     Additionally, other attempts have been made to replace the cables and weights with elastics. Such elastics commonly extend from a common source such as a connection point or bar to the handle. However, as elastics rely upon their length to stretch to provide the required resistance, it has been found that relatively long elastics have been required. Therefore, the handle is often required to be spaced away from the connection point or bar by a relatively long distance, which makes such devices cumbersome. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an exercise apparatus comprising an elongate support member extending along a length between first and second ends, the elongate support member having a passage extending therethrough between the first and second ends, at least one elongate flexible member extending through the passage of the support member and having end connectors on each end thereof, and at least one handle extending having a grip portion thereon securable to the end connectors of the elongate flexible members. 
     The at least one handle may comprise a rigid handle extending between first and second handle ends, the handle having connectors proximate to each of the first and second ends and a grip section therebetween wherein the grip section extends along an axis angularly offset from a common axis between the first and second ends. The grip section may extend perpendicular to the common axis. 
     The at least one handle may comprise a pair of handles each secured to opposite ends of the at least one elongate flexible member. The pair of handles each may include a flexible tensile member extending therefrom wherein a free distal end of each of the flexible tensile members is connected to the end of the elongate flexible member. The pair of handles may extend between first and second ends with a pad proximate to a first end thereof, a grip portion proximate to a second end thereof and the flexible tensile member extending from a position therebetween. 
     The first and second ends of the support member may include rollers proximate to the first and second ends of the passage. 
     The support member may be adapted to be suspended from a mounting location. The exercise apparatus may further comprise a mounting assembly extending from the elongate support member to a common connection point. The mounting assembly may comprise straps extending between the common connection point to locations proximate to each of the first and second ends of the elongate support member. The elongate support member may include support bores extending therethrough adapted to pass the straps. The support bores may comprise a pair of bores each located proximate to side edges of the elongate support member. The support bores may be spaced apart from the side edges of the elongate support member by a distance selected to receive at least one elongate flexible member therethrough. 
     The flexible members may be elastic. The exercise apparatus may further comprise a plurality of flexible members. 
     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view, 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the top support of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the top support of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1  as taken along the line  3 - 3 . 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed exploded view of the connectors between the elastic members and the handle of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed exploded view of the connectors between the elastic members and the handle of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1  according to a further embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a top support of the exercise apparatus according to a further embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the top support of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 6  as taken along the line  7 - 7 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a handle according to a further embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a handle according to a further embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a detailed side view of the connectors at the distal end of the elastic members according to a further embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the top support according to a further embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the top support of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the top support of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view of the top support of  FIG. 11 , as taken along the line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is side view of the handle of  FIG. 8  attached to the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the handles of  FIG. 9  attached to the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exercise apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises a top support  12 , a handle  40  spaced there below and at least one flexible member  60  extending therebetween. In operation the user secures the top support  12  to a surface or body and grasps the handle  40  between the flexible members such that their range of motion of their arm is not impeded by the flexible members as will be more fully described below. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the top support  12  comprises an elongate tubular body  14  extending between first and second ends,  16  and  18 , respectively. The tubular body  14  defines a passage  20  therethrough having a slot  28  extending therealong so as to permit the flexible members  60  to be passed into the passage  20 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first and second ends  16  and  18  may include arcuate portions,  22  and  24 , respectively curving away from a central axis  21  of the passage  20 . The arcuate portions  22  and  24  have a radius of curvature  26  selected to reduce stress and provide free motion of the flexible members  60  thereover as will be more fully described below. In practice it has been found that a radius of between ½ and 8 inches (13 and 203 mm) has been useful although it will be appreciated that other dimensions may be useful as well. 
     The top support  12  includes a mounting location  30  adapted to permit the top support  12  to be suspended from an object. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mounting location  30  may comprise a tab extending from the tubular body proximate to the slot  28 . The tab may include a bore  32  therethrough operable to receive a clip  36  such as a carabiner or the like. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the clip  36  may be secured to the end of a cable  34  such that the cable suspends the top support  12  at the location desired by a user. The mounting location  30  is located at the middle of the tubular body  14  such that the top support  12  will be balanced when supported by the mounting location. 
     Optionally, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the mounting location may comprise one or more bores  90  passing through the top support  12  to either side of the slot  28  so as to be operable to receive a clip, hook or the like therein. In operation, the clip or hook may be passed through one or both of the bores  90 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a cross sectional view of the top support  12  is illustrated. As illustrated, the tubular body  14  of the top support may have a substantially circular cross section however it will be appreciated that other cross section profiles may also be useful such as, by way of non-limiting example, oval, square, rectangular, triangular or irregular. As illustrated, one or more flexible members  60  may extend through the passage  20  to connect to each end of the handle, as will be more fully described below. 
     Although one style of top support  12  is illustrated and set out above, it will be appreciated that other styles of support may be utilized, as well. Turning now to  FIG. 11 , a further embodiment of the top support is generally illustrated at  312 . The top support  312  comprises an elongate rounded rectangular tubular body  314  extending between first and second ends,  316  and  318 , respectively, and between first and second sides,  308  and  310 , respectively. The distance between the first and second ends,  316  and  318 , may be such as, by way of non-limiting example, between 10 and 24 inches (254 and 610 mm), although it will be appreciated that other lengths may be useful, as well. The distance between the first and second sides,  308  and  310 , may be such as, by way of non-limiting example, between 2 and 6 inches (50 and 152 mm), although it will be appreciated that other lengths may be useful, as well. The tubular body  314  defines a passage  320  therethrough, having a plurality of offset slots  328  extending therealong so as to permit the flexible members  60  to be passed into the passage  320 . The slots  328  may be offset, as illustrated, so as to retain the flexible members  60  therein. Additionally, a plurality of angled slots  329  may be included proximate to the first and second ends,  316  and  318 , so as to retain the flexible members  60  within the passage  320 , requiring manipulation thereof to insert or remove the flexible members  60 . The passage  320  is adapted to retain the flexible members  60  in parallel alignment with minimal interference therebetween, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Although  FIG. 14  illustrates four flexible members  60  therein, it will be appreciated that the tubular body  314  may be sized to receive more or less flexible members  60  therein. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the top surface of the tubular body  314  may be substantially flat so as to permit the tubular body  314  to be rested on a ground surface with the flexible members  60  extending upwardly therefrom for use in performing squats or the like as will be more fully described below. 
     Returning to  FIG. 11 , proximate to the first and second ends  316  and  318 , first and second end portions,  322  and  324 , respectively, may include rollers,  330  and  332 , respectively, as are commonly known, aligned perpendicularly to a central axis  326  of the passage  320 , with each roller  330  and  332  positioned such that the flexible members  60  may pass thereover. The rollers  330  and  332  are selected to reduce stress and provide free motion of the flexible members  60  thereover. It has been found that rollers with a radius of between ½ and 5 inches (13 to 127 mm) have been useful, although it will be appreciated that other dimensions may be useful as well. Each of the first and second end portions,  322  and  324 , may include a retaining portion,  334  and  336 , respectively, at the ends thereof, forming first and second gaps,  338  and  340 , respectively, between each roller,  330  and  332 , and respective retaining portion,  334  and  336 , which the flexible members  60  may pass therethrough. Referring to  FIG. 13 , the base of the tubular body  314  includes a plurality of rectangular bores  358  proximate to the first and second ends  316  and  318 , the purpose of which will be described in more detail below. 
     The top support  312  includes a mounting assembly  350  adapted to permit the top support  312  to be suspended from an object. As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 14 , the mounting assembly  350  may include first and second mounting straps,  352  and  354 , respectively, connected to a clip  356  such as a carabiner or the like. The mounting straps  352  and  354  may be constructed using such as, by way of non-limiting example, polyester webbing, or any other suitable materials. The mounting straps  352  and  354  are sized such that the clip  356  suspends the top support  312  over the middle of the tubular body  314  such that the top support  312  will be balanced when supported by the mounting location. Referring to  FIG. 14 , and using the second end  318  by example, the second mounting strap  354  includes first and second end loops,  360  and  362 , formed therein by any known means, such as, by way of non-limiting example, sewed with thread. Similarly, the first mounting strap  352  includes first and second end loops (not shown). Referring to  FIGS. 11, 13 and 14  the second mounting strap  354  passes through a notch  328  or opening in the tubular body  314  proximate to the second end  318 , through the passage  320  between two flexible members  60  proximate to the first side  308 , as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , and through a rectangular bore  358  in the base of the tubular body  314 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , then around the first side  308  of the tubular body  314  and through the first end loop  360 , as illustrated in FIG.  14 , then up through the clip  356 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , and back down through the tubular body  314  in a similar manner on the second side  310 , with the second mounting strap  354  passing through the second end loop  362  to secure it thereto the tubular body  314 . The first mounting strap  352  passes through the tubular body  312  in a similar manner proximate to the first end  316 . In such a manner, the first and second straps  352  and  354  form end loops through the sides of the tubular body  314  proximate to each side  308  and  310  thereof. As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the loops thus formed may separate one or more of the flexible members  60  from the others so as to assist in organizing the flexible members therein. It will be appreciated that such side by side organization of the flexible members will assist to prevent binding and jamming of the flexible members therein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the handle  40  comprises an elongate rigid member extending between first and second ends,  42  and  44  respectively with a grip portion  46  therebetween. Proximate to each of the first and second ends  42  and  44  are connectors,  48  and  50 , the details of which will be further described below for connection to the flexible members  60 . 
     The flexible member  60  extends between first and second ends,  62  and  64 , respectively. Each of the first and second ends  62  and  64  includes an end connector  66  for connection to the connectors  48  and  50  of the handle. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the flexible member  60  is passed through a slot  70  of the handle  40 , as will be described in more detail below, such that the end connector  66  at the first end  62  is connected to the connector  48  of the first end  42  of the handle. Similarly, the end connector  66  at the second end  64  is connected to the connector  50  of the second end  44  of the handle. In such a manner the flexible member  60  suspends the handle  40  below the top support  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the connector may comprise a flared end  68  sized to have a non-deformable thickness greater than the thickness of the flexible member as are commonly known. 
     The flexible member  60  may be elastic, such as by way of non-limiting example, formed of rubber, silicon or the like as are commonly known. The flexible member  60  may be selected to have a thickness and resilience to provide a desired biasing force under stretch for the exercise to be provided. The flexible member  60  is permitted to stretch along its entire length during exercise such that the portion within the passage  20  as well as the portions between the top support  12  and the handle  40  are permitted to stretch to provide the desired resistance. In such manner, a more consistent biasing force is provided and a reduced distance may be provided between the handle and the top support. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of flexible members  60  may be provided to enable a user to adjust the resistance provided upon the handle for each exercise. Additionally, each of the resilient members may be provided with a different modulus of elasticity so as to provide a different level of resistance for a user so as to enable the user to customize, through selecting different combinations of the elastic members, the level of total resistance provided. It will be appreciated that each different level of resistance may be coloured a different colour to assist the user in differentiate between the different levels of resistance. Optionally, the flexible member may be selected to be non elastic such that the average distance between the top support  12  and the handle  40  remains constant while permitting the handle to rotate relative to the top support through sliding the flexible members through the passage  20 . Such arrangement will be useful for suspending the top support  12  from a cable connected to a weight stack for use in exercise. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , one embodiment of the connection between the flexible members  60  and the handle  40  is illustrated. As set out above the ends of the flexible member  60  include flared non-deformable bodies having a width greater than the width of the flexible member. The handle  40  may be substantially hollow wherein the first connector  48  of the handle comprises a slot  70  extending into the handle  40 . The slot  70  includes one or more receiving locations  72  and  74  comprising a bore sized to have a diameter between the flexible member and the diameter of the flared end  68 . In such a manner, the flexible ember may pass through the receiving location  72  or  74  while the flared end  68  is retained therein. The slot  70  also includes an entrance  78  sized larger than the flared end  68  such that the flared end  68  may be freely passed therethrough into the interior of the handle. The receiving locations  72  and  74  and entrance  78  may include narrowed portions  76  therebetween to differentiate between such locations and retain the flared end  68  within the receiving locations as desired. As illustrated, the receiving locations and narrowed portions may include a rounded transition  79  therebetween. In operation, a user may pass the flared end  68  through the entrance  78  and thereafter slide the flexible member to the desired receiving location. Thereafter pulling the flexible member  60  away from the handle will set the flared end  68  within the desired receiving location providing a secure fit between. 
     Although one style of connection between the flexible member  60  and handle  40  is illustrated and set out above, it will be appreciated that other styles of connections may also be utilized, such as by way of non-limiting example, hooks, carabineers  82  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  or the like. In particular, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the handle  40  may include a pair of bores  80  extending transversely through the handle so as to permit a carabiner  82  or the like to be passed therethrough. The carabiner  82  may then in turn be connected to a flexible member  60  through any known means. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the bores  80  may be aligned so as to form a path through the handle  40  offset from the center thereof. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the connector  48  is provided with two receiving locations  72  and  74 . To reduce the deforming of the slot  70  due to long lengths of such structures, if additional receiving locations are desired, more than one slot may be provided as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a further embodiment of a connection end style which may be used to connect the flexible member  60  and handle  40 . In particular, each of the first and second ends  62  and  64  may include a flexible end connector sleeve  92  which is stretched over a portion of the flexible member  60  and contains therein an enlarged stopper  94 , which may be spherical, as illustrated, although other shapes may be useful as well. The enlarged stopper  94  may be secured within the flexible member  60  as well or optionally only within the connector sleeve  92 . The flexible member  60  passes through an eyelet  96 , as is commonly known, in a strap  98 , with the enlarged stopper  94  retaining the eyelet  96  and strap  98  thereon. The strap  98  may be constructed using such as by way of non-limiting example, polyester webbing, or any other suitable material, and is formed by any known means, such as sewn with thread, to encircle the enlarged stopper  94  and includes a loop  100  at the distal end thereof sized so as to permit a carabiner  82  or the like to be passed therethrough. The carabiner  82  may then in turn be connected to the handle  40  as outlined above. 
     Although one style of handle is illustrated and set out above, it will be appreciated that other styles of handles may also be utilized, as well, such as the handles illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 15 , a further embodiment of a handle is illustrated generally at  140 . The handle  140  comprises first and second end portions,  110  and  112 , respectively, with a grip portion  146  extending along a grip axis  160  at the midpoint therebetween. The elongate rigid grip portion  146  extends between front and rear edges,  114  and  116 , respectively, with the first and second end portions,  110  and  112 , extending transversely therefrom each edge,  114  and  116 . The first end portion  110 , extending between a first end  142  and the front edge  114  of the grip portion  146 , comprises a straight end portion  118  proximate to the first end  142 , a straight end portion  120  proximate to the front edge  114 , and an s-curve portion  122  therebetween. The second end portion  112 , extending between a second end  144  and the rear edge  116  of the grip portion  146 , comprises a straight end portion  124  proximate to the second end  144 , a straight end portion  126  proximate to the rear edge  116 , and an s-curve portion  128  therebetween. The s-curve portions  122  and  128  are sized and curved such that the straight end portions  118  and  124  extend along a common axis  162 , angularly to the axis  160 , through the center of the grip portion  146 . It will be appreciated that the common axis may extend perpendicular to the grip axis or any other angular orientation to facilitate the desired grip position by a user. Each straight end portion  118  and  124  includes a bore  150  extending transversely therethrough, sized to so as to permit a carabiner  82  or the like to be passed therethrough, as set out above. The carabiner  82  may then in turn be connected to a flexible member  60  through any known means. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , a further embodiment of the handle is illustrated generally at  240 . In this embodiment, two of the handle  240  may be connected to the apparatus  10  simultaneously, one at each of the first and second ends,  62  and  64 , of the flexible member  60 . The handle  240  comprises an elongate rigid member  252  extending between first and second ends,  242  and  244 , respectively, with an outer grip portion  246  thereon proximate to the first end  242  and an outer shoulder pad portion  248  thereon proximate to the second end  244 . The outer grip portion  246  may be formed of any suitable material to be gripped by a user&#39;s hand, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a rigid plastic such as injection-molded nylon, composite rubber or foam. The outer shoulder pad portion  248  may be generally spool or hourglass shaped, thereby presenting a circumferentially concave support surface  250 , with a minimum diameter greater than the diameter of the elongate rigid member  252 . The concave support surface  250  is adapted to rest upon a user&#39;s shoulder. The outer shoulder pad portion  248  may be formed of any suitable padding material, such as, by way of non-limiting example, foam, rubber or any other padding material as is commonly known. Although the shoulder pad portion  248  is illustrated as an hourglass shape, it will be appreciated that other shapes, such as cylindrical, may be useful, as well. The elongate rigid member  252  includes a bore  254  therethrough proximate to the should pad portion  248  adapted to receive and retain a flexible tensile member  256  therein. The flexible tensile member  256  may be retained within the elongate rigid member  252  by any known means, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a knot, as is commonly known. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a loop  258  may be formed in the distal end of the flexible tensile member  256  so as to permit a carabiner  82  or the like to be passed therethrough, as set out above. The carabiner  82  may then in turn be connected to a flexible member  60  through any known means. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , to utilize the apparatus  10  with the handle  240 , a handle  240  is connected to a flexible member  60  as set out above. The top support  12  is placed on the floor and the user secures the top support  12  to the floor by placing one or both feet thereon. The user may be in a squatting position, as is commonly known, and places the outer shoulder pad portion  248  of the handle  240  on the user&#39;s shoulder, with the handle  240  extending transversely forward from the user&#39;s body. The user grasps the outer grip portion  246 , with the flexible tensile member  256  extending down from the handle  240  to the flexible member  60 . To add tension, the user may twist the handle  240  such that the flexible tensile member  256  is wrapped therearound, thereby decreasing the length between the handle  240  and the top support  12 . The user raises from a squatting position to a standing position, while maintaining the handle  240  in position, thereby extending the flexible member  60 . It will be appreciated that two handles  240  may be used simultaneously with the top support  12  secured beneath the user&#39;s feet with one handle  240  connected to the first end  62  of the flexible member  60 , while a second handle  240  is connected to the second end  64  of the flexible member  60 . 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.