Patent Publication Number: US-5897471-A

Title: Upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The instant invention relates generally to exercise equipment and more specifically it relates to an upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser. The upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser is a U-shaped flexure member having a pair of handgrips. A person can grasp the handgrips to flex the U-shaped flexure member in and out with arm power, to tone up the upper body muscles and exercise the legs and knees during a workout exercise. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous exercise equipment have been provided in prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,109,651 to Wheeler; 4,204,674 to Ogland; 5,143,057 to DePasquale and 5,195,938 to Robertson all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     WHEELER, BEVERLY LYNN 
     RECREATION DEVICE 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,109,651 
     In a recreation device, in combination, a circular inner loop of tubular transparent plastic is adapted to encircle a player&#39;s body. An outer loop of the tubular plastic is disposed eccentrically with respect to the inner loop and is joined to the same to form two substantially tangentially intersecting internal passages. An internally disposed ball is adapted to be directed alternatively throughout the two passages in pre-selected order under control of movements applied to the joined loops by the player. 
     OGLAND, THOMAS W. 
     POCKET SIZE, ADJUSTABLE EXERCISER 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,674 
     A pocket-size, adjustable exerciser used for performing tension exercises. The invention comprising a freestanding, elongated member and adjustable looped end means for gripping the exerciser. The length of the end means is selectively adjustable, depending on the exercise to be performed and on the size of the person using the exerciser. 
     DePASQUALE, LOUIS J. 
     OVERPRESSURE DEVICE FOR MECHANICAL TREATMENT OF THE HUMAN BODY 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,057 
     A device for applying localized forces to portions of the human anatomy, such as the spine, to treat physical conditions and disorders requiring some degree of mechanical manipulation of therapy, comprising an outer roll of pliable material having a resiliently deformable surface for comfortably but firmly engaging a body portion of a user in a surrounding manner. A supporting member extends within the roll and is of a stiffer but bendable material, so as to provide support for and wrappingly press the roll against the effected body portion. Drawing members extend from the ends of the supporting member and are grippable by the user for applying the required force to the supporting member to press the roll against the body portion. The drawing members may be handgrips or a belt member to tie the roll about the user&#39;s waist. Additionally, a stabilizing member may be attached between the roll and belt member, to extend between the user&#39;s legs for preventing the roll from riding up too far on the user&#39;s back, when pressure is being applied by pulling on the drawing members. 
     ROBERTSON, KEVIN R. 
     ABDOMINAL EXERCISING DEVICE 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,938 
     An abdominal exercising device having two identical structures, each comprised of a rigid member, pressure pad and handle, are connected by an adjustable strap adapted to partially encircle the users abdominal area. After the user obtains the standard sit-up crunch or leg lift position, the adjustable strap is placed under the lower back while the two structures are brought across the abdominal area with each structures pressure pad contacting the users abdominal muscles. The user holds both handles and applies pressure to the abdominal muscles by simultaneously pulling the handles in toward the torso while performing the exercise movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide an upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     Another object is to provide an upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser that is a U-shaped flexure member having a pair of handgrips, so that a person can grasp the handgrips to flex the U-shaped flexure member in and out with arm power to tone up the upper body muscles during a workout exercise. 
     An additional object is to provide an upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser that is extremely lightweight, compact, totally portable and environmentally friendly, since no batteries or electrical power is required to operate it. 
     A further object is to provide an upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object is to provide an upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein; 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of the present invention being a small size unit. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 1, of the first embodiment being a medium size unit. 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2, of the first embodiment being a large size unit. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 1, showing the elongate tube of the U-shaped flexure member made of a polyvinyl chloride material. 
     FIG. 4A is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4, showing the elongate tube of the U-shaped flexure member made of a fiberglass material. 
     FIG. 4B is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4A, showing the elongate tube of the U-shaped flexure member made of a flexible metal material. 
     FIG. 5 is a further enlarged cross sectional view of an area in FIG. 4, as indicated by arrow 5, showing the handgrip on one and of the U-shaped flexure member in greater detail. 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention being a small size unit and having two different types of attachable handgrips. 
     FIG. 7 is an assembled elevational view similar to FIG. 6, with the first type of handgrips assembled thereto and in phantom disassembled, while the second type of handgrips are shown disassembled. 
     FIG. 8 is an assembled elevational view similar to FIG. 7, with the second type of handgrips assembled thereto and in phantom disassembled, while the first type of handgrips are shown disassembled. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 9--9 in FIG. 7. 
     FIG. 9A is a further enlarged cross sectional view of an area in FIG. 9, as indicated by arrow 9A, showing the first type of handgrip on one end of the U-shaped flexure member in greater detail. 
     FIG. 10 is an assembled elevational view similar to FIG. 7, of the second embodiment being a medium size unit. 
     FIG. 11 is an assembled elevational view similar to FIG. 8, of the second embodiment being a large size unit. 
     FIG. 12 is an elevational view of a third embodiment of the present invention, showing the U-shaped flexure member being of three tube pieces connected with two springs. 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view of an area in FIG. 12 as indicated by arrow 13, showing one of the springs connected between two of the tube pieces in greater detail. 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 14--14 in FIG. 12, showing the hanger assembly in greater detail. 
     FIG. 15 is an elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 15 illustrate the present invention being four different embodiments of an upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser being 12, 12a, 12b and 12c. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
     12 first embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 
     12a second embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 
     12b third embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 
     12c fourth embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 
     14 U-shaped flexure member of 12 
     14a U-shaped flexure member of 12a 
     14b U-shaped flexure member of 12b 
     14c U-shaped flexure member of 12c 
     16 handgrip on end of 18, 52 and 66 
     16a first removable extended handgrip on end of 14a 
     16b second removable extended handgrip on end of 14a 
     18 elongate tube for 14 
     18a elongate tube for 14a 
     20 polyvinyl chloride material of 14, l4a, 36, 50, 52, 64 and 66 
     20a fiberglass material of 14, 14a, 36, 50, 52, 64 and 66 
     20b flexible metal material of 14, 14a 36, 50, 52, 64 and 66 
     21 foam rubber insulation pipe over 18, 18a, 50 and 66 
     21a foam rubber neck brace over 21 
     22 sleeve for 16 
     23 closed end of 22 
     24 hard rubber material of 16, 29 and 40 
     26 textured external surface on 16 
     28 finger indentation on 16 
     29 elongate shaft of 16a 
     30 textured external surface on 29 
     30a lower end of 29 
     31 connector of 16a 
     32 threaded shank of 31 
     33 collar of 31 
     34 upper end of 29 
     35 bore in 18a 
     36 tube extension of 16b 
     38 threaded shank of 36 
     40 short shaft of 16b 
     42 textured external surface on 40 
     43 lower end of 40 
     44 collar on 40 
     45 upper end of 40 
     46 adhesive on 45 
     48 bore in 36 
     50 curved tube piece of 14b 
     52 straight tube piece of 14b 
     54 spring of 14b 
     56 hanger assembly of 12b 
     58 support shaft 
     60 metal of 54 and 56 
     62 plastic of 54 and 56 
     64 coil tension tube piece of 14c 
     66 straight tube piece of 14c 
     The first embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12 is shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 and comprises a U-shaped flexure member 14 with a pair of handgrips 16. Each handgrip 16 is on an opposite end of the U-shaped flexure member 14, so that a person can grasp the handgrips 16 to flex the U-shaped flexure member 14 in and out with arm power to tone up the upper body muscles and exercise the legs and knees during a workout exercise. 
     The U-shaped flexure member 14 is an elongate tube 18. The U-shaped flexure member 14 can be fabricated out of a polyvinyl chloride material 20, as shown in FIG. 4, a fiberglass material 20a, as shown in FIG. 4A, or a flexible metal material 20b, as shown in FIG. 4B. 
     The U-shaped flexure member 14 can be made in various lengths, to accommodate persons of different sizes. For example, in FIGS. 1, and 4 to 4B, the length of the U-shaped flexure member 14 can be approximately forty eight inches long making the first embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12 a small size unit. In FIG. 2 the length of the U-shaped flexure member 14 can be approximately fifty four inches long, making the first embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12 a medium size unit. In FIG. 3, the length of the U-shaped flexure member 14 can be approximately sixty inches long, making the first embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12 a large size unit. The upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12 can further include a foam rubber insulation pipe 21 over the elongate tube 18, so as to cushion the elongate tube 18, when the person exercises. A foam rubber neck brace 21a can be centrally located over the foam rubber insulation pipe, so as to comfortably support the neck of the person, when the person does neck and shoulder exercises. 
     Each handgrip 16 is a sleeve 22, having a closed end 23 that slips onto a respective end of the U-shaped flexure member 14. Each handgrip 16 is fabricated out of a hard rubber material 24. Each handgrip 16 includes a textured external surface 26, so as to enhance holding thereof and prevent slippage of the hands of the person grasping the handgrips 16. Each handgrip 16 has a plurality of finger indentations 28 formed therealong, so that the person can move their hands further up the handgrips 16 to increase difficulty in the exercise being performed. 
     The second embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12a is shown in FIGS. 6 through 11. Two different types of removable handgrips 16a, 16b are provided. Each handgrip 16a is extended and includes an elongate shaft 29 having a textured external surface 30 on a lower end 30a, so as to enhance holding thereof and prevent slippage of the hands of the person grasping said handgrips 16a. A connector 31 having a threaded shank 32 with a collar 33 is force fit onto an upper end 34 of the elongate shaft 29. The threaded shank 32 can be threaded within one end of a bore 35 within the elongate tube 18a of the U-shaped flexure member 14a up to the collar 33, which will prevent the handgrip 16a from dislodging therefrom. The elongate shaft 29 can be fabricated out of the hard rubber material 24, while the collar 33 can be fabricated out of the polyvinyl chloride material 20. 
     Each handgrip 16b is also extended and consists of a tube extension 36 having a threaded shank 38. The threaded shank 38 can be threaded within the bore 35 at one end of the elongate tube 18a of the U-shaped flexure member 14a, which will prevent the tube extension 36 from dislodging therefrom. A short shaft 40 has a textured external surface 42 on a lower end 43, so as to enhance holding thereof and prevent slippage of the hands of the person grasping the handgrips 16b. A collar 44 is formed on the short shaft 40 and is set back from an upper end 45. Adhesive 46 is applied onto the upper end 45 of the short shaft 40. When the upper end 45 of the short shaft 40 is inserted into one end of a bore 48 within the tube extension 36, the adhesive 46 will prevent the short shaft 40 from dislodging therefrom. The short shaft 40 can be fabricated out of the hard rubber material 24. 
     The second embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12a can also come in the small, medium and large size units as the first embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12. The U-shaped flexure member 14a can also be fabricated out of the same materials as the U-shaped flexure member 14, which is polyvinyl chloride material 20, fiberglass material 20a and flexible metal material 20b. The foam rubber insulation pipe 21 and the foam rubber neck brace 21a can also be placed over the elongate tube 18a, as shown in phantom in FIG. 6. The tube extension 36 can also be fabricated out of the same materials as the U-shaped flexure member 14a, which is polyvinyl chloride material 20, fiberglass material 20a and flexible metal material 20b. 
     The third embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12b, is shown in FIGS. 12 through 14. The U-shaped flexure member 14b includes a curved tube piece 50, a pair of straight tube pieces 52 and a pair of springs 54. Each spring 54 extends between one end of the curved tube piece 50 and one end of one straight tube piece 52. 
     A hanger assembly 56 is attached to the center of the curved tube piece 50. The hanger assembly 56 can be utilized, to hang the third embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12b from a support shaft 58 when not in use. 
     The third embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12b can also come in the small, medium and large size units, as the first and second embodiment upper body muscle toner devices and leg and knee exercisers 12 and 12a. The curved tube piece 50 and the pair of straight tube pieces 52 of the U-shaped flexure member 14b can also be fabricated out of the same material as the U-shaped flexure members 14 and 14a, which is polyvinyl chloride material 20, fiberglass material 20a and flexible metal material 20b. 
     The pair of springs 54 and the hook assembly 56 can be fabricated out of a durable strong material, such as metal or plastic 62. The foam rubber insulation pipe 21 and the foam rubber neck brace 21a, can also be placed over the curved tube piece 50. Each handgrip 16 can be placed over a free end of each straight tube piece 52 of the U-shaped flexure member 14b, as shown in FIG. 12. 
     The fourth embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12c is shown in FIG. 15. The U-shaped flexure member 14c consists of a pair of coil tension tube pieces 64. Three straight tube pieces 66 interconnect with the coil tension tube pieces 64. 
     The fourth embodiment upper body muscle toner device and leg and knee exerciser 12c can also come in the small, medium and large size. Units, as the firsts second and third embodiment upper body muscle toner devices and leg and knee exercisers 12, 12a and 12b. The coil tension tube pieces 64 and the three straight tube pieces 66 of the U-shaped flexure member 14c can also be fabricated out of the same materials as the U-shaped flexure members 14, 14a and 14b, which is polyvinyl chloride material 20, fiberglass material 20a and flexible metal material 20b. The foam rubber insulation pipe 21 and the foam rubber neck brace 21a can also be placed over the middle straight tube piece 66, not shown in FIG. 15. Each handgrip 16 can be placed over a free end of each of two straight tube pieces 66, as shown in FIG. 15. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.