Patent Publication Number: US-2022233906-A1

Title: Exercise device and methods of using the exercise device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to an exercise device and a method of using the exercise device. More particularly, a weighted, rectangular exercise device is provided that is useful to assist in performing a number of exercises. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Weighted exercise devices are known. One such weighted exercise device is a kettlebell. In one particular form, a kettlebell is a cast iron or cast steel ball (i.e., the “bell”) with a handle attached to the top, which is used for performing various exercises. However, the number and types of exercises that can be performed using a kettlebell are limited by its form. 
     Common objects have also been repurposed for weight training. For example, exercises have been devised using cinder blocks, sandbags, PVC pipe and utility buckets, among others. Cinder blocks, in particular, have been repurposed to perform such exercises as cinder block presses, where the user holds a cinder block with each hand and presses them directly overhead, repeatedly. Exercises using cinder blocks additionally include cinder block squats, lunges, deadlifts, bench dips, step-ups, among others. The shape and form of cinder blocks permits them to be used in place of other objects in weight training, as well. For example, cinder blocks can be used for performing kettlebell swings and snatches, in place of kettlebells, farmers carries, in place of utility buckets, and plyo jumps and step-ups, in place of plyo blocks. Cinder blocks, however, are formed with front and rear openings, only, thus providing a limited place to grip them. See, for example,  FIG. 1 . Additionally, they are made from concrete and are, thus, rough to touch and handle, and can be broken. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,179 to Pengler discloses an exercising device comprising a geometrically regular body including a plurality of polygonally-shaped flat sides and a plurality of spaced handle means, as shown in  FIG. 2 , herein. The handle means are defined by at least two elongated spaced openings in the surface of the body which flank the intersection between two of the flat sides. These openings cooperate with at least the remaining portion of the surface intervening therebetween to define elongated graspable hand-holds at the facial intersections. Pengler discloses that the device, in accordance with that invention, may comprise a cube, or other attractive geometric shape, such as a pyramid. The large, relatively closed facial portions of Pengler, present on all sides of the device, result in the device being complicated to make, resulting in a higher than necessary expense. 
     What is needed is an exercise device that has a similar form to a cinder block, thus permitting its versatility in use, yet is easy to handle, and easy to grip, thus increasing the versatility, and resists breaking. What is further needed is an exercise device that provides a fairly open framework, having open facial portions between hand grips, so as to be less complicated to make and/or use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an exercise device and methods for using the exercise device that addresses the needs set forth above. In one particular embodiment of the invention, an exercise device is provided that has a rectangular body with top, bottom, side, and end faces. In one preferred embodiment, the interior of the body is open, and the faces are defined by bars or hand grips formed at the edges between faces. In one particular embodiment, at least one side face of the exercise device is bisected by an additional hand grip. 
     Particular methods for using an exercise device in accordance with the present application are additionally provided. 
     Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the drawings, description and appended claims. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an exercise device and methods for using the exercise device, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like items. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cinder block in accordance with the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is an external perspective view of an exercising device in accordance with the prior art; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view taken from the top, of an exercise device in accordance with one particular embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view taken from the bottom of the exercise device of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the exercise device of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the exercise device of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the exercise device of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an end plan view of the exercise device of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of a system of exercise devices in accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 10A-10E  are illustrations useful in understanding a method of using an exercise device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention for performing an exercise; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view taken from the bottom of an exercise device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-8 , an exercise device  100  according to one particular embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The exercise device  100  has a rectangular body (i.e., in one particular embodiment, the exercise device  100  is shaped as a right rectangular prism), formed by an enclosed top face  110  and an open framework  100   a  extending off from the enclosed top face  110 . As a consequence of this open framework, the exercise device  100  has a hollow center, and large open facial portions between its hand grips, making it easy to grip and hold the exercise device  100 , as well as forming a sturdy support structure for the exercise device  100 . Additionally, such a configuration permits the body of the exercise device  100  to be manufactured as a single piece, for example, through molding and/or casting. 
     The open framework  100   a  is formed by first and second side faces  130 , extending from the top face  110  in the length direction L, and substantially perpendicular to the top face  110 ; first and second end faces  140  extending from the top face  110  in the width direction W, and substantially perpendicular to the top face  110 ; and a bottom face  120  that is substantially parallel to the top face  110 . Each of the faces  120 ,  130 ,  140  of the framework  100   a  is defined by bars or “hand grips” at the intersections between contiguous sides of the framework  100   a . For purposes of the present application, the term “hand grips” is intended to encompass a bar or grip of the exercise device  100 , that can be wrapped around by the hand of a user. In the present preferred embodiment, the faces  120 ,  130 ,  140  of the open framework  100   a  are open between hand grips. 
     More particularly, in the illustrated preferred embodiment, the closed top face  110  of the exercise device  100  is a solid, unpierced face having an outwardly facing front surface  110   a , and an inwardly facing back surface  110   b . The top face  110  is closed, in the present embodiment, to provide a face that can be stepped on, for example, during step-ups, heel taps, balance and/or other exercises. Additionally, the closed top face  110  provides for some air resistance when the exercise device  100  is used for certain exercises, such as kettlebell swings. Although the edges of the top face  110  can be gripped by the hand of a user, in order to improve grip strength, those edges are not “hand grips”, as that term is used in the present application, as the hand of the user cannot wrap “around” them. 
     The open framework body  100   a  of the exercise device  100  is formed as a framework of bars or hand grips at each intersection between two contiguous faces of the body  100   a . Additional hand grips may be provided, as desired, as will be described in connection with the side and bottom faces  120 ,  130 . However, it should be noted that, in the present preferred embodiment, the faces  120 ,  130 ,  140  of the open framework body  100   a  are open between hand grips, for easy gripping and use, as well as for ease of manufacture. 
     More particularly, in the present embodiment illustrated, the top edge  150  of each of the side faces  130  and end faces  140  is that face&#39;s respective intersection with the top face  110 , and is, in fact, an edge of that top face  110 . In particular, each edge  150  can be an end face of the closed top face  110  (i.e., where the thickness of the edge  150  is the thickness of the top face  110  between the surfaces  110   a  and  110   b ). Alternately, the top face  110  can include a lip that extends down from the top face  110 , as desired. Thus, in the present illustrated embodiment, the top edges (i.e., at the top face  110 ) do not form hand grips. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the top face can be pierced to form hand grips at the edges of the top face  110 , if desired, but with the remaining portion of the top face  110  being closed. 
     As discussed above, the remaining portions of faces  120 ,  130 ,  140  are formed by bars or hand grips at each intersection between two contiguous faces. For example, each end face  140  is defined by the top edge  150  of the top face  110 , by two vertical hand grips  152  at the facial intersections between each end face  140  and the two contiguous side faces  130  adjacent to the respective end face  140 , and by a horizontal hand grip  154  at the facial intersection between the respective end face  140  and the contiguous bottom face  120 . 
     Similarly, each side face  130  is formed by the top edge  150  (shared with the enclosed top face  110 ), by two vertical hand grips  152  (at the intersection with each contiguous end face  140 ), and by a horizontal hand grip  156  that is formed at the facial intersection between the respective side face  130  and the contiguous edge of the bottom face  120 . Correspondingly, the bottom face  120  is defined by the horizontal hand grips  154  formed at the facial intersections of the bottom face  120  with each end face  140 , and the horizontal hand grips  156  formed at the facial intersections of the bottom face  120  with each side face  130 . 
     It is intended that the faces  120 , 130 ,  140  of the open framework  100   a  of the present embodiment be open between hand grips (i.e., do not contain a closed face between hand grips). In other words, the faces are completely open between hand grips. Note that, if desired, additional hand grips may be provided as part of the faces  120 ,  130 ,  140 . For example, in the present preferred embodiment, each of the sides  130  includes a further bar or hand grip  158 , connected between the bottom edge or hand grip  156  and the top edge  150 , and bisecting that face  130 . In keeping with the goal of having open faces between hand grips, the space between the hand grip  158  of each side face  130  and each vertical hand grip  152  of that side, are completely open (i.e., do not contain a closed face between the hand grips  152  and  158 ). As such, for purposes of this application, “open between hand grips” or “completely open between hand grips” includes the case where there is a central hand grip that is not at an intersection between two faces, and the face is still “completely open between handgrips”, i.e., between handgrips  152  and  158  on either side of the central hand grip  158 ; or  154  and  160  on either side of the central hand grip  160 . In other words, each face is intended to have at least one open window area  162  between two hand grips to facilitate easy use of the exercise device  100 , as well as its manufacture. 
     Additionally, in contrast to the construction of a cinder block, the interior of the body  100   a  is open, as well. For example, there is no closed face connecting the hand grips  158  of each side  120 , through the body of the device  100 . 
     Similarly, in the present preferred embodiment, the bottom face  120  also includes a further bar or hand grip  160 , connected between the lengthwise edges  156 , which bisects that face  120 . As with the side faces  130 , the bottom face  120  is open between each hand grip  154  and central hand grip  160 , and through the interior of the body  100   a  (i.e., from the hand grip  160  to the inner surface  110   b  of top face  110 ). 
     Thus, in the open framework of the body  100   a , each face  120 ,  130 ,  140  is defined by edge  150  and/or the hand grips  152  and  154  arranged as a frame or open windowpane around a completely open, central space  162 . In the illustrated embodiment, including the central hand grips  158  and  160 , those faces  120 ,  130  are still open between hand grips  152  and  158 , or  160  and  154 , with each face  120 ,  130  forming an open, double-frame or windowpane including two open or empty spaces  162 . Such a configuration makes it easy to grasp the exercise device  100  from a middle portion of the device  100 , better distributing the weight of the device  100  for certain exercises. 
     In one particular embodiment of the invention, the exercise device  100  has roughly the same dimensions as a typical cinder block. In another particular embodiment of the invention, the length L of the exercise device  100  is approximately 400 mm. In that same embodiment, the width W of the exercise device  100  and the height H of the exercise device  100  are each approximately 200 mm, thus providing a 2:1 ratio of length L to width W or height H. Note that the invention is not meant to be limited only to a device having these dimensions, but rather, other size devices, or devices having other relative proportions can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Additionally, in one particular embodiment of the invention, the width W 1  of the central hand grip  158  and/or the central hand grip  160  is 35 mm. Further, in one particular embodiment, each of the hand grips  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  and  160  have a width of approximately 35 mm. 
     The exercise device  100  can be sold individually, or as part of an exercise system. For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention, a system is provided that includes two or more exercise devices  100 , having different weights and/or dimensions. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-9 , in one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a system  200  of exercise devices  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  are provided in which the system  200  includes two or more exercise devices  100  having different weights, but otherwise identical physical dimensions. Exercise devices  100  having different weights, but the same dimensions can be made using different materials, for example. Each exercise device of the system  200 , can have the same form as that described in connection with exercise device  100 , if desired. In one particular embodiment of the invention, exercise devices  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  have weights of 8 Kg (18 Lb), 12 Kg (26 Lb), 16 Kg (35 Lb), 20 Kg (44 Lb), and 24 Kg (53 Lb), respectively. Each exercise device  100 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  can be marked with an indicia  260  indicating the weight of the device, as well as other indicia, such as a name, trademark, logo and/or a graphic. The weight and/or other indicia  260  can be marked on the front surface  110   a , and the same, or a different indicia can also be marked on the back surface  110   b , if desired. Although described as part of a system  200 , it should be understood that the exercise devices  100 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  can be obtained individually, and not as part of a set, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
     The exercise devices  100 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 , can be made out a variety of materials to achieve the desired weights and strengths. As discussed above, different ones of the exercise devices  100 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  can be made from different materials than other ones of the exercise devices  100 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 , in order to achieve different weights, while maintaining the same dimensions as one another. 
     For example, in one particular embodiment of the invention, an 8 Kg (18 Lb) weight  210  is made using a cast metal base insert, such as a cast iron base insert, that is overmolded with rubber to meet the desired weight and dimensions. The overmolded rubber and/or any exposed portions of the insert can be painted to have a particularly desired finish color, pattern and/or marking indicia. A transparent UV coating can be applied over the paint, for protection. As discussed above, an indicia  260  can be provided in the top surface  110   a  and/or the bottom surface  110   b  of the exercise device. This indicia  260  can be provided by paint, ink, stamping, cutting, debossing and/or molding on or into an outer coating of the exercise device  210 , as desired. Other indicia can be provided on the exercise device  210 , as desired. Note that other types of materials and/or metals can be used for the base insert, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. For example, instead of cast iron, other materials including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, ceramic, concrete, plastic, etc., can be used, as desired. 
     Heavier exercise devices can be provided using a thicker, heavier insert and less overmolding, as desired. For example, the exercise device  220 , weighing 12 Kg (26 Lb) can be made in the same way as described in connection with exercise device  210 , but using a thicker, heavier metal insert (i.e., made with more metal), while using less rubber overmolding, to achieve a greater weight, while maintaining the same dimensions as the lighter weighted exercise device  210 . Thus, in one particular embodiment of the invention, each of the exercise devices  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  starts with a differently weighted insert (having different amounts of the cast metal or other material, in the present embodiment), and is then appropriately overmolded to result in the exercise device having the same physical dimensions as the others in the system. If desired, differently weighted devices  100 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  can be painted different colors, or be overmolded with different rubber colors, in order to further visually distinguish the devices  100 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  from one another. 
     The exercise devices  100 ,  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  of the present invention can be used in connection with a variety of exercises. Their shape and size make them adaptable to a variety of different types of exercises. For example, some of the exercises that lend themselves well the exercise device of the present invention include, but are by no means limited to: 
     Squats: Front, back, overhead and/or thruster squats can be performed while holding the exercise device  100  by an opposing pair of hand grips  152  or  154 . More particularly, the exercise device  100  can be held in front of, behind and/or above the head of a user or dynamically lifted (i.e., thrust) above the head of a user while the user lowers his hips from a standing position, down to a squatting position, and back to a standing position. Other types of squats, such as the weighted pistol (wherein one leg of the user is raised and pointed outward during the squat) can also be performed using the exercise device  100 , held by the hand grips  152  or  154 . The exercise device  100  can additionally be used to perform single arm squats and single arm squat snatches using one of the center hand grips  158  or  160  to hold the exercise device  100  on the shoulder, while the squat is performed. 
     Deadlifts and other lifts: The user can place the exercise device  100  on the floor, with the top face  110  down, and perform two handed deadlifts while grabbing the hand grips  154  to lift the exercise device  100  off the ground, while the user moves from a squatting position to a standing position and back. Other types of two handed lifts can be similarly performed by grasping an opposing pair of hand grips  154  (see, for example,  FIG. 10B ), or even an opposing pair of the top edges  150 , if desired, including, but not limited to a clean lift and/or a clean and jerk, a shoulder press, a push press, a push jerk, etc. Additionally, if desired, certain lifts and deadlifts can be performed by gripping the exercise device with both hands on the same hand grip  156 , but on either side of center bar  158  or  160 , so that each of the user&#39;s hands passes through one of the two windows in the side faces  130  or bottom face  120 . Further, one handed deadlifts can be performed by placing the exercise device  100  on the floor, and by grasping the hand grip  158  or  160  while performing the lift. Other types of single handed lifts can be performed while holding the exercise device  100  by the hand grip  158  or  160 , including, but not limited to, single arm presses and push presses, single press push jerks, single arm power snatches, etc., (see  FIG. 10C ). 
     Kettlebell exercises: A user can grasp the exercise device  100  by one hand grip  152 , or by a pair of the hand grips  152  located on the same end face  140  (see,  FIG. 10A ) of the device  100 , and swing the device  100  to perform different types of kettlebell swings. Additionally, one or more hand grips  152 ,  154  can be grasped while the exercise device is carried, as is done with kettlebell carries, kettlebell snatches and other kettlebell related exercises. 
     Sit-up anchor or weight: The exercise device  100  can be placed on the floor, and the user can place a portion of their feet into the open spaces  162  through the window panes of one of the side faces  130  or the bottom face  120 , to anchor themselves during sit-ups. Additionally, weighted sit-ups can be performed while holding the exercise device  100  by an opposing pair of hand grips  152  or  154 . 
     Push-up exercises: The exercise device  100  can be placed on the floor to assist the user with performing different types of push-ups. For example, the user may place the exercise device  100  on the ground, with the top face  110  pointing up, to assist with plyo push-ups, foot elevated push-ups, pike push-ups and hand elevated push-ups, among others. 
     Ground block exercises: The exercise device  100  can be placed on the ground for use in performing certain exercises that do not involve holding the exercise device  100 . For example, the exercise device  100  can be placed on the ground, with the top face  110  facing up, and the user can alternate tapping their feet on the top surface  110   a  of the exercise device  100 , to perform toe taps and/or fast feet exercises. Similarly, the user can use the weighted exercise devices  100  to perform step-ups to repetitively step up onto, and down from, the exercise device  100  and box jumps, to repetitively jump up onto (see  FIG. 10D ), and down from, the exercise device  100 . Additionally, the exercise device  100  can be used when performing exercises that do not involve touching the exercise device  100 , such as lateral jumps and burpee block jumps, where the user jumps from one side of the exercise device  100  to the other, without touching it, and heel taps, where the seated user pivots their core to tap their heels on first one side of the block, then the other side. 
     Miscellaneous exercises: A further number of exercises can be performed while holding the exercise device  100 . For example, the exercise device  100  can be held behind the head of the user by an opposing pair of hand grips  152  (i.e., on opposite sides of the body  100   a ) while bending forward from the waist, and back to a standing position to perform the “good morning” exercise. The exercise device  100  can additionally be held by an opposing pair of hand grips  152  or  154  while performing ab related exercises, weighted lunges, hip thrusts, and carries (see  FIG. 10B ), among others. Further still, the exercise device  100  can be grasped by a central hand grip  158  or  160  (see  FIG. 10C ), and carried, to perform farmer carries and/or shoulder carries. Also, the user can hold the device lengthwise against their chest, holding on to one of the bottom hand grips  154 ,  156 , to emulate a bucket carry (see  FIG. 10E ). Further, two exercise devices  100  can be used together when performing exercises such as farmer carries. 
     Resistance exercises: If desired, the exercise device  100  can be used to form an anchor for using resistance bands, wherein the bands are secured about one of the hand grips  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  160  and exercises are performed using the resistance bands. If desired, a foot of the user may be placed against an edge  150  or hand grip  156  of the exercise device  100 , while performing exercises with resistance bands. 
     It should be understood that other exercises can be performed with, and other uses made for, the exercise device  100 , without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the shape and form of the exercise device  100  can be modified and still be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example,  FIG. 11  is a perspective view taken from the bottom of an exercise device  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The exercise device  300  is that special case of a rectangular prism in which all of the faces are squares, and thus, the device  300  is formed as a cube, having a closed top face  310  and an open framework body, similar to the open framework body  100   a  described in connection with  FIGS. 3-8 . In other words, the two side faces ( 130  of  FIGS. 3-8 ) are formed as square end faces  140 , in addition to the two previously square end faces  140 , so that the body includes four end faces  140 , each of which is as described in connection with end faces  140  of  FIGS. 3-8 . Thus, the four end faces  140  extend between an open bottom face  320  and a closed top face  310 . The intersections of each end face with the bottom face  320  form a hand grip  154 , as additionally described in connection with  FIGS. 3-8 . Likewise, the intersections of each of the end faces  140  with one another forms a further hand grip  152  in the height direction, between the top face  310  and the bottom face  320 . Each end face  140  includes an open central portion  162 , defined between a frame created by each end face  140 &#39;s respective edge  150 , shared with the top face  310 , hand grip  154 , at the interface between the end face  140  and the bottom face  320 , and two hand grips  152  at the interfaces between the end face  140  and it&#39;s respective left and right neighboring (i.e., contiguous) end faces  140 . As the present embodiment does not include longer side faces or a correspondingly long bottom face, the central hand grips of the previous embodiment have been omitted. The exercise device  300  can be used and manufactured in the same manner as described in connection with the  FIGS. 3-10 , including, if desired, provided as a system of differently weighted exercise devices, as described in connection with  FIG. 9 . 
     Accordingly, while a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that within the embodiments certain changes in the detail and construction, as well as the arrangement of the parts, may be made without departing from the principles of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.