Patent Publication Number: US-2010120591-A1

Title: Portable walking exercise gym

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to an exercise and stretching device for stretching, strengthening, and firming one&#39;s upper torso, shoulders and arms, with the added benefit of aiding those that may have difficulty running or walking due to either injury or pre-existing conditions. 
     2. Related Art 
     The use of a stick-like or rod-like device for stretching and exercising the upper body of humans is commonplace. The most rudimentary consist of a stick, rod, or dowel that is rested on one&#39;s deltoids or upper shoulders, while the arms and hands are draped over opposing ends. In this configuration, the user can stretch and strengthen his upper body by providing resistance against the rod, the stronger the rod, the more force can be applied and therefore more resistance transferred to the muscle groups. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,174 (Benach) relates to a flexible tube with handgrips at its end segments, with a central cushion suitable for resting on one&#39;s neck while resisting forces are applied by the user&#39;s arms and hands. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,648 (Travis) relates to an aerobic exercise device formed from elongated tube sections that are interconnect by a cushioned central spring member that is used in a similar fashion as the aforementioned patent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,146 (Jackson) relates to an elongated bar with a bar of weights mounted at each end with a cushioned central member that houses a spring and bearing mechanism to allow for elongation and contraction of the bar in an exercise regiment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed to aid in the rehabilitation of persons with back injuries as well, as to strengthen the arms, shoulders, and back muscles. When the device is used as prescribed, it is believed that the combination of the counter-levering weights and the flexible rod configuration simultaneously provide stretching, strengthening and shock absorption to the back and spine when the user is walking or running. This is, in part, due to the oscillation of the weights that damp out or counteract the forces transmitted to the back and spine when the user&#39;s feet contact the ground. It is also contemplated, that the invention also transfers and stabilizes the forces caused by ones&#39; arms during the jogging or walking motion to the spine or neck via the central padding member. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an exercise device that resembles a flexible tubular rod or stick with weights on each of the opposing ends that is approximately the length of the user&#39;s arm span, that is the distance from fingertip to fingertip when one&#39;s arms are outstretched parallel to the ground. Medially located on the rod or stick is a pad or series of padding to allow the device to be placed on the nape of the users neck. This medially located pad may also be weighted to allow for additional resistance when the user is walking or performing various exercises. 
     The end weights can be virtually any shape or size and can be removable or fixed, symmetrical or non symmetrical, depending on the desired effect. It has been contemplated to have the end weights removable, so that various different weight configurations can be accomplished, either symmetrical or asymmetrical. So that one weight is heavier than the other to help compensate for injury or atrophy of one side of the body. 
     The weights could have a female threading that attaches to the male threads of the central rod, or a bayonet-type fitting may be used. 
     It has been contemplated to fashion the weight out of a soft-rubber material embedded with dense metal flakes or alternatively heavy material, of a diameter similar to that of a tennis ball. This provides an aesthetic device with the added safety features of no sharp edges and in the event that the weight strikes anything, the soft rubber material will absorb the impact. Furthermore, these end weights also may serve as handles when performing various exercises and we have found that the malleable spherical shapes serve well for this purpose because they fit the average persons hand and because they are flexible and easily gripped. In addition, the spherical shape is conducive for inserting into ones pocket to perform various exercises. 
     It is further contemplated to have a handle or retaining device attached to the end weights as an additional safety feature to prevent the user from dropping the invention. One embodiment would utilize a loop, such as found on dog leashes or cross-country ski poles. 
     The flexible rod can be fashioned from a myriad of materials, such as bamboo, spring steel, graphite rods, filament matrix rod, or flexible fiberglass pultruded rod. The material properties are important, that is the rod must be able to deform or bend when pressure is applied and once the pressure is released, it must return to its original state. That is, if the rod was originally linear at rest and then deformed into an arch by application of a force, then once that force has been removed the rod should return to its linear configuration. One embodiment contemplates a fiberglass reinforced plastic pultruded rod with a contemplated a rod radius ranging from ⅛″ of an inch up to 1″, depending on the amount of resistance required and other practical factors, such as availability, cost of manufacturing, etc . . . . 
     It is a further object of the current invention that the rod has sufficient characteristics, so that it will oscillate when the user is walking. The combination of the weights and the flexibility of the rod will cause the user&#39;s arms to slightly flap up and down, like a bird&#39;s wings, when they are draped over the exercise device in the prescribed fashion. This will produce a massaging sensation to the arms and shoulders. 
     It is a further object of this invention for the device to be simple, inexpensively and easily manufactured. A further object is that the device is relatively light, so that it is easily transported. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Taking the following specifications in conjunction with the accompanying drawings will cause the invention to be better understood regarding these and other features and advantages. The specifications reference the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation of the exercise device in a static position. 
         FIG. 1   a  is analogous to  FIG. 1  with an alternate embodiment of the central pad. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation of the exercise device in oscillation mode. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation of the exercise device and a human figure. 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation of the exercise device with an ambulatory human figure. 
         FIG. 5  is analogous to  FIG. 4  depicting the oscillation of the exercise device. 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation of two exercise devices in an X configuration and a human figure. 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation the exercise device and a human figure in an alternative mode of operation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While describing the invention and its embodiments, various terms will be used for the sake of clarity. These terms are intended to not only include the recited embodiments, but also all equivalents that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same manner to achieve the same result. 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention discloses an exercise/rehabilitation device, generally indicated by numeral  100  is used for general strengthening of various muscle groups through resistance training regimes as well as for rehabilitation from back injuries when used as a walking or jogging aid. 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the exercise/rehabilitation device  100 , at rest or in a static position depicting its three salient features. An flexible elongated rod  20  with a medially located padding  30  with two weighted handles  10  affixed to two endpoint of the flexible elongated rod  20 . 
       FIG. 1   a  is a front elevation of an embodiment of the exercise/rehabilitation that utilizes a variant of the medially located padding  30  of a more ergonomic configuration. Although, the term padding is used extensively for the medially located padding  30  it is further contemplated that this padding may be formed of a dense material to act as not only a padding, but also as a weighted member to aid in performing various exercises. 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the exercise/rehabilitation device  100 , similar to  FIG. 1  with the exception that it depicts the two weighted handles  10  oscillating or moving in relationship to the medially located padding  30 , which occurs when the user is walking, jogging, jumping, or providing resistance against the exercise/rehabilitation device  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the exercise/rehabilitation device  100 , interacting with a humanoid  200  to depict a preferred method of utilizing the device. 
       FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  are side elevations of a preferred embodiment of the exercise/rehabilitation device  100 , flexing and oscillating while the humanoid  200  is in various stages of walking or jogging. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a front elevation of the use of two preferred embodiments of the exercise device  100 , interacting with a humanoid  200  wherein the two exercise devices  100  are configured in an “X” pattern behind the humanoid  200  while one of the weighted handles  10  of each exercise devices  100  is inserted into a weight securing assembly  300 . One preferred embodiment of a weight securing assembly  300  is simply one&#39;s pant&#39;s back pockets, while another embodiment contemplates a belt and holster-type apparatus suitably dimensioned to accommodate the shape and size of the weighted handle  10 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a front elevation of exercise device  100  being bent by the user or human  200 . Bending and releasing of the exercise device provides strength training of the major muscles through resistance and provides a massaging action to the body due to the oscillation of the device. 
     The invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment. One skilled in the art will recognize that it would be possible to construct the elements of the present invention from a variety of means and to modify the placement of the components in a variety of ways. While the embodiments of the invention have been described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. 
     While the inventor understands that claims are not a necessary component of a provisional patent application and has not included detailed claims, the inventor reserves the right to claim, without limitation, the following subject matter.