Patent Publication Number: US-9421418-B2

Title: Multi-functional exercise shaft device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The disclosure relates to exercise devices and more particularly pertains to a new exercise device for facilitating performance of various exercises. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a shaft having a first section slidable relative to a second section such that a length of the shaft is compressible. A biasing member resists compression of the shaft. Each of a pair of end caps is coupled to and covers a respective end of the shaft. Each of a pair of interior handles has a respective interior end coupled to the shaft. A pedal mechanism is coupled to the shaft. The pedal mechanism comprises a pedal housing, an axle extending through the pedal housing, a pair of pedal arms, and a pair of pedals. Each of the pedal arms is coupled to the axle such that the pedal arms extend from the pedal housing. Each of the pedals is rotatably coupled to an associated one of the pedal arms. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom front side perspective view of a multi-functional exercise shaft device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure with interior handles in an inverted position. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure employing an alternative pedal orientation. 
         FIG. 6  is a top front side view of an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 7  thereof, a new exercise device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the multi-functional exercise shaft device  10  generally comprises a shaft  12  having a first section  14  and a second section  16 . The first section  14  is slidable relative to the second section  16  wherein a length of the shaft  12  is compressible. A biasing member  18  is coupled to the shaft  12  between the first section  14  and the second section  16  such that the biasing member  18  resists compression of the shaft  12 . The biasing member  18  may also be coupled to the first section  14  and the second section  16  in a conventional manner such that the biasing member  18  also resists extension. Each of a pair of end caps  20  is coupled to and covers a respective end  22  of the shaft  12 . 
     A pedal mechanism  26  is coupled to the second section  16  of the shaft  12 . The pedal mechanism  26  comprises a pedal housing  28 , an axle  30  extending through the pedal housing  28 , a pair of pedal arms  32 , and a pair of pedals  34 . Each of the pedal arms  32  is coupled to the axle  30  such that the pedal arms  32  extend from opposite sides of the pedal housing  28 . Each of the pedals  34  is rotatably coupled to an associated one of the pedal arms  32  in a conventional manner. The pedal arms  32  are coplanar. Each pedal arm  32  has a respective outer extent  36  relative to the pedal housing  28 . The outer extents  36  of the pedal arms  32  may be provided in a first arrangement or a second arrangement. The outer extents  36  extend in parallel in one direction relative to the axle  30  in the first arrangement, as shown in  FIG. 5 , and the outer extents  36  of the pedal arms  32  extend in parallel in opposite directions relative to the axle  30  in the second arrangement as shown in  FIG. 1 . Each of a pair of pedal clips  38  is coupled to an associated one of the pedals  34 . Each pedal clip  38  has a connection flange  40 , an arcuate section  42 , and a straight section  44 . The connection flange  40  is coupled to an outer face  46  of the associated one of the pedals  34 . The arcuate section  42  extends outwardly away from the connection flange  40  and curves back towards the shaft  12 . Each straight section  44  is positioned in spaced parallel relationship to a broad face  50  of the associated one of the pedals  34 . A tensioner  52  is coupled to the pedal housing  28 . The tensioner  52  engages the axle  30  extending between the pedal arms  32  wherein adjustment of the tensioner  52  adjusts resistance to rotation of the axle  30  through operation of the pedal arms  34 . The pedal housing  28  may be moved along a length of the shaft  12 . A pin  88  may be used in a conventional manner to secure the pedal housing  28  in a desired position along the length of the shaft  12 . 
     Each of a pair of interior handles  24  has a respective interior end  26  coupled to the first section of the shaft  12 . The interior handles  24  is linearly aligned across the shaft  12  and positioned proximate one of the ends  22  of the shaft  12 . Each of a pair of grips  54  has a proximal end  56  relative to the shaft  12 . Each proximal end  56  is pivotally coupled relative to an associated one of the interior handles  24 . Each of the interior handles  24  is perpendicular to and rotatable relative to the shaft  12  wherein each of the grips  54  is adjustable between an upper position  58 , shown in  FIG. 1 , and a lower position  60 , shown in  FIG. 6 , relative to the associated interior handle  24 . A respective grip release  62  is coupled to each grip  54 . Each grip release  62  the associated grip  54  in a static position relative to the associated interior handle  24 . Each grip release  62  is disengageable such that disengagement of each grip release  62  permits adjustment of the associated grip  54  between the upper position  58  and the lower position  60 . A respective resistance member  64  is coupled to each grip  54  wherein the grips  54  are urged to pivot away from the interior handles  24 . Thus, grasping of the grips  54  and interior handles  24  allows a user to exercise by squeezing to urge the grip  54  towards the interior handle  24 . 
     Each of a pair of outer handles  66  is removably coupled to a distal end  68  of a respective one of the interior handles  24  relative to the shaft  12 . Each of a pair of coils  70  is coupled between an associated one of the outer handles  66  and an associated one of the interior handles  24  wherein the associated outer handle  66  is pivotable relative to the associated interior handle  24 . At rest, the outer handles  66  are angled relative to the shaft  12  and the associated interior handle  24 . Tension in the coils  70  allows a user to exercise by grasping the outer handles  66  and moving against the tension of the coils  70 . 
     Each of a pair of foot rests  74  is coupled to and extends from the shaft  12 . The foot rests  74  are linearly aligned across the shaft  12 . The foot rests  74  are positioned between the pedal mechanism  26  and a second one of the ends  22  of the shaft  12 . 
     A pair of auxiliary handles  76  may also be provided. Each auxiliary handle  76  comprises an attachment hook  78 , a stirrup  80 , and a post  82  coupled to and extending between the attachment hook  78  and the stirrup  80 . The attachment hook  78  is coupleable to an associated one of the foot rests  74  and positionable in a respective slot  92 . Each stirrup  80  has a straight portion  84  oriented transverse to the post  82 . Each post  82  may be telescopic to adjust a distance between the stirrups  80  and the shaft  12 . Each stirrup  80  may be coupled to the associated post  82  in a manner allowing for rotation of the stirrup relative to a longitudinal axis of the associated post  82 . A timer  86  is coupled to the shaft  12  allowing a user to set a desired time for performing any particular exercise. 
     In use, the components of the device  10  may be adjusted to a variety of positions to provide resistance to movement allowing for multiple different forms of exercise to be performed. The timer may be set to indicate a desired duration of time to perform an exercise, or alternatively, to set a time limit in which to complete a number of repetitions of a particular exercise. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure.