Patent Abstract:
An exercise device is disclosed wherein the exercise device is composed of a flexible, sealed tube, two handles disposed at the distal ends of the tube, and an aperture whereby material may be introduced into the interior of the flexible tube. The exercise device may alternately be composed of an interior tube within an exterior tube, both the interior and the exterior tubes having apertures through which material may be introduced. The material which may be introduced into the flexible tube by means of the aperture may optionally be solid, semi-solid, liquid or gas. The material introduced through the aperture serves as a weight in the use of the exercise device.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field exercise devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to portable exercise devices which may be filled with a material for increased resistance. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions. 
         [0003]    The prior art, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,926,482, 8,262,546 and 8,870,717, provide for fillable exercise devices, wherein the fillable exercise devices are rigid plastic receptacles for a weighted material, creating a weighted mass for use in fitness regimes. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/166,610 allows for a flexible, fillable exercise device, wherein the device may be used as a weighted device. The prior art, however, fails to address the need for a flexible, fillable device with handles attached thereto, designed to be manipulated and swung for the purpose of personal fitness. 
         [0004]    There is therefore a long-felt need to provide a method and device that provide exercise by means of a fillable device allowing for swinging and manipulation. 
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Towards these objects and other objects that will be made obvious in light of the present disclosure an exercise apparatus is provided which includes a flexible tubular body, wherein the tubular body contains an aperture through which a weighted bolus may introduced to and/or removed from the tubular body; and two handles attached to the tubular body at either end thereof. The weighted bolus may be or comprise a plurality of preferred materials, including but not limited to, liquid, semi-solid, solid, and/or gas. 
         [0006]    In a second preferred embodiment of the invented exercise apparatus, the exercise device may comprise an outer flexible tubular body disposed substantively surrounding an inner tubular body, wherein the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body both contain an aperture through which a weighted bolus may be introduced and/or removed therefrom. The second preferred embodiment of the invented exercise apparatus also preferably includes two handles, wherein the two handles are preferably composed of an ergonomically grippable material, and are disposed at either end of the second preferred embodiment. 
         [0007]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]    These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of the invented exercise device, in an empty position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  is a top view of the invented exercise device, wherein a weighted bolus has been introduced into the invented exercise device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1C  is a view of the invented device in the “use” position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a view of the invented device wherein the weighted bolus is contained within an inner bag; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a view of the invented device wherein the weighted bolus is contained within an inner bag in the “use” position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a close-up view of a first optional aperture fastening of the invented device, when the first optional aperture fastening is open; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is a close-up view of a second optional aperture fastening of the invented device, when the second optional aperture fastening is open; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3C  is a close-up view of the first optional aperture fastening of the invented device, when the first optional aperture fastening is closed; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3D  is a close-up view of the second optional aperture fastening of the invented device when the second optional aperture fastening is closed; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of the second embodiment of the invented device (hereinafter “the second version”), in an empty position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a top view of the second version, wherein the weighted bolus has been introduced into the inner tubular body, but the outer tubular body is substantively empty; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4C  is a top view of the second version, wherein the weighted bolus has been introduced into the outer tubular body, but inner tubular body is substantively empty; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4D  is a top view of the second version, wherein a weighted bolus has been introduced into both the inner tubular body and the outer tubular body; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a view of the second version in the “use” position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 1A  is a top view of the invented exercise device  2 , in an empty position. The invented device  2  first comprises a tubular body  4 . The tubular body  4  of the invented device  2  may be composed of any suitable flexible, liquid-proof material with sufficient strength and durability to prevent any tearing of the tubular body  4  by a weighted bolus  6  (hereinafter, “bolus”  6 ), including polyethylene or other suitable materials known in the art. The tubular body  4  preferably presents a greater length than width, as a non-limiting example, in a flat, unfilled position, the length of the tubular body  4  between a first handle  8 A and a second handle  8 B may be L, and the width of the tubular body  4  may be ⅙L. The tubular body  4  further preferably tapers from a center width of the tubular body  4  to the connection of the tubular body  4  with the first and second handles  8 A- 8 B, creating a substantively elongated almond shape. The tubular body  4  contains an aperture  10  through which a weighted bolus may introduced and/or removed; the aperture  10  may optionally be a first optional aperture fastening  12 , comprising an access port  14  which may be plugged with a stopper  16 , as shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3C  or the aperture  10  may optionally be a second optional aperture fastening  18 , comprising slit  20  in the tubular body  4 , which may be sealed by means of a zipper closure  22  and/or by a hook and loop closure  24 , as shown in  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 3D . The sealing methods of  FIGS. 3A-3D  are intended only to be exemplary of possible aperture  10  closures, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The edges of the tubular body  4 , both on the periphery thereof, and on the distal ends thereof, are preferably permanently sealed in a liquid-proof manner to one another by means of heat coupling or other suitable permanent sealing methods known in the art. The first and second handles  8 A- 8 B disposed at the distal ends of the exercise device are preferably composed of an ergonomic material, which a user  26  may easily grip for extended periods of time. The first and second handles  8 A- 8 B may optionally be designed of a material which substantively conforms to the specific hand shape of a user  26 . A first or second loop  28 A- 28 B of natural fibers or manmade fibers including various plastic materials, may be coupled with the first or second handles  8 A- 8 B, respectively, for the purpose of fastening around a user&#39;s  26  wrist to enhance the safety and usability of the invented device  2 . 
         [0024]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1B  is a top view of the invented exercise device  2 , wherein a bolus  6  has been introduced into the invented exercise device  2 , and is free to move within the tubular body  4 . When a bolus  6  is introduced into the invented device  2 , and the invented device  2  is in a substantively flat, the bolus  6  may distribute substantively evenly throughout the tubular body  4 , increasing a body height H substantively uniformly across the tubular body  4 . The bolus  6  may optionally be liquid (e.g. water), semi-liquid (e.g. mud), semi-solid (e.g. sand) and/or entirely sold (e.g. a weighted ball). The above examples of possible composition for the bolus  6  are intended only for illustration, and are not to be taken as a restriction to the invention. The bolus  6  preferably fills less than half of the total possible volume V of the tubular body  4 , such that bolus  6  may easily flow throughout the tubular body  4 . To increase the efficiency of the flow of the bolus  6  within the tubular body  4 , the remaining portion of the tubular body  4  is preferably substantively voided of remaining air. 
         [0025]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 1C ,  FIG. 1C  is a view of the invented device  2  in the “use” position. The “use” position of the invented device  2  is the position in which a user  26  might rest with the invented device  2  in hand. The first and second handles  8 A- 8 B are shown to be proximate to one another, the tubular body  4  is shown to be in a substantively “U” shape, and the bolus  6  is concentrated at a new bottom of the tubular body  4 , at the curve of the “U” shape. The curve of the “U” shape is shown to be distended with the weight of the bolus  6 , exerting a force on the first and second handles  8 A- 8 B, and thus exerting a force on the user  26 . The concentration of bolus at the end of the “U” shape allows a user  26  to create momentum with the invented device  2 , so that the user  26  may engage in an exercise regime based upon generating and arresting momentum of the bolus  6  within the tubular body  4 . 
         [0026]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2A  is a view of the invented device  2  in a flat position, wherein the bolus  6  is contained within an inner bag  30 , positioned within the tubular body  4 . The inner bag  30  within which the bolus  6  is positioned may optionally be composed of the same or a similar flexible, liquid-proof material with sufficient strength and durability to prevent any tearing of the inner bag  30  by the bolus  6 , including polyethylene or other suitable materials known in the art. The inner bag  30  may further optionally be lubricated on the outside to facilitate the movement of the inner bag  30  within the tubular body  4 . The lubricant  32  disposed between the inner bag  30  and the tubular body  4  may optionally be of natural extraction (such as, but not limited to, olive oil) or of synthetic extraction (such as, but not limited to, glycerin and hydroxyethyl cellulose). The bolus  6  contained within the inner bag  30  is preferably liquid, semi-solid, or semi-liquid. The inner bag  30  further contains an inner bag aperture  34 , which inner bag aperture  34  may be an access port  14 , sealed by means of a plug as described in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3C , or which may be a longer slit  20 , sealed by means of a zipper closure  22  or a hook and loop closure  24 , as shown in  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 3D . In this embodiment, the aperture  10  of the tubular body  4  is preferably as described in  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 3D . 
         [0027]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2B  is a side view of the invented device  2 , wherein the bolus  6  is contained within an inner bag  30  when the invented device  2  is in the “use” position. The tubular body  4  is shown to be in a “U” shape, with the first and second handles  8 A- 8 B positioned substantively proximate to one another at the top of “U,” and with the inner bag  30  containing the bolus  6  disposed at the bottom of the “U” shape. The entire volume V of the inner bag  30  may optionally be filled with the bolus  6 , but the entire volume V of the inner bag  30  is preferably less than half than the total volume V of the tubular body  4 , such that the inner bag  30  may flow smoothly within the tubular body  4 . The tubular body  4  is further preferably substantively voided of air, to further facilitate the movement of the inner bag  30  within the length of the tubular body  4 . 
         [0028]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3A  is a close-up view of a first optional aperture fastening  12  of the invented device  2 , wherein the first optional aperture fastening  12  of the invented device  2  is open. The first optional aperture fastening  12  device is preferably a port, which shown in the drawing to be substantively circular, but which may be any suitable shape for a port through which material may pass. The first optional aperture fastening  12  device is preferably composed of a hard rubber material, such as but not limited to silicone, optionally more durable than the material comprising the tubular body  4 . A stopper  16 , also composed of a durable rubber material, such as silicone, or a less flexible plastic material than that of the tubular body  4 , may insert securely and stably into the rubber port, effectively sealing the tubular body  4  against leakage of the bolus  6 . The stopper  16  may further comprise a tab  36  composed of the same durable rubber material as the stopper  16 , on which a user  26  may exert force to remove the stopper  16  from the port. Such an aperture fastening  12  may be optimal when using the invented device  2  specifically with a liquid bolus  6 . Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 3B ,  FIG. 3B  is a close-up view of a second optional aperture fastening  18  of the invented device  2 , wherein the second optional aperture fastening  18  of the invented device  2  is open. The second optional aperture fastening  18  device is preferably a slit  20  in the side of the tubular body  4  adapted to receive a large, non-liquid bolus  6 . The slit  20  may optionally run the entire length L of the tubular body  4 , half of the length L of the tubular body  4 , or less than half of the length L of the tubular body  4 . The slit  20  may optionally be sealed by any liquid-proof sealing method known in the art, including but not limited to hook and loop closure  24  and/or a zipper closure  22 . The drawing shows a zipper closure  22  on the second optional aperture fastening  18 , but this is for the sake of clarity only, and is not intended to be a limitation on the means of closing the second optional aperture fastening  18 . 
         [0029]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 3C ,  FIG. 3C  is a close-up view of the first optional aperture fastening  12  of the invented device  2 , when the first optional aperture fastening  12  is closed. The stopper  16  of the first optional aperture fastening  12  is shown to be securely and stably inserted into the access port  14  of the first optional aperture fastening  12 , creating a seal which optimally restricts the movement of the bolus  6  from the interior of the tubular body  4  to the exterior of the tubular body  4 . 
         [0030]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 3D ,  FIG. 3D  is a close-up view of the second optional aperture fastening  18  of the invented device  2  when the second optional aperture fastening  18  is closed. The drawing shows a zipper closure  22  on the second optional aperture fastening  18 , but this is for the sake of clarity only, and is not intended to be a limitation on the means of closing the second optional aperture fastening  18 . The zipper closure  22  is shown to be securely closed, creating a seal which optimally restricts the movement of the bolus  6  from the interior of the tubular body  4  to the exterior of the tubular body  4 . 
         [0031]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4A  is a top view of the second embodiment of the invented device (hereinafter “the second version  38 ”), in an empty position. The second version  38  comprises an outer tubular body  40 , wherein the outer tubular body  40  substantively surrounds an inner tubular body  42 . The inner tubular body  42  and the outer tubular body  40  of the second version  38  may be composed of any suitable flexible, liquid-proof material with sufficient strength and durability to prevent any tearing of the inner tubular body  42  and the outer tubular body  40  by the bolus  6 ; such materials include polyethylene or other suitable materials known in the art. The inner tubular body  42  contains an inner tubular aperture  44 , which may optionally be of the type described in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3C  or may optionally be of the type described in  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 3D . The outer tubular body  40  contains an outer tubular aperture  46 , which may further optionally be of the type described in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3C  or may further optionally be of the type described in  FIG. 3B  and  FIG. 3D . The ends of the inner tubular body  42  and the outer tubular body  40  both on the periphery of the inner tubular body  42  and the outer tubular body  40 , and on the distal ends of the inner tubular body  42  and the outer tubular body  40 , are preferably permanently sealed in a liquid-proof manner by means of heat coupling or other suitable permanent sealing methods known in the art. Disposed at the distal ends of, and preferably surrounding the ends of, the inner tubular body  42  and the outer tubular body  40 , are a first handle and a second handle. The first and second handles  8 A- 8 B are preferably composed of an ergonomic material which allows for easy gripping of the first and second handles  8 A- 8 B by the user  26  for an extended period of time. 
         [0032]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 4B  is a top view of the second version  38 , wherein the bolus  6  has been introduced into the inner tubular body  42 , but the outer tubular body  40  is substantively empty. The bolus  6  may be introduced into the inner tubular body  42  by disengaging both the outer tubular aperture  46  and the inner tubular aperture  44 , and inserting the bolus  6  into the inner tubular body  42  through the inner tubular aperture  44 , preferably filling less than half of the total volume V of the inner tubular body  42 . Subsequently, the inner tubular body  42  may be substantively voided of excess air, such that the bolus  6  may move smoothly within the inner tubular body. The inner tubular aperture  44  and the outer tubular aperture  46  are then sealed, so that the bolus  6  cannot escape, and the second version  38  is used as desired by a user  26 . 
         [0033]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 4C ,  FIG. 4C  is a top view of the second version  38 , wherein the bolus  6  has been introduced into the outer tubular body  40 , but inner tubular body  42  is substantively empty. The bolus  6  may be introduced into the outer tubular body  40  by means of the outer tubular aperture  46 ; the inner tubular aperture  44  remains closed throughout this process, unless the user  26  wishes to substantively void the air from the inner tubular body  42 . The bolus  6  preferably fills less than half of the outer tubular body  40 , such that the bolus  6  may flow smoothly within the outer tubular body  40 , and around the inner tubular body  42 . The external side of the inner tubular body  42  may be lubricated, to facilitate the flow of the bolus  6  around the inner tubular body  42 , particularly if the bolus  6  is semi-solid The lubricant  32  disposed between the inner tubular body  42  and the bolus  6  in outer tubular body  40  may optionally be of natural extraction (such as, but not limited to, olive oil) or of synthetic extraction (such as, but not limited to, glycerin and hydroxyethyl cellulose). 
         [0034]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 4D ,  FIG. 4D  is a top view of the second version  38 , wherein a bolus  6  has been introduced into both the inner tubular body  42  and the outer tubular body  40 . An weighted inner bolus  48  (hereinafter “inner bolus  48 ”) and an weighted outer bolus  50  (hereinafter “outer bolus  50 ”) may optionally be composed of the same material (e.g. both liquid), or the inner bolus  48  and the outer bolus  50  may optionally be composed of different materials (e.g. liquid in the outer tubular body  40  and semi-solid in the inner tubular body  42 ). The inner bolus  48  may optionally be liquid (e.g. water), semi-liquid (e.g. mud), semi-solid (e.g. sand) and/or entirely sold (e.g. a weighted ball). The outer bolus  50  may also optionally be liquid (e.g. water), semi-liquid (e.g. mud), semi-solid (e.g. sand) and/or entirely sold (e.g. a weighted ball). The above examples of possible composition for the inner bolus  48 , and the outer bolus  50  are intended only for illustration, and are not to be taken as a restriction to the invention. In this implementation of the second version  38 , the inner tubular body  42  is preferably filled before the outer tubular body  40 . The inner bolus  48  may be introduced into the inner tubular body  42 , preferably filling less than half of the total volume V of the inner tubular body  42 , and the inner tubular aperture  44  is subsequently sealed. Upon sealing the inner tubular aperture  44 , the outer tubular body  40  may be filled, preferably to less than half of the total volume V of the outer tubular body  40 . The outer bolus  50  introduced into the outer tubular body  40  may optionally be the same bolus  6  as was introduced into the inner tubular body  42 , or may optionally be a different outer bolus  50  than was introduced into the inner tubular body  42 . The outer tubular aperture  46  is subsequently sealed, and the user  26  may utilize the second version  38  as desired. 
         [0035]    Referring now generally to the Figures, and particularly to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  is a view of the second version  38  in the “use” position. The “use” position of the second version  38  is the position in which a user  26  might rest with the second version  38  in hand. The first and second handles  8 A- 8 B are shown to be proximate to one another, the both the inner tubular body  42  and the outer tubular body  40  are shown to be in a substantively “U” shape. Further, the inner bolus  48  and/or the outer bolus  50  is/are concentrated at the new bottom of the tubular body, at the curve of the “U” shape. The curve of the “U” shape is shown to be distended with the weight of the inner bolus  48  and/or the outer bolus  50 , exerting a force on the first and second handles  8 A- 8 B, and thus exerting a force on the user  26 . The concentration of the inner and/or the outer bolus  50  end of the “U” shape allows a user  26  to create momentum with the second version  38 , so that the user  26  may engage in an exercise regime based upon generating and arresting momentum of the inner bolus  48  and the outer bolus  50  within the inner tubular body  42  and the outer tubular body  40 , respectively. 
         [0036]    The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the Present Invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the Present Invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible configurations or aspects of the Present Invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred configurations or aspects of the Present Invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the Present Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the Present Invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0