Abstract:
Exercise devices permitting a person or persons to exercise using one or more extendable bands. The exercise device may comprise a frame with a cavity and at least one extendable band which is at least temporarily attachable to the frame at one end and wherein a handle may be attached to the extendable band at the other end. In some embodiments, the frame may be incorporated into, or attached to, cabinet, dresser, desk, armoire, or other piece of furniture.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/837,539, filed Aug. 14, 2006, which is titled “Road Buddy”, and which is hereby incorporated by reference and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/936,212, filed Jun. 19, 2007, which is titled “Hideaway Fitness Buddy”, and which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to exercise equipment and particularly to exercise devices which can be used by an individual desiring to work out. The exercise device relates more specifically to an exercise device which can be mounted on a wall or floor having one or more extendable bands.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Anyone looking to purchase exercise equipment will quickly find that exercise equipment and apparatus consume a lot of space. Conventional exercise equipment may include a set of weights, weight bench, resistance band machine, treadmill, step-master and stationary bicycle. Such equipment can easily occupy fifty or more square feet for even the most basic set of equipment. Unfortunately, many situations do not allow for an individual to designate such a large amount of floor space to such equipment.  
         [0004]     Various types of exercise devices have been designed and constructed to assist individuals in fitness programs. These range from relatively complex, heavy and expensive devices such as universal gymnasium apparatus and exercise tables to small step boxes, barbells and other weights, and various kinds of strength and flexibility building equipment. Some of this equipment is stationary and some portable, and much of it is limited in use to one or a few specialized exercises. There are currently no devices on the market which allow a user to simultaneously perform cardiovascular and strength exercises.  
         [0005]     One place in particular where floor space is particularly limited is in the cabs of tractor trailers. Such locations are typically about twenty square feet and must be useable space for other purposes such as providing a sleeping area, refrigerator, storage etc. In such locations, there is simply no space to designate for a work-out only exercise area.  
         [0006]     Another disadvantage of current work out machines is that they do not permit a user to simultaneously perform cardiovascular and strength exercises.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is directed to a novel exercise device which allows an individual to work-out using extendable bands. In some embodiments, exercise devices according to the present invention may occupy a minimum of floor area and room volume. The devices may be constructed to various dimensions and configurations to fit into a multitude of locations. In some embodiments a user can simultaneously perform a strength workout and a cardiovascular work out. In various embodiments a user can work out using one or more extendable bands while walking, jogging, or running on a treadmill, peddling on a stationary bicycle, or stepping on a step-machine or elliptical machine.  
         [0008]     According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a first front vertical member, a second front vertical member, a first front horizontal member, a second front horizontal member, a first rear vertical member, a second rear vertical member, a first rear horizontal member, a second rear horizontal member, a first spacer, a second spacer, a third spacer, and a fourth spacer wherein at least one elastic band extendably connected to the frame at one end and said at least one elastic band having a handle at a second end. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a frame portion of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the exemplary embodiment of the of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 5-6  in which a treadmill is in a useable condition;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary hinge arrangement for the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention including a stationary bicycle;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention including a step-machine;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     To promote an understanding of the principles of the present invention, descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention follow and specific language is used to describe the specific embodiments. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the use of specific language. Alterations, further modifications, and such further applications of the principles of the present invention discussed are contemplated as would normally occur to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.  
         [0023]     The present invention is directed to exercise devices that may have one or more extendable bands which extend from a frame in order to provide resistance so that an individual or user may pull on the bands for exercise. The devices of the present invention may be utilized in numerous configurations and may be installed in an infinite number of locations due to its variable configuration and its ability to be installed into existing cabinetry. One exemplary device of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a frame portion of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  illustrates side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a partial perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 5-6  in which a treadmill is in a useable condition.  FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary hinge arrangement for the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 10  illustrates a front view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention including a stationary bicycle.  FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention including a step-machine.  FIG. 12  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 13  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment exercise device  10  having a generally parallelepiped shaped frame  12  with a cavity  14  therein (cavity  14  which may extend partly or entirely through frame  12 ). In this embodiment, frame  12  has a generally rectangular shape bounded by first front vertical member  20 , second front vertical member  22 , first front horizontal member  24 , second front horizontal member  26 , first rear vertical member  30 , second rear vertical member  32 , first rear horizontal member  34 , second rear horizontal member  36 , and spacers  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 .  
         [0026]     Four extendable bands  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  are attached to frame  12  at band first ends  52 ,  62 ,  72 ,  82 , respectively. As described in more detail below, band second ends  54 ,  64 ,  74 ,  84  may be terminated at one end in handles  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 .  
         [0027]     Frame  12  may be of unitary construction or of multiple components and may be comprised of various materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, aluminum, steel, ceramic, and wood. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , frame  12  is comprised of multiple members or components such that the various components are welded to various other members. Various means may be utilized to secure the various components together such as, but not limited to, screws, gluing, bonding, bolting, welding, snap fit, zippers, hooks and loops (such as available under the trade name Velcro®), snaps, etc.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary frame  12  portion of exercise device  10 . Illustrated is a relationship wherein front vertical member  20  is connected to front horizontal member  24  and spacer  40  at a first end and connected to front horizontal member  26  and spacer  44  at a second end; front vertical member  22  is connected to front horizontal member  24  and spacer  42  at a first end and connected to front horizontal member  26  and spacer  46  at a second end; rear vertical member  30  is connected to rear horizontal member  36  and spacer  40  at a first end and connected to rear horizontal member  34  and spacer  44  at a second end; and rear vertical member  32  is connected to rear horizontal member  36  and spacer  42  at a first end and connected to rear horizontal member  34  and spacer  46  at a second end.  
         [0029]     Also illustrated are a plurality of holes H 1 -H 20 . Holes H 1 , H 2  in front vertical member  20  may be utilized to allow an extendable band  50 ,  60 , respectively, therethrough. Holes H 3 , H 4  in front vertical member  22  may be utilized to allow an extendable band  70 ,  80 , respectively, therethrough. Holes H 5 , H 6 , in vertical member  30  and holes H 7 , H 8  in vertical member  32  may be utilized secure pulleys  78  to frame  12  (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). Holes H 9 , H 10 , in rear vertical member  30 , and holes H 11 , H 12  in vertical member  32  may be utilized to allow bolts, screws, or other means to anchor frame  12  to a wall or other surface. Holes H 13 , H 14 , in spacer  40 , and holes H 15 , H 16  in spacer  42  may be utilized to permit anchor bolts to secure frame  12  to a surface, i.e., flooring, counter top, pick-up bed, etc. . . . Holes H 17 , H 18 , in spacer  44 , and holes H 19 , H 20  in spacer  46  may be utilized to allow bolts, screws, or other means to anchor a top, i.e., counter top, cabinet top, etc., to frame  12  or to allow  12  to be anchored to a horizontal surface including, but not limited to, a ceiling or the underside of a counter.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2  showing a user utilizing exercise device  10 . User  31  is illustrated pulling on handles  82 ,  88  such that extendable bands  50 ,  70  are in a stretched or extended condition. Though illustrated with user  31  facing exercise device  10 , user  31  may also be facing away from exercise device  10  and may be standing, sitting, laying or in any other position. Further, extendable bands  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  may be utilized by a user&#39;s hands, feet or any other body part. Handles  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  may be of any configuration and may include one or more grips  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 . If handles are configured as illustrated, a user may grasp the exterior perimeter of the respective handle, or insert one or more fingers through the respective hole in the handle. As discussed herein, exercise device  10  may be located in various positions such as on a floor, elevated on a wall or suspended from a ceiling. Depending on the installation, exercise device  10  may be of varied configurations and extendable bands  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  may be oriented to provide desired functionality and usability.  
         [0031]     In the illustrated embodiment, extendable band  50  may be removably attached to frame  12 &#39;s front vertical member  20  by way of hook  75  at an end of extendable band  50 . Hook  75  may be attached to ring  73  which is in turn attached to, or integral with, vertical member  20 . Extendable bands  60 ,  70 ,  80  may be similarly connected to their various front vertical members. (Note that although the extendable bands are illustrated as being connected to the front vertical members, they may be attached to any member of frame  12 . In some instances one or more pulleys may be utilized.) Though illustrated as using hooks and rings, various other means may be utilized to connect extendable bands  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  to their respective frame member including, but not limited to, utilizing hooks on the ends of the bands which can be looped around holes in the members, using tie straps, and tying the extendable bands about their respective front vertical members.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of exercise device  10  further including a plurality of pretensioners  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106  which may be used to pre-tension extendable bands  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80 . Such pretensioners may be constructed of various means and methods including, but not limited to, clamps, springs, and discs.  FIG. 4  also illustrates supplemental bands  51 ,  61 ,  71 ,  81  which may be affixed to rings  49  to allow a user to add additional tension.  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of exercise device  10  in which frame  12  may be contained within cabinet cavity  164  inside cabinet  132 . In the illustrated embodiment, cabinet  132  comprises a cabinet front panel  140 , cabinet top  142 , cabinet bottom  144 , cabinet sides  146 ,  148 , cabinet back  150 , cabinet hinge(s)  160 ,  162 , and cabinet handle/knob  168 .  
         [0034]     In this embodiment, a second cabinet may house one or more pieces of exercise equipment including, but not limited to, a treadmill, stationary bicycle (see  FIG. 10 ), step machine (see  FIG. 11 ), elliptical machine, and weight bench as well as shelving or drawers. In the illustrated embodiment, second cabinet  205  may comprise cabinet front panel  240 , cabinet top  242 , cabinet bottom  244 , cabinet sides  246 ,  248 , cabinet back  250 , cabinet hinge(s)  260 ,  262 , and cabinet handle/knob  168 . Cabinet  205  may also include one or more cabinet cavities  264  on its interior for storage or other purposes.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 5  in which cabinet front panel  240  has been partially opened to show cabinet cavity  264  which, in this embodiment, houses treadmill  200 . In this embodiment, treadmill  200  may be pivotally positioned in cabinet cavity  264  by use of two sets of hinges  270 ,  272  (though more or less hinges may be used, even zero. In this embodiment, treadmill  200  is mounted on plate  210  (see  FIG. 8 ). The power and control center (not shown) for treadmill  200  (or other equipment) may be mounted in or on exercise device  10 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a partial perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-6 . In this embodiment, treadmill  200  is mounted to plate  245  such that when plate  245  is pivoted about hinge  270 , treadmill  200  also pivots. Plate  245  may be mounted to, or unitary with, cabinet bottom  244  (or to a floor or other surface if there is no cabinet or cabinet floor). Also illustrated in this embodiment are additional plates  247 ,  249  wherein treadmill  200  may be bolted or otherwise attached to plates  247 ,  249 . In order to place treadmill  200  back into the cabinet, a user may simply pivot treadmill  200 /plate  210  about hinge  270  until plate  247  or a side of the treadmill comes to rest against plate  274 . The user may then grasp a side or other part of treadmill  200  or one of plates  210 ,  274  and then to pivot them about hinge  272  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Note that as treadmills come in various sizes, shapes and configurations, they may or not have handles such as handles  280 ,  282 . In order to minimize volume, it may be desirable to choose a treadmill that has retractable or foldable handles. When in the usable condition illustrated, treadmill  200  (or other workout equipment such as a stationary bicycle, step-master, elliptical machine, weight bench, etc.) may be positioned in front of cabinet  140  such that a user can do both a strength work-out via the extendable bands and cardiovascular work-out simultaneously.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  illustrates a partial exploded top view of a hinge arrangement for the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 . In this arrangement, treadmill  200  (not shown) may be mounted to mounting plate  210  by way of mounting bolts  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218  which may be received by corresponding holes  211  in mounting plate  210 .  
         [0038]     Hinge  272  may be comprised of several extended portions  289  of plate  245  wherein portions  289  are shaped to be able to receive a pin  291  therein. In the illustrated embodiment, extended portions  293  of plate  274  may interlock with extended portions  289  such that when pin  291  is inserted, hinge  272  is formed (note that plate  245  may be attached to cabinet bottom  244  or even unitary therewith). Similarly, extended portions  295  of plate  274  may be interlaced with extended portions  297  of plate  210  such that pin  291  may be inserted into the extended portions  295 ,  297  to form hinge  270 . Note that various types of hinges or other means may be utilized including, but not limited to, barrel hinges, and rings.  
         [0039]     One potential advantage of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5-8  is that the width of cabinet  205  is much slimmer than if a single hinge (or no hinge) was used as the height of a treadmill is often significantly less than it&#39;s width, thus by orienting the treadmill as illustrated, a smaller width cabinet may be used. This is particularly advantageous if a user wants to install such a cabinet into an existing location, such as in a kitchen next to a refrigerator. Similar advantages can be obtained for various other exercise equipment including, but not limited to, weight benches, stationary bicycles, and step-machines.  
         [0040]      FIG. 9  illustrates another exemplary exercise device  10  in which a plurality of shelves  301  are located within cavity  14  of frame  12 . This embodiment illustrates a television  303  located within frame  12 . In this embodiment, exercise device  10  may be mounted onto a wall or other surface at a desired height.  
         [0041]      FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a stationary bicycle  300  is positioned in cavity  364  of exercise device  10 . Stationary bicycle  300  may be mounted on a mounting plate  310  by way of mounting bolts  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318  and may be pivoted into a useable condition by pivoting bicycle  300  about hinges  370 ,  372  as described above with respect to treadmill  200  of  FIGS. 5-8 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a step-machine  400  is positioned in cavity  464  of exercise device  10 . Step-machine  400  may be pivoted into a useable condition by pivoting step-machine  400  about hinges  470 ,  472  as described above with respect to treadmill  200  of  FIGS. 5-8 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of exercise device  10  having a first portion  510  and a second portion  520 . In this embodiment, extendable bands  550 ,  570  are extendably attached to frame  512  and extendable bands  560 ,  580  are extendably attached to frame  513 . Also illustrated are handles  582 ,  584 ,  586 ,  588 . Frames  512 ,  513  may be mounted onto any suitable surface including, but not limited to, counters, dressers, armoires, bookshelves, desks, ceilings, and floors and may be oriented horizontally, vertically, or in any angle in between. One or frame  512 ,  513  may be used depending on the desired use and installation location.  
         [0044]      FIG. 13  illustrates an embodiment in which a first member  520  is slidably connected to a second member  530  such as by ball bearings or other means. A third member  550  is rotatable relative to second member  530  such as by ball bearings  540  or other means. A fourth member  570  is pivotably connected to third member  550  by way of hinge  560  or other means. By using a sliding, pivoting and hinged means, a user is able to (a) slide out a piece of equipment, such as treadmill  200  as illustrated, (b) pivot the piece of equipment to a desired orientation, and then to (c) lower the piece of equipment so that it may be used. One potential advantage of such a mechanism is that it may allow a user to point the piece of equipment in varying directions such as toward a television, window, or other area.  
         [0045]     The various members may be of any suitable configuration and orientation. In some embodiments it may be desirable to affix first member  520  to a floor or to a frame  12  as illustrated in various other figures.  
         [0046]     Such exercise devices may be positioned or mounted in relatively small areas including, but not limited to, cabs of trucks, hotel rooms, sport utility vehicles, recreational vehicles, trailers, apartments, homes, boats, modular homes, hospitals, doctor&#39;s offices, physical therapist offices, mobile fitness units (trailers), and assisted living facilities. In one embodiment, a first exercise device is approximately thirty (30) inches wide, thirty inches deep, and thirty-six (36) inches tall.  
         [0047]     The various components and members of the present invention may be comprised wholly or in part of any suitable materials including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, ceramic, wood, alloys, plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, fiberglass, and stainless steel.  
         [0048]     While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Also note that the housing and other components may be of any suitable shape depending on the desired application for the device. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.