Abstract:
The instant invention provides a portable, compact and easy held exercise apparatus that uses two or more resilient members, a securing structure surrounding the resilient members and at least two straps, each attached to one resilient member, to provide flexing resistance exercises to a number of muscle groups of the body.

Description:
This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to provisional application Ser. No. 60/366,559, filed Mar. 21, 2002. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to exercising devices, particularly to the type of personal exercising apparatus using resilient loading elements. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     There is a multitude of exercising devices and machines that are available today, however, most are large relatively immobile stand-alone machines, such as stationary bikes, treadmills, stair steppers and various weight machines. Of the type of exercise machine using resilient loading elements, these are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,620,704 and 4,725,057. The resilient loading machines are large floor mounted devices that require a system of cables and pulleys for operation. The disadvantages of such equipment is its large size, complicated design, multiple moving parts and lack of portability. There is thus a need to have a less complicated, inexpensive and portable exercise device. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Accordingly, some of the objects of my invention include providing an inexpensive, portable exercise device that uses resilient members for developing various groups of muscles, as well as providing a number of aerobic exercises. Isotonic and stretching exercises are also possible with exercise devices of my invention. These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a general perspective of one embodiment of my invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an end view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a view of one embodiment of a single resilient member of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     My invention is characterized by its portable or “free standing” nature as opposed to prior art exercise equipment which typically are large, fixed machines that sit or are mounted to the floor. My device is portable and hand-held, although it can be releaseably attached to a fixed object such as a door, chair, bench, banister, hook, pole, fence, tree or any other non-movable structure. The “free standing” nature of my invention provides excellent exercise for the “core” muscles that support the skeletal structure and give us good or bad posture. In its most basic form my invention comprises two or more resilient members, a securing structure surrounding or containing the resilient members and at least two straps, each attached to one resilient member. The securing structure surrounding or containing the resilient members allows the members to flex about the structure when a user exerts force when the straps are pulled. The level of resiliency provides a counter force to the user and thus exercises the muscles used to supply the force. 
       FIG. 1  shows one example of the many embodiments that my invention may comprise. The portable exercise device  10  has a plurality of resilient members  12  surrounded and held in place by securing structure  11 . Structure  11  can be positioned or centered around the resilient members or located off-center and can be fixedly attached to the members or slideably attached to allow it to move longitudinally along the axis of the members. Likewise, the securing structure may be as simple as a screw or bolt that fastens the members together. Although  FIG. 1  shows only three sets of resilient members  12  any number of sets can be used. Members  12  can be rods, blades, springs or any other type of structure or material of construction provided it is resilient, meaning that when it is deflected or bent it provides some resistance to the force causing it to bend and that it has memory, i.e. it returns basically to its original shape and position when the force is removed. Although the shape of member is not critical to my invention, preferred shape of the members is a rod that is made of a synthetic material such as nylon or other synthetic material or combination of materials. A preferred material of construction is glass-reinforced polyester. The members may be coated with a soft sponge or other foam material to provide some protection to the user or to improve the aesthetics of the device. The diameter of the rods may vary from about ¼″ to about 1″ and may vary in length. Regardless of the shape, material of construction or size of resilient members  12 , each member must be free to bend in a bow-like fashion about the securing structure  11  and produce a force in opposition to the force that causes the bending. It is preferred that the resilient members be paired, with each pair having a matched or equivalent resiliency. Each pair in turn would have a different resiliency than the other pairs. For example, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , member pairs  17 ,  18  and  19  are comprised of two members each, where each member in the pair is identical and has the same or matched resiliency. Pair  17  is less resilient than pair  18  and pair  19 , and pair  18  is less resilient than pair  19 . Any reasonable number of pairs could be used in my invention. 
     Securing structure  11  surrounds and keeps the resilient member pairs segregated and aligned. This is best shown in  FIG. 2 . Securing structure  11  can be made of any material of construction and can be of any shape, or as stated above can be simply a bolt, screw clamp or any means that holds the resilient members together at a predetermined location along the longitudinal axis of the members. Preferably the securing structure is a block-like structure constructed in two pieces, shown in  FIG. 1  as segments  31  and  32 . Each segment contains a plurality of holes  33  where members  12  can be slideably inserted into hole  33 . In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , members  12  can include a raised section  20  positioned anywhere along members  12 , preferably at the center of members  12 . This raised section  20  is captured within the securing structure  11  and prevents members  12  from sliding out of structure  11 . Raised section  20  can be a small length of larger diameter plastic or other material that is glued or otherwise fixed to members  12  at the desired location. 
     Members  12  each have at least two connectors  15  that are used to attach straps  13  through complimentary connectors  16 . Although a preferred complimentary connector would be a snap hook as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , any type of connector that can secure the strap to the member could be used. Connectors  15  are preferably located on each end of each member and can be of any design provided they allow members  12  to be pulled or bent when force is applied to straps  13  in a direction away from device  10 . Preferably connectors  15  have a hole where complementary connector  16  can be easily attached. Straps  13  can be fixed in length or adjustable and have an optional handle  14  to facilitate gripping of the straps. The straps can be fashioned of any material strong enough to stand up to the forces exerted by a user of my exercise device. Preferably the straps are made of nylon and/or bungee/shock cord stock. Complimentary connectors  16  are preferably located at each end of straps  13  and can be of any design provided that it allows for releasable attachment to members  12 . Alternatively, members  12  may contain snap hooks and the straps may contain connectors to engage the hooks. 
     My portable exercise device can be operated in a number of ways to exercise various parts of the body. First, the user should select a pair of resistant members  12  and connect strap  13  to each end. Then select what part of the body to exercise. For example, the chest and arms can be exercised by holding strap  13  by handles  14  with the device held in front of the body at chest height. Extend one arm out sideways, using the other arm to provide resistance. Bring the first arm back to the original position. Now extend the other arm, using the first arm to now provide the resistance. Repeat 10–12 times to complete one set. Selection of different member pairs can provide increased resistance. For leg exercise, a user in a sitting position can place one foot on one of the handles and grab the other with his hand. Extending the leg outward will exercise the quad muscle. These are just two of the many exercises that my portable exercise device can perform. Many modifications of my device are possible, including the addition of attachments such as various straps at handles or weights to increase the intensity of a given exercise. Therefore, the scope of my invention should be determined, not by the examples and descriptions above, but by the following claims and their legal equivalents.