Abstract:
An exercise device includes a telescoping body; a handgrip located proximate a first end of the telescoping body; a mounting located proximate a second, opposite end of the telescoping body; and a strap attached to the mounting by which strap the second end of the telescoping body is attachable to a foot or ankle The mounting includes first and second components that are coupled together for rotational movement. The first component is attached to the telescoping body, and the second component is attached to the strap. The first and second components are rotatable between a first configuration, wherein the strap is configured to fasten to a foot, and a second configuration, wherein the step is configured to fasten to an ankle The first and second components may be held together only by a spring so as to permit some play between the first and second components.

Description:
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 
       [0001]    All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to exercise devices and methods. 
         [0003]    Known exercise devices are disclosed, for example, in in U.S. Patent Appl. Publication No. 2011/0306478, U.S. Pat. No. 8,021,284, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,361,126, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. A tubular exercise device of these prior references comprises two or more pieces of tubing material fitted together in a telescoping manner, with a handgrip at one end and a strap at the other end. In use, the handgrip is held by hand and the strap is attached to the leg, ankle or foot. The attachment is accomplished using a buckle. Alternatively, the strap may be a unitary band. Other attachment structures also are disclosed. 
         [0004]    Exercise devices in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention are believed to represent improvements to exercise devices of these prior references. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention includes many aspects and features, many of which are disclosed in the drawings, described below. 
         [0006]    In an aspect of the invention, an exercise device comprises a telescoping body and a mounting located proximate a bottom end of the telescoping body. The mounting includes first and second components that are coupled together for rotational movement. The first component is attached to the telescoping body, and the second component is configured for attachment of a strap. The first and second components are rotatable between a first configuration, wherein a strap is configured to fasten to a foot, and a second configuration, wherein a step is configured to fasten to an ankle 
         [0007]    In a feature, the first and second components are held together by a spring. 
         [0008]    In a feature, the first and second components are held together only by a spring so as to permit some play between the first and second components. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, an exercise device includes a telescoping body; a handgrip located proximate a first end of the telescoping body; a mounting located proximate a second, opposite end of the telescoping body; and a strap attached to the mounting by which strap the second end of the telescoping body is attachable to a foot or ankle The mounting includes first and second components that are coupled together for rotational movement. The first component is attached to the telescoping body, and the second component is attached to the strap. The first and second components are rotatable between a first configuration, wherein the strap is configured to fasten to a foot, and a second configuration, wherein the step is configured to fasten to an ankle. 
         [0010]    In a feature, the telescoping body comprises an inner tube and an outer tube. 
         [0011]    Another aspect includes two such exercise devices used, for example, when walking 
         [0012]    Another aspect comprises a method of using such an exercise device. 
         [0013]    Another aspect comprises making such an exercise device. 
         [0014]    Additional aspects and features of the invention are disclosed in the sketches of the Appendix, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0015]    Various aspects and features of the present invention are believed to be improvements over the exercise devices disclosed in U.S. Patent Appl. Publication No. 2011/0306478, U.S. Pat. No. 8,021,284, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,361,126, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, such exercise devices with modifications so as to include one or more aspects or features disclosed herein are, in fact, considered to be embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0016]    In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further encompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combined with an aforementioned feature in accordance with the present invention without requiring any other aspect or feature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a isometric view of a preferred exercise device in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention, wherein a mounting of the exercise device is arranged for attachment to an ankle of a user. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a elevational plan view of the top end of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 , with the strap omitted. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a elevational plan view of the bottom end of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 , with the strap omitted. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the mounting of the exercise device is arranged for attachment to a foot of a user. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a view of the mounting of the exercise device when transitioning between a configuration for attachment to an ankle and a configuration for attaching to a foot, the mounting being selectively adjustable by a user by rotation of a strap attachment component relative to a socket component. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a plan elevational view of the mounting of the exercise device as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an exploded isometric view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is an exploded elevational plan view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a handgrip and adjustable valve of the top end of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the adjustable valve of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of the strap attachment component, the socket component, and an attachment sleeve component of an outer tube of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 , which attachment sleeve component receives the outer tube and attaches to the socket component. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the components of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a bottom plan view of the components of  FIG. 11 , and further shows two screw or pins that secure a spring that, itself, elastically secure the strap attachment component and the socket component together. 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a side plan view of the components of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is another side plan view of the components of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is another side plan view of the components of  FIG. 11 , on which side the strap attaches. 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  is another side plan view of the components of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  is an exploded side plan view of the components of  FIG. 12 , wherein the attachment sleeve component has been rotated  180  degrees for withdrawal of the bottom of the attachment sleeve component from the socket component. 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  is another exploded view of the components of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 20  is yet another exploded view of the components of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 21  is a view of the socket component of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 22  is another view of the socket component of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 23  is a view of the strap attachment component of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 24  is another view of the strap attachment component of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 25  is a view illustrating the elastic attachment of the strap attachment component and the socket component, which permits some play therebetween and consequently permits the outer tube of the exercise device to extend at angles to the strap attachment component. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0044]    Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself. 
         [0045]    Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein. 
         [0046]    Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail. 
         [0047]    Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, no claim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element. 
         [0048]    Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.” 
         [0049]    When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.” 
         [0050]    Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses. 
         [0051]      FIG. 1  is a isometric view of a preferred exercise device  10  in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention. 
         [0052]    The exercise device  10  includes a handgrip  12 , telescoping body generally indicated at  14 , mounting  16 , and strap  18 . The telescoping body comprises an inner tube  20  and an outer tube  22 . A bottom end of the outer tube  20  is received within a sleeve attachment component  24 . The mounting  16  comprises a socket component  26  and a strap attachment component  28 . The sleeve attachment component  24  is received within and removably secured to the socket component  26 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 2  is a elevational plan view of the top end of the exercise device  10  shown with the strap  12  omitted, and  FIG. 3  is a elevational plan view of the bottom end of the exercise device  10  shown with the strap omitted. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the mounting  16  is arranged for attachment to an ankle of a user. In this configuration, side edges of the strap attachment component  28  from which the strap  18  extends are generally aligned in parallel with the direction of the longitudinal extent of the telescoping body  14 . In contrast,  FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the exercise device  10  wherein the mounting  16  is arranged for attachment to a foot of a user. In this configuration, the side edges of the strap attachment component  28  from which the strap  18  extends are generally aligned orthogonal or transverse to the direction of the longitudinal extent of the telescoping body  14 , i.e., the strap attachment component  28  is rotated about 90 degrees as between these two configurations. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  is a view of the mounting of the exercise device when transitioning between a configuration for attachment to an ankle and a configuration for attaching to a foot, the mounting being selectively adjustable by a user by rotation of a strap attachment component relative to a socket component.  FIG. 6  is a plan elevational view of the mounting of the exercise device as shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the attachment component  28  is rotated about 45 degrees from each of the two configurations. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7  is an exploded isometric view of the exercise device  10 ;  FIG. 8  is an exploded elevational plan view of the exercise device  10 ;  FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the handgrip and an adjustable valve  30  of the top end of the exercise device  10 ; and  FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the adjustable valve  30 . The adjustable valve  30  includes a fastener  30  such as a pin, screw or bolt; a valve seat  32 ; and a valve regulator  34 . The fastener  30  secures the valve regulator within the valve seat  32  such that the valve regulator  34  is rotational between different flow positions. As will be apparent from the drawings, each flow position has a different total opening area for permitting air to flow into and out of an inner air chamber defined, in part, by the handgrip  12  and inner tube  20 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of the strap attachment component  28 , the socket component  26 , and the attachment sleeve component  24  of the outer tube  22  of the exercise device  10 .  FIG. 12  is a top plan view of these components;  FIG. 13  is a bottom plan view of these components, and further shows two fasteners  36 , 38  such as screws, bolts or pins, which secure opposite ends of a spring  40  respectively to the strap attachment component  28  and the socket component  26 . 
         [0058]    Additionally,  FIG. 14  is a side plan view of the components;  FIG. 15  is another side plan view of the components;  FIG. 16  is another side plan view of the components of  FIG. 11 , on which side the strap attaches;  FIG. 17  is another side plan view of the components of  FIG. 11 ;  FIG. 18  is an exploded side plan view of the components of  FIG. 12 , wherein the attachment sleeve component has been rotated 180 degrees for withdrawal of the bottom of the attachment sleeve component from the socket component;  FIG. 19  is another exploded view of the components of  FIG. 12 ;  FIG. 20  is yet another exploded view of the components of  FIG. 12 ;  FIG. 21  is a view of the socket component of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 ;  FIG. 22  is another view of the socket component of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 ;  FIG. 23  is a view of the strap attachment component of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 ; and  FIG. 24  is another view of the strap attachment component of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0059]    It will be appreciated that the spring  40 , which is the only mechanism securing the two components  26 , 28  together, elastically secures the strap attachment component  26  and the socket component  28 .  FIG. 25  illustrates this elastic securement, which permits play between the strap attachment component  26  and the socket component  28  and, consequently, permits the telescoping body  14 —including the outer tube  22 —to extend at angles to the strap attachment component  28 . 
         [0060]    Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. 
         [0061]    Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.