Abstract:
An exercise wheel having a central shaft with counter locking handles is described. The device is adapted to enable rapid assembly and disassembly of the exercise wheel for and compactness. The device takes up the least amount of space as possible to carry on a person or in a small container, such as a gym bag, brief case, and the like. 
     To this effect, the device contemplates at least one wheel mounted on an elongated, rigid, shaft adapted to extend through a central opening in the wheel to allow the wheel to rotate on the shaft. The shaft is adapted to receive a removable handle at each opposite ends of the shaft. The handles are configured to engage the shaft and lock in place while permitting the wheel to rotate on the shaft.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims benefit of copending and co-owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/011,908 entitled “Portable Exercise Wheel”, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jan. 22, 2008 by the inventor herein, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to an exercising device, and more particularly to a portable exercise wheel for strengthening the user&#39;s muscles. 
     2. Background of the Prior Art 
     Physical fitness is almost universally a recognized goal, but those that have no regular sports activities require a significant effort and discipline. Moreover, regular exercise is beneficial for health. In the art and practice of callisthenic physical conditioning, there are many exercise patterns and practices that are followed. Popular among these are so-called “push-ups,” in which the person doing the exercise lies supine, stomach-down on a floor or deck with hands in direct correlation (at least approximately) under shoulders and then, with body as rigid as possible (with, preferably, stomach and knees never actually touching the floor), pushes himself up from the floor to the highest possible elevation with the arms (using the body in such position); then returns himself as close as figuratively possible to the floor or deck only to resume the exercise as many times as capability may permit or as may be desired for the involved individual. The recommended exercises are repeated and monotonous. For this reason, the discipline of daily use is usually broken. 
     Because of the busy modern life and the limited living space, many indoor exercising devices have been developed. Exercise wheels like many other devices are inexpensive, convenient, and adaptable to home use whenever the user&#39;s schedule permits. 
     Examples of prior art exercise wheels may be seen in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,920,418; 3,084,547; 3,403,906; 3,752,475; 4,136,867 and 5,707,325. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,017,296; 6,146,318; and 6,264,587 show exercise wheels having a housing and chassis, and typically, including a means of recovery to assist returning the exercise wheel to its starting position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises an exercise wheel having a central shaft with counter locking handles. The device is adapted to enable rapid assembly and disassembly of the exercise wheel for portability and compactness. The device takes up the least amount of space as possible to carry on a person or in a small container, such as a gym bag, brief case, and the like. 
     To this effect, the device contemplates at least one wheel mounted on an elongated, rigid, shaft adapted to extend through a central opening in the wheel to allow the wheel to rotate on the shaft. The shaft is adapted to receive a removable handle at each opposite ends of the shaft. The handles are configured to engage the shaft and lock in place while permitting the wheel to rotate on the shaft. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an exercise wheel that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise wheel that is simply constructed. A related object of the present invention is to provide an exercise wheel that is portable. A further related object of the invention is to provide an exercise wheel that can be simply assembled and disassembled. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an exercise wheel that can be stored and transported in a relatively flat configuration. A related object of the invention is to provide an exercise wheel that takes up approximately one-quarter of the volume of known exercise wheels when not in use. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise wheel having a removable shaft and handles. A related object is to provide an exercise wheel having counter rotating locking handles on the shaft. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide an exercise wheel that is interchangeable for use with one or two wheels. 
     This invention enables a simple, yet portable, exercise wheel. The exercise wheel includes a shaft that is sized and configured to permit the wheel to rotate thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft includes shaped grooves to permit attachment of counter rotating locking handles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exercise wheel according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of a shaft for an exercise wheel according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of the shaft of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4   a  shows a left end view of the shaft of  FIG. 3 , taken along the line  4   a - 4   a.    
         FIG. 4   b  shows a right end view of the shaft of  FIG. 3 , taken along the line  4   b - 4   b.    
         FIG. 5  shows a handle of the shaft for an exercise wheel according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6   a - d  show an exercise wheel in use according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a two-wheeled version of an exercise wheel according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention summarized above may be better understood by referring to the following description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols are used for like parts. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to build and use an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the enumerated claims, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a wheel and axle assembly, indicated generally as  10 , according to the present invention. In the assembly  10 , there is a wheel  13  through which, in a central hub  16  provided therein, there is placed and disposed an axle  19  about which the wheel  13  is rotatable. Advantageously, and for the comfort of the user, handle grips  22  of any desired composition are provided at and/or inwardly from each end of the axle. The wheel  13  may be of any desired material sufficient in strength to support at least the full weight of a human body. As an illustration, metal (such as steel, etc., or aluminum), plastic (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS, etc.) or the like or equivalent may be utilized. If desired, and for reinforcement purposes, the wheel  13  may be provided with spokes, spines or the like  26 . Advantageously, the Wheel  13  is equipped with a solid or hollow—or even pneumatic—rubber or the like tire  29  for comfort, convenience, and silence during operation of the device. 
     Although it can be of any desired size, the diameter of the wheel and axle assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 1  (including any tire accessory, if any, mounted thereon) is between about 5 and 10 inches, advantageously between about 7 and 8 inches. While not critical and according to the inclination and desire of the user (or manufacturer) of the wheel, the width is usually approximately, ½ to 2 inches. In addition, it is apparent that more than a single wheel  13 , if desired, can be provided in pairs, or more, on and about the same axle  19 . A plurality of wheels may be employed adjacent to each other, which effectively makes a single wheel wider, or the wheels may be spaced apart, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     The diameter of the central hub  16  must be large enough to allow the axle  19  to pass therethrough and to allow the wheel  13  to rotate freely on the axle  19 . The axle  19  may be constructed of any desired material, such as plastic, metal, or wood, sufficient in strength to support at least the full weight of a human body. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the axle  19  may be approximately 29 cm long and approximately 2.2 cm in diameter. The diameter is selected to allow the axle  19  to pass through the central hub  16  and to allow the wheel  13  to rotate freely on the axle  19 . A pair of grooves  32 ,  33  is shaped into each end of the axle  19 . Each groove  32 ,  33  is approximately 0.3 cm wide and approximately 0.4 cm deep. The grooves  32 ,  33  extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the axle  19  from the ends of the axle  19  toward the middle of the axle, and have one or more grooved branches, such as  35 ,  36 ,  38 ,  39  extending perpendicular to grooves  32 ,  33 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a preferred embodiment, grooves  32 ,  33  should not be angularly displaced from each other around the circumference of the axle  19 .  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are end views of the axle  19  and show that, in a preferred embodiment, the grooved branches  35 ,  36  on one end of the axle  19  and grooved branches  38 ,  39  on the opposite end of the axle  19 , extend approximately 180° in opposite directions around the axle  19 . Each groove branch  35 ,  36 ,  38 ,  39  is approximately 0.3 cm wide and approximately 0.4 cm deep. 
       FIG. 5  shows a handle grip  22  according to the present invention. Handle grip  22  is preferably cylindrical in shape, having a generally hollow interior  40 . The handle grip  22  is sized and configured to easily slide onto axle  19 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The handle grip  22  is open on at least one end. In a preferred embodiment, the handle grip  22  is open on both ends. Extending into the interior  40  of handle grip  22  is a pin  43  positioned near one end of the handle grip  22 . The pin  43  is sized and configured to engage into grooves  32 ,  33  when the handle grip  22  is placed on the axle  19 . 
     It is quite desirable and convenient, particularly for purposes of storage and/or transportation, if the axle  19  is readily removable from and re-insertable into the wheel  13 . For example, in the device illustrated, the axle  19  upon removal of either or both handle grips  22  can be readily inserted into and taken out through the hub  16  of the wheel  13 . 
     To assemble the device, the axle  19  is inserted through the hub  16  of the wheel  13 . A handle grip  22  is placed over the axle  19  on each side of the wheel  13 . The handle grip  22  is positioned so that the pin  43  is aligned with grooves  32 ,  33 . If only a single wheel  13  is used, the handle grip  22  is positioned so that the pin  43  can engage in groove branches  36  and  39 . The handle grip  22  is then rotated approximately 180° around the axle  19 . If two wheels are used, the handle grip  22  is positioned so that the pin  43  can engage in groove branches  35  and  38 . The handle grip  22  is then rotated approximately 180° around the axle  19 . The groove branches  35 ,  36 ,  38 ,  39  are located on the axle  19  so that when the handle grips  22  are placed over the axle  19  the internal edge provides some stability to the wheel  13 . In this manner, the handle grips  22  lock the wheel  13  in place and prevent lateral movement of the wheel  13  along the axle  19  during use. 
       FIGS. 6   a - 6   d , inclusive, illustrate the use of the wheel and axle assembly  10  in exercise and physical conditioning by any person whose body, for illustrative purposes is identified generally by reference numeral  45 , working upon and over a floor or deck generally indicated by numeral  48 . 
       FIG. 6   a  illustrates the start of the exercise, i.e., with the body  45  over and contacting the floor  48  on knees and arms with the wheel and axle assembly  10  grasped in hand. To commence, the body  45 , is upright on hands and knees at the start. The arms then push the wheel and axle assembly  10  out, away from the body  45 , with arms and midsection of the body being maintained as rigid as possible, knees remaining in position on the floor  48 , ( FIG. 6   b ) while the arms going out commence to assume a position that, finally, is such that the arms are over the head and parallel with the body  45 , which is then prone, or near to prone, with the stomach of the body  45  parallel with and flat upon or near to the floor  48 . 
       FIG. 6   b  illustrates the midway point in this exercise and  FIG. 6   c  illustrates the finish position.  FIG. 6   d  illustrates the return movement wherein the person, using muscles of the arms, shoulders, abs, and other muscles of the body  45 , pulls back in the reverse direction on or partially supported by and with the wheel and axle assembly  10  to reassume and recommence the start position, as shown in  FIG. 6   a.    
     In an embodiment using two wheels, the user is afforded more stability. The two wheels can be installed adjacent to each other, or separated, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Using only a single wheel enables the user to work more muscles on the side of their body, because of the need for more balance. Additionally, when using a single wheel, instead of merely extending straight out and back, a user can make curves to the right or left when rolling out in order to work on the oblique area of the abdominal muscles. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a two-wheeled version of the invention is shown. This version uses the same axle  19  with a first wheel  13  and a second wheel  14 . The second wheel  14  should be essentially the same as the first wheel  13 , as described above. Positioned between the two wheels  13 ,  14  is a sleeve  50  that is slidably engaged with the axle  19 . The sleeve  50  has an internal diameter of sufficient size to allow the sleeve  50  to rotate freely about axle  19 . In a preferred embodiment, sleeve  50  is sized and configured to allow a user to grip the sleeve  50  with one hand without interfering with rotation of the wheels  13 ,  14 . The sleeve  50  may be covered with a padding or other material for comfort. A pair of grooves  32 ,  33  is shaped into each end of the axle  19 . Each groove  32 ,  33  is approximately 0.3 cm wide and approximately 0.4 cm deep. The grooves  32 ,  33  extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the axle  19  from the ends of the axle  19  toward the middle of the axle, and have at least one grooved branch, such as  55 ,  56 , extending perpendicular to grooves  32 ,  33 , respectively. 
     A pair of hubs, such as  58 , is provided to keep the wheels  13 ,  14  on the axle  19 . The hub  58  is preferably cylindrical in shape, having a generally hollow interior  60 . Each hub  58  is sized and configured to easily slide onto axle  19 . The hub  58  is open on at least one end. Extending into the interior  60  of the hub  58  is a pin  63  positioned approximately in the middle of the hub  58 . The pin  63  is sized and configured to engage into grooves  32 ,  33  when the hub  58  is placed on the axle  19 . Alternatively, the handle grips  22 , when open on both ends, can be reversed so that pin  43  engages into grooves  32 ,  33  and the grooved branches, securing wheels  13 ,  14  in place. 
     To assemble the device in this configuration, a first hub  58  is positioned so that the pin  63  is aligned with either groove  32  or  33  on the axle  19 . The first hub  58  is then rotated approximately 180° around the axle  19 . A first wheel  13  is installed on the axle  19 , up to the first hub  58 . Then, sleeve  50  is inserted over the axle  19 . A second wheel  14  is installed on the axle  19 , up to the sleeve  50 . Finally, a second hub  58  is positioned so that the pin  63  is aligned with the remaining groove  32  or  33  on the axle  19 . The second hub  58  is then rotated approximately 180° around the axle  19 . The groove branches  55 ,  56  are located on the axle  19  so that when the hubs  58  are placed over the axle  19 , the internal edge of the hub  58  in combination with the external edges for the sleeve  50 , provide some stability to the wheels  13 ,  14 . In this manner, the hubs  58  lock the wheels  13 ,  14  in place with the sleeve between wheels  13 ,  14  and prevent lateral movement of the wheels  13 ,  14  along the axle  19  during use. 
     The invention has been described with references to a preferred embodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials, and steps have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention. It should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specifics without departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is intended to include all such modifications, alternatives, and other embodiments in this invention. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.