Abstract:
An exercise device comprises a bar, a compression spring and a handgrip, wherein the handgrip abuts the compression spring. The handgrip is axially rotatable around the bar and is movable along the length of the bar. Upon performing an exercise, a user may rotate the handgrip while exerting lateral force on the handgrip, and consequently pushing the compression spring either inward or outward. In an embodiment, a weight may be added to add resistance by weight in addition to resistance by spring. In another embodiment, the exercise device may be connected to another exercise device or a plurality of exercise devices comprising the same elements. Depending on the user&#39;s skill, physical strength and particular exercise regime, the user may use a single compression spring or multiple compression springs, and either no weight, a single weight or multiple weights, to provide simultaneous training of different muscle groups in a single exercise.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to an exercise device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information 
         [0004]    Barbells are widely known as exercise equipment used to enhance physical strength. Common barbells are typically equipped with suitable devices at their ends to allow various weights to be selected and adjusted according to specific training courses and objectives. There is already a great variety of exercises performed with common barbells that offer different training regimes for various muscle groups. However, there is a need for a barbell that can offer more training potential and target more muscle groups simultaneously through the same exercise regime. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A current exercise device that embodies the invention described herein provides a barbell that allows a user to exercise more muscle groups through the same exercise regime. In one embodiment, the barbell comprises a bar, a compression spring that is axially rotatable around and movable along the bar, and a handgrip. In another embodiment, the barbell may comprise a plurality of bars, a plurality of compression springs and a plurality of handgrips, wherein the plurality of bars are connected to each other using a plurality of connectors that form an elongated piece of exercise device. In yet another embodiment, the barbell may further comprise a weight. 
         [0006]    The current exercise device provides the advantage of simultaneous training of the chest muscles, the back muscles, the shoulder blades and other muscles during the performance of any given exercise. As the spring moves inward and outward with the handgrip during an exercise, multiple muscle groups and joints simultaneously partake in the performance of the exercise. Hence, the device allows a user to activate many muscle groups in a single exercise by combining several movements in the same exercise. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of an exercise device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a second preferred embodiment of the exercise device in a disassembled form. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the second preferred embodiment of the exercise device in a fully assembled form. 
       
    
    
       [0010]    The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    Throughout the specification, positional and directional terms below refer to the following: 
         [0012]    “Inward” shall refer to the side or direction where a handgrip of an exercise device is moving toward the body of a user. 
         [0013]    “Outward” shall refer to the side or direction where the handgrip of the exercise device is moving away from the body of the user. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates an overview of a first preferred embodiment of an exercise device designated by a reference numeral  10 . In this illustration, two exercise units, a first unit  10   a  and a second unit  10   b , are shown side-by side. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first unit  10   a  generally comprises a first bar  12   a , a first compression spring  14   a , a first handgrip  16   a , a first locking device  22   a  and a male connector  28   a . In one aspect, the first unit  10   a  may further comprise a second compression spring  18   a , a second locking device  26   a , a first weight  20   a  and a second weight  24   a . The first locking device  22   a  functions as a stop to prevent the first compression spring  14   a  (and the first weight  20   a , if the first weight  20   a  is being utilized) from sliding off the first bar  12   a  during an exercise. Similarly, the second locking device  26   a  functions as a stop to prevent the second compression spring  18   a  and the second weight  24   a  from sliding off the first bar  12   a , if they are being utilized during an exercise. The male connector  28   a  may comprise an externally threaded portion  30   a , although it is to be understood that any suitable locking mechanism may be used. In a fully assembled form, the first handgrip  16   a  is axially rotatable around and movable along the first bar  12   a , and compresses either the first compression spring  14   a  or the second compression spring  18   a  inward or outward upon being exerted by force during an exercise movement. 
         [0016]    The second unit  10   b  generally comprises a second bar  12   b , a third compression spring  14   b , a second handgrip  16   b , a third locking device  22   b  and a female connector  28   b . In one aspect, the second unit  10   b  may further comprise a fourth compression spring  18   b , a fourth locking device  26   b , a third weight  20   b  and a fourth weight  24   b . The third locking device  22   b  functions as a stop to prevent the third compression spring  14   b  (and the third weight  20   b , if the third weight  20   b  is being utilized) from sliding off the second bar  12   b  during an exercise. Similarly, the fourth locking device  26   b  functions as a stop to prevent the fourth compression spring  18   b  and the fourth weight  24   b  from sliding off the second bar  12   b , if they are being utilized during an exercise. The female connector  28   b  may further comprise an internally threaded cylindrical portion  30   b  or any suitable locking mechanism that mates with the male connector  28   a . In a fully assembled form, the second handgrip  16   b  is axially rotatable around and movable along the second bar  12   b , and compresses either the third compression spring  14   b  or the fourth compression spring  18   b  inward or outward upon being exerted by force during an exercise movement. 
         [0017]    According to the first embodiment, a user of the exercise device  10  may use the first unit  10   a  and the second unitl  10   b  separately. For example, the user may hold the first unit  10   a  in one hand and the second unit  10   b  in the other hand, and perform an exercise using each arm separately. Depending on the user&#39;s skill, physical strength and particular exercise regime, the user may use a single compression spring or multiple compression springs, and either no weight, a single weight or multiple weights, in each of the units  10   a  and  10   b.    
         [0018]      FIGS. 2-3  illustrate an overview of a second preferred embodiment of an exercise device designated by a reference numeral  20 . In this illustration, two exercise units, the first unit  10   a  and the second unit  10   b  aforementioned above, are shown connected to each other to form the single device  20 . However, it is to be understood that the device  20  may comprise a single unit or multiple units. 
         [0019]    As illustrated here, to connect the first unit  10   a  and the second unit  10   b , the second locking device  26   a  is removed from the first bar  12   a  and the fourth locking device  26   b  is removed from the second bar  12   b . The male connector  28   a  is then secured into the female connector  28   b . In an embodiment in which the male connector  28   a  further comprises an external thread  30   a  and the female connector  28   b  further comprises an internally threaded cylindrical portion  30   b , the male connector  28   a  is screwed into female connector  28   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in a combined configuration, the device  20  may comprise a single, elongated barbell comprising the first handgrip  16   a , the second handgrip  16   b , the first compression spring  14   a , the second compression spring  18   a , the third compression spring  14   b  and the fourth compression spring  18   b . In this illustration, the second compression spring  18   a  and the fourth compression spring  18   b  may collectively form an internal spring resistance  40 , and the first compression sprng  14   a  and the third compression spring  14   b  may collectively form an external spring resistance  50 . Further, the first weight  20   a  and the third weight  20   b  may also be used. Depending on the user&#39;s skill, physical strength and particular exercise regime, the user may use a single compression spring or multiple compression springs, and either no weight, a single weight or multiple weights. Also, in the event that there are multiple users of the same device for a group exercise regime, more than two units may be assembled together to form an elongated single device using the same principle. 
         [0020]    Having described the various components of the embodiments of the exercise devices  10  and  20  in greater details, the preferred principles of operation of the devices  10  and  20  can be further understood by referring to the following description. Prior to performing an exercise regime, the user may choose between an exercise device comprising a single elongated unit  20  or an exercise device comprising separate, multiple units  10 . As described above, the first handgrip  16   a  and the second handgrip  16   b  are axially rotatable around and movable along their respective first bar  12   a  and second bar  12   b . In the single unit configuration  20 , the user may perform an exercise while rotating the first and second handgrips  16   a  and  16   b , and pushing them inward along the connected first bars  12   a  and  12   b.    
         [0021]    Consequently, the movement causes the internal spring resistance  40  to be pushed inward as well. This movement provides resistance training for all the muscles used for abduction and outer turning of the arms using both weight resistance and spring resistance. 
         [0022]    On the other hand, the user may also perform an exercise while rotating the first and second handgrips  16   a  and  16   b  and pushing them outward. This movement pushes the external spring resistance  50  outward as well, and trains all the muscles used for abduction and inner turning of the arms using both weight resistance and spring resistance. 
         [0023]    The pushing exercise that can be performed using the device  20  may include isometric movements (stable pressure on one area) or isotonic movements (constant movement with fluctuation of the muscle length). Moreover, the compressions springs  14   a ,  14   b ,  18   a  and  18   b  can be of various shapes and stiffness, and the weights  20   a ,  24   a ,  20   b  and  24   b  can also vary in shapes and weights. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention provide for hundreds of exercises that can be performed using a combination of spring resistance and weight resistance. 
         [0024]    Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements. 
         [0025]    The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species. 
         [0026]    The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
         [0027]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.