Abstract:
A portable inflatable exercise apparatus comprises a tubular body having a longitudinal axis of symmetry with handles disposed on either end. The exercise apparatus is selectively filled with air or water depending on the exercises chosen by a user. Valves are provided to allow either air or water to be added or drained from tubular body and foam grips are provided to allow the user to comfortably grip the exercise apparatus during use. The tubular body is made of heavy duty vinyl. Because of the natural spring action of the filled apparatus, it allows a user to gain the benefit of exercising without straining or injuries common to impact exercise routines and devices.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/645,122, filed Jan. 21, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The latest figures released by the government are rather alarming concerning the number of overweight people in the United States. As more people take note of the health related dangers of our obesity, diet and exercise play an important role in long term weight loss and overall health. A key component is exercise as attested by most doctors and dieting programs. The importance of exercise is hard to overestimate. The “couch potato” syndrome is even affecting the youth of America. As baby-boomers age, the need for exercise is becoming apparent. Strenuous exercise can cause more harm than benefit especially among older participants and the harmful effects of high impact exercise is well documented. Doctors and health professionals are generally in agreement that even moderate exercise is very beneficial.  
         [0003]     There are many studies and surveys demonstrating that most people who join health gyms or spas wind up dropping out after a short time and most people who purchase home exercise equipment wind up using them as clothes hangers. People may be intimidated by large bulky machines that require giving up a significant amount of floor space. Others never make the purchase because of space concerns or the high price associated with most home exercise equipment. Additionally, even those people who have home exercise equipment and who use it regularly, cannot easily take it with them when they travel or when they go to the office.  
         [0004]     Another problem associated with regular exercise is the lack of time that most people experience while trying to adhere to a regular exercise schedule. There is a need for a device that can be used while doing other things such as watching television or sitting in an office chair.  
         [0005]     There is a need for a light and portable exercise apparatus that is relatively inexpensive that allows a user to easily fit exercise into a busy routine. There is a further need for an apparatus that allows for a variety of exercise routines thereby avoiding the tedium that often accompanies repeated exercise routines. The need also exists for a single apparatus that can be used for stretching, calisthenics, or aerobic exercise routines.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus that is lightweight and portable.  
         [0007]     It is yet another object of the present invention to be able to fit in a small suitcase, purse or carry-on luggage.  
         [0008]     It is a further object of the present invention to allow a user to switch between an air-filled mode to a water filled mode thereby enabling a wide selection of exercise routines.  
         [0009]     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a low cost, highly portable exercise apparatus that is easily carried with a user or stored in a very small space.  
         [0010]     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a device that is easily operated while a user in engaged in other tasks such as watching television or sitting in a chair.  
         [0011]     The present invention can be used while standing, sitting or lying down. The present invention allows a user to target specific muscle groups or problem areas. The present invention may be used by people who ordinarily would be unable to exercise because of pain or damage caused by impact due to the cushioning effect provided by the present invention. The present invention can be folded into a very small space that fits in most purses and briefcases. Office workers can relieve stress by taking a short break without leaving the office.  
         [0012]     Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view along line  1 - 1  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a person using the present invention while sitting.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a person using the present invention while lying down. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exercise apparatus, shown generally as  10 , comprises a tubular body  22  which has an interior surface  21  and which defines a fluid-fillable space  15 . In one embodiment, apparatus  10  is made from heavy duty vinyl; however, other suitable materials could be used such as composites, rubber or coated canvas or other fluid impermeable material. Additionally, in another embodiment (not shown), the tubular body  22  is made from a fluid permeable material with an inflatable tube (not shown) inserted inside to provide fluid fillable space  15 . Various embodiments ranging in length from 12 inches to 48 inches would enable customization. The typical adult size would be approximately 36 inches long having a diameter of approximately 6 inches. Of course, apparatus  10  can vary in length from a small size suitable for children to a large adult size. In production, children&#39;s sizes as well as small, medium and large adult sizes are utilized allowing a customized fit for ease of use and maximum enjoyment and benefit.  
         [0018]     In the embodiment depicted, exercise apparatus  10  is formed by heat sealing the heavy duty vinyl to form tubular body  22 . A seam  30  is produced at both ends and along a bottom portion of tubular body  22 . Although the embodiment depicted tapers at the ends, other end shapes are possible and would not materially alter the performance or function of the device. Two valves  18  and  20  respectively are provided to enable a user to fill the fluid fillable space  15  with either air or water. Of course other fluids such as helium or pressurized CO 2  or N 2 O, non toxic liquids or even light weight gels such as a silicone gel may be used to fill fluid fillable space  15 . The advantage of using air and water is that they are easily replaced by the user and therefore the exercise apparatus  10  can be depressurized or drained allowing it to fit in a very small space.  
         [0019]     Various exercise routines can be performed using exercise apparatus  10 . The embodiment shown has foam handles  14  mounted on fabric straps  12  which are attached to tubular body  22  with rivets  16 . The fabric straps  12  attach to tubular body  22  along a portion of seam  30  where the vinyl comes together and joins both sides to form a double thick portion. Rivets  16  attach through this double thick portion providing a secure mounting base for straps  12  and handle  14 . Fabric straps  12  could be attached using other fasteners or grommets to provide a secure gripping surface enabling a user to perform various exercise routines. Additionally, it is not necessary to make the straps  15  out of fabric. Any suitable material could be used and would be apparent to one skilled in the art.  
         [0020]     In the embodiment shown, a Halkey-Roberts Valve Type  18  is used easily allowing a user to inflate exercise apparatus  10  using lung power. In the embodiment shown, an ordinary drinking straw (not shown) is inserted in the Halkey-Roberts Valve and then the user blows through the straw inflating the present invention. Of course any appropriate valve structure could be used including power options such as inflation using the exhaust function of a vacuum cleaner, pressurized cartridges, etc.  
         [0021]     Valve  20  has a large diameter opening allowing it to be placed against a common faucet to enable filling the present invention with water. A cover  29  compresses an O-ring  27  to secure valve  20  ensuring that the water does not leak out while in use. Again, valves that allow easy filling are well known in the art and any suitable valve would be appropriate and function satisfactorily to enable other embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0022]     In reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , exercise apparatus  10  is shown being operated by a user  50  in a sitting position ( FIG. 3 ) and while lying down ( FIG. 4 .) Exercise apparatus  10  may also be used standing up (not shown.) Because exercise apparatus  10  is fluid filled, it provides a natural cushioning effect when used. This helps prevent muscle strains and other injuries and supports the user&#39;s  50  back. To perform the sitting exercises, user  50  sits in a chair  60  and then performs various routines. Floor exercises are performed by placing exercise apparatus  10  on the floor and then following the selected exercise routine.  
         [0023]     There are over 44 different exercise routines that can be performed using the exercise apparatus  10  and new routines are certain to be developed. Some examples of the exercises possible include the following:  
         [0024]     1. Body supported push-ups.  
         [0025]     2. Skimming stomach pumps.  
         [0026]     3. Elbow supported frontal roll.  
         [0027]     4. Elbow supported full body roll.  
         [0028]     5. Flexing head and neck.  
         [0029]     6. Elbow supported arm roll.  
         [0030]     7. Body roll.  
         [0031]     8. Spinal roll and stretch.  
         [0032]     9. Lower back supported sit-ups and ab-crunches.  
         [0033]     10. Lower back supported groin lift.  
         [0034]     11. Head and neck squeeze.  
         [0035]     12. Lower back supported waist twirl, bicycle and scissor.  
         [0036]     13. Buttocks roll.  
         [0037]     14. Side to side roll.  
         [0038]     15. Deep knee bend.  
         [0039]     16. Chest/Bicep squeeze.  
         [0040]     17. Leg squeeze.  
         [0041]     18. Hand squeeze.  
         [0042]     19. Arm swing.  
         [0043]     20. Overhead twirl.  
         [0044]     21. Shoulder swing.  
         [0045]     22. Back swing.  
         [0046]     23. Arm curls.  
         [0047]     24. Lower back lift.  
         [0048]     25. Military press.  
         [0049]     When using exercise apparatus  10  on the floor, it may be placed longwise as shown in  FIG. 4  or vertically along the spine of user  50 . When doing exercises like body supported push-ups, the user  50  fills the exercise apparatus with air and is supported by placing exercise apparatus  10  under the abdominal region of user  50  and then lifting up in typical push-up fashion. In this fashion, user  50  gets a boost when lifting which reduces strain while still providing benefit to user  50 .  
         [0050]     A simple stretch exercise routine is easily accomplished using exercise apparatus  10  by placing air filled exercise apparatus  10  under the user&#39;s  50  back and rolling gently back and forth. This provides a safe and fun way to stretch and tone the lower back and helps relieve stress.  
         [0051]     In addition to the exercise routines discussed above, the exercise apparatus  10  may be used as a back support for those individuals who are prone to back aches after sitting for a length of time. The present invention is simply placed behind the lower back while sitting to provide support to the lumber region and naturally improves posture.  
         [0052]     When filled with water, the exercise apparatus  10  can be used to add resistance to aerobic routines or simply to add extra weight to common activities. User&#39;s can also use exercise apparatus  10  to simulate traditional weight lifting routines without having to transport and store barbell equipment. The amount of weight used is easily varied by adjusting the amount of water used to fill the apparatus  10 . The present invention can vary from a few pounds up to approximately 25 lbs when full of water. This allows a user tremendous flexibility and yet is easily transported by draining the water and then refilling from a regular faucet when needed.  
         [0053]     When using the present invention with water, it may be placed in the refrigerator or alternatively partially filled with ice water to provide cooling relief to sprains or other injuries. The apparatus may also be filled with hot water if heat is desired. The present invention, when partially filled with hot or cold water, is easily wrapped around a body part providing effective treatment of the desired area.  
         [0054]     Many different exercise routines can be developed for the present invention. Rolling exercises, lifting and swinging routines are all easily adaptable for use with the present invention. For example, arm curls are a well known exercise routine done with barbells. Traditionally, a user holds either a single long barbell with two hands or else a small barbell for each hand and lifts the barbell upwards defining and arc and lowering the barbell repeating this motion for the desired “reps”. With the present invention, the routine is almost identical except that instead of a barbell, the user is lifting and lowering the water filled exercise apparatus. The weight is varied by adding or subtracting water.  
         [0055]     A further example of the versatility and adaptability of the present invention is the age old push-up. Traditionally this is down by lying down on the floor face down and lifting with the arms rotating your body up and away from the floor and then lowering back down. This is fatiguing and not easily down by older exercisers. A very similar exercise can be done by simply placing the exercise apparatus under the abdomen and then performing the push-up.  
         [0056]     Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.