Abstract:
The present invention sets out a bow shaped portable exercise device having a plurality of interchangeable flexible resistance elements. The device can be utilized to engage several different muscle groups and tissue types, during varying slow stretching and fast force application movements.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to the field of exercise equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of portable lightweight resistance exercise equipment. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In the past, exercise devices have been proposed which utilize spring like elements which provide resistance against movement by a user. However, these prior art devices suffered from a number of deficiencies. 
         [0005]    Most noticeably, prior art devices exhibited an extremely limited application to the movements of a user, thereby severely limiting the muscle groups and other tissue which were affected by the exercise movements. 
         [0006]    Also, prior art devices which provided a larger selection of exercise movements at the same time exhibited bulky, non-portable structures. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an exercise device which facilitates a wide range of exercise movements. 
         [0008]    It is a further object to provide an exercise device which facilitates myofascial movements, and plyometric movements. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise device which allows varying levels of force resistance. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise device which is lightweight and easily portable. 
         [0011]    These and other objects of the invention are satisfied by the present invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The invention consists of a flexible bow with interchangeable elastic resistance bands that can individually be added or removed from the bow, allowing the exerciser to adjust for varying degrees of resistance while the exerciser performs a variety of strength, stretching and fitness exercises. Additionally, attachable grip pads are included to provide comfort and secure grip during use. 
         [0013]    The invention will allow the exerciser to adjust for varying degrees of resistance, allowing the exerciser to perform a variety of strength, stretching and fitness resistance exercises in any location, anywhere, anytime. Because of the unique nature and simplicity of the bow design, and the ability to easily attach the elastic resistance bands to the bow, this allows the exerciser to interchange and attach any one of the various elastic resistance bands to the bow, thus allowing the exerciser to achieve multiple resistance levels, thus making the product invention ideal for various strength, stretching and fitness resistance exercises not previously found in a compact and portable exercise workout system. 
         [0014]    The product invention will be manufactured to be sold to through wholesale, distributor, home shopping channel, direct response, ecommerce and retail brick and mortar distribution channels.
       Resistance Training   Includes multiple resistance bands with various resistance levels for multiple exercise options   Easy to use versatile bow design and interchangeable resistance bands   Simply and quickly change resistance bands with easy on &amp;easy off assembly   Adjustable slip-resistant grips provide secure positioning &amp; comfort for hands or feet   For beginner, intermediate, advance use   Lightweight, portable &amp; compact   Training options include: strength, stability, stretching, resistance, balance, coordination, myofascial, plyometric and triathlete       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the exercise apparatus elastic member, bow member and grip member(s) 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the assembled exercise apparatus 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the assembled exercise apparatus 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the bow member 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the bow member 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the elastic member 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the elastic member 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus and interchangeable individual elastic members with various resistance levels 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a front view of muscle groups 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a back view of muscle groups 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is a side view of another embodiment of the invention 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  is a front view of another embodiment of the invention 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , shown therein is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus that shows the interface with the user&#39;s body consisting of the bow member, the elastic member and the grip member(s). The drawing illustrates the shape of the preferred embodiment. 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , shown therein is an exploded view of the exercise apparatus members. The bow member  1  may be formed from various materials, and in particular may be molded from various composite materials. The elastic member  2  may be formed from various materials and in particular may be molded or extruded from various natural or synthetic materials. The grip member(s)  4  may be formed from various natural or synthetic materials. 
         [0038]    The bow member  1  includes receiving ends on both ends of the bow member  1  to receive, attach and secure the elastic member  2  to the bow member  1 . The elastic member  2  includes an attachment member  3  at each end, to secure each end of the elastic member to each receiving end of the bow member  1 , allowing the elastic member  2  to be easily attached or removed to the bow member  1 . The grip member(s)  4  can be easily added or removed from the bow member  1 . The grip member(s)  4  provide comfort and secure handling when attached to the bow member  1 . 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9  shown therein is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus and multiple interchangeable, individual, elastic members with various resistance levels, each elastic member can be easily attached or removed from the bow member. 
         [0040]    Following is a chart which describes various muscle groups and how they are exercised. The present invention is arranged and constructed to allow controlled contraction and expansion of the muscle groups described in the chart below, and set out in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Major Muscle 
                   
                 Functional 
                 Exercise to 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Group 
                 Location 
                 Role 
                 Strengthen 
                 Sample Stretch 
                 Notes 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Abdominal 
                 Stomach 
                 Sitting up, 
                 Crunches, 
                 You typically don&#39;t 
                 The rectus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 postural 
                 leg raises, 
                 stretch your abs. 
                 abdominus is the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 alignment 
                 twisting 
                 For most people, 
                 muscle that is 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 crunches 
                 the abs are not 
                 visible. The 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 strong enough, so 
                 transversus 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 you need to work 
                 abdominus 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 on strengthening 
                 muscle, which 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 them rather than 
                 stabilizes your 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 stretching them 
                 back is 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 underneath. 
               
               
                 Biceps 
                 Front of 
                 Lifting, 
                 Bicep Curls 
                 Sit on floor. Place 
                 Anytime you move 
               
               
                   
                 upper arm 
                 pulling 
                   
                 hands behind you 
                 your hand toward 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 with fingers 
                 your shoulder, you 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 pointing away from 
                 are using your 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 your body. Walk 
                 biceps. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 your hips away 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 from your hands. 
               
               
                 Deltoids 
                 Top of 
                 Overhead 
                 Push ups, 
                 “Scratch your Back” - 
                 The deltoids are 
               
               
                   
                 shoulder 
                 lifting 
                 bench 
                 Put both hands 
                 composed of three 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 press, side 
                 over your head. 
                 parts, anterior, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 &amp; rear arm 
                 Bend one elbow 
                 posterior &amp; 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 raises 
                 and place hand on 
                 medial. Anytime 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 back. With other 
                 you “flap” your 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 hand, push elbow 
                 arms, your 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 to stretch triceps, 
                 deltoids are 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 deltoids, lats 
                 working. 
               
               
                 Erector Spinae 
                 Low back 
                 Postural 
                 back 
                 “Cat Stretch” - 
                 The erector spinae 
               
               
                   
                   
                 alignment 
                 extensions 
                 Kneel on all fours, 
                 is sometimes 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 round back like a 
                 called the “low 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cat. Sit on chair with 
                 back” muscle, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 feet shoulder 
                 although it runs up 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 distance apart. 
                 your entire back. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Bend over and place 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 shoulders between 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 your knees 
               
               
                 Gastrocnemius 
                 Back of 
                 Push off for 
                 Standing 
                 Lunges with a 
                 The gastrocnemius 
               
               
                 &amp; Soleus 
                 lower leg 
                 walking, 
                 calf raises, 
                 straight back leg for 
                 give your legs a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 standing on 
                 seated calf 
                 gastrocnemius. 
                 rounded shape. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 tiptoes 
                 raises 
                 Lunges with bent 
                 The soleus is 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 knees for soleus. 
                 underneath the 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 gastrocnemius. 
               
               
                 Gluteus 
                 Buttocks 
                 Climbing 
                 Squat, leg 
                 Sit on chair, cross 
                 Made up of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 stairs, 
                 press 
                 other leg over thigh 
                 several muscles. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 walking, 
                   
                 of bent leg, lean 
                 The largest muscle 
               
               
                   
                   
                 standing up 
                   
                 forwards. 
                 in the body is the 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 gluteus maximus. 
               
               
                 Hamstrings 
                 Thigh - back 
                 Walking 
                 Squats, 
                 While standing, 
                 The hamstrings 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 lunges, leg 
                 place heel of leg to 
                 are made up of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 extensions, 
                 be stretched on a 
                 three muscles. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 leg curls 
                 chair. Keep your leg 
                 Don&#39;t squat below 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 as straight as 
                 90 degrees, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 possible, your hips 
                 otherwise you 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 square and your 
                 could damage 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 back flat. Bend at 
                 your knees. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 the waist toward 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 your leg. 
               
               
                 Latissimus 
                 Back - Lats 
                 Postural 
                 Lats - pull 
                 “Scratch your Back” - 
                 Developed lats 
               
               
                 Dorsi &amp; 
                 are the large 
                 alignment, 
                 ups, chin 
                 Put both hands 
                 give your back a 
               
               
                 Rhomboids 
                 triangular 
                 pulling 
                 ups, lat pull 
                 over your head. 
                 “V” shape, making 
               
               
                   
                 muscle in 
                 open a 
                 downs 
                 Bend one elbow 
                 your waist appear 
               
               
                   
                 the 
                 door 
                 Rhomboids - 
                 and place hand on 
                 smaller. 
               
               
                   
                 midback. 
                   
                 chinups &amp; 
                 back. With other 
               
               
                   
                 Rhomboids 
                   
                 bent arm 
                 hand, 
               
               
                   
                 are between 
                   
                 rows 
                 To stretch 
               
               
                   
                 the shoulder 
                   
                   
                 rhomboids, “hug 
               
               
                   
                 blades 
                   
                   
                 yourself” Cross your 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 hands in front of 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 you, place both 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 hands on your 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 shoulder blades. 
               
               
                 Obliques 
                 Side of body 
                 Rotation 
                 Twisting 
                 Lie on your back 
                 Strong internal 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and side 
                 crunches, 
                 with your arms 
                 and external 
               
               
                   
                   
                 flexion of 
                 rotary torso 
                 extended out (“T” 
                 oblique muscles 
               
               
                   
                   
                 body 
                   
                 shape) Bend both 
                 ward off back 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 knees. Rotate your 
                 pain. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 hips and put your 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 bent legs on the 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 floor on your side. 
               
               
                 Pectoralis 
                 Front of 
                 Push up 
                 push-up, 
                 While standing, 
                 The pectoralis 
               
               
                   
                 upper chest 
                 from lying 
                 pull-up, 
                 hold both arms out 
                 muscles pull the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 position, 
                 bench press 
                 at shoulder height, 
                 shoulder and arm 
               
               
                   
                   
                 push open 
                   
                 palms forward. Pull 
                 forward. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 a door 
                   
                 arms back. 
               
               
                 Quadriceps 
                 Thigh - front 
                 Climbing 
                 Squats, 
                 While lying on side, 
                 The quads are 
               
               
                   
                   
                 stairs, 
                 lunges, leg 
                 grasp ankle, push 
                 made up of four 
               
               
                   
                   
                 walking, 
                 presses 
                 hips forward 
                 muscles. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 standing up 
               
               
                 Trapezius 
                 Large 
                 Moves 
                 upright 
                 Upper trap stretch. 
                 Your upper 
               
               
                   
                 muscle in 
                 head 
                 rows, 
                 Sit in a chair, put 
                 trapezius connects 
               
               
                   
                 upper and 
                 sideways, 
                 shoulder 
                 your left hand 
                 your head to your 
               
               
                   
                 mid-back. 
                   
                 shrugs 
                 behind you. Tilt 
                 shoulders. When 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 your head so your 
                 you feel “knots in 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 right ear moves 
                 your neck”, it&#39;s 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 toward your right 
                 your trapezius. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 shoulder. Repeat on 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 the other side. 
               
               
                 Triceps 
                 Back of 
                 Pushing 
                 Push ups, 
                 “Scratch your Back” - 
                 Anytime you 
               
               
                   
                 upper arm 
                   
                 tricep 
                 Put both hands 
                 extend your lower 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 extensions, 
                 over your head. 
                 arm, you are using 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 dips 
                 Bend one elbow 
                 your triceps. 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 and place hand on 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 back. With other 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 hand, push elbow 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 to stretch triceps, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 deltoids, lats 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       PARTS LIST 
       [0041]      1 . Bow member 
         [0042]      2 . Elastic member 
         [0043]      3 . Attachment member 
         [0044]      4 . Grip member 
         [0045]      5 . Bow elastic member receiver 
         [0046]      6 . Low resistance replacement elastic member 
         [0047]      7 . Medium low resistance replacement elastic member 
         [0048]      8 . Medium high resistance replacement elastic member 
         [0049]      9 . High resistance replacement elastic member 
         [0050]    In practice, the present device presents a multitude of variations in the operation of the device. 
         [0051]    Positioning a fixed object between the elastic member  2  and the bow member  1 , such as a vertical post, horizontal post or other attachment point, allows a user to exert force and movement through the grip member, upon the bow member  1 , which force and movement is increasingly resisted by the stretching elastic member  2 . The user may either pull the bow member  1  away from the fixed object, or push the bow member away from the fixed object, using virtually any and all of the body muscle groups, through the legs, arms, neck, and back, depending on which body part is in contact with either the inside surface or outside surface of the grip member  4 . 
         [0052]    Further, the application of force may be slow and stretching, to gradually involve muscle groups and related tissue, or may be extremely rapid, to develop the fast-acting muscle activity important to certain activities. 
         [0053]    Other positions and utilizations of the device are possible according to the targeted muscle group. Virtually every muscle group shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  can be exercised and in particular contracted and expanded utilizing the present invention. 
         [0054]    A user may be positioned entirely inside of the device, holding it at chest level, with the bow against the back and the elastic member at the front, to push out against the elastic member in a bench press movement. 
         [0055]    The bow member may be places on the ground with feet upon it, hands gripping the elastic rope, pulling up in an upward row movement, or in a front raise movement. 
         [0056]    Lying on the ground, the bow may be placed under the legs, moving the leg up against the elastic member in a straight leg extension movement. 
         [0057]    Sitting on a chair, the bow may be secured behind the rear legs, the lower leg moving out against the elastic member in a leg extension movement. 
         [0058]    With the bow secured above the head, the elastic member may be pulled or pushed upon in a pull down or pushdown motion. 
         [0059]    With the bow device secured between the legs, the elastic member may be stretched in a side lateral movement. 
         [0060]    Sitting with the bow underneath the legs, the elastic member maybe stretched in an overhead press motion. 
         [0061]    Standing with the bow element under the feet, the elastic member may be stretched in a curl, reverse curl, or front raise movement. 
         [0062]    With the bow secured under a bench, the elastic member may be stretched in a pullover movement. 
         [0063]    Many movements may be carried out by gripping or pushing against either the bow element or the elastic member, depending on the position and comfort of the user. 
         [0064]    A device is presented which replaces the downward only force of gravity against weighted exercise devices with the resistive force of elastic members. The unique shape and structure of the device frees the user from connection to a fixed device, and from the limited range of movement of gravity-driven weights. 
         [0065]    Virtually all muscle groups may be contracted against the force of the elastic bands, as the device may be positioned at and around the user limited only by the user&#39;s own individual physiology. The flexibility in positioning the achieved only through the disclosed closed loop structure and lightweight ergonomic materials and shape. 
         [0066]    Both the bow member  1  and various strength elastic members  2  contribute to the resistive force of the device which opposes the applied force of the user. 
         [0067]    The device is extremely lightweight, and can be easily disassembled and transported, by removing the elastic member  2  from the bow member  1 . 
         [0068]    The bow member may be constructed of several different materials, including metals and metal alloys, plastics, wood, carbon composites and carbon fiber.