Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/282,263, filed Jan. 8, 2010. 
     
    
     1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to fitness machines, and more specifically to a resistance training device configured for easy transport and assembly to promote exercise. 
       2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    A regular exercise program has proven to be a highly effective way to maintain or increase one&#39;s health. However, due to the hectic demands of today&#39;s society, it is oftentimes difficult to schedule or maintain an exercise program. If time can be found, one is usually burdened with health club fees and additional transportation costs. 
         [0004]    One effective method of maximizing one&#39;s time for exercise lies in home exercise equipment. A plethora of home exercise equipment exists, but most are developed for specific applications such as abdominal exercisers. While the more specific purposed exercisers may be effective, not many exists to provide an effective pectoral workout and/or have limited mobility. Some home equipment is more robust and allows a wider range of exercises, such as a Bowflex™ machine. However, these types of equipment require a substantial investment, which many may not be able to afford. In light of the above, it would be beneficial in the art to provide an exerciser that can provide an effective pectoral workout with means for easy stowage and portability. 
         [0005]    Thus, a resistance training device solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The resistance training device includes a pair of adjustment rails attached to a door frame by at least two mounting blocks. An adjustable exercise platform includes a slidable carriage riding on the adjustment rails to adjustably set the height of the exercise platform. The exercise platform includes a pair of oppositely disposed cavities for receiving resistance blocks. The resistance block provides a predetermined amount of exercise resistance and is interchangeable with other resistance blocks to vary the resistance. A pair of pectoral, butterfly handles are insertably mounted in bores in the support block and the resistance block to allow the user to perform butterfly exercises. The resistance training device is easy to assemble/disassemble for storage or transport. 
         [0007]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a resistance training device according to the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the resistance training device according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the mounting block for the resistance training device according to the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the resistance training device according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the resistance block for the resistance training device according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the exercise platform for the resistance training device according to the present invention, broken away and partially in section to show details thereof. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    The present invention relates to a resistance training device, generally referred to by reference number  10 , which is configured to maximize pectoral exercises while being convenient for home, office or abroad. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , the resistance training device  10  includes a pair of adjustment mounting rails or rods  11  attached in parallel to a header and a side of a door frame by mounting or anchoring blocks or assemblies  20 . An exercise platform  40  slidably mounts to the adjustment rods  11  and may be fixed in the desired position by a pair of clamps  33 . The adjustment rods  11  are angled rods providing the two areas of adjustable mounting of the anchoring blocks  20 , one to the side of the door frame and the other to the header. Additional anchoring blocks  20  may be used adjacent either the header, side of the frame or both for increased stability. Although only one pair of clamps  33  are shown in the Figures, attached to the rods  11  below the platform  40 , additional pairs may be mounted atop the exercise platform  40 . Alternatively, the exercise platform  40  may include clamping assemblies to fix the position thereof along the adjustment rods  11 . 
         [0016]    As more clearly shown in  FIG. 3 , each anchoring block  20  includes a base  24  and a pair of movable jaws  21 ,  22  defining a C-clamp. The anchoring block  20  may be covered with a layer of compressible material, both for aesthetics and protection. The base  24  includes a pair of bores  28  for the adjustment rods  11  to permit the anchoring block  20  to slide thereon. To fix the anchoring position of the anchoring block  20  on the rods  11 , the base  24  includes at least one curved pressure pad inside each bore  28 . The pressure pad  28  conforms to the shape of the adjustment rod  11  and may be clamped thereto by a wing screw  27  or thumb screw. The pressure pad  28  may be covered with friction enhancing material or layer to increase clamping performance. 
         [0017]    Each movable jaw  21 ,  22  is hinged to the base  24  and moves or pivots in the direction indicated by arrow  12  in  FIG. 3 . A tension spring  29  between the jaws  21 ,  22  maintains or biases the jaws  21 ,  22  in the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Opening of the jaws  21 ,  22  allows them to be wrapped behind door frame members or jambs of various dimensions. To ensure that the jaws  21 ,  22  are properly hooked onto the door frame member, the distal end of each jaw  21 ,  22  includes an appendage or finger having a movable or pivotable finger pad  23 . Each pad  23  is movable or pivotal so that it may easily hook behind the door frame member or molding. Each pad  23  may also include a layer or covering to protect the molding and/or to increase grip thereon. 
         [0018]    To clamp the anchoring block  20  onto the door frame member, the anchoring block  20  includes a compressible brace  31  attached to an end of a wing screw  30  or thumb screw. The brace  31  may be made from relatively elastic material that permits strong clamping engagement with the door jamb without marring the surface thereof. Thus, when the anchoring block  20  has been properly adjusted and mounted, the door jamb is disposed between the pads  23  and the brace  31  and the anchoring block  20  is clamped to the door jamb by turning the wing screw  30 . It is noted that the brace  31  may be notched to conform to the interior shape of the door molding. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  6 , the exercise platform  40  may be a substantially rectangular block defining a carriage  41 . As with the anchoring blocks  20 , the carriage  41  may include a covering of compressible material for aesthetics and protection. The carriage  41  includes a pair of bores  43  permitting the carriage  41  to adjustably slide along the adjustment rods  11 . The carriage  41  also includes another pair of bores  42  for insertably mounting the pectoral, butterfly handles  46 . Intermediate the top and bottom ends of the carriage  41 , a pair of oppositely disposed cavities  44  are formed congruent with the bores  42 . The cavities  44  receive resistance blocks  50  which provide the desired resistance for the resistance training device. A spacer brace  45  may be disposed or formed at the rear of the carriage  41  to brace the exercise platform against the door jamb. The brace  45  may be a separate element that is biased against the door jamb in a passive or selective manner, e.g. compression springs, and/or the brace may be formed with similar materials to the brace  31  for similar effect. 
         [0020]    Each butterfly handle  46  may be a substantially J-shaped member having a handle bar  48  defining the shape. A padded grip  47  is disposed at one end, and the other end of the handle bar  48  includes a split end  49 . The padded grip  47  permits the user to place their forearm thereon while performing the exercise as well as providing areas for the user to grip. 
         [0021]    The resistance training device  10  includes interchangeable resistance blocks or plugs  50  for selectively defining the resistance of the device  10 . The user may be provided with a plurality of resistance block sets, each set having a resistance different from the other. As shown in  FIG. 5 , each resistance block  50  may be a substantially solid cube having a cylindrical core  51 , the cubes being mounted in cavities in the platform  40  so that the cubes do not rotate. The cylindrical core  51  is split to form semi-cylindrical hollow through holes or bores  53 . These bores  53  are adapted to receive the slotted split end  49  of a respective butterfly handle  46  to form a male/female connection thereby. When the split end  49  is connected to the core  51 , rotation of the handle  46  concurrently rotates the core  51 . 
         [0022]    In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical core  51  is integral inside the resistance block via integral springs  52 . The springs  52  bias the core  51  in one direction such that turning the handle  46  in the opposite direction requires the user to act against the bias or resistance of the springs  52 . As an alternative, the leaf-like coil spring  52  may be replaced with a torsion spring surrounding the core  51  and securely attached to the interior of the resistance block  50 . As a further alternative, the resistance block may be made from durable rubber with the two semi-cylindrical through holes or bores  53  formed thereon. The central partition between the bores  53  would be substantially increased in durability such that during operation, the central partition may deform without breaking. It is noted that in all instances, any durable material with limited deformation characteristics may be used to make the resistance block  50  with the desired resistance. To ensure long lasting operation of the resistance training device  10 , the distal end of the split end  49  may be covered by a reinforced cap  13  to minimize or prevent deformation of the split end  49 . 
         [0023]    The following describes how to use the resistance training device  10 . To ready the training device  10 , the user mounts one of the anchoring blocks  20  to a door jamb as noted above. The pair of adjustment rods  11  are threaded through bores  28  in the mounted anchor block  20  and clamped via pressure pads  26 . The exercise platform  40  is slidably mounted to the adjustment rods  11  and clamped at the desired height by clamps  33 . The other end and the header area of the adjustment rods  11  are then secured to the door jamb by additional anchoring blocks  20 . Pre-selected resistance blocks  50  are installed in the cavities  44  formed in the exercise platform  40 . Then the butterfly handles  46  are insertably mounted through the bores  42 ,  53  and the resistance training device is ready for use. 
         [0024]    As noted above, exercise is a great health benefit for everyone. The pectoral muscles are one of the major muscle groups that with regular exercise, will help burn more calories and reduce weight. As such, the resistance training device  10  provides an effective workout for the pectorals, and due, in part, to relatively few parts and low complexity, the resistance training device  10  may be easily assembled/disassembled for storage and transport. 
         [0025]    It is noted that the resistance training device  10  may encompass a variety of alternatives. For example, the coverings mentioned above may be comprised of vinyl, rubber, composites or other similar materials. The rods  11  and the handle bars  48  may be made from durable yet relatively lightweight metals to increase portability. The resistance training device  10  may be colored and/or include indicia. 
         [0026]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 1