Multi-functional exercise apparatus

• US 10,695,608 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2017
• Issued: 06/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfred C. Engelfried Jr
• Original Assignee: Alfred C. Engelfried Jr
• Inventors: Engelfried, Jr., Alfred C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Urbiel Goldner, Gary D
• Application Number:
  US15/802,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20180117396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0414 with both ends stationary during the actual exercise, i.e. moving only at intermediate locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0602 Fluids, e.g. water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0603 Fluid-like particles, e.g. gun shot or sand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0618 moving in a horizontal plane without substantial friction, i.e. using inertial forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/072 Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like , e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/08 anchored at one end
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/15 Arrangements for force transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4009 to the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4039 contoured to fit to specific body parts, e.g. back, knee or neck support arrangements for attaching exercising apparatus to the user's body A63B21/4001; handles, pedals, bars or platforms A63B21/4033
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0219 on hands and knees
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0252 supine
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 : Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/02 : for the abdomen, the spinal column or the torso muscles related to shoulders (e.g. chest muscles)
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 : A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 : involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/047 : Walking and pulling or pushing a load for exercising the player ability for rugby or American football A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 : Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1236 : Push-ups in horizontal position, i.e. eccentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/16 : Training devices for jumping; Devices for balloon-jumping; Jumping aids A63B25/02, A63B25/10 take precedence

Abstract

A durable and impact-resistant exercise apparatus that is portable, modular, stackable, and weight-adjustable to allow a user to perform a variety of isolated lower body, core, and upper body resistance training exercises as well as full-body strength training exercises to improve a fitness of the user. The exercise apparatus is configured both as a platform for supporting the user during a first plurality of exercises as well as a weighted body for being lifted or moved by the user during a second plurality of exercises.

Claims

1. A multi-functional exercise apparatus for performing both isolated lower body, core, and upper body resistance training exercises and full-body strength training exercises to improve a fitness of a user, the exercise apparatus comprising:

an elongate body having a length along a longitudinal axis between end walls, a width along a transverse axis between sidewalls, and a thickness between a first surface and a second surface, with the first and second surfaces being substantially planar across a center portion of the elongate body;

a central aperture defined through the thickness of the elongate body, the central aperture having an aperture length between aperture ends configured to accommodate a shoulder width of the user, and an aperture width between aperture sides configured to accommodate a chest-to-back thickness of the user;

a handle proximate to each aperture end configured for gripping by hands of the user; and

at least one empty volume formed between each aperture end and an adjacent end wall of the elongate body and configured to removably receive an additional mass for increasing a weight of the elongate body,

wherein the elongate body is formed from a resilient and impact resistant material and includes an inner frame made from a rigid material positioned therein for structural support, and

wherein the thickness of the elongate body is greater than or about three inches.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resilient and impact resistant material is selected from the group consisting of a hard rubber composite, a fiberglass composite, a Kevlar composite, a plastic composite, and wood.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid material is selected from the group consisting of metal, steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and structural plastic.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is separable along the transverse axis into two halves that slidably expand outward along the inner frame.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handles proximate to each respective aperture end further comprise bars extending between the aperture sides and spaced from the aperture ends.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handles proximate to each respective aperture end further comprise exposed portions of the inner frame comprising tubular bars.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is operable for lowering from an overhead press position above a head of the user down around shoulders of the user with the longitudinal axis of the elongate body configured to be aligned with a spine of the user when the spine of the user is in an upright and neutral position.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one empty volume further comprises at least one side chamber extending parallel to the transverse axis of the elongate body and opening from one of the sidewalls of the elongate body, and configured for receiving the additional mass for increasing the weight of the elongate body, wherein the additional mass is a weighted insert of known mass.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the weighted insert further comprises a rod of known weight that is securable within the at least one side chamber.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the rod of known weight has a tubular construction.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the weighted insert further comprises a sealable cylinder filled with a liquid to define a known weight and that is securable within the at least one side chamber.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one empty volume further comprises a sealable chamber adapted for filling with a liquid to define a known weight.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one empty volume is only partially filled with a fluid medium to create a dynamic shifting of the additional mass during exercise.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a platform removably supported on the handles to cover the central aperture.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein a top surface of the platform is substantially flush with the first surface of the elongate body.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a pair of riser supports removably securable to the elongate body respectively proximate to the aperture sides to extend upward out-of-plane from the first surface; and

a stretchable resistance band securable to the pair of riser supports to extend transversely across the platform covering the central aperture.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one attachment point proximate to the end walls of the elongate body and configured for securing a cord for pulling the elongate body along its longitudinal axis over a ground surface.

18. A multi-functional exercise apparatus for performing both isolated lower body, core, and upper body resistance training exercises and full-body strength training exercises to improve a fitness of a user, the exercise apparatus comprising:

an elongate body having a length along a longitudinal axis between end walls, a width along a transverse axis between sidewalls, and a thickness between a first surface and a second surface, with the first and second surfaces being substantially planar across a center portion of the elongate body;

a central aperture defined through the thickness of the elongate body, the central aperture having an aperture length between aperture ends configured to accommodate a shoulder width of the user, and an aperture width between aperture sides configured to accommodate a chest-to-back thickness of the user;

a handle proximate to each aperture end configured for gripping by hands of the user; and

at least one empty volume formed between each aperture end and an adjacent end wall of the elongate body and configured to removably receive an additional mass for increasing a weight of the elongate body,

wherein the elongate body is formed from a resilient and impact resistant material and includes an inner frame made from a rigid material positioned therein for structural support, and

wherein the first and second surfaces include curved end portions that curve inwardly to substantially flat end wall surfaces, the substantially flat end wall surfaces having a height less than about two-thirds the thickness of the elongate body.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 18, wherein the substantially planar portions of the first and second surfaces are smooth to facilitate sliding across a ground surface and the curved end portions of the first and second surfaces are textured to provide a gripping surface.

20. A multi-functional exercise apparatus for performing both isolated lower body, core, and upper body resistance training exercises and full-body strength training exercises to improve a fitness of a user, the exercise apparatus comprising:

an elongate body having a length along a longitudinal axis between end walls, a width along a transverse axis between sidewalls, and a thickness between a first surface and a second surface, with the first and second surfaces being substantially planar across a center portion of the elongate body;

a central aperture defined through the thickness of the elongate body, the central aperture having an aperture length between aperture ends configured to accommodate a shoulder width of the user, and an aperture width between aperture sides configured to accommodate a chest-to-back thickness of the user;

a handle proximate to each aperture end configured for gripping by hands of the user; and

at least one empty volume formed between each aperture end and an adjacent end wall of the elongate body and configured to removably receive an additional mass for increasing a weight of the elongate body,

wherein the elongate body is formed from a resilient and impact resistant material and includes an inner frame made from a rigid material positioned therein for structural support, and

wherein the sidewalls curve inwardly toward the end walls of the elongate body to substantially flat end wall surfaces, the substantially flat end wall surfaces having a width less than about two-thirds the width of the elongate body.