Exercise device with elastic resistance

• US 20050113223A1
• Filed: 11/24/2003
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Edward R. Dovner
• Original Assignee: Edward R. Dovner
• Inventors: Dovner, Edward R., Harvey, William
• Application Number:
  US10/720,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20050113223A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/121
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00061 Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/04 attached to static foundation , e.g. a user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0555 Details of the rope or band, e.g. shape or colour coding
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• 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 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously

Abstract

Exercise system comprised of plurality of modular components enabling numerous types of exercises. Resistive force provided by durable elastomeric tubing that is quickly connectable to and disconnectable from more rigid components.

Claims

1. An exercise system, comprising:

a rigid bar having two ends and a central segment extending therebetween;

a body-part-engaging component having one or more hooks or rings; and

two or more elastomeric tube assemblies each connected via threaded elongate members on one end to the hook or ring, and on their respective other ends to the bar, such that displacement of the rigid bar with respect to the body-part-engaging assembly stretches the elastomeric tube assemblies to provide resistive force.

3. The exercise system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the body part engaging component comprises a rigid plate including a hook or ring centrally located upon one surface thereof, said surface of sufficient size to accommodate a portion of a foot on each side of the hook or ring.

4. The exercise system of claim 3, wherein the component further comprises a pair of foot stirrups attached to the plate on each side of the hook or ring.

5. The exercise system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the means for connecting the threaded elongate members to the rigid bar comprise a pair of carabiner-like terminators disposed at the non-threaded end of each of the elongate members.

6. The exercise system of claim 5, wherein the carabiner-like terminators are directly hooked around the circumference of the rigid bar.

7. The exercise system of claim 5, wherein each carabiner-like terminator is hooked to one of a pair of rings permanently affixed to the rigid bar.

8. The exercise system of claim 5, wherein each carabiner-like terminator is hooked to one of a pair of rings permanently affixed around the rigid bar.

9. The exercise system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the rigid bar further comprises one or more means for precluding motion along the bar of the respective connected ends of the elastomeric tube assemblies.

10. The exercise system of claim 9, wherein the one or more motion precluding means comprises a pair of plates disposed about the bar, each having one or more holes to accommodate one or more connections to the elastomeric tube assemblies.

11. The exercise system of claim 9, wherein the one or more motion precluding means comprise pairs of non-moving flanges disposed about the rigid bar.

12. The exercise system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the means for connecting the threaded elongate members to the rigid bar comprise a pair of carabiners disposed about the rigid bar for hooking eye loop disposed at the non-threaded end of each of the elongate members.

13. The exercise system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the body part engaging component comprises a harness including

a pad having a surface for engaging a body part and a non-engaging surface, and

means for adjusting the distance between the pad and the rigid bar.

14. The exercise system of claim 13, wherein the distance adjusting means comprises:

a sleeve spanning the non-engaging surface of the pad; and

a strap disposed within the sleeve having a plurality of spaced-apart terminators fastened thereto for connection to one of the ends of the elastomeric tube assemblies.

15. The exercise system of claim 14, wherein the distance adjusting means further comprises a buckle mechanism for adjusting the length of the strap.

16. The exercise system of claim 14, wherein the sleeve is defined by a Velcro flap when affixed to the non-engaging surface of the pad.

17. The exercise system of claim 13, wherein the harness further comprises a pouch large enough to carry each component of the exercise system.

18. The exercise system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the body-part-engaging component comprises one or more foot stirrups.

19. The exercise system of claim 18, wherein each foot stirrup includes a band of adjustable length.

20. The exercise system of claim 18, wherein:

the rigid bar is of a length sufficient for gripping by one hand;

the one or more foot stirrups comprises a single stirrup; and

the two or more elastomeric tube assemblies are each attached to the single stirrup.

21. The exercise system of claims 1 or 2, wherein each elastomeric tube assembly comprises:

a elastomeric tube of predetermined width having a first end and a second end;

at each of said elastomeric tube ends,

a first cylindrical bushing having a threaded bore and an outer diameter dimensions so as to allow tight insertion into. the elastomeric tube,

a coaxially positioned second cylindrical bushing having a threaded bore of the same diameter as the threaded bore of the first bushing and an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the first bushing by an amount approximating the width of the elastomeric tube, thereby defining an annular ridge,

a threaded elongate member for securing said first bushing adjacent said second bushing, and

a means for connecting the threaded elongate member to a modular component of the exercise system,

wherein the second bushing fits tightly within an involuted portion of said first or second end of the elastomeric tube and the annular ridge serves to preclude axial motion of the tube with respect to the first and second bushings.

22. The exercise system of claim 21, further comprising:

one or more threaded nuts disposed about each threaded elongate member for locking the relative positions of the first and second bushings at each of the respective ends of the elastomeric tube.

23. The exercise system of claims 1 or 2, wherein each elastomeric tube assembly comprises:

a elastomeric tube of predetermined width having a first end and a second end;

at each of said elastomeric tube ends,

a cylindrical bushing having a threaded bore and an outer diameter dimensioned so as to allow tight insertion into the elastomeric tube, and

a threaded elongate member screwable into the cylindrical bushing,

wherein the cylindrical bushing fits tightly within an end portion of the tube.

24. The exercise system of claim 23, wherein the end portion of the tube is involuted.

2. An exercise system, comprising:

a rigid bar having two ends and a central segment extending therebetween;

a body-part-engaging component having one or more hooks or rings; and

a elastomeric tube assembly having two ends, each end connected via threaded elongate members to the rigid bar and traversing a sleeve affixed to a non-engaging surface of a pad also having a surface adapted to engage a body part of a user, such that displacement of the rigid bar with respect to the body-part-engaging component stretches the elastomeric tube assembly to provide resistive force.