EXERCISE APPARATUS

• US 20090054214A1
• Filed: 10/10/2008
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Core STIX Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Core STIX Fitness LLC
• Inventors: Koch, Kregg A., Kadar, Michael Shannon
• Granted Patent: US 7,878,956 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/121
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/026 Bars; Tubes; Leaf springs A63B21/023 takes precedence
• 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 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element
• 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 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• 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 23/12 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

An exercise apparatus comprising a base that can be oriented at any angle and that defines a plurality of connection interfaces, each of which can be designed to support one end of a resilient member in a cantilevered disposition. The connection interfaces can be positioned at or adjusted to a widely varying range of locations and angular orientations with respect to the base. Each resilient members can be configured to support one or more removable stiffening members that provide a resistance force when a force is exerted thereon so as to bend the resilient member.

Claims

1. A substantially axially rigid resilient member for fitness related exercise comprising:

a first stiffening member defining a first portion and a second portion;

a first member configured to be secured to a base member, comprising a first axial opening positioned near the axial center of the first member and plurality of additional axial openings being spaced apart from the first axial opening of the first member;

a second member spaced apart from the first member, the second member comprising a first axial opening positioned near the axial center of the second member and plurality of additional axial openings being spaced apart from the first axial opening of the second member, wherein;

said first portion of the first stiffening member is supported by the first axial opening of the first member so that the first stiffening member extends therefrom in a cantilevered disposition;

said second portion of the first stiffening member is positioned in the first axial opening of the second member such that, when a user exerts a force on the second member so as to deflect the resilient member, a resistance force is provided.

2. The resilient member of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional stiffening members that are each slidingly received by one of the plurality of additional axial openings formed in first member, the additional axial openings formed in first member each being configured to support one of the one or more additional stiffening members in a cantilevered disposition.

3. The resilient member of claim 2, wherein the plurality of additional axial openings formed in the second member are each configured to slidingly receive and provide at least radial support to each of the one or more additional stiffening members that are supported therein.

4. The resilient member of claim 2, wherein one or more of the additional stiffening members is substantially free to translate axially through at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of additional axial openings in the second member.

5. The resilient member of claim 1, wherein the second member further comprises a retention member configured to selectively enclose at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of additional axial openings in the second member.

6. The resilient member of claim 1, wherein the second member provides a gripping surface for a user.

7. A resilient member for fitness related exercise comprising:

at least one stiffening member;

a first member positioned at a first portion of the resilient member and configured to be supported by a base member in a cantilevered disposition so that the first portion of the resilient member is substantially prevented from pivoting relative to the exercise device base member, the first member further configured to support a first portion of the at least one stiffening member such that the at least one stiffening member extend therefrom in a cantilevered disposition; and

a second member spaced apart from the first member and configured to at least radially support at least a second portion of the at least one stiffening member such that, when a user exerts a force on the second member, at least the second portion of each of the at least one stiffening member deflects from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of each of the at least one stiffening member and a resistance is provided.

8. The resilient member of claim 7, wherein the first member is configured to slidingly receive at least one of the at least one stiffening member.

9. The resilient member of claim 7, wherein at least one of the at least one stiffening member is axially supported by the first and second members.

10. The resilient member of claim 7, wherein at least one of the at least one stiffening member is substantially free to translate axially relative to the second member.

11. The resilient member of claim 7, wherein the second member provides a gripping surface for a user.

12. The resilient member of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the second member is free to rotate.

13. The resilient member of claim 7, wherein the first member comprises a plurality of support openings, each the plurality of support openings being formed at any of a range of locations and/or angular orientations relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the resilient member.

14. The resilient member of claim 7, wherein the second member is configured such that an alternate handle grip can be removably secured thereto.

15. The resilient member of claim 7, wherein the second member comprises a retention member configured to at least selectively radially support at least a second portion of the at least one stiffening member

16. The resilient member of claim 7, wherein at least one of the at least one stiffening member comprises a fibrous material.

17. The resilient member of claim 7, wherein one or more of the at least one stiffening member comprises plastic.

18. A method of exercising the muscles of one'"'"'s body, comprising:

providing a resilient member, the resilient member comprising;

at least one stiffening member;

a first member positioned at a first portion of the resilient member and configured to be supported by a base member in a cantilevered disposition so that the first portion of the resilient member is substantially prevented from pivoting relative to the exercise device base member, the first member further configured to support a first portion of the at least one stiffening member such that the at least one stiffening member extend therefrom in a cantilevered disposition; and

a second member configured to at least radially support at least a second portion of the at least one stiffening member such that, when a user exerts a force on the second member, at least the second portion of each of the at least one stiffening member deflects from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of each of the at least one stiffening member and a resistance is provided.

supporting the resilient member in a cantilevered disposition so that the first portion of the resilient member is substantially prevented from pivoting relative to the exercise device base member;

exerting a force on the resilient member so as to deflect at least a portion of the resilient member and effect an exercising of one or more muscles in the user'"'"'s body; and

varying the resistance force provided by the resilient member by adding or removing at least one additional stiffening member to the resilient member, wherein each of the at least one additional stiffening members supported by the resilient member is supported by the resilient member such that at least a first portion of the at least one additional stiffening member extends from the first member in a cantilevered disposition.