EXERCISE RING FOR IMPROVING STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY OF A BODY PART

• US 20130085041A1
• Filed: 10/03/2011
• Published: 04/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mission Competition Fitness Equipment
• Original Assignee: Mission Competition Fitness Equipment
• Inventors: Jolly, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,555,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/10
• 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 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4003 to the head; to the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4007 to the chest region, e.g. to the back chest
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4009 to the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• 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 23/025 for the head or the neck

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for exercising muscles of a body part, especially the neck, waist, torso, legs, and glutes from any angle with variable resistance while taking up minimal floor space. The apparatus improves the ability of athletes, including football players and wrestlers, to better prepare for contact from any angle while engaged in their sport. The apparatus includes a ring having a guide track therein. Another inner ring may also be provided in different sizes and shapes to accommodate a variety of users. A car connected to a source of resistance rides freely along the guide track. The source of resistance may be other gym equipment including a bungee cord, a cable cross over machine, springs, and the like. As the user freely exercises by moving the body part the car adapts to the user'"'"'s position to facilitate a full range of motion.

Claims

1. An apparatus for exercising a user'"'"'s neck, comprising:

a headpiece element configured to be worn in a head region of a user, the headpiece element having a guide track therein; and

a car having an attachment port for connection to a source of resistance, the car configured to fit within the guide track of the headpiece element and to move along the guide track, whereby as a user freely moves a neck or a head at any angle, the car adjusts its positioning along the guide track while maintaining a substantially stable position of the attachment port relative to the source of resistance, thereby enhancing a user'"'"'s range of motion and comfort during exercise.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the headpiece element comprises a first ring configured to fit around a user'"'"'s forehead.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus leaves a top of a user'"'"'s head partially uncovered.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the headpiece element further comprises a second ring having a diameter larger than the first ring, the second ring configured for positioning outside of the first ring, the second ring having a structure along an inner perimeter for attaching to a corresponding structure along an outer perimeter of the first ring, wherein the guide track of the headpiece element is in the second ring.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the structure of the second ring and the corresponding structure of the first ring are mating strips that adhere to each other.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the structure of the second ring for attaching to the corresponding structure of the first ring comprises at least one protrusion and the corresponding structure of the first ring comprises at least one groove configured to receive and mate with the protrusion.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the structure of the second ring for attaching to the corresponding structure of the first ring comprises at least one groove configured to receive and mate with the corresponding structure of at least one protrusion on the first ring.

8. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a locking mechanism to secure the second ring to the first ring.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first ring is available in a plurality of shapes or sizes, each first ring of the plurality configured to engage with the second ring.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the car has a wheel for moving along the guide track.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a section of the guide track is removable for loading or unloading the car.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the car is configured to open up for receiving the guide track or for disengaging from the guide track during loading or unloading of the car.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first ring has foam padding along an inner perimeter thereof, the foam padding configured to provide comfort when resting against a user'"'"'s forehead.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first ring has a protective material covering the foam padding.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a source of resistance.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the source of resistance is selected from the group consisting of:

a bungee cord, a kettlebell, a spring under tension, a cable cross over machine, a pilates machine, a weight stack, a weighted exercise ball, a pillar, a column, a hook on a wall, and a parachute.

17. A method of exercising the neck, comprising:

selecting a first head ring of an appropriate shape and size to securely fit a user head;

engaging the first head ring with a second ring, the second ring having a larger diameter than the first head ring and being outside of the first head ring;

placing the first head ring engaged with the second ring on a head of a user; and

moving a head or a neck of a user at any angle, whereby the second ring is flexibly attached to a source of resistance through an adjustable connection such that as a user freely moves the adjustable connection responds to provide comfort and enhanced range of motion for a user.

18. An apparatus for exercising a body part, comprising:

a first ring configured to be worn around a body part of a user, the first ring having a guide track therein; and

a car having an attachment port for connection to a source of resistance, the car configured to fit within the guide track of the first ring and to move along the guide track, whereby as a user freely moves a body part at any angle, the car adjusts its positioning along the guide track while maintaining a substantially stable position of the attachment port relative to the source of resistance, thereby enhancing a user'"'"'s range of motion and comfort during exercise.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a harness configured to be worn by a user, the harness having a structure along an outer perimeter thereof for attaching to a corresponding structure along an inner perimeter of the first ring or along an inner perimeter of a second ring.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a belt configured to be worn by a user, the belt having a structure along an outer perimeter thereof for attaching to a corresponding structure along an inner perimeter of the first ring or along an inner perimeter of a second ring.