Apparatus for exercise of the human body

• US 5,004,226 A
• Filed: 06/26/1989
• Issued: 04/02/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Morrison Molded Fiber Glass Company
• Original Assignee: Morrison Molded Fiber Glass Company
• Inventors: Brown, Gordon L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/371,143
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 272/93, 272/104, 272/125, 272/110, 272/137, 272/74, 272/75, 272/124, 272/143, 272/67, 272/68, 272/101, 272/134, 272/902, 272/116, 273/80 B, 273/DIG. 7, 128/25 R
• US Class Current: 482/126
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00043 Exercising devices consisting of a pair of user interfaces connected by flexible elements, e.g. two handles connected by elastic bands skipping ropes A63B5/20; resilient elements A63B21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/026 Bars; Tubes; Leaf springs A63B21/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element
• 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 2209/023 Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
• 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: Y10S 482/906 Utilizing opponent supplied resistance

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for use in the exercise of the human body, which comprises a fiberglass pultruded shape of a predetermined oblong geometry with an elastic sheath formed about the exterior thereof over the length of the fiberglass pultruded shape. The fiberglass pultruded shape has fiberglass filaments dimensionally stabilized in a hardened resin system. Material properties of the filaments in the resin system are selected such that the ultimate elongation design value of the filaments and the resin system is greater than the actual maximum elongation of the filaments and the resin system when the fiberglass member is flexed in the exercise process. Also, the resin is selected for toughness sufficient to provide a useful flexural fatigue life.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in the exercise of the human body, said apparatus comprising:

filament matrix means of a selected length having a neutral axis defined therethrough, said filament matrix means having an oblong cross-section with a major axis of a selected width and a minor axis of a selected height defined therethrough, wherein the width of the cross-section is from 2-7 times the height, said filament matrix means having;

two ends,

filaments, a portion of said filaments being oriented at an angle of less than 3 degrees from said neutral axis, a portion of said filaments containing glass fibers, said filaments constituting from about 35 volume percent to about 70 volume percent of said filament matrix means and having an ultimate elongation design value from about 2 percent to about 6 percent, and

a resin system constituting from about 30 volume percent to about 65 volume percent of said filament matrix means, and having an ultimate elongation design value from about 4 percent to about 12 percent, wherein the length and cross-section of said filament matrix means, and percentage of the volume of said filaments and said resin system included within said filament matrix means, and the ultimate elongation design value of said filaments and said resin system, are selected such that the maximum elongation in said filaments and said resin system, when the distance separating the ends of the filament matrix means is minimized by the application of force to said two ends, is less than the ultimate elongation design value of said filaments and said resin system,

an outer protective sheath formed from an elastomeric material attached to said filament matrix means along the length thereof and having an outer circular cross-section and two ends terminating proximate said ends of said filament matrix means,

two hand grips, one hand grip defined about each end of said outer protective sheath and positioned parallel to said neutral axis, and

hand retention means operatively connected to one end of each of said hand grips, said hand retention means sized to allow the passage of a hand therethrough.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said two hand grips are formed separate from said outer protective sheath, each hand grip being press-fitted over one end of said outer protective sheath.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said two hand grips are formed common with said outer protective sheath about said filament matrix means by simultaneous injection molding of said hand grips and said outer protective sheath.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hand retention means of each end of said hand grips further comprises;

a washer having an opening defined therethrough, and

a looped cord passed through said opening and knotted at both ends adjacent said opening, said washer and knotted ends encased within the material of said hand grip.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hand retention means are formed common with each of said two hand grips by simultaneous injection molding of said hand grips and said hand retention means.