Exercise device grips and accessories for exercise devices

• US 7,090,622 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JFXD TRX ACQ LLC
• Original Assignee: Fitness Anywhere Incorporated (Fitness Anywhere)
• Inventors: Hetrick, Randal A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US10/714,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20040204301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 482/24, 482/33, 482/40, 482 47- 49, 482/91, 482/92, 482/95, 482/96, 482/114, 482/120, 482/126, 482/143, 482129-132, 482139-141, 482/904, 482/907
• US Class Current: 482/92
• 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 21/00069 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 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/018 including a rope or other flexible element moving relative to the surface of elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/1663 for anchoring between a door and the door frame
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 to the upper limbs
• 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 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0216 moving lower limbs with immobilized torso
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• 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 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03575 Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/16 : for hands or fingers for teaching typing G09B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0062 : Leg restraining devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/021 : Stays or guy-ropes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/904 : Removably attached to wheelchair, home furnishing, or home structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/907 : Stretching

Abstract

An exercise device having many advantageous features is described, including the ability to provide a variety of different accessory grips to the user, and the ability to easily mount the device to a wall. One exercise device described is an inelastic resistance device having integral hand grips. The accessory grips are removably attachable to the integral grip of an exercising device, and provide for gripping by the hands, foot or other body parts. The selection of a specific accessory grip allows the user to exercise by specific body parts and provides for a greater number of possible exercises. Accessory grips are attachable to the integral grips, greatly adding to the flexibility of the device. In addition, a novel hand grip is described having a plurality of cords that can be selected for gripping, and a bracket for mounting a door jamb mountable exercise device to a wall is described.

Claims

1. A portable exercise apparatus comprising:

a resistance exercise device having at least one integral grip; and

an accessory grip removably coupled to said at least one integral grips,

wherein said accessory grip includes a plurality of cords adapted for gripping, in any combination, by a hand of a user, and

wherein each of said plurality of cords has a portion with a length greater than 4 inches and a diameter of from ¼

inch to approximately 1 inch, and a joint mutually connecting said plurality of cords.

where said plurality of cords is sufficiently flexible to adjacently arrange two or more of said portions of said plurality of cords.

2. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said at least one integral grip is a pair of integral grips, and

wherein said resistance exercise device further includes

an inelastic elongated member between said pair of integral grips, and

an anchor for attaching said elongated member to a stationary support.

3. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein said anchor has a first end slidably attached to said elongated inelastic member between said pair of grips and a second end adapted for attaching to said stationary support.

4. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein said stationary support is a closed door having a doorjamb, wherein said anchor includes an enlarged portion at said second end and a strap between said first end and said second end that is passable between said closed door and said doorjamb, and wherein said enlarged portion is not passable between said closed door and said doorjamb.

5. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein said stationary support is a pole, rail, or stanchion, wherein said second end includes a strap and a tensioning device, wherein said strap has a length sufficiently long to wrap about said stationary support, and wherein said tensioning device is adapted for tightening said strap about said stationary support.

6. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein said support and elongated member interact to provide frictional restraint with respect to the anchor when said pair of integral grips are pulled in a direction away from said anchor as a function of the force applied to each of said pulled grips, wherein, when the force applied to each of said pulled grips are increased while positioning each of said pair of integral grips a distance of one half of the length from said anchor, said frictional restraint restrains said elongated member with said integral grips equidistant from said anchor.

7. The portable exercise device of claim 3, wherein said anchor includes an enlarged portion at said second end and a strap between said first end and said second end, wherein said stationary support is a wall, and further includes:

a bracket having a first portion affixed to said wall and a second portion having an opening and spaced apart from said first portion,

where said opening in said second portion is adapted to accept said strap, where said spacing between said wall and said second portion is sufficient to accept said enlarged portion, and where said opening is sufficiently small to prevent said enlarged portion from passing through said opening.

8. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein said inelastic elongated member further includes a mechanism to adjust the length of said elongated inelastic member between said pair of integral grips.

9. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein said mechanism includes at least one cam buckle, such that said length is adjustable according to the length of said elongated inelastic member through said cam buckle.

10. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein said at least one cam buckle is two cam buckles, wherein each of said two cam buckles is adjacent to one of said pair of integral grips.

11. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said pair of integral grips includes one of a pair of rigid elongated members each having an outer circumference.

12. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein said accessory grip has a grip attachment portion including at least one strap having a length greater than the outer circumference and includes a fastener to secure said grip attachment portion about one of said pair of integral grips.

13. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein said fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener.

14. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the length of said elongated member is between 6 feet and 12 feet.

15. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality cords has a second end, and where said second ends are joined.

16. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the distance from said joint to said second ends is approximately 10 inches.

17. The portable exercise apparatus of claim 1,

wherein said at least one integral grip is a pair of integral grips, and

wherein said resistance exercise device further includes an inelastic elongated member between said pair of integral grips.