Versatile exercise bars and handles

• US 8,480,549 B1
• Filed: 03/19/2012
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Indian Industries Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Robert Sylvester Hinds
• Inventors: Hinds, Robert S., Polinsky, Glenn, Rollins, Ray, Stephenson, John, Hall, Brandon Grayson, Wagner, Leslie A., Birkholz, Doug J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): GANESAN, SUNDHARA M
• Application Number:
  US13/423,857
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 482/91, 482/92, 482/95, 482/96, 482/121, 482/122, 482/125, 482/124, 482/126, 482/129, 482/130, 482/131, 482/143
• US Class Current: 482/143
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• 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 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 23/1218 Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 7/02 Swinging rings; Trapezes

Abstract

An exercise bar is configured to removably receive elastic lines, allowing its use in elastic resistance exercises, and/or inelastic lines, allowing its use in suspended bodyweight exercises. Separate grips, each being engageable by a hand or a foot, are also provided, and may be removably connected to the bar or to each other via one or more lines. Bar supports may also be provided to support the bar above the ground, allowing easy use of the bar to perform push-ups and other exercises.

Claims

1. An elongated exercise bar including:

a. a bar end having

(1) an elongated bar strap slot, and

(2) a line slot,

defined therein;

b. an elongated strap the strap being at least substantially inelastic and having;

(1) a width at least substantially the same as the length of the bar strap slot,

(2) a strap stop situated along the strap, the strap stop being configured to deter withdrawal of the strap from the bar strap slot in a direction oriented along the length of the strap when the strap rests within the bar strap slot;

(3) anchoring means for engaging the strap to an object, the anchoring means being spaced from the strap stop along the length of the strap;

c. an elongated line, the line being at least substantially elastic and having an enlarged line end, wherein;

(1) the line is configured to freely pass through the line slot,

(2) the enlarged line end is sized such that it cannot pass through the line slot, whereby the line can be removably engaged within the line slot.

2. The exercise bar of claim 1 wherein the bar strap slot opens on locations circumferentially spaced around the bar end.

3. The exercise bar of claim 1 further including a bar end cap removably attachable to the bar end, the bar end cap including a cap strap slot defined therein, wherein when the bar end cap is attached to the bar end with the strap resting within the bar strap slot:

a. the strap extends through both the bar strap slot and the cap strap slot, and

b. the bar end cap deters withdrawal of the strap from the bar strap slot along a direction oriented along the length of the bar.

4. The exercise bar of claim 1 further including:

a. a bar end cap removably attachable to the bar end, the bar end cap including the line slot defined therein, wherein when the bar end cap is attached to the bar end, the entirety of the line slot is spaced from the bar end.

5. The exercise bar of claim 4 wherein the elongated line bears a grip, the grip being defined by a closed loop bearing a handle configured for engagement by a user'"'"'s hand and/or foot.

6. The exercise bar of claim 4 wherein the line slot is defined by a line attachment aperture:

a. having;

(1) an insertion aperture portion,

(2) a retention aperture portion, and

(3) a throat situated between the insertion and retention aperture portions, surrounded by a closed line attachment aperture inner circumference;

b. configured such that;

(1) the elongated line can freely pass through the insertion aperture portion, the retention aperture portion, and the throat therebetween, and

(2) the enlarged line end can pass through the insertion aperture portion, but cannot also pass through the retention aperture portion.

7. The exercise bar of claim 1 further including a bar end cap removably attachable to the bar end, wherein the bar end cap:

a. when attached to the bar end with the strap resting within the bar strap slot, deters withdrawal of the strap from the bar strap slot along a direction oriented along the length of the bar;

b. includes a line attachment aperture;

(1) extending through the bar end cap from a first side to a second side,

(2) having;

(a) an insertion aperture portion,

(b) a retention aperture portion,

(c) a throat situated between the insertion and retention aperture portions,

(3) configured such that;

(a) an elongated line can freely pass through the insertion aperture portion, the retention aperture portion, and the throat therebetween, and

(b) an enlarged line end on the elongated line can pass through the insertion aperture portion, but cannot also pass through the retention aperture portion,

whereby;

i. the enlarged line end of such an elongated line can be inserted through the insertion aperture portion,

ii. the elongated line can then be moved from the insertion aperture portion to the retention aperture portion, with the elongated line thereafter being prevented from withdrawal from the retention aperture portion owing to interference between the enlarged line end and a portion of the bar end cap situated about the retention aperture portion.

8. The exercise bar of claim 1 further including a bar support including:

a. bar engagement means for removably engaging the bar, and

b. a bar support leg extending from the bar engagement means,

wherein the bar support is configured to engage the bar with its bar support leg supporting the bar above a floor.

9. The exercise bar of claim 8 wherein the bar engagement means includes a male member configured to fit within the bar strap slot.

10. The exercise bar of claim 8 wherein the bar engagement means includes a sleeve configured to fit at least partially about the outer circumference of the bar.

11. The exercise bar of claim 8 wherein the bar support leg is defined by a closed loop having a handle thereon, whereby the bar support leg defines a grip.

12. The exercise bar of claim 8 wherein the bar support bears a line attachment aperture:

a. having;

(1) an insertion aperture portion,

(2) a retention aperture portion, and

(3) a narrowed throat situated between the insertion and retention aperture portions,

surrounded by a closed line attachment aperture inner circumference;

b. configured such that;

(1) the elongated line can freely pass through the insertion aperture portion, the retention aperture portion, and the throat therebetween, and

(2) the enlarged line end can pass through the insertion aperture portion, but cannot also pass through the retention aperture portion.

13. The exercise bar of claim 1 further including:

a. an elongated line having an enlarged line end;

b. a line attachment aperture;

(1) situated along the bar;

(2) having;

(a) an insertion aperture portion,

(b) a retention aperture portion, and

(c) a throat situated between the insertion and retention aperture portions,

(d) a closed line attachment aperture inner circumference surrounding the insertion aperture portion, retention aperture portion, and throat;

(3) being configured such that;

(a) the elongated line can freely pass through the insertion aperture portion, the retention aperture portion, and the throat therebetween, and

(b) the enlarged line end can pass through the insertion aperture portion, but cannot also pass through the retention aperture portion.

14. The exercise bar of claim 13 further including a grip, the grip being defined by a closed loop bearing:

a. a handle configured for engagement by a user'"'"'s hand and/or foot;

b. a line attachment aperture;

(1) spaced from the handle;

(2) having;

(a) an insertion aperture portion,

(b) a retention aperture portion, and

(c) a throat situated between the insertion and retention aperture portions,

(d) a closed line attachment aperture inner circumference surrounding the insertion aperture portion, retention aperture portion, and throat;

(3) being configured such that;

(a) the elongated line can freely pass through the insertion aperture portion, the retention aperture portion, and the throat therebetween, and

(b) the enlarged line end can pass through the insertion aperture portion, but cannot also pass through the retention aperture portion.

15. An elongated exercise bar including:

a. an elongated bar strap slot defined therein, the bar strap slot being configured to accommodate a portion of a length of an elongated strap therein;

b. a line slot defined therein, the line slot being;

(1) spaced from the bar strap slot, and

(2) configured to releaseably engage an elongated line having an enlarged line end by;

(a) having the elongated line insert within the line slot, and

(b) preventing withdrawal of the enlarged line end through the line slot;

c. at least one of;

(1) an elongated strap configured for removable installation in the bar strap slot, the elongated strap being at least substantially inelastic and having;

(a) a width at least substantially the same as the length of the bar strap slot,

(b) a strap stop situated along the strap, the strap stop being configured to deter withdrawal of the strap from the bar strap slot in a direction oriented along the length of the strap when the strap rests within the bar strap slot; and

(2) an elongated line having an enlarged line end, the elongated line being at least substantially elastic and configured for removable installation in the line slot.

16. An elongated exercise bar including:

a. an at least substantially elastic elongated line having an enlarged line end;

b. a line attachment aperture;

(1) situated along the bar;

(2) having;

(a) an insertion aperture portion,

(b) a retention aperture portion, and

(c) a throat situated between the insertion and retention aperture portions,

(d) a closed line attachment aperture inner circumference surrounding the insertion aperture portion, retention aperture portion, and throat;

(3) being configured such that;

(a) the elongated line can freely pass through the insertion aperture portion, the retention aperture portion, and the throat therebetween, and

(b) the enlarged line end can pass through the insertion aperture portion, but cannot also pass through the retention aperture portion;

c. an elongated bar strap slot situated along the bar spaced from the line attachment aperture; and

d. an at least substantially inelastic elongated strap having anchoring means thereon for engaging the strap to an object.

17. The exercise bar of claim 16 wherein the elongated line bears a grip spaced from its enlarged line end, the grip being defined by a closed loop bearing a handle configured for engagement by a user'"'"'s hand and/or foot.

18. The exercise bar of claim 17 wherein the grip includes a line attachment aperture:

a. situated thereon spaced from the handle;

b. having;

(1) an insertion aperture portion,

(2) a retention aperture portion, and

(3) a throat situated between the insertion and retention aperture portions,

(4) a closed line attachment aperture inner circumference surrounding the insertion aperture portion, retention aperture portion, and throat;

c. being configured such that;

(1) the elongated line can freely pass through the insertion aperture portion, the retention aperture portion, and the throat therebetween, and

(2) the enlarged line end can pass through the insertion aperture portion, but cannot also pass through the retention aperture portion.

19. The exercise bar of claim 16 wherein the strap further has:

a. a width at least substantially the same as the length of the bar strap slot,

b. a strap stop situated along the strap, the strap stop being configured to deter withdrawal of the strap from the bar strap slot along a direction oriented along the length of the strap when the strap rests within the bar strap slot.

20. The exercise bar of claim 16 further including a bar end cap removably attachable to the bar end, wherein the bar end cap includes the line attachment aperture thereon.

21. The exercise bar of claim 20 wherein the bar end cap includes a cap strap slot defined therein, wherein when the bar end cap is attached to the bar end with the strap resting within the bar strap slot:

a. the strap extends through both the bar strap slot and the cap strap slot, and

b. the bar end cap deters withdrawal of the strap from the bar strap slot along a direction oriented along the length of the bar.

22. The exercise bar of claim 16 further including a bar support including:

a. bar engagement means for removably engaging the bar, and

b. a bar support leg extending from the bar engagement means,

wherein the bar support is configured to have its bar support leg support the bar above a floor with its bar engagement means removably engaging the bar.

23. The exercise bar of claim 22 wherein the bar engagement means includes a male member configured to fit within the bar strap slot.

24. The exercise bar of claim 22 wherein the bar engagement means includes a sleeve configured to fit at least partially about the outer circumference of the bar.

25. The exercise bar of claim 22 wherein the bar support leg is defined by a closed loop having a handle thereon, whereby the bar support leg defines a grip.

26. The exercise bar of claim 22 wherein the bar support bears a line attachment aperture:

a. having;

(1) an insertion aperture portion,

(2) a retention aperture portion, and

(3) a throat situated between the insertion and retention aperture portions, surrounded by a closed line attachment aperture inner circumference;

b. configured such that;

(1) the elongated line can freely pass through the insertion aperture portion, the retention aperture portion, and the throat therebetween, and

(2) the enlarged line end can pass through the insertion aperture portion, but cannot also pass through the retention aperture portion.