Exercise apparatus

• US 8,500,612 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2011
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Core STIX Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Core STIX Fitness LLC
• Inventors: Koch, Kregg Alan, Kadar, Michael Shannon
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): GANESAN, SUNDHARA M
• Application Number:
  US13/018,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20110275495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 482/121, 482/122, 482/123, 482/124, 482/125, 482/126, 482/129, 482/130
• US Class Current: 482/129
• 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 resistance device for exercise comprising:

a support member positioned at a first end portion of the resistance device, the support member having a first end portion and a second end portion;

a first resilient member having a first end portion and a second end portion and at least one opening longitudinally oriented through at least a portion of the first resilient member; and

a second resilient member positioned within the at least one opening;

wherein;

the first end portion of the first resilient member is configured to be attached to the support member such that the support member overlaps and surrounds the first end portion of the first resilient member;

the first resilient member is supported in a cantilevered disposition by the support member;

the resistance device is configured such that the first end portion of the resistance device is supportable in a cantilevered disposition and the second end portion is radially unrestrained; and

the resistance device is configured to provide a resistance force when a user exerts a force on at least the second end portion of the resistance device that causes the resistance device to bend.

2. The resistance device of claim 1, further comprising a third resilient member positionable within the at least one opening in the first resilient member, the third resilient member being configured to increase the resistance of the resistance device when the resistance device is bent by a user.

3. The resistance device of claim 1, further comprising a fourth resilient member positionable within the at least one opening in the first resilient member, the fourth resilient member being configured to increase the resistance of the resistance device when the resistance device is bent by a user.

4. The resistance device of claim 1, wherein the first resilient member comprises a plurality of openings and the resistance device comprises a plurality of resilient members that are each positionable within the plurality openings, the plurality of resilient members being configured to increase the resistance of the resistance device when the resistance device is bent by a user.

5. The resistance device of claim 1, wherein the resistance device is substantially rigid in an axial direction.

6. The resistance device of claim 1, wherein the support member is configured such that the first end portion thereof is supportable in a cantilevered disposition by a connection interface of an exercise base member.

7. A resistance device for fitness related exercise comprising:

a support member positioned at a first portion of the resistance device;

a first stiffening member; and

a second stiffening member;

wherein;

the support member is configured to be removably supported by a base member in a cantilevered disposition so that the first portion of the resistance device is substantially prevented from pivoting relative to the exercise device base member;

the support member supports an end portion of the first stiffening member such that the first stiffening member extends from the support member in a cantilevered disposition;

the support member supports an end portion of the second stiffening member such that the second stiffening member extends from the support member in a cantilevered disposition;

the second stiffening member is positioned in an opening formed through the first stiffening member; and

the first and second stiffening members are positioned so as to be substantially parallel when the resistance device is in a relaxed state.

8. The resistance device of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first stiffening member and the second stiffening member is removably supported by the support member.

9. The resistance device of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the second stiffening member is free to translate relative to the first stiffening member.

10. The resistance device of claim 7, wherein the support member comprises a plurality of parallel openings through at least a portion of the support member, and wherein each the plurality of openings is configured to support an end portion of a stiffening member.

11. The resistance device of claim 7, further comprising a handle grip removably or non-removably secured thereto.

12. The resistance device of claim 7, wherein at least the first stiffening member comprises fiberglass.

13. The resistance device of claim 7, wherein at least the first stiffening member comprises plastic.

14. The resistance device of claim 7, further comprising a second support member that is spaced apart from the support member and configured to at least radially support at least a second portion of at least the first stiffening member.

15. The resistance device of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the second support member is free to rotate.

16. The resistance device of claim 14, wherein the second support member provides a gripping surface for a user.

17. The resistance device of claim 7, further comprising a second support member that is spaced apart from the support member and configured to at least radially support at least a second portion of at least the first stiffening member such that, when a user exerts a force on the second support member, at least the second portion of at least the first stiffening member deflects from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the first stiffening member and a resistance is provided.

18. A resistance device for fitness related exercise, comprising:

a first member that is substantially rigid; and

a second member that is resilient about at least a substantial portion of its length, the second member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein;

the first member of the resistance device is configured to be removably supported by an opening in an exercise device base member in a cantilevered disposition so that, in use, a first end portion of the resistance device is prevented from pivoting relative to the exercise device base member and such that a second end portion of the resistance device is radially unrestrained;

the first member is positioned generally at the first end portion of the resistance device;

the first member is configured to support at least the first end of the second member such that the second member is non-removably attached to the first member and such that the second member extends from the first member in a cantilevered disposition wherein the first end of the second member is prevented from pivoting relative to the first member; and

the resistance device is configured to produce a resistance force when a user exerts a force on the resistance device so as to deflect at least the second end of the second member away from the relaxed position of the longitudinal axis of the second member.

19. The resistance device of claim 18, further comprising a third member that is resilient about at least a substantial portion of its length, the third member comprising a first end and a second end, the first member being configured to support at least the first end of the third member such that the third member extends from the first member in a cantilevered disposition wherein the first end of the third member is prevented from pivoting relative to the first member.

20. The resistance device of claim 19, wherein the second member comprises at least one axially aligned opening through at least a portion of the second member, and the at least one axially aligned opening is configured to at least receive the third member.

21. The resistance device of claim 20, wherein the resistance device is configured such that the third member is removably positionable within the at least one axially aligned opening.

22. The resistance device of claim 19, further comprising a fourth member that is resilient about at least a substantial portion of its length, the fourth member comprising a first end and a second end, the first member being configured to support at least the first end of the fourth member such that the fourth member extends from the first member in a cantilevered disposition wherein the first end of the fourth member is prevented from pivoting relative to the first member.

23. The resistance device of claim 22, wherein the second member comprises at least one axially aligned opening through at least a portion of the second member, and the at least one axially aligned opening is configured to at least receive the third member and the fourth member.

24. The resistance device of claim 23, wherein the resistance device is configured such that at least one of the third member and the fourth member is removably positionable within the at least one axially aligned opening.

25. The device of claim 18, wherein a portion of the resistance device is configured such that an alternative gripping member can be supported thereby, the alternative gripping member being configured to at least allow the user to vary the orientation of his or her hand relative to the resistance device.

26. The device of claim 18, wherein the first member comprises an axial opening through a portion of the first member, the resistance device being configured such that the first end of the second member is supported within the opening.

27. The device of claim 18, wherein the first member comprises a plurality of openings configured to support the first end of the second member and end portions of other bendable resilient members.

28. The device of claim 18, wherein the second member has a non-helical shape.

29. The device of claim 18, wherein the second member has a cylindrical shape.

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

supporting a support member of a resistance device in a cantilevered disposition in a first position in a base member, the resistance device comprising;

a stiffening member;

a support member positioned at a first portion of the resistance device and configured to be supported in a cantilevered disposition so that the first portion of the resistance device is substantially prevented from pivoting, the support member further configured to support a first portion of the stiffening member such that the stiffening member extends therefrom in a cantilevered disposition; and

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

increasing the resistance force provided by the resistance device by supporting at least one additional stiffening member with the support member, wherein each of the at least one additional stiffening members supported by the support member is supported such that at least a first portion of the at least one additional stiffening member extends from the support member in a cantilevered disposition; and

removing the resistance device from the first position and supporting the resistance device in a second position in the base member.