Body vest gym
An exercise system comprising an adjustable vest/harness worn by a user comprising a plurality of straps which encompass the user's torso, shoulders and legs. The straps further comprise adjustable clip snaps which allow the user to easily put on and take off the harness, as well as adjust the size of the harness to their personal comfort, and can be adapted for people of any body type, size, age or handicap. Attached to the straps of the harness are a plurality of loops positioned at various locations on both the front and back for releasably attaching interchangeable resistance bands used in conjunction with various accessories such as handles, curling bars or floor plates. The bands are easily interchangeable and adjustable depending on the desired resistance, and allow the user to exercise all major muscle systems of the body, and subsequently travel with or store the system in minimal space.
The present invention relates to exercise equipment. More particularly, this invention relates to portable exercise systems, utilizing resilient resistance bands for exercising multiple muscle groups.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt has been well documented, studied, and recorded that personal health is a crucial factor in a person's day to day regime and within the category of personal health; exercise has been determined to be a critical component. Unfortunately, in today's modern age the average individual is working a longer work day/week, traveling more frequently whether it be employment related or recreational, and finding they have much less time for sports and/or leisure. It is often the case that time dedicated to the important activity of exercising suffers, or is omitted all together. Many people, whether they are home or on the road, find they are too tired to head off to the gym, or don't have initiative to seek out a work-out facility. Others complain that purchasing a home gym, work-out system, treadmill, exercise bike, etc. is too expensive, would occupy too much space in their home, or such systems are often difficult to store, or too burdensome set up.
Many prior art exercise systems have been developed which attempt to provide a solution to the above problems. One of the most common types is an exercise system utilizing elastic bands or cords to provide the resistance necessary to build and tone various muscle groups. These systems allow the user to exercise at home and provide for light weight portability, eliminating the need for weights and large home gyms.
Two such systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,647,827 and 5,813,955 to Gutkowski et al. utilize a belt connected to a harness that the user wears when exercising. A plurality of elastic bands connect the users arms and/or legs to the belt for exercising the muscle groups of the arms and legs during walking/running or stationary exercises. These devises are limited in design, to only work the muscle groups of the arms and legs, and does not provide for increased resistance and quick changeability of the resistance levels as the user strengthens.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,533 to Goldman utilizes a walking vest having a plurality of loops attached thereto through which elastic bands are strung through for stretching with the arms, but is also limited to the muscle groups of the arms, and changing resistance bands is time consuming.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,097,376 to Marshman teaches of a body harness for exercising, wherein chords or cables are attached to hand grips and/or shoes worn by the user, for exercising the legs and or arms. Unfortunately the bands are not easily interchangeable, and for the user to exercise their legs, the user must be wearing the specially designed shoes. Furthermore, the limited number of exercises that can be performed by this and the above mentioned prior art still leaves a vacancy in the field for a portable, easy to store exercise system worn by and adjusted to each individual user, which provides for simple interchangeability of resistance bands, support for a wide range of full-body exercises, and a plurality of compatible accessories, which can be utilized in strength training, aerobic exercise, and even physical therapeutics applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a full body exercise device which is light weight, and easy to put on and take off.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a exercise device which provides for the quick exchange of various resistance bands.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise vest which allows the user to exercise all major muscle groups of the body.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an exercise vest that is adjustable for all body types.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise vest that is easily packed in a users luggage for use while traveling.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise system that is compatible with a plurality of exercise accessories, enhancing the work out of the individual user.
Finally it is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise vest system that is simple and economical to manufacture, and can be utilized for both exercise as well as physical therapy applications.
These and other objectives will be more clearly understood from the detailed description and figures contained herein relating to an exercise system comprising an adjustable vest/harness worn by the user, comprising a plurality of straps which encompass the users torso, shoulders and legs. The straps further comprise adjustable clip snaps which allow the user to easily put on and take off the harness, as well as adjust the size of the harness to their personal comfort. Attached to the straps are a plurality of hook loops positioned at various locations on both the front and back for releasably attaching interchangeable resistance bands which are used in conjunction with various accessories such as handles, curling bars or floor plates.
The bands are easily interchangeable whether to replace a worn band, or a desire to increase or decrease the resistance, and releasbly clip onto the hook loops in various locations on the harness that allow the user to exercise all major muscle systems of the body, and are quickly releasable and can be stored with the harness and accessories in minimal space when the work out is finished.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
With reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout, there is shown in
Extending downward from the upper horizontal strap 12, to the lower horizontal strap 14 are lateral side straps 20 and 22. These straps attach to the upper and lower horizontal straps 12 and 14 and are positioned on the sides of the harness 10 proximal the users arms. Length adjusters 44 are also located on these lateral side straps 20, 22 for height adjustment purposes, and both lateral straps 20, 22 extend downward along the side of the user beyond the lower horizontal strap 22 approximately halfway down the thigh of the user, attaching to horizontal leg straps 24 and 26 respectively. The leg straps wrap around the users legs approximately mid-thigh, and further comprise releasable, adjustable length clip snap closures 40 on the front side for ease of putting on and taking off the harness.
Attaching to the leg straps 24, 26 proximal the inner thighs of the user, are corresponding groin support straps 28, 30 respectively. These groin support straps cross over the front of the upper legs on the front side of the user, attaching to the lower horizontal strap 14 proximal the hip bones. On the back side of the harness, the groin support straps 28, 30 wrap around and support the users' right and left buttock respectively, attaching to the lateral side straps 20 and 22 just below the lower horizontal strap 14. Groin support straps 28, 30 also comprise adjustable length clip snap closures 40 in the front, and length adjusters 44 on in the rear as described above.
Referring now to the upper portion of the harness 10, shoulder straps 16 and 18 are attached to the upper horizontal strap 12 under the arms of the user, proximal the attachment of lateral side straps 20, 22 respectively. The shoulder straps 16, 18 wrap up and over the users shoulders front to back forming a loop connected under the user's arms through which the user inserts their left and right arms respectively. Front and rear horizontal upper-body straps 32, 34 connect the left and right shoulder straps 16, 18 proximal the upper chest in the front and the shoulder blades in the rear. The rear upper-body strap 34 as well as the rear side of the shoulder straps 16, 18 comprise further length adjusters 44, and the front horizontal upper-body strap 32 comprises an additional adjustable length clip snap closures 40. The harness will further embody padding, attached to the back side of the straps at various high-pressure areas such as the shoulders, crotch and legs. This will increase the comfort of the harness during use, and allow the user to extend the duration of their workout.
Positioned at various predetermined locations on the straps of the harness 10 are hook loops 50, disclosed later in further, stitched into the straps in both vertical and horizontal orientations. These hook loops, manufactured from a high strength polymer such as plastic or nylon, provide the releasable attachment points of the resistance bands utilized by the user during exercise, and in the preferred embodiment consist of eighteen on the front side of the user, and eight on the rear side. These include three on each of the leg straps 24, 26; six on the lower horizontal strap 14; six on the upper horizontal strap 12; and four on each of the respective shoulder straps 16 and 18. Let it be known that additional or fewer hook attachment points (hook loops 50) may be utilized while still remaining within the scope of the present invention.
Referring now to
A U-shaped clasp portion 62 extends from the base member having a hook=-loop receiving channel 67 positioned parallel to the pin 72. On the end of partially deflectable clasp portion 62 a plurality of detents 63 extend inward toward the channel 67, for preventing accidental release of the hook 60 from the various hook loops once it is secured to the loop 50 of the harness 10.
To interchange the resistance bands 70, whether to replace a worn band, or the user desires a different resistance amount, the user simply releases the hook 60 from the harness 10, partially extends the resistance band 70 further through the aperture 61 of the hook 60, thereby releasing the pin 72 from the notches 68. The pin can then be slid laterally out of the cross-passage 75 of the resistance band 70, at which time the end 71 of the resistance band can be withdrawn from the aperture 61 of the hook 60. The replacement band 70 is installed in the simple reversal of the above outlined steps, and can be performed in mere seconds by the user.
Each resistance band 70 is manufactured to have a predetermined level of resistance, created by the bands elastic properties, thickness and width. They are designed to allow the user to twist the bands,
increasing the resistance of any given band without having to change it out for a higher resistance band.
Illustrated in
The handle accessory 80 can be used to perform a plurality of exercises utilizing the extensor and reflexor muscles of the arms, shoulders, chest, back, and abdomen.
Referring now to
A cloth cover pad 21 is then positioned over the base plate 54 on the back side of the strap 18 and the pad 21 and plate 54 are stitched to the strap 18. The pad provides additional securement of the hook loop 50 to the strap 18, while further preventing chafing of the user from the edges of the base element 54 during use of the harness. As mentioned, the quantity and positioning of the hook loops 50 on the harness 10 can vary and are still intended to be within the scope of the present invention, but are shown in the desired locations of the preferred embodiment in
Referring now to
Any number of aerobic, anerobic or physical therapy exercises may be performed utilizing the harness system, for exercising, building, and toning the various muscular systems of the body including, but not limited to the trapezium, deltoids, pectoralis, tricepts, bicepts, latissimus dorsi, abdominus, gluteus maximus, sartorius, bicept femoris, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A portable exercise system comprising:
- An adjustable harness worn by the user having a front side and a back side, said harness comprising:
- a pair of over the shoulder straps connected under the arms of said user to form loops;
- a pair of lateral straps extending down the side of said user attached to said shoulder straps proximal under the arms of said user, each lateral strap terminating at a lower end attached to a thigh encircling strap;
- a plurality of parallel, horizontal straps encircling the torso of said user, attached to said lateral straps along side of user;
- a pair of crotch supporting straps, attached to said thigh encircling straps proximal the inside of said user thighs, and one of said horizontal straps proximal said users hips;
- a pair of shoulder strap connecting straps, one positioned in front of user, one positioned behind user, parallel to said plurality of said horizontal straps;
- a plurality of interchangeable elastic bands detachably attachable at one end to said harness, and detachably attachable at a second end to a plurality of accessories; and
- a plurality of accessories detachably attachable to said bands.
2. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein said harness is manufactured from high strength, low stretch polyester strapping.
3. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein said harness is manufactured from high strength, low stretch nylon strapping.
4. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein the height, length, and diameter of said harness is adjustable by a plurality of strap lengthening and shortening buckles positioned on said harness.
5. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein said harness further comprises a plurality of releasable buckles positioned on said harness.
6. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of horizontal straps is two on said front side of said harness and two on said back side of said harness.
7. The portable exercise system of claim 1 further comprising padding attached to the straps positioned between the straps and said user.
8. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of interchangeable elastic bands has a predetermined resistance to stretching.
9. The portable exercise system of claim 8 wherein the predetermined resistance to stretching may be increased by twisting said elastic bands.
10. The portable exercise system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of accessories comprise a straight curling bar, a bent curling bar, a pair of individual handles, and a floor plate.
11. The portable exercise system of claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of accessories comprises multiple locations for detachably attaching said elastic bands.
12. A portable exercise system comprising:
- An adjustable harness worn by the user having a front side and a back side, said harness comprising:
- a pair of over the shoulder straps connected under the arms of said user to form loops;
- a pair of lateral straps extending down the side of said user attached to said shoulder straps proximal under the arms of said user, each lateral strap terminating at a lower end attached to a thigh encircling strap;
- a plurality of parallel, horizontal straps encircling the torso of said user, attached to said lateral straps along side of user;
- a pair of crotch supporting straps, attached to said thigh encircling straps proximal the inside of said user thighs, and one of said horizontal straps proximal said users hips;
- a pair of shoulder strap connecting straps, one positioned in front of user, one positioned behind user, parallel to said plurality of said horizontal straps;
- a plurality of interchangeable elastic bands having a means of detachably attaching said bands a first end to a plurality of plastic attachment loops stitched to said harness on said shoulder straps, said horizontal straps and said thigh encircling straps on both the front side and the back side of said harness, and detachably attaching said bands at a second end to a plurality of accessories; said attaching means comprising a removeable pin positioned through said first or second end of said bands, releasably secured in a plastic hook which connects to said attachment loops; and
- a plurality of accessories having a plurality of loops for attaching to said attachment means of said second end of said bands.
13. The portable exercise system of claim 12 wherein said harness is manufactured from high strength, low stretch polyester strapping.
14. The portable exercise system of claim 12 wherein said harness is manufactured from high strength, low stretch nylon strapping.
15. The portable exercise system of claim 12 wherein the height, length, and diameter of said harness is adjustable by a plurality of strap lengthening and shortening buckles positioned on said harness.
16. The portable exercise system of claim 12 wherein said harness further comprises a plurality of releasable buckles positioned on said harness.
17. The portable exercise system of claim 12 wherein said plurality of horizontal straps is two on said front side of said harness and two on said back side of said harness.
18. The portable exercise system of claim 12 further comprising padding attached to the straps positioned between the straps and said user.
19. The portable exercise system of claim 12 wherein each of said interchangeable elastic bands has a predetermined resistance to stretching.
20. The portable exercise system of claim 12 wherein said first end and said second end of said bands are interchangeable.
21. The portable exercise system of claim 19 wherein the predetermined resistance to stretching may be increased by twisting said elastic bands.
22. The portable exercise system of claim 12 wherein said plurality of accessories comprise a straight curling bar, a bent curling bar, a pair of individual handles, and a floor plate.
23. The portable exercise system of claim 22 wherein each of said plurality of accessories comprises multiple locations for detachably attaching said elastic bands.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 13, 2005
Publication Date: Jan 18, 2007
Inventor: Michael Demeniuk (Shelby Township, MI)
Application Number: 11/180,944
International Classification: A63B 21/02 (20060101);