Rock and roll exercise device and method
An exercise device providing a base, ball or support which can be rocked and rolled via the movement of an attached pole. The support may be weighted and additional movable handles and weights may be added to and guided by, along, or on the pole. The moving and or rock and rolling of the device is used for exercise of the human body.
1. Field of the Invention
This present invention relates to an exercise device and method of use. More specifically, to a support with a curved bottom supporting an elongated stick-like element and handles or weights which may, be movable, and may be added to the stick member.
2. Related Applications
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of provisional Application Ser. No. 60/777,236, entitled “Guided Weighted Stick Exercise Device And Method” filed Feb. 27, 2006 and provisional Application Ser. No. 60/765,780 entitled “Guided Moving Weight Exercise Device And Method” filed Feb. 7, 2006 and both of which applications are incorporated by reference herein.
3. Background Art
Tai Chi is a system of controlled movements which when properly executed is believed by practitioners to develop the internal life energy or “Chi” of the practitioners. Tai Chi is suitable for all age groups, is non-jarring and can build stamina and strength. Tai Chi movements derive from a concept of “yin” and “yang” which roughly means opposing forces, smooth fluid controlled movements are a hallmark of Tai Chi. Learning the controlled Tai Chi movements is accomplished through repetitive practice.
Benefits of Tai Chi are said to include greater balance and life energy or chi. Tai Chi also provides aerobic exercise, strengthening and muscle development.
A medicine ball is an exercise tool and workout which can provide weight-resistance through a full range of motion. A torso twist is often preformed while carrying the medicine ball. The risk of uncontrolled movement or injury may result from the free space medicine ball.
Sticks or poles are used in many forms of exercise often behind the shoulders or held horizontally in front of the body.
It would be a desideratum to have smooth Tai Chi like movements applied to the use of guided weight element.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn some exemplary implementations the present disclosure provides a base or support with at least a partially curved surface which is attached to a pole, elongated part or stick-like member, useful for moving the base along the ground surface. The base or support may be weighted. The pole member may also be weighted. The support is a guide which inhibits free movement of both ends of the pole or stick-like member.
In some exemplary implementations the pole member is affixed to the weighted base with at least partially curved bottom. The pole member can also act as a guide for handles, grips, bars, or other weighted or non-weighted elements which may include, but shall not be limited to, balls, disks, cones, spheres, geometric or non-geometric or other volumetric shapes.
In some exemplary implementations a stick guided element is supported at least partially on a stick-like member connected to a support. The support has at least a partially curved bottom portion.
In some exemplary implementations a stick guided element is supported at least partially on a stick-like member connected to a support. The support has at least a partially curved bottom portion and the partially curved portion being at least partially textured to impact the frictional interface between the curved bottom and whatever surface it is moving on.
In some exemplary implementations a stick guided element such as a ball, disk, cone, sphere, geometric or non-geometric or other volumetric shape is attached to a stick-like member wherein the stick guided element is pushed and/or pulled through a range of motion. Changes in the positions of a user (which may include, but is not limited to the arms, legs, and torso) relative to a stick member, can be used to target different muscle groups.
In some exemplary implementations a stick guided element, which may be weighted or not weighted, such as a ball, disk, cone, sphere, geometric or non-geometric or other volumetric shape is slideably connected to a stick-like member wherein the stick guided element is pushed and/or pulled through a range of motion. Changes in the positions of a user (which may include, but is not limited to the arms, legs, and torso) relative to a stick member, can be used to target different muscle groups.
Some exemplary implementations provide a selectable limit on the stick-like member for movement of the three dimensional shape, such as a ball, disk, cone, sphere, geometric or non-geometric or other volumetric shape may be added. One aspects that may be added to the three dimensional shape are hand holds or grips.
In some exemplary implementations the support is a sphere-like member such as a base ball.
In some exemplary implementations the support is weighted.
In some exemplary implementations the weighted support at least partially counter balances against a stick guided element.
In some exemplary implementations the support is weighted to act as a counter balance against the stick guided element and because of the weight of the support, limits sliding of the support (and affixed stick-like member) when the stick guided element is off-set more than a preselected amount of degrees from center.
In some exemplary implementations the base ball or support has a substantially hard outer shell and is at least partially hollow.
In some exemplary implementations the base ball or support has a substantially hard outer shell, is at least partially hollow and contains a weighted material that is substantially not fluid, such as sand, pellets, beads and the like.
In some exemplary implementations the base ball or support has a substantially flexible outer shell, is at least partially hollow and contains a weighted material that is substantially not fluid, such as sand, pellets, beads and the like.
In some exemplary implementations the base ball or support is at least partially hollow and filled with a weighted material that is substantially movable, such as plastic, beads, resins, fluids, cement, metal and the like.
In some exemplary implementations the base ball or support is at least partially hollow and filled with a weighted material that is substantially fixed , such as plastic, resins, cement, metal and the like.
In some exemplary implementations the weight of the support is selectable.
In some exemplary implementations the support is textured to dampen movement on a surface.
In some exemplary implementations the weight of the support provides resistance to non rocking movement.
In some exemplary implementations the support has a fixed or removable extended edge portion to limit the amount of rocking movement.
In some exemplary implementations the support has a fixed or removable extension cap to alter the radius of the bottom portion of the base ball.
In some exemplary implementations changing the radius, of the curved portion of the base ball or other support which can contact the ground during use, alters how the device will rock, roll or both rock and roll during use.
In some exemplary implementations the radius portion of the base ball which can contact the ground or floor surface during use is textured.
In some exemplary implementations a covering that rests on the ground surface and beneath the curved portion of the support may be selected of a material that limits the sliding movement of the support.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth, in part, in the descriptions which follow and the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred embodiments and some exemplary implementations of the present invention are described and shown, and in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings or may be learned by practice of the present invention. The advantages of the present invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations of elements and instrumentalities particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONDetailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary implementations of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
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The stick guided element, in this case a weighted sphere 110 may be hard, soft or flexible. It may be hollow or solid. It may be weighted with viscous fluid, sand, gravel, pellets, metal or other weighted material. The amount of weight may be fixed or varied. The support 150 need not be a sphere and merely requires a surface that is conducive to a rolling movement. One or more weighted elements (such as the weighed sphere 110) may be added to a stick member 120. The stick member has a top end 125 and a bottom portion 130. The bottom portion of the stick member 130 is affixed to a support 150. The affixation of the stick member to the support 150 may be permanent or temporary. The weighted element shown as a sphere 110 may be moved by a user up and down along the line of arrow 1. The surface of the stick guided element may be textured for grip.
The curved portion 152 of the support 150 or base may be circular, oval or a non-homogeneous ellipse or series of curves. The footprint of the support need not provide for uninterrupted contact with the ground surface. The curved portion 152 of the support 150 interfacing with the ground, preferably has a diameter, at its widest point, at least about 1.5 times the diameter of the stick member 120. The curved portion 152, interfacing with the ground, of the support 150 or base, more preferably has a diameter, at its widest point, larger than about 1.5 times the diameter of the stick member 120 and less than about 4 time the diameter of the stick member. The curved portion 152, interfacing with the ground, of the support 150 or base, most preferably has a diameter, at its widest point, above 4 times the diameter of the stick member 120.
The support 150 may be weighted. The support 150 preferably has sufficient mass to resist substantial slippage across the ground 500 during use which offsets the stick member 120 up to at least 5 degrees from center. The support 150 more preferably has sufficient mass to resist substantial slippage across the ground 500 during use which offsets the stick member 120 up to at least 15 degrees from center. The support 150 most preferably has sufficient mass to resist substantial slippage across the ground 500 during use which offsets the stick member 120 up to at least 30 degrees from center.
In addition to providing a guide, via the stick member 120, for moving the stick guided element, in some implementations a sphere 110, up and down. The sphere 110 may also be moved side to side, in a circular path (See
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A sphere stop 300 may be placed on the stick member 120 to limit the portion of the stick member 120 the sphere 110 can travel along. The sphere stop may be movable and removable. The sphere stop may be attached via pressure around the stick, or have a latching member that mates with guide holes in the stick member 120. Such guide holes and latches are well known in the art and therefore not more fully described.
The weighted sphere 110, or other stick guided element, may also be guided on the stick member 120 in a circular path long the line of arrow 25 as well as any number of varied pathways such as a figure “8”, arc, line or other movement within the area the stick member can be moved within. The stick member 120 at its maximum can move in substantially a half dome above the ground 500.
In some implementations the support 150 may include a surface covering 160 added to the outer surface or a portion thereof. The outer surface of the support 150 may be covered in whole or part by such a surface covering 160. The surface covering 160 can have a different coefficient of friction or surface texture than the surface of the support 150. The support may also have a texture added to the support surface (not shown) and that texture may be used dampen rolling, limit slipping along the ground, or alter the velocity of rock or roll movement. The material may add textured or otherwise be dis-similar to the uncovered surface of the support 150. The surface covering 160 can be selected to impact the ease or amount of slippage across the ground 500, the device may encounter during use. The surface covering 160 may be selected of a soft or hard and in addition or in the alternative to being selected to limit slippage, may be selected to limit or add dampening to the rolling movement The surface covering 160 on the support 150 is preferably selected to generally reduce slippage, as compared to an uncovered support, along the ground 500 during use when the stick member 120 is offset up to about 15 degree from center. The surface covering 160 on the support 150 is more preferably selected to generally reduce slippage, as compared to an uncovered support, along the ground 500 during use when the stick member 120 is offset up to about 30 degree from center. The surface covering 160 on the support 150 is preferably selected to generally reduce slippage, as compared to an uncovered support, along the ground 500 during use when the stick member 120 is offset up to about 45 degrees from center.
The circumference and radius of the support 150 can also be selected to effect the movement and use of the device. For example when a support 150/155 is substantially a sphere like base ball, a circumference increase provides an increase in curvature “C1/C2” and alters the surface area that will contact the ground during a given rocking or rolling movement. Similarly a circumference decrease will alter the surface area in contact with the ground 500 during the same movement. Similar adjustments of the surface area contacting the ground per movement can be selected for a non-spherical support with a generally inverted dome portion in contact with the ground.
When the support 150 is weighted in addition to acting as an anchor for the device , it also provides a counter balance to the stick member 120 and or to a weighted sphere 110, or other weighted element, thereon. A larger support 150 made of the same material as a smaller support will have a greater distance to travel due to the difference in curvature “C1/C2” when moving the stick member 120.
The support 155 shown in
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The movement, by a user, of the hand holds (as shown in various implementations) may alter the location of, offset, or otherwise move the stick member and support. The hand holds can direct the stick member off center and roll or rock the support. The moving support—stick combination provide a variable position anchor which can support a weight element and also be a force or weight to exercise with.
A hollow stick member and support 900 is shown in
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A generally flexible support 950 is shown in
A support 150 bottom is shown in
Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, as shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be interpreted in an illustrative, and not a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A method of constructing an exercise device comprising:
- movably connecting a stick guided element to a stick member, the stick member being affixed at a bottom end to a weighted support with a curved bottom;
- the stick guided element capable of movement which is at least one of up, down, off-center, and around the stick member; and;
- the curved bottom of the support being movable across a surface in response to the movement of the stick guided element on the stick member.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stick guided element is weighted
3. The method of claim 2, the method further comprising or subtracting weight from the stick guided element.
4. The method of claim 1, the method further adding or subtracting weight from the support.
5. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising altering the surface the support rolls or rocks on by interposing a mat between the curved bottom of the support and the surface.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the mat is a shaped ground covering.
7. An stick exercise device comprising:
- a movable base with at least a partially curved bottom;
- a stick-like member attached to the base;
- a hand held element with a stick guide movably supported on the stick member, wherein the stick guide is of a shape and size which is sufficient to allow some movement of the movable element at least one of up, down and around the stick-like member; and
- the movement of the movable base is responsive to the movement of the hand held element on the stick-like member.
8. The stick exercise device of claim 7 wherein at least one of the base, stick-like member and stick guided movable hand held element is weighted.
9. The stick exercise device of claim 5 wherein the amount of weight is adjustable.
10. The stick exercise device of claim 7, further comprising a mat interposed between the curved bottom and a surface.
11. The stick exercise device of claim 10 wherein the mat is a shaped ground covering.
12. An exercise device comprising:
- a weighted rockable base with at least a partially curved bottom;
- a stick attached to the base, wherein the stick is roughly upright when the device is at rest; and,
- a movable element with a stick guide connect to the stick via the stick guide.
13. The exercise device of claim 12 wherein the movable element is weighted.
14. The exercise device of claim 12 further comprising a texture on at least a portion of the partially curved bottom.
15. The exercise device of claim 12 wherein at least one of the rockable base, the stick and the movable element is at least partially hollow.
16. The exercise device of claim 15 wherein a non-fixed material is added to at least one of the hollow rockable base, the stick and the movable element.
17. The exercise device of claim 16 wherein the non-fixed material is selected from one or more of the group consisting of a liquid, beads, gravel, sand, pellets.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 5, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 9, 2007
Inventor: Mark Krietzman (Palos Verdes Estates, CA)
Application Number: 11/481,314
International Classification: A63B 21/00 (20060101); A63B 21/06 (20060101);