Exercise apparatus and method of using same
A lightweight, portable exercise device that includes a body-encircling strap that can be adjustably fitted about various portions of the user's body. Connected to the central portion of the body-encircling strap are two adjacently positioned elastomeric cords that can be extended by the user in a manner to enable the user to exercise body muscles of the arms, legs, shoulders and back while walking, sitting, standing, or lying. Attached to each of the elastomeric cords is a pair of gripping members for gripping by the hands and feet of the trainee. The gripping members and the elastomeric cords are uniquely arranged so as to enable the trainee to selectively exercise against the resistance offered by one, or by both of the elastomeric cords.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to generally to exercise devices. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel exercise device that includes an adjustable body-encircling strap to which elastomeric cords are attached. Each elastomeric cord has a gripping handle connected to the free end thereof for gripping by the trainee to enable the trainee to exercise body muscles of the arms, legs, shoulders and back while sitting, standing, or lying by controllably stretching the cords against the resistance offered thereby.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
A wide variety of different types of exercise devices have been suggested in the past. Many such devices comprise heavy and bulky weight lifting machines which typically include various cable arrangements for lifting weights. Other such prior art devices comprise various types of large machines which include elastic cords and straps that replace the weights found in conventional weight lifting machines. Additionally, several types of inexpensive, easily portable elastic exercising devices are on the market. Exemplary of such devices is a device offered for sale on the internet under the name and style RIPCORDS and an exercise device offered for sale by Lifestyle Sports of Dunkirk, N.Y. under the name and style Flex Band.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device that includes a body-encircling strap that can be adjustably fitted about various portions of the user's body. Connected to the central portion of the body-encircling strap are elastomeric cords that can be extended by the user in a manner to enable the user to exercise body muscles of the arms, legs, shoulders and back while walking, sitting, standing, or lying.
Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device of the aforementioned character in which each elastomeric cord has a pair of gripping members connected thereto for gripping by the hands and feet of the trainee to enable the cords to be controllably stretched against the resistance offered thereby by extension of the trainee's arms and legs.
Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device as described in the preceding paragraphs which includes two adjacently positioned, elongated elastomeric cords that are attached proximate their centers to the central portion of the body-encircling strap, each cord having a pair of gripping members connected thereto for gripping by the hands and feet of the trainee. The two cords are uniquely arranged so as to enable the trainee to selectively exercise against the resistance offered by one, or by both of the elastomeric cords.
Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device of the character described which is light weight, readily portable and is easy and convenient to use so as to permit the user to tone or firm up various body muscles while at the office, at a hotel, at the beach, at the park, while traveling and during leisure time, such as while walking or watching television.
Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device of the class described that includes a body-encircling support strap that is easily adjusted so that it can be snugly fit about various portions the user's body in a manner to prevent slippage during the performance of a particular exercise.
Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device as described in the preceding paragraphs in which the elastomeric cords can be of various lengths, diameters and tensile strength so as to provide various degrees of resistance.
Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device as described in the previous paragraph in which the elastomeric cords are color-coded to indicate their degree of resistance.
Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device of the type described that is useful for post operation rehabilitation of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle.
Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise device that is useful to prevent swelling of the feet, legs and ankles due to prolonged sitting during travel.
Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive exercising device of simple construction that is suitable for use by people of various ages and physical capabilities.
The forgoing as well as other objects of the invention are realized and attained by the novel exercise apparatus more fully described in the paragraphs that follow.
Referring to the drawings and particularly to
Connected to body-encircling strap 16 by means of cord connecting means are first and second resistance imparting assemblies 22 and 24. First resistance imparting assembly 22 here comprises a first elongated elastomeric cord 26 having first and second end portions 26a and 26b and intermediate portions 26c and 26d. First resistance imparting assembly 22 also comprises a first gripping member 28 that is connected to the first elongated elastomeric cord 26 proximate intermediate portion 26c first and a second gripping member 30 that is connected to the first elongated elastomeric cord 26 proximate intermediate portion 26d. Second resistance imparting assembly 24 here comprises a second elongated elastomeric cord 32 having first and second end portions 32a and 32b and intermediate portions 32c and 32d. Second resistance imparting assembly 24 also comprises a third gripping member 34 that is connected to the first elongated elastomeric cord 32 proximate intermediate portion 32c first and a fourth gripping member 36 that is connected to the second elongated elastomeric cord 32 proximate intermediate portion 32d.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in
With the novel construction described in the preceding paragraph, the trainee can simultaneously grip the first and third gripping members 28 and 34 respectively and the second and fourth gripping members 30 and 36 respectively. In this way the trainee can exercise against the resistance of both elastomeric cords 26 and 32. Alternatively, if the trainee desires to perform the exercises against a lesser resistance, the trainee can simultaneously grip only the first and second gripping members 28 and 30 thereby exercising against the resistance of only the elongated elastomeric cord 26.
In this regard, it is to be understood that the first and second elongated elastomeric cords 26 and 32 can be of the same tensile strength or can be of different tensile strengths. If the cords are of the same tensile strength, it is apparent that when the trainee grips only one set of gripping members the exercises will be performed against a first resistance. However, when the trainee grips both sets of gripping members the exercises will be performed against a second resistance that is approximately twice the first resistance. As previously mentioned, the cords 26 and 32 can be color-coded to indicate their degree of resistance. For example, in
Elastomeric cords of the type used in connection with the apparatus of the present invention are readily commercially available in varying tensile strengths ranging from about 2000 pounds per square inch (PSI) to about 4000 square pounds per square inch.
Turning now to
In the performance of the exercise illustrated in
In
As illustrated in
With the exercise apparatus in position shown in
With the exercise apparatus in position shown in
In
With the trainee resting on his or her side in the manner shown in
In yet another position, the support belt is held against the floor by one foot of the trainee and one or both sets of gripping members is gripped by one of the trainee's hands while the other set of gripping members is positioned over the trainee's leg in the manner shown in
In the performance of still other types of exercises, the apparatus of the invention can be affixed to a wall horizontal bar in the manner illustrated in
In still other exercises such as those shown in
Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. An exercise device for use by a trainee to exercise the body muscles of the arms, legs, thighs, shoulders and back, said device comprising:
- (a) an adjustable body-encircling strap for encircling a portion of the trainee's body, said strap having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion;
- (b) strap connecting means carried by said body-encircling strap for releasably interconnecting together said first and second end portions;
- (c) a first elongated elastomeric cord connected to said body-encircling strap, said first elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions and first and second intermediate portions;
- (d) a first gripping member connected to said first elongated elastomeric cord proximate said first intermediate portion and a second gripping member connected to said first elongated elastomeric cord proximate said second intermediate portion;
- (e) a second elongated elastomeric cord connected to said body-encircling strap, said second elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions and first and second intermediate portions;
- (f) a third gripping member connected to said second elongated elastomeric cord proximate said first intermediate portion and a fourth gripping member connected to said second elongated elastomeric cord proximate said second intermediate portion; and
- (g) cord connecting means connected to said body-encircling strap for interconnecting said end portions of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords with said body-encircling strap and a location proximate said intermediate portion of said strap, whereby said trainee can simultaneously grip said first and third gripping members and said second and fourth gripping members.
2. The exercise device as defined in claim 1 in which said cord connecting means comprises a cord connecting member connected to said body-encircling strap proximate said intermediate portion thereof, said connecting member circumscribing said end portions of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords and circumscribing said intermediate portion of said body-encircling strap.
3. The exercise device as defined in claim 1 in which said first and second elongated elastomeric cords are of the same tensile strength.
4. The exercise device as defined in claim 1 in which said first and second to elongated elastomeric cords are of different tensile strengths.
5. The exercise device as defined in claim 1 in which said strap connecting means comprises a first means connected to said first end of said body-encircling strap and a second complementary means connected to said second end of said body-encircling strap for engagement with said first means to form a body-encircling closed loop.
6. An exercise device for use by a trainee to exercise the body muscles of the arms, legs, thighs, shoulders and back, said device comprising:
- (a) an adjustable body-encircling strap for encircling a portion of the trainee's body, said strap having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion;
- (b) strap connecting means carried by said body-encircling strap for releasably interconnecting together said first and second end portions, said strap connecting means comprising a first means connected to said first end of said body-encircling strap and a second complementary means connected to said second end of said body-encircling strap for engagement with said first means to form a body-encircling closed loop;
- (c) a first elongated elastomeric cord connected to said body-encircling strap, said first elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion;
- (d) a first gripping member connected to said first end portion of said first elongated elastomeric cord and a second gripping member connected to said second end portion of said first elongated elastomeric cord;
- (e) a second elongated elastomeric cord connected to said body-encircling strap, said second elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion;
- (f) a third gripping member connected to said first end portion of said second elongated elastomeric cord and a fourth gripping member connected to said second end portion of said second elongated elastomeric cord; and
- (g) cord connecting means connected to said body-encircling strap for interconnecting said intermediate portions of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords to said body-encircling strap and a location proximate said intermediate portion of said strap, said cord connecting means comprising a connecting sleeve circumscribing said intermediate portions of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords and said intermediate portion of said body-encircling strap, whereby said intermediate portions of said first and second elongated elastomeric cords are maintained in close proximity.
7. The exercise device as defined in claim 6 in which said first and second to elongated elastomeric cords are color-coded and are of the same color.
8. The exercise device as defined in claim 6 in which said first and second to elongated elastomeric cords are color-coded and are of a different color.
9. The exercise device as defined in claim 6 in which said first, second, third and fourth gripping member's comprise closed-in receiving loops.
10. A method for performing different exercises using an exercise device comprising an adjustable body-encircling strap for encircling a portion of the trainee's body, which includes front and back portions, the strap having a central portion, a first elongated elastomeric cord connected to the central portion of the body-encircling strap, the first elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions, a first gripping member connected to the first end portion of the first elongated elastomeric cord and a second gripping member connected to the second end portion of the first elongated elastomeric cord, a second elongated elastomeric cord connected to the central portion of the body-encircling strap, the second elongated elastomeric cord having first and second end portions, a third gripping member connected to the first end portion of the second elongated elastomeric cord and a fourth gripping member connected to the second end portion of the second elongated elastomeric cord, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) performing a first set of exercises by gripping the first and second gripping member's and urging the first and second gripping members to move in a direction away from the central portion of the body-encircling strap in a manner to stretch the first elastomeric cord; and
- (b) performing a second set of exercises by gripping the first, second, third and fourth gripping members and urging the first, second, third and fourth gripping members to move in a direction away from the central portion of the body-encircling strap in a manner to simultaneously stretch both the first and second elastomeric cords.
11. The method as defined in claim 10 in which in performing said first set of exercises, the first and second gripping member's are urged to move upwardly relative to the body-encircling strap.
12. The method as defined in claim 10 in which in performing said first set of exercises, the central portion of the body-encircling strap is disposed at the front portion of the trainee's body and first and second gripping member's are urged to move upwardly and transversely relative to the body-encircling strap.
13. The method as defined in claim 10 in which in performing said first set of exercises, the central portion of the body-encircling strap is disposed at the front portion of the trainee's body and the first and second gripping member's are urged to move downwardly and transversely relative to the body-encircling strap.
14. The method as defined in claim 10 in which in performing said second set of exercises, the central portion of the body-encircling strap is disposed at the front portion of the trainee's body and the first, second, third and fourth gripping member's are urged to move upwardly and transversely relative to the body-encircling strap.
15. The method as defined in claim 10 in which in performing said first set of exercises, the first, second, third and fourth gripping member's are urged to move downwardly and transversely relative to the body-encircling strap.
16. The method as defined in claim 10 in which in performing said second set of exercises, the central portion of the body-encircling strap is disposed at the back portion of the trainee's body and the first, second, third and fourth gripping member's are urged to move upwardly and transversely relative to the body-encircling strap.
17. The method as defined in claim 10 in which in performing said second set of exercises, the central portion of the body-encircling strap is disposed at the front portion of the trainee's body, the trainee is laying on the floor and the first, second, third and fourth gripping member's are urged to move downwardly and transversely relative to the central portion of the body-encircling strap.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 7, 2006
Publication Date: May 8, 2008
Inventor: Larry Vigilia (Glendale, CA)
Application Number: 11/594,457
International Classification: A63B 21/055 (20060101);