EXERCISE DEVICE

Abstract

An exercise device includes a cylindrical housing closed at one end and having a spring arranged therein. A plunger is connected with the housing and abuts against the spring. The plunger is adapted to reciprocate within the housing against the force of the spring. More particularly, the plunger includes a handle exterior of the housing which is grasped by the user. The closed end of the housing includes a pad which is placed against the chest of the user. The user grips the handle and displaces the plunger against the force of the spring to exercise the biceps muscle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercise device and particularly to a device for exercising the biceps of the user. Such devices are well known and can take many forms. Traditionally, free weights have been used for curl exercises wherein the user grasps the weight and pulls it upwardly toward the chest. Other biceps exercising devices utilize machines with various cables running through pulleys. A weight is attached to one end of the cable and a handle is at the other end. By pulling on the handle, the user may exercise various muscles in the arm including the biceps.

While the prior devices operate satisfactorily, they are difficult to transport and set up. With free weights, for example, it is necessary to change the weights or purchase pre-assembled weights of different size to accommodate different users. With cable devices, these problems become more pronounced. Moreover, such devices typically occupy a large area in a room.

The present invention overcomes these and other drawbacks by providing an exercise device which operates off of spring resistance rather than weights. It is easily transportable and can be used by a variety of individuals. It is safe, light weight, and easy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the exercise device includes a cylindrical housing having a longitudinal axis and containing a chamber. One end of the housing is closed by a pad adapted to rest against the chest of the user and the other end of the housing contains an opening communicating with the chamber. A spring is arranged in the chamber and abuts against the rear portion of the pad. A plunger is connected with the housing open end and is operable by the user to push against the spring to exercise the user's biceps muscle.

The plunger includes an elongated rod coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the housing. A washer is secured to one end of the rod to abut against the spring and a handle is connected with the other end of the rod. A threaded cap on the plunger is used to connect the plunger with the housing by engaging threads on the exterior surface of the housing open end. The cap includes a central opening for receiving the rod so that the rod passes through the cap as it is actuated by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the exercise device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exercise device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an end plan view of the cap used to connect the plunger with the housing of the exercise device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exercise device 2 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It includes a housing 4 which preferably has a cylindrical configuration and a longitudinal axis. The housing defines an internal chamber 6. One end of the housing is closed by an end plate 8 having a pad 10 connected with the outer surface thereof. The housing and end plate are formed of any rigid material such as metal or synthetic plastic and the pad is preferably a foam pad encased in a flexible covering as is known in the art. The other end of the housing has an opening 12 which communicates with the chamber. A compression spring 14 is arranged in the housing chamber as shown in FIG. 2 and abuts against the end plate 8.

A plunger assembly 16 is connected with the open end of the housing 4. The plunger assembly includes a rod 18 coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the housing. A washer 20 is secured to the rod adjacent to one end thereof, so that when the rod is inserted into the housing chamber 6, the rod abuts against the end of the spring. The outer diameter of the washer is slightly less than the inner diameter of the housing. An end cap 22 is used to connect the plunger assembly with the housing. More particularly, the end cap includes internal threads (not shown) which are adapted to engage external threads 24 on the open end of the housing. The end cap contains a central opening 26 as shown in FIG. 3 for receiving the rod. As the end cap is tightened onto the end of the housing, the washer 20 is forced against the end of the spring within the housing chamber. The other end of the rod 18 has a handle 28 connected therewith. Like the housing and end plate, the plunger assembly 16 is formed of a durable rigid material such as metal or synthetic plastic.

If desired, the end plate 8 is removably connected with the housing 4. The plate contains internal threads (not shown) which are adapted to cooperate with threads 30 on the external end portion of the housing. Alternatively, the plate 8 can be permanently secured to the housing in a known manner.

In operation, the pad 10 of the end plate of the exercise device is positioned against the chest of the user. The user grips the handle 28 and then pulls the handle toward the chest. This displaces the rod 18 and washer 20 against the compression spring 14. When the user stops pulling on the handle, the spring returns to its normal state, forcing the rod outwardly from the housing. Any number of repetitions of pulling motion against the spring may be performed by the user to exercise the biceps of the arm being used to exert the pulling force. The device is also suitable for use in exercising either the right or left biceps depending on positioning of the device and which hand is used to grasp the handle.

Because the plunger assembly is removable from the housing, springs of different compressive strength may be exchanged within the housing to vary the force required to displace the plunger assembly relative to the housing. In this manner, the exercise device according to the invention may be used by individuals of different strengths.

Although the invention has been described for use in exercising the biceps, it may be used to exercise other muscles as well. For example, the pad need not always be placed against the chest. If it is placed against a rigid surface, the plunger may be operated using a pushing motion rather than a pulling motion. Any number of other uses of the device may be devised where it is desired to utilize a muscle against the resistive force of the spring of the device.

While the preferred forms and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth above.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising

(a) a housing having a longitudinal axis and containing a chamber, a first end of said housing being closed and a second end of said housing containing an opening communicating with said chamber;

(b) a spring arranged in said chamber; and

(c) a plunger connected with said housing second end for reciprocal movement within said chamber against said spring, whereby when said housing first end is arranged against the chest area of the user, the user grips said plunger and pulls it toward the chest against the spring to exercise the user's biceps muscle.

2. An exercise device as defined in claim 1, wherein said plunger comprises an elongated rod coaxial with the longitudinal axis of said housing, said rod having a washer secured adjacent to one end, said washer abutting against an end of said spring.

3. An exercise device as defined in claim 2, wherein said rod further includes a handle connected with another end thereof.

4. An exercise device as defined in claim 3, wherein said housing has a cylindrical configuration.

5. An exercise device as defined in claim 4, wherein said plunger is removably connected with said housing.

6. An exercise device as defined in claim 5, wherein said plunger includes an internally threaded cap adapted for connection with external threads on said housing second end, said cap having a central opening for receiving said rod.

7. An exercise device as defined in claim 4, and further comprising a pad connected with said housing first end for abutting against the chest of the user.

8. An exercise device as defined in claim 7, wherein said pad closes said housing first end and acts as a stop for said spring.