EXERCISE DEVICE

Abstract

An exercise device with a hand grip movable along a surface by a user. The hand grip has a braking device that allows the user to selectively prevent the hand grip from moving along the surface. The exercise device may also include optional knee/foot dollies and resistance bands.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/117,776, filed Nov. 25, 2008, and titled PUSH-UP EXERCISE DEVICE, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to exercise devices for aiding a user to perform resistance exercises in a variety of body positions. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices that allow a user to change positions of his hands and arms (and, optionally, knees or feet) while performing a set of push-up exercises to strengthen various muscles of the body, such as those found in the arms, legs, chest, back, and abdomen.

2. Description of Related Art

Exercise devices have become particularly popular in the past few decades as people have become increasingly concerned about health and body image. Infomercials abound in which a variety of exercise equipment is touted to provide convenient ways to build muscle tone and burn fat. Devices that are small, simple to use, and inexpensive provide good alternatives to expensive gym memberships, especially in light of current difficult economic times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally comprise an exercise device with a hand grip movable along a surface by a user. The hand grip has a braking device that allows the user to selectively prevent the hand grip from moving along the surface. Some embodiments of the hand grip have a handle, a base plate coupled to the handle, wheels coupled to the base plate, and a brake grip coupled to a brake plate. The brake plate preferably contacts the surface when the user grips the brake grip. The exercise device may also include optional knee/foot dollies and resistance bands. The user of the exercise device is able to change positions of his arms and/or legs, thereby allowing him to do push-ups and/or similar exercises in varying body positions, and hence allowing him to exercise a wide variety of muscles.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It shall be noted that the accompanying drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are thus not to be deemed limiting of the invention's scope. The drawings help explain the invention in added detail.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the push-up device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, exploded view of the hand grip in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A through 3D show several views of another embodiment of a hand grip.

FIGS. 4A through 4D show several views of yet another embodiment of a hand grip.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A through 4D, except that FIG. 5 additionally shows an outside casing.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a knee/foot dolly.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings (hereby expressly incorporated as part of this detailed description), sets forth specific numbers, materials, and configurations in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings, will enable one skilled in the relevant art to make and use the present invention.

One purpose of this detailed description being to describe the invention so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, the following description sets forth various specific examples, also referred to as “embodiments,” of the present invention. While the invention is described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it shall be understood, because the embodiments are set forth for explanatory purposes only, that this description is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments. Indeed, it is emphasized that the present invention can be embodied or performed in a variety of ways. The drawings and detailed description are merely representative of particular embodiments of the present invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention. The various embodiments will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like elements are generally designated by like alphanumeric characters throughout.

The present invention comprises a push-up device 100, an initial example of which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The push-up device 100 allows a user to vary his arm and/or leg positions while doing push-up exercises. This ability to permit a wide range of motion while doing push-ups results in a unique and simple device that allows the user to strengthen and exercise a variety of body muscles. It shall be noted that, while the device 100 and its various embodiments are herein described as useful for push-up exercises, they may also be used to perform other types of exercises.

The push-up device 100 comprises hand grips 102, and, optionally, knee/foot dollies 104. The hand grips 102 allow the user to use his hands and arms to alternate between rolling the hand grips 102 on a surface and braking or holding them still with respect to the surface. The optional knee/foot dollies 104 allow the user to use either his knees or feet to roll the dollies 104 on the surface. The rolling functions of the hand grips 102 and the knee/foot dollies 104 allow the user to change positions of his arms and legs, thereby allowing him to do push-ups and similar exercises in varying body positions. Preferably, the surface upon which the hand grips 102 and/or dollies 104 roll comprises a ground or floor. However, the surface could also be a wall or other surface suitable for rolling the grips 102 or dollies 104.

To use the particular embodiment of the device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a user grasps the hand grips 102 at a handle 106 and pulls up with his fingers so as to push a brake grip 106a through a hole 106b in the handle 106. This action, in turn, via levers 138 or other suitable mechanisms, pushes brake bars 108 downward. The brake bars 108, in turn, push a brake plate 110 down onto the surface so as to effectively prevent wheels 116 from rolling. The user may then do a push up or other similar exercise. When the user desires to change positions of his arms, he releases his grip on the brake grip 106a, thereby allowing the brake plate 110 to release (aided, optionally, with a spring 136 or other mechanism), and thereby allowing the wheels 116 to roll.

The handle 106 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 further comprises a top piece 106d, grip padding 132 for the user's comfort, and end caps 134 for holding various parts of the handle 106 together. It shall be noted that brake bars 108 can be of any suitable shape, and that their function of moving the brake plate 110 can also be performed by a single brake bar 108 or by more than two brake bars 108. Springs 140 may be coupled to the brake bars 108 in order to aid in pushing the brake bars 108 up and down. Moreover, the brake grip 106a, as well as other parts of the device 100, can be of any shape suitable to perform their respective functions.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the hand grips 102 further comprise handle arms 106c that are coupled to a base plate 114 via an optional outside casing 112. In the embodiment shown, the handle arms 106c, outside casing 112, base plate 114, and wheels 116 are coupled together in a fixed relation with respect to the brake bars 108 and brake plate 110. The brake plate 110 may be comprised of any material suitable for stopping or minimizing movement of the hand grip 102 along the surface. In some embodiments, the brake plate 110 may be made of one material, but another material (for example, a rubber strip or pad) may be coupled to the bottom of the brake plate 110.

FIGS. 3A through 3D illustrate an alternative embodiment of a hand grip 202 in which a brake grip 206a, instead of extending downward from a handle 206, extends upward with respect to a surface 211 upon which the hand grip 202 rolls. Hence, levers or other mechanisms (not shown) for pushing a brake plate 210 down onto the surface 211, are not enclosed in the handle 206 but instead are located below the brake grip 206a. One non-limiting example of a lever mechanism comprises a rocker piece. Note that FIG. 3C shows the brake plate 210 being pushed down onto the surface 211 when a user's hand pulls up on the brake grip 206a. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3D show the hand grip 202 in a default position wherein the brake plate 210 is raised from the surface 211, thereby allowing wheels 216 to roll along the surface 211.

FIGS. 3A through 3D also show examples of a grip padding 232, an outside casing 212, and a brake plate 210 that differ in shape from those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The brake plate 210 is rectangular and has ridges thereon (as opposed to the diamond-shaped brake plate 110 illustrated in FIG. 2). However, it shall be noted that the present invention should not be limited to brake plates of any particular shape; the brake plates can be made in any variety of shapes. Also, FIGS. 3A and 3B show optional anchors 300 for attaching resistance bands, the use of which will be elaborated upon further herein.

FIGS. 4A through 4D and FIG. 5 illustrate yet another embodiment of a hand grip 302 in which a scissor lift 303 is used to move a brake plate 310. As shown in FIG. 4C, when a user pulls up on a brake grip 306a, the brake plate 310 is pushed down onto a surface 311, thereby preventing wheels 316 from rolling. Scissor lift 303 preferably includes a spring 301 for raising the brake plate 310 back up when the user releases the brake grip 306a. Base plate 314 preferably includes a hole 307 through which the brake grip 306a and scissor lift 303 can move. In addition, a grip pad 309 is coupled to the brake grip 306a in this embodiment, but not all embodiments need include a grip pad 309. The brake plate 310, of course, can be formed in any suitable shape besides those shown herein. Also, the wheels 316 are here shown to be coupled to the base plate 314 via screws 305, but the wheels 316 may be glued to or otherwise appropriately coupled to the base plate 314.

FIGS. 4A through 4D and FIG. 5 also show examples of features similar to those shown previously, such as a handle 306, grip padding 332, and anchors 400 for optional resistance bands. Note that the hand grip 302 is shown in FIGS. 4A through 4D without an outside casing, but the exploded perspective view of FIG. 5 includes an outside casing 312. Thus it shall be noted that embodiments of the invention may or may not include an outside casing 312. FIG. 5 also shows a brake pad 310a that is coupled to the brake plate 310 when assembled. As with any embodiments of the present invention having a brake plate, the brake plate 310 may or may not include a brake pad 310a.

Having now discussed in detail various embodiments of the hand grip, embodiments of the knee/foot dollies shall now be discussed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a padding 122 on the knee/foot dollies 104 is attached to a base piece 124, which base piece 124 is, in turn, attached to wheels 126. Removable knee padding 120 fits in a cavity in the padding 122. If a user desires to do push-ups or similar exercises in a position wherein he is anchored from his knees, he can place his knees on top of the knee padding 120 if he desires. Alternatively, the user can do push-ups or similar exercises wherein he is anchored from his feet. This can be done by removing the knee padding 120 and placing his feet inside the cavity remaining in the padding 122. In some embodiments, the user's toes may partially poke through and be supported by a hole 130 in the base piece 124. In some embodiments, a support (not shown) shaped to receive the user's foot is located on the base piece 124 beneath the hole 130 or elsewhere. Such a support might, for example, be cup-shaped to support the user's toes. Whether the user desires to use his feet or his knees, the knee/foot dollies 104 allow the user to vary positions of the knees or feet when doing a set of push-ups or similar exercises.

The user may also secure the knee/foot dollies 104 around his knees or feet by means of optional straps 118. The straps 118 may comprise two separate strips used to secure the user's knee or foot, or may comprise a single strip (not shown) with notches at one or more ends so as to allow the user to select which notch to use to attach the straps 118 to the knee/foot dolly 104. Other types of appropriate straps 118 can also be used to secure the user's knees or feet to the knee/foot dollies 104.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment of a knee/foot dolly 504 comprising a top piece 521 and a base piece 524. The top piece 521 has a crevice 523 shaped to receive a user's foot as well as a user's knee (although some embodiments may be shaped to receive only a user's foot or only a user's knee). Thus, the user can choose to place either his foot or his knee in the crevice 523, depending on whether he desires to do exercises while anchored by his feet or by his knees. Top piece 521 and base piece 524 may be integrally formed or may be separate pieces joined together. Moreover, top piece 521 and base piece 524 may be made of any type of material suitable for supporting a knee or foot. Some non-limiting examples of such materials include padded, semi-padded, or relatively hard materials. Moreover, wheels 526 are coupled to base piece 524 via screws 527 or by other suitable means. An anchor 513 is also shown on both sides of the knee/foot dolly 504. The anchor 513 can anchor optional resistance bands (discussed further herein) and/or can anchor straps (not shown) to secure the dolly 504 to the user's knee or foot.

It shall be noted that it is within the scope of the invention to provide other means to stop the wheels of the hand grips from rolling. For example, to illustrate using the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom edge of the outer casing 112 could be designed to act as a brake by contacting the surface. In addition, a braking device could be provided to directly contact and stop the wheels 116 from rolling. Also, in some embodiments, the default state of the hand grip 102 could be in a braked state instead of a rolling state. Thus, the user would need to push up upon grip 106a or otherwise activate a device on the hand grip 102 in order to allow the hand grip 102 to roll. One possible example of braking being activated by some other means than by gripping the grip 106a includes, but is not limited to, pushing a button on the handle 106. Any other suitable means for activating the braking function is also to be considered part of the present invention.

It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the rolling motion of the hand grips and/or knee/foot dollies via any number of wheels located in any configuration. Also, other embodiments could allow for movement of the hand grips or knee/foot dollies across the surface, including, but not limited to embodiments that provide a gliding type of motion. Furthermore, the wheels preferably roll freely in any direction on the surface, but it is within contemplation of this invention to provide limits to the direction and/or extent of the rolling motion. The wheels described herein are generally spherical, but other shapes can be used, including, but not limited to disc-shaped wheels. The wheels may be attached by screws, glue, or any other suitable means.

The hand grips and knee/foot dollies of the present invention may have their various parts located in ways so as to optimize the center of gravity and balance of the devices. Again, to illustrate using the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base of the handle arms 106c can be designed to sit below the top of the wheels 116 for a lower center of balance and added leverage. Likewise, in the knee/foot dollies 104, the tops of the wheels 126 can be located above the base piece 124 for a lower center of gravity.

As mentioned previously, one or more resistance bands (not shown) may optionally be provided to add resistance to the user's workout. For example, a resistance band may be coupled to anchors 300 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) or anchors 400 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) so as to extend across the outside of the user's back. In this manner, when the user does a push-up or other similar exercise, the resistance band provides a force of resistance in the opposite direction that the user is trying to move. A resistance band might also be placed between two knee/foot dollies by being coupled to anchors such as those shown at 513 in FIGS. 6 and 7. Also, a resistance band may be placed between a hand grip and a knee/foot dolly by being coupled to their respective anchors. Anchors have been herein shown generally in the shape of one or two half circles, but can be a single circle, a half circle, or of any suitable shape. Some embodiments of the present invention may not include any anchors on either the hand grips or the knee/foot dollies.

The parts of the present invention may be made of any material and be made into any shape that will accomplish the functions of the present invention. The invention is not limited to any particular materials or shapes that are described herein. Also, parts described as separate parts may be formed integrally, and parts described as being formed integrally may be comprised of separate parts.

It is underscored that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments herein should be deemed only as illustrative. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising:

a hand grip movable along a surface by a user, said hand grip comprising a braking device for preventing said hand grip from moving along said surface.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said braking device further comprises a brake grip.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said hand grip further comprises a handle, and said brake grip extends downward from the handle.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said brake grip extends upward with respect to the surface.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said braking device further comprises a scissor lift.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said braking device further comprises a brake plate for contacting the surface.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said brake plate is generally rectangular in shape.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said brake plate is generally diamond-shaped.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said braking device comprises an outside casing that contacts the surface.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said hand grip further comprises at least one wheel, and wherein said braking device contacts said wheel in order to prevent the hand grip from moving along the surface.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said braking device comprises:

a brake grip;

a scissor lift coupled to the brake grip; and

a brake plate coupled to the scissor lift.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said braking device comprises:

a brake grip;

a brake bar coupled to the brake grip; and

a brake plate for contacting the surface.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said hand grip further comprises at least one wheel.

14. The device of claim 14 wherein said wheel is generally spherical.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein said hand grip further comprises at least four wheels.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein said hand grip further comprises:

a handle;

a base plate coupled to said handle; and

a plurality of wheels coupled to said base plate.

17. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one anchor for anchoring a resistance band.

18. The device of claim 1 further comprising another of said hand grip.

19. The device of claim 1 further comprising a knee/foot dolly.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said knee/foot dolly comprises a crevice shaped to support both a user's knee and foot, wherein the user may select to place either his knee or his foot in said crevice.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein said knee/foot dolly comprises removable knee padding.

22. The device of claim 19 wherein said knee/foot dolly comprises at least one anchor.

23. An exercise device comprising:

a hand grip movable in any direction along a surface, said hand grip comprising a device for allowing a user to selectively alternate between moving the hand grip along the surface and stopping the hand grip on the surface.

24. An exercise device comprising:

a handle;

a base plate coupled to said handle;

wheels coupled to said base plate; and

a brake grip coupled to a brake plate, said brake plate contacting a surface when a user grips the brake grip.