Exercise pole
An exercise device. The device comprises a pole, the pole being between 36 and 72 inches in length. The pole has a first end intended for gripping by a user, and a second end intended for contact with a standing surface. A weight retaining clip can be joined to the pole between the first end and the second end. A handle for gripping can be on the first end, and a substantially ball-shaped base joined can be joined to a second end. Methods for using the exercise device are also disclosed.
The present invention relates to exercise devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONExercise devices are known for use in or outside of the home. Many such devices are used to strengthen muscles and improve cardiovascular fitness. Very few devices, however, are simple in construction and use. On simple exercise device takes the form of a pole. Such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,373 issued May 12, 1987 to Hait and U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,435, issued Aug. 22, 1995 to Wilkinson. However, the relatively flat base of the Hait and Wilkinson devices can permit the pole to slip on certain surfaces when in use. Moreover, the Hait and Wilkinson devices require relatively complex weight management mechanisms. For example, the Hait device uses adjustable weights secured with mating threaded members.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved exercise device of the pole type.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREAn exercise device is disclosed. The device comprises a pole, the pole being between 36 and 72 inches in length. The pole has a first end intended for gripping by a user, and a second end intended for contact with a standing surface. A weight retaining clip can be joined to the pole between the first end and the second end. A handle for gripping can be on the first end, and a substantially ball-shaped base joined can be joined to a second end. Methods for using the exercise device are also disclosed.
Illustrated in
At a first end 1, or top, of pole 12 is a handle 14 for gripping by a user, and which can be part of pole 12, or a separate member joined to or removeably attached to the pole 12. Handle 14 can be in the form of a suitable plastic material, rubber, wood or the like. In one embodiment, the handle 14 can be a molded plastic member made of soft elastomeric material and fitted over or around pole 12. In one embodiment a flexible loop wrist strap 15 can be attached to first end of pole 12. Flexible wrist strap can be utilized by a user of pole 12 to secure pole 12 to said user's wrist in the event a user loses his or her grip on said pole.
At a second end 3, or bottom, of pole 12 is a ball-shaped base 16 for engaging any suitable standing surface used by the user engaged in exercising. In one embodiment, the ball-shaped base 16 can be made of rubber and has a substantially rounded end exposed and intended for contact with the standing surface. Ball-shaped base 16 can be hollow or solid. Ball-shaped base 16 can be molded of a plastic material and can be made substantially round, or partially flattened on one side to facilitate attachment to pole 12. Ball-shaped base can be spring loaded spring loaded relative to pole 12, capable of axial movement relative to pole 12.
Ball-shaped base 16 can be operatively joined to pole 12 by collar 14. Collar 14 can be generally cylindrical, and can have an inside diameter slightly smaller than an outside diameter of ball-shaped base. Thus ball-shaped base 16 cannot pass through collar 14. Collar 14 can be attached to pole 12 by any means known in the art, such as by clipping, snapping, friction fit, screw threads, or adhesive. In operation, therefore, ball-shaped base can be deposited or securely positioned into collar 14, and then collar 14 can be attached, such as by screwing, onto pole 12. Of course, pole 12 can have any appropriately mating features sufficient to secure collar 14 to pole 12 during use. In one embodiment ball-shaped base 16 can be unitary or permanently joined to pole 12.
As shown in
Weight retaining clip 18 can be permanently joined to pole 12 such as by adhesive. Weight retaining clip 18 can also be fastened onto pole 12 by any other known means, such as by screwing, clipping, snapping, or appropriate friction engagement.
Weight retaining clip 18 can be adjustable along the length of pole 12. Weight retaining clip 18 can be adjustably joined to pole 12 between first end 1 and second end 3 to provide an adjustable location for weights 24. In one embodiment pole 12 can have holes placed in a spaced relationship along a length of pole 12, the holes designed to receive a pin, screw, or other attachment means in cooperation with the weight retaining device 18, which can have mating holes or other means, the pin, screw or other attachment means joining the weight retaining device to pole 12 for adjustably secure joining. Each weight 24 can have a hole 26 therethrough for receiving pole 12. Ordinary free weights can be used as weights 24.
Hole 26 through weights 24 can have a dimension, such as a diameter, sufficient to allow pole 12 to fit through, but not so large that weight retaining clip 18 can fit through when weight retaining clip is joined to pole 12. Thus, weight retaining clip 18 prevents weight 24 from sliding down pole 12 when pole 12 is being used. Hole 26 can have a dimension that permits the weight to be secured at an angle with respect to pole 12, as shown in
Exercise pole 12 can be gripped at the first end while the ball-shaped base at the second end rests on the ground, floor, or other standing surface. Because various exercises can result in the base needing to rotate through a full range of motion, ideally without slipping on the standing surface, a ball-shaped surface aids in smoother motion throughout the full range of motion. Ball-shaped base can have a diameter of about 1 inch to about 3 inches, and it can have a diameter of about 1.5 to 1.75 inches. As shown in
In the use of the device 10, two poles 12 can be used by an operator who grips the handles 14 with his or her hands and places the ball-shaped bases 16 on a supporting surface 26. Various exercises can be performed by moving the hands and arms in various motions against the resistance provided by poles 12 and, optionally, weights 24. Additionally, various resistance exercises can be performed by pressing with the arms against poles 12, such as by pressing downwardly, transferring force to a standing surface.
In one method as depicted schematically in
The exercise described above and described in
In one method as depicted in
In one method as depicted in
Claims
1. An exercise device, said device comprising:
- a. a pole, said pole being between 36 inches and 72 inches in length, said pole having a first end intended for gripping by a user, and a second end intended for contact with a standing surface;
- b. a weight retaining clip joined to said pole between said first end and said second end;
- c. a handle for gripping on said first end, and
- d. a substantially ball-shaped base joined to said second end.
2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said pole comprises bamboo.
3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein said wherein said bamboo pole comprises four splints joined together.
4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said pole comprises tubular plastic.
5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said ball-shaped base comprises raised dimples.
6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said ball-shaped base is joined to said pole by a screw-on collar.
7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said weight retaining clip partially surrounds an outside surface of said pole.
8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said weight retaining clip is adjustably joined to said pole
9. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising weights, said weights being capable of being fitted around said pole, and said weights being held on said pole by said weight holding clip.
10. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible loop joined near said first end.
11. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said ball-shaped base is spring loaded relative to said pole, said ball-shaped base thereby capable of axial movement relative to said pole.
12. A method of exercising, said method comprising providing the pole of claim 1, said method further comprising:
- a. providing a user, said user having hands, feet, shoulders, and arms;
- b. standing with said feet shoulder width apart;
- c. gripping said pole at said first end;
- d. placing said ball-shaped base of said poles between said feet, spaced about 6 inches apart, and slightly in front of said feet;
- e. pushing with said hands forward so said poles are leaning outward away from said users shoulders, and said hands are in relatively close proximity;
- f. moving said hands away from each other and outwardly to said user's side;
- g. pulling said hands and arms back to close proximity; and
- h. optionally repeating steps (a) through (g).
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said standing step (b) further comprises said user bending at a waist and pushing down by said user with said user's back to stretch said back of said user.
14. A method of exercising, said method comprising providing the pole of claim 1, said method further comprising:
- a. providing a user, said user having hands, feet, shoulders, and arms;
- b. standing with said feet shoulder width apart;
- c. gripping said pole at said first end;
- d. placing said ball-shaped base of said poles in front of said feet, said poles being substantially parallel, and each substantially perpendicular to a standing surface;
- e. leaning said poles outward while gripping said handle and moving to a squat position;
- f. pulling with said hands back to a standing position; and
- g. optionally repeating steps (a) through (f).
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said pulling step (f) is in combination with or substituted for using legs of said user to push said user back to a standing position.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 7, 2010
Publication Date: Oct 13, 2011
Inventor: Kristofor Ryan Stephan (Williamsburg, OH)
Application Number: 12/798,558
International Classification: A63B 21/072 (20060101);