Exercise pole

Abstract

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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise 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 DISCLOSURE

An 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exercise device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of seven versions of ball-shaped bases for use with an exercise device present invention.

FIGS. 3-6 are schematic depictions of methods for using an exercise device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a device 10 for performing exercises. The device 10 comprises a pole 12. The pole 12 can be a hollow pole and can have a longitudinal axis and an axial opening therethrough. In one embodiment, pole 12 can be a plastic tube, such as PVC pipe. Pole 12 can also be made of acrylic, wood, or any other relatively light, relatively rigid, durable material. In one embodiment, pole 12 can be made at least partially of bamboo. In one embodiment, pole 12 can be made of a plurality of parts, such as a plurality of parts joined end to end such as by snapping, screw threading, or friction fit to form pole 12, or a plurality of full length parts bound together in a side to side relationship such as by gluing, adhering, or tying with string, rope or twine, to form a unitary pole 12. In one embodiment pole 12 can be made of bamboo splints joined to resemble in general shape, style, and construction a Kendo Shinai traditional Japanese bamboo practice sword. Pole 12 can have a length of between about 36 inches and 72 inches. Pole 12 can have on outside diameter from about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches. The outside diameter of pole 12 can be about 1 inch to about 1.5 inches in diameter.

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 FIG. 1 mounted on pole 12 for supporting optional weight 24 can be a weight retaining clip 18. Weight retaining clip 18 can be made of plastic, and can be molded plastic in a shape that form fits to pole 12. In one embodiment, weight retaining clip 18 partially surrounds an outside surface of pole 12. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, weight retaining clip 18 includes a mounting portion 20, and a weight bearing portion 22, which can be a protrusion on weight retaining clip 18 designed to obstruct the passage of weights 24 over pole 12 in order to hold them in place. In use, mounting portion 20 affords secure attachment of weight retaining clip 18 to pole 12, while weight bearing portion 22 affords retaining means for weight (or weights) 24 (as shown in FIG. 1).

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 FIG. 1. As shown, a relatively flat weight 24 can hang, so to speak, on weight bearing portion 22, such that rather than being generally perpendicular to pole 12, weight 24 is disposed at a sloping angle with respect to pole 12. One advantage of such a configuration is that the weight 24 does not interfere with a users hands or wrist during exercise. For example, if a user grips the pole 12 shown in FIG. 1 on the left side (as depicted in FIG. 1), the sloping nature of weight 24 provides more room for the user's wrist, which would be disposed on the left side of the pole depicted in FIG. 1.

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 FIG. 3, ball-shaped base can have one of a variety of beneficial surface textures, including smooth (FIG. 2A), ribbed, having both horizontal and vertical texture components (FIG. 2B), grooved, substantially only horizontal texture components (FIG. 2C), curvilinear ribbed, having non-linear texture components (FIG. 2D), enhanced ribbed, having substantially highly contrasting, three-dimensional ribs and grooves (FIG. 2E), and nubbed, having regularly spaced or randomly spaced raised protrusions (FIG. 2F). Each of these textures can provide for better slip resistance throughout a wide range of motions and forces as the pole 12 is being used during exercise, and a particular texture can be selected by the user as desired or necessary for a given exercise and standing surface. For example, a smooth base surface may be adequate for use on rough standing surfaces, or for limited range of tilt or downward force. A ribbed or grooved ball provides for more gripping surface upon relatively smooth surfaces, particularly when a force exerted upon a standing surface is substantially perpendicular to ribbed or grooved surfaces. For general gripping under a variety of standing surfaces and exercise techniques, a nubbed or evenly textured ball-shaped base can be utilized.

FIG. 2G depicts a ball-shaped base with a spring 28 utilized to provide spring loading to the ball-shaped base. By having suitably cooperating pole 12 and collar 14 parts, a spring 28 can allow independent movement of ball-shaped base with respect to pole 12. In use, this permits a user to exert force against the spring for enhanced resistance exercise.

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 FIG. 3, a user stands with feet about shoulder width apart and grips the first end of pole, such as by handles. The ball-shaped base of poles are placed near the user's feet, such as between the feet and spaced about 6 inches apart or slightly in front of said feet. The user pushes forward with his hands so the poles are leaning outward away from his shoulders, and his hands are in relatively close proximity, such as by having the arms essentially straight out and parallel. The user then moves his hands away from each other and outwardly to his sides, so that the arms are essentially outstretched to each side of the user. The user then pulls his hands and arms back to close proximity. This motion can be repeated.

The exercise described above and described in FIG. 3 can be modified as desired. For example, in one exercise as depicted in FIG. 5, the user can bend at a waist and push down his or her back to stretch the back provide spinal compression and/or back stretch. Additionally, the user can keep her head up and bring the arms apart for deep shoulder stretching.

In one method as depicted in FIG. 5, a user stands with feet about shoulder width apart and grips the first end of pole, such as by handles. The user places the ball-shaped base of the poles in front of his feet and holds upright, substantially parallel, with each pole substantially perpendicular to a standing surface. The user leans the poles outward while gripping the handles and then moves to a squat position. The user then pulls with his hands, exerting a downward force on poles so as to bring his body back to a standing position. This motion can be repeated.

In one method as depicted in FIG. 6, a user can kneel, holding the first ends of poles with the ball-shaped bases well in front of the user, such that the poles lean back and are held at an angle by the user. The user then pushes upward and/or outwardly, to raise the poles. The user then can let the poles back down, thereby doing a push-up motion. The user can optionally let the poles “fall” to his sides, and raise back up. Optionally, the ball-shaped base of pole can be placed against a wall or other surface to avoid slipping.

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.