ROPE-LESS JUMP ROPE SIMULATOR AND RESISTANCE EXERCISE DEVICE

Abstract

A rope-less jump rope and resistance exercise device includes a jump rope handle having a longitudinal length between a first and second end. A resistance handle is attached to the first end of the jump rope handle disposed substantially perpendicular to the jump rope handle. A single ball-and-socket assembly is attached between the second end of the jump rope handle and a receiver. An elongated lash includes a connector end and a free end, where the connector end is removably connectable with the receiver. The receiver includes a slotted aperture and a stop. An elongated and resiliently stretchable resistance member includes a pair of second connector ends, where either of the pair of second connector ends are removably connectable with the receiver. An identical pair of the jump rope handle, ball-and-socket assembly, receiver, lash and resistance member form the rope-less jump rope and resistance exercise device.

Description

This disclosure is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/846,307, filed Aug. 28, 2007, now Publication No. 2009/0062084. The contents of the previously filed application are incorporated herein in full by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rope-less jump rope simulator and resistance exercise device.

Generations of young people have enjoyed playing jump rope and many athletes, such as boxers, has used jump ropes for aerobic exercise and physical conditioning. Conventional jump ropes are typically constructed of a pair of handles interconnected by a rope, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,462, 088. The handles of these conventional jump ropes have been constructed of solid wood, plastic or the like with the rope mechanically connected thereto.

However, conventional jump ropes such as those described above, have certain disadvantages. For example, the use of the conventional jump rope is limited by the fact that a user must actually jump over the rope. This is not possible for a user who is not able to jump (e.g., a person in a wheel chair, has a bad back, knees or the like) but who still wishes to obtain the benefits derived from jumping rope. The use of a conventional jump rope can result in a user tripping over the rope and falling to the ground and can cause a great deal of noise as it is being used. A conventional jump rope also requires a great deal of open space and a relatively high ceiling as the rope must be able to clear the user's head without contacting a ceiling surface.

Various attempts have been made to overcome the problems associated with conventional jump rope devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,746 discloses an adjustable jump rope apparatus with an adjustable weight and length. However, this jump rope still suffers from the same drawbacks as the conventional jump rope as there is still only a single rope interconnecting the two handles and thus requiring a user to have to jump over the rope in order to use the device. In another example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0002408 discloses a pair of virtual jump rope units. However, the ball bearing assembly inside the handle to which the rope is attached provides only limited movement. In a further example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0288158 discloses a ropeless jump rope. However, this device requires the use of electronics, a power supply, a display and the like.

Accordingly, there is a need for a jump rope device which mimics the benefits of a conventional jump rope without the drawbacks associated with the conventional jump rope. There is a further need for a jump rope device that eliminates the need for a user to jump in order to use the device. There is an additional need for a jump rope device that is simple and economical to manufacture. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a rope-less jump rope device where the handles are not connected by a rope or other means or elements. As illustrated herein, a receiver is attached relative to an end of a handle. An elongated lash includes a connector end and a free end. The connector end is removably connectable with the receiver. An identical pair of the handle, receiver and lash form the rope-less jump rope device.

Furthermore, a single ball-and-socket assembly may be connected to and between the handle and the receiver. The ball-and-socket assembly may include a cap and a ball, where the cap defines a socket which moveably captures the ball. The cap is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver and the ball is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver whichever is not connected to the cap.

The device may include a mechanism for providing wind resistance and softening the impact of accidental strikes of the free end of the lash. The mechanism for providing wind resistance and softening the impact of accidental strikes of the free end of the lash may include a protective pad. The protective pad may include a foam ball or may include a gel-filled inner portion and a foam outer portion.

The handle may include a grip including a cover disposed over the handle. The lash may include an extruded material or include a hollow tube.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a resistance exercise device. A receiver is attached relative to an end of a handle. An elongated and resiliently stretchable resistance member includes a pair of connector ends. Either of the pair of connector ends are removably connectable with the receiver. An identical pair of the handle and receiver including at least one resistance member form the resistance exercise device.

Furthermore, a second handle may be attached relative to a second end of the handle opposite the receiver. The second handle may be disposed substantially perpendicular relative to the handle. The second handle includes a flexible fabric loop connected to the second end of the handle. The second handle may include a grip including a cover disposed over the fabric loop of the second handle.

The resistance member may include an elastic tube, band or spring. Also, a single ball-and-socket assembly may be connected to and between the handle and the receiver. The ball-and-socket assembly includes a cap and a ball, where the cap defines a socket which moveably captures the ball. The cap is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver and the ball is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver whichever is not connected to the cap.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a rope-less jump rope and a resistance exercise device. A receiver is attached relative to an end of a handle. An elongated lash includes a connector end and a free end. The connector end is removably connectable with the receiver. An elongated and resiliently stretchable resistance member includes a pair of second connector ends. Either of the pair of second connector ends are removably connectable with the receiver. An identical pair of the handle, receiver and lash form the rope-less jump rope simulator and an identical pair of the handle and receiver including at least one resistance member form the resistance exercise device.

Furthermore, a second handle may be attached relative to a second end of the handle opposite the receiver. The second handle may be disposed substantially perpendicular relative to the handle.

A single ball-and-socket assembly may be connected to and between the handle and the receiver. The ball-and-socket assembly may include a cap and a ball, where the cap defines a socket which moveably captures the ball. The cap may be connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver and the ball is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver whichever is not connected to the cap.

The second handle may include a flexible fabric loop connected to the second end of the handle. The resistance member may include an elastic tube, band or spring.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a rope-less jump rope and resistance exercise device. A jump rope handle has a longitudinal length between a first and second end. A resistance handle is attached to the first end of the jump rope handle and may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the jump rope handle. A single ball-and-socket assembly has a proximal and distal end, where the proximal end is attached to the second end of the jump rope handle. A receiver is attached to the distal end of the ball-and-socket assembly. An elongated lash includes a connector end and a free end, where the connector end is removably connectable with the receiver. An elongated and resiliently stretchable resistance member includes a pair of second connector ends, where either of the pair of second connector ends are removably connectable with the receiver. An identical pair of the jump rope handle, ball-and-socket assembly, receiver and lash form the rope-less jump rope and an identical pair of the resistance handle, ball-and-socket assembly and receiver including at least one resistance member form the resistance exercise device.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device embodying the present invention utilizing an elongated lash;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the connector end outside of the receiver;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 now showing the connector end within the receiver;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing the connector end outside of the receiver;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exercise device embodying the present invention now utilizing a resistance member;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a user utilizing the device of FIG. 1 as a rope-less jump rope device; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of a user utilizing the device of FIG. 5 as a resistance exercise device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device 10 embodying the present invention. An exemplary embodiment of the device 10 includes a rope-less jump rope and a resistance exercise device. A person may utilize the device 10 as either the rope-less jump rope or the resistance exercise device.

A receiver 12 is attached relative to an end 14 of a handle 16. An elongated lash 18 includes a connector end 20 and a free end 22. The connector end 20 is removably connectable with the receiver 12, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The lash 18 comes in various forms including, but not limited to a flexible, resilient hollow tube, a solid extruded material, a solid molded material, a line, a rod, a rope, a cord, a strip, a chain, a braid or the like. The lash 18 made be made of various materials including, but not limited to a natural material, a synthetic material (e.g., PVC, plastic or the like), and combinations thereof. The length and thickness of the lash 18 may vary but the lash 18 is preferably about fifteen inches long. The device 10 also serves as a free weight and can come in various weights including, but not limited to, a half pound, one pound, two pounds, two and a half pounds or the like.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the connector end 20 outside of the receiver 12. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 now showing the connector end 20 within the receiver 12. The receiver 12 has a slotted aperture 28 such that the connector end 20 and part of the lash 18 can fit within. The receiver 12 has an abutment/stop 30 that prevents the lash 18 and connector end 20 from sliding apart. The only way to remove the connector end 20 from the receiver 12 is out through the slotted aperture 28.

An elongated and resiliently stretchable resistance member 24 includes a pair of second connector ends 26, as is best shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device 10 similar to FIG. 1 showing the connector end 20 outside of the receiver 12 and forming a part of the rope-less jump rope device while FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device 10 utilizing a resistance member 24 forming a part of the resistance exercise device. Either of the pair of second connector ends 26 are removably connectable with the receiver 12 similar to the connector ends 20. It is advantageous that both connector ends 20 and 26 are similar such that they both engage with the receiver 12 in the same way. As can be seen by one skilled in the art, there are a multitude of ways to connect the lash 18 and resistance member 24 to the handle 16, and this disclosure does not limit it to the precise form disclosed and shown herein.

An identical pair of the handle 16, receiver 12 and lash 18 form the rope-less jump rope simulator. The rope-less jump rope device is where the handles are not connected by a rope or other means or elements. A person is then able to simulate the action of jump roping as is shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a front view of a person utilizing the device of FIG. 1 as the rope-less jump rope device.

Alternatively, an identical pair of the handle 16 and receiver 12 including at least one resistance member 24 form the resistance exercise device. A person is then able to pull on the handles of the device 10 and create a resistance force for exercise as is shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a front view of a person utilizing the device 10 of FIG. 5 as a resistance exercise device.

In an exemplary embodiment, a single ball-and-socket assembly 32 may be connected to and between the handle 16 and the receiver 12. This is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The ball-and-socket assembly 32 may include a cap 34 and a ball 36, where the cap 34 defines a socket 38 which moveably captures the ball 36. The cap 34 is connected to either the end of the handle 16 or the receiver 12 and the ball 36 is connected to either the end of the handle 16 or the receiver 12 whichever is not connected to the cap 34. The ball-and-socket assembly 32 provides rotary and angular movement of the lash 18 relative to the handle 16 in all directions.

The device 10 may include a mechanism for providing wind resistance and softening the impact of accidental strikes of the free end 22 of the lash 18. The mechanism for providing wind resistance and softening the impact of accidental strikes of the free end 22 of the lash 18 may include a protective pad 40. The protective pad 40 may include a foam ball or may include a gel-filled inner portion and a foam outer portion, as previously disclosed in of Ser. No. 11/846,307. For instance, the protective pad 40 may come in various forms including, but not limited to, a compressible foam pad, a pad having a relatively dense gel material-filled inner portion and a compressible foam material outer portion, or the like. The pad 40 may come in various shapes including, but not limited to a ball, a cylinder, a tear or the like. The thickness of the protective pad 40 can vary from a minimal thickness of eighths of an inch to several inches (e.g. 2-4 inches). For example, the protective pad 40 can in the form of a ball having a roughly three inch diameter. In the alternative, the pad 40 may be removably or permanently attached to the end of the lash 18 without being disposed about the end of the lash 14. Both removably and permanently attachable pads 40 can come in various shapes and sizes.

The handle 16 may include a grip 42 including a cover 42 disposed over the handle 16. The grip 42 may be made of various materials including, but not limited to, foam, plastic, polyurethane or the like. The lash 18 may include an extruded material or include a hollow tube.

Referring now to the device 10 as a resistance exercise device, a second handle 44 may be attached relative to a second end 46 of the handle 16 opposite the receiver 12. The second handle 44 may be disposed substantially perpendicular relative to the handle 16. The second handle 44 includes a flexible fabric loop 48 connected to the second end 46 of the handle 16. The second handle 44 may include a grip 50 including a cover 50 disposed over the fabric loop 48 of the second handle 44. The resistance member 24 may include an elastic tube 24, band 24 or spring 24.

The second handle 46 may be easier to utilize by a person for performing resistance exercises, as is best shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows a person holding the second handles 44 and raising their arms upward working the shoulder muscle group. Allowing a person to choose between the handle 16 and second handle 44 facilitates a wide range of creative uses of the resistance exercise device 10.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are illustrative only and not limiting. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. All features of the various embodiments discussed above and from the Ser. No. 11/846,307 can be mixed and matched to define an embodiment that is not directly illustrated in the accompanying figures. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all such changes and modifications as falling within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A rope-less jump rope device, comprising:

a handle;

a receiver associated with an end of the handle, the receiver including a slotted aperture and a stop;

an elongated lash including a connector end and a free end, wherein the connector end is removably connectable with the receiver through the slotted aperture abutting the stop, such that the lash and receiver are connected when in use and later separable; and

wherein an identical pair of the handle, receiver and lash form the rope-less jump rope device.

2. The device of claim 1, including a single ball-and-socket assembly connecting to and between the handle and the receiver.

3. The device of claim 2, including a mechanism for providing wind resistance and softening the impact of accidental strikes of the free end of the lash.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the mechanism for providing wind resistance and softening the impact of accidental strikes of the free end of the lash comprises a protective pad.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the protective pad comprises a foam ball.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the protective pad comprises a gel-filled inner portion and a foam outer portion.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a grip comprising a cover disposed over the handle.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the lash comprises an extruded material.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the lash comprises a hollow tube.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the ball-and-socket assembly comprises a cap and a ball, where the cap defines a socket which moveably captures the ball, and where the cap is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver and the ball is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver whichever is not connected to the cap.

11. A resistance exercise device, comprising:

a handle;

a receiver associated with an end of the handle, the receiver including a slotted aperture and a stop;

an elongated and resiliently stretchable resistance member including a pair of connector ends, wherein either of the pair of connector ends are removably connectable with the receiver through the slotted aperture abutting the stop, such that the resistance member and receiver are connected when in use and later separable; and

wherein an identical pair of the handle and receiver including at least one resistance member form the resistance exercise device.

12. The device of claim 11, including a second handle attached relative to a second end of the handle opposite the receiver, where the second handle is disposed substantially perpendicular relative to the handle.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the second handle comprises a flexible fabric loop connected to the second end of the handle.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the second handle includes a grip comprising a cover disposed over the fabric loop of the second handle.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the resistance member comprises an elastic tube, band or spring.

16. The device of claim 11, including a single ball-and-socket assembly connecting to and between the handle and the receiver.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the ball-and-socket assembly comprises a cap and a ball, where the cap defines a socket which moveably captures the ball, and where the cap is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver and the ball is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver whichever is not connected to the cap.

18. A rope-less jump rope and resistance exercise device, comprising:

a handle;

a receiver attached relative to an end of the handle, the receiver including a slotted aperture and a stop;

an elongated lash including a connector end and a free end, wherein the connector end is removably connectable with the receiver through the slotted aperture abutting the stop, such that the lash and receiver are connected when in use and later separable; and

an elongated and resiliently stretchable resistance member including a pair of second connector ends, where either of the pair of second connector ends are removably connectable with the receiver through the slotted aperture abutting the stop, such that the resistance member and receiver are connected when in use and later separable;

where an identical pair of the handle, receiver and lash form the rope-less jump rope simulator, and where an identical pair of the handle and receiver including at least one resistance member form the resistance exercise device.

19. The device of claim 18, including a second handle attached relative to a second end of the handle opposite the receiver, where the second handle is disposed substantially perpendicular relative to the handle.

20. The device of claim 19, including a single ball-and-socket assembly connecting to and between the handle and the receiver.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the ball-and-socket assembly comprises a cap and a ball, where the cap defines a socket which moveably captures the ball, and where the cap is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver and the ball is connected to either the end of the handle or the receiver whichever is not connected to the cap.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the second handle comprises a flexible fabric loop connected to the second end of the handle.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the resistance member comprises an elastic tube, band or spring.

24. A rope-less jump rope and resistance exercise device, comprising:

a jump rope handle having a longitudinal length between a first and second end;

a resistance handle attached to the first end of the jump rope handle disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the jump rope handle;

a single ball-and-socket assembly having a proximal and distal end, where the proximal end is attached to the second end of the jump rope handle;

a receiver attached to the distal end of the ball-and-socket assembly, the receiver including a slotted aperture and a stop;

an elongated lash including a connector end and a free end, where the connector end is removably connectable with the receiver through the slotted aperture abutting the stop;

an elongated and resiliently stretchable resistance member including a pair of second connector ends, where either of the pair of second connector ends are removably connectable with the receiver through the slotted aperture abutting the stop; and

wherein an identical pair of the jump rope handle, ball-and-socket assembly, receiver and lash form the rope-less jump rope simulator, and where an identical pair of the resistance handle, ball-and-socket assembly and receiver including at least one resistance member form the resistance exercise device.