STABILITY BAR SYSTEM

Abstract

A stability bar system is disclosed for use in exercising and muscle toning. The system provides an unstable base to engage core muscles while performing exercises. The bar has a central attachment point, and multiple off-center attachment points on which to attach resistance tubing, bands, cables, or straps. The body of the bar is made from rigid plastic or metal, and allows for diverse exercises by providing interchangeable attachments, and multiple configurations, to vary stability and resistance. The bar may also be used to perform body weight exercises. The stability bar system is designed to allow an exerciser to engage core muscles while focusing on other, primary muscles.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/444,259, filed Feb. 18, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally pertains to exercise apparatus, and more particularly, to exercise instability bars. Some examples of exercise bars according to the present disclosure may be used for fitness training to tone muscle and increase core strength.

SUMMARY

Exercise instability bars and systems are generally disclosed. Some example embodiments may include methods, apparatus, and/or systems associated with exercise attachments or instability bars.

Example exercise apparatus include a rigid bar fixed to a sturdy frame, and optional removable resistance tubes or bands. The bar itself should be strong and rigid enough to support body weight to include body weight training such as pull-ups and pushups. A central attachment point at the center of the bar connects it to a sturdy frame. A plurality of off-center attachment points are located on the “bottom” of the bar, with respect to the central attachment point, which is located on the surface rotated by 180 degrees. The resistance bands are attachable, removable and interchangeable on these off-center attachment points.

The off-center attachment points are distributed evenly on both sides of the center attachment point, and are symmetrical on either side of the center. An exemplary off-center attachment point configuration may be as follows. Two off-center attachment points may be set close to the middle of the bar. Midway between these off-center attachment points and the end of the bar are two more off-center attachment points. Finally, two off-center attachment points are located at the end of the bar to provide the least stabilization.

Resistance bands or tubes may be attached to any one of the plurality of attachment points. The resistance bands have handles on one end. Generally, two resistance bands are attached to the bar—one on each side of the center, to accommodate the two sides of a user. In an exemplary embodiment, this band may be an elastic resistance band or tube, but it may also be another type of attachment, such as a cable band, or a strap.

In an exemplary embodiment, a carabiner connects the resistance band to an attachment point. The bands have a small loop sewn on one end and a rubber handle sewn on the other. The end with the small loop loops onto the carabineer. The carabiner then fits onto an attachment point at the bottom of the bar. Other ways to connect the handle and strap to the bar include hooks, loops, or tabs on the bar.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bar is formed from metal. Oval hole pairs are punched into the tube for attachment points. These holes can be any shape, but oval holes allow the connecting carabiner to move smoothly when the device is in use. The holes pairs are punched through the bar at the same length position on the bar. There are a total of fourteen holes. Two holes are located on the center top of the bar. These holes are for connecting the central attachment, to connect to a frame. On the opposite side of the bar are twelve holes for resistance band handle placement. There may be three pairs of evenly spaced holes on either side of the center. There can be any number of holes on the bar and these holes can be any shape and placed at any location in the tube to vary the stability and resistance.

In an exemplary embodiment, the stability bar is plastic. Three pieces make up the bar including the center member, and the two identical partial bars that connect to the center member. The center member has a cutout at the top of the device to connect a strap. This strap attaches to a stable frame or structure. The center member contains female threading allowing the two partial bars to connect. Each partial bar has three molded loops. The holes in the loops allow a carabiner to fit through, which connects the resistance tubing. In an exemplary embodiment, there are a total of six loops and one center cutout on the plastic bar. The loops are evenly spaced over the length of the bar. The hole design, placement, and number of holes may vary and accomplish the same results in this disclosure.

The size and shape of both the plastic and metal bar may vary. The length may vary, and the tubing may be circular, rectangular, or oval in cross-section. The bar may be straight or curved. Any number of holes may be placed at any location on the bar to attach carabineers or other attaching pieces. The center member of the plastic bar may attach in any way, not necessarily a screw.

The center attachment piece connects the stability bar to a sturdy frame for exercise. In one use, the bar is connected by the center point to the frame, so it moves freely in any direction when the bar is pushed or pulled, and the user must exert force to stabilize it. The attachment points in the bar are located at various points to provide different torque during exercise. The wider the resistance bands or straps are attached, the more unstable the bar and the more effort is required by the user to stabilize the bar. When the bands are in place in the bar, the user will use the resistance for exercise, and force on the bands and straps control the movement of the bar. Additional work will be performed stabilizing the bar. In the absence of bands or straps, the bar may be used as a cable attachment or for body weight exercises.

The exercise apparatus in the disclosure may be made by way of fabrication, machining, and injection molding. The straps and part of the center attachment piece may be fabricated, such as from nylon or polyester. The bands and handles may be injection molded. The resistance bands may be different sizes and resistance. The straps may be manufactured in various sizes and shapes. The bar, portions of the center attachment piece, and attachment pieces may be machined.

A person could use the stability bar by attaching the center attachment piece to a stable frame. Then based on the desired exercise, the user would attach bands, straps, or cables to various attachment positions on the bar, or use the bar itself for pull-ups, push-ups, and other body weight exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a metal stability bar system, including the bar, strap, bands, handles, and attachment pieces;

FIG. 2 is bottom view a metal stability bar, including the plurality of attachment points;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a metal stability bar;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a plastic stability bar system including the bar and strap;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one half of the bar in a plastic stability bar system;

FIG. 6a shows an X-ray view of the middle piece of the plastic stability bar system;

FIG. 6b shows a perspective view of the middle piece of the plastic stability bar system;

FIG. 7 shows a stability bar system, attached to a frame, and in use.

FIG. 8 shows a stability bar system, attached to a frame, and in use in a second orientation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

The present disclosure pertains, inter alia, to exercise systems, such as stability bar systems. Some example embodiments according to the present disclosure may comprise a stability bar, which may include a substantially straight bar, attachments, and resistance bands.

An exemplary embodiment of the stability bar system 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The stability bar system 100 includes an elongated bar 200, with a metal body 201. Metal ring 222 is coupled to the top of the bar 200 and connects strap 220 to the bar 200 at the attachment point 206 at the center of the bar. Strap 220 may have a body of nylon webbing 221 and an adjustable buckle 223. The metal ring 222 and strap 220 assembly may or may not be easily detachable from the center of the bar 200. The bar 200 has optional end-caps 203 and a plurality of attachment points 205 extending along the bottom of the bar 200. The plurality of attachment points 205 allow resistance bands 210, for example, to be attached and detached at various points on the bar 200. The resistance bands 210 have a band 212, and a handle 214 as well as a bearing cylinder 213 to allow the handle 214 to swivel.

FIG. 2 depicts the plurality of attachment points 205 on the underside of a metal stability bar 200 with body 201. Each attachment point 205 along the body 201 comprises a hole pair, 205a and 205b extending through the bar 200 to provide a through-hole for one carabiner 223 to be inserted into and out of the bar 201. Similarly, hole pair 205c/205d through 205d/205l provide through-holes for a carabiner 223 to enter and exit the bar body 201 and lock into the bar 200.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a metal stability bar 200, including a metal body 201 and end-caps 203. The plurality of attachment points 205 are oriented along one edge of the bar 201, while the central attachment point 206 is on an opposite edge. A carabiner 223 attaches into the central attachment point 206a/206b. The central attachment point 206a and 206b lie on the same length of the bar 200 so the bar is balanced on either side when it is attached to a frame 500.

A second exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, is a front view of a plastic stability bar system 101 including the bar 300, bar body 301, center member 322 and strap 320. The center member 322 engages the bars 301a and 301b together with a screw thread system. Strap system 320 is made from a nylon webbing or strip 319 and buckle 323 for latching onto a stable frame 500.

FIG. 5 shows one side of the bar 301a, unscrewed and disassembled from the central cuff 322. The external screw threads 302 of the bar 301 are exposed, which in an in-use position is threaded into and locked into cuff 322 of FIG. 6a. Central cuff 322 keeps 301a and 301b locked and engaged in a rigid and stable position. Abutment head 325 prevents further turns and allows proper orientation of the tabs 305 to face downwards in relation to the cuff 322 and slit 323, which points in a radially opposed direction from the tabs 305.

FIG. 6a shows an X-ray view of the central cuff 322 of the plastic stability bar system 101 depicting the internal female threading 303. FIG. 6b shows a perspective view of the center cuff 322 including the outside barrel 304, and axially extending cut-out 323 on the radial tab 321 for the strap 320.

As shown in FIG. 7, stability bar system 100 may be attached to frame 500 by attachment point 222, and operated in a first orientation. The resistance band system 210 is hooked into a narrow, or stable position, into points 205e/205f, and 205g/205h. The user or person P is operating the stability bar system 100 in a first orientation, facing towards the stability bar system 100. P engages the triceps brachii and latissimus dorsi muscles, as well as the core by keeping the bar 200 stable, while exerting a force against the resistance created by the system 100.

FIG. 8 shows a stability bar system 100 attached to a frame 500 at connection 222, and in use by P. The resistance band system 210 is in a wide, less stable position, on attachment points 205a/205b, and attachment points 205k/205l. The user P is facing away from the stability bar system 100 where the resistance is coming from, and thus P is engaging pectoral muscles to press away from the resistance. The core muscles are engaged to keep the bar 200 in a stable position.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a rigid bar having a central attachment point and a plurality of off-center attachment points distributed along the rigid bar;

at least one band of a plurality of bands removably attachable to one of the plurality of off-center attachment points.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one band is one of an elastic resistance band, an elastic resistance tube, and a cable band.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flexible, substantially non-elastic strap removably attachable to the central attachment point.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central attachment point and the plurality of off-center attachment points respectively lie on the bar in opposed radial directions.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a carabiner connects the at least one band to the off-center attachment point.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one band has a handle.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of off-center attachment points are symmetrical on either side of the central attachment point.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the attachment points are evenly spaced.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

a first set of off-center attachment points are close to the center of the bar;

a second set of off-center attachment points are close to the ends of the bar; and

a third set of off-center attachment points are midway between the first set of off-center attachment points and second set of off-center attachment points.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of bands, each removably attachable to one of the plurality of off-center attachment points on opposing sides of the central attachment point.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bar is metal.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexible, non-elastic strap is adapted to be connected to the central attachment point by a metal ring or a carabiner.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the central attachment point and the plurality of off-center attachment points, each comprise a pair of oval holes.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the central attachment point, and the plurality of off-center attachment points, each comprise metal loops.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising end-caps on the rigid bar.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bar is plastic.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the bar comprises two partial bars which attach to a center member to form the rigid bar.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the central attachment point is a tab with a cut-out, extending radially from the center member.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein the center member is an internally threaded cuff; and the two partial bars each include a threaded portion for screw-threaded engagement with the cuff.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a flexible, non-elastic strap connectable to the central attachment point.

21. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of attachment points comprise tabs with holes, the tabs extending radially from the rigid bar.

22. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bar is substantially straight.

23. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bar is substantially curved.

24. A method of using the apparatus of claim 6, comprising the steps of:

providing a stationary frame for attaching the central attachment strap;

attaching a first elastic resistance band and a second elastic resistance band to a first and second of the plurality of off-center attachment points;

gripping the handle bars of the elastic resistance bands and stretching the band by pushing or pulling.