EXERCISE DEVICE FOR GENERATING VIBRATION

Abstract

An exercise device for generating vibration is provided. The device includes a body that is attachable to exercise equipment through a pair of attachment mechanisms coupled to the body. One of the pair of attachment mechanisms is attachable to a cable of the exercise equipment and the other of the pair of attachment mechanisms is attachable to an accessory for the exercise equipment. A vibrational assembly is positioned within the body and includes a rotatable shaft having a weight attached thereto. The rotatable shaft rotates the weight to generate vibrations in the body, wherein the vibrations in the body generate vibrations in the accessory for the exercise equipment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/574,418 filed Aug. 3, 2011 and having the title “Multifunctional piece of fitness equipment that uses vibrational movement and force, which can be used by itself or with any other additional piece of equipment to augment standard workout routines in multiple planes of motion”, which is herein incorporated in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise device, and more particularly to an exercise device for generating vibrations.

2. Related Art

Exercise devices that generate vibration are generally known. For example, vibrational belts and platforms are used to augment a user's workout. In particular, vibratory devices are utilized to transfer vibrations to the body to trigger a myotatic reflex or stretching response within the body. These vibratory devices are generally considered to improve a user's balance, enhance the user's flexibility, and speed the user's muscle recovery after a workout. Vibratory devices are also known improve a person's coordination and increase the user's collagen production. Moreover, such devices may enhance a person's skin quality because the vibrations aid in proper blood flow and circulation throughout the person's body.

Unfortunately, most vibratory devices are bulky and limit the exercise that the device may be used for. For example, vibrational belts are limited to vibrating a person's waist or buttocks, while the person stands at the device. Additionally, vibrational platforms are generally stationary and limit the user to exercises that can be performed while standing in the platform. A need remains for a vibrational exercise device that is portable and capable of being used with various pieces of exercise equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, an exercise device for generating vibration is provided. The device includes a body that is attachable to exercise equipment. A vibrational assembly is positioned within the body and includes a rotatable shaft having a weight attached thereto. The rotatable shaft rotates the weight to generate vibrations in the body, wherein the vibrations in the body generate vibrations in the accessory for the exercise equipment.

In another embodiment, an exercise device for generating vibration is provided. The device includes a body that is attachable to exercise equipment. An attachment mechanism is coupled to the body. The attachment mechanism attaches to the exercise equipment to join the body to the exercise equipment. A vibrational assembly is positioned within the body to generate vibrations in the body. The vibrations in the body generate vibrations in the accessory for the exercise equipment.

In another embodiment, an exercise device for generating vibration is provided. The device includes a body that is attachable to exercise equipment. A pair of attachment mechanisms is coupled to the body. One of the pair of attachment mechanisms is attachable to a cable of the exercise equipment. The other of the pair of attachment mechanisms is attachable to an accessory for the exercise equipment so that the exercise device is positioned between the cable for the exercise equipment and the accessory for the exercise equipment. A vibrational assembly is positioned within the body and includes a rotatable shaft having a weight attached thereto. The rotatable shaft rotates the weight to generate vibrations in the body, wherein the vibrations in the body generate vibrations in the accessory for the exercise equipment.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of an exercise device for generating vibrations.

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1 and coupled to the cable of exercise equipment and an accessory for the exercise equipment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of a vibrational assembly that is configured to be positioned within a body of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vibrational assembly shown in FIG. 3 and taken about line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1 and taken about line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the exercise device shown in FIG. 1 and taken about line 6-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

The present invention is a portable, hand-held exercise device 10 that may be used to generate vibrations with various pieces of exercise equipment. As used herein, the term “exercise equipment” is defined as any equipment used for exercising, for example, an exercise machine or free-standing weights, such as barbells, ankle weights, or the like. The device 10 may attach to a cable 12 of the exercise equipment and accessories 14 of the exercise equipment to generate vibrations through the cable 12 and the accessory 14 while the user works out with the exercise equipment. For example, the accessory 14 may be a seated row chin bar, a straight bar, a lat bar, a curl bar, a triceps press bar, a handle, a triceps rope, or any other similar exercise accessory. The exercise device 10 quickly attaches to the cable 12 and accessory 14 in a similar manner to the accessory 14 attaching directly to the cable 12. The device 10 may be quickly removed and attached to another piece of exercise equipment. In one embodiment, the device 10 may be used by itself when not attached to exercise equipment. For example, the device 10 may be held in the user's hand while exercising without equipment. Additionally, the device 10 may be attached to free-standing weights, such as barbells, ankle weights, or the like.

The exercise device 10 has a body 16 that is attachable to the accessory 14 for exercise equipment. A vibrational assembly 60 is positioned within the body 16 and includes a rotatable shaft 18 having a weight 20 attached thereto. The rotatable shaft 18 rotates the weight 20 to generate vibrations in the body 16, wherein the vibrations in the body 16 generate vibrations in the accessory 14 for the exercise equipment. A weight arm 22 extends radially outward from the shaft 18. The weight 20 is attached to an end 24 of the weight arm 22 distal from the shaft 18. The weight 20 rotates around the shaft 18 to generate vibrations. The weight 20 is shaped as an arc that forms a portion of a circumference around the shaft 18. A motor 26 is joined to the shaft 18 by a belt 28 and pulleys 30, 32. The motor 26 powers the pulleys 30, 32 to rotate the shaft 18. A rechargeable battery 54 is provided to power the motor 26. A pair of attachment mechanisms 34, 36 are coupled to the body. One of the pair of attachment mechanisms 34, 36 is attachable to the cable 12 of the exercise equipment. The other of the pair of attachment mechanisms 34, 36 is attachable to the accessory 14 for the exercise equipment so that the exercise device 10 is positioned between the cable 12 and the accessory 14 and vibrates both the cable 12 and the accessory 14. The exercise device 10 is portable and attachable to a plurality of exercise equipment.

The exercise device 10 vibrates a user's body or a portion thereof while working out to trigger a myotatic reflex or stretching response within the body 16. The device 10 improves a user's balance, enhances the user's flexibility, and speeds the user's muscle recovery after a workout. The device 10 may also improve a person's coordination and increase the user's collagen production. Moreover, the device 10 may enhance a person's skin quality because the vibrations aid in proper blood flow and circulation throughout the person's body.

The body 16 is defined by a housing 40. The housing 40 is formed from a material capable of withstanding the maximum weight of standard exercise equipment. The housing may customized to support any weight. The housing 40 has rounded contours and is ergonomically shaped to comfortably fit in a user's hand so that the user may utilize the device 10 independently without exercise equipment. The attachment mechanisms 34, 36 extend from the top 42 and bottom 44, respectively, of the housing. The attachment mechanism 34 is illustrated as being joined to the cable 12 and the attachment mechanism 36 is illustrated as being joined to the accessory 14. However, the attachment mechanism 34 may be joined to the accessory 14 and the attachment mechanism 36 may be joined to the cable 12. The attachment mechanisms 34, 36 are illustrated as clips that couple to a loop or clip in the cable 12 or accessory 14. Alternatively, the attachment mechanisms 34, 36 may be any suitable attachment mechanisms. In other embodiments, the attachment mechanism 34, 36 may extend from any portion of the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment mechanism 34 extends from an opposite end of the housing 40 from the attachment mechanism 36.

A switch 46 is provided in the housing 40 to power the vibrational assembly 60 to generate vibrations in the body 16. A power outlet 48 electrically couples to a power supply to charge the device 10. In particular, the power outlet 48 is used to charge the battery 38 in vibrational assembly 60. In the exemplary embodiment, the battery 38 is a rechargeable nickel cadmium battery, but may be any suitable rechargeable battery. The device 10 is configured to be charged and disconnected from the power supply during use.

The battery 38 powers the motor 26 to rotate a pulley 30 having center 50 joined to the motor 26. The pulley 30 drives the belt 28 to rotate the pulley 32. The rotatable shaft 18 is attached to a center 52 of the pulley 32. The motor 26 drives the pulleys 30, 32 and the belt 28 to rotate the shaft 18. The shaft 18 extends into a weight housing 62 that contains the weight 20. Within the weight housing 62 a weight arm 22 extends radially outward from the shaft 18. In the exemplary embodiment, two weight arms 22 extend from the shaft 18 at different radial angles. The weight 20 is attached to an end 24 of the weight arms 22 distal from the shaft 18. The weight is positioned adjacent to the weight housing 62. The shaft 18 is driven by the motor 26 to rotate the weight 20 around the shaft 18. The weight 20 is shaped as an arc that forms a portion of a circumference around the shaft 18. As the weight 20 rotates the weight shifts the balance of the device 10 so that the device 10 shakes or vibrates.

The attachment mechanisms 34, 36 are joined to the vibrational assembly 60. Accordingly, the vibrational assembly 60 is formed from a material that can withstand the maximum weight of exercise equipment. The attachment mechanisms 34, 36 are joined to the vibrational assembly 60 so that attachment mechanisms 34, 36 can swivel with respect to the vibrational assembly 60 to account for movement in the cable 12 and the accessory 14 when working out. The vibrations in the device 10 are transferred to the accessory 14 via the attachment mechanism 36 to vibrate the accessory 14. Accordingly, the accessory 14 vibrates the portion of the user's body joined to the accessory 14, for example, the hand and arm. The vibration enhances the workout of the user by providing the benefits described above.

The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to persons who are skilled in the art. As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An exercise device for generating vibration, comprising:

a body that is attachable to exercise equipment; and

a vibrational assembly positioned within the body and including a rotatable shaft having a weight attached thereto, the rotatable shaft rotating the weight to generate vibrations in the body, wherein the vibrations in the body generate vibrations in the exercise equipment.

2. The exercise device of claim 1 further comprising a pair of attachment mechanisms coupled to the body, one of the pair of attachment mechanisms attachable to a cable of the exercise equipment, and the other of the pair of attachment mechanisms attachable to the accessory for the exercise equipment so that the exercise device is positioned between the cable for the exercise equipment and the accessory for the exercise equipment.

3. The exercise device of claim 1 further comprising a weight arm extending radially outward from the shaft, the weight attached to an end of the weight arm distal from the shaft.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the weight rotates around the shaft to generate vibrations.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the weight is shaped as an arc that forms a portion of a circumference around the shaft.

6. The exercise device of claim 1 further comprising a motor joined to the shaft by pulleys, the motor powering the pulleys to rotate the shaft.

7. The exercise device of claim 6 further comprising a rechargeable battery to power the motor.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the exercise device is portable and attachable to a plurality of exercise equipment.

9. An exercise device for generating vibration, comprising:

a body that is attachable to exercise equipment;

an attachment mechanism coupled to the body, wherein the attachment mechanism attaches to the exercise equipment to join the body to the exercise equipment; and

a vibrational assembly positioned within the body to generate vibrations in the body, wherein the vibrations in the body generate vibrations in the exercise equipment.

10. The exercise device of claim 9 further comprising a pair of attachment mechanisms, wherein one of the pair of attachment mechanisms is attachable to a cable of the exercise equipment, and the other of the pair of attachment mechanisms is attachable to an accessory for the exercise equipment so that the exercise device is positioned between the cable for the exercise equipment and the accessory for the exercise equipment

11. The exercise device of claim 9 further comprising a shaft positioned in the vibrational assembly, a weight arm extending radially outward from the shaft, the weight attached to an end of the weight arm distal from the shaft.

12. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the weight rotates around the shaft to generate vibrations.

13. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the weight is shaped as an arc that forms a portion of a circumference around the shaft.

14. The exercise device of claim 11 further comprising a motor joined to the shaft by pulleys, the motor powering the pulleys to rotate the shaft.

15. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the exercise device is portable and attachable to a plurality of exercise equipment.

16. An exercise device for generating vibration, comprising:

a body that is attachable to exercise equipment;

a pair of attachment mechanisms coupled to the body, one of the pair of attachment mechanisms attachable to a cable of the exercise equipment, and the other of the pair of attachment mechanisms attachable to an accessory for the exercise equipment so that the exercise device is positioned between the cable for the exercise equipment and the accessory for the exercise equipment; and

a vibrational assembly positioned within the body and including a rotatable shaft having a weight attached thereto, the rotatable shaft rotating the weight to generate vibrations in the body, wherein the vibrations in the body generate vibrations in the accessory for the exercise equipment.

17. The exercise device of claim 16, wherein the exercise device is portable and attachable to a plurality of exercise equipment.

18. The exercise device of claim 16 further comprising a weight arm extending radially outward from the shaft, the weight attached to an end of the weight arm distal from the shaft.

19. The exercise device of claim 16, wherein the weight rotates around the shaft to generate vibrations.

20. The exercise device of claim 16, wherein the weight is shaped as an arc that forms a portion of a circumference around the shaft.