EXERCISE APPARATUS
Exercise apparatus (10, 110) comprises a generally spheroidal main part (12, 112) having a weight providing portion (14, 114). The main part defines first and second receiving formations (16, 18, 117, 118) to receive a part of a limb of a user, wherein the weight of the main part is in the range of 1 kg to 20 kg.
This invention relates to exercise apparatus.
Medicine balls are often used in the gym and at home for exercise purposes. They are generally spherical in shape and contain a central weight. Medicine balls are generally only used only for lifting and throwing.
According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided exercise apparatus comprising a main part having a weight providing portion, said main part defining receiving formations to receive parts of the limbs of a user.
The receiving formations may be configured to receive the legs or feet of the limbs of the user.
In a first embodiment, the body may have a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the centre of gravity of the apparatus is in the lower portion, and the upper portion has the receiving formations, which may be configured to receive the limbs of a user. In the first embodiment, the receiving formations may be recesses.
In the first embodiment, the receiving means may comprise first and second receiving formations defined in the body. The apparatus may further include holding means for holding the apparatus on the user's feet during exercise.
The holding means may comprise a flexible holding member, which may be elongate. The holding member may comprise at least one strap. In one embodiment, the holding means may comprise first and second holding members, each being for a respective one of the user's feet. The first and second holding members may comprise respective first and second straps.
Each of the first and second receiving formations may be configured to receive a respective one of the user's feet. The first holding member may be provided on the first receiving formation. The second holding member may be provided on the second holding formation.
In another embodiment, the holding means may comprise a respective pair of holding members for each of the first and second receiving formations. Each of the holding members may be adjustable to secure different sizes of feet.
One of the holding members of each pair may be arranged to be disposed across the top of the user's foot. The other of the holding members of each pair may be arranged to be disposed across the heel of the user's foot.
Each pair of holding members may comprise a respective pair of strap portions. Each pair of strap portions may be part of a single strap. Alternatively, each strap portion may comprise a separate strap.
The upper portion of the body may have an accommodation formation to accommodate a front region of the user's feet. Each accommodation formation may define first and second recesses to receive the aforesaid front region of the user's feet. A cover portion may extend over each recess.
The upper portion of the body may include first and second accommodation formations on a respective one of the first and second receiving formations to accommodate a respective one of the user's feet.
The apparatus may include grip members extending from the body, the grip members being configured to allow the user to grip the apparatus. The grip members may comprise first and second handles, which may be arranged opposite each other on the body. The first and second grip members may extend from the first and second receiving formations respectively.
The apparatus may include extension means on the body, the extension means being moveable between extended and retracted conditions.
The grip members may be mounted on the extension means for movement therewith between the extended and retracted conditions.
The extension means may comprise an extension member extendable from the body to the extended condition. In one embodiment the extension means may comprise a retraction arrangement for retracting the extension member to the retracted condition.
The extension member may comprise a flexible elongate member, such as a cable. The retraction arrangement may comprise a reel upon which the extendable member can be wound.
The retraction arrangement may further include an urging member to urge the reel to move the extension means to the retracted condition. The urging member may comprise a spring operably mounted on the reel.
Alternatively, the extension member may comprise a resilient member, which may be stretchable to the extended condition, and may be contractable to the retracted condition. The resilient member may comprise an elastic cord, such as a bungee.
The grip members may be mounted on the extension member. The extension means may comprise support means to support the grip member when the extension means is in the extended condition.
The support means may comprise a support member, which may have rollers rotatably mounted thereon. The rollers may comprise wheels.
The apparatus may include a separator to separate the first and second receiving formations from each other. The separator may comprise an upstanding portion on the body.
The separator may extend alongside the first and second receiving formations, between the first and second receiving formations. The separator may be integral with the body.
The lower portion may have a curved outer surface. The lower portion may be of a generally hemispheroidal shape. In one embodiment, the lower portion may be of a prolate hemispheroidal shape.
The exercise apparatus may include a weighting means provided in the body. Desirably, the weighting means is provided in the lower portion of the body. The weighting means may be so provided in the body that when the body has a tendency to urge itself to a position in which the receiving means faces upwardly.
In a second embodiment, the receiving formations may be in the form of recesses, which may be arranged opposite each other.
In the second embodiment, the weight providing portion is desirably provided within the main part.
The weight of the main part may be at least partially provided by the weight providing portion and may be in the range of 1 kg to 20 kg. The weight of the main part may be at least partially provided by the weight providing portion and may be in the range of 2 kg to 15 kg. The weight of the main part may be at least partially provided by the weight providing portion and may be in the range of 3 kg to 10 kg.
The main part may comprise a ball and may be generally spheroidal in shape. The recesses may be defined opposite each other in the spheroidal main part. The recesses may have a generally oval profile.
Protruding portions may be provided on the main part in the recess, and protrude outwardly from the main part into the recess. The protruding portions may be configured to engage the feet of a user to provide enhanced grip for the user's feet on the exercise apparatus.
In one embodiment, the main part may comprise at least one removable weight providing portion. The main part may comprise first and second removable weight providing portions. The, or each, weight providing portion may comprise a removable weight member. The main part may comprise a body and the, or each, removable weight providing portion may be mountable on the body on the body. The first and second removable weight providing portions may be mountable opposite each other on the body.
The exercise apparatus may comprise a plurality of selectable weight members, which can be interchangeably mounted on the body to vary the weight of the exercise apparatus.
The exercise apparatus may have corresponding securing formations to secure each of the selected weight members on the body. The corresponding securing formations may comprise a projection on the weight member or the body and a hole defined in the body or the weight member.
The projection and the hole may be threaded to allow the projection to be threadably received in the hole. In one embodiment, a respective projection may be provided on each weight member, and the hole may be defined in the body.
In this embodiment, the body may have two oppositely arranged securing formations so that two weight members can be secured to the body opposite to each other.
In this embodiment, the weight of the body may be in the range of 1 kg to 4 kg. The weight of the body may be in the range of 2 kg to 3 kg. The weight of the body may be substantially 2 kg.
Each weight member may have a weight in the range of ¼ kg to 9 kg. Each weight member may have a weight in the range of ½ kg to 7 kg. Each weight member may have a weight in the range of ½ kg to 4 kg.
In one embodiment, the exercise apparatus may comprise a plurality of weight members, wherein at least one weight member can be selected to be secured to the body. The plurality of weight members may have a plurality of different weights. The exercise apparatus may comprise two sets of the corresponding securing formations to allow a selected two of the plurality of weight members to be secured to the body.
Attaching means may be provided to attach further articles to the main part. The attaching means may be on the body, and may comprise a further hole defined by the body. The further hole may receive an end region of an elongate article, such as a support bar. Two of the exercise apparatus may be attached to the respective opposite ends of the elongate article to provide a weightlifting arrangement.
The exercise apparatus may include holding means to hold the exercise apparatus on a user's foot or feet. The holding means may comprise a plurality of straps, each extending across a respective one of the recesses.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Each of the first and second receiving formations is configured to receive a respective one of the user's feet. Holding means in the form of first and second holding members 20, 22 are provided to hold the users feet in the respective first and second receiving formations 16, 18. The first and second holding members are in the form of first and second holding straps 20, 22.
An upstanding central separator 24 extends from the main body 12 between the first and second receiving formations 16, 18.
The apparatus 10 further includes first and second grip members in the form of handles 26, 28, which extend outwardly from the respective first and second receiving formations 16, 18. The handles 26, 28 are provided to allow the user to grip the exercise apparatus 10 in his or her hands.
A respective gap 30, 32 is defined between the first and second handles 26, 28 and the receiving formations 16, 18. This allows the user to apply a firm grip to the exercise apparatus 10.
As can be seen, the upstanding separator 24 includes opposite widened portions 34A, 34B, which are configured to engage within the arch of the user's feet when placed on the receiving formations 16, 18.
The lower portion 14 is provided with weighting means in the form of a weight 36 held within. The weight 36 can be of any suitable mass, for example 1 or 2 kilograms. The weight 36 is shown in broken lines in
In
With the exercise apparatus 10 so held, the user 100 can perform exercises, for example as shown, by lifting the exercise apparatus 10 off the ground, thereby exercising his or her lower body.
In
There is thus described an exercise apparatus 10 that can be used to exercise the upper and lower body, and which is of a reasonably small size and can easily be stored in a cupboard between use.
Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the lower portion need not be of a prolate hemispheroidal shape, but could simply be in the shape of a hemisphere or any other suitable shape.
The embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
Thus, the user inserts his or her feet between the first and second holding straps 20, 22 and the corresponding rear straps 50, 52, and inserts the front region of the feet into the recesses 46, 48. The first and second holding straps 20, 22 and the further straps 50, 52 are then adjusted to tighten them around the feet, so that both feet are held securely on the exercise apparatus 10.
A further embodiment of the invention is shown in
The embodiment shown in
The embodiment shown in
The extension means 64 can be moved from a retracted condition, which is shown by the handle 28, and an extended condition which is shown by the handle 26. The retracted condition of the handle 26 is shown in broken lines in
The extension means 60 can be moved from the retracted condition to the extended condition by pulling the handles outwardly, as shown by the arrows X designating movement of the handle 26 in
As shown in
The support means 66 comprises a pair of downwardly extending support members 68 which are rotatably mounted at a pivot 70 on opposite ends of the handles 26, 28. A roller 72 extends from the support members 68 to engage the ground.
When the extension means 60 is in the retracted condition, the support means 66 is pivoted about the pivot 70 and housed within the body 12. When the extension means is pulled to the extended condition, the support means 66 pivots about the pivot 70 to the support condition, shown in
In
In
A second embodiment of an exercise apparatus generally designated 110 is shown in
The main part 112 may be filled with two materials, and the weight providing portion 114 can be a central region of the main part 112 that is formed of a material that is heavier than the material surrounding the central region.
The main part 112 is generally in the shape of a sphere having two opposed recesses 117, 118. Each of the recesses 117, 118 is of an oval shape. The exercise apparatus 110 further includes a respective protrusion 120, 122 on the main part 112 within each of the recesses 117, 118. Each protrusion 120, 122 is arranged at the centre of the respective recess 117, 118 and extends from the main part 112 into the respective recess.
The main part 112 defines slots 128 on opposite sides of each recess 117, 118, through which straps 130 can be threaded. The straps 130 extend across the recesses 117, 118 and are used to hold a user's feet, so that the exercise apparatus can be held on the feet. In
The body 214 defines two opposed recesses 217, 218 which are generally the same as the recesses 117, 118 described above, being of an oval shape. In
The exercise apparatus 210 also includes a respective protrusion 220, 222 on the body 214 within each of the recesses 217, 218. The protrusions 220, 222 are arranged centrally within each recess 217, 218 and extend outwardly from the body 214 into the respective recess 217 or 218. Again, the protrusion 222 is hidden from view in
Each of the protrusions 120, 122, 220, 222 is of a convex curved shape, and may be configured to fit into the arch of a user's foot.
The embodiment shown in
The exercise apparatus 210 comprises a plurality of pairs of weight members 224, which can be selectively mountable on the body 214. The weight members of each pair have the same weight as each other, but the weight members 224 of different pairs have different weights. The weight of the main part 212 can thus be varied.
Each of the weight members 224 has a weight portion 226 in the shape of a spherical cap, and a securing formation 228 extending from the weight portion. The securing formation 228 is in the form of a threaded cylindrical projection 230.
The body 214 defines two opposed securing members 231, defining respective threaded securing holes 232. Each of the securing holes 232 can receive, and threadably engage, the respective securing projections 228 on the weight portions 226 of the weight members 224.
For example, with the embodiment shown, the user can select a pair of weight members 224 having the same weight as each other. The weight members 224 so selected are attached to the body 214 by screwing the projections into the respective holes 226 in the body 214. Thus, with the selected weight members 224 mounted on the body 214, an exercise apparatus having the desired weight is provided.
Referring to
The elongate bar may be externally threaded at its opposite ends. One end of the elongate bar may be threadably received in the threaded hole 244, thereby attaching the elongate bar to the exercise apparatus. The opposite end of the elongate bar may be attached to another identical exercise apparatus (not shown) in the same way. This provides a bar having weight members at its opposite ends, and which can be used as a weight lifting arrangement.
In the embodiment shown in
In
In
In
Although
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A method of using an exercise apparatus, said exercise apparatus comprising a spheroidal main part having a weight providing portion, wherein the main part defines first and second recesses to receive the feet of a user, a respective protruding portion being provided on the main part within each recess, wherein each protruding portion is arranged at the centre of the respective recess and each protruding portion protrudes outwardly from the main part into the respective recess, wherein the method comprises arranging the feet of the user in each recess in engagement with the respective protruding portion, thereafter gripping the exercise apparatus between the feet of the user, and lifting the so gripped exercise apparatus off the ground by raising the feet.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the first and recesses are arranged opposite each other.
23. A method according to claim 21, wherein the weight providing portion is provided within the main part, and the recesses are defined opposite each other in the spheroidal main part.
24. A method according to claim 21 including holding means to hold the exercise apparatus on a user's foot or feet, the holding means comprising a plurality of straps, each extending across a respective one of the recesses.
25. A method according to claim 21, wherein the weight of the main part is at least partially provided by the weight providing portion and is in the range of 1 kg to 20 kg.
26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the weight of the main part is in the range of 2 kg to 15 kg.
27. A method according to claim 21, wherein the main part comprises a body and at least one weight providing portion and the method comprises removably mounting said weight providing portion on the body.
28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the main part comprises first and second removable weight providing portions, and the method comprises removably mounting said first and second weight providing portions opposite each other on the body.
29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the main part comprises a plurality of selectable weight members, said method comprising interchangeably mounting the weight members on the body to vary the weight of the exercise apparatus.
30. A method according to claim 29 wherein the exercise apparatus has corresponding securing formations to selectively secure each of the weight members on the body, the corresponding securing formations comprising a projection on the weight member or the body and a hole defined in the body or the weight member.
31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the projection and the hole are threaded and the method comprise threadably receiving the projection in the hole.
32. A method according to claim 31, wherein each weight member comprises a respective projection, and the hole is defined in the body.
33. A method according to claim 31, wherein the body has two oppositely arranged securing formations and the method comprises securing two weight members to the body opposite to each other.
34. A method according to any of claim 28, wherein the weight of the body is in the range of 1 kg to 4 kg.
35. A method according to claim 28, wherein the weight of the body is in the range of 2 kg to 3 kg.
36. A method according to claim 28, wherein the weight of the body is substantially 2 kg.
37. A method according to claims 30, wherein the, or each, weight member has a weight in the range of ¼ kg to 9 kg.
38. A method according to claim 30, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a plurality of weight members, wherein the method comprises selecting at least one weight member, and securing said selected weight member to the body, the plurality of weight members having a plurality of different weights.
39. A method according to claim 21, wherein attaching means is provided to attach an end region of an elongate article to the main part, the attaching means comprising an aperture defined by the main part, and the method comprises attaching an end region of an elongate article to the main part.
40. Exercise apparatus comprising a spheroidal main part having a weight providing portion, wherein the main part defines first and second recesses configured to receive the feet of a user, a respective protruding portion to be engaged by the aforesaid feet of the user, each protruding portion being provided on the main part within a respective one of the recesses, wherein each protruding portion is arranged at the centre of the respective recess and protrudes outwardly from the main part into the respective recess.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 4, 2014
Publication Date: Nov 20, 2014
Inventor: John Frank Gozie DIKE (Sheffield South Yorkshire)
Application Number: 14/451,239
International Classification: A63B 21/072 (20060101); A63B 21/00 (20060101);