EXERCISE DEVICE WITH DUAL-AXIS ROTATION AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A cable attachment is provided. Here the cable attachment features a fixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurled portion; an attachment mechanism which rotatably attached to the fixed member; and at least one handle which has both a guard portion and a grip portion. The grip portion of this handle can freely rotate about said guard portion via a first rotation mechanism, and the guard portion of this handle can rotate about said fixed member via a second rotation mechanism, independently of the rotation of the guard portion.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 62/264,355 filed on Dec. 8, 2015, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The field of the present invention and its embodiments relate to an exercise device with dual axis rotation and its method of use. In particular, the present invention relates to an attachment to an exercise machine with handles that rotate along two axis, and its method of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The importance of exercising is ubiquitous throughout society, and can likely go without being said, especially in light of a growing sect of the population that makes their living from behind a desk, and spend an increasingly large amount of time not being active. As this importance is widely accepted, there exist no shortage of various fitness solutions to achieve a better, more streamlined workout. One such device is colloquially referred to as a “cable machine”. This machine employs a series of a cable attached to one or more weights, run through a series of pulleys to terminate at an open end. This open end of the cable is capable of accepting a number of attachments.

The ability to accept a variety of attachments is a beneficial feature of these cable machines as it allows a user to target, through a variety of exercises, all of the muscle groups of the human body. However, any user of these cable machines will tell you that it can be tiresome to continually switch out the attachments used in order to get a comprehensive work out. This problem is particularly confounded by the rise in popularity of high intensity interval training, which mandates the rapid iteration of exercises. As such, there exists a need for a device that can attach to a cable machine that, without substitution, provides for a wide variety of exercises to be performed.

Review of Related Technology:

U.S. Pat. No. 1,012,802 pertains to a flexible non-elastic member, approximately the length of a person's arm. This member is attached at each end to an arc-shaped handle or bail, to which are secured the revolving hand grips, through the medium of the bosses which are counter sunk into the ends of the hand grips

U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,035 pertains to a barbell is disclosed having a pair of handles disposed along the length thereof equidistant from the ends of the barbell. The handles are rotatable through an axis transverse to the long axis of the plane of the barbell, so that the handle can be rotated to position comfortable to a user's arms for performing various exercises. The barbell is also optionally adjustable in length so that the handles can be positioned at a predetermined distance from each other.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,405 pertains to a grip handle for sport and physical exercise implements which enables a person to maintain a full freedom of manual movement at the time of firmly grasping and holding to the handle grips of the equipment provided for sportive activity and physical exercise. The grip handle incorporates a hoop member positioned in the bend of a bow or similarly shaped element. The hoop is revolvable in the bow shaped element and has a diametrically extending grip rod which is freely movable in the plane of the hoop. Two of the bow shaped elements are connected to known exercise apparatus so that while working on the respective apparatus, it is possible for the wrists to work and move freely.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,213 pertains to an ergonomic exercise handle having a semicircular arcuate member for connection to a resistive member and a handle grip having a longitudinal centerline that lies on the diameter of the semicircular arcuate member. A cable resistive member can be attached to the arcuate member with a conventional clip or with a special clip fitted with a small roller to reduce friction. The semicircular arcuate member permits the clip to move to a position in linear alignment with a center of the handle grip and the resistive member. Ends of the handle grip are spaced inwardly from ends of the semicircular arcuate member by circling back loop portions extending past the diameter of the arcuate member and inwardly from the arcuate member ends to the handle grip ends. The loop portions provide for a greater range of movement while still maintaining a center point of the arcuate member within the handle grip.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,691,040 pertains to a grip-handle for coupling to a resistance force provided by exercise equipment. The handle includes a hollow, generally-cylindrical hand hold. A flexion cable is fixed to opposed ends of a central shaft that is coaxial with the hand hold with a pulley guide member having a hook for engaging the equipment cable located therebetween. Generally-planar, circular side members having notched peripheries are fixed to the ends of the hand hold. The diameters of the side members exceed that of the hand hold to maintain the cable in position and removed from the hand of a user during the full range of wrist motion provided by the grip-handle during exercise.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,789 pertains to an exercise handle for use with a cord and a method for the use thereof, the handle having a channel portion having at least two channel ends that are positioned non-diametrically relative to each other on the channel portion, the channel portion being rounded relative to a center point; a channel being fashioned on the channel portion, the channel being adapted to receive the cord; a grip portion being positioned between the at least two channel portion ends in an off-center relationship to the center point of the channel portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,715,147 pertains to an attachment for exercise equipment is disclosed. The attachment is a handle assembly with a compressible rotating grip mechanism. The grip mechanism includes a swivel grip rotatably attached to the handle, and a floating grip coupled to the swivel grip by one or more pins. The grip mechanism includes one or more springs between the swivel grip and the floating grip.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,978 pertains to a pull handle that is ergonomically designed to avoid unnatural stresses and/or discomfort to the user's body and joints through the range of motion. The invention enables a user to perform exercises that cannot be accomplished with existing handles or may be more difficult or uncomfortable to do so. These objects are achieved by providing one or more axes of rotation or flexibility in the pull handle so that the user's hand, wrist and/or arm (or foot, ankle and/or leg) may bend and/or rotate more naturally through the user's range of motion.

U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2004/0082448 pertains to an ergonomic handle having an inner ring with a center opening, a bearing assembly attached around the circumference of the inner ring, a two-piece outer ring attached around the bearing, a grip attached to opposite sides of the center opening of the inner ring, and a mounting point fixed to the surface of the outer ring.

U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2010/0124859 pertains to an improved paddle apparatus for standup paddling of surfboards or like water craft, having a plurality of hand grip portions rotatably mounted relative to the paddle shaft, and a means of paddling whereby the operator can ergonomically paddle with greater power and control on either side of the water craft without breaking either hand grip. A further improvement includes using the handgrip in the position perpendicular to the paddle shaft to determine the blade position by feel and steer with greater torque. An alternative embodiment includes rotation of the grip itself, further reducing the twisting of the wrists and other joints.

U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2012/0245003 pertains to a resistance device for use with an exercise machine includes an arbor member structured to be rotatably coupled with respect to the exercise machine. The arbor member having a first end and an opposite second end. The resistance device further having a first hub coupled to the arbor member, the hub having a contact portion of variable radius; a cord member having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end being coupled to the arbor member at or about the first hub, the cord member wound about the first hub at the contact portion; an elastic element having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end being coupled to the second end of the cord member and the second end being structured to be coupled to a point fixed relative to the exercise machine; a second hub coupled to the arbor member, the second hub being structured to be coupled to a user actuatable member; and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the first hub, the adjustment mechanism being adapted selectively to vary the radius of the contact portion of the first hub.

U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2013/0157823 pertains to a variety of functional power grips. An exemplary grip includes a generally elongate handle portion having a gripping surface for a user, and a generally flexible member having a first end and a second end, the generally flexible member having a cross sectional dimension that is substantially the same as the handle portion, wherein the first and second ends of the generally flexible member are attached to first and second ends of the handle portion, the handle portion and generally flexible member cooperating to form a loop, and a coupler disposed about the generally flexible member for attaching the functional power grip to a piece of exercise equipment.

Various systems and methodologies are known in the art. However, their structure and means of operation are substantially different from the present disclosure. The other inventions fail to solve all the problems taught by the present disclosure. At least one embodiment of this invention is presented in the drawings below and will be described in more detail herein.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides for a cable attachment, comprising: a fixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurled portion; an attachment mechanism, rotatably attached to said fixed member; at least one handle, having a guard portion and a grip portion, wherein said grip portion can freely rotate about said guard portion via a first rotation mechanism, and wherein said guard portion can rotate about said fixed member via a second rotation mechanism. In various embodiments, the present invention is constructed out of a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, aluminum, iron, PVA, PVC, PET, and carbon fiber. Additionally, the first and second rotation mechanisms may employ a nut-and-bolt combination or a ball bearing mechanism to achieve substantially free rotation.

In alternative embodiments, there is a rubber grip disposed on the grip portion of the present invention. In other embodiments, some or all of the device of present invention is enveloped by a rubber sleeve. While the device of the present invention can have a variety of sizes, it is optimally constructed with a width ranging from 12″ to 48″. Further, in alternative embodiments, the fixed member of the device of the present invention can be a v-shaped bar, a bar with a single curve, or a bar with two curves.

In addition to the above disclosed device, the present invention also contemplates the device's method of use. Specifically, this disclosure provides for a method for building strength, comprising the steps of: providing, a cable crossover machine; providing a cable attachment, comprising: a fixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurled portion, an attachment mechanism, rotatably attached to said fixed member, at least one handle, having a guard portion and a grip portion, wherein said grip portion can freely rotate about said guard portion via a first rotation mechanism, and wherein said guard portion can rotate about said fixed member via a second rotation mechanism; attaching, by a user, said cable attachment, to said cable crossover machine, grasping, by said user, said grip portion; performing, by said user, at least one exercise, wherein said at least one exercise is performed while maintaining a substantially consistent wrist angle. In various embodiments, the at least one exercise can be selected from the group consisting essentially of: pronated grip bicep curls, supinated grip bicep curls, neutral grip bicep curls, pronated grip triceps push downs, supinated grip triceps push downs, neutral grip triceps push downs, pronated grip upright rows, pronated grip bent over rows, supinated grip bent over rows, neutral grip bent over rows, pronated grip standing rows, supinated grip standing rows, neutral grip standing rows, pronated grip face pulls, supinated grip face pulls, neutral grip face pulls, pronated grip latissimus dorsi pull downs, supinated grip latissimus dorsi pull downs, neutral grip latissimus dorsi pull downs, pronated grip shrugs, supinated grip shrugs, neutral grip shrugs, pronated grip seated rows, supinated grip seated rows, neutral grip seated rows, pronated grip standing straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, supinated grip standing straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, neutral grip standing straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, pronated stiff-legged dead lifts, supinated stiff-legged dead lifts, and neutral grip stiff-legged dead lifts.

The present invention also contemplates a method of performing an exercise with a neutral grip, pronated grip, and supinated grip, comprising the steps of: providing, a cable crossover machine; providing a cable attachment, comprising: a fixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurled portion, an attachment mechanism, rotatably attached to said fixed member, at least one handle, having a guard portion and a grip portion, wherein said grip portion can freely rotate about said guard portion via a first rotation mechanism, and wherein said guard portion can rotate about said fixed member via a second rotation mechanism; attaching, by a user, said cable attachment, to said cable crossover machine, grasping, by said user, said grip portion; performing, at least one exercise, wherein said at least one exercise is performed with a neutral grip, a pronated grip, and a supinated grip, wherein said user without releasing said grip portion. In various embodiments, the at least one exercise is selected from the group consisting essentially of: bicep curls, triceps push downs, upright rows, bent over rows, standing rows, face pulls, latissimus dorsi pull downs, shrugs, seated rows, straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, and stiff-legged dead lifts.

In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives:

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cable machine attachment.

It is an object of the present invention to promote wellness.

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate building strength.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce clutter in gymnasiums.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that allow for a user to perform exercises while readily changing between a supinated, pronated, and neutral grip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the handle of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of yet another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a further embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the handle of the embodiment of the device of the present inventions shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, a top view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention. Here, cable attachment 100 features fixed member 101, attachment mechanism 102, at least one handle 103, guard portion 104, grip portion 105, first rotation mechanism 106, and second rotation mechanism 107. As can be seen from this figure, a portion of fixed member 101, as well as the entirety of grip portion 105 are knurled. This finishing provides for a higher static coefficient of friction, resulting in the device being easier to handle for a user, particularly when a user begins to sweat. Attachment mechanism 102 can also rotate freely about fixed member 101, providing for more versatile use of the device of the present invention. Further, due to first rotation mechanism 106, a user may activate a wide range of muscles, as well as different portions of a given muscle by rotating at least one handle 103 such that different parts of a muscle may be activated. The present invention may be constructed out of steel, aluminum, iron, PVA, PVC, PET, carbon fiber, or some combination thereof.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the handle of the present invention. Here, at least one handle 103 features guard portion 104, grip portion 105, first rotation mechanism 106, and second rotation mechanism 107. Via second rotation mechanism 107, grip portion 105 can rotate substantially freely. That is, as a user deviating the angle formed by their arm and fixed member 101, the user's wrist angle (angle formed by the user's hand and forearm) is capable of remaining constant throughout the exercise. This allows a user to engage in partially isokinetic exercises, providing strength training in a manner absent from most cable attachments. Working in conjunction with first rotation mechanism 106, at least one handle 103 provides for rotation about two axis. This allows for a user to readily switch between a neutral, pronated, and supinated grip without releasing grip portion 105. Such exercises include, but are not limited to: bicep curls, triceps push downs, upright rows, bent over rows, standing rows, face pulls, latissimus dorsi pull downs, shrugs, seated rows, straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, and stiff-legged dead lifts.

Referring to FIG. 3, a top view of an alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown. Here, much like the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, cable attachment 100 features fixed member 101, attachment mechanism 102, at least one handle 103, guard portion 104, grip portion 105, first rotation mechanism 106, and second rotation mechanism 107. However, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, fixed member 101 is uniformly curved, as opposed to the more ellipse-like shape shown in FIG. 1. This curve will allow a user to activate different parts of their muscles when compared with other variants.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of another embodiment of the device of the present invention. Again, cable attachment 100 features fixed member 101, attachment mechanism 102, at least one handle 103, guard portion 104, grip portion 105, first rotation mechanism 106, and second rotation mechanism 107. However, in this embodiment, fixed member 101 is noticeably shorter than the other embodiments, and contains two straight members. The angle between these members may range from 10° to 180°.

Referring to FIG. 5 a top view of yet another embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown. Here, cable attachment 100 features fixed member 101, attachment mechanism 102, at least one handle 103, two sets of guard portion 104, two sets of first rotation mechanism 106, and two sets of second rotation mechanism 107. This embodiment allows for a wider variety of muscle groups to be worked out in rapid succession. For example, a user may perform a series of exercise with the outer-most set of handles, take an optional rest period, and then may perform another series of exercises with the inner set of handles.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a top view of a further embodiment of the device of the present invention and a perspective view of the handle of the embodiment of the device of the present inventions shown in FIG. 6. These views are identical to the views shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, with the exception that first rotation mechanism 106 and second rotation mechanism 107 employ ball bearings as opposed to the nut/bolt configuration shown by FIGS. 1 and 2.

It should be noted that in many preferred embodiments, the handles of the present invention must be aligned parallel to each other.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cable attachment, comprising:

a fixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurled portion;

an attachment mechanism, rotatably attached to said fixed member;

at least one handle, having a guard portion and a grip portion, wherein said grip portion can freely rotate about said guard portion via a first rotation mechanism, and wherein said guard portion can rotate about said fixed member via a second rotation mechanism.

2. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said cable attachment is constructed out of a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, aluminum, iron, PVA, PVC, PET, and carbon fiber.

3. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said first rotation mechanism employs a nut-and-bolt combination.

4. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said first rotation mechanism employs ball bearings.

5. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said second rotation mechanism employs a nut-and-bolt combination.

6. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said second rotation mechanism employs ball bearings.

7. The cable attachment of claim 1, further comprising a rubber grip disposed on said grip portion.

8. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said fixed member has a width, said width ranging from 12″ to 48″.

9. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said fixed member is a v-shaped bar.

10. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said fixed member is a bar with a single curve.

11. The cable attachment of claim 1, wherein said fixed member is a bar with two curves.

12. A method for building strength, comprising the steps of:

providing, a cable crossover machine;

providing a cable attachment, comprising: a fixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurled portion, an attachment mechanism, rotatably attached to said fixed member, at least one handle, having a guard portion and a grip portion, wherein said grip portion can freely rotate about said guard portion via a first rotation mechanism, and wherein said guard portion can rotate about said fixed member via a second rotation mechanism;

attaching, by a user, said cable attachment, to said cable crossover machine, grasping, by said user, said grip portion;

performing, by said user, at least one exercise, wherein said at least one exercise is performed while maintaining a substantially consistent wrist angle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said fixed member is a v-shaped bar.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said fixed member is a bar with a single curve.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said fixed member is a bar with two curves.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said at least one exercise is selected from the group consisting essentially of: pronated grip bicep curls, supinated grip bicep curls, neutral grip bicep curls, pronated grip triceps push downs, supinated grip triceps push downs, neutral grip triceps push downs, pronated grip upright rows, pronated grip bent over rows, supinated grip bent over rows, neutral grip bent over rows, pronated grip standing rows, supinated grip standing rows, neutral grip standing rows, pronated grip face pulls, supinated grip face pulls, neutral grip face pulls, pronated grip latissimus dorsi pull downs, supinated grip latissimus dorsi pull downs, neutral grip latissimus dorsi pull downs, pronated grip shrugs, supinated grip shrugs, neutral grip shrugs, pronated grip seated rows, supinated grip seated rows, neutral grip seated rows, pronated grip standing straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, supinated grip standing straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, neutral grip standing straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, pronated stiff-legged dead lifts, supinated stiff-legged dead lifts, and neutral grip stiff-legged dead lifts.

17. A method of performing an exercise with a neutral grip, pronated grip, and supinated grip, comprising the steps of:

providing, a cable crossover machine; providing a cable attachment, comprising: a fixed member, having a smooth portion and a knurled portion, an attachment mechanism, rotatably attached to said fixed member, at least one handle, having a guard portion and a grip portion,

wherein said grip portion can freely rotate about said guard portion via a first rotation mechanism, and

wherein said guard portion can rotate about said fixed member via a second rotation mechanism;

attaching, by a user, said cable attachment, to said cable crossover machine, grasping, by said user, said grip portion;

performing, at least one exercise, wherein said at least one exercise is performed with a neutral grip, a pronated grip, and a supinated grip, wherein said user without releasing said grip portion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one exercise is selected from the group consisting essentially of: bicep curls, triceps push downs, upright rows, bent over rows, standing rows, face pulls, latissimus dorsi pull downs, shrugs, seated rows, straight-arm latissimus dorsi pull down, and stiff-legged dead lifts.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said fixed member is a v-shaped bar.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said fixed member is a bar with a single curve.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said fixed member is a bar with two curves.