PORTABLE FOLDABLE EXERCISE DEVICE
A foldable portable exercise machine allowing a user to perform exercise while sitting on a chair/sofa, or lying on their back on the floor. The exercise machine is portable and may be folded up for storage when not used. The exercise machine includes a base structure having a pair of rigid arms and a base bar, such that a first end of each of the rigid arms is securely fastened to opposite ends of the base bar to form a U-shape. A pair of rotatable arms is rotatably connected, through a first and second hinges, to a second end of the rigid arms. A spring mechanism is disposed surrounding the first and second hinges to provide a first and second resistance forces. Each of the rotatable arms are attached an handle bar.
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to exercise devices. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to portable foldable exercise devices.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONIndividuals who work long hours in an office environment wish to use exercise machines more frequently, preferably without having to visit a fitness center or gymnasium. As a result, many families would prefer to purchase one to use at home. However, such exercise machines available in the market occupy too much home space and can be difficult to carry or to move.
Exercise machines are usually configured to generate an adjustable resistance and offer different levels of resistance for a user to choose from, each exercise machine having targeted one or two muscle groups for a different part of the human body. Some smaller portable exercise machines, such as the ab roller, have been provided to target a specific muscle group of the human body. Such exercise machines typically involves one or two exercise motions and targets only those specific muscle groups. Yet, very few portable exercise machines have been provided for targeting more than one muscle group, such as the upper body, abdominal and lower body muscle groups. Yet, even fewer of those portable exercise machines can be used while a user is sitting on a chair, on a sofa, or on the floor, and can be folded up for easy storage.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements
Various embodiments and aspects will be described with reference to details discussed below, and the accompanying drawings will illustrate the various embodiments. The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments.
Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.
Embodiments of the invention is a foldable portable exercise machine that a user can use to exercise while sitting on a chair/sofa, or on a support surface such as on the floor. The exercise machine is portable and may be folded up for storage when not used. In one embodiment, an exercise machine includes a base structure with a first and a second rigid arms and a base bar, such that a first end of the first rigid arm is securely fastened or attached to a first end of the base bar, and a first end of the second rigid arm is securely fastened or attached to a second end of the base bar to form a U-shape elongated member. The second end of each of the first and second rigid arms are rotatably connected to a first end of a first and a second rotatable arm through a first and second hinges, respectively. The second end of the first and second rotatable arms is attached to a first and a second handle bars respectively such that the first rotatable arm can be rotated via the first hinge with respect to the first rigid arm, and the second rotatable arm can be rotated via the second hinge with respect to the second rigid arm. A first and a second spring mechanisms is disposed surrounding the first and second hinges respectively to provide a first and second resistance forces when the first and second rotatable arms rotates.
In one embodiment, the first and second rotatable arms of the exercise machine rotate in an axis perpendicular to the base bar, such that the first and second rotatable arms have substantially the same length but shorter than the first and second rigid arms respectively.
In one embodiment, the first and second handle bars of the exercise machine are attached at the substantially-mid portions to the second end of the first and second rotatable arms respectively. In another embodiment, the first and second handle bars of the exercise machine have a longitudinal axis perpendicular to each of the first and second rigid arms, respectively, restricting each of the first and second rotatable arms to less than 360 degrees of rotation. In another embodiment, the first and second handle bars of the exercise machine are not in contact with each other while the first and the second rotatable arms rotate such that the first and second rotatable arms can rotate independently.
In one embodiment, the first resistance exerts a torque on the first rotatable arm rotatably connected to the first rigid arm. Similarly, the second resistance exerts a torque on the second rotatable arm rotatably connected to the second rigid arm. In another embodiment, the first and second spring mechanism can be adjusted to increase the first and second resistance, respectively. In another embodiment, the first and second spring mechanisms include a spring coil, metal plates, or a substitute of the rotatable arms with bendable rods.
In one embodiment, the exercise machine further includes a first and a second angle restriction mechanism, each secured on each of the first and second rigid arms to prevent the first and second rotatable arms from a full rotation. In another embodiment, each of the first and second angle restriction mechanisms includes at least a first angle position of an extension of approximately 90 degrees angle between the rotatable and the rigid arms and a second angle position of an extension of approximately zero degrees angle between the rotatable and the rigid arms. In another embodiment, each of the first and second angle restriction mechanism further include a first and a second spring-loaded knobs with protrusions secured on the first and second rigid arms, respectively, and a first and a second insertion crevices on the first and second rotatable arms, respectively. The first and second protrusions move along the first and second insertion crevices, respectively, such that the insertion crevice is shaped such that the first and second rotatable arms moves freely about the first and second angle positions of the angle restriction mechanisms. In another embodiment, the first and second rotatable arms each has a third and fourth insertion crevice, respectively, such that the first protrusion moves and locks into the third insertion crevice and the second protrusion moves and locks into the fourth insertion crevice to fold up the exercise machine for storage purposes.
In one embodiment, the first and second handle bars of the exercise machine includes a substantially cylindrical padded support on a first end, such that the two substantially cylindrical padded support ends of the handle bars are positioned adjacent to each other. The second end of each of the first and second handle bars has a substantially rigid handle. In another embodiment, a user performs an exercise by placing their abdominal or chest muscles on both the substantially cylindrical padded support ends of the first and second handle bars, while the exercise machine base structure is placed on a support surface such as the floor. In another embodiment, a user performs an exercise by placing their left and right legs on each of the substantially cylindrical padded supports, respectively. In another embodiment, a user performs an exercise by placing their left and right hands on the first and second substantially rigid handles, respectively. In one embodiment, the exercise machine is substantially symmetrical with respect to the base bar.
In one embodiment of the invention, the rotatable arms 120 rotate in an axis perpendicular to the base bar 105. In another embodiment, the rotatable arms 120 are substantially parallel to each other. In another embodiment, the rotatable arms 120 are shorter than its respective rigid arms 110.
In one embodiment, a substantially mid-portion of the handle bars 130 is attached to a second end of its respective rotatable arms 120, for example, using a screw and nut. In another embodiment, a longitudinal axis of the handle bars 130 is perpendicular to the rigid arms 110 restricting the rotatable arms 120 to less than 360 degrees of rotational movement. In another embodiment, the handle bars 130 are not in contact with each other while the rotatable arms 120 rotate. The rotatable arms 120 may rotate independently from each other.
In one embodiment, the spring mechanism 301 may be made of a spring coil or bendable metal plates or the rotatable arms 120 may be made up of bendable rods to provide for the torque forces, or a combination of the above. In one embodiment, the spring mechanism 301 may be adjustable to increase or decrease the torque force for a different level of exercise, such as, by dialing the plates 306 latching on to the spring coil 305 of the spring mechanism 301 to increase or decrease the resistance (for example, although not shown on the figure, a knob can be attached to one of the plate 306 to allow for dialing).
In one embodiment, the hinge 300 includes an angle restriction mechanism 310 to restrict the respective rotatable arms 120 to about a quarter revolutions or about 90 degrees with respect to the respective rigid arms 110. In another embodiment, the angle restriction mechanism includes a knob 315, a spring 320, and a protrusion 325 attached to the hinge 300 of the rigid arm 110 portions, and a crevice 330 on the rotatable arm 120 portions of the hinge 300. The knob 315, spring 320, and protrusion 325 forms a spring-loaded knob with protrusion 326. While a user works out with the exercise machine, the protrusion 325 moves about the crevice 330 restricting the rotatable arm 120 between a start angle of about zero degrees and an end angle of about 90 degrees.
In another embodiment, the hinge portion of the rotatable arm 120 includes an insertion crevice 340 where a protrusion 325 of a spring-loaded knob with protrusion 326 may lock into to restrict movements of the rotatable arms 120 with respect to the rigid arms 110. This insertion crevice 340 allows the exercise machine to be folded and put away for storage purposes.
The Exercise Routines
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Claims
1. A portable foldable exercise device, comprising:
- a base structure, comprising: a base bar and; a first and a second rigid arms, wherein a first end of the first rigid arm is securely fastened to a first end of the base bar, wherein a first end of the second rigid arm is securely fastened to a second end of the base bar to form a U-shape structure;
- a first and a second rotatable arms, wherein a first end of the first rotatable arm is rotatably connected to a second end of the first rigid arm via a first hinge, wherein a first end of the second rotatable arm is rotatably connected to a second end of the second rigid arm via a second hinge;
- a first and a second handle bars attached to a second end of the first and second rotatable arms respectively, wherein the first rotatable arm can be rotated via the first hinge with respect to the first rigid arm, and wherein the second rotatable arm can be rotated via the second hinge with respect to the second rigid arm; and
- a first and a second spring mechanisms disposed surrounding the first and second hinges respectively, wherein the first spring mechanism provides a first resistance force when the first rotatable arm rotates towards the first rigid arm, and wherein the second spring mechanism provides a second resistance force when the second rotatable arm rotates towards the second rigid arm.
2. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first and second rotatable arms rotates in an axis perpendicular to the base bar, wherein the first and second rotatable arms have substantially the same length but shorter than the first and second rigid arms respectively.
3. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 1, wherein a substantially-mid portion of the first handle bar is attached to the second end of the first rotatable arm, wherein a substantially-mid portion of the second handle bar is attached to the second end of the second rotatable arms.
4. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 3, wherein a longitudinal axis of each of the first and second handle bars is perpendicular to each of the first and second rigid arms, respectively, restricting each of the first and second rotatable arms to less than 360 degrees of rotation.
5. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 4, wherein the first and second handle bars are not in contact with each other while the first and second rotatable arms rotate such that the first and second rotatable arms can rotate independently.
6. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first resistance exerts a first torque on the first rotatable arm rotatably connected to the first rigid arms, wherein the second resistance exerts a second torque on the second rotatable arm rotatably connected to the second rigid arm.
7. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 6, wherein the first spring mechanism can be adjusted to increase the first torque, wherein the second spring mechanism can be adjusted to increase the second torque.
8. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 6, wherein the two spring mechanisms comprise one of a spring coil and a flexible metal plate.
9. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a first and a second angle restriction mechanisms, each secured on each of the first and second rigid arms to prevent the first and second rotatable arms from a full rotation.
10. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second angle restriction mechanisms includes at least a first angle position of an extension of approximately 90 degrees angle between the rotatable and the rigid arms and a second angle position of an extension of approximately zero degrees angle between the rotatable and the rigid arms.
11. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 10, wherein each of the first and second angle restriction mechanism further comprises:
- a first and a second spring-loaded knobs with protrusions secured on the first and second rigid arms, respectively; and
- a first and a second insertion crevices on the first and second rotatable arms respective, wherein the first protrusion moves about the first insertion crevice when the first rotatable arm moves between the first and second angle positions of the angle restriction mechanisms, wherein the second protrusion moves about the second insertion crevice when the second rotatable arm moves between the first and second angle positions of the angle restriction mechanisms.
12. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second angle restriction mechanism further comprises a third and a fourth insertion crevices on the first and second rotatable arms respectively, wherein the first protrusion moves and locks into the third insertion crevice, wherein the second protrusion moves and locks into the fourth insertion crevice.
13. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first and second handle bars further comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical padded support on a first end of each of the handle bars, wherein the first ends of each of the handle bars are positioned adjacent to each other; and
- a substantially rigid handle on a second end of each of the handle bars.
14. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 13, wherein the substantially cylindrical padded supports can be utilized by a user to perform an exercise by placing at least one of their abdominal and chest muscles on the substantially cylindrical padded supports, while the base structure is placed on a support surface.
15. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 13, wherein the substantially cylindrical padded supports can be utilized by a user to perform an exercise by placing their left and right legs on each of the substantially cylindrical padded supports of the handle bars, respectively.
16. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 13, wherein the substantially rigid handles can be utilized by a user to perform an exercise by placing their left and right hands on the first and second substantially rigid handles, respectively.
17. The portable foldable exercise device of claim 1, wherein the portable foldable exercise device is substantially symmetrical with respect to the base bar.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 4, 2016
Publication Date: May 10, 2018
Inventors: Wei-Teh Ho (Taipei), Willy Wei Yu Ho (Taipei)
Application Number: 15/343,605