Portable Exercise Apparatus with Wearable Anchor Arrangement
A wearable anchor arrangement for an exercise apparatus includes a first retaining strap, a first fastener, a second retaining strap integrally extended from the first retaining strap, and a second fastener. The first fastener is arranged to incorporate with the first retaining strap to form a first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around an ankle portion of an exerciser at an upper side thereof. The second fastener is provided on the first retaining strap and arranged to incorporate with the second retaining strap to form a second retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the ankle portion of the exerciser at a lower side thereof. As such, the wearable anchor arrangement is wrappedly retained around the ankle portion of the exerciser to serve as an anchor point for the exerciser to conduct strength training exercises using the resistance elements.
This is a non-provisional application that claims the benefit of foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to a Chinese application, application number 201810931639.X, filed Aug. 16, 2018.
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHTA portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of InventionThe present invention relates to an exercise machine, more particularly to a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement is adapted for being worn on a predetermined portion of a user to functionally serve as an anchor point for the user to conduct strength training exercise with resistance element.
Description of Related ArtsThe use of exercise machine has proliferated in the last decades. In general, there are two main classifications of such machines: those primarily intended for resistance training and those primarily intended for weight training. Those intended primarily for weight training utilizes the force of gravity in the form of weighted bars, dumbbells or weight stacks in order to oppose the force exerted by the muscle contraction. Those intended primarily for resistance workouts includes a resistance element such as elastic band which is attached to an anchor for being repeatedly stretched and unstretched by a user to exercise his legs, arms or body during workouts. Compared with weight-based training, the resistance-based training is much safer because there is typically less chance causing injury. Therefore, many exercisers prefer resistance-based training especially when they are working out at home or in a place where no professional trainer is accompanied.
Previous apparatus used for resistance workouts are commonly complicated and unwieldy and susceptible to many limiting constraints. Typically, many constraints, such as portability of the device, the lack of personalization to individual skill levels, and lack of versatility in changing training gestures, are associated with the anchor apparatus.
The anchor apparatus to which the resistance elements are attached is configured for providing a countervailing force for the exerciser to oppose against by muscle contractions during workouts. There are two main types of anchor apparatus, one of which is an immobile platform commonly seen in a training center. One or more resistance elements are bonded to the immobile platform to form one or more anchor points for allowing the exerciser to repeatedly stretch and unstretch one or more resistance elements relative to the anchor points respectively so as to strengthen his or her muscles. Such immobile platforms commonly have bulky parts and resistance elements can only be incorporated in a limited number of directions.
Another type of anchor apparatus is a portable platform mainly for home use. Still, the portable platform is also required to be immobile during workouts, i.e. by fixing it to a secure structure, applying weight to the platform, by the exerciser applying weighs to the platform through a body part or standing on it.
As the portable platform is secured to an immobile structure, the exercise area for the user to move is substantially limited by the length and elasticity of the elastic band. In other words, some training gestures requiring the user to move in a wider range are not permitted due to the immobile anchor apparatus. In addition, if the portable platform is rendered immobile by the user standing on it or applying pressure though a body part himself or herself, the respective body port is required to keep still for applying pressure against the platform, such that the training gestures are more severely constrained.
In a typical training program, a set of training gestures are commonly involved for the exerciser to conduct. It is unfortunately to find out that the exerciser has to compromisedly simplify his training program to trade off a bad training effectiveness. In other words, conventional anchor apparatus lacks versatility in its integration into a training program.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe invention is advantageous in that it provides a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement is fittingly and encirclingly retained around a predetermined portion of an user to functionally serve as an anchor point for one or more resistance elements, thereby allowing the user to conduct resistance training by repeatedly stretching and unstretching the resistance element with respective to the wearable anchor arrangement.
Another advantageous of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement, which is fittingly and encirclingly retained around a predetermined portion of the user that allows the user to change his training gestures more freely, since all body parts of the user are freed and not required to apply an pressure against the portable platform as noted in the prior art.
Another advantageous of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement is retained around a predetermined portion, such as an ankle portion, of the user as if part of the user's physical body, such that the user is allowed to conduct training programs that requires the user to move in a wider range or even to walk with the resistance element.
Another advantageous of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein with the wearable anchor arrangement is adapted to be retained around an ankle portion of the user, the user is allowed to exercise in different training gestures to strength different muscles or muscle groups.
Another advantageous of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement comprises a plurality of coupling members evenly and spacedly provided along an upper peripheral edge thereof for selectively coupling with one or more resistance element, so as to alter the orientation of the one or more resistance elements which in turn changes the training gestures of the user.
Another advantageous of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the user is allowed to change his training gestures simply by the changing the pose of the ankle portion himself In other words, with the wearable anchor arrangement, the user is capable of alter his training gestures more freely and conveniently, either by changing the resistance element to the coupling members at a different position, or changing the pose of his ankle portion.
Another advantageous of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the user is allowed to train at varying resistance levels with resistance elements of different lengths selectively attaching to the wearable anchor arrangement or by adding resistance elements to a same coupling member of the wearable anchor arrangement.
Another advantageous of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the ankle portion of the user is safely wrapped by the wearable anchor arrangement to avoid being hurted or injured while conducting strength training exercises using resistance elements in different training gestures.
Another advantageous of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the ankle portion of the user is fittingly and encirclingly wrapped by the wearable anchor arrangement to prevent being chafed by the wearable anchor arrangement during workouts.
Another advantageous of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement comprises a first retaining strap having a predetermined length and a first fastener for securely locking up two ends of the retaining strap to form a first holding loop to encirclingly hold the first retaining strap around the ankle portion at an upper side thereof, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement further comprises a second retaining strap integrally extended from the first retaining strap and a second fastener provided on the first retaining strap for securely locking up a free end of second retaining strap to form a second holding loop to encirclingly hold the second retaining strap around the ankle portion at an lower side thereof. As such, the wearable anchor arrangement is encirclingly retained around the ankle portion of the user to serve as an anchor point for conducting strength training exercises using resistance elements.
Another advantageous of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise apparatus with wearable anchor arrangement, wherein the length of each of the first retaining strap and the second retaining strap can be adjusted for fittingly and securely holding around the ankle portion of the user in any size.
Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a wearable anchor arrangement for a portable exercise apparatus, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement comprises:
a first retaining strap having a predetermined length;
a first fastener arranged to lock up two ends of the first retaining strap to form a first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around a predetermined portion of a user body at an upper side thereof;
a plurality of coupling members provided on the first retaining strap, wherein each coupling member is adapted for selectively and removably coupling with a resistance element;
a second retaining strap integrally extended from a lower peripheral edge of the first retaining trap and having an affixed end and a free end; and
a second fastener provided on the lower peripheral edge of the first retaining strap at a position substantially symmetric with the affixed end of the second retaining strap, wherein the second retaining strap is arranged to fold around an lower side of the predetermined portion of the user body and the free end thereof is locked up by the second fastener to form a second retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the predetermined portion of the user body at the lower side thereof, such that the wearable anchor arrangement is encirclingly retained around the predetermined portion of the body of the exerciser to serve as an anchor point for conducting strength training exercises using the resistance element.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the second fastener has two slots for the free end of the second retaining strap slidably entangled therethrough respectively so as to lock up the free end of the second retaining strap at the two slots of the second faster, thereby forming the first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the predetermined portion of the user body at the lower side thereof.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a length of the second retaining loop can be adjusted by guiding the free end of the second retaining strap to entangle through the two slots of the second fastener respectively to adjust a position of the second fastener along the second retaining strap.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first fastener comprises a first connecting element outwardly extended from one side edge of the first retaining strap to form an elongated strap, and a second connecting element provided on the opposed side edge of the first retaining strap to detachably fasten with the first connecting element, so as to lock up the two ends of the first retaining strap to form the first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the predetermined portion of the user body at an upper side thereof.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first fastener comprises a first connecting element outwardly extended from one side edge of the first retaining strap to form an elongated strap, having a predetermine length larger than a circumference of the predetermined portion of the user body, and a second connecting element provided at the same side edge of the first retaining strap to detachably fasten with the first connecting element after the first connecting element is folded around the predetermined portion of the user body for a circle and reached the second connecting element, so as to lock up the two ends of the first retaining strap to form the first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the predetermined portion of the user body at an upper side thereof.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first fastener comprises a first connecting element outwardly extended from one side edge of the first retaining strap to form an elongated strap, a second connecting member provided at the same side edge of the first retaining strap, and an adjusting ring provided at the opposed side edge of the first retaining strap for an free end of the first connecting element to thread though and fold back to fasten with the second connecting element, so as to lock up the two ends of the first retaining strap to form the first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the predetermined portion of the user body at an upper side thereof.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a length of the first retaining loop can be adjusted by guiding the free end of the first connecting element to thread through the adjusting ring to adjust a position of the adjusting ring along the first connecting element.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first fastener comprises a first connecting element outwardly extended from one side edge of the first retaining strap to form an elongated strap, and a second connecting member provided at the opposed side edge of the first retaining strap, wherein the second connecting member has two slots for the free end of the first connecting element slidably entangled therethrough respectively to lock up the free end of the first connecting element at the two slots of the second connecting member, so as to lock up the two ends of the first retaining strap to form the first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the predetermined portion of the user body at an upper side thereof.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a length of the first retaining loop can be adjusted by guiding the free end of the first connecting element to entangle through the two slots of the second connecting element respectively to adjust a position of the second connecting element along the first connecting element.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of the coupling members are evenly and spacedly provided along an upper peripheral edge of the first retaining strap for selectively coupling with a resistance element.
According to another aspect of the present invention, it further provides a portable exercise apparatus comprising:
at least one wearable anchor arrangement adapted for fittingly and encirclingly retaining around an anchor portion of a user, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement comprises a plurality of coupling members;
one or more human interface mechanisms, and
one or more resistance elements, each comprising a pair of attaching members provided at two ends thereof respectively, wherein one end of each of the resistance elements is detachably coupled to the coupling member via the attaching member at the respective end, and the opposed end of the resistance element is detachably coupled to the one or more human interface mechanisms via the attaching member at the respective opposed end, wherein the one or more resistance elements can be repeatedly stretched and unscratched with respective to the wearable anchor arrangement by applying pressure to the one or more human interface mechanisms.
In one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement further comprises a first retaining strap having a predetermined length, a first fastener arranged to lock up two ends of the first retaining strap to form a first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around a predetermined portion of a user body at an upper side thereof, a plurality of coupling members provided on the first retaining strap, wherein each coupling member is adapted for selectively and removably coupling with a resistance element; a second retaining strap integrally extended from a lower peripheral edge of the first retaining trap and having an affixed end and a free end; and, a second fastener provided on the lower peripheral edge of the first retaining strap at a position substantially symmetric with the affixed end of the second retaining strap, wherein the second retaining strap is arranged to fold around an lower side of the ankle portion of the user and the free end thereof is locked up by the second fastener to form a second retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the predetemined portion of the user body at the lower side thereof, such that the wearable anchor arrangement is encirclingly retained around the predetermined portion of the user body to serve as an anchor point for conducting strength training exercises using the resistance element.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the second fastener has two slots for the free end of the second retaining strap slidably entangled therethrough respectively so as to lock up the free end of the second retaining strap at the two slots of the second faster, thereby forming the first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the predetermined portion of the user body at the lower side thereof.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a length of the second retaining loop can be adjusted by guiding the free end of the second retaining strap to entangle through the two slots of the second fastener respectively to adjust a position of the second fastener along the second retaining strap.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first fastener comprises a first connecting element outwardly extended from one side edge of the first retaining strap to form an elongated strap, a second connecting member provided at the same side edge of the first retaining strap, and an adjusting ring provided at the opposed side edge of the first retaining strap for an free end of the first connecting element to thread though and fold back to fasten with the second connecting element, so as to lock up the two ends of the first retaining strap to form the first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the predetermined portion of the user body at an upper side thereof.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a length of the first retaining loop can be adjusted by guiding the free end of the first connecting element to thread through the adjusting ring to adjust a position of the adjusting ring along the first connecting element.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of the coupling members are evenly and spacedly provided along an upper peripheral edge of the first retaining strap for selectively coupling with a resistance element.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the human interface mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a hand grip, a workout bar and a workout wheel.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the workout bar is able to broken into pieces and to selectively assembled together to form workout bars with different lengths, wherein the workout bar pieces are also able to incorporate with the workout wheel to form an abdominal muscle wheel with a workout wheel in a mid-portion of the workout bar pieces or barbells with two workout wheels at two end portions of the workout bar pieces.
According to another aspect of the present invention, it further provides an exercise kit, comprising:
an wearable anchor arrangement configured for fittingly and encirclingly retaining around a predetermined portion of a user body, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement comprises a plurality of coupling members;
one or more human interface mechanisms, and
one or more resistance elements, each comprising a pair of attaching members provided at two ends thereof respectively, wherein one end of each of the resistance elements is configured to detachably couple to the respective coupling member via the attaching member at the respective end thereof, and the opposed end of the resistance element is configured to detachably couple to the one or more human interface mechanisms via the attaching member at the respective opposed end.
In one embodiment, the human interface mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a hand grip, a workout bar and a workout wheel.
In one embodiment, the workout bar is able to broken into pieces and to selectively assembled together to form workout bars with different lengths, wherein the workout bar pieces are also able to incorporate with the workout wheel to form an abdominal muscle wheel with a workout wheel in a mid-portion of the workout bar pieces or barbells with two workout wheels at two end portions of the workout bar pieces.
According to another aspect of the present invention, it further comprises a method for strength training, comprising the following steps.
(A) Wear an anchor arrangement around a predetermined portion of a user body, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement comprises a plurality of coupling members.
(B) Couple one or more resistance elements to the coupling members of the wearable anchor arrangement via an attaching member provided on the respective end of each resistance element.
(C) Repeatedly stretch and unstretch the one or more resistance elements with respective to the wearable anchor arrangement as an anchor point by applying pressure to one or more of the human interface mechanisms, wherein the one or more human interface mechanisms are coupled to the one or more resistance elements via an attaching member provided on the opposed end of each of the resistance elements.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises a step of selectively coupling the one or more resistance elements to another coupling member of the wearable anchor arrangement at a different position so as to alter the orientation of respective resistance elements with respective to the wearable anchor arrangement, thereby changing a training gesture.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises a step of changing a pose of the predetermined portion of the user body to change a training gesture.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of wearing a wearable anchor arrangement around the predetermined portion of the user body, embodied as an ankle portion of the user body, further comprises the following steps.
(A1) Adjustably lock up two ends of a first retaining strap by a first fastener to form a first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the ankle portion at an upper side thereof.
(A2) Adjustably lock up an second retaining strap at an second fastener to form a second retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the ankle portion of the user at the lower side thereof, wherein the second retaining strap is integrally extended from a lower peripheral edge of the first retaining strap, and the second fastener is provided on the lower peripheral edge of the first retaining strap at a position substantially symmetric with the second retaining strap.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Referring to
To provide resistance for strength training, one or more resistance elements 20, such as elastic bands made of rubber or the like, are securely attached to an anchor when conducting resistance training using resistance elements 20. However, conventional immobile anchor apparatus would, to some extent, limit the user to change his training gestures freely in a training program.
In the present invention, a wearable anchor arrangement 10 is provided which is not only able to overcome the shortcomings in the conventional anchor structures, but also brings some unexpected advantageous to be described later.
Accordingly, as shown in the
In particular, the human interface mechanism 30 is exemplarily embodied as a workout bar 30A having an elongated structure according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, a pair of the wearable anchor arrangements 10 are provided to retain around a left ankle portion 70 and a right ankle portion 70′ of the user body respectively to serve as two anchor points for removably coupling a pair of resistance elements 20 respectively which in turn couple to two end portions of the workout bar 30A. Then, the user is able to stretch the resistance elements 20 with respective to the anchor points by lifting up the workout bar 30A to workout and strengthen his body.
It is well known in the art that different muscles or muscle groups can be trained in different training gestures. Typically, an exerciser is preferred to change his or her training gestures in a scientific training program. In the present invention, the wearable anchor arrangement 10 is fittedly worn around the ankle portion 70 to serve an anchor point for coupling its respective resistance element 20, such that all body parts of the exerciser are freed to make movements in all directions and ranges. In other words, with the wearable anchor arrangement 10, the exerciser is allowed to change his or her training gestures more freely, since all body parts of the user are freed and not required to apply a pressure against the portable platform as in the prior art.
Accordingly, the wearable anchor arrangement 10 comprises a first retaining strap 11 having a predetermined length, a first fastener 12, a second retaining strap 13 integrally extended from the first retaining strap 11, and a second fastener 14. The first fastener 12 is arranged to incorporate with the first retaining strap 11 to form a first retaining loop 11′ for encirclingly holding around the ankle portion 70 of the user body at an upper side thereof, and the second fastener 14 is provided on the first retaining strap 11 and arranged to incorporate with the second retaining strap 13 to form a second retaining loop 13′ for encirclingly holding around the ankle portion 70 of the user body at the lower side thereof, such that the wearable anchor arrangement 10 is wrappedly retained around the ankle portion 70 of the user body to serve as an anchor point of the user body for the user to conduct strength training exercises through the resistance elements 20.
Referring to
More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the first connecting element 121 is outwardly extended from one side edge of the first retaining strap 11 to form as an elongated strap, and the second connecting element 122 is provided at the same side edge of the first retaining strap 11. In particular, the first connecting element 121 has a length larger than the ankle circumference and arranged to fold along the upper side of the ankle portion 70. Accordingly, when the first retaining strap 11 is bent and attached to the upper side of the ankle portion 70, the first connecting element 121 is arranged to circle around the first retaining strap 11 for a circle from one side edge of the first retaining strap 11 back to the same side edge and to fasten with the second connecting element 122 to form a locking mechanism. As the first connecting element 121 is fastened with the second connecting element 122, the two ends of the first retaining strap 11 are locked up to form the first retaining loop 11′ around the upper side of the ankle portion 70 of the user body. Preferably, the first connecting element 121 is integrally extended from one side edge of the first retaining strap 11 from a mid portion thereof.
It is worth mentioning that the first connecting element 121, having a length larger than an ankle circumference, is overlapped with the first retaining strap 11 for a circle to fasten with the second connecting element 122. In other words, two layers of straps (the first retaining strap 11 and the first connecting element 121 forming as an elongated strap) are encircled around the ankle portion 70 of the user body at the upper side thereof, in such a manner that the tightness between the first retaining loop 11′ and the ankle portion 70 is increased by the first connecting element 121 to secure its function as an anchor. Moreover, the ankle portion 70 of the user body would get well-protected and more comfort when being wrapped by the two strap layers.
In order to securely and adjustably retain the first retaining loop 11′A around the upper side of the ankle portion 70, the first fastener 12A may be able to be fastened to selectively adjust a size (a diameter) of the first retaining loop 11′A. For instance, the second connecting element 122A may have an elongated structure provided on the same side edge of the first retaining strap 11 and extended inwardly along a mid-line of the first retaining strap 11, such that the second connecting element 122A is able to selectively and partially fasten with the first connecting element 121A in order to adjust a size of the first retaining loop 11′A to better fit the first retaining loop 11′A around the upper side of the ankle portion 70. In other words, the length of the first retaining loop 11′A can be selectively adjusted to fit the ankle portion 70 in any size of the exerciser.
Alternatively, another second connecting element 122A may further be provided at a position spaced from the original second connecting element 122A along the mid-line of the first retaining strap 11, such that the first connecting element 121A is able to selectively coupled with any one of the second connecting elements 122A so as to adjust a size of the first retaining loop 11′A with respective to the size of the ankle portion 70 of the body of a particular exerciser.
It is appreciated that a length of the first retaining loop 11′B can be adjusted by guiding the free end of the first connecting element 121B to thread through the adjusting ring 123B to adjust a position of the adjusting ring 123B along the first connecting element 121B. Further, the free end of the first connecting element 121B folded back from the adjusting ring 123B is selectively and partially fastened with the second connecting element 122B in order to lock up the two ends of the first retaining strap 11 to form the first retaining loop 11′B and adjust a length of the first retaining loop 11′ simultaneously.
It is appreciated that a length of the first retaining loop 11′C can be adjusted by guiding the free end of the first connecting element 121C to entangle through the two slots of the second connecting element 122C respectively to adjust a position of the second connecting element 122C along the first connecting element 121C. In other words, the length of the first retaining loop 11′C of the second retaining strap 13 can be selectively adjusted to fit any size of the ankle portion 70 of the body of the exerciser.
In implementations, the first fastener 12, 12A, 12B, 12C may be hook and loop fasteners of the first and second connecting elements 122 or may also be magnetic elements, hooks and slots, glue, grommet, snaps, buttons, or any other conventional fastening mechanisms.
As shown in the
More specifically, the second fastener 14 in the preferred embodiment has two elongated slots for the free end portion of the second retaining strap 13 slidably entangled therethrough respectively so as to lock up the free end portion of the second retaining strap 13 at the two slots of the second fastener 14, thereby forming the second retaining loop 13′ around the ankle portion 70 of the user body at the lower side thereof.
It is important to mention that a length of the second retaining loop 13′ can be adjusted by guiding the free end portion of the second retaining strap 13 to entangle through the two slots of the second fastener 14 respectively to adjust a position of the second fastener 14 along the second retaining strap 13. In other words, the length of the second retaining loop 13′ of the second retaining strap 13 can be selectively adjusted to fit the ankle portion 70 in any size at the lower side thereof.
Therefore, both of the sizes of the first retaining loop 11′ and second retaining loop 13′ can be selectively adjusted by the first fastener 12 and the second fastener 14 respectively in accordance with size of the ankle portion 70. In other words, the wearable anchor arrangement 10 of the present invention can be fittedly and encircling worn around the ankle portion 70 of any exerciser in any size to serve as an anchor for conducting strength training using resistance elements 20.
During workouts, a lateral movement of the wearable anchor arrangement 10 with respective to the ankle portion 70 of the user body is effectively prevented by the first retaining loop 11′, while an upward movement of the wearable anchor arrangement 10 with respective to the ankle portion 70 of the user body is effectively prevented by the second retaining loop 13′ via the second fastener 14, such that the wearable anchor arrangement 10 is able to be securely maintained around the ankle portion 70 of the user body to serve as an anchor point for the exerciser to conduct training exercises with resistance elements 20.
It is worth mentioning that since the wearable anchor arrangement 10 of the present invention is fittedly and securely retained around the predetermined portion, for example the ankle portion 70, of the user body as if part of the exerciser's physical body, the exerciser is allowed to perform different training gestures including those require the exerciser to move in a wider range or even to walk with the resistance element 20. In addition, the ankle portion 70 is well protected by the wearable anchor arrangement 10 from being chafed by the wearable the wearable anchor arrangement 10 due to repeated friction during workouts.
As noted above, the wearable anchor arrangement 10 worn around the ankle portion 70 of the body user is functioned as an anchor point of the body of the exerciser for detachably coupling with resistance elements 20. Accordingly, the wearable anchor arrangement 10 in the preferred embodiment further comprises a plurality of coupling members 15 provided on the first retaining strap 11 for selectively and removably coupling with the one or more resistance elements 20.
In particular, the coupling members 15 are evenly and spacedly provided along an upper peripheral edge 111 of the first retaining strap 11 for coupling with the resistance elements 20. Since one end 201 of each of the resistance elements 20 is attached to the wearable anchor arrangement 10 at the respective coupling member 15 while the other end 202 of each of the resistance elements 20 is attached to the workout bar 30A, the orientation of each of the resistance elements 20 is defined by the positions of the coupling member 15 and the workout bar 30A. Therefore, the orientation of the resistance element 20 can be altered by selectively coupling the resistance element 20 to the coupling members 15 at different positions along the upper peripheral edge 111 of the first retaining strap 11, as shown in the
Further, since the resistance element 20 is extended between the wearable anchor arrangement 10 retained around the ankle portion 70 and the workout bar 30A, the orientation of the resistance element 20 may also be altered by changing the ankle portion 70 of the exerciser to a different pose. In other words, the exerciser also can change his training gestures simply by changing poses of the ankle portion 70 (including the orientation and position), as shown in the
Therefore, with the wearable anchor arrangement 10, the exerciser is capable of altering his training gestures more freely and conveniently, either by selectively coupling the resistance element 20 to the coupling members 15 at different positions along the first retaining strap 11, or changing the poses of his ankle portion 70.
In implementations, each of the coupling members 15 may be embodied a coupling ring with a semicircular or circular shape for detachably coupling with the one or more resistance elements 20. Accordingly, each of the one or more resistance elements 20 comprises a pair of attaching members 21 provided at two ends 201, 202 thereof respectively, wherein one end 201 of the resistance element 20 is detachably coupled to the coupling member 15 by attaching the attaching member 21 to one of the coupling members 15 on the wearable anchor arrangement 10. In other words, the attaching members 21 provided on the two ends of the resistance elements 20 respectively and the coupling members 15 provided on the wearable anchor arrangement 10 form a pair of fasteners to detachably couple the resistance element 20 to the wearable anchor arrangement 10, thereby the exerciser is allowed to securely stretch the resistance element 20 with respective to the wearable anchor arrangement 10 during workouts.
In particular, the attaching member 21 of the resistance element 20 may be a hook member arranged to hooked up to the coupling rings provided on the first retaining strap 11 to detachably couple the resistance element 20 to the wearable anchor arrangement 10.
It is import to mention that the resistance element 20 can be made of any material such as plaited nylon, which is not a limitation in the present invention. The essential requirement is that it has the requisite strength, and also that it is flexible and elastic enough that it can be stretched and unstretched repeatedly. Preferably, each of the one or more resistance elements 20 should be capable of having elastic pressure or tension applied to stretch the cord to at least two or three times its unstretched length without exceeding its elastic limit.
With the wearable anchor arrangement 10, the exerciser is allowed to alter the level of resistance more rapidly and conveniently than prior anchor structures. For instance, the exerciser is capable of varying the resistance levels simply by adopting a resistance element 20 with a different length or increase or decrease the number of the resistance elements 20 to a same coupling member 15 on the wearable anchor arrangement 10 during workouts, as shown in the
After the resistance elements 20 are coupled to the wearable anchor arrangements 10 worn around the ankle portions 70 of the exerciser, the other end 202 of respective resistance element 20 is arranged to couple with the workout bar 30A at two end portions thereof respectively via a fastening mechanism. For instance, a pair of coupling rings may be provided on the two end portions of the workout bar 30A for detachably coupling with the attaching members 21 on the other end 202 of the resistance elements 20 respectively.
With the wearable anchor arrangement 10 worn around the ankle portions 70 of the user body and resistance elements 20 extending between the wearable anchor arrangement 10 and the workout bar 30A, the exerciser is able to lift up the workout bar 30A by stretching his arms in a direction against the resistance force generated by the stretched resistance element 20 in order to train his arms. Moreover, the exerciser is allowed to change his training gestures either by selectively coupling the resistance element 20 to a coupling member 15 at a different position of the wearable anchor arrangement 10, or changing the poses of his or her ankle portion 70. Further, the exerciser is allowed to vary the resistance levels simply by adopting a resistance element 20 with a different length or increasing or decreasing the number of the resistance elements 20 to a same coupling member 15 of the wearable anchor arrangement 10 during workouts.
It is worth mentioning that during workouts, the exerciser may also choose to attach the other end 202 of the resistance element 20 to an immobile structure 40 to form another anchor point, such that the exercise is allowed to stretch his legs to oppose against the resistance force produced by the stretched resistance element 20. For instance, the immobile structure 40 may be a training machine with bulky parts including wheels, weights, pulleys, and etc, or simply any immobile construction within the sight of the exerciser as shown in the
Though the human interface mechanism 30 is embodied as a workout bar 30A as an example to illustrate how to incorporate the wearable anchor arrangement 10 with resistance elements 20 to conduct resistance training in the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, other types of human interface mechanisms 30 can also be incorporated for the user to conduct other training gestures so as to strengthen different muscles or muscle groups. For instance, the human interface mechanisms 30 may be a hand grip with which the exercise is able to train his arms by stretching the resistance elements 20 with respective to the wearable anchor arrangement 10 worn around his ankle portion 70, as shown in
Accordingly, the wearable anchor arrangement 10, the resistance elements 20 and the one or more human interfaces can be packed for sale as a portable exercise kit 100A, wherein the one or more human interface mechanisms 30 may be selected from the group of hand grip, workout wheel and workout bar 30A. Preferably, the workout bar 30A has a detachable structure that can be disassembled into bar units 300A and selectively assembled together to form the workout bar 30A with different lengths. Further, the bar units 300A of the workout bar 30A are also able to incorporate with the workout wheel to form an abdominal muscle wheel with a workout wheel in a mid-portion of the workout bar 30A (bar units 300A) or barbells with two workout wheels at two end portions of the workout bar 30A piece, as shown in
In other words, the present invention further provides a portable exercise kit 100A which also comprises the wearable anchor arrangement 10 configured for fittingly and encirclingly retaining around a predetermined portion such as an anchor portion of the user body, the one or more human interface mechanisms 30, and the one or more resistance elements 20, each comprising the pair of attaching members 21 provided at the two ends 201, 202 thereof respectively, wherein one end 201 of the resistance element 20 is configured to detachably couple to the coupling member 15 via the attaching member 21 at the respective end, and the opposed end 202 of the resistance elements 20 is configured to detachably couple to the one or more human interface mechanisms 30 via the attaching member 21 at the respective opposed end.
Accordingly, the human interface mechanism 30 is selected from the group consisting of the hand grip, the workout bar 30A and the workout wheel. Preferably, the workout bar 30A has a detachable structure that can be disassembled into bar units 300A and selectively assembled together to form the workout bar 30A with different lengths, and the bar units 300A of the workout bar 30A can also incorporate with the workout wheel to form an abdominal muscle wheel with a workout wheel in a mid-portion of the workout bar 30A (bar units 300A) or barbells with two workout wheels at two end portions of the workout bar 30A pieces 300A.
According to another aspect of the present invention, it further comprises a method of strength training, comprising the following steps.
(A) Wear a wearable anchor arrangement 10 around a predetermined portion 70 such as an ankle portion 70 of a user body, wherein the wearable anchor arrangement 10 comprises a plurality of coupling members 15.
(B) Couple one or more resistance elements 20 to the coupling members 15 via an attaching member 21 provided on the respective end of each of the resistance elements 20.
(C) Repeatedly stretch and unstretch the one or more resistance elements 20 with respective to the wearable anchor arrangement 10 by applying pressure to the one or more human interface mechanisms 30, wherein the one or more human interface mechanisms 30 are coupled to the one or more resistance elements 20 via an attaching member 21 provided on the opposed end of each of the resistance elements 20.
Accordingly, the method further comprises a step of selectively coupling the one or more resistance elements 20 to the coupling members 15 of the wearable anchor arrangement 10 at different positions to alter the orientation of respective resistance elements 20 with respective to the wearable anchor arrangement 10, thereby changing a training gesture.
Accordingly, the method further comprises a step of changing a pose of the ankle portion 70 to change a training gesture.
Accordingly, the step of wearing the wearable anchor arrangement 10 around the ankle portion 70 further comprises the following steps.
(A1) Adjustably lock up two ends of a first retaining strap 11 by a first fastener 12 to form a first retaining loop 11′ for encirclingly holding around the ankle portion 70 at an upper side thereof.
(A2) Adjustably lock up an second retaining strap 13 at an second fastener 14 to form a second retaining loop 13′ for encirclingly holding around the ankle portion 70 of the user at the lower side thereof, wherein the second retaining strap 13 is integrally extended from a lower peripheral edge 112 of the first retaining strap 11, and the second fastener 14 is provided on the lower peripheral edge 112 of the first retaining strap 11 at a position substantially symmetric with the second retaining strap 13.
One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A wearable anchor arrangement for an exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a first retaining strap having a predetermined length;
- a first fastener arranged to lock up two ends of said first retaining strap to form a first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around a predetermined portion of a user body at an upper side thereof;
- a plurality of coupling members provided on said first retaining strap, wherein each of said coupling members is selectively and removably coupling with at least a resistance element;
- a second retaining strap integrally extended from a lower peripheral edge of said first retaining trap and having an affixed end and a free end; and
- a second fastener provided on said lower peripheral edge of said first retaining strap at a position substantially symmetric with said affixed end of said second retaining strap, wherein said second retaining strap is arranged for folding around a lower side of the predetermined portion of the user body and said free end thereof is locked up by said second fastener to form a second retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the predetermined portion of the user body at said lower side thereof, such that said wearable anchor arrangement is encirclingly retained around the predetermined portion of the user body to serve as an anchor point for conducting strength training exercises using said resistance element.
2. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said first fastener comprises a first connecting element outwardly extended from one side edge of said first retaining strap to form an elongated strap, and a second connecting element provided on said opposed side edge of said first retaining strap to detachably fasten with said first connecting element so as to lock up said two ends of said first retaining strap to form said first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the upper side of the predetermined portion of the user body.
3. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 1, said first fastener comprises a first connecting element outwardly extended from one side edge of said first retaining strap to form an elongated strap, having a predetermine length larger than an ankle circumference, and a second connecting element provided at said same side edge of said first retaining strap to detachably fasten with said first connecting element after said first connecting element is folded around the predetermined portion of the user body for a circle and reached said second connecting element, so as to lock up said two ends of said first retaining strap to form said first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the upper side of the predetermined portion of the user body.
4. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said first fastener comprises a first connecting element outwardly extended from one side edge of said first retaining strap to form an elongated strap, a second connecting member provided at said same side edge of said first retaining strap, and an adjusting ring provided at said opposed side edge of said first retaining strap for an free end of said first connecting element to thread though and fold back to fasten with said second connecting element, so as to lock up said two ends of said first retaining strap to form said first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the upper side of the predetermined portion of the user body.
5. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 4, wherein a length of said first retaining loop is able to be adjusted by guiding said free end of said first connecting element to thread through said adjusting ring to adjust a position of said adjusting ring along said first connecting element.
6. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said first fastener comprises a first connecting element outwardly extended from one side edge of said first retaining strap to form an elongated strap, and a second connecting member provided at said opposed side edge of said first retaining strap, wherein said second connecting member has two slots for said free end of said first connecting element slidably entangled therethrough respectively to lock up said free end of said first connecting element at said two slots of said second connecting member, so as to lock up said two ends of said first retaining strap to form said first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the upper side of the predetermined portion of the user body.
7. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 6, wherein a length of said first retaining loop can be adjusted by guiding said free end of said first connecting element to entangle through said two slots of said second connecting element respectively to adjust a position of said second connecting element along said first connecting element.
8. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said second fastener has two slots for said free end of said second retaining strap slidably entangled therethrough respectively so as to lock up said free end of said second retaining strap at said two slots of said second faster, thereby forming said first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the lower side of the predetermined portion of the user body.
9. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 5, wherein said second fastener has two slots for said free end of said second retaining strap slidably entangled therethrough respectively so as to lock up said free end of said second retaining strap at said two slots of said second faster, thereby forming said first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the lower side of the predetermined portion of the user body.
10. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 7, wherein said second fastener has two slots for said free end of said second retaining strap slidably entangled therethrough respectively so as to lock up said free end of said second retaining strap at said two slots of said second faster, thereby forming said first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the lower side of the predetermined portion of the user body.
11. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of said coupling members are evenly and spacedly provided along an upper peripheral edge of said first retaining strap for selectively coupling with said resistance element.
12. The wearable anchor arrangement, as recited in claim 9, wherein said plurality of said coupling members are evenly and spacedly provided along an upper peripheral edge of said first retaining strap for selectively coupling with said resistance element.
13. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- at least one wearable anchor arrangement adapted for fittingly and encirclingly retaining around a predetermined portion of a user body, wherein said wearable anchor arrangement comprises a plurality of coupling members;
- one or more human interface mechanisms; and
- one or more resistance elements, wherein each of said resistance elements has a first end and a second end and comprises a pair of attaching members provided at said first end and said second end respectively, wherein said first end of each of said resistance elements is detachably coupled to one of said coupling members via said attaching member at said first end, and said second end of said resistance elements is detachably coupled to said one or more human interface mechanisms via said attaching member at said second end, wherein said one or more resistance elements can be repeatedly stretched and unscratched with respective to said wearable anchor arrangement by applying pressure to said one or more human interface mechanisms.
14. The exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein said wearable anchor arrangement further comprises a first retaining strap having a predetermined length, a first fastener arranged to lock up two ends of said first retaining strap to form a first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around a predetermined portion of a user body at an upper side thereof, and a plurality of coupling members provided on said first retaining strap, wherein each of said coupling members is selectively and removably coupled with at least one of said one or more resistance elements, wherein said wearable anchor arrangement further comprises a second retaining strap integrally extended from a lower peripheral edge of said first retaining strap and having an affixed end and a free end, and a second fastener provided on said lower peripheral edge of said first retaining strap at a position substantially symmetric with said affixed end of said second retaining strap, wherein said second retaining strap is arranged for folding around a lower side of the predetermined portion of the user body and said free end of said first retaining strap is locked up by said second fastener to form a second retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the lower side of the predetermined portion of the user body, such that said wearable anchor arrangement is encirclingly retained around the predetermined portion of the user body to serve as an anchor point for conducting strength training exercises using said one or more resistance elements.
15. The exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 14, wherein said second fastener has two slots for said free end of said second retaining strap slidably entangled therethrough respectively so as to lock up said free end of said second retaining strap at said two slots of said second fastener, thereby forming said first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the lower side of the predetermined portion of the user body.
16. The exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 15, wherein a length of said second retaining loop is able to be adjusted by guiding said free end of said second retaining strap to entangle through said two slots of said second fastener respectively to adjust a position of said second fastener along said second retaining strap.
17. The exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 15, wherein said first fastener comprises a first connecting element outwardly extended from one side edge of said first retaining strap to form an elongated strap, a second connecting member provided at said same side edge of said first retaining strap, and an adjusting ring provided at said opposed side edge of said first retaining strap for an free end of said first connecting element to thread though and fold back to fasten with said second connecting element, so as to lock up said two ends of said first retaining strap to form said first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around the upper side of the predetermined portion of the user body.
18. The exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 17, wherein a length of said first retaining loop is able to be adjusted by guiding said free end of said first connecting element to thread through said adjusting ring to adjust a position of said adjusting ring along said first connecting element.
19. The exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein said plurality of said coupling members are evenly and spacedly provided along an upper peripheral edge of said first retaining strap for selectively coupling with said one or more resistance elements.
20. The exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein at least one of said human interface mechanisms is selected from the group consisting of a hand grip, a workout bar and a workout wheel.
21. The exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 20, wherein said workout bar is able to disassembled into two or more bar units which are able to be selectively assembled together to form said workout bar with different lengths, wherein said bar units of said workout bar are also able to incorporate with said workout wheel to form an abdominal muscle wheel with a workout wheel in a mid-portion of said workout bar pieces or barbells with two workout wheels at two end portions of said bar units of said workout bar.
22. A strength training method, comprising the steps of:
- (A) wearing a wearing anchor arrangement around an ankle portion of a user;
- (B) coupling one or more resistance elements to one or more coupling members of said wearable anchor arrangement via an attaching member provided on one end of each of said one or more resistance elements; and
- (C) repeatedly stretching and unstretching said one or more resistance elements with respective to said wearable anchor arrangement as an anchor point by applying pressure to one or more human interface mechanisms coupled to said one or more resistance elements via an attaching member provided on an opposed end of each of said resistance elements.
23. The strength training method, as recited in claim 22, wherein the step (A) further comprises the steps of:
- (A1) adjustably locking up two ends of a first retaining strap by a first fastener to form a first retaining loop for encirclingly holding around said ankle portion at an upper side thereof; and
- (A2) adjustably locking up an second retaining strap at an second fastener to form a second retaining loop for encirclingly holding around said ankle portion of said user at a lower side thereof, wherein said second retaining strap is integrally extended from a lower peripheral edge of said first retaining strap, and said second fastener is provided on said lower peripheral edge of said first retaining strap at a position substantially symmetric with said second retaining strap.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 30, 2018
Publication Date: Feb 20, 2020
Inventors: Yangbo Lin (Ningbo), Alex YIN (Ningbo)
Application Number: 16/118,388