EXERCISE APPARATUS

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a substantially rigid exercise apparatus providing resistance. An exercise apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention provides a body having a first end and a second end. The body may be formed from a substantially rigid inner body and an elastomeric outer body supported by the inner body. The body may provide one or more sets of grips along its length. The body may provide one or more textured surfaces along its length. The body may retain one or more weights received through the first end and the second of the body, and the first end and the second end of the body may each be capped by a first cap and a second cap. A connecting element may be fastened to either the first cap or the second cap to join the first end or the second end to a stationary anchor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/755,638, filed Nov. 5, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In exercise and physical training, it is known to perform weight lifting by the use of a deformable cylindrical apparatus instead of barbells or dumbbells. U.S. Pat. No. 8,231,511 to ViPR LLC discloses such a cylindrical apparatus. The ViPR apparatus provides an elastomeric tube, having handles formed by openings through the tube walls. The handles of the ViPR apparatus are arc-shaped, following the circumference of the tube. The mass of the ViPR apparatus is concentrated near the exterior surface of the tube, leaving the interior of the tube hollow. The ViPR apparatus also provides holes through an end of the tube.

The ViPR patent discloses that the ViPR apparatus provides a low load on the wrists of a person using the ViPR apparatus. Thus, the ViPR apparatus may be used to perform bicep curls and lunges, and may be carried or dragged using a strap secured through the holes at an end of the tube.

The ViPR apparatus does not facilitate any kind of exercise or physical training requiring resistance, since the ViPR apparatus is intended to provide low load. Furthermore, the ViPR apparatus, being deformable, is intended to be compressed against a user's body without applying pressure.

There remains a need for an exercise device which enables a wider variety of exercises to be performed by providing resistance and pressure, which are absent from the ViPR apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a substantially rigid exercise apparatus providing resistance. An exercise apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention provides a body having a first end and a second end. The body may be formed from a substantially rigid inner body and an elastomeric outer body supported by the inner body. The body may provide one or more sets of grips along its length. The body may provide one or more textured surfaces along its length. The body may retain one or more weights received through the first end and the second of the body, and the first end and the second end of the body may each be capped by a first cap and a second cap. A connecting element may be fastened to either the first cap or the second cap to join the first end or the second end to a stationary anchor.

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of an exercise apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The exercise apparatus 100 has a substantially cylindrical form comprising an outer body 110 and an inner body 120, terminating at a first end 101 and a second end 102. The outer body 110 may be formed from a deformable sheath about a rigid inner body 120, such that the shape of the outer body 110 conforms to the form of the inner body 120. The inner body 120 may be formed from a rigid material such as PVC. The inner body 120 may contain an enclosure 130 formed through the length of the inner body 120. The enclosure 130 may be further defined as a first end enclosure 131 opening at the first end 101 and a second end enclosure 132 opening at the second end 102. Each of the first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure 132 may have a substantially tubular interior, terminating at an inner end.

One or more sets of grips are set along the length of the exercise apparatus 100. Within each set of grips, each individual grip is aligned over a common longitudinal axis along the length of the exercise apparatus 100. Different sets of grips may each be aligned over a common longitudinal axis along the length of the exercise apparatus 100 or may each be aligned over a different longitudinal axis along the length of the exercise apparatus 100. A set of grips may comprise upright grips 141 or lateral grips 142, where upright grips 141 are aligned substantially orthogonal to the length of the exercise apparatus 100, and lateral grips 142 are aligned substantially parallel to the length of the exercise apparatus 100.

A grip is defined by an elongated member spanning, on either side, apertures opening through the inner body 120 of the exercise apparatus 100, where the ends of the elongated member are each connected to the outer body 110, the inner body 120, or both. A grip may consist of an integral piece of the inner body 120, formed by apertures opening through the outer body 110 and the inner body 120 on either side of the grip. A grip may consist of a non-integral member, substantially similar in composition to the inner body 120, spanning an aperture opening through the outer body 110 and the inner body 120 such that the grip divides the aperture into two apertures on either side of the grip, where the grip is affixed to the inner body 120 at the ends of the grip. A grip may be encased in a deformable material substantially consistent with the deformability of the outer body 110. A grip may be rounded in structure or flat in structure. In the case of a grip flat in structure, the grip may be encased in deformable material having rounded edges. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an upright grip may be flat in structure and a lateral grip may be rounded in structure.

Along the outer surface of the exercise apparatus 100, one or more textured surfaces 150 may be present. A textured surface 150 may possess a pattern of protuberances characterized by, for example, ridges, grooves, ribs, or knobs. A textured surface 150 may be of a material substantially less deformable than the outer body 110. A textured surface 150 may be composed of a layer of material separate from the material of the outer body 110, set upon a portion of the inner body 120 not covered by the outer body 110. A textured surface 150 may be a portion of the outer body 110 having less deformability than the rest of the outer body 110.

More than one textured surface 150 may be present along the outer surface of the exercise apparatus 100. The protuberances of separate textured surfaces 150 may vary. Protuberances may take the form of ridges, grooves, or ribs at intervals along a textured surface 150. Protuberances may take the form of knobs at intervals across a textured surface 150. Multiple textured surfaces 150 may be positioned across the circumference of the exercise apparatus 100 relative to each other. Multiple textured surfaces 150 may be positioned across the length of the exercise apparatus 100 relative to each other.

The first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure 132 may each hold one or more weights. A weight may be an object having mass suitable for providing resistance during lifting exercises, shaped to fit within the first end enclosure 131 or the second end enclosure 132. A weight may be an object weighing 2.5 pounds, 5 pounds, 10 pounds, or more. Weights may be gradated in increments of 2.5 pounds, 5 pounds, 10 pounds, or more.

The inner ends of the first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure 132 may each be positioned such that the first end enclosure 131 terminates without overlapping any of the grips of the exercise apparatus 100, and the second end enclosure 132 terminates without overlapping any of the grips of the exercise apparatus 100. The first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure 132 may each have a termination within the interior of the inner body 120. A termination may be any structural element which may obstruct the passage of a weight within the first end enclosure 131 through the inner body 120 past the inner end of the first end enclosure 131, or may obstruct the passage of a weight within the first end enclosure 132 through the inner body 120 past the inner end of the first end enclosure 132. A termination may obstruct a weight's passage by providing a complete blockage across the enclosure 130 of the inner body 120, or may obstruct a weight's passage by providing a partial blockage across the enclosure 130 of the inner body 120.

The mouths of the first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure 132 may each receive a cap 133. A cap 133 may be a member removably fastenable to the mouth of the first end enclosure 131 or the mouth of the second end enclosure 132 by a mechanism such as mating threads. A cap 133 may have an outer face which is flush with the mouth of the first end enclosure 131 such that the cap 133 does not protrude past the mouth of the first end enclosure 131, or which is flush with the mouth of the second end enclosure 132 such that the cap 133 does not protrude past the mouth of the second end enclosure 132.

A cap 133 may have an anchor 134 inset into the outer face of the cap 133. An anchor 134 may be a structure capable of receiving a connecting element fastened to the receiving member 134. For example, an anchor 134 may provide a hoop through which a connecting element may be tied. An anchor 134 may protrude past the mouth of the first end enclosure 131 or protrude past the mouth of the second end enclosure 132. An anchor 134 may be inset into a recess in the outer face of a cap 133 such that it does not protrude past the mouth of the first end enclosure 131 or protrude past the mouth of the second end enclosure 132. An anchor 134 inset into a recess may minimize the risk of injury to the user of the exercise apparatus 100 that would be caused by an anchor 134 protruding from the first end 101 or from the second end 102.

While a cap 133 is fastened to the mouth of the first end enclosure 131 or to the mouth of the second end enclosure 132, a first end of a connecting element may be fastened to the anchor 134 of the cap 133 and a second end of the connecting element may be secured to a stationary anchor apart from the exercise apparatus 100. For example, the second end of the connecting element may be wedged between a closed door and a door jamb. The second end of the connecting element may be wedged under a heavy object to the floor. By such means, the exercise apparatus 100 may be leashed to a stationary point by the connecting element while having a range of free motion about the stationary point. A connecting element may be, for example, a resistance band as known in physical exercise and physical therapy.

In operation, the first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure 132 of the exercise apparatus 100 may each be loaded with one or more weights, and a cap 133 fastened to each of the first end enclosure 131 and the second end enclosure 132 to secure the weights within each enclosure. While loaded with weights, the exercise apparatus 100 may have sufficient mass to provide resistance in physical exercises or physical therapy.

The exercise apparatus 100 may provide active resistance for a physical exercise if one or both ends of the exercise apparatus 100 is secured to a stationary point as described above. Active resistance is provided upon a user of the exercise apparatus 100 exerting a force upon the exercise apparatus 100 in a direction, whereupon the stationary point to which the exercise apparatus 100 is secured imparts an opposite force upon the exercise apparatus 100.

The exercise apparatus 100 may provide passive resistance for a physical exercise. Passive resistance is provided upon a user of the exercise apparatus 100 lifting the exercise apparatus 100, whereupon gravity imparts an opposite force upon the exercise apparatus 100.

A user may perform various exercises using the exercise apparatus 100. For example, the user may perform lifts using the exercise apparatus 100 by wielding the exercise apparatus 100 by upright grips 141. Wielding the exercise apparatus 100 in this fashion allows the user to raise the exercise apparatus 100 overhead using both hands turned inward. The user may perform deadlifts using the exercise apparatus 100 in a similar fashion while the exercise apparatus 100 is secured to stationary points on a floor. The user may perform curls using the exercise apparatus 100 by wielding the exercise apparatus 100 by lateral grips 142. Wielding the exercise apparatus 100 in this fashion allows the user to raise the exercise apparatus 100 in front of the user using both hands turned towards the user.

The user may perform rows using the exercise apparatus 100. In performing such exercises, the user may wield the exercise apparatus 100 in both hands and perform rowing motions while the exercise apparatus 100 is secured to a stationary point at each end, thus providing active resistance against the rowing motions.

The user may perform lunges or other such exercises wherein the user's center of gravity is shifted, using the exercise apparatus 100. In performing such exercises, the user may lean the user's body in a direction so as to imbalance the user's center of gravity while wielding the exercise apparatus 100. Wielding the exercise apparatus 100 in this fashion allows the weight of the exercise apparatus 100, distributed over its length, to provide balance to the imbalance of the user's center of gravity.

A user may perform therapy on irritated pressure points along the user's muscles by pressing a textured surface 150 to the user's body. In performing such therapy, the protuberances of the textured surface 150 may provide pressure against the user's muscles to create stimulation. A protuberance in the form of a pointed knob may provide directed pressure against a pressure point along the user's muscles. A protuberance in the form of a rounded knob may provide pressure against a calcified knot along the user's muscles. A protuberance in the form of an elongated ridge, groove, or rib may provide comparatively milder pressure than a protuberance in the form of a knob.

While particular elements, embodiments, and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto because modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by the application to cover such modifications and incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a body having a first end defining a first end enclosure and a second end defining a second end enclosure;

wherein each of the first end enclosure and the second end enclosure may receive a weight such that the weight is held within the body;

wherein each of the first end enclosure and the second end enclosure has a mouth which may receive a cap;

wherein a set of grips is set along the length of the body.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises an outer body and an inner body.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a textured surface.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein a textured surface comprises protuberances in the form of knobs.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein a textured surface comprises protuberances in the form of ridges.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the body further comprises a plurality of textured surfaces.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first end enclosure and the second end enclosure is defined by a termination within the body such that the first end enclosure does not overlap with a grip along the length of the body and the second end enclosure does not overlap with a grip along the length of the body.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a cap is fastenable to a mouth such that the cap is flush with the mouth.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an anchor integral to an outer face of the cap.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, wherein the anchor is inset within the outer face of the cap.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a set of grips is oriented orthogonal to the length of the body.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a set of grips is oriented parallel to the length of the body.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of sets of grips is set along the length of the body.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein each set of grips of the plurality set of grips is aligned along a common axis.