1988-11-16
1991-02-19
Apley, Richard J.
Undertaking
272142, 272143, A63B 2102
Patent
active
049937057
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an athletic device for training the muscles of the upper body, in particular the arm muscles, in the course of running and walking, having an elastically expandable strap.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During athletic endurance and weight training the intention is to stress portions of the skeletal muscles as large as possible over extended periods of time. This is the case, for example, during cross-country skiing or during swimming, i.e. in the course of types of athletics which have been particularly lauded time and again for their beneficial effects on the body.
During running and walking, which are the natural means of human propulsion, the legs alone are almost exclusively used and the arms perform involuntary load-free motions during running or walking.
In order to put more of a load on the limbs, weights are strapped to the wrist and ankles; however, these weights offer more of a resistance to the corresponding flexor muscles. However, during running and walking the more important muscles are the extensor muscles which support the body and trigger a jump.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a simple, cost-effective but efficient athletic device which provides a load on the arms, and thus on the upper body during running and walking, thereby leading to excercise of the entire body similar to that during swimming or cross-country skiing.
This object is attained by the invention by providing an expandable strap, extending transversely, removably fastened in place across the back part of a vest having two arm and/or wrist cuffs at its ends. Several characteristics recited in the dependent claims represent advantageous improvements in the attainment of the object.
The subject of the invention not only extends to the characteristics of the individual claims but also to their combination.
The athletic device according to the invention acts on the involuntarily swinging arms during running and walking, because of which a constant counterforce is created, which must be overcome by the arms, by means of which the muscles of the arms and upper body are strengthened.
At least two regions of an elastically expandable strap of the athletic device cross on the back of the wearer at the height of the shoulder blades and are each guided in opposite directions over the shoulder of the one side and under the armpit of the other side. They act on the forearms, on which they are fastened by means of adjustable cuffs or armbands. The expandable strap extends in the form of a figure eight and is guided through the loops of a vest. The crossing point of the expandable strap is located at the height of the shoulder blades.
The shoulder and the back are protected against rubbing and the pressure of the straps by the vest on which the elastic straps are fixed. Furthermore, the vest maintains the expandable strap in the required position (course) and makes trouble-free putting on and removal of the athletic device possible.
The advantages obtained by means of the invention consist in making training by means of running more effective. Because of the concurrent load on the arms they are additionally made to move increasingly, by means of which it is intended to smooth out the course of movement and to improve the coordination of the entire movement.
As during swimming or cross-country skiing, the entire body is then also strengthened during running and walking. Additionally, there is no requirement for using up time for a compensating strengthening of the upper body by means of boring stationary weight training.
The athletic device is constructed simply and cost-effectively, easy to use and has a high intrinsic value because of its high effectiveness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Exemplary embodiments are described in detail by means of the drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an athletic device composed of a vest and an expandable strap with the two parts separated;
FIG. 2 is a front schematic view of the athletic devic
REFERENCES:
patent: 1402179 (1922-01-01), Piscitelli
patent: 1663641 (1928-03-01), Smallwood
patent: 2035010 (1936-03-01), Rawlings
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patent: 4065814 (1978-01-01), Fox
patent: 4273328 (1981-06-01), Ozbey et al.
patent: 4544155 (1985-10-01), Wallenbrock
patent: 4815729 (1989-03-01), Stefanski
Apley Richard J.
Crosby D. F.
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