Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing weight resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-03
2001-03-06
Mulcahy, John (Department: 3739)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing weight resistance
C482S079000, C482S139000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196950
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to exercise device. More particularly, it relates to a form of free weights which attach to the foot of a user for the exercise of at least one of the hamstring muscles, adductor/abductor muscles, quadriceps and gluteus maximus muscles of the user.
2. Prior Art
A variety of exercise devices have been proposed and are in use today for the exercise of virtually every muscle of the human body. With respect to exercise machines and devices which are used to strengthen and tone the hamstring muscles, adductor/abductor muscles, quadriceps and gluteus maximus muscles, there are currently limited options.
Perhaps the most effective existing device is the provision of weight belts which are secured around the ankle of the user by Velcro or other fastening means. There are several drawbacks with such ankle belts. First, the weights are positioned at a location up the leg toward the knee and away from the foot. This causes a diminution in the effectiveness of the weight and provides less resistance than weight positioned closer to the foot. Second, because of the shape of the weight belt and because it wraps around the ankle it is difficult to provide such a weight belt that allows the rapid adding or removal of weight elements to the device. Finally, the provision of heavy weights wrapped around one's ankle can be uncomfortable and annoying to the user.
Another known method of exercising hamstring muscles is accomplished with the use of standard free weight dumbbells. With this method the use lies flat on his or her stomach and a spotter places a dumbbell vertically positioned between users feet resting on soles. The user lift's his or her feet upwardly to a 90 degree position bending at the knees. This method has a number of significant drawbacks. First, the method requires the use of a spotter. Second, because the user is lying down, the resistance is greatest during the beginning of the motion with little resistance being offered as the lower leg approaches the upward 90 degree position. Finally, having dumbbell type weights held between feet can be unmanageable, hard to control and can expose user to injury should dumbbell slip from feet in uppermost position.
In addition to the above methods, there are a number of large, expensive exercise machines generally known as leg curl or leg extension machines which provide resistance training for these muscles groups. These machines are bulky, expensive and generally limit the range of possible motion to a single plane or a limited number of movement pathways.
There remains a need for a portable, inexpensive exercise device which addresses the limitations of the devices described above.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive and portable exercise device which is useful in the exercise of at least one of the hamstring muscles, adductor/abductor muscles, quadriceps and gluteus maximus muscles of the user.
It is an object of the invention to provide such a device which quickly and efficiently attaches to the foot of the user.
It is an object of the invention to provide such a device which does not limit the user's range of motion thereby allowing flexibility in use and movement through any desired pathway, be it simple or complex, in any one or more of three planes of motion (or dimensions of space x, y and z).
It is an object of the invention to provide such a device which allows for the rapid addition or removal of weight plates to provide greater or less resistance when desired by the user.
These an other objects of the invention will be apparent from the further description of the invention which follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an exercise device for exercising at least one of the hamstring muscles, adductor/abductor muscles, quadriceps and gluteus maximus muscles of a user. The invention, in its simplest form, comprises a base member having a front portion and a back portion and including a generally flat upper surface portion adapted to receive and support a bottom of a foot of the user; a back member attached to said base; a heel yoke attached to said back and adapted to receive a heel of said foot of the user; roller arm means including an attached roller member attached to the back portion of said base, said roller member adapted to contact a top of said foot of the user whereby the exercise device is secured to said foot of the user.
In one form of the invention, the base member and said back member are integrally formed as a single member. Preferably, the upper surface of said base member is a slip resistant surface formed of aluminum with raised diamond shaped deformations therein.
In one form of the invention, the base member has rubber feet or other form of rubber covering at least a portion of a lower surface thereof. This allows the user to walk upon the devise when it is attached to the user's foot without damaging the flooring upon which the user walks.
The roller arm means is preferably pivotally mounted at one end thereof to said back portion of the base. A pivot lock means may be provided but is not presently preferred.
As an alternative to having the roller arm means pivotally mounted, the roller arm means may be rigidly mounted to said back member. Preferably, the roller arm means further comprises at least one member on which said roller member is slidably mounted whereby said roller arm means can be moved to any one of plurality of locations at differing distances from said back member. A length lock means may be provided whereby said roller is tightened onto the foot of a user and locked into one of said plurality of locations on said rod members.
The roller member of the present invention is preferably generally cylindrical in shape and formed of a foam material. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the roller arm means further comprises a roller attachment bar to which a roller member is rotatably attached.
Preferably, the exercise device also includes weight plate holder means attached to said back member. The weight plate holder means preferably comprises at least one weight plate holder rod extending rearwardly from said back member. Preferably, the weight plate holder means is movably attached to the back member whereby said weight plate holder means can secured at any one of a plurality of transverse locations on said back member. A weight plate holder lock means is preferably used to secure said holder in a desired position. Additionally, weight plate lock means is provided to secure weight plates to the weight plate holder means. Preferably, the weight plate holder means is capable of receiving and holding a least one weight plate.
The exercise device of the present invention is adapted to be securely fastened to said foot of a user and said device may be freely moved by the user without restriction from any desired starting location to any desired finishing location through any desired pathway of movement wherein said pathway may include complex multiple plane movements.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2849237 (1958-08-01), Simithis
patent: 3020046 (1962-02-01), Hotas
patent: 4337939 (1982-07-01), Hoyle et al.
patent: 5551937 (1996-09-01), Kwo
patent: 5695438 (1997-12-01), Bjornsti
patent: 5722919 (1998-03-01), Timmer
patent: 5971902 (1999-10-01), Robertson et al.
patent: 1288074 (1962-02-01), None
New York Barbells catalog (Undated).
Commercial Equipment catalog (Undated).
DE-STA-CLAMP catalog (Undated).
Mulcahy John
Shaffer, Esq. Thomas R.
LandOfFree
Exercise device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Exercise device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Exercise device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2439488