Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing weight resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-02
2001-06-05
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing weight resistance
C482S105000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241641
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to new uses for known consumer products. More particularly, the present invention relates to the simple conversion of recyclable plastic containers into exercise devices. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method for instructing consumers how to convert existing handheld containers into exercise equipment and the appropriate usage therefor, along with related methods for marketing by container suppliers of such alternative container usage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known that many consumer products are supplied in containers having a wide array of configurations. They may be formed from a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, or coated paper; however, many are made of plastic. Once the contents of the container have been depleted, the consumer generally throws the container away, although there is a certain fraction of the total number of used containers that are recycled. In any case, there is generally the single usage and then a discarding of the container. It would be beneficial to find one or more alternative uses for such containers.
For any consumer who must transport a filled container from one location to another it is clear that there is work involved in such a task. To that end, there is, to a limited extent, exercise involved in that activity, whether it is to move a liquid-detergent container from a vehicle to a laundry room, or to lift the container from its stowage location for use. Since it is well known that exercise enhances the quality of life and wellness, it is a desirable goal to enable people to exercise. Unfortunately, with busy lives and the apparent increasing desire to make life easier, individuals often forego regular directed exercise that would otherwise improve their physical condition. While there are many exercise facilities, many individuals find it time consuming to travel to such locations. In addition, many individuals feel uncomfortable exercising with others, or in view of others, who may or may not be in better condition. The alternative is to exercise at home; however, for weightlifting activities, for example, the equipment that is generally available can be relatively costly. In addition, commercially available weightlifting equipment generally comes in fixed increments of weight that may not be particularly suitable for individuals requiring incremental modifications different from those available through existing products.
In the prior art there have been developed relatively compact exercise devices designed to assist users in conducting exercises in a location of interest-such as the home. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,343 issued to Cafiero describes the formation of a handle designed to be attached to a refillable plastic container. The handle can be affixed to the exterior of a bottle to provide stability and strength that may not be present in the bottle alone during such a use. Cafiero describes the application of the handle to a standard container such as a water or soda bottle. In that way, the user can regulate the weight to be lifted. Cafiero specifically notes that existing water bottles are difficult to hold alone and therefore require his attachable handle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,988 issued to Sobel, also describes a dumbbell formed by a beverage can and attachable handle. Both products require the fabrication of a new component—namely that of the attachable handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,909 issued to Roark describes the application of a dual-sided closure that can be threaded to the “top” of one or two fillable containers. The closure is designed to enable the user to hold the container for exercising. It also enables the user to fill the container to achieve a desired container weight. U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,946 issued to Brown describes the fabrication of a refillable container of specific design for ease of handling and transport. Brown teaches that parallel lines and weight scales for various solids or liquids can be marked on the customized container to allow for filling the container with different materials to specific weights. Such a container would simply add to the mass of plastic containers requiring disposal at some point in the future. These two disclosures also require the manufacture of a new custom product—either the closure device or the custom container.
Each of the prior in-home exercise systems described in the noted disclosures require the fabrication of some new device, whether a handle, a closure device, or a new container. In that regard they are designed to add to the overall waste stream and the cost to the consumer. Moreover, there is little, if any, in the way of instruction provided to the consumer in describing the appropriate way to exercise, or the appropriate weight required for effect for a particular individual.
Therefore, what is needed is an exercise device that may be used in any location of interest. What is also needed is such an exercise device created using existing consumer products, such as plastic containers, without requiring additional attachments to convert it into an exercise device. Further, what is needed is a method for advising consumers of the alternative use of an existing consumer-product-based container as an exercise device and suitable techniques for effecting proper exercise activities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device that may be used in any location of interest. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device created using existing consumer products, such as plastic containers, without requiring additional attachments to convert it into an exercise device. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for advising consumers of the alternative use of an existing consumer-product-based container as an exercise device and suitable techniques for effecting proper exercise activities.
These and other objectives are achieved in the present invention through the new use of a known product and a method for advising consumers of such new usage and details related thereto. Specifically, the present invention involves the disclosure of the use of a conventional consumer product that is a relatively hefty plastic container, such as a liquid detergent container capable of holding a volume of one-half gallon or more, as a weight-carrying exercise tool. It is important to note that the container must be of the type having an existing well-balanced handle that is substantially centered in the area of the center of mass of the container. Whereas consumers ordinarily throw out such containers when empty, the consumer is directed to fill the existing container through its pour spout with some sort of dense, readily available, material, such as water, sand, etc. This is of particular convenience for people of all ages in that it eliminates the need to buy relatively expensive dumbbells, or to pay the price of membership at the local health club.
The present invention also involves the development of a marketing system to advise consumers of the alternative environmentally friendly and healthwise usage of the container that previously has had but one usage option prior to discarding. Specifically, the supplier of the standard consumable retained in the existing balanced container may continue to provide its existing product and, in addition, gain consumer support and interest in such products by noting the supplemental use of such a container after the original contents have been consumed. Such instructions to the consumer may involve a simple notation of the environmental benefit of such usage, and/or detailed instructions regarding exercise options. This may further include the introduction of demarcation lines that may be inscribed or otherwise applied to the container such that the user can create a training device of a specific weight, depending upon the filler material used and the particular added fill line used to identify how much
Atwood Pierce
Brown Michael A.
Caseiro Chris A.
Hamilton Lalita M.
LandOfFree
Method for establishing exercise activities using recyclable... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for establishing exercise activities using recyclable..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for establishing exercise activities using recyclable... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2468071