Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing resilient force resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-28
2001-11-20
Donnelly, Jerome (Department: 3733)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing resilient force resistance
C482S123000, C482S094000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319179
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Gymnastic devices
2. Description of the Peior Art
Occasionally a descriptive term in this application may be shortened so as to recite only a part rather than the entirety thereof as a matter of convenience or to avoid needless redundancy. In instances in which that is done, applicant intends that the same meaning be afforded each manner of expression. Thus, the term bilateral exercise tension director (
319
) might be used in one instance but in another, if meaning is otherwise clear from context, expression might be shortened to bilateral tension director (
319
) or merely bilateral director (
319
). Any of those forms is intended to convey the same meaning.
The term emplace or any of its forms when used in this application means the joining of two objects or parts so as to unite them in a reasonably easily removable way, such as the fitting of a length of elastic exercise cord (
27
) within a pulley wheel's circumferential groove (
36
) from which it (
27
) may be removed, discussed ante.
Where the term is employed, rigid emplacement connotes the meaning that the object is removable but only with some degree of difficulty, such as might be encountered in separating two parts—for example, an aperture engaging pin (
15
) from a channel spine latching aperture (
303
) in which it (
15
) is held in position by expansion of a spring (
16
). The word emplace is also consistent in meaning with the word “detachable” as occasionally used in connection parlance but not in this application, since it is derived from the root attach. The term attach or fasten or any of their forms when so used means that the juncture is of a more or less permanent nature, such as might be accomplished by nails, screws, welds or adhesives. Employment of the words connect or join or any of their forms is intended to include the meaning of both in a more general way.
The word comprise may be construed in either of two ways herein. A generic term used to describe a given one of a number of specific elements is said to comprise it, thereby characterizing the specific element with equivalency for the generic term. Thus, a bilateral exercise tension director (
319
) may be said to comprise a vertically disposed tethering hook (
419
), meaning that in the particular case, the bilateral tension director (
319
) is a tethering hook (
419
). However, the word comprise may also be used to describe a feature which is part of the structure or composition of a given element. Thus, a horizontally emplaced anchoring pin (
305
) may be said to comprise an emplacement groove (
412
), meaning that the structure of the pin (
305
) is such as to have the emplacement groove (
412
) as a feature of its structure. The meaning in the respective cases is clear from context, however. Accordingly, modifying words to clarify which of the two uses is the intended one seem unnecessary.
The word multiply or any of its derivatives is also employed in two different ways, either as a verb or an adjective. Thus, it is explained herein that the number of tethering point (
300
) arrangements is multiplied by reason of the number of axes of rotation a pulley assembly (
519
) comprises—the verb sense, in that the assembly's diversity permits an operator (
200
) to multiply the number of setups he or she elects to exercise from. Used as an adjective, however, it is said herein that a multiply elbowed door connection bracket (
52
) comprises door edge wrapping configuration (
54
)—meaning merely that it (
52
) is shaped with a number of elbows exceeding that of an alternative embodiment.
There is a distinct difference between exercising assemblies which employ weights attached to inelastic cords (
27
) strung through a pulley and those which employ a length of elastic cord (
27
) tethered from a given point. As an operator (
200
) pulls upon an inelastic cord (
27
) to which a weight is attached, sufficient initial effort must be expended to overcome the weight's resting inertia. As the effort continues and the weight gathers momentum, less effort is required. Even after the effort is terminated, the weight continues for a short distance in its path, reaches maximum height and then begins to fall, pulling the cord (
27
) with it, in response to gravity. It is sometimes said to have “gone ballistic”.
The tension exerted upon an elastic cord (
27
) as it is stretched, increases beginning from its initial state of rest completely up to the point of maximum effort. The cord (
27
) immediately begins retracting upon reversing the effort. Many consider the acceleration gradient imposed by an elastic cord (
27
) to be highly beneficial.
Weights also have other disadvantages such as the noise they create during use, the necessity to store them to avoid clutter and the inconvenience of having to change them for one's different exercises or accommodate an additional exercising operator. Employing proper equipment, elastic cords (
27
) of lesser or greater resistance and strung upon a tethered exercise tension system may be easily changed, or alternatively, left in place by a first operator (
200
) without interfering with the efforts of a second one (
200
) who uses an independently tethered cord (
27
) of different resistance.
Elastic cord (
27
) assemblies have traditionally been attached to a wall (
106
) to provide what are referred to herein as exercise tethering points (
300
). However, many people have limited wall (
106
) space available for such installation. The bulky character of the traditional exercise assemblies and the want of sufficient installation space for them have led to portable models which provide for various isometric or isotonic exercises. While portability avoids installation problems and enables use away from home, many feel there is no real substitute for an anchoring vertical surface mounted construction.
There has been a growing interest in tethering exercise equipment to a less obtrusive locale such as upon a household door (
100
) during a time it is not otherwise required for ingress and egress.
Assemblies intended for doorway (
103
) use have taken a variety of forms. Some have been anchored upon the doorway's (
103
) encircling woodwork. That portion of an assembly which might otherwise interfere with those passing through it should be easily removable after exercise.
Some of the portable models, supra, have been configured with door (
100
) blockers or similar obstructions usually taking the form of thickened straps which are fitted through the margin or crack around the door's (
100
) perimeter such that they don't pull through when exercise tension is operably applied. Those models are referred to herein as comprising door stop or door impingement features, ante. As useful as those assemblies are, their tethering source is necessarily limited to the doorway's (
103
) perimeter. Efforts to provide for more centralized exercise tethering have contributed to development of door face (
101
) installation assemblies.
An assembly mounted upon the face (
101
) of a door (
100
) should be constructed so as not to damage it (
100
). Bolts driven into or through the door (
100
) leave unsightly holes when the assembly is removed. Some of the portable exercisers, supra, provide secure tethering with devices shaped to fit around the edge (
102
) of a closed door (
100
) at the top or bottom thereof (
100
). Those models are referred to herein as comprising door edge wrapping configurations. Some of the devices comprise a nonpenetrating bolt and plate to enhance security. Others are constructed for such purpose in a manner to insure that the fit is snug.
Once a vertical supporting spine has been erected, means for dividing the tension to both the right and left sides may be emplaced upon it. Such means usually comprise either a vertically disposed rod segment, hook, eyelet or pulley assembly disposed at the tethering point (
300
). On a traditional assembly upon which pulleys are employed, they are often connected at a fixed site from a
Bonneville Loyd W.
Donnelly Jerome
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