Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing resilient force resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1995-06-07
2001-04-24
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing resilient force resistance
C482S142000, C482S130000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220994
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed exercisers, and more particularly to exercisers which may be used in the performance of a wide variety of exercise routines for exercising a number of different muscles or muscle groups in the human body.
Numerous exerciser devices, assemblies and routines are known for use in the exercise and development of various muscles or muscle groups of the human body. However, these various exercisers and exercising routines of which they are capable of performing suffer a number of limitations and disadvantages.
One disadvantage which is common to many of the previously known exercisers is that they are useful in only one or at best a few exercise routines, and they are capable of exercising and developing only a limited number of muscles or muscle groups. For example, chest expanders which comprise one or more springs with hand grips at each end have only typically been used for one exercise and to develop only one group of muscles, the chest and arm muscles. These chest expanders are incapable of use in most other exercises, either due to the fact that the hand grips are not configured to be comfortably and securely received by other parts of the body or, due to their specific purpose and design, the springs are only capable of limited elongation to function for the purpose for which they were designed, i.e. to exercise the chest and arm muscles.
Other forms of exercisers have also been known which have resilient stretchable elements or springs and some form of grip at one end which is configured only to receive the hand or hands of the person exercising and not the feet of that person. As a result, even though such exercisers may be capable of use in several different exercise routines, the routines are generally limited both in the number of exercises which may be performed, as well as the muscles or muscle groups which may be exercised.
A few exercisers have been known which employ some form of flexible loop member or members for receiving or engaging either the hand and/or the foot of the person exercising, and which are attachable to a spring or other resilient stretchable element for performing several exercise routines. However, these flexible loops usually include handles of some sort, which may or may not be cushioned, but in which the loop will not readily and comfortably conform to or grip the hand or foot of the user. Moreover, even though these loops may be generally flexible, they are not stretchable during the exercise routine to grip and better conform to the hand or foot of the user. Also some of these exercisers attach to the user's ankle or knee, rather than to the arch of the foot. This is disadvantageous because the ankle and knee are some of the structurally weakest parts of the body, whereas the arch of the foot is one of the strongest. Thus, the likelihood of injury in these ankle or knee connecting exercisers is substantially increased.
Finally, a few exercisers are known which do utilize flexible endless loops which are also stretchable. However, some of these loops are the only resistance element of the exerciser without any additional springs or other resilient stretchable elements. This results in a substantial reduction of the number of exercise routines that may be accomplished, as well as the number of muscles or muscle groups that may be exercised. Even where such exercisers include a resilient stretchable element attached to the loop, the loop is not capable of receiving the foot of the user, is uncomfortable and difficult to grip in use, and may become slippery from perspiration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the exercisers of the present invention, most if not all of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior exercisers are avoided. In the exercisers of the present invention a wide variety of exercise routines may be accomplished which are not believed to have been previously possible, and which are specifically directed to and isolate each of virtually all of the important muscles or muscle groups of the body without exercising other muscles which should not be or are not desired to be exercised. The exercisers of the invention permit the exercise of desired muscles and muscle groups while avoiding undesirable and possibly dangerous forces on parts of the body, for example the neck, ankles or knees.
Another advantage of the exercisers of the present invention is that a wide variety of exercise routines may be performed without substantially altering the exerciser when one routine is finished and the next routine is desired, for example by adding additional springs and the like. Even where some alteration is needed when changing from one routine to another, the alteration may be accomplished simply and quickly.
Still another advantage of the exercisers of the present invention is that both the hands and the feet may be accommodated, and the portion of the exercisers which receives the hands and/or feet is both flexible and stretchable which permits it to closely conform and firmly grip the user's hand and/or foot. This not only improves its comfort during the exercise routine, but also reduces the possibility of it slipping off of the user's hand and/or foot.
Still another advantage of the exercisers of the present invention is that exercise routines are possible which are not believed to have previously been performed, and which isolate and exercise specific muscles and muscle groups which were not previously capable of exercise, or if they were, either assistance from another person was required or the specific muscle groups could not be isolated without imparting strain to or involvement of other muscles not desired to be exercised. Some of these routines include stretching and resistance to the inner thigh adductor muscles, synergistic exercises of the quadricep and hamstring muscles and/or the outer thigh abductor and inner thigh adductor muscles, and the unassisted stretching of the hamstring and quadricep muscles, the thigh abductor and adductor muscles and/or hip joints. Moreover, the exercisers of the present invention permit a number of exercise routines specifically directed to the gluteus maximus. Heretofore, exercise of some or all of these muscles or muscle groups was difficult and, if possible, required the assistance of a second person during the exercise routine, or undesirable strain to other muscle groups.
Still another advantage of the exercisers of the present invention is that they are compact and lightweight and, therefore, may be easily transported or stored.
In one principal aspect of the present invention, a flexible stretchable loop for an exerciser comprises an elongate flexible elastic stretchable member which is folded back upon itself and joined to form the loop. The loop includes a first portion thereof which is configured for attachment to a resilient stretchable element, and a second portion thereof which is spaced from the first portion and which is configured to receive both a hand or a foot of the person exercising. A stretchable textile covers at least the second portion and is stretchable with the stretchable member, whereby the second portion of the flexible stretchable loop closely conforms to and grips either the hand or foot of the person which is received therein when the person is exercising.
In another principal aspect of the present invention, the loop is rectangular in cross-section at least at the second portion so that it is wider than it is thick at the second portion both in its relaxed and stretched conditions.
In still another principal aspect of the present invention, the flexible elastic stretchable member is formed of an elastomeric material.
In still another principal aspect of the present invention, the first portion of the loop which is configured for attachment to the resilient stretchable element is substantially smaller than the remainder of the loop, and the smaller loop is adapted to be attached to the resilient stretchable element.
In still another principal aspect of the present invention, an exerciser
Cook Alex McFarron Manzo Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
Donnelly Jerome W.
Retrograce Systems Inc.
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