Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing resilient force resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1997-01-28
2001-02-27
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing resilient force resistance
C482S125000, C482S121000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193638
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to portable exercise devices that use elastic members to provide resistance.
BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,277,684 or 4,492,375 use a large bulky frame to anchor the elastic members. The mass of the frame in combination with the user's mass is designed to provide a stable anchor point for the elastic member. The exerciser exerts force against the elastic member. When the exerciser exerts sufficient force usually on a handle or lever having the elastic member interconnected between the stationary structure and the handle the elastic member stretches.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,205 solves the anchor problem with a device that mounts to a door. Many prior art exercise machines solve the anchor problem with devices where the exerciser pulls two portions of the device apart. These devices suffer from the limitation that the exerciser cannot perform exercises that push against the device. Examples of these include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,372,566, 4,852,874, 4,540,173, and 5,397,288. These devices use the hands, feet and the body itself as the anchor point for pulling exercises but they lack the structure to allow reversal of the motion which requires pushing against the device.
U.S Pat. No. 5,399,138 is an example of an exercise device that is designed to exercise specific body parts. Devices of this type are limited and lack general functionality. They allow specific muscles to be exercised but cannot be the basis of a complete fitness program.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
One objective of this invention is to provide a device that is compact, portable, and lightweight. This exercise device is compact and can be constructed of lightweight plastic or lightweight metals, therefore, it has the advantage of being lightweight and portable.
Another object of this portable exercise device is that it does not require any external circumstance beyond a willing exerciser to function. A willing user can use this machine anywhere. It does not require a specific external anchor point like a door or bed post.
This exercise device is designed to be capable of performing both pushing and pulling exercises. Pushing and pulling exercises can be performed sequentially without and intermediate steps being required by the user. This represents a very significant advantage.
Another objective is that this exercise machine has the capability of supporting a general fitness program that can exercise the major muscle groups of the human body. The multiple handles are deliberately spaced and configured to allow for different ranges of motion. Having multiple sections of handles so that this device can function in opposition, for both pull apart as well as push together exercises, provide this exercise machine with tremendous utility for performing an extremely wide variety of exercises.
Another goal of this portable exercise device is that resistive forces can be varied easily. The exerciser selects different resistive forces by using different strengths, or additional resistance bands. This provides the user with variable resistance forces in a small lightweight exercise machine.
Another object is to allow rotation between the two sections of handles. This provides that handles can be adjusted with respect to one another quickly. Exercises can be preformed with handles slightly rotated to accommodate the exerciser. The handles when rotated to 90 degrees provide yet another completely different configuration. This configuration increases the diversity as to the type of exercises that can be performed. This adjustability provides significant advantage when designing exercises for both sides of the body, for example the right arms, and then the left arms.
Another object of this invention is to benefit handicapped persons confined to a wheel chair. This device has a compact, lightweight, handheld design, which allows a sitting person to exercise the major muscle groups of the upper body.
Another object of this invention is that it be easy and inexpensive to manufacture. This construction of this device lends itself to straight sections. Because of the simplicity of the straight sections and basic components this device is inexpensive to manufacture. One method of manufacture uses commonly available PVC pipe components.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4591150 (1986-05-01), Mosher
patent: 5232425 (1993-08-01), Miller et al.
Donnelly Jerome W.
McComb Daniel E.
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