Exercise Device

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the field of exercise equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of portable lightweight resistance exercise equipment.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the past, exercise devices have been proposed which utilize spring like elements which provide resistance against movement by a user. However, these prior art devices suffered from a number of deficiencies.

Most noticeably, prior art devices exhibited an extremely limited application to the movements of a user, thereby severely limiting the muscle groups and other tissue which were affected by the exercise movements.

Also, prior art devices which provided a larger selection of exercise movements at the same time exhibited bulky, non-portable structures.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an exercise device which facilitates a wide range of exercise movements.

It is a further object to provide an exercise device which facilitates myofascial movements, and plyometric movements.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise device which allows varying levels of force resistance.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise device which is lightweight and easily portable.

These and other objects of the invention are satisfied by the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a flexible bow with interchangeable elastic resistance bands that can individually be added or removed from the bow, allowing the exerciser to adjust for varying degrees of resistance while the exerciser performs a variety of strength, stretching and fitness exercises. Additionally, attachable grip pads are included to provide comfort and secure grip during use.

The invention will allow the exerciser to adjust for varying degrees of resistance, allowing the exerciser to perform a variety of strength, stretching and fitness resistance exercises in any location, anywhere, anytime. Because of the unique nature and simplicity of the bow design, and the ability to easily attach the elastic resistance bands to the bow, this allows the exerciser to interchange and attach any one of the various elastic resistance bands to the bow, thus allowing the exerciser to achieve multiple resistance levels, thus making the product invention ideal for various strength, stretching and fitness resistance exercises not previously found in a compact and portable exercise workout system.

The product invention will be manufactured to be sold to through wholesale, distributor, home shopping channel, direct response, ecommerce and retail brick and mortar distribution channels.

• • Resistance Training
  • Includes multiple resistance bands with various resistance levels for multiple exercise options
  • Easy to use versatile bow design and interchangeable resistance bands
  • Simply and quickly change resistance bands with easy on &easy off assembly
  • Adjustable slip-resistant grips provide secure positioning & comfort for hands or feet
  • For beginner, intermediate, advance use
  • Lightweight, portable & compact
  • Training options include: strength, stability, stretching, resistance, balance, coordination, myofascial, plyometric and triathlete

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exercise apparatus elastic member, bow member and grip member(s)

FIG. 3 is a front view of the assembled exercise apparatus

FIG. 4 is a side view of the assembled exercise apparatus

FIG. 5 is a front view of the bow member

FIG. 6 is a side view of the bow member

FIG. 7 is a front view of the elastic member

FIG. 8 is a side view of the elastic member

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus and interchangeable individual elastic members with various resistance levels

FIG. 10 is a front view of muscle groups

FIG. 11 is a back view of muscle groups

FIG. 12 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention

FIG. 13 is a front view of another embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1, shown therein is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus that shows the interface with the user's body consisting of the bow member, the elastic member and the grip member(s). The drawing illustrates the shape of the preferred embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, shown therein is an exploded view of the exercise apparatus members. The bow member 1 may be formed from various materials, and in particular may be molded from various composite materials. The elastic member 2 may be formed from various materials and in particular may be molded or extruded from various natural or synthetic materials. The grip member(s) 4 may be formed from various natural or synthetic materials.

The bow member 1 includes receiving ends on both ends of the bow member 1 to receive, attach and secure the elastic member 2 to the bow member 1. The elastic member 2 includes an attachment member 3 at each end, to secure each end of the elastic member to each receiving end of the bow member 1, allowing the elastic member 2 to be easily attached or removed to the bow member 1. The grip member(s) 4 can be easily added or removed from the bow member 1. The grip member(s) 4 provide comfort and secure handling when attached to the bow member 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 shown therein is a perspective view of the assembled exercise apparatus and multiple interchangeable, individual, elastic members with various resistance levels, each elastic member can be easily attached or removed from the bow member.

Following is a chart which describes various muscle groups and how they are exercised. The present invention is arranged and constructed to allow controlled contraction and expansion of the muscle groups described in the chart below, and set out in FIGS. 10 and 11.

PARTS LIST

1. Bow member

2. Elastic member

3. Attachment member

4. Grip member

5. Bow elastic member receiver

6. Low resistance replacement elastic member

7. Medium low resistance replacement elastic member

8. Medium high resistance replacement elastic member

9. High resistance replacement elastic member

In practice, the present device presents a multitude of variations in the operation of the device.

Positioning a fixed object between the elastic member 2 and the bow member 1, such as a vertical post, horizontal post or other attachment point, allows a user to exert force and movement through the grip member, upon the bow member 1, which force and movement is increasingly resisted by the stretching elastic member 2. The user may either pull the bow member 1 away from the fixed object, or push the bow member away from the fixed object, using virtually any and all of the body muscle groups, through the legs, arms, neck, and back, depending on which body part is in contact with either the inside surface or outside surface of the grip member 4.

Further, the application of force may be slow and stretching, to gradually involve muscle groups and related tissue, or may be extremely rapid, to develop the fast-acting muscle activity important to certain activities.

Other positions and utilizations of the device are possible according to the targeted muscle group. Virtually every muscle group shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be exercised and in particular contracted and expanded utilizing the present invention.

A user may be positioned entirely inside of the device, holding it at chest level, with the bow against the back and the elastic member at the front, to push out against the elastic member in a bench press movement.

The bow member may be places on the ground with feet upon it, hands gripping the elastic rope, pulling up in an upward row movement, or in a front raise movement.

Lying on the ground, the bow may be placed under the legs, moving the leg up against the elastic member in a straight leg extension movement.

Sitting on a chair, the bow may be secured behind the rear legs, the lower leg moving out against the elastic member in a leg extension movement.

With the bow secured above the head, the elastic member may be pulled or pushed upon in a pull down or pushdown motion.

With the bow device secured between the legs, the elastic member may be stretched in a side lateral movement.

Sitting with the bow underneath the legs, the elastic member maybe stretched in an overhead press motion.

Standing with the bow element under the feet, the elastic member may be stretched in a curl, reverse curl, or front raise movement.

With the bow secured under a bench, the elastic member may be stretched in a pullover movement.

Many movements may be carried out by gripping or pushing against either the bow element or the elastic member, depending on the position and comfort of the user.

A device is presented which replaces the downward only force of gravity against weighted exercise devices with the resistive force of elastic members. The unique shape and structure of the device frees the user from connection to a fixed device, and from the limited range of movement of gravity-driven weights.

Virtually all muscle groups may be contracted against the force of the elastic bands, as the device may be positioned at and around the user limited only by the user's own individual physiology. The flexibility in positioning the achieved only through the disclosed closed loop structure and lightweight ergonomic materials and shape.

Both the bow member 1 and various strength elastic members 2 contribute to the resistive force of the device which opposes the applied force of the user.

The device is extremely lightweight, and can be easily disassembled and transported, by removing the elastic member 2 from the bow member 1.

The bow member may be constructed of several different materials, including metals and metal alloys, plastics, wood, carbon composites and carbon fiber.