Exercise Wheel Apparatus

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus utilized to promote physical fitness by repeated user interaction with the apparatus. More particularly, the present invention is related to a unique type of Exercise Wheel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An exercise wheel is a device used to improve the strength of a user's abdominal muscles. Typically, they have a central wheel having an axle placed through a center hole of the wheel thereof so that a first portion of the axle protrudes out a side of the wheel and a second portion protrudes out another side of the wheel. Two padded handles are mounted each on a single opposite side of the axle as the other one is mounted; this so as to help the user grip the wheel during the exercise routine. By holding onto the right and left side of the wheel's padded axle handles a user can strengthen their abs through various stretching motions. Also, these wheels can have a bearing assembly facilitating the axle rotation.

There are various types of exercise wheels in existence including but not limited to: single wheel, double wheel and folding wheel. The dual wheel device increases the stability thereof as the two wheels are set somewhat apart and thereby add more user control for the exercise routine. Thus, one can concentrate more on the specific motions of the routine rather than a potential equilibrium problem sometimes found in a single wheel design. It also helps prevent injury as it is easier on the form of a user body.

As was mentioned the single wheel design is more difficult to use then the dual wheel design as it offers a large scope of motion and requires the use of more muscles to maintain a stable routine. As such, there is more fat burning and the intense motions even help to work the lateral muscles of the abdomen which can be missed with the two wheel design. Finally, the folding wheel design are great for portability and facilitates quick and easy storage.

FIG. 1 shows a prior art single wheel 1 design having spokes 2 from the inner portion of the wheel towards a center region where the spokes 2 come together. At this center region a hole is formed for insertion of an axle 3 therethrough. This leaves a portion of the axle 3 protruding out two sides of the wheel. A first grip 4 and a second grip 5 are hollow cylinders that have one open end for mounting on the axle 3 and a closed end for forbidding any more motion of the grips towards the center of the wheel. The grips are formed from rubber, pads and similar materials that are used so that user interaction with the grip and axle acting as a handle are firm and not easily detachable without concentrated user effort.

FIG. 2 shows a prior art two wheel design 6 having two wheels associated with one another in rigid cooperation through rigid attachment between the corresponding spokes 7 of either wheel. The spokes 7 from the inner portion of the wheel towards a center region where the spokes 7 come together. At this center region a hole is formed for insertion of an axle 8 therethrough. This leaves a portion of the axle 8 protruding out two sides of the wheel. A first grip 9 and a second grip 10 are hollow cylinders that have one open end for mounting on the axle 8 and a closed end for forbidding any more motion of the grips towards the center of the wheel. The grips are formed from rubber, pads and similar materials that are used so that user interaction with the grip and axle acting as a handle are firm and not easily detachable without concentrated user effort.

However, a problem arises that a user has trouble in performing combined motions with a single or dual wheel design. For example, it is difficult to perform push ups with an ab wheel as the user can not stabilize the wheel underneath him or her in order to succeed in performing this simple exercise. Therefore, some solution to this problem is necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing an Exercise Wheel as described herein below.

An Exercise Wheel Apparatus comprising:

• • a wheel having an opening for placement of an axle therethrough;
  • a first hand rest attached to the axle.

An Exercise Wheel Apparatus comprising:

• • a wheel having an opening for placement of an axle therethrough;
  • a first hand rest attached to the axle.
  • a second hand rest attached to the axle on a side of the wheel of opposite the first hand rest is attached to.

An Exercise Wheel Apparatus comprising:

• • a wheel having an opening for placement of an axle therethrough;
  • a first hand rest attached to the axle,
  • wherein the first hand rest is in the shape of a hand and has a neck attached to a hollow portion for mounting on the axle.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a prior art single wheel 1 design having spokes 2 from the inner portion of the wheel towards a center region where the spokes 2 come together.

FIG. 2 shows a prior art typical two wheel design 6 having two wheels associated with one another in rigid cooperation through rigid attachment between the corresponding spokes 7 of either wheel.

FIG. 3 presents a top view showing the hand rests in an embodiment of the Exercise Wheel Apparatus disclosed herein.

FIG. 4A presents an outside view of the hand rests of either side of the wheel in an embodiment with a shorter neck of the Exercise Wheel Apparatus disclosed herein. FIG. 4B presents an outside view of the hand rests of either side of the wheel in an embodiment with a larger neck of the Exercise Wheel Apparatus disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 presents a perspective view of an axle having a rubber or padded restriction mounted thereon for gripping the hand rests mount disclosed herein in an embodiment of the Exercise Wheel Apparatus disclosed herein. FIG. 6A presents a rear view of a right hand rest with an attached hand rest mount through a neck there between in an embodiment with a shorter neck of the Exercise Wheel Apparatus disclosed herein. FIG. 6B presents a rear perspective view of a right hand rest with an attached hand rest mount through a neck there between in an embodiment with a larger neck of the Exercise Wheel Apparatus disclosed herein.

FIG. 7A-7B present a first extended arms view and a second compressed arms view of a user doing a pushup in an embodiment of the Exercise Wheel Apparatus disclosed herein.

FIG. 8 presents a rear perspective view of a right hand rest with an attached hand rest mount through a neck there between in an alternative embodiment with a larger neck of the Exercise Wheel disclosed herein.

FIG. 9A presents a bottom view of another embodiment of the invention envisioned as figurative axle mount having a hand body (and axle mount) having a flat hand surface with either of a central surface depression or alternatively raised portion on the top surface of the hand on either side. The bottom view shows various supports; the forward five supports are deployed under the fingers of the hand portion of the hand whilst there are three other supports radiating outwards from the central part of the device. FIG. 9B presents a left side view of the another embodiment. FIG. 9C presents a front view of the another embodiment. FIG. 9D presents a right side view of the another embodiment. FIG. 9E presents a top view of the another embodiment where the circular depression or alternatively raised portion is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each figure; alternatively, with one or more figures as compared to one or more other figures. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

FIG. 3 presents a top view showing the hand rests in an embodiment of the Exercise Wheel disclosed herein. An exercise wheel apparatus 11 as modified by the concepts herein is shown in the figure having an axle 14 placed within a hole in the wheel 16 such that a portion of the axle 14 protrudes out either of two sides of the wheel 16. A first hand rest 12 and a second hand rest 13 are mounted on the axle 14 using an axle mount 17 that is a hollow cylindrically shaped piece of material with two open ends at either end of the cylindrical shape. The hand rests 12, 13 are connected only to a single but different axle mount 17 through a single and separate respective neck 12A, 13A; thus one hand rest is connected to one axle mount and the other hand rest is connected to the other axle mount. The necks 12A, 13A are each a separate piece of material that is formed so as to attach appropriately to the axle mount 17; the necks can be hollow or solid depending on the structural strength and material properties. This axle mount 17 mounts to the axle 14 by a user placing the axle mount 17 in front of the axle and pushing it onto a previously user placed grip 18 on the axle 14. At assembly, a piece of rigid rubber or similar material (material that forbids easy motion of the axle mount on top of the grip) is placed on the axle 14; this acts as a grip for the axle mount forbidding easy motion of the axle mount 17 on the grip. The hand rests 12, 13, the necks 12A, 13A and axle mount 17 are made from various materials such as: metals, plastics, polymers and other man made materials attached in various ways such as diverse fasteners (bolt-nut through appropriate holes in each) by metals welding, integral formation of the parts, glued, heat treated, from plastics, polymers extruded or otherwise formed according to typical techniques and or other materials or similar methods of assembly. It is understood that the hand rests 12, 13 are attached to the respective necks 12A, 13A which in turn is attached to the axle mount 17 as described above.

FIG. 4A presents an outside view of the hand rests of either side of the wheel in an embodiment with a shorter neck of the Exercise Wheel Apparatus disclosed herein. Here the outside view reveals the hand rests 12, 13 to be concave platter shapes attached by single and separate necks 12A or 13A to the cylindrical axle mount 17 which is to be attached to the axle 14 and rigidly attached thereto using grips 18 formed of suitable restrictive materials that forbid easy motion thereon. The grips 18 are cylindrically shaped materials with one closed end and one opposite open end that permits one grip 18 to be placed on one end of the axle 14 and the other grip 18 to be placed on the other end of the axle 14. The hand rests 12, 13, the necks 12A, 13A and axle mount 17 are made from various materials such as: metals, plastics, polymers and other man made materials attached in various ways such as diverse fasteners (bolt-nut through appropriate holes in each) by metals welding, integral formation of the parts, glued, heat treated, from plastics, polymers extruded or otherwise formed according to typical techniques and or other materials or similar methods of assembly. It is understood that the hand rests 12, 13 are attached to the respective necks 12A, 13A which in turn is attached to the axle mount 17 as described above.

FIG. 4B presents an outside view of the hand rests of either side of the wheel in an embodiment having a larger neck of the Exercise Wheel disclosed herein. Here the outside view reveals the hand rests 12, 13 to be concave platter shapes attached by single and separate necks 12A or 13A to the cylindrical axle mount 17 which is to be attached to the axle 14 and rigidly attached thereto using grips 18 formed of suitable restrictive materials that forbid easy motion thereon. The grips 18 are cylindrically shaped materials with one closed end and one opposite open end that permits one grip 18 to be placed on one end of the axle 14 and the other grip 18 to be placed on the other end of the axle 14. The hand rests 12, 13, the necks 12A, 13A and axle mount 17 are made from metals welded, glued, heat treated or formed together, from plastics, polymers extruded or otherwise formed according to typical techniques and or other materials. It is understood that the hand rests 12, 13 are attached to the respective necks 12A, 13A which in turn is attached to the axle mount 17 as described above.

FIG. 5 presents a perspective view of an axle having a rubber or padded restriction mounted thereon for gripping the hand rests mount disclosed herein in an embodiment of the Exercise Wheel disclosed herein. The grips 18 are cylindrically shaped materials with one closed end and one opposite open end that permits one grip 18 to be placed on one end of the axle 14 and the other grip 18 to be placed on the other end of the axle 14. The axle mount 17 mounts to the axle 14 by a user placing the axle mount 17 in front of the axle and pushing it onto a previously user placed grip 18 on the axle 14.

FIG. 6A presents a rear view of a right hand rest with an attached hand rest mount through a neck there between in an embodiment with a shorter neck of the Exercise Wheel Apparatus disclosed herein. The hand rest 12 has an axle mount 17, grip 18 as shown along with short necks 12A, 13A. The hand rests 12, 13 optionally have pads adhesively attached thereto (not shown) using single side adhesive pads for resting the hands comfortably within the designated right 12 or left 13 hand rests. It should be understood that when forming the left hand rest the thumb portion changes position as appropriate for a left hand.

FIG. 6B presents a rear perspective view of a right hand rest with an attached hand rest mount through a neck there between in an embodiment with a larger neck of the Exercise Wheel disclosed herein. The hand rest 12 has a rear side 19 which integrates with a right side 20 which in turn integrates with a front side 21. The front side 21 integrates with a thumb side 22 formed on the left side of the hand rest 12. The sides 19, 20, 21, 22 integrate with a bottom side of the hand rest 12 and curve upwards forming a concave platter having raised internal portions for indicating spaces for the fingers. The thumb side 22 is at first narrower until the side meets a portion of the thumb and passes it somewhat and gets broader at the outer portion of the thumb and completes the circuit about the hand rests at the left end of the rear side 19. Again the axle mount 17, grip 18 and axle 14 are shown along with large necks 12A, 13A. The hand rests 12, 13 optionally have pads adhesively attached thereto (not shown) using single side adhesive pads for resting the hands comfortably within the designated right 12 or left 13 hand rests. It should be understood that when forming the left hand rest the thumb portion changes position as appropriate for a left hand.

FIG. 7A-7B presents a first and a second view of a user doing a pushup in an embodiment of the Exercise Wheel disclosed herein. It should be apparent that the wheel, spokes and other items are made from suitable materials such as plastics, polymers, rubbers, alloys, metals and or others not specifically included herein (formed, attached, screwed, welded, formed as a unit or otherwise manufactured).

FIG. 8 presents a rear perspective view of a right hand rest with an attached hand rest mount through a neck there between in an alternative embodiment with a larger neck of the Exercise Wheel disclosed herein. Here the hands have five defined concave portion at the front for placement of the fingers therein. Any of the embodiments described herein may use this alternative form. Any of the embodiments taught herein can be changed by removing the grips 18 and instead directly welding the necks 12A, 13A to the axle 14; in this situation, it would not be necessary to use the axle mount 17; thus, this would require the removal of this item 17, 18 in this alternative embodiment of the invention. As another alternative, a user can weld the axle 14 to the axle mount that in turn has either long or short necks 12A, 13A attached thereto by welding or other means such as integral material formation. Next, another alternative is that the necks 12A, 13A can be removed along with removing the axle mounts 17, grips 18 and welding or otherwise attaching the bottom of the hand rests 12, 13 directly to the axle one on either side as it protrudes out from the wheel. Then, another alternative is to attach the hand rests 12, 13 to the axle mount appropriately and the axle mount directly to the axle thereby removing the necessity of grips. Finally, another alternative is to attach the hand rests appropriately to the axle mount whilst using grips on the axle. Finally, it should be apparent that annular bearings roller or other types of bearings are optionally used within the assembly of the exercise wheel as desired by the maker thereof.

FIG. 9A presents a bottom view of another embodiment of the invention envisioned as a figurative axle mount having a hand body (and axle mount) having a flat hand surface with either a central surface depression or alternatively raised portion on the top surface of the hand on either side. The bottom view shows various supports for use with the figurative axle mount; the forward five supports are deployed under the fingers of the figurative axle mount whilst there are three other supports radiating outwards from the central part of the figurative axle mount. FIG. 9B presents a left side view of the another embodiment. FIG. 9C presents a front view of the another embodiment. FIG. 9D presents a right side view of the another embodiment. FIG. 9E presents a top view of the another embodiment where the circular depression or alternatively raised portion is shown. An axle is placed within a wheel in a hole in the wheel so that a first portion of the axle protrudes out a first side of the wheel and a second portion of the axle protrudes out of a second side of the wheel. A first figurative axle mount is formed such that a hand body is integrally formed with a corresponding axle mount underneath; the axle mount is a hollow cylindrical shape that is closed at the farthest end from the wheel so as to forbid motion of the axle further outwards. Various supports comprise the forward five supports are integrally formed under the fingers shape of the hand portion of the hand body whilst there are three other supports radiating outwards from the central part of the device towards a palm portion of the hand body. These supports extend from their thickest portion which are integrally formed at the axle mount and taper as they extend outwards so as to provide support to the limits of the shape of the device. A second figurative axle mount is formed and mounted on the other side of the axle. Holes within the bottom part of the axle mount are for threading of screws or placement of rivets for connection to appropriate threaded holes or appropriate dual concentric holes within the axle and or on into the underbody of the hand body which would have appropriate other holes for threaded or riveted engagement. It should be understood that the figurative axle mount has a hand body, an axle mount and various supports all formed typically from a single piece of plastic or other similar material; alternatively, the various parts are formed separately and welded, glued attached together with fasteners or combinations of the foregoing.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

Finally, many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.