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TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to exercise devices that are used to produce resistance during the movement of the body\'s limbs with the ability to conduct aerobic activities in conjunction with isotonic and isometric conditioning exercises. More importantly, the device is capable of being manipulated on the limbs in order to reduce the amount of torque required in the active joint by utilizing the formula of Torque=Moment arm×Resistance.

Numerous exercise devices have been developed for strengthening the body by utilizing cords, springs, and/or some form of elastomer as the resistance component and muscle developing feature. The resistance is provided from the device as the user stretches the component by conducting biomechanical movements conducive to toning specific muscle groups in the body. These various devices consist of a combination of springs and elastic cords which are connected at their ends to various devices which are adapted to be manually held or secured to the user\'s body. Examples of such devices of the type in which a spring or elastic cord is used are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. D 396,077; 5,263,916; 4,245,840; 4,909,505; 5,372,565; 4,815,731; 5,186,701; 5,362,295; 5,336,151; 5,490,826; and 7,214,171. While many of these devices are similar in their basic concept of operation they do not allow a variable resistance transition which is easy and convenient through the ability to simply unclip the resistance component and exchange it with a higher or lower resistance component. The majority of these devices connect the resistance component to the cuffs by sliding the resistance component through an aperture on the cuff and either tying the resistance component to itself or tying a knot of sufficient size to prevent it from slipping back through the aperture in the cuff. These designs can fail causing the resistance component to leave the aperture causing interruption in the workout and possible injury.

Many of these devices are bulky or heavy, and are not capable of conducting a complete body workout in conjunction with cardiovascular movements.

A large majority of the exercise devices mentioned require the necessity to hold handles or the resistance component in order to conduct the exercise. A part of the populace that is unable to grip or hold an object securely will not be able to use most of these devices.

Many of these devices cannot be transported from the home due to their sizes and component makeup.

Therefore, the need exists for an improved exercise device that allows not only resistance workouts but an improvement in cardiovascular workouts and that includes all of the benefits of the past devices but not the disadvantages.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Objectives of the invention include providing an improved exercise device which is of an extremely simple, inexpensive and lightweight construction enabling it to be transported from home to office or other areas of choice to include traveling through airports because it does not contain metal material.

Another objective is to provide a device that consists of cuffs that secure to all four limbs of the body and that are made in specific lengths and widths which will enable the user the ability to place the cuffs in several areas on each limb; such as the wrist, just below or above the elbows, the ankles or just above or below the knees. The cuffs will be of a material that will fit comfortably on each limb and that can be maintained for cleanliness. The cuffs will be secured by hook and loop material such as that sold under the trademark VELCRO (which will be referred to as Velcro from here on) that will loop through a plastic slide and back around on itself creating a very secure connection. Each cuff will have D rings attached, sewn down with durable material, allowing the connection of several resistance tubes, cords and/or other types of elastomers.

Another objective of the device is to enable the user to maneuver the wrist and ankle cuffs to several different areas either up or down the limbs which will change the resistance in the resistance component as well as raise or lower the torque required to initialize the movement in the operating joint. By being able to maneuver the cuffs the user can conduct a workout at the level necessary for them to perform a safe, effective and a biomechanically correct workout. Still another objective of the invention is to provide resistance tubing, cords, or elastomers that are attached to a plastic hook in such a manner that the resistance component will not pull from the hook. The resistance component will then be attached to the D rings secured to the cuffs. A still further objective is the device\'s design which will allow several combinations of resistance component attachments to include leg to leg, arm to arm, leg to arm, cross leg to arm, and all combinations within.

With its design the device also allows the user to change the device\'s resistance members without removing the cuffs or having to replace the entire outfit. This allows the user to not only change the torque required by moving the placement of the cuffs but in addition they can change the resistance level of the resistance components themselves or a combination of both. With this ability the user will have several levels of resistance and cardio training available to them.

An objective of the device is to ensure that individuals without the ability to hold the exercise device will still be able to obtain the muscular and cardiopulmonary benefits it allows because the device can be attached with cuffs to the limbs and does not require handles. Another objective to the device is the fact that the user can conduct a cardiopulmonary workout while wearing the outfit and simultaneously perform isotonic and/or isometric exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the outside of the leg cuff showing the attachment of the main Velcro strip and the small Velcro strip.

FIG. 2 is a view of the inside of the leg cuff showing the small inner Velcro strip.

FIG. 3 is a view of the slide on the leg cuff that is used to secure the outside Velcro strip and the D rings used to secure the resistance members.

FIG. 4 is a view of the leg cuff in a closed position with a beginning loop of the Velcro strip through the slide.

FIG. 5 is a view of the outside of the arm cuff showing the attachment of the main Velcro strip and the small Velcro strip.

FIG. 6 is a view of the inside of the arm cuff showing the small inner Velcro strip.

FIG. 7 is a view of the slide on the arm cuff that is used to secure the outside Velcro strip and the D ring used to secure the resistance member.

FIG. 8 is a view of the arm cuff in a closed position with a beginning loop of the Velcro strip.

FIG. 9 is a view of both the arm cuffs and the leg cuffs placed in a beginner resistance level position.

FIG. 10 is a view of both the arm cuffs and the leg cuffs placed in an intermediate resistance level position.

FIG. 11 is a view of both the arm cuffs and the leg cuffs placed in an advanced resistance level position.

FIG. 12 is a view of the placement of the resistance component between the arms.

FIG. 13 is a view of the placement of the resistance component between the legs.

FIG. 14 is a view of the placement of the resistance components attached to both legs and up to the arms.

FIG. 15 is a view of the placement of the resistance components attached to both legs, up to the arms, and between the arms.

FIG. 16 is a view of the placement of the resistance components attached to both legs, up to the arms, between the arms, and crisscross between the legs and arms.

A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. Referring to the drawings, the parts of the invention are shown with descriptions of the use of each element.

In FIG. 1 it is described that the Velcro strip made of “loop” material 1 is sewn down to the leg cuff, made of soft material 2 from the area next to the slide 3 to an area directly adjacent to the second D ring 4 and all along the edge of the loop holding this section securely to the cuff. The “hook” material 5 is then sewn to the free end of the loop material 6. Located on the cuff directly below the free portion of the hook and loop material 7 is a smaller section of hook material securely sewn on the cuff.

FIG. 2 describes the loop material 8 sewn down on the inside of the cuff.

FIG. 3 describes the black plastic slide 9 that allows the Velcro strip to secure the cuff onto the limb. Two (2) black plastic D rings 10 are used to attach the resistance components.

FIG. 4 illustrates the leg cuff in a closed position with the inner small Velcro strips attached and the outer Velcro strip 11 beginning to loop through the slide. It will then come back on itself and secure the cuff.

In FIG. 5 it is described that the Velcro strip made of “loop” material 12 is sewn down to the cuff, made of soft material 13 from the area next to the slide 14 to an area directly adjacent to the D ring 15 and all along the edge of the loop holding this section securely to the cuff. The “hook” material 16 is then sewn to the free end of the loop material 17. Located on the cuff directly below the free portion of the hook and loop material 18 is a smaller section of hook material securely sewn on the cuff.

FIG. 6 describes the loop material 19 sewn down on the inside of the cuff.

FIG. 7 describes the black plastic slide 20 that allows the Velcro strip to secure the cuff onto the limb. One (1) black plastic D rings 21 is used to attach the resistance components.

FIG. 8 illustrates the arm cuff in a closed position with the inner small Velcro strips attached and the outer Velcro strip 22 beginning to loop through the slide. It will then come back on itself and secure the cuff.

Shown in FIG. 9 is the attachment of the cuffs on all limbs in an area that allows for a lesser resistance and torque for a beginner level exercise.

Shown in FIG. 10 is the attachment of the cuffs on all limbs in an area that creates more torque in the shoulder joints but less in the hip joints for an intermediate level exercise.

Shown in FIG. 11 is the attachment of the cuffs on all limbs in an area that creates torque and resistance on the joints for an advanced level.

FIGS. 12-16 demonstrate several variations and applications of the exercise device on the body.

One possible type of material used for the cuffs of this exercise device is a neoprene material 23, (refer to FIG. 4) and nylon strips 24 to secure the D rings with Velcro material 25 as the device used to secure the cuffs on each limb (refer to FIG. 3).