Shoe shaker   

Abstract: A resistance training exercise device having a dumbbell shaped vibrating device, a shoe type of device having a sole adapted to be removably attached to a person's foot, and a device for attaching the dumbbell shaped vibrating device to the sole of the shoe type of device

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/390,474 filed on Oct. 6, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to resistance training exercise equipment and more specifically, to a dumbbell shaped vibrating device which may be permanently or removably attached to the sole of a shoe type of device such as a sandal and which is adapted to be removably attached to a person\'s foot.

2. Description of Related Art

A dumbbell shaped vibrating device for providing exercise to the upper body is known in the prior art. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. PreGrant Publication No. 2010/0331151 to Signorile, et al. discloses a handheld, vibratory exercise device with a handle that has a low center of gravity and selectively removable modular weights for incorporating an adjustable and additional resistance.

U.S. PreGrant Publication No. 2009/0177126 to Berger, et al. discloses a muscle stimulation device comprising a handle bar with a first and a second end, a motor which is arranged in a cavity in the handle bar and is coupled by means of a motor shaft to at least one eccentric body in order to set the muscle stimulation device vibrating by an unbalance of the eccentric body.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,841,972 to Huang, et al. discloses a dumbbell which has a handle, a weight unit and two caps for retaining the weight unit within the handle. Each of the caps is located against a spring so that the weights do not hit the handle axially.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,679 to Yu discloses an exercising dumbbell comprising a tubular body with attached “U” shaped handle for use with two hands. The body contains a D.C. motor which is geared to a stationary central shaft and which may rotate around the shaft to generate strong vibrations.

Currently, vibrating dumbbells are only able to be used to strengthen parts of the upper body, such as the forearms and shoulders. Individuals find that the pulsating weight enhances the impact of exercise. Many would like to apply this concept to the lower body, but no such device exists

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a resistance training exercise device comprising a dumbbell shaped vibrating device, a shoe type of device having a sole adapted to be removably attached to a person\'s foot; and an attachment device for attaching the dumbbell shaped vibrating device to the sole of the shoe type of device

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a shoe-like device attached to a vibrating weight such as a dumbbell on the foot of a person in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the vibrating weight attached to the bottom of the shoe;

FIG. 3 shows a male and female version of the vibrating weight prior to being attached to the shoe like device.

FIG. 4 shows a clasping device for attaching a vibrating dumbbell to a shoe like device; and

FIG. 5 shows the shoe like device with a vibrating dumbbell attached to both feet of a user.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

A vibrating dumbbell may increase muscle activity to nearly 300% compared to a standard non-vibrating dumbbell. A vibrating dumbbell, which is also known as a shake weight is a 2.5 or 5 pound handheld dumbbell with a molded plastic handle that has a spring at each end that compresses and extends as the user shakes it back and forth which creates a vibrating effect to work out muscles.

Originally sold to women, it\'s primary purpose is to tone arms and shoulders. Currently there is also a vibrating dumbbell which is made for men which is substantially similar to the vibrating dumbbell for women except that its weight is increased to five pounds. The vibrating dumbbell is based on a concept known as dynamic inertia, which means that by shaking a weight rather than by lifting the weight a person will more effectively tone his/her muscles.

The invention here disclosed is a sandal type of shoe which is attached to a person\'s foot and includes a vibrating dumbbell shaped weight for the purpose of exercising the lower body of a user. When the weight is attached to the foot of the user, the individual is able to shake and move his/her foot in order to exercise various muscles of the lower body. It allows users to build and strengthen a variety of muscle groups with a vibrating dumbbell, which was previously only able to be used in upper body workouts.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a shoe-like device 10 attached to a vibrating dumbbell shaped weight such on the foot of a person in accordance with the principles of the invention. The shoe-like device allows a user to exercise the lower body with a vibrating dumbbell.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown the vibrating dumbbell shaped weight 12 attached to the bottom of a sandal type of shoe foot binding 10. The shoe like foot binding may have a solid sole 14 with a cushion like material such as sponge rubber located around the foot/ankle area. The sandal type of shoe can be worn on either the right or left foot and may have a toe strap 16, an ankle strap 18, and a heel support member 20. Each of the straps may be a single strip of cloth, plastic or leather, or each strap may consist of two pieces joined together with a hook and loop fastener means such as a Velcro fastener means. In another embodiment, each of the two straps may go through a plastic, leather or cloth loop and includes hook and loop fastener means which are used to tighten the device around a user\'s foot. There may be cushioning material such as soft sponge rubber which surrounds the sides and top of the foot under the straps, and the toes may protrude out of the shoe. Removably attached to the bottom of the sandal type of shoe is the vibrating type of dumbbell 22

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a male and female version of the vibrating dumbbell shaped weight 22 prior to being attached to the sandal type of shoe.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown two quick release swing type of attachment devices 24 attached to cloth, leather or plastic straps 26 for attaching a vibrating dumbbell to the shoe type of foot binding The bottom of the shoe type of foot binding where the weight attaches may be a solid structure of leather or plastic which is parallel to the foot.

In an embodiment there may also be an optional swivel plate of metal made of aluminum or some other hard type material which allows the dumbbell shaped vibrating weight to rotate relative to the sole 14 to allow a user to perform a variety of exercises. In an embodiment the quick release swing type of attachment devices may be replaced with hook and loop attachment strips to secure the dumbbell shaped vibrating weight to the shoe sole. In still another embodiment the shoe type of foot binding may be permanently attached to the dumbbell shaped vibrating weight during the manufacturing stage.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a user having each foot attached to a dumbbell shaped vibrating weight.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.