Exercise device with track and sleds   

Abstract: An exercise device is disclosed. The exercise device includes a track having at least two parallel rails. The exercise device further includes first and second padded sleds, each padded sled having rollers attached to an underside of a base, the rollers being adapted to engage and roll along two of the at least two parallel rails. Each padded sled further includes a brake for applying a braking force against at least one of the at least two parallel rails to inhibit movement of the first padded sled, or to lock the associated padded sled into a location along the track. The exercise device can also include a static pad configured for immovable placement on the track.

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/385,506, filed on Sep. 22, 2010, entitled, “EXERCISE DEVICE WITH TRACK AND SLEDS”, the entire disclosures of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The fitness market is flooded with exercise devices for home and/or gym use. However, many of these exercise devices have limited utility, or are very bulky and high-profile to take up a large amount of space. Further, most exercise devices rely on elaborate mechanisms for providing weighted resistance, when friction and gravity remain the most efficient forms of force to use when exercising. Thus, what is needed is an exercise device that can utilize gravity, a user\'s weight, and controllable or eliminated friction for a wide array of customizable exercise movements.

SUMMARY

This document presents an exercise device having a track of parallel rails, two padded sleds that are adapted to slide along the track or be locked into a position on the track, or even be mounted with a friction bearing member for resistance training. The exercise device further includes a static pad that can be placed anywhere on the track as a static or non-moving base for certain exercises.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an exercise device in accordance with preferred implementations.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate the track of the exercise device as substantially a two-piece assembly.

FIGS. 3A-3C show various views of the sleds of the exercise device.

FIGS. 4A-4C show various views of the static pad of the exercise device.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the rubber feet of the rails and the stopper, respectively.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the exercise device in use.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes an exercise device. With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an exercise device 100 includes an elongated track 102, resembling a railroad track with parallel tracks. The elongated track includes two parallel track halves 104 (shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2A and 2B) which can be assembled from two or more rail components to form the elongated track. In preferred implementations, the exercise device 100 includes two foam-padded sleds 106 on rollers that are movably mounted on the elongated track 102. Each padded sled 106 preferably has four rollers and a brake that allows it to roll freely along the track 102 in either direction, or be locked at any position on the track.

The rollers can be made of polyurethane, rubber, steel, or any other rounded material. The brake can include braking mechanisms such as a bicycle-type brake pad with a quick-release (cam/lever) mechanism used to apply and release the brake. Other braking mechanisms can be suitably used. The brake can also be used to apply a certain amount of friction for friction-based resistance.

The exercise device 100 further includes a static pad 108 that can be fixedly mounted on the track 102 at any desired location. The static pad 108 is preferably smaller in length than the two foam padded sleds 106, and can be about half the length of each of the foam padded sleds 106. The static pad 108 can be the same width as the foam padded sleds 106. The static pad 108 includes resilient, friction-bearing feet, such as rubber feet, connected to an underside of the static pad 108. The feet engage each track of the track 102 so that the static pad 108 will sit securely on the track 102. Accordingly, the static pad 108 can be used as an extension of any locked pad or as an additional padded surface for receiving a part of a user for certain exercises. For example, the static pad 108 can be fixedly mounted between the two padded sleds 106 to provide an immovable base for the movable padded sleds 106 on either side of the static pad 108.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate the track as substantially a two-piece assembly of half-sized tracks 104 that are joined together by connectors 120. The connectors 120 are inserted into the tubing of each rail of each half-track 104 and held in place by pins protruding through apertures in the tubing, to extend out from the tubing for insertion into the tubing of the other half of the rail. When joined together, the two half tracks 104 form a smooth and tight fit and a secure attachment, so that the joint of the two half tracks does not produce any vibration or noise by rollers rolling over the joint. In other implementations, the track 102 can be formed of three or more incremental parts.

Each rail of the track 102 is formed of tubing. The tubing can be round, squared, or have a combination of rounded and squared surfaces. Further, a cross section of the tubing may include points or protrusions for receiving various different shaped rollers on the sleds, and various feet on the static pad. The tubing of each rail of the track 102 includes small rubber or other pliable feet 121, to enable the track to be placed on a scratch-prone surface, such as a floor, without scratching that surface. Further, the rubber feet enable placement of the exercise device 100 on uneven floors. The track feet 121 are positioned such that weight applied on one part of the track does not cause another part to rise. As seen in FIG. 2E, stoppers 122 can be mounted on the top of the tubing to provide a stop against further movement of the sleds or rollers 106. The stoppers 122 can be made of plastic, rubber, polyurethane, or the like.

The track 102 further includes cross-braces, as shown particularly in FIG. 2D. The cross-braces are either connected to the parallel rails perpendicularly to establish a uniform distance between the two parallel rails, or at an angle to stabilize the connection and inhibit articulation or “scissor” type movement between the perpendicular cross-braces and the parallel rails.

FIGS. 3A-3C show various views of the sleds 106, including the rollers 105 of the roller assembly. The sleds 106 have a base with a top that includes thick, high-density foam with square edges and a durable covering. The covering can be nylon, vinyl, or other durable material. The roller assemblies are connected to the bottom of the base at the opposite ends of the width of the sled. Each roller assembly is formed of a channel with the rollers connected in the channel at opposite ends of the channel, to position at least one roller 105 substantially at each corner of the sled 106. The channel is formed of two metal walls that support the rollers and protect against fingers or other items from being caught between the rollers and the rails when the exercise device is in use.

Each roller 105 can be mounted to the opposing walls of the channel by an axle. The roller can include inner bearings or other mechanism to eliminate friction to enable a smooth rolling action of the rollers. The rollers 105 can include a concave outer surface to accommodate a rounded-shaped rail.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the brake 124 is configured to open and close, to respectively disengage and engage the rail to release or lock the sled in a position on the track. The brake 124 can be further configured to act as a safety catch and prevent the sled from leaving the track, even when the brake 124 is open or disengaged. Each sled 106 has a width at least as wide as the track, and in some implementations exceeds the width of the track 102.

FIGS. 4A-4C show various views of the static pad. The static pad includes only pliable but resilient feet, and no rollers. Once placed on the track, the feet engage the rails and prohibit movement of the static pad. The static pad can also be placed on a floor or surface proximate to the track for additional configurations and exercises. In preferred implementations, the static pad includes a base, a foam core and a durable covering. The foam padding is preferably the same thickness and density as the foam padding of the sleds.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the rubber feet 126 of the rails and the stopper 108, respectively. The rubber feet 126 can be attached with locknuts, and shaped to have a planar underside for a larger surface area contact with the surface on which the exercise device is placed and used. The stopper can be cylindrical or other shape.

In some implementations, each rail is five to eight feet in length, and preferably about six feet in length. Accordingly, each track section is about three feet in length. The rails are spaced at 12 to 18 inches apart, from the center of the tubing that forms each rail. Accordingly, the padded sleds 106 and the static pads 108 can have a width of 12 to 24 inches.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the exercise device in use, and one exercise from a large number of exercises that can be executed by a user.

In some alternative implementations, one or both of the padded sleds can spin about a pivot point. The pivot point can be a central point, and the pivot point can include bearings or other articulating or rotating mechanism. The spinning capability allows for a user to execute twisting moves. Further, one or more of the sleds and static pads can include handgrips or armrests, for receiving a user\'s forearm or providing a member that a user can grab for added stability. The handgrips can be placed on one side of a sled or pad, or may be placed on opposite sides of either the width or length of the sled or pad.

In yet other implementations, the exercise device includes a track having four parallel rails, and each padded sled and/or static pad can be formed of two halves that releasably interlock. When unlocked, for example, each half of a rolling padded sled can move back and forth along two of the four rails independently, to allow for independent movement such as cross country ski-type movement, skating movement or running movement, or for independent juxtaposed movement of a user\'s hands, elbows, knees or feet.

In still yet other implementations, one or more springs can be provided to hook together a padded sled to another padded sled or to another part of the exercise device, such as the static pad, an immovable lateral member, or an end or part of one of the rails or cross members. The padded sleds and/or static pad can include a hinged section so as to articulate a portion of the pad to any angle. In this manner, the pad can be formed into a seat with a seat rest, or a vertical surface against which a user can anchor their feet.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.