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  Total body exercise deviceUSPTO Application #: 20080096737Title: Total body exercise device Abstract: An exercise device having a bar adapted for being grasped intermediate opposed ends thereof, where a portion intermediate the opposed ends defines a longitudinal axis. An elastic member attached to the opposed ends exerts a force thereto during an exercise use of the bar, which force causes the bar to flex by an amount in the range of 2 degrees to 16 degrees. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, during non-use of the bar, the longitudinal axis of the end segments subtends the longitudinal axes of the intermediate portion by an acute angle of about 2 degrees to 8 degrees. (end of abstract) Agent: Lawrence Edelman, Esq - East Brunswick, NJ, US Inventor: Victor R. Ayoub USPTO Applicaton #: 20080096737 - Class: 482107000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Weight Resistance, Handheld Bar With Weight At Each End (e.g., Barbell, Dumbbell, Etc.) Or Component Thereof, Having Securing Member (e.g., Locking Collar, Etc.) For Retaining Weight On Bar The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080096737. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC 120 of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application U.S. Ser. No. 60/617,832, filed Oct. 12, 2004. The entire disclosure of this patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to exercise devices, and more particularly to a portable and versatile total body exercise device that is useful for an extremely wide range of workouts, for example, for power pump, cardio, aerobic, marshal arts, youth, senior, rehabilitation, etc. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Devices to aid in the exercise of various muscle groups have been manufactured for many years. Portable exercise devices have become more popular over the years because they are generally less expensive to purchase and can be readily transported by their owner so that a regular program of physical fitness can be more easily be maintained. One type of portable exercise device comprises a bar with an elastic cord which simulates weight lifting, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,019,861. More recent attempts employing a bar and/or an elastic cord member, either separately or together, to facilitate various exercises are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,059,265; 4,618,142; 4,733,862; 5,480,369; 5,549,532; and 5,746,687. [0006] Among the drawbacks with existing portable bar type exercise devices is that generally they are not shaped so as to allow a maximum range of motion when used adjacent various body parts, such as around or near the neck, head and/or shoulders, as well as up close to the chest, especially for woman. Furthermore, the stiffness of such bars can, over time, contribute to injury of the joints of the wrist, elbow and shoulders. Accordingly, improvements in such devices are still desirable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the exercise device includes an ergonomically shaped support bar adapted to be supported by a part of the body of a user, such as one or both of the hands or feet, or the neck and clavicle or even the chest of the user, during an exercise workout. The support bar can be used in conjunction with one or more elastic members attached near opposed ends of the support bar, alone, or in conjunction with one or more weight members, which can also be attached near the opposed ends of the support bar. When the user performs repetitive movements with the bar, a workout is provided due to the dynamic resistance to the movement generated by the elastic members and a static resistance to the movement generated by the weight members. [0008] The support bar is particularly unique as compared with prior bars in at least several respects, most notable being its shape, its ability to flex, its use of attachable dynamic and static resistive members, as well as the use of members near the ends of the bar for attaching the dynamic resistive members. The unique support bar allows the user to perform existing exercise movements in a safer manner, and with a greater range of motion. New exercise movements are also disclosed. With the new versatile total body exercise device of the invention, it is now possible for a user to quickly and efficiently perform a vast array of isometric, isotonic and isokinetic exercise movements. [0009] In summary, the exercise device of the invention includes one or more of the following features, alone or in combination with other ones of these features: [0010] A support bar being formed of five substantially equal length segments, [0011] The support bar being formed of a material and having dimensions and a shape which aid its flexibility, [0012] The support bar having a shape which conforms to the human body, [0013] The support bar being adaptable for having one or more elastic members attached thereto near opposed ends thereof for providing a dynamic resistance feature to the bar, [0014] Attachment of the elastic members being made with flexible length couplings, [0015] The support bar being adaptable for having one or more static weights attached near opposed ends thereof for providing a static resistance feature to the bar, and [0016] Spring clips which provide a dual use, a) for retaining the static weights on the opposed ends of the support bar and b) for use independently of the support bar as a hand/grip exercise device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and details of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. [0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise bar in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a detail view of one aspect of a portion of the exercise bar of FIG. 1; [0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a detail view of another aspect of a portion of the exercise bar of FIG. 1; [0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a detail view of a spring clip adapted for use with the exercise bar of FIG. 1 in accordance with a further aspect of the invention; [0022] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate two different ways the elastic member of FIG. 3 can be used in accordance with further embodiments of the invention of the exercise bar of FIG. 1; [0023] FIGS. 6-14 illustrate various exercise routines using the exercise bar constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0024] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the exercise device is a unit comprised of at least one shaped support bar, such as shown in FIG. 1. In a preferred embodiment of the support bar 10, it has a configured shape that is more anatomically comfortable and conforming to the users body than prior art support bars. More specifically, the support bar 10 has a contour that more closely matches the shape of a typical user (i.e., the neck and clavicle or the chest of the user), thereby allowing a greater range of movement of the support bar with relation to the body of the user during the performance of exercise routines. This results in a "glove-like fit" to the users body enhances a workout of what is known as the "core" muscle group, as well as enabling the performance of various exercise movements in a safer and more efficient manner as compared to the use of a support bar that is not as anatomically conforming. [0025] As such, in one embodiment of the invention, such as shown by the Figures, support bar 10 comprises five symmetrically disposed equal or nearly equal (that is, within + or -20% of equal) length segments. A center segment 12 has at its opposed ends angled intermediate segments 14 which have a longitudinal axis that deviates from the longitudinal axis of the center section 12 by an acute angle within a range of about 26 to 46 degrees, and in a preferred embodiment by an acute angle in a narrower range of about 32 to 40 degrees, or more specifically of about 36 degrees. [0026] The angled intermediate segments 14 have at their opposed ends, end segments 16. In a preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in the Figures, support bar 10 is encased with a soft foam material which serves as a cushion for the user, while the end segments 16 are bare of foam, as shown, so that additional weights can be added to ends 16 of the bar 10, as will be described later. Continue reading... Full patent description for Total body exercise device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Total body exercise device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Total body exercise device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Exercise device Next Patent Application: Impact absorption possible dumbbell and barbell disk Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Total body exercise device patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.75546 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , |
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