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Vibrating exercise apparatus

Vibrating exercise apparatus description/claims

The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), of application Ser. No. 60/874,461, filed Dec. 12, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Not Applicable

Vibrating platforms are used for exercise because the vibration provides neuromuscular stimulation that results in increased blood flow, flexibility, muscle fiber contractions. Existing vibrating strength platforms are fixed in position and the person using the vibrating platform has to perform exercise movements with respect to the machine. Vibrating platforms are expensive. Some specific vibrating dumbbells are known, but they are limited to specific dumbbell type exercises, are battery powered and are not readily usable with other exercise equipment. Exercise equipment exists having eccentric motors mounted to large exercise devices to vibrate the cable between the user and the weights, but that limits the portability of the equipment and types of equipment to which the vibration can be applied. An improved exercise apparatus is thus needed, especially an apparatus to allow the user to engage in vibration exercise while performing free body movements in space.

A portable electric motor with an offset or eccentric weight is powered by a 110 volt current. A speed control varies the vibration frequency. A frame holds opposing ends of the motor and one or two handles for the user to grab for exercise. A connector, such as a loop, hook or eyelet is provided that releasably engages a rope, cable or chain that typically passes over one or more pulleys fastened to a variable resistance device such as adjustable springs or a variable frictional resistance or an adjustable stack of weights. More than one connector can be used to interpose the entire portable vibrating device along a length of a flexible cable, etc. The handle can be short, like a dumbbell, or elongated for use as a barbell or lifting bar. Advantageously, two eyelet connectors are located on opposing sides of the device, preferably 180° apart on the vibrating frame or the housing, so any exercise resistance device can be connected to one eyelet and any style exercise handle or strap can be connected to the other connector.

There is thus advantageously provided a portable exercise device having a motor rotating an eccentric weight to cause a vibration below about 200 Hz with an amplitude of about 3 mm to 8 mm with an amplitude of 5 mm being preferred. The motor is powered by a power source external to the exercise device. At least one handle is sized and configured to be gripped by a user for exercise. A pair of opposing end frames are connected to the motor on opposite ends of the motor with the handle extending between the end frames in a straight line of sufficient length so a user can grab the handle with both hands at once. The handle optionally extends beyond the end frames so weights can be added thereto. The exercise device also has a speed control connected to the motor to vary the vibration speed, and a connector fastened to the device and configured to releasably fasten to a flexible member.

In further variations, this portable exercise device has weights releasably fastened to opposing ends of the handle. Further, the motor is preferably electrically powered and there can be two handles located on opposing sides of the exercise device. Additionally, a speed control is connected to the motor to vary the vibration. In further variations, there are two connectors on opposing sides of the exercise device, and the connectors optionally comprise a separate part threadably connected to the exercise device.

There is also provided a portable exercise device having an elongated barbell bar with gripping areas configured to be grabbed by weight lifters. An electric motor is fastened to the bar, with the motor having an eccentric weight thereon to vibrate the bar. The motor is connected to the bar to vibrate the bar as the eccentric rotates. The motor is powered by a power source external to the exercise device, with an electrical power source and electric motor being preferred, and pneumatic power being one alternative.

In further variations, the portable exercise device has the bar passing through the motor. Further, opposing ends of the bar can be configured to receive removable weights, and thus there can also be at least one weight on each opposing end of the bar. Moreover, the motor is preferably an electric motor connected to a variable speed control.

The portable exercise device preferably includes an electric power cord connected to a variable speed control and to an electric motor. Preferably, but optionally, the motor is contained in a housing with end frames connecting the housing to the bar. The exercise device can further optionally include a connector connected to the motor housing or end frames, the connector adapted to releasably connect to a flexible member. The connector preferably, but optionally, comprises one of a hook, eyelet, or U-shaped connector. In any of the above embodiments having a connector, a spring can be connected to one of the connector, or to a flexible member that is connected to the connector, to provide a softer resistance.

There is also advantageously provided a method for exercising using an exercise machine having an adjustable resistance connected to a flexible member that is also connected to a handle which a user grabs to exert a force against the adjustable resistance. The method includes providing a motor rotating an eccentric to cause vibration, where the motor is powered by a power source external to the handle. The method further includes fastening the motor to the handle so the vibration from the eccentric vibrates the handle. In further variations, the method uses a handle that is connected to a connector which releasably connects to the flexible member. Moreover, the motor is preferably, but optionally placed in a housing having end frames which are fastened to the handle and the flexible member is connects to the housing or an end frame. In further variations, the motor is cylindrical and the handle comprises an elongated bar, with the bar passing through the motor and the eccentric rotating around the bar. Advantageously, the bar has opposing ends adapted to releasably fasten to weightlifting weights, and weights can be placed on that bar. Moreover, there can also be two connectors placed on opposing sides of the portable exercise device so the device can be interposed along a length of a flexible member. Advantageously, the two connectors are placed on opposing sides of the housing.

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a hand held vibrating exercise device with a single handle and a U-shaped connector;

FIG. 2 is a right side plan view of the exercise device of FIG. 1, with the left side being substantially a mirror image thereof except for a power cord;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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