US20050065000A1 - Excercising device with hip-mounted weights - Google Patents

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Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/06—User-manipulated weights
  • A63B21/065—User-manipulated weights worn on user's body
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
  • A63B21/40—Interfaces with the user related to strength training; Details thereof
  • A63B21/4001—Arrangements for attaching the exercising apparatus to the user's body, e.g. belts, shoes or gloves specially adapted therefor
  • A63B21/4009—Arrangements for attaching the exercising apparatus to the user's body, e.g. belts, shoes or gloves specially adapted therefor to the waist

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for facilitating leg exercises in a safe manner and more particularly to a device for securing weights used in performing leg exercises to the hip region of a user.
• Leg exercises such a standard squat, wide squat, front lunge, side lunge, standing calf raise, or a donkey calf raise are very effective in developing strength and endurance in the legs.
• Such activities also exercise the abdominal muscles, the anterior chest and neck muscles, and the back extensor and posterior neck muscles. These muscles stabilize the trunk and head.
• the traditional means of applying weight resistance during a squat exercise by way of a weight bar supported by the neck and shoulders or by way of hand held dumbbells creates a long lever arm for posture maintenance and torso stabilization.
• the resulting strain on the back and neck is proportionate with the amount of resistance applied, multiplied by the distance from the center of gravity, thereby creating a great demand on these muscles and joints.
• the potential for injury and aggravation of existing mechanical joint dysfunction or muscle imbalance is eminent.
• a device that will facilitate the attachment of weights directly to the hips of a user so that strain on the neck, back, and abdominal muscles may be minimized. Furthermore, there is a need for a device that can also facilitate the use of weights in performing such exercises as dips, bench dips, wide grip pull-ups, close grip pull-ups, and pushups.
• an exercise device having a core with at least one weight support affixed thereto.
• the core is wrapped at least partially about the waist of a user at or near the ileac crest of the user and secured in place by a closure mechanism.
• Weights may be secured on the weight supports by a locking device.
• the exercise device acts to couple the weights directly to the waist of the user, thereby reducing the strain on the user's back and abdominal muscles that might otherwise occur where the weights are supported in the user's hands or on the user's shoulders.
• the invention further provides methods and apparatus of varying scope.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of one embodiment of the exercise device of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exercise device taken along cutting lines 2 - 2 in FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 3 is a schematic close up view of an embodiment of the exercise device that includes a two part closure mechanism
• FIG. 4 is a schematic close up view of another embodiment of the exercise device that includes a two part closure mechanism
• FIG. 5 is a schematic close up view of an embodiment of the exercise device that includes a hook and loop fastener as a closure mechanism;
• FIG. 6 is a schematic close up view of another embodiment of the exercise device that includes a hook and loop fastener as a closure mechanism;
• FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the exercise device wherein the weight support is over molded with the core of the exercise device;
• FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one more embodiment of the exercise device wherein the weight support is secured to the core of the exercise device by a bolt;
• FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet one more embodiment of the exercise device wherein the weight support is secured to the core by a weld.
• the exercise device is made up of a relatively stiff yet flexible core 12 , a protective cover 14 , at least one weight support 16 , and a closure mechanism 18 .
• the core 12 of the belt is typically between about two and six inches in width and between about ⁇ fraction (1/16) ⁇ ′′ and 1 ⁇ 4′′ in thickness. It is to be understood however, that the material from which the core 12 is made may affect its dimensions. The dimensions of the core 12 may be uniform over the length of the core 12 or may vary continuously or discontinuously over its length. The core 12 is of sufficient length to allow for wrapping the belt around the waist of a user.
• the core 12 itself may be made of a solid, molded or extruded material, a composite material having a mesh substrate over which is molded a rubber, vinyl, or equivalent flexible material, a stiff natural material such as leather, or a metallic material having a suitable flexibility and toughness for the application.
• the structure of the core 12 must be adapted to be sufficiently flexible to wrap about the waist of a user and strong and stiff enough to support the weight support(s) 16 and any weights W mounted thereon.
• the core 10 is made of a durable composite belting of a type commonly utilized for power transmission in agricultural and industrial equipment.
• the core 12 will be enclosed within a cover 14 that may be sewn, adhered, or over molded onto the core 12 .
• the composite nature of the core 12 will be such that a cover 14 will not be necessary.
• a cover 14 is provided as part of the device 10 , the cover may be made of a sturdy woven or unwoven material that will withstand the hard use commonly experienced by exercise equipment.
• the cover 14 is fashioned of a heavy, woven nylon material.
• the cover 14 may also include, where desired, padding and/or absorbent materials (not shown).
• the device 10 is provided with a closure mechanism 18 that secures the device 10 about the hips of a user.
• the closure mechanism 18 may be a standard metallic or plastic belt buckle 20 having a rotatable arm that engages a hole (not shown) formed in the end of the device 10 opposite the end to which the buckle 20 is attached.
• the device 10 may be provided with a clip type closure mechanism 18 having a male end 21 a and a female end 21 b wherein the male and female ends are secured to the device 10 at or near the distal ends thereof. See FIG. 3 .
• the male and female portions of the clip-type closure mechanism 18 may be secured directly to the device 10 but are more preferably secured using a strap or straps 23 that facilitate the adjustment of the combined length of the device 10 .
• the core 12 of the device 10 may be long enough to wrap entirely around the waist of a user.
• the male and female portions 21 a, 21 b of the clip-type closure mechanism 18 may be secured to the core 12 of the device 10 at a distance form the terminal ends of the device 10 , again, preferably by means of one or more straps.
• the straps used to secure a closure mechanism 18 to the device 10 may be adjusted in a manner well known in the art.
• the closure mechanism 18 may include a hook and loop type fastener 25 constructed and arranged to secure the distal ends of the device 10 to one another in an overlapping fashion.
• one end of the device may be provided with a loop or D-ring type structure 27 through which the opposing distal end of the device 10 is passed and doubled back upon itself to be secured in that attitude by means of a hook and loop type fastener.
• One or more weight supports 16 are secured to the device 10 to secure thereto weights W.
• the weight supports 16 are secured to the core 12 of the device 10 to support the weights W in a substantially rigid manner.
• the device 10 should secure the weights W to the waist of a user in such a manner that there is little or no movement of the weights W with respect to the waist of the user. This will prevent chafing and will prevent the user from being unbalanced by unexpected shifting of the weights W.
• a weight support 16 includes a generally tubular post 22 that is secured at its base end to the core 12 of the device 10 .
• the post 22 may be welded to the core 12 .
• the post 22 is provided with a flange 24 at its base that is adhered, riveted, or sewn to the core 12 . See FIG. 2 .
• the post 22 may be over-molded with a molding material 29 to secure the post 22 to the core 12 . See FIG. 7 . Note that an over-molding material 29 may take the place of a cover 14 .
• the post 22 may have a threaded bore 31 formed in a base end thereof that receives a bolt 32 passed through the core 12 . See FIG. 8 .
• FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the weight support 16 having a post 22 that is welded to a metallic core 12 .
• the posts 22 of the weight supports 16 are generally cylindrical and preferably sized to hold either standard weights (around 1′′ in diameter) or Olympic style weights (around 2′′ in diameter).
• a locking mechanism 26 is provided to hold weights W onto the tubes during use.
• the locking mechanism 26 may be something as simple as a cotter pin or the like passed through the tube, either alone or in conjunction with a washer type structure (not shown).
• the locking mechanism 26 may also include a standard collar that slides onto the posts 22 that is secured by a set screw threaded into the collar.
• Yet another embodiment may include a spring whose coils define a bore sized to slide over the post 22 when the spring is compressed and which clamps the post 22 firmly to secure the weights W thereon when the spring is in an uncompressed state.
• the exercise device 10 is wrapped about the waist of a user and secured in place using the closure mechanism 18 .
• the device 10 is to be mounted in such a manner that it is snug around the user's waist and has no free movement.
• the device 10 will be located over and adjacent to the ileac crest so that weights W placed thereon will be transferred directly the pelvis of the user. What is more, the device 10 will also provide support for the user's back and abdominal muscles.
• weights W are placed over the posts 22 of the weight supports 16 .
• a locking mechanism 26 is placed on each of the posts 22 to secure the weights W thereon.
• the device 10 will be secured to the waist of the user in such a manner as to position the weight supports 16 symmetrically around the user's waist.
• the device 10 may be arranged to asymmetrically position the weight supports 16 around the user's waist.
• the core 12 thereof will have a set weight limit that is directly related to the core's ability to withstand deflections due to the presence of weights W on the weight supports 16 .
• the weight limit for the weight supports 16 will be set at a weight that is lower than a load that will significantly deflect the core 12 of the device 10 .
• Significant deflections of the core 12 of the device 10 can lead to chafing, bruising, and an increased risk that the weights W will work against the locking mechanism 26 and accidentally fall off the posts 22 of the device 10 .
• the user may then engage in the desired exercise.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)

Abstract

Description

Claims (19)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34316351

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (1)

Cited By (11)

Citations (12)

• 2004
  • 2004-08-06 US US10/913,146 patent/US20050065000A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (12)

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