ANNULAR EXERCISE APPARATUS

Abstract

An aspect of the invention provides an annular exercise apparatus comprising an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core and a flexible cover layer and defining an aperture inward of the inner side wall and extending axially through the end faces, wherein the aperture defines an annular lip having a diameter greater than a diameter of the aperture and less than a diameter of the inner side wall.

Claims

1. An annular exercise apparatus comprising an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core and a flexible cover layer and defining an aperture inward of the inner side wall and extending axially through the end faces, wherein the aperture defines an annular lip having a diameter greater than a diameter of the aperture and less than a diameter of the inner side wall.

2. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annular lip is defined by an axially inward facing projection and a recess formed between the projection and the inner side wall.

3. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the projection has a substantially triangular form factor.

4. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the projection has a width between 30 and 80 millimetres and a depth between 15 and 100 millimetres.

5. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the projection has a width of between 40 to 60 millimetres and a depth of between 15 to 40 millimetres.

6. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the projection is coated with an anti-slip material.

7. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a weight retainer is provided between the annular lip and the inner side wall.

8. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the weight retainer comprises at least one pocket.

9. An annular exercise apparatus comprising an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core and a flexible cover layer defining an aperture inward of the inner side wall and extending axially through the annular faces, wherein the core comprises a pair of first support members spaced apart axially by a second support member, wherein the pair of first support members is orientated radially relative to the body section and the second support member is orientated axially relative to the body section.

10. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a layer of resilient material provided axially outwardly of one or both of the pair of first support members and extending circumferentially between the aperture and the flexible cover layer at the outer side wall.

11. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a layer of resilient material provided axially inwardly of one or both of the pair of first support members and extending circumferentially between the aperture and the flexible cover layer at the outer side wall.

12. The annular exercise material according to claim 9, further comprising a layer of resilient material provided radially inward of the second support member and extending axially between the annular faces and radially between the second support member and the flexible cover layer at the inner side wall.

13. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a layer of resilient material provided radially outward of the second support member and extending axially between the annular faces and radially between the second support member and the flexible cover layer at the outer side wall.

14. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the aperture defines an annular lip having a diameter greater than a diameter of the aperture and less than a diameter of the inner side wall.

15. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the annular lip is defined by an axially inward facing projection and a recess formed between the projection and the inner side wall and wherein the projection is provided with an anti-slip material.

16. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the annular faces is provided with an anti-slip material.

17. (canceled)

18. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the annular faces has an outwardly facing convex profile.

19. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising at least one retaining feature on at least one of the annular faces configured to attach to a corresponding retaining feature on another exercise apparatus.

20. The annular exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a weight retainer is provided between the annular lip and the inner side wall.

21. An annular exercise apparatus comprising an annular body having axially spaced annular faces and inner and outer side walls, the body section having a core and a flexible cover layer and defining an aperture inward of the inner side wall and extending axially through the end faces, wherein a weight retainer is provided between the inner side wall and the aperture.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0023] The preceding summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosed system and method, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the system and method, presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that neither the system nor the method is limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0024] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the annular exercise apparatus.

[0025] FIG. 2 is sectional view of an annular exercise apparatus according to aspects of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a detail view of part of FIG. 2.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a top view of the annular exercise apparatus.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view of the annular exercise apparatus.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the annular exercise apparatus incorporating an internal weight pocket.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a front view of the annular exercise apparatus of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION

[0031] The same references are used for similar features throughout the drawings. The features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and the size and/or arrangements depicted are not limiting. The drawings include optional features which are not essential to the invention. Furthermore, not all of the features of the annular exercise apparatus are depicted in each drawing and the drawings may only show particular features relevant for describing a particular configuration or embodiment.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, an exercise apparatus 10 comprises an annular body 12. The annular body 12 comprises a central axis A-A. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 the annular body 12 is substantially cylindrical having a centrally defined axially extending aperture 14. The annular body 12 comprises axially opposed end faces 16, 18, an outer side wall 20 and inner side wall 22. The aperture 14 extends through the axially opposed end faces 16, 18. The radial width of the annular body 12, i.e. the distance between the outer side wall 20 and inner side wall 22, is substantially constant. The end faces 16, 18 have a convex profile with the convex surface 40, 42 extending radially between the respective end face 16, 18 and aperture 14.

[0033] The annular body 12 comprises a core surrounded by a flexible outer cover 26. FIG. 2 shows a section view of the annular exercise apparatus 10. In particular, FIG. 2 shows the construction of the core. The core comprises a polycarbonate disc 28, 30 within each end face 16, 18. Each polycarbonate disc 28, 30 is orientated radially relative to the annular body section 12. A foam material 32 is provided either side of the polycarbonate discs 28, 30 to separate them from the flexible cover layer 26. A polycarbonate ring 34 is provided between the outer side wall 20 and inner side wall 22. The polycarbonate ring 34 is orientated axially relative to the annular body section and perpendicular to the polycarbonate discs 28, 30. The polycarbonate ring 34 extends substantially between the polycarbonate discs 28, 30. A foam material 36 is provided either side of the polycarbonate ring 34 to separate it from the flexible cover layer 26. The flexible cover layer 26 is stitched, zipped, bonded or otherwise permanently secure in place over the core. The flexible cover is preferably formed from a flexible polymeric or other robust material that is selected to be resilient and provide care resistance as well as significant care resistance.

[0034] The size of the exercise apparatus is important if it is to be used for certain exercise routines. As described above, exercise apparatus used for tyre flipping is typically quite large so as to provide sufficient weight for both resistance and explosive movement. The purpose of the annular exercise equipment 10 of the present invention is to provide apparatus for multiple exercise routines that rely on manoeuvrability and flexibility. Therefore, an exemplary annular exercise apparatus 10 has an outer side wall 20 with a diameter of 670 millimetres and an inner side wall 22 having a diameter of 430 millimetres. The overall depth of the exercise apparatus 10 is 245 millimetres. The outer side wall 20 has a dimension of 170 millimetres between the convex surfaces 40, 42.

[0035] An annular lip 38 is provided at the aperture 14 to provide an internal surface for a user to grip in order lift the annular exercise apparatus 10. The annular lip 38 is defined by an inwardly facing projection 38a from at least one of the end faces 16, 18 and a recess 38b radially outward from and behind the projection 38a. The projection 38a is shown as forming a triangular apex. This description is given by way of example only and is not intended to limit the configuration of the projection 38a. In some embodiments the annular lip 38 is provided at each end face 16, 18. In other embodiments, the annular lip 38 is provided at only one of the end faces 16, 18. As shown, the projection 38a has an overall width of 50 mm measured radially outwards from the aperture 14. The triangular profile of the projection 38a shown in figure defines an equilateral triangle with three sides each having a length of 25 millimetres.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, a user can pick up the exercise apparatus by inserting their fingers in the recess 38b defined by the annular lip 38 and gripping the exercise apparatus 10 between an end face 16, 18 and the projection 38a. A plurality of handles 24 are provided on the outer side wall 20, as shown in FIG. 4. The handles 24 are loop handles, the construction of which will be described further below. Preferably two handles 24 are arranged such that they are diametrically opposed at opposite sides of the outer side wall 20 with an angle of 180 degrees therebetween. Other embodiments may be provided with more than two handles 24. The handles 24 may be orientated either parallel or perpendicular to the axis A-A. Although not shown, a plurality of handles may be provided on the end faces 16, 18. Such handles would also be loop handles and would have even angular spacing.

[0037] To facilitate use of the annular exercise apparatus, at least one of the end faces 16, 18 is provided with an anti-slip material. The lip 38 is also provided with the anti-slip material. In some embodiments, both end faces 16, 18 may be provided with the anti-slip material. At least one of the end faces 16, 18 is provided with one or more releasable fasteners 44, i.e. Velcro®, to enable two or more individual annular exercise apparatuses 10 to be axially stacked and radially and axially restrained.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, at least one weight pocket 46 is provided between the lip 38 and inner side wall 22. The illustrated embodiment includes four weight pockets 46 but it will be appreciated that one, two, three, five, or more, weight pockets may be provided. Each weight pocket 46 comprises a pouch for retaining a weighted article and an opening allowing insertion and removal of a weighted article. Each pocket 46 may receive more than weighted article. Reference to weighted article also includes reference to any material that adds weight to the exercise apparatus, i.e. sand or water. In some embodiments the weight pocket may have a fastener such that the pocket is closable. As illustrated, in one embodiment, regardless of the number of weight pockets 46, such weight pockets are angularly spaced apart evenly so as to maintain an even weight distribution. In the event of a single weight pocket, such weight pocket may extend around the entire circumference of the inner side wall 22. In other embodiments to provide an imbalanced weight distribution, one weight pocket may be provided that does not extend around the circumference of the inner side wall 22 or multiple weight pockets may be provided that are not angularly spaced apart evenly.

[0039] While exemplary embodiments have been set forth above for the purposes of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from the scope. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.