Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

An exercise device is configured to partially support the weight of a user who leans on the device, wherein the device may be tilted at various angles during physical workouts and exercise. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a main body member having a spherical base, a hollow shaft, and a telescoping member slidably engaged with the hollow shaft, the telescoping member having an upper surface that preferably includes a cushion or padding. The spherical base allows the device to tilt at any desired angle, so that a person may use the device like a kickstand while performing various exercises, particularly including arm and shoulder exercises, and the like.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a spherically shaped base member; a hollow shaft extending radially from said spherically shaped base member; a telescoping member slidingly engaged within said hollow shaft member, said telescoping member including a surface plate attached to a first end thereof; and an locking mechanism for temporarily locking said telescoping member into position within said hollow shaft.

2. The exercise apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism comprises a locking pin that engages a hole defined in a side of said hollow shaft member and further engages a hole in a side of said telescoping member.

3. The exercise apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a spring-loaded locking pin and a knob attached to said spring-loaded locking pin, wherein said spring-loaded locking pin engages a hole defined in a side of said hollow shaft member and further engages a hole in a side of said telescoping member.

4. The exercise apparatus set forth in claim 1, further including a cushion member attached to an upper surface of said surface plate.

5. The exercise apparatus set forth in claim 1, further including at least one handle member attached to a side of said hollow shaft.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings where:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of one embodiment of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing a hollow shaft having a generally spherical shaped base, a telescoping member slidably engaged with the hollow shaft in a generally retracted position, wherein the telescoping member includes a surface plate at an upper end thereof, a cushion attached to an upper surface of the surface plate, a spring-loaded pin for adjusting the height of the telescoping member, and a handle positioned on the side of the hollow shaft;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of one embodiment of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing a hollow shaft having a generally spherical shaped base, a telescoping member slidably engaged with the hollow shaft in a generally extended position, wherein the telescoping member includes a surface plate at an upper end thereof, a cushion attached to an upper surface of the surface plate, a spring-loaded pin for adjusting the height of the telescoping member, and a handle positioned on the side of the hollow shaft;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention shown in use by a user performing arm and shoulder exercises with free weights; and

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention shown in use by a user performing arm and shoulder exercises with free weights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, an exercise apparatus 10 includes a spherically shaped base 12 and a hollow shaft 14 extending radially therefrom. A telescoping member 16 is slidably disposed within the hollow shaft 14, and the telescoping member 16 includes a surface plate 18, preferably having a cushion 20 on the upper surface of the surface plate 18. The telescoping member 16 is height-adjustable with respect to the hollow shaft 14. In one embodiment, the telescoping member 16 includes a series of holes 22 spaced longitudinally along at least one side (and conceivably, corresponding holes may be defined in two opposed sides) thereof. The hollow shaft 14 also defines a hole 22 on one side thereof, corresponding to the holes in the side of the telescoping member 16, so that a locking pin may slide through the hole 22 in the shaft 14 and a hole 22 in the telescoping member 16 to temporarily secure the telescoping member 16 in a desired position with respect to the hollow shaft 14. In this way, the telescoping member 16 may be raised or lowered with respect to the hollow shaft member 14, and temporarily secured in a desired position. FIG. 1 shows the telescoping member 16 in a generally retracted position with respect to the hollow shaft 14, and FIG. 2 shows the telescoping member 16 in a generally extended position.

[0015] In one embodiment, the locking pin is part of a spring-loaded locking mechanism 24 including a housing 26, a spring-loaded locking pin, and a knob 28. In this embodiment, a user may simply pull the knob 28 away from the housing 26, thereby releasing the locking pin, and then may move the telescoping member 16 either inwardly or outwardly with respect to the hollow shaft 14, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. When the user releases the knob 28, the locking pin extends back into the holes 22 in the shaft 14 and telescoping member 16. It is contemplated that the locking pin may slide through the hole 22 in the hollow shaft member 14 and a single hole 22 (or two corresponding holes positioned on opposed sides in a linear configuration) in the telescoping member 16. It should be understood that other types of adjustment mechanisms may be used, such as a locking collar similar to those used for adjustable bicycle seats, or any other type of suitable mechanism for adjusting and temporarily locking the telescoping member into a desired position within the hollow shaft. Such alternative locking mechanisms may provide for incremental adjustment or infinite adjustment.

[0016] Optionally, one or more handle members 30 may be attached to a side of the shaft 14. It is also contemplated that the cushion 20 attached to the surface plate 18 may be removable therefrom, in some embodiments, for purposes of cleaning or replacement.

[0017] In use, the exercise device 10 partially supports the weight of a user who leans on the device, so that the device may be tilted at various angles during physical workouts and exercise. Taller users may wish to extend the telescoping member 16 further out and away from the hollow shaft 14 to accommodate their height. A user may position the device so that it is tilted at an angle, and then position the surface plate and cushion against their chest or torso, so that the user's body is positioned at a generally diagonal angle, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. Essentially, the device works like a kickstand for a bicycle or motorcycle, so that a user simply leans on the tilted exercise apparatus while working out with their body at a desired angle between vertical and horizontal positions, and is primarily used to work out and exercise a user's shoulders and arms. The generally spherical base 12 allows the device to be tilted at any desired angle. It is contemplated that the spherical base 12 may include a textured surface to increase friction between the spherical base and a floor surface, in order to prevent the device from sliding during use. Optionally, the spherical base 12 may be coated or covered with anti-skid material, or any other type of anti-skid surface.

[0018] The spherical base 12 and the hollow shaft member 14 may be integrally formed as a monolithic unit, or may be assembled, welded, or attached together in any suitable manner. Similarly, the telescoping member 16 and surface plate 18 may be integrally formed as a monolithic unit, or may be assembled, welded, or attached together in any suitable manner. The cushion 20 may be removably attached to the surface plate 18 in any suitable manner, including, by way of example, snaps, snap-fit mechanisms, screws, bolts, hook and loop fastening material, or the cushion 20 may be permanently attached to the surface plate 18.

[0019] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. All features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.