Handheld weighted exercising apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus has a housing for substantially enclosing a hand of a user, an opening within the housing for receiving a hand of the user, a handle within the housing, and vents in the housing, which is weighted and balanced whereby in use the user grips the handle to perform resistance and aerobic exercises using the exercise apparatus.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a housing configured to receive a hand of a user and extend, in use, up to a wrist area of the user, the housing comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and sides between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the housing incorporates a plurality of vents, the plurality of vents located on the upper and the lower surfaces of the housing; an opening within the housing for receiving the hand of the user; a handle inside the housing, wherein the handle is disposed within the housing closer to an end of the housing which opposes the opening than to the opening; and at least one weight provided by, configured within or disposed in relation to the housing and/or the handle, wherein at least 30% of the area of the upper and the lower surfaces of the housing is the plurality of vents, whereby in use, the user grips the handle with the hand inside the housing, to lift the at least one weight to perform exercises with the exercise apparatus.

2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one weight is provided by a material of the housing itself and/or the handle itself.

3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one weight is balanced about the location of the handle.

4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vents is provided in the upper and the lower surfaces of the housing.

5. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein from 40 to 55% of the area of the upper and the lower surfaces of the housing is the plurality of vents.

6. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are at least 3 vents in each of the upper and the lower surfaces of the housing.

7. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle is disposed in the housing at an angle offset from perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

8. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises two halves joined together by any one of rivets, clip connectors, and adhesives.

9. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vents is located within both a hand-covering portion of the housing and a wrist-covering portion of the housing.

10. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one weight extends to either side of the handle, with a majority of the at least one weight being located towards the end of the housing opposite the opening.

Description

(1) For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows one example of one embodiment of an exercise apparatus in isometric view;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a further isometric view of the exercise device of FIG. 1, showing an opening to receive a hand of a user;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the exercise apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing one embodiment of a handle;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, showing a plurality of vents;

(6) FIG. 5 shows an end view of the exercise apparatus according to one embodiment, showing the opening of the housing;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a section view of one embodiment of the exercise apparatus, showing one embodiment of the configuration of the plurality of weighted portions;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a side view of the exercise apparatus according to FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a top view of an exercise apparatus according to another embodiment;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of an apparatus of FIG. 8; and

(11) FIG. 10 shows a top view of a yet further and most preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

(12) In the figures, like references denote like or corresponding parts.

(13) FIG. 1 shows an exercise apparatus 1 comprising a housing 2 provided with an opening 3 for a user to insert their hand. The surface of the housing 2 may be provided with grip 4, such as a plurality of protrusions from the surface of the housing 2, that provide grip when the exercise apparatus 1 is placed against a surface such as the floor. The housing 2 is provided with a plurality of vents 5. These vents 5 allow for air ventilation throughout the interior of the housing 2, and encourage air to circulate about hand of the user, preventing the hand from becoming sweaty, and preventing perspiration from building up inside the housing 2.

(14) The housing 2 may be formed from a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible material for different purposes. The housing 2 when formed from a rigid material maintains the opening 3 in an open position. The opening 3 may be circular, or may take the form of a different shape. By being held in an open position, the opening 3 allows a hand to be easily and quickly inserted into the interior of the housing 2. It also allows the hand to be removed quickly and easily, if the user wishes to drop or release the exercise apparatus 1.

(15) FIG. 2 shows a further isometric view of the exercise apparatus 1, showing the opening 3 in a permanently open position. The housing 2 may comprise a single vent 5, or may comprise a plurality of vents 5 within both the hand-covering portion and the wrist-covering portion of the housing 2. The vents 5 are configured to effectuate sufficient air circulation throughout the interior of the housing 2. The vents 5 may be located on the uppermost surface of the housing 2, or the lowermost surface of the housing 2, or both.

(16) FIG. 3 shows the exercise apparatus 1 in exploded view, showing the housing 2 formed in two halves. Each half of the housing 2 may be injection moulded from a plastics material, or rubber material, and the halves may be joined together by rivets, clip connectors, adhesives or other suitable means. Inside the housing 2 is a handle 6 that is provided with gripping means for the user to grip onto when their hand is inside the exercise apparatus 1. The user can reach inside the housing 2 of the exercise apparatus 1 and grip hold of the handle 6 in order to perform their exercises. The handle 6 may comprise a knurled bar, a rubberised material secured to the handle, or may incorporate a plurality of finger indentations as shown. The finger indentations encourage the user to grip the handle 6 in a specific way.

(17) The handle 6 may be fastened to the housing 2, or may be fastened to a weight portion 7 that is located within the housing 2. The handle fastening means 8 within the weight portion 7 may comprise a hole into which the handle 6 locates. If both the handle 6 and the weight portion 7 are formed from a metal material, they may be welded together.

(18) The weight portion 7 is configured to extend either side of the handle 6, and therefore in use along the sides of the hand of the user, with the bulk of the weight being located towards the end of the housing 2, opposite the opening 3. When the handle 6 is being gripped by the user, the weight 7 is therefore within the portion of the housing 2 located beyond their grip, and beyond the handle 6. The weight 7 may alternatively be located through the housing 2, or may be interspersed in a plurality of different locations throughout the housing 2, to have exercise apparatus 1 suitable for different exercises.

(19) FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the exercise apparatus 1 showing the handle 6 through the plurality of vents 5 within the housing 2. FIG. 5 shows an end view of the exercise apparatus 1 showing the opening 3 within the housing 2, and the handle 6 stretching across the interior of the housing 2, sufficiently spaced from the housing 2 and the weight 7 to allow a user to grip the handle 6.

(20) FIG. 6 shows a section view through the exercise apparatus 1, showing the relationship of the handle 6 to the weight 7, the handle 6 passing through the weight 7. FIG. 7 shows the a side view of the exercise apparatus 1, showing one embodiment of the shape of the housing 2, with flattened portion within the surface of the housing 2, to allow the exercise apparatus 1 to be placed on a floor for when performing exercises such as press-ups.

(21) The exercise apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment effectively forms a weighted mitt or glove into which the user places their hand, and grips the handle 6. The exercise apparatus 1 can be lifted up above the user's head, can be raised or lowered from the ground, and can be used for numerous different exercises for both fitness and rehabilitation, for much the same exercises to which different weights of dumbbells and kettelbells are used. The flat portion on the surface of the housing 2 allows the user to rest the housing 2 on the floor whilst performing exercises such as press-ups, whilst also being able to lift the exercise apparatus 1 from the floor as and when desired.

(22) The exercise apparatus 1, can be easily released from the hand of the user, by the user simply letting go of the handle 6. The housing 2 provides protection for the hand of the user, and supports the weight 7 and the handle 6 in the correct positions. Should the user need to release the weight, they can let go of the handle, and allow the exercise apparatus 1 to drop to the floor, much like with dumbbells and kettelbells. The weights 7 and not therefore retained on the user's hand or wrist, where they cannot be released so easily if required.

(23) The interior of the housing 2 may incorporate a plurality of mouldings to help to locate and secure the weight 7 and the handle 6. The weight 7 may be U-shaped as shown in the figures, or may be C-shaped, L-shaped or similar shape such that weight is provided within the housing 2 of the exercise apparatus 1. The weight 7 may comprise a plurality of smaller individual weights, grouped within the housing 2. The weights 7 may be secured between two layers of housing 2, not shown.

(24) The opening 3 may comprise a rim or rounded-edge. The housing 2 and the handle 6 may comprise a rubber composite material. The housing 2 may alternatively comprise a thick plastic material. The weight 7 may be formed from steel, or similar heavyweight metal, or alternative material with suitable density. The housing 2 may alternatively comprise a thick and durable material such as leather or other semi-rigid material to give sufficient protection to the user's hand whilst providing sufficient rigidity to maintain the structure.

(25) With reference to a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, an apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2, preferably substantially of rubber or polypropylene rubber or like material which may be moulded in two parts or as a single piece, of material having a cumulative mass of up to about 1 to 1.5 kg, for example. The housing has an opening 3 at one end and gripping protrusions 4 and small vent holes 8 at the opposing end 9. Elongate vents 5 are provided on the upper and lower surfaces (three on each), whilst further vents 10 are provided on the upper and lower surfaces and sides toward the opposing end, making a total of 16 vents in one particular embodiment. This significantly reduces drag in movement of the housing and enhances the interior cooling effect.

(26) A cross-section of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 8 is shown in FIG. 9 in which the housing 2 is sectioned lengthwise to reveal the interior of the housing. A handle 11 is disposed about two-thirds along the length of the housing 2 disposed from side to side at an angle 12 of about 10? to the horizontal, or to the perpendicular of the longitudinal axis of the housing running from opening 3 to opposing end 9. Thus a more comfortable grip and better balanced apparatus may be provided. Vents 10 and vents 5 in the other surface of the housing 2 are shown as are holes 13.

(27) FIG. 10 illustrates a particularly preferred embodiment of the apparatus 1 in which the housing 2 comprises significantly sized vents 5 in both upper and lower surfaces so that the vents 5 make up at least 50% of the surface area of the housing 2, which is essentially formed of a skeletal structure of the material, which is provided greater thicknesses. Two large vents are provided either side of the handle (toward the opening and toward the opposing end) which cover at least 60%, preferably at least 75% of the width of the housing at that point and no less than 15% of the length (e.g. 15 to 20%), on both the upper and lower surfaces. Preferably at least three vents or even four or more are provided on each of the upper and lower surfaces. Thus, very little drag and very effective cooling can be achieved whilst using the apparatus 1 in vigorous and aerobic style exercises in housings in which the weight (of e.g. 1 to 1.5 kg in the housing and optionally a further 1 kg in the handle) is distributed in a balanced manner about the handle, which is again preferably disposed ? of the way along the length of the housing and preferably at an angle e.g. 10 to 15? offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

(28) In this specification, the word comprise has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word comprise (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features.

(29) All of the features enclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

(30) Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), 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.