Exercise ring for improving strength and flexibility of a body part

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for exercising a body part from any angle with variable resistance while taking up minimal floor space. The apparatus improves the ability of athletes, including football players and wrestlers, to better prepare for contact from any angle while engaged in their sport. The apparatus includes a ring having a guide track therein. A first end of a resistive band may be received by and wrapped around the guide track while encompassing a source of resistance at another end. The source of resistance may be other gym equipment including a pulley. Alternatively, the guide track may be on an inner surface of a stationary outer ring configured to receive a bearing disposed on an outer surface of a rotatable inner ring. The inner ring may include an inflatable bladder disposed along its inside to provide a perfect fit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for exercising a user's body part, comprising: a closed loop element formed by an outer ring and an inner ring configured to completely encircle the user's body part, the closed loop element having an outer surface defining a guide track therein, wherein the closed loop element remains secured around the user's body part without requiring the user to hold the closed loop element in place; and a car having an attachment port for connection to a source of resistance, the car configured to fit within the guide track and to move along the guide track, wherein the car includes two or more completely separable pieces and is configured to open up and completely separate into the two or more separable pieces for loading and unloading about the guide track.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a section of the guide track is removable from the inner ring for the loading and unloading of the car.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of resistance has a circular perimeter.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the source of resistance comprises a pulley.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pulley is mounted along an axis pole and rotatable around the axis pole.

6. An apparatus for exercising a body part of a user, comprising: a first inner ring configured to be worn around the body part of the user, the first inner ring having an outer surface, wherein an inner surface of the first inner ring is configured to be in direct contact with the body part of the user; a second outer ring also configured to be worn around the body part of the user outside of the first inner ring, the second outer ring having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a guide track therein; and a car having an attachment port for connection to a source of resistance, the car configured to fit within the guide track and to move along the guide track, wherein the car includes two or more completely separable pieces and is configured to open up and completely separate into the two or more separable pieces for loading and unloading about the guide track.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second outer ring is stationary and the first inner ring is moveable, the first inner ring configured to rotate relative to the second outer ring as the body part rotates, and wherein at least a section of the guide track is removable from the first inner ring for the loading and unloading of the car.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an inflatable bladder inside the first inner ring, wherein an effective size of the apparatus is adjustable to properly fit the body part of the user by inflating or deflating the inflatable bladder, and wherein a quick release button rapidly eliminates air from the inflatable bladder.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inflatable bladder is at least a portion of the first inner ring itself.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the inflatable bladder is a separate element connected to the inner surface of the first inner ring.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second outer ring comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, the separation of which reveals horizontal cross-sections, the top portion and the bottom portion being mated together to assemble the second outer ring.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the attachment port is sandwiched between the top portion and the bottom portion of the second outer ring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a downward view of an embodiment for the headpiece element showing the inner head ring inside the outer halo ring.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment showing how the car is received in the guide track.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment showing the foam padding covered with a protective material along an inner surface of the head ring.

(4) FIG. 4 is a downward view of an embodiment showing how a portion of the guide track may be removed to load or unload the car.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing one example of how the inner ring can engage with the outer ring.

(6) FIG. 6 is a frontal view of an individual wearing one embodiment of the exercise apparatus of the present invention, for exercising the neck, on their forehead with the apparatus connected to a source of resistance.

(7) FIG. 7 is a frontal view of an individual wearing another embodiment of the exercise apparatus of the present invention incorporating a harness, for exercising other body parts, around their chest with the apparatus connected to a source of resistance.

(8) FIG. 8 is a downward view of an embodiment, similar to FIG. 1, but showing a smaller sized inner head ring illustrating that the inner ring may come in a variety of sizes.

(9) FIG. 9 is a frontal view of an individual wearing another embodiment of the exercise apparatus of the present invention incorporating a belt, for exercising other body parts including the legs and buttocks, around their waist with the apparatus connected to a source of resistance.

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the car opening up to receive or disengage from the guide track during loading or unloading.

(11) FIG. 11A is a frontal view of an individual wearing an embodiment in which a resistive band is supported between a guide track in a head ring and a pulley.

(12) FIG. 11B is a side view of an another embodiment for the head ring of FIG. 11 in which the guide track is formed within a helmet rather than a forehead band.

(13) FIG. 12A is a perspective view of another embodiment in which the outer ring and attachment port are stationary relative to an inner ring that rotates, the inner ring or padding connected to it being inflatable.

(14) FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view along lines 12B of FIG. 12A.

(15) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 12A but opened up to illustrate assembly and with the peripheral shape of the inflatable inner ring resembling two symmetric half circles joined at top and bottom by parallel lines.

(16) FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 12A but with the peripheral shape of the inflatable inner ring resembling two symmetric half circles joined at top and bottom by parallel lines.

(17) FIG. 14B is a side view of FIG. 14A.

(18) FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment having a car similar to that shown in FIG. 1 but with the peripheral shape of the inner ring resembling two symmetric half circles joined at top and bottom by parallel lines.

(19) FIG. 14D is a side view of FIG. 14C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(20) Briefly, and in general terms, provided herein is an apparatus for strengthening and stretching muscles from any angle while taking up minimal floor space at a fitness club or home gym. The apparatus is adaptable for integration with other gym equipment including cable cross over machines, weight stacks, springs, pilates machines, weighted exercise balls, parachutes that take advantage of wind resistance, bungee cords, kettlebells, and the like through an attachment port on a car that rides freely along an outside perimeter of the apparatus.

(21) According to one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is configured especially for strengthening and stretching the neck and related muscle groups at any angle or at several angles. In this embodiment the apparatus includes a headpiece element 100 made up of an inner head ring 110 and an outer halo ring 120. The inner head ring 110, 180 is provided in different shapes and sizes and can be engaged with the outer halo ring 120 though a releasable locking mechanism 140. The inner head ring may engage with the outer halo ring through a plurality of attachment ports. The attachment ports comprise structures 144 on an inner perimeter of the outer halo ring that mate with corresponding structures 142 on an outer perimeter of the inner head ring. These structures of the outer halo ring and corresponding structures of the inner head ring may include uniquely shape protrusions 144 and corresponding grooves 142 to fit the protrusions as shown in FIG. 5, or buttons that snap into position, or clips, or mating strips of materials that adhere to each other, or VELCRO (trademark) strips, or the like. That is, the structure of the outer ring and the corresponding structure of the inner ring that secure the rings together may be a fastening system including two strips of nylon fabric, one having tiny hooked threads and the other a coarse surface, that form a strong bond when pressed together.

(22) The inner head ring may be provided in a variety of sizes and still fit within a uniform outer halo ring by any number of feasible structural adaptations for changing the manner in which the inner ring and outer ring fit together as the size of the inner ring varies. Comparing the headpiece elements 100, 210 of FIG. 1 with FIG. 8 illustrates how inner head rings 110, 180 of different sizes may be accommodated within the same outer ring 120. The headpiece element 100 of FIG. 1 shows an inner head ring 110 of a first size while the headpiece element 210 of FIG. 8 shows an inner head ring 180 of a second smaller size. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the protrusions extending inward from the outer ring to meet and lock up with corresponding grooves along the smaller inner ring 180 are longer than they are in FIG. 1 to meet and lock up with a larger inner ring 110. The protrusions may be telescopically extendable and retractable to define a circumference of the appropriate size to fit the selected inner ring. Another option for reducing the size of the inner ring to fit a smaller head is to increase the amount of foam padding along the inner perimeter of the inner ring. Alternatively, the inner ring and outer ring may be secured to each other through mating strips having surface texture and/or made of a material such that the strips adhere to each other, for example strips available under the trademark VELCRO, among other possibilities.

(23) According to one embodiment, the outer halo ring 120 has a plurality of T-shaped protrusions 144 that fit into corresponding T-shape grooves or indentations 142 on the inner head ring 110, 180. The attachment ports between the inner head ring and the outer halo ring may be equally spaced from each other around the perimeter of the rings but need not be. According to one embodiment there are six attachment ports equally spaced around the perimeter of the rings.

(24) For user comfort, the inner head ring that fits around a user's head at the level of the forehead may include foam padding 112 covered with a protective material 114 that is easy to clean, improves durability, and protects the foam. For example, an artificial leather or pleather is one example of a suitable cover material outside the foam padding. The inner head ring may be rigid or may be semi-flexible to better conform to the shape of a user's head. The inner head ring may be provided in slightly different shapes to better correspond to the actual shapes of different users' heads. For example, some people may have heads with substantially circular cross-sections while other people have heads with substantially oval or elliptical cross-sections.

(25) Either the inner head ring or the outer halo ring or both may also include one or more straps over the head, closely corresponding to the shape of the head to provide added stability in securing the headpiece apparatus on the head of a user during exercise. According to one embodiment, the inner head ring is provided with two straps that cross each other at a ninety degree angle such that one strap runs from ear to ear of the user and the other strap runs from a front center of a user's head to a back center of a user's head when the inner head ring is correctly positioned on the head of a user.

(26) The outer halo ring includes a channel along an outer perimeter thereof that serves as a guide track 150 for a car 160 that connects the assembly of rings to a source of resistance 170 through an attachment port 166 on the car, as shown in FIG. 2. According to one embodiment, the attachment port is simply a hole on an end of the car, opposite the end of the car that engages the guide track, configured to fit a hook or loop extending from a connector that attaches to a source of resistance.

(27) The car may include one or more wheels 162 or other guide elements received by the guide track 150 of the outer ring 120 for moving along it. The wheels or other guide elements may have a lubricious surface 164 by being coated with or otherwise formed from a special low-friction material to facilitate the ability of the car to move easily along the guide track. A section 152 of the guide track may be removable for loading and unloading of the car, as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the car may open up or split in half, completely separating into two or more pieces or opening like a mouth about a pivot axis for loading and unloading onto a fixed or integrally formed track.

(28) According to another embodiment of the present invention the apparatus is configured for strengthening and stretching the muscles of another body part at any angle or at several different angles. The exact structure of the embodiment will depend upon the body part desired to be exercised. A unifying principle feature across the various embodiments is a ring configured to fit around a body part having a guide track extending around the ring's outer periphery along which a car connected to a resistance source smoothly rides and adjusts as the user freely moves about.

(29) In certain embodiments the assembly of an inner body part ring provided in a variety of sizes and slightly different shapes and an outer ring with the track may be provided as discussed above for the neck application. In other embodiments a single ring may be provided that fits around the body part and has a guide track built into it around its outer periphery.

(30) As shown in FIG. 7, one specific embodiment provides a means to exercise the body through a chest piece element 200 including a ring or a band placed around the chest. The assembly of outer ring and inner ring may be provided or a single ring may be provided for this embodiment. According to one specific embodiment a variation of the ring assembly is provided in which the inner ring is instead a harness 130 or vest the user wears. In this embodiment, the harness or vest would have structures thereon for engaging with corresponding structures on the outer ring. According to another embodiment, the inner ring is on a harness or vest the user wears but is not itself a harness or vest. According to another embodiment, a single ring is provided having a guide track thereon for wearing around the chest. In any of these embodiments, the harness or inner ring may be made adjustable to fit different users. The harness or inner ring may incorporate VELCRO (trademark) material, webbing, or similar materials and designs for adjustability.

(31) The embodiments including a ring or assembly of rings around the chest region with or without a harness or vest will find application, for example, for football players on a field doing training drills. With this embodiment, the unpredictable experiences encountered on a field may be simulated by attaching the car riding along a guide track of the ring to a source of resistance. The resistance pulling backwards against the weight of the user simulates other players holding the user back as the user tries to run. The guide track and car assembly provided by the present invention enable the user to freely maneuver at any angle in attempt to break away from real or imagined obstacles. For example, the user may twist from side to side, turn, gallop, sashay, shuffle, run, leap, etc. with the source of resistance pulling back for added challenge. Using a parachute as the source of resistance would be suitable for this application. By wearing the ring having a guide track upon which a car is mounted the user is able to run and even spin or turn in circles without the connection to the source of resistance getting tangled because the car riding around along the guide track simply changes position as necessary to compensate and counter balance the user's movement to maintain a relatively stable position and angle of the car relative to the connector and to the source of resistance. That is, the car moves relative to the guide track but remains in approximately the same position relative to the source of resistance and the connector between the car and the source of resistance.

(32) As shown in FIG. 9, another specific embodiment provides a means to exercise the body, especially the various muscles of the legs and the gluteus maximus muscles of the buttocks, through a waist piece element 300 including a ring or a band placed around the waist. The assembly of outer ring and inner ring may be provided or a single ring may be provided for this embodiment. According to one specific embodiment a variation of the ring assembly is provided in which the inner ring is instead a waistband or belt the user wears. In this embodiment, the waistband or belt would have structures thereon for engaging with corresponding structures on the outer ring. According to another embodiment, the inner ring is on a waistband or belt the user wears but is not itself a waistband or belt. According to another embodiment, a single ring is provided having a guide track thereon for wearing around the waist. In any of these embodiments, the waistband, belt, or inner ring may be made adjustable to fit different users. The waistband, belt, or inner ring may incorporate VELCRO (trademark) material, webbing, or similar materials and designs for adjustability.

(33) With regard to FIGS. 11A and 11B, a device for exercising the neck muscles is shown that includes a track in a head ring around the head at the level of the forehead. The head ring track may be included as a forehead band or mounted on or formed in a helmet. A section of the resistive band fits within the track of the head ring at one end. Another section of the resistive band at the other end fits around a pulley or other stabilizing device. The pulley may be configured to move up or down along an axis pole. The resistive band may move or slide around within the track but need not. As the individual moves the head forward, backward, from side to side, or in any direction, the resistive band exerts pressure against the head and neck muscles which are in turn stretched and strengthened. The head ring may be adjusted to fit heads of variable sizes with buckles or reusable mating materials including those available under the trade name VELCRO.

(34) More specifically, FIG. 11A shows a forehead band embodiment 400 including a forehead band 402 having a guide track 404 therein. The resistive band 406 is positioned to rest within the guide track. Resistance for stretching and strengthening is provided by placing the resistive band under tension created by the forehead band at one end and a pulley 408 disposed along an axis pole 410 at the other end. FIG. 11B illustrates a helmet embodiment 500, which is a variation of the head ring as an alternative to the forehead band embodiment. The guide track 504 is disposed within or mounted upon an outer perimeter of a helmet 502 rather than a forehead band.

(35) A variation of the basic structure of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B for the head can be used around the waist. Such a variation could include the track being formed within a belt, girdle, or torso brace.

(36) FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate yet another variation of the basic dual ring design in which the attachment port 666 on the outer ring 620 and the outer ring are stationary while the inner ring 610 includes one or more bearings or wheels 662 thereon to rotate 360 degrees along a track 650 on an inner surface of the outer ring. The attachment port on the outside of the outer ring may be attached to a stationary object or held by a person, either via a cord or a bungee. Along the inside surface of the inner ring, padding or an inflatable bladder 612 is provided for a more precise and more comfortable fit.

(37) While the rings can be circular as shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and 12A, in other embodiments the shape of the inner ring is ergonomically design to better fit around an individual user at the hip level. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14C the inner ring may be formed in the shape of two symmetric half circles 616 joined by parallel straight lines at the top and bottom. In this variation, the configuration of the outer ring may also be in this shape of symmetric dual half circles joined by parallel lines or the outer ring may be circular with the border filled in to cover the space between the circular configuration of the outer ring and the non-circular configuration of the inner ring.

(38) Referring now to FIG. 13, the dual ring configuration may be assembled by sandwiching together two halves of the outer ring, an upper half 622, and a lower half 624. In one such embodiment, the attachment port can be sandwiched in between the two halves, a position in which it is protected and less in the way of an exerciser using the apparatus compared to mounting the attachment port on the outside of the outer ring.

(39) In one particular embodiment of the outer ring of the dual rings being assembled like a sandwich, in which the attachment port moves, the piece upon which the attachment port is located may be secured within a track of the outer ring through wheel bearings similar to those used for skateboards (e.g. standard size 608 skate bearings).

(40) In some embodiments, the individual pieces that form the outer ring may be injection molded and the inner ring may be an inflatable roto cast belt. In other variations additional intermediate ring pieces may be provided between the inner ring or inflatable belt and the outer ring to further adjust the size to accommodate users of varying dimensions.

(41) The pump 614 for inflation of the inner ring or the inflatable padding inside the inner ring may be mounted between the two halves of the outer ring, as shown in FIG. 13, and should be configured for storage in an unobtrusive position where it won't both a user exercising with the device. A quick release button should be provided to rapidly eliminate air from the chambers. This facilitates quick removal of the exercise ring. Friction crush fasteners can be used throughout the assembled device as a substitute for more traditional screws. Additionally, a band may be provided along the outside of the outer ring for display of graphics, names, or images, including brand names, manufacturer names, and company sponsors.

(42) The embodiments including a ring or assembly of rings around the waist region with or without a waistband or belt will find application, for example, in group exercise classes including group aerobics. With this embodiment, several individuals and a group exercise class instructor may each wear the exercise belt around the waist with the car on the ring or outer ring attached to a bungee cord and the bungee cord held to a wall or other heavy, stable structure. The bungee cord and wall or column provide the needed resistance for stretching and strengthening muscles. The class instructor can lead the class members through a series of moves that include twisting, turning, moving forward, moving backward, moving from side to side, squatting, lunging, leaping, pivoting, etc. and each exerciser will be able to move freely on account of the mobile car secured to the guide track on the ring, outer ring, exercise belt, or waistband.

(43) The apparatus in accordance with the present invention is configured for use with a source of resistance that may include any one or more of the following: a bungee cord, a kettlebell, a cable cross over machine, a pilates machine, weight stacks, a wall, a column, a parachute, another person, a tree trunk, a tree branch, a fence, a post, and the like. It can include objects typically found at a gym as well as those found in nature or at outdoor sites.

(44) According to another application of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment the present invention, the source of resistance is a kettlebell to provide extreme conditioning. With the individual standing substantially stationary, the body part with the ring around it may be gyrated or whirled in a substantially circular motion or pivoted from side to side to move the kettlebell on the floor through the mobile car mounted on the ring.

(45) Specific examples of workouts that can be performed with the halo-like apparatus for exercising the neck include turning to the left then to the right, moving the head back and forth along a diagonal (nose up, nose down), spinning around, lunging while performing any of the previous head motions, movements emulating those which occur on the football field and standard football drills, movements emulating those which occur in the wrestling ring and standard wrestling drills, movements emulating those which occur in other sports and standard drills for other sports, twisting the head back and forth while doing push-ups or sit-ups or pull-ups, figure eight motions, multifunctional workouts that incorporate other exercise equipment (e.g. inflatable exercise balls), and the like. In one particular example of the situation in which another person provides the source of resistance, the other person can also be wearing an exercise device in accordance with the present invention such that each person wearing a device provides a reciprocal source of resistance to the other. In this manner, two exercisers can perform a mirror drill in which they mimic each other's motions.

(46) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various changes and modifications can, of course, be made, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.