Exercise device and method of use

Abstract

An exercise device comprising; a platform, a first limb attachment means, a first extendable cord attached to the first limb attachment means, the first extendable cord being at least partially located within the platform, and a tensioning means within the platform, wherein the tensioning means can be adjusted to alter the resistance of the first extendable cord to extension.

Claims

1. An exercise device comprising; a platform, a first limb attachment means, a second limb attachment means, a first extendable cord attached to the first limb attachment means, the first extendable cord being at least partially located within the platform, a second extendable cord attached to the second limb attachment means, the second extendable cord being at least partially located within the platform, and a tensioning means within the platform, wherein the tensioning means comprises: only one rotatable disk, disposed with a horizontal planar orientation when in use, to which the first extendable cord and second extendable cord are attached, the one rotatable disk being rotatable about a hub, and a retainer for maintaining the one rotatable disk in a chosen position to provide a predetermined resistance of the first extendable cord and second extendable cord to extension.

2. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the tensioning means further comprises a scale that indicates the degree of rotation of the one rotatable disk about the hub and corresponding resistance of the first extendable cord to extension.

3. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the retainer comprises a push-pull pin and the device further includes an actuator that can actuate movement of the push-pull pin into and out of contact with the one rotatable disk.

4. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the one rotatable disk and hub interconnect via a biasing means.

5. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the platform housing includes an actuator comprising a foot pedal.

6. The exercise device according to claim 1 which is adapted to removably receive legs, rockers or wheels for step-aerobic exercises, balance exercises or horizontal rolling exercises.

7. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the limb attachment means is adapted for attachment to hands, feet, legs, thighs, forearms or upper arms.

8. A method of exercising using the exercise device of claim 1, the method including the user carrying out the steps of: (a) standing, sitting, kneeling or lying on the platform, (b) engaging the first limb attachment means with a limb, (c) applying pulling force through the limb attachment means to cause the first extendable cord to extend from the platform, then (d) releasing the pulling force applied through the limb attachment means to allow the first extendable cord to retract into the platform.

9. The method according to claim 8 which further includes manual adjustment of the device including the steps of; (e) rotating the one rotatable disk about the hub, (f) applying the retainer to the one rotatable disk to maintain the one rotatable disk in a chosen position to provide a predetermined resistance of the first extendable cord to extension.

10. A method of exercising using the exercise device of claim 1, the method including the user carrying out the steps of adding legs, rockers or wheels to the platform for step-aerobic exercises, balance exercises or horizontal rolling exercises.

11. An exercise device comprising; a platform, a first limb attachment structure, a second limb attachment structure, a first extendable cord attached to the first limb attachment structure, the first extendable cord being at least partially located within the platform, a second extendable cord attached to the second limb attachment structure, the second extendable cord being at least partially located within the platform, a tensioning mechanism within the platform, wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises: only one rotatable disk, disposed with a horizontal planar orientation when in use, to which the first extendable cord and second extendable cord are attached, the disk being rotatable about a hub, and a retainer for maintaining the one rotatable disk in a chosen position to provide a predetermined resistance of the first extendable cord and second extendable cord to extension, and a biasing structure acting to return the one rotatable disk from a chosen position to an original position.

12. The exercise device according to claim 11 wherein the biasing structure comprises an extendable band connected at one end to the one rotatable disk and at another end to the platform.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an exercise device of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the exercise device of FIG. 1 when inverted;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the exercise device of FIG. 1 when inverted and with the tensioning device adjusted;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of an exercise device of the present invention;

(6) and

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates the exercise device of FIG. 4 when inverted.

(8) FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise device (1) of the present invention viewed from the user perspective. In this view can be seen the upper surface of the platform (5) and a first handle (10) and a second handle (15) at either end of an extendable cord (20). The upper surface of the platform (5) in this embodiment is about 40×40 cm which is sufficient to receive both feet of a user. The platform (5) also has sides which are end on in this view, and about 8 cms high. The first and second handles (10,15) are attached to the extendable cord (20) by their respective carabineers (12, 16). The part of the extendable cord (20) that cannot be seen is located within the platform (5). The platform (5) includes a window (25) that can display numbers indicating the relative amount of tension a user is likely to experience when they pull, on one or both of the handles (10,15). A retainer (30) in the form of a push-pull pin can be used to maintain the tensioning means (inside the platform) at a chosen level of tension.

(9) FIG. 2 illustrates the exercise device of FIG. 1 inverted to show the tensioning means (35) comprising a disk (40) and central hub (45) that can be manually rotated. A scale (50) marked from 1 to 9 can indicate the degree of rotation of the disk (40) and hub (45). The extendable cord (20) is connected to the hub (45) such that rotation of the disk (40) in an anti-clockwise direction reduces the length of cord (40) extending from the platform (5). Rotation in the clockwise direction increases the length of cord (40) extending from the platform (5). The extendable cord (40) is thus rolled and unrolled around the hub (45).

(10) In this embodiment the tensioning means (35) is rotated against a biasing means (55) comprising an extendable band connected at one end to the disk (40) and at the other end to the platform (5).

(11) FIG. 3 illustrates the exercise device of FIG. 1 inverted and with the disk (40) of the tensioning means (35) rotated anti-clockwise (as compared to the view in FIG. 2). The retainer pin (30) is inserted such that it retains the scale (50) at the position marked ‘7’ as shown in the indicator window (25) (as shown in FIG. 1). The scale (50) projects from the disk (40) so that when the pin (30) is in the position shown it resists movement of the disk (40). The biasing means (55) acts to urge the disk (40) in the clockwise direction, back towards the position in which it is shown in FIG. 2. The biasing means may be of any convenient material such as a stretchable band of material or a coil spring or the like.

(12) FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of an exercise device (41) of the present invention viewed from above. In this view can be seen the upper surface of the platform (45) and a first handle (50) and a second handle (55) attached to either end of an extendable cord (not shown in this view). The upper surface of the platform (45) has sufficient width and depth to receive both feet of a user. The part of the extendable cord (60) that cannot be seen is located within the platform (45). The platform (45) includes a window (65) that can display indicia such as numbers indicating the relative amount of tension a user is likely to experience when they pull on one or both of the handles (50,55). The underside or lower surface of the platform (45) can be attached to various accessories to enhance the user experience by providing flexibility and variety to exercise routines. For example, the lower surface may be adapted to removably receive legs, rockers or wheels. When legs are in place beneath each corner, the platform (45) is elevated from the floor and can be used for step-aerobic exercises. Alternatively, rockers in the form of curved sections can be attached at opposite ends of the platform (45) so that the user can perform balance exercises. In another alternative, the lower surface may rest on wheels, such as casters, to enable a horizontal rolling movement to be combined with pulling of the extendable cords (50, 55). In this embodiment, the tensioning mechanism used to adjust the tension on the extendable cord (60) comprises a foot pedal (68).

(13) FIG. 5 illustrates the exercise device of FIG. 4 when inverted, with the lower surface removed to reveal the mechanism residing between the upper and lower surfaces of the platform (45), which are ordinarily held in contact by multiple screws.

(14) The extendable cords (not shown) are each attached at one end to their respective handles (50,55), and at their other ends to the disk (80). The extendable cords are at least partly coiled around the disk (80), located within a groove or recess at the peripheral edge of the disk (80). A central hole in the disk (80) fits around a hub (85) that is integral with the upper surface of the platform (45). A large flat circular spring (82) is located between the disk (80) and the hub (85). A first tang at the end of the spring (82) is held at a fixed position by the hub (85) while a second tang at the other end of the spring (82) can removably engage with slots around the periphery of the disk (80). Applying pressure to the foot pedal (68) brings it into contact with the disk (8) pushing the disk away from the second end of the spring (82), disengaging it from the first slot and leaving the disk (80) free to be rotated to a position where the second end of the spring can re-engage with a second slot when pressure is removed from the foot pedal (68). While the disk (80) is free it can be rotated clockwise by pulling on the handles (50,55) to increase the length of extendable cord projecting from the platform (45). Alternatively, if no pulling force is exerted, a biasing means causes the disk (80) to rotate anti-clockwise, retracting the extendable cords into the platform. When the pressure is removed from the foot pedal (68) a pair of biasing means in the, form of compression (coil) springs act to return the foot pedal (68) to its normal position, out of contact with the disk (80). Thus the circular spring (82) imparts a biasing force on the disk (80) coiling or uncoiling the extendable cords about the disk (80). This coiling and the elasticity inherent in the extendable cords determines the amount of resistance a user is likely to experience when they exercise and pull on one or both of the, handles (50,55).

(15) The upper face of the disk (80) can be marked with indicia (numerals) at appropriate intervals adjacent the periphery to reflect the amount of resistance a user experiences at different positions of the disk (80). A small window (65) in the upper surface of the platform (45) displays individual indicia.

(16) While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

(17) As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

(18) Various modifications an equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

(19) “Comprises/comprising” and “includes/including” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’ and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.