TWO BAR EXERCISER
United States Patent 3809394
Two semi-rigid bars are suspended from an adjustable belt adapted to encircle the waist. One bar is positioned in front of the body near the top of the pelvis and the second bar is positioned at the rear of the body near the bottom of the pelvis. Means are provided for pulling the first bar toward the second bar so as to rotate the top of the pelvis toward the rear of the body while exercising various body muscles.
Application Number:
05/289964
Publication Date:
05/07/1974
Filing Date:
09/18/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
601/23
International Classes:
A63B23/02; A63B23/00; A63B23/02
Field of Search:
272/80,24,57R,DIG.19 128/78,63,75 35/29D
Primary Examiner:
Oechsle, Anton O.
Assistant Examiner:
Taylor, Joseph R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Richards, Harris & Medlock
Claims:
1. An exercise device comprising:
2. An exercise device comprising:
3. The combination of claim 2 and further comprising flexible means for suspending said first and second semi-rigid members from said belt member.
2. An exercise device comprising:
3. The combination of claim 2 and further comprising flexible means for suspending said first and second semi-rigid members from said belt member.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for exercising the body. More particularly, the invention relates to an exerciser for adjusting the position of a portion of the body in relation to the rest of the body while exercising body muscles.
Body fatigue and pains--such as muscle cramps, back and neck aches, and shoulder pains--are often the result of faulty posture. Sedentary work and a lack of regular exercise may compound the problem, resulting in a general deterioration of muscle tone. One of the effects of the loss of muscle tone is a gradual rotation of the pelvis wherein the front of the pelvis rotates forward and downward and the back of the pelvis rotates upward. As posture continues to deteriorate over a number of years, this pelvic rotation will result in a swayback and protrusion of the abdomen. The shoulders droop, the head is gradually tilted forward and the chest slumps. Breathing and digestion are adversely affected, the lower back may ache, and the shoulder muscles become tense. As the center of gravity of the body changes, the redistribution of body weight places undue strain on feet, leg and back muscles.
Conventional exercise equipment has been found to be ineffective in relieving muscle distress resulting from such posture deterioration. Many such devices provide little relief because the exercise movements are practiced in the wrong postural position. Most exercise equipment is directed only to the exercising of certain body muscles with no thought given to adjusting portions of the body to their correct positions with respect to the rest of the body while exercising.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, an exercise device is provided which includes a plurality of semi-rigid members connected to a belt member which is adapted to encircle a part of the body. Means are provided for pulling one or more of the semi-rigid members toward the other members so as to adjust the position of a portion of the body in relation to the rest of the body.
More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercise device in which a belt is adapted to encircle the waist of the body. A front and rear bar are connected to the belt by suspending straps. The front bar is suspended in such a manner that it may be positioned in front of the body near the top of the pelvis. The rear bar is attached so that it may be placed at the rear of the body near the bottom of the pelvis. Means, such as a rope or cord, are provided for pulling the front and rear bars toward each other, thereby rotating the top of the pelvis toward the rear of the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference may now be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a strap portion of the invention; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention in operation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, one preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. A belt 10 is provided which may be placed around a portion of the body, such as the waist. The belt is preferable adjustable for fitting various body sizes. Buckle 12 is attached thereto for holding the belt snugly in position. Belt 10 is inserted through loop straps 14 and 16 which are positioned on the front portion of belt 10 on either side of buckle 12. The lower portion of straps 14 and 16 tapers to rings 18 and 20 having holes aligned with each other. A bar 22 is inserted through rings 18 and 20 so as to be suspended below and parallel to the front portion of belt 10.
In FIG. 2, a loop strap 24 is suspended from the center of the back portion of belt 10 and terminates in another ring 26 through which a second bar 28 is inserted. Bar 28 is suspended below and approximately parallel to the rear portion of belt 10.
In FIG. 3, a close-up view is shown of strap 14. Strap 16 is identical. Belt 10 is inserted through the loop portion of strap 14 so as to provide a secure means of attaching bar 22 to the belt. The lower portion of strap 14 forms a ring 18 within which an inner ring 30 of a rigid material may be inserted, resulting in a tighter fit for bar 22. In one preferable embodiment, the strap 14 is made of a semi-rigid material such as rubber, and ring 30 is made of plastic. Other suitable materials may be readily used.
In FIG. 4, the two-bar exerciser is shown in use. Belt 10 is secured snugly to the waist of the body. A rope 40 is connected to back bar 28 and brought forward to loop over front bar 22. Another rope similar to rope 40 may be attached to the opposite ends of bars 22 and 28 in the same manner as shown.
In one type of exercise, ropes 40 are grasped by both hands and pulled backward and slightly downward away from the body. This action causes bar 22 to press against the top of the pelvis at the front and bar 28 to press against the bottom of the pelvis at the rear. The pelvis is thereby caused to rotate--the top front of the pelvis moving backward and the bottom rear of the pelvis moving forward--thus tending to restore the pelvis to its proper position for correct posture.
The above-mentioned procedure has the added advantage of strengthening the arm, back and abdomen muscles. The shoulders are pulled down and back, the pelvis tilts up in front and down in rear, the chest is raised, the abdomen flattens, the neck straightens out and the head tilts back. All of these actions contribute to improving posture and rectifying the difficulties mentioned earlier.
It should be noted that other beneficial exercises are possible using the two bar exerciser. For example, after completing the above-described exercise, ropes 40 may be looped around either end of bar 28 and brought to the front of the body pulling forward and upward with the shoulders. Other similar exercises utilizing the described invention may be devised.
It has been found that use of the two bar exerciser on a regular basis provides market improvement in posture and rapid relief from various muscle pains. The present invention is especially helpful to ease tensions and pains in the neck, shoulders and back of those who have maintained a sitting position for a considerable length of time.
Various modifications of the two bar exerciser described above are contemplated, and fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, a third bar (not shown) may be attached directly to the rear portion of belt 10. After attaching ropes 40 as described in connection with FIG. 4, the ropes may be looped around the end of the third bar and pulled in a forward direction. This action may be useful in working back and shoulder muscles not exercised in the previously described procedures. Similarly, different sized belts may be used for attachment to various other parts of the body in providing similar types of exercises.
Having described the invention in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that further modifications may now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
This invention relates to a device for exercising the body. More particularly, the invention relates to an exerciser for adjusting the position of a portion of the body in relation to the rest of the body while exercising body muscles.
Body fatigue and pains--such as muscle cramps, back and neck aches, and shoulder pains--are often the result of faulty posture. Sedentary work and a lack of regular exercise may compound the problem, resulting in a general deterioration of muscle tone. One of the effects of the loss of muscle tone is a gradual rotation of the pelvis wherein the front of the pelvis rotates forward and downward and the back of the pelvis rotates upward. As posture continues to deteriorate over a number of years, this pelvic rotation will result in a swayback and protrusion of the abdomen. The shoulders droop, the head is gradually tilted forward and the chest slumps. Breathing and digestion are adversely affected, the lower back may ache, and the shoulder muscles become tense. As the center of gravity of the body changes, the redistribution of body weight places undue strain on feet, leg and back muscles.
Conventional exercise equipment has been found to be ineffective in relieving muscle distress resulting from such posture deterioration. Many such devices provide little relief because the exercise movements are practiced in the wrong postural position. Most exercise equipment is directed only to the exercising of certain body muscles with no thought given to adjusting portions of the body to their correct positions with respect to the rest of the body while exercising.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, an exercise device is provided which includes a plurality of semi-rigid members connected to a belt member which is adapted to encircle a part of the body. Means are provided for pulling one or more of the semi-rigid members toward the other members so as to adjust the position of a portion of the body in relation to the rest of the body.
More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercise device in which a belt is adapted to encircle the waist of the body. A front and rear bar are connected to the belt by suspending straps. The front bar is suspended in such a manner that it may be positioned in front of the body near the top of the pelvis. The rear bar is attached so that it may be placed at the rear of the body near the bottom of the pelvis. Means, such as a rope or cord, are provided for pulling the front and rear bars toward each other, thereby rotating the top of the pelvis toward the rear of the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference may now be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a strap portion of the invention; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention in operation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, one preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. A belt 10 is provided which may be placed around a portion of the body, such as the waist. The belt is preferable adjustable for fitting various body sizes. Buckle 12 is attached thereto for holding the belt snugly in position. Belt 10 is inserted through loop straps 14 and 16 which are positioned on the front portion of belt 10 on either side of buckle 12. The lower portion of straps 14 and 16 tapers to rings 18 and 20 having holes aligned with each other. A bar 22 is inserted through rings 18 and 20 so as to be suspended below and parallel to the front portion of belt 10.
In FIG. 2, a loop strap 24 is suspended from the center of the back portion of belt 10 and terminates in another ring 26 through which a second bar 28 is inserted. Bar 28 is suspended below and approximately parallel to the rear portion of belt 10.
In FIG. 3, a close-up view is shown of strap 14. Strap 16 is identical. Belt 10 is inserted through the loop portion of strap 14 so as to provide a secure means of attaching bar 22 to the belt. The lower portion of strap 14 forms a ring 18 within which an inner ring 30 of a rigid material may be inserted, resulting in a tighter fit for bar 22. In one preferable embodiment, the strap 14 is made of a semi-rigid material such as rubber, and ring 30 is made of plastic. Other suitable materials may be readily used.
In FIG. 4, the two-bar exerciser is shown in use. Belt 10 is secured snugly to the waist of the body. A rope 40 is connected to back bar 28 and brought forward to loop over front bar 22. Another rope similar to rope 40 may be attached to the opposite ends of bars 22 and 28 in the same manner as shown.
In one type of exercise, ropes 40 are grasped by both hands and pulled backward and slightly downward away from the body. This action causes bar 22 to press against the top of the pelvis at the front and bar 28 to press against the bottom of the pelvis at the rear. The pelvis is thereby caused to rotate--the top front of the pelvis moving backward and the bottom rear of the pelvis moving forward--thus tending to restore the pelvis to its proper position for correct posture.
The above-mentioned procedure has the added advantage of strengthening the arm, back and abdomen muscles. The shoulders are pulled down and back, the pelvis tilts up in front and down in rear, the chest is raised, the abdomen flattens, the neck straightens out and the head tilts back. All of these actions contribute to improving posture and rectifying the difficulties mentioned earlier.
It should be noted that other beneficial exercises are possible using the two bar exerciser. For example, after completing the above-described exercise, ropes 40 may be looped around either end of bar 28 and brought to the front of the body pulling forward and upward with the shoulders. Other similar exercises utilizing the described invention may be devised.
It has been found that use of the two bar exerciser on a regular basis provides market improvement in posture and rapid relief from various muscle pains. The present invention is especially helpful to ease tensions and pains in the neck, shoulders and back of those who have maintained a sitting position for a considerable length of time.
Various modifications of the two bar exerciser described above are contemplated, and fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, a third bar (not shown) may be attached directly to the rear portion of belt 10. After attaching ropes 40 as described in connection with FIG. 4, the ropes may be looped around the end of the third bar and pulled in a forward direction. This action may be useful in working back and shoulder muscles not exercised in the previously described procedures. Similarly, different sized belts may be used for attachment to various other parts of the body in providing similar types of exercises.
Having described the invention in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that further modifications may now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.