US20070219074A1 - Wearable resistance exercise apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A wearable resistance exercise apparatus comprises at least one pulley, a cable coupled to the at least one pulley, at least one handle located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user, and a wearable support member, wherein the at least one pulley is located on the wearable support member. A tension adjusting device on the wearable support member allows for varying levels of resistance to be set. The apparatus is worn by a user wishing to perform resistance exercises. The user establishes a level of resistance desired for the exercises by manipulating the tension adjusting device. Exercises are performed by gripping the handle and pulling it in a manner intended to stimulate muscle building.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates generally to resistance exercise equipment and, more particular, to a wearable resistance exercise apparatus that employs a resistance pulley system and that can be used to perform resistance exercises when in position on a wearer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Resistance exercise equipment is a popular tool used for conditioning, strength training, muscle building, and the like. Various types of resistance exercise equipment are known, such as free weights, exercise machines, and resistance exercise bands or tubing. Various limitations exist with the prior art exercise devices. For example, many types of exercise equipment, such as free weights and most exercise machines, are not portable. With respect to exercise bands and tubing, they may need to be attached to a stationary object, such as a closed door or a heavy piece of furniture. This becomes a problem when, for example, the user wishes to perform resistance exercises in a location where such stationary objects are not readily found, such as outdoors. For the prior art devices that do not need to be attached to stationary objects, such as other types of bands or tubing, such prior art systems typically provide only one level of resistance. This is a disadvantage for a user who wishes to increase or decrease the level of resistance for the user's resistance exercises. For such users, it becomes necessary to acquire more than one set of resistance exercise bands or tubing.
• A need therefore exists for resistance exercise equipment that is portable, that may be used on its own without the need to employ other types of equipment, and that allows for adjustable resistance levels.
• The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a wearable resistance exercise apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, in combination: at least one pulley; a cable coupled to the at least one pulley; at least one handle located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user; and a wearable support member, wherein the at least one pulley is located on the wearable support member.
• In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a wearable resistance exercise apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, in combination: a first pulley and a second pulley; a first cable and a second cable, wherein the first cable is coupled to the first pulley and the second cable is coupled to the second pulley; a first handle and a second handle, wherein the first handle is located at the end of the first cable and adapted to be gripped by a user and the second handle is located at the end of the second cable and adapted to be gripped by a user; and a wearable support member comprising a vest, wherein the first pulley and the second pulley are located on the wearable support member.
• In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for exercising at least a portion of an upper body of a user is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a wearable resistance exercise apparatus comprising, in combination: at least one pulley, a cable coupled to the at least one pulley, at least one handle located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user, and a wearable support member, wherein the at least one pulley is located on the wearable support member; positioning the wearable support member on a user's upper body; positioning the at least one pulley on a posterior portion of the user's upper body; and performing an exercise by the user grasping the at least one handle and the user pulling the at least one handle in a manner intended to stimulate muscle building.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a front view of a wearable resistance exercise apparatus, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a back view of the exercise apparatus ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is front view of a pulley device, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a front, perspective, mirror image view of the pulley device ofFIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tension adjusting device, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the pulley device ofFIG. 4.
• FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the pulley device ofFIG. 4, with a portion thereof being shown in phantom.
• FIG. 8 is a top view of the pulley device ofFIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Referring first toFIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a wearableresistance exercise apparatus10 consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the exercise apparatus includes the following main components: twopulley devices20,cables22 which are coupled to thepulley devices20,handles24 which are coupled to the ends of thecables22, and awearable support member12, to which thepulley devices20 are attached. In this embodiment, theexercise apparatus10 further includestension adjusting devices30, which are coupled to the front of thewearable support member12. Also in this embodiment, thewearable support member12 includesfront closures14.
• In this embodiment, thewearable support member12 is a vest. However, other forms of wearable support members, such as jackets, jumpsuits, or the like may be used. Preferably, thewearable support member12 is composed of a heavy duty material, so that use of thepulley devices20 as herein described do not cause thewearable support member12 to stretch, sag or tear. Preferably, thewearable support member12 hasfront closures14, so that it may be remain securely in position on a wearer during use of theexercise apparatus10. It may be desired to use side or back closures in addition to or instead of thefront closures14.
• In one embodiment, thehandles24 are attached to thecables22 with fasteners, such as a snap hooks or carabiners. It may be desired to use hollow handles, which may be slipped over thecables22.
• Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4 andFIGS. 6-8, an embodiment of apulley device20, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, thepulley device20 includes abackplate26 having a plurality of openings (not shown) through which couplingmembers28, such as bolts, may be inserted in order to couple thepulley device20 to the wearable support member12 (as best seen inFIG. 2). Preferably, thebackplate26 is composed of a rigid material, such as metal, so that it is capable of supporting the weight of thepulley device20. Atension cable32 extends from thepulley device20 to a tension adjusting device30 (as best seen inFIG. 1).
• In this embodiment, thetension adjusting devices30 are positioned on the front of thewearable support member12. In this way, they are within easy reach of a wearer of theexercise apparatus10, who can adjust tension without needing to remove thewearable support member12 by rotating thetension adjusting devices30. However, it may be desired to position thetension devices30 elsewhere, such as on the back or sides of thewearable support member12.
• Referring now toFIG. 5, the structure of an embodiment of a portion of anexercise apparatus10 is shown, with particular attention to the tension adjustment feature. Aworm screw34 is provided, with theworm screw34 being rotatable by a turning of its corresponding tension adjusting device30 (not shown), with the rotation being communicated through tension cable32 (not shown). Rotation of theworm screw34 alters the load onload spring36. Where it is desired to increase resistance, thetension adjusting device30 should be turned in the direction that will cause increased load on theload spring36. To decrease resistance, rotation should occur in the opposite direction.
• An increase in load on theload spring36 causes anterior movement of aclutch plate38, which provides increased tension on thecorresponding pulley device20. This will create increased resistance for the user. A decrease in load on theload spring36 causes posterior movement of aclutch plate38, which provides decreased tension on thecorresponding pulley device20. This will create decreased resistance for the user.
• While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it may be desired for thewearable support member12 to include only onepulley device20 to which twohandles24 are attached. It may also be desired for thewearable support member12 to include only onepulley device20 to which only onehandle24 is attached. In this latter embodiment, a user would be required to either grasp thesingle handle24 with both hands, or exercise using one hand at a time.
Statement of Operation
• In order to position the wearableresistance exercise apparatus10 so that it may be used to perform resistance exercises, a user would put theexercise apparatus10 on the user's upper body, so that thepulley devices20 are positioned over the user's back and thetension adjusting devices30 are positioned over the user's chest. The user would set a desired level of resistance by manipulating thetension adjusting devices30. The user would then perform resistance exercises by gripping thehandles24 and pulling them in a manner intended to stimulate muscle building.
• For example, a user may wish to grasp thehandles24 and bring both hands directly forward, in a rowing or bench press type of motion. A user may wish to bring thehandles24 in an arc-type of motion until they contact each other in front of the user's body, in a fly type of motion. A user could extend both hands upward from a point beginning behind the neck, in a triceps extension type of motion. Numerous other variations are also possible.
• A user may wish to utilize a single resistance setting for an exercise session. Alternatively, a user may wish to perform multiple sets of a particular exercise, and may wish to increase resistance between sets to perform a pyramid-style workout. The user may also wish to change resistance between different exercises.

Claims (16)

1. A wearable resistance exercise apparatus comprising, in combination:

at least one pulley;

a cable coupled to the at least one pulley;

at least one handle located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user; and

a wearable support member, wherein the at least one pulley is located on the wearable support member.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 comprising two pulleys, each having a cable with a handle.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the wearable support member is a vest.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the vest has at least one closure located on an anterior portion of the vest.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a tension adjusting device coupled to the at least one pulley.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the tension adjusting device is activatable from a position that is remote from the pulley.

7. A wearable resistance exercise apparatus comprising, in combination:

a first pulley and a second pulley;

a first cable and a second cable, wherein the first cable is coupled to the first pulley and the second cable is coupled to the second pulley;

a first handle and a second handle, wherein the first handle is located at the end of the first cable and adapted to be gripped by a user and the second handle is located at the end of the second cable and adapted to be gripped by a user; and

a wearable support member comprising a vest, wherein the first pulley and the second pulley are located on the wearable support member.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the vest has at least one closure located on an anterior portion of the vest.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 7 further comprising a first tension adjusting device and a second tension adjusting device, wherein the first tension adjusting device is coupled to the first pulley and the second tension adjusting device is coupled to the second pulley.

10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the first tension adjusting device is activatable from a position that is remote from the first pulley and the second tension adjusting device is activatable from a position that is remote from the second pulley.

11. A method for exercising at least a portion of an upper body of a user, comprising:

providing a wearable resistance exercise apparatus comprising, in combination:

at least one pulley;

a cable coupled to the at least one pulley;

at least one handle located at the end of the cable and adapted to be gripped by a user; and

a wearable support member, wherein the at least one pulley is located on the wearable support member;

positioning the wearable support member on a user's upper body;

positioning the at least one pulley on a posterior portion of the user's upper body; and

performing an exercise by the user grasping the at least one handle and the user pulling the at least one handle in a manner intended to stimulate muscle building.

12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the apparatus comprises two pulleys, each having a cable with a handle.

13. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the wearable support member is a vest.

14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the vest has at least one closure located on an anterior portion of the vest.

15. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising a tension adjusting device coupled to the at least one pulley.

16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the tension adjusting device is activatable from a position that is remote from the pulley.

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