GB2512823A

GB2512823A - Hand held exercise device and system

Info

Publication number: GB2512823A
Application number: GB1305328.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean Dignand
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-22
Filing date: 2013-03-22
Publication date: 2014-10-15
Also published as: WO2014147426A1; GB201305328D0

Abstract

There is provided a hand held exercise device 1, comprising a frame 10 a first pair of wheels 12, 14 mounted to the frame and rotatable about parallel axes 16, 18. A handle 20 is orientated substantially perpendicularly to the axes and mounted on the frame. The handle may be positioned between the pair of wheels, and rotatable away from being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the wheels. There may be a second pair of wheels 24, 26, rotatable about parallel axes. The wheels may be of the same size. There is also disclosed an exercise system comprising a pair of exercise devices which are prevented from being separated by more than a predetermined amount by joining means, which may be an elastic cord (fig 3, 40). The device may be used to exercise the upper body and core muscles more specifically for press-ups.

Description

HAND HELD EXERCSE DEVCE AND SYSTE.M

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to.a hand held exercise device and system, in particular, but not limited to exercising the upper body and core muscles..

Wheeled devices for pressups are known, in which a pair of wheels with a handle being. used as an axle, functions as a method to carry out movements required to strengthen the upper body and core muscles, tone the whole body and improve flexrbJhty Such devices function by a user gripping the handle of the device in the hand, which is the axk3 between the two wheels and carrying out the desired exercise, such as a press up.

The invention seeks to overcome ür ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or provide a useful alternative.

VMMAJ...YOF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a hand held exercise device. comprising a frame, at least a first pair of Wheels mounted to the frame and rotatable about parallel axes; and a handle.1 provided on the frame.

the handle being orientated substantially perpendicularly to the axes which allows a person to make desired exercise movements to t:rain and exercise their body.

The wheels may be rotatable about a first common axis. This provides simpflcity in construction.

The handle may be positioned between the first pair of wheels, which aids stability of the device during use, The frame may comprise an axle extending between the first pair of wheels, the wheels being mounted thereon. This again prov ides a simple construction of the device, The handle may be rotatable away from being substantially perpendicular to the axis of the wheels. Such rotation allows for a greater range of exercise movements, The handle may he biased to the orientation.substantiauy perpendicuiar to the axIs of the wheeJs. This aids the user during th.e exercise to return the hands to a particular orientation.

The exercise device may further comprise a second pair of wheels rotatable about para He! axes which are paraHel to the axes of the first pair of wheels.

This provides greatly increased stabihty when the device is used, as the handle cannot rotate about the axles of the wheels.

The second pair of wheels may be rotatable about a second common axis, Again, this conveniently provides a simple construction.

The frame may further comprise a second axle extending between the second pair of wheels which connects the wheels and also provides simple construction, Each of the second pair of wheels may be afigned with.a respectiveone of the first paw of wheels This ensures that the de ice travels in a straight line as it is used.

The handle may be rotatable about an axis parallel to the axes of rotation of the wheels. This again provides more variety of movement of the device, which modifies the exercise movements.

The handle may extend between the two pairs of wheels This again, provides a simple construction, The wheels may all be the same size., allowing the device to move in a straight line during use.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is prvid.ed an exercise system comprising a pair of: devices. the pair being prevented from being separated by more than a predetermined amount by joining means which prevents the users hands from be:ng separated by too much and stops the user from fal}ihg to the ground.

The joining means may comprise an elastic cord which provides n increasing resistive force when it is stretched to bring the devices, closer together, BRIEF DESC RI PT ION OF ThE INVE NIION Detailed embodiments of the invention will now be described purely by way of

example1 in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of the hand held exercise device according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a side elevation view of the hand held exercise device of figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a pair of hand held exercise devices according to Figures 1 and 2; and Figures 4 and 5 show a plan and side view of a hand held exercise. device according to. further embodiment o.f the invenUon,

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE LNVENTION

In Figure 1, there is provided a hand held exercise device 1 according to a fftsi'. embediment of the invention. The device 1 comprises a frame 10, a first pair of wheels 12, 14 mounted to the frame 10 and rotatable about parallel axes 16, 18. A handle 20 [s provided on the frame 10 with the handle 20 being orientated substantially perpendicularly to a pane parallel to. the axes 16, 18. In the present embodiment, the exercise device 1 additionally comprises a second pair of wheels 24. 26 rotatable about paraileF axes 28, 30 whib.b are, in turn, parallel to the axes 16, 15 of the first pair of wheels 12, 14.

in the present embodiment, th first pair of wheels 12, 14 is rotatable about a first common axis and the second pair of wheels 24, 26 is rotatable about a second common axis. Two pairs of wheels 12, 14 24, 2. are provided for stability Each of the second pair of wheels 24, 26 is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the rotational axes. 16, 18, 28,30, wfth a respective one of the first, pair ci wheels. 12., 14. The wheels 12, 14, 24, 26 are all the same size, although in alternative embodiments they may be of different sizes, The wheels 12, 14, 24, .26 are sufficiently large to allow them to travel over surfaces such as domestic carpets etc. in use and, in the present embodiment, comprise a rubberised tread.

In the present embodiment, the frame 10 comprises, a first axle 11 extending between the first pair or wneels 12, 14 the wheels 12, 14 being mounted thereon and the axes 16, 18 being coincident. The frame *j additionally comprises a second axle 22 extending between the second pair wheels 24, 26, the wheels 24, 26 being mounted thereon, again with the axes 28, .30 being coincident. The frame ID has first and second members 13, 23 which are connected to the midpoint of a respective axle 11, 22 at one end, and extends to a distal end, and a cross member 21 which extends between the distal ends of the first and second members 13, 23, so coupling the first and second axles 11, 22 together. The frame 10 xtend. in a plane substantially perpendicularly tothe axes 16, 18, 28, 30 of the wheels 12, 14, 24.26, In the present embodiment, the handle 20 is proVided on the cross member 21, and is integrally formed therewith, However, alternatively, the hsndle 20 may be formed as one or more separate parts, mounted on or around the cross member 21, or other part of the frame 10.

Figure 2 is a view along the axes 16, 18, 28, 30 of the wheels 12 14 24, 26 shown in Figure 1 For clarity, the majority of each wheel 12, 14, 24, 26 is shown as transparent, with the tread being shown. The figure shows the first * and second members 13, 23 of the frame 10 extending away from the axles It, 22, in a plane perpendicular to the axles 11,22. The cross member 21, with handle 20 mounted thereon, extends between the ends of the first and second members 1.3, 23 distal to. the axle 11., 22 on whi.th they are mounted in the same plane, perpendicular to the axles 11, 22, as the first and second members 13. 23.. The first member 13 is longer than the second member 23.

and the cross member 21 is therefore angled to a plane through tne axles ii, 22, The first and second members 13, 23 are eaph rigidly connected to the cross member 21., so.. that there is no relafive movement therebetweeh., and the frame 10 is rigid, while allowing the wheels. 12, 14, 24, 28 to rotate on the respective axles 11,. 22 and therefore allow movem.eht of the device I n a direction of the plane perpendicular to the axles 11, 22. As the wheels 12, 14.

24, 26 are the same size and mounted on two parallel axles 11, 22, the, device 1 tra.v&s in a straight line as it is moved. However. if the wheels 12, 14, 24.

26 at opposite ends of the axles ii, 22 were made different sizes, and the axles 11. 22 were each fixed rotationally to the wheels 12, 14, 24, 26, or the axes 16, 18., 28, 30 of rotation of' the pairs of wheels 12 14, 24, 26 were not parallel, then a curved arc could be traced with the movement of the device 1.

it required.

The device I of this embodiment is conveniently formed from metal and/or' plastics,. as would he understood by the skilled person.

ln the present embodiment, the handle 20 is fixed into the Orientation described above. However, in another embodiment the handle 20 is biased to the orientation substantially perpenthcul,ar to the axis 16, 18 of the wheels 12: 14, but rotatable away from that orientation. The user of the' deviée 1 can therefore twist the nandle 20 in their hand as they exercise A system ccording tO an embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference, to Figure 3. In the systom,'two devices 1 as described above are provided. These are joined by biasing means, in the present'. embodment in the fotrn of an elastic cord 40, which has a maximum extension and provides increasing resistive force to stretching as it is, stretched from an unstretched rest position The cord 40 is conveniently attached to the framo 10 of each device 1 at an attachment point 50 in embodiments the cord 40 may be removable from one or both attachment points 50.

To use the exercise device 1, a person grips the handle 20Th their hand, or, in the case of embodiment shown in Figure 3., each hard, Two devices 1 may be used, one. in each hand, with or without the joining cord 40, and the person faces the ground with their body substantially flat The wheels 12, 14, 24 26 of the, or eech, device 1 are positioned onto the ground The inside of the person's hand, is positioned at the end of the handle 20 closest to axle 11. and the first member 13. The wheels 12, 14, 24, 28 rotate freely about their axes 16., 18, 28, 30 which aHow the user to move the, preach, device I across the ground with lithe resistance in order to make the desired exercise movements, Use of one device I aflows one side of user's body to be trained by moving the hand holding the device 1 away from the body and other hand of the. user.

Where o devices 1 are used, conveniently, the devices I are positioned with the whe&s 12, 14. 4, 26. all aligned with the corresponding wheels 12, 14, 24 26 of the second device 1 and the pair of wheels 12, 14 on the first axle 11 of each device 1 closest together, The devices I are then moved apart by a specific distance, in. the direction of the otiCntation of the handle 20, to carry out the exercise movement e g the lowenng motion of a press-up and then moved close.r together again to complete the exercise movement: pinching the arms together. The devices 1 being moved.apaa means the user1s hands and arms are moved wider apart as the person's chest moves closer to the ground, in the downward motion of a press-up. The opposite is true when the devices I are moved closer together. The cord 40 of Figure 3 allows a person to use the devise 1 safely as the distance beeen the devices 1 cannot exceed ? set width. As a person uses the devices 1, when they are a specific d'stance apart the cord 40 reaches its maximum stretch, and further separation of the devices 1 is prevented, which prevents the user's hands from separating by too much., and making the exercise too hard to complete successfully. When this force becomes greater than the force produced by the person using the devices I then the devices I will stop their movement across the ground. The feature means that, the user wll.l not inadvertently extend their hands too far and faD to the ground, possibly causing injury.

A devIce 100 of a further er'b.odiment is. shown in Figures 4 and 5. These show a further embodiment whch is similar to that shown in the previous embodiments of Fiqures 1 and 2.

However, instead of two pairs of wheels, only a single pair of wheels 112, 122 is. provided.. This pair of wheels is made up of one. wheel 112, 122 at each end of a frame 121,. which is configured in the same Way as described above except that the frame is mounted on a respective axles 111, 122. at the ends of the axles 111, 122 rather than in th.e middle. As shown in Figure 4. the handle 120 extends across between the wheels 112 124, substantially perpendicular to the common axis of rotation of the two Wheels 112, 12k As shown in Figures 4 arid 5 the frame then dvides into two fork portions between the tines of each fork a respective Wheel sits. The ends of the tines are fixed to the axles through the wheels o ihat the wheels can rotate abut the frame. The tines of the fork portions are fixed relative to the frame as a whole, Embodiments of the present invention have been described purely by way at example and various omissions, modifications andior additions can be made without departing from tha scope and spirit of the nventiQn, such modifications, omissions and additions falling within the invention. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the terms comprise", "comprises, "comprising" and the like are intended to be interpreted in the inclusive, as opposed to exhaustive, sense, le "including, but npt limited to"

Claims

CLAIMS1. A hand held exercise device, comprising: a frame; at least a first pair of wheels mounted to the frame and rotatable about parallel axes; and a handle, provided on the frame, the handle being orientated substantiafly perpenthcuiarly to the axes,.
2. An exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the wheels are rotatable about a first common axis,
3. An exercise device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the handle is posftioned between the first pair of wheels.
4. An exercise device according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises an axle extending between the first pai.r of wheels, the wheels being mounted thereon.
5. An exercise device according to any preceding clairr, wherein the hanthe is rotatable away from being substantiafly perpendicular to the axis of the wheels.
6. An exercise device according to claim 5., wherein the handle is biased to the orientation substantially perpendicular to the axis of the wheels.
7. An exercise device according to any preceding claim] further comprising a second pair of wheels rotatable about parallel axes which are parallel to the axes of the first pair of wheels.
8, An exercise device according to ckim 7, wherein the second pair of wheels are rotatable about a second common axis, a
9. An exercise device according to claim 7 or the frame frrther comprising a second axle extending between the second pair of wheels
10. An exercise device according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein each of the second pair of wheels is aflgned wfth a respective one of the first pair of wheels.
11, An exercise device according to any of claims. 7 to 10, wherein the handle is rotatable about an axis parall& to the axes of rOtation of the wheels..
12. An exercise device according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the handle extends between the two pairs of wheels,
13. An exercise device according to any preceding claim, wherein the wheels are all the same size.
14. An exercise system comprising a pair of devices according to any preceding claim, the pa beig prevented from being separated by more than a predetermined amount by joining means.
15. An exercise system according to c!im 14, wherein the joining means comprises an elastic cord.
16. An exercise device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. An exercise system.. substantially as herein before described with reference to any of the ac.cornpanyin drawings. a