FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercising device. In particular, the present invention relates to an exercising device for connection to a rod, more specifically a weight rod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several types of excising devices exist, such as weights for weight lifting, comprising a rod onto which weight discs can be inserted or removed or a rod with fixed weight. Weight lifting may also be performed with weight training

apparatuses.

The object of the present invention is to improve the exercising effect during different types of training.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercising device, comprising: - a first element having a longitudinal center axis;

- a second element having a first end movably connected to the first element via a connection device, and a second, free, end;

- a pre-tensioned force resistance device connected to the first or second elements; where the exercising device is configured to be in an initial state, in which the second end is provided with a first distance from the longitudinal center axis; where the exercising device is configured to be in a compressed state, in which the second end is provided with a second distance from the longitudinal center axis, where the second distance is shorter than the first distance; where the pre-tensioned force resistance device is configured to force the second end of the second element towards the initial state; where the first element comprises a connection interface for connection to a rod.

In one aspect, the first element, the second element and the connection device are manufactured as one body made of the same material. Alternatively, the material of the connection device is different from the material of the first element and the second element. In one aspect, the pre-tensioned force resistance device is configured to allow a movement of the second end from the initial state to the compressed state when the first and second elements are pressed towards each other with a compression force above a predefined threshold value. In one aspect, the second element is an elongated element having a longitudinal axis, where the longitudinal center axis of the first element is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the second element in the compressed state.

In one aspect, the second element is oriented with its longitudinal axis having an angle relative to the longitudinal center axis in the initial state, where the angle is between 10° - 80°, preferably between 15° - 45° and more preferably between 25 ° - 35 °.

In one aspect, the first element comprises an elongated cylindrical body with a through bore.

In one aspect, a slit is provided in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body. In this way it is easy to snap the device 1 onto and off from a weight rod.

In one aspect, the exercising device is a hand actuated exercising device.

In one aspect, the the pre-tensioned force resistance device comprises a force resistance body provided between the first and second elements, where the force resistance body is made of a compressible material configured to be gradually more compressed as the first and second elements are pressed towards each other.

In one aspect, the force resistance body comprises a first resistance element and a second resistance element, where the first resistance element is located closer to the connection device than the second resistance element.

In one aspect, the first resistance element has a first height with respect to the first element being larger than a second height of the second resistance element with respect to the first element.

In one aspect, the pre-tensioned force resistance device is connected to the first and second elements.

In one aspect, the force resistance device comprises a spiral section, a first end section projecting from the spiral section and a second end section, where the first end section is connected to a groove of the second element and where the second end section is connected to a groove of the first element.

In one aspect, the spiral section is movably arranged outside a guiding body of the first element where the relative movement between the spiral section and the guiding body is limited by the engagement between the second end section and the grove.

In one aspect, the force resistance device is locked to the first element by means of a removable locking element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, where:

Fig. 1 illustrates a cross sectional side view of the exercising device mounted to a weight rod in an initial state;

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross sectional side view of the exercising device of fig. 1 in the compressed state;

Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the exercising device in the initial state;

Fig. 4 illustrates a top view of the exercising device in the compressed state;

Fig. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view along line A-A of fig. 4;

Fig. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view along line B-B of fig. 4;

Fig. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view along line C-C of fig. 4;

Fig. 8 illustrates a side view of the exercising device in the initial state;

Fig. 9 illustrates a side view of the exercising device in the compressed state;

Fig. 10a illustrates a further embodiment from a first side;

Fig. 10b illustrates the further embodiment from a second side opposite of the first side;

Fig. 10c illustrates the further embodiment from below;

Fig. lOd illustrates a front view of further embodiment;

Fig. lOe illustrates a cross sectional view along line c-c of gig. 10b;

Fig. lOf illustrates a cross sectional view of the force resistance body of fig. lOd and lOe.

It is now referred to fig. 1 and 2. Here it is shown a weight rod R having a handle area HA and one weight area WA on the respective sides of the handle area HA. Four weight discs WD are inserted onto the weight areas WA of the weight rod. A connector C is connected to the ends of the weight rod R to prevent the weight discs WD from skidding off from the weight rod R.

An exercising device 1 is connected to the handle area HA of the weight rod R. In fig. 1 the exercising device 1 is in its inactive state, while in fig. 2 the exercising device 1 is in its active state.

It is now referred to figs. 3 - 7, where the exercising device 1 is shown. The exercising device comprises a first element 10, a second element 30, a connection device 40 for connection of the first and second elements 10, 30 to each other, and a pre-tensioned force resistance device 50. Preferably, the exercising device 1 also comprises a locking element 60, which will be explained more in detail below. The exercising device 1 is configured to be in an initial state and in a compressed state, which will be explained more in detail below.

In the present embodiment, the first element 10 comprises an elongated cylindrical body 1 1 with a through bore 12. A central longitudinal axis 110 of the first element 10 is indicated in the drawings. A slit 13 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical body 1 1. The through bore 12 with the slit 13 forms a connection interface 15 for connection to a rod R. The first element 10 is preferably made of a semi-rigid material, such as a plastic material. In such a case the connection interface 15 will function as a snap-on connection interface to be pushed onto a weight rod R.

The first element 10 has a first end 10a and a second end 10b. In the second end 10b of the first element 10 a guiding body 21 is protruding perpendicular (indicated by line 121 in fig. 7) to the longitudinal axis 110. Preferably the guiding body 21 is cylindrical. A groove 23 is provided in the end surface 22 of the guiding body 21. In addition, locking grooves 25 are provided in the end surface 22.

The second element 30 comprises an elongated, generally U-shaped body 31 (shown in fig. 6). A longitudinal axis 130 of the second element 30 is indicated in the drawings. A groove 32 is provided in the longitudinal direction 130 of the second element 30. The groove 32 is preferably facing inwards, towards the first element 10, as shown in fig. 3, 5 and 6. Hence, the outer surface (the surface facing away from the first element 10) may achieve an evenly curved surface which are more comfortable for a user to hold his fingers around.

The second element 30 has a first end 30a and a second end 30b. The first end 30a is movably connected to the first element 10 via the connection device 40, while the second end 30b is free, i.e. it is not connected to the first element 10 nor the connection device 40. In the compressed state shown for example in fig. 5 and 9, the longitudinal center axis 110 of the first element 10 is parallel with the longitudinal axis 130 of the second element 30.

In the initial state shown for example in fig. 8, the second element 30 is having its longitudinal axis 130 oriented with an angle a relative to the longitudinal center axis 110, where the angle a is between 10° - 80°, preferably between 15° - 45 ° and more preferably between 25° - 35°. The connection device 40 is best shown in fig. 5, comprising a wave-shaped body 41 connected between the first end 10a of the first element 10 and the first end 30a of the second element 30. Preferably, the first element 10, the second element 30 and the connection device 40 are manufactured as one body made of the same material. However, they may of course be made as three separate bodies connected to each other. The wave-shaped body 41 allows relative movement between the first and second elements 10, 30, as will be described in detail below.

The pre-tensioned force resistance device 50 is best shown in fig. 3 and comprises a spiral section 51 , a first end section 52 projecting from the spiral section 51 and a second end section 53. The pre-tensioned force resistance device 50 is in the present embodiment made of one continuous section of a metal spring material. The pre- tensioned force resistance device 50 is configured to force the second end 30b of the second element 30 towards the initial state. When the exercising device 1 is in the initial state, the pre-tensioned force resistance device 50 is configured to allow a movement of the second end 30b from the initial state to the compressed state when the first and second elements 10, 30 are pressed towards each other with a compression force above a predefined threshold value.

The force resistance device 50 is connected to the first and second elements 10, 30. The spiral section 51 is movably arranged outside the guiding body 21 of the first element 10, i.e. the spiral section 51 is, in principle, allowed to rotate around the guiding body 21. The first end section 52 is connected to the groove 32 of the second element 30. The second end section 53 is connected to the groove 23 of the first element 10.

The above relative rotational movement between the spiral section 51 and the guiding body 21 is limited by the engagement between the second end section 53 and the grove 23.

To ensure that the second end section 53 is kept connected to the groove 23, a locking element 60 is provided, as shown in fig. 3 and 7. The locking element 60 is in the present embodiment provided as a circular lid 61 having connectors 62 adapted to the locking grooves 25 of the end surface 22 of the guiding body 21.

These connectors 62 may be inserted into the locking grooves 25 and thereafter the locking device 60 may be rotated to a locked state. The locking device 60 may then be rotated back to the original position and removed from the locking grooves 25.

It should be noted that the force resistance device 50 may be connected to the groove 23 for example by providing the groove 23 itself as a type of snap-on connector. The force resistance device 50 is relatively easy to assemble with the rest of the device 1. First, the first end section 52 is inserted into the groove 32 of the second element 30, then the spiral section 51 is put onto the guiding body 21 until the second end section 53 is inserted into the groove 23 of the first element 10. Finally, the locking device 60 is locked to the first element 10. Accordingly, it is relatively easy to replace the force resistance device 50 with another type of force resistance device, for example one requiring a stronger compression force to bring it to the compressed state.

It is now referred to fig. 8. Here it is shown that the exercising device 1 is in its initial state, in which the second end 30b is provided with a first distance Di from the longitudinal center axis I.

It is now referred to fig. 9. Here it is shown that the exercising device 1 is in its compressed state, in which the second end 30b is provided with a second distance Dc from the longitudinal center axis I. As shown, a compression has taken place, as the second distance Dc is shorter than the first distance Di.

The above embodiment has been tested by the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, where it has been shown that not only the muscles in the lower arm region, but also muscles in the upper arm region (biceps, triceps, shoulder) are experiencing an increased training effect when using the present invention during weight lifting than weight lifting without the use of the present invention.

Alternative embodiments

In an alternative embodiment, the weight rod R may be inserted into the through bore 12, a solution which will require the weight discs WD to be removed from the weight rod R. In such an alternative embodiment, the slit 13 may be omitted, and the connection interface 15 is provided by the opening into the bore 12.

In such an embodiment, it is preferred that the weight rod R is not easily skiddable within the bore 12, as a tight fit between the bore 12 and weight rod R is preferred. A tight fit may be obtained by applying a friction lining (not shown) within the bore 12. In the embodiments shown in the drawings, several perforations 19, 29 are provided in the first and second elements 10, 30 respectively. The purposes of these perforations are to improve the grip of the exercising device 10.

In one alternative embodiment, the groove 23 may be adjustable in relation to the first element 10, for example by providing the guiding body 21 rotatably connected to the body 1 1. The purpose of the adjustment is to amend the angle of the groove 23 in relation to the axis 110, to adjust the position of the end 53 of the force resistance device 50 and hence to adjust its force resistance.

In the above embodiments, the rod is a weight rod R. However, the rod may also be a ski pole, a handle of a cycle or other vehicle, a pram, a racket (such as a tennis racket), a hockey stick etc.

The connection interface 15 may be a releasable or permanent connection interface and may require additional releasable or permanent fastening means, such as straps, glue etc.

In yet an additional embodiment, an additional layer may be added to the first and/or second elements for increasing the comfort for the user, for example a layer of foam rubber layer or another type of soft layer.

It is now referred to fig. lOa-lOf. Here it is shown an alternative embodiment similar to the above embodiment, having first and second elements 10, 30 connected to each other by means of a connection device 40. In the present embodiment, the connection device 40 is made of the same material as the first and second elements 10, 30. Preferably, the elements 10, 30 and connection device 40 is made as one body. It should be noted that all figs. 10a - lOd shows the exercising device 1 in its initial state.

Another difference with this embodiment is that the pre-tensioned force resistance device 50 comprises a force resistance body 55 provided between the first and second elements 10, 30. The force resistance body 55 is made of a compressible material configured to be gradually more compressed as the first and second elements 10, 30 are pressed towards each other. This material can be a rubber material or another material with similar properties. After compression, the force resistance body 55 will return to its initial shape, thereby forcing the second end 30b of the second element 30 away from the first element 10 again.

The force resistance body 55 is here connected to the first element 10.

Alternatively, the force resistance body 55 may be connected to the second element 30. In yet an alternative, the force resistance body 55 may be connected to both the first and second elements 10, 30. In this last alternative, the force resistance body 55 may prevent damage to the connection device 40 by preventing that the second end of the second element 30 is moved to far away from the first element 10.

The force resistance body 55 is in the present embodiment made as one, single body with a base 56, a first resistance element 57a, a second resistance element 57b and a third resistance element 57c. The base 56 is provided as part of the bore 12 of the first element 10, as shown in fig. 10a, while the resistance elements 57a, 57b, 57c are protruding through openings 17a, 17b, 17c of the first element 10 towards the second element 30. When the exercising device 1 is connected to a weight rod, compression of the device 1 will not press the resistance elements out from the openings as the base 56 will be in contact with the weight rod and hence prevent this. The body 55 may be glued to the first element 10.

Alternatively, the force resistance body 55 has no base 56 and hence comprises three separate resistance elements 57a, 57b, 57c which are glued directly onto the surface of the first element 10. Alternatively, there is only one resistance element 57a. In yet an alternative, there are two or more than three such resistance elements. It is now referred to fig. lOf, where the body 55 is shown. The location of the first element 10 is indicated with dashed lines. The first resistance element 57a is shown to have a first height HI with respect to the first element 10, the second element 57b is shown to have a second height H2 and the third element 57c is shown to have a third height H3, where HI > H2 > H3. Openings 58a, 58b are provided in the first and second elements 57a, 57b to adjust the compression force, as it is preferred that the increase in compression force needed to bring the device 1 from its initial state to its compressed state is constant to achieve a smooth compression movement.

The first resistance element 57a is located closer to the connection device 40 than the second resistance element 57b, which again is closer to the connection device 40 than the third resistance element 57c.

The angle a is 12° in the initial state in this embodiment.

One advantage with the embodiment of fig. 10a - lOf is that the spiral section 51 of the force resistance device 50 shown in fig. 4 can be omitted. Hence, the total length LI of the device 1 in fig. l Od is smaller than the total length LI of the device 1 of fig. 4, which makes the device 1 suitable also for narrower types of hand weight rods R.