BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION: This present invention relates to an exercise method and an exercise device. More specifically, to an exercise device and method using guided upper body circular motion.

2. RELATED APPLICATIONS: This application claims the benefit under 10/912,341 of United States Patent Application, publication number 2005-0043152 A1 entitled " Dual circling exercise method and device" filed August 4, 2004.

3. RELATED ART: A variety of resistance exercise devices are known in the art. Upper body exercise devices generally involve a linear, or near linear stroke-type movement back and forth, or up and down to simulate weight lifting. The motion on these devices is substantially a back and forth or modified back and forth (up and down) linear motion. Circular motion running or steeping exercise device to simulate running or walking with connected pedals or treadles which move together are known.

Back and forth linear motion exercise devices often require the user to start and stop at the end of each stroke-type movement. Hand pedaling connected bicycle-type hand pedals on connected sprockets are known for physical rehabilitation. It would therefore be a desideratum to have a non¬ linear motion exercise for the upper body with reduced stops and starts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a circular motion exercise device. In Tai Chi circular movement is used to build, utilize and develop the "Chi" of the practioneer . When using the circular motion exercise device and method the user's guided arm movement exercise muscles in the human body. The circular movements tend, to be non-jarring. The user is positioned adjacent to two grips, such as handles. The grips are each attached to a guide. A guide forms a movable member. Each movable member is pivotally attached to a support or base, whereby the grip has a limited route it can travel when the guide is rotated around the pivot of the support or base.

The guides provide for grip movement in front of the user and to the sides of the user's torso. This grip movement encourages the movement of the user's arms, torso and shoulders. Such movement when extending towards a users torso sides also encourage use of the user's abdominal muscles. A pivot affixes the movable member to a base or support. The Pivots are a movable support for the movable member.

In some exemplary implementations the supports are generally placed opposing each other. The opposing relationship need not be parallel and may be variable, fixed or adjustable. In some embodiments the supports or bases may extend from the ground, rest beneath a user, and/or rest on a user's lap .

In some exemplary implementations the base is generally placed central to the user's torso situated in front of the user's abdomen and the guides can travel a path from the front of a user to the sides of a user's torso.

During exercise, a user's hands each hold a hand grip. The movement of the grip around a pivot, guided through a generally circular or elliptical movement, also may direct the user's body to move up and down, side to side or both up and down and side to side. A guide associated with each grip provides for the guided movement of the grip. The guide may be a wheel, arm, lever or other movable member, the grip is guided in a generally circling path during exercise. Each grips can be moved or "driven" around the pivot on the guide in a clockwise and/ or counter clockwise direction

Resistance against which a user can exercise may be added to increase the work a user must do to push the grips and guides around the pivots. The work a user exerts can be expressed in terms of force. In general terms when the resistance to movement of the pivot is increased the force a user must apply to move the movable members on pivots also increases. The increase in the force the user must apply to move the movable member against resistance can help build a user's strength. The application of force also requires work which in turn may help a user burn Calories.

The resistance against which a user works may be friction based or frictionless. Weight, air, wheels, and magnets are some (but not an exclusive list) of resistance providing elements which may provide a frictionless resistance against which a user can exercise. Gears, belts, wheels, clutches, brakes, weight are some, but not an exclusive list of resistance elements which can use friction to provide resistance against which a user can exercise. Resistance may be provided by a combination of friction and frictionless elements. Resistance may be fixed , variable or adjustable.

In some exemplary implementations the exercise device may provide a guided non-resistance arm and body movement.

In some exemplary implementations the may provide a guided weighted arm and body movement.

In some exemplary implementations the exercise device may provide a guided resistance arm and body movement.

In some exemplary implementations the exercise device may provide a guided resistance arm with articulating grip supports. Guided resistance may be provided by a movable wheel , moving members, levers, and weighted members having a frictional or non-friction force applied thereto.

The method of exercise is causing each arm of the user to be guided through a smooth motion, at least partially, around a pivot. The movement for each arm may be a full 360 degree ovid, ellipse or circle around a pivot,or around an arc (which represent a movement of less than 360 degrees around a pivot).

The guided movement of the user's arms may be together or staggered. The arms may both be moved clockwise around the pivots. The user's arms may be moved counter-clockwise around the pivots. The user may move one arm clockwise around on pivot and one arm counter clockwise around the other pivot.

Leg position may also be used to target a particular muscle group or body region during the method of exercise and the method of use of the device. Feet close in to a seat as opposed to legs outstretched. Feet apart as opposed to feet together. On foot outstretched and one foot close in.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth, in part, in the descriptions which follow and the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred embodiments and some exemplary implementations of the present invention are described and shown, and in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings or may be learned by practice of the present invention. The advantages of the present invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations of elements and instrumentalities particularly pointed out in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1A and 1B show another implementation of a dual circling exercise device.

Figure 2 shows another implementation of a dual circling exercise device.

Figure 3 shows another implementation of a dual circling exercise device.

Figures 4A through 4C show another implementation of a dual circling exercise device.

Figures 5A and 5B show another implementation of a dual circling exercise device.

Figure 6 shows another implementation of a dual circling exercise device.

Figures 7 A through 1C show another implementation of a dual circling exercise device.

Figures 8 show another implementation of a dual circling exercise device.

Figure 9 show another view of the implementation of Figure 8.

Figure 10 show another view of the implementation of Figure 8.

It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Shown in FIGS. 1A-1B is a dual rotating exercise device 300 which is supported, at least in part on a user's legs and/or lap as shown in Figure 2. The guides for the dual rotating exercise device 300 are extended arms 72 & 72'. In this exemplary implementation the movable members include the extended arms connected to elongated spindle supports 314 & 314'. The movable member form guides around which hand grips 78 & 78' are moved by a user. The extended arms 72 & 72' connected to the elongated spindle support 314 & 314' are each movably fixed to a central base 320 whereby the arms may be moved, by the user 100, independently of each other. A user 100 will alternatively move the shoulders 101 A & 101B forward as the user's hands 102 move with the movable members. Alternatively the elongated spindles may be connected and the extended arms 72 & 72' would thereby move non-independently.

The central base 320 is connected to a lap base whereby the central base 320 rests upon the legs 103 of the seated 500 user 100 during use.

The central base 320 may be constructed of a hard or soft material. The central base may be blow molded to accept water, sand or other Tillable material to add weight. The central base may be a combination of soft and hard portions whereby the bottom portion 321, which rests on the user's legs and lap, may be harder or softer and the top portion the opposite hardness of softness. The bottom portion 321 of the central base 320 may be flat, contoured to fit the user's legs or a combination of curved and/or flat areas.

A pivot mount 330 is provided on each side of the central base 320. The pivot mount may be one or more bearings, sleeves or other structure which secures the elongated spindle supports 314 & 314' in a movable fashion to the central base 320.

The pivot mount 330 may also provide resistance. The resistance may be in the form of pressure on the pivot (spindle supports 314 & 314' in this implementation) by utilizing the pivot mounts 330 as a brake and a support for the pivot. To apply some resistance to the pivot, the pivot mount 330 may be constructed to tightly hold the pivot, or of multiple or overlapping parts which can be selectively tightened against the pivot. Constructing the pivot mount from a low lubricity material or a high coefficient of friction material whereby the ease which a user moves the pivot within the pivot mount 330 is reduced may also be used to control resistance. One or more pivot mount may be the sole resistance providing element or it may be used in conjunction with other friction providing elements such as gears, belts, wheels, clutches, brakes and weight.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a keel 335 added to help limit movement of the central base during usage. In addition to, or in conjunction with, the keel 335 side legs 338 & 338' and/or a lap belt 340 (see FIG. 1A) with a fasteners 342 & 344 may also be added.

A hand grip 78 & 78' is affixed movably to each arm 72 & 72'. Hand grip mounts 346 -346"(shown in FIG. 11B) may be provide in which the hand grips may be may be selectively mounted and unmounted. The elongated spindles supports each are a pivot point. Altering the distance of a hand grip to a pivot point changes the distance the user's 100 hand 102, arm and body are guided through when rotating an arm around the spindle supports 314 & 314' which act as the pivots. The change in position of the hand grip also changes the force required to move the arm. Resistance may be increased magnetically, as previously described, or by friction. Brakes, clutches belts and the like are suitable for providing frictional resistance. In this exemplary implementation a friction brake 350 at the spindle supports (pivots) 314 & 314' whereby friction is applied to the spindles supports 314 & 314' to provide a resistive force. Increasing the pressure of the friction brake 350 provides a greater force to rotate the spindle supports 314 & 314' against. A turn knob 360 supported by the central base 320 is shown in FIG. 1B. The turn knob 360 presses the friction brake 350 against the spindles 314 & 314' . Bottom brakes 365 may be added against which the pressure of the friction brake may work.

One of many possible alternative friction brakes are bicycle type cable disc or cable pull brakes which apply pressure on either side of the pivot. Various other known friction brakes and members may be used and those skilled in the art will understand that the use of other friction producing brakes or members is within the scope of the invention herein. Separate frictional resistance members may be used to independently apply friction to each spindle support.

Shown in FIGS. 3 are variations of the dual circling exercise device with keel 335 extensions. A contoured keel 335 to fit snuggly against the user's legs 103 is shown. A keel extension 375 may be added to further contour the around the user's legs thereby providing a region to squeeze and/or hold with a user's legs. The squeezing and/or holding may also be used to exercise the user's legs. A movable collar 348 is movable attached to each arm 72 & 72'. The collar 348 slides up and down each arm 72 & 72' and/or may rotate around at least a portion of the arm 72 & 72'. Hand grips 78 & 78' are attached to the collar 348 and are thereby adjusted by the up and down or rotating movement of the collar around the arms 72 & 72'.

Friction brakes are shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. One brake 372 affixed to a flat spring member 374 is shown held against the edge of a rotating disk 62'. The rotating disk 62' is mounted to a spindle support 314' in a pivot mount 330. The rotating disk may also be weighted. A weighted rotating disk without a frictional brake may be preferable in some implementations. The flat spring member 374 is not a limitation and torsion springs, coil springs or other types of spring members which are mounted to urge a friction brake against the rotating disk (or spindle support) may be used. A belt member 375 is placed , under tension, against each spindle support 314 & 314'. The spindle supports 314 & 314' turn in the pivot mounts 330 and the belt member provides a resistance against which the user turns the spindle supports. The belt member 375 may be set at a fixed tension or the tension may be adjustable. A single belt member may be used in place of the two separate belt members shown. A turn knob 360 threaded through the central base 320 and with a pressure pin 365 is shown in FIG. 4B . The belt member 375 is attached to the inside of the central base 320 via fasteners 322 such as rivets, screws, hooks, bolts and adhesives. By moving the end 366 of the pressure pin 365 against the belt member 375 and the belt member is displaced thereby increasing the tension on rotating disks 62 & 62' one attached to each spindle support 314 &314'.

Shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is a dual circling exercise device with a flat seat 380. The flat seat 380 is shown extended from the keel 335. A user places the central base 320 above the legs 103 and the flat seat 380 below to hold the device in place during use. The flat seat may have extended legs (not shown) and form a stool. The flat seat may be placed between a stool or chair 500 and the user. Inside the central base 320 are spindle supports 314 & 314' in pivot supports 330 connected to extended arms 72 and hand grips 78. At one end of each spindle support 314 & 314' a rotating disk 62 & 62' is attached. In this implementation the outer face 69 of each rotating disk 62 & 62' is magnetized metal or a material attractive to magnetic forces. Between the two outer faces 69 are one or more magnets 34. the rotating disks 62 & 62' are separated from the magnet(s) 34 by an air gap. Spacers may be used in place of an air gap. A spacer is preferably formed of a low friction material. In FIG. 6 an abdominal and lap positioned dual circling exercise device is shown. A first outer wall 323 of the central base 320 rests against the user's abdominal region 104. A second outer wall 324 of the central base 320 is on the user's lap (on top of the legs 103). The user 100 on a stool 501 with a seat 500 is shown using the device. Any tendency of the central base 320 to rotate during use may be reduced by placing the central base 320 against both the lap and abdominal regions of the user.

A generally spherical resistance means for a dual circling exercise device is shown in FIGS. 7A through 7C. The spherical dual circling exercise device 390 has a bottom plate 391 connected via a pivot 392, such as a hinge, to a top plate 393. Generally spherical balls 394 are positioned between the bottom and top plates 391 and 393. Each of the Generally spherical balls 394 is connected to a spindle support 314 & 314'. Each of the generally spherical balls 394 rests in a ball guide 395 formed in the top and the bottom plates. The ball guides 395 are each of a size to confirm to the outer surface of a portion of the generally spherical balls 394 . The top plate and bottom plate are also movably connected to a bolt and tightener, such as a nut, threaded knob or wing nut , 396 & 397 whereby tightening the tightener 397 against the top plate brings the bottom and top plates together and increases the pressure on the generally spherical balls 394. Therefore the ball guides, in this implementation, can act as both orienting fixtures for the generally spherical balls 394 and are used as frictional brakes to provide a selectable force against which a user exercises. The bail guides, in some implementations, allow the generally spherical ball to rotate and thereby provide for repositioning of the hand grips 78& 78' by changing the position of the spindle support 314.

Another generally spherical resistance means for a dual circling exercise device is shown in FIGS. 8 through 10. The spherical dual circling exercise device has a bottom plate 391 to which generally spherical balls 394 are positioned between the bottom plates 391 and an "L" shaped lever 410. Each "L" shaped lever has a combined keel and leg guide 412 and a head 414 A long hinge 420 is formed at the intersection of the leg guide 412 and the head 414 upon which the "L" shaped lever can be moved. Each generally spherical ball 394 is connected with a pindle support 314 & 314' to an arm 72 and hand grips 78 & 78'. Applying leg pressure to the combined keel and leg guide 12 can close the distance between the two combined keel and leg guides 12 from "d1" to "d2" thereby urging one or more heads 414 more firmly against at least on generally spherical ball

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, as shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be interpreted in an illustrative, and not a limiting sense.