TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sports device, in particular to a sports device simulating an unstable position of a bicycle handlebar, the use of the sports device and a sports system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Athletes train typical muscles dependent on their sports. However, sports including a handlebar, for example, any kind of bicycle or motorbike/motorcycle, have to be trained outside which is not always possible.

[0003] Athletes trying to improve their abilities regarding riding a bicycle or a motorbike/motorcycle, especially to improve upper body and arm strength, can do workouts with sports devices and/or exercises with their body weight. However, these sports devices or exercises are not adapted to the special interaction of muscles needed for sports including handlebars.

SUMMARY

[0004] A Sports device is provided which may be used for training muscles, for example pectoral muscles, triceps, and anterior deltoids that can be necessary for sports using vehicles with a handlebar such as any kind of bicycle or motorbike/motorcycle.

[0005] According to an embodiment of a sports device for supporting a handlebar for performing push-ups, the sports device comprises a body portion with an opening therethrough for accommodating the handlebar, and a peripheral portion surrounding the body portion, wherein the peripheral portion comprises at least a first surface and a second surface for supporting the device, wherein the first and second surfaces are adapted to provide different degrees of stability.

[0006] A sports system is suggested. The sports system comprises a sports device with a body portion with an opening therethrough for accommodating the handlebar, and a peripheral portion surrounding the body portion, wherein the peripheral portion comprises at least a first surface and a second surface for supporting the device, wherein the first and second surfaces are adapted to provide different degrees of stability, wherein the sports system further comprises a handlebar. The handlebar can be inserted in and/or through the opening of the body portion.

[0007] The sports device may be used for training muscles, for example pectoral muscles, triceps, and anterior deltoids, and for training and workouts for sports with a vehicle with a handle bar, for example any kind of bicycle or motorbike/motorcycle. A person can support his or her body weight on a handlebar inserted in or through the opening of the body portion of the sports device, for example in a push-up position. Depending on the orientation of the sports device, it is supported by either a first surface or a second surface.

[0008] The sports device comprises a body portion and a peripheral portion. The body portion has an opening through it for accommodating the handlebar. The handlebar can be inserted into the opening and can be fixed in a position. The body portion provides mechanical stability for the handlebar and for a person supporting his or her body weight on the handlebar. The body portion can comprise, for example, a lamellae structure or can be made of full material, which may depend on the strength and the properties of the material.

[0009] The body portion is surrounded by the peripheral portion. The peripheral portion comprises at least the first surface and the second surface and further may comprise more surfaces. First and second surfaces are adapted to provide different degrees of stability and further surfaces may provide more different degrees of stability. According to an embodiment, the peripheral portion defines the edges of the sports device. [0010] First and second surfaces are adapted to provide different degrees of stability for a person supporting his or her body weight on a handlebar which is placed through the opening. The sports device can be placed on the ground with the first or the second surface. In a work-out position, for example, a person grabs the handlebar and supports his or her body weight in a prone position on the handlebar. The first or second surface, on which the sports device is placed on the ground, provides stability.

[0011] Different degrees of stability can be a result of different sizes and/or different shapes of the first and the second surfaces. Stability is a result of mechanical contact of the peripheral portion of the sports device with a ground surface. A different amount of stability can be provided, for example in all directions, in one direction or in no direction. This can be achieved, for example, by a planar surface, by a surface curved in one direction, and/or by a surface curved in two directions or a round shaped surface.

[0012] When a handlebar is fixed in the opening of the sports device, it can be used for a workout. An athlete can grab the handlebar with both hands, one on each side, similar to a typical hand position when riding a bicycle with this handlebar. The sports device can be placed on the ground on one of its surfaces and the athlete can take a push-up position on the handlebar. Depending on the surface, the sports device provides different degrees of stability. The athlete balances his body weight on the handlebar in the push-up position. Different surfaces can correspond to different training levels, wherein less stability corresponds to a higher level of training. The sports device simulates riding a vehicle with a handlebar in different levels of difficulty.

[0013] Different degrees of stability result in an unstable position. An athlete can compensate the instability by using his or her muscles. This balancing on the handlebar is a workout that simulates sports including a handlebar, for example, riding a bicycle or motorbike/motorcycle. [0014] The handlebar, when inserted into the opening, is fixed, wherein no rotation of the handlebar relative to the body portion is possible. The sports device can comprise fastening means to fix the handlebar to the body portion. The fastening means can be typical fastening means used with stems for bicycle, for example, a wedge system.

[0015] Typical sizes of handlebars of bicycles at the middle position where the fastening means hold the handlebar are, for example, 22.2 mm, 25,4 mm, 25,8 mm, 26,0 mm, 31 ,8 mm and 35,0 mm outside diameter. The corresponding opening of the body portion has the corresponding size or larger. The sports device can be suitable for one of these sizes of the handlebar or for a multiple of sizes if the handlebar fits through in the opening and can be fixed at the body portion.

[0016] The sports device can be combined with a plurality of different shaped handlebars as long as the handlebar fits into the opening. The handlebar can be curved and/ or can comprise a plurality of different curved portions. Typical bicycle handlebars can have, for example, a shape named as "tracking", "riser", or "flat".

[0017] The sports device comprises at least two different surfaces which are adapted to provide different degrees of stability. The sports device, especially the peripheral portion, can further comprise a third surface or even more surfaces which are adapted to provide different degrees of stability. The different degrees of stability correspond to different levels of difficulty for a workout.

[0018] The use of a sports device is suggested. A handlebar is inserted in the opening of the body portion of the sports device and fixed. A person grabs the handlebar, wherein one of the first and second surfaces is placed on the ground. The person is balancing his or her weight on the handlebar in a push-up position.

[0019] Those skilled in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description, and upon viewing the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, instead emphasis is placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a sports device in three different orientations according to an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the same sports device in three orientations;

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates the same sports device in three orientations with a detailed view on fastening means;

[0024] Figure 4 illustrates the same sports device with a handlebar in a first workout position;

[0025] Figure 5 illustrates the same sports device with a handlebar in a second workout position;

[0026] Figure 6 illustrates the same sports device with a handlebar in a third workout position;

[0027] Figure 7 illustrates the same sports device with a handlebar in a workout position with a mobile electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the sports device for supporting a handlebar in three different orientations from the same view. The sports device comprises a body portion 10 with an opening 1 1 therethrough for accommodating the handlebar, and a peripheral portion 20 surrounding the body portion 10, wherein the peripheral portion 20 comprises at least a first surface 21 and a second surface 22 for supporting the device, wherein the first and second surfaces 21 , 22 are adapted to provide different degrees of stability.

[0029] The body portion 10 comprises an opening 1 1 through it. The opening 1 1 can be also described as holes on two sides of the body portion 10 and a channel through the body portion 10 connecting the two holes. The opening 1 1 can accommodate a handlebar.

[0030] According to an embodiment, first and second surfaces 21 , 22 describe the geometry of the peripheral portion 20. When referring to the first, second or third surfaces 21 , 22, 23 as contacting or facing the ground, the geometrical shape is described. The peripheral portion 20 may comprise, for example, additional protection layers on one or each of the surfaces 21 , 22, 23. The peripheral portion 20 can comprise two or three or more surfaces which provide different degrees of stability.

[0031] The sports device comprises a body portion 10 and a peripheral portion 20 surrounding the body portion 10, the peripheral portion 20 comprises a first surface 21 and a second surface 22 and in the present embodiment a third surface 23. The sports device can be orientated for the workout position on one of the surfaces 21 , 22, 23. The three surfaces 21 , 22, 23 provide different degrees of stability when the sports device is placed on the ground wherein one of the surfaces 21 , 22, 23 faces the ground.

[0032] The first orientation of the sports device in figure 1 illustrates the sports device being arranged on the first surface 21 contacting the ground. The second orientation of the sports device in figure 1 illustrates the sports device being arranged on the second surface 22 contacting the ground. The third orientation of the sports device illustrates the sports device being arranged on the third surface 23 contacting the ground.

[0033] Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the same sports device of figure 1 and three orientations similar to figure 1 from another view. In the first orientation of the sports device illustrated in figure 1 and figure 2, the sports device is arranged on the first surface 21 contacting the ground. According to the present embodiment the first surface 21 is a planar surface which can provide stability when contacting a planar ground. The first surface 21 provides stability in all directions.

[0034] As illustrated in figure 1 the first surface 21 is a planar surface indicated by the dashed lines. The first surface 21 does not have a curvature. When the sports device is arranged with its first surface 21 on the ground, the handlebar which is placed through the opening 1 1 is orientated horizontal to the ground. A person supporting his or her body weight on the handlebar cannot tilt the handlebar in any direction easily by shifting his or her weight slightly to a direction. This defines a first degree of stability.

[0035] The second surface 22 comprises a curvature in one direction indicated by the dashed lines in figure 1 . When the sports device is arranged with its second surface 22 on the ground with a handlebar in an horizontal orientation to the ground, a person supporting his or her body weight on the handlebar can tilt the sports device and/or the handlebar, respectively, easily in the direction of the curvature and not easily in the other direction which is not curved. A person can tilt the handlebar by shifting his or her weight slightly towards the curved direction. The handlebar is fixed in the body portion 10 in the opening 1 1 and is tilting around the horizontal alignment. This defines a second degree of stability.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the contact area of the first surface 21 on a planar ground is larger than the contact area of the second surface 22.

[0037] According to an embodiment a person is balancing his or her weight on a handlebar inserted in the opening 1 1 of the body portion 10 of the sports device. The sports device is placed on the ground, wherein balancing on the second surface 22 is more strenuous for the person than balancing on the first surface 21 . First and second surfaces 21 , 22 correspond to different levels of difficulties. [0038] According to an embodiment, the contact area of the first surface 21 and of the second surface 22 on a planar ground is larger than the contact area of the third surface 23.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the shape of the contact area of the first surface 21 has a plane shape and the contact area of the second surface 22 has a line shape and, if there is a third surface 23, the contact area of the third surface 23 has a point shape.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the first and second surfaces 21 , 22 have different curvatures.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the second surface 22 is curved convexly in one or in two directions.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the first surface 21 is planar and the second surface 22 is convex in one or in two directions.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the peripheral portion 20 further comprises a third surface 23, wherein the first, second and third surfaces 21 , 22, 23 are adapted to provide different degrees of stability. The third surface 23 can be curved convexly in two directions.

[0044] The third surface 23 in the present embodiment comprises a curvature in two directions indicated with the dashed lines in figure 1 . When the sports device is arranged with its third surface 23 on the ground with a handlebar in a horizontal orientation to the ground, a person supporting his or her body weight on the handlebar can tilt the sports device and/or the handlebar, respectively, easily in two directions. The coverages in two directions can be different. Tilting abilities in different directions can therefore differ which is favorable. In this embodiment, the first direction is defined by the handlebar being fixed in the body portion 10 in the opening 1 1 and tilting around the horizontal alignment. The other direction is a rotation direction of the handlebar, wherein the handlebar is fixed to the body portion 10 and a rotation corresponds with a rolling on the ground on the third surface 23. [0045] According to an embodiment, the first surface 21 is planar and the second surface 22 is convex in a first direction and straight in a second direction and wherein the first surface 21 and the second surface 22 are arranged at an acute angle related to the second direction. The acute angle between the first surface 21 and the second surface 22 can be seen in figure 2. The angle between the first surface 21 and the third surface 23 can be an obtuse angle, wherein the angle is defined by the planar surface of the first surface 21 and a tangent to the curved surface of the third surface 23. The angle between the second surface 22 and the third surface 23 can be an obtuse angle, wherein the angle is defined by the planar direction of the second surface 21 and a tangent to the curved surface of the third surface 23.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the sports device comprises a surrounding shell and two cover surfaces, wherein the opening 1 1 of the body 10 is located on both of the cover surfaces and connecting them and wherein the peripheral portion 20 surrounds the body portion 10 and defines the surrounding shell. The two cover surfaces can be parallel to each other or tilted. The two cover surfaces can also be curved outwardly or inwardly. The body portion 20 comprises at least the first surface 21 and a second surface 22 and optionally more surfaces 23. The body portion 20 defining the surrounding shell and comprises different curvatures on different surfaces 21 , 22, 23. The height of the surrounding shell is preferably smaller than the diameter of one of the cover surfaces.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the opening 1 1 in the body portion 10 is located essentially in the middle of the body portion 10.

[0048] The inside structure of the body portion 10 is adapted to provide strength for the sports device to hold the handlebar and the weight of the person in a workout position. According to an embodiment, the body portion 10 comprises a lamellae structure, not shown in the figures, at least partially surrounding the opening 1 1 . According to another embodiment the body portion 10 can be made of full material. [0049] According to an embodiment, the body portion 10 essentially consists of Polyurethane. Preferably the body portion 10 can be made of full material which is Polyurethane.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the body portion 10 is formed in one piece, preferably in one piece of plastic.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the body portion 10 essentially consists of Polyamide, especially when the body portion 10 comprises a lamellae structure to provide strength for the sports device to hold the handlebar and the weight of the person.

[0052] Figure 3 illustrates fastening means 30 for positively and/or frictionally fixing the handlebar 100, wherein the opening 1 1 is adjusted to receive the fastening means 30. In the present embodiment the opening 1 1 is adjusted to receive the handlebar 100 and to receive the fastening means 30. The fastening means 30 fix the handlebar to the body portion 10. The fastening means 30 can be inserted from one site or from both sides of the opening 1 1 . The fastening means 30 can comprise a screw as illustrated in figure 3. The fastening means 30 can also be an integral part of the body portion 10 or the fastening means 30 can consist of several parts, wherein at least one part is an integral part of the body portion 10 and at least one more part is inserted from one side or from both sides of the opening 1 1 .

[0053] In the present embodiment fastening means 30 comprise two wedges for at least partially inserting into the opening and a screw to create pressure. The screw pulls the wedges against the body portion 10 to expand against the inside of the opening 1 1 and fix the handlebar. In other embodiments fastening means 30 can also comprise any kind a wedge-system with one or two wedges which can be inserted into the opening 1 1 . Pressure can be applied by any suitable device, for example a screw. As an alternative other typical fastening means of stems of bicycles can be used to fix the handlebar. [0054] Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the same embodiment of figures 1 to 3 in different arrangements which correspond to different workout positions. In each case of the three arrangements one of the surfaces 21 , 22, 23 is facing the ground, wherein the sports device provides different degrees of stability on each of the surfaces 21 , 22, 23.

[0055] Figure 4 illustrates the sports device with a handlebar 100 inserted into the opening 1 1 and fixed to the body portion 10 with fastening means 30. The first surface 21 is placed facing the ground. The sports device or the handlebar 100, respectively, is stable in all directions indicated with an arrow pointing to the bottom because the first surface 21 is a planar surface in this embodiment.

[0056] Figure 5 illustrates the sports device with a handlebar 100 inserted into the opening 1 1 and fixed to the body portion 10 with fastening means 30. The second surface 22 is placed facing the ground. The sports device or the handlebar 100, respectively, has a different stability to the sports device or the handlebar 100 in the arrangement of figure 4. The second surface 22 is curved in one direction and the handlebar 100 can tilt easily in this direction which is indicated by the arrow pointing to the right and the left side in figure 5. The handlebar 100 is stable in a direction of rotation around a horizontal axis.

[0057] Figure 6 illustrates the same sports device with the third surface 23 facing the ground. The third surface 23 is curved in two directions. The handlebar 100 can be tilted out of its horizontal position and additionally rotate around a horizontal axis. Additionally the handlebar 100 can be rotated around a vertical axis, which is indicated by the arrows.

[0058] The rotation around a vertical axis can be done theoretically on each of the three surfaces 21 , 22, 23 depending on the friction area. The friction area between the ground and one of the surfaces 21 , 22, 23 is essentially different. An appropriate rotation is possible if the friction area is small, which is fulfilled in the present embodiment by the second surface 22 and even more by the third surface 23. [0059] According to an embodiment, the peripheral portion comprises a non-slip surface layer on the first surface 21 and/or the second surface 22 and/or the third surface 23. The non-slip surface provides grip during a workout by increasing the friction between the surface 21 , 22, 23 and the ground. The non-slip surface layer can comprise, for example, rubber or a comparable material.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the sports device further comprises a magnet attached to the body portion 10 and adjusted to fix a mobile electronic device on the peripheral portion 20 as illustrated in figure 7. The mobile electronic device can be, for example, a smartphone. The mobile electronic device may be in a case comprising a ferromagnetic material and can be fixed by magnetic force on the sports device. Preferably, the mobile electronic device can comprise a tilt sensor and/or a rotation sensor and a software for simulating different scenarios of driving a vehicle with the handlebar 100, for example, driving a bike on different terrains and different inclines, wherein the tilt of the handlebar 100 is transferred to the simulated scenario. Preferably, the magnet is integrated in the sports device and not visible.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the magnet is a neodymium magnet.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the first surface 21 is a planar surface and the magnet is located at the first surface 21 , wherein the mobile electronic device can be fixed at the first surface 21 .

[0063] According to an embodiment, the first surface 21 and the second surface 22 or the third surface 23 are arrange in a way that a mobile electronic device attached to the first surface is operable by a person supporting his or her body weight on the handlebar, wherein the second surface 22 or the third surface 23, respectively, is facing the ground.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the sports device further comprises side covers attached to the body portion 10 on both sides of the opening 1 1 . The side covers do not cover the opening. Side covers may hide the interior of the body portion, for example, a lamellae structure. They can be attached permanently, for example, with an adhesive or exchangeable with a positive form locking.

[0065] A sports system comprising a sports device as described above and a handlebar 100 is suggested. The sports device can comprise any possible combination of features described above.