Waist Mounted Exercise Device

The invention relates generally to exercise devices and more particularly to an exercise device which pivots about the waist of a user when the user's outstretched hands grasp the ends of two rods and move in a swimming motion.

There has been disclosed in the prior art a large number of exercise devices. Some of these have included a waist engaging member. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,340 to Nardiello, an exercise device comprising an outer ring mounted to a waist encircling member by springs is disclosed. Exercise occurs when the outer ring is grasped by the hands of the user and rotated against the pull of the springs. Another device, which is used both for recreation as well as exercise is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,342,482 to Paolone. This patent discloses an elongate flexible rod which extends from the center of a waist encircling belt and which has a ball on its distal end. By moving his hips, the user causes the ball to whip around in various patterns or at random. A toy device which is strapped to the waist of the user is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 239,648 to Somsky. This toy has a waist mounted frame extending on either side of the user. At each end of the frame is a funnel opening upwards and a ball attached to a string hanging downwards. By manipulating the body, the user is supposed to cause the ball to swing around and drop in the funnel. There has also been disclosed in French Pat. No. 774,181 to Nathan a boxing exerciser in which a balloon is attached to the waist of the boxer by flexible cords so that after a punch the balloon is pulled back to the boxer by the flexible cords.

However, most of these prior art exercise devices require the user to move his body against a resilent member. In addition, the shoulders and arms are not exercised as well as the waist in most of these prior art devices.

In accordance with the present invention, a waist mounted exercise device is provided for exercising the arms, shoulders and waist of the user. This device is easily adjusted to fit almost any user and is simple and easy to operate. This device is also readily collapsible for easy storage when not in use. According to a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a waist mounted bracket which receives the proximal ends of two rods. The two rods extend in opposite directions and have end members which can be conveniently grasped by the outstretched hands of the user. The bracket is rotatably mounted to the waist and the rods are adjustable in the bracket. In use, the end members are grasped and the arms moved in a swimming motion.

Other features and advantages of the present invention are stated in or apparent from the detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment found hereinbelow.

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the present invention being operated by a user.

With reference now to the drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several views, a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1 and comprises a waist encircling member 10 and a rod assembly 30. Waist encircling member 10 is comprised of a pad 12 to which belt portions 14 and 16 are attached. Belt portions 14 and 16 have a buckle 18 and apertures 20 respectfully so that belt portions 14 and 16 can be adjustably secured around the waist of the user to hold pad 12 relatively immovable. Protruding outwardly from pad 12 is a circular post 22 with a transverse crossbar.

Also shown in FIG. 1, rod assembly 30 is comprised of a bracket 32 and rods 34 and 36. Mounted on the distal end of each rod is an end member 38 or 40 which can be conveniently grasped by the outstretched hand of the user. In this embodiment, end members 38 and 40 are ball shaped, but other relatively smooth knobs or grips can be used. The proximal ends of rods 34 and 36 are telescopically received in sleeves 42 and 44 of bracket 32. At one end of bracket 32 is a clamping means 46 for adjustably holding rods 34 and 36 to bracket 32. The clamping action of clamping means 46 is provided by a clamping bar 48 which overlaps both rods 34 and 36. Clamping bar 48 is urged toward bracket 32 by means of a threaded bolt 50 passing through bracket 32 and clamping bar 48 and a wing nut 52 which is screwed down on bolt 50. While other holding means for rods 34 and 36 may be provided, clamping means 46 provides an easy and quick method for adjusting the length of rods 34 and 36 extending away from bracket 32. Located in the center of bracket 32 is an elongated slot 54 with an enlarged circular center.

In use as an exercising device, waist encircling member 10 and rod assembly 30 function in the following manner. First, pad 12 is strapped to the waist of the user by belt portions 14 and 16. Post 22 extends outward from pad 12 so that the crossbar is vertical. The crossbar acts as a key and slot 54 in bracket 12 as a keyhole. Thus, when slot 54 is also vertically aligned, post 22 readily fits into slot 54. As slot 54 and rods 34 and 36 are rotated to a horizontal (operating) position, bracket 32 is then rotatably mounted on post 22. At this time, clamping means 46 can be loosened to position end members 38 and 40 of each rod 34 and 36 at a comfortable arm's length. Clamping means 46 is then tightened and exercise can begin.

A recommended exercise is for the user to grasp end members 38 and 40 with his hands and to then move the hands in a swimming motion as shown by dotted lines 60 and 62 in FIG. 2. This motion also causes the torso of the user to sway back and forth. This easy motion is used to exercise the arms, shoulders and waist of the user. When the user is through exercising, rod assembly 30 is easily detached from waist encircling member 10 by rotating slot 54 to a vertical position and withdrawing bracket 32 off of post 22. Waist encircling member 10 is then unbuckled and the entire exercise device can then be easily stored. If desired, rod 34 and 36 can be adjusted to a side-by-side position to provide a more compact rod assembly 30 for storage.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to an exemplary embodiment thereof it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications may be effected within the scope and spirit of the invention. Thus, for example, clamping means 46 could be replaced by another suitable holding means for rods 34 and 36 such as pins fitting through openings in sleeves 42 and 44 and in rods 34 and 36. In addition, instead of post 22 and slot 54, a variety of mounting means for pivotably holding rod assembly 30 to waist encircling member 10 can also be utilized. Other variations and modifications of the present invention are also possible.