US20160074689A1

US20160074689A1 - Rotational Forearm Exercise Apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20160074689A1
Application number: US14/842,967
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel Craig Anderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-09
Filing date: 2015-09-02
Publication date: 2016-03-17
Also published as: WO2017037498A1

Abstract

A rotational forearm exercise apparatus including a pair of bar members rotationally connected endwise together at a midpoint. Each of the pair of bar members is rotational relative the other against action of a compressive spring member disposed around a threaded bolt member interior to at least one of the pair of bar members. Rotation of each of the pair of bar members in a first direction relative one another forces travel of a threaded washer along the length of the threaded bolt member toward the midpoint whereby the spring member is compressed. Rotation of each of the pair of bar members in a second direction relative one another forces travel of the washer along the length of the threaded bolt member away from the midpoint whereby the spring member is decompressed. Force required to rotate the pair of bar members is thus increasable and decreasable.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 62/047,912 filed on 9 Sep., 2014

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of forearm exercise apparatuses are known in the prior art. However, what is needed is a rotational forearm exercise apparatus that includes a pair of bar members rotationally connected endwise together at a midpoint, said pair of bar members rotational relative one another against the action of a compressive spring member disposed interiorly therein, said spring member wound about a threaded bolt member disposed to travel in each of a first direction and a second direction, to compress and alternately decompress the spring member when each of the pair of bars is rotated relative one another in each of a respective first and a respective second direction, whereby the force required to rotate each of the pair of bars relative one another is increasable and decreasable, thereby settable as desired, and a user is enabled expedient exercise of said user's forearms by twisting the pair of bar members between a minimum difficulty and a maximum difficulty required to effect rotation of said pair of bar members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rotational forearm exercise apparatus, and more particularly, to a rotational forearm exercise apparatus that includes a pair of bar members rotationally connected endwise together at a midpoint, said pair of bar members rotational relative one another against the action of a compressive spring member disposed interiorly therein, said spring member wound about a threaded bolt member disposed to travel in each of a first direction and a second direction, to compress and alternately decompress the spring member when each of the pair of bars is rotated relative one another in each of a respective first and a respective second direction, whereby the force required to rotate each of the pair of bars relative one another is increasable and decreasable, thereby settable as desired, and a user is enabled expedient exercise of said user's forearms by twisting the pair of bar members between a minimum difficulty and a maximum difficulty required to effect rotation of said pair of bar members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the rotational forearm exercise apparatus, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a rotational forearm exercise apparatus which has many novel features that result in a rotational forearm exercise apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.
The present rotational forearm exercise apparatus has been devised for exercise routines applied to a user's forearms. The present rotational forearm exercise apparatus includes a pair of bar members rotationally connected endwise together, whereby twisting the pair of bar members relative one another necessitates the application of force. A threaded bolt member, disposed interiorly within said pair of bar members, is likewise rotational to cause travel via screw motion within a threaded washer along the length of the threader bolt member, whereby a spring member is compressible to increase the tortional force required to rotate the pair of bar members. Thus the amount of force required to effect rotation of each of the pair of bar members relative one another is adjustable, according to the desire and strength of a particular user.
The present rotational forearm exercise apparatus therefore includes a pair of bar members rotationally connected endwise at a midpoint. A compressible friction washer is disposed at the midpoint between a first annulus and a second annulus disposed endwise upon each of an associated one of the pair of bar members. A threaded bolt member is disposed interior to one of the pair of bar members along a longitudinal axis thereof, said threaded bolt member projecting a first end through the midpoint into the other of said pair of bar members, where said first end is attached to the interior to said other of said pair of bar members by means of a pin member.
The threaded bar member includes a second end rotationally engaged at a threaded washer disposed in the one of the pair of bar members. Rotational action of the one of the bar members relative the other of the pair of bar members therefore rotates the threaded bar member and effects screw motion of the threaded washer along the length of the threaded bar member. Thus, when the pair of bar members is rotated in a first direction relative to one another, the threaded washer travels in a first direction and each of the pair of bar members is drawn closer together at the midpoint whereby the friction washer is compressed. When the pair of bar members is rotated in a second direction relative one another, the threaded washer is caused to travel in a second direction and each of the pair of bar members is moved apart at the midpoint.
To enable adjustablitliy of force required to rotate each of the pair of bar members relative one another, and thus enable harder and easier settings for use of the rotational forearm exercise apparatus, a compressible spring member is disposed wound around the threaded bolt member. The compressible spring member is securably engaged between the threaded bar member first end and the first annulus, whereby travel of the threaded washer in the first direction causes compression of the spring member. Travel of the threaded washer in the second direction thus effects decompression of the spring member.
Rotation of the pair of bars relative one another is thus rendered more difficult when the spring member is compressed, said rotation of the pair of bar members engaged against the action of the spring member, and, conversely, rotation of the pair of bars relative one another is thus rendered less difficult when the spring member is decompressed.
A tension slot is disposed in one of the pair of bar members. A signal element is disposed interior to said one of the pair of bar members and disposed to be visible through said tension slot. The signal element is disposed between the threaded washer and the first annulus aop the spring member and is thereby positional relative the tension slot when the threaded washer is moved in each of the first and second directions. The signal member may include a plurality of colors disposed thereupon for visibility through the tension slot, whereby movement of the signal member in concert with movement of the threaded washer in the first direction, for example, presents a first color. Further movement of the threaded washer in the first direction thence presents a second color, and so on, whereby the difficulty in effecting rotation of each of the bar members relative one another is signalized to a user. The signal element may alternatively include numerals, or other indicia, disposed to present an inference of difficulty through the tension slot to a user whereby an appropriate selection of difficulty is discernable.
Thus, the present rotational forearm exercise apparatus is usable for exercise of a user's forearms and is settable, as desired, between a minimum difficulty and a maximum difficulty by action of the threaded bar to compress, and alternately decompress, the spring member, to increase or decrease the force required to effect rotation of each of the bar members relative one another against the action of the spring member.
Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the present rotational forearm exercise apparatus so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
Objects of the present rotational forearm exercise apparatus, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the rotational forearm exercise apparatus, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section view of an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, example of the instant rotational forearm exercise apparatus employing the principles and concepts of the present rotational forearm exercise apparatus and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3 a preferred embodiment of the rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10 is illustrated.
The present rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10 has been devised to enable adjustable resistance to forcible action applied to rotate a pair of bar members 20 connected endwise together and disposed rotational relative one another, whereby repeated twists of each of said pair of bar members 20 requires expended force and energy applied by the forearms of a user.
A compressive spring member 40, disposed interiorly within each of the pair of bar members 20, is compressibly situated around a threaded bolt member 30. Compression of the spring member 40 increases the force required to rotate each of said bar members 20 relative one another, as will be described subsequently, whereby the present rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10 is adjustable, as desired, to effect choice exercise rendered each forearm of a user.
The compressive spring member 40 is disposed about a threaded bolt member 30, said bolt member 30 disposed interiorly connecting each of the pair of bar members 20 whereby rotation of the pair of bar members 20 in a first direction relative one another effects increased compression of the spring member 40, thereby increasing the force required to rotate said bar members 20 against the action of the spring member 40. Rotation of the pair of bar members 20 in a second direction relative one another, therefore, decompresses the spring member 40, releasing tension applied thereto, whereby the force required to rotate each bar member 20 is thereby lessened.
Thus, the force required to effect rotational action of each of the pair of bar members 20 is adjustable, settable by rotation of each bar member 20 to compress, or alternatively decompress, the spring member 40 between a minimum compression and a maximum compression.
Directing disclosure now to an example embodiment illustrated herewith, the present rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10 includes a hollow pair of bar members 20 rotatably connected endwise together at a midpoint 22. A compressible friction washer 24 is disposed at the midpoint 22, said friction washer 24 disposed between a first annulus 26 and a second annulus 28 connected to the end of each of the pair of bar members 20. The first annulus 26 and second annulus 28 enable rotation about the friction washer 24 therebetween, whereby the pair of bar members 20 is rotational relative one another about the friction washer 24 disposed at the midpoint 22 of the rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10.
A threaded bolt member 30 is disposed interiorly within one of the pair of bar members 20, extending a first end 32 through the friction washer 24 into the other of the pair of bar members 20. The threaded bolt member 30 is secured at the first end 32 to the other of the pair of bar members by means of a pin member 38 connected thereto. The threaded bolt member 30 is likewise attached to the one of the pair of bar members 20 at a second end 34 of said threaded bolt member 30, said second end 34 engaged in the interior of the one of the pair of bar members 20 at a threaded washer 36 fixed therein, whereby rotation of the threaded bar member 30 engages the threaded washer 36 and effects travel along the bolt member 30 by means of screw motion along the thread of the bolt member 30.
The threaded washer 36 is secured to the interior of the one of the pair of bar members 20 by means of a pin member 38 whereby the threaded washer 36 is fixed in position interior to the one of the pair of bar members 20. Thus rotational action applied to the pair of bar members 20 relative each other effects rotation of the threaded bolt member 30 and, therefore, enables travel of the threaded bolt member 30 within the threaded washer 36. Rotation of the pair of bar members 20 in a first direction, therefore causes travel of the threaded bolt member 30 in a first direction, whereby the ends of each of the pair of bar members 20 are drawn closer together at the midpoint 22 and the friction washer 24 is compressed. Rotation of the pair of bar members 20 in a second direction therefore causes travel of the threaded bolt member 30 in a second direction, whereby the ends of each of the pair of bar members 20 are drawn further apart at the midpoint 22 and the friction washer 24 is decompressed.
A compressible spring member 40 is disposed wound around the threaded bolt member 30 in the one of the pair of bar members 20, between the midpoint 22 and the second end 34 of the threaded bolt member 30. The compressible spring member 40 is thereby constrained between the threaded washer 36 and the first annulus 26. Rotational action applied to the threaded bolt member 30, therefore, compresses and alternately decompresses the spring member 40, between a minimum compression and a maximum compression, as the threaded washer 36 is caused to travel along the threaded bolt member 30 in each of a first direction and a second direction.
Compression of the spring member 40 increases the amount of force required to effect rotation of the rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10. Decompression of the spring member 40 decreases the amount of force required to effect rotation of the rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10.
A tension slot 42 is included in the apparatus 10 whereby a signal element 44 is positional to reflect the amount of compression the spring member 40 has undergone, and thus represent the amount of force required to rotate the rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10 at a current compression of the spring member 40. The tension slot 42 is an elongate aperture disposed in the one of the pair of bar members 20 wherein the signal element 44 is caused to travel in direct response to movement of the threaded washer 36 in each of the first and second directions.
The signal element 44 may include a color change, whereby increased compression of the spring member 40 (and thus motion of the signal element 44 in the first direction) moves the signal element 44 to display a section of a first color through the tension slot 42. Continued compression of the spring member 40 (and thus further motion of the signal element 44 in the first direction) may thence move the signal element 44 to display a section of a second color through the tension slot 42. Additional indicators are contemplated—for example a series of numbers (or other indicia) spaced apart at repeated intervals upon the surface of the signal element 44, whereby travel of the threaded washer 36, and thus movement of the signal element 44, causes display of a relevant number (or other indicia) associated with a relevant position of the threaded bolt member 30 interior to the bar member 20, whereby an inference of force required to effect rotation of the rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10 is thereby implied.
A pair of rubberlike end caps 46 is included, each of said pair of end caps 46 disposed endwise to enclose each of the pair of bar members 20 distally relative the midpoint 22. Each of the pair of end caps 46 presents a yielding surface for contact of the rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10 with extant surfaces whereon said rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10 may be placed when not in use and maintains the pair of bar members 20 elevated above said surface whereon the rotational forearm exercise apparatus 10 is placed horizontally thereupon.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A rotational forearm exercise apparatus comprising:

a pair of bar members endwise connected rotationally at a midpoint;

a threaded bolt member longitudinally disposed interiorly within at least one of the pair of bar members; and

a compressive spring member disposed about the threaded bolt member;

wherein rotation of the pair of bar members relative one another in a first direction effects increased compression of the spring member and rotation of the pair of bar members relative one another in a second direction decompresses the spring member whereby force required to manually rotate each of the pair of bar members relative one another is increasable.

2. The rotational forearm exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the threaded bolt member includes a first end and a second end, said first end disposed through the midpoint and secured into the other of the pair of bar members, wherein the compressive spring member is disposed between the first and second ends interior to one of the pair of bar members.

3. The rotational forearm exercise apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a threaded washer fixedly disposed interior to one of the pair of bar members, said threaded washer disposed engaged around the second end of the threaded bolt member, wherein rotation of the pair of bar members relative each other in a first direction effects travel of the washer along the length of the threaded bolt member toward the midpoint, whereby the compressive spring member is compressed, and rotation of the pair of bar members relative each other in a second direction effects travel of the washer along the length of the threaded bolt member away from the midpoint, whereby the compressive spring member is decompressed.

4. The rotational forearm exercise apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a compressible friction washer between each of the pair of bar members at the midpoint.

5. The rotational forearm exercise apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a first annulus disposed endwise upon one of the pair of bar members and a second annulus disposed endwise upon the other of the pair of bar members, each of said first annulus and said second annulus disposed upon either side of the friction washer and rotatable thereabouts.

6. A rotational forearm exercise apparatus comprising:

a pair of bar members endwise connected rotationally at a midpoint;

a threaded bolt member longitudinally disposed interiorly within at least one of the pair of bar members, said threaded bolt member having a first end and a second end, said first end disposed through the midpoint and secured interior to the other of the pair of bar members;

a threaded washer fixedly disposed interior to one of the pair of bar members, said threaded washer disposed engaged around the second end of the threaded bolt member; and

a compressive spring member disposed about the threaded bolt member between the midpoint and the threaded washer;

wherein rotation of the pair of bar members relative one another in a first direction effects travel of the washer along the threaded bolt member toward the midpoint and increase compression of the spring member, and rotation of the pair of bar members relative one another in a second direction effects travel of the washer along the threaded bolt member toward the second end of the bolt member to decompress the spring member, whereby force required to manually rotate each of the pair of bar members relative one another is increasable.

7. The rotational arm exercise apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a tension slot disposed upon one of the pair of bar members, said tension slot rendering visible the position of a signal element disposed interior to said one of the pair of bar members overlying the compression spring member, whereby compression of the spring member repositions the signal element to visibly signal through the tension slot an indication of the increased tension required to rotate the pair of bars relative the compression of the spring member.