Exercise apparatus

Abstract

Exercise apparatus 199 comprising an elongated handle 16 and a plurality of sports activity heads 100, wherein the handle 16 and heads 100 can be removably attached together, a first part of an attach

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to exercise apparatus, in particular apparatus for provision of a plurality of exercises; more particularly but not exclusively a kit of parts providing children with the ability to play a variety of games. Background Many people in many different societies increasingly enjoy a variety of sporting activities. It is also important to start young people on sporting activities from an early age, to increase their skill levels as well as for exercising purposes. It is useful to allow young people to find a sporting activity that suits them best, as not all people will enjoy the same activities. However, it can be problematic to provide the tools needed for a variety of sporting activities, given the bats or racquets involved may be bulky and / or expensive. Prior Art CN 2017 10 915 (ZHANG) discloses a multipurpose table tennis bat, which com prises a head and a handle and is characterized in that the handle consists of a fixed handle and a movable handle; one end of the fixed handle is connected with the head, and the other end is provided with a screw hole; one end of the movable handle is provided with a stud which is matched with the screw hole; and the fixed handle is connected with the movable handle through screw threads. US 5 820 438 (HORTON) discloses a simulated baseball comprising a generally rigid handle configured and sized to be gripped by a user, an axiaU, threaded bore extending partially into said handle, and an annular flanged member extending racially from the opening of said threaded bore, a pliant and tapered, elongated bat shaft having complementary, axially extending threads on a first end thereof for removably engaging the threaded bore of said handle, and an axial recess at the opposite end of said pliant and tapered, eongated bat shaft, and a whistle integrally mounted within said recess, whereby a rapid flexing cf said pBait bat shaft will result in a noise emanating from said whistle. CN 88 103 299 DU discloses an universal handle suitable for various physical training apparatus, wherein the upper part of said handle is a lateral oblate spheroid with arc or any other curve edge. Its lower part is connected with half ellipsoid (oblate or regular) through a thin neck, and then sequentially followed by an ellipsoid cylinder (or cylinder), a prism with cross-like section (oblate or regular) and a gravity cent’e adjusting device. The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided exercise apparatus comprising an elongated handle device and a plurality of spors activity heads, wherein the handle and the heads share a temporary attachment mechanism with a first part of the mechanism located at a distal end of the handle, and a second part of the mechanism located at a proximal end of the heads. In some embodiments of the apparatus the device comprises a threaded attachment mechanism, so as to enable easy and intuitive attachment. In some embodiments of the apparatus the device comprises a bayonet attachment mechanism, so as to enable a definitive engagement. In some embodiments the attachment mechanism comprises male and female parts which use a quarter turn bayonet locking mechanism. It may be envisaged that the female outer part with the pins is the handle and the male inner part with the thread iis the head. In some embodiments the bayonet attachment mechanism may be sprung. For example an artachment mechanism part with protrusions may be inserted into a mating attachmen: mechanism part compressing the spring, turned into a horizontal part of a groove where it can then be released. This makes a secure attachment which cannot be released unless the handle is pressed down and twisted, which will make accidentally releasing it unlikely. In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus comprises a tennis racquet head, where it may be envisaged that the head includes a neck that attaches to the attachment mechanism, and / or shares a part of the attachment mechanism. In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus comprises a baseball bat head. The baseball bat head may comprise a long head with a part of the attachment mechanism at a proximal end, or a part arranged to be gripped by the attachment mechanism in other embodiments. In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus comprises a cricket bat head, similar to a tennis racquet head, having a neck arranged for attachment to the handle. In some embodiments of the apparatus the apparatus comprises a golf club head, for example with an elongated neck, having a proximal end for attachment to the handle. It may be envisaged that the attachment mechanism may comprise Bulcin connectors which screw together, and avoid coming apart accidentaly as a user woulc need to unscrew a cap. It may be envisaged that the attachment mechanism comprises a relatively long thread or part, wherein having a bnger screw thread or attachment mechanism advantageously increases connection and surface area in contact, spreading the force of an impacting ball. It may be envisaged that the attachment mechanism comprises a pacdle spring to connect the handle and the heads, similar to how umbrellas and crutches work. To add a new head, it sum ply needs tc be inserted into the handle and when in the correct position the ends of the spring will pop through corresponding holes in the handle, securing them together. To release the attachment the user will simply push the pins in and pull the head out. Although this would be very easy for children to use and understand it would be prone to rotating slightly (by a millimetre or so) when being used which may not be an issue for children playing casually, but may be unsuitable for playing competitively. In some embodiments the attachment mechanism may comprise multiple attachment locations, for example multiple holes along the handles to allow users to lengthen or shorten the device. It may oe envisaged that having an increased length of attachment increases the connection and the surface area that the force of a ball is spread across, which would make the handle less likely to snap and brea<. However it may be envisaged that an additional length to the handle may add to strains on the attachment mechanism. In some embodiments the device comprises lanyard attachment points, for example on the head or handle or bc:h. Accorcing to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a handle for apparatus substantially as described herein. Accorcing to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of exercise incorporating apparatus substantially as described herein. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with refe'ence to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure shows an isometric view of an embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention,, comprising a handle and a golf club head; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the apparatus as shewn in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 with a tennis racquet head; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figu'e 3; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 with a golf club head; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 with a cricket bat head; Figure 8 shows a reverse isometric v ew of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5 with a golf club head; Figure 10 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 9; and Figures 11 show diagrammatic views of the handle cf the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of exercise apparatus 199 generally comprising an elongated handle device 99 and a plurality of sports activity heads 100, wherein the handle and the heads share a temporary attachment mechanism with a first part of the mechanism located at a distal end of the handle 99, and a second part of the mechanism located at a proximal end of the heads 100. 5 In particular reference to the pictured embodimen: the embodiment comprises a cylindrical elongated handle 99 with a grip tape covering 16. Grip tape is often used for tennis rackets and cricket bats, and is easy to replace or customise. The handle has the first part 15 of the attachment mechanism located at the distal 10 end of the embodiment. The proximal end of the handle comprises a stud end 17. Such stud end is formed in a rubber, silicone or plastic and may be resiliently deformable. The end comprises a circular cylindrical body and a circular domed head. The head may be envisaged to 15 comprise a pictorial or alphanumeric element. It may be envisaged that the stud end may be displaced and replaced according to user preference so as to allow for customisation by a user. 2C The handle comprises a resiliently deformable strapping cover 16, so as to provide a comfortable and / or perspiration absorbent surface. In addition or the alternative the cover may be changed as needed, in a manner and style and / or material as known in the art. 25 The handle comprises a collar 15 which comprises as the first part of the attachment mechanism, having bayonet projections 14 internally for attachment to the second part of the attachment mechanism, as well as an outer surface with knurling for grip when twisting. 30 The heads comprise a projecting member 52, which member comprises an engagement means with and into the first part 15 of the attachment mechanism, i.e. the handle. 35 The second part of the attachment mechanism 51 is secured in the head 100 and comprises a handle member 52 and a head member 55, and an intermediate collar 53 formed as a part with the members. In the opposed direction from the head memibe- 55 is engaged into the head. The co lar 53 comprises three spaced spiral discontinuous slots 54, extending 5 longitudinally, for receipt of the bayonets 14. At the ends of the slots are engagement portions 45 which extend into the slot 54 and may be envisaged to be sprung in some embodiments and which engage the bayonets, and temporarily lock them for example using an interference or tolerance 1 j fit or spring bias. The heads comprise a distal activity end, and! a proximal end arranged to provide the second attachment mechanism part. 15 A quarter-turn bayonet mechanism secures the handle to the heads such that the handle only needs to be turned once to attach or detach, making the process quick and simple A subtle visual al gnment dot above the bayonets 14 on the handle and dots 13 near 2 j the collar of the head ensures the user has tightened the handle fully. A longer and deeper engagement into the handle increases the surface area that the force of hitting a ball is spread across the attachment mechanism, making the attachment and embodiment stronger. 25 The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope cf protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Exercise apparatus comprising an eongated landle device and a plurality of sports activity heads, wherein the handle and the heads share a temporary attachment mechanism with a first part of the mechanism located at a distal end of the handle, and a second part of the mechanism located at a proximal end of the heads.

2. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a threaded attachment mechanism.

3. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a bayonet mechanism.

4. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a tennis racquet head.

5. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a baseball bat head.

6. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a cricket bat head.

7. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a golf club head.

8. A handle for apparatus according to any of the preceding claims.

9. A method of exercise incorporating apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7.

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