Roller plate

Abstract

A foot plate for use in resistance training with elastic resistance bands includes a platform with a substantially flat upper side, a lower side, and at least one pair of opposed edges. Each edge in the pair includes a roller assembly having at least one roller to reduce friction during use. The foot plate also includes a plurality of bases that support the platform above the ground and create a space beneath it through which bands can pass freely. Additionally, one or more sets of guards are provided, each set defining a channel configured to guide an elastic band such that it contacts a roller from each of the opposed roller assemblies during an exercise. In some embodiments, the guards include rollers mounted to axles extending from the platform's underside. The roller assemblies may include cylindrical or concave rollers and may be segmented.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Ser. No. 63 / 663,901 , filed 25 Jun. 2024 and titled “Roller Plate”, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND

[0002] Exercises involving resistance training are known to have many benefits. Resistance training often involves weights, but sets of weights can be expensive, bulky, and otherwise inconvenient. An alternative to training with weights is to use elastic bands, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,998,790, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] For some exercises involving a resistance band, the band may be looped around a plate or platform; the user may then, e.g., stand on the platform to do an exercise that may involve, e.g., pulling part of the band away from the plate. The user's weight may hold part of the band in place so that the pulling motion stretches the band, proving resistance. (Unless required by context or explicitly noted, the words “plate” and “platform” are used interchangeably in this disclosure.)

[0004] A drawback to existing platforms, however, is that a resistance band may encounter friction, e.g., as it rubs against a platform during exercises, possibly causing wear on the bands and / or resulting in jerky lifts with poor eccentric forces. Some designs attempt to reduce friction, e.g., with rollers, but these are often weak, difficult to manufacture, or allow the bands to slip off the ends. Others use low-friction surfaces like, e.g., Teflon, which wear quickly, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), which may be low-friction but still not sufficiently to prevent wear and jerky lifting without frequent silicone oil applications.

[0005] Consequently, what is needed is a platform for retaining elastic resistance bands during resistance training while reducing the friction that the bands encounter during exercise movements.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to embodiments of the invention, a foot plate for use in resistance training with elastic resistance bands includes a platform with an upper side, a lower side, and at least one pair of opposed edges. Each edge in the pair includes a roller assembly having at least one roller to reduce friction during use. The foot plate also includes a plurality of bases that support the platform above the ground and create a space beneath it through which bands can pass freely. Additionally, one or more sets of guards are provided, each set defining a channel configured to guide an elastic band such that it contacts a roller from each of the opposed roller assemblies during an exercise. In some embodiments, the guards include rollers mounted to axles extending from the platform's underside. The roller assemblies may include cylindrical or concave rollers and may be segmented.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the invention, a foot plate is provided for use in resistance training with one or more elastic resistance bands. The foot plate comprises a platform having at least one pair of opposed edges, an upper side, and a lower side, each of the opposed edges in a single pair comprising one of a corresponding pair of opposed roller assemblies, each roller assembly comprising at least one respective roller. The foot plate further comprises a plurality of bases extending downward from the platform, the bases being configured to support the substantially flat upper side horizontal when the foot plate rests on a horizontal surface and to create a sufficient space below the lower side and the horizontal surface to permit the elastic bands to pass freely. And the foot plate further comprises one or more sets of guards, each set comprising a plurality of guards configured to define a respective channel such that an elastic band retained in the channel during performance of a resistance exercise using the foot plate will, for one of the pairs of opposed roller assemblies, contact at least one of the rollers comprised respectively by each roller assembly.

[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, the upper side may be substantially flat.

[0009] In an embodiment, each guard comprises an axle projecting downward from the lower side of the platform and a guard roller configured to rotate around the axle. In a further embodiment, each guard comprises an end cap configured to retain the roller on the axle. In a still further embodiment, each guard roller is cylindrical. Alternatively, in a still further embodiment, each guard is of sufficient length such that the end cap contacts the horizontal surface while the foot plate is in use, and the guard supports the platform in conjunction with the bases.

[0010] In an embodiment, each set comprises four guards. In a further embodiment, the platform comprises two or more pairs of opposed edges, each pair of opposed edges comprising respectively a corresponding pair of opposed roller assemblies, and for each pair of opposed edges, the foot plate comprises exactly one corresponding set of guards defining a corresponding channel underneath the platform running from one of the opposed edges to the other opposed edge.

[0011] In an embodiment, at least one of the pairs of opposed roller assemblies comprises only cylindrical rollers in each roller assembly.

[0012] In an embodiment, at least one of the pairs of opposed roller assemblies comprises concave rollers in each roller assembly.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 depicts a roller plate according to an embodiment of the invention in use with an exercise apparatus.

[0014] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D present multiple views of a roller plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B provide multiple perspective views of a roller plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 depicts in detail a short edge roller assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 depicts in detail a long edge roller assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 depicts a roller standing alone according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 depicts in detail a short edge roller surrounding an axle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 8 depicts in detail a long edge roller surrounding an axle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 9 depicts in detail components of a guard according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 10 depicts in detail a fully assembled guard according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 11 depicts a concave roller according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 12 depicts a foot plate comprising segmented rollers according to an embodiment of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] FIG. 1 depicts a roller plate 100 in use with an exercise apparatus 110 by a person 120. (The depiction of a person in FIG. 1 is meant only to illustrate the apparatus and its function according to embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention may include, e.g., devices and / or apparatus intended for use by persons and / or methods of use of such devices and / or apparatus by persons, but they do not encompass a human organism.)

[0026] In an embodiment such as FIG. 1 depicts, the roller plate 100 is being used with an apparatus 110 which includes a weight bar 130. The weight bar 130 supports slings 135 that in turn support an elastic band 140. When the apparatus 110 is in use, e.g., as FIG. 1 depicts, the elastic band 140 may be threaded between the slings 135 and the ends of the weight bar 130 and also looped below the roller plate 100. When performing some kinds of exercises, a user 120 may stand on the upper side 141 of the platform 142 of the roller plate 100.

[0027] FIG. 1 is illustrative, not limiting, and a roller plate 100 according to embodiments of the invention need not be used only as FIG. 1 depicts. To the contrary, a roller plate 100 according to an embodiment of the invention may be used in various ways, applying the same principles as the depicted use, to retain an elastic band 140 such that it may provide resistance to certain movements of the weight bar 130 during an exercise.

[0028] The roller plate 100 is supported by bases 145. In an embodiment such as depicted, the bases 145 are integrated into the corners of the platform 142, but in alternative embodiments (not depicted) the bases may be, e.g., fabricated separately and affixed to the platform.

[0029] In an embodiment such as FIG. 1 depicts, roller assemblies 150, 155 may be built into opposing edges of the platform 142. As depicted, the platform 142 is rectangular, or roughly so, and for convenience and clarity, one pair of opposed roller assemblies 150 may be referred to as “short edge roller assemblies”, and the other pair 155 of opposed roller assemblies may be referred to as the “long edge roller assemblies”. This terminology is used for convenience and is not meant to be limiting. Nothing should be taken to require that a roller plate 100 or platform 142 according to embodiments of the invention has sides or roller assemblies of different lengths. Further, it will be appreciated that the sides and roller assemblies may have any dimensions consistent with the intended use of the roller plate 100.

[0030] FIG. 1 depicts a roller plate 100 according to an embodiment of the invention that has two pairs of opposed roller assemblies 150, 155. This is not limiting, however. For example, a roller plate (not pictured) according to alternative embodiments of the invention may incorporate only one pair of opposed roller assemblies.

[0031] The platform 142 of a roller plate 100 according to embodiments of the invention may be made of any material consistent with its intended functions and use. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, a platform 142 may be fabricated, e.g., of brushed stainless steel. In some such embodiments, the platform 142 may be fabricated, e.g., with projections extending from the corners (not pictured), and these projections may be, e.g., bent during manufacture to form bases 145 as FIG. 1 depicts.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, a roller plate 100, may be, e.g., 22 inches long, 11.8 inches wide, and 2 inches high. This is an example, however, and not limiting. Unless explicitly said otherwise or required by context, a roller plate 100 or any part of one may have any dimensions consistent with its intended functions and use.

[0033] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D present multiple views of a roller plate 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The views include views of the depicted roller plate 100 from above (FIG. 2A), end-on (FIG. 2B), one side (FIG. 2C), and below (FIG. 2D).

[0034] Depicting a roller plate 100 from above, according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2A depicts a platform 142 having a substantially flat upper surface 141. An upper surface 141 according to an embodiment of the invention may be considered substantially flat in this context if it permits a user, e.g., to stand stably and safely upon the upper surface 141 during exercise while the roller plate 100 is placed, e.g., on a horizontal floor. The upper surface 141 may in embodiments of the invention be, e.g., brushed metal as described above or, alternatively, textured in whole or part (not pictured).

[0035] According to alternative embodiments of the invention (not pictured), the upper surface of a platform need not be substantially flat. Rather, the upper surface in such embodiments may have any configuration that is consistent with safety and stably bearing weight appropriate to its expected uses.

[0036] FIG. 2B depicts an end-on view of a roller plate 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, with a short edge roller assembly 150 and guards 210. From this view, bolts 205 that support one end of the axles (not depicted) of the long edge roller assembly 155 are visible. FIG. 2C depicts a side view of a roller plate 100 with a long edge roller assembly 155 and guards 210.

[0037] FIG. 2D depicts a bottom view of the roller plate 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, with the lower side 215 of the platform 142 visible. The lower side 215 generally in embodiments does not strictly need to be flat or substantially so, but it will be appreciated that substantial flatness may be desired in embodiments for ease of manufacturing.

[0038] As FIG. 2D depicts, in embodiments of the invention, one or more longitudinal stiffeners 220 may be, e.g., affixed to the lower side 215 of the platform 142 for the purpose of stiffening the platform 142 at a relatively small cost in increased weight. Such stiffeners 220 may in embodiments of the invention be, e.g., substantially planar, extending downward in planes substantially perpendicular to the platform 142. As depicted, each longitudinal stiffener 220 is parallel to the longer edge of the platform 142 and extends the entire length of the platform 142. A stiffener 220 according to an embodiment of the invention may be made, e.g., of the same material as the platform 142 and may be, e.g., welded to the lower side 215.

[0039] According to embodiments of the invention, the guards 210 extend downward from the lower side 215 of the platform 142. In an embodiment as FIG. 2D depicts, eight guards 210 may be present. As discussed in more depth below, the guards 210 may in embodiments of the invention be rollers and may effectively form channels to guide an exercise band while the roller plate 100 is in use. According to embodiments of the invention, the bottoms of the guards 210 may be substantially flat, and the lengths of the guards 210 may be such that the bottoms of the guards 210 are sufficiently coplanar with the bottoms of the bases 145, which may, e.g., enable the guards 210 to provide further support to the platform 142 during use.

[0040] FIGS. 3A and 3B provide two perspective views of a roller plate 100 according to an embodiment of the invention: from above (FIG. 3A), and from below (FIG. 3B). As FIG. 3B illustrates, the placement of the guards 210 may in embodiments of the invention effectively define channels that may, e.g., constrain the undesired movement of an exercise band while, e.g., permitting movement consistent with the exercise with reduced frictional resistance and / or wear. The roller plate 100 in an embodiment as depicted comprises multiple channels 310, 320: a longitudinal channel 310 and a transverse channel 320. (The designations “longitudinal” and “transverse” are descriptive in connection with the depicted embodiment but are not limiting unless explicitly stated otherwise.) In an embodiment such as FIG. 3B depicts, the longitudinal channel 310 may be, e.g., 4 inches wide and 1.1 inches high.

[0041] FIG. 3B further depicts the shape and configuration of longitudinal stiffeners 220 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 4 depicts in detail a short edge roller assembly 150 according to an embodiment of the invention. A short edge roller assembly 150 comprises a cylindrical roller 410 surrounding an axle 415 (not visible in FIG. 4). FIG. 3B depicts the mounting of a short edge roller assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. As FIGS. 3A and 3B depict, the roller 410 nearly spans the distance between the longitudinal stiffeners 220. Minimizing the gaps between the ends of the roller 410 and the longitudinal stiffeners reduces the opportunity for dust and debris to enter the roller's core and increase friction between the roller 410 and the axle. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, the length of the roller 410 may be only 1 mm smaller than the distance between facing sides of the longitudinal stiffeners 220.

[0043] Additionally, in an embodiment such as FIGS. 3A and 3B depict, bolts 250 may pass through the ends of each horizontal stiffener 220 to secure the axles in place.

[0044] FIG. 5 depicts in detail a long edge roller assembly 155 according to an embodiment of the invention. A long edge roller assembly 155 comprises a cylindrical roller 510 surrounding an axle 515 (not pictured). Each end of the axle may in embodiments be connected to a corresponding base 145, e.g., with bolts 205.

[0045] FIG. 6 depicts an end-on view of a roller 410 standing alone according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating the central bore 610 through the roller, through which an axle (not pictured) passes. The choice to depict roller 410 in FIG. 6 is to some extent arbitrary: in embodiments of the invention, the shape and configuration of roller 510 (FIG. 5) may be, e.g., essentially the same as the depicted roller, with possible differences in dimensions and proportions.

[0046] FIG. 7 depicts a short edge roller 410 with an axle 415 through its bore 610 according to an embodiment of the invention. Similarly, FIG. 8 depicts a long edge roller 510 with an axle 515 through its bore 810 according to an embodiment of the invention. In embodiments, an axle 415, 515 may be lubricated, e.g., with a grease based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to reduce friction with the roller.

[0047] Rollers 410, 510 and axles 415, 515 may be of any dimensions consistent with their intended function and use. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, a short edge roller 410 may have outer diameter of 21.8-22 mm, and its central bore 610 may have inner diameter of 17 mm, accepting an axle 415 with cross-sectional diameter of 16 mm. Similarly, in one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a long edge roller 510 may have outer diameter of 24-24.2 mm, and its central bore 810 may have inner diameter of 19-20 mm, accepting an axle 515 with cross-sectional diameter of 19 mm.

[0048] In embodiments of the invention, the rollers 410, 510 and axles 415, 515 may be made of any materials consistent with their intended functions and uses. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, the rollers 410, 510 may be made of, e.g., ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene. Use of UHMW polyethylene may be appropriate due to its high strength, low friction, and resistance to abrasion, although other materials may also be suitable. The use of an appropriate low-friction material may reduce the surface friction of a band against the roller assemblies 150, 155, which may improve the smooth travel of bands along the surface.

[0049] Similarly, the axles 415, 515 may be made of any materials exhibiting satisfactory strength and other properties. For example, according to an embodiment, stainless steel may be used.

[0050] FIG. 9 depicts in detail components of a guard 210 according to an embodiment of the invention. As discussed previously, a plurality of guards 210 may in embodiments be affixed to the lower side 215 (FIGS. 3A and 3B) of the platform 142, e.g., in a configuration to form one or more channels 310, 320 through which the elastic band passes with reduced friction during exercise. FIG. 9 depicts the guard 210 components in a semi-disassembled view to illustrate their relative configuration.

[0051] In embodiments of the invention, each guard 210 may comprise a cylindrical roller 910 which may surround an axle 915 and rotate freely around it. Each axle 915 may, e.g., extend perpendicularly from the lower side 215 of the platform 142 and may be affixed to it, e.g., by welding. A washer 917 may be located at the base of the axle 915, against the lower side 215 of the platform 142, to prevent the roller 910 from rubbing directly against the lower side 215 when in use.

[0052] A guard 210 may also comprise an end cap 920, which may, e.g., secure the roller 910 to the axle 915 when assembled. For example, the end cap 920 may have, e.g., a threaded stem 925 that may be, e.g., screwed into a corresponding hole (not pictured) in the end of the axle 915. FIG. 10 depicts the guard 210 according to this embodiment in its assembled configuration.

[0053] As with the roller assemblies discussed previously, the components of a guard 210 may have any dimensions and be made of any materials suitable with their intended functions and uses. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, the axle 915 and washer 917 may be, e.g., steel, while the roller 910 may be, e.g., UHMW polyethylene. In an embodiment of the invention. In one exemplary embodiment, a guard 210 may a comprise a roller 910 of outer diameter 21.8-22 mm, with an inner bore of diameter of 17 mm to accept an axle 915 with a cross-sectional diameter of 16 mm.

[0054] Some or all axles holding edge rollers and or guard rollers may comprise microgrooves, e.g., to aid lubricant retention and / or reduce static friction. Microgrooves may be, e.g., shallow channels, without sharp edges, in the surface of an axle. They may be of any orientation, such as, e.g., longitudinal, circumferential, spiral, or other shape and / or any combination and / or variation of these.

[0055] Variations of the foregoing are possible according to alternative embodiments of the invention. For example, a roller plate 100 (FIG. 1) is discussed above as having two pairs of opposed rollers. In an alternative embodiment (not pictured), a roller plate may have only one pair of opposed rollers. Such an embodiment may, e.g., comprise only four guards, which may serve to delimit only a single channel under the platform that an elastic band may pass through.

[0056] Another potential variation may involve the shapes of some or all rollers. Embodiments of the invention discussed above have all comprised cylindrical rollers. In alternative embodiments of the invention, some or all of the rollers, of any type, may instead be concave 1100, e.g., as FIG. 11 depicts. A concave roller 1100 in embodiments of the invention may help, e.g., to retard unwanted transverse movement of an elastic band during exercise.

[0057] Another possible variation may involve the composition and / or mounting of some or all of the rollers. For example, in embodiments of the invention, some or all rollers, rather than rotating around axles, may instead use, e.g., internal bearings such as, e.g., needle or ball bearings. In some alternative embodiments, some or all rollers may be made of, e.g., steel or other metal rather than, e.g., UHMWPE.

[0058] Yet another possible variation, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, may involve the configuration of the rollers. For example, some or all of the roller assemblies may comprise multiple segmented rollers rather than a single roller. FIG. 12 depicts a roller plate 1200 according to an embodiment of the invention in which roller assemblies 1205 comprise segmented rollers. In an example such as FIG. 12 depicts, the long edge roller assemblies 1220 each comprise three coaxial roller segments 1225, and the short edge roller assemblies 1230 each comprise two coaxial roller segments 1235.

Claims

1. A foot plate for use in resistance training with one or more elastic resistance bands, comprising:a platform having at least one pair of opposed edges, a substantially flat upper side, and a lower side, each of the opposed edges in a single pair comprising one of a corresponding pair of opposed roller assemblies, each roller assembly comprising at least one respective roller;a plurality of bases extending downward from the platform, the bases being configured to support the substantially flat upper side horizontal when the foot plate rests on a horizontal surface and to create a sufficient space below the lower side and the horizontal surface to permit the elastic bands to pass freely; andone or more sets of guards, each set comprising a plurality of guards configured to define a respective channel such that an elastic band retained in the channel during performance of a resistance exercise using the foot plate will, for one of the pairs of opposed roller assemblies, contact at least one of the rollers comprised respectively by each roller assembly.

2. The foot plate of claim 1, wherein the upper side is substantially flat.

3. The foot plate of claim 2, wherein each guard comprises:an axle projecting downward from the lower side of the platform; anda guard roller configured to rotate around the axle.

4. The foot plate of claim 3, wherein each guard comprises an end cap configured to retain the roller on the axle.

5. The foot plate of claim 4, wherein each guard roller is cylindrical.

6. The foot plate of claim 4, wherein each guard is of sufficient length such that the end cap contacts the horizontal surface while the foot plate is in use, and the guard supports the platform in conjunction with the bases.

7. The foot plate of claim 2, wherein each set comprises four guards.

8. The foot plate of claim 7, wherein:the platform comprises two or more pairs of opposed edges, each pair of opposed edges comprising respectively a corresponding pair of opposed roller assemblies;for each pair of opposed edges, the foot plate comprises exactly one corresponding set of guards defining a corresponding channel underneath the platform running from one of the opposed edges to the other opposed edge.

9. The foot plate of claim 2, wherein at least one of the pairs of opposed roller assemblies comprises only cylindrical rollers in each roller assembly.

10. The foot plate of claim 2, wherein at least one of the pairs of opposed roller assemblies comprises concave rollers in each roller assembly.

11. The foot plate of claim 2, wherein each guard is cylindrical and projects downward from the lower side of the platform.

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