Foldable bar for physical exercise

Abstract

The present invention describes a foldable bar for physical exercise that comprises handles at its ends, a flexible central portion and means for connecting the flexible central portion to weight training equipment with pulleys. The bar of the present invention further provides the possibility of attaching weights to its ends, as well as bearings that allow the bar to twist, enabling a much wider range of possible exercises.

Description

FOLDING BAR FOR PHYSICAL EXERCISE Field of Invention

[0001] The present invention describes a folding exercise bar that has handles at its ends, a flexible central portion and means for connecting the flexible central portion to weight equipment with pulleys.

[0002] The bar of the present invention also has the possibility of connecting weights to its ends as well as bearings that allow the bar to twist, allowing for a much wider range of exercise possibilities. Background of the Invention

[0003] Muscle training exercises largely involve isolation exercises, where the movement focuses on one joint, targeting a specific muscle group. These movements are quite different from natural pushing, pulling, and lifting movements, and are inefficient because several different exercises are required to train a muscle group.

[0004] Taking the opposite approach are free exercises, which allow movement with varying amplitudes and angles of the joints being worked. They create instability in the user and therefore require an opposing force to stabilize and balance the body during the movement. These movements are very similar to our everyday actions and therefore more natural. One advantage of free exercises is that they work the muscle as it will be used in real movement.

[0005] The state of the art includes several types of folding bars. For example, document WO 2021 / 231595 describes a flexible exercise bar that provides support and controlled resistance for various exercises, such as shoulders, back, torso, and core, aiming improve posture and balance. The bar has grips at the ends and in the middle.

[0006] Document US 7951051 describes a device to help strengthen the abdominal and arm muscles. When folded, the device provides resistance against the bending force, making it excellent for this type of exercise. The device has internal resistance elements that provide the necessary resistance for the exercise.

[0007] Other documents related to the present invention include US 11433268, which describes a therapeutic bar comprising a flexible member and handles at its ends and US 11110314, which describes an exercise bar with interchangeable elements.

[0008] In addition to these documents, the market also has equipment such as power twisters and twist-n-bend flex bars.

[0009] All prior art documents and equipment are limited to utilizing only the user's strength, without the need for weighted cable machines. In fact, none of this equipment even has the means to be adapted to such machines. Furthermore, twist-n-bend bars are polymeric and have no bearings, so the objective of a twisting exercise is limited to simply twisting the bar and returning it to its initial position.

[0010] The present invention differs from the prior art by providing a flexible bar with handles at the ends and means for adapting the flexible bar to weight machines, providing a wide range of movements and resistance to users. The present invention also features bearings that allow for comfortable rotation of the handles, further multiplying the exercise possibilities. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention describes a flexible bar for physical exercise that comprises handles at its ends and a flexible element located between the handles, where the flexible element has means for connection to a weight machine.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the handles have means for connecting additional weights.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the flexible bar has bearings located between the handle and the flexible element. Preferably, the flexible bar has one bearing, and more preferably two bearings. Brief Description of the Figures

[0014] The system can be better understood through the detailed description in accordance with the following attached figures, where:

[0015] Figure 1 shows the flexible bar connected to a machine comprising weights by means of a belt.

[0016] Figure 2 shows weight comprising male thread (A) and female thread (B).

[0017] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a flexible bar with three threaded weights at each end.

[0018] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the flexible bar with three threaded weights at each end. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0019] The examples described herein are intended solely to illustrate some of the numerous embodiments of the present invention, and therefore should not be considered limiting, but merely illustrative. Any other embodiment of the invention that applies the concept detailed herein should be considered within the scope of the invention.

[0020] The device of the present invention is capable of providing a variety of movements and resistances to the user.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention is a device comprising handles on its ends and a flexible element located between the handles, where the flexible element has means for connection to a weight machine.

[0022] Grips are made of any suitable state-of-the-art material that provides a firm grip without being slippery, such as . They can be cylindrical or have ergonomic shapes that adapt to the user's hands.

[0023] The means for connecting to a machine containing weights are also known in the prior art, such as carabiners, D-rings, O-rings, and combinations thereof. The weight equipment may be, for example, a crossover, and the weights may be iron plates and / or washers. These means may be connected directly to the flexible bar or may be to intermediate objects, such as straps or belts.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figure 1, the means for connecting to a machine comprising weights comprise a strap or belt with elements such as elastics or fasteners such as velcro or snap it associated with fabrics, to facilitate adjustment to different users and to facilitate preparation and removal of the device.

[0025] Additionally, the flexible bar of the present invention comprises means for connecting additional weights. Preferably, the additional weights are located at the ends. Examples of means for connecting additional weights include, but are not limited to, threads, snap-on fittings, or any other means known in the art. Preferably, threads are used.

[0026] In one embodiment, the ends of the handles have threaded holes (female threads) adapted to receive a weight comprising a complementary male thread. The male thread may further comprise a female thread on its opposite surface to receive another weight with a male thread, thus combining multiple weights. Figure 2 illustrates a weight comprising male thread (A) and female thread (B) according to the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bar according to the present invention comprising three weights on each side and Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the same bar.

[0027] The flexible bar of the present invention also includes bearings that allow the bar to be twisted at different angles, expanding the variety of exercises the user can perform. The use of bearings provides comfort to the user, as they do not need to exert continuous force to keep the bar twisted. Any type of bearing capable of reducing the sliding friction of the contact surfaces can be used in the present invention. Non-limiting examples of bearings according to the present invention are ball bearings, roller bearings, needle bearings, hybrid bearings, and combinations thereof. Points C1 and C2 in Figure 4 illustrate possible locations for positioning the bearings, but any other location may be used.

Claims

Claims 1. Flexible bar for physical exercise characterized by comprising handles at its ends and a flexible element located between the handles, where the flexible element has means for connection to a weight machine.

2. Flexible bar, according to claim 1, characterized by the means for connecting to a machine comprising weights comprising carabiners, D-ring, O-ring and combinations thereof.

3. Flexible bar, according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for connecting to a machine comprising weights are arranged directly on the flexible bar.

4. Flexible bar, according to claim 2, characterized by the means for connecting to a machine comprising weights further comprising a strap or belt with elements such as elastics or fasteners such as velcro or snap-fit ​​associated with fabrics.

5. Flexible bar, according to claim 1, characterized by comprising means for connecting additional weights at its ends selected from threads and snap-fit ​​fittings.

6. Flexible bar, according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that, when the means for connection are threads, the end of the handle comprises a female thread and the weight comprises a male thread.

7. Flexible bar, according to claim 4, characterized in that the weight comprises a female thread positioned at an end opposite the male thread.

8. Flexible bar, according to claim 1, characterized by comprising bearings.

9. Flexible bar, according to claim 8, characterized in that the bearings are positioned between the ends and the flexible element.

10. Flexible bar, according to claim 8, characterized in that the bearings are chosen from the group comprising ball bearings, roller bearings, needle bearings, hybrid bearings and combinations thereof.

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