US-12623111-B2 - Retractable handheld exercise apparatus

Abstract

Methods and systems for a retractable handheld exercise apparatus. The methods and systems generate a movement similar to upper body ski poling whereby a pair of handheld units [A] are connected to a fixed object by an attachment means [B] and are moved in an upper body walking motion to and from the fixed attachment point along a cable [C]. The apparatus includes functionality to increase or decrease tension which changes the amount of force required to pull the unit away from the fixed point.

Inventors

• Michael Allen DeGroot

Assignees

• Michael Allen DeGroot

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20220331

Claims (6)

1. 1 . A retractable, handheld upper body exercise device comprising: a pair of handheld units, each handheld unit comprising: a retracting cable spooled from within the corresponding handheld unit; an attachment portion connected to a distal end of the retracting cable and configured to be coupled with an attachment point distinct from and external to the retractable, handheld upper body exercise device; and a series of pulleys built into each handheld unit to guide the retracting cable consistently to and from a handle exit point of the corresponding handheld unit and to further aid in fluidity of a progression of the retracting cable through the corresponding handheld unit; wherein the pair of handheld units are configured to be moved by a user to and from the attachment point to add light, ski-poling resistance to an upper body walking motion of the user.
2. 2 . The retractable, handheld upper body exercise device in claim 1 further comprising a retractor spring having a tension that can be adjusted via a push-to-turn, self-locking post that houses a core of the retractor spring.
3. 3 . The retractable, handheld upper body exercise device in claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion allows the retractable, handheld upper body exercise device to be safely secured to a wide variety of fixed points that include the attachment point.
4. 4 . The retractable, handheld upper body exercise device in claim 1 , wherein the pair of handheld units are left-hand and right-hand units each comprising handles that differ between the left-hand and right-hand units, respectively, yet are identically symmetrical to respectively fit left-hand and right-hand palms of the user.
5. 5 . The retractable, handheld upper body exercise device in claim 1 , wherein each handheld unit is flared on both ends to prevent slippage and is ergonomically designed to be easily gripped by most everyone.
6. 6 . The retractable, handheld upper body exercise device in claim 1 , wherein each handheld unit is dome-shaped at a tip thereof near an external cable exit point of the corresponding handheld unit to allow arms of the user to swing more freely and with a least possible amount of friction on the retracting cable as the retracting cable moves through the external cable exit point.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/169,981 filed Apr. 2, 2021, titled Retractable Handheld Exercise Apparatus the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, for all purposes. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to providing adjustably-resistant, yet fluid, back-and-forth motion to the arms and upper body of a stationary user by pulling the individually attached handles to and from their attachment point in a cross-country ski poling motion. The invention bears a handle containing a spooled cable that extends and attaches to a fixed object. The handheld, spooled end of the cable is tracked through the handle itself through built-in pulleys into a retractor spring-based cable spool. The retractor spring itself can be wound to vary its resistance using a push-to-turn knob. RELATED ART Many exercise devices have attempted to provide back-and-forth arm motion resistance to stationary exercisers. With regard to purpose-built aerobic machines such as standup elliptical trainers, dedicated handlebars are linked directly to the resistance mechanism to provide back-and-forth arm resistance. Others have patented bulky add-ons to existing treadmills, while some went so far as to incorporate an upper body ski poling simulation into a cross-country ski simulation mechanism. With regard to stationary users who do not possess an underlying exercise machine, various systems of pulley-guided or elastic, handheld cords have been developed to simulate upper body ski poling. These systems are typically semi-permanently affixed to a doorframe, doorknob, or other solid point. Adding adjustable upper body resistance to exercise devices that do not already incorporate upper body motion naturally has required expensive, bulky add-ons that are not portable. By contrast, those which are more portable (e.g., elastic bands) are not typically adjustable. The Retractable Handheld Exercise Apparatus is designed to be both portable and adjustable, as well as inexpensive. SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS The present invention comprises a novel means to simulate cross-country ski poling via a handheld, self-contained, and retractable cable apparatus. Easily removable, transportable, and adjustable, the extending cable is looped onto a stable attachment point such as a treadmill frame using multiple means in order to provide a solid fixture. Pulling the handheld unit away from the fixed attachment causes the cable to unspool from the internal, retractable cable spool system with light resistance, while moving the handle toward the fixed attachment will cause the cable to retract back inside the handle, similar to a retractable dog leash. The amount of force required to pull the handheld unit away from the fixed attachment varies based on tightening (clockwise) or loosening (counter-clockwise) the knob atop the axle around which the retractor spring is coiled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a set of illustrations showing examples of how the exercise device may be used. FIG. 2 is a top view of the entire apparatus including the inner workings of the handheld unit [A]. FIG. 3 is a side view of the outward part of the left handheld unit [A] showing the knob. FIG. 4 is a side view of the outward part of the right handheld unit [A] showing the knob. FIG. 5 is a top view of how the knob fits within the body to coil the retractor spring. FIG. 6 is a side x-ray view of the inward part of handheld unit [A] showing the retractor spring housing. FIG. 7 is a top view of the lock teeth separated by the push-to-turn variable resistance knob. FIG. 8 is a side view of how the attachment means [B] is secured to a fixed object. FIG. 9 is a side view of an optional weight band strap that houses a variable weight mass as it would appear wrapped around the outer retractor spring housing. FIG. 10 is a side view of a device storage unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to FIG. 1, we see users of the device holding a handheld unit in each hand while in a stationary position such as walking on a treadmill, pedaling a recumbent bike, or in a non-ambulatory standing or sitting position. Users move their arms back and forth mimicking an active walking manner as the cable is coiled and uncoiled within the handheld unit itself. FIG. 2 is an end-to-end illustration of the device including the handheld unit [A], the attachment means [B], and the connecting cable [C] along which the handheld unit tracks to and from the attachment point. The handheld unit body (02) houses the cable (04) that coils around the cable spool (06) which holds the retractor spring housing (08) at its core. The cable is guided through the handle portion using three fixed pulleys (10) and exits through two fixed, smaller guide pulleys (12). The variable resistance knob (14) sits in the up, or “free-spin” position, showing the knob post (16) as it stands within the bo