Exercise device

Abstract

A friction-based resistance exercise device is disclosed. In an embodiment, the exercise device includes an elongated track, and a cuff slidably mounted on the track and shaped to provide a grip that is parallel to the track. The cuff includes a set of guide wheels and at least one friction mechanism for providing an adjustable friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff on the track. In some embodiments, the exercise device includes one or more handles extending laterally from the device, attached to the cuff and/or a head mechanism at a distal end of the track.

1 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 an elongated track;    a cuff slidably mounted on the track and shaped to provide a grip that is parallel to the track, the cuff including a set of guide wheels and at least one friction mechanism that includes at least one friction element interposed between the cuff and the track, the friction element being biased against an outer surface of the track for providing an adjustable friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff on the track.    
   
   
       2 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising at least one handle extending laterally from the cuff.  
   
   
       3 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a head member attached to a first end of the track.  
   
   
       4 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 3 , further comprising at least one handle extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track.  
   
   
       5 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 4 , further comprising two handles extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track.  
   
   
       6 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a base; and    a foot member adapted to connect a second end of the track at a substantially right angle to the base, and for enabling the track to be angled away from the substantially right angle to the base.    
   
   
       7 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the base includes: 
 an elongated planar step; and    at least one strap connected to a top side of the planar step and adapted to receive a human foot or hand.    
   
   
       8 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 an elongated track;    a cuff slidably mounted on the track, the cuff including a set of guide wheels and at least one friction mechanism for providing an adjustable friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff on the track, wherein the friction mechanism provides a substantially uniform level of resistance to movement of the cuff as the cuff moves along the track; and    two handles extending laterally from opposite sides of the cuff.    
   
   
       9 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising a head member attached to a first end of the track.  
   
   
       10 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 3 , further comprising two handles extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track.  
   
   
       11 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a base; and    a foot member adapted to connect a second end of the track at a substantially right angle to the base, the foot member enabling the track to be angled away from the substantially right angle to the base.    
   
   
       12 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the base includes: 
 two planar steps extending laterally from the center of the base; and    a strap connected to a top side of each planar step and adapted to receive a human foot or hand.    
   
   
       13 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the two handles extending laterally from opposite sides of the cuff, and the two handles extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track, each include a strap adapted to receive a human foot or hand.  
   
   
       14 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising a bumper attached to a distal end of each handle.  
   
   
       15 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the set of guide wheels includes an upper set of guide wheels and a lower set of guide wheels, the upper set of wheels and lower set of wheels arranged in the cuff to symmetrically contact the track.  
   
   
       16 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the at least one friction mechanism includes at least one friction-producing pad, and the friction-producing pad is adjusted by a knob positioned on the opposite side of the cuff.  
   
   
       17 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 an elongated, generally cylindrical track;    a cuff slidably mounted on the track, the cuff including a set of guide wheels arranged within the cuff symmetrically around the track, and a set of friction mechanisms arranged within the cuff symmetrically around the track for providing an adjustable friction-based resistance to movement of the cuff on the track;    two handles extending laterally from opposite sides of the cuff;    a base; and    a foot member rotationally connected by a ball and socket joint to a first end of the track at a substantially right angle to the base, the ball and socket joint enabling the track to be moved relative to the base in a multi-axial range of motion.    
   
   
       18 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a head member attached to a second end of the track;    two handles extending from the head member and laterally from a longitudinal axis of the track; and    two planar steps extending laterally from the center of the base.    
   
   
       19 . An exercise device in accordance with  claim 18  wherein each friction mechanism includes at least one friction-producing pad, and each friction-producing pad is adjusted by a knob positioned on the opposite side of the cuff.  
   
   
       20 . An exercise device as in  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment member coupled to the friction mechanism, wherein the adjustment member can be actuated to adjust a level of frictional resistance between the friction element and the track.  
   
   
       21 . An exercise device as in  claim 1 , wherein the friction element is a pad having a surface that is biased against the outer surface of the track.