Overhead exercise device for the upper body

Abstract

An exercise machine for strengthening the upper torso of a user. An overhead support structure supports a wheel assembly that attaches to a rotatable handlebar assembly and a mass. The handlebar assembly is supported by the overhead support structure in a manner that allows it to rotate substantially without friction. The handlebar structure is further situated so that a user can grasp the handlebar assembly with one or both hands and twist his upper torso around his centerline. When the user twists his upper torso, it causes the wheel assembly to cooperatively rotate the mass. In the preferred embodiment, the wheel assembly has two gear wheels with interlocking teeth. One of the wheels rotates with the handle bar assembly and the other wheel rotates with the mass. In an alternative embodiment a continuous belt interconnects the two wheels. The mass can be a conventional removable and interchangeable exercise weight. As the exercise weight increases in weight, more strength is required by the user to initiate, stop or reverse a twisting motion. In use, the angular momentum carries the user further around than the user could potentially do on his own, which stretches the user's muscles, and the rotational inertia causes the user to use extra force to start and stop, which strengthens his muscles.

1 . An exercise device comprising:
 a) an overhead support;   b) a rotatable handlebar assembly rotatably connected to the overhead support and extending downwardly from the overhead support;   c) a wheel assembly supported by the overhead support and operatively connected to the handlebar assembly wherein the wheel assembly is parallel to the ground; and   d) a mass connected to the wheel assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The exercise device according to  claim 1  wherein:
 a) the wheel assembly comprises a first wheel with teeth and a second wheel with teeth; and   b) the first and second wheel cooperate such that when the first wheel rotates, the second wheel rotates.   
   
   
       3 . The exercise device according to  claim 1  wherein:
 a) the wheel assembly comprises a first wheel, a second wheel and a continuous belt disposed around the first wheel and second wheel; and   b) the belt, the first wheel and the second wheel cooperate such that when the first wheel rotates, the second wheel rotates.   
   
   
       4 . The exercise device according to  claim 1  wherein the wheel assembly comprises one wheel and wherein the mass rests directly on the wheel. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise device according to  claim 1  wherein the mass is a removable exercise weight. 
   
   
       6 . The exercise device according to  claim 1  wherein the handlebar assembly is disposed through the overhead support such that it rotates substantially without friction. 
   
   
       7 . The exercise device according to  claim 1  wherein the handlebar assembly comprises a first bar extended downwardly from the overhead support and a crossbar connected to the first bar and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first bar. 
   
   
       8 . The exercise device according to  claim 1  wherein the handlebar assembly comprises:
 a) a first bar extended downwardly from the overhead support;   b) a second bar extended radially outward from the first bar and connected to the first bar;   c) a third bar extended downwardly from the second bar and connected to the second bar and offset from the first bar; and   d) a crossbar connected to the third bar and disposed substantially perpendicular to the third bar.   
   
   
       9 . The exercise device according to  claim 7  wherein the handlebar assembly further comprises at least one handle attached to the crossbar. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise device according to  claim 8  wherein the handlebar assembly further comprises at least one handle attached to the crossbar. 
   
   
       11 . An exercise device comprising:
 a) a frame having a base attached to an upright support that is attached to an overhead support;   b) a rotatable handlebar assembly rotatably connected to the overhead support and extending downwardly from the overhead support;   c) a first wheel attached to the handlebar assembly and supported by the overhead support such that the first wheel is parallel to the ground and disposed above a user's head;   d) a second wheel parallel to the ground and supported by the overhead support wherein the second wheel cooperates with the first wheel such that when the first wheel rotates, the second wheel rotates; and   e) a mass connected to the second wheel.   
   
   
       12 . The exercise device according to  claim 11  wherein the first wheel is a gear and the second wheel is a gear. 
   
   
       13 . The exercise device according to  claim 11  further comprising a continuous belt disposed around the first wheel and second wheel. 
   
   
       14 . The exercise device according to  claim 11  wherein the mass is a removable exercise weight. 
   
   
       15 . The exercise device according to  claim 11  wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are disposed above the overhead support. 
   
   
       16 . The exercise device according to  claim 11  wherein the first wheel has a larger diameter than the second wheel. 
   
   
       17 . The exercise device according to  claim 11  wherein the handlebar assembly comprises a first bar extended downwardly from the overhead support and a crossbar connected to the first bar and disposed substantially perpendicular to the first bar. 
   
   
       18 . The exercise device according to  claim 11  wherein the handlebar assembly comprises:
 a) a first bar extended downwardly from the overhead support;   b) a second bar extended radially outward from the first bar and connected to the first bar;   c) a third bar extended downwardly from and connected to the second bar such that the third bar is offset from the first bar; and   d) a crossbar connected to the third bar and disposed substantially perpendicular to the third bar.   
   
   
       19 . The exercise device according to  claim 14  wherein the wheel assembly further comprises a plate connected to and disposed above the second wheel for securely supporting the removable exercise weight. 
   
   
       20 . An exercise device comprising:
 a) an overhead support;   b) a rotatable handlebar assembly comprising a first bar rotatably connected to the overhead support and suspended from the overhead support and a crossbar disposed substantially perpendicular to the first bar wherein the handlebar assembly rotates substantially without friction;   c) a first wheel with teeth attached to the handlebar assembly and disposed above at least one of the overhead supports;   d) a second wheel with teeth that cooperates with the first wheel with teeth such that rotating the first wheel with teeth causes the second wheel with teeth to rotate as well; and   e) a removable exercise weight centered above and connected to the second wheel with teeth wherein the force required to turn the handlebar assembly increases as the weight of the exercise weight increases.