Exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise device including a shaft and a pair of movable sleeves positioned about opposite ends of the shaft. Each sleeve includes a handle rotatably mounted to the sleeve. The shaft includes a detent device associated with at least one sleeve. The detent device permits that sleeve to be releasably positioned along the shaft and for the position of the sleeve to be selectively changed so that the spacing between the handles may be changed. The sleeve may also be rotatable about the shaft while held longitudinally by the detent device. The handles may be rotated about members extending generally perpendicular to a centerline of the shaft and the members may be received within bushings in a wall of the sleeve.

1 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a shaft with a first end and a second opposite end;    a first movable sleeve mounted about the first end and a second movable sleeve mounted about the second end, the sleeves movable longitudinally and rotationally about the ends of the shaft;    a first handle mounted to the first sleeve and a second handle mounted to the second sleeve, the handles extending generally radially from the sleeves and movable about a generally radial axis;    at least one detent mechanism mounted within the shaft, each detent mechanism associated with one of the sleeves and configured to releasably engage a detent receiving opening of the associated sleeve to hold the sleeve at a specific longitudinal position along the shaft;    the sleeve associated with each detent mechanism having a plurality of detent receiving openings to position the sleeve at a plurality of longitudinal positions along the shaft.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising the detent mechanism including a pin extending through a wall of the shaft and engaging one of the detent receiving openings of the sleeve, the pin being sufficiently radially displaceable into the shaft to remove the pin from engagement with the detent receiving opening and to permit longitudinal movement of the sleeve along the shaft.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein the pin extends through an opening in the wall of the shaft and is connected to a spring within the interior of the shaft, the spring pressing against an inner surface of the interior and urging the pin outward through the shaft opening.  
   
   
       4 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , further comprising each detent mechanism permitting rotation of the associated sleeve relative to the shaft.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , wherein the opening through the wall of the shaft is elongated circumferentially about the shaft, the pin extends radially from a centerline of the shaft and the pin is movable circumferentially about the centerline within the elongated opening.  
   
   
       6 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the handles is rotatably mounted to the sleeves and pivotable about a member extending generally perpendicular to a centerline of the shaft.  
   
   
       7 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , wherein each of the members extends through a wall of one of the sleeves and is received within a bushing mounted to the sleeve, and the handles are rotatable in a full circle about the member.  
   
   
       8 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein each sleeve includes an inner end through which the shaft is received and a cuff mounted to the inner end of each sleeve about the shaft, the cuff made from a resilient material to dampen vibration and sound.  
   
   
       9 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising each sleeve including an outer end adjacent the handle and an end cap mounted to the outer end of each sleeve.  
   
   
       10 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is weighted.  
   
   
       11 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sleeves is weighted.  
   
   
       12 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a resistance band.  
   
   
       13 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a first movable sleeve and a second movable sleeve, the sleeves defining a centerline and each including a handle movably mounted, the sleeves holding the handles at a desired spaced apart distance;    a detent mechanism associated with each sleeve permitting the sleeve to be moved longitudinally along the centerline to alter the spacing of the handles;    the handles movable by rotation about an axis extending generally perpendicular to the centerline.    
   
   
       14 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the sleeves is slidably received about the other sleeve and a single detent mechanism is associated with both of the sleeves.  
   
   
       15 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , further comprising a shaft with first and second opposite ends and each sleeve received about one of the ends of the shaft, the shaft including a detent mechanism adjacent each end which releasably engages the sleeve positioned about the end.  
   
   
       16 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , further comprising each handle rotatably mounted to its associated sleeve by a pin extending through a wall of the sleeve.  
   
   
       17 . The exercise device of  claim 16 , further comprising an insert embedded within the wall of the sleeve to which the pin is connected.  
   
   
       18 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein the detent device includes a displaceable pin which extends through and engages an opening in the associated sleeve to releasably secure the sleeve at a desired longitudinal position.  
   
   
       19 . The exercise device of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced pin receiving openings in the sleeve associated with the detent device.  
   
   
       20 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein the detent device is configured releasably secure the associated sleeve to position the handles at a desired spacing and permit relative rotational movement of the sleeves with respect to each other about the centerline.