Exercise Device

Abstract

An exercise device is provided. The exercise device has an upper bar and lower bar pivotally joined together by a spring housing. The bars resist movement towards each other by the force of a spring within the spring housing. The exercise device is configured to be mounted under a chair such that it may be utilized while a user is seated in the chair.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A chair mounted exercise system comprising:
 a chair having a seat, and a plurality of wheel arms, the seat and plurality of wheel arms defining a cavity under the seat and above the wheel arms;   an exercise device removably positioned within the cavity, and attached to at least one of the wheel arms, the device comprising:
 a substantially rectangular shaped upper bar having a distal end, a first proximal end and a second proximal end; 
 a substantially ‘U’ shaped lower bar having a distal end, a first proximal end and a second proximal end; 
 at least one of the upper bar and the lower bar having at least one telescoping portion, the bar being movable from an extended position to a compact position by unlocking a twist lock and sliding the telescoping portion inward; 
 two spring housings, each comprising a torsion spring, and each comprising a first connector and a second connector, the two connectors of each spring housing configured to be moved towards each other against a resistance of the torsion spring; 
 wherein the upper bar is attached to the first connector of one spring housing at the first proximal end, and attached to the first connector of the other spring housing at the second proximal end; 
 wherein the lower bar is attached to the second connector of one spring housing at the first proximal end, and attached to the second connector of the other spring housing at the second proximal end; 
 wherein the upper bar is pivotable towards the lower bar about an axis formed by the two spring housings; and 
   the exercise device sized to fit entirely within the cavity when the one of the upper bar and lower bar are in a compact position, and to extend beyond the cavity when one of the upper bar and lower bar are in an extended position.   
     
     
         2 . The chair mounted exercise system of  claim 1  wherein both the upper bar and lower bar comprises at least one telescoping portion, the bars being movable from an extended position to a compact position by unlocking a twist lock and sliding the telescoping portion inward. 
     
     
         3 . The chair mounted exercise system of  claim 1  further comprising a cross bar joining the first spring housing and the second spring housing. 
     
     
         4 . The chair mounted exercise system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the upper bar or lower bar comprises an outer layer of a rubberized material. 
     
     
         5 . The chair mounted exercise system of  claim 1  further comprising a cross bar joining two arms of the upper bar. 
     
     
         6 . The chair mounted exercise system of  claim 3  wherein the cross bar is joined to the at least one of the plurality of wheel arms by a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The chair mounted exercise system of  claim 1  further comprising an arm rest clip positioned on an arm rest of the chair, the arm rest clip comprising a spring biasing the clip in a closed position, the arm rest clip configured to provide exercising motions by a user moving the clip to an open position against the spring bias. 
     
     
         8 . A method of exercising using a chair having an exercise device attached comprising the steps of:
 sitting in a chair, the chair comprising a seat, and a plurality of wheel arms, the seat and plurality of wheel arms defining a cavity under the seat and above the wheel arms;   engaging the exercise device with a user's feet, the exercise device comprising:
 a substantially rectangular shaped upper bar having a distal end, a first proximal end and a second proximal end; 
 a substantially ‘U’ shaped lower bar having a distal end, a first proximal end and a second proximal end; 
 at least one of the upper bar and the lower bar having at least one telescoping portion, the bar being movable from an extended position to a compact position by unlocking a twist lock and sliding the telescoping portion inward; 
 two spring housings, each comprising a torsion spring, and each comprising a first connector and a second connector, the two connectors of each spring housing configured to be moved towards each other against a resistance of the torsion spring; 
 wherein the upper bar is attached to the first connector of one spring housing at the first proximal end, and attached to the first connector of the other spring housing at the second proximal end; 
 wherein the lower bar is attached to the second connector of one spring housing at the first proximal end, and attached to the second connector of the other spring housing at the second proximal end; 
 wherein the upper bar is pivotable towards the lower bar about an axis formed by the two spring housings; and 
 the exercise device sized to fit entirely within the cavity when the one of the upper bar and lower bar are in a compact position, and to extend beyond the cavity when one of the upper bar and lower bar are in an extended position; and 
   operating the exercise device using a user's legs by bringing the upper bar towards the lower bar, the upper bar pivoting about the spring housing.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of operating the exercise device comprises extending the upper bar to an extended position, and placing a user's feet on the upper bar pushing the upper bar downward towards a floor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of operating the exercise device comprises pulling the lower bar upwards away from a floor.