Wheeled exercise device

Abstract

The wheeled exercise device described herein includes a wheel adapted to be rolled along a ground surface by a user for exercise, the wheel bounded by wheel side surfaces with a central opening in each wheel side surface, and an elongate central axle extending along a central horizontal axis through the wheel that is parallel to the ground surface. The device further includes a pair of elongate handles coupled to the central axle, each attached to an end of the axle at a corresponding central opening in a wheel side surface. Each handle further includes upper and lower elongate surfaces that are oriented at an angle to the central horizontal axis so that a substantial length portion thereof extends away from its corresponding wheel side surface and downward toward the ground surface with the wheel at rest or rotating thereon.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A wheeled exercise device, comprising:
 a wheel adapted to be rolled along a ground surface by a user for exercise, the wheel bounded by wheel side surfaces with a central opening in each wheel side surface,   an elongate central axle extending along a central horizontal axis through the wheel that is parallel to the ground surface,   a pair of elongate handles coupled to the central axle, each attached to an end of the axle at a corresponding central opening in a wheel side surface, each handle further including upper and lower elongate surfaces that are oriented at an angle to the central horizontal axis so that a substantial length portion thereof extends away from its corresponding wheel side surface and downward toward the ground surface with the wheel at rest or rotating thereon.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wheel includes a tire overmold with threads therein attached to an outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each handle includes a proximal end attached to the central axle at a corresponding central opening and a distal end which terminates in a ridge. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each handle further includes a distinct ergonomically formed hump located on the upper surface thereof closer to where a proximal end of the handle meets the central axle than its distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a coiled spring element adapted to impart resistance to rotation of the wheel as it is rolled along the ground surface in a first direction relative to a starting position of the user for exercise and adapted to provide a restoring or assistive force to aid the user as the wheel is rotated back to the user's starting position.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein
 the wheel includes an interior cavity, and   the coiled spring element is attached between an inner surface of the wheel and the central axle within the interior cavity.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein
 one end of the coiled spring element is attached to a hub formed along an inner surface of the wheel, the hub in turn attached to the central axle, and   the other end of the spring element is attached to the wheel inner surface.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a substantial length portion of each handle extends below the central horizontal axis as the wheel rests or is rotated upon the ground surface. 
     
     
         9 . A wheeled exercise device, comprising:
 a wheel adapted to be rolled along a ground surface by a user for exercise, the wheel bounded by wheel side surfaces with a central opening in each wheel side surface,   an elongate central axle extending along a central horizontal axis through the wheel that is parallel to the ground surface,   a pair of elongate handles coupled to the central axle, each attached to an end of the axle at a corresponding central opening in a wheel side surface, wherein a substantial length portion of each handle is oriented at an angle to the central horizontal axis so that the substantial length portion extends below the central horizontal axis, and   a coiled spring element adapted to impart resistance to wheel rotation or to provide a restoring or assistive force to aid the user, dependent on which direction the wheel is rotated by the user along the ground surface.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the device is configured such that a user's hands are oriented at a downward angle on either side of the wheel upon grasping the handles. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the wheel has a generally wide width profile and is adapted to be carved back and forth by the user along the ground surface during exercise so that the wheel travels in a forward/backward to left direction and a forward/backward to right direction, in addition to being rolled directly forward from and backward to the user. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the wheel includes a tire overmold with threads therein attached to an outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each handle includes a proximal end attached to the central axle at a corresponding central opening and a distal end which terminates in a ridge. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each handle further includes a distinct ergonomically formed hump located on the upper surface thereof closer to where a proximal end of the handle meets the central axle than its distal end.