Portable exercise device

Abstract

A portable exercise device for exercising the abdominal muscles is disclosed. The device includes a wheel and a handle. The handle is formed from two handle parts that are releasably attachable to one another to form a bearing surface upon which the wheel is mounted. Various forms of attachment mechanisms are disclosed which lock the device into an exercise position and bear the load on the device when used for exercising. The portable exercise device provides a strong, lightweight, easy to use device that can be broken down into three component parts for storage and transportation and easily assembled to provide a device for exercising the abdominal muscles.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable exercise device comprising: 
 a wheel having a first side and a second side,    a first handle part including a grip,    a second handle part including a grip, 
 wherein said second handle part is releasably attachable to said first handle part to form a handle, and said wheel is mountable on said handle for rotational movement independent of, and relative to, said handle.  
   
     
     
         2 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wheel comprises an outer portion that is slightly deformable.  
     
     
         3 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a bearing upon which said wheel is mountable for rotational movement independent of, and relative to, said handle.  
     
     
         4 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first and second handle parts are releasably attachable to each other by a detent.  
     
     
         5 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the detent includes a biased locking mechanism for releasably locking the first handle part to the second handle part to prevent relative movement between the first handle part and the second handle part during use of the exercise device.  
     
     
         6 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the detent is spring-loaded for the purpose of preventing release of the detent during use of the exercise device.  
     
     
         7 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the detent is a ball detent.  
     
     
         8 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the detent is a threaded ball detent.  
     
     
         9 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the detent comprises a means for fine-tuning the ball detent.  
     
     
         10 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said first and second handle parts are releasably attachable to one another by a threaded shaft affixed to one of said handle parts, and a corresponding threaded bore in said other handle part.  
     
     
         11 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the outer portion of the wheel comprises a deformable polyurethane material.  
     
     
         12 . A portable exercise device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the grips are formed from a material having friction and wear characteristics suitable for providing a good grip on the exercise device by the user.