Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device for lower and upper body exercising. The exercise device is configured for lower and upper body exercising. The exercise device includes a pair of connecting rods. The connecting rods are movable and restrained by a resistance element for exercising.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A exercise device, the device comprising: 
 an elongated pivot;    at least one connecting rod having a first connecting end and a second connecting end, wherein the first connecting end is operatively connected to the pivot for rotating around the pivot and a user can apply force to the second connecting end for causing the first connecting end to rotate around the pivot;    a resistive element for resisting the rotation of the connecting rod; and    a first support and a second support for supporting the pivot, wherein the first support is sufficiently positioned on a first side of the pivot and the second support is sufficiently positioned opposite the first support on a second side of the pivot to substantially project the applied force between the first support and the second support to prevent the exercise device from tipping over.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the first support and the second support are spaced apart by a support spacing distance and wherein a length from the first connecting end to the second connecting end defines a connecting rod length, wherein the support spacing distance is sufficiently proportional to the connecting rod length to prevent the exercise device from tipping over.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 3  wherein a connecting rod angle α represents the angular rotation of the connecting rod rotates around the pivot and wherein a force angle θ represents the angle of the force applied to the second connecting end and wherein a perpendicular distance P represents the perpendicular distance of the force applied to the second connecting end relative to the first support, wherein the support spacing distance is sufficiently proportional to the connecting rod angle α the force angle θ and the perpendicular distance to preventing the exercise device from tipping over.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 4  wherein the support spacing distance is determined according to the following equation:  
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   cos 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   θ 
                 
                 - 
                 
                   P 
                   D 
                 
               
               > 
               0 
             
           
           
           
               
           
         
       
       wherein D is the support spacing distance, θ is the force angle, α is the connecting rod angle, and P is the perpendicular distance.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 4  wherein the connecting rod length and the support spacing distance are sufficiently sized for operation of the exercise device in a compact area.  
     
     
         6 . An exercise device for exercising in a compact area, the exercise device comprising: 
 a three dimensional housing defining an interior cavity;    a pivot supported within the housing;    two separately moveable connecting rods covered by the housing and connected to the pivot for rotating around the pivot;    a handle bar connected to each connecting rod and extending beyond the housing for a user to apply force to the connecting rod for separately rotating each connecting rod around the pivot;    a resistive element connected to each connecting rod for resisting rotation of the connecting rod; and    a pair of supports connected to the housing.    
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 6  wherein the housing includes an angular track that corresponds with the rotational movement of the handle bars.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 6  further comprising a coating over each support for preventing the exercise device from skidding.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 6  wherein the resistive element is a number of rubber bands.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 9  wherein the housing includes a hatch for accessing the housing and connecting the rubber bands to the connecting rod and the housing for adjusting the amount of force required to rotate the connecting rod around the pivot.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 6  wherein the resistive element is a torsion spring.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 11  wherein the torsion spring includes a tension adjustment arm having sufficient length to extend beyond the housing for adjusting the amount of force required to rotate the connecting rod around the pivot.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 12  wherein the housing includes a tension adjustment panel having notches for securing the adjustment arm and each notch adjusts the amount of force required to rotate the connecting rod around the pivot.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise device of  claim 6  wherein the pair of supports are sufficiently spaced apart by a support spacing distance to prevent the exercise device from tipping over.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 14  wherein the support distance is sufficiently spaced for the user applied force to be substantially directed within the space defined by the support distance to prevent the exercise device from tipping over.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise device of  claim 6  wherein the housing includes a stop for positioning the connecting arm at an inclined angle relative to a vertical axis that stretches through the center of the handle bar to perpendicularly bisect a horizontal axis stretching through the centers of the supports, wherein the inclined angle insures normally applied force is directed toward the supports.  
     
     
         17 . An exercise device for humans to operate while the exercise device is positioned on a generally horizontal surface, the exercise device comprising: 
 a pair of spaced apart feet for resting on the generally horizontal surface;    a pivot disposed between and supported by the feet and having an axis extending generally parallel to the horizontal surface;    a connecting arm journalled on the pivot for swingable movement in a plane intersecting the feet; and    a resistive element supported by the feet for resisting the swingable movement of the connecting arm.    
     
     
         18 . The exercise device of  claim 17  wherein the connecting arm and the pivot are disposed for lower body exercising from a lying position, wherein the horizontal surface is elevated approximately with the lying position.  
     
     
         19 . The exercise device of  claim 17  wherein the connecting arm and the pivot are disposed for lower body exercising from a seated position, wherein the horizontal surface is elevated below the seated position.  
     
     
         20 . The exercise device of  claim 17  wherein the connecting arm and the pivot are disposed for upper body exercising from a seated position, wherein the horizontal surface is elevated above the seated position.