Device and method for exercising a body part of a person

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for exercising a body part of a person, comprising a substantially annular member, means for gripping the member, the gripping means being arranged substantially in the centre of the annulus, a weight and means for guiding the weight along the member for generating a centrifugal force caused by rotation of the weight along the annular member. The present invention also relates to a method of exercising a body part of a person.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A device for exercising a body part of a person, comprising: 
 a) a substantially annular member;    b) means for gripping the member, the gripping means being arranged substantially in the centre of the annulus;    c) a weight; and    d) means for guiding the weight along the member for generating a centrifugal force caused by rotation of the weight along the annular member.    
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the guiding means comprise a passage through the annular member, the weight rotatable along said passage.  
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the annular member is a hollow member and the weight comprises one or more balls, the balls being dimensioned so as to be freely movable inside the hollow member.  
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the annular member is a hollow member and the weight comprises a liquid, the liquid being rotatable inside the reservoir formed by the hollow member.  
   
   
       21 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the guiding means comprise a bracket to which the weight is mounted, the bracket being provided with a slide for sliding the weight in a track provided in the periphery of the annular member.  
   
   
       22 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the weight comprises a second annular member of a larger diameter than the first annular member and wherein the guiding means comprise a plurality of bearings arranged between the first and second annular members.  
   
   
       23 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the annular member is hand-held.  
   
   
       24 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the gripping means comprise a transverse handle attached to the annular member for gripping by the person.  
   
   
       25 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein the handle is detachably attached to the annular member.  
   
   
       26 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the gripping means comprise a sleeve for gripping said body part of the person.  
   
   
       27 . The device according to  claim 26 , wherein the sleeve is provided with straps for attaching the sleeve to said body part.  
   
   
       28 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the gripping means comprise an elastic fabric provided with a central opening into which the body part can be inserted for gripping the body part.  
   
   
       29 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the annular member is manufactured of a plurality of injection-molded material.  
   
   
       30 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the annular member is manufactured of plastic.  
   
   
       31 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the total weight of the device ranges from 0.2 kg to 3 kg, preferably from 0.3 kg to 0.9 kg.  
   
   
       32 . A method of exercising a body part of a person with the device of  claim 17 , the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) arranging the body part to be exercised in the centre of the annular member;    b) attaching the body part to the annular member; and    c) moving the body part causing the weight to rotate along the annular member for exerting a centrifugal exercising force on at least said body part.