Friction-Based Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

A friction-based exercise device is disclosed. Contemplated exercise devices comprise a segmented shaft having one or more longitudinal patterns running the length of the shafts or shaft segments. Cylindrical sliders can be slid onto the shaft where an interior surface of the slider comprises a complimentary pattern to and frictionally engages with the longitudinal pattern of the shaft. When under a gripping force of a user, the sliders flex inward toward the shaft and increases friction resistance as the user slides the sliders along the shaft.

1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a shaft having a longitudinal pattern running a length of the shaft;   a cylindrical slider configured to slide onto the shaft and having an interior surface comprising a complementary pattern to the longitudinal pattern where the interior surface frictionally engages the shaft under a griping force of an individual.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is segmented 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the shaft is hollow and further comprises a post-tensioning bar running the length of the shaft interior. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , where in the post-tensing bar is segmented. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a segment joint configured to couple two shaft segments together. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical slider comprises multiple longitudinal slats circumferentially disposed about an axis of the slider and defining the interior surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising three longitudinal slats disposed at approximately every 120 degrees about the axis of the slider. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the slats comprise a flexible material and are configured to flex toward the shaft in response to a user gripping the slider. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the slats are independently flexible. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising multiple cylindrical sliders. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least two of the sliders have different base coefficients of friction with respect to the shaft when free of the griping force. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slider resists rotation about its axis when disposed on the shaft due to the complementary patterned interior surface engaging with the longitudinal pattern of the shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an end cap configured to couple with an end of the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising an end plate configured to securely couple with at least one end of the shaft via the end cap. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the end cap is configured to tension a post-tension bar disposed within the shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal pattern comprises grooves. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the complementary pattern of the interior surface comprises rails configured to mate with the grooves. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a wheel attachment. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one weight configured to attach to an end of the shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one appendage attachment configured to couple with the cylindrical slider.