Inertial exercise devices

Abstract

An adjustable inertial exercise device has an elongate member with first and second threaded portions with opposite-handed threads. First and second nuts, each having at least one radial flange, are respectively rotatably engaged with the first and second threaded portions of the elongate member. A sleeve is slidably mounted over the first and second nuts. The sleeve has an internal bore with first and second bearings and at least one longitudinal groove slidably engaged with the radial flanges of the first and second nuts. Elastic resistance elements interface between the first and second nuts and the first and second bearings. Rotation of the elongate member relative to the sleeve one direction causes the nuts to move apart from one another compress the resistance elements. Rotation of the elongate member relative to the sleeve in the opposite direction causes the nuts to move toward one another and expand the resistance elements.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . An exercise device, comprising:
 an elongate member with opposing first and second end portions and first and second threaded portions disposed between the opposing first and second end portions, the first threaded portion having right-handed threads and the second threaded portion having left-handed threads;   a first nut rotatably engaged with the first threaded portion of the elongate member, the first nut comprising at least one radial flange;   a second nut rotatably engaged with the second threaded portion of the elongate member, the second nut comprising at least one radial flange;   a sleeve slidably mounted over the first and second nuts, the sleeve comprising an internal bore with first and second bearings and at least one longitudinal groove slidably engaged with the at least one radial flange of the first nut and the at least one radial flange of the second nut;   a first elastic resistance element interfacing between the first nut and the first bearing of the internal bore of the sleeve; and   a second elastic resistance element interfacing between the second nut and the second bearing of the internal bore of the sleeve.   
     
     
         29 . The exercise device of  claim 28 , wherein rotation of the elongate member relative to the sleeve in a first direction causes the first and second nuts to move apart from one another along the elongate member and compress the first and second elastic resistance elements, and wherein rotation of the elongate member relative to the sleeve in an opposite second direction causes the first and second nuts to move toward one another along the elongate member and expand the first and second elastic resistance elements. 
     
     
         30 . The exercise device of  claim 28 , wherein a user-induced oscillating movement of the sleeve along the elongate member alternatively toward the opposing first and second end portions causes the first and second elastic resistance elements to alternately compress and extend as the sleeve oscillates relative to the first and second nuts and the elongate member. 
     
     
         31 . The exercise device of  claim 28 , wherein the first and second bearings of the internal bore of the sleeve are first and second internal shoulders of the internal bore. 
     
     
         32 . The exercise device of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second internal shoulders are opposing surfaces of a radial flange of the internal bore. 
     
     
         33 . The exercise device of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second elastic resistance elements are mounted on the elongate member inside the internal bore of the sleeve. 
     
     
         34 . The exercise device of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 a first weight attached to the first end portion of the elongate member; and   a second weight attached to the second end portion of the elongate member.   
     
     
         35 . The exercise device of  claim 34 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a first outer portion enveloping the first weight and a second outer portion enveloping the second weight. 
     
     
         36 . An exercise device, comprising:
 an elongate member with opposing first and second end portions and first and second longitudinal catches disposed between the opposing first and second end portions;   a sleeve slidably mounted over the elongate member between the first and second end portions, the sleeve comprising an internal bore with opposing first and second threaded portions, the first threaded portion having right-handed threads and the second threaded portion having left-handed threads;   an externally threaded first nut threadably engaged with the first threaded portion of the internal bore of the sleeve, the first nut comprising at least one radial lock slidably engaged with the first longitudinal catch;   an externally threaded second nut threadably engaged with the second threaded portion of the internal bore of the sleeve, the second nut comprising at least one radial lock slidably engaged with the second longitudinal catch;   a first elastic resistance element interfacing between the first nut and the first end portion of the elongate member; and   a second elastic resistance element interfacing between the second nut and the second end portion of the elongate member.   
     
     
         37 . The exercise device of  claim 36 , wherein rotation of the elongate member relative to the sleeve in a first direction causes the first and second nuts to move apart from one another along the internal bore of the sleeve and compress the first and second elastic resistance elements, and wherein rotation of the elongate member relative to the sleeve in an opposite second direction causes the first and second nuts to move toward one another along the internal bore of the sleeve and expand the first and second elastic resistance elements. 
     
     
         38 . The exercise device of  claim 36 , wherein a user-induced oscillating movement of the sleeve along the elongate member alternatively toward the opposing first and second end portions causes the first and second elastic resistance elements to alternately compress and extend as the sleeve oscillates relative to the first and second nuts and the elongate member. 
     
     
         39 . The exercise device of  claim 36 , wherein the first and second bearings of the internal bore of the sleeve are first and second internal shoulders of the internal bore. 
     
     
         40 . The exercise device of  claim 36 , wherein the first and second elastic resistance elements are springs. 
     
     
         41 . The exercise device of  claim 40 , wherein the first and second elastic resistance elements are helical springs mounted coaxially with the elongate member and the sleeve. 
     
     
         42 . The exercise device of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a first weight attached to the first end portion of the elongate member; and   a second weight attached to the second end portion of the elongate member.   
     
     
         43 . The exercise device of  claim 42 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a first outer portion enveloping the first weight and a second outer portion enveloping the second weight. 
     
     
         44 . The exercise device of  claim 36 , wherein the first and second longitudinal catches of the internal bore of the sleeve are grooves in the internal bore. 
     
     
         45 . The exercise device of  claim 36 , wherein the first and second longitudinal catches of the internal bore of the sleeve are ribs in the internal bore. 
     
     
         46 . An inertial exercise device, comprising:
 an actuating cylinder having opposing first and second ends and an internal bore;   at least one mass slidably mounted in the internal bore of the actuating cylinder; and   first and second elastic resistance elements mounted within the internal bore of the actuating cylinder and resisting motion of the at least one mass toward the ends of the actuating cylinder;   wherein the at least one mass is slidable relative to the actuating cylinder between a first position with the first elastic resistance element compressed and a second position with the first elastic resistance element extended; and   wherein the inertia of the at least one mass causes the at least one mass to oscillate relative to the actuating cylinder in response to alternating rhythmic linear motion imparted to the actuating cylinder by a user of the inertial exercise device.   
     
     
         47 . The inertial exercise device of  claim 46 , further comprising a second mass rigidly connected to the at least one mass by a central shaft. 
     
     
         48 . The inertial exercise device of  claim 47 , wherein the internal bore of the actuating cylinder comprises first and second peripheral shoulders, wherein the first elastic resistance element is disposed between the first peripheral shoulder and the at least one mass, and wherein the second elastic resistance element is disposed between the second peripheral shoulder and the second mass. 
     
     
         49 . The inertial exercise device of  claim 46 , wherein the at least one mass has first and second opposing faces, and wherein the first elastic resistance element is disposed between the first face of the at least one mass and the first end of the actuating cylinder, and the second elastic resistance element is disposed between the second face of the at least one mass and the second end of the actuating cylinder.