Indoor-outdoor exercise sled apparatus

Abstract

An indoor-outdoor manually-propelled variable-resistance exercise sled for one or multiple users. The exercise sled features a rigid and durable weight-bearing platform. To protect indoor flooring surfaces, a removable, flexible, non-grip protective pad may be attached to the bottom of the exercise sled. When the protective pad is removed, the exercise sled can also be used on outdoor ground surfaces. The exercise sled includes dual attachment plates at opposite ends to provide multiple force application points to permit a variety of optional implements to be connected to the exercise sled. A removable handle assembly provides an additional force application surface. In combination, the various attachment points afford a multitude of pulling and pushing, lower-extremity and upper-extremity, functional exercises for one or simultaneously by multiple users.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 722,060, filed Mar. 11, 2010, entitled “INDOOR OUTDOOR EXERCISE SLED APPARATUS”, which is herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a manually-propelled variable-resistance exercise apparatus that can be used on both indoor and outdoor surfaces, provides the versatility to allow a multitude of upper body and lower body functional exercises, and permits multiple users to work mutually together or in opposition. In this regard, the present invention, relates to the general field of fitness and exercise.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0003]Within the exercise and fitness industry, functional training has become a popular mode of exercise. Unlike most traditional exercise programs that rely on machines and weight equipment found in a typical health and fitness club, functional training emphasizes exercises that simulate movements...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]The present invention relates to an indoor-outdoor exercise sled designed for use in an exercise and fitness environment. The features that make the present invention unique and novel are: 1) The use high density polyethylene materials to create an exercise sled that is rigid, durable, and of suitable size and shape that it can used both indoors and outdoors without causing wear and tear damage to floor or ground surfaces, 2) The use of a removable and replaceable anti-grip protective pad when the high density polyethylene surface of the exercise sled might damage an indoor floor surface, 3) The positioning of duplicate and multiple attachment points at both ends of the exercise sled providing the user with a larger array of upper and lower extremity pulling and pushing exercises than the current art allows via use of one sled, 4) The ability of multiple users to simultaneously exercise either in concert with or opposition to each other, and 5) The inclusion of a removable and adjustable force application structure that affords the user additional force application points adjusted to their physical stature and physical condition. The indoor-outdoor exercise sled includes the following interrelated objects, aspects, and features:

[0020]The weight bearing platform is made from high density polyethylene sheeting or a similarly manufactured material with comparable structural properties, which, because of its structural properties, provides a low coefficient of friction when placed in sliding contact with other surfaces, such as against a floor / ground surface, is extremely durable, and is impervious to the deleterious effects of harmful environmental conditions. As such, this allows the exercise sled to be used on any indoor floor and outdoor ground surfaces.

[0024]The removable flexible anti-grip protective pad includes an inferior surface that provides low friction properties when used in combination with most floor or ground surfaces upon which it moves; thus permitting it to slide across these surfaces in two dimensional space. The pad also acts as a protective barrier to prevent damage to indoor surfaces. When the protective pad's low friction properties are not necessary for proper use and movement of the sled, the pad can be removed so that the exercise sled can still be moved in two dimensional space.

Problems solved by technology

No other exercise regimen can make or support this claim.

Although these workouts are completed in a shorter period of time, they produce greater calorie expenditure (both glycogen and fat) relative to alternative exercise regimens.

Regardless of whether the current art of manually propelled weight sleds are made from metallic or non-metallic parts and structures, they all have one or more limitations that severely restrict their utility in an exercise and fitness setting.

They cannot, however, be used on surfaces typically found in an indoor exercise setting, such as wooden floors of gymnasiums, rubberized floors of fitness centers and weight rooms, nor linoleum, tile, or carpeted surfaces.

The hardness of the metal, combined with frictional forces created by their metallic bases, can cause significant damage (e.g., gouges, scrapes, tears, and discoloration) to all of these surfaces.

Such damage is of particular concern with those training sleds that use narrow runners because their small footprint concentrates contact and frictional forces in a small surface area; the heavier the weight on the training sled the greater the potential for wear and tear damage to the sliding surface.

Although the new generation of non-metallic sleds may be used indoors, they suffer from yet another restriction that is also associated with metal based sleds: both types have a limited number of exercise options.

Such a limitation is inherent in the design of current art because most have only one fixed point of force application on one end of the training sled.

Still other training sleds can only be pushed horizontally from one set vertical height.

However, none have multiple points of force application at varying heights on both ends of the training sled.

First, the non-metal training sleds have weight limits (100 lbs or less) that may preclude the user from experiencing an overload training effect; this is especially true for highly fit individuals.

Second, with few exceptions, all other non-football blocking / tackling sleds are limited to one user: however, neither of these can be used on all indoor floor surfaces.

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