# US 8,465,401 B1 · Portable exercise apparatus and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,401 B1 - Document ID: US8465401B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 12/927,252 - Filed: 2010-11-10 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2009-11-12 - Applicants: Stephen P. Ihli; Mark A. Krull - Inventors: Stephen P. Ihli; Mark A. Krull - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465401B1 ## CPC - A63B 21/00185: {using resistance provided by the user, e.g. exercising one body part against a resistance provided by another body part (A63B21/068 takes precedence; isometric exercise A63B21/0023)} - A63B 21/015: including rotating or oscillating elements {rubbing against fixed elements} - A63B 21/0442: {Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user} - A63B 21/153: {wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel} - A63B 21/157: {Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches} - A63B 21/16: Supports for anchoring force-resisters - A63B 21/4013: {to the ankle} - A63B 21/4025: {Resistance devices worn on the user's body (A63B21/065 takes precedence)} - A63B 21/4033: {Handles, pedals, bars or platforms} - A63B 21/4034: {for operation by feet} - A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand} - A63B 21/4043: {Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance (A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence)} - A63B 23/03525: {Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle (A63B21/0724 takes precedence)} - A63B 23/03541: {Moving independently from each other (A63B22/00 takes precedence)} - A63B 23/0355: {A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs} - A63B 23/03575: {Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously} - A63B 21/00069: {Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve} - A63B 21/4007: {to the chest region, e.g. to the back chest} - A63B 71/023: {Supports, e.g. poles} - A63B 2071/027: {using player's own weight, e.g. on a platform} - A63B 2208/0204: Standing on the feet - A63B 2208/0238: with stretched legs, like on a bed - A63B 2208/0252: supine - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract Left and right resistance devices are configured and arranged in different ways to accommodate different types of exercises. In one arrangement, the resistance devices are connected to respective ends of a bar. In one exercise, a person stands on the bar and pulls on handles connected to flexible members emanating from the resistance devices. In another exercise, a person sits down, supports the bar on her feet, and pulls on the handles. In another arrangement, the resistance devices are instead connected to a pole, and the person pulls on the handles. In yet another arrangement, the resistance devices are connected to a person's hands and/or feet, and the flexible members are connected to a harness secured about the person's torso. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An exercise kit for use by a person, comprising: an elongate bar; a left resistance device and a right resistance device, wherein each said resistance device is selectively mounted on a respective end of the bar, and a left leaf spring is mounted on the left side of the bar and movable between a latched position relative to the left resistance device, and an unlatched position relative to the left resistance device, and the leaf spring is biased toward the latched position; a left force receiving member connected to a flexible member emanating from the left resistance device; and a right force receiving member connected to a flexible member emanating from the right resistance device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The exercise kit of claim 1, further comprising left and right toe cups connected to respective left and right portions of the bar. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The exercise kit of claim 1, wherein each said force receiving member includes a handle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The exercise kit of claim 1, wherein each said resistance device includes an outer housing and a strap which cooperate to selectively form a closed loop about a person's hand when the resistance device is removed from the base member. ### Claim 5 An exercise kit for use by a person, comprising: an elongate bar; a left resistance device and a right resistance device, wherein each said resistance device is selectively mounted on a respective end of the bar; left force receiving member connected to a flexible member emanating from the left resistance device; a right force receiving member connected to a flexible member emanating from the right resistance device; and a harness, wherein each said force receiving member is selectively removed from a respective said resistance device, and each said flexible member is alternatively connected to a respective side of the harness, and each said resistance device is alternatively held in a person's respective hand. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The exercise kit of claim 5, further comprising at least one left hand strap sized and at least one right hand strap, wherein each said hand strap is configured and arranged to secure a respective said resistance device to a person's respective hand. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The exercise kit of claim 6, further comprising at least one left foot strap and at least one right foot strap, wherein each said foot strap is configured and arranged to alternatively secure a respective said resistance device to a person's respective foot. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The exercise kit of claim 5, further comprising at least one left foot strap and at least one right foot strap, wherein each said foot strap is configured and arranged to alternatively secure a respective said resistance device to a person's respective foot. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The exercise kit of claim 5, wherein each side of the harness defines at least one connection point, and the harness includes a left pad and a right pad, and each said pad is disposed between the person's torso and a respective said connection point. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The exercise kit of claim 1, wherein the bar has a length of at least two feet, a width of at least two inches, and a height of less than one inch. ### Claim 11 An exercise kit for use by a person, comprising: an elongate bar; a first resistance device comprising a first housing and a first flexible member emanating from the first housing, wherein the first housing is releasably latched to a first end of the bar; a second resistance device comprising a second housing and a second flexible member emanating from the second housing, wherein the second housing is releasably latched to an opposite, second end of the bar; a first force receiving member connected to the first flexible member; and a second force receiving member connected to the second flexible member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The exercise kit of claim 11, wherein a first strap cooperates with the first housing to form a closed loop about a person's hand when the first resistance device is removed from the bar. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The exercise kit of claim 11, wherein a second strap cooperates with the second housing to form a closed loop about a person's foot when the second resistance device is removed from the bar. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The exercise kit of claim 11, wherein the first resistance device is selectively latched in alternative first and second orientations relative to the bar. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The exercise kit of claim 14, wherein the bar is configured to occupy a stable operative position relative to an underlying floor surface, and the first flexible member emanates from the first housing at a first elevation above the floor surface when the first resistance device occupies the first of said orientations relative to the bar, and the first flexible member emanates from the first housing at a second, relatively greater elevation above the floor surface when the first resistance devices occupies the second of said orientations relative to the bar. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The exercise kit of claim 11, wherein a first C-shaped bracket is mounted on the first end of the bar, and a second C-shaped bracket is mounted on the second end of the bar, and each said housing is sized and configured to nest inside a respective said bracket. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The exercise kit of claim 16, wherein each said bracket includes a spring-biased latch that is movable into and out of engagement with a respective said housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The exercise kit of claim 11, wherein a first leaf spring is disposed on the first end of the bar and releasably biased into latching engagement with the first housing, and a second leaf spring is disposed on the second end of the bar and releasably biased into latching engagement with the second housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The exercise kit of claim 18, wherein each said leaf spring has a respective distal end that is sized and configured to be pressed by a person's thumb to release a respective said housing from engagement by a respective said latch.