U.S. patent application number 09/997959 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-29 for exercise device.
Invention is credited to Augustine, David M., Galbraith, Scott.
Application Number | 20030100415 09/997959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25544602 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030100415 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Augustine, David M. ; et
al. |
May 29, 2003 |
Exercise device
Abstract
A skeletal frame is pivotally mounted on a support frame to
enable a user in a supine position to conduct an abdominal
exercise. The skeletal frame includes a padded rest in which the
user may rest his/her head. A pair of elastic members are secured
to and between these skeletal frame and the support in one mode of
operation to assist the user in conducting the abdominal exercise.
In another mode of operation, the elastic members dynamically
resist the exercise routine. The exercise device may be employed to
conduct a "push-up" exercise routine.
Inventors: |
Augustine, David M.;
(Mendham, NJ) ; Galbraith, Scott; (North Logan,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARELLA, BYRNE, BAIN, GILFILLAN, CECCHI,
STEWART & OLSTEIN
6 BECKER FARM ROAD
ROSELAND
NJ
07068
US
|
Family ID: |
25544602 |
Appl. No.: |
09/997959 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/140 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/0252 20130101;
A63B 21/00181 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B 23/0211
20130101; A63B 21/0557 20130101; A63B 23/1236 20130101; A63B
21/0421 20130101; A63B 21/00061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/140 |
International
Class: |
A63B 026/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An exercise device comprising a support frame; a skeletal frame
mounted on said support frame for rocking back and forth under a
manually applied force from a user between a first position and a
second position; a rest mounted on said skeletal frame for
receiving a body part of a user positioned within said skeletal
frame; and means for dynamically resisting rocking of said skeletal
frame relative to said support frame from said first position to
said second position.
2. An exercise device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rest is
disposed on said skeletal frame to receive a head of a user lying
in a supine position within said skeletal frame.
3. An exercise device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said rest is
raised during rocking of said skeletal frame from said first
position to said second position.
4. An exercise device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means
includes a pair of elongated elastic members, each said member
being secured to and between said support frame and said skeletal
frame whereby rocking of said skeletal frame on said support frame
from said first position to said second position causes stretching
of said members.
5. An exercise device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means
includes a pair of shock absorbers.
6. An exercise device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said rest is
lowered during rocking of said skeletal frame from said first
position to said second position.
7. An exercise device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means
includes a pair of elongated elastic members, each said member
being secured to and between said support frame and said skeletal
frame whereby rocking of said skeletal frame on said support frame
from said first position to said second position causes stretching
of said members.
8. An exercise device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rest is
disposed on said skeletal frame to receive a torso of a user lying
within said skeletal frame.
9. An exercise device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said rest is
lowered during rocking of said skeletal frame from said first
position to said second position to facilitate a user conducting a
push-up exercise.
10. An exercise device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a
pair of handles secured to said skeletal frame, each said handle
being disposed adjacent said rest for manual grasping thereof
during rocking of said skeletal frame on said support frame.
11. An exercise device comprising a support frame; a skeletal frame
mounted on said support frame for rocking back and forth under a
manually applied force from a user between a lowered first position
and a raised second position; a head rest mounted on said skeletal
frame for receiving a head of a user positioned within said
skeletal frame; and means for dynamically assisting rocking of said
skeletal frame relative to said support frame from said lowered
first position to said raised second position.
12. An exercise device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means
includes a pair of elongated elastic members, each said member
being secured to and between said support frame and said skeletal
frame whereby rocking of said skeletal frame on said support frame
from said second position to said first position causes stretching
of said members.
13. An exercise device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means
includes a pair of shock absorbers.
14. An exercise device comprising a support frame; a skeletal frame
pivotally mounted on said support frame on a pivot axis; a head
rest mounted on said skeletal frame for receiving a head of a user
lying in a supine position within said skeletal frame; and a pair
of elongated elastic members, each said member being secured to and
between said support frame and said skeletal frame whereby pivoting
of said skeletal frame on said support frame from a first position
to a second position causes stretching of said members.
15. An exercise device as set forth in claim 14 which further
comprises two pairs of telescoping tubes, each said pair of
telescoping tubes being secured to and between said support frame
and said skeletal frame and having a respective one of said elastic
members disposed therein.
16. An exercise device as set forth in claim 14 wherein each said
elastic member is secured to said support frame on the same side of
said pivot axis as said head rest to dynamically increase the
resistance to pivoting of said skeletal frame on said support frame
during pivoting of said skeletal frame from a lowered first
position to a raised second position.
17. An exercise device as set forth in claim 14 wherein each said
elastic member is secured to said support frame on a side of said
pivot axis opposite said head rest to dynamically assist pivoting
of said skeletal frame on said support frame during pivoting of
said skeletal frame from a lowered position to a raised
position.
18. An exercise device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said
support frame includes a pair of parallel rails for receiving a
user therebetween and at least one cross-bar secured to and between
said rails.
19. An exercise device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said
skeletal frame includes a pair of upstanding rails opposite said
head rest and a cross-bar extending between said rails for manual
grasping thereof.
20. An exercise device as set forth in claim 19 wherein each said
elastic member is secured at one end to a respective one of said
rails.
21. An exercise device as set forth in claim 14 which further
comprises a back rest secured to and across said skeletal frame for
receiving a back of a user lying in a supine position within said
skeletal frame.
22. An exercise device as set forth in claim 21 wherein said back
rest is a cloth strip having adjustable means thereon for adjusting
said strip to and across said skeletal frame.
23. An exercise device as set forth in claim 14 which further
comprises a pair of handles secured to said skeletal frame, each
said handle being disposed adjacent said head rest for manual
grasping thereof during pivoting of said skeletal frame on said
support frame.
24. An exercise device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said
skeletal frame is made of multiple interfitting pieces and is
releaseably connected to said support frame.
25. An exercise device comprising a support frame; a skeletal frame
pivotally mounted on said support frame on a pivot axis; a padded
rest mounted on said skeletal frame; and a pair of elongated
elastic members, each said member being secured to and between said
support frame and said skeletal frame whereby pivoting of said
skeletal frame on said support frame from a first position to a
second position causes stretching of said members.
26. An exercise device as set forth in claim 25 which further
comprises two pairs of telescoping tubes, each said pair of
telescoping tubes being secured to and between said support frame
and said skeletal frame and having a respective one of said elastic
members disposed therein.
27. An exercise device as set forth in claim 25 wherein each said
elastic member is secured to said support frame on the same side of
said pivot axis as said padded rest to dynamically increase the
resistance to pivoting of said skeletal frame on said support frame
during pivoting of said skeletal frame from a lowered first
position to a raised second position and wherein said padded rest
is in a lowermost position with said skeletal frame in said first
position and a raised position with said skeletal frame in said
second position.
28. An exercise device as set forth in claim 25 wherein each said
elastic member is secured to said support frame on a side of said
pivot axis opposite said padded rest and wherein said padded rest
is in a raised position with said skeletal frame in said first
position and a lowered position with said skeletal frame in said
second position.
29. An exercise device as set forth in claim 28 wherein said padded
rest is sized to receive a torso of a user performing a push-up
while lying face down within said skeletal frame.
30. An exercise device as set forth in claim 29 which further
comprises a cloth strip secured to and across said skeletal frame
adjacent said padded rest for receiving a torso of a user
performing a push-up while lying face down within said skeletal
frame.
31. The combination comprising a skeletal frame mounted for rocking
back and forth on a support surface under a manually applied force
from a user disposed within said frame between a first position and
a second position; a rest mounted on said skeletal frame for
receiving a body part of a user positioned within said frame; and
means for dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking of said
skeletal frame relative to the support surface from said first
position to said second position.
32. An exercise device as set forth in claim 31 wherein said means
comprises a pair of elongated elastic members, each said member
being secured to and between said skeletal frame and the support
surface whereby rocking of said skeletal frame on the support
surface from a first position to a second position causes
stretching of said members.
33. An exercise device as set forth in claim 32 which further
comprises two pairs of telescoping tubes, each said pair of
telescoping tubes being secured to and between said support frame
and said skeletal frame and having a respective one of said elastic
members disposed therein.
34. An exercise device as set forth in claim 31 wherein said
skeletal frame has a pair of rails opposite said rest and a
cross-bar extending between said rails for manual grasping thereof.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to an exercise device. More
particularly, this invention relates to an abdominal exercise
device.
[0002] Heretofore, various types of exercise devices have been
known for exercising various parts of the human body. One of the
most popular devices which has been provided is an abdominal
exerciser device as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,492,520 and
5,577,987. One of the reasons for the popularity of this exercise
device is the fact that the head and neck of the user can be
supported during an abdominal exercise routine, commonly known as
an "ab crunch". Further, the device is of relatively simple
construction and can be easily used.
[0003] Other types of exercise devices have been known such as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,425 that employ resistance means
or elastic means that offer a resistance to movement, for example,
of an upper back support or a foot restraint during an abdominal
exercise.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,957 describes an aquatic abdominal
exerciser apparatus that employs an air cylinder pivotally coupled
between a cross-bar of an exerciser frame and a connecting bar of a
support frame in order to afford a predetermined amount of
resistance to the relative movement of the support frame and the
exercise frame.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,361 describes the use of a stretching
exerciser that employs a hydraulic resistance cylinder that
provides resistance to a forward pivoting movement of a back rest
member relative to a base. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,450
describes an abdominal exercise machine that employs a viscous
fluid resistance cylinder or stacked weights to resist rotation of
a chest pad during use of the device.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,284 describes the use of an abdominal
exercising device that employs an adjustable belt that is tightened
across the abdomen of a user and that is used in conjunction with
an abdominal exercise device such as described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,492,520. As described, the belt includes an abdominal pad and
elastic cords such that when a user rotates forward in a "crunch"
type exercise, the pad in combination with the elastic cords
provide direct resistance to the abdomen.
[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved
abdominal exercise device.
[0008] It is another object of the invention to be able to obtain a
comfortable and effect AB crunch workout employing an exercise
device which can be adjusted to the relative strength of the
user.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise
device with attachments to facilitate an abdominal exercise
routine.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise
device that allows a user to carry out different types of exercise
routines.
[0011] Briefly, the invention provides an exercise device
comprising a support frame and a skeletal frame mounted on the
support frame for rocking back and forth under a manually applied
force from a user between a first position and a second position.
The skeletal frame also includes a rest for receiving a body part
of the user positioned within the skeletal frame. In addition, the
exercise device employs means for dynamically increasing the
resistance to rocking of the skeletal frame relative to the support
frame from the first position to the second position.
[0012] In another embodiment, the means for dynamically increasing
the resistance to rocking of the skeletal frame may be employed as
a means for dynamically assisting rocking of the skeletal frame
relative to the support frame from a lowered first position to a
raised second position.
[0013] Conceptually, the invention is directed to a means which can
be added to an existing exercise device to increase the resistance
to rocking of the device or to assist in the rocking of the
exercise device on a support frame.
[0014] As is known, as the human body conducts repetitive exercises
over a period of time, the body adapts to the exercise routine so
that further benefits are not obtained by continued use. For
example, a user employing an exercise device as described in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,492,520 and 5,577,987 over a period of time reaches a
level where the exercise routine does not further enhance the
muscles. In this case, the users have employed weights, as
described in the patents, to increase the resistance to rocking of
the exercise device and to thereby enhance the exercise
routine.
[0015] In accordance with this invention, instead of employing a
static weight load to increase resistance, use is made of a means
that functions to dynamically increase the resistance to rocking of
the exercise device. That is to say, the greater the degree of
rocking, the greater the degree of resistance.
[0016] In cases where a user is in a beginner's stage, the user may
not have the strength to effect an effective abdominal exercise
routine. In these cases, the invention instead of increasing the
resistance to rocking, employs the same means to dynamically assist
the rocking of the skeletal frame relative to a support frame. In
this case, the skeletal frame is mounted on the support frame so
that the rest receives the head of a person in a raised position.
When the user lies down within the skeletal frame, the user then
places his/her head on the rest which is then lowered under gravity
against the force of the dynamic means. Consequently, when the user
then rocks the skeletal frame forwardly to effect an ab crunch, the
dynamic means assists the user in rocking the skeletal frame
forwardly. Gravity assists the user in returning to the supine
position.
[0017] The means that is employed for dynamically increasing the
resistance to rocking may be in the form of a pair of shock
absorbers, springs, hydraulic pistons, or the like. In a preferred
embodiment, the means for dynamically increasing the resistance to
rocking is in a form of a pair of elongated elastic members, each
of which is secured to and between the support frame and the
skeletal frame. Rocking of the skeletal frame on the support frame
from a first lowered position of the skeletal frame to a raised
second position causes stretching of the elastic members. Thus,
when the pair of elongated elastic members are to be employed as a
means for dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking, the two
elastic members are placed to one side of the skeletal frame to
resist rocking towards the opposite side. When the two elastic
members are employed to assist in rocking of the skeletal frame,
the two members are secured to the support frame on the opposite
side of the skeletal frame.
[0018] In other embodiments, use may be made of springs secured
between the skeletal frame and support frame for biasing the
skeletal frame in one or the other direction relative to the
support frame.
[0019] In accordance with the invention, the exercise device may be
used to carry out exercise routines other than an ab crunch
routine. For example, employing the means for dynamically assisting
rocking of the skeletal frame such that the rest on the skeletal
frame is in a raised initial position, the user may place his/her
torso, for example, the chest area, on the rest while placing
his/her hands on a support surface, such as a floor. Initially, the
skeletal frame would rock downwardly so that the rest engages the
floor. The user would then carry out a "push-up". During this time,
the means for dynamically assisting the rocking of the skeletal
frame assists the user in lifting his/her body. Thus, the exercise
device may be employed to extend a push-up routine or to, at least,
assist the user in effecting a push-up.
[0020] The exercise device may also be provided with a pair of
handles on the skeletal frame, each of which is disposed adjacent
to the rest for manual grasping thereof during rocking of the
skeletal frame on the support frame. These handles allow the user
to hold onto the skeletal frame via the handles rather than another
portion of the skeletal frame. This increases the effort required
in order to carry out an ab crunch.
[0021] The exercise device may also be provided with a backrest
secured to and across the skeletal frame for receiving the
shoulders of the user while in a supine position.
[0022] The exercise device may be constructed of multiple parts,
which may be interfitted together. The exercise device may be
shipped in a flattened position in a suitable container or box. In
addition, the exercise device may be taken apart by the user for
storage in a compact manner. The exercise device may be supported
on any suitable support, for example, the support frame of the
exercise device may simply be placed on a floor to be disposed in a
horizontal position. Also, the exercise device may be employed on
various types of benches to be used while the bench is in a
horizontal or angular position.
[0023] Further, it is possible to mount the exercise device on a
vertical surface, such as a wall, in order to carry out an exercise
routine.
[0024] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exercise device
constructed in accordance with the invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a modified exercise
device; and
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the exercise device of FIG. 1
in position for a push-up exercise program.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the exercise device 10 includes a
support frame 11 and a skeletal frame 12 that is mounted on the
support frame 11 for rocking back and forth under a manually
applied force from a user between a first position as shown in FIG.
1 and a raised second position (not shown).
[0029] The support frame 11 includes a pair of pedestals 13 each of
which is bifurcated to have two upstanding legs 14. The pedestals
13 are disposed in spaced apart parallel relation and each receives
an elongated bar 16 that extends between and from the legs 14 to
lend stability to the support frame 11. A cross-bar 17 is secured
perpendicularly of and to the bars 16 by means of bolts 18 or any
other suitable means to maintain the pedestals 13 in secured
relation to each other.
[0030] The skeletal frame 12 includes a pair of curved rails 19
each of which is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot pin 20
between and to the legs 14 of a pedestal 13. The skeletal frame
also has a pair of cross-bars 21 which are secured to and across
the upper and lower ends of the rails 19. The two rails 14 and
cross-bars 21 may be formed of a single piece of tubing or the like
or as shown, the cross-bars 21 are formed as U-shaped members
interfitted into or onto the rails 19 and secured in place by bolts
22 or any other suitable means, particularly for purposes of
storage and transportation.
[0031] The skeletal frame 12 also carries a padded rest 23 for
receiving a body part of a user positioned within these skeletal
frame. For example, for purposes of conducting an abdominal
exercise, the rest 23 receives the head of a user. The rest 23
maybe secured to the lower cross-bar 21 in any suitable manner, for
example, by means of a pair of bolts that pass through the
cross-bar 21 into the rest 23.
[0032] In accordance with the invention, means are provided for
dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking of the skeletal
frame 12 relative the support frame 10 between the lowered position
illustrated and second raised position (not shown). This means is
in the form of a pair of elongated elastic members 24, each of
which is secured to and between the support frame 11 and the
skeletal frame 12 so that rocking of the skeletal frame 12 on the
support frame 11 from the position shown to a forward position
causes stretching of the elastic members 24.
[0033] Each elastic member 24 is housed within a pair of
telescoping tubes 25,26 for protection purposes and to form a
single unit that may be easily handled. In this respect, each end
of an elastic member 24 is secured to one tube 25 or the other tube
26 so that as the elastic member elongates and contracts, the tubes
25,26 slide relative to each other.
[0034] The upper tube 25 is pivotally mounted on a headed pin 27
that is positioned in a rail 19 of the skeletal frame 12 and is
held in place by a nut 28 threaded onto the end of the pin 27. The
lower tube 26 is pivotally secured to a pedestal 13 by a bolt 29
threaded into the pedestal 13.
[0035] In an alternative embodiment (not shown),each elastic member
24 may have a loop at each end to fit over the pin 27 on a rail 14
and to receive the bolt 29 for securement to a pedestal 13. in this
embodiment the elastic members 24 are exposed.
[0036] As illustrated, the two means for dynamically increasing the
resistance to rocking are secured on the same side of the pivot
axis i.e. axis of the pivot pins 20, as the padded rest 23. Thus,
during use of the exercise device 10, a user would lie in a supine
position within the skeletal frame 12 with the user's head resting
on the padded rest 23. Thereafter, the user would grasp the rails
19 or the upper cross-bar 21 or may simply engage the forearms
against the cross-bar 21. Rocking of the skeletal frame 12
forwardly would then act against the resistance provided by the two
elastic members 24. Should a user decide not to employ the elastic
members 24, each may be simply detached from the skeletal frame 12
and/or support frame 11.
[0037] As illustrated, a back rest 30 is secured to and across the
skeletal frame 12 for receiving a back of a user lying in a supine
position within the skeletal frame. In the illustrated embodiment,
this back rest 30 is in the form of a cloth strip having adjustable
means (not shown) thereon for adjusting the cloth strip to and
across the rails 19 of the skeletal frame 11. When in use, the
cloth strip 30 receives the upper back of the user to lend support
to the back of the user.
[0038] The skeletal frame 12 also has a pair of handles 31, in the
form of straps, secured to the lower cross-bar 21 of the skeletal
frame 12 adjacent to the padded rest 23. The handles 31 are
disposed for manual grasping thereof during pivoting of the
skeletal frame 12 on the support frame 11 in order to enhance an
abdominal exercise. In this respect, instead of the user grasping
or engaging the upstanding portions of the rails 19 or the upper
cross-bar 21, the user would instead grasp the handles 31 in order
to pivot the skeletal frame 12 forwardly on the support frame
11.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, a mat 32 is disposed between the rails
16 and over the cross-bar 17 to provide a smooth surface over the
cross-bar 17 in order to avoid discomfort to the back of the
user.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, wherein in like reference characters
indicate like parts as above, the means for dynamically resisting
rocking of the skeletal frame 12 on the support frame 11 may employ
a pair of hydraulic shock absorbers 33 which are connected to and
between a rail 19 of the skeletal frame 12 and a pedestal 13 of the
support frame 11.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, wherein like reference characters
indicate like parts as above, the exercise device 10 may be
assembled with the elastic members 24 secured to each pedestal 13
on an opposite side of a pivot axis, i.e., pivot axis of the pins
20, from the padded rest 23. In this case, the elastic members 24
serve as a means for dynamically assisting rocking of the skeletal
frame 12 relative to the support frame 11 from the lowered position
shown in FIG. 1 to the raised position shown in FIG. 3. In this
embodiment, the skeletal frame 12 is in a forward position so that
the padded rest 23 is in a raised position. In order to perform an
exercise, the user would lie in a supine position within the
skeletal frame 12 with the user's head on the raised rest 23. Once
positioned, gravity would cause the skeletal frame 12 to pivot
rearwardly to lower the padded rest 22 until reaching the position
as indicated in FIG. 1. This, in turn, would cause stretching of
the elastic members 24. Thus, the elastic members 24 become biased
so as to assist the user in pivoting the skeletal frame 12
forwardly on the support frame 11.
[0042] The mode of use of the exercise device 10 when employed in
the position indicated in FIG. 3 is particularly useful for a user
of limited muscular strength. Once the user has developed his/her
muscles, the exercise device may be employed in the manner as
described with respect to FIG. 1.
[0043] The exercise device 10 may also be used to conduct a push-up
when configured in the manner of FIG. 3. In this case, instead of a
user lying in a supine position within the frame 12, the user would
lie face down with his/her torso, for example, the chest area, on
the padded rest 23 while placing his/her hands on a support surface
such as a floor. Initially, the skeletal frame 12 would rock
downwardly so that the rest 23 engages or comes near to the floor.
The user would then carry out a "push-up". During this time, the
elastic members 24 would dynamically assist the rocking of the
skeletal frame 12 upwardly thereby assisting the user in lifting
his/her body. Thus, the exercise device 10 maybe employed to extend
a push-up routine or to, at least, assist the user in effecting a
push-up.
[0044] In each of the embodiments, the support frame 11 is
illustrated in a horizontal position, that is on a horizontal
surface. The surface may be a floor, bench or any other suitable
horizontal support surface. Also, it is possible to mount the
exercise device 10 on a vertical surface, such as a wall, in order
to carry out an exercise routine. For example, with the support
frame 11 secured to a vertical surface, a user in a stand-up
position may push the outer cross-bar 21 forwardly and downwardly
while resting his/her head or back against the padded rest 23.
[0045] The means to resist/assist an exercise routine may be
readily attached by a user to and between the skeletal frame 12 and
the support frame 11 and may be readily replaced by a stronger or
weaker means to fit the needs of the user.
[0046] The invention thus provides an abdominal exercise device
with means to improve an abdominal exercise program.
[0047] The invention further provides means for dynamically
assisting or resisting an exercise routine. As such, the device may
be used to assist a beginner in one mode of operation while
creating a greater resistance for an advanced user in a second mode
of operation.
* * * * *