U.S. patent application number 10/199607 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-22 for exercise bench.
Invention is credited to Centopani, Paul.
Application Number | 20040014570 10/199607 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30443345 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040014570 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Centopani, Paul |
January 22, 2004 |
EXERCISE BENCH
Abstract
A portable exerciser for abdominal and gluteal exercise has a
pivoting backrest with handgrips and a leg support extension which
is alternately fixed or allowed to pivot for different exercises.
The exerciser is easily disassembled and stored in very little
space for later reassembly and use.
Inventors: |
Centopani, Paul; (Monroe,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NOTARO AND MICHALOS
100 DUTCH HILL ROAD
SUITE 110
ORANGEBURG
NY
10962-2100
US
|
Family ID: |
30443345 |
Appl. No.: |
10/199607 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/140 ;
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4031 20151001;
A63B 2208/0252 20130101; A63B 2208/0257 20130101; A63B 71/0036
20130101; A63B 21/0428 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B
21/4047 20151001; A61H 2205/083 20130101; A63B 23/0211 20130101;
A63B 23/0494 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/140 ;
482/142 |
International
Class: |
A63B 026/00; A63B
071/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable exerciser for supporting a person performing
abdominal and gluteal muscle exercises above a floor, the exerciser
comprising: a horizontal frame having two ends; a seat supported
adjacent a first end of the frame; a backrest pivotally mounted to
the frame between the seat and the other end of the frame; a pair
of handgrips attached to the backrest at a free end of the
backrest; a support hinge connected to the frame first end; a leg
support bar extending from the frame and pivotally connected to the
support hinge for movement between 0.degree. and 90.degree., the
leg support bar and support bar including means for alternately
locking the leg support bar at a predetermined angle relative to
the frame and permitting pivoting movement of the leg support bar;
leg pads adjustably mounted to the leg support bar for changing the
distance between the leg pads and the seat; and resistance means
connected between the frame and the leg support bar for opposing
pivoting movement of the leg support bar when the locking means is
arranged to permit pivoting movement.
2. The exerciser of claim 1, wherein the resistance means comprises
hooks attached to each of the leg support bar and the frame and an
elastic band connected between the hooks.
3. The exerciser of claim 2, wherein the elastic band is a bungee
cord.
4. The exerciser of claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a
locking pin opening through the support hinge, a corresponding
second opening through the leg support bar for aligning with the
locking pin opening and a locking pin for inserting through the
aligned openings to hold the leg support bar at an angle determined
by the position of the locking pin opening.
5. The exerciser of claim 4, further comprising at least two
secondary locking pin openings, each for aligning with the
corresponding second opening to hold the leg support bar at
different angles determined by the position of the second locking
pin openings in the hinge.
6. The exerciser of claim 5, wherein the locking pin opening and
secondary locking pin openings are positioned to hold the leg
support bar at angles of 30.degree., 50.degree. and 70.degree.
relative to horizontal.
7. The exerciser of claim 1, further comprising non-skid feet
attached to a bottom of the frame.
8. The exerciser of claim 1, wherein the leg pads are fixedly
mounted on an adjustment bar slidingly connected within the leg
support bar for changing the distance between the leg pads and the
seat.
9. The exerciser of claim 9, further comprising second locking
means for holding the adjustment bar and leg support bar in
position relative to each other.
10. The exerciser of claim 1, wherein the support hinge is
removable from the frame.
Description
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
exercise and physical fitness and in particular to a new and useful
multi-purpose exercise bench for aiding a person performing a
variety of abdominal and gluteal toning and strengthening
exercises.
[0002] Many different types of exercise equipment are presently
available, including stationary bicycles, elliptical trainers, and
resistance weight machines such as those sold under the name
UNIVERSAL or LIFECYCLE, among others. Most exercise equipment is
made for use in club gyms, like WORLD GYM, BALLYS or NEW YORK
SPORTS CLUBS, and it is very bulky and not intended to be easily
moved or stored.
[0003] Many people prefer to exercise in their own home for a
number of reasons, including convenience and embarrassment at being
seen exercising in public. Home exercise equipment is often smaller
or designed to be portable or compact for easier storage and
movement compared to commercial gym equipment. Home exercise
equipment ranges from simple benches or single function, portable
exercisers, like the THIGHMASTER exerciser to more complex,
all-in-one resistance weightlifting machines, such as the BOWFLEX
or SOLOFLEX exercise machines.
[0004] Home exercise benches for supporting a person's body during
a workout are generally known. A common type of bench is a raised
horizontal padded support for use performing bench press and other
weightlifting exercises with a barbell or dumbbells. Often these
benches have an integrated pair of vertical supports for holding a
barbell above the bench between lifting exercises.
[0005] Weightlifting benches sometimes have a pivoting backrest
separate from a seat as well. The backrest pivots between
horizontal to nearly vertical. Changing the angle of the backrest
allows a person to perform different weightlifting exercises using
the bench.
[0006] Other than a pivoting backrest, or perhaps adjustable height
vertical barbell supports, conventional weightlifting benches do
not have any moving parts. Weightlifting benches are not usually
capable of being significantly reduced in size for storage, mainly
due to the size and rigidity of the frame needed for safely
supporting a barbell over the backrest.
[0007] Resistance exercise devices are sometimes attached to
weightlifting benches to provide additional exercise function.
Resistance exercise apparatus includes bulky leg lift or arm curl
levers pivotally attached to the bench and having a cable or strap
connected to a weight to provide resistance against movement. These
levers and their associated weights add several feet in length to
the bench and are usually complex and difficult to disassemble for
storage, when possible. Leg extension and leg lift exercises for
toning and strengthening the upper legs and gluteal muscles can be
performed using these machines.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,586, for example, discloses a more
complex weightlifting bench which includes adjustable barbell
supports, a pivoting backrest, and fixed seat, and, as well, a leg
exercise attachment for connection to a resistance device. The
bench is rigidly formed, however, and although the bench can be
moved to a storage position, the attached frame of the barbell
supports cannot be reduced in size for storage.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,324 teaches an exercise bench which can
be reconfigured between a horizontal bench and an incline bench at
different angles. The bench does not have an integrated frame for
supporting a barbell and can be folded to a flat storage position.
The bench does not include any resistance exercise equipment.
[0010] As is apparent from the prior patents, multi-purpose gyms
and weightlifting benches are not well suited to performing sit-ups
or other abdominal exercises because of the location of components
which interfere with the necessary movements or issues with
stability of the bench.
[0011] Sit-ups and other abdominal exercises can be performed by
simply laying on a floor and bending the knees. One known exercise
requires the person to position their body adjacent a wall and
extend their legs straight against the wall, with their back on the
floor. Back injuries can result from uncushioned contact with a
floor when performing such exercises, however. Injuries can also
result from exercising without proper support for the back.
[0012] Exercise mats are known for providing some padding between a
person stretching or performing sit-ups and other exercises and the
floor of a gym. Exercise mats are commonly a sheet of a flexible
rubber-like material which is compressible when a person's weight
is applied to the mat. Such mats help cushion parts of a person's
body, such as the tailbone or head, against contact with the floor
and provide only minimal support in one position. Exercise mats are
easily stored, usually by rolling them up. But, exercise mats do
not include any attachments, such as leg supports or handles.
[0013] Other simple support equipment for exercising is known as
well, including the exercise appliance of U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,647.
The exercise appliance is essentially a semi-circular pillow for
placing at the small of a person's back to provide resistance and
support while performing sit-up exercises. The appliance enhances
the exercise by creating additional resistance that the person
doing the sit-ups must overcome.
[0014] Mechanical devices for exercising the stomach and buttocks
are also known. For instance, the hand-held abdominal exerciser
disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,275, is operated by a person
placing a pad of the exerciser against their stomach and pulling a
housing toward them. The pad is mounted on a plunger held in the
housing for sliding movement resisted by elastic cords. In an
alternate use, the pad can be placed against the buttocks and the
housing pulled to exercise those muscles.
[0015] These mechanical exercisers typically require some minimum
strength or skill to use properly and effectively. Also, they do
not provide good back or leg support while exercising.
[0016] A multiple configuration, portable exercise support for
abdominal and gluteal exercises that is easily stored is not
presently known. Such a device is needed to provide a simple, yet
effective support for performing different exercises, while
occupying little space when stored.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
portable abdominal and gluteal exerciser having good back
support.
[0018] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an
exerciser for performing abdominal and gluteal exercises that is
stored easily between uses.
[0019] Accordingly, an exerciser of the invention has a frame
horizontally supporting a seat and a pivoting backrest, sit-up
handles attached to the backrest, and a leg support positionable at
different elevation angles mounted to the frame. The leg support
has an adjustable length elongated bar supporting two pads adjacent
one end. The other end of the leg support bar is made to pivotally
connect to a support hinge on the frame at the end adjacent the
seat. The exerciser is adaptable for use performing either sit-ups
or gluteal muscle exercises.
[0020] When sit-ups or a similar abdominal exercise will be
performed, the exerciser is arranged to support a person's legs in
an elevated position. The leg support bar has a pin opening for
aligning with a selected one of three or more corresponding
openings in the support hinge to select an elevation angle. A
locking pin is inserted through the aligned openings to secure the
bar at the desired angle for use. A person can place their legs
over the pads and grasp the handles to pull the pivoting backrest
forward as they perform sit-ups or a similar abdominal
exercise.
[0021] In an alternate configuration for performing gluteal muscle
exercises, the locking pin is not used. An elastic band is
connected between the leg support bar and the frame to provide
resistance when the leg support bar is pivoted toward the backrest.
The elastic band may be connected by hooks or similar connectors at
each of the leg support bar and frame. To perform the exercise, a
person lays on their stomach and adjusts the leg support bar length
so their ankles are behind the pads and their knees bend at about
the same position as the pivot connection of leg support bar and
support hinge. Then, the feet and legs are brought toward the
buttocks repeatedly to exercise the gluteal muscles.
[0022] The various features of novelty which characterize the
invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and
specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred
embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In the drawings:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a top, left side perspective view of an exerciser
of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a top, left side perspective view of the exerciser
of FIG. 1 in a second position;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a top, left, front perspective view of the leg
support of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3A is an end sectional view of the leg support taken
along line 3-3 of FIG. 3;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a front, left side perspective view of the hinge
of FIG. 1; and
[0029] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the locking pin used in
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference
numerals are used to refer to the same or similar elements, FIGS. 1
and 2 show an exerciser 10 of the invention having a horizontal
frame 30 supporting a seat 12 and pivotable backrest 14. The
backrest is connected to the frame 20 via hinge 16. The opposing
edges of the seat 12 and backrest 14 are both beveled to permit
generally unhindered movement of the backrest 14 toward the seat
12. The backrest 14 can pivot forward toward seat 12 up to
90.degree. from the horizontal position, as illustrated by angle C
in FIG. 2.
[0031] Handgrips 80 are removably or permanently connected to the
end of the backrest 14. The handgrips 80 may be connected, for
instance, by stitching, corresponding hook and loop fasteners (such
as VELCRO fasteners), snap connectors, rivets or other connectors
which provide a strong connection, regardless of the permanence of
the connection. The handgrips 80 should be connected so they are
not pulled free when the exerciser 10 is used to perform sit-ups or
other abdominal exercises in which the handgrips are gripped and
pulled forward with the backrest 14. The handgrips preferably
consist of a strap connected to the backrest and a handle, such as
a D-ring, O-ring or cylindrical rod handle.
[0032] Frame 30 may include a cross member 32 for shape stability
and to help support the backrest 14 in the horizontal rest
position. The cross member 32 extends across the frame 30 to make
the rectangular frame 30 more rigid and resistant to shifting out
of square.
[0033] Short, skid-resistant feet 35, preferably made from rubber,
are mounted to the bottom of the frame 30, preferably at the ends.
The feet 35 are provided only to help prevent the frame 30 from
sliding across the planar surface, such as a tile or carpeted
floor, where the exerciser 10 is used. The feet 35 should not
significantly raise the frame 30 above the surface where it is
used.
[0034] Frame 30 includes a support hinge 40 for pivotally mounting
a leg support bar 50 to the exerciser 10. The support hinge 40 can
be removably connected to the frame 30, such as by a threaded
connector, or permanently connected using a rivet.
[0035] The leg support bar 50 carries a pair of leg pads 55
extending perpendicularly from the bar 50. The leg pads 55 may be
mounted to an adjustable bar 52 of the leg support bar 50.
[0036] FIGS. 3 and 4 show enlarged views of the support hinge 40
and leg support bar 50, respectively. The support hinge 40 is
preferably formed in a U-shape having a channel 48 for guiding the
leg support bar 50, and the closed end having a bolt hole 49 for
securing the support hinge 40 to the frame 30 via a threaded
connector or similar connector. The bottom side of the channel 48
may also be closed to make the support hinge 40 more rigid.
[0037] The support hinge 40 includes pivot opening 42 through the
side of the U-shape, and at least three locking pin openings 43,
44, 45 adjacent the arcuate open edge of the hinge 40. The openings
42-45 preferably each have a corresponding aligned opening (not
shown) on the opposite side of the channel 48.
[0038] The leg support bar 50 is connected to the support hinge 40
by aligning end hole 58 with pivot opening 42 and inserting a pin
or bolt through the openings 42, 58 in each component. Thus, the
leg support bar 50 is guided within channel 48 of support hinge 40
for pivoting movement up and down.
[0039] The leg support bar 50 can be locked at a specific angle
defined by one of the locking pin openings 43-45 by inserting a
locking pin 70 (shown in FIGS. 1, 5) through the appropriate
locking pin opening 43-45 aligned with pin hole 56 in leg support
bar 50. The locking pin openings 43-45 are preferably arranged to
position the leg support at angles of 30.degree., 50.degree. and
70.degree. relative to horizontal.
[0040] Further, the adjustable bar 52 is preferably adapted to
slide within leg support bar 50 to increase or decrease the
distance of the leg pads 55 from the frame 30, such as shown in
FIG. 3A. The leg support bar 50 and adjustable bar 52 preferably
each have length adjustment openings 53 which can be aligned and a
second locking pin 70 inserted through to hold the bars 50, 52 in
their relative positions.
[0041] In use, the leg support bar 50 is preferably locked at one
of the three angles (30.degree., 50.degree., 70.degree.) for
performing sit-ups or other abdominal exercises. The angle selected
will affect the difficulty of the exercise, with a greater angle
being more difficult. A person then lays flat on the seat 12 and
backrest 14 and places their legs over the pads 55 so the backs of
their knees are on the pads in a bent position. The length of the
leg support bar 50 is adjusted as needed to achieve this position.
The handgrips 80 are grasped with each hand so that the hands are
positioned approximately adjacent the head.
[0042] Now that they are in proper position, the person then
contracts their abdominal muscles and pulls their torso, and the
backrest 14, forward towards their knees and the leg pads 55. The
muscles are relaxed, and the torso and backrest 14 return to at
least near the horizontal position, followed by repeating the
contraction and relaxing a number of times. Typically, the exercise
is done in sets of 10, 15 or 20 and sometimes more, followed by a
period of rest and then additional exercises and rest periods until
the person is satisfied with their workout.
[0043] The exerciser 10 can also be used to perform gluteal muscle
exercises. For this purpose, the leg support bar 50 is not locked
into a particular angle in the support hinge 40, but, rather, is
allowed to pivot within channel 48. Hooks 62, 64 are provided on
each of the frame 30 and adjacent the leg pads 55 for connecting a
resistance band 60 between them. The resistance band 60 may be an
elastic cord, for example, a bungee cord or the elastic straps
commonly used in physical therapy to provide varying degrees of
resistance.
[0044] To perform the gluteal muscle exercises, the person now lays
flat on their stomach on the seat 12 and backrest 14. The leg
support bar 50 length is adjusted so that the leg pads 55 are
positioned at about the back of the person's ankles, with their
legs under the leg pads 55. The knees should be positioned aligned
with the pivot connection of the leg support bar 50 at openings 42,
58. The person may choose to grasp the handgrips 80, or simply
place their arms at their sides.
[0045] Once in position, the leg and gluteal muscles are contracted
by bringing the ankles and leg pads 55 toward the buttocks and seat
12 against the resistance of the resistance band 60, if any. The
contracted position may be held for a short count, if desired, and
then the muscles are relaxed and the legs returned to at least near
a resting position. Preferably a resistance band 60 is used which
provides at least some small resistance because it also acts to
help return the leg support bar 50 to the horizontal position. The
rear of channel 48 in the hinge 40 prevents the leg support bar 50
from being moved past vertical (90.degree. to horizontal), so that
the leg support bar 50 will usually tend to return to the starting
position anyway.
[0046] As with the abdominal exercises, the gluteal muscle
exercises may be repeated a set number of times, followed by rest
periods and additional repetitions until the person exercising is
satisfied.
[0047] The exerciser 10 provides good back and body support when
performing either type of exercise so as to minimize the likelihood
of injury to the person. The pivoting backrest 14 and handgrips 80
provide continuous support for a person's back while they perform
abdominal exercises. The planar arrangement of the seat 12 and
backrest 14 when performing gluteal muscle exercises also provides
good support to the person.
[0048] And, the adjustable length leg support bar 50, which permits
changing the position of the leg pads 55 relative to the seat 12,
ensures that leg injuries from poor positioning when performing
gluteal muscle exercises is avoided. The knees can be aligned with
the pivot connection of the bar 50 and hinge 40 so that the
exercise motion and exerciser 10 movements are synchronized.
[0049] The exerciser 10 is easily disassembled for storage, such as
in a preferred embodiment, by disconnecting the support hinge 40
and leg support bar 50 from the frame and placing them flat
together for storage under a bed, or standing inside a closet.
[0050] The components are all preferably lightweight, and can be
made from strong plastics or metals which are both lightweight and
structurally sound. Leather, vinyl or hypoallergenic materials can
be used for the seat 12 and backrest 14 and leg pads 55.
[0051] While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown
and described in detail to illustrate the application of the
principles of the invention, it will be understood that the
invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such
principles.
* * * * *