U.S. patent application number 10/649318 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-03 for exercise device with elongate flexible member.
Invention is credited to Butler, Jaremy T., Dalebout, William T..
Application Number | 20050049123 10/649318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34216921 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050049123 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dalebout, William T. ; et
al. |
March 3, 2005 |
Exercise device with elongate flexible member
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an exercise device that
enhances a body workout by requiring a user to maintain balance
while exercising. The exercise device has an elongate flexible
member connected to a base. The flexible member has an upper
surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has a pair of foot
placement portions configured and arranged such that a user
positioned thereon must exercise balance. The foot placement
portions are separated along the longitudinal axis such that a user
standing thereon assumes an athletic stance.
Inventors: |
Dalebout, William T.; (North
Logan, UT) ; Butler, Jaremy T.; (Paradise,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David B.Dellenbach
WORKMAN NYDEGGER
1000 Eagle Gate Tower
60 East South Temple
Salt Lake City
UT
84111
US
|
Family ID: |
34216921 |
Appl. No.: |
10/649318 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0552 20130101;
A63B 2208/0228 20130101; A63B 21/0442 20130101; A63B 26/003
20130101; A63B 2071/027 20130101; A63B 2208/0252 20130101; A63B
21/04 20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 21/0557 20130101; A63B
2208/0204 20130101; A63B 21/00061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/142 |
International
Class: |
A63B 026/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An exercise device with an elongate flexible member, comprising:
a base; an elongate flexible member connected to the base, the
flexible member having an upper surface and a lower surface,
wherein the upper surface has a plurality of foot placement
portions, the flexible member being configured and arranged such
that a user positioned thereon must exercise balance.
2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the member is
symmetrical about a transverse axis.
3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is
inflatable.
4 The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the flexible member has a
valve positioned in the lower surface and the base has an aperture
that provides access to the valve.
5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of foot
placement portions are further configured and arranged such that a
user positioned on more than one foot placement assumes an athletic
stance.
6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein the athletic stance is a
stance that is substantially shoulder width.
7. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising an elastic
cord connected to the base, the elastic cord having a handle and
being configured and arranged such that a user positioned on the
foot placement portions may grasp the handle.
8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the flexible member has
at least one tab extending therefrom and the at least one tab is
connected to the base.
9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the base has at least
one slot configured to receive the at least one tab, the at least
one tab being connected to the base in the at least one slot.
10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the base has a
plurality of slots and the flexible member has a plurality of tabs
that are connected to the base in the plurality of slots.
11. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein each foot placement
portion is raised with respect to a central portion of the flexible
member.
12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein each foot placement
portion has a different surface from a central portion of the
flexible member.
13. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the surface of each
foot placement portion has a different texture from a central
portion of the flexible member.
14. An exercise device with an elongate flexible member,
comprising: a base; an elongate flexible member connected to the
base, the flexible member having an upper and a lower surface, an
interior portion of the flexible member defining a chamber, wherein
the upper surface has a plurality of raised portions, the plurality
of raised potions being configured and arranged such that a user
standing on more than one of the plurality of raised portions
assumes an athletic stance and must exercise balance.
15. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein the flexible member is
elongate and symmetrical about a transverse axis.
16. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein the flexible member is
inflatable.
17. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein the athletic stance is
a stance that is substantially shoulder width.
18. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein the flexible member
has at least one tab extending therefrom and the at least one tab
is connected to the base.
19. The exercise device of claim 18, wherein the base has at least
one slot configured to receive the at least one tab, the at least
one tab being connected to the base in the at least one slot.
20. The exercise device of claim 19, wherein the base has a
plurality of slots and the flexible member has a plurality of tabs
that are connected to the base in the plurality of slots.
21. An exercise device with a flexible member, comprising: a base;
a flexible member connected to the base, the flexible member having
an upper surface and a lower surface, the interior of the flexible
member defining a chamber, wherein the upper surface has a concave
central portion, the flexible member being configured and arranged
such that a user positioned thereon must exercise balance.
22. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein the member is
symmetrical about a transverse axis.
23. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein the upper surface has
a plurality of foot placement portions.
24. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein the upper surface has
a plurality of raised portions.
25. The exercise device of claim 21, wherein the plurality of foot
placement portions are further configured and arranged such that a
user positioned on more than one foot placement portion assumes an
athletic stance.
26. The exercise device of claim 25, wherein the athletic stance is
a stance that is substantially shoulder width.
27. An exercise device with an elongate flexible member,
comprising: a base; an elongate flexible member connected to the
base, the flexible member having an upper surface and a lower
surface, wherein the upper surface has a plurality of foot
placement portions, the flexible member being configured and
arranged such that a user positioned thereon must exercise balance
and having at least one tab extending therefrom, the tab being
connected to the base.
28. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the base has at least
one slot configured to receive the at least one tab, the at least
one tab being connected to the base in the at least one slot.
29. The exercise device of claim 28, wherein the base has a
plurality of slots and the flexible member has a plurality of tabs
that are connected to the base in the plurality of slots.
30. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the base is made of
wood.
31. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the base is made of
plastic.
32. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the tabs are connected
to the base with staples.
33. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the upper surface has
a plurality of foot placement portions wherein the foot placement
portions are defined by (i) being raised with respect to a central
portion; or (ii) by having a surface that is different from the
surface of the central portion.
34. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the upper surface has
a concave central portion.
35. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the flexible member is
inflatable through a valve in the lower surface of the member, and
the base has an aperture that provides access to the valve.
36. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the tabs extend from
the periphery of the flexible member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to exercise
equipment. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention
relate to an exercising device having an elongate flexible member
connected to a base.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] In recent years, many people have realized the importance of
exercising to maintain good health. While many traditional
exercises can greatly benefit a person, traditional exercises often
fail to develop certain muscles or certain groups of muscles. In
particular, traditional exercise devices often fail to provide
exercise for many of the less prominent muscles. Furthermore,
certain traditional exercises fail to significantly enhance balance
or other coordination skills.
[0005] A good workout can provide exercise and strengthening of the
core muscles in the body, including muscles in the abdominal,
gluteus, and central regions of the body. Exercise devices and
exercise training programs have been developed to fulfill the need
for a more complete body workout, including a workout related to
the core muscles. Full body training devices often have a weight
system or other type of resistance system that uses a number of
cables, pulleys, and benches. However, these full body trainers are
often bulky and often have intricate parts that make them expensive
to buy, inconvenient to store, and difficult to use.
[0006] Recently, balancing devices have been developed that are
capable of strengthening the core muscles while simultaneously
training the user to balance. Some of these devices, among others,
have a platform mounted on a rounded chamber. The user stands on
the platform or chamber and performs exercises. Cords connected to
the base of the balancing device provide resistance for performing
exercises such as arm curls.
[0007] Exercising on such a balancing device can develop balancing
skills, coordination skills, and core muscles. In particular,
devices that use an inflatable bladder require an additional
element of balance because as the user applies force to one foot,
the bladder flexes and transfers some of that force to the other
foot.
[0008] However, the existing inflatable exercise devices provide
poor foot placement and stance. For example, the foot of a user
positioned on a dome-shaped device can have the tendency to roll
out. While the tendency to roll out does create more instability,
the benefits to the instability are offset by the unnatural
position and the increased risk of rolling an ankle. In addition,
if the user wants to place his or her feet on the horizontal
portion of a dome-shaped device, the user's feet must be
together.
[0009] Therefore, what is needed is an exercise device that
provides the benefits of a balancing device, while reducing the
tendency to roll the foot out.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an
exercise device that requires balance. In addition to improving a
user's balance, embodiments of the present invention condition the
many muscles that are required to maintain balance such as core
muscles.
[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the exercise
device includes a flexible member and a base. The flexible member
has a pair of foot placement portions where a user places his or
her feet when positioned on the exercise device. The foot placement
portions are portions of the flexible member that are substantially
horizontal. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible member is
inflatable and an interior portion of the flexible member defines a
chamber.
[0012] A user standing on the elongate exercise device receives a
more complete body workout than would be obtained by exercising on
a solid surface. The more complete workout arises from the
instability in the exercise device, which requires the user to
exert many muscles that would otherwise not be used.
[0013] The shape of the flexible member is generally elongate and
in one embodiment the flexible member has a concave central portion
separating the foot placement portions. The elongate shape of the
exercise device allows the foot placement portions to be separated
by enough distance that the user standing on the device assumes the
athletic stance such as a stance that is shoulder width.
[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the user standing with a foot on
each foot placement portion is facing perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the exercise device. Thus, the user's
forward-to-back motion is along the transverse axis and the user's
side-to-side motion is longitudinal. The elongate feature of the
exercise device reduces the instability of the device in the
longitudinal direction. Thus, the user exercises less balance from
side-to-side. While the athletic stance increases stability for
side-to-side motion, side-to-side balance is still required by the
exercise device because of the ability of the flexible member to
flex from side-to-side.
[0015] Stability in the forward-to-back motion is not reduced by
elongation in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the exercise device
requires a user to maintain more balance forward-to-back in
comparison to side-to-side. Favoring instability in the
forward-to-back direction is more desirable because a person's foot
naturally rotates better from front-to-back rather than
side-to-side. Indeed, side-to-side rotation of the ankle often
results in injury. In addition, exercising while in the athletic
stance develops balancing skills that are more useful for athletic
persons.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] To further clarify the above and other advantages and
features of the present invention, a more particular description of
the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments
thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is
appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of
the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope. The invention will be described and explained with
additional specificity and detail through the use of the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary exercise device
of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the exercise device of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an elevational end view of the exercise device of
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exercise device of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2; and
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a user standing on the exercise device of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate
generally to exercise devices having a flexible member. A user can
perform exercises on the device to strengthen core muscles and
develop balancing skills.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an exercise device
10 of the present invention. A flexible member 12 is connected to a
base 14. Base 14 is configured to be placed on a support surface
such as a floor. Flexible member 12 is elongate and has two foot
placement portions 16A and 16B. Flexible member 12 also has a
concave central portion 18. In the embodiment shown, flexible
member 12 is elongate and the concave central portion 18 separates
the two foot placement portions 16A and 16B.
[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible member 12 is
symmetrical about the longitudinal and transverse axis, the
longitudinal axis being the axis running parallel to the line
running through foot placement portions 16A and 16B. The transverse
axis is the axis running perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis.
[0026] Flexible member 12 may be made from any material, such as a
non-rigid plastics, that allows the flexible member 12 to deflect
when a user is positioned on it. In one embodiment, the flexible
member 12 is made of vinyl.
[0027] In FIG. 1 the flexible member 12 is an inflatable bladder.
However, in another embodiment, the flexible member is not
inflatable. The flexible member can be made of a non-inflatable
material, in which case, the flexible member can be filled with
foam or a compressible substance. In yet another embodiment, the
flexible member may also be filled with fillers such as silicone or
filled with a fluid such as water.
[0028] Base 14 is connected to flexible member 12 and provides
structural support for the flexible member 12. The base 14 may be
made of any rigid material. Suitable materials include plastic,
wood, fiberboard, metal, among others.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, the flexible member 12 has two foot
placement portions 16A and 16B and a concave central portion 18.
Foot placement portions 16A and 16B are the portions of the
flexible member 12 that are substantially horizontal to the board
and a stable surface on which the exercise device 10 has been
placed. The flexible member 12 is elongate such that the foot
placement portions can be separated, thereby requiring a wider
stance. In one embodiment, the substantially horizontal surfaces
that form the foot placement portions 16A and 16B are separated by
the concave central portion 18. Separating the foot placement
portions 16A and 16B creates more distinct locations for foot
placement.
[0030] Foot placement portions 16A and 16B are two raised portions.
The two raised portions are two portions of the flexible member 12
that each forms a peak or a distinct portion on the flexible member
12. The elongate feature of the flexible member 12 allows the
raised portions to be separated by a distance and provides for a
wider stance on the flexible member 12.
[0031] While flexible member 12 has been illustrated with only two
raised foot placement portions, it should be understood that the
flexible member could have any number of foot placement portions or
raised portions.
[0032] The flexible member 12 has a plurality of protrusions 20
that enhance the gripping ability of the surface of flexible member
12. The protrusions 20 may take any form such that a portion of the
surface of the flexible member is textured to provide a better grip
between the flexible member and a user positioned on the flexible
member. The concave central portion 18 is also textured with
longitudinal lines to provide a smoother gripping surface and to
make the concave central portion more durable.
[0033] In FIG. 2, attachment rings 22 are connected to base 14 and
provide a point where elastic cords 42 (FIG. 6) may be attached.
The base 14 may be configured to have any number of attachment
rings 22 and attachment rings 22 may be installed anywhere on base
14 where attachment rings 22 do not interfere with flexible member
12. As shown in FIG. 2, flexible member 12 is symmetrical about a
transverse axis.
[0034] In one embodiment, flexible member 12 can be inflated to
such an extent that the degree of curvature in central portion 18
either decreases or is no longer present, i.e., such that there is
no significant concavity in central portion 18. In this scenario,
the foot placement portions may still be distinguished from each
other by being (i) raised with respect to the central portion of
the flexible member; and/or (ii) by each having a surface texture
(e.g., each having protrusions thereon) that is different from the
texture of the central portion.
[0035] For example, in FIG. 2, each foot placement portion 16A, 16B
has a surface texture comprising protrusions 20, while central
portion 18 has a surface texture comprising longitudinal slats 21.
Consequently, foot placement portions 16A, 16B are defined by being
raised with respect to central portion 18 and/or by having
different surfaces from central portion 18. In yet another
embodiment, the foot placement portions are derived by having
surfaces that are different from each other
[0036] FIG. 3 also shows flexible member 12 connected to base 14
and having symmetry about a longitudinal axis.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, both the base 14 and the flexible
member 12 have a peanut-shaped outline. Base 14, however, may take
any desired shape so long as the base is sufficiently large to
receive and connect to the flexible member 12. For instance, the
base 14 may be square or rounded. Furthermore, the base 14 may
extend any desired distance beyond the flexible member 12.
[0038] In the embodiment shown, base 14 has one or more slots 24
that are configured to receive one or more tabs 28 that extend from
flexible member 12 (FIGS. 1 and 4). In an exemplary embodiment,
slots 24 are evenly spaced on the perimeter of the base 14.
[0039] In one embodiment, the base 14 is a planar board. Objects
can be attached to the base 14 by drilling holes through base 14
and attaching the objects. For instance, base 14 has attachment
rings 22 (FIG. 2) connected using a nut 34 in a typical bolt and
nut fashion. The nut 34 is recessed into base 14 to prevent the nut
34 from catching or scratching a support surface.
[0040] Base 14 has an aperture 30 where the base is cut away to
expose the flexible member 12. Flexible member 12 has a valve 32
positioned within aperture 30 that can be used to inflate flexible
member 12.
[0041] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the flexible member
12 connected to the base 14. Flexible member 12 has an upper
surface 36 and a lower surface 38 and an interior portion that
defines a chamber 40.
[0042] As described above, the flexible member 12 may be made of
any material that would flex under the weight of a user thereon. In
one embodiment, lower surface 38 is made of the same material as
upper surface 36 and upper and lower surfaces 36 and 38 are
constructed as one continuous sheet.
[0043] In another embodiment, lower surface 38 is made of a
different material than the material of upper surface 36 and upper
and lower surfaces 36 and 38 connect near the lower periphery of
flexible member 12. Furthermore, lower surface 38 of flexible
membrane 12 can be made of a material other than a flexible
material. Flexible member 12 is sufficiently flexible if a
substantial portion or most of the upper surface is flexible,
whether or not the lower surface 38 is flexible.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible member 12 has only
one chamber 40 such that when a user positions himself or herself
on the flexible member 12, a force applied to one area of the
flexible member 12 transfers to another area of the flexible member
12. However, in other embodiments, the flexible member 12 includes
more than one chamber 40.
[0045] As mentioned above, the flexible member 12 may be
inflatable. An inflatable flexible member 12 has a chamber 40 that
is substantially airtight. The chamber 40 is filled with air via
the valve 32. Valve 32 is inserted into the lower surface 38 of
flexible member 12 and sealed to lower surface 38 about the
perimeter of the valve 32. Valve 32 may be any type of valve
configured to maintain pressure in chamber 40. For instance, valve
32 may be a one-way valve that requires insertion of a needle.
Alternatively, valve 32 opens upon pinching the valve 32 and a user
blowing air therein inflates the chamber.
[0046] Flexible member 12 is connected to base 14 through a
plurality of tabs 28 extending from flexible member 12. Slots 24
are configured to receive tabs 28. Each slot 24 may be molded to
have specific features that receive corresponding features on the
tabs, thus providing a more secure connection. The tabs extend from
flexible member 12 into the slots 24 where the tabs are secured
using a suitable means such as staples, fasteners, adhesives, etc.
In an exemplary embodiment, the tabs extend from the flexible
member at the periphery of the flexible member 12. In one
embodiment, the tabs 28 extend from lower surface 38. Tabs 28 may
also attach the flexible member at a location other than the
periphery of the flexible member 12. The flexible member 12 may
also have a single tab connecting the flexible member 12 to the
base 14.
[0047] In another embodiment, the flexible member 12 is attached to
the base 14 by means other than tabs. For instance, the lower
surface 38 may be directly connected to the base with an adhesive
or fastener.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the exercise device 10 supports a user
thereon. According to one exemplary use, the user places his feet
on foot placement portions 16A and 16B. The flexible member 12 is
elongate such that the foot placement portions 16A and 16B cause
the user to be in the athletic stance when positioned thereon as
indicated in the FIG. 6 by the user's feet being substantially
shoulder width apart. The elongate shape facilitates an athletic
stance, which places the user in a natural stance and which trains
the exerciser for most types of athletic activities, such as
basketball, baseball, skiing, weightlifting, football, soccer,
archery, skeet and trap shooting, fly fishing, hockey and other
similar activities.
[0049] When the user is standing on foot placement portions 16A and
16B, the force applied to the flexible member 12 from the user's
foot is transferred to the rest of the flexible member 12 and to
the user's other foot. The concave central portion 18 may a also
absorb some of the force by bulging, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0050] The user experiences less instability due to the ability to
assume the athletic stance. Despite the user's increased stability
from the athletic stance, the unstable nature of the flexible
member 12 provides ample instability to require the user to
maintain balance while standing thereon. The user is still required
to maintain side-to-side balance because the flexible member 12
flexes when pressure is applied to one side.
[0051] Forward-to-back instability is created from the ability of
the flexible member 12 to flex and from the rounded shape that the
elongate flexible member 12 has in the transverse direction.
Increased instability in the transverse direction is beneficial
because a users foot naturally rotates forward-to-back better than
from side-to-side. Thus, the exercise device 10 is a more natural
balance training and exercise device because it requires more
balance in the direction of natural ankle rotation.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, the exercise device 10 includes a pair
of elastic cords having a handle 44 attached at the upper end
thereof. The user performs arm curls by stretching the elastic
cords 42 using the handles 44.
[0053] As the user performs arm curls while positioned on the
exercise device, the user is required to maintain balance. The user
has to exert many different muscles to maintain balance. The
resistance provided by the elastic cords 42 is transferred to those
muscles required for maintaining balance thereby increasing the
workout to the many muscles required for balancing. A user can
increase the difficulty of the workout by increasing the resistance
in the elastic cords 42. The elastic cords 42 can be a specific
size for a specific user or may be adjustable to the size of a
person. Adjusting the elastic cords 42 to a shorter length may also
increase the resistance of the elastic cords 42 for a particular
person.
[0054] Other exercises may be performed on exercise device 10. For
instance, a user can perform any number of lifting exercises that
use free weights such as dumbbells or mechanical devices such as
resistance trainers.
[0055] The exercise device 10 can also be used for exercises that
do not require standing on the foot placement portions 16A and 16B
or raised portions. For instance, the elongate shape of the
exercise device 10 allows the device to be used for Pilates long
box and short box exercises.
[0056] The concave central portion 18 can also be used to perform
exercises. For instance, a user may perform sitting-type exercises,
such as sit-ups or abdominal crunches, with the user's lumbar
region located on concave central portion 18. Concave central
portion 18 can also function as a backrest or headrest for
exercises performed on a support surface such as the floor.
[0057] Additional disclosure relating to the present invention is
disclosed in a United States design patent application entitled
EXERCISE DEVICE WITH ELONGATE FLEXIBLE MEMBER to William T.
Dalebout and Jaremy T. Butler filed on Aug. 27, 2003, via Express
Mail No.: EV 291368844 US, which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference.
[0058] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
* * * * *