Ergonometric pushup wedge

Abstract

A pushup wedge. The pushup wedge is made of an elastomeric material with a density in the range of about 25 kg/m.sup.2 to about 150 kg/m.sup.2 and has a generally wedge shape with a sloping top that slopes between about 5 and 20 degrees from the horizontal from a lower front portion to a higher rear portion, wherein the rear portion has a generally curved contour. A retention strap can be further included that passes over sloping top, which retention strap is adapted for retaining a user's hand between the strap and the sloping top.

Description

SUMMARY

[0001] The invention relates to the field of exercise, sports and training equipment, and more particularly to ergonometric push up wedges to help ease the stress on a person's wrists as he or she does push ups and other similar exercises.

[0002] Push ups are a basic exercise incorporated into many exercise and physical fitness programs and routines. In standard pushups, a person will position his or her body generally horizontally and straight, with the full body weight carried on the toes and hands placed on the ground, and arms fully extended straight (the starting position). From this position, the person will lower the torso to touch his/her chest to the ground, and then fully extend the arms to raise the body back to the starting position. By changing the level of the feet relative to the torso, the level of difficulty of the exercise can be varied. For example, some exercisers like to place their feet on a chair for an extra vigorous workout, while others will lean against a wall or pivot on their knees rather than their toes for less strenuous exercise.

[0003] Regardless of the particular style used, one complaint that many people have with pushups is that they can be uncomfortable or put extra stress on the palms, fingers and particularly wrists of the exerciser.

[0004] Numerous devices have been developed with the goal to make pushups more comfortable. For example, there are devices that comprise a pair of stands with horizontal padded grips which a user can grip while doing pushup. There are also devices that comprise padded bars that can be grasped while doing push up. However, with these devices, the push up posture is not ideal.

[0005] There remains a need for an ergonometric device that makes doing push up more comfortable, productive and biomechanically correct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a rear isometric view of an exemplary push up wedge of the invention.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary push up wedge of FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a front view of the exemplary push up wedge of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a top view of the exemplary push up wedge of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the exemplary push up wedge of FIG. 1 showing some exemplary angle ranges for the top slanted side.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a rear isometric view of another exemplary push up wedge of the invention.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the exemplary push up wedge of FIG. 6.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a rear isometric view of yet another exemplary push up wedge of the invention having a retention strap.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a rear isometric view of a further exemplary push up wedge of the invention with a cupped top surface.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a front view of the exemplary push up wedge of FIG. 9.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a side view of the exemplary push up wedge of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Turning to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown view of an exemplary push up wedge 10 of the invention, with FIG. 1 being a front isometric view, FIG. 2 being a side view, FIG. 3 being a front view, and FIG. 4 being a bottom view of the exemplary push up wedge 10. The push up wedge 10 has a top surface 12, a front 14, a rear 16, left and right sides 18 and 20, and a bottom surface 22. Although the exemplary wedge 10 is shown with its front side 14 and rear side 16 having four planes 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d, and 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d, respectively, the wedge 10 can have a greater or lesser number of less sides, and can be curved, flat, be contoured to fit a user's fingers and the like. The top surface 12 is shown as having planes 12a, 12b and 12c to provide an arched shaped top surface to better cup a user's palm. However, the top surface 12 can be made in a curved or other contoured shape to better fit a user's palm, or can be flat. The wedge 10 is preferably constructed of material that somewhat soft and conforming to the hand under pressure, yet is sufficient firm and resilient such that the wedge does not collapse under normal use. Materials such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam function well, and can have a density in the range of about 25 kg/m.sup.2 to about 150 kg/m.sup.2, and more preferably in the range of about 42 kg/m.sup.2 to 140 kg/m.sup.2, and even more preferably in the range of 65 kg/m.sup.2 to 85 kg/m.sup.2 with the particular density and resilience, and with hardness measured on a shore 00 scale ranging from 40.+-.10 to 50.+-.10, such as provided by Engineered Plastics, Inc. of Gibsonville, N.C. 27249, selected based on the body weight ranges of people who will be using the wedge 10. For example, #2 EVA offered by Engineered Plastics, Inc. a density of 0.032.+-.0.008 g/cm.sup.3 (2.+-.0.5 lb/ft.sup.3); #3 EVA, a density of 0.048.+-.0.008 g/cm.sup.3 (3.+-.0.5 lb/ft.sup.3); and #4 EVA, a density of 0.054.+-.0.008 g/cm.sup.3 (4.+-.0.5 lb/ft.sup.3). In addition to EVA foam, the wedge can also be constructed out of multicellular expanded resinous foam material (such as Styrofoam.RTM.), padded and unpadded wood and/or plastics, or other materials. The top surface could also be textured or covered in material with friction enhancing textures and finishes, which would make the surface less slippery. In general, the material should be selected to provide sufficient cushioning to a user's hands and wrists, to prevent stress thereon.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a wedge 10 of the invention and shows three slants of the upper surface 12a, 12b, and 12c, which slant upwardly from the horizontal from the front 14 to the rear 16 by about 2.5.degree. to 20.degree.. The inventors have found that a slant of the upper surface 12b of about 10.degree..+-.2.5.degree. from the horizontal is a comfortable angle range for most users who are healthy and uninjured, as shown in solid line 12. The slant can be increased to about 15.degree..+-.2.5.degree., e.g., for orthopedic users who desire less stress on their hands and wrists and desire a more comfortable posture, as shown in large dashed line 30. For users who wish a more strenuous posture (a "pro" embodiment"), the slant can be decreased to about 5.degree..+-.2.5.degree., from the horizontal, as shown in small dashed line 32.

[0019] Table 1 list some exemplary push up wedge dimensions for a "normal" 10.degree. slant of the top surface 12. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Wedge Dimensions Normal 10.degree. Slope Units = mm Length/ Width/ Size Rear Front Radius Size Base Base Length Height Height Trim fit X-Small 100 66 74 29 10 50 Small 150 100 110 38 10 75 Medium 200 135 147 48 10 100 Large 250 167 184 57 10 125 X-Large 300 200 220 66 10 150 Note: The orthopedic model with 15.degree. Slope has same dimensions except the rear height XS = 39; S = 52; M = 67; L = 80; XL = 94. The Pro model with 5.degree. Slope has same dimensions except the rear height XS = 20; S = 24; M = 29; L = 34; XL = 38.

[0020] FIGS. 6 and 7 are a top and isometric view of another embodiment of the push up wedge 40 that has a curved front walls 42 and curved rear wall 44, side walls 46 a flat top surface 48. The top surface 48 can be contoured instead of flat if desired. The push up wedge 40 has a bottom surface 49 for placement on a floor. In actuality, the pushup wedges can be used with either the top surface or bottom surface facing up for contact with a user's palms.

[0021] FIG. 8 is isometric view of yet another embodiment of the push up wedge 50 that is similar to the push up wedge of FIGS. 6 and 7, and has a curved front walls 52 and curved rear wall 54, side walls 56 a top surface 58. The top surface 58 can be contoured instead of flat if desired. A retention strap 60 is provided on the pushup wedge which makes the device very easy to retain on a user's hands. This feature is very convenient for certain exercises, for example, such as military style 8 count push ups where a user starts from a standing position, touches the floor in front of his/her hands, hops his/her feet back for a straight leg posture with his/her back straight in a pushup position, dips with a straight back, dips with a straight back again, hops his/her feet back closer to his/her hands touching the floor, and then stands up. The retention straps 60 will help prevent the user from dropping the pushup wedges at an inappropriate time. Besides a strap, other shapes, such as cords, integral loops or handholds, etc. formed from the resilient material are also useable.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a rear isometric view of a further exemplary push up wedge 70 of the invention with a convexly cupped top surface 72.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a front view and FIG. 11 is a side view of the exemplary pushup wedge of FIG. 9. The convexly cupped top surface 72 shape will provide a smooth and comfortable surface upon which a user will rest his/her palms during pushups. The front of the pushup wedge can also be curved if desired.

[0024] In general, the pushup wedges of the invention will provide cushion for the user's palms and help protect the wrists from undue stress and strain.

[0025] Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A pushup wedge, comprising: an elastomeric material having a generally wedge shape with a sloping top that generally slopes between about 2.5 and 20 degrees from the horizontal from a lower front portion to a higher rear portion.

2. The pushup wedge of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam.

3. The pushup wedge of claim 2, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam has a density in the range of about 25 kg/m.sup.2 to about 150 kg/m.sup.2.

4. The pushup wedge of claim 2, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam has a density in the range of about 42 kg/m.sup.2 to 140 kg/m.sup.2.

5. The pushup wedge of claim 2, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam has a density in the range of about 65 kg/m.sup.2 to 85 kg/m.sup.2.

6. The pushup wedge of claim 1, wherein the rear portion has a generally curved contour.

7. The pushup wedge of claim 1, further comprising a retention strap that passes over sloping top, which retention strap is adapted for retaining a user's hand between the strap and the sloping top.

8. The pushup wedge of claim 1, wherein the sloping top slopes between about 5.+-.2.5 degrees from the horizontal from the lower front portion to the higher rear portion.

9. The pushup wedge of claim 1, wherein the sloping top slopes between about 10.+-.2.5 degrees from the horizontal from the lower front portion to the higher rear portion.

10. The pushup wedge of claim 1, wherein the sloping top slopes between about 15.+-.2.5 degrees from the horizontal from the lower front portion to the higher rear portion.

11. The pushup wedge of claim 1, wherein the sloping top is convexly curved from the lower front portion to the higher rear portion.

12. The pushup wedge of claim 1, wherein the sloping top is convexly curved from the lower front portion to the higher rear portion.

13. The pushup wedge of claim 1, wherein the pushup wedge has two lateral sides, and the sloping top is convexly curved between the two lateral sides.

14. The pushup wedge of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sloping top portion comprises friction enhancing material.

15. A pushup wedge, comprising: an object having a generally wedge shape with a sloping top that generally slopes between about 2.5 and 20 degrees from the horizontal from a lower front portion to a higher rear portion.

16. The pushup wedge of claim 15, wherein the object is formed out materials selected from the group consisting of an elastometric material, multicellular expanded resinous foam material, wood and plastics.

17. The pushup wedge of claim 15, wherein the object is padded.

18. The pushup wedge of claim 15, wherein the sloping top slopes between about 5.+-.2.5 degrees from the horizontal from the lower front portion to the higher rear portion.

19. The pushup wedge of claim 15, wherein the sloping top slopes between about 10.+-.2.5 degrees from the horizontal from the lower front portion to the higher rear portion.

20. The pushup wedge of claim 15, wherein the sloping top slopes between about 15.+-.2.5 degrees from the horizontal from the lower front portion to the higher rear portion.

21. The pushup wedge of claim 15, wherein the sloping top is convexly curved from the lower front portion to the higher rear portion.

22. The pushup wedge of claim 15, wherein the sloping top is convexly curved from the lower front portion to the higher rear portion.

23. The pushup wedge of claim 15, wherein the pushup wedge has two lateral sides, and the sloping top is convexly curved between the two lateral sides.

24. The pushup wedge of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the sloping top portion comprises friction enhancing material.

25. A pushup wedge, comprising: an elastomeric material with a density in the range of about 25 kg/m.sup.2 to about 150 kg/m.sup.2 and having a generally wedge shape with a sloping top that slopes between about 5 and 20 degrees from the horizontal from a lower front portion to a higher rear portion, wherein the rear portion has a generally curved contour.

26. The pushup wedge of claim 25, wherein the elastomeric material comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam.

27. The pushup wedge of claim 25, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam has a density in the range of about 25 kg/m.sup.2 to about 150 kg/m.sup.2.

28. The pushup wedge of claim 25, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam has a density in the range of about 65 kg/m.sup.2 to 85 kg/m.sup.2.

29. The pushup wedge of claim 25, further comprising a retention strap that passes over sloping top, which retention strap is adapted for retaining a user's hand between the strap and the sloping top.