U.S. patent application number 11/414004 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for lumbar wedge.
This patent application is currently assigned to SIMTEC, CO.. Invention is credited to Donald V. Edwards.
Application Number | 20070173391 11/414004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38286271 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070173391 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Edwards; Donald V. |
July 26, 2007 |
Lumbar wedge
Abstract
An exercise apparatus for use with a variety of individual
exercises. The apparatus comprises a block member having a
substantially wedge shape. The block member being constructed of a
predetermined material. There is a substantially flat first surface
disposed on one side of the block member for engagement with a
supporting surface and a second surface disposed on an opposite
side of the block member from such first surface and engageable
with such individual performing such exercises. The second surface
is disposed at a substantially acute angle from such first
surface.
Inventors: |
Edwards; Donald V.;
(Harrison City, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES RAY & ASSOCIATES
2640 PITCAIRN ROAD
MONTROEVILLE
PA
15146
US
|
Assignee: |
SIMTEC, CO.
|
Family ID: |
38286271 |
Appl. No.: |
11/414004 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60761989 |
Jan 25, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/142 ;
482/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/00047 20130101;
A63B 23/0211 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/142 ;
482/023 |
International
Class: |
A63B 26/00 20060101
A63B026/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus for use with a variety of individual
exercises, said apparatus comprising: (a) a block member having a
substantially wedge shape, said block like member being constructed
of a predetermined material; (b) a substantially flat first surface
disposed on one side of said block member for engagement with a
supporting surface; and (c) a second surface disposed on an
opposite side of said block member from said first surface and
engageable with such individual performing such exercises, said
second surface disposed at a substantially acute angle from said
first surface.
2. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said
second surface of said apparatus further includes a depressed
trough disposed substantially in a center portion of said second
surface, said depressed trough for providing a space for a spinal
chord portion of such individual performing such exercises.
3. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said
depressed trough has an arcuate shape.
4. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said
depressed trough further has a recessed portion on an upper end of
said depressed trough.
5. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said
apparatus further includes a means disposed on said first surface
for gripping a floor covering and preventing said block member from
moving when used in an individual exercise.
6. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said means
includes at least one projection for gripping a floor covering and
preventing said block member from moving when used in an individual
exercise.
7. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said means
disposed on said first surface for gripping a floor covering
includes a plurality of projections.
8. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said
predetermined material is selected from natural rubber, synthetic
rubber, plastic and combinations thereof.
9. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said
predetermined material is resilient.
10. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said
plastic is a foam.
11. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said
foam is firm.
12. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said
predetermined material is synthetic rubber.
13. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said
second surface has a plurality of ridges formed thereon.
14. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 13, wherein said
plurality of ridges disposed on said second surface are engageable
with such individual performing exercises.
15. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein an edge
portion of said second surface has an arcuate shape, said edge
portion being on a thickest portion of said block member.
16. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein an edge
portion of said second surface has an arcuate shape, said edge
portion being on a thinnest portion of said block member.
17. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said
thinnest portion of said block member has a thickness of between
about 0.85 and about 1.1 inches.
18. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said
arcuate shape of said depressed trough has a radius of between
about 3.15 and about 3.75 inches.
19. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 18, wherein said
arcuate shape of said depressed trough has a radius of between
about 3.30 and about 3.60 inches.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to an exercise
device, and, more specifically the present invention relates to a
lumbar support in the form of a wedge for assisting in performing
exercises particularly for situps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are many items that are available in today's market
for helping a person with exercise. From treadmills to weight
benches and stationary bicycles people are bombarded in commercials
for all sorts of exercise equipment. Many of these items are not
only quite expensive but also require considerable space which must
be devoted to these items.
[0003] There is a need for such items to assist persons desiring to
exercise that are relatively inexpensive and require little storage
space so as to encourage individuals to exercise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Thus, the present invention provides an exercise apparatus
for use with a variety of individual exercises. The apparatus
comprises a block member having a substantially wedge shape. The
block like member being constructed of a predetermined material.
There is a substantially flat first surface disposed on one side of
the block member for engagement with a supporting surface and a
second surface disposed on an opposite side of the block member
from such first surface and engageable with such individual
performing such exercises. The second surface is disposed at a
substantially acute angle from such first surface.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide an exercise apparatus which can assist an
individual performing individual exercises.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise apparatus which has a recessed portion for providing space
for a spinal chord of such individual performing such
exercises.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
exercise apparatus which is substantially in the shape of a
wedge.
[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an exercise apparatus which is relatively inexpensive.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise apparatus which is relatively easy to manufacture.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
exercise apparatus which is easily stored.
[0011] These and various other objects and advantages of this
invention will become apparent after a full reading of the
following detailed description, particularly, when read in
conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the top portion of
the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus shown
in FIG. 1 looking from the back.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the bottom portion
of the apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 4 is top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken across the line VI-VI
of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is view of the bottom of the apparatus according to
an alternate embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of
the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of
clarity, identical components which have identical functions have
been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the
several views illustrated in the drawings.
[0020] The present invention provides an apparatus, generally
designated 10, for providing an exercise apparatus for use with a
variety of individual exercises. Illustrated in the drawing Figures
such apparatus 10 comprises a block like member 2 having a
substantially wedge like shape. The block like member 2 being
constructed of a predetermined material. There is a substantially
flat first surface 4 disposed on one side of the block member 2 for
engagement with a supporting surface and a second surface 6
disposed on an opposite side of the block member 2 from such first
surface 4 and engageable with such individual performing such
exercises. The second surface 6 is disposed at a substantially
acute angle from such first surface 4.
[0021] Such apparatus 10 further includes a means, generally
designated 20, disposed on the first surface 4 for gripping a floor
covering and preventing the block 2 from moving when used in an
individual's exercise. Such means 20 for gripping a floor covering
includes at least one projection 12. It is presently preferred that
such at least one projection 12 is a plurality of projections
12.
[0022] Such block like member 2 is substantially in the form of a
wedge with, as stated previously, a first surface (side) 4, a
second surface (side) 6 which are basically the two tapered sides
of the wedge and a third side 8 being the connecting portion of the
wedge at the thickest part.
[0023] The second surface 6 of the apparatus 10 further includes a
depressed trough 22 disposed substantially in a center portion of
such second surface 6, the depressed trough 22 provides a space for
a spinal chord portion of such individual performing such exercises
so it is more comfortable for the individual.
[0024] Such depressed trough 22 has an arcuate shape and as is
evident in FIG. 1 such depressed trough 22 further has a recessed
portion 24 on an upper end of the depressed trough 22.
[0025] It is presently preferred that such predetermined material
is resilient and that such material be selected from natural
rubber, synthetic rubber, plastic and combinations thereof. When
such apparatus is made of plastic it is preferred that such plastic
be a foam and that such foam be of the firm variety so as to give
support. It is also preferred that such apparatus be made of
synthetic rubber.
[0026] Such second surface 6 of the apparatus has a plurality of
ridges 26 formed thereon. Such plurality of ridges 26 that are
disposed on the second surface 6 are engageable with the back of
such individual performing exercises.
[0027] As is evident on FIGS. 2 and 6, the edge portion of the
second surface 6 has an arcuate shape, wherein such edge portion
being on a thickest portion of the block member 2. Also the edge
portion of the second surface 6 has an arcuate shape on the
thinnest portion of the block member 2.
[0028] It is preferred that such thinnest portion of the block
member have a thickness of between about 0.85 and about 1.1 inches.
Thus, although such block member 2 has a shape like a wedge the
thin portion of the wedge does not come to a point but is thick
enough that the second surface 6 sits above the supporting surface.
It is also preferred that such arcuate shape of the depressed
trough 22 has a radius of between about 3.15 and about 3.75 inches.
In a more preferred embodiment of the invention such depressed
trough 22 has a radius of between about 3.30 and about 3.60
inches.
[0029] The second side 6 has a plurality of ridges 14 formed
thereon and the depressed trough 22 for supporting a portion of a
back of an individual who is performing such exercise and providing
a space for the spinal chord, the apparatus 10 makes it easier for
such individual to perform the exercise. This is particularly true
when such exercises are sit ups or such similar exercise. The
apparatus 10 supports the back and permits the person to do the sit
ups much more easily than without the lumbar wedge 10 without
detracting from the benefit of the exercise being performed.
[0030] While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate
embodiments of the present invention has been described in detail
above, it should be understood that various other adaptations
and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons
who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from
either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended
claims.
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