U.S. patent application number 11/735703 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for abdominal exercise device.
Invention is credited to Thomas C. Purvis.
Application Number | 20080254956 11/735703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39854270 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080254956 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Purvis; Thomas C. |
October 16, 2008 |
Abdominal Exercise Device
Abstract
A back, side, or abdominal support for use when exercising. The
support comprises a base support and at least one auxiliary
support. The base support has a first base surface and a second
base surface. The second base surface is generally planar. The
first base surface is at least partially arcuate, and adapted to
substantially complement a first surface of one of the auxiliary
supports. A second surface of one of the auxiliary supports is
adapted to substantially complement a first surface of another one
of the auxiliary supports. The first base surface may be on the top
or the bottom of the base support. The auxiliary supports stack to
add height to the back support without substantially increasing its
length or width. A person using the support to exercise may choose
the difficulty of the exercise by choosing how many of the at least
one auxiliary supports to use in conjunction with the base
support.
Inventors: |
Purvis; Thomas C.; (Oklahoma
City, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOMLINSON & O'CONNELL, P.C.
TWO LEADERSHIP SQUARE, 211 NORTH ROBINSON, SUITE 450
OKLAHOMA CITY
OK
73102
US
|
Family ID: |
39854270 |
Appl. No.: |
11/735703 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/140 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/0266 20130101;
A63B 2208/0257 20130101; A63B 21/00047 20130101; A63B 23/0233
20130101; A63B 2208/0252 20130101; A63B 23/0211 20130101; A63B
26/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/140 |
International
Class: |
A63B 26/00 20060101
A63B026/00 |
Claims
1. A composite support adapted to engage the back, side, or abdomen
of a person, the composite support comprising: a base support
comprising a first base support surface and a second base support
surface; and at least one auxiliary support comprising a first
auxiliary support surface and a second auxiliary support surface;
such that the first auxiliary support surface is substantially
complementary to the first base support surface or the second
auxiliary support surface of another of the plurality of auxiliary
supports; and wherein a length of the base support and a length of
the at least one auxiliary support are substantially the same.
2. The composite support of claim 1 wherein the first base support
surface is on a top side of the base support.
3. The composite support of claim 2 wherein the second base support
surface comprises a substantially planar surface and the first base
support surface comprises an arcuate surface.
4. The composite support of claim 2 further comprising an
additional auxiliary support having a bottom surface substantially
complementary to the second auxiliary support surface of the at
least one auxiliary support such that the additional auxiliary
support is adapted to be stacked on top of the at least one
auxiliary support and such that the additional auxiliary support is
adapted to increase a height of the composite support without
substantially increasing a length of the composite support.
5. The support of claim 1 wherein the first base support surface is
on a bottom side of the base support.
6. The composite support of claim 5 wherein the second base support
surface comprises an arcuate surface and the first base support
surface comprises a substantially planar surface.
7. The support of claim 6 wherein the first auxiliary support
surface is substantially planar and the second auxiliary support
surface is substantially planar.
8. The support of claim 7 wherein a horizontal dimension of the
base support and a horizontal dimension of the at least one
auxiliary support are substantially the same.
9. The support of claim 8 further comprising an additional support
having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface, the
additional support adapted to be placed under the at least one
auxiliary support such that a height of the composite support is
increased.
10. The composite support of claim 1 wherein the composite support
is made of latex foam.
11. The composite support of claim 1 wherein the base support and
the at least one auxiliary support comprise air bladders.
12. The composite support of claim 1 wherein the base support and
the at least one auxiliary support are permanently connected.
13. The composite support of claim 1 wherein the base support and
the at least one auxiliary support are created by injection
molding.
14. A support for use when exercising, the support comprising: a
base support, comprising a generally planar lower surface and an
upper surface; wherein at least a portion of the upper surface is
arcuate; and at least one auxiliary support, comprising: a lower
surface characterized by a contour adapted to substantially
complement the upper surface of the base support or another of the
at least one auxiliary supports; and an upper surface; wherein at
least a portion of the upper surface of the auxiliary support is
arcuate.
15. The composite support of claim 14 further comprising an
additional auxiliary support having a bottom surface substantially
complementary to the second auxiliary support surface of the at
least one auxiliary support such that the additional auxiliary
support is adapted to be stacked on top of the at least one
auxiliary support and such that the additional auxiliary support is
adapted to increase a height of the composite support without
substantially increasing a length of the composite support.
16. The composite support of claim 14 wherein the base support and
the at least one auxiliary support are made of latex foam.
17. The composite support of claim 14 wherein the base support and
the at least one auxiliary support comprise air bladders
18. The composite support of claim 14 wherein the base support and
the at least one auxiliary support are permanently connected.
19. The composite support of claim 14 wherein the base support and
the at least one auxiliary support are created by injection
molding.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of exercise
equipment, and particularly to modifiable supports for back or
abdominal exercises.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a composite support
adapted to engage the back, side, or abdomen of a person. The
composite support comprises a base support and at least one
auxiliary support. The base support comprises a first base support
surface and a second base support surface. The at least one
auxiliary support comprises a first auxiliary support surface and a
second auxiliary support surface. The first auxiliary support
surface is substantially complimentary to the first base support
surface or the second auxiliary support surface of another of the
plurality of auxiliary supports. A length of the base support and a
length of the at least one auxiliary support are substantially the
same.
[0003] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to
a back support for use while exercising. The back support comprises
a base support and at least one auxiliary support. The base support
comprises a generally planar lower surface and an upper surface. At
least a portion of the upper surface is arcuate. The at least one
auxiliary support comprises a lower surface and an upper surface.
The lower surface of the at least one auxiliary support is
characterized by a contour adapted to substantially compliment the
upper surface of the base support or another of the at least one
auxiliary supports. At least a portion of the upper surface of the
auxiliary support is arcuate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a depiction of a back support in accordance with
the present invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Turning to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in particular,
shown therein is a composite support 10 for engaging the back or
abdomen of a person, constructed in accordance with the present
invention. The composite support 10 comprises a base support 12 and
at least one auxiliary support 14. As shown, the composite support
10 comprises the base support 12 and four auxiliary supports
14.
[0007] The base support 12 comprises a first base support surface
16 and a second base support surface 18. The at least one auxiliary
support 14 comprises a first auxiliary support surface 20 and a
second auxiliary support surface 22. The first auxiliary support
surface 20 is substantially complementary to the first base support
surface 16 or the second auxiliary support surface 22 of another of
the auxiliary supports 14.
[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the first base support surface 16 may be
on a top side of the base support 12. Preferably, the second base
support surface 18 comprises a planar surface and the first base
support surface 16 comprises an arcuate surface. More preferably,
the first auxiliary support surface 20 comprises an arcuate surface
that is complementary with the first base support surface 16 of the
base support 12. Thus, the top side of the base support 12 is
substantially complementary with the first auxiliary support
surface 20 such that the auxiliary support 14 may be stacked on top
of the base support. The first auxiliary support surface 20 may
also be coupled with the first base support surface 16 in any
manner to maintain the connection. For example, snaps, tape,
Velcro, or other means for securing the pieces are contemplated.
Alternatively, a circumferential wrap or a bag-like enclosure of
cloth or other material may be used to keep the base support 12 and
auxiliary supports 14 together. Such a wrap or enclosure would
preferably be made of a washable and durable material and may
comprise a strap or handle for ease of carrying the support 10.
[0009] The composite support 10 may further comprise the additional
auxiliary supports 14 which may be added or removed as desired. The
first auxiliary support surface 20 of an additional auxiliary
support 14 is preferably substantially complementary with the
second auxiliary support surface 22 of at least one of the
auxiliary supports. In this manner, the auxiliary supports 14 may
be stacked to increase a height of the composite support 10. The at
least one auxiliary support 14 is stacked on top of the base
support 12. Preferably, stacking the auxiliary support 14 on top of
the base support increases the height of the composite support 10
without substantially changing its horizontal dimensions. As the
additional auxiliary supports 14 are added to the composite support
10, the height is preferably increased without changing the
horizontal dimensions of the composite support. Consequently, a
length of the base support and a length of the at least one
auxiliary support are substantially the same.
[0010] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the composite
support 10a comprises a base support 30 and at least one auxiliary
support 32. The base support 30 comprises a first base support
surface 34 is on a bottom side of the base support. Preferably in
this embodiment, a second base support surface 36 comprises an
arcuate surface and the first base support surface 34 comprises a
substantially planar surface. The at least one auxiliary support 32
comprises a first auxiliary support surface 38 and a second
auxiliary support surface 40. Preferably, the first auxiliary
support surface 38 is substantially planar and the second auxiliary
support surface 40 is also substantially planar. In this
configuration, the base support 30 and the at least one auxiliary
support 32 are stacked with the base support on top. Additional
supports 32 comprise the planar upper surface 38 and the planar
lower surface 40, and are placed successively under the previous
support.
[0011] In this embodiment, a first horizontal dimension, a width,
of the base support 30 and a first horizontal dimension, a width,
of the at least one auxiliary support 32 are preferably the same. A
second horizontal dimension, a length of the base support 30 is
substantially the same as a second horizontal dimension, a length,
of the at least one auxiliary support 32. Thus, in this embodiment,
as auxiliary supports 32 are added and the height of the composite
support 10a increases, the horizontal dimensions, the width and the
length, remain substantially the same.
[0012] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, other modifications to the
geometry of the composite support 10 or 10a are also anticipated.
For example, the base support 12 or 30 may have a circular
cross-section, building to a maximum height in a center of the
composite support 10 or 10a. The edges of the base support 12 or 30
may be straight or curved. The maximum height may be in the center,
offset, or near an edge.
[0013] Each of the first auxiliary support surfaces 20 or 38 is
designed to be substantially complimentary with the first base
support surface 16 or 34 or the second auxiliary support surface 22
or 40 of another of the plurality of auxiliary supports 14 or 32.
Preferably, each of the auxiliary supports 14 or 32 has varying
dimension, in order to allow matching surfaces to be more
complementary. With reference again to FIG. 1, this feature is
illustrated. As shown, there are four auxiliary supports 14. As
each auxiliary support 14 is added to the base support 12 or
another auxiliary support, the resulting combination is a separate
embodiment of the composite support 10. Each auxiliary support 14
comprises a different dimension, such that the first auxiliary
support surface 20 of one auxiliary support is the inverse of the
second auxiliary support surface 22 of the additional auxiliary
support adapted to be stacked.
[0014] The base support 12 and auxiliary supports 14 are preferably
composed of the same material. Preferably, the supports 12 and 14
are composed of a solid substance that can support the back of a
person lying in a prone position. More preferably, the solid
substance comprises a latex or polyurethane foam. Alternatively,
the solid substance may comprise rubber or a combination of
compounds. It is preferable for the material to be such that the
coefficient of friction between supports is high. A high
coefficient of friction will reduce slippage between the supports
and protect users from discomfort. Alternatively, other methods for
securing the supports 12 and 14, as discussed above, are
contemplated.
[0015] The supports can be made through various methods. The
supports can be bias cut into pre-determined shapes or created
using an injection molding process such as injection molding.
[0016] In another alternative embodiment, the composite support 10
may comprise bladders of air. In this embodiment, the base support
12 and auxiliary supports 14 comprise separate bladders. Each
support 12 and 14 may be activated by fully inflating the support
with air. Full inflation is achieved when the internal pressure in
a support is high enough to prevent the air from becoming
substantially displaced by the weight of a user during use. The
composite support 10 may comprise several individual bladders, or
one permanently connected composite bladder with a base support
chamber and auxiliary support chambers.
[0017] While many configurations are anticipated, the embodiment of
FIG. 1 enjoys several advantages. In this embodiment, the interface
between individual support members 12 and 14 is curved. The curved
surface increases the stability of the composite support 10,
decreasing the likelihood that slippage will occur. Further, the
embodiment of FIG. 1 does not substantially gain width or length as
height is added to the composite support 10. Thus, a top surface of
the composite support 10 engages the same area of a user's back
without regard to how many auxiliary supports are used.
[0018] The back support of the current invention is preferably used
for back or abdominal exercises. One such exercise is a sit-up,
although the device may also be used for various exercises where a
person is on their side or on their stomach. In a beginning
embodiment of the sit-up, the base support 12 is used alone. A user
places the lower second surface 18 of the base support 12 on a
planar surface, such as a mat or floor. The user sits proximate one
edge of the base support 12, with the user's legs bent. The user
then slowly descends to a prone position; the user's back engaging
the upper first surface 16 of the base support 12. The user then
slowly returns to the sitting position, utilizing muscles in the
user's back and abdomen. This is repeated a number of times, as
directed by the user's particular exercise regime.
[0019] In a more advanced embodiment of the above method, a
composite support 10 is formed utilizing the base support 12 and
one or more auxiliary supports 14. When a user finds that a
previous embodiment of the exercise is too easy, an auxiliary
support 14 can be added to increase the distance between the
highest point of the composite support and the ground. The steps of
the exercise are then executed with the composite support 10, as
directed by the user's particular exercise regime. The function of
the back support is similar concerning other back exercises, such
as stretching and flexibility exercises.
[0020] Various modifications in the design and operation of the
present invention are contemplated without departing from the
spirit of the invention. Thus, while the principal preferred
construction and modes of operation of the invention have been
illustrated and described in what is now considered to represent
its best embodiments it should be understood that the invention may
be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and
described.
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