U.S. patent application number 11/985152 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for push up trainer.
Invention is credited to Shimon Storch.
Application Number | 20090124471 11/985152 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40624317 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090124471 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Storch; Shimon |
May 14, 2009 |
Push up trainer
Abstract
An apparatus for performing pushups thereupon, comprising: two
arcuate side pieces each comprising a gradually sloping front
section and a sharply descending back section terminating in feet;
each back leg being telescopically extendible from a back section
of an arcuate side piece, and incorporating a locking means to keep
the back legs extended by a desired amount; the front and back feet
for supporting the apparatus on the ground; the apparatus further
comprising a rectangle of struts coupling the arcuate legs
together, and an upper cross bar for coupling the arcuate side
pieces together near the highest point thereof; such that a user
may alternatively: (i) grip the gently sloping front sections and
ergonomically support his arms thereby to perform moderate press
ups, or (ii) support his ankles on the upper cross bar and hands on
the ground to perform demanding press ups.
Inventors: |
Storch; Shimon; (Zichron
Yaakov, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT G. LEV
4766 MICHIGAN BLVD.
YOUNGSTOWN
OH
44505
US
|
Family ID: |
40624317 |
Appl. No.: |
11/985152 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4035 20151001;
A63B 23/12 20130101; A63B 21/00047 20130101; A63B 2225/093
20130101; A63B 23/1236 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B
23/1209 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/141 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/00 20060101
A63B023/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus supported on a substrated configured for performing
pushups thereupon, the apparatus comprising: a framework comprising
two arcuate side pieces each comprising a front section, having a
gradual slope and a sharply descending back section, said two
arcuate side pieces configured to facilitate a palm-facing grip for
a user grasping said two arcuate side pieces to perform a pushup;
the front section of the arcuate side piece terminating in a front
foot and a back section terminating in an extendable leg section
with a back foot thereupon; each of said back legs being
telescopically extendible from a back section of an arcuate side
piece, and incorporating a locking means to keep the back legs
extended by a desired amount thereby adjusting said slope and said
palm-facing grid of said user, said front and back feet being
arranged for supporting the apparatus on the substrate.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rectangle of
struts coupling the arcuate side pieces together, including a front
strut for spanning between the two front sections of the arcuate
side pieces at substrate level, a back strut for spanning between
the two back sections of the arcuate side pieces above where
extendible part extends out thereof, and a pair of side struts that
span between the front section and the back section of each side
piece to provide rigidity thereby; and, an upper cross bar for
coupling the arcuate side pieces together near a highest point from
the substrate;
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said back sections are
substantially straight telescopic tubes comprising piston like
inner extension pieces that are useable to extend the back legs and
to adjust the height of the upper cross bar from the ground and
thereby adjust the slope of the angle of the gently sloping front
section of the side pieces, such that said user may alternatively:
(i) grip the gently sloping front sections and ergonomically
support his arms thereby to perform moderate press ups, and (ii)
support the user's ankles on the upper cross bar and the user's
hands on the substrate to perform demanding pushups.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said framework comprises
tubing.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is fabricated
from a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum, steel
and plastic.
6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said piston like inner tube is
telescopically extendible from the cylindrical back leg and
lockable in position by a peg.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the peg is spring loaded for
springingly engaging holes in the cylindrical outer tube of the
back legs.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said gradually sloping front
sections of said arcuate said pieces are provided with hand
grips.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each said hand grip is an
extensive tubular foam sleeve covering a length of the gradually
sloping front section.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said handgrips are arranged
at an angle of from 20.degree. to 60.degree. to the substrate.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said arcuate side pieces are
separated by a distance of between 60 cm and 80 cm.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feet comprise rubber
grips to prevent the apparatus from slipping backwards.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said
apparatuses are stackable to be stored in a small space.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to providing an exercise
device, particularly a compact and portable device for performing
more effective push-ups.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The Push-Up is one of the world's oldest exercises and is
one of the best ways to strengthen and build up upper body
strength, including chest, shoulders, arms abdomen and lower back
muscles when done correctly. In particular, push-ups are a favorite
exercise for developing strength in biceps, triceps and abdominal
muscles, for body-building, fitness and for weight control.
[0003] Conventional push-ups are performed whilst lying chest-down
with hands at shoulder level and palms flat on the floor and
slightly more than shoulder-width apart and feet together and
parallel to each other. Keeping the legs straight and toes tucked
under the feet, the arms are straightened to push the body up off
the floor. Keeping the palms fixed at the same position and the
body straight without bending or arching the upper or lower back
while pushing up, the exerciser should exhale as the arms
straighten out. After a momentary pause, the exerciser slowly
lowers the body towards the floor. Bending the arms while keeping
the palms in a fixed position and keeping the body straight and
feet together, the body is lowered until the chest touches the
floor. Without bending the back, the knees are kept off the floor,
the exerciser inhaling as the arms are bent. After pausing for a
moment, the exerciser straightens the arms for a second push-up,
exhaling whilst raising the body.
[0004] Indeed, push-ups and pull-ups are all that is needed to work
the major upper body muscle groups. Members of the US Armed Forces,
especially the army and the Marines, still depend on these two
exercises, along with crunches and running, to stay in shape when
they're stationed in a locale without a training facility.
[0005] There is, however, a known limitation with using just
push-ups and pull-ups for upper body training that arises as the
trainee's strength plateaus, in that with any exercise, whether
using one's own body weight, free weights or machines, if the
resistance doesn't increase, the muscles are not overloaded and the
stimulus these fibers need to grow in size is missing.
[0006] There are, however, a few ways that have long been known,
for increasing the resistance of pull-ups and push-ups. One way is
to elevate the feet while doing push-ups. Essentially, one starts
with the feet on a step at the bottom of a stair or a low step
stool. Raising the feet higher make one work against gravity,
thereby increasing the resistance. Ideally one should work up to
the point where one can perform push-ups with one's feet on a
chair. It will be noted that the higher the feet, the more work is
done by the shoulders.
[0007] Other variations for improving strength and muscular
endurance include modified push-ups with hands on an object or with
feet on an object. With hands on an object, the difficulty of the
exercise may be increased by first placing the hands on a wall,
later on a desk, then on a chair (or by progressing to lower stairs
on a staircase). By progressing to lower levels of hand placement,
the intensity of the exercise is increased with a resultant
increase in muscle strength.
[0008] With feet on an object, the body is kept straight with hands
on the ground and feet on a chair, steps, or some object.
Progressively elevating the feet to higher levels increases the
intensity of the exercise. The difficulty and hence strength may be
further increased by doing push-ups between chairs with the feet
elevated; the exerciser lowering himself/herself as far as possible
between the chairs.
[0009] A push up device comprising a hand unit and a separate foot
unit coupled therewith is described in co-pending application
number U.S. Ser. No. 11/467/680 to Shtorch, for which a notice of
allowance has been received. The device addresses many of the
issues described hereinabove, but, though to some extent foldable,
nevertheless takes up space, since it consists of separate hand and
foot support structures.
[0010] Equipment for facilitating variations to standard exercise
techniques are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,144 to
Stevens, entitled Segmented Weight and Exerciser describes an
exercise device which has a hub, a flat strap having one end
connected to the hub and adapted to be wound on the hub, a handle
connected to an opposite end of the strap for allowing a user to
hold the handle to support the hub and a pair of disk-shaped
weights connected to opposite sides of the hub. In one embodiment
of this device foot pedals are provided which a user can push
against while seated upon the floor. This device provides various
exercising possibilities but is not suitable for performing push
ups.
[0011] Another exercise apparatus is described by Riazi in
US2006/0040808. Riazi's apparatus is configured to be used in
conjunction with an exercising ball, and describes a base
configured to stabilize the rolling movement of an exercise ball
under the influence of a user seated on the ball. The base defines
a range in which rolling movement of the ball is unimpeded, and has
an obstacle portion configured to impede rolling movement of the
ball beyond that range. This enables the base to stabilize the ball
and the seated user when the ball rolls into contact with the
obstacle portion of the base. By their nature, push ups require
that an exerciser's weight be supported at least in part by his
hands. Razi's apparatus is configured for an exerciser seated upon
a ball and thus is not compatible with performing push ups.
[0012] A further known exercise device is presented in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,626,807 to Richmond describing first and second platforms
respectively provided for supporting a user's arms and knees.
Rollers on the bottom surface of at least one of the units
facilitate relative movement between the units. Embodiments are
described which include various units for supporting the hands and
feet including a detent to receive the user's legs or to retain the
user's calves or ankles on the unit and a unit for receiving and
retaining the user's feet which may be disposed on a rod the length
of which being adjustable to the dimensions of the user.
[0013] Richmond's exercise equipment provides platforms which move
relative to one another. Such movement is not necessary when
performing a push up and indeed makes the performance of standard
push ups extremely difficult. Moreover, when performing standard
push ups the knees are kept off the floor, therefore in order to
perform push ups, an exerciser would be required to dismount from
Richmond's exercise equipment.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,919 to Yang. Yang describes a
balance-exercising apparatus with an inflatable semi-spherical
section and an annular frame connected on two diametrically opposed
points with two movable pulling ropes. For normal use a user holds
the pulling ropes and treads, jumps, sits or lies on the air
cushion. FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,919 shows the device being
used to raise the hands of an exerciser performing push ups,
however in Yang's device the height of the hands is fixed by the
height of the semi-spherical section and is not easily adjusted.
Indeed as outlined above, any object, such as a stool, step or
chair could be similarly used to raise the hands during performance
of a push up, and Yang's equipment does not contribute to the
effectiveness of the exercise.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,565 to Soria describes a triceps
exercise apparatus wherein a pair of adjacent hand grips receive
the user's hands in an overhand grip and are formed from a
generally horizontal bar whose height is adjustable but is
approximately set to 19.5 inches above the level of the user's
feet. The device allows a user to grip the bar with his or her arms
above his or her head and his or her body facing downward. The
apparatus includes a block for receiving the feet of the user and a
means for manually adjusting the distance of the block from the bar
so as to adjust the apparatus to users of differing heights.
Soria's apparatus facilitates a particular pull up exercise which
targets the development of the triceps for boxing and although it
could be used for performing push ups with the hands raised, it
does not provide any means of raising the feet above the level of
the hands, which is required to increase the effectiveness of the
push up exercise for developing biceps.
[0016] A device for performing push-up exercises is described by
Bergman and Jahanian in U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,014. This describes an
exercise machine which has a body support platform extending at a
variable angle of inclination from a point of rotation. A user lays
prone on the body support platform to perform a push-up. When a
person laying on the body support platform performs a push-up, the
body support platform rotates around its point of rotation. A bias
mechanism is used to bias the body support platform toward one
angle of inclination. Depending upon the needs of the user, the
bias mechanism can be configured to either apply an upward bias to
the body support platform that would assist a person in performing
a push-up, or apply a downward bias to the body support platform
that would resist a person in performing a push-up. U.S. Pat. No.
7,060,014 does not provide a method for raising the feet above the
head but supports the whole length of the body with the head raised
above the feet. In addition the device described therein is bulky
and not readily adjustable for exercisers of different heights.
Since the pivot is below the feet U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,014 also
requires more space than for regular press ups.
[0017] There is a need for a compact apparatus for assisting an
exerciser to perform standard push ups, where stairs, stools and
the like are unavailable. Such an apparatus preferably provides
controlled modular increase in difficulty and effectiveness for
building up muscles, fitness and stamina. The present invention
addresses this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] An apparatus for performing pushups thereupon, the apparatus
comprising: a framework comprising two arcuate side pieces each
comprising a gradually sloping front section and a sharply
descending back section; the front end of the arcuate side piece
terminating in a front foot and the back section terminating in an
extendable leg section with a back foot thereupon; each of said
back legs being telescopically extendible from a back section of an
arcuate side piece, and incorporating a locking means to keep the
back legs extended by a desired amount; said front and back feet
for supporting the apparatus on the ground;
[0019] the apparatus further comprising a rectangle of struts
coupling the arcuate legs together, including a front strut for
spanning between the two front sections of the arcuate side pieces
at ground level, a back strut for spanning between the two back
sections of the arcuate side pieces above where extendible part
extends out thereof, and a pair of side struts that span between
the front section and the back section of each side piece to
provide rigidity thereby, and an upper cross bar for coupling the
arcuate side pieces together near the highest point thereof;
[0020] such that back sections are substantially straight
telescopic tubes comprising piston like inner extension pieces that
may be used to extend the back legs and to adjust the height of the
upper cross bar from the ground and thereby adjust the slope of the
angle of the gently sloping front section of the side pieces, such
that a user may alternatively:
(i) grip the gently sloping front sections and ergonomically
support his arms thereby to perform moderate press ups, or (ii)
support his ankles on the upper cross bar and hands on the ground
to perform demanding press ups
[0021] Typically, the apparatus is fabricated from tubing.
[0022] Typically, the apparatus is fabricated from a material
selected from the list comprising aluminum, steel and plastic.
[0023] Typically, the inner tube is telescopically extendible from
the cylindrical back leg and lockable in position by a peg.
[0024] In one embodiment, the peg is a sprung loaded peg for
springingly engaging holes in the cylindrical outer tube of the
back legs.
[0025] Preferably, the gradually sloping front section is provided
with hand grips.
[0026] Optionally, the hand grips being extensive tubular foam
sleeves covering a length of the gradually sloping front
section.
[0027] Typically, the handgrips are angled at an angle of from
20.degree. to 60.degree. to surface. Typically, the arcuate side
pieces are separated by a distance of between 60 cm and 80 cm.
[0028] Optionally, the feet comprise rubber grips to prevent the
apparatus from slipping backwards.
[0029] Preferred embodiments of the apparatus are stackable, so
that a plurality of said apparatuses can be stacked and stored in a
small space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how
it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely
by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.
[0031] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is
stressed that the particulars shown, are by way of example and for
purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of
the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of
providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily
understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of
the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show
structural details of the invention in more detail than is
necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention; the
description taken with the drawings making apparent to those
skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be
embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:
[0032] FIG. 1 is an isometric projection of the press up apparatus
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a typical pin-and-hole mechanism as
incorporated in one embodiment of the back legs, to allow them to
be extended.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exerciser
performing easy press ups using the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an exerciser
performing difficult press ups using the apparatus of FIG. 1,
and
[0036] FIG. 5 shows how a preferred embodiment of the press up
apparatus of the invention is stackable for ease of storage where
used by sports teams, exercise classes, platoons, and the like.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0037] With reference to FIG. 1, an isometric projection of the
press up apparatus 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention is shown. The apparatus 10 is essentially a
framework comprising two arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R each
comprising a gradually sloping front section 14L, 14R and a sharply
descending back section 16L, 16R. The front ends of the arcuate
side pieces terminate in front feet 18L, 18R, and the back sections
terminate in extending parts with back feet thereupon 20L, 20R. The
front and back feet 18L, 18R, 20L, 20R support the apparatus on the
ground. The back feet are on piston like legs that are
telescopically extendible from the back end 16L 16R, of arcuate
side pieces 12L, 12R, and a locking means is provided to keep the
back legs extended by a desired amount, which, as shown in FIG. 2,
may be a peg 30 in hole 32 means, the peg being a sprung loaded peg
31 in the rod like inner section 34 of the back legs, for
springingly engaging holes 32 in the cylindrical outer tube section
16 of the back leg, such as is commonly used in Zimmer frames,
crutches and the like. The apparatus 10 further comprises a
rectangle of struts that couple the arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R
together. These include a front strut 22 for spanning between the
two front sections 14L, 14R of the arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R at
ground level, a back strut 24 for spanning between the two back
sections 16L, 16R of the arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R above where
extendible leg sections extend out thereof, and a pair of side
struts 26L, 26R that span between the front section 14L, 14R and
the back section 16L, 16R to provide rigidity thereby, and an upper
cross bar 28 for coupling the arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R together
near the highest point thereof; such that back sections 16L, 16R
are substantially straight telescopic tubes comprising piston like
inner extension pieces that may be used to extend the back legs and
to adjust the height of the upper cross bar 28 from the ground and
thereby adjust the slope of the angle of the gently sloping front
sections 14L, 14R of the side pieces 12L, 12R.
[0038] The apparatus is 10 is typically fabricated from aluminum,
steel or plastic tubing and may be welded or bolted, or otherwise
coupled together from lengths of tubing, perhaps in a manner to be
supplied in kit form for self-assembly. Optionally, the feet 18L,
18R, 20L, 20R comprise rubber grips to prevent the apparatus 10
from slipping backwards.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, in this manner, a user can grip the
gently sloping front sections 14L, 14R and ergonomically support
his/her arms thereby to perform moderate press ups. To facilitate
this, the gradually sloping front section 14L, 14R is preferably
provided with hand grips. Optionally, the hand grips 30 are
extensive tubular foam sleeves covering a length of the gradually
sloping front sections 14L, 14R. Typically, the handgrips 30 on the
front parts of the arcuate side pieces 12L, 12R are angled at an
angle of from 20.degree. to 60.degree. to surface and are separated
by a distance of between 60 cm and 80 cm.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the user can rest his/her feet on the
upper cross bar 28 and hands on the ground to perform demanding
press ups.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, preferred embodiments of the apparatus
are stackable, so that a plurality of the press-up frames can be
stacked and stored in a small space.
[0042] Thus persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the
present invention is capable of much variation and is not limited
to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove.
Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the
appended claims and includes variations and modifications of the
various features described hereinabove, which would occur to
persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing
description.
[0043] In the claims, the word "comprise", and variations thereof
such as "comprises", "comprising" and the like indicate that the
components listed are included, but not generally to the exclusion
of other components.
* * * * *