U.S. patent application number 12/803243 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-13 for torso pushup assistance device.
Invention is credited to Jack Eugene Barringer.
Application Number | 20110009250 12/803243 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43427933 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110009250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barringer; Jack Eugene |
January 13, 2011 |
Torso pushup assistance device
Abstract
A torso pushup assistance device for assisting a user in
performing pushups is disclosed. The torso pushup assistance device
is comprised of a base component, a torso support component
rotationally attached to the base component, and an elastic system
that connects the base component to the torso support component in
one or more optional configurations. In a first embodiment, the
elastic system is comprised of a set of one or more pairs of
matched elastic bands that removably connect the rear end of the
torso support component to the rear end of the base component. The
user lies on the torso support component with his or her feet on
the floor, and does pushups in the usual way. Depending on the
configuration of the matched elastic bands installed on the torso
pushup assistance device, the user's effort varies from a small
percentage to a large percentage of the force required to do an
unassisted pushup.
Inventors: |
Barringer; Jack Eugene;
(Ames, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jerome E Sacks;Registered Patent Agent
PO Box 601
Lexington
MA
02420
US
|
Family ID: |
43427933 |
Appl. No.: |
12/803243 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61270434 |
Jul 8, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4047 20151001;
A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/4033 20151001; A63B 23/12 20130101;
A63B 21/00181 20130101; A63B 23/1236 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/141 |
International
Class: |
A63B 26/00 20060101
A63B026/00 |
Claims
1. A torso pushup assistance device for assisting a user in doing
pushups, the torso pushup assistance device comprising: a base
component; a torso support component rotationally attached to the
base component, the torso support component supporting the user's
torso while doing pushups; an elastic system, the elastic system
having at least one configuration, the elastic system for each
configuration elastically connects the torso support component to
the base component wherein an effort the user exerts in doing a
pushup when the user is positioned with the user's torso positioned
on the torso support component and the user's toes positioned on
the floor varies from a first percentage of effort as compared to
effort the user exerts in doing an unassisted pushup to a second
percentage of effort as compared to effort the user exerts in doing
an unassisted pushup, the effort depending on the configuration
chosen for the elastic system.
2. The torso pushup assistance device of claim 1; the base
component having a base back end, the torso support component
having a torso back end, and wherein the elastic system that
removable and elastically connects the torso support component to
the base component is positioned at the base back end and at the
torso back end.
3. The torso pushup assistance device of claim 1 wherein the
elastic system is comprised of one or more pairs of matched elastic
bands wherein each pair of elastic matched bands may removably
connect the torso support component to the base component.
4. The torso pushup assistance device of claim 1 wherein the
elastic system is comprised of one or more pairs of matched springs
wherein each pair of matched springs may removably connect the
torso support component to the base component.
5. The torso pushup assistance device of claim 1 additionally
comprising handgrips.
6. The torso pushup assistance device of claim 1 additionally
comprising a counter having a reset button, the counter capable of
counting the number of pushups performed by the user on the torso
pushup assistance device since the reset button is activated.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/270,434 filed Jul. 8, 2009 by the present
inventor. This provisional patent application is incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention presented herein applies to devices for
assisting in doing pushups, more particularly to devices that
provide upper body assistance in doing pushups
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Upper body strength is an important part of overall health.
Pushup exercises are one of the best ways to build upper body
strength. A problem with pushups is that if the user doesn't
already have upper body strength, then pushups are very hard to do
and the user inevitably does them incorrectly or not at all. For
many people, the end result is to give up.
[0004] There is a market for devices that provide assistance to
users for doing pushups. The pushup assistance devices fit into
several categories. In the first category are devices that are
variations of individual handgrips for users. Typically, they allow
the users to have a comfortable grip and often allow a user to
rotate their hands while doing pushups.
[0005] The second category of pushup devices provides devices that
control the angle that the user's body makes to the floor while
doing pushups. The greater the angle between the user's body and
the floor, the less effort is required to do the pushup. These
devices come in various forms; some position themselves on a stair
step, others provide base platforms that are angled relative to the
floor so that the user's body, when using the device, is also
angled relative to the floor.
[0006] The third set of devices allow the user to do pushups while
in an approximately horizontal position, but assist the user to
make the pushup effort easier. While several such devices exist,
there is lacking a simple device that accomplishes this
objective.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] The torso pushup assistance device presented herein provides
torso support that reduces the effort required for the user to
perform pushups. The torso pushup assistance device is positioned
on the floor; the user rests his/her torso on the present invention
and starts doing pushups. The torso pushup assistance device,
configured with elastic bands, assists the user in performing the
pushups. The elastic bands come in matched pairs and different
pairs may have different levels of elasticity. The user may install
one or more matched pairs of elastic bands. By selecting the levels
of elasticity of each matched pair and the number of matched band
installed, the user may vary the amount of assistance in doing the
pushups over a wide range.
[0008] The torso pushup assistance device is comprised of a torso
support component that provides torso support, a base component
that rests on the floor, and an elastic system. The torso support
component is pivotally attached to side brackets that are securely
attached to the base component. One or more graduated elastic band
matched pairs are attached to the rear of the torso support
component and the base component. These elastic bands allow the
user to perform pushups requiring less effort than when done
without the support. As an example, the user can gradually start
his/her exercise routine by using the torso pushup assistance
device to initially lift only twenty five percent or less of
his/her weight. As strength increases the user may progress to
lifting fifty percent of his/her actual weight. As the upper body
strength further increases, the user may start lifting seventy five
percent of his/her body weight. Finally, the torso pushup
assistance device may no longer be needed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a left side perspective view of a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a left side exploded perspective view of
the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate a left side perspective view
of the parts comprising the torso support component, the base
component, and the elastic system respectively of the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a left side view of two positions
of a user doing pushups using the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a left side perspective view of a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a left side perspective view of a third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate a left side perspective view
of the components of the third embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] In the following description and in the appended claims, the
terms left side, right side, front and back refer to the embodiment
as it appears to a user doing pushups using the torso pushup
assistance device. In the figures, front occurs on the left in the
figures, back occurs on the right in the figures, left occurs in
the foreground and right occurs at the rear of the figures. If
there are multiple identical parts, only one part may be indicated
by a numeral in the figure. The terms "torso" and "upper body" as
used in this specification and the appended claims have the same
meaning, and generally refers to the human body excluding the head
and limbs. However, based on the specific design parameters of a
commercial implementation of the torso pushup assistance device,
the term "torso" may also include portions of the upper legs.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 3C, first embodiment
100 is comprised of a base component 102, a torso support component
104 including two hex nuts 108, and an elastic system 105 comprised
of one or more pairs 106P of matched elastic bands 106.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a left side perspective view of a first
embodiment 100 of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a left
side perspective exploded view of first embodiment 100. FIG. 3A
illustrates the parts comprising the torso support component 104.
FIG. 3B illustrates the parts comprising the base component 102.
FIG. 3C illustrates the parts comprising the elastic system
105.
[0019] Base component 102 is constructed using a bottom frame 110
with a bottom frame front 110F, a bottom frame left side 110L and a
bottom frame right side 110R. Bottom frame 110 has a left bottom
knob 114L of diameter slightly larger than the diameter of bottom
frame 110 that is located at the left side of the base back end
112B of the bottom frame left side 110L. Bottom frame 110 has a
right bottom knob 114R the same size as the left bottom knob 114L
that is located at the right side of base back end 112B of the
bottom frame right side 110R. Base component 102 has two side
brackets 116R and 116L composed of flat plates as shown in FIG. 1.
Side brackets 116L and 116R are permanently attached to bottom
frame 110 at the bottom frame left side 110L and the bottom frame
right side 110R. The left and right side brackets 116L and 116R
respectively have bracket circular holes 201L and 201R going
through each bracket near the top center of the bracket.
[0020] Torso support component 104 has a first top frame 124
constructed out of a rigid tubular material configured as
illustrated in FIG. 3A. First top frame 124 has a rigid left
cylindrical shaft 208L with a threaded end 210L attached to the
left side of the first top frame 124 and has a rigid right
cylindrical shaft 208R with a threaded end 210R attached to the
right side of the first top frame 124. Threaded ends 210L and 210R
accommodate hex nuts 108. The first top frame 124 left side has a
left top knob 126L and the right side has a right top knob 126R
positioned at the left and right sides respectively of the first
top frame 124 located at the torso back end 112T of the frame.
These top knobs 126L and 126R have the same dimensions as the left
bottom knob 114L and right bottom knob 114R.
[0021] Elastic system 105, comprised of one or more pairs 106P of
matched elastic bands 106, are composed of an elastomeric material
such as rubber. They all have substantially the same shape, and
come in matched pairs. Different matched pairs may have different
levels of elasticity. Each of the elastic bands 106 has a top band
circular hole 204T, a bottom band circular hole 204B, and a central
cavity 206. The top and bottom band circular holes 204T and 204B
are dimensioned so that they will fit over the top and bottom knobs
126L, 126R, 114L, and 114R when a user forces them so they fit
securely on the first top frame 124 and bottom frame 110. They can
be removed by applying force in the reverse direction. The central
cavity 206 is configured so the elastic bands 106 functions similar
to a rubber band, stretching when force is applied to opposing
ends, and contracting when the force is relaxed.
[0022] Torso support component 104 has two front semi-rigid solid
cylinders 128FL and 128FR, two middle semi-rigid solid cylinders
128ML and 128MR and a back semi-rigid solid cylinder 128B. Each
semi-rigid solid cylinder has a cylinder circular hole 202 centered
and extending through their lengths. These five semi-rigid solid
cylinders are mounted on the first top frame 124 as shown in FIG. 1
so they support a user's body comfortably.
[0023] Base component 102 has legs 122 attached to the bottom frame
110 that keep the frame slightly elevated above the floor, and left
and right handgrips 120L and 120R attached to bottom frame 110 on
the bottom frame left side 110L and bottom frame right side 110R
near the bottom frame front 110F. Base component 102 has a counter
134, located on the bottom frame front 110F that counts the number
of pushups done during a session. Counter 134 is incremented when
it is depressed by torso support component 104 pressing against
reset button 136 on each downward motion of the user doing a
pushup. The user may manually reset counter 134 at the start of a
session by grabbing the reset button 136 and exerting an upward
force.
[0024] The apparatus components are dimensioned and assembled as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Torso support component 104 is
pivotally attached to base component 102 as follows: The rigid left
cylindrical shaft 208L passes through bracket circular hole 201L of
the left bracket 116L and is secured by hex nut 108. The rigid
right cylindrical shaft 208R passes through bracket circular hole
201R of the right bracket 116R and is secured by second hex nut
108.
[0025] At least one matched pair 106P of elastic bands 106 are
mounted on the torso pushup assistance device, one on left side of
the torso pushup assistance device and the other on the back of the
right side of the torso pushup assistance device. To install an
elastic band on the left side, the bottom band circular hole 204B
is mounted on the bottom frame 110 and the top band circular hole
204T is mounted on the first top frame 124 on the left side.
Similarly, to mount an elastic band on the right side, the bottom
band circular hole 204B is mounted on bottom frame 110 and the top
band circular hole 204T is mounted on the first top frame 124 on
the right side. Additional matched pairs of elastic bands 106 may
be added to the torso pushup assistance device, and a different
matched pair with different levels of elasticity may replace a
given matched pair.
[0026] The handgrips 120L and 120R shown in first embodiment 100
are optional. They may be rotated around its attachment point to
allow the user to use various positions in doing pushups.
Alternately, handgrips 120L and 120R may be omitted and the user
places his/her hands directly on the floor.
[0027] The precise configuration and dimensions of the parts of
torso support component 104, base component 102 and the matched
pair elastic bands 106P are chosen so that when a user attempts to
lift his/her upper body doing pushups, the torso pushup assistance
device provides an appropriate amount of assistance in lifting the
user's upper body. By properly selecting the number and the
elasticity characteristics of the matched pairs of elastic bands
106P, the effort required for lifting the user's body when doing a
pushup can range from a first percentage of effort, e.g. twenty
five percent, to do the pushup with assistance to an amount
requiring a second percentage of effort, e.g. eighty percent as
compared to performing an unassisted pushup. For example, a user
may start so a pushup using the torso pushup assistance device
requires only twenty five percent of an unassisted pushup. This may
be achieved by installing several bands on each side. Over a period
of weeks or months when the user's upper body strength improves,
the user can remove a pair of matched bands to provide less
assistance.
[0028] FIG. 4A shows a user U positioned to do a pushup in a rest
position on the torso pushup assistance device. FIG. 4B shows a
user U positioned on the torso pushup assistance device doing a
pushup in an extended position. To use the torso pushup assistance
device, the user U places one or more matched pairs of elastic
bands 106P on first embodiment 100. The user lies face down on
torso support component 104 and places his/her left hand on the
left handgrip 120L and his/her right hand on the right handgrip
120R with user's feet touching floor F. The user's body remains
substantially rigid throughout the exercise. With a proper
selection of matched elastic bands 106 installed on the torso
pushup assistance device, first embodiment 100 compresses towards
the floor as shown in FIG. 4A. When the user starts lifting his/her
body, the torso pushup assistance device reduces the effort
required as compared to an unassisted pushup. Depending on the
number and elasticity of the elastic band matched pairs chosen, the
amount of assistance the torso pushup assistance device provides
may be varied.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment
300 of the present invention. Second embodiment 300 is similar to
first embodiment 100; therefore, only the differences between the
first and second embodiments are presented herein. Referring to
FIG. 5, the two front semi-rigid solid cylinders 128FL, 128FR of
first embodiment 100 are replaced by a single front semi-rigid
solid cylinder 302F. The two middle semi-rigid solid cylinders
128ML and 128MR of first embodiment 100 are replaced by single
middle rigid solid cylinder 302M. The first top frame 124 of first
embodiment 100 is replaced by a second top frame 304 that
accommodates the single front semi-rigid solid cylinder 302F and
the single middle rigid solid cylinder 302M. The knobs 114L, 114R,
126L and 126R of first embodiment 100 are not present, so elastic
system 105 removably attach directly to the second top frame 304.
The rigid left cylindrical shaft 208L and rigid right cylindrical
shaft 208R and hex nuts 108 are not illustrated in second
embodiment 300, these attachment means exists but are hidden;
embedded within side brackets the two side brackets 306.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment
500 of the present invention. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate the
components of third embodiment 500. Third embodiment 500 is similar
to first embodiment 100; therefore, only the differences between
the first and third embodiments are presented herein.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B and 7C, the base component 502
is similar to base component 102 the first embodiment 100. The main
differences are that no legs or handgrips are used in base
component 502; the side brackets 508L and 508R in third embodiment
500 have a smaller height H then the height of the two side
brackets 116L and 116R of first embodiment 100; the knobs 114L, and
126L, 126R of first embodiment 100 are replaced by knobs 510TL,
510BL, 510TR, 510BR on third embodiment 500 that allows springs to
be attached in third embodiment 500. Knobs 510TR, 510BR are hidden
in FIGS. 6 and 7B. The elastic bands 106 of first embodiment 100
are replaced by matched springs 506 of third embodiment 500.
[0032] The torso support component 504 of third embodiment 500
differs from torso support component 104 of first embodiment 100 in
the following ways. The first top frame 124 and five semi-rigid
solid cylinders 128FL, 128FR 128ML, 128MR and 128B of first
embodiment 100 is replaced by a rigid curved plastic sheet 512
shaped as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7A. The left and right back tubular
sides 514L, 514R of torso support component 504 in third embodiment
500 are attached to the rigid curved plastic sheet 512 and contain
three knobs 510TL on the left side and three knobs 510TR on the
right side (not shown in the figure). Matched springs 506 of third
embodiment 500 are used instead of elastic bands 106 of first
embodiment 100. FIGS. 6 and 7C show only one set of matched springs
506 being used; more than one set may be used simultaneously to
increase the amount of the assistance to the user. Furthermore,
different matched pair springs may have different levels of
elasticity.
[0033] Various modifications to the two embodiments presented
herein are possible. Elastic system 105 comprised of elastic bands
106 or matched springs 506 may be replaced by other mechanisms with
similar tension/compression properties such as, but not limited to,
rubber belts, bungy cords, shock absorber devices, and torsion
assemblies. Elastic system 105 may be placed toward the front of
the torso pushup assistance device, rather that at the rear of the
torso pushup assistance device. The handgrips 120L and 120R are
optional, and other handgrips may be used such as free standing
handgrips. Different materials may be used in construction of torso
support component 104 and base component 102. Torso support
component 104 may be rotationally secured to base component 102
devices such as, but not limited to, rivets instead of nuts and
threads. The base component 102 of the torso pushup assistance
device may have a mat or a plate that is associated with it, so
that the user places his or her toes on the plate rather than
directly on the floor. Therefore, the term "floor" in the claims
covers this situation also.
[0034] The disclosure presented herein gives two embodiments of the
present invention. These embodiments are to be considered as only
illustrative of the present invention and not a limitation of the
scope of the present invention. Various permutations, combinations,
variations, and extensions of these embodiments are considered to
fall within the scope of this invention. Therefore, the scope of
this invention should be determined with reference to the claims
and not just by the embodiments presented herein.
* * * * *