U.S. patent application number 12/728789 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-22 for multi-exercise slide board.
This patent application is currently assigned to BORG UNLIMITED INC.. Invention is credited to Ricardo Gamboa.
Application Number | 20110230312 12/728789 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44647681 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110230312 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gamboa; Ricardo |
September 22, 2011 |
MULTI-EXERCISE SLIDE BOARD
Abstract
The multi-exercise trainer includes a portable workout board
having a low-friction upper surface. The low-friction upper surface
includes a set of indicia concentrically spaced from one another to
provide visual guidance for performing exercises thereon. The
multi-exercise trainer further includes a hand pad slidable and
rotatable over the low-friction upper surface. The indicia
designate defined distances on the low-friction upper surface so a
user may selectively position and slide the hand pad thereon while
simultaneously performing push-ups.
Inventors: |
Gamboa; Ricardo; (Monterey
Park, CA) |
Assignee: |
BORG UNLIMITED INC.
Monterey Park
CA
|
Family ID: |
44647681 |
Appl. No.: |
12/728789 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/51 ;
482/141 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/0219 20130101;
A63B 23/12 20130101; A63B 22/20 20130101; A63B 22/203 20130101;
A63B 23/03575 20130101; A63B 21/00192 20130101; A63B 21/4035
20151001; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 23/1236 20130101; A63B
2209/08 20130101; A63B 23/03541 20130101; A63B 2071/0694
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/51 ;
482/141 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/00 20060101
A63B022/00; A63B 26/00 20060101 A63B026/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-exercise trainer, comprising: a portable workout board
having a low-friction upper surface; a set of indicia
concentrically spaced from one another on the low-friction upper
surface of the workout board; and a hand pad slidable and rotatable
over the low-friction upper surface; wherein the indicia designate
defined distances within the low-friction upper surface so a user
may selectively position and slide the hand pad thereon while
simultaneously performing a push-up.
2. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 1, wherein the indicia
comprise circles concentric to a center of the workout board.
3. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 1, wherein the indicia
comprise a color code that denotes a degree of difficulty.
4. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 1, wherein the hand pad
includes an elevated handle and a low-friction pad for engaging the
low-friction upper surface of the workout board.
5. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 1, including a pair of
bumpers at opposite ends of the workout board defining the
low-friction upper surface therebetween.
6. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 5, wherein the bumpers are
inclined and comprise a high friction material.
7. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 1, including a carrying case
configured to retain the hand pad and the workout board, when
rolled into a storage configuration.
8. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 7 wherein the carrying case
includes a strap.
9. A multi-exercise trainer, comprising: a portable workout board
having a low-friction upper surface; a set of indicia
concentrically spaced from one another on the low-friction upper
surface of the workout board, wherein the indicia comprise circles
concentric to a center of the workout board that are color coded to
denote a degree of difficulty; and a hand pad slidable and
rotatable over the low-friction upper surface wherein the hand pad
includes an elevated handle and a low-friction pad for engaging the
low-friction upper surface of the workout board; wherein the
indicia designate defined distances within the low-friction upper
surface so a user may selectively position and slide the hand pad
thereon while simultaneously performing a push-up.
10. (canceled)
11. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 9, including a pair of
bumpers at opposite ends of the workout board defining the
low-friction upper surface therebetween.
12. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 11, wherein the bumpers are
inclined and comprise a high friction material.
13. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 9, including a carrying
case configured to retain the hand pad and the workout board, when
rolled into a storage configuration.
14. A multi-exercise trainer, comprising: a portable workout board
having a low-friction upper surface; a set of indicia
concentrically spaced from one another on the low-friction upper
surface of the workout board; a hand pad slidable and rotatable
over the low-friction upper surface, wherein the hand pad includes
an elevated handle and a low-friction pad for engaging the
low-friction upper surface of the workout board; and a pair of
bumpers at opposite ends of the workout board defining the
low-friction upper surface therebetween; wherein the indicia
designate defined distances within the low-friction upper surface
so a user may selectively position and slide the hand pad thereon
while simultaneously performing a push-up.
15. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 14, wherein the indicia
comprise circles concentric to a center of the workout board.
16. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 14, wherein the indicia
comprise a color code that denotes a degree of difficulty.
17. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 14, wherein the bumpers are
inclined and comprise a high friction material.
18. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 14, including a carrying
case configured to retain the hand pad and the workout board, when
rolled into a storage configuration.
19. The multi-exercise trainer of claim 18, wherein the carrying
case includes a strap.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to slide board
exercise devices. More particularly, the present invention relates
to multi-exercise slide boards that permit sliding on a
low-friction surface as an effective way to train for skating
and/or skiing at times when outdoor training conditions are not
feasible.
[0002] There are several known variations of exercise devices that
enable off-season training that are known in the art. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,862 to Keppler discloses a slide board
prototype for use in off-season training regimens, such as speed
skating or other similar athletics. The Keppler exercising device
includes a base having a plurality of board members thereon
arranged side-by-side. Hinges pivotally connect adjacent board
members to each other. A flexible plastic sheet overlays the board
members and has a smooth low-friction surface on which the user can
slide. Bumpers are located at opposite ends of the base and
releasibly connect thereto by a set of clamps. The user wears socks
or other similar foot coverings to slide in one direction on the
surface of the board until encountering a bumper. The bumper stops
the user from continuing to move off the board and simultaneously
allows the user to push off into the opposite direction. This
allows the user to slide side-to-side in a movement that simulates
skiing or skating. The Keppler device is complex in construction
and not at all designed for mobility. Moreover, the Keppler device
cannot be used in a multi-exercise training regimen because users
are unable to vary or quantify the degree of difficulty when using
the device.
[0003] In another reference, U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,282 to Maclean
discloses a slide exercise apparatus that has a plurality of
inclined bumpers that may be selectively positioned at any point or
angle on the board. The bumpers have an inclined surface that users
contact with their feet when sliding back and forth on the board.
The bumpers are preferably formed from a flexible, elastic material
that flexes in a direction of motion upon impact from the foot of a
user. The inclined surface may have an acute angle of approximately
18-22 degrees to better enable the user to push off from the bumper
in an effort to change the direction of sliding motion. The bumper
flexes upon contact thereby softening the impact force and
associated shock on the foot, leg and joints of the user. The
bumpers may permanently attach to or otherwise be removably clamped
to the sliding surface of the board. In one embodiment, the bumpers
include a non-slip material or a textured surface to increase
friction with the foot of the user during contact.
[0004] Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,700 to Braathen discloses
a flexible sliding mat for use with a wall-mounted exerciser that
enables a user to simulate skating, snow skiing, etc. The sliding
surface of the mat is flexible so a user may roll up and stow away
the mat during times of non-use. In the operative configuration, a
pair of stop/kick-off edge elements are connected to and extend
across respective opposite ends of the mat. The stop/kick-off edge
elements are selectively positionable along the length of the
sliding mat so the length of the sliding surface can be adjusted.
The edge members attach to the mat by bolting together flanges that
extend beyond the longitudinal side of the mat. When clamped
together, the user may slide back and forth between the
stop/kick-off edge elements to simulate skating and/or skiing.
While the edge elements may be adjustable, the mat does not provide
any means of identifying the distance between each of the elements
for training purposes.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,226 to Carra discloses a similar device
for ice skaters. The Carra exercise device includes an elongated
rectangular plastic body or strip that has a low-friction surface
for performing alternating side-to-side sliding movements thereon.
The sliding surface is preferably flexible so the exercise device
may be rolled and/or unrolled as desired. A strap included therein
can secure the device in the rolled configuration. During use, a
user may perform alternating side-to-side sliding movements on the
low friction surface between a pair of cooperating raised and
concave shaped stops. The terminal portion of each stop is in a
slightly elevated position relative to the sliding surface to
assist in terminating the directional movement of the person
sliding back and forth across the slide.
[0006] Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,870 to Lloyd discloses a
variable resistance slide board that includes a thin flexible sheet
having a low-friction upper surface. The sheet may include a pair
of start-stop blocks located on either side of the low-friction
upper surface. The start-stop blocks are designed to engage the
foot or hands of a user to help facilitate starting or stopping.
Similar to Maclean and Braathen, the start-stop blocks may be
permanently attached to the slide board or adjustably mounted
thereto. The material underneath the low-friction upper surface is
compressible and deformable so that the resistance can be
controlled in accordance with the characteristics of the
compressible mat. Different portions of the mat have variable
compressibility characteristics that either increase or decrease
the resistance applied to the user sliding across the surface of
the slide board. But, Lloyd does not include any indicia on the
sliding surface that visually identify the areas of the mat that
have different resistances thereunder due to differences in
compressibility characteristics.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,415 to Branson features a sliding board
that may be used with both the arms and the legs. The Branson
device is a square platform that is covered with a low-friction
material. The user straps or attaches low-friction pads to the
hands, elbows or feet and then performs a series of exercises by
sliding the pad across the surface of the platform. For instance,
exercises might include the use of two hands, two feet, a foot and
a hand, etc. The exercises are designed to be therapeutic and are
designed to strengthen injured joints through cardiovascularly
non-strenuous exercise. In Branson, the platform is square, instead
of being rectangular as are the other above-identified designs.
This design prevents long sliding side-to-side movement that may
otherwise elevate the heart rate or cause potentially injurious
extension of the joints and muscles.
[0008] Additionally, there are numerous other devices known in the
art that enable a person to exercise muscles of the upper torso
through the use of rotatable push-up type devices. For example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,632,707 to Daniel et al. and 7,481,753 to James et
al. and U.S. Publication No. 2006/0014615 to Godbold all disclose
upper torso push-up-type exercise devices for use with the hands.
Each device includes an elevated hand grip that allows a user to
perform push-ups while rotating the arms and shoulders with the
device via a low-friction surface (e.g. Daniel) or through a
ball-bearing system (e.g. James and Godbold). One deficiency in the
James and Godbold designs is the fact that the device is stationary
and only rotates within an interior ball-bearing assembly.
Likewise, Daniel has drawbacks in the fact that the housing
includes a plurality of wheels that require a hard or sturdy
rolling surface. Using the Daniel design with a flexible,
compressible, or deformable material thereunder is simply not
feasible as the top surface would tend to warp, bend or even
crack.
[0009] Thus, there exists a significant need for a multi-exercise
slide board that enables a user to exercise muscles of the upper
and lower body and facilitates off-season training exercises such
as skiing and/or skating. Such a multi-exercise slide board should
include a flexible low-friction surface having a pair of angled end
stops at opposite ends thereof, should include a plurality of
indicia on the slidable surface so a user can visually identify the
difficulty of certain exercises, should include a plurality of
low-friction pads that enable the user to slide one or more body
parts along the slide board, and should include a carrying case for
retaining the slide board and other accessories such as the pads.
The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further
related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The multi-exercise trainer includes a portable workout board
having a low-friction upper surface. A set of indicia
concentrically spaced from one another on the low-friction upper
surface identify specific locations and distances on the workout
board. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia include circles
evenly spaced from one another and concentric to a center of the
workout board. The indicia may also be colored coded to denote a
degree of difficulty of performing push-ups at specific points on
the workout board. Additionally, the multi-exercise trainer
includes a hand pad slidable and rotatable over the low-friction
upper surface. Accordingly, the indicia designate defined distances
on the low-friction upper surface so a user may selectively
position and slide the hand pad thereon while simultaneously
performing a push-up. The hand pad preferably includes an elevated
handle that facilitates sliding and/or rotating movement of the
hand pad on the low-friction upper surface. The elevated handles
enable the user to do deeper push-ups.
[0011] The workout board itself includes a pair of bumpers located
at opposite ends thereof that define the low-friction upper surface
therebetween. The bumpers are preferably inclined and made from a
high-friction material designed to stop a user sliding across the
low-friction upper surface. The inclined bumpers are also ideal to
push off from when performing side-to-side sliding exercises. The
workout board may additionally include a strap capable of retaining
the workout board in a rolled or storage configuration.
Additionally, the multi-exercise trainer should include a carrying
case configured to retain the hand pad and the workout board, when
rolled into the storage position, to facilitate portability.
[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which
illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such
drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-exercise slide board
kit, including a slide board, a pair of slide pads, a pair of hand
pads with elevated hand grips, a pair of joint protectors, and a
carrying case;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an environmental view of a user performing
push-ups with the pair of hand pads with elevated hand grips,
through rotational and sliding movement of the pads across the
surface of the slide board; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is an environmental view of the user utilizing the
hand pads to perform sliding exercises across the surface of the
slide board.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the
present invention for a multi-exercise slide board kit is generally
referred to by the reference number 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the
multi-exercise slide board kit 10 includes a slide board 12, a pair
of slide pads 14, a pair of hand pads with elevated hand grips 16,
a pair of joint pads 18 and a carrying case 20. Each of the pads
14, 16, 18 are used in association with the slide board 12, as
described in more detail below, such that a user may exercise the
lower body and the upper body. Of course, the multi-exercise slide
board kit 10 may include multiple combinations of the pads 14, 16,
18. Preferably, the carrying case 20 is sized to hold the slide
board 12, the slide pads 14, the hand pads 16 and the joint pads
18. But, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily
recognize that the multi-exercise slide board kit 10 may include
various combinations of the components described above such that
the carrying case 20 is appropriately sized to retain those
components. At a minimum, the multi-exercise slide board kit 10
should include at least the slide board 12 and one of the pads 14,
16, 18.
[0018] The slide board 12 generally includes a sliding area 22 for
use with the pads 14, 16, 18. The sliding area 22 should be made
from a low-friction material to permit sliding thereover. As shown
in FIG. 1, the sliding area 22 is generally rectangular in shape,
but a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize
that the sliding area 22, and ultimately the shape of the slide
board 12, may come in a variety of sizes and shapes, such as
circles, squares or other designs. Moreover, the sliding area 22
should be flexible to enhance the portability of the slide board
12. In this regard, the sliding area 22 may fold over on itself or
otherwise roll into a compact position relative to the operative
position shown in FIG. 1. In the rolled-up or inoperative position,
the slide board 12 may fit inside of the carrying case 20 for
storage and transportation.
[0019] A pair of bumpers 24 are located at opposite ends of the
sliding area 22 of the slide board 12. The bumpers 24 may be
arranged in many different configurations, such as at the end of
the rectangularly shaped sliding area 22. The bumpers 24 may also
attach to the longitudinal edges of the sliding area 22 such that
the user may push off front-to-back in addition to side-to-side
movement. The bumpers 24 may permanently attach to the sliding area
22 or may be selectively removable through some
attachment/detachment mechanism. It is preferable that the bumpers
24 permanently attach to opposite sides of the longitudinal ends of
the sliding area 22 to facilitate storage within the carrying case
20. In this regard, the slide board 12 shown in FIG. 1 may easily
roll upon itself via the bumpers 24. The relatively rigid bumpers
24 provide some support for the sliding area 22 when stored within
the carrying case 20. In the alternative embodiment wherein the
bumpers 24 are placed longitudinally along the length of the
sliding area 22, such bumpers 24 are preferably selectively
removable from the slide board 12 to enable the sliding area 22 to
fold upon itself so the slide board 12 can fit within the carrying
case 20 along with the detached bumpers 24.
[0020] The bumpers 24 are preferably angled as shown in FIGS. 1-3.
The bumpers 24 should also be made from a resilient material
capable of withstanding sliding contact of a user moving
side-to-side across the sliding area 22. Such resilient material
should also be capable of providing footing and a push off point to
facilitate the side-to-side movement. A ramp 26 integrated therein
preferably has a surface area that includes a high-friction
material or is otherwise shaped (e.g. ridges or bumps) to enhance
traction thereon. This ensures that the user may adequately grip
and push off from the ramp 26 when performing simulated skating or
skiing exercises, e.g., with the slide board 12. The bumper 24 and
the ramp 26 may come in one of a variety of shapes, sizes or
angles. A smaller angled ramp 26 may be used for light workout
activities, such as for rehab or other low-impact exercises.
Alternatively, a higher angled ramp 26 enhances the ability of the
bumper 24 to stop movement of the user across the surface of the
sliding area 22. Such a ramp 26 is particularly preferred for
exercises that require greater physical exertion or for exercises
that are performed at higher speeds. In the event the bumpers 24
are detachable, a user may change out the characteristics of the
ramp 26 depending on the desired exercise. The bumper 24 may
further include a vertical stop 28 that prevents the user from
moving up the ramp 26 and completely off the slide board 12. The
bumper 24 may also be manufactured from a material that is
compressible and/or deformable to reduce the impact on the user
when contacting either the ramp 26 or the vertical stop 28.
[0021] The sliding area 22 also includes a plurality of indicia, as
shown in FIGS. 1-3, that identify specific portions or distances on
the sliding area 22 for performing exercises in association with
the multi-exercise slide board kit 10. These indicia better enable
a user to structure an exercise program for use with the slide
board 12. Oftentimes, as shown in the prior art discussed above,
slide boards do not include any set of indicia thereon such that a
user may gauge the level of difficulty for performing certain
exercises. The users are left only to gauge the level of difficulty
based on prior use and can only guesstimate because the prior art
lacks such indicia. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one preferable set of
indicia for use in association with some of the exercises that may
be performed with the slide board 12. As best shown in FIG. 1, the
sliding area 22 includes a set of circular indicia such as a bull's
eye 30 and a plurality of colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36
concentric thereto. The colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 preferably
vary in color from one another. In one embodiment, the colored
indicia rings 32, 34, 36 alternate in color similar to that of a
dart board. In another embodiment, the colored indicia rings 32,
34, 36 may be different shades of one color--such that the color
gets deeper or brighter with each indicia ring moving away from the
bull's eye 30, or vice versa. The colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36
identify various positions on the sliding area 22 that enable a
user to structure a workout regimen. For example, the colored
indicia rings 32, 34, 36 enable a user to strategically locate
specific distances from the bull's eye 30 and from each of the
bumpers 24. Using these relative distances, a user may accordingly
utilize the bull's eye 30 and the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36
to gauge flexibility and/or the difficulty of a workout
regimen.
[0022] The sliding area 22 also includes a plurality of indicia
lines 38, 40, 42 concentric to the bull's eye 30 and similar to the
colored indicia rings 34, 36, 38. The indicia lines 38, 40, 42
further help a user gauge flexibility and/or the difficulty of a
workout regimen, at distances beyond the indicia rings 32, 34, 36.
The user can accurately gauge distances across the surface of the
sliding area 22 through cooperative identification of the colored
indicia rings 32, 34, 36 and the indicia lines 38, 40, 42. Of
course, the bull's eye 30, the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 and
the indicia lines 38, 40, 42 may vary in size, width, length, etc.
depending on the dimensions of the sliding area 22 or the desired
application. This enables a user to gauge flexibility or the
difficulty of dexterity exercises. Over time, the user may conduct
deeper stretches or longer exercises to different portions of the
colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 and/or the indicia lines 38, 40,
42. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is merely a preferred
embodiment. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily
recognize that the indicia on the sliding area 22 of the slide
board 12 may vary depending on a plurality of different criteria.
The indicia may include straight lines, angled lines, circular
lines (as shown in FIGS. 1-3), or other designs, numbers, letters,
etc. designating areas where the user may work out.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of using the
multi-exercise slide board kit 10. Here, a user 44 uses the hand
pads 16 to perform different types of pushups. The hand pads 16 are
best illustrated in FIG. 1 and include a pair of handles 46
elevated above the base thereof. Like the slide pads 14, described
below, the hand pads 16 preferably include a low-friction material
that contacts the sliding area 22. When placed on the sliding area
22 of the slide board 12, the user 44 may rotate or slide the slide
pads 14 along the surface thereof. The directional arrows in FIG. 2
illustrate examples of such movements. Rotating the hand pads 16 is
an effective exercise for strengthening the muscles of the arms and
the shoulders at the same time as doing pushups. The elevated
positioning of the handles 46 also enables the user 44 to do deeper
pushups. The user 44 may also perform additional sliding motion at
the same time as performing the pushups. For example, the hand pads
16 may be moved side-to-side or in a circular motion to work out
other muscles of the arms and/or shoulders that could not otherwise
be exercised through doing conventional stationary pushups. The
user 44 may gauge the level of difficulty when performing any one
of a plurality of exercises in association with the multi-exercise
slide board kit 10, by sliding the hand pads 16 relative to the
bull's eye 30, the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 and the indicia
lines 38, 40, 42 (FIG. 1). For example, sliding the hand pads 16
away from the bull's eye 30 effectively increases the difficulty of
doing the aforementioned pushups. A person of ordinary skill in the
art will readily recognize that multiple different exercise
regimens may be developed in association with the sliding hand pads
16 and the elevated handles 46.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates another exercise being performed with the
multi-exercise slide board kit 10. Here, the slide pads 14 may be
used to do deep bends or perform lunges. The slide pads 14 are best
illustrated in FIG. 1 and are preferably made from a material that
includes a low-friction material located, e.g., on a sliding
surface 48. The sliding surface 48 is complementary to the sliding
area 22 on the slide board 12 such that the user may facilitate
specific movements, such as the forward-to-backward sliding
movement shown in FIG. 3. The slide pads 14 may simply be two pads
or the slide pads 14 may include a glove or other similar device
that straps or attaches to the hands or other body part of the user
44. The slide pads 14 enable the user 44 to perform different
exercises with the legs or arms. Furthermore, multiple exercises
that involve both the lower body and the upper body will train and
tone the middle torso, such as the ab muscles. This particular use
of the multi-exercise slide board kit 10 can enhance dexterity and
the flexibility of the user 44. A person of ordinary skill in the
art will readily recognize that the user 44 may perform many
different exercises by sliding one or more of the slide pads 14,
alone or in conjunction with one another, along the sliding area 22
to work out certain body muscles. The user 44 may furthermore use
portions of the ramp 26 to position one or more appendages thereon
such that the high-friction surface of the ramp 26 provides a
non-slip/brace point for performing sliding exercises with other
portions of the body. This may further enable the user 44 to
concentrate on specific muscle groups when toning, stretching or
performing other related exercises. Specifically with regard to
stretching, the user 44 may use the bull's eye 30, the colored
indicia rings 32, 34, 36 and the indicia lines 38, 40, 42 (FIG. 1)
as a gauge for flexibility. Over time, the user 44 will experience
that deeper stretches may be accomplished thereby allowing the user
44 to stretch to further indicia. Moreover, the indicia may also be
used as part of a set of exercise instructions designed to target,
strengthen and/or tone certain muscle groups.
[0025] The user 44 may also use the joint pads 18, as best shown in
FIG. 1, to prevent injury to joints such as the elbows or knees.
The joint pads 18 in FIG. 1 have a pair of straps 50 for use in
attachment to the user 44. For example, the straps 50 may be
manufactured from a stretchable material such that the user 44
simply slides the joint pads 18 over the legs or arms for retention
over the knees or elbows. Alternatively, the straps 50 may
selectively release from the joint pad 20 such that the user 44 may
hook or attach the strap 50 around an arm or a leg to provide
protection for the knees or elbows. In this embodiment, the straps
50 are preferably adjustable such that the user 44 may shorten or
lengthen the straps 50 to fit comfortably, yet snugly, to the body.
The joint pads 18 preferably include a shell 52 made from a rigid
plastic or comparable material so the user does not directly
contact the hard ground. A pad underneath the shell 52 may provide
comfort and protection for joints that may otherwise become sore
from ground contact as a result of exercising.
[0026] During non-use, each of the components, i.e. the slide board
12, the slide pads 14, the hand pads 16 and the joint pads 18 may
be compactly stored in the carrying case 20. As described above,
the slide board 12 preferably folds or otherwise rolls into a
compact position storable within the interior of the carrying case
20. The carrying case 20 preferably includes a shoulder strap 54 or
other means for easily carrying the carrying case 20.
[0027] Although several embodiments have been described in detail
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to
each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the
appended claims.
* * * * *