Movable Kneeling Pad Assembly For An Abdominal Exercise Device

Abstract

A movable kneeling pad assembly for an abdominal exercise device has a main pad and a wheel seat. The main pad has at least one kneeling recess formed in an upper surface of the main pad. The wheel seat is mounted on a lower surface of the main pad and has multiple wheels protruding from the lower surface of the main pad. The kneeling pad assembly provides a comfortable support for a user's knees. As the kneeling pad assembly is movable by rotation of the wheels, the user has to put forth high abdominal strength in order to simultaneously perform movements of his upper body and his lower body. Therefore, abdominal muscles of the user can be trained effectively and efficiently, and exercise intensity when using the abdominal exercise device is high enough for professional workout exercisers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a movable kneeling pad assembly for an abdominal exercise device, especially to a movable kneeling pad assembly that is helpful in enhancing abdominal exercise intensity.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art(s)

[0004] An abdominal exercise device is used to train abdominal muscles of a user. A conventional abdominal exercise device comprises a kneeling pad and a roller assembly. The kneeling pad is immovably disposed on a plane and has two kneeling recesses separately formed in an upper surface of the kneeling pad. The roller assembly has a wheel and a handle transversely mounted through the wheel. The roller assembly is movable relative to the kneeling pad by rotation of the wheel. In use, the user kneels on the kneeling pad with his knees placed in the kneeling recesses and his hands holding the handle to repeatedly move the roller assembly forward and backward, thereby allowing the user to train the abdominal muscles.

[0005] However, since the kneeling pad is immovably disposed on the plane, when the user repeatedly moves the roller assembly forward and backward, the user does not have to put forth abdominal strength to sustain his lower body. The abdominal strength of the user is only put forth to allow an upper body of the user to perform movement. Hence, the conventional abdominal exercise device is unable to train the abdominal muscles of the user effectively and efficiently. Exercise intensity when using the conventional abdominal exercise device is not enough for professional workout exercisers.

[0006] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a movable kneeling pad assembly for an abdominal exercise device to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a movable kneeling pad assembly for an abdominal exercise device. The movable kneeling pad assembly has a main pad and a wheel seat. The main pad has at least one kneeling recess formed in an upper surface of the main pad. The wheel seat is mounted on a lower surface of the main pad and has multiple wheels protruding from the lower surface of the main pad.

[0008] The kneeling pad assembly provides a comfortable support for a user's knees. As the kneeling pad assembly is movable by rotation of the wheels, the user has to put forth high abdominal strength in order to simultaneously perform movements of his upper body and his lower body. Therefore, abdominal muscles of the user can be trained effectively and efficiently, and exercise intensity when using the abdominal exercise device is high enough for professional workout exercisers.

[0009] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a movable kneeling pad assembly for an abdominal exercise device in accordance with the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the kneeling pad assembly in FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the kneeling pad assembly in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an operational side view of the kneeling pad assembly in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 5 is another operational side view of the kneeling pad assembly in FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 6 is another exploded perspective view of the kneeling pad assembly in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 7 is another side view of the kneeling pad assembly in FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a movable kneeling pad assembly for an abdominal exercise device in accordance with the present invention; and

[0018] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the kneeling pad assembly in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] With reference to FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of a movable kneeling pad assembly for an abdominal exercise device in accordance with the present invention comprises a main pad 10, a wheel seat 20, and multiple holders 40.

[0020] With further reference to FIG. 2, the main pad 10 is rectangular, may be integrally formed as a single part, may be made of foam material, and has an upper surface, a lower surface, two opposite sides, at least one kneeling recess 11, a mounting recess 12, an inner bottom, multiple connecting protrusions 123, multiple positioning recesses 14, and four wheel recesses 13.

[0021] The at least one kneeling recess 11 is formed in the upper surface of the main pad 10 and are ergonomically designed to correspond to contours of the human knees, thereby providing a comfortable support for a user's knees. Specifically, the main pad 10 has two kneeling recesses 11 spaced apart.

[0022] The mounting recess 12 is formed in the lower surface of the main pad 10, is H-shaped, and has a transverse portion 121 and two longitudinal portions 122. The transverse portion 121 is disposed on the lower surface of the main pad 10 and has two ends respectively extending toward the two opposite sides of the main pad 10. The longitudinal portions 122 are respectively disposed adjacent to the two opposite sides of the main pad 10, are parallel to each other, are respectively connected to the ends of the transverse portion 121, and communicate with the transverse portion 121. Each longitudinal portion 122 has two ends. The inner bottom of the main pad 10 is defined in the mounting recess 12.

[0023] The connecting protrusions 123 are separately formed on and protrude from the inner bottom of the main pad 10. In the first preferred embodiment, the main pad 10 has two connecting protrusions 123 respectively disposed at the ends of the transverse portion 121 of the mounting recess 12.

[0024] The positioning recesses 14 are separately formed in the inner bottom of the main pad 10. In the first preferred embodiment, the main pad 10 has two positioning recesses 14 respectively disposed on the longitudinal portions 122 of the mounting recess 12.

[0025] The wheel recesses 13 are formed in the inner bottom of the main pad 10 and are respectively disposed at the ends of the longitudinal portions 122 of the mounting recess 12. In other words, the wheel recesses 13 are respectively disposed at four corners of the inner bottom of the main pad 10.

[0026] The wheel seat 20 is mounted on the lower surface of the main pad 10 and has a bracket 21 and four wheels 22.

[0027] The bracket 21 is H-shaped to fit the H-shaped mounting recess 12, is detachably mounted in the mounting recess 12 of the main pad 10, and has a first surface, a second surface, a transverse panel 211, two longitudinal panels 212, multiple connecting holes 213, multiple positioning holes 215, and four pairs of pivot supports 214. The second surface of the bracket 21 is opposite to the first surface of the bracket 21.

[0028] The transverse panel 211 is mounted in the transverse portion 121 of the mounting recess 12 and has two ends. The longitudinal panels 212 are respectively connected to the ends of the transverse panel 211, are parallel to each other, and are respectively mounted in the longitudinal portions 122 of the mounting recess 12. Each longitudinal panel 212 has two ends.

[0029] The connecting holes 213 are separately formed through the bracket 21, and respectively correspond to the connecting protrusions 123 of the main pad 10 for the connecting protrusions 123 to engage the connecting holes 213, such that the wheel seat 20 is detachably mounted on the lower surface of the main pad 10. In the first preferred embodiment, the bracket 21 has two connecting holes 213 respectively disposed at the ends of the transverse panel 211 of the bracket 21.

[0030] The positioning holes 215 are separately formed through the bracket 21 and respectively correspond in position to the positioning recesses 14 of the main pad 10. In the first preferred embodiment, the bracket 21 has two positioning holes 215 respectively disposed on the longitudinal panels 212 of the bracket 21.

[0031] The pairs of the pivot supports 214 are formed on and protrude from the first surface of the bracket 21, are respectively disposed at the ends of the longitudinal panels 212, and are selectively stored respectively in the wheel recesses 13 of the main pad 10. In other words, the pairs of the pivot supports 214 are respectively formed on and protrude from four corners of the first surface of the bracket 21.

[0032] The wheels 22 are pivotally mounted on the first surface of the bracket 21, are respectively mounted pivotally on the pairs of the pivot supports 214 and are selectively stored in the wheel recesses 13 of the main pad 10 along with the pairs of the pivot supports 214. In other words, the wheels 22 are respectively mounted pivotally on the four corners of the first surface of the bracket 21.

[0033] The holders 40 are respectively mounted through the positioning holes 215 of the bracket 21 and respectively protrude into the positioning recesses 14 of the main pad 10. Each holder 40 has a peripheral side surface and a flange 41. The flange 41 is formed around the peripheral side surface of the holder 40 and abuts the bracket 21, such that the bracket 21 is held between the main pad 10 and the flanges 41 of the holders 40.

[0034] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, in a second preferred embodiment of a movable kneeling pad assembly for an abdominal exercise device in accordance with the present invention, the main pad 10A is formed by combination of two half-pads 101A. The two half-pads 101A are spaced apart. Each half-pad 101A has an upper surface and a lower surface. The main pad 10A has two kneeling recesses 11A respectively formed in the upper surfaces of the half-pads 101A. The longitudinal potions 122A of the mounting recess 12A of the main pad 10A are respectively formed in the lower surfaces of the half-pads 101A. The longitudinal panels 212A of the bracket 21A are respectively mounted in the longitudinal portions 122A of the mounting recess 12A of the main pad 10A. The transverse panel 211A of the bracket 21A extends between the two half-pads 101A.

[0035] With further reference to FIG. 3, when the wheel seat 20 is mounted in the mounting recess 12 of the main pad 10 with the second surface of the bracket 21 corresponding to the inner bottom of the main pad 10, the wheels 22 protrude from the lower surface of the main pad 10, such that the kneeling pad assembly is movable.

[0036] With further reference to FIG. 4, the movable kneeling pad assembly is used in cooperation with a roller assembly 30. The user kneels on the main pad 10 with his knees placed in the kneeling recesses 11 and his hands holding a handle 31 of the roller assembly 30. At first, the user breathes in, moves the roller assembly 30 backward toward the kneeling pad assembly, hunches his back to an extreme extent, and tenses his hips to make his thighs perpendicular to the ground. With further reference to FIG. 5, then the user breathes out, moves the roller assembly 30 forward away from the kneeling pad assembly, and stretches his body. Afterwards, the user moves the roller assembly 30 backward toward the kneeling pad assembly and kneels on the kneeling pad assembly again. With repeating movements as described, abdominal muscles of the user can be trained. Furthermore, as the kneeling pad assembly is movable by rotation of the wheels 22, the user has to put forth high abdominal strength in order to simultaneously perform movements of his upper body and his lower body. Therefore, the abdominal muscles of the user can be trained effectively and efficiently with intensity strong enough for professional workout exercisers.

[0037] With further reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the wheel seat 20 is up-down reversed and is mounted in the mounting recess 12 of the main pad 10 with the first surface of the bracket 21 corresponding to the inner bottom of the main pad 10, the connecting protrusions 123 of the main pad 10 are respectively mounted through the connecting holes 213 of the bracket 21, and the holders 40 are respectively mounted in the positioning holes 215 of the bracket 21 and the positioning recesses 14 of the main pad 10 with the flanges 41 of the holders 40 abutting the bracket 21. Accordingly, the wheels 22 and the pairs of the pivot supports 214 are respectively stored in the wheel recesses 13 of the main pad 10. As shown in FIG. 7, since the wheels 22 are stored in the wheel recesses 13 of the main pad 10 rather than protrude from the lower surface of the main pad 10, a volume of the kneeling pad assembly can be reduced for the convenience of packing and storage. Moreover, as the kneeling pad cannot be moved with the rotation of the wheels 22 in up-down reversal, the abdominal exercise device with the immovable kneeling pad is suitable for amateur exercisers with lower workout intensity.

[0038] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A movable kneeling pad assembly comprising: a main pad having an upper surface; a lower surface; and at least one kneeling recess formed in the upper surface of the main pad; and a wheel seat mounted on the lower surface of the main pad and having multiple wheels protruding from the lower surface of the main pad.

2. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main pad further has a mounting recess formed in the lower surface of the main pad; the wheel seat further has a bracket detachably mounted in the mounting recess of the main pad; and the wheels of the wheel seat are pivotally mounted on a first surface of the bracket.

3. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main pad is integrally formed as a single part.

4. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main pad is formed by combination of two half-pads.

5. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the main pad has two kneeling recesses spaced apart.

6. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein each half-pad has an upper surface; and the main pad has two kneeling recesses respectively formed in the upper surfaces of the half-pads.

7. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting recess of the main pad is H-shaped; the bracket of the wheel seat is H-shaped; and the wheels are respectively mounted pivotally on four corners of the first surface of the bracket.

8. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bracket of the wheel seat further has four pairs of pivot supports respectively formed on and protruding from the four corners of the first surface of the bracket; and the wheels are respectively mounted pivotally on the pairs of the pivot supports.

9. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the main pad further has an inner bottom defined in the mounting recess of the main pad; and multiple connecting protrusions separately formed on and protruding from the inner bottom of the main pad; and the bracket of the wheel seat further has multiple connecting holes separately formed through the bracket, and respectively corresponding to the connecting protrusions of the main pad for the connecting protrusions to engage the connecting holes.

10. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the main pad further has an inner bottom defined in the mounting recess; and multiple connecting protrusions separately formed on and protruding from the inner bottom of the main pad; and the bracket of the wheel seat further has multiple connecting holes separately formed through the bracket, and respectively corresponding to the connecting protrusions of the main pad for the connecting protrusions to engage the connecting holes.

11. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the main pad further has an inner bottom defined in the mounting recess of the main pad; and multiple positioning recesses separately formed in the inner bottom of the main pad; the bracket of the wheel seat further has multiple positioning holes separately formed through the bracket and respectively corresponding in position to the positioning recesses of the main pad; and the movable kneeling pad assembly further has multiple holders respectively mounted through the positioning holes of the bracket and respectively protruding into the positioning recesses of the main pad, and each holder has a flange formed around a peripheral side surface of the holder and abutting the bracket.

12. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the main pad further has multiple positioning recesses separately formed in the inner bottom of the main pad; the bracket of the wheel seat further has multiple positioning holes separately formed through the bracket and respectively corresponding in position to the positioning recesses of the main pad; and the movable kneeling pad assembly further has multiple holders respectively mounted through the positioning holes of the bracket and respectively protruding into the positioning recesses of the main pad, and each holder has a flange formed around a peripheral side surface of the holder and abutting the bracket.

13. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the main pad further has an inner bottom defined in the mounting recess of the main pad; and four wheel recesses formed in the inner bottom of the main pad, respectively disposed at four corners of the inner bottom of the main pad for receiving the wheels and the pairs of the pivot supports.

14. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the main pad further has four wheel recesses formed in the inner bottom of the main pad, respectively disposed at four corners of the inner bottom of the main pad for receiving the wheels and the pairs of the pivot supports.

15. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the main pad further has four wheel recesses formed in the inner bottom of the main pad, respectively disposed at four corners of the inner bottom of the main pad for receiving the wheels and the pairs of the pivot supports.

16. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main pad is made of a foam material.

17. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the main pad is made of a foam material.

18. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the main pad is made of a foam material.

19. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the main pad is made of a foam material.

20. The movable kneeling pad assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the main pad is made of a foam material.