Exercise device

[0001] This invention relates to an exercise device. More particularly, this invention relates to an abdominal exercise device.

[0002] Heretofore, various types of exercise devices have been known for exercising various parts of the human body. One of the most popular devices which has been provided is an abdominal exerciser device as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,492,520 and 5,577,987. One of the reasons for the popularity of this exercise device is the fact that the head and neck of the user can be supported during an abdominal exercise routine, commonly known as an ab crunch. Further, the device is of relatively simple construction and can be easily used.

[0003] Other types of exercise devices have been known such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,425 that employ resistance means or elastic means that offer a resistance to movement, for example, of an upper back support or a foot restraint during an abdominal exercise.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,957 describes an aquatic abdominal exerciser apparatus that employs an air cylinder pivotally coupled between a cross-bar of an exerciser frame and a connecting bar of a support frame in order to afford a predetermined amount of resistance to the relative movement of the support frame and the exercise frame.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,361 describes the use of a stretching exerciser that employs a hydraulic resistance cylinder that provides resistance to a forward pivoting movement of a back rest member relative to a base. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,450 describes an abdominal exercise machine that employs a viscous fluid resistance cylinder or stacked weights to resist rotation of a chest pad during use of the device.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,284 describes the use of an abdominal exercising device that employs an adjustable belt that is tightened across the abdomen of a user and that is used in conjunction with an abdominal exercise device such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,520. As described, the belt includes an abdominal pad and elastic cords such that when a user rotates forward in a crunch type exercise, the pad in combination with the elastic cords provide direct resistance to the abdomen.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved abdominal exercise device.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to be able to obtain a comfortable and effect AB crunch workout employing an exercise device which can be adjusted to the relative strength of the user.

[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise device with attachments to facilitate an abdominal exercise routine.

[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide an exercise device that allows a user to carry out different types of exercise routines.

[0011] Briefly, the invention provides an exercise device comprising a support frame and a skeletal frame mounted on the support frame for rocking back and forth under a manually applied force from a user between a first position and a second position. The skeletal frame also includes a rest for receiving a body part of the user positioned within the skeletal frame. In addition, the exercise device employs means for dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking of the skeletal frame relative to the support frame from the first position to the second position.

[0012] In another embodiment, the means for dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking of the skeletal frame may be employed as a means for dynamically assisting rocking of the skeletal frame relative to the support frame from a lowered first position to a raised second position.

[0013] Conceptually, the invention is directed to a means which can be added to an existing exercise device to increase the resistance to rocking of the device or to assist in the rocking of the exercise device on a support frame.

[0014] As is known, as the human body conducts repetitive exercises over a period of time, the body adapts to the exercise routine so that further benefits are not obtained by continued use. For example, a user employing an exercise device as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,492,520 and 5,577,987 over a period of time reaches a level where the exercise routine does not further enhance the muscles. In this case, the users have employed weights, as described in the patents, to increase the resistance to rocking of the exercise device and to thereby enhance the exercise routine.

[0015] In accordance with this invention, instead of employing a static weight load to increase resistance, use is made of a means that functions to dynamically increase the resistance to rocking of the exercise device. That is to say, the greater the degree of rocking, the greater the degree of resistance.

[0016] In cases where a user is in a beginner's stage, the user may not have the strength to effect an effective abdominal exercise routine. In these cases, the invention instead of increasing the resistance to rocking, employs the same means to dynamically assist the rocking of the skeletal frame relative to a support frame. In this case, the skeletal frame is mounted on the support frame so that the rest receives the head of a person in a raised position. When the user lies down within the skeletal frame, the user then places his/her head on the rest which is then lowered under gravity against the force of the dynamic means. Consequently, when the user then rocks the skeletal frame forwardly to effect an ab crunch, the dynamic means assists the user in rocking the skeletal frame forwardly. Gravity assists the user in returning to the supine position.

[0017] The means that is employed for dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking may be in the form of a pair of shock absorbers, springs, hydraulic pistons, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the means for dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking is in a form of a pair of elongated elastic members, each of which is secured to and between the support frame and the skeletal frame. Rocking of the skeletal frame on the support frame from a first lowered position of the skeletal frame to a raised second position causes stretching of the elastic members. Thus, when the pair of elongated elastic members are to be employed as a means for dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking, the two elastic members are placed to one side of the skeletal frame to resist rocking towards the opposite side. When the two elastic members are employed to assist in rocking of the skeletal frame, the two members are secured to the support frame on the opposite side of the skeletal frame.

[0018] In other embodiments, use may be made of springs secured between the skeletal frame and support frame for biasing the skeletal frame in one or the other direction relative to the support frame.

[0019] In accordance with the invention, the exercise device may be used to carry out exercise routines other than an ab crunch routine. For example, employing the means for dynamically assisting rocking of the skeletal frame such that the rest on the skeletal frame is in a raised initial position, the user may place his/her torso, for example, the chest area, on the rest while placing his/her hands on a support surface, such as a floor. Initially, the skeletal frame would rock downwardly so that the rest engages the floor. The user would then carry out a push-up. During this time, the means for dynamically assisting the rocking of the skeletal frame assists the user in lifting his/her body. Thus, the exercise device may be employed to extend a push-up routine or to, at least, assist the user in effecting a push-up.

[0020] The exercise device may also be provided with a pair of handles on the skeletal frame, each of which is disposed adjacent to the rest for manual grasping thereof during rocking of the skeletal frame on the support frame. These handles allow the user to hold onto the skeletal frame via the handles rather than another portion of the skeletal frame. This increases the effort required in order to carry out an ab crunch.

[0021] The exercise device may also be provided with a backrest secured to and across the skeletal frame for receiving the shoulders of the user while in a supine position.

[0022] The exercise device may be constructed of multiple parts, which may be interfitted together. The exercise device may be shipped in a flattened position in a suitable container or box. In addition, the exercise device may be taken apart by the user for storage in a compact manner. The exercise device may be supported on any suitable support, for example, the support frame of the exercise device may simply be placed on a floor to be disposed in a horizontal position. Also, the exercise device may be employed on various types of benches to be used while the bench is in a horizontal or angular position.

[0023] Further, it is possible to mount the exercise device on a vertical surface, such as a wall, in order to carry out an exercise routine.

[0024] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exercise device constructed in accordance with the invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a modified exercise device; and

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the exercise device of FIG. 1 in position for a push-up exercise program.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the exercise device 10 includes a support frame 11 and a skeletal frame 12 that is mounted on the support frame 11 for rocking back and forth under a manually applied force from a user between a first position as shown in FIG. 1 and a raised second position (not shown).

[0029] The support frame 11 includes a pair of pedestals 13 each of which is bifurcated to have two upstanding legs 14. The pedestals 13 are disposed in spaced apart parallel relation and each receives an elongated bar 16 that extends between and from the legs 14 to lend stability to the support frame 11. A cross-bar 17 is secured perpendicularly of and to the bars 16 by means of bolts 18 or any other suitable means to maintain the pedestals 13 in secured relation to each other.

[0030] The skeletal frame 12 includes a pair of curved rails 19 each of which is pivotally mounted by means of a pivot pin 20 between and to the legs 14 of a pedestal 13. The skeletal frame also has a pair of cross-bars 21 which are secured to and across the upper and lower ends of the rails 19. The two rails 14 and cross-bars 21 may be formed of a single piece of tubing or the like or as shown, the cross-bars 21 are formed as U-shaped members interfitted into or onto the rails 19 and secured in place by bolts 22 or any other suitable means, particularly for purposes of storage and transportation.

[0031] The skeletal frame 12 also carries a padded rest 23 for receiving a body part of a user positioned within these skeletal frame. For example, for purposes of conducting an abdominal exercise, the rest 23 receives the head of a user. The rest 23 maybe secured to the lower cross-bar 21 in any suitable manner, for example, by means of a pair of bolts that pass through the cross-bar 21 into the rest 23.

[0032] In accordance with the invention, means are provided for dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking of the skeletal frame 12 relative the support frame 10 between the lowered position illustrated and second raised position (not shown). This means is in the form of a pair of elongated elastic members 24, each of which is secured to and between the support frame 11 and the skeletal frame 12 so that rocking of the skeletal frame 12 on the support frame 11 from the position shown to a forward position causes stretching of the elastic members 24.

[0033] Each elastic member 24 is housed within a pair of telescoping tubes 25,26 for protection purposes and to form a single unit that may be easily handled. In this respect, each end of an elastic member 24 is secured to one tube 25 or the other tube 26 so that as the elastic member elongates and contracts, the tubes 25,26 slide relative to each other.

[0034] The upper tube 25 is pivotally mounted on a headed pin 27 that is positioned in a rail 19 of the skeletal frame 12 and is held in place by a nut 28 threaded onto the end of the pin 27. The lower tube 26 is pivotally secured to a pedestal 13 by a bolt 29 threaded into the pedestal 13.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment (not shown),each elastic member 24 may have a loop at each end to fit over the pin 27 on a rail 14 and to receive the bolt 29 for securement to a pedestal 13. in this embodiment the elastic members 24 are exposed.

[0036] As illustrated, the two means for dynamically increasing the resistance to rocking are secured on the same side of the pivot axis i.e. axis of the pivot pins 20, as the padded rest 23. Thus, during use of the exercise device 10, a user would lie in a supine position within the skeletal frame 12 with the user's head resting on the padded rest 23. Thereafter, the user would grasp the rails 19 or the upper cross-bar 21 or may simply engage the forearms against the cross-bar 21. Rocking of the skeletal frame 12 forwardly would then act against the resistance provided by the two elastic members 24. Should a user decide not to employ the elastic members 24, each may be simply detached from the skeletal frame 12 and/or support frame 11.

[0037] As illustrated, a back rest 30 is secured to and across the skeletal frame 12 for receiving a back of a user lying in a supine position within the skeletal frame. In the illustrated embodiment, this back rest 30 is in the form of a cloth strip having adjustable means (not shown) thereon for adjusting the cloth strip to and across the rails 19 of the skeletal frame 11. When in use, the cloth strip 30 receives the upper back of the user to lend support to the back of the user.

[0038] The skeletal frame 12 also has a pair of handles 31, in the form of straps, secured to the lower cross-bar 21 of the skeletal frame 12 adjacent to the padded rest 23. The handles 31 are disposed for manual grasping thereof during pivoting of the skeletal frame 12 on the support frame 11 in order to enhance an abdominal exercise. In this respect, instead of the user grasping or engaging the upstanding portions of the rails 19 or the upper cross-bar 21, the user would instead grasp the handles 31 in order to pivot the skeletal frame 12 forwardly on the support frame 11.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, a mat 32 is disposed between the rails 16 and over the cross-bar 17 to provide a smooth surface over the cross-bar 17 in order to avoid discomfort to the back of the user.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, wherein in like reference characters indicate like parts as above, the means for dynamically resisting rocking of the skeletal frame 12 on the support frame 11 may employ a pair of hydraulic shock absorbers 33 which are connected to and between a rail 19 of the skeletal frame 12 and a pedestal 13 of the support frame 11.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, the exercise device 10 may be assembled with the elastic members 24 secured to each pedestal 13 on an opposite side of a pivot axis, i.e., pivot axis of the pins 20, from the padded rest 23. In this case, the elastic members 24 serve as a means for dynamically assisting rocking of the skeletal frame 12 relative to the support frame 11 from the lowered position shown in FIG. 1 to the raised position shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the skeletal frame 12 is in a forward position so that the padded rest 23 is in a raised position. In order to perform an exercise, the user would lie in a supine position within the skeletal frame 12 with the user's head on the raised rest 23. Once positioned, gravity would cause the skeletal frame 12 to pivot rearwardly to lower the padded rest 22 until reaching the position as indicated in FIG. 1. This, in turn, would cause stretching of the elastic members 24. Thus, the elastic members 24 become biased so as to assist the user in pivoting the skeletal frame 12 forwardly on the support frame 11.

[0042] The mode of use of the exercise device 10 when employed in the position indicated in FIG. 3 is particularly useful for a user of limited muscular strength. Once the user has developed his/her muscles, the exercise device may be employed in the manner as described with respect to FIG. 1.

[0043] The exercise device 10 may also be used to conduct a push-up when configured in the manner of FIG. 3. In this case, instead of a user lying in a supine position within the frame 12, the user would lie face down with his/her torso, for example, the chest area, on the padded rest 23 while placing his/her hands on a support surface such as a floor. Initially, the skeletal frame 12 would rock downwardly so that the rest 23 engages or comes near to the floor. The user would then carry out a push-up. During this time, the elastic members 24 would dynamically assist the rocking of the skeletal frame 12 upwardly thereby assisting the user in lifting his/her body. Thus, the exercise device 10 maybe employed to extend a push-up routine or to, at least, assist the user in effecting a push-up.

[0044] In each of the embodiments, the support frame 11 is illustrated in a horizontal position, that is on a horizontal surface. The surface may be a floor, bench or any other suitable horizontal support surface. Also, it is possible to mount the exercise device 10 on a vertical surface, such as a wall, in order to carry out an exercise routine. For example, with the support frame 11 secured to a vertical surface, a user in a stand-up position may push the outer cross-bar 21 forwardly and downwardly while resting his/her head or back against the padded rest 23.

[0045] The means to resist/assist an exercise routine may be readily attached by a user to and between the skeletal frame 12 and the support frame 11 and may be readily replaced by a stronger or weaker means to fit the needs of the user.

[0046] The invention thus provides an abdominal exercise device with means to improve an abdominal exercise program.

[0047] The invention further provides means for dynamically assisting or resisting an exercise routine. As such, the device may be used to assist a beginner in one mode of operation while creating a greater resistance for an advanced user in a second mode of operation.