Abdominal exercise device

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to stomach muscle exercising devices and more particularly pertains to a new stomach muscle exercising device for exercising stomach muscles while in a seated position.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The use of stomach muscle exercising devices is known in the prior art. However, these devices are not generally well suited for use while in a seated position, such as behind a desk. Additionally, these devices are not easily stored when not in use. Though these devices due suit their intended purposed, the need remains for a device that is easier to use while in a chair and that is easy to store.

[0005] The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing a pair of frames pivotally coupled together and biased apart so that a user of the device exercises their stomach by forcing the frames together while in a seated position.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new stomach muscle exercising device that includes biasing members that are removable from the device so that the device may be folded relatively flat for easy storage on the side of or underneath a desk.

[0007] To this end, the present invention generally comprises a first frame portion for abutting against an upper surface of the legs of a person. The first frame portion includes an elongated rear member, an elongated front member and a pair of elongated side members attached together. A second frame portion for abutting against the torso includes a pair of legs and an elongated central member attached together such that the second frame portion generally has a U-shape. Each of a pair of coupling members pivotally couples free ends of the pair of legs to the first frame portion at junctures of the rear member and the pair of side members. A pair of biasing members biases the central portion away from the front member such that the first frame portion lies in a plane orientated perpendicular to a plane of the second frame portion.

[0008] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0009] The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

[0017] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new stomach muscle exercising device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0018] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the abdominal exercise device 10 generally comprises a first frame portion 12 for abutting against an upper surface of the legs 7 of a person 6 who is using the device 10. The first frame portion 12 includes an elongated rear member 14, an elongated front member 16 and a pair of elongated side members 18 attached together such that the first frame portion 12 has a substantially rectangular shape. A second frame portion 20 is abuttable against the torso 8 of the person 6 and includes a pair of legs 22 and an elongated central member 24 attached together such that the second frame portion 20 generally has a U-shape. Ideally, a cushioning material 26 is wrapped around and substantially covers the front member 16 and the central member 24.

[0019] Each of a pair of coupling members 30 pivotally couples free ends 28 of the pair of legs 22 to the first frame portion 12 at junctures of the rear member 14 and the pair of side members 18. Each of the coupling members 30 includes a first bracket 32 attached to an upper surface 19 of one of the side members 18 and a second bracket 34 attached to a front surface 23 of one of the legs 22. Each one of a pair of pins 38 is extending through an aligned one of the first 32 and second brackets 34 such that the first 32 and second 34 brackets are pivotally coupled together. The first brackets 32 each preferably include a pair of parallel orientated and spaced walls 40. Each of the walls 40 lies in a plane orientated substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a respective one of the side members 18. The second brackets 34 each include a plate 42 lying in a plane orientated parallel to a longitudinal axis of a respective one of the legs 22. Each of the plates 42 is positionable between one of the pair of walls 40. The pins 38 are each extended through the walls 40 and an associated one of the plates 42 such that the pins 38 are orientated generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the side members 18. A washer 39 may be positioned on the pin for retaining its position.

[0020] A pair of biasing members 44 biases the central portion 24 away from the front member 16 such that the first frame portion 12 lies in a plane orientated perpendicular to a plane of the second frame portion 20. Each of the biasing members 44 has a first end 46 removably and pivotally coupled to one of the legs 22 and a second end 48 removably and pivotally coupled to one of the side members 18 such that each of the biasing members 44 is orientated substantially parallel to each other. The biasing members 44 each include a cylinder 50 having first wall 51, a second wall 52 and a peripheral wall 53 extending between the first 51 and second 52 walls. The peripheral wall 53 has a break therein such that the cylinder 50 includes a pair of sections selectively coupled together. The sections are preferably coupled together with male and female threaded areas 54 of the peripheral wall 53. A first rod 55 is attached to the first wall 51 and extends away therefrom. The first rod 55 has a free end defining the first end 46 of the biasing members 44. A second rod 56 extends slidably through the second wall 52. The second rod 56 has an inner end defining a piston 57 and a free defining the second end 48. The piston 57 is positionable in the cylinder 50. When the piston 57 is positioned against the second wall 52, the device 10 has an overall perpendicular orientation as shown in FIG. 1. A spring 58 is positioned in the cylinder 50 and is located between the piston 57 and the first wall 51 when the sections of the cylinder 50 are coupled together. The spring 58 is easily removable so that it may be replaced with alternate springs having a different tension.

[0021] Conventional fasteners 60, such as bolts and screws, may be used for removably attaching the first 46 and second 48 ends of the biasing members 44 to the first 12 and second 20 frame portions. The first 46 and second 48 ends preferably rotate on the fasteners 60. Preferably, the fasteners 60 are rotatably coupled to the frame portions 12, 20 and include heads 62 that are extendable through apertures 64 in the first 46 and second 48 ends. The heads 62 and apertures 64 each have an elongated shape so that the heads 62 may be turned to secure the first 46 and second ends 48 to the frame portions 12, 20. Ideally, the biasing members 44 are attached to inner peripheral edges 17 of the first 12 and second 20 frame portions to reduce the risk of injury to the person because of movement of biasing members. Also, it is preferred that the first 46 and second 48 ends be attached to raised portions 64 on the side members 18 and legs 22 to space the first 46 and second 48 ends from the legs 7 and torso 8 of the person 6. The raised portions 64 may not be necessary depending on the thickness of the first 12 and second 20 frame portions, though it is desire to keep the weight of the device 10 relatively low and thus generally thin frame portions are preferred.

[0022] Preferably included is a securing member for selectively securing the first frame portion 12 to a waist of the person 6 so that the rear portion 14 abuts a juncture of the torso 8 and the legs 7 of the user. The securing member includes a strap 66 attached to the rear member 14 for securing the rear member 14 to a belt being worn by the person. A hook and loop fastener 68 may be used for securing the strap 66 to itself. An additional, or alternate, securing member is shown in FIG. 6 and includes an elongated flexible member 70 having a pair of ends each having a clip thereon 72. The flexible member is wrapped around the body of the person and the clips 72 attached to protuberances 74 on the first frame portion 12 of the device 10. Ideally, the flexible member 70 has an adjustable length.

[0023] In use, the device 10 is positioned on the lap of the person as indicated in FIG. 2. The device 10 is attached to the person with the securing member. The person presses their torso 8 toward their legs 7 to compress the springs 58. This movement exercises the stomach muscles without putting strain on the neck or requiring the person to lie on a floor surface. The springs 58 may be changed as desired to increase or decrease the resistance of the device on the stomach muscles. When not in use, the biasing members 44 may be removed and device folded as shown in FIG. 5.

[0024] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0025] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.