Push-up device

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/556,348, filed Mar. 24, 2004.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an exercise device and, more particularly, to a push-up device comprising a floor-supportable platform having a pair of handgrips slidably mounted thereon.

[0004] 2. Prior Art

[0005] Ignaczak, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,930, provides a description of the prior art relating to the present invention, and the discussion of the prior art recitated in '930 is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Ignaczak '930 discloses a push-up trainer having a base and a pair of handgrip assemblies. The handgrip assemblies are each slidably mounted to the base, permitting lateral movement of the handgrips during use. Each handgrip assembly allows for rotation of each handgrip around a vertical axis and around its horizontal lengthwise axis. Each of the sliding and rotational motions may selectively be allowed or locked out using a spring biased pin. The handgrips may be set a fixed distance apart along the platform or they may slide relative to one another. The '930 device lacks means for maintaining the handgrips equidistant from a centerline between the handgrips during motion thereof. Thus, when performing push-ups, the center of mass of the exerciser may not be positioned over the centerline and may result in an imbalance with possible injury. There remains a need for a push-up device which is supportable by a floor and wherein the handgrips are slidably mounted and remain equidistant from a fixed centerline therebetween throughout the range of sliding motion of the handgrips.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise device comprising an elongate floor-supportable platform having a pair of slidably mounted handgrips thereon. The slidably mounted handgrips, which are constrained to move only along a track which may be linear or curvilinear and lie in a substantially horizontal plane, are interconnected by linking means such as belts. The linkage is such that the handgrips remain equidistant from a fixed centerline midway between the handgrips throughout their range of motion. In a preferred embodiment, the push-up device of the present invention comprises: (a) an elongate platform having first and second ends and a midpoint therebetween; (b) first and second handgrips slidably mounted on the platform and disposed equidistant from the midpoint of the platform wherein the handgrips can be moved along a substatially horizontal track; and (c) handgrip coupling means connecting the first handgrip to the second handgrip, the coupling means being operable for maintaining the first and second handgrips equidistant from the midpoint of the platform when the first and second handgrips are moved along the track.

[0007] Each of the handgrips may also include adjustable braking means operable for either dampening or preventing the sliding action of the handgrips with respect to the platform. The platform includes floor supporting means and can be used for performing pushups. In yet a further pull-up embodiment, the platform includes wall or ceiling attachment means and modified handgrips such that the platform may be mounted on a wall and the device can be employed for performing pull-ups. In yet a further embodiment, the platform is suspended from a ground-based support stand.

[0008] The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. However the invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Turning now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a push-up device in accordance with the present invention is indicated at numeral 10. The device 10 comprises an elongate platform 11 having a pair of handgrips 12a and 12b attached thereto. The handgrips are disposed equidistant from a centerline 13 midway between the handgrips. An exerciser (not shown) places his/her hands on the handgrips 12a and 12b that are slidably attached to the platform 11. As the push-up progresses, the handgrips 12a and 12b may move laterally, as indicated by the double-headed arrows, toward and away from the centerline 13. The ability of the hands to move inwardly or outwardly during a push-up enables the use of more (and different) muscles than with stationary handgrips. The guides 14a and 14b in the platform 11 constrain the direction and extent of travel of the handgrips. Slots 15a and 15b further serve to guide and limit the extent of travel of the handgrips. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a preferred mechanical relationship between the handgrip 12a and the platform 11.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of the first preferred embodiment of a push-up device in accordance with the present invention showing the interconnection of the handgrips 12a and 12b by a pair of belts 30 and 30′ housed preferably within the platform 11. With continued reference to FIG. 3, belt 30 is segmented into first and second belts 30 and 30′ of equal length. A first end 30a of the first belt segment 30 is attached to a lateral end of handgrip 12a. The opposing end 30b of the first belt segment 30 is guided around pulley 32 and to a medial end of handgrip 12b. A first end 30′a of primary belt segment 30′ is attached to the medial end of handgrip 12a and extends around pulley 34 to be attached to the lateral end of handgrip 12b at point 30′b, thereby completing the interconnection of the handgrips. The interlinking belt assembly provides means for maintaining an equal distance between the handgrips and the center 13 of the platform 11 when sliding the handgrips in an axial direction. The handgrips 12a and 12b may be modified to include grasping means 42 (FIG. 4) operable for grasping by the exercisor's hand. The grasping means 42 may be rotatably mounted on the upper surface of the handgrips 12a and 12b.

[0015] The device 10 can be readily adapted for performing pull-ups. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a pull-up device 40 wherein the platform 11 of the device 10, illustrated in FIG. 3, is modified to include wall or ceiling mounting means 41, such as screws, operable for enabling the wall or ceiling mounting of the platform, and wherein the handgrips 42 are modified to enable the handgrips to be encircled by the fingers while a person performs pull-ups. In addition, the device 10 in accordance with the pull-up embodiment 40 can be suspended from a ground-based support stand (not shown).

[0016] While a particular embodiment of the present invention employing interconnecting belts as handgrip centering means has been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, damping means can be employed to provide adjustable resistance to the axial motion of the handgrips. The handgrips may also be adapted to include manually adjustable stops operable for locking the handgrips in a preferred position on the platform. The gripping portion of the handgrips 12a, 12b and 42 may be of any desired shape and may be rotatable about a handgrip axis. Further, the platform 11 may be made with a pivot point therein disposed on midline 13. Such a pivot point will permit the direction of the guides or tracks for each handgrip to be symmetrically varied from 0–180 degrees. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.