Pushup apparatus

[0001] (This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/008,846 filed Dec. 26, 2007)

[0002] Not Applicable

[0003] Not Applicable

[0004] Not Applicable

[0005] The present invention is in the technical field of physical fitness/More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of the pushup exercise/More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of pushup apparatus.

[0006] There are several types of existing pushup apparatus known in the prior art. However, to the best of the inventor's knowledge, there is no pushup apparatus that combines an independent sliding/converging motion with the use of linear bearings and a segmented bar that has the ability of the hand grips to spin freely around the axis of its stationary bar allowing for forearm development as well as the benefits of a converging pushup exercise.

[0007] Fwu, in U.S. Pat. No. D354,100 and Kinkel, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,119 makes use of an exercise apparatus that is in a fixed static position once the user performs the exercise. The disadvantage is the user does not complete the proper biomechanics during the range of motion of the exercise. There is no convergence toward midline of the body during the exercise.

[0008] Jeneve, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,999 discloses an apparatus that makes use of a straight bar with cables and pulleys that has handles that remain equidistant from the center. The disadvantage of the Jeneve apparatus is that the sliding hand grips are dependent upon each other. The hand grips remain equidistant from the midline as they move through the range of motion. An independent motion is needed to achieve the maximum core stability training involved during the pushup exercise.

[0009] Ignaczal, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,930 discloses an apparatus that has the capability to move midline to the user's body axis. It is comprised of a base that has numerous notches to lock out the hand grips for a static hand position. The disadvantage is that the sliding members are designed to be locked in various positions to create a static/non lateral movement during the exercise. If the apparatus is unlocked, it will create excessive drag during the exercise do to the user's body weight being forced down vertically pressing the members against the base.

[0010] The present invention is a pushup apparatus used to strengthen the upper body. With the user in the prone position horizontal to the floor, the user raises the upper body up off of the ground by pushing upward and inward against the grips with their hands. The trunk of the body remains straight throughout the exercise and feet/toes remain on the ground. The grips move free and independent of each other along the elongated bar. The elongated bar defines the path of motion of the handgrips. This free and independent motion allows the user to perform a converging pushup while increasing the use of the stabilizing core/trunk muscles of the user. The converging motion toward the midline allows for the chest muscles to increase/maximize the range of motion over the traditional pushup exercise done without the apparatus.

[0024] Referring now to the invention in more detail, in (FIGS. 1A & 1B), there is shown a front view of the assembled pushup apparatus, having a center T-Tube (1) and a right and left side Slide Tube (2). The right and left side Slide Tube will each contain a medial and lateral Stop Ring (9). The T-Tube (1) will have a hole/knotch on both the right and left side that will receive a Locking Pin Assembly (10) from both the right and left Slide Tube (2) when connected (FIG. 5). The T-Tube and right and left side Slide Tube (2) insert into a Foot (3). The Foot (3) is finished with a Foot Grip (4). The right side Slide Tube (2) has a Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), and Handle Grip (7) assembly (FIG. 10) that moves freely and independent along the linear path of the right side Slide Tube (2) between its respective medial and lateral Stop Rings (9). The left side Slide Tube (2) has a Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), and Handle Grip (7) assembly (FIG. 10) that moves freely and independent along the linear path of the left side Slide Tube (2) between its respective medial and lateral Stop Rings (9).

[0025] In further detail, still referring to the invention of (FIGS. 1A & 1B), the right and left Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), Handle Grip (7) assembly (FIG. 10) will have enough free independent motion between its medial and lateral Stop Ring (9) so as to accommodate a wide range of user sizes/heights. The free independent motion will be achieved by use of the Linear Bearing Assembly (8) shown in (FIG. 12). The Linear Bearing Assembly (8) will be affixed within and surrounded by the Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), Handle Grip (7) assembly (FIG. 11). There will be quantity 2 Linear Bearing Assemblies (8) within each Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), Handle Grip (7) assembly. The Linear Bearing Assembly (8) allows for the free independent motion over the Slide Tube (2).

[0026] FIG. 1B is reflective of the pushup apparatus in the starting position view of the pushup exercise with the user in the prone/down position. The user grasps the right Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), Handle Grip (7) assembly with the right hand, and grasps the left Handle (5), Handle Cap (6) Handle Grip (7) with the left hand. With both the right and left side Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), Handle Grip assembly now in the lateral starting position in (FIG. 1B). The user pushes down and inward toward the medial Stop Rings (9) thus raising the body into the up position of the pushup exercise with the pushup apparatus in position of (FIG. 1A). The right Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), Handle Grip (7) assembly will be toward the T-Tube (1) and resting against the right medial Stop Ring (9). The left Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), Handle Grip (7) assembly will be toward the T-Tube (1) and resting against the left medial Stop Ring (9). While maintaining the grasp with the right and left hand, the user then reverses the motion back to the down and lateral position by lowering their body weight back to prone, and moving the right Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), Handle Grip (7) assembly back to the right lateral Stop Ring (9) and the left Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), Handle Grip (7) assembly back to the left lateral Stop Ring (9) (FIG. 1B). The user should remain centered with their chest over the T-Tube (1) during the performance of the exercise. The free and independent movement forces the user to create the symmetry during the movement of the exercise.

[0027] The construction details of the invention as shown in (FIGS. 1A and 1B), are that the Slide Tubes (2) and T-Tube (1), will be of such tolerance as to withstand a variety of user weights using a material such as steel. The construction details of the invention as shown in (FIGS. 1A and 1B), are that the Stop Rings (9) will be made of a rigid material such as hard rubber. (FIG. 4) depicts how the right and left side Slide Tubes (2) will connect to the T-Tube (1) via a Locking Pin Assembly (10). In (FIG. 11), the Linear Bearing Assembly (8) will be affixed within the Handle (5). The Linear Bearing Assembly (8) will be relevant to the Slide Tube (2). E.g. a 1″ Linear Bearing Assembly (8) would fit over a 1″ cylindrical Slide Tube (2). This will allow for the right and left side Handle (5), Handle Cap (6), Handle Grip (7) assembly to move in both a free linear motion and free spin along Slide Tubes (2).

[0028] The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, the ability of the user to perform an upper body exercise that is both safe and efficient by promoting an independent converging motion during the pushup exercise.

[0029] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.