BICEPS EXERCISE DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE
Methods and apparatus for exercising muscles are disclosed, including a system that enables a person to perform an exercise that directly targets the biceps and minimizes activation of the forearm muscles. Embodiments of the invention also afford a user with the ability to utilize a single dumbbell in conjunction with a platform of the invention to target both biceps simultaneously. An exercise band may also be attached to a platform of the invention while performing an exercise which may then be performed with or without an inserted dumbbell. Additionally, embodiments of the invention enable a user to utilize an attachment mechanism in conjunction with a platform of the invention to utilize kettlebells, cable machines, resistance/exercise bands or other structures to provide a means of resistance while performing an exercise using the invention.
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This application is a non-provisional of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/981,117 filed on Feb. 25, 2020, which is incorporated herein by this reference in its entirety; this application is also a continuation-in-part of US Design Application No. 29/737,183 filed on Jun. 5, 2020, and is also a continuation-in-part of US Design Application No. 29/760,776 filed on Dec. 3, 2020, which are both incorporated herein by this reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for exercising human biceps.
A biceps curl is a single-joint exercise for building bigger and stronger biceps. Many people training their biceps have a difficult time performing bicep exercises that target the biceps without significant forearm muscle activation. Forearm muscle activation while performing a bicep training exercise can negatively impact the levels of tension placed upon the biceps (reduces bicep isolation) and reduces the effectiveness of biceps training exercises overall.
A known bicep exercise called the “waiters curl” is performed by orienting a dumbbell with weights at either end in a vertical position, and placing the hands underneath a flat underside of a weight at an upper end of the dumbbell, with the wrists bent forward away from the body. The positioning of the hands and wrists in this manner (similar to the position of a waiter's hand under a tray) de-emphasizes the involvement of the forearm muscles and places very direct and continuous tension on the biceps throughout the exercise. The dumbbell is raised by pressing upwards with the palms which forces consistent supination when the movement is performed while keeping the top, flat side of the dumbbell parallel to the ground.
However, because the size of a typical dumbbell head varies with the size of the weight, the “waiters curl” exercise can be difficult to perform properly with smaller, lighter weights. Frequently there is not enough surface area underneath the dumbbell weight for the palms to be flat, resulting in some gripping by the fingers and unwanted involvement of the forearm muscles. The dumbbell waiters curl also only allows for very narrow hand positioning and cannot be performed with resistance bands, kettlebells, or cable machines.
It is therefore desirable to provide improved methods and apparatus for use in exercising human biceps that target the biceps without significant forearm muscle activation. It is also desirable to provide methods and apparatus for exercising other human muscles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus that enable a person to perform a variety of muscle strengthening exercises. Embodiments of the present invention also provide methods and apparatus that enable a person to perform a biceps training exercise having the effectiveness of a “waiter's curl” that directly targets the biceps yet minimizes activation of the forearm muscles, while also affording a more comfortable, stable grip, increased variations related to hand positioning, and the ability to utilize multiple forms of resistance (such as, without limitation, cable machines, resistance bands, kettlebells). Embodiments of the invention afford a user with the ability to utilize a single dumbbell in conjunction with embodiments of the invention to target both biceps simultaneously. In some embodiments, an exercise/resistance band may also be attached to different embodiments of apparatus of the invention while performing exercises, allowing the exercise to then be performed with or without an inserted dumbbell. A non-exclusive example of a resistance band may include an elastic band used for strength training which may use a carabiner type of mechanism to attach the band to a variety of attachment devices (for example, handles).
Embodiments of the invention also enable a user to utilize an attachment mechanism in conjunction with embodiments of apparatus of the invention to utilize kettlebells, cable machines, resistance/exercise bands to provide a means of resistance while performing an exercise using such embodiments.
In embodiments of an apparatus of the invention, a movable hand-held board or platform is provided having an upper and a lower surface, a front side or edge, a back side or edge, and left and right sides or edges. The front and back sides may be longer than left and right sides. A centrally located slot is provided in either the front or back side for receiving a handle or crossbar of a dumbbell. The surfaces of the platform on either side of the slot should each be large enough to receive an open palm of a human hand. Embodiments of the slot should be just wide enough to receive the dumbbell handle or crossbar, but narrow enough to prevent the crossbar from moving or wiggling within the slot, and should also prevent any weight(s) on the dumbbell from slipping through the slot. The platform should have a width or thickness that provides sufficient strength to support a dumbbell or other object having a significant amount of weight attached to it. By way of example, and without limitation, in some embodiments the platform thickness may be from one-eighth inch (⅛″) up to one and one-half inches (1-½″), depending on the strength of the material used. A suitable thickness for a wooden or plastic platform in embodiments of the invention may be in the range of one-half inch (½″) to one inch (1″). For metallic embodiments of the platform, the thickness may be the same as or less than for wooden or plastic embodiments, in the range of one-quarter inch (¼″) to one inch (1″).
In some embodiments, a peripheral ridge or lip may be provided on the upper surface of the platform. In these embodiments, the central portion of the platform may have a thickness that is less than that of the peripheral ridge.
In some embodiments, one or more recesses may be provided on the upper surface of the platform adjacent to the slot to receive a side edge of a dumbbell weight in order to help prevent the weight from shifting in the slot during use.
In some embodiments, one or more upwardly extending ridges may be provided on the upper surface of the platform to engage a side edge of a dumbbell weight in order to help prevent the weight from shifting in the slot during use.
In some embodiments, openings may be provided in the platform on either side of the slot to receive the hands or fingers of the user, allowing the user to grip the platform from underneath while in use.
In some embodiments, one or more upwardly extending protrusions or tabs may be provided on the upper surface of the platform along or adjacent to the slot to help prevent the dumbbell from sliding out of the slot during use.
In some embodiments, a latching mechanism may be provided at the edge of the slot to help prevent the dumbbell from sliding out of the slot during use.
In some embodiments, a pair of openings or eyelets may be provided on left and right sides of a platform of the embodiment, for receiving elastic or rubberized resistance bands, the ends of weight cables, or other resistance devices that may be engaged with the platform. In these embodiments, instead of the weight of a dumbbell, resistance is provided by the resistance bands, cables or other devices.
In some embodiments, a multi-use adapter may be provided. One end of an embodiment of such an adapter (a “puck”) may engage with a slot of a platform of an embodiment of the invention. The opposite end of the adapter may comprise an opening, clip, hook, strap, or other suitable engagement device for attachment to one or more weights, resistance bands, springs, or other tension imparting devices, or for attachment to one or more cords, ropes, cables or belts leading to such a tension imparting device.
It is to be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, equipment other than a dumbbell may be engaged in the slot of embodiments of the invention. For example and without limitation, a plate or ball, a resistance band, a spherical or looped component, a cable from a weight machine, or other resistance imparting devices may be engaged in the slot, instead of a dumbbell, to provide resistance during exercise. The resistance provided by these alternative components may be varied according to their size and the desires of the user. In some embodiments, these alternative components may be attached to exercise bands or otherwise tethered or anchored to other structures to provide additional resistance during exercise.
By way of example, and without limitation, in embodiments of the invention, a platform may be provided that is oriented in a horizontal position, and a dumbbell having selected weights on both ends is oriented in a vertical direction, allowing the handle or crossbar of the dumbbell to be slidably engaged with a slot of the platform by being slid to the closed end of the slot. Once the crossbar is engaged with the slot, this causes a weight at one end of the dumbbell to come into contact with the upper surface of the platform, while the crossbar extends downward from the platform to the weight (dangling) at the opposite end. This causes the platform to support the heavy weight of the entire dumbbell and crossbar. It is to be appreciated that the amount of weight supported by the platform may be selected and adjusted by the user according to the weight of the dumbbell, and/or how much weight, if any, is placed on the dumbbell.
In one exemplary exercise, the user may place the palms of both hands on the lower surface of the horizontally oriented platform with palms facing up (underneath the platform) on either side of the dangling dumbbell. It is to be appreciated that since no gripping is necessary, the fingers and forearms are not implicated by this positioning. Supporting the platform in this way will transfer tension to the user's biceps, allowing the biceps to be exercised by raising and lowering the weighted platform, without significantly affecting the user's forearms. It is to be appreciated that other means of providing resistance other than a dumbbell may be used, and that muscles other than the biceps may be exercised using embodiments of the invention.
In another example and without limitation, a user may rotate a single dumbbell to a vertical position, and then slide the handle of the dumbbell into an insertion slot of horizontally oriented embodiments of a board of the invention. One end of the dumbbell rests on the top side of board and the user's hands are placed on the underside of the board (palm side up) which allows the dumbbell to be suspended from the board. In some embodiments, as the dumbbell's handle is slid into the dumbbell insertion slot, a spring-loaded safety latch at an edge of the slot is pushed inwards from a closed position allowing the handle to slide past the safety latch. Once the handle is inserted past the safety latch, the safety latch springs back to a closed position preventing the dumbbell from falling out if the board is tilted towards the opening of the dumbbell insertion slot.
In order to perform a bicep curl exercise using embodiments of the above example, an inserted dumbbell is suspended by the horizontally oriented platform or board with the user's palms (facing up) supporting the board, so that the board is in a position that is generally parallel to the floor. The user has the option of placing the hands at varied widths apart on the underside of the board. The palms remain in a position parallel to the floor while holding the board. The initial top position of the board may be approximately across from the user's shoulders. As the user lowers the board, the user seeks to maintain the board in a parallel position to the floor at all times, lowering the board until it is approximately across from the user's waist. At this bottom position of the movement, the user still maintains the board in a parallel position to the floor. The user then repeats the movement by raising the board and returning to the top position of the movement (across from the shoulders), always with an emphasis on keeping the board parallel to the floor during the exercise. It is to be noted that in the top position, the user's hands are flat on the bottom side of the board and the wrists are bent forward away from the user's body.
Embodiments of the invention may also be used to perform front deltoid shoulder raises. In these embodiments, the user may start in the same position used to perform a curl exercise described above with a single dumbbell inserted into a slot of a board of an embodiment of the invention. However, instead of performing a curl movement, the user keeps the arms straight (elbows locked) with the board starting at a position across from the user's waist, or slightly lower. The user then raises the board outwards and upwards in front of the body until it is approximately across from the shoulders. The user then lowers the board and inserted dumbbell in the same manner and repeats the movement for multiple repetitions, preferably while maintaining the board parallel to the floor as much as possible.
By way of another example, and without limitation, embodiments of the invention may be used to perform a pull over exercise. In these embodiments, a single dumbbell is inserted into a slot of a board of an embodiment of the invention. The user lies on their back on a bench press or other raised surface, with arms outstretched above the head so that they are parallel to the user's body in a horizontal position. The board with dumbbell is held in a horizontal orientation with open palms on the lower surface. The user then raises the platform by rotating the shoulders until the arms are nearly vertical, such that the platform is above the user's head, still holding the platform in a generally horizontal orientation. The platform is then lowered back behind the user's head to the starting position, after with the process is repeated.
By way of another example, and without limitation, embodiments of the invention may be used to perform a spider curl exercise. In these embodiments, a single dumbbell is inserted into a slot of a board of an embodiment of the invention. The user leans against a raised surface face down at an angle of about 45 degrees, with arms below, elbows bent, with hands holding the board with dumbbell in a horizontal orientation with open palms on the lower surface. The user then raises and lowers the platform from the elbows through anywhere from 30 degrees to 90 degrees of rotation, while holding the platform in a generally horizontal orientation.
By way of another example, and without limitation, embodiments of the invention may be used to perform an overhead triceps extension exercise. In these embodiments, a single dumbbell is inserted into a slot of a board of an embodiment of the invention. The user holds the platform with dumbbell in a horizontal orientation above the user's head with open palms on the lower surface. The arms are first extended upward far above the user's head, then lowered such that the dumbbell drops behind the user's neck until the platform nearly touches the user's head. The platform is then raised far upward again, and then lowered repetitively to exercise the triceps.
By way of another example, and without limitation, embodiments of the invention may be used to perform a row exercise. In these embodiments, a single dumbbell is inserted into a slot of a board of an embodiment of the invention, and a pair of handle extensions are provided on outside left and right edges of the platform. The user leans forward from the waist at an angle of about 45 degrees, with arms below, elbows bent, with hands holding each of the handle extensions. The user then repetitively raises and lowers the platform using elbows and shoulders from around the knees to around the waist.
In other aspects, embodiments of the board of the present invention may be used with other methods of resistance including without limitation, cable machines, resistance bands, kettlebells, and any other heavy object that may be attached to embodiments of a multi-use adapter. Embodiments of a multi-use adapter may comprise a first end or “puck” portion that engages the closed inside end of the dumbbell insertion slot on an embodiment of the board. In some embodiments, a recessed area (which may be circular) may be provided on the upper surface of the board adjacent to the closed end of the slot for receiving an edge of the puck to help hold it in place, and keep it from slipping along the slot. In some embodiments, a looped rope may be suspended from the puck portion of the adapter which hangs below the bottom side of the board when inserted. In these embodiments, the rope end of the adapter may be attached to any of a number of resistance or tension imparting devices, including without limitation, attachment to a cable machine, looped through a kettlebell handle, attached to resistance bands, and the like. A resistance band can be attached to the adapter and used by standing on the looped, middle portion of the resistance band. The loop portion of the adapter hanging below the board provides an attachment point for cable machines, kettlebells, and resistance bands. When such an embodiment is in use, the curl movement is performed in the same manner as done with an inserted dumbbell: the user's palms and the board remain in a parallel alignment to the floor during the exercise.
By way of another example, and without limitation, embodiments of the invention may be used with a cable machine using an embodiment of the multi-use adapter to allow for various muscle exercises. In this example, a board of embodiments of the invention is attached to a cable machine using an embodiment of the multi-use adapter. It is to be appreciated that in this example, the position of the board is inverted, with the loop portion of the adapter extending upward through the slot leading to an engagement with a cable machine. In an exemplary exercise, the user may then perform a triceps pushdown exercise by pressing down on the (inverted) underside of the board with the hands/palms. This pressure is resisted by the tension of the cable machine, which may be set to any desired resistance by the user. The position of the board begins approximately across from the user's chest, with the user's arms bent at the elbow, and ends when the board is approximately across from the user's waist, with the user's arms extended. The board may then be pulled back up by the cable machine, and the exercise repeated, preferably with the board remaining parallel to the floor. It is to be appreciated that other exercises of other muscles may also be accomplished using similar embodiments of the invention.
By way of yet another example, and without limitation, embodiments of the invention may be used to train back muscles (lats). For such exercises, the set-up position of the board is the same as for the triceps movement described above. The board is inverted and attached to a cable machine using a multi-use adapter. For these exercises, the user maintains straight arms (locked elbows) and sweeps the attached board from a position approximately across form the user's face, down and towards the user's waist area. The user then returns to the starting position and repeats the movement.
It is to be appreciated that the above examples are illustrative and non-exclusive, it being understood that numerous other arm, leg, back or other muscle strengthening exercises are also possible using different embodiments of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for use in exercising human biceps that target the biceps without significant forearm muscle activation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for use in exercising human muscles other than biceps including without limitation, triceps, other arm muscles, shoulder muscles, back muscles, leg muscles and abdominal muscles.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for use in exercising human muscles that are easy to use and simple to construct.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for use in exercising human muscles that may be engaged with existing dumbbells.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for use in exercising human muscles that may be used in conjunction with existing weight lifting apparatus including without limitation resistance bands, kettlebells, cable machines, springs, a plate or ball, a spherical component, a looped component, or other exercise/resistance devices or heavy objects.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for use in exercising human muscles in which the weight, resistance and/or tension imparted using the device may be adjusted by the user.
Additional objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed descriptions and the claims herein.
It is to be appreciated that some of the drawings show features in phantom lines, indicating that these are optional features which may or may not be included in the illustrated embodiment, or in other embodiments.
Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to the exemplary embodiment of
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Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to health and fitness and more specifically to an integrated system that enables a person to perform a biceps training exercise that directly targets the biceps and minimizes activation of the forearm muscles. The invention also affords a user with the ability to utilize a single dumbbell in conjunction with the invention to target both biceps simultaneously. An exercise/resistance band can also be attached to the invention while performing the exercise, which can then be performed with or without an inserted dumbbell.
The following description is presented to enable one having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the embodiment and is provided in the context of a patent application. The generic principles and features described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present embodiments are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
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One example of a way that embodiments of the invention may be used calls for orienting a platform 21 of an embodiment of the invention in a horizontal position. A dumbbell 41 having a crossbar 44 is oriented in a vertical direction. The dumbbell itself has a weight that is known to the user, and additional weights 43, 45 may be provided at opposite ends of crossbar 44, as desired by the user. Crossbar 44 is inserted through the front opening of slot 27 and pushed all the way to the closed end 28 of the slot. One of the weights (e.g., 43) will then be located above platform 21, and the other weight (e.g. 45) will be hanging below the platform. Once the crossbar is engaged with the slot, this causes the weight 43 above the platform to come into contact with the upper surface 23 of the platform, while the crossbar extends downward from the platform to the other weight 45 at the opposite end. This causes the platform 21 to support the heavy weight of the entire dumbbell and crossbar. It is to be appreciated that the amount of weight supported by the platform may be selected and adjusted by the user according to the weight of the dumbbell, and/or how much weight, if any, is placed on the dumbbell.
In some embodiments, a recess 24 may be provided on the upper surface 23 of the platform adjacent to the closed end 28, which may receive an inside end of the uppermost weight 43 to prevent it from sliding in slot 27 as the platform is used for exercises.
In some embodiments, one or more upwardly protruding tabs 38, 39 may be provided on the upper surface 23 of the platform on opposite sides of the slot 27. These tabs may engage edges of the uppermost weight 43 to prevent it from sliding out of slot 27 as the platform is used for exercises.
In some embodiments, a movable latch may be provided at the front opening of slot 27. In some of these embodiments, the latch may include a spring-loaded movable member 53 that extends across slot 27. One end of member 53 is pivotally attached to a pivot 51. As crossbar 44 is inserted into slot 27, it passes member 53, pushing it inward against a wall of slot 27 as it pivots. Once crossbar 44 passes movable member 53, the spring causes it to extend back out across slot 27 to prevent crossbar 44 and dumbbell 41 from exiting from the slot while the platform 21 is in use. To remove the dumbbell, member 53 may be manually pushed against the side wall of slot 27, allowing the crossbar 44 to slide out of slot 27. It is to be appreciated that although a spring-loaded latch is illustrated, any suitable mechanism(s) may be used to prevent the dumbbell from exiting the slot, including without limitation, a perpendicular slot extending across slot 27 for receiving a removable stop, inwardly facing deformable ridges on the inside edges of slot 27, or other suitable structures.
Once a dumbbell 41 with crossbar 44 and weights 43, 45 is engaged with the platform 21, it is ready to be used for exercises. In one exemplary exercise, the user may place the palms of both hands on the lower surface 25 of the horizontally oriented platform 21 with palms facing up (underneath the platform) on either side of the slot 27. It is to be appreciated that since no gripping is necessary, the fingers and forearms are not implicated by this positioning. Supporting the platform in this way will transfer tension to the user's biceps, allowing the biceps to be exercised by raising and lowering the weighted platform, without significantly affecting the user's forearms. It is to be appreciated that other means of providing resistance other than a dumbbell may be used, and that muscles other than the biceps may be exercised using embodiments of the invention.
In order to perform a bicep curl exercise using an embodiment of the above example, an inserted dumbbell 41 is suspended by the horizontally oriented platform 21 with the user's palms (facing up) supporting the platform, so that the platform is in a position that is generally parallel to the floor. The user has the option of placing the hands at varied widths apart on the underside 25 of the platform. The palms should remain in a position parallel to the floor while holding the platform. The initial top position of the platform may be approximately across from the user's shoulders. As the user lowers the platform, the user should maintain the platform in a parallel position to the floor as much as possible, lowering the platform until it is approximately across from the user's waist. At this bottom position of the movement, the user should still maintain the platform in a parallel position to the floor. The user then repeats the movement by returning to the top position of the movement (across from the shoulders), always with an emphasis on keeping the platform parallel to the floor during the exercise. It is to be noted that in the top position, the user's hands are flat on the bottom side of the platform and the wrists are bent forward away from the user's body.
An embodiment of the above example may also be used to perform front deltoid shoulder raises. For this exercise, the user may start in the same position used to perform a curl exercise described above with a single vertically-oriented dumbbell 41 inserted into a slot 27 of a horizontally oriented platform 21 of an embodiment of the invention. However, instead of performing a curl movement, the user keeps their arms straight (elbows locked) with the platform starting at a position approximately across from the user's waist, or slightly lower. The user then raises the platform outwards and upwards in front of their body until it is approximately across from the shoulders. The user then lowers the platform and inserted dumbbell in the same manner and repeats the movement for multiple repetitions, preferably while maintaining the board platform parallel to the floor as much as possible.
In other examples, instead of inserting a dumbbell into slot 27, an adapter may be used. In these examples, the adapter has a wide upper component or “puck” attached to a slot post which leads to an attachment device. The upper component may be flat 95, spherical 96, or of some other shape that is wider than slot 27. The upper component is attached to a post 93 that fits through slot 27 in the same way as a dumbbell crossbar 44. Slot post 93 is attached to an attachment mechanism 94 such as a loop or rope, which may then be engaged with another resistance imparting device such as without limitation, a cable machine, resistance band, kettlebell, and another heavy object.
In some embodiments, a recessed area 24 (which may or may not be circular) may be provided on the upper surface 23 of the platform 21 adjacent to the closed end 28 of the slot 27 for receiving an edge of the puck to help hold it in place, and keep it from slipping along the slot.
In some embodiments, a looped rope 94 may be suspended from the puck portion of the adapter which hangs below the bottom side 25 of the platform when inserted. In one example, a resistance band may be attached to the rope and used by the user standing on the looped, middle portion of the resistance band.
The loop portion 94 of the adapter hanging below the platform provides an attachment point for cable machines, kettlebells, and resistance bands. When such an embodiment is in use, the curl movement is performed in the same manner as done with an inserted dumbbell: the user's palms and the board remain in a parallel alignment to the floor during the exercise.
By way of another example, and without limitation, embodiments of the invention may be used with a cable machine using an embodiment of the multi-use adapter to allow for various muscle exercises. In this example, a platform 21 of embodiments of the invention is attached to a cable machine using an embodiment of the multi-use adapter. It is to be appreciated that in this example, the position of the platform is inverted, with the loop portion 94 of the adapter extending upward through the slot 27 leading to an overhead engagement with a cable machine. In an exemplary exercise, the user may then perform a triceps pushdown exercise by pressing down on the (inverted) underside 25 of the platform with the hands/palms. This pressure is resisted by the tension of the cable machine, which may be set to any desired resistance by the user. The position of the platform begins approximately across from the user's chest, with the user's arms bent at the elbow, and ends when the platform is approximately across from the user's waist, with the user's arms extended. The platform may then be pulled back up by the cable machine, and the exercise repeated, preferably with the platform remaining parallel to the floor. It is to be appreciated that other exercises of other muscles may also be accomplished using similar embodiments of the invention.
By way of yet another example, and without limitation, embodiments of the invention may be used to train back muscles (lats). For such exercises, the set-up position of the platform 21 is the same as for the triceps movement described above. The platform is inverted and attached to a cable machine using a multi-use adapter. For these exercises, the user maintains straight arms (locked elbows) and sweeps the attached platform from a position approximately across form the user's face, down and towards the user's waist area. The user then returns to the starting position and repeats the movement.
It is to be appreciated that the above examples are illustrative and non-exclusive, it being understood that numerous other arm or leg strengthening exercises are also possible using different embodiments of the present invention.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof. In particular, and without limitation, each of the various features and/or aspects of each embodiment disclosed herein may be used with other features and/or aspects of other embodiment disclosed herein in different combinations. Other combinations of features of the various embodiments disclosed herein are also included within the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of the foregoing specification.
Claims
1. An apparatus for use in exercise comprising a movable hand-held platform having a thickness, an upper surface, a lower surface, a front side, a rear side, a left side and a right side wherein said front and back sides are longer than said left and right sides, a slot provided at a central location on said front side, said slot having an opening at said front side and a closed interior end.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one recess on said upper surface adjacent to the closed end of the slot.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one upwardly extending ridge on the upper surface of the platform adjacent to the closed end of the slot.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one upwardly extending protrusion on the upper surface of the platform adjacent to the front opening of the slot.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a closable latch extending across the front opening of the slot.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said latch comprises a pivot attached to an inside edge of said slot, and a movable member having an end attached to said pivot.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lower surface includes areas on opposite sides of said slot that are large enough to cover an open palm of a human hand.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein an indentation is provided on the lower surface of said platform on opposite sides of said slot for receiving human fingers.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removable dumbbell having a crossbar that is inserted into said slot.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said dumbbell comprises a weight at one end wherein said weight comprises an inside surface which corresponds to and engages with the recess on the upper surface of the platform.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a removable adapter having an upper component that is wider than said slot, a post that is inserted into said slot, and a lower component having a loop thereon.
12. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a removable adapter having an upper component that is wider than said slot, a post that is inserted into said slot, and a lower component having a loop thereon wherein said upper component comprises an inside surface which corresponds to and engages with the recess on the upper surface of the platform.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said upper component is a flat member.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said upper component is a spherical member.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pair of openings in said platform on opposite sides of said slot for receiving human fingers.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pair of handles provided on the left and right sides of the platform.
17. An apparatus for use in exercise comprising a movable hand-held platform having a thickness, an upper surface, a lower surface, a front side, a rear side, a left side and a right side wherein said front and back sides are longer than said left and right sides; a slot provided at a central location on said front side, said slot having an opening at said front side and a closed interior end; at least one recess on said upper surface adjacent to the closed end of said slot; at least one upwardly extending ridge on the upper surface of the platform adjacent to the slot; and at least one upwardly extending protrusion on the upper surface of the platform adjacent to the front opening of said slot.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a closable latch extending across the front opening of the slot.
19. A method for exercising human arm muscles comprising the steps of:
- a. moving a hand-held platform into a horizontal orientation, said platform having a thickness, an upper surface, a lower surface, a front side, a rear side, a left side and a right side wherein said front and back sides are longer than said left and right sides, and a slot is provided at a central location on said front side, said slot having an opening at said front side and a closed interior end;
- b. moving a dumbbell comprising a pair of weights separated by a handle into a vertical orientation;
- c. inserting the handle of the dumbbell into the slot such that the handle touches the closed interior end of the slot, and one of the weights rests on the upper surface of the platform;
- d. placing a user's open hands on the lower surface of the platform with palms facing up; and
- e. the user repetitively raising and lowering the platform and dumbbell while keeping the platform in a generally horizontal orientation to exercise the user's arms.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said platform further comprises at least one recess on said upper surface adjacent to the closed end of said slot, and comprising the additional step of engaging an inside end of one of the weights with the recess.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein said platform further comprises at least one upwardly extending protrusion on the upper surface of the platform adjacent to the front opening of said slot, and comprising the additional step of engaging an edge of one of the weights with the at least one upwardly extending protrusion.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein said platform further comprises a closable latch extending across the front opening of said slot, and comprising the additional step of closing said latch after said handle has been inserted into said slot.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 24, 2021
Publication Date: Aug 26, 2021
Applicant: BB Labs, Inc. (Carson City, NV)
Inventors: Peter C. Sarna, II (Concord, CA), Roy Paul Prosise (Cedar Park, TX), Cohl Thomas Prosise (Cedar Park, TX), Logan Paul Prosise (Cedar Park, TX)
Application Number: 17/183,873