Method and apparatus for exercise

Abstract

An exercise device has a base, an upstanding member extending from the base, and a handgrip affixed to an upper portion of the upstanding member. The base is preferably U-shaped and has two longitudinal members that extend rearward from a forward portion of the base. The base has stiffening ribs and cutouts for allowing the base to fit between the legs of a typical chair. The handgrip has two gripping portions extending laterally and on opposite sides of the upstanding member, which is selectively detachable from the base. A user places the outer ends of the longitudinal members under the front portion of a chair and sits in the chair. The user then places his feet on the longitudinal members and grips the gripping portions of the handgrip. The user pushes downward with his feet and pulls toward his body with his hands to move the body to a standing position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to exercise devices and relates particularly to exercise devices using body weight as a resistance force.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Various exercise devices have been invented and produced for the general public directed toward the capabilities of a person of average health. For those persons whose health condition is less than average because of age or injury, exercise devices designed for the general public may be too difficult or impossible to use or may provide little benefit. Those persons who have difficulty completing exercise programs using these devices may avoid exercising altogether, which may result in a further decrease in condition. Therefore, a need exists for an exercise device and method of exercising that provides benefits to persons of limited physical capabilities.

[0005] For example, elderly people or certain handicapped persons often have difficulty in getting up from a chair. A need exists for an exercise device used to strengthen the muscles needed to stand from a sitting position in a chair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An exercise device has a base, an upstanding member extending from the base, and a handgrip affixed to an upper portion of the upstanding member. The base is preferably U-shaped and has two spaced-apart, longitudinal members that extend rearward from a forward portion of the base. The base also has stiffening ribs to strengthen the base and the longitudinal members against bending forces. The base also has cutouts for allowing the base to fit between the legs of a typical chair. The handgrip has two gripping portions extending laterally and on opposite sides of the upstanding member, which is selectively detachable from the base. A user places the outer ends of the longitudinal members under the front portion of a chair and sits in the chair. The user then places his feet on the longitudinal members and grips the gripping portions of the handgrip. The user pushes downward with his feet and pulls toward his body with his hands to move the body to a standing position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device constructed in accordance with the invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded detail view of a portion of the exercise device of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 and showing a user using the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, provides a device and method of exercising for persons of limited physical capabilities.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exercise device 11 has a base 13, an upstanding member 15, and a handgrip 17. Base 13 is generally U-shaped, having a forward portion 19 from which two longitudinal members 21 extend rearward in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal centerline of base 13. Base 13 has a flat, continuous lower surface 23 which is placed on a supporting surface, such as a floor, during use. Lower surface 23 optionally may have elastomeric or rigid feet (not shown) attached thereto. Base 13 has an upper surface 25 that has stiffening ribs 27 for strengthening base 13 against longitudinal bending forces. Ribs 27 are located on forward portion and extend along the inner edges of longitudinal members 21.

[0013] Upper surface 25 is shaped to accommodate the feet of a person using device 11, being at least wide enough to allow a shoe of average size to fit on upper surface 25 of longitudinal members 21 when oriented to be parallel to the length members 21. Relief cutouts 29 are located at a rear outer edge portion of longitudinal members 21 for providing clearance between the legs of a typical chair (see FIG. 3). Base 13 has a pillar 31 extending upward from a boss 33 formed on forward portion 19 of base 13. Pillar 31 has a square horizontal cross-section sized to fit within the lower end of upstanding member 15.

[0014] Upstanding member 15 is a section of hollow square tubing having an open lower end 35 for placing over pillar 31 when assembling device 11. After lower end 35 of upstanding member 15 is placed over pillar 31, a threaded fastener 37 is inserted through hole 39 in lower end 35 to engage pillar 31, retaining upstanding member 15 on pillar 31.

[0015] Handgrip 17 comprises a transversely mounted tube or bar 41 attached to upper end 43 of upstanding member 15, bar 41 being preferably attached by welding bar 41 to upper end 43. Bar 41 extends laterally outward on each side of upstanding member 15 and has a gripping portion 45 on each outer portion of bar 41. Gripping portions 45 preferably are elastomeric grips surrounding the outer portions of bar 41. The height of upstanding member 15 is selected to place handgrip 17 about shoulder height of an average user when sitting.

[0016] During use, force is transferred from handgrip 17 to upstanding member 15, then to pillar 31 and boss 33, and finally to base 13. Device 11 is prevented from tipping rearward about forward portion 19 of base 13 by the length of longitudinal members 21. Furthermore, device 11 is prevented from tipping forward by the weight of user 53 on longitudinal members 21. Likewise, base 13 is wide enough to limit any tendency to tilt device 11 sideways during use. Stiffening ribs 27 prevent bending of base 13 when force is applied through pillar 31 and boss 33.

[0017] In operation, assembled device 11 is placed on a rigid supporting surface 47 with lower surface 23 directly contacting surface 47. Chair 49 is positioned relative to device 11 such that front legs 51 of chair 49 are located within relief cutouts 29 on longitudinal members 21. A portion of each longitudinal member 21 extends under chair 49. User 53 sits in chair 49 and places a foot 55 on upper surface 25 of each longitudinal member 21. User 53 grips a gripping portion 45 of handgrip 17 with each hand 57. User 53 then pushes downward on surface 25 with feet 55 and pulls rearward, or towards his body, on handgrip 17. The combination of these movements tends to cause the body of user 53 to move from the sitting position to a standing position. User 53 then sits back down and repeats the sequence. In order to provide increased physical conditioning, user 53 will preferably repeat the sequence several times for each exercise period and for several exercise periods each week.

[0018] The present invention has advantages in that it is an exercise device specifically directed to those with less than average physical capabilities. The device is simple to use, using the user's own body weight for resistance, and the exercise method uses a normal motion between sitting and standing positions. The device is difficult to overturn, which is important for those with low strength or impaired balance.

[0019] While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the central area between the foot supports could be a plate rather than being open.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising:

a base having spaced-apart, longitudinal foot support sections extending rearward from a forward portion of the base, each of the foot support sections for receiving a foot of a user, the base adapted to rest stationarily on a floor;

an upstanding member extending from the base; and

a handgrip affixed to the upstanding member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the handgrip comprises a gripping portion extending laterally outward on each side of the upstanding member.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the handgrip is affixed to an upper portion of the upstanding member.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the handgrip is oriented to be transverse to a longitudinal centerline of the base.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the base has a U-shaped configuration.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

ribs on the base for strengthening the base against bending forces.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the upstanding member is selectively detachable from the base.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the base has relief cutouts on side edges for allowing the base to fit between a pair of legs of a chair.

9. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a base having at least two spaced-apart, longitudinal members that define a U-shaped configuration, each of the longitudinal members having an upper surface for receiving a foot of a user, the base adapted to rest stationarily on a floor;

an upstanding member extending from a forward portion of the base;

a handgrip affixed to an upper portion of the upstanding member, the handgrip having a gripping portion on each side of the upstanding member and extending transversely relative to a longitudinal centerline of the base; and

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a chair adapted to rest on the floor adjacent to the base for allowing the user to sit in the chair, place his feet on the base, and place his hands on the handgrip

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the upstanding member is selectively detachable from the base.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

stiffening ribs on the forward portion of the base and on the longitudinal members for strengthening the base against bending forces.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the base has relief cutouts on side edges for allowing the base to fit between a pair of legs of a chair.

14. A method of exercising, comprising:

(a) providing a device having a base, an upstanding member extending upward from the base, and a handgrip at an upper end of the upstanding member;

(b) placing the device stationarily onto a supporting surface adjacent a chair; then

(c) sitting on the chair with one's feet on the base;

(d) gripping the handgrip with one's hands; then

(e) pressing downward with the feet and pulling rearward with the hands to move into a standing position;

(f) sitting back down on the chair, using the handgrip as an assist; then

(g) repeating steps (e) and (f) to improve one's physical conditioning.