Abdominal exercise device

Abstract

An abdominal exercise device includes a collapsible support frame having first and second legs pivotally associated with one another. Non-rotating handles extend from the support frame. A seat is pivotally attached to the support frame between the handles. A bar of adjustable length extends from the seat to a foot rest. A cross-bar is attached to the support frame for limiting backward rotation of the seat, and thus the bar and foot rest. Abdominal muscles are exercised as the user repeatedly pivots the seat backwards and forward.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application serial No. 10/041,995, filed Jan. 10, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to exercise devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an abdominal exercise device which can be used at home.

[0003] There exists a wide variety of exercise devices that provide a cardiovascular or resistance exercise to various muscle groups the body. Among these there are known a variety of abdominal exercise devises. In the gym setting, these devices are large, cumbersome, often difficult to operate, and relatively expensive.

[0004] While such devices are generally adequate in the gym setting due to the large space available in such settings, such devices are not amiable to the household setting. For home use, the exercise device must not only be effective, but also compact and/or collapsible in order to easily transport and store the exercise device. The exercise device must also be relatively simple in operation and inexpensive.

[0005] There exist a number of abdominal exercise devices intended for use in the home setting. However, these devices have certain drawbacks in that they are not easily collapsible, or only exercise only a limited number of abdominal muscles. Some of these exercise devices place unnecessary and dangerous strain and stress on the neck and back of the user of the device. To avoid such strain and stress, the user should be preferably seated in an upright position. Many of these devices are not adjustable to meet the individual size of the user.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an abdominal exercise device which is suited for home use. Such an abdominal exercise device should be collapsible in order to be easily transported and stored. Such an exercise devise should also be relatively simple in operation and inexpensive. Preferably, such an exercise device should be adjustable in order to accommodate the size of the user of the device. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention resides in an abdominal exercise device which overcomes the drawbacks and meets the needs described above. The exercise device of the present invention generally comprises a seat pivotally attached to a support frame. A foot rest is associated with the seat so as to pivot with the seat. A stop is associated with the support frame for limiting backward rotation of the seat as the user moves forward and backward in order to exercise various abdominal muscles.

[0008] Typically, the support frame comprises first and second legs angularly offset from one another to form an A-frame configuration in an extended state. The first and second legs are pivotally associated with one another so that the support frame is collapsible. Non-rotating handles extend upwardly from the support frame. The seat is attached to the support frame between the handles. A bar extends from the seat to the foot rest. The bar is preferably adjustable in length in order to accommodate users of different sizes. The stop typically comprises a cross-bar attached to the support frame. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cross-bar is attached to an upper portion to the second leg below the seat.

[0009] In use, the user places his or her buttocks upon the seat. The user's feet are placed on the foot rest. The handles are grasped for purposes of balancing and the user proceeds to lean backwards and then pull forward, causing the seat, bar and foot rest to rotate with respect to the support frame. During this action, abdominal muscles are exercised.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exercise device embodying the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a rear end side perspective view of the device of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the device;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exercise device;

[0016] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a user positioned on the device and performing abdominal exercises in accordance with the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a side elevational and schematic view of the device of the present invention, illustrating the device moved from an extended in-use state to a folded and compact state; and

[0018] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the device in a compact state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] As shown in the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention resides in an exercise device, generally referred to by the reference number 10. The device 10 is designed to exercise the abdominal muscles, but a user performing exercises using the present invention may actually exercise other muscles, including the serratus muscles, the intercostal muscles, back muscles, leg muscles, etc. Depending upon the duration and speed with which the exercises are performed, the exerciser may also obtain a cardiovascular workout using the device of the present invention. However, the exercise device is primarily an abdominal exercise device intended to exercise the abdominal muscles.

[0020] With reference now to FIGS. 1-4, the device 10 includes a seat 12 which is pivotal with respect to first and second legs 14 and 16. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this seat is approximately one-foot in width and approximately one and one-half feet in length, although the invention is not limited to such. The seat 12 is typically comprised of a wood or plastic base, or any other relatively inexpensive yet rigid material, having a cushion positioned thereon and surrounded by a fabric material which is preferably water resistant or waterproof.

[0021] A bar 18 in the form of square tubing extends from the seat 12 forwardly to a foot rest 20. Typically, the square tube comprises one-inch square type which is affixed by bracket plates 22 or the like to a bottom surface of the seat 12. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tubing 18 comprises an outer sheath 24 and an inner tube 26 telescopically received within the sheath 24. This enables the bar 18 to be extendable in a length to accommodate users of different height. The outer sheath or tube 24 preferably includes apertures 28 spaced from one another in a series and sized to accept a spring-loaded pin or the like. Other adjustment means which are well-known in the art may also be incorporated into the device 10 to adjust and fix the overall length of the bar 18.

[0022] The footrest 20, in a particularly preferred embodiment, is comprised of two U-shaped members facing one another so as to create a partial oval member. The user can place his or heels upon the footrest 20, or insert the foot into the feet into the footrest such that the sole of the foot rests upon the bottom portion of the footrest 20.

[0023] With particular reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a pivot bolt or pin 30 is used to pivotally anchor the first and second legs 14 and 16, and the seat bar 18. That is, the bar 18 is either welded or attached to a tube encircling the bolt 30. The first and second legs 14 and 16 include apertures through which the bolt may extend, bushing which are attached to the bolt, etc., so as to be pivotally attached thereto. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second legs 14 and 16 extend outward from one another so as to be angularly offset, and form a generally A-frame configuration that constitutes a support frame or stable base. As will be described more fully herein, the legs 14 and 16, and the device 10 in general, is collapsible into a compact state for transportation or storage.

[0024] A crossbar 32 is attached to an upper portion of the generally triangular second leg member 16. However, the cross-bar 32 is spaced somewhat from the top end of the second leg 16 so as to serve as a stop for the seat 12. Typically, the crossbar 32 includes upwardly directed extensions 34 which support handles 36. Preferably, the handles 36 are cushioned to provide comfort for the user. The handles 36 may be detachably received onto the crossbar extensions 34. The handles 36 and crossbar 32 do not rotate.

[0025] In use, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, a user 38 places his or her feet onto the foot rest 20 and his or her buttocks upon the upper surface of the seat 12. The bar 18 may be adjusted in length so as to suit the height of the user 38. The user grasps the handles 36 and repetitively pivots the seat backwards and forwards so that the footrest 20 is elevated and declined repeatedly. Repeating these motions exercises various abdominal muscles. Preferably, the user only holds the handles 36 for support in order to more effectively exercise the abdominal muscles. Upon tilting the seat 12 and footrest 20 rearwardly a predetermined amount, the seat 12, or the bar 18 underlying the seat 12, contacts the cross-bar 32, thus limiting the motion of the seat 12. The user then lowers the footrest 20 towards the ground and repeats these motions. It has been found that the placement of the buttocks upon the seat 12 varies the intensity of the workout. For example, if the buttocks are placed at the lower most edge of the seat 12, a more intensive workout is achieved than placing the buttocks upon the upper edge of the seat 12. It will be noted that the user 38 is seated in a generally upright position. It has been found that such a position reduces strain and stress on the lower back and neck of the user.

[0026] With reference now to FIGS. 8 and 9, upon finishing an exercise regimen, the device 10 is collapsible for storage. Due to the fact that the legs 14 and 16 and seat 12 are pivotally attached to the pivot bolt 30, the user merely needs to retract the footrest 20 towards the seat 12, and lift the upper end of the device 10 such that the second leg 16 pivots downwardly towards the first leg 14 until the second leg 16, first leg 14, and bar 18 are generally in the same plane and adjacent to one another. The seat 12 will automatically rotate into alignment with the handles 36 so that the entire device 10 is generally planar and compact in nature. In its compact state, the device 10 is no more than a few inches tall and approximately two feet in length. This enables the device 10 to be easily stored in a closet or underneath a couch or bed or the like. In its fully extended state, the device is perhaps three feet tall and three to five feet in length. This enables the user to perform exercises in a relatively small area of a room. Due to its simple design, the device 10 is relatively light weight. This enables the user to easily transport and store and use the device 10 in a home setting.

[0027] Although an embodiment has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An abdominal exercise device, comprising:

a support frame;

a seat pivotally attached to the support frame;

a footrest associated with the seat, wherein the footrest pivots with the seat; and

a stop associated with the support frame for limiting backward rotation of the seat.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the support frame is collapsible.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the support frame generally has an A-frame configuration in an extended state.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises first and second legs angularly offset from one another.

5. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the first and second legs are pivotally associated with one another and collapsible.

6. The exercise device of claim 1, including non-rotating handles extending from the support frame.

7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the stop comprises a crossbar attached to the support frame.

8. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the stop comprises a crossbar attached to an upper portion of the second leg below the seat.

9. The exercise device of claim 1, including a bar extending from the seat to the footrest.

10. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein the bar is adjustable in length.

11. An abdominal exercise device, comprising:

a collapsible support frame comprised of first and second legs angularly offset from one another in an extended state;

non-rotating handles extending from the support frame;

a seat pivotally attached to the support frame between the handles;

a bar extending from the seat and adjustable in length;

a footrest attached to an end of the bar generally opposite the seat, wherein the footrest and bar pivot with the seat; and

a stop attached to the support frame for limiting backward rotation of the seat.

12. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the first and second legs are pivotally associated with one another to form a generally A-frame configuration in an extended in use state.

13. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the stop comprises a cross-bar attached to the support frame.

14. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein the cross-bar is attached to an upper portion of the second leg below the seat.

15. An abdominal exercise device, comprising:

a collapsible support frame comprised of first and second legs pivotally associated with one another to form a generally A-frame configuration in an extended in use state;

non-rotating handles extending from the support frame;

a seat pivotally attached to the support frame between the handles;

a bar extending from the seat and being adjustable in length;

a footrest attached to an end of the bar generally opposite the seat, wherein the footrest and bar pivot with the seat; and

a cross-bar stop attached to an upper portion of the second leg below the seat for limiting backward rotation of the seat.