Exercise apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed which may be used as an exercise device comprising a first member, a second member, a third member, and a base. The first member and the second member may be rigidly attached to the base, substantially perpendicular to the base. The first member and the second member may be gripped by an individual. The third member may be rigidly attached to the base so that the third member lies above the base substantially parallel to the base. The present invention in one or more embodiments also includes a method comprising gripping the first and second members with an individual's hands, standing on the third member which is rigidly suspended at a location over the base, and flexing a body part while standing on the third member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning exercise equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are many types of exercise equipment known in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention in one or more embodiments provides an apparatus which may be used as an exercise device comprising a first member, a second member, a third member, and a base. The first member and the second member may be rigidly attached to the base, substantially perpendicular to the base. The first member and the second member may be gripped by an individual.

[0004] The third member may be rigidly attached to the base so that the third member lies above the base and the third member may be substantially parallel to the base. The individual can stand on the third member while gripping the first and second members. The first, second, and third members may be rigid metal pipes, such as steel cylindrical pipes. The third member may be rigidly attached so that it is located about five and one quarter inches above the base. The five and one quarter inches are typically sufficient for an average adult to flex his feet while standing on the third member, without coming into contact with the base. The base may be a rigid board.

[0005] The apparatus may be comprised of fourth and fifth members. A support device may be attached to the fourth and fifth members. The support device can be used to allow an individual to lean back against the support device while the individual is standing on the third member. The fourth member and the fifth member can be rigidly attached to the base, substantially perpendicular to the base.

[0006] Further members may also be connected to the third member to support the third member in its position above the base. The support device may be comprised of a flat board. The base may be a flat board.

[0007] In one or more embodiments the third member and the base may be placed in a receptacle which is able to retain a pool of warm water. The first and second members may be placed at least partially in the receptacle.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, first and second shoes are provided each of which have soles having bottom surfaces. The bottom surface of each sole of each first shoe may have first, second, and third channels. The third member may at least partially fit into any of the first, second, or third channels of either the first or the second shoes. The channels help the first and second shoes to grip the third member so that an individual does not slide off of the third member while exercising.

[0009] The first channel of each shoe may be located near a heel portion of the sole of each shoe. The second channel of each shoe may be located centrally on the bottom surface of the sole of each shoe. The third channel of each shoe may be located near a toe portion of the sole of each shoe.

[0010] The present invention in one or more embodiments also includes a method comprising gripping the first and second members with an individual's hands, standing on the third member which is rigidly suspended at a location over the base, and flexing a body part while standing on the third member. The body part flexed may be for example a knee or an ankle. The individual may be standing in a pool of warm water in a receptacle while standing on the third member.

[0011] The present invention also includes a method of standing on the first member which is rigidly suspended at a location over a base, while leaning back on the support device, and flexing a body part, such as a joint or joints of a leg, while standing on the first member and while leaning back on the support device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a perspective diagram of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of soles of right and left shoes for use with the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3A shows a right side view of the left shoe of FIG. 2;

[0015] FIG. 3B shows a left side view of the left shoe of FIG. 2;

[0016] FIG. 4A shows a right side view of the right shoe of FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 4B shows a left side view of the right shoe of FIG. 2;

[0018] FIG. 5A shows an individual in a first state wearing the left and right shoes of FIG. 2 and using the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 5B shows the individual of FIG. 5B in a second state; and

[0020] FIG. 6 shows a back view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective diagram of an apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10 includes members 12, 22, 40, 50, and 70, base 30, and support 60. FIG. 6 shows a back view of the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 may include an optional tub or receptacle 90 which is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1. The tub 90 would be capable of retaining water. The tub 90 may have sides 92, 93, 94, and 96, and a bottom 95. The tub may have a top opening 92 into which an individual can step and into which water can be poured.

[0022] The members 12 and 22 may be identical. The member 12 may have ends 12a and 12b. The member 22 may have ends 22a and 22b. The members 12 and 22 may be rigid metal pipes, such as steel metal pipes. End 12a of the member 12 may have a cap 14 placed on it, such as a plastic cap. Similarly end 22a of the member 22 may have a cap 24 placed on it, such as a plastic cap. End 12b of the member 12 may be inserted into an attachment means 16. The attachment means 16 may be a metal pipe coupling which includes inner threads. End 22b of the member 22 may be inserted into an attachment means 26. The attachment means 26 may be a metal pipe coupling which includes inner threads. Ends 12b and 22b, may have outer threads, which can be screwed into the means 16 and 26 so that the members 12 and 22 can be attached or detached from the means 16 and 26.

[0023] L-shaped bracket 34 may be fixed to the base 30 by screws such as screws 35b and 35a. L-shaped bracket 34 may include members 34a and 34b. L-shaped bracket 32, shown in part in FIGS. 1 and 6, and identical to L-shaped bracket 34, may be fixed to the base 30 by screws, such as screw 33a shown in FIG. 1 and screw 33b shown in FIG. 6. L-shaped bracket 32 may include members 32a and 32b shown in part by the combination of FIGS. 1 and 6. The L-shaped brackets 32 and 34 may be metal steel L-shaped brackets. The attachment means 16 and 26 may be welded to members 32a and 34a, respectively.

[0024] The member 70 may have a first end 70a connected to a coupling 74 and a second end 70b connected to a coupling 76. A member 73 may be connected to the coupling 74 and to a coupling 72. A member 77 may be connected to the coupling 76 and to the coupling 78. The couplings 72 and 78 may be welded to the members 34a and 32a, respectively. In this manner the member 70 may be connected to the base 30. The members 73 and 77 may be substantially perpendicular to the base 30 while the member 70 may be substantially parallel to the base 30. In this manner the member 70 is suspended, held, or fixed above the base 30.

[0025] The members 70, 73, and 77 may rigid pipes, such as steel metal pipes. The couplings 72, 74, 76, and 78 may be rigid metal couplings, such as steel metal couplings. The members 70, 73, and 77 may have threaded first and second ends which connect or attach to the appropriate couplings by being screwed into the couplings and which can be detached from the couplings. The member 70 is connected in a manner as shown in FIG. 1, so that the member 70 is at a higher level than the base 30. The member 70 may be at a level which is D2 inches higher than the base 30 as measured along a line perpendicular to the base 30 and to the member 70 as shown by FIG. 1. D2 may be about five and one half inches. The distance D2 allows the average individual's foot to be flexed when placed on the member 70.

[0026] The members 40 and 50 may be identical. The member 40 may have ends 40a and 40b. The member 50 may have ends 50a and 50b. The members 40 and 50 may be rigid metal pipes, such as steel metal pipes. End 40a of the member 40 may have a cap 44 placed on it, such as a plastic cap. Similarly end 50a of the member 50 may have a cap 54 placed on it, such as a plastic cap. End 40b of the member 40 may be inserted into an attachment means 46. The attachment means 46 may be a metal pipe coupling which includes inner threads End 50b of the member 50 may be inserted into an attachment means 56. The attachment means 56 may be a metal pipe coupling which includes inner threads. Ends 40b and 50b, may have outer threads, which can be screwed into the means 46 and 56 so that the members 40 and 50, respectively, can be attached or detached from the means 46 and 56.

[0027] The attachment means 46 and 56 can be welded to the members 32a and 34a, respectively. The base 30 may be a solid rigid board, such as a wood board.

[0028] The support 60 may be a solid rigid board, which may be attached to the member 40 by U-shaped brackets 47 and 48 (shown in part in FIG. 1), plate 49, and nuts 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d shown in FIG. 6. Ends 47a and 47b of U-shaped bracket 47 may have outer threads onto which nuts 41b and 41a, respectively, can be tightened. Ends 48a and 48b of U-shaped bracket 48 may have outer threads onto which nuts 41d and 41c can be tightened. The support 60 may also be attached to the member 50 by U-shaped brackets 57 and 58 (shown in part in FIG. 1), plate 59, and nuts 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d, shown in FIG. 6. Ends 57a and 57b of U-shaped bracket 57 may have outer threads onto which nuts 51b and 51a, respectively, can be tightened. Ends 58a and 58b of U-shaped bracket 58 may have outer threads onto which nuts 51d and 51c can be tightened. In this manner the support 60 can be attached or detached from the members 40 and 50. The support 60 can be attached to the members 40 and 50 with screws, nails, glue, or in any other known manner.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of a bottom surface 102 of a sole 103 or lower portion of a right shoe 100 and a bottom view of a bottom surface 112of a sole 113 of a left shoe 110 for use with the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3A shows a right side view of the left shoe 110 of FIG. 2. FIG. 3B shows a left side view of the left shoe 110 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4A shows a right side view of the right shoe 100 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4B shows a left side view of the right shoe 100 of FIG. 2.

[0030] The bottom surface 102 of the sole 103 of the right shoe 100 includes channels 104a, 104b, and 104c, which make an overall pattern in the form of the letter “Z”. Similarly the bottom surface 112 of the sole 113 of the left shoe 110 includes channels 114a, 114b, and 114c, which make an overall pattern in the form of a backwards letter “Z”. The bottom surface 102 of the sole 103 can be described as including a toe portion 102a, a central portion 102b, and a heel portion 102c. The channel 104a roughly divides the toe portion 102a from the central portion 102b. The channel 104c roughly divides the central portion 102b from the heel portion 102c.

[0031] Similarly, the bottom surface 112 of the sole 103 can be described as including a toe portion 112a, a central portion 112b, and a heel portion 112c. The channel 114a roughly divides the toe portion 112a from the central portion 112b. The channel 114c roughly divides the central portion 112b from the heel portion 112c.

[0032] As shown by FIGS. 3A and 3B, the left shoe 110 includes an upper portion 116 and a sole 113. The bottom surface 112 is at the bottom of the sole 113. The upper portion 116 has an opening 116a in which a foot is inserted and a tongue portion 116b. Similarly, as shown by FIGS. 4A and 4B, the right shoe 100 also includes an upper portion 106 and a sole 103. The bottom surface 102 is at the bottom of the sole 103. The upper portion 106 has an opening 106a into which a foot in inserted and a tongue portion 106b.

[0033] FIG. 5A shows an individual 200, such as a man or a woman, wearing the left and right shoes 110 and 100 of FIG. 2 and using the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5B shows the individual 200 in a second state. The individual 200 is represented by a stick figure. The individual 200 has an upper left arm 202 connected to a lower left arm 204 connected to a left hand 206. The individual 200 also has an upper right arm 212 connected to a lower right arm 214 connected to a right hand 216. The individual has a torso 220 including a back 220a. The individual has an upper left leg 232 connected to a lower left leg 234 which may include an ankle 234a. The individual has an upper right leg 222 connected to a lower right leg 224 which may include an ankle 224a. The individual 200 has a left foot which is inserted into shoe 110 and a right foot which is inserted into right shoe 100. The left and right feet are located at the end of lower left and right legs 224 and 234, respectively, but for simplification purposes are not shown in detail.

[0034] In operation, the individual 200 grasps and holds tightly onto the member 12 with his left hand 206 and the member 22 with his right hand 216. The individual 200 steps up onto the member 70. The individual 200, in one embodiment of the present invention, places the left and right shoes onto the member 70 so channels 104c and 114c fit on top of the member 70. The channels 104a, 104b, 104c, 114a, 114b, and 114c may each have a width W1, shown in FIG. 2, which may be about the same size as the width W2 (shown in FIG. 1) (the diameter if the member 70 is a cylindrical pipe) of the member 70. The channels 104a, 104b, 104c, 114a, 114b, and 114c may each have a depth of D1, shown in FIG. 3A, which may be about one half of the width W2 (the diameter if the member 70 is a cylindrical pipe). In this manner, a channel, such as channel 104c can be fitted on top of the member 70, with a portion of the member 70 being inserted into the channel 104c. This helps to prevent the shoe 100 from sliding off of the member 70, while the individual flexes a body part, such as the ankle 224a or the knee at the joint of upper leg 222 and lower leg 224.

[0035] In FIG. 5A, the right shoe 100 is shown placed on the member 70 so that a portion of member 70 is inserted into the channel 104c and the left shoe 110 is shown placed on the member 70 so that a portion of the member 70 is inserted into the channel 114c. From the position or state shown in FIG. 5A, an individual can flex his feet or ankles, such as ankle 224a to cause a shoe, such as right shoe 100 to rotate or flex to a different state, as that shown in FIG. 5B. In this manner the individual 200 can exercise his feet or ankles.

[0036] From the position or state of FIG. 5A, the individual 200 can do many exercises. For example, the individual 200 can do a squat, bending down while holding the members 12 and 22 and keeping the shoes 100 and 110 on top of the member 70. A squat would flex the knees or joints between upper legs 222 and 232 and lower legs 224 and 234, respectively. The individual can flex one or both ankles or feet 224a or 234 in a manner similar to that shown by FIGS. 5A to FIG. 5B. The individual 200 can also lean back onto the support 60 so that back 220a is touching support 60. In this position the individual 200 can also flex his ankles or feet 224a or 234a, or bend the knees to do a squat.

[0037] The tub 90 may contain warm water and the individual 200 have his feet 224a and 234a inside the water in the tub 90. The tub 90 may be filled with water to the top of sides 92, 93, 95, and 96.

[0038] Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first member;

a second member;

a third member;

a base;

wherein the first member and the second member are rigidly attached to the base, substantially perpendicular to the base; and

wherein the third member is rigidly attached to the base so that the third member lies above the base and the third member is substantially parallel to the base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the first, second, and third members are rigid pipes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the third member is rigidly attached at a distance of about five and one quarter inches above the base.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a fourth member; and

a fifth member;

wherein the fourth member and the fifth member are rigidly attached to the base, substantially perpendicular to the base.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein

the third member is rigidly attached to the fourth and fifth members.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein

the fourth and the fifth members each have first and second ends;

wherein the fourth and the fifth members are rigidly attached to the base at their first ends;

and wherein the fourth and fifth members are rigidly attached to a support device at their second ends.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein

the support device is comprised of a flat board.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the base is a solid board.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a receptacle which is able to retain water; and

wherein the base and the third member are located in the receptacle and the first and the second members are located at least partially in the receptacle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a first shoe having a sole with a bottom surface;

wherein the bottom surface of the sole of the first shoe has a first channel; and

wherein the third member at least partially fits into the first channel of the first shoe.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising

a second shoe having a sole with a bottom surface;

wherein the bottom surface of the sole of the second shoe has a first channel; and

wherein the third member at least partially fits into the first channel of the second shoe.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein

the bottom surface of the sole of the first shoe has a second channel; and

wherein the third member at least partially fits into the second channel of the first shoe.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising

a second shoe having a sole with a bottom surface;

wherein the bottom surface of the sole of the second shoe has a first and a second channel; and

wherein the third member at least partially fits into the first channel of the second shoe and at least partially fits into the second channel of the second shoe.

13 The apparatus of claim 12 wherein

the bottom surface of the sole of the first shoe has a third channel;

wherein the third member at least partially fits into the third channel of the first shoe; and

wherein the first channel and the second channel are joined together by the third channel.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein

the first channel of the first shoe is located near a toe portion of the first shoe.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein

the first channel of the first shoe is located near a heel portion of the first shoe.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein

The first channel is centrally located on the bottom surface of the sole of the first shoe.

17. A method comprising

gripping first and second members which are rigidly attached substantially perpendicular to a base;

standing on a third member which is rigidly suspended at a location over the base; and

flexing a body part while standing on the third member.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein

the body part flexed is a knee.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein

the body part flexed is an ankle.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising

standing in a pool of warm water in a receptacle while standing on the third member.

21. A method comprising

standing on a first member which is rigidly suspended at a location over a base, while leaning back on a support device; and

flexing a body part while standing on the first member and while leaning back on the support device.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein

the body part flexed is a knee.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein

the body part flexed is an ankle.

25. The method of claim 21 further comprising

standing in a pool of warm water in a receptacle while standing on the first member.