Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for use with carpet slides for recreational use. The exercise apparatus comprises a stop block having a predetermined shape, a front end and a back end and constructed of a predetermined material, the predetermined shape of the stop block includes a substantially flat bottom surface and a tapered upper surface and a plurality of teeth disposed on the bottom surface of the stop block for gripping a carpet and preventing the stop block from moving when contacted by a carpet slide and thereby stopping a skater on such carpet slides.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/732,182 filed Nov. 1, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to an exercise device and, more, particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise device for use with carpet slides for recreational use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various recreational devices available commercially which will enable a person to slide on certain type of surfaces for recreational use. These devices generally require either a hill, rollers/wheels or at least a slippery surface, such as, snow or ice in order to enable these prior art devices to work effectively.

Recently there has been made available a recreational device for use indoors on carpeted floors. These carpet slides for recreational use enable the user to slide on such carpeted floors. One problem with such carpet slides is a difficulty for a skater to stop quickly when going at a relatively fast speed.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were some device which would enable such skater to stop quickly and even more advantageous if such device could be incorporated into a exercise regimen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the present invention provides an exercise apparatus for use with carpet slides for recreational use. The exercise apparatus comprises a stop block having a predetermined shape, a front end and a back end and constructed of a predetermined material, the predetermined shape of the stop block includes a substantially flat bottom surface and a tapered upper surface and a means disposed on the bottom surface of the stop block for gripping a carpet and preventing the stop block from moving when contacted by a carpet slide and thereby stopping a skater on such carpet slides.

An alternate embodiment of the invention provides an exercise apparatus for recreational use. The exercise apparatus comprises a carpet slide, such carpet slide includes a first member having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, such first member formed from a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface and a bottom surface. There is at least one strap like member, such at least one strap like member having a first end and a second end. A first means is disposed along the upper surface of the first member adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of the first member and a back portion of the first member for engaging a first end of the at least one strap like member. A second means is disposed along the upper surface adjacent a substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between the front portion of the first member and the back portion of the first member for engaging a second end of the at least one strap like member. Such exercise apparatus further includes at least one stop block having a predetermined shape, a front end and a back end and constructed of a predetermined material. The predetermined shape of the stop block includes a substantially flat bottom surface and a tapered upper surface. There is a means disposed on the bottom surface of the stop block for gripping a carpet and preventing the stop block from moving when contacted by the carpet slide and thereby stopping a skater on the carpet slide.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus for use with carpeted slides.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a exercise apparatus that will stop a recreational skater from skating past a predetermined area.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus which can be removably attached to carpeting so as stop such skater.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus which has teeth on an underside for engaging a carpet.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus which the stop block has ridges disposed on the tapered side to assist in stopping.

In addition to the numerous objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described with some degree of particularity above, it should be both noted and understood that a number of other important objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such detailed description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the tapered surface of the exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the bottom surface of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective enlarged view of the gripping teeth on the bottom surface of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is side view of a skater with carpet slides contacting such exercise apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is front view of a skater with carpet slides contacting such exercise apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of the carpet slide with securing straps shown according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the carpet slide shown in FIG. 6 taken across the line VII-VII.

FIG. 8 is bottom view of the carpet slide shown in FIG. 6 illustrating the arcuate saw tooth ribs on the forward toe portion of the slide for providing walking or running traction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that for the sake of clarity in understanding the invention, identical components with identical functions have been designated with identical reference numerals throughout the drawing Figures.

Illustrated in the drawing figures is an exercise apparatus, generally designated 10, for use with carpet slides for recreational use.

Thus, the present invention in one embodiment provides an exercise apparatus 10 for use with carpet slides for recreational use. The exercise apparatus 10 comprises a stop block 2 having a predetermined shape, a front end 4 and a back end 6 and constructed of a predetermined material. The predetermined shape of the stop block includes a substantially flat bottom surface 8 and a tapered upper surface 12 and a means, generally designated 20, disposed on the bottom surface of the stop block 2 for gripping a carpet and preventing the stop block 2 from moving when contacted by a carpet slide and thereby stopping a skater on such carpet slides.

The tapered upper surface portion 12 extends from a high back end 6 to a low front end 4 wherein such stop block 2 is substantially in a form of a wedge.

The means 20 disposed on the bottom surface 8 for preventing the stop block 2 from moving when contacted by a carpet slide includes a plurality of carpet gripping teeth 14 that extend downwardly from the bottom surface 8 of the stop block 2. The plurality of gripping teeth 14 are disposed at a predetermined angle from the vertical. The predetermined angle being away from the front end 4 the stop block 2 such that the stop block 2 will grip a carpet and thereby prevent the stop block 2 from moving when the stop block 2 is contacted by a skater using carpet slides.

The predetermined material for forming such stop block 2 is selected from rubber, plastic, wood, metal and combinations thereof. It is presently preferred that such material is rubber.

It is also presently preferred that the tapered upper surface 12 of such stop block 2 further include a plurality of ridges 16 that are formed thereon. The plurality of ridges 16 aid in stopping such skater using carpet slides.

An alternate embodiment of the invention provides an exercise apparatus 30 for recreational use. The exercise apparatus 30 comprises a carpet slide, generally designated 40. Such carpet slide 40 includes a first member 42 having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, such first member 42 formed from a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface 44 and a bottom surface 46. There is at least one strap like member, such at least one strap like member having a first end and a second end for securing the carpet slide 40 to the user's foot. In FIG. 6 the apparatus includes a two piece strap showing a first strap 48 and a second strap 49 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Also in the preferred embodiment there is a hook and loop type material applied to the ends of the two straps 48, 49 for securing the strap segments A first means, generally designated 50, is disposed along the upper surface 44 of the first member 42 adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of the first member 42 and a back portion of the first member 42 for engaging a first end of the first strap 48. A second means, generally designated 60, is disposed along the upper surface adjacent a substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between the front portion of the first member 42 and the back portion of the first member 42 for engaging a second end if there is only one strap like member or as shown in FIG. 6 for engaging a first end of such second strap 49. Such exercise apparatus 30 further includes at least one stop block 2 having a predetermined shape, a front end 4 and a back end 6 and constructed of a predetermined material. The predetermined shape of the stop block 2 includes a substantially flat bottom surface 8 and a tapered upper surface 12. There is a means 20 disposed on the bottom surface 8 of the stop block 2 for gripping a carpet and preventing the stop block 2 from moving when contacted by the carpet slide 40 and thereby stopping a skater on the carpet slide. 40.

It is presently preferred that there be a plurality of stop blocks 2 in such exercise apparatus 30 and that such means 20 for gripping a carpet includes a plurality of carpet gripping teeth 14 extending downwardly from the bottom surface 8 of the stop block 2. Further, it is preferred that such plurality of gripping teeth 14 are disposed at a predetermined angle from vertical.

The predetermined material for forming such stop block 2 is selected from rubber, plastic, wood, metal or combinations thereof. It is presently preferred that such predetermined material is rubber.

The predetermined shape of such first member 42 includes an upturned perimeter edge which is evident in the cross sectional view, FIG. 7. Further the predetermined shape of the first member 42 further includes the bottom surface 46 being convex in a direction disposed transverse to a length of the first member 42.

Such carpet slide 40 further includes a non slip surface material 45 disposed on the upper surface of the first member 42. It is presently preferred that such non-slip material is a foam pad. It is also presently preferred that such first member is formed from plastic and that such plastic is polyethylene.

The bottom surface 46 of the first member 42 closely adjacent the front portion thereof includes a predetermined plurality of saw tooth ridges 56 formed therein for providing walking and running traction on a surface. Such plurality of saw tooth ridges 56 are formed facing toward a rearward heel portion of the bottom surface 46.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus for use with carpet slides for recreational use, said exercise apparatus comprising:

(a) a stop block having a predetermined shape, a front end and a back end and constructed of a predetermined material, said predetermined shape of said stop block including a substantially flat bottom surface and a tapered upper surface; and

(b) a means disposed on said bottom surface of said stop block for gripping a carpet and preventing said stop block from moving when contacted by a carpet slide and thereby stopping a skater on such carpet slides.

2. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said taper goes from a high back end to a low front end substantially in a form of a wedge.

3. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said means includes a plurality of carpet gripping teeth extending downwardly from said bottom surface of said stop block.

4. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of gripping teeth are disposed at a predetermined angle from vertical.

5. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said predetermined angle is away from said front of said stop block such that said stop block will grip a carpet thereby prevent said stop block from moving when said stop block is contacted by a skater using carpet slides.

6. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined material is selected from rubber, plastic, wood, metal and combinations thereof.

7. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined material is rubber.

8. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said tapered upper surface has a plurality of ridges formed thereon.

9. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of ridges aid in stopping such skater using carpet slides.

10. An exercise apparatus for recreational use, said exercise apparatus comprising:

(a) a carpet slide, said carpet slide including: (i) a first member having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, said first member formed from a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface and a bottom surface; (ii) at least one strap like member, said at least one strap like member having a first end and a second end; (iii) a first means disposed along said upper surface of said first member adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of said first member and a back portion of said first member for engaging a first end of said at least one strap like member; and (iv) a second means disposed along said upper surface adjacent a substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between said front portion of said first member and said back portion of said first member for engaging a second end of said at least one strap like member;

(b) at least one stop block having a predetermined shape, a front end and a back end and constructed of a predetermined material, said predetermined shape of said stop block including a substantially flat bottom surface and a tapered upper surface; and

(c) a means disposed on said bottom surface of said stop block for gripping a carpet and preventing said stop block from moving when contacted by said carpet slide and thereby stopping a skater on said carpet slide.

11. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said at least one stop block includes a plurality of stop blocks.

12. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said means for gripping a carpet includes a plurality of carpet gripping teeth extending downwardly from said bottom surface of said stop block.

13. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of gripping teeth are disposed at a predetermined angle from vertical.

14. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined material of said at least one stop block is selected from rubber, plastic, wood, metal and combinations thereof.

15. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 14, wherein said predetermined material is rubber.

16. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined shape of said first member includes an upturned perimeter edge.

17. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 16, wherein said predetermined shape of said first member further includes said bottom surface being convex in a direction disposed transverse to a length of said first member.

18. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said carpet slide further includes a non slip surface material disposed on said upper surface of said first member.

19. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said first member is formed from plastic.

20. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said bottom surface of said first member closely adjacent said front portion thereof includes a predetermined plurality of saw tooth ridges formed therein for providing walking and running traction on a surface.

21. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 20, wherein said predetermined plurality of saw tooth ridges are formed facing toward a rearward heel portion of said bottom surface.

22. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 20, wherein said predetermined plurality of saw tooth ridges are arcuately shaped.