Sit-up exercise bench
An exercise bench for performing assisted sit-ups comprising two declining benches, a pulley on a shaft intermediate the two declining benches, and a tether which engages the pulley.
Common exercises performed to strengthen the abdominal muscles and muscles of the lower back include sit-ups for exercising the abdominal muscles and hyperextensions for exercising the lower back. These exercises are popular because they can be effectively performed when resisted only by the weight of an individual's own body. To alter the difficulty of these exercises, the angle of inclination of a simple inclined bench on which they are performed can be adjusted.
Strengthening abdominal muscles and muscles of the lower back can be therapeutically important, in particular to individuals suffering from back injuries. However, conventional sit-ups can be painful for some individuals with such injuries, deterring these individuals from performing these exercises and potentially impeding or delaying their recoveries.
SUMMARYThe present invention comprises, in one aspect, an exercise apparatus for use on a support surface. The apparatus advantageously comprises a shaft extending away from the support surface and a base for supporting the shaft on the support surface, where the proximal end of the shaft is secured to the base between the first lateral end and the second lateral end of the base. Attached to the distal end of the shaft is a pulley, which cooperates with a tether having a handle at each end. The pulley is preferably within a pulley housing, and also preferably is connected to a safety latch for stopping the end of a tether from advancing past the latch. Also included are two benches located on either lateral side of the shaft and pulley, each of which includes a rigid back support for supporting a user's back and a support member connected to the rigid back support for supporting the bench on the support surface. The rigid back support and support member cooperate so that the distal end of the rigid back support declines with respect to the proximal end of the rigid back support, preferably at an angle of between about 20° and about 60°, and more preferably of between about 30° and 45°.
The support member of each of the benches can comprise a foot at a distal end, which is preferably adapted to cooperate with attachment points on the base to secure the support member to the base. The support member is connected at a proximal end to the rigid back support, preferably by a hinge. When both benches are oriented vertically with respect to the support surface, such as by being rotated about the hinge connection, the present apparatus can advantageously include a safety latch for securing the first bench to the second bench in such vertical orientation. In one embodiment, each of the benches can further include a second support member attached to the end of each bench opposite the end to which the first support member is attached.
The shaft of the apparatus advantageously includes a height adjustment mechanism for changing the vertical distance of the distal end of the shaft from the support surface. The shaft can be fixedly secured to the base, or alternatively can be secured to a shaft holder attached to the base. Such a shaft holder can comprise a receptacle for receiving the proximal end of the shaft. In this embodiment, a converter unit can be further provided. The converter unit allows exercises to be performed with the apparatus by a single individual. Such a converter unit comprises a hollow retaining member adapted to fit around the shaft holder, a laterally extending shaft attached to the proximal end of the hollow retaining member, and a pulley attached to the distal end of the laterally extending shaft. A further support member attached to the laterally extending shaft and to the hollow retaining member can also be included to better brace the laterally extending member. In this embodiment, the tether is preferably a spring tether, and tether attachment points are preferably provided on the base for connecting one end of the tether to the base.
In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method of performing abdominal exercises. In this method, a first individual assists a second individual in performing a sit-up exercise with the exercise apparatus of the present invention. The first individual is positioned on the first bench in a fully reclined position and grips the first end of the tether. The second individual is positioned on the second bench in an upright seated position and grips the second end of the tether so as to provide tension to the tether. The upper body of the first individual is then elevated while maintaining tension in the tether until the second individual reaches a fully reclined position on the second bench.
DRAWINGSThese and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:
All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions of any device or part of a device disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by their intended use.
DESCRIPTIONThe present exercise apparatus is adapted to facilitate the performance of abdominal exercises, in particular sit-ups. While such exercises can be performed by an individual without the aid of exercise equipment, for some individuals unassisted sit-ups can be painful or difficult. For example, injuries to the back or neck can make performing unassisted sit-ups and other abdominal exercises painful, though such exercises may be important for the individual's recovery. For such individuals, exercises which minimize the discomfort associated with performing abdominal exercises can be beneficial.
The present exercise apparatus provides advantages to both injured and uninjured individuals in need of abdominal exercise. For example, the present exercise apparatus places the stress of performing abdominal exercises directly in front of the user, thereby focusing such exercise on the stomach muscles and reducing unnecessary lateral movement. The present exercise apparatus further aids those who may have difficulty performing other abdominal exercises, such as individuals recovering from a back injury, by providing a greater range of assistance or resistance to an individual performing a sit-up exercise, as an increased or decreased amount of assistance/resistance can be supplied during a sit-up by the individual's partner upon request.
Two-Person Exercise Bench
In one embodiment, the present exercise apparatus 10 is adapted for use by two individuals at the same time. In this embodiment, shown in
The shaft member 20 comprises a vertical shaft 21 having a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24. The shaft member 20 can be made of any suitably rigid material, such as steel or aluminum, though other materials are also possible. At the distal end 24 of the vertical shaft 21, a pulley assembly 30 is attached to the vertical shaft 21. The pulley assembly 30 comprises a pulley 31 which in one embodiment is attached to the distal end 24 of the vertical shaft 21 by means of a pulley housing 32. The pulley assembly 30 also preferably includes a bolt 35 or other rigid member passing through the center of the pulley 31 for attaching the pulley 31 to the pulley housing 32, as well as a latch 36 which can be attached to the bolt 35 and/or to the pulley housing 32. Each end of the latch 36 is connected to a lateral face 37 of the pulley housing 32 and/or the pulley 31 in order to prevent the ends of the tether assembly 80 from passing through the opening 38 defined by the latch 36, the pulley housing 32 and/or the pulley 31. This safeguards a user of the exercise bench in the event that his or her partner inadvertently releases or lets go of the tether assembly 80.
Although the shaft member 20 can be fixedly attached to the base member 40 at its proximal end 22, in a preferred embodiment a height adjustment mechanism is provided for changing the height, i.e. the vertical distance from the support surface 15, of the vertical shaft 21 of the shaft member 20. For example, the vertical shaft 21 can include height adjustment holes 26 for use in adjusting the height of the distal end 24 of the vertical shaft 21 above a support surface 15 on which the exercise bench is supported. The adjustment holes 26 are configured to line up and cooperate with a corresponding hole or holes 66 in a shaft holder 60 of the base member 40. Preferably, the holes 26 and 66 cooperate so as to maintain the pulley 31 between approximately 36 inches and 48 inches above the support surface 15. The shaft holder 60 is preferably hollow and is adapted to receive the vertical shaft 21 such that the proximal end 22 of the vertical shaft 21 slides into the shaft holder 60 at a distal end 64 and allows the vertical shaft 21 to move toward the proximal end 62 of the shaft holder 60. A rigid pin 65 can be inserted into the holes 26 and 66 to secure the vertical shaft 21 to the shaft holder 60 at a desired height chosen by a user of the present exercise bench. Adjusting the height of the vertical shaft 21 changes the amount of leverage the users of the exercise bench have when performing exercises with the bench. Adjusting the height of the vertical shaft 21 can therefore alter the difficulty of exercises performed on the bench.
In an alternative embodiment, the vertical shaft 21 can be adapted to fit around the shaft holder 60, in which case the vertical shaft 21 can comprise a hollow interior that would fit over a projection extending from the base 50 away from the support surface 15. The shaft member 20 can also be integrally formed with the base member 40, thereby obviating the need for the shaft holder 60. In addition, the vertical shaft 21 can also comprise a telescoping bar in order to provide greater height adjustability. In a further alternative, two shaft members 20 can be used, although such an embodiment would involve additional cost to produce and thus is not favored.
In the embodiment of
In this embodiment of the exercise apparatus 10, the base assembly 12 is positioned between the two benches 100. In this context, “between” means that the central portion of the base assembly 12, including at least the shaft holder 60, the shaft member 20 and the pulley assembly 30, are positioned intermediate the proximal ends 112 of the rigid back supports 110 of each of the benches 100 (as seen, e.g., in
The base 50 is adapted to maintain the shaft holder 60 and the shaft member 20 in an upright position and to resist forces exerted on the shaft member 20 when the exercise bench is being used to perform exercises. The base 50 shown in
The base 50 further includes one or more retaining members 70 for securing a foot 125 (i.e., the base end of a support member) of a bench 100. Such retaining members 70 are adapted to secure the bench 100 to the base 50 of the base member 40 so that when a user performs exercises with the present exercise apparatus 10 the distance between the bench 100 and the shaft member 20 and/or the base member 40 does not significantly change. The retaining member 70 can take any of a number of configurations. For example, the retaining member 70 can comprise a hole or opening into which a corresponding support or other structural member attached to a bench 100 can be inserted in order to substantially prevent lateral movement of the bench 100 with respect to the base member 40. Alternatively, the retaining member 70 can comprise a mechanical fastener for securing the bench 100, and preferably a foot 125 of the bench 100, to the base member 40. For example, a mechanical fastener can secure the foot 125 to the base member 40 through the application of pressure to the foot 125 when it is engaged with the fastener, i.e., a snap-lock.
Preferably, a plurality of retaining members 70 are provided on the base 50 of the base member 40, as shown in
In
The benches 100 shown in
Although one foot 125 is illustrated in the embodiments of
In order to accommodate users of different sizes, the support member 120 can, in one embodiment, be provided as a set of two or more telescoping bars. In this embodiment, the length of the support member 20 is adjustable by changing the length of the inner telescoping bar with respect to the outer telescoping bar of the support member 120 and then securing the telescoping bars such that their length cannot be changed without further action by a user. For example, a hole and pin system such as that illustrated with respect to the shaft member 20 and the shaft holder 60 described above can be used, or other means of securing telescoping bars known to the art can be used.
The support member 120 can further include support pads 130 for supporting the feet and/or legs of a user while the user performs exercises with the present exercise apparatus 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the support member 120 includes support pads 130 on each lateral side of the support member 120 at a distal end 123. The lower support pads 134 inhibit the upward movement of the feet of a user while performing exercises with the present exercise apparatus 10, though a user can alternatively place his or her feet on top of the lower support pads 134 as well. Upper support pads 132 are likewise provided on either lateral side of the support member 120, at a proximal end 122 of the support member 120. A user of the exercise apparatus 10 either can place the insides of his or her knees on the upper support pads 132 in order to provide comfort, or can position the user's legs between the upper support pads 132 and the support surface 15 in order to inhibit movement of the user's body toward the shaft member 20 during exercise. The support pads 130 are fixedly attached to the support member 120, and preferably comprise a resilient material such as polyurethane or other foam rubber, which can be covered with a material such as vinyl which has greater resistance to abrasion and can also provide a more comfortable surface for contact with the skin, shoes, or clothing of a user of the exercise bench.
The rigid back support 110 of the bench 100 provides a surface for supporting the back of a user of the present exercise apparatus 10. The bench 100 is preferably elongated so as to accommodate the head and torso of a user lying on the bench 100 (e.g., user A in
At the proximal end of the rigid back support 110, the back support 110 can comprise a support surface which is in contact with and exerts force on the support member 120, for greater stability. The proximal end 112 of the rigid back support 110 further preferably includes a hinge 121 for allowing rotational movement of the rigid back support 110 with respect to the support member 120. At a distal end 114 of the rigid back support 110, the bench 100 can optionally include an additional support member 120. However, such additional support member is not necessary, and in the embodiment shown in
In order to perform exercises using this embodiment of the present exercise bench, a tether assembly 80 is further employed. Tether assembly 80 comprises a tether 82 and handles 84 at each end of the tether 82. The tether 82 can be any suitable rope or other flexible material capable of withstanding the tension applied by two users of the exercise apparatus 10 when performing exercises and also capable of passing across the pulley 31. The tether handles 84 can be either flexible or rigid, but are preferably made from a suitably rigid material such as wood, metal, or plastic.
Use of the Two-Person Exercise Bench
The use of the two-person exercise bench described above is illustrated in
User A is shown in
To initiate a sit-up exercise, user A tightens his abdominal muscles in order to begin elevating his upper body (head and torso). User B at the same time reclines backward, maintaining tension in the tether 82, such that the weight of user B assists the sit-up being performed by user A and exerts a force in the direction of user A's sit-up movement. As user B reclines backward, the amount of leverage applied by user B increases, thereby facilitating the sit-up performed by user A. Once user A reaches an upright position, i.e., as shown in
Unlike exercise devices in which a single individual makes use of tension in a spring to assist a sit-up exercise, the present apparatus provides a greater range of assistance or resistance to an individual performing exercises, since an increased or decreased amount of assistance/resistance can be supplied during a sit-up by the individual's partner upon request. Using the example described above, as user A begins a sit-up exercise, user B can provide assistance to user A by exerting greater force on the tether in the direction of user A's sit-up (i.e., by pulling on the tether), either in response to a request by user A or upon user B's observation that user A is in need of assistance. This feature of the present exercise bench 10 is of particular value to users who suffer from injuries and may therefore at times be in need of assistance in performing exercises which are important for their therapy and/or recovery.
Single Person Exercise Bench
The two-person exercise bench described above can also be adapted for use by a single individual. In this embodiment, the base member 40, shaft member 20, and bench 100 can be as described above for the two-person embodiment of the present exercise apparatus 10, with the exception that only one bench 100 is used. The single person embodiment of the present exercise apparatus 10 further differs from the two-person embodiment in that it includes a converter unit 200 as well as a bungee cord or other spring tether 88.
As shown in
The converter unit 200 further comprises a laterally extending shaft 220 attached to the hollow retaining member 210 of the converter unit 200. The laterally extending shaft 220 is preferably attached to the proximal end 202 of the hollow retaining member 210 and extends vertically away from the proximal end 202, i.e., such that the distal end 224 of the laterally extending shaft 220 is spaced apart from the hollow retaining member 210. Preferably, the laterally extending shaft 220 extends from a proximal end 222 to the distal end 224 at an angle of between about 15° and about 75° with respect to the support surface 15, more preferably at an angle of between about 30° and about 50°, and even more preferably at an angle of about 45° with respect to the support surface 15. At the distal end 224 of the laterally extending member 220 a pulley assembly 240 comprising a pulley 241 is attached. Preferably, a bracing support member 230 further connects the hollow retaining member 210 with the laterally extending member 220 in order to provide support to the laterally extending member 220.
The laterally extending member 220 extends away from the central portion 51 of the base 50 toward one lateral end (48 in
In this embodiment, the tether assembly 80 comprises one or more spring tethers 88 in place of the tether 82 used in the two-person embodiment of the present exercise apparatus 10. The spring tether 88 comprises a rope-like member which also stretches and/or provides resistance to tension exerted on the spring tether 88 when a user holds the handle 84 and reclines backward on the bench 100. The spring tether 88 connects the base member 40 and/or the converter unit 200 to a handle unit 84 on the other end. In a preferred embodiment, the spring tether 88 comprises one or more bungee cords, i.e., tethers which comprise latex rubber. Such cords stretch and elongate when tension is applied to them and also provide resistance to such tension. Bungee cords or other spring tethers 88 can be connected to the tether retaining members 55 in ways known to the art, such as by including a hook 89 at the end of such a bungee cord as shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the converter unit 200 need not be separately produced, and can instead be secured to or integrally formed with the base member 40. Lateral end 48 of the base member 40 can also comprise any desired shape, thought it is preferred that it retain an appropriate amount of material in order to have sufficient weight to counterbalance the forces exerted by a user of this embodiment of the present exercise apparatus 10. In such alternative embodiments, the hollow retaining member 210 of the converter unit 200 can replace the shaft retainer 60 and/or can replace or be integrally formed with the shaft member 20. In addition, the laterally extending member 220 can be attached to a different portion of the base 50 of the base member 40.
Use of The Single Person Exercise Bench
The use of the single person embodiment of the present exercise apparatus 10 is illustrated in
A two-person exercise bench was constructed as follows. A base was constructed by fashioning a ⅜ inch steel plate in a rectangular configuration which was 14½ inches long and 13 inches wide. The steel plate, comprising the central portion of the base of the exercise bench, had in its center a cut-out which was 2 inches square for receiving a shaft holder. The shaft holder was made from ⅜″ steel plate in the form of a hollow tube having a square cross-section (approximately 2 inches by 2 inches) and having a length of 16 inches. The shaft holder was inserted into the center hole of the central portion of the base and was welded in place. The shaft holder further included a ½ inch hole into which a 3 inch metal pin can be inserted.
Side members made from ⅛ inch steel and having a square cross-section (1½ inches by 1½ inches) were welded to the central portion along the 13-inch wide sides. Hollow end members 14½ inches long, also made from ⅛ inch steel and having a square cross-section (1½ inches by 1½ inches), were welded to the ends of each of the side members. Two further steel pieces identical to the end members were welded between the two side members in order to form the base member. Holes were formed in an outside face of the end member and lateral members on at least one side of the base member (as shown in
A 36-inch long hollow shaft formed from ⅛ inch steel having a square cross-section (1½ inch by 1½ inch) was produced. A pulley housing including a 3 inch pulley was attached to the distal end of the shaft member. The proximal portion of the shaft included three spaced-apart holes through which the 3 inch pin described above can be inserted. The proximal portion of the shaft was then inserted into the shaft holder.
A rigid back support 12 inches wide and 47 inches long was provided for the bench, and was covered by a pad comprising foam rubber covered by vinyl. Attached to the back support at its distal end was a 14½ inch long steel pipe (⅛ inch thick) having a 2 inch diameter. Attached to either end of this pipe and extending along the length of the back support was a ½ inch steel support member having a square cross-section (2 inches by 2 inches) and length of 50½ inches. At the distal ends of these steel members, holes were included for attachment to a support member, which was likewise formed from ⅛ inch steel having 2 inch by 2 inch square cross-section and a length of approximately 22 inches. Support pads as shown in the bench of
A converter unit for use with the exercise bench of Example 1 was produced as follows. A 16-inch long member made from 2/16 inch thick steel and having a cross-section of 2½ inches by 2½ inches was first provided. At one end of this support member, a laterally extending member also made from 2/16 inch thick steel was welded, the laterally extending member having a square cross-section of 1 inch by 1 inch and being 13 inches in length. Extending perpendicularly from the 16 inch support member to the distal end of the lateral support member was a 2/16 inch thick steel brace approximately 7¼ inches long and having a square cross-section (1 inch by 1 inch), which was also welded in place.
As used herein, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise.
Although the present invention has been discussed in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step depicted is essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to their entirety.
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus for use on a support surface, comprising:
- (a) a first bench and a second bench, wherein each bench comprises: (i) a rigid back support having a first end, a second end, and a support surface; and (ii) a first support member for supporting the bench on the support surface, the first support member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first support member is attached to the first end of the rigid back support, the rigid back support and first support member cooperating so that the second end of the rigid back support declines with respect to the first end of the rigid back support; and
- (b) a base assembly positioned between the first bench and the second bench, the base assembly comprising: (i) a shaft extending away from the support surface, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the shaft extends further from the support surface than the first and second benches; (ii) a base for supporting the shaft on the support surface, the base having a first lateral end and a second lateral end, wherein the proximal end of the shaft is secured to the base between the first lateral end and the second lateral end of the base; and (iii) a pulley secured to the distal end of the shaft.
2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end of the rigid back support declines with respect to the first end of the rigid back support at an angle of between about 20° and about 60°.
3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second end of the rigid back support declines with respect to the first end of the rigid back support at an angle of at least about 30°.
4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a height adjustment mechanism for changing the distance between the distal end of the shaft and the support surface.
5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft is fixedly secured to the base.
6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tether having a handle at each end, wherein the tether is adapted to cooperate with the pulley.
7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising attachment points on the base between the first lateral end and the shaft, and between the shaft and the second lateral end, wherein the second end of the support member of each of the benches cooperates with one or more of the attachment points to secure the support member to the base.
8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid back support and the first support member are hingedly connected.
9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a safety latch for securing the first bench to the second bench when the first and second benches are oriented vertically with respect to the support surface.
10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second support member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second support member is connected to the second end of the rigid back support.
11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising support pads on the first support member.
12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first lateral end of the base comprises a retaining member for engaging a foot at the second end of the first support member.
13. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shaft holder secured to the base, the shaft holder comprising a receptacle for receiving the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the shaft is secured to the base by the shaft holder.
14. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a converter unit to allow exercises to be performed with the apparatus by a single individual, the converter unit comprising:
- a hollow retaining member having a proximal end and a distal end, the hollow retaining member being adapted to fit around the shaft holder;
- a laterally extending shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the laterally extending shaft is attached to the proximal end of the hollow retaining member; and
- a pulley attached to the distal end of the laterally extending shaft.
15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a bracing support member attached to the laterally extending shaft and to the hollow retaining member
16. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, further comprising tether attachment points on the base between the shaft and the first lateral end for connecting one end of a tether to the base.
17. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a spring tether having a handle at one end.
18. A method of performing a sit-up exercise by two individuals, comprising:
- (a) providing the exercise apparatus of claim 6;
- (b) positioning the first individual on the first bench so that the individual is in a fully reclined position, the first individual gripping the first end of the tether;
- (c) positioning the second individual on the second bench in an upright seated position, the second individual gripping the second end of the tether so as to provide tension to the tether; and
- (d) elevating the upper body of the first individual and simultaneously reclining upper body of the second individual while maintaining tension in the tether until the second individual reaches a fully reclined position on the second bench.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step after step (d) of elevating the upper body of the second individual and simultaneously reclining upper body of the first individual while maintaining tension in the tether until the first individual reaches a fully reclined position on the second bench.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 5, 2006
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2007
Inventor: John Huls (Apple Valley, CA)
Application Number: 11/327,542
International Classification: A63B 26/00 (20060101); A63B 71/00 (20060101);