BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an exercise slider. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise slider that permits sliding on a low-friction surface as an effective way to build upper-body strength.
There are several known variations of exercise devices that enable off-season training that are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,862 to Keppler discloses a slide board prototype for use in off-season training regimens, such as speed skating or other similar athletics. The Keppler exercising device includes a base having a plurality of board members thereon arranged side-by-side. Hinges pivotally connect adjacent board members to each other. A flexible plastic sheet overlays the board members and has a smooth low-friction surface on which the user can slide. Bumpers are located at opposite ends of the base and releasibly connect thereto by a set of clamps. The user wears socks or other similar foot coverings to slide in one direction on the surface of the board until encountering a bumper. The bumper stops the user from continuing to move off the board and simultaneously allows the user to push off into the opposite direction. This allows the user to slide side-to-side in a movement that simulates skiing or skating. The Keppler device is complex in construction and not at all designed for mobility. Moreover, the Keppler device cannot be used in a multi-exercise training regimen because users are unable to vary or quantify the degree of difficulty when using the device.
In another reference, U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,282 to Maclean discloses a slide exercise apparatus that has a plurality of inclined bumpers that may be selectively positioned at any point or angle on the board. The bumpers have an inclined surface that users contact with their feet when sliding back and forth on the board. The bumpers are preferably formed from a flexible, elastic material that flexes in a direction of motion upon impact from the foot of a user. The inclined surface may have an acute angle of approximately 18-22 degrees to better enable the user to push off from the bumper in an effort to change the direction of sliding motion. The bumper flexes upon contact thereby softening the impact force and associated shock on the foot, leg and joints of the user. The bumpers may permanently attach to or otherwise be removably clamped to the sliding surface of the board. In one embodiment, the bumpers include a non-slip material or a textured surface to increase friction with the foot of the user during contact.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,700 to Braathen discloses a flexible sliding mat for use with a wall-mounted exerciser that enables a user to simulate skating, snow skiing, etc. The sliding surface of the mat is flexible so a user may roll up and stow away the mat during times of non-use. In the operative configuration, a pair of stop/kick-off edge elements are connected to and extend across respective opposite ends of the mat. The stop/kick-off edge elements are selectively positionable along the length of the sliding mat so the length of the sliding surface can be adjusted. The edge members attach to the mat by bolting together flanges that extend beyond the longitudinal side of the mat. When clamped together, the user may slide back and forth between the stop/kick-off edge elements to simulate skating and/or skiing. While the edge elements may be adjustable, the mat does not provide any means of identifying the distance between each of the elements for training purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,226 to Carra discloses a similar device for ice skaters. The Carra exercise device includes an elongated rectangular plastic body or strip that has a low-friction surface for performing alternating side-to-side sliding movements thereon. The sliding surface is preferably flexible so the exercise device may be rolled and/or unrolled as desired. A strap included therein can secure the device in the rolled configuration. During use, a user may perform alternating side-to-side sliding movements on the low friction surface between a pair of cooperating raised and concave shaped stops. The terminal portion of each stop is in a slightly elevated position relative to the sliding surface to assist in terminating the directional movement of the person sliding back and forth across the slide.
Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,870 to Lloyd discloses a variable resistance slide board that includes a thin flexible sheet having a low-friction upper surface. The sheet may include a pair of start-stop blocks located on either side of the low-friction upper surface. The start-stop blocks are designed to engage the foot or hands of a user to help facilitate starting or stopping. Similar to Maclean and Braathen, the start-stop blocks may be permanently attached to the slide board or adjustably mounted thereto. The material underneath the low-friction upper surface is compressible and deformable so that the resistance can be controlled in accordance with the characteristics of the compressible mat. Different portions of the mat have variable compressibility characteristics that either increase or decrease the resistance applied to the user sliding across the surface of the slide board. But, Lloyd does not include any indicia on the sliding surface that visually identify the areas of the mat that have different resistances thereunder due to differences in compressibility characteristics.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,415 to Branson features a sliding board that may be used with both the arms and the legs. The Branson device is a square platform that is covered with a low-friction material. The user straps or attaches low-friction pads to the hands, elbows or feet and then performs a series of exercises by sliding the pad across the surface of the platform. For instance, exercises might include the use of two hands, two feet, a foot and a hand, etc. The exercises are designed to be therapeutic and are designed to strengthen injured joints through cardiovascularly non-strenuous exercise. In Branson, the platform is square, instead of being rectangular as are the other above-identified designs. This design prevents long sliding side-to-side movement that may otherwise elevate the heart rate or cause potentially injurious extension of the joints and muscles.
Additionally, there are numerous other devices known in the art that enable a person to exercise muscles of the upper torso through the use of rotatable push-up type devices. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,632,707 to Daniel et al. and 7,481,753 to James et al. and U.S. Publication No. 2006/0014615 to Godbold all disclose upper torso push-up-type exercise devices for use with the hands. Each device includes an elevated hand grip that allows a user to perform push-ups while rotating the arms and shoulders with the device via a low-friction surface (e.g. Daniel) or through a ball-bearing system (e.g. James and Godbold). One deficiency in the James and Godbold designs is the fact that the device is stationary and only rotates within an interior ball-bearing assembly. Likewise, Daniel has drawbacks in the fact that the housing includes a plurality of wheels that require a hard or sturdy rolling surface. Using the Daniel design with a flexible, compressible, or deformable material thereunder is simply not feasible as the top surface would tend to warp, bend or even crack. Additionally, the prior art also fails to disclose exercise sliders that include selectively detachable and interchangeable handles and slide pads.
Thus, there exists a significant need for an exercise slider that enables a user to exercise muscles of the upper and lower body. Such multi-exercise sliders should include a plurality of selectively interchangeable low-friction slide pads selectively attachable to a base, which also is selectively attachable to one of a plurality of variously configured handles. The base provides a common connection between one of the handles and one of the pads to permit selective sliding movement of the exercise slider over a surface such that the handle remains in a substantially fixed position relative to the pad through common connection to the base. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The exercise slider disclosed herein includes a base having planar sides selectively attachable to an interchangeable handle and an interchangeable pad. The interchangeable handle selectively attaches to one side of the base opposite the interchangeable pad. Attachment of the handle and the pad to the base permits selective sliding movement of the exercise slider over a surface such that the handle remains in a substantially fixed position relative to the pad through common attachment to the base. The pad and the handle may include a hook-and-loop fastener, a magnet or a snap-fit mechanism that selectively attaches to a respective hook-and-loop fastener, a magnet or a snap-fit mechanism associated with the base for retainment thereto. Preferably, the snap-fit mechanism includes an extension that removably locks into a receptacle.
Furthermore, the handle may include a platform that selectively attaches to the base. In this embodiment, the handle detaches from the platform by actuating a tension spring that selectively locks the handle into a sleeve of the platform. In an alternative embodiment, the handle may pivot relative to the base about a pin. In this embodiment, the exercise slider may include a lock that selectively positions the handle at an angle offset relative to the base.
The exercise slider also includes a grip disposed about a portion of the handle to enhance comfort. The pad also preferably includes a low-friction material such as Teflon®, felt or plastic to permit the exercise slider to slide along a surface. Preferably, the base and the pad are circular to permit multi-directional movement over the surface. Lastly, the handle is also preferably elevated up off the base to permit the user to perform additional exercises, such as push-ups.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-exercise slide board kit, including a slide board, a pair of slide pads, a pair of hand pads with elevated hand grips, a pair of joint protectors, and a carrying case;
FIG. 2 is an environmental view of a user performing push-ups with the pair of hand pads with elevated hand grips, through rotational and sliding movement of the pads across the surface of the slide board;
FIG. 3 is an environmental view of the user utilizing the hand pads to perform sliding exercises across the surface of the slide board;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exercise slider as disclosed herein;
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the exercise slider shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the exercise slider;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the exercise slider, illustrating multiple low-friction slide pads attachable thereto;
FIG. 8 is a partial exploded perspective view of the exercise slider, illustrating a plurality of extensions in the handle that lock to respective receptacles in the base;
FIG. 9 is a side view of the exercise slider;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken about the line 10-10 in FIG. 9, illustrating a pair of tension springs selectively locking the handle to a platform;
FIG. 11 is a side view of the exercise slider, illustrating a partial cutaway wherein the handle rotates about a pin relative to the base;
FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating selective rotation about the pivot illustrated in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged side view taken about the circle 13 in FIG. 9, illustrating a connection mechanism for attaching the handle and the low-friction pad to the base;
FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view similar to FIG. 13, illustrating engagement of the handle and the low-friction pad with the base;
FIG. 15 is an alternative enlarged side view similar to FIG. 13, illustrating engagement of a detent/receptacle combination as an alternative attachment mechanism;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken about the circle 16 in FIG. 10, illustrating engagement of the tension spring with a side wall of the handle base;
FIG. 17 is an environmental view illustrating use of the exercise slider to perform ground push-ups;
FIG. 18 is an environmental view illustrating use of the exercise slider for doing wall push-ups;
FIG. 19 is an environmental side view, illustrating side-to-side movement of the exercise slider on a surface;
FIG. 20 is an environmental top down view, illustrating multi-directional movement along a surface;
FIG. 21 is a top down view of the exercise slider, illustrating rotational movement;
FIG. 22 is a top down view of the exercise slider, further illustrating rotational movement;
FIG. 23 is a top down view similar to of FIGS. 21-22, further illustrating rotational movement of the exercise slider through use of the handle; and
FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic view, illustrating multi-directional movement of the exercise slider across a surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention for a multi-exercise slide board kit is generally referred to by the reference number 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-exercise slide board kit 10 includes a slide board 12, a pair of slide pads 14, a pair of hand pads with elevated hand grips 16, a pair of joint pads 18 and a carrying case 20. Each of the pads 14, 16, 18 are used in association with the slide board 12, as described in more detail below, such that a user may exercise the lower body and the upper body. Of course, the multi-exercise slide board kit 10 may include multiple combinations of the pads 14, 16, 18. Preferably, the carrying case 20 is sized to hold the slide board 12, the slide pads 14, the hand pads 16 and the joint pads 18. But, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the multi-exercise slide board kit 10 may include various combinations of the components described above such that the carrying case 20 is appropriately sized to retain those components. At a minimum, the multi-exercise slide board kit 10 should include at least the slide board 12 and one of the pads 14, 16, 18.
The slide board 12 generally includes a sliding area 22 for use with the pads 14, 16, 18. The sliding area 22 should be made from a low-friction material to permit sliding thereover. As shown in FIG. 1, the sliding area 22 is generally rectangular in shape, but a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the sliding area 22, and ultimately the shape of the slide board 12, may come in a variety of sizes and shapes, such as circles, squares or other designs. Moreover, the sliding area 22 should be flexible to enhance the portability of the slide board 12. In this regard, the sliding area 22 may fold over on itself or otherwise roll into a compact position relative to the operative position shown in FIG. 1. In the rolled-up or inoperative position, the slide board 12 may fit inside of the carrying case 20 for storage and transportation.
A pair of bumpers 24 are located at opposite ends of the sliding area 22 of the slide board 12. The bumpers 24 may be arranged in many different configurations, such as at the end of the rectangularly shaped sliding area 22. The bumpers 24 may also attach to the longitudinal edges of the sliding area 22 such that the user may push off front-to-back in addition to side-to-side movement. The bumpers 24 may permanently attach to the sliding area 22 or may be selectively removable through some attachment/detachment mechanism. It is preferable that the bumpers 24 permanently attach to opposite sides of the longitudinal ends of the sliding area 22 to facilitate storage within the carrying case 20. In this regard, the slide board 12 shown in FIG. 1 may easily roll upon itself via the bumpers 24. The relatively rigid bumpers 24 provide some support for the sliding area 22 when stored within the carrying case 20. In the alternative embodiment wherein the bumpers 24 are placed longitudinally along the length of the sliding area 22, such bumpers 24 are preferably selectively removable from the slide board 12 to enable the sliding area 22 to fold upon itself so the slide board 12 can fit within the carrying case 20 along with the detached bumpers 24.
The bumpers 24 are preferably angled as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The bumpers 24 should also be made from a resilient material capable of withstanding sliding contact of a user moving side-to-side across the sliding area 22. Such resilient material should also be capable of providing footing and a push off point to facilitate the side-to-side movement. A ramp 26 integrated therein preferably has a surface area that includes a high-friction material or is otherwise shaped (e.g. ridges or bumps) to enhance traction thereon. This ensures that the user may adequately grip and push off from the ramp 26 when performing simulated skating or skiing exercises, e.g., with the slide board 12. The bumper 24 and the ramp 26 may come in one of a variety of shapes, sizes or angles. A smaller angled ramp 26 may be used for light workout activities, such as for rehab or other low-impact exercises. Alternatively, a higher angled ramp 26 enhances the ability of the bumper 24 to stop movement of the user across the surface of the sliding area 22. Such a ramp 26 is particularly preferred for exercises that require greater physical exertion or for exercises that are performed at higher speeds. In the event the bumpers 24 are detachable, a user may change out the characteristics of the ramp 26 depending on the desired exercise. The bumper 24 may further include a vertical stop 28 that prevents the user from moving up the ramp 26 and completely off the slide board 12. The bumper 24 may also be manufactured from a material that is compressible and/or deformable to reduce the impact on the user when contacting either the ramp 26 or the vertical stop 28.
The sliding area 22 also includes a plurality of indicia, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, that identify specific portions or distances on the sliding area 22 for performing exercises in association with the multi-exercise slide board kit 10. These indicia better enable a user to structure an exercise program for use with the slide board 12. Oftentimes, as shown in the prior art discussed above, slide boards do not include any set of indicia thereon such that a user may gauge the level of difficulty for performing certain exercises. The users are left only to gauge the level of difficulty based on prior use and can only guesstimate because the prior art lacks such indicia. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one preferable set of indicia for use in association with some of the exercises that may be performed with the slide board 12. As best shown in FIG. 1, the sliding area 22 includes a set of circular indicia such as a bull's eye 30 and a plurality of colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 concentric thereto. The colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 preferably vary in color from one another. In one embodiment, the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 alternate in color similar to that of a dart board. In another embodiment, the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 may be different shades of one color—such that the color gets deeper or brighter with each indicia ring moving away from the bull's eye 30, or vice versa. The colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 identify various positions on the sliding area 22 that enable a user to structure a workout regimen. For example, the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 enable a user to strategically locate specific distances from the bull's eye 30 and from each of the bumpers 24. Using these relative distances, a user may accordingly utilize the bull's eye 30 and the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 to gauge flexibility and/or the difficulty of a workout regimen.
The sliding area 22 also includes a plurality of indicia lines 38, 40, 42 concentric to the bull's eye 30 and similar to the colored indicia rings 34, 36, 38. The indicia lines 38, 40, 42 further help a user gauge flexibility and/or the difficulty of a workout regimen, at distances beyond the indicia rings 32, 34, 36. The user can accurately gauge distances across the surface of the sliding area 22 through cooperative identification of the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 and the indicia lines 38, 40, 42. Of course, the bull's eye 30, the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 and the indicia lines 38, 40, 42 may vary in size, width, length, etc. depending on the dimensions of the sliding area 22 or the desired application. This enables a user to gauge flexibility or the difficulty of dexterity exercises. Over time, the user may conduct deeper stretches or longer exercises to different portions of the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 and/or the indicia lines 38, 40, 42. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is merely a preferred embodiment. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the indicia on the sliding area 22 of the slide board 12 may vary depending on a plurality of different criteria. The indicia may include straight lines, angled lines, circular lines (as shown in FIGS. 1-3), or other designs, numbers, letters, etc. designating areas where the user may work out.
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of using the multi-exercise slide board kit 10. Here, a user 44 uses the hand pads 16 to perform different types of pushups. The hand pads 16 are best illustrated in FIG. 1 and include a pair of handles 46 elevated above the base thereof. Like the slide pads 14, described below, the hand pads 16 preferably include a low-friction material that contacts the sliding area 22. When placed on the sliding area 22 of the slide board 12, the user 44 may rotate or slide the slide pads 14 along the surface thereof. The directional arrows in FIG. 2 illustrate examples of such movements. Rotating the hand pads 16 is an effective exercise for strengthening the muscles of the arms and the shoulders at the same time as doing pushups. The elevated positioning of the handles 46 also enables the user 44 to do deeper pushups. The user 44 may also perform additional sliding motion at the same time as performing the pushups. For example, the hand pads 16 may be moved side-to-side or in a circular motion to work out other muscles of the arms and/or shoulders that could not otherwise be exercised through doing conventional stationary pushups. The user 44 may gauge the level of difficulty when performing any one of a plurality of exercises in association with the multi-exercise slide board kit 10, by sliding the hand pads 16 relative to the bull's eye 30, the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 and the indicia lines 38, 40, 42 (FIG. 1). For example, sliding the hand pads 16 away from the bull's eye 30 effectively increases the difficulty of doing the aforementioned pushups. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that multiple different exercise regimens may be developed in association with the sliding hand pads 16 and the elevated handles 46.
FIG. 3 illustrates another exercise being performed with the multi-exercise slide board kit 10. Here, the slide pads 14 may be used to do deep bends or perform lunges. The slide pads 14 are best illustrated in FIG. 1 and are preferably made from a material that includes a low-friction material located, e.g., on a sliding surface 48. The sliding surface 48 is complementary to the sliding area 22 on the slide board 12 such that the user may facilitate specific movements, such as the forward-to-backward sliding movement shown in FIG. 3. The slide pads 14 may simply be two pads or the slide pads 14 may include a glove or other similar device that straps or attaches to the hands or other body part of the user 44. The slide pads 14 enable the user 44 to perform different exercises with the legs or arms. Furthermore, multiple exercises that involve both the lower body and the upper body will train and tone the middle torso, such as the ab muscles. This particular use of the multi-exercise slide board kit 10 can enhance dexterity and the flexibility of the user 44. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the user 44 may perform many different exercises by sliding one or more of the slide pads 14, alone or in conjunction with one another, along the sliding area 22 to work out certain body muscles. The user 44 may furthermore use portions of the ramp 26 to position one or more appendages thereon such that the high-friction surface of the ramp 26 provides a non-slip/brace point for performing sliding exercises with other portions of the body. This may further enable the user 44 to concentrate on specific muscle groups when toning, stretching or performing other related exercises. Specifically with regard to stretching, the user 44 may use the bull's eye 30, the colored indicia rings 32, 34, 36 and the indicia lines 38, 40, 42 (FIG. 1) as a gauge for flexibility. Over time, the user 44 will experience that deeper stretches may be accomplished thereby allowing the user 44 to stretch to further indicia. Moreover, the indicia may also be used as part of a set of exercise instructions designed to target, strengthen and/or tone certain muscle groups.
The user 44 may also use the joint pads 18, as best shown in FIG. 1, to prevent injury to joints such as the elbows or knees. The joint pads 18 in FIG. 1 have a pair of straps 50 for use in attachment to the user 44. For example, the straps 50 may be manufactured from a stretchable material such that the user 44 simply slides the joint pads 18 over the legs or arms for retention over the knees or elbows. Alternatively, the straps 50 may selectively release from the joint pad 20 such that the user 44 may hook or attach the strap 50 around an arm or a leg to provide protection for the knees or elbows. In this embodiment, the straps 50 are preferably adjustable such that the user 44 may shorten or lengthen the straps 50 to fit comfortably, yet snugly, to the body. The joint pads 18 preferably include a shell 52 made from a rigid plastic or comparable material so the user does not directly contact the hard ground. A pad underneath the shell 52 may provide comfort and protection for joints that may otherwise become sore from ground contact as a result of exercising.
During non-use, each of the components, i.e. the slide board 12, the slide pads 14, the hand pads 16 and the joint pads 18 may be compactly stored in the carrying case 20. As described above, the slide board 12 preferably folds or otherwise rolls into a compact position storable within the interior of the carrying case 20. The carrying case 20 preferably includes a shoulder strap 54 or other means for easily carrying the carrying case 20.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an exercise slider 56 that may be used with any of the aforementioned embodiments, such as the slide board 12. The exercise slider 56 generally includes an interchangeable pad 58, a base 60 and an interchangeable handle 62. The base 60 selectively attaches to one of a plurality of interchangeable pads 58 and to one of a plurality of interchangeable handles 62, as described in more detail below. The base 60 provides support for the interchangeable handle 62 such that the user may slide the exercise slider 56 over a surface similar to the embodiments described above. FIG. 5 illustrates that the interchangeable pad 58 has a relatively flat and smooth surface ideal for sliding movement over a smooth surface to perform exercises. The surface of the interchangeable pad 58 preferably includes a low-friction material conducive to such sliding movement. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the interchangeable pad 58 may be manufactured out of many different types of materials, each material varying in its resistance. For instance, the interchangeable pad 58 may be made from a high-friction material designed to substantially prevent the user from sliding the pad along a surface. Such a high-friction material would require more force to move the pad, thereby increasing the workout on the user operating the exercise slider 56. The amount of friction provided by the interchangeable pad 58 may be equated to increasing or decreasing the weight on a traditional exercise machine. For example, a low-friction pad may be equivalent to a light weight, while a high-friction pad would equate to a relatively heavier weight.
FIG. 6 illustrates the interconnectivity of the base 60 with the interchangeable pad 58 and the interchangeable handle 62. As shown, the interchangeable handle 62 includes a support structure 64 having a generally complementary planar surface that engages the planar surface of the base 60 as shown. The interchangeable handle 62 includes a pair of vertical elements 66 interconnected together by a horizontal element 68 having a grip 70 therearound. The combination of the vertical element 66 and the horizontal element 68 elevate the handle 62 above the surface upon which the user 44 slides the exercise slider 56. Having an elevated handled 62 enables the user 44 to accomplish deeper push-ups. The grip 70 may be made from any material known in the art, such as rubber, a cushion material, a synthetic material, or a combination of any of the above. Preferably, the grip 70 provides some cushion and a non-slip or high-friction surface that enhances the traction between the user's hand and the handles 62.
FIG. 6 also illustrates one embodiment for interconnecting the base 60 with the interchangeable pad 58 and the interchangeable handle 62. In this embodiment, the support 64 of the interchangeable handle 62 includes a plurality of handle magnets 72 disposed sequentially around the circumference of the support 64. Each of the handle magnets 72 align with a set of surface base magnets 74. The polarity of the handle magnets 72 are preferably equal and opposite to the polarity of the surface base magnet 74 such that the interchangeable handle 62 is magnetically attracted to a top surface 76 of the base 60. Furthermore, the base 60 includes a plurality of surface base magnets 78 (best shown in FIG. 7) disposed on a bottom surface 80 for attaching to a plurality of complementary pad magnets 82. Preferably, the surface base magnets 78 on the bottom surface 80 of the base 60 are aligned around the circumference of the base 60 and match with a complementary set of pad magnets 82 disposed around the circumference of the interchangeable pad 58. Again, the pad magnets 82 are preferably of an equal and opposite polarization as the surface base magnets 78. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pad magnets 82 have the same polarization as the handle magnets 72. This ensures that the interchangeable handle 62 does not accidentally become attached to the interchangeable pad 58 without the base 60 therebetween. The base 60 itself is preferably made from a substantially rigid material such as a metal (or comparative alloy) or hard plastic material that supports the interchangeable handle 62 and is substantially resilient to bending or breaking. Furthermore, the material that comprises the base 60 should also be capable of housing the surface base magnets 74, 78.
FIG. 7 further illustrates potential connectivity of a Teflon® pad 84, a felt pad 86 or a plastic pad 88 with the bottom surface 80 of the base 60. As described above with respect to FIG. 6, each of the Teflon® pad 84, the felt pad 86 and the plastic pad 88 includes a plurality of pad magnets 82 (not shown in FIG. 7) therein to facilitate attachment of each respective pad 84, 86, 88 to the surface base magnets 78 in the bottom surface 80 of the base 60.
FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment for connecting the interchangeable handle 62 with the base 60. In this embodiment, a plurality of extensions 90 protrude out from underneath the support 64 and are configured for engagement to the complementary plurality of receptacles 92 formed in the base 60. The circular end portion of the extensions 90 snap into and engage the receptacles 92, as shown in more detail with respect to FIG. 15, to ensure that the support 64 remains mechanically engaged to the base 60. Removal of the interchangeable handle 62 shown in FIG. 8 simply requires unsnapping or otherwise disengaging the extensions 90 from within the receptacles 92. Use of the extensions 90 may be preferred when performing rotational exercises that would otherwise cause the aforementioned magnets to detach. Here, the extensions 90 provide a mechanical attachment to the receptacles 92. That is, the lengths of the extensions 90 prevent any side-to-side disengagement of the support 64 from the base 60.
FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the exercise slider 56. In this view, the interchangeable handle 62 is engaged with the base 60, and the base 60 is shown engaged with the interchangeable pad 58. FIG. 9 also illustrates the horizontal element 68 disposed at an elevated position relative the base 60. The height of the vertical elements 66 determines the vertical position of the horizontal element 68. The horizontal element 68 additionally has an optional grip 70 therearound. In this particular embodiment, the vertical elements 66 are selectively removable from the support 64. As shown in FIG. 9, and more specifically in FIG. 10, a portion of a tension spring 94 extends out from a sleeve 96 to ensure that each respective vertical element 66 remains locked to the support 64. The tension springs 94 reside within a hollow chamber 98 formed within the interior of each vertical element 66. The tension spring 94 biases itself between an inner wall 100 and an outer wall 102 of the vertical elements 66. The vertical elements 66 may be removed from within the interior of the sleeves 96 by pushing an externally exposed button 104 extending out through a portion of the outer wall 102 and a portion of the sleeve 96 (best shown in FIG. 16). In this case, the tension spring 94 bends about an axis 106 to permit the user 44 to push the button 104 out from within the sleeve 96 and toward the interior of the chamber 98. Once the button 104 clears the width of the material comprising the sleeve 96, it is possible to remove the vertical element 66 out from within the interior of the sleeve 96. Removal from the sleeves 96 may occur one vertical element 66 at a time; or the user 44 may choose to remove both vertical elements 66 by simultaneously pushing both buttons 104 toward the interior of the chamber 98. This particular feature effectively enables selective removal of the handle 62 without removal of the support 64.
FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an alternative handle 62 for use with the exercise slider 56. In this embodiment, the vertical elements 66 are not engaged to the sleeve 96, as previously shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Instead, the vertical elements 66 rotate about a pin 108 attached to a vertical support 110 extending from and rigidly connected to the support 64. The purpose of the vertical support 110 is to raise the bottom of the vertical element 66 off the top surface of the support 64 to permit selective pivoting movement of the handle 62 about the pin 108. This particular feature is more specifically shown with respect to FIG. 12 wherein the handle 62 rotates 180° about the pin 108 above the surface of the support 64. The exercise slider 56 illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 may further include a mechanism for selectively locking the angular placement of the handle 62 relative to the surface of the support 64. This may be accomplished by a pin mechanism or other ratcheting-type mechanism that allows the user 44 to selectively position the location of the handle 62 while performing exercises.
FIGS. 13-16 more specifically illustrate interconnection of the interchangeable pad 58 with the base 60 and the interchangeable handle 62 with the base 60. For example, FIG. 13 illustrates the support 64 having the handle magnet 72 attached thereto and aligned with the surface base magnet 74 on the top surface 76 of the base 60. Similarly, the base 60 has the surface base magnet 78 on the bottom surface 80 of the base 60 aligned with the pad magnet 82 on the Teflon® pad 84. Interconnection of the various magnets 74, 78, 82 is shown with respect to FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, the Teflon® pad 84 has been exchanged for use with the plastic pad 88. Deployment of the magnets 72, 74, 78, 82 is substantially similar regardless whether the interchangeable pad 58 is the Teflon® pad 84, the plastic pad 86 or the felt pad 88 (FIG. 15). With respect to the felt pad 88 shown in FIG. 15, the handle magnets 72 and the surface base magnets 74 on the top surface 76 of the base 60 have been replaced with the extension 90, shown engaged to the receptacle 92. In this particular embodiment, the extension 90 is preferably formed from the base 60 or otherwise rigidly attached thereto. Accordingly, the receptacle 92 is formed from the interior of the support 64. The rounded head portion of the extension 90 snaps into the receptacle 92 for retention therein.
FIGS. 17-24 illustrate a plurality of activities and exercises for use with the exercise slider 56. For example, FIG. 17 illustrates the user 44 performing a set of push-ups on a horizontal surface 112, while FIG. 18 illustrates the user 44 doing push-ups against a vertical wall 114. In addition to doing stationary push-ups, FIG. 19 illustrates that the user 44 may slide the exercise slider 56 along the horizontal surface 112. Furthermore, as the user 44 slides the exercise slider 56, the grip 70 may permit the user 44 to rotate the hand and wrist relative to the positioning of the exercise slider 56 from the body of the user 44. In fact, the user 44 may move the exercise slider 56 in just about every direction, for example as shown in FIGS. 20 and 24. The exercise slider 56 permits rotational movement as shown in FIGS. 21-22, which can be accomplished by selective rotational placement as shown with respect to FIG. 23. Lastly, FIG. 24 more specifically illustrates a full range of different exercises that may be performed with the exercise slider 56.
Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.
