Abdominal Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment relates to an exercise machine, comprising a generally horizontal platform having an upper surface adapted for a user to recline thereon, a foot support pivotably attached to the platform with a mechanism for securing the user's feet to the platform, at least one pair of resistance straps attachable to the exercise machine at one or more locations on the platform, and at least one pair of routers adapted to interact with resistance straps.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/495,143 filed on Jun. 6, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an exercise machine or device. More particularly, it relates to an exercise apparatus for performing sit-ups or crunches and other upper body exercises.

2. Related Art

The sit-up is the traditional exercise for improving the strength, tone, and appearance of abdominal muscles. However, traditional sit-ups were found to cause lower back discomfort and even, in some cases, injuries. As a consequence, an abbreviated form of sit-ups known as crunches replaced traditional sit-ups. Replacing sit-ups with crunches helped relieve back problems caused by traditional sit-ups, but at the cost of reduced effectiveness.

Various devices have been introduced to both reduce the negative side-effects of crunches and make them more effective. However, the usefulness of such devices typically are limited to conventional crunches or very similar exercises and additional devices are needed to exercise any other muscle groups.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment relates to an exercise machine, comprising a generally horizontal platform having an upper surface adapted for a user to recline thereon, a foot support pivotably attached to the platform with a mechanism for securing the user's feet to the platform, at least one pair of resistance straps attachable to the exercise machine at one or more locations on the platform, and at least one pair of routers adapted to interact with resistance straps.

These and other features and advantages of various embodiments of systems and methods according to this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of various devices, structures, and/or methods according to the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to the present disclosure will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise machine according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an top plan view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a resistance strap adapter according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a foot platform according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a side plan view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with the foot platform of FIG. 4 in a first position;

FIG. 5B is a side plan view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 with the foot platform of FIG. 4 in a second position;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 in use for a first exemplary exercise;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 in use for a second exemplary exercise;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 in use for a third exemplary exercise; and

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the exercise machine of FIG. 1 in use for a first exemplary exercise.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary to the understanding of the invention or render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In various exemplary embodiments, an exercise apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises a base adapted to accommodate a user lying back or sitting thereon, a rotating foot support with straps or other mechanisms for securely attaching the user's feet, resistance tubes detachably connectable to the apparatus at a plurality of locations, and appendages that interact with the resistance tubing to adjust its orientation. In various exemplary embodiments, the foot support is adjustable between an inclined position during use and a lowered position for storage.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “head-end” refers to the end of the device proximate to the user's head when reclined. The term “foot-end” refers to the end of the device proximate to the user's feet where the foot support is located. The terms “right” and “left” are used in the context of viewing the device from above with the head-end uppermost.

In various exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, an exercise machine 100 according to the present disclosure has an elongated base 101 with a low vertical profile. The bottom surface is adapted to rest on a generally flat surface, such as a floor. The top surface 102 includes an area adapted to comfortably and ergonomically support a user who is lying on his back or sitting on the device 100. As shown in FIGS. 6-9, the exercise machine 100 also includes a pair of resistance straps 103 with a first end 104 (e.g., hooks or loops) adapted for detachable coupling to the apparatus 100 at an anchor point 106 and a second end 105 adapted to be grasped by the user (e.g., using handles). In various exemplary embodiments, the resistance straps 103 comprise an elastic material (e.g., rubber or other polymeric material).

In various exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4-5B, the exercise machine includes foot support 110 with straps 111 or other means for securing the user's feet in place. This facilitates the performance of exercises such as crunches. In various exemplary embodiments, as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the foot support 110 is adjustable between at least one inclined position and a reclined position. The reclined position is intended primarily to lower the vertical profile of the foot support 110 for more convenient storage. The foot support 110 is raised to the inclined position during use to provide a more comfortable and effective angle for the user's feet and ankles.

In various exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-B, the foot support 110 pivots without substantially altering the incline of the foot support 110. This facilitates adjusting the position of the legs relative to the torso to more effectively work different abdominal muscles or other areas.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate some of the different types of exercises that may be performed with the disclosed exercise machine. In various exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, the resistance tubes 103 are detachably coupled to the exercise machine 110 (e.g., at various locations 106 along its sides). By changing the attachment point 106, the user may alter the effective resistance from the resistance tubing.

In various exemplary embodiments, the exercise machine also includes a pair of strap adapters 120 at each end. The tube adapters 120 are shaped with various channels 121 to interact with the resistance tubes by passing the tubes 103 around and/or through the adapters 120 to determine the direction of resistance from the resistance tubes 103. In this manner, the resistance tubing 103 can be coupled to the exercise device to be used in a variety of ways to exercise various muscle groups throughout the body.

In various exemplary embodiments, the disclosed device has a low profile to facilitate storage (e.g., under a couch or bed). In various exemplary embodiments, the device is also adapted to be hung on a wall hook or other protrusion (e.g., in a closet). In some exemplary embodiments, the device may be designed to fold across its length for storage or transportation.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., “top” and “bottom”) in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used.

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.

It should be appreciated that the construction and arrangement of the exercise machine, as shown in the various exemplary embodiments, is illustrative only. While the exercise device, according to this invention, has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently unforeseen, may become apparent. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the exercise machine, according to this invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the description provided above is intended to embrace all known or later-developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a generally horizontal platform having an upper surface adapted for a user to recline thereon;

a foot support pivotably attached to the platform with a mechanism for securing the user's feet to the platform;

at least one pair of elastic resistance straps attachable to the exercise machine at one or more locations on the platform; and

at least one pair of routers adapted to interact with resistance straps.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the foot support is adjustably positionable to at least one inclined position and a flat position.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the resistance tubes further comprise a connecting loop at a first end and a handle at a second end.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1 comprising a first pair of routers at about the corners of a first end of the platform and a second pair of routers at about the corners of a second end of the platform.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the routers comprise one or more curved channels adapted to interact with and direct the resistance straps.

6. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the exercise machine further comprise a plurality of connection points for each resistance strap.