Push-up aid apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus is provided for aiding a user in doing push-up exercises on a floor. The apparatus includes a platform, and arch-shaped leaf springs which are connected to the platform and extend downward therefrom. The arch-shaped leaf springs include a top center portion and a pair of bottom arch ends. Axles and rollers assemblies are connected to each of the pair of bottom arch ends, for reducing friction between the bottom arch ends and the floor surface, when the bottom arch ends move horizontally along the floor during the spring energy storing downstrokes and during the spring energy releasing upstrokes of the push-up exercises. Also, linear spring members can be connected to the bottom arch ends for providing additional spring energy storage and release during push-ups, thereby further aiding a user in doing push-ups.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to apparatuses used in aiding push-up exercises, and, more particularly, to push-up aid apparatuses especially adapted for storing energy in the downstroke of a push-up for aiding a user by releasing stored energy during the upstroke of the push-up.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Apparatuses to aid a user in doing push-ups are well known in the art. Many of those apparatuses are gripped by a user's hands in doing push-ups. Such apparatuses do not provide for storing energy in the downstroke of a push-up for aiding a user by releasing stored energy during the upstroke of the push-up.

In addition, throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed relating to apparatuses which do provide for storing energy in the downstroke of a push-up for aiding a user by releasing stored energy during the upstroke of the push-up. In this respect, the following references are noted: U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,800 of Mullen, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040097352 of Bergman et al, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20110009250 of Barringer.

More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,800 of Mullen discloses a portable device that assists exercisers who do push-ups through the upstroke portions of the push-ups so as to allow exercisers to obtain better results more efficiently. Upper and lower surfaces, a force-generating device and a force-transferring device cooperate to transfer a selected amount of upward force to an exerciser's body (in the case of push-ups) through a predetermined portion of the exercise motion. Thus, this device allows an exerciser to combine the benefits of variable-resistance exercise machines with the benefits of push-ups exercise. Also, exercisers not strong enough to do push-ups will be able to do them with this device, other exercisers will be able to obtain better results doing push-ups, and all exercisers will be able to perform back exercises with the same device, and then fold up the device into a compact briefcase size and shape for travel or storage.

Even more specifically, Mullen discloses multiple coil springs that are sandwiched between an upper platform and a lower base which is supported by the floor. Clearly, the coil springs in Mullen do not contact the floor directly. Rather than contacting a base that rests on a floor, to provide simplicity and light weight, it would be desirable if a push-up aid device had a spring which contacts the floor directly.

Also, with Mullen, to adjust spring energy storage or spring energy release, the top platform must be removed, and coil springs must be added to or removed from coil guides that are supported on the base.

Rather than necessitating such a complex procedure in Mullen for varying spring energy storage and spring energy release, it would be desirable if a push-up aid device were provided which does not require adding coil springs to or removing coil springs from coil guides that are supported on a base to vary spring energy storage and spring energy release.

In addition, with Mullen, all coil springs that are retained in the coil guides serve to provide substantial resistance to the weight of a user's torso on the upper platform. There is no feature in Mullen to store a spring on the apparatus, without the spring providing substantial resistance to the weight of the user's torso.

In this respect, it would be desirable if a push-up aid device were provided that permitted spring resistance to be varied without the need to remove springs from an apparatus.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040097352 of Bergman et al disclose an exercise machine for assisting a person in performing a push-up. The exercise machine has a body support platform that extends from a point of rotation at a variable angle of inclination. A user lays prone on the body support platform to perform a push-up. When a person laying on the body support platform performs a push-up, the body support platform rotates around its point of rotation from a first angle of inclination to a second angle of inclination. A bias mechanism is used to bias the body support platform toward one angle of inclination. Depending upon the needs of the user, the bias mechanism can be configured to either apply an upward bias to the body support platform that would assist a person in performing a push-up, or apply a downward bias to the body support platform that would resist a person in performing a push-up.

More specifically, in Bergman et al, a torsion spring 34 provides a spring bias for the whole body of the user, except for the user's arms. More specifically, the feet, legs, and hips of a user are supported by the torsion spring 34 in Bergman et al.

It is recalled that in an unassisted push-up, a user's feet are supported by the floor, and the user's legs are supported by the user's feet. In this respect, it would be desirable if a push-up aid device were provided that more closely approached features of an unassisted push-up. More specifically, it would be desirable if a push-up aid device were provided wherein a user's feet are supported by the floor, and the user's legs are supported by the user's feet.

Also, with Bergman et al, a base is provided that supports the torsion spring 34 and handles 14. To more closely approach features of an unassisted push-up, it would be desirable if a push-up aid device were provided in which an energy storing and releasing spring is supported directly by the floor and with which the user's hands are supported directly by the floor.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20110009250 of Barringer discloses a torso pushup assistance device for assisting a user in performing pushups. The torso pushup assistance device is comprised of a base component, a torso support component rotationally attached to the base component, and an elastic system that connects the base component to the torso support component in one or more optional configurations. In a first embodiment, the elastic system is comprised of a set of one or more pairs of matched elastic bands that removably connect the rear end of the torso support component to the rear end of the base component. The user lies on the torso support component with his or her feet on the floor, and does pushups in the usual way. Depending on the configuration of the matched elastic bands installed on the torso pushup assistance device, the user's effort varies from a small percentage to a large percentage of the force required to do an unassisted pushup.

More specifically, in Barringer, the torso support is attached to a rigid first top frame 124 (see FIG. 3A), which is attached to rigid fulcrum shafts 208R and 210L. Distal to the shafts 208R and 210L, elastic bands are provided near the user's thighs and are supported by two side brackets 306 which are supported by the floor.

Clearly, it would be desirable if to simplify this complex apparatus which includes a rigid first top frame 124, rigid fulcrum shafts 208R and 210L, and two side brackets 306 which are supported by the floor. In this respect, it would be desirable if a push-up aid device were provided which does not include a rigid first top frame, rigid fulcrum shafts, and two side brackets which are supported by the floor.

Having discussed the most relevant prior art, the following U.S. patents and U.S. patent application publications may be of interest: U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,408 of Westmoreland, U.S. Pat. No. 7,326,153 of Bond, and 20050227836 of Wen.

More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,408 of Westmoreland discloses an apparatus for maximizing push-ups which comprises a base from which upwardly extend a foot rest, a torso support platform, and a pair of laterally rotatable hand graspable arms. The foot rest is horizontally adjustable in relative distance to the torso support platform and the torso support platform is adjustable in vertical height. The hand graspable arms include a resistive assembly engaged thereto, with the assembly tending to maintain the arms separated while a user of the apparatus attempts to maintain the arms closely spaced against action of the resistive assembly, increasing the effect of exercise.

At col. 2, lines 62-68, the following is stated:

The torso pad 52 is supported on a telescoping pedestal 54, with the pedestal 54 being lockable in chosen vertical position in any suitable manner, such as by use of a locking mechanism 56. Such telescoping capability allows for alternate use of the apparatus 10 in doing push ups or in doing seated dip exercises. However, it is clear that in Westmoreland, the operation of the telescoping pedestal 54 does not provide energy storage and energy release in carrying out a push-up.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,326,153 of Bond discloses an exercise device to exercise a user. The device includes a support member and a plurality of arms. The support member has a major vertical portion. There is a base on bottom of the support member, a pad on top of the support member, a central attachment portion between the base and the pad including a plurality of circumferential attachment locations. The arms each extend substantially radially from the central attachment portion and engage to one of the plurality of circumferential attachment locations. The arms have a longitudinal track along each arm, coupling to an engaged traveling member configured to engage a user's hand, allowing motion of the engaged traveling member only along a defined length. There is a floor buffer member to protect the floor.

More specifically, in Bond, the support member 15 is supported by an adjustable rod 14. Each adjustment of the adjustable rod 14 is fixed and locked. In this respect, energy storage and release are prevented. Clearly, there are no energy storing and energy releasing functions provided Bond.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20050227836 of Wen discloses a push-up trainer which is comprised of a base having an underprop, a supporter movably mounted to the underprop of the base, two pressing bars each having an end pivotally mounted to the supporter, and two upholding members respectively detachably mounted to the pressing bars and each having a slidable member contacting against the base.

Also, in Wen, in enumerated paragraph [0017], the following is stated:

The supporter 14 includes a sleeve 28, a cushion 30 mounted on a top side of the sleeve 28, and two pivoting portions 32 respectively mounted at two opposite sides of an outer peripheral edge of a bottom side of the sleeve 28. The sleeve 28 is coaxially fitted to the underprop 21 to be slidable along the underprop 21.

Clearly, in Wen, there are no complementary energy storage and energy release functions disclosed with up and down movement of sleeve 28 with respect to the underprop 21.

Still another feature would be desirable in a push-up aid apparatus. Since, as stated above, it would be desirable for a push-up aid device to have a spring which contacts the floor directly, it would also be desirable for such a device to have means for reducing friction between the device and the floor when the device has portions which are moved along the floor.

Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use push-up aid apparatuses, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest a push-up aid apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) has a spring which contacts the floor directly; (2) does not require adding coil springs to or removing coil springs from coil guides that are supported on a base in order to vary spring energy storage and spring energy release; (3) permits spring resistance to be varied without the need to remove springs from the apparatus; (4) permits a user's feet to be supported by the floor and permits the user's legs to be supported by the user's feet; (5) does not include a rigid first top frame, rigid fulcrum shafts, and two side brackets which are supported by the floor; and (6) provides means for reducing friction between the apparatus and the floor when the apparatus has portions which are moved along the floor.

The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique push-up aid apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention, briefly described, provides an exercise apparatus for use on a horizontal surface and includes a platform which has a top platform side and a bottom platform side. Arch-shaped leaf spring means are connected to the platform and extend downward from the platform. The arch-shaped leaf spring means include a top center portion and a pair of bottom arch ends. Platform-to-leaf-spring connection means are provided, located between the platform and the arch-shaped leaf spring means, for connecting the platform to the arch-shaped leaf spring means. Low-friction means are connected to each of the pair of bottom arch ends, for reducing friction between the bottom arch ends and the horizontal surface, when the bottom arch ends move horizontally along the horizontal surface. Most commonly, the horizontal surface is a floor.

The arch-shaped leaf spring means can be in the form of two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs or a single continuous arch-shaped leaf spring.

Preferably, the platform is comprised of a rigid platform base portion and a resilient, cushioned top platform portion supported by the platform base portion. The top platform side is comprised of the top platform portion, and the bottom platform side is comprised of the platform base portion.

The exercise apparatus of the invention is specially designed to aid a user in doing a push-up exercise which involves the user lying horizontally above the floor with one's toes and one's hands supporting one's body on the floor. With a push-up, the user keeps one's lower body portion and one's upper body substantially straight, and, at first, the user lowers one's body with respect to the floor by bending one's arms at one's elbows. Then, secondly, the user raises one's body with respect to the floor by straightening one's arms at one's elbows.

A push-up can be regarded as a two-stroke exercise. When the user lowers one's body, from the elevated position with respect to the floor, to a lowered position, by bending one's arms at one's elbows, this can be regarded as a downstroke. In addition, when the user raises one's body from the lowered position with respect to the floor back to the elevated position by straightening one's arms at one's elbows, this can be regarded as an upstroke.

In the elevated position, one's upper arms and lower arms are oriented substantially along a straight line. In contrast, when the push-up is in the lowered position, one's upper arms and lower arms are at an obtuse to perpendicular orientation around the elbows.

Preferably, the platform is connected to the arch-shaped leaf spring at the top center portion of the arch-shaped leaf spring.

Preferably, the platform-to-leaf-spring connection means comprise connection fasteners which penetrate both the arch-shaped leaf spring means and the platform for connecting the arch-shaped leaf spring means and the platform together.

Even more preferably, the platform-to-leaf-spring connection means further comprise a connection plate located at a bottom side of the arch-shaped leaf spring means, between the connection fasteners and the platform.

Preferably, the connection plate includes fastener-reception channels for receiving the connection fasteners.

The connection fasteners may comprise bolts which penetrate through the arch-shaped leaf spring and into the platform.

With the embodiment of the invention described above, the arch-shaped leaf spring means are comprised of two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members. Each of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members are connected to the platform by means of the platform-to-leaf-spring connection means which is comprised of the combination connection plate/linear spring support member and bolts placed through fastener-reception channels, through leaf spring reception channels in the two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members, and into the platform to securely connect the combination connection plate/linear spring support member and the two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members onto the platform. In this respect, the two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members, the combination connection plate/linear spring support member, the bolts, and the platform are connected together to form a first embodiment of a unified platform/arch-shaped leaf spring assembly.

With yet another embodiment of the invention, the platform-to-leaf-spring connection means include a quantity of adhesive material, wherein the platform and the two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members are bonded together by means of the quantity of adhesive material to form a second embodiment of the unified platform/arch-shaped leaf spring assembly.

With yet another embodiment of the invention, an exercise apparatus is provided which does not include a platform, but does include single continuous arch-shaped leaf spring which includes a top center portion, which is a flattened top center portion, and a pair of bottom arch ends, and which includes low-friction means connected to each of the pair of bottom arch ends, for reducing friction between the bottom arch ends and the horizontal surface, when the bottom arch ends move horizontally along the horizontal surface.

Preferably, the low-friction means comprise roller means connected to each of the pair of bottom arch ends.

Even more preferably, the roller means comprise a single axle or a pair of axles connected to each of the pair of bottom arch ends, wherein each of the axles extends perpendicularly with respect to the bottom arch ends. In addition, a roller assembly is supported on each of the axles.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a first linear spring member and linear-spring connection means are connected to the bottom arch ends for connecting to the first linear spring member. Also, a second linear spring member is connected to the bottom arch ends by the linear-spring connection means.

The first linear spring member can have a first spring resistance level, and the second linear spring member can have a second spring resistance level. Each of the first linear spring member and the second linear spring member includes a connection hook at each respective end, and the linear-spring connection means of the bottom arch ends comprise hook-reception eyelets for receiving the connection hooks.

Elevated linear spring support members, supported by the arch-shaped leaf spring means, are provided for selectively supporting portions of the first linear spring member and the second linear spring member.

Preferably, the elevated linear spring support members are comprised of elevated linear spring support hooks which are connected to the leaf-spring connection plate that is connected to the arch-shaped leaf spring means.

Preferably, the leaf-spring connection plate and the elevated linear spring support hooks are formed as a unitary combination connection plate/linear spring support member.

The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will be for the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining a number of preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a push-up aid apparatus which has a spring which contacts the floor directly.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a push-up aid apparatus that does not require adding coil springs to or removing coil springs from coil guides that are supported on a base in order to vary spring energy storage and spring energy release.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a push-up aid apparatus which permits spring resistance to be varied without the need to remove springs from the apparatus.

Even another object of the present invention is to provide a push-up aid apparatus that permits a user's feet to be supported by the floor and permits the user's legs to be supported by the user's feet.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a push-up aid apparatus which does not include a rigid first top frame, rigid fulcrum shafts, and two side brackets which are supported by the floor.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a push-up aid apparatus that provides means for reducing friction between the apparatus and the floor when the apparatus has portions which are moved along the floor.

These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective front view of one embodiment of the exercise apparatus of the invention, with the linear spring members in place, with the apparatus at the top of a push-up upstroke position.

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective front view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, without the linear spring members present, with the apparatus at the top of the push-up upstroke position.

FIG. 3A shows a side view of embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, with the apparatus at the top of the push-up upstroke position.

FIG. 3B shows a side view of embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3A, with the apparatus at the bottom of a push-up downstroke position.

FIG. 4A shows a side view of embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, with the apparatus at the top of a push-up upstroke position.

FIG. 4B shows a side view of embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4A, with the apparatus at the bottom of a push-up downstroke position.

FIG. 5A shows a top view of a combination connection plate/linear spring support member for protecting the bottom sides of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs, and for supporting the linear spring members in an elevated position, wherein no bolts are present.

FIG. 5B shows a side view of the combination connection plate/linear spring support member in FIG. 5A, taken along line 5B-5B thereof, wherein bolts are present.

FIG. 5C shows a side view of the combination connection plate/linear spring support member in FIG. 5A, taken along line 5C-5C thereof, wherein bolts are present.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a first unified platform/arch-shaped leaf spring assembly shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, wherein the first linear spring member and the second linear spring member are retained in an elevated position by the elevated linear spring support hooks.

FIG. 7 is a bottom, perspective, exploded, view of the first unified platform/arch-shaped leaf spring assembly shown in FIG. 6, without the first linear spring member and the second linear spring member being present.

FIG. 8 is a bottom, perspective view of a second embodiment of a unified platform/arch-shaped leaf spring assembly which employs a quantity of adhesive material to keep the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs unified with the platform.

FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of another embodiment of the exercise apparatus of the invention, which does not include a platform, but which includes a single, arch-shaped leaf spring which has a flattened top center portion and a pair of bottom arch ends, and includes low-friction means connected to each of the pair of bottom arch ends.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, a push-up aid apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.

Turning to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, an exercise apparatus 10 is provided for use on a horizontal surface and includes a platform 12 which has a top platform side and a bottom platform side. Two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 are connected to the platform 12 and extend downward from the platform 12. The two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 are substantially joined together at their top portions to form a substantially complete arch-shaped leaf spring. Each of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 includes a top portion 20 and a bottom arch end 24. Platform-to-leaf-spring connection means are provided, located between the platform 12 and the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54, for connecting the platform 12 to the top portions 20 of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54. Low-friction means are connected to each of the bottom arch ends 24, for reducing friction between the bottom arch ends 24 and the horizontal surface, when the bottom arch ends 24 move horizontally along the horizontal surface. Most commonly, the horizontal surface is a floor 11. The floor 11 can be a bare wood floor or a carpeted floor. The carpet can have short carpet piles or long carpet piles.

Preferably, the platform 12 is comprised of a rigid platform base portion 48 and a resilient, cushioned top platform portion 50 supported by the platform base portion 48. The top platform side is comprised of the top platform portion 50, and the bottom platform side is comprised of the platform base portion 48.

The exercise apparatus 10 of the invention is specially designed to aid a user in doing a push-up exercise which involves the user lying horizontally above the floor 11 with one's toes and one's hands supporting one's body on the floor 11. With a push-up, the user keeps one's lower body portion and one's upper body substantially straight, and, at first, the user lowers one's body with respect to the floor 11 by bending one's arms at one's elbows. Then, secondly, the user raises one's body with respect to the floor 11 by straightening one's arms at one's elbows.

A push-up can be regarded as a two-stroke exercise. When the user lowers one's body, from the elevated position with respect to the floor 11, to a lowered position, by bending one's arms at one's elbows, this can be regarded as a downstroke. In addition, when the user raises one's body from the lowered position with respect to the floor 11 back to the elevated position by straightening one's arms at one's elbows, this can be regarded as an upstroke.

In the elevated position, one's upper arms and lower arms are oriented substantially along a straight line. In contrast, when the push-up is in the lowered position, one's upper arms and lower arms are at an obtuse to perpendicular orientation around the elbows.

Preferably, the platform 12 is connected to the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 at the top portions 20 of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54.

Preferably, the platform-to-leaf-spring connection means comprise connection fasteners which penetrate both the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 and the platform 12 for connecting the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 and the platform 12 together.

Even more preferably, the platform-to-leaf-spring connection means further comprise a connection plate 40 located at a bottom side of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54, between the connection fasteners and the platform 12.

Preferably, the connection plate 40 includes fastener-reception channels 42 for receiving the connection fasteners. In addition, each of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 includes leaf spring reception channels 58 (see FIG. 7) which are placed in registration with the fastener-reception channels 42 and which also receive the connection fasteners. The leaf-spring connection plate 40 protects the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 from potential damage that might otherwise be caused by tightened connection fasteners on bare bottom surfaces of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54. In this respect, the leaf-spring connection plate 40 can be regarded as a leaf-spring protection plate as well.

The connection fasteners may comprise bolts 36 which penetrate through the fastener-reception channels 42 in the leaf-spring connection plate 40 and through the leaf spring reception channels 58 in the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 and into the platform 12. Alternate connection fasteners could comprise screws or rivets, among others.

Preferably, the low-friction means comprise roller means connected to each of the pair of bottom arch ends 24.

Even more preferably, the roller means comprise one long axle or a pair of shorter axles 22 connected to each of the pair of bottom arch ends 24, wherein each of the axles 22 extends perpendicularly with respect to the bottom arch ends 24. In addition, a pair of roller assemblies 26 are supported on each of the axles 22.

Alternatively, the low-friction means could comprise a ball and socket or wheels or sliders or skis that may be connected to the bottom arch ends 24.

To use the embodiment of the invention shown in the FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, the exercise apparatus 10 is placed on a floor 11 or other horizontal surface. Before the user employs the exercise apparatus 10 of the invention, each of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 is in a normal unstressed condition, and the linear distance between the bottom arch ends 24 is at its minimum.

Then, the user assumes the normal push-up position with one exception. That is, the user assumes the push-up position with one's upper body portion over or on the top platform portion 50 of the platform 12 of the invention. In this position, the user's arms are extended in a straight line, and the user's upper body portion is in the elevated position.

Then, when the user begins the downstroke, by lowering one's upper body portion toward the floor 11, the upper body portion presses down on the top platform portion 50, causing the user's weight to be partially supported by the platform base portion 48, causing the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 to be compressed and bend under the user's weight from the user's downstroke, as shown in FIG. 3B.

As the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 are compressed and bend under the user's weight, the bottom arch ends 24 move away from each other, creating a greater linear distance 64 between them, and the roller assemblies 26 roll along the floor 11. As the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 are compressed, they store a portion of the energy of the upper body portion of the user being lowered during the downstroke.

When the user reaches the lowest level of one's push-up position, the lowered position, the upper body portion is closest to the floor 11, the upper arms and lower arms are bent around the elbows, and the bottom arch ends 24 are away from each other by their greatest linear distance 64, shown in FIG. 3B.

Then, the user begins to do the upstroke by pushing up on one's hands to lift one's upper body portion away from the floor 11. As the upstroke is carried out, the compressed the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 exert a lifting force on the upper body portion of the user. This lifting force aids in raising the user up from the floor 11 back to the elevated position, thereby taking stress off of the user's arms and shoulders when conducting the upstroke. More specifically, as compression on the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 is released, the energy stored during compression during the downstroke is released, causing an upward pressure on the upper body portion during the upstroke. This upward pressure on the user's upper body portion aids the user in performing the upstroke.

As the upper body portion of the user moves away from the floor 11 during the push-up, the compression of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 is reduced, and the bottom arch ends 24 move toward each other so that the linear distance 64 between them decreases, as shown in FIG. 3A, with the roller assemblies 26 rolling on the floor 11.

In summary, with the invention, the compression of the arch-shaped leaf spring 18 provides stored energy during the push-up downstroke, and the release of the stored energy during the upstroke provides an upward pressure on the upper body portion of the user, thereby aiding the user in doing push-up exercises.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4A and 4B, first linear spring member 28, and linear-spring connection means are connected to the bottom arch ends 24 for connecting to the first linear spring member 28. Also, a second linear spring member 30 is connected to the bottom arch ends 24 by the linear-spring connection means. The first linear spring member 28 can have a first spring resistance level, and the second linear spring member 30 can have a second spring resistance level. Each of the first linear spring member 28 and the second linear spring member 30 includes a connection hook 34 at each respective end, and the linear-spring connection means of the bottom arch ends 24 comprise hook-reception eyelets 38 for receiving the connection hooks 34.

As shown in FIG. 6, elevated linear spring support members, supported by the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 are provided for selectively supporting portions of the first linear spring member 28 and the second linear spring member 30.

Preferably, the elevated linear spring support members are comprised of elevated linear spring support hooks 32 which are connected to the leaf-spring connection plate 40 that is connected to the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54. Alternatively, the elevated linear spring support members can be in the form of C-shaped channels that are connected to the leaf-spring connection plate 40.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 6, the leaf-spring connection plate 40 and the elevated linear spring support hooks 32 are formed as a unitary combination connection plate/linear spring support hooks 44.

With the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1, 4A, and 4B, the positioning and actions of the user and the operation of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 by the user occur in substantially the same way as described above for the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B.

However, the presence of the first linear spring member 28 and/or the second linear spring member 30 provide additional operational features. More specifically, during the downstroke, when the user lowers one's upper body portion on the top platform portion 50, the first linear spring member 28 and/or the second linear spring member 30 are stretched out linearly as the bottom arch ends 24 move away from each other. When this occurs, additional energy from the lowering of the upper body portion of the user is stored in the first linear spring member 28 and/or the second linear spring member 30.

Then, during the upstroke, when the user raises one's self in the push-up portion of the exercise, that additional energy stored in the stretched first linear spring member 28 and/or the second linear spring member 30 is released to add to the energy released from the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 to provide greater lifting power on the upper body portion of the user. In this respect, presence of the first linear spring member 28 and/or the second linear spring member 30 on the apparatus make it still easier for a user to rise during an upstroke push-up portion of exercise than without their being present, thereby reducing stress on the arms and shoulders of the user.

At times, such as when the arms and shoulders of the user have been strengthened, or when the user wants to put more work on one's arms and shoulders, it may be desired by a user to have a reduction in lifting effects from the first linear spring member 28 and/or the second linear spring member 30 than when they are oriented in a horizontal orientation, as described above.

In addition, it may be desired to achieve these reduced lifting effects of the linear spring members without removing the first linear spring member 28 and/or the second linear spring member 30 from the apparatus.

In this respect, with reference to FIG. 6, to reduce the lifting effects of the linear spring members, the respective middle portions of the respective linear spring members can be lifted up and supported by respective elevated linear spring support hooks 32 of the unitary combination connection plate/linear spring support hooks 44. In that elevated condition, the linear spring members are stretched less when the user lowers one's upper body portion during the downstroke, and consequently, have less lifting effects on the user when the user is rising during the upstroke of the push-up.

Also, with portions of the linear spring members being supported by the elevated linear spring support hooks 32, the linear spring members can be stored on the apparatus.

In review, there are four primary levels of push-up assistance with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The first primary level of push-up assistance is provided when both the first linear spring member 28 and the second linear spring member 30 are attached to the bottom arch ends 24 of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54, and wherein both the linear spring members are in a horizontal orientation with respect to the floor 11.

The second primary level of push-up assistance is provided when both the first linear spring member 28 and the second linear spring member 30 are attached to the bottom arch ends 24 of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54, and wherein the first linear spring member 28 is in a horizontal orientation with respect to the floor 11, and wherein the second linear spring member 30 is in an elevated orientation by being supported by one of the elevated linear spring support hooks 32.

The third primary level of push-up assistance is provided when both the first linear spring member 28 and the second linear spring member 30 are attached to the bottom arch ends 24 of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54, and wherein the second linear spring member 30 is in a horizontal orientation with respect to the floor 11, and wherein the first linear spring member 28 is in an elevated orientation by being supported by one of the elevated linear spring support hooks 32.

The fourth primary level of push-up assistance is provided when both the first linear spring member 28 and the second linear spring member 30 are attached to the bottom arch ends 24 of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54, and wherein both the linear spring members are in an elevated orientation by being supported by the elevated linear spring support hooks 32.

If desired, the exercise apparatus 10 of the invention can be called “Smart Push-Up” or “Ultra Pushup”.

Generally, the components of the push-up aid apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable metal and plastic materials.

Turning to the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54, more details are disclosed hereinbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members 54 are connected to the platform 12 by means of the platform-to-leaf-spring connection means which are comprised of the unitary combination connection plate/linear spring support hooks 44 and bolts 36 placed through fastener-reception channels 42, through the leaf spring reception channels 58 in the two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members 54, and into the platform 12 to securely connect the combination connection plate/linear spring support hooks 44 and the two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members 54 onto the platform 12. In this respect, the two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members 54, the combination connection plate/linear spring support hooks 44, the bolts 36, and the platform 12 are connected together to form a first embodiment of a unified platform/arch-shaped leaf spring assembly 52.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the platform-to-leaf-spring connection means include a quantity of adhesive material 56, wherein the platform 12 and the two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members 54 are bonded together by means of the quantity of adhesive material 56 to form a second embodiment of the unified platform/arch-shaped leaf spring assembly 60.

As shown in FIG. 9, another embodiment 70 of an exercise apparatus of the invention is provided for use on a horizontal surface, such as a floor 11. That is, in this embodiment of the exercise apparatus, the arch-shaped leaf spring means include a single continuous arch-shaped leaf spring 18 which includes a flattened top center portion 62 and a pair of bottom arch ends 24, and which also includes low-friction means connected to each of the pair of bottom arch ends 24, for reducing friction between the bottom arch ends 24 and the floor 11 when the bottom arch ends 24 move horizontally along the floor 11.

More specifically, the low-friction means include roller assemblies 26 which are attached to axles 22 which are connected to the bottom arch ends 24.

Generally, the two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs 54 and the single continuous arch-shaped leaf spring 18 are comprised of Nylon material. Nylon material is very strong and is reasonably priced. Moreover, when the arch-shaped leaf spring is in the form of two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members 54, two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members 54 can be shipped in a smaller box than a single continuous arch-shaped leaf spring 18.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same is apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need be provided.

It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all of the objects set forth by providing a push-up aid apparatus which has a spring which contacts the floor directly. With the invention, a pushup aid apparatus is provided which does not require adding coil springs to or removing coil springs from coil guides that are supported on a base in order to vary spring energy storage and spring energy release. With the invention, a pushup aid apparatus is provided which permits spring resistance to be varied without the need to remove springs from the apparatus. With the invention, a pushup aid apparatus is provided which permits a user's feet to be supported by the floor and permits the user's legs to be supported by the user's feet. With the invention, a pushup aid apparatus is provided which does not include a rigid first top frame, rigid fulcrum shafts, and two side brackets which are supported by the floor. With the invention, a pushup aid apparatus provides means for reducing friction between the apparatus and the floor when the apparatus has portions which are moved along the floor.

With respect to the above description, it should be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, form function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and therefore, all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed only by the scope of appended claims.

While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus for use on a horizontal surface, comprising:

a platform having a top platform side and a bottom platform side,

arch-shaped leaf spring means connected to said platform and extending downward from said platform, wherein said arch-shaped leaf spring means include a top center portion and a pair of bottom arch ends,

platform-to-leaf-spring connection means, located between said platform and said arch-shaped leaf spring means, for connecting said platform to said arch-shaped leaf spring means,

low-friction means, connected to each of said pair of bottom arch ends, for reducing friction between said bottom arch ends and the horizontal surface, when said bottom arch ends move horizontally along the horizontal surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arch-shaped leaf spring means are comprised of two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members, wherein each of said two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members is connected to said platform by said platform-to-leaf-spring connection means which are comprised of a combination connection plate/linear spring support hooks and connection fasteners placed through said fastener-reception channels and leaf spring reception channels in said two one-half arch-shaped leaf springs and into said platform to securely connect said combination connection plate/linear spring support hooks and said two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members onto said platform, wherein said platform, said combination connection plate/linear spring support hooks, and said connection fasteners are connected together and comprise a first unified platform/arch-shaped leaf spring assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said connection fasteners comprise bolts which penetrate through said fastener-reception channels and leaf spring reception channels in said arch-shaped leaf spring means and into said platform.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arch-shaped leaf spring means are comprised of two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members, wherein each of said two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members is connected to said platform by said platform-to-leaf-spring connection means which include a quantity of adhesive material, wherein said platform, said quantity of adhesive material, and said two one-half arch-shaped leaf spring members are connected together and comprise a second unified platform/arch-shaped leaf spring assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said low-friction means comprise roller means, connected to each of said pair of bottom arch ends.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said roller means comprise:

axle means connected to each of said bottom arch ends, wherein said axle means extend perpendicularly with respect to said bottom arch ends, and

a pair of roller assemblies supported on each of said axle means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein axle means comprise a pair of axles connected to each of said bottom arch ends.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said roller means comprise:

a pair of axles connected to each of said pair of bottom arch ends, wherein each of said axles extends perpendicularly with respect to said bottom arch ends, and

a roller assembly supported on each of said pair of axles.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further including:

a first linear spring member, and

linear-spring connection means connected to said bottom arch ends for connecting to said first linear spring member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further including:

a second linear spring member connected to said bottom arch ends by said linear-spring connection means,

wherein said first linear spring member has a first spring resistance level, and said second linear spring member has a second spring resistance level.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:

each of said first linear spring member and said second linear spring member includes a connection hook at each respective end, and

said linear-spring connection means of said bottom arch ends comprise hook-reception eyelets for receiving said connection hooks.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further including:

elevated linear spring support members, supported by said platform-to-leaf-spring connection means, for selectively supporting portions of said first linear spring member and said the second linear spring member.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said elevated linear spring support members are comprised of elevated linear spring support hooks which are connected to said platform-to-leaf-spring connection means that are connected to said arch-shaped leaf spring means.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said platform-to-leaf-spring connection means and said elevated linear spring support hooks are formed as a unitary combination connection plate/linear spring support hooks.

15. An exercise apparatus for use on a horizontal surface, comprising:

arch-shaped leaf spring means which include a single continuous arch-shaped leaf spring which includes a top center portion and a pair of bottom arch ends, and

low-friction means, connected to each of said pair of bottom arch ends, for reducing friction between said bottom arch ends and the horizontal surface, when said bottom arch ends move horizontally along the horizontal surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said top center portion includes a flattened top center portion.