Integrated Convertible Exercise Device
A convertible exercise device configured to provide a full body workout, the exercise device comprising: a base, wherein the base is further comprised of an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit, and a first accessory plate releasably secured to the base at the upper unit, the first accessory plate having a first side adjacent to the base when releasably secured to the base and a second side for engaging a surface thereby enabling a user to perform balance and/or core exercises, the base further configured to engage a second accessory plate at the lower unit, the accessory plate capable of being configured in various combinations for allowing the user to perform different exercises targeting different muscle groups of the body.
This application is a Continuation-in-part claiming the benefit of priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/471,332 filed May 14, 2012, which is a non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/486,013, filed on May 13, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention pertains generally to a device for physical exercise, athletic training and conditioning, and rehabilitation therapy. More specifically, the present invention relates to a convertible exercise device having a base comprising an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit, and a first accessory plate releasably secured to the base, the first accessory plate having a first side adjacent to the base when releasably secured to the base and a second side for engaging a surface thereby enabling a user to perform balance and/or core exercises, the base further configured to engage multiple accessory plates.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to convertible exercise devices, and more particularly to an exercise device comprising accessory plates for allowing the user to perform different exercises targeting different muscle groups of the body, thereby achieving a full body exercise. A somewhat related example was proposed by Aquino, entitled “Portable Multiple Exercise Apparatus Sets,” U.S. Pub. Pat. App. No. 2012/0083396. This patent application basically discloses incorporating disk-type devices having push-up bars or roller wheels for placement of hands, feet or knees in performing various exercises.
Further as told by Aquino, current exercise apparatus that permits a user to exercise a wide variety of muscle groups is generally massive, heavy and is intended for use in a fixed location. Various types of portable exercise apparatus are known that permit a user to perform a limited range of exercises, such as push-ups or abdominal muscle crunches, which exercise only one or a few portions of body. In order for a user to achieve a full body workout using available portable exercise apparatus, a variety of different independent types of apparatus would be required that, in total, would be bulky, heavy and not practical as being portable.
The Aquino disclosure specifically describes a portable set of exercise equipment that includes a pair of push-up units each having a base and rotatable handle mounted to the base, a pair of kneepad units, and a pair of roller wheel units having a set of ball bearings around the periphery of the bottom surface thereof for allowing said roller wheel units to move in any direction on a floor, and on upwardly extending shaft for meeting with corresponding apertures in the face of said push-up units and said kneepad units for mounting either of such units on the roller wheel units for movement in any direction on the floor.
In another example, U.S. Pub. Pat. App. No. 2011/0166006, entitled “Core Strengthening Device and Method for Strengthening Using Same,” by Howard describes a core strengthening device that generally describes a device that can move around on the floor for various types of exercises targeting a user's core muscle groups. An exemplary device more specifically includes a base having a first section and a second section, each section having a connection mechanism with which to connect together to form a unitary device. The device further includes a handle connected to the top surface of each of the first and second base sections, and further includes two or more load-bearing rolling devices such as ball transfers or casters connected to a bottom surface of each of the first and second base sections to enable smooth movement over a surface by a user.
Also known in the realm of core strengthening exercise is the use of an inflatable hemispherical ball; and either pushing, standing, sitting, or kneeling on same as desired by a user. U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,983, entitled “Inflatable Device and Method for Using the Device,” to Week is one such example. Therein, Weck describes a device comprising a support platform having a first side and a second side, the second side structured for stable resting on the ground, and inflatable member affixed to and extending upwards over the first side of the platform being substantially hemispherical when inflated, and a clamp clamping the flexible member in between the clamp and support platform to affix the flexible member to the platform such that the flexible member extends upwards over the first side.
In particular, the exercise industry has seen a dramatic increase in the number of devices specifically designed to address core exercise training through stability and balance exercises. However, the majority of devices, while being portable, are only capable of providing a user with the means to perform a handful of exercises with each particular device. Therefore, there remains a need for a convertible exercise device capable of providing a user with a full body workout using a single exercise device. It is with these prior innovations in mind that the present invention was conceived. Generally, the present invention seeks to improve upon prior designs while additionally including a unique device providing interchangeability and modularity of multiple exercise types.
In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide the desired features described herein as well as additional advantages such as providing a user with a convertible exercise device configured to engage multiple accessory plates for allowing the user to perform different exercises targeting different muscle groups of the body, all compiled in a single, versatile and easy to use exercise device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides an exercise device configured to provide a full body workout, the exercise device comprising: a base, wherein the base is further comprised of an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit, and a first accessory plate releasably secured to the base at the upper unit, the first accessory plate having a first side adjacent to the base when releasably secured to the base and a second side for engaging a surface thereby enabling a user to perform balance and/or core exercises, the base further configured to engage a second accessory plate at the lower unit.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a convertible exercise device configured to provide a full body workout, the exercise device comprising: a base, wherein the base is further comprised of an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit, and a first accessory plate releasably secured to the base, the first accessory plate having a first side configured for being releasably secured to the base and a second side for engaging a surface thereby enabling a user to perform balance and/or core exercises.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for achieving a full body workout using a convertible exercise device, the exercise device comprising: a base, wherein the base is further comprised of an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit, and a first accessory plate releasably secured to the base, the first accessory plate having a first side configured for being releasably secured to the base and a second side for engaging a surface thereby enabling a user to perform balance and/or core exercises.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a convertible exercise device configured to provide a full body workout, the exercise device comprising: a base further configured to engage multiple accessory plates thereby enabling a user to perform a plurality of exercises.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a convertible exercise device for achieving a full body working, the exercise device comprising: a base, wherein the base is further comprised of an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit, and further wherein the upper unit is configured to rotate with respect to the lower unit thereby allowing the user to rotate the upper unit of the base during an exercise.
The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.
The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
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As stated, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a convertible exercise device comprising a round base and at least a first optional accessory plate that can be releasably secured to the base. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the round base may be further comprised of an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit. In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper unit of the base may rotate with respect to the lower unit of the base via a bearing located between the upper unit and the lower unit, thereby allowing the user to rotate the upper unit during exercise.
In still another embodiment, a first accessory plate is further comprised of a first side configured for being releasably secured to the base and a second side for engaging a surface thereby enabling a user to perform balance and/or core exercises. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first accessory plate may be releasably secured to the upper unit of the base. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first accessory plate may be releasably secured to the lower unit of the base. In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first accessory plate may be releasably secured to the upper unit of the base and a second accessory plate may be releasably secured to the lower unit of the base.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the multiple accessory plates may be releasably secured to the upper unit of the base or the lower unit of the base by engaging the custom locks located opposite one another on the accessory plate with the straight kick plate incorporated into the upper unit of the base and the lower unit of the base. In a preferred embodiment, the custom lock is comprised of a lock enclosure and a lock grip, the lock grip attached to the lock enclosure using a guide pin, and a custom latch secured to the lock enclosure by a guide plate and two screws. The lock enclosure further includes two tension springs positioned parallel to the guide plate. In order to secure an accessory plate to the base, a user aligns the custom locks with the straight kick plates on the base and applies downward pressure until the latch engages the kick plate and the user hears an audible click sound. In order to release the custom lock, a user lifts up on the latch grip thereby forcing the tension springs to compress and the latch to be withdrawn from the kick plate, at which time the user may remove the accessory plate by lifting it up and off the base.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the accessory plate may be comprised of a first side including a base complementary to the exercise devise base and two custom locks for releasably securing the accessory plate to the base of the exercise device and a second side for engaging a surface, wherein the second side is comprised of an inflatable hemispherical balance ball for providing stability type core training. In an alternative embodiment, the second side of the accessory plate is comprised of a plurality of casters. In still another alternative embodiment, the second side of the accessory plate is comprised of a flat slider top for engaging a hand, foot or knee of a user. In a further still alternative embodiment, the second side of the accessory plate is comprised of a plurality of handles that may be gripped by a user for performing push-up type exercises or stability-type core exercises.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a convertible exercise device is configured to provide a full body workout, the exercise device comprising: a base, wherein the base is further comprised of an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit, and a first accessory plate releasably secured to the base at the upper unit, the first accessory plate having a first side adjacent to the base when releasably secured to the base and a second side for engaging a surface thereby enabling a user to perform balance and/or core exercises, the base further configured to engage a second accessory plate at the lower unit, the accessory plate capable of being configured in various combinations for allowing the user to perform different exercises targeting different muscle groups of the body.
It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing embodiments, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Although several embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention, which is defined in the following claims and all equivalents thereto. Further, it is recognized that many embodiments may be conceived that do not achieve all of the advantages of some embodiments, particularly of the preferred embodiments, yet the absence of a particular advantage shall not be construed to necessarily mean that such an embodiment is outside the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A convertible exercise device configured to provide a full body workout, the exercise device comprising:
- a base, wherein the base is further comprised of an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit;
- and a first accessory plate releasably secured to the base, the accessory plate having a first side configured for being releasably secured to the base and a second side for engaging a surface thereby enabling a user to perform balance and/or core exercises.
2. The convertible exercise device of claim 1, wherein the base further includes a dial lock positioned in the upper unit and a bearing positioned between the upper unit and the lower unit.
3. The convertible exercise device of claim 2, wherein the dial lock when in the locked position prevents the upper unit from rotating about the bearing in relation to the lower unit.
4. The convertible exercise device of claim 2, wherein the dial lock when in the unlocked position allows for the rotation of the upper unit about the bearing in relation to the lower unit.
5. The convertible exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first accessory plate further includes two custom latches for releasably securing the first accessory plate to corresponding openings on the upper unit and the lower unit of the base.
6. The convertible exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first accessory plate is interchangeable with a second accessory plate.
7. The convertible exercise device of claim 6, wherein the first accessory plate is releasably secured to the upper unit of the base and the second accessory plate is releasably secured to the lower unit of the base.
8. The convertible exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first accessory plate is selected from the group comprising of a balance ball plate, a caster plate, a slider plate, a handle bar plate and an extended base plate, and wherein the second accessory plate is selected from the group comprising of a balance ball plate, a caster plate, a slider plate, a handle bar plate and an extended base plate.
9. The convertible exercise device of claim 1, wherein the circumference of the upper unit and the lower unit of the base includes a bumper segment fitted with carabineer inserts defining a plurality of accessory cut-outs for the attachment of additional exercise accessories.
10. A method of achieving a full body workout using a convertible exercise device, the exercise device comprising:
- a base, wherein the base is further comprised of an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit;
- and a first accessory plate releasably secured to the base, the accessory plate having a first side configured for being releasably secured to the base and a second side for engaging a surface thereby enabling a user to perform balance and/or core exercises.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the base further includes a dial lock positioned in the upper unit and a bearing positioned between the upper unit and the lower unit.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the dial lock when in the locked position prevents the upper unit from rotating about the bearing in relation to the lower unit.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the dial lock when in the unlocked position allows for the rotation of the upper unit about the bearing in relation to the lower unit.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the dial lock may be unlocked by lifting the dial lock vertically from the upper unit and turning the dial clockwise to release the lock.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the first accessory plate further includes two custom latches for releasably securing the first accessory plate to corresponding openings on the upper unit and the lower unit of the base.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first accessory plate is interchangeable with a second accessory plate.
17. The method claim of 16, wherein the first accessory plate is releasably secured to the upper unit of the base and the second accessory plate is releasably secured to the lower unit of the base.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein the first accessory plate is selected from the group comprising of a balance ball plate, a caster plate, a slider plate, a handle bar plate and an extended base plate, and wherein the second accessory plate is selected from the group comprising of a balance ball plate, a caster plate, a slider plate, a handle bar plate and an extended base plate.
19. A convertible exercise system configured to provide a full body workout, the exercise system comprising:
- a base, wherein the base is further comprised of an upper unit and a lower unit underneath and complementary to the upper unit;
- a dial lock positioned in the upper unit for enabling the upper unit of the base to rotate independently in relation to the lower unit of the base; and
- a plurality of accessory plates capable of being releasably secured to the base, the plurality of accessory plates having a first side configured for being releasably secured to the base and a second side for engaging a surface thereby enabling a user to perform balance and/or core exercises.
20. The convertible exercise system of claim 19, wherein the circumference of the upper unit and the lower unit of the base further includes a bumper segment fitted with carabineer inserts defining a plurality of accessory cut-outs for the attachment of additional exercise accessories.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 2, 2014
Publication Date: Jan 8, 2015
Inventor: Robert Peritz (San Diego, CA)
Application Number: 14/322,812
International Classification: A63B 26/00 (20060101);