Multipurpose Abdominal Exercise Station

Abstract

A multipurpose abdominal exercise station is provided. The device includes a planar base having a padded material on an upper side thereof and a high-friction material disposed on a lower side thereof. A lower-back support pillow is disposed on the upper side of the base and can be adjustably positioned thereon. A horizontal foot bar is disposed on a lower end of the base for securing the feet during sit-ups. A plurality of flexible bands is removably securable to the foot bar or the side handles for performing any suitable resistance exercise. In some embodiments, the base can include additional straps for additional securement. The multipurpose exercise platform is adapted to enable multiple resistance exercises, such that a user may selectively strengthen various body parts.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/689,374 filed on Jun. 25, 2018. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise and workout platforms. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multipurpose abdominal exercise station having an adjustable lower back pillow and foot bar disposed on an end opposite a pair of vertical handles.

Many individuals frequently perform such exercises as leg raises and sit-ups, to develop and/or strengthen the abdominal muscles. Most gyms have equipment to facilitate strengthening abdominal muscles by way of various types of “crunch” exercises. Unfortunately, there are some challenges with these types of gym equipment: such equipment can be very expensive and bulky, such that having such equipment in a home is often unfeasible; such equipment usually allows for only one type of exercise per equipment; such equipment does not facilitate the ability to perform full sit-ups (touch elbows to knees) or leg raises; and some individuals may choose to enlist the help of friends in performing proper sit-ups, whereby the feet of the individual performing the sit-ups are secured. For leg raises, the individual performing the leg raises would hold on to the ankles of a friend. For added resistance in leg raises the friend would grab the individual's legs as they come up and “throw” them towards the floor. The individual performing the leg raises then has to engage the abdominal muscles further to keep their feet from touching the ground when they are thrown/forced towards the ground. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to find a partner to assist the individual in performing a desired exercise. Accordingly, a device that is configured to enable a desired exercise, including a form of sit-ups, leg raises, planks and resistance training for the convenience of a user is desired.

Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to stationary exercise and workout platforms. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to portable resistance boards and abdominal exercise machines. These devices, however, fail to disclose all the elements of the present invention.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing portable changing devices. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of stationary exercise and workout platforms now present in the known art, the present invention provides a multipurpose abdominal exercise station wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when exercising and seeking a device that allows a wide variety of body weight and resistance routines.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved multipurpose abdominal exercise station that has all of the advantages of the known art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose abdominal exercise station comprising a planar base having a first end, second end, top surface, and bottom surface wherein a pair of handles are disposed on the first end of the base while a foot bar is disposed on the second end opposite the handles, a removably securable back support pillow, and a plurality of fasteners for attaching elastic resistance bands.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose abdominal exercise station wherein a bottom surface of the planar base comprises a high friction material, such as rubber, configured to frictionally engage the planar base with a flat surface while the top surface of the planar base includes a padded material adapted to cushion the body of a user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose abdominal exercise station wherein the handles extend orthogonally outward from the top surface of the planar base and are cylindrical in shape, having ergonomic grips adapted to receive and frictionally engage the hands of a user.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose abdominal exercise station wherein the removably securable back support pillow is comprised of a synthetic foam material having an arcuate shape to better conform to and support the contours of the lower back and spine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose abdominal exercise station wherein the plurality of fasteners disposed on the top surface of the planar base are comprised of carabiners and a pair of carabiners are disposed at both the top end and bottom end of the planar base.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station.

FIG. 2 shows a top-down perspective view of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station showing the first end of the planar base.

FIG. 3 shows a top-down perspective view of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station showing the second end of the planar base.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station with foot bar in use.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station with handles in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a versatile exercise platform for a wide range of body weight and resistance training. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station. The multipurpose abdominal exercise station 11 comprises a planar base 12 having a first and second end 13 and 14 as well as a top surface 15 and bottom surface 16. The planar base 12 is comprised of a substantially rectangular shape in the illustrated embodiment but may be of any suitable shape for the exercise purposes sought. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 16 of the planar base 12 is comprised of a high-friction material, such as rubber, to frictionally engage a flat surface such that the base 12 stays in place during use. The top surface 15 of the planar base 12 includes a padded material 17 to cushion the body of a user laying on the top surface 15 of the base 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the padded material disposed on the top surface 15 padded material 17 is comprised of a synthetic foam cushion to soften the area of contact with a user and comprises a surface area less than that of the planar base 12.

The planar base 12 also has a pair of handles 18 disposed on the first end 13 and at least one foot bar 19 included on the second end 14 thereof. A plurality of fasteners 20 are disposed on the top surface 15 of the base 12 and configured to removably attach additional exercise equipment thereto. In the illustrative embodiment, the plurality of fasteners 20 are located around the perimeter of the planar base at the first and second ends 13 and 14 as well as the sides. A removably securable back support pillow 21 is also included and selectively attachable to the top surface 15 of the planar base 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a top-down perspective view of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station showing the first end of the planar base. The first end 13 and second end of the planar base 12 directly oppose each other. The first end 13 of the base 12 includes a pair of handles 18 disposed thereon. The handles 18 extend orthogonally outward from the top surface 15 of the base 12 and are aligned in an orientation parallel to the second end 14 of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the handles 18 constitute a cylindrical shape and, in some embodiments, further include a gripping surface configured to receive the hands of a user such that a user may grip the handles 18 during the performance of various exercises via ergonomic grooves and friction increasing cover material to help users grip with sweaty or wet hands. The handles 18 are spaced apart in a manner that would allow each handle to be on either side of a user's head when laying on their back and spaced to be approximately shoulder width apart for an average user. This spacing allows for the user to grip the handles 18 by reaching over their shoulders while laying flat on their back. Gripping the handles 18 in this manner assists the user in performing abdominal exercises which require lifting of the legs and maintaining an elevated position. A plurality of fasteners 20 are disposed on the top portion of the first end 13 of the planar base 12 above the pair of handles 18 wherein addition exercise equipment, such as elastic resistance bands, may be removably attached.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a top-down perspective view of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station showing the second end of the planar base. At least one foot bar 19 is disposed on the second end 14 of the planar base 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the foot bar 19 comprises an elongated pole which extends horizontally over the top surface 15 of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station 11 with opposing ends that bend down at a 90-degree angle and affix to the top surface 15 of the base 12. In practice, a user may stick the end of their feet under the horizontal foot bar 19 to anchor their feet during exercises such as sit-ups.

A plurality of fasteners 20 is also disposed on the top surface 15 of the second end 14, beyond the foot bar 19 in a direction away from the center of the planar base 12. In the illustrative embodiment of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station 11, the plurality of fasteners 20 disposed on the top surface 15 are comprised of carabiners. Carabiners allow for elastic resistance bands to be removably affixed to the planar base 12 to provide for a wider range of possible exercises.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a perspective view of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station with foot bar in use and a perspective view of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station with handles in use, respectively. The central portion of the planar base 12 includes an area where a user may either stand or lay down while doing exercises. The elastic resistance bands that may be removably attached to the multipurpose abdominal exercise station 11 may be used for upper body workouts, such as curls, or may be attached to a user's legs for added resistance during leg raises. A back-support pillow 21 is also removably securable to multipurpose abdominal exercise station 11. The back-support pillow 21 is arcuate in shape for an ergonomic fit that contours with the shape of a user's lower back and spine for added comfort while performing exercises that require laying down in a face-up position. In the illustrative embodiment, the back-support pillow 21 is made of a synthetic foam material to provide cushioning and relief for lower back muscles while keeping correct form and posture. Fasteners located on a bottom surface of the back-support pillow 21 are configured to removably secure the back-support pillow 21 to the top surface 15 of the multipurpose abdominal exercise station 11. This may be achieved using a hook and loop assembly wherein the fasteners on the bottom surface of the back-support pillow 21 are configured to secure to corresponding fasteners on the top surface 15 of the planar base 12. The back-support pillow 21 may be removed and cleared away for added exercise space when not needed.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A multipurpose abdominal exercise station, comprising:

a planar base having a first end, second end, top surface, and bottom surface;

a pair of handles disposed on the first end of the base;

at least one foot bar disposed on the second end of the base opposing the pair of handles;

a back support pillow removably securable to the top surface of the planar base;

a plurality of fasteners disposed on the top surface of the planar base wherein elastic resistance bands may be removably affixed thereto.

2) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the planar base comprises a high friction material adapted to frictionally engage the base with a flat surface when in use.

3) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 2, wherein the high friction material comprises rubber.

4) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the planar base includes a padded material adapted to cushion the body of a user.

5) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 4, wherein the padded material included is comprised of a synthetic foam material.

6) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 5, wherein the padded material comprises a surface area less than that of the planar base.

7) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 1, wherein the pair of handles are cylindrical in shape.

8) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 1, wherein the handles extend orthogonally outward from the top surface of the planar base.

9) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 1, wherein the handles include ergonomic grips configured to receive the hands of a user.

10) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 1, wherein the removably securable back support pillow is comprised of a synthetic foam material.

11) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 1, wherein the removably securable back support pillow has an arcuate shape to ergonomically support the contour of the lower back and spine.

12) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 1, wherein fasteners disposed on a bottom surface of the removably securable back support pillow are configured to removably affix to corresponding fasteners disposed on the planar base.

13) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 12, wherein the corresponding fasteners disposed on a bottom surface of the back support pillow and planar base comprise a hook and loop fastener assembly.

14) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fasteners comprises carabiners which allow for elastic resistance bands to be removably affixed to the multipurpose abdominal exercise station.

15) The multipurpose abdominal exercise station of claim 1, wherein a pair of fasteners for elastic resistance bands are disposed on both the first and second ends of the planar base.