DEVICE FOR PERFORMING A SITTING PLANK EXERCISE
A device for performing a standing plank exercise includes an elongated main body having a first axial end and an oppositely disposed second axial end. The main body has at least two telescoping members that may be adjusted to vary the length of the main body and the corresponding degree of stress provided by the exercise or to adjust for the user's height. The device includes a support pad positioned at a fulcrum or pivot point on the elongated main body between the first axial end and the second axial end. A handle portion is mounted to or extends from the main body and is graspable by a user. An ankle strap is coupled to the elongated main body in proximity to the second axial end thereof and may encircle the ankles of a user. The device is oriented substantially vertically during an exercise regimen. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise includes a primary tubular member, a supporting base member affixed to one axial end of the primary tubular member, and a grasping piece affixed to the other axial end of the primary tubular member.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/982,535, filed on May 17, 2018, and entitled “Device For Performing A Standing Plank Exercise”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference and on which priority is hereby claimed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe present invention generally relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly relates to devices for assisting with manual body stress exercises.
Description of the Prior ArtThe plank exercise is a popular exercise that stresses the core muscles of the body such as the abdomen, lower back and upper legs. The plank exercise is utilized in a variety of exercise routines and is common in yoga studios and fitness classes. In fact, plank exercises are also often utilized by professional athletes.
The plank exercise is relatively simple. As can be seen in
A traditional plank exercise is performed while lying on the floor. The degree and location of stress and strengthening that can be obtained from a traditional plank exercise is limited by the distance between the forearms and feet of the user, as well as the relative angle created between the user and the ground. Accordingly, since the distance between a user's forearms and feet is generally unchangeable, the degree and location of stress and strengthening accomplished by plank exercises is restricted. Furthermore, the conventional plank exercise places as much stress on the shoulders and arms as on the core muscles, and thus does not effectively target the core muscles.
The present invention provides a novel apparatus that enables a user to perform a plank exercise while standing or sitting.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a device for performing a standing plank exercise.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for performing a standing plank exercise that focuses the exercise on the user's core muscles.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device for performing a standing plank exercise which is selectively adjustable in length to vary the degree of stress placed on the user during the exercise.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for performing a sitting plank exercise.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a device for performing a sitting plank exercise that focuses the exercise on the user's core muscles.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a device for performing a sitting plank exercise which includes structure for the user to vary the degree of stress placed on the user during the exercise.
In one form of the present invention, a device for performing a standing plank exercise includes an elongated main body having a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first axial end and a second axial end. A support pad that supports a user's back is positioned on the elongated main body between the first axial end and second axial end thereof.
The device preferably further includes an ankle strap coupled to the elongated main body in proximity to the second axial end thereof which selectively joins the elongated main body to a portion of the body of the user.
The elongated main body is preferably formed as at least two telescoping members that may be selectively extended and retracted within one another to vary the length of the elongated main body and the corresponding degree of stress placed on the user during the exercise.
In another form of the present invention, the device for performing a standing plank exercise may include a handle portion positioned perpendicularly to the elongated main body in proximity to the first axial end thereof, the handle portion being graspable by the user during the exercise.
In yet another embodiment, the exercise device of the present invention can apply a plank or other type of exercise to a person while the person is sitting. In one form of this sitting plank exerciser, a primary tubular member in the form of a single elongated tube or a plurality of interconnected tubes extends from a perpendicularly disposed supporting base tubular member. Resilient or stretchable bands, the ends of which are grasped by the user, may extend from diametrically opposite sides of the primary tubular member at different locations along the axial length thereof, and from the supporting base member. The band or bands may have different resistances in their elasticity, and such resistances may be denoted by different colors of the bands. In this way, a person using the sitting plank exerciser of the present invention may easily select a band of a particular resistance or elasticity, and may position the band at a desired location along the axial length of the primary tubular member to work different muscles in the user's body.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
As can be seen in
As shown in
The handle portion 12 may be formed as a cross-member affixed perpendicularly to the elongated main body 4 in proximity to the first end 6 thereof. The handle portion 12 may be covered by padding or other material so that a user's hands may securely and comfortably grip the handle portion 12 during use.
As can be seen in
The user can control how much force is applied to his abdominal and core musculature by varying the amount of forward directed force applied to the first end 6 of the elongated main body 4 against the bias of the elastic band 14. For example, beginners can apply less force and advanced users can apply more force to vary the degree of strain of the exercise. The greater the force applied to the elongated main body 4 by the user's hands, the greater the force generated across the abdominal and core musculature of the user. Furthermore, the user can also increase the amount of force generated across the abdominal and core musculature by grasping the handle portion 12 and applying forward directed force thereto, which increases the moment arm of the force applied and generates a greater force across the abdominal and core musculature of the user.
The user can also perform a number of alternative plank exercises with the device 2 formed in accordance with the present invention. For example, as shown in
The elongated main body 4 may also be formed so that its length may be selectively adjusted by a user. More specifically, as shown in
The first and second telescoping members 20, 22 may further include means for engaging one another to fix the elongated main body 4 to a desired length. For example, as shown in
With reference to
The primary tubular member 44, either formed in one section or multiple sections, has a first or top axial end 48 and a second or bottom axial end 50 situated axially opposite to the first axial end 48. Preferably, the first and second axial ends 48, 50 are open to define openings for receiving other parts of the sitting plank exerciser 40.
The supporting base member 46 is also preferably formed as a generally tubular, hollow, elongated or T-shaped member that is affixed to the bottom axial end 50 of the primary tubular member 44. More specifically, the supporting base member 46 includes a first tubular component 52 and a second tubular component 54 situated midway on the axial length of the first tubular component 52 and extending perpendicularly therefrom. This second tubular component 54 of the supporting base member 46 is preferably received by the opening formed in the second or bottom axial end 50 of the primary tubular member 44 such that the longitudinal axis of the first tubular component 52 of the supporting base member 46 extends in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis of the primary tubular member 44. Alternatively, the second tubular component 54 of the supporting base member 46 may be formed with an axial open end defining an opening therein into which is received the second or bottom axial end 50 of the primary tubular member 44 to join the primary tubular member 44 and the supporting base member 46 together. The supporting base member 46 may be permanently joined to the primary tubular member 44 by using an adhesive or bonding agent, or may be integrally formed with the primary tubular member 44, or may be removably affixed to the primary tubular member 44 so that the sitting plank exerciser 40 of the present invention may be conveniently disassembled for storage when not in use.
A grasping piece 56, also preferably formed as a T-shaped, hollow tubular member, is affixed to the first or top axial end 48 of the elongated, primary tubular member 44. Like the supporting base member 46, the grasping piece 56 preferably includes a first tubular component 58 and a second tubular component 60 situated midway on the axial length of the first tubular component 58 and extending perpendicularly therefrom. This second tubular component 60 of the grasping piece 56 is preferably received by the opening formed in the first or top axial end 48 of the primary tubular member 44 such that the longitudinal axis of the first tubular component 58 of the grasping piece 56 extends in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis of the primary tubular member 44. Alternatively, the second tubular component 60 of the grasping piece 56 may have an axial end in which is formed an opening that receives the first or top axial end 48 of the primary tubular member 44 to join the grasping piece 56 and the primary tubular member 44 together. The grasping piece 56 may be permanently joined to the primary tubular member 44 at the first or top axial end 48 thereof by using an adhesive or bonding agent, or may be integrally formed with the primary tubular member 44, or may be removably affixed to the primary tubular member 44 so that the sitting plank exerciser 40 of the present invention may be disassembled for storage.
As may be seen from
Any one of the elastic bands 64 may be selectively grasped by a user of the sitting plank exerciser 40 of the present invention to perform exercises when the person is in a sitting position. Each band 64 may have a different elasticity or resistance, and such bands 64 may have different colors to signify the different resistances which they provide. The user of the sitting plank exerciser 40 of the present invention may select an elastic band 64 providing a particular resistance, and may easily interchange the bands 64 through the openings 62a, 62b formed in the primary tubular member 44, the grasping piece 56 and the supporting base member 46 before or during an exercise regime.
An alternative embodiment of the sitting plank exerciser 40 of the present invention is shown in
Even more specifically, the first section 66 of the primary tubular member 44 includes a first open axial end 72 which receives or mates with the second tubular component 54 of the supporting base member 46, and an opposite second open axial end 74. The second section 68 of the primary tubular member 44 includes a first open axial end 76 which receives or mates with the second tubular component 60 of the grasping piece 56, and an opposite second open axial end 78.
The four-way, mid-positioned, tubular section 70 includes a first tubular component 80 and a pair of opposite second tubular components 82 which extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular component 80. Each of the first and second tubular components 80, 82 of the four-way, mid-positioned section 70 preferably includes opposite open axial ends that define openings. The second axial end 74 of the first section 66 of the primary tubular member 44 receives or mates with the axial end of one of the second components 82 of the pair of second tubular components 82 of the four-way, mid-positioned section 70, and the second axial end 78 of the second section 68 of the primary tubular member 44 receives or mates with the axial end of the other second component 82 of the pair of second tubular components 82 of the four-way, mid-positioned section 70.
The first tubular component 80 of the four-way section 70 includes a bore extending axially therethrough to receive an elastic band 64 that extends outwardly from each open axial end thereof and which is graspable at its free ends by a user of the sitting plank exerciser 40 of the present invention. Similarly, just like the embodiment of the sitting plank exerciser 40 shown in
Reference should now be had to
More specifically,
The standing and sitting plank exercisers of the present invention may be formed from metal or wood, but are preferably formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe or tubular material.
Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
Claims
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10. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise, which comprises:
- an elongated, primary tubular member, the primary tubular member having a first axial end and a second axial end situated axially opposite the first axial end; and
- a supporting base member, the supporting base member being affixed to the second axial end of the primary tubular member.
11. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise as defined by claim 10, wherein the primary tubular member has a longitudinal axis associated therewith;
- wherein the supporting base member has a longitudinal axis associated therewith; and
- wherein the supporting base member is affixed to the primary tubular member such that the longitudinal axis thereof is disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the primary tubular member.
12. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise as defined by claim 10, which further comprises:
- a grasping piece, the grasping piece being affixed to the first axial end of the primary tubular member.
13. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise as defined by claim 12, wherein the primary tubular member has a longitudinal axis associated therewith;
- wherein the grasping piece has a longitudinal axis associated therewith; and
- wherein the grasping piece is affixed to the primary tubular member such that the longitudinal axis thereof is disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the primary tubular member.
14. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise as defined by claim 10, wherein the primary tubular member includes at least one pair of diametrically opposed openings formed therein; and
- wherein the device further comprises:
- an elastic band, the elastic band passing through the at least one pair of diametrically disposed openings formed in the primary tubular member, the elastic band being graspable by a user of the device when performing an exercise.
15. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise as defined by claim 10, which further comprises:
- a grasping piece, the grasping piece being affixed to the first axial end of the primary tubular member;
- wherein the primary tubular member has a longitudinal axis associated therewith;
- wherein the supporting base member has a longitudinal axis associated therewith;
- wherein the grasping piece has a longitudinal axis associated therewith;
- wherein the supporting base member is affixed to the primary tubular member such that the longitudinal axis thereof is disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the primary tubular member;
- wherein the grasping piece is affixed to the primary tubular member such that the longitudinal axis thereof is disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the primary tubular member;
- wherein the supporting base member is formed as a generally tubular, hollow, T-shaped member having a first tubular component and a second tubular component situated midway on the axial length of the first tubular component thereof and extending perpendicularly therefrom, the second tubular component of the supporting base member being mounted to the second axial end of the primary tubular member; and
- wherein the grasping piece is formed as a generally tubular, hollow, T-shaped member having a first tubular component and a second tubular component situated midway on the axial length of the first tubular component thereof and extending perpendicularly therefrom, the second tubular component of the grasping piece being mounted to the first axial end of the primary tubular member.
16. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise as defined by claim 15, wherein the first tubular component of the supporting base member has a bore formed therein and opposite open axial ends in communication with the bore formed therein;
- wherein the first tubular component of the grasping piece has a bore formed therein and opposite open axial ends in communication with the bore formed therein; and
- wherein the device further comprises:
- at least one elastic band, the at least one elastic band being receivable by and passable through at least one of the bore and the open axial ends of the first tubular component of the supporting base member and the bore and the open axial ends of the first tubular component of the grasping piece, the at least one elastic band being graspable by a user of the device when performing an exercise.
17. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise as defined by claim 16, wherein the at least one elastic band includes at least a first elastic band and a second elastic band, at least one of the first elastic band and the second elastic band being receivable by and passable through at least one of the bore and open axial ends of the first tubular component of the supporting base member and the bore and open axial ends of the first tubular component of the grasping piece;
- wherein the first elastic band has associated therewith a first elasticity to provide a first resistance to a user of the device when performing an exercise;
- wherein the second elastic band has a second elasticity to provide a second resistance to a user of the device when performing an exercise; and
- wherein the first elasticity and first resistance of the first elastic band are different respectively from the second elasticity and second resistance of the second elastic band.
18. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise as defined by claim 17, wherein the first elastic band includes a first color;
- wherein the second elastic band includes a second color; and
- wherein the first color of the first elastic band is different from the second color of the second elastic band.
19. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise as defined by claim 18, wherein the primary tubular member includes a first tubular section, a second tubular section and an intermediate tubular section, the first tubular section of the primary tubular member having a first axial end and an opposite second axial end, the second tubular section of the primary tubular member having a first axial end and an opposite second axial end, the second tubular component of the supporting base member being mounted to the first axial end of the first tubular section of the primary tubular member, the second tubular component of the grasping piece being mounted to the first axial end of the second tubular section of the primary tubular member, the second axial end of the first tubular section of the primary tubular member being mounted to the intermediate tubular section, the second axial end of the second tubular section of the primary tubular member being mounted to the intermediate tubular section.
20. A device for performing a sitting plank exercise as defined by claim 19, wherein the intermediate tubular section includes a first tubular component having associated therewith a longitudinal axis, and a pair of opposite second tubular components which extend in opposite directions perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular component of the intermediate tubular section, one of the second tubular components of the pair of opposite second tubular components of the intermediate tubular section being mounted to the second axial end of the first tubular section of the primary tubular member, the other second tubular component of the pair of opposite second tubular components of the intermediate tubular section being mounted to the second axial end of the second tubular section of the primary tubular member;
- wherein the first tubular component of the intermediate tubular section includes a bore formed therein and opposite open axial ends in communication with the bore; and
- wherein at least one of the at least first elastic band and the second elastic band is receivable by and passable through the bore and opposite open axial ends of the first tubular component of the intermediate tubular section so as to be graspable by a user of the device when performing an exercise.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 22, 2019
Publication Date: Nov 21, 2019
Inventor: John P. Carney (Paramus, NJ)
Application Number: 16/518,286