LOWER BODY TRAINING ASSIST DEVICE

Abstract

A lower body assist device for assisting a user while performing lower body workouts is provided. The lower body assist device generally comprises handle bars, a frame, and friction reduction apparatuses. The handle bars generally comprise a shaft and support bar having handles. The frame generally comprises a main trunk and frame supports, wherein said frame supports are connected to said main trunk. The method generally entails obtaining the device, bending over and grasping the device, and moving from a starting location to a desired location. A user may also squat while grasping the device before moving from a starting location to a desired location.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/985,803, filed on Mar. 5, 2020, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter of the present disclosure refers generally to a lower body assist device for assisting a user while performing lower body workouts.

BACKGROUND

Squats are an excellent exercise for working out the muscles of leg, including quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. The also engage the glutes and back to create an anabolic environment, which promotes body-wide muscle building. Additionally, when performed correctly, squats can engage the joints of the lower body, strengthening the muscles around the joints so that the joints ultimately become more stable. Walking while in a squatting position can provide a fantastic lower body workout as well. In addition to the benefits of a regular squat, a duck walk can increase stamina and increase flexibility in the hip joints, which can help reduce back pain for many individuals.

Unfortunately, performing squats unsupported is not for everyone. For some, the squat can be quite difficult due to the balance required to perform a full range squat correctly. For others, joint pain may prevent them from performing squats and walking squats unaided. This is particularly true for elderly people. Other people may just be too weak to perform a full range squat. For instance, those undergoing rehab may be too weak to perform a full range squat unaided. Though these individuals would benefit by performing these exercises aided, there currently is not a device on the market that can assist with the performance of the exercise.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a lower body assist device that can provide support to those who are unable to perform these exercises unaided.

DESCRIPTION

A system and method for assisting a user while performing a lower body exercise is provided. In one aspect, the system and method of the present disclosure are designed to allow users to perform workouts they otherwise might not be able to perform unassisted. In another aspect, the system is designed to collect workout data and provide it to a user. Generally, the system assists a user while performing lower body workouts. The system generally comprises a handle bar, frame, and friction reduction apparatus. The system may also comprise a control board and a display, wherein the control board is configured to receive workout data and may then present the workout data via the display. Workout data may be collected by a sensor operably connected to the control board. A computing device may receive workout data from the control board via wireless communication device and present it to the user within a user interface.

The handle bars generally comprise a shaft and support bar. In some preferred embodiments, the support bars may be attached directly to the main trunk without the need of a shaft. The shaft is operably connected to the support bar in a way such that when the shaft is connected to the frame, the ends of the support bar are positioned above the frame. The frame may be defined as the central frame of the lower body assist device and comprises a main trunk and frame supports, wherein said frame supports are connected to said main trunk. The main trunk is a tubular or bar like entity have a superior end and inferior end and is preferably rigidly attached to the shaft of the handle bars. A friction reduction apparatus attached to the inferior end of the frame allows the user to push the lower body assist device in the bent over or partially squatted position without resistance that may otherwise make a workout too difficult.

The foregoing summary has outlined some features of the system and method of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the pertinent art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features that form the subject of the claims will be described hereinafter. Those skilled in the pertinent art should appreciate that they can readily utilize these features for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purpose of the system and method disclosed herein. Those skilled in the pertinent art should also realize that such equivalent designs or modifications do not depart from the scope of the system and method of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lower body assist device in which techniques described herein may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower body assist device in which techniques described herein may be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower body assist device in which techniques described herein may be implemented.

FIG. 4 is an environmental view of a lower body assist device in which techniques described herein may be implemented.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating certain method steps of a method embodying features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). As used herein, the term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, a system “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate embodiments of a system 100 and the various methods 500 of use for assisting a user 120 while performing a lower body exercise that may also indirectly exercise one's core, neck, and shoulders. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the various components of a lower body assist device 100 that may be used to provide support for a user 120 who is performing a lower body workout. FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the various components of a lower body assist device 100 that may be used to provide support for a user 120 who is performing a lower body workout. FIG. 3 illustrates a lower body assist lower body assist device 100 that may be turned by rotating the handle section, which alters the direction of the wheel attached to the inferior end of the main trunk 110A. FIG. 4 illustrates how a user 120 may use the lower body assist device 100 to assist with a lower body workout. FIG. 5 illustrates a method a user 120 may use to perform a walking squat using the lower body assist lower body assist device 100. It is understood that the various method steps associated with the methods of the present disclosure may be carried out by a user 120 using the lower body assist device 100 shown in FIGS. 1-4. Although the lower body assist device 100 and methods 500 of the present disclosure have been discussed for use within the fitness field, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the inventive subject matter disclosed herein may be utilized in other fields or for other applications in which a lower body assist lower body assist device 100 may be needed. For instance, the lower body assist device 100 could be used in rehabilitation settings.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the system 100 generally comprises handle bars 105, a frame 110, and friction reduction apparatuses 115. In a preferred embodiment, the handle bars 105 are connected to a superior end of the frame 110 and friction reduction apparatuses 115 are attached to the inferior end of the frame 110, thus allowing a user 120 to use the system 100 to assist while performing an exercise such as a walking squat. In another preferred embodiment, the system 100 may further comprise a reflective device, which may allow a user 120 to use the device without bending their neck to look in the direction they are going. In yet another preferred embodiment, the system 100 may further comprise a control board configured to collect workout data. The control board is preferably connected to a display such that it may present the workout data to a user 120 of the system 100. The workout data is transmitted to the control board by a sensor configured to collect the workout data. The system 100 may be constructed in a way such that the handle bars 105, frame 110, and/or friction reduction apparatuses 115 are one unit. For instance, the handle bars 105 and frame 110 may be fused together as a single unit. Alternatively, the handle bars 105, frame 110, and friction reduction apparatuses 115 may be constructed separately and combined at a later time. For instance, a shaft 105A of the handle bars 105 may be constructed to telescopically insert into the main trunk 110A of the frame 110 at a later time to create a functioning system 100.

The handle bars 105 generally comprise a shaft 105A and support bar 105B. In some preferred embodiments, the support bars 105B may be attached directly to the main trunk 110A without the need of a shaft 105A. The shaft 105A is operably connected to the support bar 105B in a way such that when the shaft 105A is connected to the frame 110, the ends of the support bar 105B are positioned above the frame 110. Types of support bars 105B that may be used by the lower body assist device 100 include, but are not limited to, flatlander, plano, riser, bullhorn, drop, aero, cruiser, and butterfly. In a preferred embodiment, the lower body assist device 100 uses flatlander support bars 105B, which allow a user 120 to control the direction of the lower body assist device 100 while in use. Some embodiments of handle bars 105 may further comprise grips on either end of said support bar 105B, which may provide a gripping surface that allows a user 120 to better control the handle bars 105. In one embodiment, the grips may be contoured in a way such that an ergonomic gripping surface is created. In another preferred embodiment, the grips may be textured in a way that increases grip force of a user 120. In some preferred embodiment, the shaft 105A may comprise at least one aperture 125. A user 120 may insert the shaft 105A into the frame 110 and use the at least one aperture 125 of the shaft 105A and frame 110 to lock the lower body assist device 100 into a desired position. In another preferred embodiment, the shaft 105A may be operably connected to the frame 110 in a way such that a user 120 may turn the lower body assist device 100 about a central axis by applying force via the support bars 105B.

The frame 110 may be defined as the central frame of the lower body assist device 100 and comprises a main trunk 110A and frame supports 110B, wherein said frame supports 110B are connected to said main trunk 110A. The main trunk 110A is a tubular or bar like entity have a superior end and inferior end. The main trunk 110A is preferably rigidly attached to the shaft 105A of the handle bars 105, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. For instance, a lower body assist device 100 comprising handle bars 105, a frame 110, and three swivel wheels may be turned by a user 120 via manipulation of the handle bars 105, which in turn causes the wheels to swivel in the direction that the user 120 wishes to go. However, there may be embodiments in which no main trunk 110A exists and instead the shaft 105A acts as the main trunk 110A of the device. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the main trunk 110A of the frame 110 may be configured to accept the shaft 105A of the handle bars 105 such that they are slideably secured to one another. By moving the shaft 105A about the main trunk 110A, the handle bars 105 of the lower body assist device 100 may be raised or lowered, thus altering the height of the lower body assist device 100 by changing the location of the handle bars 105 relative the inferior end of the frame 110. In a preferred embodiment, a user 120 may lock the handle bars 105 relative to the inferior end of the frame 110 via a locking element 127 and at least one aperture 125 as shown in FIG. 3. Apparatuses that may act as the locking element 127 include, but are not limited to, push-pull pins, clamps, set knobs, snap locks, spring buttons, and clutch locks, or any combination thereof. By locking the handle bars 105 in place via a locking element 127, a user 120 may fix the height to a desired level before using the lower body assist device 100 to assist the user 120 with a lower body workout.

The frame supports 110B are tubular or bar like entities having a trunk end and a friction end, wherein the trunk end is attached to the main trunk 110A and the friction end is attached to a friction reduction apparatus 115. The frame supports 110B may attach to the main trunk 110A between the superior end and inferior end and are situated such that the frame 110 created by the main trunk 110A and frame supports 110B can support itself and the handle bars 105 in an upright position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The frame supports 110B preferably extend from the main trunk 110A and in a direction away from one another. The angle in which the frame supports 110B is connected to the main trunk 110A is preferably acute. In embodiments of the lower body assist device 100 comprising only two frame supports 110B, the frame supports 110B preferably form an obtuse angle with each other, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. However, the frame supports 110B may make obtuse, acute, and perpendicular angles with each other and with the main trunk 110A without departing from the inventive subject matter herein. In a preferred embodiment, the lower body assist device 100 comprises two frame supports 110B that are attached to the main trunk 110A. However, in some preferred embodiments, the frame supports 110B may be configured such that they are removably attached to the main trunk 110A or attached to the main trunk 110A via a hinge, wherein a user 120 may remove said frame supports 110B or fold said frame supports 110B to reduce the size of the profile of the lower body assist device 100 prior to storage. In another preferred embodiment, a locking element may be used to attach the frame supports 110B to the main trunk 110A or keep the frame supports 110B in an extended position.

In one preferred embodiment, the frame supports 110B may be telescoping. A user 120 may alter the length of the telescoping frame supports 110B to alter the position of the handle bars 105. The frame supports 110B may be locked into a certain length using the at least one aperture 125 of the frame supports 110B and a locking element 127. In another preferred embodiment, the frame supports 110B may be rotatably attached to the main trunk 110A, allowing a user 120 to alter the angle in which the frame supports 110B make with the trunk 110A. In one preferred embodiment, the angle created by the main trunk 110A and the floor is not ninety degrees so that rotating the frame supports 110B about the main trunk 110A causes the angle made by the main trunk 110A and the floor to change. Depending on the side in which the frame supports 110B are positioned relative the handle bars 105, increasing the angle created between a first support and a second support would cause the angle between the main trunk 110A and the floor to decrease, whereas decreasing the angle created between a first support and a second support would cause the angle between the main trunk 110A and floor to increase. In yet another preferred embodiment, the frame supports 110B may be slidably attached to the main trunk 110A, which may allow a user 120 to change the angle the main trunk 110A makes with the floor. Depending on the side in which the frame supports 110B are positioned relative the handle bars 105, the angle created by the floor and main trunk 110A will increase as one slides the trunk end of the frame supports 110B closer to the inferior end of the main trunk 110A, whereas sliding the trunk end of the frame supports 110B toward the superior end of the main trunk 110A may cause the angle created by the floor and main trunk 110A to decrease. By allowing a user 120 to adjust the angle the main trunk 110A creates with the floor, these embodiments also allow a user 120 to alter the position of the handle bars 105. This is important since this grants a user 120 the ability to alter the lower body assist device 100 in way that suits said user's 120 particular height and build.

A friction reduction apparatus 115 attached to the inferior end of the frame 110 allows the user 120 to push the lower body assist device 100 in the bent over or partially squatted position without resistance that may otherwise make a workout too difficult. Items that may be used as friction reduction apparatus 115 include, but are not limited to, skis, tracks, pads, and wheels, or any combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the lower body assist device 100 may use wheels as the friction reduction apparatus 115. Wheels may be attached to the inferior end of the main trunk 110A and frame supports 110B such that they may allow a user 120 to more easily perform a workout while using the lower body assist device 100 by reducing friction and assisting with turning of the lower body assist device 100. Types of wheels that may be used by the lower body assist device 100 include, but are not limited to, in-line skate wheels, spinner wheels, bicycle wheels, skateboard wheels, or any combination thereof. The wheels used in the preferred embodiment are spinner wheels. In another preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the lower body assist device 100 may comprise a two or more types of wheels. For instance, the wheel attached to the main trunk 110A may be an in-line skate wheel and the wheels attached to the frame supports 110B may be spinner wheels. In one preferred embodiment, a user 120 may toggle a lock on the wheels that may adjust the rolling resistance of the wheels. This may allow a user 120 to alter the difficulty of a workout assisted by the lower body assist device 100.

The lower body assist device 100 may be used by a user 120 for support while performing a lower body workout by leaning over the lower body assist device 100 and gripping the handles. The user 120 may then begin to walk in a bent over or partially squatted position and direct the lower body assist device 100 to a desired location with at least one type of friction reduction apparatus 115 being used to control the resistance experienced by the user 120. For instance, a lower body assist device 100 comprising two frame supports 110B may use one wheel attached to the main trunk 110A and two tracks attached to the frame supports 110B to reduce the amount of friction applied to the lower body assist device 100 as a user 120 pushes it during a workout. For instance, tennis balls attached to the main trunk 110A and frame supports 110B may act as ski glides to reduce friction as the lower body assist device 100 is pushed across a gym floor. In one preferred embodiment, the lower body assist device 100 may further comprise a reflective device, which may allow a user 120 to move towards a desired location without having to look towards said desired location. In a preferred embodiment, the reflective device is attached to the handle bars 105 of the lower body assist device 100. The reflective material of the reflective device is preferably made from a material that has non-specular reflective properties. For instance, a piece of wood with a matte paint coating wood has diffuse reflective properties. For instance, clear standing water has specular reflective properties.

As mentioned previously, some embodiments of the system 100 may further comprise a control board. The control board preferably comprises at least one circuit and microchip. In another preferred embodiment, the control board may further comprise a wireless communication device, which may allow the control board to receive workout data from a sensor. The microchip of the control board comprises a processor and memory. The processor may be defined as a multipurpose, clock driven, register based, digital-integrated circuit which accepts binary data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides results as output. The processor is configured to perform the operations disclosed herein based on instructions stored within the system 100. The processor may process instructions for execution within the computing device, including instructions stored in memory or on a storage device, to display graphical information for a graphical user interface (GUI) on an external input/output device, such as a display. The processor may provide for coordination of the other components of a computing device, such as control of user interfaces, applications run by a computing device, and wireless communication by a communication device of the computing device.

The processor of the control board may be any processor or microprocessor suitable for executing instructions. In some embodiments, the processor may have a memory device therein or coupled thereto suitable for storing workout data, or other information or material disclosed herein. In some instances, the processor may be a component of a larger computing device. In a preferred embodiment, the processor may receive workout data via the wireless communication device, wherein the workout data comprises distance data, repetition data, and time data. In another preferred embodiment, the processor may receive instructions from a computing device that may instruct the control board to begin a workout cycle. For instance, a user 120 may choose a particular workout via the user interface of a computing device operably connected to the control board of the system 100, which may cause the system 100 to start said workout.

A computing device may be implemented in a number of different forms, including, but not limited to, servers, multipurpose computers, mobile computers, etc. For instance, a computing device may be implemented in a multipurpose computer that acts as a personal computer for a user 120, such as a laptop computer. For instance, components from a computing device may be combined in a way such that a mobile computing device is created, such as mobile phone. Additionally, a computing device may be made up of a single computer or multiple computers working together over a network. For instance, a computing device may be implemented as a single server or as a group of servers working together over and Local Area Network (LAN), such as a rack server system. Computing devices may communicate via a wired or wireless connection. For instance, wireless communication may occur using a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other such wireless communication device.

The computing device preferably comprises a user interface that allows a user 120 to interact with the control board. A user interface may be defined as a space where interactions between a user 120 and the system 100 may take place. In an embodiment, the interactions may take place in a way such that a user 120 may control the operations of the system 100. A user interface may include, but is not limited to operating systems, command line user interfaces, conversational interfaces, web-based user interfaces, zooming user interfaces, touch screens, task-based user interfaces, touch user interfaces, text-based user interfaces, intelligent user interfaces, and graphical user interfaces, or any combination thereof. The system 100 may present data of the user interface to the user 120 via a display operably connected to the processor. A display may be defined as an output device that communicates data that may include, but is not limited to, visual, auditory, cutaneous, kinesthetic, olfactory, and gustatory, or any combination thereof.

A sensor of the system 100 may be used to collect workout data, which may be used by the system 100 to determine the amount of work a user 120 using the system 100 has performed. The sensor is operably connected to the control board in a way such that any workout data collected by the sensor may be transmitted to the control board and stored in memory. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises an accelerometer, which may measure workout data in the form of acceleration. The system 100 may utilize the acceleration experienced by the system 100 as input to be analyzed to determine how many repetitions a user 120 has performed. In another preferred embodiment, the sensor may comprise global positioning system (GPS), which may measure workout data in the form of geospatial data. Once the processor receives the geospatial data from the GPS, the processor may estimate a distance traveled by the user 120. Geospatial data may be spatial data including, but not limited to, numeric data, vector data, and raster data, or any combination thereof. Numeric data may be statistical data which includes a geographical component or field that can be joined with vector files so the data may be queried and displayed as a layer on a map in a geographic information system (GIS). Vector data may be data that has a spatial component, or X, Y coordinates assigned to it. Vector data may contain sets of points, lines, or polygons that are referenced in a geographic space. Raster data may be data in a .JPG, .TIF, .GIF or other picture file format. For instance, a map scanned in a flatbed scanner may be considered raster data.

FIG. 4 provides an environmental view 400 of the system 100, wherein a user 120 is performing a lower body exercise using said lower body assist device 100. As shown, a user 120 positions themselves behind the lower body assist device 100 so that they may bend at the waste and grip the handle bars 105 while keeping their back straight. The height of the lower body assist device 100 is low enough such that a user 120 may bend at the waste at least at a 150-degree angle, wherein a 180-degree angle is defined as the angle created by a user 120 from feet to head when standing straight up. The angle a user's 120 arms make with their body when extended from said body is preferably no less than 45-degrees and no more than 135-degrees measured from the user's 120 feet to shoulders to hands. The user's 120 arms are preferably extended such that they are straight when a user 120 is gripping the handle bars 105 of the lower body assist device 100. At no point should the handle bars 105 of the lower body assist device 100 be higher than the shoulders of the user 120 when said user 120 is in a starting position.

Alternatively, a user 120 may grip the handle bars 105 in a bent over position as described above but then bend at the knees while keeping their back straight to assume a partially squatted position. The user 120 may then push the lower body assist device 100 while remaining in the partially squatted position, which will work the anterior muscles of the lower body more than a purely bent over position would. The user 120 may desire to bend their knees even further until their thighs are parallel to the ground, using the lower body assist device 100 as a support to prevent falling. In this crouched position, a user 120 may perform a duck walk while minimizing stress to the knees thanks to support from the lower body assist device 100. Regardless of the method used, a user 120 is to keep their back and their arms straight. The position assumed using this stance will exert a downward force on the lower body assist device 100 since the height of the lower body assist device 100 should be no higher than the user's 120 shoulders in said bent position. This downward force will provide resistance to the user 120 as they attempt to push the lower body assist device 100 from a starting position to a desired location. Further, by forcing oneself to stay in this position, the user 120 may indirectly work their core, shoulders, and neck in addition to the muscles of their lower body.

FIG. 5 provides a flow chart 500 illustrating certain, preferred method steps that may be used to carry out the method of using the lower body assist device 100 to perform a lower body workout. Step 505 indicates the beginning of the method. During step 510 the user 120 may obtain a lower body assist device 100 and adjust it to fit their body type. Once obtained/adjusted, the user 120 may position their body behind the lower body assist device 100 so that they may grip the lower body assist device 100 when bending from the waste during step 515. In a preferred embodiment, a user's 120 arms make at most a 45-degree angle with the chest while gripping the lower body assist device 100. The user 120 may then decide which exercise to perform during step 520. In some preferred embodiments, the user 120 may manipulate the control board and/or user interface to select a workout, which may then be presented to them via a display. Based on the results of the determination, the user 120 may take an action during step 525. If the user 120 determines they would like to perform a bent over walk, the user 120 may proceed to step 526, wherein the user 120 may bend at the waste and grip the handle bars 105. If the user 120 determines they would like to perform a walking squat, the user 120 may proceed to step 527, wherein the user 120 may bend at the waste, bend the knees, and grip the handle bars 105. If the user 120 determines they would like to perform a duck walk, the user 120 may proceed to step 528, wherein the user 120 may bend at the waste, bend the knees so that their thighs are parallel to the floor, and grip the handle bars 105.

Once the user 120 has assumed one of the exercise positions of steps 526, 527 and 528, the user 120 may push the lower body assist device 100 during step 530. In the method presented herein, the user 120 may push the lower body assist device 100 to a desired location from a starting location. Alternatively, a user 120 may push the lower body assist device 100 until muscle exhaustion. In a preferred embodiment, a user 120 will have selected a starting location and a desired location beforehand and perform a number of sets of the selected exercise. Once the user 120 has pushed the lower body assist device 100 to the desired location, the user 120 may determine if they would like to push the lower body assist device 100 to the starting location during step 535. The user may take an action of this determination during step 540. If a user 120 determines they would not like to push the lower body assist device 100 to the starting location, the user 120 may proceed to terminate method step 550. If the user 120 determines they would like to push the lower body assist device 100 to the starting location, the user 120 may do so during step 545. Once the user 120 has pushed the lower body assist device 100 to the starting location, the method may proceed to the terminate method step 545.

The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flow depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. It will be readily understood to those skilled in the art that various other changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and method stages which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this inventive subject matter can be made without departing from the principles and scope of the inventive subject matter.

Claims

1) A lower body assist device comprising:

a handle bar having a shaft and a support bar, wherein handles of said support bar allow a user to control said lower body assist device,

a frame having a main trunk, first frame support, and second frame support, wherein said main trunk is connected to said shaft of said handle bar, wherein said first frame support and said second frame support are attached to said main trunk at a trunk end,

a friction reduction apparatus connected to said first frame support and said second frame support at a friction end, wherein said friction reduction apparatus reduces friction between a floor and said frame created as a user exerts a force on said handle bar in a way that causes said frame to move in a wanted direction,

wherein a height of said lower body assist device is such that an angle of no less than fort five five-degrees is created between a torso of said user and said arms of said user,

wherein said user is bent over at a waist of said user and a back of said user is straight,

wherein knees of said user are bent such that said user is in a partial crouching position, and

wherein said user exerts a downward force on said lower body assist device when gripping said handles.

2) The system of claim 1, wherein said handle bars further comprise a grip.

3) The system of claim 1, wherein said support bar is one of a flatlander, plano, riser, bullhorn, drop, aero, cruiser, and butterfly.

4) The system of claim 1, wherein said shaft is telescopically inserted into said frame.

5) The system of claim 4, wherein a plurality of apertures of said shaft and said frame allow for a locking element to lock said shaft and said frame in a position relative to one another, wherein changing said position causes said height of said lower body assist device to change.

6) The system of claim 5, wherein said locking element is at least one of a push-pull pin, clamp, set knob, snap lock, spring button, and clutch lock.

7) The system of claim 1, wherein said first support and said second support are rotatably attached to said main trunk, wherein an angle created by said main trunk and said floor is not ninety degrees, wherein altering said angle created between said first support and said second support causes said angle between said main trunk and said floor to change.

8) The system of claim 7, wherein increasing said angle created between said first support and second support causes said angle between said main trunk and floor to decrease, wherein decreasing the angle between said first support and said second support causes said angle between said main trunk and floor to increase.

9) The system of claim 1, wherein said first support and said second support are slidably attached to said main trunk, wherein altering a position of said first support and said second support about said main trunk causes said angle between said main trunk and said floor to change.

10) The system of claim 1, wherein said friction reduction device further comprises a lock, wherein said lock allows said user to manipulate how much of said friction is reduced by said friction reduction device.

11) The system of claim 1, wherein said friction reduction device is at least one of a ski, track, pad, tennis ball, in-line skate wheel, spinner wheel, bicycle wheel, and skateboard wheel.

12) The system of claim 1, further comprising a mirror, wherein said mirror is positioned on said lower body assist device in a way such that a user may see what is in front of said lower body assist device through said mirror.

13) The system of claim 1, further comprising a control board configured to receive workout data, wherein a display operably connected to said control board may present workout data to a user.

14) The system of claim 13, further comprising a sensor operably connected to said control board, wherein said sensor is configured to collect said workout data, wherein said sensor transmits said workout data to said control board, wherein said workout data contains at least one of distance data, repetition data, and time data.

15) The system of claim 13, further comprising a wireless communication device, wherein said wireless communication device transmits said workout data to a computing device having a user interface, wherein said computing device is configured to present said workout data to said user within said user interface.

16) A method of using said lower body assist device comprising:

obtaining a lower body assist device, wherein a height of said lower body assist device is such that an angle of no less than seventy-degrees is created between a torso of said user and said arms of said user when said user is bent at a waist of said user,

positioning behind said lower body assist device,

bending over at said waist such that handle bars of said lower body assist device may be grasped,

grasping said handlebars of said lower body assist device while keeping said arms straight,

bending knees in a way such that a partial crouch position is assumed,

straightening a back in a way such that a force vector exerted by said user on said lower body assist device is at least partially downward,

pushing said lower body assist device from a starting position to a desired location, and

pushing said lower body assist device from said desired location to said starting position.

17) The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

placing a handle bar and a frame in a position relative to one another, wherein changing said position causes said height of said lower body assist device to change to a desired height of said user.

18) The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

adjusting an angle between a first support and a second support connected to a frame of said lower body assist device, wherein altering said angle between said first support and said second support causes said angle between said frame and a floor to change.

19) The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

adjusting a position of a first support and a second support of said lower body assist device by sliding said first support and said second support about a frame, wherein altering said position of said first support and said second support about said frame causes an angle between said frame and a floor to change.

20) The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

manipulating a computing device in a way such that said computing device receives workout data from a control board of said lower body assist device via a wireless communication device, wherein said workout data is collected by a sensor of said lower body assist device, wherein said sensor transmits said workout data to said control board.