US20100234194A1

US20100234194A1 - Abdominal exercising device

Info

Publication number: US20100234194A1
Application number: US12/722,030
Authority: US
Inventors: Scott P. Shaffer
Original assignee: Visionary Innovations Inc
Current assignee: Visionary Innovations Inc
Priority date: 2009-03-11
Filing date: 2010-03-11
Publication date: 2010-09-16

Abstract

An abdominal exercising device is disclosed that includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are coupled to a first end and a second end, respectively, of an elongated member. The elongated member is configured to retain at least a first end of a resistive member. The first portion and the second portion each substantially contact a portion of a user's legs such that the user experiences a resistive force in a group of abdominal muscles when the user moves his/her legs causing the resistive member to stretch. The abdominal muscles remain engaged throughout the use of the abdominal exercising device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of fitness equipment, and more particularly relates to an abdominal exercising device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional fitness equipment directed at exercising the abdominal muscles is either very bulky or only targets a select group of abdominal muscles. For example, the equipment found at fitness centers that targets the abdominal muscles is generally large and cumbersome or too expensive for an average individual to purchase for his/her home. Also, some of the commercial abdominal strengthening equipment may be too difficult for disabled, injured, or elderly people to use effectively.
Home fitness equipment for the abdominal muscles can also be cumbersome and require a decent amount of storage space. This equipment is generally not portable and in some situations only targets a select group of abdominal muscles. Also, many of the consumer based abdominal exercising devices provide a limited amount of resistance that cannot be upgraded. Therefore, when a user peaks at the device's most resistive setting the user is unable to upgrade the device to obtain a greater degree of resistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, an abdominal exercising device is disclosed. The abdominal exercising device comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are coupled to a first end and a second end, respectively, of an elongated member. The elongated member is configured to retain at least a first end of a resistive member. The first portion and the second portion each substantially contact a portion of a user's legs such that the user experiences a resistive force in a group of abdominal muscles when the user moves the user's legs causing the resistive member to stretch.
In another embodiment, another abdominal exercising device is disclosed. The abdominal exercising device comprises a first portion comprising a first elongated member and a second portion comprising a second elongated member. A first end of the first elongated member is coupled to a first end of the second elongated member. The elongated member comprises at least one adjustable portion At least one of the first elongated member and the second elongated member is configured to retain at least a first end of a resistive member. The first portion and the second portion each substantially contact a portion of a user's legs such that the user experiences a resistive force in a group of abdominal muscles when the user moves the user's legs causing the resistive member to stretch.
In yet another one embodiment, an abdominal exercising device is disclosed. The abdominal exercising device comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are coupled to a first end and a second end, respectively, of an elongated member. The elongated member is configured to retain at least a first end of a resistive member. The first portion and the second portion each substantially contact a portion of a user's legs such that the user experiences a resistive force in a group of abdominal muscles when the user moves the user's legs causing the resistive member to stretch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exposed top perspective view of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded top perspective view of the abdominal exercising device that shows the portability of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an operational view of the abdominal exercising device showing the abdominal exercising device in use by a user according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exposed top perspective view of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded top perspective view of the abdominal exercising device that shows the portability of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.
The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
Various embodiments of the present invention are advantageous over conventional abdominal exercising device for at least the following reasons. Most conventional devices require a “pushing” motion (e.g., pushing head/neck back) to create resistance on the abdominal muscles. One or more embodiments of the present invention, however, incorporate a “pulling” motion (e.g., pulling legs up). By stabilizing the legs with the device of the presently claimed invention the lower abdominal muscles are always engaged (a key difference to most devices). Pulling the legs in an upward motion and the reverse crunch motion are just two exercises that only work the lower abdominal muscles exclusively. However, there are numerous upper abdominal exercises and oblique exercises that are optimized or become more complete when the lower abdominal muscles are engaged at the same time as provided by various embodiments of the present invention. In other words, the abdominal muscles are continually engaged while a user is exercising with the device of various embodiments of the present invention.
Abdominal Exercising Device
According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an abdominal exercising device 100 is illustrated. The abdominal exercising device 100 is advantageous over conventional devices because it is portable, adjustable, and provides varying degrees of resistance that can be increased or decreased based on a user's needs. These advantages as well as many other are illustrated in the following discussions.
As shown in FIG. 1, the abdominal exercising device 100 comprises a first portion 102 and a second portion 104 that are mechanically coupled together by an elongated member 106. The first and second portions 102, 104 are configured to substantially abut a portion of a user's legs during use. For example, the first portion 102 substantially abuts a user's left thigh (or other area on the leg) while the second portion 104 substantially abuts a user's right thigh (or other area on the leg), or vice versa. This configuration is discussed in greater detail below. The first portion 102, second portion 104, and the elongated member 106, can be made from any rigid material such as metal, metal alloys, wood, plastics or any other synthetic material, or the like. It should be noted that even though the first and second portions 102, 104 are shown having a rectangular configuration, this geometry is only an example and the first and second portions 102, 104 can comprise any geometric configuration. The first portion 102 and/or the second portion 104 can also be foldable/collapsible in one or more areas for easy transport or storage of the device 100.
In one embodiment, each of the first and second portions 102, 104 comprises a plurality 108, 110 of retention adjustment slots 112, 114 situated on a front portion 116, 118 of each of the first and second portions 102, 104 and extending through to a back portion 120, 122 of the first and second portions 102, 104. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to slots and other mechanisms such as clips, other various fastening members, and/or the like can be situated on the first and second portions 102, 104 as well. Also, these retention members 112, 114 are not required to extend through the front 116, 118 and back portions 120, 122 of the first and second portions 102, 104. For example, the retention areas 112, 114 can extend partially through the front 116, 118 and/or back 120, 122 portions or only extend through the front portion 116, 118 or back portion 120, 122.
The retention adjustment slots 114, 116 are configured to receive a retention member 224 such as a strap, resilient member, rope, or the like as shown in FIG. 2. The retention member 224 securely holds the abdominal exercising device against the thighs of the user and can comprise padded material or cushioning material for added comfort and/or added fastening capabilities. The plurality 110, 112 of retention adjustment slots 114, 116 is situated on each of the first and second portions 102, 104 to accommodate users of different sizes. For example, some users may be smaller or larger in size than other users.
By having a plurality 110, 112 of retention adjustment slots 114, 116 the retention member 224 is able to securely retain the device 100 on various users. In one embodiment, at least one end portion 226, 228 of the retention member 224 can be inserted into one or more of the retention adjustment slots 114, 116 thereby creating a loop configuration that can be tightened around the legs of a user. It should also be noted that the first and second portions 102, 104 can be configured to contour the user's legs. This allows the device 100 to rest more securely on the user's legs and provides additional comfort for the user.
In one embodiment, each of the first and second portions 102, 104 comprise a receiving portion 130, 132 situated on an inner side 134, 136. When the abdominal exercising device 100 is assembled, the inner sides 134, 136 of the first and second portions 102, 104 face each other, but can also be situated in different configurations as well. The receiving portions 130, 132 are configured to receive a first end 338 and a second end 340, respectively, of the elongated member 106 as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the receiving portions 130, 132 extend outward from the back portion 120, 122, but can also be situated in between the from 116, 118 and back portions 120, 122 or extend outward from the front portion 116, 118 as well. The receiving portions 130, 132 comprise an opening 242, 244 situated substantially at the inner sides 134, 136 of the first and second portions 102, 104. The openings 242, 244 accept the first end 338 and the second end 340 of the elongated member 106, as shown in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the first and second ends 338, 340 of the elongated member 106 and the receiving portions 130, 132 are configured to securely and detachably mate with each other. This allows for the device 100 to easily be disassembled, as shown in FIG. 4, yet maintain a rigid structure while in use. However, the first and second portions 102, 104 and the elongated member 106 can also be a single piece as well.
Alternatively, each of the first and second portions 102, 104 can comprise an elongated member 606, 607, as shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the receiving portions 130, 132 are configured to receive a first end 338 and a second end 340, respectively, of the respective elongated member 606, 607 as shown in FIG. 6. These separate elongated member 606, 607 can be molded into its respective first and second portion 102, 104 or can be detachable from its respective first and second portion 102, 104. In the example of FIG. 6 one of the elongated members 606 comprises a receiving end 609 and the other elongated member 607 comprises an engaging end 611. The receiving end 609 of the first elongated member 606 receives the engaging end 611 of the second elongated member 611. In other words, the engaging end 611 of the second elongated member 607 is configured to be inserted to and received by the receiving end 609 of the first elongated member 606.
Once the engaging end 611 is inserted to and received by the receiving end 609, the first and second elongated members are securably and detachably coupled to each other. For example, FIG. 6 shows that the receiving end 609 and engaging end 611 of the first and second elongated members 606, 607, respectively, comprise threads that engage each other when the engaging end 611 is inserted into the receiving end 609. It should be noted that many other configurations for securably and detachably coupling the first and second elongated members 606, 607 to each other are also applicable to the present invention. For example, one end 609, 611 of one of the members 606, 607 can comprise a tab (not shown) that engages a receiving area within the other end 609, 611, thereby, securably and detachably coupling the elongated members 606, 607 to each other.
In addition, the elongated member 106 can be collapsible/pivotable as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows that the elongated member 106 comprises one or more pivot points 713 separates the elongated member 106 into a first portion 715 and a second portion 717. These one or more pivot points 713 allow each of the first and second portions 715, 717 of the member 106 to pivot and/or collapse to one or more various positions as shown in FIG. 7. This allows the device 100 to more easily transported and/or stored. It should be noted that the elongated member 106 can also be telescopic. For example, the elongated member 106 can comprise one or more portions that slide in/out of each other for adjusting the length/height of the elongated member 106. This allows for better portability of the device 100 and to compensate for various user sizes. It should be noted that a combination of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-7 can be used as well.
Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongated member 106 is configured to retain one or more resistive members 146 such as resistive bands, elastic cords, surgical tubing, or the like. The resistive member 146 can be wrapped around or go through the elongated member 106 and be fastened to another object such as a stationary object in the room where the user is exercising. In another embodiment, the resistive member 146 can comprise a fastening member (not shown) on one end of the resistive member that secures the resistive member 146 to the elongated member 106. The other end of the resistive member can also comprise a fastening member as well that fastens this end of the resistive member to an object to provide resistance to the user.
FIG. 5 shows the abdominal exercising device 100 fastened to a user's legs 548, 550 and the resistive member 146 fastened to the elongated member 106 and to another object 552. It should be noted that the back portions 120, 122 of the first and second portions 102, 104 can comprise a cushioning material to add extra comfort for the user. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the user is situated in the supine position. However, a user can be situated in any position that allows the user to bring his/her legs 548, 550 towards his/her chest. As the user brings his/her legs 548, 550 towards his/her chest the resistive member 146 exerts a resistive force on the abdominal muscles. Therefore, the user is able to strengthen and exercise his/her abdominal muscles. The user can easily add additional resistance or reduce the resistance by adjusting his/her position with respect to the object to which the resistive member 146 is fastened to. The user can also add one or more additional resistive members as well to increase the resistance.
FIG. 8 shows an additional embodiment of the abdominal exercising device 100. In particular, FIG. 8 shows an embodiment where the elongated member 106 is not required. For example, the elongated member 106 can be removed and the first and second portions 102, 104 can be independently coupled to each of the user's legs. In one embodiment, the back portions 120, 122 of the first and second portions 102, 104 comprise one or more areas 819, 821 or fastening members that can be situated anywhere on the back portions 120, 122 for coupling one or more resistive members 846, 847 to the first and second portions 102, 104. Alternatively, the front portions 116, 118 can comprise the one or more areas 819, 821 or fastening members as well. These resistive members 846, 847 are similar to the resistive member 146 discussed above. Also, a retention member 824, 825 is able to be coupled to the each of the first and second portions 102, 104.
The retention members 824, 825 securely hold the first and second portions 102, 104 against the thighs of the user. The retention members 824, 825 can be inserted into the retention adjustment slots 114, 116 similar to that discussed above to accommodate users of different sizes. For example, some users may be smaller or larger in size than other users. As can be seen from FIG. 8, a first end 823, 827 of each retention member 824, 825 is inserted into a retention adjust slot. A second end (not shown) of the retention member 824, 825 can similarly be inserted into another retention area (not shown) on the first and second portions 102, 104. The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 allows the user to move each leg independent of each other while experiencing resistance from each of the separate resistive members 846, 847. One example of this independent leg motion is a “bicycle” motion.
It should also be noted that in the example given above, the user can place the first and second portions 102, 104 behind his/her thighs and place the retention member 824, 825 around the front of his/her thighs. However, a user can also place each of the first and second portions 102, 104 on the front portion of his/her thighs and can place the retention member 824, 825 around the back of his/her thighs. In this embodiment, the first and second portions 102, 104 can high have larger dimension such that at least one side end of the first and second portions 102, 104 extends beyond the user's thighs. The resistive members 846, 847 can then be coupled to these extended side ends.
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An abdominal exercising device comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are coupled to a first end and a second end, respectively, of an elongated member,

wherein the elongated member is configured to retain at least a first end of a resistive member, and

wherein the first portion and the second portion each substantially contact a portion of a user's legs such that the user experiences a resistive force in a group of abdominal muscles when the user moves the user's legs causing the resistive member to stretch.

2. The abdominal exercising device of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are detachably coupled to the first end and the second end, respectively, of the elongated member.

3. The abdominal exercising device of claim 1, wherein the resistive member comprises a second end retainable by an object.

4. The abdominal exercising device of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of adjustment slots situated on each of the first portion and the second portion extending through a front portion to a back portion of each of the first and second portions, wherein each of the plurality of adjustment slots are adapted to receive at least one end of a retention member.

5. The abdominal exercising device of claim 4, wherein the retention member is adjustable such that when placed around the user's legs, the first portion and the second portion are secured to the user's legs.

6. The abdominal exercising device of claim 1, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion comprise a cushioning material situated on the back portion of the first and second portions.

7. The abdominal exercising device of claim 1, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion is substantially contoured according to a general shape of a human thigh.

8. An abdominal exercising device comprising:

a first portion comprising a first elongated member;

a second portion comprising a second elongated member,

wherein a first end of the first elongated member is coupled to a first end of the second elongated member,

wherein at least one of the first elongated member and the second elongated member is configured to retain at least a first end of a resistive member, and

9. The abdominal exercising device of claim 8, wherein the first portion is detachably coupled to the first elongated member and the second portion is detachably coupled to the second elongated member.

10. The abdominal exercising device of claim 8, wherein the first end of the first elongated member is detachably coupled to the first end of the second elongated member.

11. The abdominal exercising device of claim 8, further comprising:

12. The abdominal exercising device of claim 11, wherein the retention member is adjustable such that when placed around the user's legs, the first portion and the second portion are secured to the user's legs.

13. The abdominal exercising device of claim 8, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion comprise a cushioning material situated on the back portion of the first and second portions.

14. The abdominal exercising device of claim 8, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion is substantially contoured according to a general shape of a human thigh.

15. An abdominal exercising device comprising:

a first portion;

wherein the elongated member comprises at least one adjustable portion, and

16. The abdominal exercising device of claim 15, wherein the first portion and the second portion are detachably coupled to the first end and the second end, respectively, of the elongated member.

17. The abdominal exercising device of claim 15, further comprising:

18. The abdominal exercising device of claim 17, wherein the retention member is adjustable such that when placed around the user's legs, the first portion and the second portion are secured to the user's legs.

19. The abdominal exercising device of claim 15, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion comprise a cushioning material situated on the back portion of the first and second portions.

20. The abdominal exercising device of claim 15, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion is substantially contoured according to a general shape of a human thigh.