WO2009075493A2

WO2009075493A2 - Upper/lower body exercise machine usable in state of being held by user's hands or feet

Info

Publication number: WO2009075493A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/007200
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyong Am An
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-12-12
Filing date: 2008-12-05
Publication date: 2009-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-12
Also published as: WO2009075493A3

Abstract

Disclosed is an upper/lower body exercise machine used as being held by a user's hand or foot, enabling a user to strengthen muscles and joints by holding the exercise machine by hand or putting his or her foot on the exercise machine and performing various exercises. The exercise machine includes a plate member having a substantially triangular shape; and three casters. The plate member includes caster receiving parts disposed at lower parts of three angular corners in the form of a circular recess to mount the respective casters therein and accordingly reduce an overground height of the plate member, and the plate member further includes a gripping and footing part to be held by the user's hand or put the user's foot thereon. The gripping and footing part may include a heel insertion part in the form of a hole or a recess for inserting the user's heel therein.

Description

UPPER/LOWER BODY EXERCISE MACHINE USABLE IN STATE OF BEING HELD BY USER S HANDS OR FEET

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an upper and lower body exercise machine used in state of being held by a user's hands or feet, and more particularly to an upper and lower body exercise machine constructed by three casters attached to a lower bottom of a triangular plate member and a gripping and footing part formed at an upper part of the plate member, so that a user is able to perform various exercises repeatedly, the exercises such as push-up, widening the legs, and bending and stretching the legs, in a state of holding the exercise machine by a hand or putting a foot on the exercise machine, thereby strengthening muscles and joints at the arms, legs, belly, waist and so on while improving flexibility throughout the body.

[2]

Background Art

[3] In general, a running machine has been typically used as an indoor exercise machine for compensating for the lack of exercise. However, the running machine not only occupies a large space for installation but also costs a lot to purchase. Furthermore, use of such a running machine is limited to people having normal health.

[4] Meanwhile, a product called an "AB slide" had a great vogue for a while as a small- size indoor exercise machine. The AB slide is used in a manner that a user simply kneels down and holds handles of the AB slide into a stooping position, and repeatedly moving only forward and backward by pushing and pulling the AB slide. Accordingly, however, exercise effects can be obtained only regarding the arms and the upper body with the AB slide. Moreover, if excessively or wrongly used, the AB slide may injure the user's important body parts including a chin and a face.

[5]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved indoor exercise machine capable of being used occupying the minimum indoor space, being easily purchased at a low price and safely used by anyone according to the user's physical condition, and enabling the user to perform a variety of exercises although having a simple structure.

[7]

Technical Solution [8] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an upper/lower body exercise machine used in a state of being held by a user's hand or foot, including a plate member having a substantially triangular shape, and three casters mounted to the plate member, wherein the plate member includes caster receiving parts disposed at lower parts of three angular corners in the form of a circular recess to mount the respective casters therein and accordingly reduce an overground height of the plate member, and the plate member further includes a gripping and footing part to be held by the user's hand or put the user's foot thereon. The gripping and footing part may include a heel insertion part in the form of a hole or a recess for inserting the user's heel therein.

[9]

Brief Description of Drawings

[10] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[11] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[12] Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the exercise machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[13] Fig. 3 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 cut along a line A-A;

[14] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where a pair of the exercise machines according to the embodiment are overlapped;

[15] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of Fig. 4 cut along a line B-B;

[16] Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the exercise machine according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[17] Fig. 7 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in widening legs in a sitting position;

[18] Fig. 8 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in bending and stretching legs in a sitting position;

[19] Fig. 9 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in performing sit- ups;

[20] Fig. 10 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in performing low-intensity push-ups in a kneeling position;

[21] Fig. 11 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in performing medium-intensity push-ups in a kneeling position;

[22] Fig. 12 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in performing high-intensity push-ups; [23] Fig. 13 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in exercising an arm and one side in a state of lying on the one side; [24] Fig. 14 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in separating one leg from the other slightly in a lateral direction in a standing position; [25] Fig. 15 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in separating one leg from the other slightly in forward and backward directions in a standing position; [26] Fig. 16 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in separating one leg from the other widely in forward and backward directions by bending one knee in a standing position; [27] Fig. 17 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in separating one leg from the other widely in forward and backward directions in a standing position without bending one knee; [28] Fig. 18 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in separating both legs in a standing position; [29] Fig. 19 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in outstretching legs widely in lateral directions; [30] Fig. 20 is a view showing an example of using the exercise machine in outstretching legs widely in forward and backward directions; [31] Fig. 21 is a perspective view of an exercise machine according to another embodiment of the present invention; and [32]

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention [33] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so as to explain the present invention more specifically to the generally -known in the art. [34] Fig. 1 through Fig. 6 illustrate an exercise machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise machine, Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 cut along a line A-A, Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a pair of the exercise machines being overlapped, Fig. 5 is a sectional view of Fig. 4 cut along a line B-B, and Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the exercise machine. [35] As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 6, the exercise machine comprises a plate member 10 having a substantially triangular shape, and three casters 12. The plate member 10 includes caster receiving parts 11 having a circular recess form, being disposed at a lower part of three corners of the triangular shape to receive the casters 12. By existence of the caster receiving parts 11, an overground height of the plate member 10 is reduced. In addition, a gripping and footing part 14 is formed on the upper part of the plate member 10 enabling the user to grip the plate member 10 by hand or put his or her foot thereon. The gripping and footing part 14 includes a heel insertion part 15 in the form of a hole for inserting the user's heel.

[36] The exercise machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is generally used in a pair as a set and applied in performing a variety of exercises for the user's upper body and lower body including the exercises illustrated in Fig. 7 to Fig. 20. When taking exercise, only a single or simultaneously a pair of the plate members 10 may be used.

[37] When taking the exercises as shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 14 to 20, the gripping and footing part 14 is used as putting the user's sole or heel thereon. In case of taking the exercises as shown in Figs. 9 to 13, the griping and footing part 14 is used as gripped by the user's hand. The gripping and footing part 14 has a relatively narrow width from the front to the middle to be appropriate for the user's grip. The height of the gripping and footing part 14 is also relatively low from the floor so that, in both cases where the gripping and footing part 14 is gripped by a hand and putting the foot thereon, the center of gravity is located at a low position in the vicinity of axes of the casters 12. Therefore, the user is able to perform the exercise safely and stably.

[38] In addition, because the caster receiving parts 11 are protruded upward at the front and the rear both sides of the gripping and footing part 14, when the user gets on the gripping and footing part 14 putting his or her foot thereon, the user's foot can be prevented from slipping out of the gripping and footing part 14. Also, when the user grips the gripping and footing part 14 with his or her hand, the user's hand can effectively be prevented from slipping.

[39] Furthermore, a slip prevention protrusion 13 is formed on the upper surface of the gripping and footing part 14. The slip prevention protrusion 13 not only prevents the user's hand or foot gripping or being put on the gripping and footing part 14 from slipping off, but also has an effect of finger-pressure therapy.

[40] Here, the slip prevention protrusion 13 may be formed integrally with the gripping and footing part 14, or separately formed of a soft pad having excellent frictional force and gripping comfort and attached to the gripping and footing part 14. Exemplarily, in addition, the outer side of the caster receiving parts 11 constituting three corners of the plate member 10 may be attached or fitted with a bumper member or ring having a shock absorbing function such that shocks and noises occurring when the exercise machines are collided during the exercise can be relieved.

[41] Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the gripping and footing part 14 of the plate member 10 is formed with the heel insertion part 15. According to an exemplary embodiment, the heel insertion part 15 is disposed in the center of the gripping and footing part 14, being relatively wide at the upper part and gradually narrowed toward the lower part to minimize pain at the user's foot caused by the circumference of the heel insertion part 15 when the user's foot is inserted in the heel insertion part 15. Since the user's heel is inserted in the heel insertion part 15 while the user is performing the exercises shown in Fig. 7 and 8, the plate member 10, that is, the exercise machine can be prevented from being separated from the user's foot during the exercise.

[42] Here, the size, shape and position of the heel insertion part 15 are not restricted to the illustrated embodiment but can be altered in various manners as necessary.

[43] According to the present embodiment, three casters 12 are employed, which is because only two casters 12 are insufficient to maintain the plate member 10 stably in a standing position and four casters 12 may cause rocking of the plate member 10 in case of rolling on an uneven floor since any one of the casters 12 may fail to closely contact the floor, also generating noise and thereby making the user feel uneasy. However, when three casters 12 are employed as in this embodiment, the three casters 12 can be maintained in close contact with the floor, thereby preventing unstableness or rocking of the plate member 10 and noise.

[44] In addition, as shown in Fig. 6, the caster 12 is capable of rolling and rotating for redirection, as always received in the caster receiving part 11 formed at the lower bottom surface of the plate member 10. That is, the caster 12 is unseen from the outside during the operation, so that the exterior view thereof is not deteriorated. Furthermore, in case that any obstacle exists on the floor, the outer circumference of the caster receiving part 11 would be interfered with by the obstacle before the obstacle touches the caster 12 and therefore the rolling and rotating operations of the caster 12 can be normally performed. Thus, an accident during use of the exercise machine can also be prevented.

[45] To be more specific, three casters 12 are employed according to the embodiment of the present invention. Compared to the case of employing four casters 12, the rotating operation for redirection of the exercise machine as indicated by an arrow in Fig. 6 is more smoothly achieved with three casters 12. In this case, the user is able to take the exercise more stably. According to this embodiment, one caster 12 is attached to the front of the plate member 10 and the rest two are attached to the left and the right rear parts of the plate member 10, respectively. Therefore, the three casters 12 can roll stably, always in close contact with the floor, thereby preventing noise caused by idle rotation apart from the floor.

[46] When stowing or packaging a pair of the exercise machines according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the exercise machines are overlapped in a manner that the lower bottoms of both plate members 10 face each other. Then, protruded parts of the casters 12 of one exercise machine can be received in the caster receiving parts 11 of the other exercise machine such that, accordingly, the two plate members 10 completely overlap each other. As a consequence, the exercise machines can be stowed or packaged efficiently, requiring the minimum space.

[47] The exercise machine structured as described above is used to perform a variety of exercises illustrated in Fig. 7 through Fig. 20. First, the exercises shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are simple relaxing exercises proper for the old or feeble and general women to perform in a sitting position during TV watching or reading. In Fig. 7, the user widens both legs in lateral directions using a pair of exercise machines with his or her heels received in the heel insertion parts 15 formed at the gripping and footing parts 14 of the plate members 10. In Fig. 8, the user bends and stretches the legs to the front or in about 45 directions forward. By repeating such exercises as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the user is able to make joints at the lower body, including joints at the pelvises and the knees, more fluent while strengthening muscles of the lower body, having fun without excessive fatigue.

[48] The user can perform the exercises as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 keeping his or her heels naturally standing on the gripping and footing parts 14 rather than bringing his or her soles into close contact with the gripping and footing parts 14. Since the user's heels are received in the heel insertion parts 15 even in this state, the exercise machines would not be separated from the user's heels during the exercise.

[49] In Fig. 9, the user acts as if rowing by both hands in a sitting position with both legs extended forward. More particularly, the user stoops the upper body until the hands holding the exercise machines almost reach ends of the feet, and then lifts the upper body backward up to a lying position. By continuously repeating the above serial exercises, the user can obtain the same effect as sit-ups. The exercise illustrated in Fig. 9 is a kind of low-intensity exercise improving flexibility in the waist, stretching the legs and strengthening joints of the shoulders and muscles of the waist, the belly and the arms.

[50] Fig. 10 through Fig. 12 show an exercise applying general push-up actions, from a low-intensity exercise to a high-intensity exercise.

[51] First, in Fig. 10, the user holds a pair of the exercise machines by both hands in a kneeling position and stretches the arms forward. Here, by stretching the arms by his or her own proper degree at first and gradually increasing the stretching distance, the user is able to effectively strengthen muscles and joints of the waist, the belly, the arms and the shoulders.

[52] The exercise shown in Fig. 11 is performed in a similar manner to the exercise of

Fig. 10 but requires a bit higher intensity. To perform the exercise of Fig. 11, the user puts the buttocks down while stretching the arms forward, such that the whole upper body is stooped forward. Therefore, this exercise is more effective in strengthening muscles of the belly, the waist and the arms.

[53] The exercise shown in Fig. 12 requires a higher intensity than the exercise of Fig. 11.

To perform the exercise of Fig. 12, more particularly, the user stoops the upper body in a standing position without bending the knees, and stretches the arms as if performing the push-ups. It is recommended that the user try the exercise of Fig. 12 after sufficiently practicing the exercises of Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 until the muscles of the belly and the arms are strengthened enough.

[54] Fig. 13 shows the exercise for exercising the upper body, especially the arm and the side. To perform the exercise of Fig. 13, the user holds the exercise machine with one hand while putting the other hand on one leg straightly extended, in a position of lying on one side. In this state, the user swings one arm put on the floor forward and backward, drawing an arc of about 90 , thereby simultaneously performing exercise of the arm and the side. The user may exercise the other arm and the other side by changing the hand holding the exercise machine alternately. Such an exercise suggested in Fig. 13 is effective in removing fats from the arm and the side, and correcting distorted pelvises.

[55] Exercises mostly for the upper body have been explained so far with reference to Fig.

6 through Fig. 12. Other various exercises besides the explained above may be further developed and performed by the user.

[56] Hereinafter, various exercises for the lower body that can be performed using the exercise machine will be explained.

[57] First, the exercise shown in Fig. 14 uses a single exercise machine. More specifically, the user stands up and puts one foot on the exercise machine while putting the other foot on the floor. In this state, the user simply moves one foot put on the exercise machine in a lateral direction, thereby widening the legs, without bending the knees. This exercise is not much laborsome.

[58] The exercise shown in Fig. 15 is basically the same as the exercise of Fig. 14.

However, the foot put on the exercise machine is further moved forward and backward repeatedly.

[59] To perform the exercise shown in Fig. 16, from the state of Fig. 14, the user swings the foot put on the exercise machine forward or backward widely while bending the knee of the foot standing on the floor. At this time, the user puts more than 90 percent of the center of gravity on the foot standing on the floor.

[60] Although the exercises suggested in Fig. 14 to Fig. 16 are relatively simple ones for the lower body but are also important basically for maintaining the right position. Therefore, those exercises are recommended to be sufficiently practiced prior to doing the next exercise. [61] The exercise shown in Fig. 17 requires a higher intensity than the exercise of Fig. 16.

To perform the exercise of Fig. 17, the user swings the foot on the exercise machine forward or backward widely without bending the knee of the foot standing on the floor. This exercise is helpful to strengthen muscles of the tight and the groin of the foot standing on the floor.

[62] To perform the exercise shown in Fig. 18, the user widens and narrows both legs with respect to each other repeatedly in a state of getting on a pair of the exercise machines by both feet. This exercise is very helpful to strengthen a groin muscle and a sphincteral muscle. However, at first, it is safe to start the exercise with a small widened angle between the legs and gradually increase the widened angle.

[63] Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 show the exercise wherein the user widens the legs as largely as possible in lateral directions or forward and backward directions while putting the hands on a supporting object such as a chair.

[64] The exercises for the lower body illustrated in Fig. 14 through Fig. 20 are suggested only by way of example. Therefore, other various exercises can be developed and performed according to the user.

[65] Fig. 21 and Fig. 22 show an exercise machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. Differently from the previous embodiment having the plate member 10 in the form of an isosceles triangle as shown in Fig. 1 through Fig. 6, the plate member 10 according to this embodiment comprises has an equilateral triangle such that the user is able to hold by hand or put his or her foot on the exercise machine without discrimination of directions. The heel insertion part 15 is formed in the center of the gripping and footing part 14. In addition, a raised flange 16 is formed along the circumference of the heel insertion part 15 such that the heel insertion part 15 with the raised flange 16 forms a substantially volcanic shape. Therefore, the user's hand or foot can be more stably put on the heel insertion part 15 by holding the raised flange 16 brought into contact with the palm or the sole.

[66] In the exercise machine according to another embodiment as shown in Fig. 21 and

Fig. 22, the upper side of the plate member 10 may be partly or wholly made of or coated with a soft material such as rubber and silicon, so as not only to relieve pain of the user's hand and foot but also to prevent slipping of the user's hand and foot. Furthermore, the rubber or silicon functions to absorb shock and reduce the noise generated during the exercise.

[67] As described above, the exercise machine according to the embodiments of the present invention enables the user to perform a variety of exercises for the upper body and the lower body indoors, in a state of being held by the user's hand or putting the users hand or foot thereon. Therefore, the user is able to enjoy various exercises rather than simply repeating basic exercises as in using conventional exercise machines. Moreover, the exercise machine is useful even when moving a heavy object indoors. [68]

Industrial Applicability

[69] An exercise machine according to embodiments of the present invention is structured in such a manner that three casters are attached to a lower bottom of a plate member, thereby enabling a user to perform various exercises for strengthening muscles of the legs and the lower belly and joints of the pelvis by moving the exercise machine in lateral directions or forward and backward directions as holding the exercise machine by hand or putting the foot on the exercise machine. For example, in addition, when the user holds the exercise machine by hands and repeats pushing and pulling his or her arms, in a kneeling position, the user can strengthen not only the belly muscle but also muscles and joints of the overall upper body including the waist, shoulders, arms and wrists. As a result, the user can obtain the effect of removing fat in the belly and strengthening the waist. Furthermore, in case of an older or feeble user, the user can exercise muscles of the lower body, also softening the joints, by putting the feet on a pair of the exercise machines in a sitting position and repeatedly widening and narrowing the legs in lateral directions or bending and stretching the legs. Thus, the exercise machine is useful even in a narrow indoor space to every family member of any age and any strength.

[70] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] An upper/lower body exercise machine used in a state of being held by a user's hand or foot, comprising: a plate member having a substantially triangular shape; and three casters mounted to the plate member, wherein the plate member includes caster receiving parts disposed at lower parts of three angular corners in the form of a circular recess to mount the respective casters therein and accordingly reduce an overground height of the plate member, and the plate member further includes a gripping and footing part to be held by the user's hand or put the user's foot thereon. [2] The upper/lower body exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the gripping and footing part includes a heel insertion part in the form of a hole or a recess for inserting the user's heel therein. [3] The upper/lower body exercise machine according to claim 2, wherein the heel insertion part is formed in the center of the gripping and footing part, being shaped relatively wide at the upper part and gradually narrowed toward the lower part. [4] The upper/lower body exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the caster receiving part is depressed to protrude at an upper surface of the plate member whereas the gripping and footing part formed on the other part of the upper surface of the plate member excluding the caster receiving part has a relatively lower height than the caster receiving part. [5] The upper/lower body exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein a slip prevention protrusion is formed on an upper surface of the gripping and footing part. [6] The upper/lower body exercise machine according to claim 5, wherein the slip prevention protrusion comprises an attachable pad made of a soft material having excellent frictional force and gripping comfort. [7] The upper/lower body exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the gripping and footing part has a width appropriate for the user's grip from the front to the middle thereof. [8] The exercise machine according to claim 3, wherein a raised flange is formed along a circumference of the heel insertion part, thereby forming a volcanic shape with the heel insertion part, such that the raised flange contacts the user's palm or sole when the user puts his or her hand or foot on the heel insertion part.