US20140179498A1

US20140179498A1 - Abdominal track exercise device

Info

Publication number: US20140179498A1
Application number: US13/930,677
Authority: US
Inventors: Nabile Lalaoua
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-28
Filing date: 2013-06-28
Publication date: 2014-06-26
Also published as: CN104428040B; WO2014005035A1; US8944973B2; US20140011647A1; WO2014005100A3; CN104428040A; WO2014005100A2

Abstract

An abdominal exercise device includes a straight, round track having a front end and a back end, and a sliding base movable along the track between the front end and the back end. The sliding base includes a housing disposed around the track, and a plurality of sheaves disposed in the housing and rotatably attached to the housing and engagable with the track to roll along the track.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/690,515, filed Jun. 28, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to an abdominal exercise device, and more specifically to an abdominal exercise device with a simple structure having a sliding base that permits extensive flexibility to maximize exercise value for a user.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Many exercise devices combine apparatuses for strengthening different muscle groups, such as upper and lower body muscles. Such devices including apparatuses for strengthening abdominal muscles are generally heavy and difficult to store.
Therefore, a solution is needed to provide an abdominal exercise device that has a simple structure and that is easy and flexible for a user to use and perform exercises to strengthen his or her abdominal muscles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an abdominal exercise device with a simple, lightweight and inexpensive structure. The device may be used in a small space and can quickly and easily be moved and stored. The device may be used at any location convenient for the user, including at home, indoors or outdoors, at health clubs, at rehabilitations centers, and in physical therapy centers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an abdominal exercise device with an ergonomic design for toning and shaping a user's abdominal muscles, for losing weight, and to optimize the user's workout.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an abdominal exercise device that allows a user of any age to perform efficient abdominal exercises safely and comfortably.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an abdominal exercise device that helps a user attain stronger lower back and core muscles and to better define all of his or her abdominal muscles, while minimizing the time spent on excising and maximizing positive fitness results.
This invention relates to an abdominal exercise device having a simple and lightweight structure in which a base slides along a track.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features an exercise device including a straight, round track having a front end and a back end, and a sliding base movable along the track between the front end and the back end. The sliding base includes a housing disposed around the track, and a plurality of sheaves rotatably attached to the housing and engagable with the track to roll along the track.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The device may includes a front pair of legs attached to the front end of the track and a back pair of legs attached to the back end of the track for supporting the track. The device may include a first O-ring band attachable between the back pair of legs and the sliding base, and a second O-ring band attachable between the front pair of legs and the sliding base.
The device may include a handle attached to the sliding base. The handle may include handle grips and forearm rests. The handle may have an ergonomic design. The handle may be pivotally or rotatably attached to the sliding base.
The sliding base may be pivotable around the track. The device may include rotatable pulley wheels attached to the rear pair of legs and the sliding base, the first O-ring band being securely stretchable between the rotatable pulley wheels. The device may include rotatable pulley wheels attached to the front pair of legs and the sliding base, the second O-ring band being securely stretchable between the rotatable pulley wheels.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features an exercise device including a straight, round track having a front end and a back end, a front pair or legs attached to the front end of the track, and a back pair of legs attached to the back end of the track. A sliding base is movable along the track between the front end and the back end, the sliding base including a housing disposed around the track and a plurality of sheaves disposed in the housing and rotatably attached to the housing and engagable with the track to roll along the track. A handle is attached to the sliding base. A first O-ring band is attachable between the back pair of legs and the sliding base. A second 0-ring band is attachable between the front pair of legs and the sliding base.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The handle may include handle grips and forearm rests. The handle may have an ergonomic design. The handle may be pivotally or rotatably attached to the sliding base. The sliding base may be pivotable around the track.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method of performing an exercise including providing an exercise device including a straight, round track having a front end and a back end, a front pair or legs attached to the front end of the track, and a back pair of legs attached to the back end of the track; a sliding base movable along the track between the front end and the back end, the sliding base including a housing disposed around the track and a plurality of sheaves disposed in the housing and rotatably attached to the housing and engagable with the track to roll along the track; a first O-ring band attachable between the back pair of legs and the sliding base; and a second O-ring band attachable between the front pair of legs and the sliding base. The sliding base is moved along the track toward the front end by pushing against a resistance created by the first second O-ring band. The sliding base is moved along the track toward the back end by pulling against a resistance created by the second O-ring band.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. Moving the sliding base may include holding a handle attached to the sliding base. The method may include twisting a user's body while moving the sliding base along the track. The method may include replacing the O-ring bands to change the resistance of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other aspects, features and advantages can be more readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an abdominal exercise device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the abdominal exercise device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plane view of the abdominal exercise device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plane view of the sliding base of the abdominal exercise device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the housing of the sliding base of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the housing of the sliding base of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the housing of the sliding base of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8A through 8D show the configurations of the O-ring bands of the abdominal exercise device of FIG. 1 from the back bottom, back top, front bottom, and front top views, respectively;

FIG. 9 shows the placement of a user's hands and arms on the handle of the abdominal exercise device of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 10A through 10D show the use of the abdominal exercise device of FIG. 1 by a user, including forward and backward movements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Abdominal exercise devices are described herein, with reference to examples and exemplary embodiments. Specific terminology is employed in describing examples and exemplary embodiments. However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the abdominal exercise device 1 of the present invention includes a track 10 and a sliding base 30. Track 10 is a straight, round track upon which sliding base 30 moves back and forth.
Track 10 is a round bar or tube-shaped structure having front end and back end 12 and 14 on its length. Track 10 is preferably made from a durable material, e.g., metal such as stainless steel or aluminum, and has a diameter and a thickness that can withstand extensive and repeated applications of force without deformation or damage. In one embodiment, the diameter of track 10 is 22 mm. Track 10 may be hollow, which would result in a device 1 that is light and may be easily moved or carried by a user.
In an aspect of the present invention, track 10 may have legs 16 fixedly attached to or near front end and back end 12 and 14. Legs 16 may be disposed substantially crosswise or orthogonal with respect to the length of track 10. Legs 16 support and space straight round track 10 off the ground or other surface on which device 1 rests. Legs 16 may be formed from a durable material, e.g., metal such as stainless steel or aluminum, similar to the material used to form track 10.
Legs 16 may further include feet 18, which provide the points of contact between device 1 and the ground. Feet 18 may include a tactile material such as rubber to prevent slippage of device 1 along the ground during use.
In another aspect of the present invention, feet 18 may include rotatable pulley wheels 20 and 22 projecting a length upwardly from feet 18 away from the ground or surface on which device 1 rests. Rotatable pulley wheels 20 and 22 may be rotatably attached to feet 18 such as by screws or a metal post. In one example, rotatable pulley wheels 20 and 22 have the form of small sheaves. The length of rotatable pulley wheels 20 and 22 is sufficient to allow stretchable O- ring bands 24 and 26 to be supported by and stretched between rotatable pulley wheels 20 and 22 on feet 18 at either or both of the front end and the back end 12 and 14 of track 10. The O-ring bands work with the rotatable pulley wheels to provide a desired level of resistance to a user using device 1.
In an aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 through 7, sliding base 30 includes a housing 32 with side portions 34, bottom portion 36, and front and back ends 38 and 40, respectively. Housing 32 may be constructed of any suitable durable material, e.g., hard plastic. In one embodiment, housing 32 is 45 mm in diameter and 118 mm in length.
Sliding base 30 houses two or more sheaves 42 rotatably attached to side portions 34 of housing 22 by axles 44 disposed through the centers of sheaves 42. Sliding base 30 may include holes 46 at its front and back ends 38 and 40 through which track 10 may be inserted, allowing sliding base 30 to move back and forth along track 10 between front end and back end 12 and 14.
Sheaves 42 of sliding base 30 are drums or pulley-shaped wheels having a groove 48 between two flanges 50 around their circumferences. Grove 48 is shaped and sized to rest upon and roll along track 10. Sheaves 42 may be formed from a durable material that can withstand extensive and repeated applications of force without deformation or damage, e.g., hard rubber or nylon. In one embodiment, a lubricant such as oil or grease (not shown) may be placed on track 10 to decrease friction between sheaves 42 and track 10 and provide easier movement of sheaves 42 along track 10. Sheaves 42 permit limited movement along track 10 in a single back and forth direction, preventing sloppy movements by a user that could result in ineffective or harmful exercising.
In another aspect of the present invention, sliding base 30 further includes a handle structure 52, which may further include handle grips 54 and forearm rests 56. Handle structure 52 is shaped so that a user may comfortably grasp handle grips 54 and place his or her forearms on forearm rests 56 during use of device 1. Handle structure 52 may be constructed of any durable material that can withstand extensive and repeated applications of force without deformation or damage, e.g., metal or hard plastic. Handle grips 54 and forearms rests 56 may further include additional materials to enhance the comfort of the user such as a plastic, rubber or fabric surfaces and pads. Handle structure 52 is preferably designed ergonomically to enhance the comfort of the user and to maximize the exercise value of device 1 for the user.
In another aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG. 5, handle structure 52 may be fixedly attached to sliding base 30, in which case sliding base 30 is pivotable around track 10 as sliding base 30 moves back and forth along track 10. Sliding base 30 may pivot 360 degrees around track 10. Alternatively or in addition, handle structure 52 may be fixedly yet pivotally attached to sliding base 30, allowing for rotatable or pivotable movement of handle structure 52 with respect to sliding base 30, i.e., tilting and turning in multiple directions, while still permitting sliding base 30 to pivot around track 10 as sliding base 30 moves back and forth along track 10. Such pivotable movement of sliding base 30 around track 10 and rotatable or pivotable movement of handle structure 52 with respect to sliding base 30 allows the user to change the position of his or her body with respect to device 1 in use while still moving sliding base 30 back and forth along track 10.
In another aspect of the invention, bottom portion 36 of sliding base 30 may include two rotatable pulley wheels 58 and 60 projecting a length downwardly toward the ground or other surface on which device 1 rests. Rotatable pulley wheels 58 and 60 may be rotatably attached to bottom portion 36 such as by screws or metal posts. In one example, rotatable pulley wheels 58 and 60 have the form of small sheaves. Rotatable pulley wheels 58 and 60 are disposed near the front and back ends 38 and 40, respectively, of sliding base 30. The length of rotatable pulley wheels 58 and 60 is sufficient to allow stretchable O- ring bands 24 and 26 disposed between rotatable pulley wheels 20 and 22 on feet 18 to be further supported by and securely stretched between rotatable pulley wheels 58 and 60, respectively.
As shown in FIGS. 8A through 8D, stretchable O- ring bands 24 and 26 permit sliding base 30 to work together with either or both ends 12 and 14 of track 10 to create a desired amount of resistance when sliding base 30 moves back and forth along track 10. O-ring bands 24 and 26 a preferably formed from a flexible, elastic material, e.g., rubber.
In use, device 1 may be placed on the ground or a flat surface, such that track 10 stably rests on feet 18 of legs 16. Referring to FIGS. 8A through 8D, resistive O- ring bands 24 and 26 may be securely stretched around rotatable pulley wheels 58 and 60 and rotatable pulley wheels 20 and 22 on feet 18 with respect to front and rear portions 38 and 40 of sliding base 30 to create the user's desired resistance for using device 1. Knee pads 80 may be placed on the ground near the back end 14 of track 10 at a comfortable position for the user. The sliding base 30 may be initially placed near the back end 14 of track 10.
As shown in FIG. 9, the user rests his or her knees on knee pads 80 and leans over track 10 to grab handles 54 with both hands and rests both forearms on forearm rests 56. Referring to FIGS. 10A through 10D, the user then moves sliding base 30 forward and then backward, repetitively, along track 10, pushing and pulling against the resistance created by O- ring bands 24 and 26. This forward and backward motion causes the user's abdominal muscles to be extended and contracted to perform an abdominal exercise, particularly targeting the user's upper and oblique muscles. The user's motion during the exercise may be generally limited to a horizontal plane parallel to the ground or flat surface on which device 1 is placed. Alternatively, the user may twist or turn his or her body to the right or left during forward movements, backward movements, or both, which twisting is enabled by the pivotable movement of sliding base 30 around track 10, the pivotable and rotatable movement of handle structure 52 with respect to sliding base 30, or both.
Stretchable O- ring bands 24 and 26 create resistance for either or both of the forward and backward motions of device 1 in use. 0- ring bands 24 and 26 are easily replaceable by the user so that the user may select 0-ring bands that provide a desired level of resistance upon moving sliding back 30 forward and backward along track 10. For example, the user can increase or decrease the tension created by O- ring bands 24 and 26 by changing the O-ring bands between those having light, medium and hard tension levels.
In addition, the embodiments and examples above are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced to them without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of difficult illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An exercise device, comprising:

a straight, round track having a front end and a back end; and

a sliding base movable along the track between the front end and the back end, the sliding base including

a housing disposed around the track; and

a plurality of sheaves rotatably attached to the housing and engagable with the track to roll along the track.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a front pair of legs attached to the front end of the track and a back pair of legs attached to the back end of the track for supporting the track.

3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a first O-ring band attachable between the back pair of legs and the sliding base.

4. The device of claim 2 further comprising a second O-ring band attachable between the front pair of legs and the sliding base.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a handle attached to the sliding base.

6. The device of claim 5 where the handle comprises handle grips and forearm rests.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the handle has an ergonomic design.

8. The device of claim 5 wherein the handle is pivotally or rotatably attached to the sliding base.

9. The device of claim 1 herein the sliding base is pivotable around the track.

10. The device of claim 3 further comprising rotatable pulley wheels attached to the rear pair of legs and the sliding base,

wherein the first O-ring band is securely stretchable between the rotatable pulley wheels.

11. The device of claim 4 further comprising rotatable pulley wheels attached to the front pair of legs and the sliding base,

wherein the second O-ring band is securely stretchable between the rotatable pulley wheels.

12. An exercise device, comprising:

a straight, round track having a front end and a back end, a front pair or legs attached to the front end of the track, and a back pair of legs attached to the back end of the track;

a sliding base movable along the track between the front end and the back end, the sliding base including a housing disposed around the track and a plurality of sheaves disposed in the housing and rotatably attached to the housing and engagable with the track to roll along the track;

a handle attached to the sliding base;

a first O-ring band attachable between the back pair of legs and the sliding base; and

a second O-ring band attachable between the front pair of legs and the sliding base.

13. The device of claim 12 where the handle comprises a handle grips and forearm rests.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the handle has an ergonomic design.

15. The device of claim 12 wherein the handle is pivotally or rotatably attached to the sliding base.

16. The device of claim 12 herein the sliding base is pivotable around the track.

17. A method of performing an exercise, comprising

providing an exercise device including

a second O-ring band attachable between the front pair of legs and the sliding base;

moving the sliding base along the track toward the front end by pushing against a resistance created by the first second O-ring band; and

moving the sliding base along the track toward the back end by pulling against a resistance created by the second O-ring band.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein moving the sliding base includes holding a handle attached to the sliding base.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising twisting a user's body while moving the sliding base along the track.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising replacing the O-ring bands to change the resistance of the device.