Abdominal exercise apparatus

• US 20060166799A1
• Filed: 10/26/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Merchants of Golf Incorporated (Merchants)
• Original Assignee: Merchants of Golf Incorporated (Merchants)
• Inventors: Marschalko, Cornell S., Boland, Kevin O.
• Application Number:
  US11/259,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20060166799A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/140
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/003 by torsion of the body part around its longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0227 moving torso or lower limbs laterally, i.e. substantially in the frontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0233 Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch

Abstract

A multidirectional abdominal exercise apparatus is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the exercise apparatus includes a frame having an upright member, a bench or seat, and a pair of arm members connected to at least two pivoting members. The first pivoting member pivots in a first direction about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the floor. The second pivoting member is pivotally connected to the first pivoting member and pivots in a second direction about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first direction and substantially perpendicular to a forward direction. Thus, a user can pivot the arm members in the first direction, the second direction, and both the first and second direction concurrently.

Claims

1. A multidirectional abdominal exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame configured to rest upon a floor surface, the frame including an upright member;

a bench connected to the upright member of the frame, the bench defining a forward direction;

at least two pivoting members, including a first pivoting member and a second pivoting member, wherein

the first pivoting member is pivotally connected to one of the bench and the upright member, the first pivoting member being configured to pivot in a first direction about a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the floor surface and

the second pivoting member is pivotally connected to the first pivoting member, the second pivoting member being configured to pivot in a second direction about a second axis that is substantially parallel to the floor surface, substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and substantially perpendicular to the forward direction; and

a pair of arm members connected to the second pivoting member and configured to be engaged by a user, wherein the user can pivot the arm members in the first direction, the second direction, and both the first and second direction concurrently.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one resistance member that is connected to the upright member of the frame and the pair of arm members.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one resistance member includes at least one piston and cylinder assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second pivoting member includes a sleeve and the arm members are attached to a slideable member having spaced apart apertures configured to receive a locking mechanism, wherein the slideable member is configured to be moved to a plurality of different positions within the sleeve and locked into place by the locking mechanism.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third pivoting member that is pivotally connected to the arm members and is configured to pivot in a third direction about a third axis that is parallel to the forward direction.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second pivoting member includes a sleeve and the third pivoting member has a plurality of spaced apart grooves configured to receive a locking mechanism, wherein the third pivoting member is inserted into the sleeve and is configured to be rotated within the sleeve and slideably moved to a plurality of different positions within the sleeve and locked into place by the locking mechanism.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one foot support member connected to the forward member of the frame.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bench is configured to be connected to the upright member of the frame at a plurality of different heights, so as to accommodate users of different heights.

9. An abdominal exercise apparatus comprising:

a support assembly configured to support a user in at least a sitting position;

a pair of arm members connected to the support assembly via an omni-directional pivot such that the pair of arm members are pivotal in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground and in a transverse direction; and

a pair of resistance members having one end connected to the support assembly and one end connected to a respective arm member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the omni-directional pivot includes at least two pivoting members, wherein a first pivoting member is configured to pivot in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground and a second pivot member is configured to pivot in a transverse direction.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the omni-directional pivot includes at least three pivoting members, wherein a first pivoting member is configured to pivot in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the ground, a second pivot member is configured to pivot in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction, and third pivoting member is configured to pivot in a third direction that is transverse to both the first and second direction.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the support assembly includes a frame and a seat.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pair of resistance members includes a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pair of resistance members includes a pair of elastic bands.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a resistance adjustment mechanism.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the resistance adjustment mechanism includes:

a sleeve portion;

an elongated member slideably inserted into the sleeve portion, the elongated member having a plurality of spaced apart grooves; and

a locking member adapted to be received in a selected groove of the elongated member to lock the elongated member into a selected position.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the sleeve portion is connected to the omni-directional pivot and the elongated portion is connected to the pair of arm members.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the sleeve portion is connected to the pair of arm members and the elongated portion is connected to the omni-directional pivot.

19. A multidirectional exercise machine comprising:

a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface; and

a pair of arms connected to the frame assembly via at least two pivotal connections, the at least two pivotal connections including at least a first pivotal connection configured to allow the arms to pivot in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the floor surface, and a second pivotal connection configured to allow the arms to pivot in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

20. The multidirectional exercise machine of claim 19, wherein the pair of arms are connected to the frame assembly via a third pivotal connection configured to allow the arms to pivot in a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to both the first and second direction.

21. The multidirectional exercise machine of claim 19, wherein the frame assembly includes a bench defining a forward direction.

22. The multidirectional exercise machine of claim 20, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the forward direction.

23. The multidirectional exercise machine of claim 19, further comprising at least one resistance providing member provided between the frame assembly and the pair of arm members.

24. The multidirectional exercise machine of claim 23, further comprising means for adjusting the resistance providing member.