Abdominal exercising and strength testing systems

• US 20070021282A1
• Filed: 07/19/2005
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Shaun Karp
• Original Assignee: Shaun Karp
• Inventors: Karp, Shaun
• Application Number:
  US11/183,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20070021282A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/140
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/224 Measuring muscular strength
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4037 Exercise mats for personal use, with or without hand-grips or foot-grips, e.g. for Yoga or supine floor exercises mats for absorbing shocks A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4039 contoured to fit to specific body parts, e.g. back, knee or neck support arrangements for attaching exercising apparatus to the user's body A63B21/4001; handles, pedals, bars or platforms A63B21/4033
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0233 Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities

Abstract

A postural awareness apparatus includes a pad, a signal generating element and an element for detecting a weight applied to the pad and activating the signal generating element when the weight so detected exceeds a predetermined weight.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising

a) a pad,

b) signal means for producing a signal, and

c) detection means for detecting a weight applied to said pad and activating said signal means when said weight exceeds a predetermined weight.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said signal means produces a signal selected from the group consisting of a vibratory signal, an auditory signal and a visible signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said signal means comprises at least one vibrator unit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a head rest affixed to said pad.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said head rest is detachably affixed to said pad.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said head rest is spaced from said signal means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said head rest is adjustably spaced from said signal means.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said pad has a longitudinal axis and wherein said signal means comprise a plurality of vibrator units, a portion of said plurality of vibrator units being affixed to said pad at opposed locations on either side of said longitudinal axis.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said head rest comprises at least one vibrator unit disposed within said head rest.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising means for activating said at least one vibrator unit disposed within said headrest independent of said detection means.

11. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said head rest comprises a plurality of handles.

12. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprises a wedge for insertion between said head rest and said pad.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detection means comprises a mechanical switch which closes when a weight applied thereto exceeds a predetermined pressure.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said mechanical switch comprises a spring.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detection means comprises a pressure sensor and an electronic circuit which generates an output when pressure measured by said pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined pressure.

16. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said detection means is spaced from said head rest.

17. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said detection means and said signal means are affixed to said pad adjacent one another and wherein said detection means and said signal means are spaced from said head rest.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pad has an upper surface on which graphics depicting at least a portion of a human spine and pelvis are disposed.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lordosis insert.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for attaching said pad to a horizontal or vertical surface.

21. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said head rest comprises second detector means for detecting a weight applied to said head rest and second signal means, said second detector means activating said second signal means when said weight is below a predetermined weight.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detection means comprises means for measuring said weight.

23. An apparatus comprising

a) a pad having a longitudinal axis, proximal and distal ends and an upper surface,

b) a head rest adjustable affixed to said proximal end of said pad,

c) at least one vibrating unit affixed to said pad, said vibrating unit being in spaced relationship to said head rest, and

d) detection means for detecting a weight applied to said pad and activating said signal means when said weight exceeds a predetermined weight, said detection means and said signal means being affixed to said pad adjacent each other.

24. A method of strengthening the abdomen and lower back of a human comprising the steps of:

i) contacting the back of a person to be strengthened to an apparatus comprising

a) a pad having a longitudinal axis, proximal and distal ends and an upper surface,

b) a head rest adjustably affixed to said proximal end of said pad,

c) at least one vibrating unit affixed to said pad, said vibrating unit being in spaced relationship to said head rest, and

d) detection means for detecting a weight applied to said pad and activating said signal means when said weight exceeds a predetermined weight, said detection means and said signal means being affixed to said pad adjacent each other,

ii) adjusting the position of said head rest on said pad to align said head rest with the neck of the person to be strengthened and simultaneously align said at least one vibrating unit and said detection means with the lumbar region of the person to be strengthened,

iii) compressing the lumbar region of the person to be strengthened to contact said detection means, whereby said detection means in response to said compression activates said at least one vibrating unit, and

iv) compressing and relaxing the abdomen of the person to be strengthened while maintaining compression of the lumbar region of the person to be strengthened, whereby said at least one vibrating unit continues to vibrate throughout said abdominal compression and relaxation.

25. The method of claim 24 wherien said pad is placed on a horizontal surface and the person to be strengthened lies on said upper surface of said pad.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said pad is affixed to a vertical surface and the person to be strengthened stands against said upper surface of said pad.