ABDOMINAL EXERCISE DEVICE

• US 20100062914A1
• Filed: 08/21/2009
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robson Splane
• Original Assignee: Robson Splane
• Inventors: SPLANE, Robson
• Granted Patent: US 7,927,267 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/96
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/003 by torsion of the body part around its longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0072 Limiting the applied force, torque, movement or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0219 on hands and knees
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• 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

An exercise device is disclosed having at least a base, first and second knee supports which are bilaterally coupled to first and second pivots located off from the center of the base. Independently rotatable knee pads are coupled to the perimeter-side end of the first and second knee supports arranged around a perimeter of the base. An upper extremity support is coupled to the base, and a first base supporting member is positioned at a rear of the base and a second base supporting member is positioned at a front of the base, wherein at least one of an inclination and elevation of the base is determined by adjustment of the base supporting members, wherein the first and second knee supports move around different arcs to generate an elliptical motion for an individual.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising:

a base;

first and second knee supports, coupled to first and second pivots located off from a center of the base;

independently rotatable knee pads coupled to a perimeter-side end of the first and second knee supports;

an upper extremity support coupled to the base; and

a first base supporting member being positioned at a rear of the base and a second base supporting member being positioned at a front of the base, wherein at least one of an inclination and elevation of the base is determined by adjustment of the base supporting members,

wherein the first and second knee supports move along different arcs around it least one of a perimeter of the base and a contact ring.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the base supporting members are pivotably attached to the base, permitting the base supporting members to be folded, wherein an overall size of the exercise device is reduced when the base supporting members are folded.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the upper extremity support is pivotably attached to the base.

4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein a length of the upper extremity support is adjustable.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the base supporting members and the upper extremity support member are coupled to the base via a frame attached to the base.

6. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a low moving friction surface at a bottom of the knee supports, in contact with the contact ring.

7. The exercise device of claim 6, wherein the low moving friction surfaces are rollers.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first and second knee support arms are coupled to each other.

9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the knee pads is lockable to prevent rotation of the knee pad.

10. An exercise device, comprising:

a main supporting means for supporting an individual in a kneeling position;

first and second supporting means for controlling motion of knees of the individual, coupled to first and second pivots located off from a center of the main supporting means;

cushioning means for cushioning knees of the individual, coupled to the first and second supporting means, the cushioning means being independently rotatable;

a third supporting means for supporting an upper extremity of the individual, coupled to the main supporting means; and

a fourth supporting means for supporting the main supporting means, wherein at least one of an inclination and elevation of the main supporting means is determined by adjustment of a length of the fourth supporting means,

wherein the first and second supporting means move along different arcs around at least one of a perimeter of the main supporting means and the contact means to generate an elliptical motion for the individual.

11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the fourth supporting means are pivotably attached to the mains supporting means, permitting the fourth supporting means to be folded, wherein an overall size of the exercise device is reduced when the fourth supporting means are folded.

12. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the third supporting means is pivotably attached to the main supporting means.

13. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein a length of the third supporting means is adjustable.

14. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the third and fourth supporting means are coupled to the main supporting means via a frame.

15. The exercise device of claim 10, further comprising low friction means for providing a low friction contact between the first and second supporting means with the contact means.

16. The exercise device of claim 15, wherein the low friction means are movable.

17. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein the first and second supporting means are coupled to each other.

18. A method for operating an exercise machine, comprising:

adjusting a height of supporting legs for the exercise machine, wherein at least one of an inclination and elevation of the exercise machine is determined by the adjustment;

placing knees on independently rotatable knee pads attached to first and second supports configured to control a motion of the knees, the first and second supports being coupled via first and second pivot points located off center from a center of a base;

placing hands on an upper extremity support coupled to the base; and

moving the knee pads along different arcs around at least one of a perimeter of the base and a contact ring.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the upper extremity support is adjustable in at least one of a pivot angle and length.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the knee pads are coupled together.