Exercise Apparatus and Associated Methods

• US 20120277079A1
• Filed: 04/27/2012
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Craig Allain, Stephanie Allain
• Original Assignee: Craig Allain, Stephanie Allain
• Inventors: Allain, Stephanie, Allain, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 9,079,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/16 Platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform; Balancing drums; Balancing boards or the like exercising apparatus with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0056; other exercising apparatus for improving balance A63B26/003
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/00 Exercising apparatus not covered by groups A63B1/00 - A63B25/00

Abstract

An exercise apparatus may include a track having a first end and a second end, and a first pad fixedly attached to the first end of the track. The first pad may include a pedestal, a support structure attached to a lower surface of the pedestal and extending generally downwards therefrom, and an attachment member extending from a surface of the support structure to an outer edge of the pedestal. The exercise apparatus may also include a second pad slidably coupled to the track. The second pad may include a slidable vehicle and a top pad fixedly connected to the slidable vehicle. The exercise apparatus may further include a first bumper and a second bumper connected to the track. The first bumper may be connected to the track adjacent the first end, and the second bumper may be connected to the track adjacent the second end.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a track having a first end and a second end;

a first pad fixedly attached to the first end of the track, the first pad comprising

a pedestal,

a support structure attached to a lower surface of the pedestal and extending generally downwards therefrom, and

an attachment member extending from a surface of the support structure to an outer edge of the pedestal; and

a second pad slidably coupled to the track, the second pad comprising

a slidable vehicle, and

a top pad fixedly connected to the slidable vehicle; and

a first bumper and a second bumper connected to the track, the first bumper connected to the track adjacent the first end and the second bumper connected to the track adjacent the second end.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a first track base attached to the first end of the track;

and a second track base attached to the second end of the track.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the slidable vehicle comprises:

a first side vehicle member;

a second side vehicle member; and

a wheel rotatably coupled to both the first vehicle member and the second vehicle member;

wherein the first and second side vehicle members are substantially parallel to each other and are set apart a distance greater than a width of the track.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the wheel is positioned to interface with a top surface 44 of the track.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a stabilizing member rotatably coupled to at least one of the first vehicle member and second vehicle member.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the stabilizing member is configured to interface with a downward-facing surface of the track.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the top pad comprises first end and a second end;

wherein at least one of the first end and the second end comprises a ridge.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an elongate member attached to the first pad, the elongate member configured to extend generally upwards from the first pad;

wherein the first pad comprises a respective receiving member configured to receive an end of the elongate member.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the attachment member comprises a laterally extending section attached to the support structure and a vertically extending section attached to the pedestal, the vertically extending section having a thickness and comprising a plurality of apertures formed therethrough;

and wherein the track comprises a plurality of apertures, each of the apertures of the vertically extending section being associated with one of the apertures of the track.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the track comprises a first section and a second section;

wherein the first section comprises a receiving section; and

wherein the second section is configured to be at least partially disposed within the receiving section of the first section.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a resistive member having a first end and a second end;

wherein the first end of the resistive member is attached to the first track base; and

wherein the second end of the resistive member is attached to the second pad.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a hinge;

wherein the hinge comprises a first plate rotatably coupled to a second plate;

wherein the first plate is fixedly attached to the first pad; and

wherein the second plate is fixedly attached to the track.

13. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a track having a first end and a second end;

a first pad attached to the first end of the track, the first pad comprising

a pedestal,

a support structure attached to a lower surface of the pedestal and extending generally downwards therefrom, and

an attachment member extending from a surface of the support structure to an outer edge of the pedestal;

a hinge having a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate is rotatably coupled to the second plate, wherein the first plate is fixedly coupled to the first pad, and wherein the second plate is fixedly attached to the first end of the track;

a second pad slidably coupled to the track, the second pad comprising

a slidable vehicle, the slidable vehicle comprising

a first side vehicle member,

a second side vehicle member, and

a wheel rotatably coupled to both the first vehicle member and the second vehicle member, the wheel being positioned to interface with a top surface 44 of the track,

a stabilizing member rotatably coupled to at least one of the first vehicle member and second vehicle member,

wherein the first and second side vehicle members are substantially parallel to each other and are set apart a distance greater than a width of the track, and

a top pad fixedly connected to the slidable vehicle, the top pad comprising a first end and a second end that each comprise a raised section, and

an elongate member attached to the first pad, the elongate member configured to extend generally upwards from the first pad, wherein the first pad comprises at least receiving member configured to receive one end of an elongate member, each receiving member being associated with one elongate member; and

a first bumper and a second bumper connected to the track, the first bumper connected to the track adjacent the first end and the second bumper connected to the track adjacent the second end.

a hinge having a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate is rotatably coupled to the second plate, wherein the first plate is fixedly coupled to the first pad, and wherein the second plate is fixedly attached to the first end of the track.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the track comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section comprises a receiving section and the second section is configured to be at least partially disposed within the receiving section of the first section.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a resistive member having a first end and a second end;

wherein the first end of the resistive member is attached to the first track base; and

wherein the second end of the resistive member is attached to the second pad.

16. A method of using an exercise apparatus that includes a track having a first end and a second end, a first pad fixedly attached to the first end of the track, the first pad having a pedestal, a support structure attached to a lower surface of the pedestal and extending generally downwards therefrom, and an attachment member extending from a surface of the support structure to an outer edge of the pedestal, a second pad slidably coupled to the track, the second pad comprising a slidable vehicle and a top pad fixedly connected to the slidable vehicle, and a first bumper and a second bumper connected to the track, the first bumper connected to the track adjacent the first end and the second bumper connected to the track adjacent the second end, the method comprising the steps of;

applying a first force to at least one of the first pad and the second pad causing the second pad to slide along the track in a direction away from the first pad; and

applying a second force to at least one of the first pad and the second pad causing the second pad to slide along the track in a direction towards the first pad.

17. A method according to the method of claim 16 further comprising placing a first foot of a user on the pedestal of the first pad;

and

placing a second foot of the user on the top pad of the second pad;

wherein the step of applying a first force is performed by the user; and

wherein the step of applying a second force is performed by the user.

18. A method according to the method of claim 16 further comprising the step of allowing the second pad to travel along the track away from the first pad so that the second pad contacts the second bumper.

19. A method according to the method of claim 16 further comprising the step of allowing the second pad to travel along the track towards the first pad so that the second pad contacts the first bumper.

20. A method according to the method of claim 16 wherein the exercise apparatus includes an extension member attached to and extending generally upwards from the first pad;

and further comprising the step of causing a user to grasp the extension member with a hand of the user.

21. A method according to the method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of:

applying a third force to the extension member by the user hand; and

applying a fourth force to the extension member by the user hand.