Abdominal exercise machine

• US 7,485,079 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2007
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AB Coaster Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: AB Coaster Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Nelson, Robert W., Brown, Wallace
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/983,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20080070766A1
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 482/72, 482/142, 482/140, 482/91, 482/97, 482 92- 96
• US Class Current: 482/140
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/206 on a curved path
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0085 using pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/02 using resilient force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/205 in a substantially vertical plane, e.g. for exercising against gravity exercising for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a user's body weight A63B21/068; with adjustable inclination A63B22/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0219 on hands and knees
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2214/00 Training methods
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0216 moving lower limbs with immobilized torso
• 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 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0417 with guided foot supports moving parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane by translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/907 Stretching

Abstract

The abdominal exerciser of the present invention is an exercise device designed to work the abdominal and oblique muscle groups. The abdominal exerciser includes a carriage that can slide or roll along a track and an upper body support. The abdominal exerciser device is designed to simulate an abdominal exercise “crunch” motion when the knees are brought within proximity of the upper body support.

Claims

1. An abdominal exercise machine to work a user'"'"'s abdominal and oblique muscle groups and to isolate an upper and lower abdominal muscle group in a biometrically neutral position, the abdominal exercise machine comprising:

a. a frame;

b. at least one arcuate track attached to the frame, the at least one arcuate track comprising a radius of curvature, wherein the radius of curvature is approximately 12 inches to approximately 72 inches;

c. an upper body support that supports a user'"'"'s upper body, wherein the upper body support is mounted on the frame; and

d. a sled that supports a user'"'"'s knees or legs and slides along the at least one arcuate track to exercise the user'"'"'s abdominal and oblique muscle groups.

2. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature has a center that is at least approximately 13 inches from a ground.

3. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature is approximately 18 inches to approximately 48 inches.

4. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 3, wherein the radius of curvature has a center that is at least approximately 19 inches from a ground.

5. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature is approximately 24 inches to approximately 30 inches.

6. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the radius of curvature has a center that is at least approximately 25 inches from a ground.

7. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 1, wherein at least the one arcuate track has a front end that is elevated approximately 6 inches to approximately 60 inches from a ground.

8. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the one arcuate track has a front end that is elevated approximately 18 inches to approximately 48 inches from a ground.

9. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the one arcuate track has a back end that is elevated approximately 1 inch to approximately 48 inches from a ground.

10. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the one arcuate track has a back end that is elevated approximately 12 inches to approximately 36 inches from a ground.

11. A method to exercise a user'"'"'s abdominal and oblique muscle groups in a biometrically neutral position, the method comprising the steps of:

a. fixing the location and orientation of a user'"'"'s upper body on an upper body support of an abdominal exercise machine during the exercise;

b. supporting a user'"'"'s knees or legs on a sled that slides along a curved path that comprises a radius of curvature of approximately 12 inches to approximately 72 inches, wherein the user'"'"'s abdominal and oblique muscle groups are exercised; and

c. pulling the user'"'"'s knees or legs and the sled towards the upper body support by contracting the abdominal and oblique muscle groups.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the radius of curvature has a center that is at least approximately 13 inches from a ground.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the radius of curvature is approximately 18 inches to approximately 48 inches.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the radius of curvature has a center that is at least approximately 19 inches from a ground.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the radius of curvature is approximately 24 inches to approximately 30 inches.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the radius of curvature has a center that is at least approximately 25 inches from a ground.

17. An abdominal exercise machine to work an abdominal and oblique muscle group of a user and to isolate an upper and lower abdominal muscle group in a biometrically neutral position, the abdominal exercise machine comprising:

a. a frame;

b. an upper body support mounted on the frame that fixes the location and orientation of a user'"'"'s upper body during an exercise;

c. a carriage that supports a user'"'"'s legs or knees;

d. a means for moving the carriage through an arcuate path such that a forward movement along the arcuate path allows a user'"'"'s back to exercise the user'"'"'s abdominal muscles while reducing discomfort in the user'"'"'s back, and wherein the arcuate path has a radius of curvature of approximately 6 inches to approximately 70 inches.

18. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the arcuate path has a radius of curvature of approximately 12 inches to approximately 46 inches.

19. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the arcuate path has a radius of curvature of approximately 22 inches to approximately 28 inches.

20. The abdominal exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the arcuate path has a center that is at least approximately 12 inches from a ground.