Exercise apparatus for strengthening abdominal muscles

• US 9,017,237 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2010
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William Araujo
• Original Assignee: William Araujo
• Inventors: Araujo, William
• Primary Examiner(s): GINSBERG, OREN ISAAC
• Application Number:
  US12/880,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20110015048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,688 Days
• Field of Search: 482/93, 482/121, 482/122, 482/123, 482/129, 482/130, 482/133, 482/140, 482/142, 482/907, 482/908, 563/3, 563/4, 564/2, 207/161, 207/354.12, 297/161, 297/354.12
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element
• 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 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0205 Abdomen
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs

Abstract

An exercise apparatus that lies flat on the floor having a back rest rises up when supported by two springs. The lower part of the back and buttocks lie horizontal while the upper part of the back is inclined at an angle to the horizontal. When not in use, the upper back rest folds down flat so that the device can be stored under a bed. The two springs provide back support when the individual is in the reclining position. However, as a person goes from a sitting position to a reclining position, when his or her shoulders contact the back rest, the springs compress and then expand to assist the individual in rising up. The device has two specially designed positionable foot rests with straps to provide a place for the individual to place his or her feet.

Claims

1. An exercise device to assist a person in the performance of abdominal crunches and exercises, wherein said person has buttocks, a back, legs, and feet, said exercise device comprising:

a) a first member comprising a padded top surface having a top length and width, a bottom surface having a bottom length and width, and a plurality of edge surfaces each having a height that is the same on every edge, wherein;

the entire top surface is essentially parallel to the bottom surface;

all of the plurality of edge surfaces are not parallel to the bottom surface;

the heights of the plurality of edge surfaces are not parallel to the lengths or widths of the top and bottom surfaces;

the length of the top surface is approximately equal to the length of the bottom surface;

the width of the top surface is approximately equal to the width of the bottom surface;

the lengths of the top and bottom surfaces are substantially larger than the heights of the plurality of edge surfaces; and

,

the entire bottom surface is essentially planar;

b) wherein the padded top surface supports the person'"'"'s buttocks when he is seated thereon;

c) a second member that supports the person'"'"'s back, wherein the second member is hinged only to the first member, and further comprises a plurality of support pads;

d) at least one removable and replaceable spring having elasticity, which is attached only to said first and second members;

that when a force is exerted upon the second member by the person sitting or lying on the exercise device, where said force tends to move the second member towards a position parallel to the first member or towards a position on the same plane as the first member, the at least one removable and replaceable spring provides resistance to said force, and

that when the person is not sitting or lying on the exercise device or does not exert a force, said at least one removable and replaceable spring provides a force that maintains the second member in a position not parallel to the first member and not in the same plane as the first member;

wherein the elasticity of the at least one removable and replaceable spring is selectable so as to provide variable back support; and

,

e. at least one removable footrest that is slidably variably positionable in a direction parallel to the top length of the top surface of the first member to allow the person to stretch his legs and rest his feet comfortably on the at least one removable footrest.

2. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the elasticity of the at least one removable and replaceable spring is selected by varying the number of coils.

3. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the first member is essentially horizontal.

4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the number of removable and replaceable springs of the at least one removable and replaceable spring is two.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the number of removable footrests of the at least one removable footrest is two.