Exercise tool

Abstract

The exercise tool includes a rigid base with a torso support extending up from a central portion of the base, and with a pair of handles extending up from lateral portions of the base. The torso support includes padding on at least an upper portion thereof. The padding is contoured to have a non-planar upper surface. The handles can be gripped by fingers of a user while the user rests a backside of a torso of the user upon the torso support, and leg and hip lifting and lowering exercises can be performed. In one embodiment, the handles include multiple separate bars in different orientations to facilitate optimal hand gripping. The exercise tool can be utilized for a large number of exercises with then tool supporting hands, feet, and/or torso or other body portions which benefit from being supported above ground while performing various exercises.

Claims

1. An exercise tool comprising in combination: a base having a planar bottom surface and a top surface opposite said bottom surface; a torso support extending upward from said top portion of said base; and a pair of handles coupled to said base and extending upward from said top surface of said base, with said handles on opposite lateral sides of said torso support; wherein each of said handles includes a plurality of bars grabbable by hands of an individual utilizing the exercise tool; wherein each of said handles includes a pair of vertically extending posts with each of said plurality of bars extending between said two posts.

2. The exercise tool of claim 1 wherein said plurality of bars includes a top bar joining upper ends of said posts together, and a parallel bar and an angled bar, said parallel bar and said angled bar oriented within a common plane beneath said top bar.

3. The exercise tool of claim 2 wherein said top bar and said parallel bar extend along lines parallel with each other and with said angled bar angled relative to said top bar and said parallel bar.

4. The exercise tool of claim 1 wherein said torso support includes a rigid frame with an angled top plate which is oriented in a non-horizontal plane when said base has its bottom surface oriented horizontally.

5. The exercise tool of claim 4 wherein said torso support includes padding overlying said top plate of said torso support.

6. The exercise tool of claim 5 wherein said padding includes a top saddle surface which is semi-cylindrical in form with lateral sides which are higher than a central portion thereof.

7. The exercise tool of claim 6 wherein said padding includes a hollow core, into which said frame of said torso support fits.

8. An exercise tool, comprising in combination: a base, said base having a planar bottom surface and a top surface opposite said bottom surface; said base wider between lateral portions thereof than it is deep between front and rear portions thereof, and wider than it is tall; said base having a central portion between said lateral portions, with a torso support extending up from said top surface of said base at said central portion; a pair of handles extending up from said top surface of said base, one of said handles at each of said lateral portions of said base; said torso support having padding on at least an upper portion thereof; and said padding having a contoured non-planar upper surface.

9. The tool of claim 8 wherein said upper surface of said padding of said torso support has at least a portion thereof which has a concave cylindrical form.

10. The tool of claim 8 wherein said upper surface of said padding includes at least a portion of which having a concave form.

11. The tool of claim 10 wherein a frame is located inside of said torso support and beneath said upper surface of said padding, said frame having a rigid form and fixed to said top surface of said base.

12. The tool of claim 11 wherein said frame includes an angled top plate non-parallel with said top surface of said base.

13. The tool of claim 12 wherein said top plate of said frame includes fenestrations therein.

14. The tool of claim 8 wherein each of said handles has multiple grippable bars thereon.

15. The tool of claim 14 wherein each of said handles includes a top bar which is located closer to an elevation of said upper surface of said padding of said torso support than to an elevation of said top surface of said base.

16. The tool of claim 15 wherein each of said handles includes a parallel bar which is parallel with said top bar and located closer to said top surface of said base than to said top bar.

17. The tool of claim 16 wherein each of said handles includes an angled bar, said angled bar non-parallel with said top bar and co-planar with said parallel bar.

18. A method for performing a lower abdomen exercise, including the steps of: resting a backside of a torso of a user upon a torso support of an exercise tool, the exercise tool having a base, the base having a planar bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, the base wider between lateral portions thereof than it is deep between front and rear portions thereof, and wider than it is tall, the base having a central portion between the lateral portions, with a torso support extending up from the top surface of the base at the central portion, a pair of handles extending up from the top surface of the base, one of the handles at each of the lateral portions of said base, the torso support having padding on at least an upper portion thereof, and the padding having a contoured non-planar upper surface; gripping one of the pair of handles with a left hand of the user and one of the handles with a right hand of the user; and repeatedly lifting and lowering hips and legs of the user relative to the torso of the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the tool of this invention while being used by an individual who is ready to perform a lower abdomen strengthening exercise.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side elevation view similar to that which is shown in FIG. 2, but after the lower abdominal strengthening exercise has transitioned to a second elevated lower body position.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above and from a rear side of the exercise tool of this invention, according to one embodiment.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 3, from above and laterally.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 3, from below and laterally.

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective full sectional view of that which is shown in FIG. 5, revealing interior details of a torso support of the exercise tool of FIG. 3.

(7) FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of that as shown in FIG. 3.

(8) FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 3.

(9) FIG. 9 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 3.

(10) FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 3.

(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a handle according to one embodiment, usable with the exercise tool of FIG. 3.

(12) FIG. 12 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 11.

(13) FIG. 13 as a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 11.

(14) FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(15) Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to an exercise tool (FIGS. 1-4) which can be utilized for a variety of different exercises for a human user, and is especially configured to comfortably and firmly support a user while performing lower abdominal exercises (FIGS. 1 and 2).

(16) In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 3-6, basic details of the exercise tool 10 are described, according to one example embodiment. The exercise tool 10 includes a base 20 of rigid form which in this embodiment is generally planar between a top surface 22 and bottom surface 24. Stiffeners 30 are located adjacent to the bottom surface 24 of the base 20 and interact with interfaces 80 of handles 70 extending up from lateral portions of the base 20. A torso support 40 extends up from the top surface 22 of the base 20. This torso support 40 includes a rigid frame 50 fixed to the top surface 22 of the base 20 and padding 60 on at least upper portions of the torso support 40. The handles 70 each include a top bar 90 extending between posts 86, 88 extending up from the interfaces 80. Parallel bars 100 and angled bars 110 also extend between these posts 86, 88 of each handle 70. With such a basic configuration, the handles 70 can support fingers F and hands (or feet) of a user, while the torso support 40 optionally provides for torso T support of a user U, or other body portions of the user U can be supported thereon, while performing various exercises.

(17) More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS. 3-7, details of the base 20 are described, according to this example embodiment. The base 20 is a rigid monolithic structure which can impart rigidity for the base 20, so that the performance associated with the base 20 can be maintained, but weight is conserved to make the tool 10 more portable in nature.

(18) The base 20 has a somewhat elongate form between two lateral portions on either side of a central portion. Most preferably, the base 20 is generally bilaterally symmetrical and configured with the lateral portions providing for hand (or foot) support, while central portions of the base 20 provide for torso T support of a user U, at least for some exercises. The base 20 has a width defined as a lateral distance between the lateral portions and a depth defined by a distance between a front and rear of a perimeter 21 of the base 20, and with a height defined as a distance between the bottom surface 24 and feet 26 on one side, and the top surface 20 on an opposite side. One particular shape for the base 20 is similar to that depicted in the figures, such as FIG. 7.

(19) The top surface 22 of the base 20 is generally planar and parallel with the bottom surface 24 in this embodiment. The top surface 22 could alternatively be domed or have other contours besides planar, but would still be generally opposite the bottom surface 24. The bottom surface 24 is preferably open so that ribbing 28 within the base 20 can be seen. The ribbing 28 in this embodiment includes lateral ribbing 28 and front-to-rear ribbing 28 perpendicular to the lateral ribbing 28. Lower edges of the ribbing 28 generally define the bottom surface 24.

(20) Feet 26 preferably extend slightly below the bottom surface 24. These feet 26 can include increased friction knobs or other structures thereon, which can increase stability of the tool 10 and resistance to sliding of the tool 10 upon an underlying surface, and also can provide high wear characteristics to keep the feet 26 from deteriorating due to abrasion when rubbing against underlying surfaces during use. The feet 26 can optionally be removably replaced with feet 26 having other characteristics or to replace worn feet 26 with new feet 26. While a particular pattern and number of feet 26 are shown, other patterns, locations and numbers of feet can be provided extending from the bottom surface 24, or the bottom surface 24 could be provided without any feet 26, as one alternative.

(21) Stiffeners 30 are preferably provided residing within recesses 32 adjacent each lateral portion of the base 20, and extending up into the bottom surface 24 of the base 20. These recesses 32 are preferably elongate in form with the shapes matching that of the stiffeners 30. The stiffeners 30 are elongate between ends 34. Holes pass through the ends 34 which can receive the interfaces 80 of the handles 70 passing therethrough after these interfaces 80 pass down through holes in the base 20 which extend down and terminate within the recesses 32.

(22) The stiffeners 30 can be formed of steel or other high strength materials generally stronger than that of the base 20. The stiffeners 30 transfer forces from the handles 70 to the base 20 in a manner which causes the handle 70 to have a highly firm and secure rigidity relative to the base 20, even when supporting full weight of a user U and forces which might be imparted upon the handles 70 which go beyond weight forces of the user U, due to movement of the user U during performance of various exercises. Lower ends of the interfaces 80 of the handle 70 terminate at threaded tips 82 which extend down below the stiffeners 30. Nuts 83 are threadably attached to these threaded tips 82 until they abut against the stiffeners 30, to securely hold the handles 70 to the base 20 through these stiffeners 30.

(23) With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 9 and 10, details of the torso support 40 are described, according to this embodiment of the exercise tool 10. The torso support 40 is configured to allow a torso T of a user U (FIGS. 1 and 2) to rest thereon during performance of various exercises. While in one embodiment it is a backside of the torso T which rests upon the torso support 40, it could be a side of the torso T or a front of the torso T, or could conceivably allow other portions of the body of the user U to rest thereon.

(24) The torso support 40 includes a frame 50 with padding 60 overlying the frame 50. The frame 50 provides a rigid skeleton, while the padding 60 provides for a softer interface with the user U. The frame 50 includes riser walls 52 which extend up from the top surface 22 of the base 20 in a fixed manner, with the riser walls 52 terminating at a top plate 54. The top plate 54 spans multiple riser walls 52 at portions of the riser wall 52 opposite the top surface 22 of the base 20. The top plate 54 is preferably angled so that it is slightly lower adjacent to a rear of the base 20 that it is adjacent to a front of the base 20. This top plate 54 is shown in this embodiment being generally planar. Fenestrations 56 pass through the top plate 54 and help to allow for breathing of cells within the padding 60, and to allow for the padding 60 to more readily flex without air being trapped therein, and to avoid trapping of stale air. Open space 58 is provided beneath the top plate 54, which helps to decrease weight of the overall exercise tool 10.

(25) The padding 60 has a contour somewhat following that of the frame 50, with a hollow core 62 fitting over the frame 50. In this embodiment, the padding 60 surrounds both an upper side of the frame 50 and lateral sides of the frame 50, but in other embodiments, at least portions of the top plate 54 of the frame 50 are covered by the padding 60. The padding 60 includes a skirt 64 extending down from an upper surface 68. The skirt 64 includes corners 66 where more planar portions of the padding 60 are joined together. A cushion region 65 (FIG. 6) defines a core of the padding 60 which can resiliently flex in thickness, allowing the upper surface 68 and other portions of the padding 60 to deflect and adjust in shape to a contour of surfaces of a torso T of a user U, to provide comfort and support for the user U. Preferably, the skirt 64 extends all the way down to the top surface 22 of the base 20. Upper portions of the skirt 64 transition at corners and edges into the upper surface 68.

(26) The upper surface 68 preferably is contoured slightly, somewhat like a saddle for the torso T of the user U. This contour is most preferably concave in nature and either being more of a cylindrical concave form or a slightly spherical concave form. With a more cylindrical concave form, lateral portions of the upper surface 68 are raised slightly and provide lateral support for the torso T of the user U during performance of various exercises. This helps to keep the user U centered upon the torso support 40 during motion. Most preferably, a rearward facing portion of the torso support 40 is slightly lower than a more forward facing portion of the torso support 40. The upper surface 68 is preferably close to horizontal (e.g. angled less than 15°) and sufficiently frictional in surface characteristics that a user U does not tend to slide upon the upper surface 68 when resting thereon. Furthermore, the handles 70 are provided to allow a user U to remain centered upon the exercise tool 10 during use, and without sliding off of the torso support 40. The padding 60 can be secured (permanently or removably) to the frame 50 and/or are 20, or can merely rest over the frame 50.

(27) With particular reference to FIGS. 11-15, details of the handles 70 are described, according to this embodiment. The handles 70 include posts 86, 88 which extend by way of interfaces 80 below the base 20 and below stiffeners 30, for securing of the handles 70 to the base 20 of the tool 10. A flange 84 is provided on each of the posts 86, 88 on upper portions of the interfaces 80. This flange 84 is larger than holes passing through the base 20 which received the threaded tips 82 passing therethrough. The flange 84 acts as a stop and a bearing surface, which can sandwich the base 20 and stiffeners 30 between the flange 84 and nut 83, for secure attachment of the handles 70 to the base 20.

(28) The posts 86, 88 have three bars 90, 100, 110 extending therebetween. These bars 90, 100, 110 include a top bar 90, a parallel bar 100 and an angled bar 110. These bars 90, 100, 110 allow for fingers F of a user U to grip the handles 70 in a variety of different ways for support of the user U relative to the base 20.

(29) The top bar 90 preferably extends between uppermost portions of the posts 86, 88 in a horizontal fashion. The top bar 90 preferably extends along a line which is co-linear with the top bar 90 of the other handle 70 at the opposite lateral side of the base 20. This top bar 90 is preferably perpendicular to a plane about which the exercise tool 10 is bilaterally symmetrical. The top bar 90 is preferably closer to an elevation of the upper surface 68 of the padding 60 of the torso support 40 than to an elevation of the top surface 22 of the base 20, but slightly below this upper surface 68. Alternatively, the top bar 90 could be above the upper surface 68.

(30) The top bar 90 includes bends 96 which support ends of the top bar 90 and a grip 98 which provides an elevated friction and padded structure for grabbing by fingers F of the user U. The grip 98 can be built into the top bar 90 or removably attachable to the top bar 90 as a separate structure, such as a resilient sleeve with a slit which can snap over the top bar 90. As an alternative, the grip 98 could be formed of tape adhesively wrapped onto the top bar 90. This configuration for the top bar 90 is particularly disclosed.

(31) The parallel bar 100 is lower than the top bar 90 but parallel with the top bar 90. This parallel bar 100 extends away from the posts 86, 88 through an inner short arm 102 and an outer short arm 104 which terminate at bends 106 at ends of the parallel bar 100. A grip 108 is located on the parallel bar 100 functioning similar to the grip 98 on the top bar 90. The parallel bar 100 is lower than the top bar 90 and closer to the top surface 22 of the base 20 than is the top bar 90. This parallel bar 100 is also preferably closer to a forward side of the base 20 than to a rearward side of the base 20. The parallel bar 100 provides a secondary location for gripping by fingers F of a user U, so when a user U desires to grip the exercise tool 10 through the handles 70, at a lower portion of the handles 70, such a lower grip 108 is provided than through the top bar 90.

(32) The angled bar 110 is preferably at a similar elevation to the parallel bar 100, but located on a more rearward side of the base 20 opposite the parallel bar. The angled bar 110 is supported through a bend 116 and an outer arm 114 away from the outer post 86, and with the angled bar 110 directly attached to the inner post 88. A grip 118 is provided on the angled bar 110 which is generally similar to the grips 98, 108 of the top bar 90 and parallel bar 100. Angled bar 110 provides an alternative angle skewed relative to both the top bar 90 and parallel bar 100, angled in a non-parallel fashion which can be desirable for gripping with fingers F of the user U when performing a variety of exercises.

(33) In use and operation, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, details of the function of the exercise tool 10 are described, according to at least one embodiment for this invention. When desiring to strengthen lower abdominal muscles of a user U, it is often desirable to elevate the torso T above ground, and then rotate hips H and legs L of the user U in a repeating fashion (along arrow A of FIG. 2). It is desirable that the hips H can extend quite low, but still remain above ground, and it is also desirable that a backside of a torso T of the user U be supported but in a manner which avoids discomfort.

(34) The tool 10 of this invention is ideal for performing such an exercise. The user U places a backside of the torso T resting upon the upper surface 68 of the padding 60 on the torso support 40. The user U has hips H and legs L on a more rearward side of the tool 10 which can initially be resting upon ground. Fingers F of the user U can grip the top bar 90 or parallel bar 100 to help stabilize the user U. The user U can then elevate the hips H and legs L above ground, and continue to elevate the hips H and legs L to a highly elevated position (along arrow A of FIG. 2). The hips H and legs L can then be rotated downward while the torso T is arched against the padding 60 of the torso support 40. Preferably, hips H and legs L remain above ground and the exercise is repeated multiple times. Such a lower abdominal exercise is difficult or impossible to perform with other exercise equipment.

(35) Before such an exercise performed, a user U will typically carry the lightweight portable exercise tool 10 to a location where the exercise is to be performed, and place the exercise tool 10 resting upon an underlying horizontal surface. Once so positioning the exercise tool 10, a large number of different exercises can be performed. With some exercises, some portion of the torso T of the user U is resting upon the torso support 40. Simultaneously, at least one hand of the user U can grip at least some portion of the handles 70, such as through fingers F of the user U.

(36) With some exercises, only the handles 70 are utilized. For instance, push-ups can be performed merely utilizing the handles 70 and without utilizing the torso support 40. The handles 70 can also be utilized as foot supports by placing toes of a user U beneath the parallel bar 100 or angled bar 110, so that feet of the user U are anchored somewhat during performing of the sit ups or crunches, or similar exercises. The tool 10 can also be utilized as a curling bar where the user U is standing, by the user gripping the handles 70 with fingers F of the user U and performing a curl. Other forms of standing exercises can also be performed, with the exercise tool 10 providing some weight with which to perform repeated exercises.

(37) While the number and type of exercises which can be performed is essentially limitless, one partial list of exercises which can be effectively performed with exercise to have this invention include: reverse crunch (no weight and weighted); reverse crunch-cross legged; upper crunch (no weight and weighted); twisting sit ups; side crunch (no weight and weighted); weighted Russian twist (no weight and weighted); flutter kicks (no weight and weighted); dragon flag variation flutter kicks (no weight and weighted); jack knives (no weight and weighted); jack knives bent knees (no weight and weighted); bicycles (no weight and weighted); plank and knees to chest (no weight and weighted); plank-one leg lift (no weight and weighted); plank-rotation and extension; plank-weighted; plank-single arm; plank-side crunches; plank-reverse hip lift; plank jacks; bird dog plank; leg circles (no weight and weighted); Swiss ball jack knife; slider knee pike; cross body climber (no weight and weighted); jack knife-cross leg (no weight and weighted); reverse medicine ball plank; medicine ball float; superman; superman with medicine ball; push-ups; back arm; and curls.

(38) This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When embodiments are referred to as “exemplary” or “preferred” this term is meant to indicate one example of the invention, and does not exclude other possible embodiments. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.