Patent Application
20080254956
The present invention relates to the field of exercise equipment, and particularly to modifiable supports for back or abdominal exercises.
The present invention is directed to a composite support adapted to engage the back, side, or abdomen of a person. The composite support comprises a base support and at least one auxiliary support. The base support comprises a first base support surface and a second base support surface. The at least one auxiliary support comprises a first auxiliary support surface and a second auxiliary support surface. The first auxiliary support surface is substantially complimentary to the first base support surface or the second auxiliary support surface of another of the plurality of auxiliary supports. A length of the base support and a length of the at least one auxiliary support are substantially the same.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a back support for use while exercising. The back support comprises a base support and at least one auxiliary support. The base support comprises a generally planar lower surface and an upper surface. At least a portion of the upper surface is arcuate. The at least one auxiliary support comprises a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface of the at least one auxiliary support is characterized by a contour adapted to substantially compliment the upper surface of the base support or another of the at least one auxiliary supports. At least a portion of the upper surface of the auxiliary support is arcuate.
Turning to the drawings in general and
The base support 12 comprises a first base support surface 16 and a second base support surface 18. The at least one auxiliary support 14 comprises a first auxiliary support surface 20 and a second auxiliary support surface 22. The first auxiliary support surface 20 is substantially complementary to the first base support surface 16 or the second auxiliary support surface 22 of another of the auxiliary supports 14.
As shown in
The composite support 10 may further comprise the additional auxiliary supports 14 which may be added or removed as desired. The first auxiliary support surface 20 of an additional auxiliary support 14 is preferably substantially complementary with the second auxiliary support surface 22 of at least one of the auxiliary supports. In this manner, the auxiliary supports 14 may be stacked to increase a height of the composite support 10. The at least one auxiliary support 14 is stacked on top of the base support 12. Preferably, stacking the auxiliary support 14 on top of the base support increases the height of the composite support 10 without substantially changing its horizontal dimensions. As the additional auxiliary supports 14 are added to the composite support 10, the height is preferably increased without changing the horizontal dimensions of the composite support. Consequently, a length of the base support and a length of the at least one auxiliary support are substantially the same.
In an alternative embodiment shown in
In this embodiment, a first horizontal dimension, a width, of the base support 30 and a first horizontal dimension, a width, of the at least one auxiliary support 32 are preferably the same. A second horizontal dimension, a length of the base support 30 is substantially the same as a second horizontal dimension, a length, of the at least one auxiliary support 32. Thus, in this embodiment, as auxiliary supports 32 are added and the height of the composite support 10a increases, the horizontal dimensions, the width and the length, remain substantially the same.
Referring now to
Each of the first auxiliary support surfaces 20 or 38 is designed to be substantially complimentary with the first base support surface 16 or 34 or the second auxiliary support surface 22 or 40 of another of the plurality of auxiliary supports 14 or 32. Preferably, each of the auxiliary supports 14 or 32 has varying dimension, in order to allow matching surfaces to be more complementary. With reference again to
The base support 12 and auxiliary supports 14 are preferably composed of the same material. Preferably, the supports 12 and 14 are composed of a solid substance that can support the back of a person lying in a prone position. More preferably, the solid substance comprises a latex or polyurethane foam. Alternatively, the solid substance may comprise rubber or a combination of compounds. It is preferable for the material to be such that the coefficient of friction between supports is high. A high coefficient of friction will reduce slippage between the supports and protect users from discomfort. Alternatively, other methods for securing the supports 12 and 14, as discussed above, are contemplated.
The supports can be made through various methods. The supports can be bias cut into pre-determined shapes or created using an injection molding process such as injection molding.
In another alternative embodiment, the composite support 10 may comprise bladders of air. In this embodiment, the base support 12 and auxiliary supports 14 comprise separate bladders. Each support 12 and 14 may be activated by fully inflating the support with air. Full inflation is achieved when the internal pressure in a support is high enough to prevent the air from becoming substantially displaced by the weight of a user during use. The composite support 10 may comprise several individual bladders, or one permanently connected composite bladder with a base support chamber and auxiliary support chambers.
While many configurations are anticipated, the embodiment of
The back support of the current invention is preferably used for back or abdominal exercises. One such exercise is a sit-up, although the device may also be used for various exercises where a person is on their side or on their stomach. In a beginning embodiment of the sit-up, the base support 12 is used alone. A user places the lower second surface 18 of the base support 12 on a planar surface, such as a mat or floor. The user sits proximate one edge of the base support 12, with the user's legs bent. The user then slowly descends to a prone position; the user's back engaging the upper first surface 16 of the base support 12. The user then slowly returns to the sitting position, utilizing muscles in the user's back and abdomen. This is repeated a number of times, as directed by the user's particular exercise regime.
In a more advanced embodiment of the above method, a composite support 10 is formed utilizing the base support 12 and one or more auxiliary supports 14. When a user finds that a previous embodiment of the exercise is too easy, an auxiliary support 14 can be added to increase the distance between the highest point of the composite support and the ground. The steps of the exercise are then executed with the composite support 10, as directed by the user's particular exercise regime. The function of the back support is similar concerning other back exercises, such as stretching and flexibility exercises.
Various modifications in the design and operation of the present invention are contemplated without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, while the principal preferred construction and modes of operation of the invention have been illustrated and described in what is now considered to represent its best embodiments it should be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.
