1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fitness equipment and more specifically to an abdomen fitness equipment.
Abdominal fitness equipment in accordance with the present invention enables the user to exercise the action of sit-ups, with less effort and less stress on the lower back. Effectiveness of the exercise is increased in accordance with the present invention by utilizing a broader range of motion between the upper body and the lower body. By pulling the feet and knees into the body while simultaneously doing the traditional crunch sit-up motion, the user works the lower abdominal muscles and the upper abdominal muscles.
One object of the present invention is to provide a fitness equipment which enables a user to exercise the action of crunch sit-ups to work the upper part of the user's abdominals while motioning the legs in toward the chest on a wheeled platform. It is another object of the present invention, to provide a fitness equipment where the movable action of the foot platform can be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of difficulty in pulling the legs towards the chest and back down.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fitness equipment that is collapsible and can fold up into its own portable suitcase when not in use and that can be easily transported or stored.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the abdominal fitness equipment preferably provides two platforms, a seat platform, and a wheeled foot platform with foot straps. The user sits on the seat platform with legs stretched horizontally, with feet fastened into the straps of the wheeled foot platform. The wheels of the foot platform allow the user to pull the knees and legs in towards the user's chest, working the lower abdominals.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the seat platform allows the user to sit and perform the action of traditional sit-ups.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the fitness equipment preferably includes a track rod, which is telescopic, which can be attached to the seat and foot platform to provide stability and direction to the foot platform when being pulled into the user's chest. The track rod can be removed from the platform receptacles, be collapsed, and stored inside the suitcase.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the fitness equipment preferably provides a folding foot rest with foot straps to accommodate a more comfortable angle of the feet while strapped onto the platform.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the fitness equipment preferably provides a handle to lift and transport the folded suitcase. According to another aspect of the present invention, the fitness equipment preferably provides an adjustable brake-like resistance system which makes contact with the wheels to provide varied level of difficulty in moving the foot platform.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercise device comprising: a seat portion; an extendible telescoping portion; and a foot platform. The telescoping portion is operable to selectively engage both the seat portion and the foot platform, the seat portion and the foot platform being operable to move relative to one another between a first position, in which the foot portion and the seat portion are relatively close to one another, and a second position, in which the foot platform and the seat portion are relatively further apart from one another, the foot platform further including an adjustment portion that adjust the amount of force necessary to move between the first and second positions.
In accordance with another aspect, there is provided an exercise device comprising: a seat portion; and a wheeled foot platform, the exercise device being collapsible such that the seat portion and the wheeled foot platform together form a suitcase-like carrying structure
For the purposes of illustrating the present invention, there is shown in the drawings an illustrative form, it being understood however, that the invention is not limited to the precise form shown by the drawings in which:
Referring to
The foot platform 7 preferably includes two feet straps 2 to secure the feet to the platform, two adjustable brake-like devices 1 to provide tension against the back wheels 11 and increasing the resistance when the brake pads 13 are up against the wheel in motion. The foot platform also preferably includes a folding foot rest 3 hinged at 9 to provide a more comfortable angle for user to rest and secure the feet. Referring to
The foot platform also preferably includes the male end of hinges 14 to use when opening or closing the suitcase-like fitness device with locking tabs 8 to prevent the suitcase from opening when it is closed. A molded cutout 5 forms a handle to carry and transport the suitcase.
Referring to
Movement between these two positions, and positions in between, is facilitated by the wheels of the foot platform, and further facilitated by the telescoping portion 15, which allows the foot platform 7 and seat platform 6 to move closer and further apart from one another to assist in doing abdominal exercises, e.g., in a relatively straight line, as described above.
While the foregoing description and drawings represent an illustrative embodiment of the present. invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications, and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments specifically described herein. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/718,055, filed Sep. 16, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60718055 | Sep 2005 | US |