Patent Application
20250073518
The present invention relates to exercise equipment and, more particularly, to a cardiovascular exercise station that operatively associates with a seat.
It is well established that cardiovascular exercise promotes heathy blood flow throughout the body, which is critical in preventing and rehabbing from cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular exercise helps lower high blood pressure, decreases the likelihood of suffering from diabetes or ailments related to thinning blood flow, and promotes stamina for those engaging in athletic endeavors. Cardiovascular exercise also helps build muscle and restore lost tissue.
With that said, human nature being what it is, although millions of people know the benefits of cardiovascular exercise, they are seldom motivated to engage in such activity if it involves getting out of their seat.
As can be seen, there is a need for a cardiovascular exercise station that is dimensioned and shaped to operatively associate with a seat, whereby a user sitting in the seat can engage in a variety of cardiovascular exercises in the seated position.
In one aspect of the present invention, a chair-based exercise station includes the following: a body having an operative surface; a plurality of leg engagers along the operative surface; and a plurality of band connectors spaced apart along the operative surface.
In another aspect of the present invention, the chair-based exercise station further includes a chair having a plurality of legs engagers dimensioned and shaped to engage the plurality of leg engagers, wherein each leg engager is a recess in the operative surface or an aperture through the body, wherein the plurality of band connectors is spaced along or just inward of a periphery of the operative surface, wherein each of the plurality of band connectors is disposed between two adjacent leg engagers of the plurality of leg engagers, and wherein each of the plurality of band connectors is a hook.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the chair-based exercise station further includes a back bar having a channel for engaging a back portion of the chair, wherein the back bar further includes a bulbous projection away from said back portion.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a seat-based exercise station providing a body with a planar operative surface for supporting a plurality of leg engagers and a plurality of band connectors disposed there along, wherein the leg engagers are located along the operative surface to engage the legs of a seat that is supported by the body. The band connectors allow a user seated on the seat to utilize elastic bands for performing a multitude of cardiovascular exercises while so seated.
Referring to
Also, along the upper surface of the board, a plurality of band connectors 16 are provided. The band connectors 18 may be any shape or structure 16 that facilitates an engagement with an elastic band 20. And so, it is to be understood that even though the appended Figures show only L-shaped hooks as the band connectors 18, the present invention contemplates other shapes (e.g., curved hooks, irregular shaped protrusion protruding from said upper surface of the board 12, and the like). The plurality of band connectors 16 may define a blank space along a middle portion of the operative upper surface of the board. This blank space may be used by the user 26 during non-seated exercises, as shown in
In one embodiment, the band connectors 18 are located just inward of a periphery of the board 12 (though in other embodiments they may be at the periphery, extend from the perimetral edge, or be substantially inward of the periphery). In another embodiment, the band connectors 18 are spaced apart between along a straight line that interconnects adjacent leg engagers 14. Each band connector 18 may be an L-shaped hook whose distal end faces away from the periphery or faces an opposing band connector 18 along an opposing side of the board 12. The L-shaped hooks can face the periphery as well, even though that is not shown in the appended Figures. Likewise, the L-shaped hooks can face in any direction, wherein some face one direction, while others face another direction, while others face yet another direction.
In use, a user 26 may place the legs of the seat 18 in the complementary plurality of leg engagers 14. Then the user 26 may engage one or more elastic bands 20 with one or more band connectors 18 so that the user may perform one or more of the following exercises while in a seated position on the seat 18: arm presses, arm curls, leg presses, arm raises, sit-up, squat, pushup, and more. It should be noted that each elastic band 20 may end in a handle 22 to facilitate some of these exercises. It is also understood that user 26 may perform some of the exercise in a standing position, kneeling position, or haunch position on or off the seat 18.
The present invention may include a back bar 24 dimensioned, shaped, and adapted to engage a back support portion of the seat 18 to improve one or more of the above-listed exercises. The back bar 24 may have a channel 23 (two spaced apart flanges) for engaging the back support portion as well as a projected bulbous portion 25 for enabling the user 26 to obtain a more productive arc or shaped to a stretched elastic band 20, as illustrated in
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.
In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following
