1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to exercise devices, more particularly, to leg strengthening exercise devices, and most particularly, to exercise devices directed to the strengthening of muscles used in horseback riding.
2. Related Art
Various exercise devices are known in the art for targeting particular muscle groups. However, none is known that particularly is directed to the development of muscles used in the sport of bareback riding, particularly in rodeo competitions.
The present invention is directed to an exercise device for strengthening muscles used in horseback riding. The device comprises a handle and a base having opposed outer surfaces. An elongated arm has a joint between a first section and a second section. The first section is affixed to the handle at an outer end, and the second section is affixed to the base at an outer end. The joint is adapted to permit angular movement between the first and the second section in a plane generally parallel to planes defined by the base surfaces. The first and the second section are bendable between a first angle and a second angle less than the first angle.
In use, a user lies substantially prone and grasps the handle with at least one hand. The user then places one heel against each of the base surfaces, and draws the base toward his/her trunk using heel pressure, thereby bending the arm from the first angle to the second angle.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to
The exercise device 10 is, in a particular embodiment, useful for strengthening muscles required in horseback riding, and, particularly, for muscles required in bareback rodeo riding. The device 10 comprises a handle 11 that preferably resembles an actual bareback rigging and lever system. The handle 11 comprises a gripping portion 12 that includes, for example, tubing that is formed into the shape of three sides of a parallelogram, a central section 13 adapted for grasping by the user. In use, the gripping portion 12 defines a generally vertical plane. A top 14 and a bottom 15 section are rigidly affixed at their ends 16,17 in substantially perpendicular fashion to a top 18 and a bottom 19 of a generally trapezoidal frame 47, a plane of the frame 47 generally normal to the gripping portion 12 plane.
Extending away from the frame 47, substantially perpendicular to the frame's top 18, is a joining arm 48, which comprises a pair of opposed elongated plates, each having a hole 49 adjacent their distal ends 50.
In a particular embodiment, the elements of the handle 11 comprise metal tubing, for example, ½-in. round metal tubing. Exemplary length dimensions comprise, for the gripping portion central section 13, 6 in.; for the gripping portion top 14 and bottom 15 sections, 7.5 in.; for the frame top 18, 5 in.; for the frame bottom 19, 12.5 in.; and for the frame sides 20, 7 in. The handle 11 has been designed specifically to simulate an actual bareback rigging and lever system. The handle 11 has also been designed at an angle to simulate the position and point of balance a bareback rigging has on a horse.
The device 10 also comprises a base 21 having opposed surfaces 22,23. In a particular embodiment, not intended as a limitation, the base 21 comprises a generally support structure comprising a generally disclike structure, which in turn comprises a metal ring 24 affixed in circumferential relation to a disc comprising a compressible pad 25. In an exemplary embodiment, the metal ring 24 has a ¾%-in. thickness and is 6 in. in diameter, and the pad 25 comprises a ¾-in.-thick rubber pad. The pad 25 can be affixed to the ring 24, for example, by a plurality of screws.
The device 10 also includes an elongated arm 30 that has a joint 31 between a first section 32 and a second section 33. In an exemplary embodiment, the first 32 and the second 33 sections are separate elements joined at their inner ends 34,35 by a pivotable joining element 36, although this is not intended as a limitation. Exemplary dimensions include lengths for the elements of 15 in. for the first section 32 and 8 in. for the second section 33. Exemplary materials include 1.25-in. square metal tubing for the first section 32 and 1 in. square metal tubing for the second section 33. An exemplary joining element 36 comprises a 14-in. bolt having a block or protrusion 37 extending therefrom to limit the range of extension between the first 32 and the second 33 sections.
The first section 32 is affixed to the joining arm 48 adjacent an outer end 38 by, for example, a ¼-in. pin and key through holes 50 in the joining arm 48 and a corresponding hole (not shown) in the first section 32, to form a hinge. Other mechanisms for forming a hinge will be apparent to one of skill in the art, and this device is not intended as a limitation.
The second section 33 is rigidly affixed to the base 21 at an outer end 39, for example, by welding. The joint 31 is adapted to permit angular movement between the first 32 and the second 33 section in a plane generally parallel to planes defined by the base surfaces 22,23. The first 32 and the second 33 section are bendable between a first angle 40 and a second angle 41 (shown by a dotted line in
In use, a user 42 lies substantially prone (
The device 10 of the present invention has been shown to be useful in exercising and building muscles used by a bareback rider in the sport of rodeo, as it simulates the feel of riding a horse bareback and improves the placement and control of feet.
This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/616,005, filed Oct. 5, 2004, entitled “Exercise Device for Toning Horseback Riding Muscles and Associated Methods,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference hereinto.
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60616005 | Oct 2004 | US |