TECHNICAL FIELD
The current document is directed to personal exercise equipment and, in particular, to an exercise device that can be used for back-stretching exercises and various types of isometric exercises.
BACKGROUND
A variety of different types of exercise devices have been developed and manufactured to assist individuals in performing a variety of different types of isometric exercises, including back-stretching exercises. One such exercise device includes 2 U-shaped bars. A first larger U-shaped bar includes a central cylindrical leg pad. A second U-shaped bar includes two cylindrical leg pads and is rigidly affixed to the first U-shaped bar so that the plane of the second U-shaped bar is nearly perpendicular to the plane of the first U-shaped bar. This currently available exercise device is useful for isometric back-stretching exercises that can relieve lower back pain. However, this exercise device is relatively expensive to manufacture, is somewhat bulky and difficult to maneuver and manipulate, and requires relatively large-volume packaging for shipping and distribution.
SUMMARY
The current document is directed to an improved exercise device that facilitates isometric back-stretching exercises and other isometric exercises. One implementation of the improved exercise device includes a tubular U-shaped frame to which two conforming thigh pads are rotatably and slidably mounted. In this implementation, a tubular T-shaped extension is removably attached to the U-shaped frame to provide two leg pads mounted to a crossbar member of the T-shaped extension. The plane of the U-shaped frame is inclined with respect to the plane of the T-shaped extension. The U-shaped frame includes two handles at each end, each handle comprising a tubular handgrip that fits over the ends of the U-shaped frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of one implementation of the currently disclosed exercise device.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example isometric back-stretching exercise facilitated by the currently disclosed exercise device.
FIG. 3 shows one implementations of the currently disclosed exercise device from a second viewpoint.
FIG. 4 illustrates components used in one implementation for securing or locking the position of the shaft member 105 of the T-shaped extension with respect to the short tubular stem 304 of the U-shaped frame 102.
FIG. 5 shows yet another view of the currently disclosed exercise device.
FIG. 6 shows one of the two leg pads.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of one implementation of the currently disclosed exercise device. In the implementation shown in FIG. 1, the exercise device 100 includes a U-shaped frame 102 and a T-shaped extension 104 that includes a shaft member 105 removably mounted to the U-shaped frame 102. In the implementation shown in FIG. 1, both the U-shaped frame and the T-shaped extension are manufactured from hollow, tubular or cylindrical bars. The hollow, tubular bars may be composed of metal, composite materials, or other stiff and rigid materials that can tolerate applied mechanical forces and internal stresses resulting from applied forces without bending, breaking, or permanent deformation. Two conforming thigh pads 106-107 are rotatably and slidably mounted to the U-shaped frame. Two cylindrical leg pads 108-109 are mounted over the two ends of a crossbar member 110 of the T-shaped extension 104. Two hand grips 112-113 are mounted over the two ends 114-115 of the U-shaped frame 102.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example isometric back-stretching exercise facilitated by the currently disclosed exercise device. In this exercise, a user 202 sits on a bench 204 with the exercise device 100 resting on the user's thighs 206-207 and with the shaft member 105 of the T-shaped extension 104 between the user's legs so that the leg pads 108 and 109 provide surfaces that contact the backs of the user's knees. By exerting forces downward through the handles 113-114, the user is able to stretch the user's lower back, with the exercise device helping to maintain the user in a sitting or chair-like posture.
FIG. 3 shows one implementations of the currently disclosed exercise device from a second viewpoint. In FIG. 3, the thigh pads 106-107 are seen to be mounted to the U-shaped frame by mounting devices 302-303. In one implementation, the mounting devices are C-shaped clips that can slide in both directions along the U-shaped frame 102 and that can additionally rotate about the U-shaped frame. Also visible in FIG. 3 is a short tubular stem 304 affixed to, or part of, the U-shaped frame and that is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the central portion of the U-shaped frame 102. The short tubular stem 304 serves as a mount for the T-shaped extension. In one implementation, the end of the short tubular stem is swedged or otherwise shaped to have a smaller outside diameter than the inner diameter of the shaft member 105 of the T-shaped extension, allowing the short tubular stem to be inserted into the shaft member of the T-shaped extension. In many implementations, one or more additional components are used to lock or secure the shaft member of the T-shaped extension in a fixed rotational and translational position relative to the short tubular stem so that the U-shaped frame 102 and the T-shaped extension together form a rigid exercise device. The T-shaped extension can be removed from the short tubular stem 304 to facilitate packing, shipping, and storing the exercise device. The shaft member 105 of the T-shaped extension is mounted to the crossbar member 110 by welding, brackets, and/or other rigid mounting methods and devices.
FIG. 4 illustrates components used in one implementation for securing or locking the position of the shaft member 105 of the T-shaped extension with respect to the short tubular stem 304 of the U-shaped frame 102. A snap-button fastener 402 is mounted within the short tubular stem 304 to provide spring-like extension of two rounded buttons 404-405 that project outward through aligned apertures in the short tubular stem and the shaft member 105 of the T-shaped extension 104 to lock the translational and rotational position of the shaft member with respect to the short tubular stem.
FIG. 5 shows yet another view of the currently disclosed exercise device. In one implementation, the two leg pads 108-109 are cylindrical foam tubes affixed to the crossbar member 110 of the T-shaped extension by friction fit, adhesives, mounting rings, tape, or by other such securing methods. The crossbar member 110 and leg pads 108 and 109 together comprise left-hand and right-hand leg braces. In an alternative implementation, the end of the shaft member 105 of the T-shaped extension may have a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the short tubular stem 304 so that the shaft member fits inside the short tubular stem, with the snap-button fastener mounted within the shaft member.
FIG. 6 shows one of the two thigh pads. The thigh pad 602 includes a base 604. In one implementation, the base is an injection-molded plastic base. A rectangular cavity in the outer surface of the thigh pad accommodates a rectangular insert 608. The rectangular insert may be secured within the cavity by snap-fit clips, screws, or other types of fastening devices. The rectangular insert, in one implementation, is a rectangular foam pad with a rigid or semi-rigid substrate or backing. The rectangular foam pad conforms to the surface of a user's thighs and cushions the user's thighs when forces are applied to the exercise device. Two semi-cylindrical prongs 610 and 611 extend outward from the molded base to form a C-clip that securely, slidably, and rotationally amounts the thigh pad to the U-shaped frame, a portion of which lies within the cylindrical space 612 between the two prongs 610-611. The two prongs can be temporarily deformed to fit over the U-shaped frame, but immediately return to their original shape and configuration to securely mount the thigh pad to the U-shaped frame.
The present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be limited to these embodiments. Modifications within the spirit of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, components of the currently disclosed exercise device can be manufactured from many different types of materials, including metals, composites, plastics, and even natural fibrous materials. The handgrips, thigh-pad inserts, and leg pads can be manufactured from a variety of different materials, including open-cell and closed-cell foams, pliable polymeric materials, and natural materials. The dimensions of the currently disclosed exercise device may vary in different implementations. In certain implementations, additional dimensional flexibility can be provided by using an adjustable-length U-shaped frame member and/or an adjustable-length T-shaped extension. The shapes, curvature, and dimensions of the various components of the exercise device may vary with different implementations. In certain implementations, additional flexibility in the configuration of the currently disclosed exercise device may be provided by additional configurable fittings and joiners. In certain implementations, a single thigh pad may span both of a user's legs and/or a single leg pad may span both of a user's legs.
Patent Grant
10500431
