Patent Application
20150238820
Multi-purpose training and exercise devices are common for domestic use, as well as in gyms and sports arenas. However, most multi-purpose exercise device are limited in their range of uses, and are bulky and hard to modify for different types of exercises. For example, most multi-purpose exercise devices are directed either for aerobic exercises or for strength exercises.
Embodiments of the invention provide an exercise device having a first foam layer on a first horizontal side of the exercise device and a second foam layer on a second horizontal side of the exercise device; where the first foam layer has a thickness of between 10% and 35% of the height of the exercise device, a Shore 00 value of between 60 and 85; and a compression deflection at 25% of from 100 kiloPascal and 145 kiloPascal; and the second foam layer has a thickness of between 65% and 90% of the height of the exercise device; a Shore 00 value of between 35 and 65; and a compression deflection at 25% between 20 kiloPascal and 75 kiloPascal; and where the exercise device has a height of between 80 millimeters and 250 millimeters.
According to some embodiments, the first foam layer and the second foam layer may have substantially the same width and length dimensions. The width may be, for example, between 25 centimeters and 50 centimeters, and the length may be, for example, between 50 centimeters and 150 centimeters.
The first foam layer may have a first color, and the second foam layer may have a second color.
The external horizontal layer (when the exercise device is in use) of each of the first foam layer and the second foam layer may be substantially flat.
According to some embodiments, the first foam layer may be fixed to the second foam layer. According to other embodiments, the first foam layer may be detachably affixed to the second foam layer.
The exercise device may further have a third foam layer, the third foam layer may have a convex external horizontal side. According to some embodiments, the third foam layer may be detachably affixed to the exercise device.
The third foam layer may have a Shore 00 value of between 60 and 90; and a compression deflection at 25% between 90 kilo Pascal and 250 kilo Pascal.
Embodiments of the present invention further provide a method for using a multi foam layer exercise device. The method may include providing a first foam layer; providing a second foam layer; attaching the first foam layer to the second foam layer; and placing the exercise device on a rigid surface so that only one of the first foam layer and the second foam layer may be in contact with the rigid surface.
The method may further include attaching a third foam layer to the first foam layer. The third foam layer may have a flat face and a convex face; and the flat face may be detachably attached to the first layer. The convex face may be on an external horizontal side of the third foam layer. The third foam layer may be detachably affixed to the exercise device.
The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
Reference is now made to
According to some embodiments, first foam layer 12 may be affixed to second foam layer 14 in a detachable form, such as by means of hook and loop fastener 15 (e.g., Velcro®) so that the hooks side of fastener 15 is attached to a first side of one foam layer 12 or 14 and the loops side of fastener 15 is attached to a second side of the other foam layer 12 or 14 so that when layer 12 and layer 14 are attached to each other, the hooks side of fastener 15 and the loops side of fastener 15 should be facing each other.
It should be appreciated that other detachable affixing means may be used such as buttons, zippers and any other detachable affixing means known in the art.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, first foam layer 12 may be affixed to second foam layer 14 in a non-detachable manner, such as by means of adhesive.
First foam layer 12 may have a thickness of between 10% and 35% of the entire thickness of exercise device 10, and may have a Shore 00 value of between 60 and 85; and a compression deflection at 25% in the range of 100 kiloPascal (kPa) and 145 kPa.
First foam layer 12 may be made of a polyethylene foam block, such as Palziv Palfoam PB65, having a density of 65 Kg/m3, compression deflection at 25% of 132 kPa and a Shore 00 value of 70. It should be appreciated that other foamed polymers may be used.
According to some embodiments, second foam layer 14 may be softer than first foam layer 12. Second foam layer 14 may have a thickness of between 65% and 90% of the entire thickness of exercise device 10. Second foam layer 14 may have a Shore 00 value of between 30 and 65; and a compression deflection at 25% in the range of 20 kPa and 75 kPa.
Second foam layer 14 may be made of polyethylene foam block, such as Palziv Palfoam PA30 having a density of 30 Kg/m3, compression deflection at 25% of 62 kPa and a Shore 00 value of 54. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other foamed polymers may be used.
According to some embodiments, in order to ensure that first layer 12 is harder than second foam layer 14, a minimum difference between the shore 00 values of first layer 12 and second layer 14 may be set. For example, first foam layer 12 may have a Shore 00 value that is 15 points higher than the Shore 00 value of second foam layer 14, on the shore 00 scale. According to other embodiments, first foam layer 12 may have a Shore 00 value of between 65 and 85 and second foam layer 14 may have a Shore 00 value in the range of 35 and 55.
According to some embodiments, first foam layer 12 and second foam layer 14 may have substantially identical length l and width w. Length l, according to some embodiments may be in the range of 80 cm and 300 cm. Width w may be in the range of 80 cm and 300 cm. Thickness t of exercise device 10 may be in the range of 8 cm and 25 cm. It should be appreciated that other dimensions for length l, width w and thickness t may be used.
Reference is now made to
According to some embodiments, third foam layer 16 may be attached to first foam layer 12 by means of hook and loop fastener 17 or by any other detachable affixing means known in the art. According to other embodiments, third foam layer 16 may be attached to first foam layer 12 in a non-detachable manner, e.g., by means of adhesives.
Third foam layer 16 may be harder than first foam layer 12. Third foam layer 16 may have a maximal thickness mt in the range of 2 cm to 25 cm. Third foam layer 16 may have a length that is equal to or smaller than length l of exercise device 10, and may have a width that is equal to or smaller than width w of exercise device 10. Third foam layer 16 may have a Shore 00 value of between 60 and 90; and a compression deflection at 25% in the range of 90 kPa and 250 kPa.
Third foam layer 16 may be made of polyethylene foam block, such as Palziv Palfoam PA125 having a density of 125 Kg/m3, compression deflection at 25% of 225 kPa and a Shore 00 value of 79. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other foamed polymers may be used.
With reference to
It should be appreciated that in addition or alternatively, unsmooth portions 141 may be created or attached on an outer side of foam layer 12.
Reference is now made to
The method may further comprise attaching the first layer to the second layer to be partially or fully overlapping (block 530). According to some embodiments, the attaching of the first layer to the second layer may be in a detachable manner, e.g., by hook and loop fasteners, by means of buttons, zippers and the like.
Optionally, a third layer, having a convex face and a flat face, may be attached to the first layer along the flat face of the third layer (block 540). It should be appreciated that the third layer may be attached in a detachable or non-detachable manner to the first layer.
After the first and second layers and optionally the third layer are attached, the exercise device may be placed on a rigid surface so that the second layer is in contact with the rigid surface or so that the second layer faces away from the rigid surface (block 550). The exercise device's position is determined according to the specific exercise or set of exercises that should be done.
For example, when a balance exercise is required, the third layer may be attached and the exercise device may be places on a rigid surface such as a floor with the convex face of the third layer facing the surface, and the second layer facing substantially away from the rigid surface. In another example, the exercise device may be used as an aerobic step. In this example, the third layer may not be attached or may be removed, and the exercise device may be placed with the softer layer (i.e., the second layer) facing the rigid surface.
While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
