FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to exercise equipment. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus designed for performing prone exercise using a sliding exercise device.
SUMMARY
In general, a multifunctional exercise device includes a first lateral slide component having an outer end and an inner end and an indented reduced friction slide area, with the first lateral slide component forming a decline from the inner end to the outer end. A second lateral slide component is also included having an outer end and an inner end and an indented reduced friction slide area, with the second lateral slide component forming a decline from the inner end to the outer end. A hinge assembly includes a first pivotal hinge piece connected to the inner end of the first lateral slide component and a second pivotal hinge piece connected to the inner end of the second lateral slide component. A first pin is adapted to retain the first pivotal hinge piece and second pivotal hinge piece in an engaged position.
A first slidable hand grip adapted to slide along the slide area of the first lateral slide component and a second slidable hand grip adapted to slide along the slide area of the second lateral slide component are also included. First and second adjustable feet are provided for allowing the inner end of the first lateral slide component and the inner end of the second lateral slide component to be adjusted to various equal or unequal heights.
In some embodiments of the multifunctional exercise device the first pivotal hinge piece and the second pivotal hinge piece may be disengaged such that the first end of the first pivotal hinge piece and the first end of the second pivotal hinge piece are positioned adjacent to one another and the second end of the first pivotal hinge piece and the second end of the second pivotal hinge piece are spaced apart, thereby causing the first lateral slide component and the second lateral slide component to be positioned at an angle to one another. Further, the first pivotal hinge piece and the second pivotal hinge piece may each include a first end with a first end aperture formed therein and a second end with a second end aperture formed therein and a first double pin element for engaging the first end apertures and maintaining the first end of the first pivotal hinge piece and the first end of the second pivotal hinge piece adjacent to one another and a second double pin element for engaging the second end apertures and maintaining the second end of the first pivotal hinge piece and the second end of the second pivotal hinge piece spaced apart.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view of a multipurpose exercise device in an open position.
FIG. 2 is a view of the multipurpose exercise device in an inclined position.
FIG. 3 is a view of the multipurpose exercise device in an offset inclined position.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a hinge assembly of the exercise device of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a hinge assembly in a partially disengaged configuration.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a hinge assembly in a fully engaged configuration.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a hinge assembly in a fully disengaged configuration.
FIG. 8 is a view of an exercise device in an angled configuration.
FIG. 9 is a view of an exercise device in an alternate angled configuration.
FIG. 10 is a view of an exercise device using exercise bands.
FIG. 11 is a side view of the exercise device in a folded position.
FIG. 12 is a top view of the exercise device in a folded position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Throughout the detailed description like reference numerals correspond to like elements, and repetitive description of such elements is excluded. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a multifunctional exercise device 10 is shown in various positions. Exercise device 10 includes a first lateral slide component 20a having an outer end 22a and an inner end 24a. Outer end 22a may include an upward slope that is wider than the body or mid-section of first lateral slide component 20a, thereby forming a rocker 23a. An indented reduced friction slide area 26a is positioned within the first lateral slide component 20a to provide an area for a slidable hand grip to move back and forth. Slide area 26a also includes an upward slope near outer end 22a, which may increase the intensity of the exercise. Slide area 26a may be formed of a metal or other low friction material. As shown in FIG. 1, first lateral slide component 20a forms a decline from inner end 24a to outer end 22a, which is created by an adjustable foot 30a for causing inner end 24a to be raised relative to outer end 22a.
Exercise device 10 includes also includes a second lateral slide component 20b having an outer end 22b and an inner end 24b. Outer end 22b may include an upward slope and may be wider than the body or mid-section of second lateral slide component 20b, thereby forming a rocker 23b. An indented reduced friction slide area 26b is positioned within the second lateral slide component 20b to provide an area for a slidable hand grip to move back and forth. Slide area 26b also includes an upward slope near outer end 22b, which may increase the intensity of the exercise. Slide area 26b may be formed of a metal or other low friction material. As shown in FIG. 1, second lateral slide component 20b forms a decline from inner end 24b to outer end 22b, which is created by an adjustable foot 30b for causing inner end 24b to be raised relative to outer end 22b.
A hinge assembly 35 includes a first pivotal hinge piece 38a connected to the inner end 24a of the first lateral slide component 20a and a second pivotal hinge piece 38b connected to the inner end 24b of the second lateral slide component 20b. A first pin 40 is adapted to retain the first pivotal hinge piece 38a and second pivotal hinge piece 38b in an engaged position, as shown in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, a first slidable hand grip 45a is adapted to slide along the slide area 26a of the first lateral slide component 20a and a second slidable hand grip 45b is adapted to slide along the slide area 26b of the second lateral slide component 20b. Each of first and second slidable hand grips 45a, 45b include a lower reduced friction layer 46a, 46b for sliding along exercise device 10 or along a tabletop, wall or other surface. In addition, each hand grip 45a, 45b may include an inner support layer 47a, 47b to give hand grips 45a, 45b additional support. A top layer 48a, 48b is also provided on each hand grip for user comfort. The top layer may be formed form any cushioned material such as rubber or silicone. As also shown in FIG. 2, first and second adjustable feet 30a and 30b, which are attached to the first and second lateral slide components 20a and 20b, respectively, may both be raised in order to provide a steeper angle for first lateral slide component 20a and second lateral slide component 20b, which increases the resistance to the user and provides deeper resistance during a fly type exercise. A removable U-shaped retaining element 48 is also provided for retaining the first pivotal hinge piece 38a and second pivotal hinge piece 38b in a connected position.
FIG. 3. Illustrates another configuration of exercise device 10 wherein first lateral slide component 20a is in an angled position due to adjustable foot 30a being in a raised position while second lateral slide component 20b is in a flat or slightly inclined position due to the folded position of adjustable foot 30b. A clip or other retaining element 49a is shown holding adjustable foot 30a in a raised position. One skilled in the art should understand that either one or both of lateral slide components (20a, 20b) may be positioned at a variety of different inclines according to the needs of a user. The higher the incline, the stronger the resistance of the exercise.
FIGS. 4 and 6 are enlarged views of the hinge assembly 35 shown with first and second lateral slide components 20a and 20b in offset and even positions, respectively. Hinge assembly 35 includes a fixed first bracket 50a connected to the inner end 24a of the first lateral slide component 20a and first side pivot point 52a that is rotatably connected to first pivotal hinge piece 38a. Similarly, hinge assembly 35 includes a fixed bracket 50b connected to the inner end 24b of the second lateral slide component 20b and second side pivot point 52b that is rotatably connected to a second pivotal hinge piece 38b. Each pivotal hinge piece (38a, 38b) includes a corresponding first and second cylindrical loop 58a, 58b for receiving a bar 63 from removable U-shaped retaining element 48, which may be positioned on either top ends or bottom ends of aligned pivotal hinge pieces 38a and 38b. Pivotal hinge pieces 38a and 38b also include cylindrical apertures 59a, 59b that align to allow for insertion of a removable engagement member, such as a pin 40 therein to retain pivotal hinge pieces 38a and 38b in a connected and pivotable position, thereby forming a center pivot point 60. FIG. 6 illustrates hinge assembly 35 in a fully locked position with both U-shaped retaining element 48 and pin 40 locked in place to ensure maximum stability of exercise device 10.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an enlarged view of the hinge assembly 35 with first lateral slide component 20a in a raised position and second lateral slide component 20b in a lowered position. As shown, pin 40 having a ring 41 is positioned within for securing exercise device 10. However, U-shaped retaining element 48 is shown disengaged from exercise device 10. U-shaped retaining element 48 includes U-portion 61 and a bar 63. U-shaped portion 61 includes a first loop 65a connected to bar 63 and a second loop 65b for securing to bar 63 once in position on hinge assembly 35. Cylindrical loops 58a, 58b, which are formed on pivotal bracket pieces 38a and 38b, are adapted to receive bar 63 of U-shaped retaining element 48. Pin 40 may be used with or without U-shaped retaining element 48. Whichever configuration a user chooses, U-shaped retaining element 48 provides added stability to exercise device 10.
FIG. 7 illustrates hinge assembly 35 in a disengaged position wherein the first pivotal hinge piece 38a and the second pivotal hinge piece 38b are disengaged by removal of the pin 40 at the center pivot point 60, thereby allowing the first lateral slide component 20a and the second lateral slide component 20b to be positioned at an angle to one another. In particular, pin 40 and U-shaped retaining element 48 are removed. First pivotal hinge piece 38a is rotated about first side pivot point 52a towards fixed bracket 50a, which is connected to the inner end 24a of the first lateral slide component 20a. Similarly, pivotal hinge piece 38b is rotated about second side pivot point 52b towards fixed bracket 50b, which is connected to the inner end 24b of the second lateral slide component 20b.
Once hinge assembly 35 is disengaged, as in FIG. 7, first lateral slide component 20a and second lateral slide component 20b may be positioned at an angle to one another, as shown in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, first lateral slide component 20a and second lateral slide component 20b may be positioned such that they angle towards a user (FIG. 8) or in some embodiments the components may be positioned to angle away from a user (FIG. 9). As with previous embodiments, adjustable feet 30a and 30b may be adjusted at a lowered or inclined position, such as with use of clips 49a, 49b, depending on the desired resistance. As shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9, one or more retaining pieces of varying lengths may be used to stabilize exercise device 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a small retaining piece, such as double pin element 65, includes a pair of downwardly extending bars 67 and a cross bar 68. Downwardly extending bars 67 are adapted to fit within cylindrical loops 58a and 58b while they are disengaged from one another. Further, a larger retaining piece, such as double pin element 70, includes a pair of downwardly extending bars 72 and a cross bar 74. Downwardly extending bars 72 are adapted to fit within cylindrical loops 58a and 58b while they are disengaged from one another. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, first double pin element 65 maintains the bottom end of the first pivotal hinge piece 38a and the bottom end of the second pivotal hinge piece 38b adjacent to one another, while second double pin element 70 maintains top end of the first pivotal hinge piece and the top end of the second pivotal hinge piece spaced apart, thereby allowing first and second lateral slide components to be positioned at an angle to one another forming a V-shape.
As shown in FIG. 10, exercise device 10 may include at least one resistance 78 band having a first end 79a and a second end 79b. First end is attached to a connector 76a on first lateral slide component 20a and second end 79b is attached to a connector 76b on slidable hand grip 45a. Resistance band 78 provides additional resistance to a user when slidable hand grip 45a slides along slide area 26a. Similarly, a resistance band may be attached to slidable hand grip 45b for additional resistance when sliding along slide area 26b. A single band or multiple bands may be used so that unilateral or bilateral resistance may be achieved.
FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate that exercise device 10 may be folded to facilitate portability. When pin 40 is positioned within hinge assembly 35, first side pivot point 52a, second side pivot point 52b, and center pivot point 60 first lateral slide component 20a to be folded over second lateral slide component 20b. Slidable hand grips 45a, 45b may be attached to first or second lateral slide components via Velcro or another attachment member (not shown) in order to prevent their separation from exercise device 10. A retaining element, such as Velcro piece 70, may be used to hold feet 30a, 30b in a folded position. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, hand grip 45 is shown attached to a back side (not labeled) of first lateral slide component 20a.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, it is not limited to the embodiments and the drawings. It should be understood that various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the accompanying claims.
Patent Grant
10850156
