Patent Application
20250229118
Strength training involves the performance of physical exercises that are designed to improve strength, endurance, and/or physical appearance. Hip thrusts, for example, are a form of exercise that trains the area surrounding the hips and buttocks. Typically, to perform a hip thrust, the athlete will get into a reclined position and thrust their hips upward to lift his or her lap with or without weight balanced thereupon.
In one aspect, an exercise pad includes a body with a first major surface, a second major surface parallel (and opposite) to the first major surface, and side surfaces that extend between the first major surface and the second major surface. A groove is formed in the first major surface of the body. The groove extends across the body in a longitudinal direction from a first one of the side surfaces to a second one of the side surfaces that is opposite to and parallel to the first one of the side surfaces. The groove is configured (e.g., with a keyhole-style cross-sectional shape) to receive and engage an elongate bar.
In another aspect, an assembly includes: a support structure (e.g., a weightlifting rack or hooks connected to or forming a part of the weightlifting rack), an elongate cylindrical bar (e.g., a barbell) supported by the support structure, and an exercise pad coupled to the elongate cylindrical bar. The exercise pad includes a body with a first major surface, a second major surface parallel (and opposite) to the first major surface, and side surfaces that extend between the first major surface and the second major surface. A groove is formed in the first major surface of the body. The groove extends across the body in a longitudinal direction from a first one of the side surfaces to a second one of the side surfaces that is opposite to and parallel to the first one of the side surfaces. The groove is configured (e.g., with a keyhole-style cross-sectional shape) to receive and engage an elongate bar. The exercise pad is coupled to the elongate cylindrical bar by virtue of the elongate cylindrical bar having been positioned inside the groove of the exercise pad so as to extend in the longitudinal direction.
In yet another aspect, a method of exercising includes positioning an elongate cylindrical bar (e.g., a barbell) on a support structure (e.g., a weightlifting rack or hooks connected to or forming a part of the weightlifting rack) and providing an exercise pad. The exercise pad includes a body with a first major surface, a second major surface parallel (and opposite) to the first major surface, and side surfaces that extend between the first major surface and the second major surface. A groove is formed in the first major surface of the body. The groove extends across the body in a longitudinal direction from a first one of the side surfaces to a second one of the side surfaces that is opposite to and parallel to the first one of the side surfaces. The groove is configured (e.g., with a keyhole-style cross-sectional shape) to receive and engage an elongate bar (e.g., the barbell). The method further includes coupling the exercise pad to the elongate cylindrical bar, supporting at least part of a human's weight with the exercise pad while the exercise pad is coupled to the elongate cylindrical bar, and the human performing an exercise (e.g., a hip thrust) while the human's weight is being at least partially supported on the exercise pad that is coupled to the elongate cylindrical bar.
In some implementations, one or more of the following advantages are present.
For example, in one implementation, an exercise pad is disclosed (with an approximately cuboid shape having a keyhole-shaped groove, as described herein) that may be, for example, 17.5 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 3 inches tall. The exercise pad may be designed to snap onto/couple to/engage a racked barbell by utilization of the keyhole-shaped groove on a surface of the pad that runs the entire length of the pad. By snapping the pivot pad onto a barbell, a user (e.g., human exerciser) can access much more exercise utility from their existing equipment (e.g., barbell plus rack). With the pivot pad in place on a barbell while racked (e.g., upon j-cups or j-hooks, which typically come with power racks and squat racks to hold a barbell at different heights), a user can press upon the pad to sandwich the barbell between the squat racks upright posts and the exercise pad, for example, to keep the barbell substantially in place. Once the barbell is in place and the pad is coupled to the barbell, the pad can move freely around the fixed barbell in a pivoting motion as a lever, using the barbell as a shaft or pinion and the centered keyhole cut out as a fulcrum point. This pivoting motion allows for a wide array of exercises to be performed upon it but most specifically, and most advantageously, the hip hinge or hip thrust movement.
The hip thrust is an exercise traditionally done against a flat utility bench where an exerciser would sit on the floor with their shoulder blades to mid back area pressed against the side of a bench and a barbell, weight or some other form of resistance resting across their hips or pelvis, with their feet flat on the ground and their knees up creating a V-shape between their thighs and torso. The goal of the hip thrust is to hinge back and thrust the weight on one's pelvis upward until the V-shape is straightened out to create a table like position where one's feet remain flat on the ground, one's back is resting on top of the corner of the bench, one's posterior is elevated off the ground, and one's legs form a substantially 90 degree angle.
Three main problems with a traditional hip thrust set up are height adjustability, back discomfort, and stability; all three of which are addressed by implementations of the exercise pad and its use, as disclosed herein.
More specifically, for example, though the height of a flat bench may be perfect for some people, the majority of people typically require a different set up height to perform a hip thrust properly. The industry suggested height is approximately the length of an exerciser's knee to the floor which varies greatly amongst users. Additionally, the corner of a bench typically provides little comfort when pressed upon and offers very little displacement of the weight across one's back leaving what is sometimes an enormous amount of weight being concentrated upon a small area of one's back that is in contact with the bench. Additionally, the danger of pressing upon the corner of a bench designed to only be stable when pressed straight down upon can be great. Sometimes, during the setup, a bench will tip over unexpectedly risking injury to the user.
When utilizing the exercise pad disclosed herein, along with a rack and barbell as described, an exerciser typically has numerous height options that the exerciser can choose from to ensure the perfect height for the exerciser during the exercise. This is true because power racks typically have numerous hole options at different heights, spaced out from the bottom few inches of the rack and extended all the way to the top of the rack in which one can place a J-cups (or J-hooks) to hold a barbell offering variable height options amongst the users.
Additionally, when using the exercise pad disclosed herein, especially in the manner disclosed herein to perform a hip thrust exercise, a user typically experiences much more comfort than with a bench from the setup and throughout the entire movement. This additional comfort is generated by the substantially larger surface area a user presses against while using the exercise pad compared to using the corner of a bench. This displaces the load over a larger area resulting in a more comfortable and safer experience.
Moreover, when it comes to stability the exercise pad disclosed herein is substantially safer than the flat utility bench alternative. While a flat utility bench is prone to tipping, the exercise pad disclosed herein is configured to move with the user when pressed upon creating a uniform support on your back from start to finish while utilizing a power rack which is much more stable than a bench.
In some implementations, the exercise pad represents a removable device that snaps onto a barbell to convert the barbell and a supporting rack into a variable height hip thrust station. Moreover, in some implementations, the exercise pad represents a soft foam device with a rigid core that snaps onto a barbell to offer a flat pivoting surface.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference characters refer to like elements.
The illustrated exercise pad 100 has a body 102 with three major dimensions—a length (in the “L” direction), a width (in the “W” direction), and a height (in the “H” direction). In the illustrated implementation, the length is the largest major dimension, the width is the second largest major dimension, and the height is the smallest major dimension. The body 102 has a first major surface 104, a second major surface 106 that is parallel to the first major surface 104, and side surfaces 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d that extend between the first major surface 104 and the second major surface 106. Every side surface 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d is perpendicular to the first major surface 104, perpendicular to the second major surface 106, and perpendicular to the two side surfaces that are adjacent to that side surface.
A groove 110 formed in the first major surface 104 of the body 102. The groove 110 extends across the body 102 in the longitudinal direction (“L”) between the first side surface 108a and the second side surface 108b and essentially bisects the first major surface 104. More specially, the groove 110 in the illustrated implementation is centered on the first major surface 104 equidistant between the third side surface 108c and the fourth side surface 108d along its entire length. The upper edges of the third side surface 108c and the fourth side surface 108d, in the illustrated implementation, are parallel to the upper edges of the groove 110.
The depth of the groove 110 is less than the height (in the “H” direction) of the body 102. The groove 110 is straight and has a uniform cross-sectional shape across its entire length. The uniform cross-sectional shape of the groove 110 makes the groove 110 suitable to receive and engage an elongate bar, such as a weightlifting barbell. In this regard, the uniform cross-sectional shape of the groove 110 includes an upper portion 112 that defines an entrance at the top of the groove 110 (e.g., closest to the first major surface 104), through which the elongate bar can be pushed (e.g., by a weightlifter pressing the exercise pad 100 onto the bar). The uniform cross-sectional shape of the groove 110 also has a lower portion 114, beneath the upper portion, configured to receive and contain the bar once the bar is pushed through the entrance and into engagement with the groove.
In a typical implementation, the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 has a width that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bar. In such implementations, at least the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 has some degree of elasticity, such that when the groove 110 is aligned with the bar and the exercise pad 100 is pushed onto the bar, the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 flexes to temporarily widen and allow the bar to enter into the lower portion 114 of the groove 110 and then regains its original configuration so that the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 regains its original configuration having a width that is smaller than the bar's diameter.
The actual difference between bar diameter and the width of the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 can vary, of course. However, in a typical implementation, the section of the bar that pushes through the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 to engage the exercise pad 100 has a diameter that is at least 0.1 inches larger than the smallest width in the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 when the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 is in a relaxed (i.e., unstressed) state. In such an example, the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 widens to allow the bar to pass into the lower portion 114 of the groove 110 in response to an applied force urging the exercise pad 100 and the bar into engagement with one another. Once the bar passes the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 and enters the lower portion 114 of the groove 110, the upper portion 112 of the groove 110 tends to return, either completely or partially, to its original configuration, which tends to maintain the bar in a state of physical engagement with the exercise pad 100.
In a typical implementation, the lower portion 114 of the groove 110 is large enough to receive and hold the bar after the bar passes through the upper portion 112 of the groove 110. In some implementations, the lower portion 114 of the groove 110 holds the bar snugly. In some of those implementations, once the bar is inside the lower portion 114 of the groove 110, the entire inner surface of the lower portion 114 of the groove is in (and maintains) direct physical contact with the bar until the exercise pad 100 and the bar are pulled apart from one another. In some implementations, the inner diameter (or width) of the lower portion 114 of the groove 110 is slightly larger than the bar. In those implementations, for example, the bar may be allowed to freely rotate, about a longitudinal axis, within the lower portion 114 of the groove 110. In various implementations, the inner diameter (or width) of the lower portion 114 of the groove 110 has an inner diameter (or width) that is at least as large as the outer diameter of the bar and, in an exemplary implementation, at least 0.1 inches larger than the outer diameter of the bar.
The specific cross-sectional shape of the groove 110 in the illustrated implementation is a keyhole shape. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the upper portion (entrance) 112 of the groove 110 includes a pair of surfaces that extend from the first major surface 104 down into the body 102, and the lower portion 114 of the groove 110 is defined by a curved surface that extends between the bottom ends of the pair of surfaces. The pair of surfaces that define the upper portion 112 of the keyhole shaped groove 110 include a first section that includes a pair of surfaces 116a, 116b that are parallel to one another (when the groove 110 is in a resting, or unstressed state), and a second section above the first section that forms a bevel, curve or otherwise contoured shape 118a, 118b that flares outwardly from the tops of the pair of surfaces and extends between the first section and the first major surface 104 of the exercise pad 100.
In the illustrated implementation, the curved surface that defines the lower portion 114 of the groove 110 follows a circular path. As discussed herein, the circular path has a diameter that is larger than the smallest distance between the pair of parallel surfaces 116a, 116b in the upper portion 112 of the groove 110.
As discussed above, the major surfaces 104, 106, and 108a-108d of the exercise pad can vary in appearance. However, in the illustrated implementation, the first major surface 104 includes two portions, a first of which has written on it “Abmat|TRS,” and a second of which has written on it, “Made in the USA.” Each of these markings is substantially centered on the portion of the first major surface 104 where it appears. These markings may be made in a variety of different ways including, for example, with ink, stickers, grooves, or raised material on the first major surface 104. The first portion of the first major surface 104 is surrounded by three outer edges of the first major surface 104 and a first upper edge of the groove 110. The second portion of the first major surface 104 is surrounded by three other outer edges of the first major surface 104 and a second upper edge of the groove 110. Each portion of the first major surface 104 is rectangular, planar, and substantially uniform between the associated outer edges of the first major surface 104 and the upper edges of the groove 110. Unless otherwise indicated, the phrase “planar, and substantially uniform,” as used herein, should be understood to be flat (which may include a smooth, or rough, textured finish) and unchanging in form or character except for any applied marks (e.g., “Abmat|TRS” and “Made in the USA”) and/or other ornamentation provided on the surfaces. Of course, in some implementations, there may be no such applied marks and, in some implementations, the applied marks may be different from those shown in the figure. Each outer edge of the first major surface 104 is at a 90 degree bend (+/−2 degrees) between the first major surface 104 and a corresponding one of the side surfaces 108a-108d of the exercise pad 100. Moreover, the outer corners of the first major surface 104 are rounded. It should be noted that ABMAT® is a registered trademarks of Custom Product Innovations, Inc., applicant of the current patent application, and TRS™ is a trademark of The Ready State Inc. Also, of course, the “Made in the USA” marking indicates just that—that the product was made in the United States. If that were not the case, then the marking may be modified to indicate place of manufacturing or omitted entirely.
The second major surface 106 in the illustrated implementation has four outer edges that surround a rectangular surface that is planar and substantially uniform between all four outer edges. The planar and substantially uniform second major surface 105 has written on it a mark that includes the phrase “Pivot Pad,” which is substantially centered on the second major surface 106. This marking may be made in a variety of different ways including, for example, with ink, stickers, grooves, or raised material on the second major surface 104. Each outer edge of the second major surface 106 defines a rounded curve between the second major surface 104 and a corresponding one of the side surfaces 108a-108d of the exercise pad 100. The outer corners of the second major surface 104 are rounded as well.
The first side surface 108a includes four outer edges of the exercise pad 100 and an edge of the groove 110, which interrupts one of the outer edges. The four outer edges of the exercise pad 100 and the edge of the groove 110, surround a surface that is planar and substantially uniform between the four outer edges of the exercise pad 100 and the edge of the groove 110 on the first side surface 108a. The outer edge of the first side surface 108a that is interrupted by the groove 110 is at a 90 degree bend (+/−2 degrees) between the first side surface 108a and the first major surface 104. The edge of the groove 110 on the first side surface 108a forms a 90 degree bend (+/−2 degrees) between the first side surface 108a and corresponding inner surfaces of the groove 110. The other outer edges of the first side surface 108a are rounded.
The second side surface 108b, which is opposite and parallel to the first side surface 108a, includes four outer edges of the exercise pad 100 and an edge of the groove 110, which interrupts one of the outer edges. The four outer edges of the exercise pad 100 and the edge of the groove 110 surround a surface that is planar and substantially uniform between the four outer edges of the exercise pad 100 and the edge of the groove 110 on the second side surface 108b. The outer edge of the second side surface 108b that is interrupted by the groove 110 is at a 90 degree bend (+/−2 degrees) between the second side surface 108b and the first major surface 104. The edge of the groove 110 on the second side surface 108b forms a 90 degree bend (+/−2 degrees) between the second side surface 108b and corresponding inner surfaces of the groove 110. The other outer edges of the second side surface 108b are rounded.
The third side surface 108c has four outer edges that surround a rectangular surface that is planar and substantially uniform between all of the four outer edges of the third side surface 108c. The outer edge of the third side surface 108c that borders the first major surface 104 is at a 90 degree bend (+/−2 degrees) between the third side surface 108c and the first major surface 104. The other outer edges of the third side surface 108c are rounded.
The fourth side surface 108d has four outer edges that surround a rectangular surface that is planar and substantially uniform between all of the four outer edges of the fourth side surface 108d. The outer edge of the fourth side surface 108d that borders the first major surface 104 is at a 90 degree bend (+/−2 degrees) between the fourth side surface 108d and the first major surface 104. The other outer edges of the fourth side surface 108d are rounded.
The body 102 of the exercise pad 100 can be made of any number of possible materials or combinations of materials. For example, in some implementations, in some implementations, the body 102 is made from a foam material. The foam, in some instances, may be a polyurethane foam such as a molded dense polyurethane foam (in an exemplary implementation, the density is in the range of 35-40 shore A durometer with a part weight between 5-5.4 pounds), or a dense crosslink polyethylene foam (e.g., 9 #crosslink polyethylene). In other implementations, the body 102 is made from rubber, plastic, silicone, or other suitable material that is able to provide support and preferably comfort to an exerciser attempting to perform hip thrusts, or other exercises, while at least partially supported by the exercise pad 100.
In some implementations, the body 102 includes an internal rigid core. The internal rigid core, for example, may be embedded inside, and completely surrounded by, the foam (or other) material of the body 102.
The illustrated rigid core 820 has a length (in the “L” direction), a width (in the “W” direction), and a thickness (that extends into the image in
The illustrated rigid core 820 has internal surfaces that define four apertures 824, each of which extends completely through the rigid core 820 from the upper surface 822 to the lower surface, in the thickness direction (i.e., into the image in
One purpose of the apertures 824 in the rigid core 820 is to allow the foam that is formed around the rigid core 820 to flow through the rigid core 820. This helps the body 102 of the exercise pad 100 to fill out properly without substantial (or in some instances any) voids.
The length, width, and thickness of the rigid core 820 can, of course, vary. Typically, however, the rigid core is sized so that it can be completely contained within (and surrounded by) the foam material of the body 102. In various implementations, the length (“L”) of the rigid core 820 can be between 12 inches and 16 inches, the width (“W”) of the rigid core 820 can be between 6.5 inches and 8.5 inches, and the thickness (“T”) of the rigid core 820 can be between 0.25 inches and 0.5 inches. In one specific implementation, the length (“L”) of the rigid core 820 is 14.5 inches, the width (“W”) of the rigid core 820 is 7.5 inches, and the thickness (“T”) of the rigid core 820 is ⅜ of an inch. Of course, these dimensions (and/or dimensional ranges) can be different, especially if the size of the exercise pad is larger or smaller.
The illustrated rigid core 1020 is similar in some ways to rigid core 820. Rigid core 1020 is flat with a flat upper surface 1022 (visible in
The illustrated rigid core 1020 has a length (in the “L” direction), a width (in the “W” direction), and a thickness (that extends into the image in
The illustrated rigid core 1020 has internal surfaces that define twelve apertures 1024, each of which extends completely through the rigid core 1020 from the upper surface 1022 to the lower surface, in the thickness direction (i.e., into the image in
As with the apertures 824 in
The rigid core 1020 of
Although the body 102, and rigid core (if present) of the exercise pad 100 can be made from any number of materials or combinations of materials, in a typical implementation, the body material, and the overall exercise pad 100, strikes a balance between rigidity to support the exerciser and softness for comfort. The body material also preferably has elasticity that allows the entrance portion of the groove to temporarily wide—to allow a barbell, which is larger in diameter than the opening in the entrance portion of the groove, to pass through the entrance portion of the groove and enter the lower portion of the groove—and then return to its previous configuration.
The groove 110 of the exercise pad 100 is shown aligned with and directly above the barbell 1330, such that applying a force in the direction indicated by the arrow labeled “FORCE” will urge the exercise pad 100 in a downward direction and into engagement with the barbell 1330. Once engaged, the barbell 1330 sits within and extends through the lower (circular) portion of the groove 110 and is held in place there by the narrower upper (entrance) portion of the groove 110. The barbell 1330 is supported by the weightlifting rack (e.g., by a pair of J hooks, or the like). So, when the downward force is applied to the exercise pad 100, the exercise pad 100 moves in a downward direction, pressing onto the barbell 1330, but the barbell 1330 remains stationary.
At the start of the hip thrust (represented in
Throughout the indicated hip thrust, the exercise pad 100 remains coupled to, and rotates (pivots) about a longitudinal axis of, the barbell 1330. The exercise pad 100 provides continual and reliable support to the exerciser 1640 throughout the entire exercise.
Adding multiple grooves to the exercise pad—especially in perpendicular directions from one another, as represented in
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For example, the exercise pad disclosed herein can be used for any one of a variety of strength-building exercises. For example, in addition to hip thrusts, the exercise pad can be used to support an exerciser while the exerciser performs any one of a variety of presses, or other weightlifting movements. The exercise pad can be configured to engage a standard weightlifting barbell (with a cylindrical center portion, knurled or otherwise, for engaging the exercise pad) having a diameter of 24 millimeters to 29 millimeters (or 25 millimeters to 28 millimeters), for example, or any barbell or other elongate rigid structure able to perform the functionalities of engaging the exercise pad and supporting an exerciser using the exercise pad to perform an exercise. In one exemplary implementation, the keyhole design is substantially centered within the pad and has a diameter of 1.25″ at its widest point to accommodate a loose fit around a 24 millimeter to 29 millimeter barbell (or a 25 millimeter to 28 millimeter barbell).
A variety of materials or combinations thereof may be used to manufacture the exercise pad disclosed herein.
The physical configuration of the exercise pad can vary. For example, the size, relative and absolute, of the various portions (e.g., surfaces, edges, etc.) of the exercise pad can be larger or smaller than what was described herein. The size, shape, and location of the groove in the exercise pad can vary. For example, the groove can be deeper or shallower than what is described here, the groove can be wider or narrower—either at the entrance, the lower portion, or both—than what is described here, the groove can be off-centered (e.g., closer to one side than the other), and/or the groove can extend across a surface of the exercise pad in a shorter direction (e.g., in the “W” direction of
Specific and relative dimensions can vary across wide ranges. In various implementations, the ratio of the diameter of the circular path (that the curved surface at the bottom of the groove follows) to the distance between the parallel portions of the pair of surfaces in the first portion is between 1.4 to 0.8 and 1.1 to 0.9. The diameter of the circular path is between 1.1 and 1.4 inches (e.g., 1.25 inches). In some implementations, the distance between the parallel portions of the pair of surfaces in the first portion is at least 0.8 inches and no greater than 1.1 inches. In some implementations, the distance between the parallel portions of pair of surfaces in the first portion is at least 0.9 inches and no greater than 1.0 inches. In some implementations, the distance between the parallel portion of the pair of surfaces is 1 inch and the diameter of the circular path is 1.25 inches. 13. The keyhole shape of the groove may have a depth of between 1.7 inches and 2.3 inches from a plane of the first major surface.
In various implementations, the shape of the edges of the exercise pad may vary. Essentially, any edge may be rounded, any edge may be beveled, any edge may include a sharp angle (e.g., 90 degrees or otherwise), and any edge may be any other shape, or include any combination of the foregoing.
In various implementations, the first major surface, the second major surface, and all the side surfaces are textured. However, in other implementations, these surfaces may be smooth. In various implementations, the inner surface of groove is smooth. However, in other implementations, this surface could be textured.
The specific physical configuration of the rigid core can vary. For example, the rigid core could be longer or shorter than what is described herein, wider of narrower than what is described herein, and/or thicker or thinner than what is described herein. Room for variation in this regard may be, for example, +/−5%. The size, shape, number of, and arrangement of apertures in the rigid core can vary. The apertures may be smaller or larger than what is described herein (e.g., by +/−5%). The apertures can have a cross-sectional shape that is round, square, rectangular, rounded rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. Moreover, in some implementations, the apertures can have non-uniform shapes. The number of apertures can vary from zero to many (e.g., 20 or more). Their arrangement can be uniformly distributed (e.g., in an array, or columns, etc.) or randomly distributed. Moreover, in some implementations, different apertures in the rigid core may have different sizes and/or shapes. Additionally, although the rigid core configurations disclosed herein are flat, the rigid core need not be flat.
While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Other implementations are within the scope of the claims.
