Patent Application
20140357459
The present invention relates generally to a push-up exercise device, and, more particularly, relates to a spring-loaded push-up exercise device that provides a combination of isometric and isotonic muscle exercises.
This invention relates generally to improvements in strength training exercise devices having resistive slidable handles. In perhaps the most common configuration for strength training exercise devices having resistive slidable handles, the resistive slidable handles are configured in series along a single linear path. In particular, one configuration currently known provides handles that slide laterally towards or away from an equidistant center portion located on a base member. In another configuration currently known, resistance is provided in rotation about an axis. For example, known prior art includes U.S. Patent and Publication Nos. 3,751,083; 4,623,146; 4,978,122; 6,716,145; 7,086,999; 7,175,575; 7,465,259; 7,713,179; 7,896,789; 2004/0266393; 2005/0215401; 2012/0040811; 2012/0322630.
While these devices fulfill their respective objectives and requirements, because the prior art is limited to pushup device that each have a single base with both hand grips placed thereon, the aforementioned prior art does not allow a user to freely position the grip members. Furthermore, the prior art does not even provide for a second push-up device to be used in conjunction with the first push-up device. Nor would it be possible for a person to use two of any of the prior art side by side to accomplish freely positioning the hand grips.
Further incumbent with some of the prior art listed is a fixed relationship between the two pushup handles in relation to a central point. Because the handles all slide laterally between a fixed center portion, the device restricts the muscles that the user can target. The instant invention addresses these and other shortcomings by providing two individual push-up bars each having a grip portion that resistively slides along its own individual line and/or axis and further each individual push-up bar configured to provide a user with simultaneous isometric and isotonic exercise. The push-up bars are further utilized in accordance with the instant invention to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.
The invention provides a push-up exercise device that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type that provides a new push-up/plank exercise device uniquely configured to target chest, back, and abdominal muscles.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a push-up apparatus comprises a first push-up device. The first push-up device has a first base member that is adapted to rest on a supporting floor surface. A first grip member secured to the first base member that is adapted to be gripped by a first hand of a user and further adapted to slidingly axially engage a first resistance member when a force applied to the grip member by the user. A second push-up device has a second base member that is adapted to rest on the supporting floor surface. A second grip member is secured to the second base member that is adapted to be gripped by a second hand of the user and is further adapted to slidingly axially engage with a second resistance member when a force is applied to the grip member by the user.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, each of the first and second grip members are adapted to slidingly compress in relation to at least one axis. In one embodiment, the first grip member is adapted to slidingly engage the first resistance member when moving along a first axis and the second grip member is adapted to slidingly engage the second resistance member in relation to an adjustable second axis. The adjustable first axis and the second axis are non-collinear.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the first push-up device is freely positioned in relation to the second push-up device and in relation to the user. This allows the user to freely choose the direction for which the user will slide the grip members to incorporate exercise of different muscles, as well as the distance between each of the push-up devices and/or the user's body. Yet further, each of the first push-up device and the second push-up device of the instant invention may be individually orientated with respect the user's body, without relation to the other push-up device.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the first grip member is axially aligned with the first resistance member. The second grip member is axially aligned with the second resistance member.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the first grip member is positioned perpendicular to the first resistance member. The second grip member is positioned perpendicular to the second resistance member.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the first base member and the second base member may each include an unstable lower surface adapted to provide user instability under load. Yet further, the unstable lower surface may define a bowed supporting surface to permit the user to roll the push-up device for additional exercise benefits.
In accordance with yet a further feature of the present invention, the unstable lower surface includes non-slip properties.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the unstable lower surface may define a flexible bladder at least partially filled with air.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the first base member may be adapted to removably couple to the second base member to form a single push-up device.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, at least one of the first resistance member and the second resistance member is selectively replaceable.
In accordance with a feature of the present invention, an adjuster disposed, as commonly understood in the art, on the push-up apparatus that may be operable to enable the user to selectively adjust the resistance on at least one of the first grip member and second grip member.
In accordance with a feature of the present invention, each of the first and second grip members has cushioned outer surfaces. The first base member sandwiches a first support bar, the first support bar supporting the first grip member.
In accordance with a feature of the present invention, a push-up exercise device is taught that comprises a handle affixed to a handle base; a resistance member selectively coupled to the push-up exercise device adapted for providing linear resistance in a direction as positioned by the user.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a push-up apparatus has a first push-up device. The first push-up device comprises a first base member adapted to rest on a supporting floor surface; a first sole grip member secured to the first base member adapted to be gripped by a first hand of a user and further adapted to slidingly axially engage a first resistance member from a force provided by the user. A second push-up device that has a second base member adapted to rest on a supporting floor surface; a second sole grip member secured to the second base member adapted to be gripped by a second hand of the user and further adapted to slidingly axially engage a second resistance member from a force provided by the user.
A method for muscular exercise comprises providing a first push-up device. The first push-up device comprises a first base member adapted to rest on a supporting floor surface; a first grip member secured to the first base member adapted to be gripped by a first hand of a user and further adapted to slidingly axially engage a first resistance member from a force provided by the user. The method further comprises providing a second push-up device. The second push-up device comprises a second base member adapted to rest on a supporting floor surface; a second grip member secured to the second base member adapted to be gripped by a second hand of the user and further adapted to slidingly compress a second resistance member when a force is applied to the grip by the user; wherein the first push-up device may be operated in disconnected relation to the second push-up device. The method further includes simultaneously placing a downward force and opposing lateral forces with respect to the floor surface on the first grip member and the second grip member and moving the first grip member closer to the second grip member.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes compressing axially the first and second resistance members during muscular exercise.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the method includes disengaging a removable portion of at least one of the first and second base members from at least one of the first and second grip members.
In accordance with still yet another embodiment of the present invention, the method includes replacing the first and second resistance members, each having a first resistance level, with at least one new resistance member having a second resistance level different than the first resistance level.
In accordance with still yet another embodiment of the present invention, the method includes rolling at least one of the first and second push-up device along a perimeter edge of at least one of the first and second base member.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a dual push-up exercise apparatus, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.
Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
a is an elevational exploded view of a pushup-exercise device in accordance with the features of the present invention;
b is a perspective exploded view of a push-up exercise device in accordance with the features of the present invention;
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.
The instant invention operates to provide a user with variation to the standard push-up through a highly effective entire upper body workout for people at all fitness levels. The instant invention has resistance members, such as springs or resistant bands, that are useful for specific muscle activation/isolation. By adding springs, or other resistant members, to a standard push-up stand, the instant invention provides for an additional plane of resistance. This is significant because users can engage the device while performing upper-body exercises such as push-ups and planks to combine isometric and isotonic exercise. Additionally, the instant invention provides for two individual hand grip apparatus that establish a greater range of motion and muscle activation than the prior art because each individual hand grip apparatus may be selectively positioned relative to both the other hand grip and the user.
By rotating each individual hand grip 360 degrees about the plane defined by a floor for which the hand grip rests, the user can adjust the direction from which the axial sliding resistance is provided. For example, the user, in a push-up position having his or her hands on each of the individual handgrips, can position the hand grip such that the user must push the hand grips outward to the sides against the resistant spring. When the handgrips have been placed so that the handgrips must be pushed outwards, performing an outward compression engages back muscles unreachable during traditional push-ups, such as rhomboids, trapezius muscles, and posterior deltoids. Alternatively, the user can position the handgrips such that the user, in a push-up position having each hand on one of the two individual hand grips, must push the hand grips downward towards the user's feet and knees, which activates the abdominal muscles of the user.
In addition, the distance between each individual handgrip can be adjusted by the user to target different muscles and perform push-ups, planks, mountain climbers, all of which are commonly understood exercises, with the grips selectively positioned in: (1) wide grip; (2) a normal grip; (3) a narrow grip; or (4) a staggered grip, which are commonly understood hand positions. In combination with these selective positions of the handgrips, the user's body can be neutral; the user's upper body can be elevated to stimulate lower chest muscle activation; or the user's feet can be elevated to stimulate upper chest muscle activation.
Referring now to
The push-up bars 102, 102′ each are formed having opposing support members 106, 108, 106′, 108′. Each of the bases 104, 104′ is formed having a distal perimeter edge 110, 110′ adapted to contact a surface, such as a floor. The push-up bars 102, 102′ each have a center shaft 112, 112′. The center shaft for each of the push-up bars 102, 102′ is sandwiched by opposing support members 106, 108, 106′, 108′, respectively. Grip members 114, 114′ slide in a reciprocating fashion about the center shaft 112, 112′ in axial alignment according to arrows 1, 1′. The grip members 114, 114′ engage a resistance member from a force provided by a user. In operation, the user may either push against and/or pull against the resistance members 116, 116′, either individually or in combination, via the grip members 114, 114′. In one embodiment, the resistance members 116, 116′ are springs that are compressed or stretched to provide a user with resistance-based exercise.
In the configuration shown in
In a particular embodiment, the push-up bars 102, 102′ may each include handgrips placed about the push-up bars 102, 102′ that are in addition to grip members 114, 114′.
In a particular embodiment, grip members 114, 114′ are the sole handgrips such that no additional handgrips are to be placed about each of the push-up bars 102, 102′ providing a simplified and cost effective solution. In addition, by providing two exercise devices 102, 102′ the manufacturer may reduce the size of the base for which the grip members are coupled, thereby reducing the overall cost of manufacturing.
In a particular embodiment, grip members 114, 114′ are the sole sliding hand grip members capable of sliding such that no additional handgrips slide in axial alignment to grip members 114, 114′ that are placed about each of the push-up bars 102, 102′.
As depicted in the combination of
As depicted in
Once at least one of the opposing support members 106, 108 have been detached from the shaft 112, the resistance member 116, such as a spring, may be removed from the shaft 112 wherein the user may optionally replace the resistance member 116 with resistance members of various resistance. The user may optionally place one or more springs on the shaft 112. In this manner, the user can switch the resistance members for a resistance necessary for the particular user, thus allowing for the selective coupling (of the replacement) of a resistance member. For example, the resistance for one user may be too much resistance based on their muscle composition and level of fitness; thus, the instant system allows the user to switch the resistance on the push-up bar 102.
As depicted in
In one embodiment shown in
As depicted in
A unique feature of
