Two-In-One Exercise Assembly

Abstract

Exercise equipment and toys are provided for a portable piece of exercise equipment that enables a user to perform a cardiovascular workout and develop the abdomen simultaneously. Further, the exercise assembly does not require electrical power to operate, but rather operates from the momentum generated by the user. The user generates momentum by pumping the arms, which crates rotation that twists the torso in a reciprocating path, i.e., left-to-right. Thus, the assembly may be portable, non-powered, and configured to enable both cardiovascular and abdominal workouts through a twisting motion, and from a standing, kneeling, or sitting position.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure for the purposes of referencing as patent prior art, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary exercise assembly, showing an exemplary base portion, disc, pair of shafts, and a pair of handles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exercise assembly, showing an exemplary support portion adjacent to the base portion, disc, pair of shafts and a pair of handles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an exercise assembly, showing a support portion joined with a base portion of the exercise assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate an exercise assembly, showing the arms having a slide-on locking mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

There are various types of exercise equipment and toys that may be provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, an exercise assembly may provide a portable piece of exercise equipment that enables a user to perform a cardiovascular workout and develop the abdomen simultaneously. Further, the exercise assembly does not require electrical power to operate, but rather operates from the momentum generated by the user. The user generates momentum by pumping the arms, which crates rotation that twists the torso in a reciprocating path, i.e., left-to-right. Thus, the assembly may be portable, non-powered, and configured to enable both cardiovascular and abdominal workouts through a twisting motion, and from a standing, kneeling, or sitting position.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that previous exercise equipment targeted only one area of the body. The exercise assembly disclosed here provides a two-in-one workout system that allows a user to separately workout the cardiovascular system and abdominal muscles. Because the exercise assembly is a two-in-one workout system, setting up for a cardiovascular workout and an abdominal muscle workout may be performed simultaneously. The exercise assembly may also be disassembled, i.e., broken down, and stored in a convenient carrier case.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary exercise assembly 100 positioned on a ground surface for operation. The assembly may include a base portion 102 that is configured to support the weight of a user. The base portion may include a concentrically positioned base aperture. In one embodiment, the base portion is a generally rectangular, heavy block which may be made of but not limited to metal that provides a foundation for the assembly.

In some embodiments, a disc 104 may be configured to join with the base portion. The disc may be circular. Though in other embodiments, other shapes may be used. In one embodiment, the disc has a diameter between 18 inches to 24 inches. The disc may include a disc aperture. The disc may include a concentrically positioned disc aperture 106.

In some embodiments, a rotating mechanism may join with the base portion. The rotating mechanism may rotate freely about the base portion. One exemplary rotating mechanism may include, without limitation, a lazy Susan. The disc may fixedly join with the rotating mechanism. In this arrangement, the rotating mechanism positions between the base portion and the disc. The disc is in rotatably communication with the rotating mechanism. The base portion is fixed and independent of the rotating mechanism.

In some embodiments, an axle may extend perpendicularly through the disc aperture of the disc and the base aperture of the base portion. In one embodiment, the apertures have a diameter of about ¾″, or a size adapted to receive the axle. The disc, resting on the rotating mechanism, may rotate freely about the axle. In this manner, the disc may be configured to rotate freely about the base portion up to 360°.

In some embodiments, a pivot mechanism 110a, 110b may be disposed to join with the peripheral region of the base portion. The pivot mechanism may be configured to pivot in a reciprocating path about the base portion. In some embodiments, the assembly may further include a pair of shafts 108a , 108b that pivotally join with the pivot mechanism. The shafts are disposed in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship, extending up from a peripheral region of the base portion. Thus, when a user mounts the disc, the shaft are disposed laterally, and to the fore of the user. The pivot mechanism enables the shafts to pivot forward and rearward about the base portion. The resistance to the pivot may be adjusted with an adjustment portion 122. The adjustment portion may adjust the resistance to the point that the shafts are substantially prevented from pivoting.

In some embodiments, the assembly may further include a pair of handles 112a, 112b that fixedly join with the base portion. The handles are disposed in a parallel, spaced-apart relationship, extending up from a peripheral region of the base portion, and adjacent to the shafts. The handles may include a generally U-shape that the user may grip. The handles may not extend in height as much as the shafts. The handles, similar to the shafts,

In operation, a user may position on the disc by sitting, kneeling, or standing. While on the disc, the user may manipulate the pair of shafts in a forward and rearward direction to generate momentum that rotates the disc in a reciprocating, quarter turn path. As a result of the momentum generated in the disc, the torso of the user is forced to twist with the disc in a reciprocating side-to-side manner. The arms of the user are also working to manipulate the shafts, and thereby generating the momentum on the disc. This motion provides the user with the dual benefit of a cardiovascular workout and an abdomen developing exercise.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exercise assembly, showing an exemplary support portion adjacent to the base portion, disc, pair of shafts and a pair of handles. In additon to the rotating disc that rotatably joins the base portion and provides the momentum for exercising, the assembly may further include a support portion 114 that elevates the user. The support portion may be disposed to position beneath the base portion. The support portion may be fixedly rested on a ground surface. The support portion enables the user to sit, kneel, or stand on the disc from an elevated position while manipulating the shaft. This creates different angles for developing the abdomen and also provides different resistance levels for adjusting the cardiovascular workout.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exercise assembly, showing a support portion joined with a base portion of the exercise assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one aspect, the support portion may include a stool having a platform 116 and at least one leg 118. The leg may be height adjustable. An aperture may be concentrically disposed through the platform to enable passage of the axle. The weight of the user inhibits the support portion from rotating with the disc.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate an exercise assembly, showing the arms having a slide-on locking mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the assembly may be configured to easily assembled and disassemble with minimal amounts of tools. The base portion may join with the support portion through a unique attachment process. A first Step may include the base portion, which may include a geo-metric shaped foundation or other shape that may include two smaller bases installed on top of the far left end above foundation and another installed on the far right end of the above foundation.

A subsequent Step for assembly may include drilling the disc aperture, which may include a ¾″ hole or other size through the center of the disc. Another Step comprise installing the pivot portion, or pivoting hardware on both ends of the base portion. Yet another Step may include installing the shafts, or pair of adjustable handles to the pivot portion installed on the peripheral region, or the far right and far left of the portion. The, the shafts may be maneuvered forward and backward.

In some embodiments, a Step may include providing a circular disc approximately 18″-24″ in diameter or a different dimension. A further Step comprises drilling the disc aperture through the disc at about ¾″ or another size in the center of the circular disc or a different shaped disc. A further Step may comprise installing the rotating mechanism, which may include a lazy Susan or similar mechanism on the bottom side of the disc. A Step may then include installing the same rotating mechanism that is attached to the above disc onto the middle of the base portion. This may enable the user to stand on top of the disc holding both handles while twisting the torso from left to right, whether seated or standing or to perform other physical workout maneuvers.

In some embodiments, a Step may include providing a support portion, which may include an elevated foldable stand or another elevating mechanism. The support portion may include 1′×1′ square flat foundation or it could be of a variety of other dimensions. A Step may include drilling a ¾″ support aperture or another size hole will be drilled through the center of the support portion. The support aperture may align with the base and disc apertures.

A further Step may include positioning the disc and the base on top of the support portion to perform the elevated cardiovascular and abdominal exercise. Those skilled in the art will recognize that to ensure the equipment is safely balanced and centered, all three apertures must be aligned allowing the user to see the floor through all three pieces of the equipment. Once all three apertures have been aligned, a fastener, which may include a single screw may pass through all three apertures to secure the base portion and the support portion together. This may allow a user to be seated upon the assembly safely.

The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.

Claims

1. An assembly, said assembly comprising: a base portion, said base portion being defined by a peripheral region, said base portion comprising a base aperture;a pivot mechanism, said pivot mechanism being disposed to join with said peripheral region of said base portion, said pivot mechanism being configured to pivot in a reciprocating path about said base portion;a pair of shafts, said pair of being disposed to extend from said pivot mechanism, said pair of shafts being configured to pivot in said reciprocating path about said base portion, whereby manipulation of said pair of shafts enables momentum to be generated;a pair of handles, said pair of handles being disposed to extend from said peripheral region of said base portion, said pair of handles being configured to fixedly join with said base portion, whereby manipulation of said pair of handles enables momentum to be generated;a rotating mechanism, said rotating mechanism being disposed to join with said base portion, said rotating mechanism being configured to enable rotation up to 360 degrees;a disc, said disc comprising a disc aperture, said disc being disposed to fixedly join with said rotating mechanism, whereby said disc rotates in conjunction with said rotating mechanism;an axle, said axle being configured to pass through said base aperture and said disc aperture, whereby said disc rotates about said axle when momentum is generated; anda support portion, said support portion being configured to enable fixed joining with a ground surface, said support portion further being configured to support said base portion.