Abstract:
An exercise device that utilizes a compression resistant means placed between two similarly sized exercise plates that can be hand held and compressed in a variety of exercises. The invention includes methods of exercising in which the exercise device is compressed and utilized in various ways.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/008,225 filed on Jun. 5, 2014 which is incorporated herein by reference. Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/008,225 filed on Jun. 5, 2014 is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     REFERENCE TO “MIRCOFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a multifunction portable exercise and fitness device that works with the user&#39;s muscular force and balance in a manner to compress opposing exercise plates of the device and a method of undertaking exercises and uses of the device. 
         [0005]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0006]    Portable exercise devices are varied and well known, and the present invention provides and promotes physical health, stamina, balance exercises and muscle exercises by utilizing at least two springs, or other compression resistance mechanism, attached between two opposing exercise plates which are designed to exercise the user&#39;s muscles when the user works to overcome the device&#39;s compression resistance in a balanced application of force. A wide variety of exercise equipment is available for focusing on muscle toning, cardiovascular workouts, strengthening and muscle development. The present invention involves a portable, easy to use device that can be used in a variety of ways by the user applying force in opposition to the resisting mechanical force generated by the exercise device in order to, amongst other purposes, exercise one&#39;s muscles, increase efficiency in one&#39;s exercise, and improve a user&#39;s method of exercise by working to ensure controlled and uniformed compressive force on the device. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is generally comprised of two similar sized exercise plates, that are preferably sized to be hand held, and preferably in a brick rectangular shape, made of rubber, dense foam, plastic or wood material. In one embodiment, the top sides of the plates have a concave curved surface shaped to fit between the user&#39;s opposing thighs, or between the user&#39;s hands and/or bottom of the feet of the user. The size and shape of the exercise plates are designed in one embodiment to provide a stable surface when the device is placed on the floor or wall and held and controlled by the user. In this manner, the device can be used with one exercise plate placed against a flat firm surface whereby the user applies force to the opposing exercise plate to result in compression of the device against the flat surface such as in a push-up exercise. 
         [0008]    The exercise plates do not have to be exclusively brick shaped or rectangular. The plates can be in various shapes and sizes such as a ball or shaped in a cylindrical or tubular structure. The invention can also have the concave cure on top side and the bottom sides of plates for a dumbbell type shape for easier gripping by hand. 
         [0009]    The device has at least two compression resistance means, such as a compression spring or telescopic compression rod, fixed between the pair of opposing plates which are attached to the inner sides of the pair of exercise plates in a manner that the plates inner surface move toward each other in a uniform fashion when uniform force is applied to the outer sides of the plates toward the springs. The plates are parallel to each other&#39;s horizontal planes. The springs or other resistance means have equal compressive force tolerances such that when the plates are compressed together in a generally uniform manner, the two plates compress toward each other and remain parallel to each other when the user applies consistent uniform force across the entire plate&#39;s top surface. 
         [0010]    The device is designed to receive compression force on the outer sides of the plates, so the spring or other resistance means becomes shorter as the compressive forces are applied as the two plates are brought closer together. The plates and compression resistant means are designed to have equal strength springs on the edge of the plates so that upon compression by the user, the exercise plates can move and torque multiple lateral and horizontal planes causing the plates to move outside of a parallel arrangement and the plates can wobble with respect to each other by which the user can gauge whether compressive forces are being applied equally across the surface of the plate. When inconsistent force is applied across to the top surface of the plate, the plates will not compress parallel to each other evenly and uniformly. The multiple springs design challenges the user to find and use the appropriate balance and control when applying the compressive forces to smoothly compress the device without wobble of the plates during compression. When the user squeezes the exercise plates together between the legs or by arms and hand in a push-up type exercise, the user must concentrate on applying even, consistent and level force across the surface on the exercise plates, compressing the device in a uniform manner to limit plate wobbling along the parallel planes of the plates with respect to each other. With 4 springs, the exercise plates will have more tendencies to move with wobbling non-uniform plate movements and deflections if uniform and consistent pressure is not applied to the top surface during compression. Each of the springs will compress independently but consistently in movement if the user applies equal consistent downward force across the top of the plates. The plates will compress together with the distance between the plates reducing equally between all sides of the plate as compressive forces applied. 
         [0011]    There are many variations of methods of exercise using the invention such as foot press exercise in which the user stands with the ball of user&#39;s foot on the top surface of the plate of the invention with the heel planted or lifted and the user&#39;s other foot flat on the floor. The user presses down with his foot and leg muscles to compress the invention using the compressive force to tighten the user&#39;s abdominal muscles. The user can place the arch of the user&#39;s foot on the top surface of the plate and repeat the sequence allowing user&#39;s toes to curl forward over the front edge, and the back heel to curl over the back of the edge like the foot of a bird on a perch compressing in a uniformly easy manner. Additional foot presses exercise can be undertaken where user&#39;s heel provides the contact on the top of the plate and compressive force is exerted on the device. Other exercises include placing the invention on the floor and the user bending over compressing the device with the palm of the user&#39;s hand while standing. The user can place the device on a flat surface such as a floor and use the device in a push-up type manner exercise. The device of the invention can be used to exercise the leg and thighs by placing the device between the user&#39;s thighs and compressing the legs together. By holding the device in front of the user&#39;s chest and squeezing the device, the user can work toward the midline of the body to promote balance and alignment of the body. The device is sized and shaped to limit stress to the user&#39;s hip joints which can occur with larger and wider exercise devices by the device having a size that fits between user&#39;s thighs without the user needing to have a wide spread between the thighs while utilizing the device. The device also has the ability to be used as a foot corrector and stabilizer by use of various standing and pressing exercise methods, including one in which the user stands on one or a pair of the devices to work on standing balance. Other known exercise methods include lying on one&#39;s side on top of the device or multiple devices and using the device as a push-up aid. These methods are not the exclusive methods but the device can be used in numerous different ways as guided by the needs of the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]    For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed descriptions, read in conjunction with the following drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross section view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view of the invention shown in  FIG. 2  upon compression; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the invention showing two compression springs; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the invention with four springs; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  shows the invention and an exercise method for hand, arm and shoulder press; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8B  shows the invention and an exercise method; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8C  shows the invention and an exercise method; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Certain exemplary embodiments are described in showing the drawings to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 1 , the individual components of the invention are shown. The invention has two similarly shaped exercise plates ( 11 ,  12 ) that are generally and preferably in a brick rectangular shape and can be made of rubber, dense foam, plastic or wood materials having preferable dimensions of 8½×7½ inches in width and 3 inches in depth. In one embodiment, the top surface  11 A of plate  11  has a concave cured surface in  13  and  14  with an approximate depth of the curvature in one embodiment of 1 to 2 inches from the horizontal flat surface  11 A of plate  11  and  12 A of 12. 
         [0025]    The concave surface  13  and  14  are shaped in size to comfortably fit within an exercise user&#39;s inner thighs for compression exercises or to be held in the hands of the user in compression exercises or to be used by a user in foot compression exercises as shown in  FIG. 8B  or push-up exercises as shown in  FIG. 8C . 
         [0026]    Attached between plates  11  and  12  are compression resistant mechanisms such as springs or springs surrounding companion rods  15 ,  16  and  17  which are affixed to the bottom surface of plate  11  and bottom surface of plate  12 . In  FIG. 1 , these compression resistant means are shown as  15 ,  16  and  17 , and as shown in  FIG. 1 , are preferably uniformly spaced along the bottom surface  12 A of plate  12  and bottom surface of plate  11  along the plates&#39; exterior bottom side midline. Each spring compresses somewhat independently of each other such that compressive forces targeted more along the front edge of plate  11  will compress spring  17  in a greater manner than compression of spring  15  causing the plate  11  and  12  to compress in an uneven manner toward plate  12  off of the parallel horizontal planes between plates  11  and  12  centered and even compressive force applied to the center of plate  11  at  13  will cause compressive resistant mechanism  15 ,  16  and  17  to generally compress in a consistent even manner limiting wobble of plate  11  in relation to plate  12 . The device has at least two compression means as shown in  FIG. 5  as  25  and  26  but may have four compression means as shown in  FIG. 6  as  30 ,  31 ,  32  and  33 . With four compression means, the exercise plates  11  and  12  can compress unevenly in several different planes as the plates move toward each other if uneven force is applied along the top surfaces of 11 and 12 in a compressive manner. The springs in  FIG. 6  are preferably placed between 12 at the corners of the bottom surfaces of 11 and 12 with the pair of springs  32  and  33  located an equal distance from the pair of springs  30  and  31  and the springs are generally located ¼ to ½ inch from the edges of plates  11  and  12 . 
         [0027]    The compression resistant devices are affixed to plates  11  and  12  in any reasonably known manner such as glue, bolt, spring clips attached with nails or screw or with the end of the springs themselves screwed into the inner surface of plate  11  and the inner surface of plate  12 . In one embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , the compression resistant means is a spring with companion rod that is within the spring and upon compression of the spring, the companion rod moves and plunges into rod receiving receptacle voids in plate  12  as shown as  19 A,  19 B and  19 C for receiving rods  15 ,  16  and  17 . The rod receiving receptacle voids are sized in shape to smoothly and adequately receive rods  15 ,  16  and  17  upon compression as the rods plunge into the voids  19 A,  19 B and  19 C. Full compression of the plates when uniform pressure is applied at  13  and  14  compressing rods  40 ,  41  and  42  into voids  19 A,  19 B and  19 C. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 2 , the compression devices&#39; rods are plunged into holes or voids in plate  12 &#39;s body sized and shaped to receive the rod of the compression device as plates  11  and  12  are compressed together narrowing the distance between the bottom surfaces of plate  11  and plate  12 . Upon release of compressive force on the top surfaces of plate  11  and  12 , the compression resistant mechanism expands and the plates move apart to the resting position and the rods move out of the rod receiving receptacle voids. The device requires compressive force in the range of 25 to 75 pounds to compress depending upon the number of springs or compressive resistant devices affixed to the plates and/or depending upon the strength of the springs or compression resistant devices. Preferably, the compression resistance for the device is between 25 and 50 pounds. The springs or compression resistant devices can be obtained or purchased from hardware stores and/or specialty spring retailers. The springs and/or compression resistant devices are preferably placed approximately one-fourth of an inch from the end of plates  11  and  12 . When three springs are used, the middle spring  16  is preferably placed at the mid-point of the bottom surfaces of plates  11  and  12  between springs  15  and  17 . The two outer springs or compression resistant devices  15  and  17  can be placed one half inch from the edges from the front and back edges of plates  11  and  12  and approximately one inch from the sides of plates  11  and  12 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the two outer springs or compression resistant devices  25  and  26  can be placed one half inch from the edges of the front and back edges of plates  11  and  12  and along the longer base axis centerline of the plates  11  and  12 . 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 8A , the user is applying downward compressive force on plate  11  while placed on the floor while using the floor surface resistance to provide counter force against the user&#39;s compression. 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 8B , an alternative exercise method is shown in which the user is placing her foot on the top concave surface while the device is resting on the floor and applying compressive downward force to exercise the user&#39;s muscles while utilizing balance and coordination. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 8C , the user is undertaking a method of push-up exercises using the flat hand as a compressive force against the stable opposing floor surface upon which plate  12  is resting. 
         [0032]    It is contemplated that the exercise plates can be made of dense foam covered with fabric, plastic or other material that can suitably placed between compression means and/or engaged by the user. The strength and the positioning of the compression resistant means is fixed and can be interchangeable based on the amount of force desirable to compress the device and the method of exercise by the user. The strength of the springs can alter the stability of the exercise plates and the user might cause a certain amount of wobble in plates during the exercise if proper balance and uniform forces are not properly applied.  FIG. 2  shows the exercise device having an exercise plate which preferably is sized with 2 inches of height, 6.5 inches of width and springs of 2 inches of length placed and affixed between the pair of opposing plates with two plates parallel to each other. The springs can be various lengths and compression strength, depending on the desired exercise and/or resistance desired, and a prepared embodiment has springs of 2.5 inches of length as shown in  FIG. 3  which displays exercise plates ( 23  and  24 ) having a length of 6.5 inches and width of 3 inches, with 1 inch of depth.  FIG. 4  shows four 4 inch springs ( 30 ,  31 ,  32  and  33 ) and  FIG. 5  shows three 3 inch springs ( 40 ,  41  and  42 ).  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  8 C illustrate various, but not exclusive methods of use of the device.