Abstract:
An abdominal exercise device having a flat band formed by a double layer of mesh material. A pair of straps are retained on each end of the band. A pair of cushioned handles are respectively retained on the straps.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates in general to abdominal exercise and more particularly, to a device for use in the exercising of abdominal muscles.  
         [0003]     2. Summary of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Many techniques have been developed in the past to exercise the abdominal muscles (rectus adominus) of the human body. Traditionally, sit-ups are performed with an individual lying on his or her back with legs bent and feet flat on the floor or legs straight with hands folded behind the neck. In recent years the abdominal crunch is preferred since it provides greater impact on the abdominal muscles and reduces stress to such areas as the back and neck. In a typical crunch, the individual lies on his or her back with feet flat on the floor. From his or her sternum, the person crunches their upper back up and down with their lower back lying flat.  
         [0005]     Many devices and equipment are present in the prior art for performing crunches and other similar exercises. Such known designs are relatively expensive and cumbersome to store and use. None of the prior equipment permits an individual to exercise on any suitable surface with an inexpensive device that provides optimum results of exercise and comfort. For these reasons, it is desirable in the prior art to provide an improved device for performing exercises, such as abdominal crunches, sit-ups and the like.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide an improved exercise device in the form of a flat band or strap means for use during the performance of numerous exercises such as, for example, abdominal crunches, sit-ups, and the like. The exercise device herein disclosed is economical to use and manufacture and is highly effective in benefiting the abdominal muscles. The invention further reduces overall strain to the neck and back while an individual is exercising. The band or strap herein disclosed is provided with handles for gripping during use and with a breathable mesh and flexible material for the comfort of the user. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is top plan view of the outer side of the abdominal exercise device of the invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of an individual using the abdominal exercise device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a partial top plan of the inner surface of the abdominal exercise device of  FIG. 1 .  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0010]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is illustrated the abdominal exercise device of the invention, generally designated by reference numeral  2 . In  FIGS. 1 and 3 , exercise device includes a flat, intermediate strap or band member  4 . The strap or band member  4  is rectangularly shaped from a sheet of material such is formed from a fabric, polyester, polyurethane, and the like. The strap or band member  4  is outer flexible. Layer  6  is formed from a mesh material to allow the passage of air as seen in  FIG. 1 . The opposite longitudinal edge portions  12  of the flexible sheet  6  are bent under the inner side ( FIG. 3 ) to be secured to an inner rectangular mesh sheet  20  of soft fabric and the like. The longitudinal edges of the inner layer  20  are disposed in sandwiched relationship with the outer layer  6  and the edge of portions  12 . The inner layer  20  is sewn to the flexible outer layer  6  and bent under edge portions  12  by longitudinally extending threading  24 . The inner layer  20  is formed from a finer, softer mesh material than sheet  6  for contact with the user. The end sections  30  of the flexible sheet  6  at both ends are folded under to the inner side ( FIG. 3 ) and are sewn together along threaded pattern  32 . In  FIG. 3 , flexible straps  40  are attached to the end sections  30  respectively by thread pattern  42  that is disposed through the end portions  44  of the straps  40  to form a continuous strap loop. A handle assembly  46  having an inner plastic reinforcing tube  50  which mounts a cylindrical handle  52  of a cushioning material on the strap is provided for gripping by a user.  
         [0011]     As seen in  FIG. 2 , the user grasps the handles  52  and places the straps on his or her neck. Although not intended to be so limited, the exercise device  2  can be used in the following exercises. In a standard crunch, while the user lies on his or her back, the abdominal exercise  2  is placed behind the neck with the user grasping the handles. In this position, the knees are bent and feet are flat on the floor. The user then curls his or her upper body while abdominal exercise device  2  supports the head. In another exercise known as a twisting crunch, the user is in the initial position as in a standard crunch except that the foot of one of the legs rests on the knee of the other leg. The user then twists his or her shoulder blade off the floor toward the knee of the leg resting on the other knee. In a third exercise, the user lies on his or her back with exerciser  2  positioned like in a standard crunch except the legs are raised vertically. The user then lifts his or her shoulder blades off the floor with the lower back remaining on the floor. In an example of another exercise known as the bicycle employing the abdominal exerciser  2 , the knees are bent and the feet are off the floor. The user then pulls his or her upper body to elevate the shoulder blades. The right elbow is then twisted toward the left while extending the right leg. The movement is then done in alternate fashion with a twist to the right with an extension of the left leg.