Abstract:
The multi-exercise trainer includes a portable workout board having a low-friction upper surface. The low-friction upper surface includes a set of indicia concentrically spaced from one another to provide visual guidance for performing exercises thereon. The multi-exercise trainer further includes a hand pad slidable and rotatable over the low-friction upper surface. The indicia designate defined distances on the low-friction upper surface so a user may selectively position and slide the hand pad thereon while simultaneously performing push-ups.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to slide board exercise devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to multi-exercise slide boards that permit sliding on a low-friction surface as an effective way to train for skating and/or skiing at times when outdoor training conditions are not feasible. 
         [0002]    There are several known variations of exercise devices that enable off-season training that are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,862 to Keppler discloses a slide board prototype for use in off-season training regimens, such as speed skating or other similar athletics. The Keppler exercising device includes a base having a plurality of board members thereon arranged side-by-side. Hinges pivotally connect adjacent board members to each other. A flexible plastic sheet overlays the board members and has a smooth low-friction surface on which the user can slide. Bumpers are located at opposite ends of the base and releasibly connect thereto by a set of clamps. The user wears socks or other similar foot coverings to slide in one direction on the surface of the board until encountering a bumper. The bumper stops the user from continuing to move off the board and simultaneously allows the user to push off into the opposite direction. This allows the user to slide side-to-side in a movement that simulates skiing or skating. The Keppler device is complex in construction and not at all designed for mobility. Moreover, the Keppler device cannot be used in a multi-exercise training regimen because users are unable to vary or quantify the degree of difficulty when using the device. 
         [0003]    In another reference, U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,282 to Maclean discloses a slide exercise apparatus that has a plurality of inclined bumpers that may be selectively positioned at any point or angle on the board. The bumpers have an inclined surface that users contact with their feet when sliding back and forth on the board. The bumpers are preferably formed from a flexible, elastic material that flexes in a direction of motion upon impact from the foot of a user. The inclined surface may have an acute angle of approximately 18-22 degrees to better enable the user to push off from the bumper in an effort to change the direction of sliding motion. The bumper flexes upon contact thereby softening the impact force and associated shock on the foot, leg and joints of the user. The bumpers may permanently attach to or otherwise be removably clamped to the sliding surface of the board. In one embodiment, the bumpers include a non-slip material or a textured surface to increase friction with the foot of the user during contact. 
         [0004]    Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,700 to Braathen discloses a flexible sliding mat for use with a wall-mounted exerciser that enables a user to simulate skating, snow skiing, etc. The sliding surface of the mat is flexible so a user may roll up and stow away the mat during times of non-use. In the operative configuration, a pair of stop/kick-off edge elements are connected to and extend across respective opposite ends of the mat. The stop/kick-off edge elements are selectively positionable along the length of the sliding mat so the length of the sliding surface can be adjusted. The edge members attach to the mat by bolting together flanges that extend beyond the longitudinal side of the mat. When clamped together, the user may slide back and forth between the stop/kick-off edge elements to simulate skating and/or skiing. While the edge elements may be adjustable, the mat does not provide any means of identifying the distance between each of the elements for training purposes. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,226 to Carra discloses a similar device for ice skaters. The Carra exercise device includes an elongated rectangular plastic body or strip that has a low-friction surface for performing alternating side-to-side sliding movements thereon. The sliding surface is preferably flexible so the exercise device may be rolled and/or unrolled as desired. A strap included therein can secure the device in the rolled configuration. During use, a user may perform alternating side-to-side sliding movements on the low friction surface between a pair of cooperating raised and concave shaped stops. The terminal portion of each stop is in a slightly elevated position relative to the sliding surface to assist in terminating the directional movement of the person sliding back and forth across the slide. 
         [0006]    Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,870 to Lloyd discloses a variable resistance slide board that includes a thin flexible sheet having a low-friction upper surface. The sheet may include a pair of start-stop blocks located on either side of the low-friction upper surface. The start-stop blocks are designed to engage the foot or hands of a user to help facilitate starting or stopping. Similar to Maclean and Braathen, the start-stop blocks may be permanently attached to the slide board or adjustably mounted thereto. The material underneath the low-friction upper surface is compressible and deformable so that the resistance can be controlled in accordance with the characteristics of the compressible mat. Different portions of the mat have variable compressibility characteristics that either increase or decrease the resistance applied to the user sliding across the surface of the slide board. But, Lloyd does not include any indicia on the sliding surface that visually identify the areas of the mat that have different resistances thereunder due to differences in compressibility characteristics. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,415 to Branson features a sliding board that may be used with both the arms and the legs. The Branson device is a square platform that is covered with a low-friction material. The user straps or attaches low-friction pads to the hands, elbows or feet and then performs a series of exercises by sliding the pad across the surface of the platform. For instance, exercises might include the use of two hands, two feet, a foot and a hand, etc. The exercises are designed to be therapeutic and are designed to strengthen injured joints through cardiovascularly non-strenuous exercise. In Branson, the platform is square, instead of being rectangular as are the other above-identified designs. This design prevents long sliding side-to-side movement that may otherwise elevate the heart rate or cause potentially injurious extension of the joints and muscles. 
         [0008]    Additionally, there are numerous other devices known in the art that enable a person to exercise muscles of the upper torso through the use of rotatable push-up type devices. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,632,707 to Daniel et al. and 7,481,753 to James et al. and U.S. Publication No. 2006/0014615 to Godbold all disclose upper torso push-up-type exercise devices for use with the hands. Each device includes an elevated hand grip that allows a user to perform push-ups while rotating the arms and shoulders with the device via a low-friction surface (e.g. Daniel) or through a ball-bearing system (e.g. James and Godbold). One deficiency in the James and Godbold designs is the fact that the device is stationary and only rotates within an interior ball-bearing assembly. Likewise, Daniel has drawbacks in the fact that the housing includes a plurality of wheels that require a hard or sturdy rolling surface. Using the Daniel design with a flexible, compressible, or deformable material thereunder is simply not feasible as the top surface would tend to warp, bend or even crack. 
         [0009]    Thus, there exists a significant need for a multi-exercise slide board that enables a user to exercise muscles of the upper and lower body and facilitates off-season training exercises such as skiing and/or skating. Such a multi-exercise slide board should include a flexible low-friction surface having a pair of angled end stops at opposite ends thereof, should include a plurality of indicia on the slidable surface so a user can visually identify the difficulty of certain exercises, should include a plurality of low-friction pads that enable the user to slide one or more body parts along the slide board, and should include a carrying case for retaining the slide board and other accessories such as the pads. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The multi-exercise trainer includes a portable workout board having a low-friction upper surface. A set of indicia concentrically spaced from one another on the low-friction upper surface identify specific locations and distances on the workout board. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia include circles evenly spaced from one another and concentric to a center of the workout board. The indicia may also be colored coded to denote a degree of difficulty of performing push-ups at specific points on the workout board. Additionally, the multi-exercise trainer includes a hand pad slidable and rotatable over the low-friction upper surface. Accordingly, the indicia designate defined distances on the low-friction upper surface so a user may selectively position and slide the hand pad thereon while simultaneously performing a push-up. The hand pad preferably includes an elevated handle that facilitates sliding and/or rotating movement of the hand pad on the low-friction upper surface. The elevated handles enable the user to do deeper push-ups. 
         [0011]    The workout board itself includes a pair of bumpers located at opposite ends thereof that define the low-friction upper surface therebetween. The bumpers are preferably inclined and made from a high-friction material designed to stop a user sliding across the low-friction upper surface. The inclined bumpers are also ideal to push off from when performing side-to-side sliding exercises. The workout board may additionally include a strap capable of retaining the workout board in a rolled or storage configuration. Additionally, the multi-exercise trainer should include a carrying case configured to retain the hand pad and the workout board, when rolled into the storage position, to facilitate portability. 
         [0012]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multi-exercise slide board kit, including a slide board, a pair of slide pads, a pair of hand pads with elevated hand grips, a pair of joint protectors, and a carrying case; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an environmental view of a user performing push-ups with the pair of hand pads with elevated hand grips, through rotational and sliding movement of the pads across the surface of the slide board; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an environmental view of the user utilizing the hand pads to perform sliding exercises across the surface of the slide board. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention for a multi-exercise slide board kit is generally referred to by the reference number  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the multi-exercise slide board kit  10  includes a slide board  12 , a pair of slide pads  14 , a pair of hand pads with elevated hand grips  16 , a pair of joint pads  18  and a carrying case  20 . Each of the pads  14 ,  16 ,  18  are used in association with the slide board  12 , as described in more detail below, such that a user may exercise the lower body and the upper body. Of course, the multi-exercise slide board kit  10  may include multiple combinations of the pads  14 ,  16 ,  18 . Preferably, the carrying case  20  is sized to hold the slide board  12 , the slide pads  14 , the hand pads  16  and the joint pads  18 . But, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the multi-exercise slide board kit  10  may include various combinations of the components described above such that the carrying case  20  is appropriately sized to retain those components. At a minimum, the multi-exercise slide board kit  10  should include at least the slide board  12  and one of the pads  14 ,  16 ,  18 . 
         [0018]    The slide board  12  generally includes a sliding area  22  for use with the pads  14 ,  16 ,  18 . The sliding area  22  should be made from a low-friction material to permit sliding thereover. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sliding area  22  is generally rectangular in shape, but a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the sliding area  22 , and ultimately the shape of the slide board  12 , may come in a variety of sizes and shapes, such as circles, squares or other designs. Moreover, the sliding area  22  should be flexible to enhance the portability of the slide board  12 . In this regard, the sliding area  22  may fold over on itself or otherwise roll into a compact position relative to the operative position shown in  FIG. 1 . In the rolled-up or inoperative position, the slide board  12  may fit inside of the carrying case  20  for storage and transportation. 
         [0019]    A pair of bumpers  24  are located at opposite ends of the sliding area  22  of the slide board  12 . The bumpers  24  may be arranged in many different configurations, such as at the end of the rectangularly shaped sliding area  22 . The bumpers  24  may also attach to the longitudinal edges of the sliding area  22  such that the user may push off front-to-back in addition to side-to-side movement. The bumpers  24  may permanently attach to the sliding area  22  or may be selectively removable through some attachment/detachment mechanism. It is preferable that the bumpers  24  permanently attach to opposite sides of the longitudinal ends of the sliding area  22  to facilitate storage within the carrying case  20 . In this regard, the slide board  12  shown in  FIG. 1  may easily roll upon itself via the bumpers  24 . The relatively rigid bumpers  24  provide some support for the sliding area  22  when stored within the carrying case  20 . In the alternative embodiment wherein the bumpers  24  are placed longitudinally along the length of the sliding area  22 , such bumpers  24  are preferably selectively removable from the slide board  12  to enable the sliding area  22  to fold upon itself so the slide board  12  can fit within the carrying case  20  along with the detached bumpers  24 . 
         [0020]    The bumpers  24  are preferably angled as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The bumpers  24  should also be made from a resilient material capable of withstanding sliding contact of a user moving side-to-side across the sliding area  22 . Such resilient material should also be capable of providing footing and a push off point to facilitate the side-to-side movement. A ramp  26  integrated therein preferably has a surface area that includes a high-friction material or is otherwise shaped (e.g. ridges or bumps) to enhance traction thereon. This ensures that the user may adequately grip and push off from the ramp  26  when performing simulated skating or skiing exercises, e.g., with the slide board  12 . The bumper  24  and the ramp  26  may come in one of a variety of shapes, sizes or angles. A smaller angled ramp  26  may be used for light workout activities, such as for rehab or other low-impact exercises. Alternatively, a higher angled ramp  26  enhances the ability of the bumper  24  to stop movement of the user across the surface of the sliding area  22 . Such a ramp  26  is particularly preferred for exercises that require greater physical exertion or for exercises that are performed at higher speeds. In the event the bumpers  24  are detachable, a user may change out the characteristics of the ramp  26  depending on the desired exercise. The bumper  24  may further include a vertical stop  28  that prevents the user from moving up the ramp  26  and completely off the slide board  12 . The bumper  24  may also be manufactured from a material that is compressible and/or deformable to reduce the impact on the user when contacting either the ramp  26  or the vertical stop  28 . 
         [0021]    The sliding area  22  also includes a plurality of indicia, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , that identify specific portions or distances on the sliding area  22  for performing exercises in association with the multi-exercise slide board kit  10 . These indicia better enable a user to structure an exercise program for use with the slide board  12 . Oftentimes, as shown in the prior art discussed above, slide boards do not include any set of indicia thereon such that a user may gauge the level of difficulty for performing certain exercises. The users are left only to gauge the level of difficulty based on prior use and can only guesstimate because the prior art lacks such indicia.  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate one preferable set of indicia for use in association with some of the exercises that may be performed with the slide board  12 . As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the sliding area  22  includes a set of circular indicia such as a bull&#39;s eye  30  and a plurality of colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  concentric thereto. The colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  preferably vary in color from one another. In one embodiment, the colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  alternate in color similar to that of a dart board. In another embodiment, the colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  may be different shades of one color—such that the color gets deeper or brighter with each indicia ring moving away from the bull&#39;s eye  30 , or vice versa. The colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  identify various positions on the sliding area  22  that enable a user to structure a workout regimen. For example, the colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  enable a user to strategically locate specific distances from the bull&#39;s eye  30  and from each of the bumpers  24 . Using these relative distances, a user may accordingly utilize the bull&#39;s eye  30  and the colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  to gauge flexibility and/or the difficulty of a workout regimen. 
         [0022]    The sliding area  22  also includes a plurality of indicia lines  38 ,  40 ,  42  concentric to the bull&#39;s eye  30  and similar to the colored indicia rings  34 ,  36 ,  38 . The indicia lines  38 ,  40 ,  42  further help a user gauge flexibility and/or the difficulty of a workout regimen, at distances beyond the indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36 . The user can accurately gauge distances across the surface of the sliding area  22  through cooperative identification of the colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  and the indicia lines  38 ,  40 ,  42 . Of course, the bull&#39;s eye  30 , the colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  and the indicia lines  38 ,  40 ,  42  may vary in size, width, length, etc. depending on the dimensions of the sliding area  22  or the desired application. This enables a user to gauge flexibility or the difficulty of dexterity exercises. Over time, the user may conduct deeper stretches or longer exercises to different portions of the colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  and/or the indicia lines  38 ,  40 ,  42 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is merely a preferred embodiment. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the indicia on the sliding area  22  of the slide board  12  may vary depending on a plurality of different criteria. The indicia may include straight lines, angled lines, circular lines (as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ), or other designs, numbers, letters, etc. designating areas where the user may work out. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of using the multi-exercise slide board kit  10 . Here, a user  44  uses the hand pads  16  to perform different types of pushups. The hand pads  16  are best illustrated in  FIG. 1  and include a pair of handles  46  elevated above the base thereof. Like the slide pads  14 , described below, the hand pads  16  preferably include a low-friction material that contacts the sliding area  22 . When placed on the sliding area  22  of the slide board  12 , the user  44  may rotate or slide the slide pads  14  along the surface thereof. The directional arrows in  FIG. 2  illustrate examples of such movements. Rotating the hand pads  16  is an effective exercise for strengthening the muscles of the arms and the shoulders at the same time as doing pushups. The elevated positioning of the handles  46  also enables the user  44  to do deeper pushups. The user  44  may also perform additional sliding motion at the same time as performing the pushups. For example, the hand pads  16  may be moved side-to-side or in a circular motion to work out other muscles of the arms and/or shoulders that could not otherwise be exercised through doing conventional stationary pushups. The user  44  may gauge the level of difficulty when performing any one of a plurality of exercises in association with the multi-exercise slide board kit  10 , by sliding the hand pads  16  relative to the bull&#39;s eye  30 , the colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  and the indicia lines  38 ,  40 ,  42  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, sliding the hand pads  16  away from the bull&#39;s eye  30  effectively increases the difficulty of doing the aforementioned pushups. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that multiple different exercise regimens may be developed in association with the sliding hand pads  16  and the elevated handles  46 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates another exercise being performed with the multi-exercise slide board kit  10 . Here, the slide pads  14  may be used to do deep bends or perform lunges. The slide pads  14  are best illustrated in  FIG. 1  and are preferably made from a material that includes a low-friction material located, e.g., on a sliding surface  48 . The sliding surface  48  is complementary to the sliding area  22  on the slide board  12  such that the user may facilitate specific movements, such as the forward-to-backward sliding movement shown in  FIG. 3 . The slide pads  14  may simply be two pads or the slide pads  14  may include a glove or other similar device that straps or attaches to the hands or other body part of the user  44 . The slide pads  14  enable the user  44  to perform different exercises with the legs or arms. Furthermore, multiple exercises that involve both the lower body and the upper body will train and tone the middle torso, such as the ab muscles. This particular use of the multi-exercise slide board kit  10  can enhance dexterity and the flexibility of the user  44 . A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the user  44  may perform many different exercises by sliding one or more of the slide pads  14 , alone or in conjunction with one another, along the sliding area  22  to work out certain body muscles. The user  44  may furthermore use portions of the ramp  26  to position one or more appendages thereon such that the high-friction surface of the ramp  26  provides a non-slip/brace point for performing sliding exercises with other portions of the body. This may further enable the user  44  to concentrate on specific muscle groups when toning, stretching or performing other related exercises. Specifically with regard to stretching, the user  44  may use the bull&#39;s eye  30 , the colored indicia rings  32 ,  34 ,  36  and the indicia lines  38 ,  40 ,  42  ( FIG. 1 ) as a gauge for flexibility. Over time, the user  44  will experience that deeper stretches may be accomplished thereby allowing the user  44  to stretch to further indicia. Moreover, the indicia may also be used as part of a set of exercise instructions designed to target, strengthen and/or tone certain muscle groups. 
         [0025]    The user  44  may also use the joint pads  18 , as best shown in  FIG. 1 , to prevent injury to joints such as the elbows or knees. The joint pads  18  in  FIG. 1  have a pair of straps  50  for use in attachment to the user  44 . For example, the straps  50  may be manufactured from a stretchable material such that the user  44  simply slides the joint pads  18  over the legs or arms for retention over the knees or elbows. Alternatively, the straps  50  may selectively release from the joint pad  20  such that the user  44  may hook or attach the strap  50  around an arm or a leg to provide protection for the knees or elbows. In this embodiment, the straps  50  are preferably adjustable such that the user  44  may shorten or lengthen the straps  50  to fit comfortably, yet snugly, to the body. The joint pads  18  preferably include a shell  52  made from a rigid plastic or comparable material so the user does not directly contact the hard ground. A pad underneath the shell  52  may provide comfort and protection for joints that may otherwise become sore from ground contact as a result of exercising. 
         [0026]    During non-use, each of the components, i.e. the slide board  12 , the slide pads  14 , the hand pads  16  and the joint pads  18  may be compactly stored in the carrying case  20 . As described above, the slide board  12  preferably folds or otherwise rolls into a compact position storable within the interior of the carrying case  20 . The carrying case  20  preferably includes a shoulder strap  54  or other means for easily carrying the carrying case  20 . 
         [0027]    Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.