Abstract:
The exercise device of the present invention includes a convex dome on a bottom surface and an arched ridge on the top surface with troughs formed on both sides of the arched ridge. In a first configuration, the bottom surface faces downward where the convex dome rests on the floor and the exerciser is provided an instable exercise platform. In a second configuration, the top surface and arched ridge face downward where the ends of the exercise device are resting on the floor and the exerciser is provided a stable exercise platform.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/291,966 entitled “Compact and Light Multi-Exercise Device Providing Hyperextension and Instability in all Directions,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/003,303 filing date Nov. 16, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention: 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an exercise device, and more specifically to increasing the effectiveness of abdominal muscle exercises by selectively providing a stable or non-stable platform. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art: 
         [0005]    Exercise devices that provide a platform for supporting the body in exercising various muscle groups have had the ability to produce instability through the use of a curved or domed surface, to provide instability in one direction or in all directions. 
         [0006]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,497,243 to Martin provides a foot exerciser with a rocker bottom on one side and, on the opposite side, two concave foot supporting surfaces divided by a ridge. The user places his feet within the concave foot supporting surfaces; and the feet are separated by the ridge. From that position, the device provides an unstable platform to exercise the feet and lower legs. However, Martin&#39;s device cannot be transitioned into a stable exercise platform and cannot be used to exercise other muscle groups, due to its inherent design limitations and teachings. 
         [0007]    What is needed and not yet provided in the art, is an exercise device that can exercise upper body, lower body, and abdominal muscle groups, while selectively providing a stable and unstable exercise platform. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a compact exercise apparatus that provides numerous exercise options, makes exercising easy and fun, and is highly effective by providing hyperextension in conjunction with selective stability or instability. The invention could be used to do sit-ups, crunches, and lateral crunches muscles of the arm, upper and lower abdominal muscles, lower back, oblique muscles on the side of the core could be targeted for conditioning. These exercises will sculpt the waist, lower back, buttocks, and sides. 
         [0009]    The exercise device of the present invention includes a top surface opposite a bottom surface, a first end opposite a second end, a first side opposite a second side, a convex dome on the bottom surface, and an arched ridge on the top surface for supporting directly thereon a portion of an exerciser&#39;s body in at least one exercise configuration. The first end is preferably parallel to the second end in at least one plane to enhance stability in a second configuration. The arched ridge on the top surface preferably extends from the first side to the second side and has an arch curvature that is substantially constant along the length of the arched ridge. Between the arched ridge and the first end a first trough is formed; and between the arched ridge and the second end a second trough is formed. 
         [0010]    There are at least two exercise configurations, a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration the exercise device is configured to provide an unstable exercise platform by positioning the bottom surface downward with the convex dome contacting a support surface. In the second configuration the exercise device is configured to provide a stable exercise platform by positioning the top surface downward with both the first end and the second end contacting the support surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows an end view of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows an exerciser using the present invention for crunches, with the invention in the first configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows an exerciser using the device for crunches with the invention inverted in the second configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows an exerciser using the device for side crunches with the invention inverted in the second configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows an exerciser using the present invention for push-ups, with the invention in the first configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  shows an exerciser using the invention for lunges, with the invention in the first configuration and the arch of the foot positioned transversely across the arched ridge. 
       
    
    
     LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS of FIRST-PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0000]    
       
         exercise device  20   
         top surface  22   
         bottom surface  24   
         first end  26   
         second end  28   
         first side  30   
         second side  32   
         convex dome  34   
         arched ridge  36   
         arch curvature  40   
         surface  42   
         first trough  44   
         second trough  48   
         support surface  52   
         lower back  58   
         foot arch  60   
         exerciser  62   
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The detailed descriptions set forth below in connection with the appended drawings are intended as a description of embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The descriptions set forth the structure and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent structures and steps may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0038]    Looking first at  FIG. 1 , the top surface  22  of the exercise device  20  can be seen, having formed thereon an arched ridge  36  that extends from the first side  30  to the second side  32 . The length of the arched ridge  36  is generally measured from the first side  30  to the second side  32 . The preferred curvature of the arched ridge  36  can be seen from the first side  30 . This curvature is preferably constant along the entire length of the arched ridge to provide consistent support to the middle or lower back or other portion of an exerciser&#39;s body. On each side of the centrally located arched ridge  36  is a trough, a first trough  44  and a second trough  48 . The troughs  44  and  48  are configured to selectively support a portion of the exerciser&#39;s body, such as the buttocks or upper back. The first end  26  and the second end  28  are contoured to enable an exerciser to grip the ends comfortably with her hands. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  more clearly shows the overall shape of the present invention from the viewpoint of the first side  30 . The convex dome  34  is formed on the bottom surface  24 . Because the convex dome  34  has a dome-like shape, when the exercise device  20  is placed on a supporting surface, it will be instable in all directions. This means the exerciser must exert an effort in order to maintain a stable motion, such as rocking without tipping, and will thus receive a more intense and thorough exercise. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show a top and end view of the present invention, further illustrating the basic shape. In  FIG. 3 , the exercise device  20  is shown inverted in the second configuration where the first end  26  and second end  28  (not visible) are supported by a surface  42 , such as a floor or mat. The first end  26  and second end  28  are arranged such that they contact the surface  42  in one plane and thereby provide a stable exercise platform where the exercise device  20  will not rock in any direction. In other words, at least a portion of the first end  26  is parallel to another portion of the second end  28 , so that both ends  26  and  28  contact the surface simultaneously and provide stability. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  shows an exerciser  62  performing a crunch exercise, where the exercise device is in the first configuration and the convex dome  34  is contacting the floor beneath. The buttocks of the exerciser  62  are supported within the second trough  48  and the lower back is supported over the arched ridge  36 . The curved arrows show the ability of the exercise device  20  to provide instability in multiple directions, twisting and rocking in this example. The straight arrows show the major muscle groups being exercised. Further, because of the instability of the first configuration, the exerciser  62  must use her legs to enhance stability, thus providing an additional leg and abdominal workout. 
         [0042]    The second configuration is shown in  FIG. 6 , where the exercise device  20  is inverted in a stable position and the exerciser  62  is performing a second series of crunches where hyperextension is permitted due domed bottom surface  24 . The curved arrow shows the exerciser&#39;s  62  movement during the crunch exercise. In  FIG. 7 , the second configuration also permits a side crunch exercise. The curved arrow shows the movement of the exerciser  62  on the stable platform. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  illustrates an alternate exercise in the first configuration, where the exerciser  62  is grasping the contoured edges of the first end  26  and the second end  28 , the legs are on the floor, and the exerciser  62  is performing a push-up exercise. Again, the instability provided by the first configuration provides an enhanced exercise regimen due to the exerciser having to provide the stability. In  FIG. 9 , the exerciser is performing lunges with the exercise device  20  in the first configuration. The left foot is positioned on the arched ridge  36  with the arch of the foot transversely supported across the ridge  36 . The right foot is on the floor. Again, the instability provides an enhanced crunch due to the exerciser  62  having to resist tipping in all directions. 
         [0044]    The present invention can be solid or inflatable. It could also be rigid or have some flexibility. The exercise device  20  can be injection molded using a plastic material and coated or covered with a softer material for comfort, such as neoprene rubber or the like. In an inflatable embodiment, portions of the device  20  could be made of a rigid plastic material, such as the convex dome  34 , while the remainder can be made of a flexible material that comprises the inflatable shell of the device. 
         [0045]    In addition to muscle toning, strengthening, and conditioning the present invention offers an improved sense of balance for sports that require heightened sense of balance, such as ice skating, snow skiing, gymnastics, hockey, snowboarding, water skiing, and so on. The provided instability improves the sense of balance in all directions and strengthens the muscles needed to implement the balance; and the stable platform enables more traditional exercise for pure strength training. 
         [0046]    While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited except by the claims.