Abstract:
An exercise device designed to work and strengthen abdominal muscles while in a standing position comprises a center tube that forms the main axle of the device. The center tube extends completely through where it forms the left and right gripping handles. A pair of padded rollers is rotatingly supported upon the center tube and are pressed upon and then motioned downwardly and upwardly over a user&#39;s quadriceps in a reciprocating manner to exercise the abdominal muscles. A gap between the rollers is provided to allow clearance for the device as it is utilized.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/781,833, filed Mar. 14, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an exercise device for abdominal muscles involving a pair of roller assemblies rotatingly mounted to a central tubular member and defining a gap therebetween to enable a user to operate the device in a standing position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Physical fitness and good health are among the areas of highest concerns among Americans today. More than ever, people frequent health clubs and perform exercise routines at home in order to lose weight, improve muscle tone, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. One (1) area that many people concentrate on is their abdominal and adjacent area. This area around one&#39;s waist is usually very difficult to reduce with standard equipments. Further, existing equipment tend to require a user to be in a horizontal position while exercising, thus putting undue strain on a user&#39;s back. Accordingly, there is a need for means by which exercise workout equipment can effectively target the abdominal area while minimizing excess strain on the user&#39;s back. The development of the rolling pad fulfills this need. 
     The rolling pad, as its name implies, is an exercise machine designed to work and strengthen abdominal muscles while in a standing position. The invention is approximately twenty-eight inches (28 in.) long and four inches (4 in.) in circumference. A center tube forms the main axle of the device, and extends completely through where it forms the left and right handles of the invention. Handle stops then separate the handles from an outer tube which is supported by bushings or bearings off of the interior tube. This outer tube is then covered with foam padding that is used to reduce the localized pressure upon the user&#39;s thighs. A gap between the left and right padding is provided to allow the invention to be rolled over the user&#39;s genitals. The invention is used in a standing position by first grasping the handles, and pressing it against the hips just above the level of the pubic bone. It is then rolled over the thighs toward the knees. With this exercise motion, the abdominal muscles are tightened and the abdomen is curled while standing. The use of the rolling pad, allows body builders and health enthusiasts to obtain a complete and thorough workout of their abdominal area, in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The rolling pad is designed with utility and convenience in mind. The purpose of the device is to allow a user to exercise the abdominal muscles in a standing position, thus minimizing undue strain on the user&#39;s back. Because the user do not need to stretch out horizontally to use this device, this invention can be used anywhere, unlike other contraptions that require a certain amount of space. The efficiency and convenience of this invention is unmatched by any other tools currently. 
     The device is approximately twenty-eight inches (28 in.) in length and four inches (4 in.) in diameter. It has a central tube forming an axle, with two (2) handle portions at the ends. A first roller and a second roller are affixed on the axle in a way that allows the rollers to rotate freely, and they are located on each side of the axle, adjacent to each handle portion. The rollers provide padding to protect a user&#39;s legs during exercising. The two (2) rollers are separated by a space on the axle, so that the device can roll over the user&#39;s crotch area without hindrance. 
     The central tube is preferably made of a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum. The tube forms the main axle of the device and extends outwardly, forming first handle and second handle end portions, which provide respective laterally-adjustable grips for a user&#39;s left and right hands during exercising. A center portion of the tube is encompassed around by a pair of freely rotating tubular bushings made of TEFLON®, nylon, or other material having equivalent lubricity characteristics. The bushings are sized so that they can be inserted into the rollers on each end. 
     The rollers are cylindrical in shape, and they are preferably made of a padding material such as urethane foam rubber or equivalent soft compliant material. The bushings separate and position the rollers by having four collars, each being a disc shaped structure. The first collar and second collar are positioned against opposing side surfaces of the first roller, and the third collar and fourth collar are positioned against opposing side surfaces of the second roller. The rollers are preferably positioned approximately six inches (6 in.) from each other using the collars to form a recessed intermediate section, thereby allowing the device to be rolled comfortably without contacting the user&#39;s groin area. 
     The grips are securely inserted upon each handle portion via a tight friction-fit allowing lateral adjustment along the handles based upon a user&#39;s preference. Each grip has a plastic or rubber tubular form similar to a bicycle handlebar grip. The grips are may have some molded-in finger relief features for a firm hold. 
     To use the device, the user simply grips the device by the handles while in a standing position. The device should rest comfortably on the front of the user&#39;s hip. The user can then, while maintaining pressure on the body through the device, slowly bend down and roll the device towards his/her knee. The device will be in contact with the user&#39;s body during the entire time. After reaching the desired bottom position, the user may retract the position upward, while also maintaining contact between the device and the body. This process may be repeated for the desired duration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an abdominal exercise device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is an environmental view of the abdominal exercise device  10  depicting an in-use erect position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is another environmental view of the abdominal exercise device  10  depicting an in-use forwardly extended position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the abdominal exercise device  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  abdominal exercise device 
               20   a  first roller 
               20   b  second roller 
               22  roller aperture 
               24  tube 
               30   a  first bushing 
               30   b  second bushing 
               34  intermediate section 
               35   a  first collar 
               35   b  second collar 
               35   c  third collar 
               35   d  fourth collar 
               36  slit 
               40   a  first handle 
               40   b  second handle 
               42  grip 
               44  finger relief 
               100  user 
               105  abdominal muscles 
               110  hand 
               115  quadriceps 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein is depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an abdominal exercise device (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides an exercise aid designed to work and strengthen abdominal muscles  105  while a user  100  is in a standing position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is approximately twenty-eight inches (28 in.) in length and four inches (4 in.) in diameter, further comprising a central tube  24  forming an axle means with first handle  40   a  and second handle  40   b  end portions. A first roller  20   a  and a second roller  20   b  are rotatingly affixed to the tube  24  via respective internal freely-rotating first bushing  30   a  and second bushing  30   b  portions. The rollers  20   a ,  20   b  provide padding to protect a user&#39;s legs during exercising. The tube  24  further comprises a pair of grips  42  mounted to end portions (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , environmental views of the device  10  depicting erect and forwardly extended positions, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  is utilized to develop abdominal muscles  105  by beginning an exercise from a standing position, grasping the handles  40   a ,  40   b  with both hands  110 , and pressing the rollers  20   a ,  20   b  against a hip area just above the user&#39;s  100  pubic bone. The rollers  20   a ,  20   b  are then rolled over respective left and right quadriceps  115  toward the user&#39;s knee portions while maintaining pressure against the user&#39;s quadriceps. By repeating the exercise motion of the device  10 , the abdominal muscles  105  are tightened and curled in a repetitive and reciprocating manner while in the standing position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a sectional view of the device  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises a central tube  24  preferably made of a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum. The tube  24  forms the main axle of the device  10  and extends outwardly forming first handle  40   a  and second handle  40   b  end portions which provide respective laterally-adjustable grips  42  for a user&#39;s  100  left and right hands  110  during exercising. A center portion of the tube  24  is encompassed around by a pair of freely rotating tubular bushings  30   a ,  30   b  made of TEFLON®, nylon, or other material having equivalent lubricity characteristics. The bushings  30   a ,  30   b  comprise respective first roller section  20   a  and second roller section  20   b  portions, each comprising an outer diameter being sized so as to be snuggly inserted into the first  20   a  and second  20   b  rollers. The rollers  20   a ,  20   b  comprise cylindrical shapes having center aperture portions  22  into which the bushings  30   a ,  30   b  are inserted. The rollers  20   a ,  20   b  are preferably made of a padding material such as urethane foam rubber or equivalent soft compliant material. The bushings  30   a ,  30   b  provides a means to separate and position the rollers  20   a ,  20   b  laterally along the tube  24  via a plurality of perpendicularly-extending disc-shaped members including a first collar  35   a , a second collar  35   b , a third collar  35   c , and a fourth collar  35   d . The first collar  35   a  and second collar  35   b  are positioned against opposing side surfaces of the first roller  20   a , and the third collar  35   c  and fourth collar  35   d  are positioned against opposing side surfaces of the second roller  20   b . The collars  35   a ,  35   b ,  35   c ,  35   d  preferably comprise a radial slit  36  which allows expansion of a center opening portion of each collar  35   a ,  35   b ,  35   c ,  35   d , thereby allowing sliding positioning along the tube  24 ; however, it is understood that each collar  35   a ,  35   b ,  35   c ,  35   d  may also comprise a continuous disc which utilizes an interference fit around the tube  24  having equal benefit, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the device  10 . The rollers  20   a ,  20   b  are preferably positioned approximately six inches (6 in.) from each other using the collars  35   a ,  35   b ,  35   c ,  35   d  to form a recessed intermediate section  34 , thereby allowing the device  10  to be rolled comfortably without contacting the user&#39;s  100  groin area. 
     The grips  42  are securely inserted upon each handle portion  40   a ,  40   b  via a tight friction-fit allowing lateral adjustment along the handles  40   a ,  40   b  based upon a user&#39;s preference. Each grip  42  comprises a plastic or rubber tubular form similar to a bicycle handlebar grip. The grips  42  are envisioned to provide a user  100  a plurality of molded-in finger relief features  44  for a firm hold. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the device  10 ; adjusting a position of each grip  42  and each roller  20   a ,  20   b  laterally upon the tube  24  based upon a user&#39;s preference; grasping the handles  40   a ,  40   b  with both hands  110  while in a standing position; pressing the rollers  20   a ,  20   b  against a hip area just above the pubic bone; leaning slightly forward while vertically motioning the rollers  20   a ,  20   b  downwardly over respective left and right quadriceps  115  toward a knee area while maintaining pressure against the quadriceps; reversing movement of the rollers  20   a ,  20   b  in an upward direction to the hip area again in a reciprocating manner; repeating the up-and-down exercise motioning of the device  10  for a desired number of repetitions; and, benefiting from an effective abdominal workout while occupying a standing position afforded user of the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.