Abstract:
A portable exercise device identified for abs and hips conditioning comprising a generally rectangular, rigid frame supporting a tilted seat and laterally aligned, handle bars used for hand bracing when the user is seated thereon. A single lever arm of an elbow configuration is transversely disposed above the seat and is adapted for pivotal lifting which is effected by the thigh movements. The device has a moment means positioned beneath the seat, which means is operatively tied to the lever arm pivot point. Resilient tensioning means are also secured to the frame and provide the variable countervailing force needed to resist the user imposed arcuate movement of the lever arm.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
     This is an examinable patent application titled Abdominals and Hip Exercise Machine, being submitted for an Official Filing Receipt under 35 U.S. Code §11(a). It claims priority from my co-pending provisional patent application, US S No. 60/226,878 filed Aug. 23, 2000; also Disclosure documents No. 474106, May 17, 2000; No. 470477, Mar. 10, 2000; and No. 462150, Sep. 23, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a portable, and easily storageable, device for selective abdominal and hips exercise conditioning and development. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a portable ABS machine which effects conditioning of the abs muscles in a manner different from known machines, by the use of one&#39;s thighs in an upward (closing) mode via a knee liftable bar, as opposed to torso pivoting to initiate the exercise. 
     It is still another object of the invention to exercise the user&#39;s hip, thighs, and buttocks while simultaneously working the abdominal muscles. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an inclined seating means for the portable device which means gives the user more leverage over the opposing thighs in lifting bar lever and also improves the range of arcuate motion for the lifting bar. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide gripping means such that the device user is easily balanced and secure while exercising, thus to preclude the tendency to sway from side to side when effecting concurrent torso and thighs movement. 
     It is still a further object of the invention to provide a portable abs exercise device which is mountable upon a rigid chair, and in which the body weight and arms of the user provide such stability and force which is needed to retain the device in situ during exercise. 
     It is still another object of the invention to provide adjustable resistant to accommodate varying user&#39;s strengths. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a frontal side, perspective view of the exercise device of the present invention while not in use, and being positioned upon a pedestal for clarity of viewing; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1, still idle, depicting the seating means, cushioned transverse liftable action bar, and laterally positioned, manual bracing handles; 
     FIG. 3S is a reduced scale, side elevation view of the device taken from the one lateral side containing the single arcuate lever member with its integral, cushioned transverse action bar; while 
     FIG. 3F is a frontal elevation view of the device fog. FIG. 3S; 
     FIG. 4 is another side elevation view of the device, indicating in phantom, the range of arcuate motion that can be imposed upon the cushioned transverse action bar by a device user (not seen); 
     FIG. 5 is a rearward perspective view of the device reflecting the fixed slanted upward, seating means and underlying, frame mounted, set of knobs, which adjust to positions that determine at least three ranges of resistance available upon using the depicted device. Also, FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the knee lift bar and rearward bar, which connection affords the band resistance on the user&#39;s thighs. 
     FIG. 6 is a broken out, enlarged view of the rearward-mounted, knob components of FIG. 5, which will provide for adjustment of the variable resistance comprising at least three levels; 
     FIG. 7 is another perspective view (like that of FIG.  1 ), but directed to the moment arm from an opposing angle so to better depict the transverse action bar linkage; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged, broken away side elevation view of the device, now with the user in the seated position and ready to activate the action bar with thighs, while the user has braced his torso by gripping the lateral handles; 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom-side up, plan view of the apparatus depicting the set of tensioning means adapted for providing variable resistance to the thighs activation force imposed on the action lever of the device. 
     FIG. 10A is a side elevation, sectional view of the underseat portion of the apparatus depicting the overall configuration of one of the tensioning means; 
     FIG. 10B is a vertical sectional view through one of the tensioning knob sets depicting how it engages and retains the tension in proximal longitudinal end of a bungee cord; 
     FIG. 10C is a broken away, enlarged view of the bungee cord support bracket located at the distal seat edge; and 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention depicting an alternative configuration for the tensioning means; 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic side elevational view of the device in which the action bar is pivoted at the elbow-like bend, so as to permit upward rotation of the action bar and facilitate exit of a user (not shown) from the seated position. 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic top plan view of the device of FIG. 12 depicting, in phantom, the alternate position of modified action bar swung away from the operating position to facilitate user separation; and, 
     FIG. 14 is another embodiment of the present device in an exploded perspective view,in which the underlying components have been modified, particularly as to the counter tensioning means and operatively associated moment arm. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to this invention, there is provided a multipurpose exercise device for Abs and hips comprising a rigid frame with a first and second transverse members located so that the frame is adapted to be positioned upon an armless chair as underlying support, while supporting a downwardly tilted user&#39;s seat; a pair of spaced apart, handles are anchored laterally at their proximal inner ends to the second transverse member and projecting forwardly; a third member is spaced apart from the second member and positioned bridging the space between the handle, axes, also being journaled mounted to permit its axial rotation; a single lever arm is secured pivotally at the one proximal segment thereof to the third member, while having the arm distal segment aligned transversely of the device and spaced above the level of the user&#39;s seat; and an adjustable resistance, tensioning means is adapted to provide variable resistance to the upward motion of the lever arm distal segment, which motion is induced by the drawing in thigh action of a device-seated user. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawing, and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is depicted the frontal side, perspective view of an exercise device, generally  20 , of the present invention for abs and hip exercise purposes. It includes a generally rectangular, rigid frame  22  (preferably of tubes and metal for lightness of transport), which is sized to be positioned firmly upon the planar component (the seat), of a conventional chair support (not seen). In this view, the device is mounted upon a display pedestal  23 , merely for clarity of viewing. The rectangular frame is provided with a pair of spaced apart, elongate rods,  24 L/R, serving as grippable handles, which are anchored at the inner (proximal) longitudinal ends thereof to the longitudinal ends of the rearward elongate member  26 R of frame  22 , forming rearward corners (optionally concealed) of the device  20 . Each of the rearward corners is optionally covered by opposing support brackets,  28 L/R, when included, they may serve to brace the fixed position of rods,  24 L/R, while they are being subjected to manual force of the user during device usage. 
     A third transversely oriented, rigid bar  30  is provided, ( 16 . 2 ) bridging the lateral space between paired rod handles  24 L/R. Bar  30  serves firstly to reinforce the fixed position of gripper rods,  24 L/R, and of abutting, supporting bracket  28 L/R. The bar  30  also serves to provide a horizontal support member for the rearward longitudinal edge of seating component  32 , which is anchored thereto. The frontal leading edge  32 F of seat component  32 , and is secured to, the frontal transverse member  26 F of frame  22 . This provides a downward (from rear to front) inclination for seating component  32 , preferably ranging from 8-10 degrees, relative to underlying horizontal frame  14 . 
     The device  20  is provided with a single ell-shaped, lever means  34 , that extends outwardly and upwardly of the frontal edge of inclined seat  32 . The lateral segment,  34 L, of lever arm  34 , is inclined forwardly, and is attached right angularly and pivotally at its inner longitudinal end (within cover bracket  28 R) to rotatable transverse bar  26 R. This elongate bar  26 R is adapted to rotate axially in response to the associated arcuate action of lever arm  34 . The lever arm distal segment,  34 D, is disposed transversely above the seating component  32 , and is preferably provided with a sleeve-like resilient cushion member  36 , such as of flexible foam, which serves to moderate skin abrasion on the inner thighs of a device user (not seen). The transverse bar component  34 D, serves to respond to upward pressure of the conjoined thighs of the user (see FIG.  8 ), by pivoting upwardly and arcuately, in imposing an arcuate range of motion upon integral lateral lever segment  34 . Means are provided, mounted conveniently underlying seating component  32 , to provide a variable resistance range to the arcuate motion of lever arm  34 , which means will be described in detail with respect to FIGS. 5 and 8. 
     In the top plan view of FIG. 2, a device display, corresponding to the device of FIG. 1, is depicted, with frame  22 , seating component  32 , lateral rods  24 L/R, lever arm  34 D, cushioning component  36 , and lever arm  34  tensioning central panel  38  all being seen. Central panel  38  is mounted upon transverse bar  30  or moment arm  40 . 
     The side elevation of FIG. 3S also depicts the same elements, along with the right hand side support bracket  28 R, which braces the depicted gripping rod  24 R. The one longitudinal end of lower transverse member  26 R, to which lever arm  34  is operatively secured, is also seen. 
     In the frontal edge view of FIG. 3F, the elements are seen in the same juxtaposition as are seen in FIG.  3 S. 
     In the side elevational view of FIG. 4, like that of FIG. 3S, but is an alternate variable position ( 34 U) of lever arm  34 L, in response to device user motion, which is depicted in phantom. Manifestly, the arcuate range of motion of lever  34  is a reciprocal one, which will return to the at rest posture depicted in FIG. 3S, when thighs exerting motion is suspended against lever arm  30 . 
     In the rearward perspective view of FIG.5, the rearward component devices, like lever arm segment  34 , lower transverse member  26 R (rotatable), upper transverse (fixed) member  30 , and the tensioning control panel assembly  38  are depicted. In the enlarged perspective view of FIG. 6, the interaction of the movement, arm plate  40 , and tensioning control means  38  can be better seen. Planar plate  40  is mounted along its lower linear edge  40 L, upon the periphery of rigid member  26 R, such that when member  26 R is rotated by the induced movement of lever arm  34  (FIG.  5 ), then plate  40  pivots arcuately and rearwardly, as being tied (ganged) to rotating member  26 R. Plate  40  is depicted here in the at rest position, with its upper linear edge  40 U resting upon fixed transverse bar  30 . Also anchored along their upper linear edges on either side of plate  40  to upper bar  30  are arrest plates  42 A/D, these affording a resting slot for detached bands thereby lowering the resistance for weaker users. Each of these plates are provided with a peripheral recess,  44 L,  44 M, and  44 R, respectively. These slots are adapted to receive shafts of projecting knobs,  46 A,  46 B,  46 C, and  46 D, respectively. 
     It is apparent that each of the outer knobs can be manually shifted to engage/disengage from its respective arrest slot, thereby to provide for varying the degree of resistance bias to the force user being imposed upon lever arm  34 D through planar plate  38 . The depicted preset engagement of central knobs,  46 B/C, serve to provide a minimal range of resistance to lever arm  34  motion; such is effected by an underlying tensioning means to be described. By engaging left hand knob  46 A into slot  44 A, (as depicted, it is unengaged), a second higher range of resistance is provided to lever arm motion. By also engaging the right hand knob  46 D in its slot  44 D, (as depicted it is engaged), then a third range of higher resistance is provided to lever arm motion. The minimal level of either resistance of lever arm  34  is accomplished by the ongoing lock-end of central knobs  46 B/C in associated peripheral slot  44 M. 
     Also, the perspective view of FIG. 5 better depicts how lever arm  34 L controls the pivotal rotation of transverse spanning member  36 , with the latter being constrained in its arcuate movement by the tension settings on panel  38 . 
     In the side elevation, schematic view of FIG. 8, a user  60  is depicted seated upon inclined seating component  32 , while grasping lateral side rods,  24 L/R, for torso bracing, with his thighs  62  tucked under the cushioned periphery  36  of transverse arm  34 D. He is now set to engage that transverse segment bar  34 T by upward thigh lifting in the torso crunching motion. The range of arcuate motion achievable is depicted in FIG.  4 . The greater the height of lifting of lever arm  34 D, the greater then is the variable resistance imposed by the lifting lever through its associated biasing assembly  38  (FIGS.  5 / 6 ). 
     In the bottom side view of FIG. 9 the parallel set of tensioning means are depicted, comprising bungee cords  50 A/B/C/D. To provide a significant level of countertension to lever arm  34  movement, the central cords,  50 B/C, are strung permanently between the opposing ends. Their associated bungee-tied knobs,  46 B/C, are secured permanently to the moment arm thus conferring a preset level of resistance to side deflection of lever arm  34 L. Outer cords,  50 A/D, are engaged, as desired. The subassembly for tying the cords at their respective longitudinal ends is described in connection with FIG.  10 A/B/C. 
     In the side elevation view of FIG. 10A, one of the four tensioning means, generally  50 A, are depicted anchored beneath seating component  32 . The supporting cross members  26 F/ 30 , and one side member  27 R, provide the anchoring points for distal connecting bracket  66 , and proximal, L-shaped moment arm  40 , the arcuate portion  48  of which wraps fixedly around lever member  26 R. The upper longitudinal end of arm  40  is supported by (and rests upon) an angle iron bracket  68 , which itself is secured on one surface to the underside of seat  32 . The upper end of moment arm  40  has a peripheral slot (See FIG.  6 ), adapted to receive the shaft of knob  46 A, and to hold its associated bungee cord  50 A distended. 
     In the vertical sectional view of FIG. 10B, the means for receiving the proximal free end of each bungee cord,  50 A/B/C/D, is depicted. Knob  46 A has concentric axial recesses  68 , 70  presenting transverse internal shoulder  72 , which recesses admit of the cord  50 A longitudinal end. A metal circular ring  74  surrounds the cord, also being crimped to retain it permanently. The ring  74  rests on inner shoulder  72  of the knob recess, and thus arrests the cord end and holds its tensioning. 
     The opposing longitudinal end of cord  50 A is depicted in FIG.  10 C. Here, also, an underseat channel iron  66  is mounted at the distal transverse edge of the seat. A bore hole  75  in the sidewall thereof admits of the other longitudinal end of cord  50 A. A resilient collar  76  is imposed between the bracket  66  sidewall, with a similar crimping ring  78 , which serves to arrest the distal longitudinal end of  50 A when engaged at the opposing, knobbed end. 
     In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 11, the underseat tensioning means, as depicted in the perspective views of FIGS. 5,  6 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9 , is replaced by a single lateral, side-mounted single band, tensioning means, generally  68 . Arrayed along the mid-segment of lateral lever arm  34 E, are spaced apart, set of fixed protruding metal pins,  70 A/B/C/D/E. A single protruding opposing pin is mounted below them, most proximal to pin  70 A upon the mid-section of right side, frame component  24 R. It will be apparent, due to the bowed configuration of lateral lever arm  34 E, that the vertical gap between frame pin  71  and its offset and opposing arrayed pins,  70 A-E, becomes progressively larger, going from pin  70 A (least) to pin  70 E (most. These gaps effect a variable degree of maximum tension imposed upon the associated lever arm  34 E. This is achieved by mounting a single closed loop, tensioning band  72 , well known in the art, always over lower pin  71 , and currently over any one of the upper arm mounted pins  70 A-E. The depicted embodiment thusly provides five distinct levels of counterforce to the tensioning of band  68  imposed upon transverse bar  36 A by the user with his knee/thigh uplift actions. 
     As to the schematic of FIG.  12 / 13 , there show the alternative and preferred embodiment for rotating the knee lift bar  36  vertically, and out of the way. This affords easy ingress and egress for the user. The opposing support brackets  28 L and  28 R can only be utilized in conjunction with FIG. 12 knee bar rotating method. The alternative knee bar method shown in FIG. 13 allows the bar to rotate horizontally allowing easy user ingress and egress. 
     In the side elevational view of FIG. 12 is depicted another embodiment for getting on and off a first pivot point  82  is provided to permit the arcuate lifting of lever arm  34 . 
     In the top elevational view of FIG. 13, an alternative embodiment for transverse bar release, a second pivot point  88  is provided to permit swinging out of lever arm  36  at the user choice. 
     In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 14, which is an exploded view, parts common with the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to  6 , are denoted with an “A” suffix, like  36 A, for the cushioned transverse members. Grippable rods,  24 L/A and  24 R/A; seating means  32 A; Channel-shaped, under support member  30 A; and rotatable transverse member,  26 R/A, are essentially the same as in FIG.  45 . Spaced-apart journals,  78 L/R, and rearward, transverse member  26 A support rotably major changes that only relate to the tensioning means, generally  38 A. Arrest plate  80 A is affixed to the rearward segment  30 D of member  30 A. Underlying frame  22 A is now a rectangle, which is supported at its rearward transverse member  30 D on vertical posts,  90 L/R, which are provided with sleeves,  92 L/R, pinned to their depending ends. Rotatable bar  26 A is journaled through the spaced apart sleeves,  92 L/R. Planar plate  40 A, the moment arm is pinned centrally of transverse bar  26 A, and again comprises the moment arm function. A single tensioning band  50 L is provided at it longitudinal ends with graspable knows  46 E/F. Single band  50 L is adapted to be centrally engaged with the upper edge of moment arm rotation. Optional engagement of the external knobs in vertical notches,  96 L/R, permits increasing the tensioning imposed upon the moment arm to a second and third increased level. This is comparable to the choices achievable with the multiple tensioning bands  50 A/D/C/D of FIG.  9 . Movement arm  40 A has been modified to include two lateral slots,  44 E/F, which provide arrest stations for the knobbed end,  46 E/F, of bungee-type cords  50 L/R. The other longitudinal ends of cords,  50 L/R, double back after passing around bar  26 A, and are then pinned fixedly along the upper edge  82  of moment arm  40 A.