Push-up exercise device

Various embodiments of this invention disclose a push-up exercise device with a rocker, a balance indicator, and a hinged balance roller.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to exercise devices. Specifically, it pertains to a push-up exercise device with a rocker, a balance indicator, and a hinged balance roller.

Exercise devices are an important part of many workouts because they offer different options and different challenges to what can become routine or easy exercises. Push-up exercise devices typically offer a set of handles, either joined or laid out separately, that the user places on the floor or other object adjacent to the floor. The user is then required to use his or her chest muscles and triceps to push away from the handles. The user then lowers his or her body back to the floor and repeats the first step. Most push-up exercise devices are purposefully made to be as stable as possible for two reasons: first, the more stable the push-up exercise device, the easier the exercise is; and second, the more stable the push-up exercise device, the safer the device is. Unfortunately, many of these push-up exercise devices become boring or unchallenging as the user becomes more proficient at push-ups.

When the human body has to stabilize or balance itself during movements, such as push-ups, the stomach and lower back muscles are activated. The stomach and lower back muscles are called the core or core muscles of the body. When the core muscles are used during exercise, more energy is required to perform the exercise or movement. The more energy used, the more a body's metabolic rate increases. This, in turn, results in increased lean muscle tissue development and increased fat burning. Additionally, coordination and balance are developed. There is a need in the art for a push-up exercise device that is both stable, safe, fun to use, and can offer varying challenge levels by decreasing the stability of the device and requiring the user to exercise the core muscles during the exercise.

In the area of push-up exercise devices, many types are currently available. One such push-up exercise device is disclosed by (USPN) U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,474, to Romero, which discloses an exercise device that requires the user to balance his or her body as the push-up is performed. However, among other deficiencies, the Romero exercise device is always unstable and thus, does not offer varying challenge levels.

Another push-up exercise device is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,074, to Purdie, which discloses a variable handle push-up device. Although the varying handles of the Purdie push-up exercise device allow the varying types of push-ups to be performed, the device itself does not vary from stable to unstable. Thus, it does not provide the balance challenge that is sought by exercisers.

Thus, there remains a long felt need in the art for a push-up exercise device that is stable, safe, fun to use, and can offer varying challenge levels by decreasing the stability of the device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a push-up exercise device with a rocker, a balance indicator, and a hinged balance roller.

One embodiment of this invention is a push-up exercise device, comprising: one or more body portions and one or more balance rollers. The balance rollers have a retracted position and an extended position. When in the extended position, the balance rollers act as a fulcrum on which one can balance the push-up exercise device and one's body. The push-up exercise device may further comprise one or more balance roller hinges. It is through the balance roller hinges that the balance rollers shift from the retracted position to the extended position and vice versa. The push-up exercise device may also have one or more balance indicators and a face plate. The balance indicators are between the face plate and the top of the body portions. The body portions are curved upward so that the push-up exercise device rocks from side to side. To keep the push-up exercise device from rocking too much, there are one or more bumpers that impede rocking. To keep the push-up exercise device from slipping on the surface that it is used on, there are one or more friction rails. The push-up exercise device may also have handles and hand grips.

Another embodiment of the invention is a push-up exercise device, comprising one or more body portions that are curved upward so that the push-up exercise device rocks from side to side. To keep the push-up exercise device from rocking too much, there are one or more bumpers that impede rocking of the push-up exercise device. The push-up exercise device may also have one or more balance rollers, wherein the balance rollers have a retracted position and an extended position. The balance rollers act as a fulcrum to be balanced on when in the extended position. The push-up exercise device may further comprise one or more balance roller hinges, which allows the balance rollers to shift from the retracted position to the extended position and vice versa. The push-up exercise device further comprises one or more balance indicators and a face plate. The balance indicators are between the face plate and the top of the body portions. The push-up exercise device may also comprise of one or more friction rails to provide increased friction between the exercise surface and the push-up exercise device. The push-up exercise device may also have handles and handgrips.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of performing an exercise movement, the steps comprising: shifting one or more balance rollers of a push-up exercise device from a retracted position to an extended position; setting the push-up exercise device on a surface such that the balance rollers contact the surface; positioning a body over the push-up exercise device so that an upper portion of the body is above the push-up exercise device, and a lower portion of the body extends distally away from the push-up exercise device; grasping the push-up exercise device with one or more hands of the body; balancing the push-up exercise device on the balance rollers so that only the balance rollers are in contact with the surface, and all other parts of the push-up exercise device are not in contact with the surface; lowering the upper portion of the body towards the push-up exercise device and simultaneously maintaining a balance of the push-up exercise device; and raising the upper portion of the body away from the push-up exercise device and simultaneously maintaining the balance of the push-up exercise device. The method may further comprise the steps of using one or more senses of the body to determine if the balance of the push-up exercise device is maintained, and repeating the lowering and the raising steps until a desired number of repetitions is complete.

An object of the present invention is to provide a push-up exercise device that will overcome the deficiencies of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a push-up exercise device that will allow the user to vary the skill and athletic ability needed to accomplish a set of push-ups or other exercise movements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a push-up exercise device that is safe and fun to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a durable push-up exercise device that may be used by a wide variety of people regardless of their body size or workout ability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, lightweight, and portable push-up exercise device.

Another object of this invention is to provide a push-up exercise device that informs the user of when they are properly balanced when performing a push-up or other exercise movement.

Other features and advantages are inherent in the push-up exercise device claimed and disclosed will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1is an illustration of a top and front exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the push-up exercise device.FIG. 1shows push-up exercise device1with a body10, top face pad11, face plate12, balance indicator13, handles14, hand grips15, front bumpers16, front body rail17, and back body rail18. As shown inFIG. 1, push-up exercise device1is preferably curved upward from a center point on the bottom of front body rail17and back body rail18. This curvature allows the user to experience a side to side rocking motion when push-up exercise device1is used to perform push-ups. AlthoughFIG. 1shows push-up exercise device1as curved upward, push-up exercise device1may be flat, convex, or any geometric or irregular shape without deviating from the scope of this invention.

Push-up exercise device1is preferably constructed from as few separate parts as possible. As shown inFIG. 1, push-up exercise device1, is made from several separate parts, including six hand grips15, face plate12, balance indicator13, and body10. As shown inFIG. 1, body10includes the sub-parts handles14, front bumpers16, front body rail17, and back body rail18. The sub-parts of body10are preferably made from a single piece of molded material, such as plastic, such that no sub-part is detachable. Alternatively, push-up exercise device1can be made from as few as one part, to as many as several thousand parts without deviating from the scope of the invention.

Push-up exercise device1is preferably made out of high impact plastic, but can be made from any natural or synthetic material, including, but not limited to: metal; metal alloy; wood or other fibrous plant product such as hemp, paper, or cardboard; glass; composite materials such as graphite, fiberglass, boron, or Kevlar; admixtures of plastic resins combined with metal, metal alloy, wood or other fibrous plant product, glass, or composite materials; plastic; animal materials such as wool, bone, or hardened leather; or any combination of these materials, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, hand grips15are preferably made out of plastic foam, but can be made from any material, including those materials listed immediately above.

As shown inFIG. 1, push-up exercise device1is preferably symmetrical such that front body rail17and back body rail18are identical mirror images of each other. Additionally, the left side and right side of push-up exercise device1are preferably identical mirror images of each other. A symmetrical design is preferred so that the user obtains a balanced and symmetrical workout. Other embodiments of push-up exercise device1may be asymmetrical in front to back, side to side, or both configurations, without deviating from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1, as preferred, shows push-up exercise device1with six handles14and six hand grips15. This configuration allows the user to vary the engagement point for push-up exercise device1and thus, vary the exercise routine. This design is preferred because it allows the user to vary which muscles are exercised. There can be as few as zero handles and as many as several thousand handles without deviating from the scope of the invention. As shown inFIG. 1, handles14, as preferred, are arrayed in parallel, relative to each other, and perpendicular, relative to front body rail17and back body rail18. However, handles14may be presented in any array with respect to each other and with respect to front body rail17and back body rail18. For example, the handles that are on the outer or distal positions may be parallel to front body rail17and back body rail18, and, at the same time, the handles in the inner or proximal positions may be presented at, for example, a 45 degree angle with respect to front body rail17and back body rail18. Indeed, handles14may be presented in any combination of angles, arrays, and positions without deviating from the scope of this invention.

FIG. 1also shows that push-up exercise device1preferably includes one balance indicator13. However, push-up exercise device1may have as few as zero and as many as several thousand balance indicators without deviating from the scope of the invention. As shown inFIG. 1, balance indicator13is preferably placed in a notch in the center of top face pad11with face plate12placed on top of both top face pad11and balance indicator13. In this configuration, balance indicator13is securely fixed into, and protected, by top face pad11and face plate12. Because balance indicator13is placed in the center of top face pad11, it is easily viewed, heard, or otherwise sensed by the user as the push-ups or other exercises are performed. Additionally, balance indicator13should be placed in the center so that it is directly above the balance roller (discussed below). This way balance indicator13will provide the most accurate balance information to the user. Alternatively, balance indicator13may be placed on any part of push-up exercise device1and may be placed in any position on push-up exercise device1, so long as balance indicator13gives the user useful balance information. Balance indicator13is preferably connected to push-up exercise device1via friction, but it may be connected using any means, including, but not limited to: nails, screws, friction, straps, zip-ties, chains, clips, binders, bungees, cords, ropes, strings, cables, fasteners, staples, hook and loop, bands, latches, stitches, snaps, wenches, glue, other natural or synthetic chemical adhesives, adhesive tape, heat bonding, chemical bonding, crimps, clamps, or ultrasonic welding.

The user of push-up exercise device1performs push-ups and other exercise movements while attempting to maintain the balance of push-up exercise device1. Balance indicator13is a useful guide that informs the user when the push-up, or other exercise movement, is being completed in a balanced manner. Balance indicator13is preferably a standard bubble level balance indicator that is well known in the art, but it may be any type of balance indicator, including, but not limited to: audible, vibratory, or other visual balance indicators. Additionally, balance indicator13may also be electronic or digital without deviating from the scope of the invention.

As shown inFIG. 1, front body rail17preferably has front bumpers16along the curvature of front body rail17. Front bumpers16act as an inhibitor to the side to side rocking motion that the user may experience when doing a push-up with push-up exercise device1. Front bumpers16are important to impede a user from rocking in an uncontrolled and unsafe manner. Front bumpers16are not designed to completely stop the rocking motion, but merely to act as an impediment to rocking too far to either side and to let the user know that the rocking may be outside the safe zone. Front bumpers16essentially prevent push-up exercise device1from completing, in an even and smooth manner, a rocking motion that goes all the way to the ends of push-up exercise device1. As shown inFIG. 1, front bumpers16are preferably located over half way up the curvature of front body rail17. Additionally,FIG. 1shows that front rail17preferably has two front bumpers16, a right bumper and a left bumper, that are at equal, mirror image positions, relative to each other, along front rail17. This configuration provides an equal side to side rocking impediment. AlthoughFIG. 1shows a preferred number of front bumpers16, and placement of front bumpers16, there may be as few as zero bumpers and as many as several thousand bumpers. Further, front bumpers16may be unevenly or asymmetrically spaced along front rail17without deviating from the scope of this invention.

FIG. 2is an illustration of a bottom and back exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the push-up exercise device. As shown inFIG. 2, push-up exercise device1has handles14, front bumpers16, front body rail17, back body rail18, balance roller20, housing21, peg22, friction rails23, and back bumpers24.FIG. 2shows how peg22is preferably connected to the bottom of push-up exercise device1and acts as a stable base for balance roller20. Housing21is preferably connected to and around peg22and balance roller20is then connected to housing21. In this configuration, the roller end of balance roller20extends below the bottoms of front body rail17and back body rail18when balance roller20is engaged. Thus, when push-up exercise device1is placed on the floor, bottom side down, balance roller20engages with the floor, or other surface, before front body rail17or back body rail18touch the floor. AlthoughFIG. 2shows that push-up exercise device1is made from a plurality of separate parts, such as peg22, balance roller20, and housing21, push-up exercise device1can be made, as discussed above, from as few as one part or as many as several thousand parts without deviating from the scope of the invention. Push-up exercise device1preferably has one balance roller20, but some embodiments may have no balance rollers or thousands of balance rollers.

FIG. 2also shows push-up exercise device1, as preferred, with friction rails23. Friction rails23are preferably made out of a high friction material, such as rubber, that will provide an anti-slip property to push-up exercise device1. This design prevents the push-up exercise device from slipping if it is used on a slick surface. Friction rails23can be made from any natural or synthetic material, including, but not limited to: metal; metal alloy; wood or other fibrous plant product such as hemp, paper, or cardboard; glass; composite materials such as graphite, fiberglass, boron, or Kevlar; admixtures of plastic resins combined with metal, metal alloy, wood or other fibrous plant product, glass, or composite materials; plastic animal materials such as wool, bone, or hardened leather; or any combination of these materials, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Finally, althoughFIG. 2shows friction rails23as a separate part, friction rails23may be absent or completely integrated into push-up exercise device1without deviating from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 3is an illustration of a front view of one embodiment of the push-up exercise device. As shown inFIG. 3, push-up exercise device1rests on surface30and has top face pad11, front bumpers16, front body rail17, and friction rail23. Front body rail17and back body rail18(not visible inFIG. 3), in this embodiment, are in direct contact with surface30. Front body rail17and back body rail18provide an unstable and rocking base for push-up exercise device1. Broken line double headed arrows31inFIG. 3, show how push-up exercise device1may rock from side to side depending up on how much force is applied to the left and right ends of push-up exercise device1. As push-up exercise device1rocks from side to side, the contact point between surface30and front body rail17and back body rail18shifts from side to side. This type of rocking motion allows the user to experience a more difficult push-up that exercises the core and balance muscles of the body.

FIG. 3also shows how front bumpers16will act as an impediment to the rocking motion if the side to side rocking is great enough to cause front bumpers16to come into contact with surface30. Finally,FIG. 3shows how friction rail23is connected to front body rail18and how friction rail23is preferably in direct contact with surface30.

FIG. 4is an illustration of a front view of one embodiment of the push-up exercise device with the balance roller extended. As shown inFIG. 4, push-up exercise device1has top face pad11, front body rail17and balance roller20. In this embodiment, balance roller20is in an extended position and thus projects below the bottom of front body rail17and back body rail18(not visible inFIG. 4). Balance roller20is in direct contact with surface30and balance roller20is the fulcrum of push-up exercise device1. This design of push-up exercise device1allows the user to experience a more difficult push-up or other exercise movement. The user must balance push-up exercise device1on balance roller20and, while maintaining balance, complete the push-up or exercise movement. When push-up exercise device1is balanced on balance roller20it may rock or roll in any and every direction. The broken line arrows40, inFIG. 4, show how push-up exercise device1may rock or roll in any direction.

The surface of balance roller20is preferably made out of a high friction material, such as rubber or high density foam. This will provide an anti-slip property to push-up exercise device1. This design prevents push-up exercise device1from slipping if it is being used on a slick surface. The surface of balance roller20can be made from any natural or synthetic material, including, but not limited to: metal; metal alloy; wood or other fibrous plant product such as hemp, paper, or cardboard; glass; composite materials such as graphite, fiberglass, boron, or Kevlar; admixtures of plastic resins combined with metal, metal alloy, wood or other fibrous plant product, glass, or composite material; plastic; animal materials such as wool, bone, or hardened leather; or any combination of these materials, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 4, balance roller20, when in an extended position, is preferably in the center of push-up exercise device1. When balance roller20is in an extended position, balance indicator13(not shown inFIG. 4) is preferably in the center of top face pad11and directly above balance roller20. With this design, the user is able to accurately gage if he or she is in balance as the push-up or other exercise movement is completed.

FIG. 4shows that the bottom of balance roller20is preferably a half-sphere, so that when balance roller20comes into contact with surface30the user is able to smoothly maintain balance by rocking and rolling push-up exercise device1into a balance position. However, balance roller20may be any geometric or irregular shape without deviating from the scope of the invention, as shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5is an illustration of a bottom and front perspective view of one embodiment of the push-up exercise device with the balance roller retracted. As shown inFIG. 5push-up exercise device1has front body rail17, back body rail18, housing21, balance roller20, housing hinge60, roller friction snap holder61, balance roller tab62, and housing friction snap holder63.FIG. 5shows balance roller20in a retracted position between front body rail17and back body rail18. In this position, balance roller20does not project lower than front body rail17or back body rail18and thus does not contact the surface on which push-up exercise device1is placed. In the retraced position, balance roller20is preferably recessed deep enough into the bottom of push-up exercise device1such that it does not interfere with the side to side rocking motion as detailed byFIG. 4.

FIG. 5shows that balance roller20is preferably attached to housing21at housing hinge60. As shown inFIG. 5, balance roller20is attached to housing21via a simple friction snap hinge mechanism of any number of such types that are well known. This design allows balance roller20to be recessed, half-sphere side up, into the bottom of push-up exercise device1. Balance roller20is recessed when the user does not want to engage balance roller20during the workout. This design also allows balance roller20to be completely disengaged from housing21for easy replacement or cleaning.

Balance roller20, as shown inFIG. 5, is held in the retracted position by roller friction snap holder61. When the user wants to engage balance roller20, he or she pulls outward or downward on balance roller tab62, pivots balance roller20at housing hinge60, and then snaps balance roller20into an extended position by engaging balance roller20with housing friction snap holder63. AlthoughFIG. 5shows that balance roller20is preferably attached to housing21through a simple friction snap hinge mechanism, balance roller20may be attached to housing21through any means including, but not limited to: nails, screws, friction, straps, zip-ties, chains, clips, binders, bungees, cords, ropes, strings, cables, fasteners, staples, hook and loop, bands, latches, stitches, snaps, wenches, glue, other natural or synthetic chemical adhesives, adhesive tape, heat bonding, chemical bonding, crimps, clamps, or ultrasonic welding. Moreover, housing21and balance roller20, as discussed above, may be a single part. If housing21and balance roller20are a single part and thus, not separable, they may still hinge via a living hinge mechanism. Finally, balance roller20may be held securely in the retracted or extended positions by any means including: nails, screws, friction, straps, zip-ties, chains, clips, binders, bungees, cords, ropes, strings, cables, fasteners, staples, hook and loop, bands, latches, stitches, snaps, wenches, glue, other natural or synthetic chemical adhesives, adhesive tape, heat bonding, chemical bonding, crimps, clamps, or ultrasonic welding.

FIG. 6is an illustration of a bottom and front perspective view of one embodiment of the push-up exercise device with the balance roller extended. As shown inFIG. 6, balance roller20has been pivoted at housing hinge60such that balance roller20projects lower than the bottom of front body rail17and back body rail18. In this position, when push-up exercise device1is placed on a surface, balance roller20comes into direct contact with the surface. The user then performs push-ups or other exercise movements while balancing on balance roller20.

As shown inFIG. 6, housing21preferably holds balance roller20in place in the extended position so that balance roller20is in the center of push-up exercise device1. As discussed above, balance roller20may be off center or in any other position without deviating from the scope of this invention.

In summary, the present invention is a push-up exercise device with a rocker, a balance indicator, and a hinged balance roller.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended hereto.