Abdominal and arms muscles exercise device

A portable, lap-based multi-exercise device which includes a first pair of elongate parallel members forming a base component and defining a trough for receiving the lever end of a traveling spanner bar; a pair of pivotable, upstanding lateral side bars attached at their lower ends to the torso-oriented, longitudinal ends of the trough; a first cross bar is connected pivotally to the upper ends of the side members and is adapted to receive either manual or user chest exertion, while is translated to the upper end of the spanner bar which then moves outwardly in response to user exertion thereon. A second transverse bar is pinned to the outer end of the trough and provides a second set of manual grips adapted for moving the trough component arcuately towards the first cross members, thereby moving the spanner bar along the trough, to steady the device while user effort is being imposed on the latter component.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to a portable exercise device adapted for
 selective human muscle conditioning and development.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The need for practical and efficient devices suited for muscular toning and
 human body conditioning is a long established one. There are a variety of
 exercise devices, including powered machines, that selectively challenge
 different sets of body muscles. One area of sought exercise is directed to
 the abdominal, biceps, and triceps muscle sets. One such device described
 in the patent literature as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,425
 (granted Aug. 3, 1993 to J. V. Miller et al). The Miller patent teaches a
 device that involves direct, progressive resistance to the user over the
 field of action. This means that during movement over the inherent range
 of motion for the prior art device, that its resistance level increases
 linearly, as opposed to a preferred constant plus consistent resistance
 level throughout the device range of motion.
 Boland U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,138 (Jun. 2, 1998) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,685
 (Oct. 12, 1999) are both directed to a lap-based exercise device for
 conditioning abominals and arms, with the later '685 patent disclosing an
 alternate embodiment entailing a resilient band tensioning means (FIG.
 11), and providing an optional pivoting action for the upper cross bar
 member 70.
 In the present embodiment of the Abs exercise machine, the user is now able
 to perform a crunch exercise as compared to the users of my earlier
 devices. Those provided more of an old fashioned style of sit-up exercises
 which was a combination abdominal/hip flexor routine.
 The present embodiment of this device affords more of a concentrated
 abdominal workout without involving the hip flexor muscles.
 In lying on the floor performing an old fashioned sit up, one raises their
 entire torso off the ground, which involves both the abdominal and hip
 flexor muscles. In the last 20 years, fitness trainers now recommend lying
 on the floor and raising only your shoulders off the ground, thereby
 isolating the abdominal muscles and intentionally neglecting the hip
 flexor muscles. The present embodiment takes this modern day approach
 referred to as a "crunch," so only the present device allows the "crunch"
 to be effected in the comfort of a chair without having to get on the
 floor to exercise.
 In this new embodiment, an abdominal crunch workout is provided by the
 pivoting action afforded by a second set of blastomeric joints connecting
 the upper and lower pairs of generally vertical side bars.
 Both U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,685 and this herein described new embodiment
 affords an oblique (side) abdominal workout by allowing the chest crossbar
 to pivot and twist. Patent '685 affords this pivoting just below the
 middle of the chest crossbar in component 89 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 on
 patent '685. The new embodiment affords this same oblique abdominal
 workout except the pivoting action is afforded by two elastomer joints
 (upper set) at each end of the chest crossbar as in FIGS. 9 and 10.
 Moreover, the present embodiment has fewer structural components, while
 providing some greater versatility, in that the crotch and chest nesting
 components are integrated. This permits pivoting on both sides of the
 chest high horizontal bar, and not centrally via elastic-type couplings.
 As a result of simplified fabrication, the present device is less costly
 to manufacture and market.
 It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a portable
 abdominal (lower, upper and sides ABS) and arms exercise device that can
 be used alternately for abdominal toning and triceps muscle toning, by
 simple realignment of its operating position.
 It is another primary object of the invention to provide an exercise device
 which incorporates the option of performing an added crunch exercise while
 reducing the number of structural components from that seen in the prior
 art devices.
 It is still another object of the invention to provide a device employing a
 linkage-based system versus a direct resistance system yielding a lineal
 and consistent resistance throughout its range of motion.
 A yet further object of the invention is to provide a portable unit that
 folds up for easy shipment and/or storage.
 It is a still further object of the invention to provide a device which
 precludes the need for positioning of the hands adjacent the user's chest
 (as seen with Miller '425 FIGS. 11 and 12), rather by steadying the device
 just within the user thighs, thus making for a concise and focused
 abdominal exercise.
 Another object of the present device is to angle the track and the machine
 in the user's lap, so that the user's forward motion against the crossbar
 resistance is downward, thereby increasing the "crunch" proper.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 According to the present invention, there is provided an exercise device
 adapted to alternately condition abdominal muscles by relying on a rolling
 lever type of mechanism coupled with a linkage-based, counter resistance
 means, which configuration allows for a consistent and smoother range of
 motion for the exerciser. The new device includes a transversely-oriented
 first member proximal to the inner lap of the device user, and is
 centrally pinned to an elongate first pair of rigid parallel members,
 serving as a lap-based component, the first parallel pair also define a
 recessed, elongate trough, which receives pivotally therein, one
 longitudinal end (lower) of a rigid single spanning bar and its associated
 tensioning means; the other longitudinal end (upper) of the spanning bar
 is pivotally pinned to an upper cross-bar, which cross bar is itself
 mounted straddling an upstanding second pair of spaced-apart, elongate
 members being anchored at their lower longitudinal ends to the
 lap-engaging, longitudinal ends of the elongate first pair of members.
 At the outer (distal) longitudinal end of the lap-based, first pair of
 members, there is centered a third elongate, rigid cross bar, which cross
 bar further preferably includes a set of manually grippable means for
 activation of the exercise device, while the same device is supported in
 the seated user's lap, and is resting against his chest. The grippable
 means themselves comprise upwardly-oriented, opposing terminal segments of
 the distal horizontally-aligned bar.
 As noted, the single spanning bar terminates within the trough of the first
 pair of parallel members and is, at its lower end, adapted to affect
 reciprocal linear movement therein, by responding to user's exertion made
 on the gripping bars in a gap-closing direction. The spanning bar lower
 end is functionally tied to a horizontally-aligned, tensioning band, which
 band provides the counter force (resistance level) to the user's force
 being exerted on the grippable means over the device range of motion. An
 alternative means for the counter force would be a hydraulic cylinder on a
 spring-based device.
 The chest high, transverse member is preferably provided with a pair of
 sleeve-type cushion elements that serve to ease the compression force on
 the user's chest, occurring while user is exerting either a crunching, or
 performing a triceps extension exercise.
 The lap-based (centered) first pair of parallel members are each further
 provided with a linear channel disposed lengthwise of its inner surface,
 with the resulting opposing channel thus presenting a running track for a
 roller-mounted short crossbar, which cross bar is pinned to the lower end
 of the spanning bar, so as to engage same in a sliding manner. This form
 of resilient flexible linkage for the spanning member permits it to move
 reciprocally within the device trough, in response to the countervailing
 forces, being first exerted on such spanning member by the operatively
 attached elastic band and concurrently, but intermittently, by the
 upstanding second cross member. This translation is effected when the
 linked crossbar that is chest-side is swung arcuately toward the hand
 grippable cross member on the outer end by an exerciser, thus moving the
 spanning bar lower end outwardly in counter direction to the elastic band
 tension.
 The pivoted upper lateral segments comprise the components that bracket and
 brace the transverse member, affording the abdominal oblique workout. A
 second and lower set of pivots are provided which permit conduct of the
 crunch exercise.
 Generally, the strengthening of abdominal is afforded by the user's
 gripping of the handle ends of the distal cross-member, and then chest
 pushing the upper cross member (resistance bar) in a downward arc range of
 motion toward the user's closed lap sides (see FIG. 1). Similarly so, with
 the oblique exercise, the user alternately leans with each shoulder
 towards the middle. While the abdominal and biceps workups have a
 reciprocal range of motion, for the triceps exercise, the device itself is
 slid slightly down the user's thighs and then the user grabs the chest
 crossbar with his hands and pushes forward against the crossbar, thereby
 pushing the spanner bar and elastic tensioning band, thereby performing
 the triceps extension exercises. Thusly, this single device is adapted to
 serve to provide toning for the abdominal, upper, lower, obliques, and
 triceps muscle sets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 While the present invention is susceptible to some modifications so to
 effect the pre-tensioning aspect of the preferred embodiment, it will be
 described in detail. It should be understood, that there is no intention
 to limit the depicted invention to the particular structure which is
 described here in detail, but it is intended to embrace modified
 constructions and functional equivalents falling within the scope of the
 appended claims.
 Referring now to the drawing, as shown in each of the schematics of FIGS.
 1-4, it is an ABS and Arms exercise device. In each view, the device is
 engaged by an exerciser. It includes: the portable lap-positioned device,
 generally 22, having a lap-supported, elongate, linear pair of sidewall
 members 24L/R; a distal, elongate cross-member 26 with terminal upswept
 handles, 28U/R; a lower elongate crossbar 32 (tucked into the exerciser's
 lap); an upstanding pair of linked support members 30L/R; an upper
 elongate crossbar 34 for bracing members 30, which rests against the upper
 torso; and an inclined spanner-bar 36, which is functionally linked
 between the upstanding transverse member 34 and a device tensioning
 mechanism (not seen), conveniently located in the trough between members
 24L/R. The user is necessarily seated on a chair 38 while exercising. Note
 that in FIG. 1, the user's palms should be oriented appropriately to
 maintain the lap position for the device 22 during chest exertion
 downwardly.
 In FIG. 1, the user is engaged in a leaning, forward motion, while his
 upper torso 23T pressures crossbar 34, concurrently with his bracing of
 the manually-grippable handle bars 28L/R, thus retaining the device frame
 static, while it is being activated in the lap of the user. The
 arcuate/reciprocal range of motion stresses and conditions primarily the
 abdominal muscles, during the "crunching" effort, and its complemental
 return to upright mode (which is effected through several repetitions). In
 FIG. 2, note the user is gripping member 34 for conduct of the bar
 twisting exercise.
 In the schematic of FIG. 3, the hands are aligned as in FIG. 2, so as to
 permit the triceps extension exercise by downward exertion. While the
 abdominal and biceps workups have a reciprocal range of motion, for the
 triceps exercise, the device itself is slid slightly down the user's
 thighs and then the user grabs the chest crossbar with his hands and
 pushes forward against the crossbar, thereby pushing the spanner bar and
 elastic tensioning band, thereby performing the triceps extension
 exercises. Thusly, this single device is adapted to serve to provide
 toning for the abdominal, upper, lower, obliques, and triceps muscle sets.
 In all of the described exercises, the manual effort upon either cross
 member in the defined arcuate range of motion, causes spanning bar 36 to
 move along a track-follower assembly (to be described), against the
 countervailing tension imposed thereon by an operatively-connected
 tensioning band (also to be described). In all exercises, upon manual
 release, the follower assembly returns to its at-rest position, as defined
 by the substantially unstretched length of an associated tensioning band,
 or by any equivalent resilient tensioning structure (not depicted).
 The top plan schematic view of FIG. 4 (enlarged for clarity) depicts the
 user engaged with crossbars, 42L/R, and about to start the abdominal
 crunch motions. The paired upstanding members, 30L/30R,are seen as
 somewhat to be secured at their upper ends to padded crossbar 34, which
 transverse bar is further provided with cushioning sleeves, 42L/R, for
 minimizing pressure discomfort on the upper chest. Central spanner bar 36
 is seen with its lower longitudinal end attached to a track-follower
 assembly 44, which assembly is composed of an operatively attached,
 outer-end rollers, 76A/B (FIG. 8). As is apparent, assembly 44 moves
 reciprocally within a longitudinal trough 57 of dual member 24 (not seen)
 responding to the imposed movement on spanner bar 36; which bar, in turn,
 responds to partial arcuate closing of the space between distal handles,
 28L/R, and cushioned upper cross member 34. The upper end of spanner bar
 36 is provided with an elastomeric sleeve joint. Lower cross member 32 is
 tucked into the crease (crotch) between the user's lap and his torso for
 device stability and action. The two parallel bars exiting and converging
 from the track towards the user's crotch are the members which afford the
 "jacking up" of this device.
 The perspective view of FIG. 5 shows the exercise device 22, standing
 alone, as it would be spatially-oriented to conduct either of the
 crunching or curling exercises, shown in FIG. 1. The upper end of sloped
 spanner bar 36 is centrally attached to transverse member 34, and is
 adapted to pivot on it as the latter bar tracks within trough 57. The
 lower longitudinal end 52 of spanner bar 36 is likewise adapted to pivot
 at its lower longitudinal end. Spanning bar lower end 52 is linked to
 follower assembly 44, which is positioned transversely of the
 spaced-apart, parallel sidewalls, 24L/R. Crossbar 34 is connected to upper
 side members, 33L/R, via pivoted joints, 35L/R, respectively. Joints 35L/R
 provide a horizontal pivoting action. Side members, 33L/R, are connected
 to the lower side members, 30L/R, via pivoted joints, 37L/R. Each of these
 joints comprise a preformed elastomeric sleeve. Also, lower joints 37L/R
 provide a vertical pivoting action. The opposing inner surfaces of paired
 sidewalls, 24L/R, are each provided with a linear channel, 56L/56R (see
 FIG. 8), which channels are slidingly engaged by the outer-end rollers,
 76A/B, of follower assembly 44. Assembly 44 is preferably configured as a
 bracket-type platform, with laterally aligned upstanding lugs, that
 accommodate the axle (not seen) of roller set, 76L/R, within assembly 44.
 Disposed longitudinally in the proximal segment of trough 57 is a
 horizontally-aligned resilient tensioning band 58.
 Band 58 is secured at its proximal end (torso-side) to the upper segment of
 assembly 44. The band is secured at its other distal longitudinal end 58D
 (detachably) to the undersurface (not seen) of trough 57, reversing
 direction over rotating spool 68 (See FIG. 11). In an unextended position,
 band 58 is sized to define the preferred initial intermediate tension
 position for follower assembly 44, when not driven to tracking within the
 dual sidewall channels, 56L/R, of elongate paired member 24. As the
 spaced-apart handles, 28L/R, are drawn toward upper cross bar 34, this
 causes spanning bar 36 to bias its lower end 52 outwardly, driving
 associated follower assembly 44 towards distal cross bar 26, but
 concurrently doing so against the limiting counter-tension imposed by the
 stretching of resilient band 58. Clearly, the crunching exertion on the
 distal member 26 are relaxed, as the spanning bar 36 draws the follower
 assembly 44 backward to its at-rest position, as is depicted.
 FIGS. 6 and 7, are shown side elevation and top elevation views,
 respectively, of the inventive device, standing alone, (spatially oriented
 for the curling exercise) but further depicting the operative,
 reciprocating, tensioning linkage, which provides the uniform resistance
 needed for the effective use of the device in varied muscle set
 conditioning. The pivoted upper segments, 33L/R, conveniently also bowed,
 are the components that bracket and brace transverse bar 34. The flexible
 linkage between respective side members 33L/R, are the pivoted joints,
 35L/R, to cross member 34, respectively. The top pair of joints permit an
 oblique abdominal workout. Similarly, the linkage between members 33L/R
 and members, 30L/R, are pivots 37L/R. This pivoting action permits conduct
 of the crunch exercise. The upper pair of pivoted brackets 35L/R serves to
 permit a second pivotable movement wherein the twisting of the chest
 crossbar work the obliques.
 The transverse vertical sectional view of FIG. 8A, of the follower itself
 44A, which roller mechanism functionally moves (reciprocally) between the
 elongate member sidewalls, 24L/R. It better depicts the operative roller
 components, omitting spanner member 36. It depicts the opposing linear
 channels, 56L/R, recessed in member sidewalls 24L/R, tracking rollers
 76A/B, axle support bracket 60, and bolted tensioning band 58. These
 channels provide the trackage for the roller assembly as it is driven
 outwardly by driven spanner bar 36.
 The transverse sectional views of FIG. 8A also depicts the linkage point
 between longitudinal lower end 52 of spanner bar 58 and the spindle 74 of
 roller assembly 44A. Spindle 74A is functionally connected to a pair of
 roller bearings, 76A/B, which serve as the motive components of the
 tracking assembly 44 of FIG. 7. The function of tapered rollers is to
 provide a smooth and steady tracking motion for the abdominal oblique
 exercise.
 The conditioning advantage of the present invention over the
 abdominal-limited exercise device of Miller ('425) is shown in FIG. 9 of
 my U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,138. The ideal constant resistance level is plotted
 diagrammatically, as resistance level vs. range of torso motion for the
 crunching exercise of FIG. 1. The linearly increasing resistance level of
 the prior art device is also plotted. The variable resistance level of the
 present embodiment, as plotted, shows it to approach, and follow broadly,
 a constant and desired resistance level. This operating feature fosters
 smoother and more uniform repetitions for the abdominal exercise, in
 particular, as compared to the prior art device.
 The perspective view of FIG. 10 is to an alternate embodiment of the
 invention, and is comparable in structure, to the first embodiment of FIG.
 5. However, in this second embodiment, there is a longer track, 57A, and a
 longer spanner bar, 36A, to retract the cross member 32A towards the user
 chest. The knee bar (cross bar 26) is no longer at the distal end of the
 track 57A, but is positioned about two inches down the track. The other
 distinction is that with a higher vertical orientation, providing a
 90.degree. angle, the user (not seen) is no longer leaning forward to
 engage one's chest, as depicted in FIG. 1, an outwardly oriented, support
 leg 65 to pinned to the distal outer end of track 57A.
 In the perspective view of FIG. 11, the device has been turned over to
 reveal the linkage of the underlying tensioning means 58, which winds
 about a conventional rotatable spool 68, mounted transversely at the inner
 end of trough 57, and proximal to the inner ends of parallel members,
 24L/R. As described earlier, the proximal longitudinal end of resilient
 band 58 is pinned to the follower assembly 44 (see FIG. 5). The opposing
 longitudinal end of band 58 extends the full length of the undersurface
 57A (FIG. 8A) of the trough and then beyond, also as depicted in either of
 FIGS. 5 and 7. Band 58 is provided with a linear array of perforations,
 70A-M, which are sized and adapted to be displaceably anchored to the
 trough underside. This anchoring is effected by providing a hooked detente
 72, which is mounted fixedly on the undersurface 57A, and which is
 positioned distally of the torso and also adjacent to handle bar,
 transverse member 26. In the view, detente 72 is hooked to perforation
 70F.
 At the opposing band end, 58P is tied to roller assembly 44, on the upper
 surface of trough 57. The larger the number of perforations,70, which
 extend outwardly from the anchor point 72, then the greater is the
 inherent initial resistance provided by band 58 to movement of members
 28L/R. With trial and error, the device users determine their preset
 initial tension; such is adapted to the widely variable torso and/or arms
 strength of the device user.
 As the exercise of either FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 are effected, the arcuate
 closing gap, between chest bar 34 and distal cross bar 26, increases the
 resistance to the muscular effort as the track follower assembly 44 moves
 outwardly, and when muscle strength limit is reached, the assembly 44
 itself is held intermediate the trough ends. Upon user release, the
 inherent band 58 resiliency permits the follower assembly to return to its
 at rest, but still somewhat tensioned, position, as is depicted in FIG.
 5-11.