Abstract:
In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an exercise device is provided as two similar pedestals, each having an optionally compressible base and a set of feet which interlock within a positioning mat. A set of horizontal outer rails attached to the top of each base and a set of perpendicular inner rails, linearly connected to the outer rails and slidable along the outer rails. A user support platform linearly connected to the set of inner rails and slidable along the inner rails. A plurality of resistance members is provided to supply resistance. The said components of the exercise device provided allow for an exerciser positioned and either partially or totally supported by the user support platforms to propel their body parts being supported in an multi-directional space against resistance. The resistance provided is directed towards a centralized equilibrium position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/877,905 filed Sep. 13, 2013. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Isometric exercises are very useful for strength training and conditioning the muscles. Just like holding a dumbbell out to the side for an amount of time, isometric exercises are static exercise where a position is held against some form of resistance. 
     Isotonic exercises are the opposite of isometric exercises: They require moving and working your muscle(s) through a range of motion. Isometric exercises are the most common type of strength training exercises people do such as lifting weights, calisthenics and cycling. 
     Stability exercises develop proximal control in certain positions such as partially supporting yourself on one hand by an exercise ball, forcing your muscles to react in order to remain in the position. 
     Dancing as a form of exercise has become very popular. Activities like dancing are fun and offer many health benefits. Music and rhythmic motion can be an escape from traditional exercise which can become very boring and repetitive. 
     Dancing can have its drawbacks. In particular, in order to dance one must have rhythm. Most people do not have natural rhythm when it comes to dancing and must train their bodies to move in a particular way to accomplish this goal. 
     There is, thus, a need for exercise equipment which is capable of delivering both isotonic and isometric exercises, stability training, and assisting the body in creating rhythmic motion along with strengthening and training the muscles needed to effectively set their body in rhythmic motion without such exercise equipment. Those who value versatility in an exercise device or want to develop rhythmic muscle memory would appreciate this unique invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention includes a device comprised of two similar pedestals capable of sustaining partial or total weight from a user. Each pedestal has a platform that has a central base mount that is linearly connected to two rails that make it free to move in a forward and backwards direction where linear motion bearings provide low friction, optional resistance members connect to the base of the platform and the support bracket of the rails in order to provide adjustable resistance in both the forward and backward directions, two more rails perpendicular to the aforementioned rails that support the aforementioned parts at the support bracket of the aforementioned rails and attach to the base with separate support mounts, allowing the platform to move in a side to side motion where linear motion bearings provide low friction, optional resistance members attach to the support bracket of the first set of rails and the support mounts of the second set of rails to provide adjustable resistance in both directions of sideways motion, a base that the aforementioned parts are mounted on top of, comprised of springs sandwiched between two flat plates, making the plates free to compress and supplying the platform with up and down motion, retaining straps connecting the flat plates, a series of posts that provide a lower limit that each corner of the base can compress, a series of adjustable posts pivotally connected to each first series of posts, that turn, locking one or more of the corners of the plates in place preventing compression, a positioning mat in which the pedestal&#39;s feet interlock with allowing for positioning of the platforms, foldable cushions that attach to the front and back of the mat that allow for an elevated partial support of a user, hand grips connected to the top of the front cushion, grip strips connected to the top of the rear cushion, interchangeable platform assemblies that change the shape of the platform in order to accommodate different body parts from an exerciser. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate some of the embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages, and principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an exercise device with accessories attached  210 ; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the exercise device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an expanded perspective view of an embodiment of an exercise device  200  as shown in  FIG. 1  with lower hand grips  1 , upper hand grips  2 , grip strips  4 , cushions  46 - 49  and carry straps  50  removed, and pedestals  100  repositioned; 
         FIG. 4  is an expanded perspective view of pedestal assembly  100  shown in  FIG. 3  with dust cover  9  removed; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the portion of the exercise device in  FIG. 4  with flat platform assembly  180  attached, replacing shell platform assembly  140 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the device as shown in  FIG. 4  with shell platform assembly  140  removed; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the portion of the device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the portion of the device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a left side view of the portion of the device shown in  FIG. 6   
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the portion of the device shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  with retaining pin  10 , retaining pin keeper  23 , keeper screw  45 , platform mounting sleeve  14 , platform mount  15 , parallel rails  16 , perpendicular elastic group  160 , rail bracket  20 , bracket mount  22 , bracket plate  19 , horizontal elastic group  170 , horizontal rails  17 , linear bearings  44 , rail base mounts  13 , bracket mounting screws  18 , and upper base plate  21  removed; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the portion of the device shown in  FIG. 10  with springs  29 , base retaining straps  27 , strap plates  26 , and strap plate screws  24  removed and illustrates an alternate positioning of adjustable limiting post  36 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an expanded side view of a single perpendicular resistance member  161  shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an expanded front view of a single horizontal elastic resistance member  171  shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; 
         FIG. 14  is cross section view C 14 -C 14  shown in  FIG. 12  of the end attachment of a single perpendicular resistance member  161 . 
         FIG. 15  is cross section view C 15 -C 15  shown in  FIG. 13  of the end of a single horizontal resistance member  171 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the bottom of upper base plate  21 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of flat connecting strap  190  that holds flat pad  11  onto flat platform assembly  180  as shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a single shell connecting strap  150 , that holds shell pad  7  onto shell platform assembly  140  as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 19  is a rear view of shell platform assembly  140 . 
         FIG. 20  is a rear view of a flat platform assembly  180 . 
         FIG. 21A  is a perspective view of retaining pin  10 . 
         FIG. 21B  is a perspective view of retaining pin keeper  23 . 
         FIG. 21C  is a perspective view of platform mounting sleeve  14 . 
         FIG. 22  is cross section view C 24 -C 24  shown in  FIG. 2  of the interlocking connection between the pedestals base foot  30  and positioning mat  3 . 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of adjustable limiting post  36  shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of end cap  34  shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of an outline of a man using the device to enhance pushups, illustrating one of the many ways the invention may be used; 
         FIG. 26  is perspective view of an outline of a woman balancing on the device illustrating another one of the many ways the invention may be used; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of an outline of a woman using the device for dance and exercise, illustrating yet another one of the many ways the invention may be used; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to explaining in detail the following invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited in its application to the methods described in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of being used in various ways for multiple purposes. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-2  an exercise device  200  is shown with accessories attached. Accessories  46 - 49 , labeled in  FIG. 1  are comprised of foldable cushions made from a suitable foam and upholstered with a suitable durable fabric. On the top surface of upper cushion  47 , upper grips  2  and lower grips  1  are made from a suitable rigid material and only one is labeled due to symmetry. Upper grips  2  and lower grips  1  are attached for grasping by the hands of a user for partial support as shown in  FIG. 27 . On the top surface of lower cushion  46 , grip strips  4  are attached to the fabric to give added grip for an exerciser occupying that area. Grip strips  4  are made from foam or rubber and only one is labeled due to symmetry. Carry straps  50  are made from a suitable fabric mesh and only one is labeled due to symmetry. Carry straps  50  are connected through slits in shell pad base  8  and fasten to themselves with hook and loop fastening tape (not shown), and can be used to transport or position pedestal  100  or tie down a body part of a user duding vigorous use. Upper cushion  47  and lower cushion  46  are split in half and stitched together at the top seem where the halves meet in order to fold in half when detached for storage, or provide an optional height level of partial support of a user. Both upper cushion  47  and lower cushion  46  shown in  FIG. 2  have cushion tape  28 , made from the hook side of common hook and loop fastening tape, stitched about the bottom edge where they meet positioning mat  3  hooks facing up in order to attach to the bottom of the mat  3  as shown in  FIG. 2 . On the edge of positioning mat  3  as shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower mat tape  25  is comprised of the loop side of common hook and loop fastening tape, and is attached to the positioning mat  3  to accept the attachment of upper cushion  47  and lower cushion  46  and only one is labeled due to symmetry. The top of the positioning mat  3  as shown in  FIG. 1 , where square mid cushions  48  and rectangle mid cushions  49  are placed, the loop side of hook and loop fastening tape, upper mat tape  51  is attached. Square mid cushions  48  and rectangle mid cushions  49  are made from similar material as the aforementioned cushions and only one of each is labeled due to symmetry, and have the hook side of common hook and loop fastening tape (not shown) attached to the bottom surface in order to be temporarily fastened to upper mat tape  51  on the top of the positioning mat  3  when needed. Lower mat tape  25 , upper mat tape  51 , cushion tape  28 , and hook side of hook and loop fastening tape (not shown) attached to the bottom of square mid cushions  48  and rectangle mid cushions  49  is made from common hook and loop fastening tape and only one of each cushion is labeled due to symmetry. 
     Flat platform assembly  180  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 20 , is a flat user support platform that is interchangeable with the shell platform assembly  140  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 19 . Flat platform assembly  180  attaches such that it transforms the bowl shape platform into a flat square shape in order to accommodate different body parts of a user as shown in  FIGS. 25-27 . 
     One of two identical pedestals Assemblies  100 , pictured in  FIG. 3  is now described. A dust cover  9  is made from a suitable flexible, stretchable fabric and fits tightly around the pedestal, attaching at rail base mounts  13 . There are four rail base mounts  13 , one on each corner, and only one is shown due to symmetry. Dust cover  9  does not impede the motion of the platform and only one of two is labeled due to symmetry. 
     The Pedestal  100  labeled in  FIG. 3  is pictured in  FIG. 4 . with dust cover  9  removed is now described in parts. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3-5  and  FIGS. 17-20 , the interchangeable user support platforms are now described. Shell platform assembly  140  consists of a shell pad  7  that is made of a suitable foam or rubber and shaped like a contoured half spherical shell, a shell pad base  8  that is made of a suitable rigid material and contoured to accept shell pad  7 , and shell connecting straps  150 , that attach shell pad  7  to shell pad base  8 . Flat platform assembly  180  comprises flat pad  11  made from a similar material as the previously mentioned shell pad, a flat pad base  12  made from a similar material as the previously mentioned shell pad base  8 , and flat connecting straps  190 , that attach flat pad  11  to flat pad base  12 . 
     Shell connecting straps  150  and flat connecting straps  190  are pictured in  FIGS. 3-5  and  FIGS. 17-20 . The flat mesh  41  and shell mesh  43  are made from a suitable fabric mesh and stitched in a loop at each end. The straps are placed through slits in the pads and pad bases from the top of the pad until the loop side is exposed on the bottom of the pad base. Shown in  FIGS. 17-18 , a dowel  42  made from a suitable rigid material is then inserted into the cylindrical sleeve created by the loop in the mesh and is sized so that it does not allow the loop to pass back through the slit in the pad base thus keeping the pad fastened to the pad base as shown in  FIGS. 19-20 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7  the mounting means of the platform assemblies comprises a rubber mounting sleeve  14  as shown in  FIG. 21C , shaped on the inside to accept the bottom of shell pad base  8  and flat pad base  12 , and shaped on the outside to fit into the platform mount  15 , and has holes to accept the insertion of the retaining pin  10 , a platform mount  15  made from a suitable rigid material, that has holes to accept common linear bearings  44 , mounting sleeve  14 , retaining pin  10 , and perpendicular elastic group  160 . 
     Retaining pin  10  pictured in  FIGS. 6,7 and 21  is made from a suitable rigid material. Retaining pin  10  is removed to change platforms and inserted through the holes in the front of the platform mount  15 , the mounting sleeve  14  and shell pad base  8  or flat pad base  12  to secure the platforms to the base. A rubber retaining pin keeper  23  is attached with keeper screw  45 , through a hole in the front of the retaining pin keeper into a threaded hole in the front of platform mount  15 . Platform mount  15  has a notch near retaining pin  10  cross-member for easy grip on retaining pin  10  during removal. The retaining pin keeper  23  is shaped and positioned below retaining pin  10  such that its thin tab shown in  FIG. 22  contacts the cross member of the retaining pin  10  and adds friction during removal in order to keep retaining pin  10  from slipping out of place during use. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , common linear bearings  44  and parallel rails  16  supply the platform with linear motion in the front to back direction. There are two parallel rails  16  and two attached linear bearings  44  and only one of each is labeled due to symmetry. The two parallel rails  16  are made from a hardened rigid material and attach to mounting bracket  20  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  and only one is labeled due to symmetry. Two rail brackets  20  are made from a suitable rigid material and have holes to accept parallel rails  16  where they are permanently fixed and only one is labeled due to symmetry. The ends of rail bracket  20  have extensions with holes to accept perpendicular elastic group  160 . Platform mount  15  also has extensions with holes cut out to accept perpendicular elastic group  160  and each hole on both rail bracket  20  and platform mount  15  have a slot in the side in order for removal or placement of perpendicular elastic group  160 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4, 6  perpendicular elastic group  160  is described, there are four sets and only one is labeled due to symmetry. Each individual perpendicular resistance member  161  shown in  FIG. 9  is made from an elastic means with end attachment and when pinched or stretched is removable from the device through a slot in the holes on rail bracket  20  and platform mount  15 . Perpendicular resistance member  37  can be made from any elastic means, here it is made from common elastic resistance tube. As shown in  FIG. 12  is a single perpendicular resistance member  161  and accompanying end attachments.  FIG. 14  shows a cross section labeled in  FIG. 12  one end attachment. The end attachment is comprised of an insert  39  and a containment ring  38  both made from a suitable rigid material. Insert  39  is a cylinder with a channel and is inserted into each end of perpendicular resistance member  37 . Containment ring  38  is clamped around the perpendicular resistance member  37  at the spot of the channel such that it squeezes the tube against the insert channel and creates enough friction to stay in place during use and form a solid end to the flexible tube. Containment ring  38  is sized such that it will not pass through the holes or slots in rail bracket  20  or platform mount  15  during use. 
       FIG. 6  shows bracket mount  22 , bracket plate  19  and bracket mounting screws  18  all made from a suitable rigid material. There are 2 bracket mounts  22 , bracket plates  19  and rail brackets  20  and only one is labeled due to symmetry. There are a total of twelve bracket mounting screws  18  and only three are labeled due to symmetry. Bracket mount  22  has a channel on the edge to accept rail bracket  20  and a hole to accept linear bearing  44 . Bracket plate  19  is attached to bracket mount  22  with bracket mounting screws  18  through a hole in bracket plate  19  and a threaded hole in bracket mount  20 . The bracket mounting assembly along with linear bearing  44  and horizontal rails  17  provide the platform with linear motion in the side to side direction where rail bracket  20  passes by rail base mount  13  with no contact. 
     Two Horizontal rails  17  are made from a suitable hardened rigid material and only one is labeled due to symmetry. Horizontal rails  17  are supported by and attached permanently to rail base mounts  13 . Rail base mounts  13  are made from a suitable rigid material and attached permanently to the top of upper base plate  21 . There are four rail base mounts  13  and only one is labeled due to symmetry. Horizontal elastic group  170  is connected to the rail base mounts  13  and bracket mount  22  in a similar fashion as the previously mentioned perpendicular elastic group  160  and provides the platform with resistance opposing the side to side motion of the platform when a user applies a force. Both sets of elastic groups provide resistance that forces the platform to its central equilibrium state and have a plurality of different resistance ratings and lengths giving the user optional levels of resistance. Horizontal rails  17  and attached common linear bearings  44  provide the user support platforms with linear motion in the side to side directions and only one is labeled due to symmetry. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 10 , upper base plate  21  is made from a suitable rigid material and is supported by a set of nine common compressible springs  29 . Only three springs  29  are labeled due to symmetry and are made from a suitable resilient rigid material. Springs  29  are supported by lower base plate  32  which is made from a suitable rigid material. As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 16 , the bottom surface of upper base plate  21  and the top surface of lower base plate  32  have recessed cylindrical channels to accept and retain springs  29  when the device is assembled and in use. The bottom of upper base plate  21  has rectangular channels to accept adjustable limiting posts  36 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 10 , base retaining straps  27  are made from a suitable strong fabric mesh, there four and only one is labeled due to symmetry. Base retaining straps  27  are each fastened to the top of upper base plate  21  and the top of lower base plate  32  such that they maintain a distance between base plates  21  and  32  where springs  29  are compressed with minimal tension. Minimal compression of the springs  29 , keeps the ends of the springs  29  contained within the recessed cylindrical channels of upper base plate  21  and lower base plate  32 . Strap plates  26  are made from a suitable rigid material, there are eight of each and only two are labeled due to symmetry. Strap plates  26  are placed above the edges of base retaining straps  27  and screwed down tightly with strap plate screws  24  through holes in the strap plates  26  and threaded holes in upper base plate  21  and lower base plate  32 . There are forty strap plate screws, made from a suitable rigid material, and only six are shown due to symmetry. Base plates  21  and  32  are compressible using springs  29  when a force is applied by a user. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11, 23 and 24  lower limiting post  35 , adjustable limiting posts  36 , shaft caps  34 , and cap screws  33  are made from a suitable rigid material, there are four of each and only one is labeled due to symmetry. Lower limiting post  35  is a small cube with a hole directly through one side and out of the other. Adjustable limiting post  36  is solid and rectangular with rounded edges and has a cylindrical shaft on one side. The cylindrical shaft is inserted through lower limiting post  35  and capped with shaft cap  34 . Shaft cap  34  is fastened with cap screw  33 . Here adjustable limiting post  36  may be rotated about the axis of the cap screw  33 . There are two ways that the limiting post assemblies can be oriented during use. Configuration P1 shows the limiting post assemblies at high position such that they keep the corner of the base that it is positioned near in a locked high position. Configuration P2 shows the limiting post assemblies at low position allowing the springs near the corner of the base that it is positioned by to compress during use. Lower limiting posts  35  provides a limit in which the springs  29  can compress in order to prevent damage. In general, Springs  29  allow the base of pedestal  100 , to compress when a user applies force and return to its state prior to the application of force. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , rubber base foot  30  is attached through a hole in base foot  30  and a threaded hole in base plate  32 , with foot screw  31 , to the bottom surface of lower base plate  32  at each corner, there are four and only one shown due to symmetry. Foot screw  31  is made from a suitable rigid material and only one is labeled due to symmetry. 
     The pedestal  11  can be placed on a firm flat surface during regular use or rubber base foot  30  can be interlocked with holes on positioning mat  3  for positioning and stability during vigorous use. As shown in  FIG. 24 , bottom cross-section C 24 -C 24  shown in  FIG. 2  shows the interlocking connection of base foot  30  and positioning mat  3  where the angle at which both parts are contoured and allows for base foot  30  and mat  3  to maintain connection when forces are applied during use. 
       FIGS. 25-27  show some of the various embodiments and uses for the device. In  FIG. 25  a male user is in the push-up position with his hands on flat platform assembly  180 . The user is free to move his hands independently in all directions against resistance for an isotonic exercise. He can move back and forth, side to side, or in a circular/elliptical motion or in an up and down bouncing motion against gravity and the compressible base. The user can also be assisted by the device to create a harmonic motion with his hands in such directions since the resistance provided will direct the platforms back to a central equilibrium position. The user could also hold a constant position against resistive force in his choice of direction for an isometric work-out or stay in a fixed position and be forced to stabilize himself. 
       FIG. 26  is an outline of a woman user with one foot on a single user support platform where she is forced to stabilize herself due to the motion of the support platform and compressible base. This is a good exercise for stability training and physical therapy. 
       FIG. 27  is an outline of a woman grasping the hand grips with her hands for partial support and resting her knees on the platforms for partial support. The user is free to move her knees independently in a front to back or side to side direction and in an up and down bouncing motion against gravity and the compressible base or circular/elliptical motion against adjustable resistance. Repeatedly Pushing the knees away from each other and dropping the elevation of the hips by straightening the lower back, then pulling them close together and raising the elevation of the hips by arching the back and engaging the lower back muscles, produces bouncing of the hips. Keeping the upper body at the same elevation throughout the exercise by bending at the lower back produces a desired dance motion within the hips. The resistance to motion of the knees is directed towards a central equilibrium position and the motion combined with resistance assists in creating rhythmic motion and rhythmic muscle memory within the user, especially when accompanied by the users favorite music.