Abstract:
An abdominal exercising device is disclosed that includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are coupled to a first end and a second end, respectively, of an elongated member. The elongated member is configured to retain at least a first end of a resistive member. The first portion and the second portion each substantially contact a portion of a user&#39;s legs such that the user experiences a resistive force in a group of abdominal muscles when the user moves his/her legs causing the resistive member to stretch. The abdominal muscles remain engaged throughout the use of the abdominal exercising device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to the field of fitness equipment, and more particularly relates to an abdominal exercising device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Conventional fitness equipment directed at exercising the abdominal muscles is either very bulky or only targets a select group of abdominal muscles. For example, the equipment found at fitness centers that targets the abdominal muscles is generally large and cumbersome or too expensive for an average individual to purchase for his/her home. Also, some of the commercial abdominal strengthening equipment may be too difficult for disabled, injured, or elderly people to use effectively. 
         [0003]    Home fitness equipment for the abdominal muscles can also be cumbersome and require a decent amount of storage space. This equipment is generally not portable and in some situations only targets a select group of abdominal muscles. Also, many of the consumer based abdominal exercising devices provide a limited amount of resistance that cannot be upgraded. Therefore, when a user peaks at the device&#39;s most resistive setting the user is unable to upgrade the device to obtain a greater degree of resistance. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, an abdominal exercising device is disclosed. The abdominal exercising device comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are coupled to a first end and a second end, respectively, of an elongated member. The elongated member is configured to retain at least a first end of a resistive member. The first portion and the second portion each substantially contact a portion of a user&#39;s legs such that the user experiences a resistive force in a group of abdominal muscles when the user moves the user&#39;s legs causing the resistive member to stretch. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, another abdominal exercising device is disclosed. The abdominal exercising device comprises a first portion comprising a first elongated member and a second portion comprising a second elongated member. A first end of the first elongated member is coupled to a first end of the second elongated member. The elongated member comprises at least one adjustable portion At least one of the first elongated member and the second elongated member is configured to retain at least a first end of a resistive member. The first portion and the second portion each substantially contact a portion of a user&#39;s legs such that the user experiences a resistive force in a group of abdominal muscles when the user moves the user&#39;s legs causing the resistive member to stretch. 
         [0006]    In yet another one embodiment, an abdominal exercising device is disclosed. The abdominal exercising device comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are coupled to a first end and a second end, respectively, of an elongated member. The elongated member is configured to retain at least a first end of a resistive member. The first portion and the second portion each substantially contact a portion of a user&#39;s legs such that the user experiences a resistive force in a group of abdominal muscles when the user moves the user&#39;s legs causing the resistive member to stretch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exposed top perspective view of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exploded top perspective view of the abdominal exercising device that shows the portability of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an operational view of the abdominal exercising device showing the abdominal exercising device in use by a user according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an exposed top perspective view of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an exploded top perspective view of the abdominal exercising device that shows the portability of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the abdominal exercising device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0017]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
         [0018]    Various embodiments of the present invention are advantageous over conventional abdominal exercising device for at least the following reasons. Most conventional devices require a “pushing” motion (e.g., pushing head/neck back) to create resistance on the abdominal muscles. One or more embodiments of the present invention, however, incorporate a “pulling” motion (e.g., pulling legs up). By stabilizing the legs with the device of the presently claimed invention the lower abdominal muscles are always engaged (a key difference to most devices). Pulling the legs in an upward motion and the reverse crunch motion are just two exercises that only work the lower abdominal muscles exclusively. However, there are numerous upper abdominal exercises and oblique exercises that are optimized or become more complete when the lower abdominal muscles are engaged at the same time as provided by various embodiments of the present invention. In other words, the abdominal muscles are continually engaged while a user is exercising with the device of various embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0019]    Abdominal Exercising Device 
         [0020]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an abdominal exercising device  100  is illustrated. The abdominal exercising device  100  is advantageous over conventional devices because it is portable, adjustable, and provides varying degrees of resistance that can be increased or decreased based on a user&#39;s needs. These advantages as well as many other are illustrated in the following discussions. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the abdominal exercising device  100  comprises a first portion  102  and a second portion  104  that are mechanically coupled together by an elongated member  106 . The first and second portions  102 ,  104  are configured to substantially abut a portion of a user&#39;s legs during use. For example, the first portion  102  substantially abuts a user&#39;s left thigh (or other area on the leg) while the second portion  104  substantially abuts a user&#39;s right thigh (or other area on the leg), or vice versa. This configuration is discussed in greater detail below. The first portion  102 , second portion  104 , and the elongated member  106 , can be made from any rigid material such as metal, metal alloys, wood, plastics or any other synthetic material, or the like. It should be noted that even though the first and second portions  102 ,  104  are shown having a rectangular configuration, this geometry is only an example and the first and second portions  102 ,  104  can comprise any geometric configuration. The first portion  102  and/or the second portion  104  can also be foldable/collapsible in one or more areas for easy transport or storage of the device  100 . 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, each of the first and second portions  102 ,  104  comprises a plurality  108 ,  110  of retention adjustment slots  112 ,  114  situated on a front portion  116 ,  118  of each of the first and second portions  102 ,  104  and extending through to a back portion  120 ,  122  of the first and second portions  102 ,  104 . It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to slots and other mechanisms such as clips, other various fastening members, and/or the like can be situated on the first and second portions  102 ,  104  as well. Also, these retention members  112 ,  114  are not required to extend through the front  116 ,  118  and back portions  120 ,  122  of the first and second portions  102 ,  104 . For example, the retention areas  112 ,  114  can extend partially through the front  116 ,  118  and/or back  120 ,  122  portions or only extend through the front portion  116 ,  118  or back portion  120 ,  122 . 
         [0023]    The retention adjustment slots  114 ,  116  are configured to receive a retention member  224  such as a strap, resilient member, rope, or the like as shown in  FIG. 2 . The retention member  224  securely holds the abdominal exercising device against the thighs of the user and can comprise padded material or cushioning material for added comfort and/or added fastening capabilities. The plurality  110 ,  112  of retention adjustment slots  114 ,  116  is situated on each of the first and second portions  102 ,  104  to accommodate users of different sizes. For example, some users may be smaller or larger in size than other users. 
         [0024]    By having a plurality  110 ,  112  of retention adjustment slots  114 ,  116  the retention member  224  is able to securely retain the device  100  on various users. In one embodiment, at least one end portion  226 ,  228  of the retention member  224  can be inserted into one or more of the retention adjustment slots  114 ,  116  thereby creating a loop configuration that can be tightened around the legs of a user. It should also be noted that the first and second portions  102 ,  104  can be configured to contour the user&#39;s legs. This allows the device  100  to rest more securely on the user&#39;s legs and provides additional comfort for the user. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, each of the first and second portions  102 ,  104  comprise a receiving portion  130 ,  132  situated on an inner side  134 ,  136 . When the abdominal exercising device  100  is assembled, the inner sides  134 ,  136  of the first and second portions  102 ,  104  face each other, but can also be situated in different configurations as well. The receiving portions  130 ,  132  are configured to receive a first end  338  and a second end  340 , respectively, of the elongated member  106  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the receiving portions  130 ,  132  extend outward from the back portion  120 ,  122 , but can also be situated in between the from  116 ,  118  and back portions  120 ,  122  or extend outward from the front portion  116 ,  118  as well. The receiving portions  130 ,  132  comprise an opening  242 ,  244  situated substantially at the inner sides  134 ,  136  of the first and second portions  102 ,  104 . The openings  242 ,  244  accept the first end  338  and the second end  340  of the elongated member  106 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, the first and second ends  338 ,  340  of the elongated member  106  and the receiving portions  130 ,  132  are configured to securely and detachably mate with each other. This allows for the device  100  to easily be disassembled, as shown in  FIG. 4 , yet maintain a rigid structure while in use. However, the first and second portions  102 ,  104  and the elongated member  106  can also be a single piece as well. 
         [0026]    Alternatively, each of the first and second portions  102 ,  104  can comprise an elongated member  606 ,  607 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the receiving portions  130 ,  132  are configured to receive a first end  338  and a second end  340 , respectively, of the respective elongated member  606 ,  607  as shown in  FIG. 6 . These separate elongated member  606 ,  607  can be molded into its respective first and second portion  102 ,  104  or can be detachable from its respective first and second portion  102 ,  104 . In the example of  FIG. 6  one of the elongated members  606  comprises a receiving end  609  and the other elongated member  607  comprises an engaging end  611 . The receiving end  609  of the first elongated member  606  receives the engaging end  611  of the second elongated member  611 . In other words, the engaging end  611  of the second elongated member  607  is configured to be inserted to and received by the receiving end  609  of the first elongated member  606 . 
         [0027]    Once the engaging end  611  is inserted to and received by the receiving end  609 , the first and second elongated members are securably and detachably coupled to each other. For example,  FIG. 6  shows that the receiving end  609  and engaging end  611  of the first and second elongated members  606 ,  607 , respectively, comprise threads that engage each other when the engaging end  611  is inserted into the receiving end  609 . It should be noted that many other configurations for securably and detachably coupling the first and second elongated members  606 ,  607  to each other are also applicable to the present invention. For example, one end  609 ,  611  of one of the members  606 ,  607  can comprise a tab (not shown) that engages a receiving area within the other end  609 ,  611 , thereby, securably and detachably coupling the elongated members  606 ,  607  to each other. 
         [0028]    In addition, the elongated member  106  can be collapsible/pivotable as shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  shows that the elongated member  106  comprises one or more pivot points  713  separates the elongated member  106  into a first portion  715  and a second portion  717 . These one or more pivot points  713  allow each of the first and second portions  715 ,  717  of the member  106  to pivot and/or collapse to one or more various positions as shown in  FIG. 7 . This allows the device  100  to more easily transported and/or stored. It should be noted that the elongated member  106  can also be telescopic. For example, the elongated member  106  can comprise one or more portions that slide in/out of each other for adjusting the length/height of the elongated member  106 . This allows for better portability of the device  100  and to compensate for various user sizes. It should be noted that a combination of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6-7  can be used as well. 
         [0029]    Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the elongated member  106  is configured to retain one or more resistive members  146  such as resistive bands, elastic cords, surgical tubing, or the like. The resistive member  146  can be wrapped around or go through the elongated member  106  and be fastened to another object such as a stationary object in the room where the user is exercising. In another embodiment, the resistive member  146  can comprise a fastening member (not shown) on one end of the resistive member that secures the resistive member  146  to the elongated member  106 . The other end of the resistive member can also comprise a fastening member as well that fastens this end of the resistive member to an object to provide resistance to the user. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows the abdominal exercising device  100  fastened to a user&#39;s legs  548 ,  550  and the resistive member  146  fastened to the elongated member  106  and to another object  552 . It should be noted that the back portions  120 ,  122  of the first and second portions  102 ,  104  can comprise a cushioning material to add extra comfort for the user. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the user is situated in the supine position. However, a user can be situated in any position that allows the user to bring his/her legs  548 ,  550  towards his/her chest. As the user brings his/her legs  548 ,  550  towards his/her chest the resistive member  146  exerts a resistive force on the abdominal muscles. Therefore, the user is able to strengthen and exercise his/her abdominal muscles. The user can easily add additional resistance or reduce the resistance by adjusting his/her position with respect to the object to which the resistive member  146  is fastened to. The user can also add one or more additional resistive members as well to increase the resistance. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  shows an additional embodiment of the abdominal exercising device  100 . In particular,  FIG. 8  shows an embodiment where the elongated member  106  is not required. For example, the elongated member  106  can be removed and the first and second portions  102 ,  104  can be independently coupled to each of the user&#39;s legs. In one embodiment, the back portions  120 ,  122  of the first and second portions  102 ,  104  comprise one or more areas  819 ,  821  or fastening members that can be situated anywhere on the back portions  120 ,  122  for coupling one or more resistive members  846 ,  847  to the first and second portions  102 ,  104 . Alternatively, the front portions  116 ,  118  can comprise the one or more areas  819 ,  821  or fastening members as well. These resistive members  846 ,  847  are similar to the resistive member  146  discussed above. Also, a retention member  824 ,  825  is able to be coupled to the each of the first and second portions  102 ,  104 . 
         [0032]    The retention members  824 ,  825  securely hold the first and second portions  102 ,  104  against the thighs of the user. The retention members  824 ,  825  can be inserted into the retention adjustment slots  114 ,  116  similar to that discussed above to accommodate users of different sizes. For example, some users may be smaller or larger in size than other users. As can be seen from  FIG. 8 , a first end  823 ,  827  of each retention member  824 ,  825  is inserted into a retention adjust slot. A second end (not shown) of the retention member  824 ,  825  can similarly be inserted into another retention area (not shown) on the first and second portions  102 ,  104 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 8  allows the user to move each leg independent of each other while experiencing resistance from each of the separate resistive members  846 ,  847 . One example of this independent leg motion is a “bicycle” motion. 
         [0033]    It should also be noted that in the example given above, the user can place the first and second portions  102 ,  104  behind his/her thighs and place the retention member  824 ,  825  around the front of his/her thighs. However, a user can also place each of the first and second portions  102 ,  104  on the front portion of his/her thighs and can place the retention member  824 ,  825  around the back of his/her thighs. In this embodiment, the first and second portions  102 ,  104  can high have larger dimension such that at least one side end of the first and second portions  102 ,  104  extends beyond the user&#39;s thighs. The resistive members  846 ,  847  can then be coupled to these extended side ends. 
         [0034]    Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.