Abstract:
An abdominal exerciser that can be conveniently applied on the abdomen of a user who is laying down flat is provided. By pushing the abdominal exerciser up and down using the abdominal muscles, abdominal muscles become tones and excess fat can be reduced. The abdominal exerciser includes a flexible plate having a plurality of projections on the bottom surface, for pushing the abdomen down by gravity, and a weigh applying means fixed to the top surface of the flexible plate, for applying its weight to the abdomen.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an abdominal exerciser, and more particularly, to an abdominal exerciser that can be conveniently applied on the abdomen of a user who is laying down flat. By pushing the abdominal exerciser up and down using the abdominal muscles, abdominal muscles become tones and excess fat can be reduced. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Many people these days suffer from various geriatric diseases due to irregular dietary habits, work strains, and lack of exercise. Almost all geriatric diseases are caused by from obesity, and thus a variety of exercises and exercising devices have been suggested so as to eliminate the problems of obesity. 
   As well known, excess fat first accumulates on the abdomen. Most exercises applied to remove the subcutaneous fat begins with the exercising of other neighboring muscles, other than the abdomen muscles themselves. Thus, such indirect exercise techniques require a user to maintain a steady effort and endure for satisfactory results. Another drawback of the indirect technique lies in that it is not easy for a person with abdominal obesity to continue with such exercise for a long period of time, compared to an average weight person. This is because a person with an obesity problem has a difficult time doing such exercises. Therefore, there is a need for an exerciser that focuses the exercise activity on the abdominal muscles and can be applied conveniently by a user. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To solve the above problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an abdominal exerciser that can be conveniently applied to the abdomen while a user is laying flat, whereby by pushing the abdominal exerciser up and down with a predetermined force using the abdominal muscles, intestinal fat as well as the subcutaneous fat around the abdominal muscles “burns” within a shorter period of time. In addition, the abdominal exerciser can facilitate the vermicular movement of the intestines, thereby relieving constipation. 
   The objective of the present invention is achieved by an abdominal exerciser comprising: a flexible plate having a plurality of projections on the bottom surface, for pushing the abdomen down by gravity; and a weigh applying means fixed to the top surface of the flexible plate, for applying its weight to the abdomen. 
   Preferably, the bottom surface of the flexible plate, which has the plurality of projections, is convex. 
   Preferably, at least one male screw is fixed to the top surface of the flexible plate, and the weight applying means is at least one weights to be engaged with the male screw. 
   Preferably, the weight applying means comprises a filling for providing weight, and a weight retainer fixed to the top surface of the flexible plate, for holding the filling therein, and the filling comprises metal or mineral. 
   Preferably, the projections are formed of a mineral capable of emitting far infrared rays, and the abdominal exerciser further comprises a thermal keeping plate below the flexible plate, for keeping the temperature of the abdomen, the thermal keeping plate including a plurality of permanent magnets arranged therein. 
   Preferably, the abdominal exerciser further comprises a heat emitting plate between the flexible plate and the thermal keeping plate, for producing heat with application of electricity. 
   Preferably, the abdominal exerciser further comprises a pair of grips at both ends of the flexible plate. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above objective and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a first embodiment of an abdominal exerciser according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing in greater detail the bottom surface of a flexible plate of the abdominal exerciser shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view of an example of the assembly of the abdominal exerciser according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing another example of the flexible plate of the abdominal exerciser shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a second embodiment of an abdominal exerciser according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a section view of an example of the assembly of the abdominal exerciser according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing another example of a flexible plate of the abdominal exerciser according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a hybrid configuration of the abdominal exercisers according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of an abdominal exerciser according to the present invention includes a flexible plate  11  for pushing the abdomen down by gravity when it rests on the abdomen of a user who is laying flat, a plurality of weights  13  installed on the top surface of the flexible plate  11 , a heat emitting plate  15  placed below the flexible plate  11 , and a thermal keeping plate  45 . Here, the bottom surface of the flexible plate  11  refers to the surface facing the abdomen. 
   The flexible plate  11  has a planar cross shape, and thus the width of the flexible plate  11  is wider at the center than at both ends. The top surface of the flexible plate  11  is planar, while the bottom surface of the flexible plate  11  is convex, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The planar surface of the flexible plate  11  is helpful in retaining the weight  13  thereon, and the convex bottom surface of the flexible plate  11  allows the abdomen to be flexed deeply. 
   Preferably, the flexible plate  11  is formed of plastic, acryl resin or carbon cloth, and the thickness of the flexible plate  11  at the edge is in the range of 5 to 20 mm. Although the material used for the flexible plate  11  has intrinsic elasticity, the flexible plate  11  made from the material also has a rigid property with a predetermined thickness. Thus, the flexible plate  11  is not locally bent but slightly curved by an external force. 
   Although the flexible plate  11  is formed in a cross shape in the present embodiment, the shape of the flexible plate  11  vary. For example the shape may be in the form of a rectangle, ellipse or polygon. 
   The flexible plate  11  has a pair of grips  50  at both ends. The grips  50  allow the user to easily move the flexible plate  11  in a horizontal direction on the abdomen to position the flexible plate  11  in place, and allows easy carrying of the flexible plate  11 . 
   Three male screws  19  are fixed to the top surface of the flexible plate  11  perpendicularly, and are engaged with female screws (not shown) threaded at the lower part of each weight  13 . Although three male screws  19  are provided in the present embodiment, it will be appreciated that the number of the male screws installed on the flexible plate  11  may vary. 
   Combining all male screws  19  with the corresponding number of weights  13  is not necessary. In other words, the number of weights  13  to be coupled with male screws  19 , and which male screw  19  are to be combined with the weight  13  can be determined by the user depending on the physical conditioning of the user. 
   A male screw  19  is also provided on the top of each weight  13 . The male screw  19  is the same as the male screw  19  fixed to the top surface of the flexible plate  11 . The male screw  19 , which is able to support a weight  13 , allows stacking of the weights  13 , thereby flexing the abdomen with greater force. 
   The heat emitting plate  15  and the thermal keeping plate  45  are positioned below the flexible plate  11 . The heat emitting plate  15  is a known means for generating heat with the application of electricity. As the abdominal exerciser according to the present invention rests on the abdomen of a user for exercise, the heat emitting plate  15  generates heat to warm the subcutaneous layer and intestine. The temperature of the heat emitting plate  15  is adjusted by a thermocontroller  52 . Alternatively, the heating of the heat emitting plate  15  by the thermocontroller  52  can be suspended as needed. Furthermore, the heat emitting plate  15  may be not installed such that the heat emitting plate  11  directly contact the thermal keeping plate  45 . 
   The heat emitting plate  15  has a plurality of apertures  35 . The apertures  35  pass projections  17  (see  FIG. 2 ) formed on the bottom surface of the flexible plate  11  to allow contact with the abdominal skin. 
   The thermal keeping plate  45  is formed of leather or textile, and is placed in contact with bottom surface of the heat emitting plate  15 . When the heat emitting plate  15  is not incorporated into the abdominal exerciser, as previously mentioned, the thermal keeping plate  15  is placed in contact with the bottom surface of the flexible plate  11 . The thermal keeping plate  45  has a plurality of apertures  54  which pass through the projections  17  of the flexible plate  11 . 
   The thermal keeping plate  45  includes a plurality of permanent magnets  56 . The permanent magnets  56 , which are of disk type in the present embodiment, are arranged over and in the thermal keeping plate  45 . The permanent magnets  56  generate and infiltrate magnetic field into the subcutaneous fat, thereby facilitating blood circulation. In addition, the thermal keeping plate  45  keeps the abdomen pressed by the flexible plate  11  warm, which prevents heat generated from the abdomen from dissipating and allows sweat at the abdomen. Furthermore, the thermal keeping plate  45  protects the abdomen from the chill of the flexible plate  11 . 
   It is preferable that the thermal keeping plate  45  is formed of a material with skin-like physical properties, for example, synthetic or natural leather. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the bottom surface of the flexible plate of the abdominal exerciser shown in  FIG. 1  in greater detail. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the bottom surface of the flexible plate  11  is entirely curved outwards, and a plurality of projections  17  extend from the surface. As the flexible plate  11  is pushed down on the abdomen, the projections  17  attack the subcutaneous fat and blood vessels, thereby activating flow of blood and energy. Here, the tips of the projections  17  are round. The convex bottom surface of the flexible plate  11  aids in pushing the abdomen deep down, as previously mentioned. 
     FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the abdominal exerciser, in which the flexible plate  11 , the heat emitting plate  11  and the thermal keeping plate  14  are sequentially stacked is shown. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , a plurality of weights  13  fixed to the top surface of the flexible plate  11  provide a predetermined weight to the flexible plate  11  to push the abdomen down. In addition, the weights  13  can be layered as shown in  FIG. 3 , and thus pressure applied to the abdomen can be controlled according to the need of the user. 
   The heat emitting plate  15  and the thermal keeping plate  45  are attached in sequence close to the bottom surface of the flexible plate  11 . A plurality of permanent magnets  56  are present in the thermal keeping plate  45 , which provides a magnetic field to the abdomen. 
   The projections  17  of the flexible plate  11  protrude downward through the apertures  35  and  54  of the heat emitting plate  15  and the thermal keeping plate  45 , and directly contact the skin. The projections  17  protrude on the order of 3 to 10 mm relative to the bottom of the heat insulating plate  45 . 
     FIG. 4  shows another example of the flexible plate of the abdomen exerciser shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Unlike the projections  17  that extend from the bottom surface of the flexible plate  11  shown in  FIG. 3 , projection members  72  present in the bottom surface of a flexible plate  58  are formed of a material different from that used for the flexible plate  58 , and then attached to the bottom surface of the flexible plate  58 . The material used for the projection members  72  may be any of minerals capable of emitting far infrared rays, including germanium (Ge) and jade. 
   As well known, far infrared rays are effective in reinvigorating a tired human body and relieving his or her chronic fatigue. Thus, as the abdomen is irradiated with far infrared rays, far infrared rays infiltrate into the subcutaneous fat, thereby increasing the exercising effect of the abdominal muscles. 
   The flexible plate  58  is formed of the same material used for the flexible plate  11  of  FIG. 3 . Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , it will be appreciated that a plurality of weights are mounted on the top surface of the flexible plate  58 , and a heat emitting plate and a thermal keeping plate are coupled with the flexible plate  58  through the projection members  72  formed at the bottom surface. 
     FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of an abdominal exerciser according to the present invention. In  FIG. 5 , like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements of  FIG. 1 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the abdominal exerciser includes a planar flexible plate  60 , a weight retainer  39  to be seated on the top of the flexible plate  60 , a filling  43  that fills the weight retainer  39  to give weight, and a heat emitting plate  62  and a thermal keeping plate  64 , which are placed close to the bottom surface of the flexible plate  60 . 
   Similar to the first embodiment described with reference to  FIG. 1 , the flexible plate  60  has a width wider at the center than at both ends, which allows complete covering of the abdomen of the user. However, the bottom surface of the flexible plate  60  of the present embodiment is flat. Preferably, the thickness of the flexible plate  60  is in the range of 5 to 20 mm. The flexible plate  60  is formed of the same material used for the flexible plate  11  in the first embodiment. 
   A pair of grips  50  are fixed to both ends of the flexible plate  60 . A plurality of projections  17  (see  FIG. 6 ) are formed at the bottom surface of the flexible plate  60 . The projections  17  have round tips and attack the subcutaneous fat and blood vessels. 
   The heat emitting plate  62  fitted to the bottom surface of the flexible plate  60  provides the same function as that of the heat emitting plate  15  of the first embodiment, and has a plurality of apertures  35  for passing through the projections  17  of the flexible plate  60 . A thermal keeping plate  64  placed in contact with the heat emitting plate  62  also has a plurality of apertures  54  for passing through the projections  17 . Alternatively, the heat emitting plate  62  may be not installed, such that the thermal keeping plate  64  directly contacts the bottom surface of the flexible plate  60 . 
   The weight retainer  38  seated on top of the flexible plate  60  is formed of plastic, acryl resin or carbon cloth, and is divided into three parts with partitions  47 . The internal space of each of the three parts is filled with the filling  43  that is heavy enough to give a predetermined weight to the abdomen. The filling  43  serves as the weights  13  described in the first embodiment with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
   The internal space of the three parts of the weight retainer  38  are sealed from the outside, and thus the filling  43  is not drawn out of the weight retainer  38 . The filling  43  may be a material that is heavy enough to give a predetermined weight to the abdomen, such as metal or mineral. Examples of the mineral include germanium (Ge), jade, loess and sand. Because the internal spaces of the weight retainer  38  are sealed from the outside, the filling  42  can be in the form of a lump or powder. 
   Although the weight retainer  38  is divided into three parts in the present embodiment, it will be appreciated that the number of the parts within the weight retainer  38  can be varied. 
     FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the abdominal exerciser shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , the plurality of projections  17  protrude downwards from the bottom surface of the flexible plate  60  through the apertures  35  and  54  of the heat emitting plate  62  and the thermal keeping plate  64 . Preferably, the projections  17  protrude on the order of 3 to 10 mm relative to the bottom surface of the thermal keeping plate  64 . 
   A plurality of permanent magnets  56 , which produce and infiltrate magnetic field into the subcutaneous fat of the abdomen, are included in the thermal keeping plate  64 . In the abdominal exerciser, the permanent magnets  56  and the projections  17  are alternately arranged. The weight retainer  39  on the flexible plate  60  is filled with the filling  43 , and pushes the flexible plate  60  down. 
     FIG. 7  shows another example of the flexible plate adopted in the abdominal exerciser of  FIG. 5 . 
   Unlike the projections  17  that extend from the bottom surface of the flexible plate  60  shown in  FIG. 6 , projection members  72  present in the bottom surface of a flexible plate  70  are formed of a material different from that used for the flexible plate  70 , and then attached to the bottom surface of the flexible plate  70 . The material used for the projection members  72  may be any of known minerals capable of emitting far infrared rays, including germanium (Ge) and jade. 
   Although not shown in  FIG. 7 , it will be appreciated that the weight retainer  39  filled with the filling  43  is placed on the flexible plate  70 , and a heat emitting plate and a thermal keeping plate are coupled with the flexible plate  70  through the projection members  72  formed at the bottom surface. 
   When the abdomen exerciser having the above configuration, for example, equipped with the flexible plate  60  or  70 , is positioned on the abdomen of a user, the projections  17  or the projection members  72  are made to contact the abdomen by the weight of the filling  43 , and magnetic field from the permanent magnets  56 , and/or far infrared rays from the projection members  72  infiltrate into the subcutaneous layer, thereby stimulating the blood vessels and activating the flow of blood in the subcutaneous fatty layer. 
   As the user is laying down flat and breaths from the abdomen with the abdominal exerciser on the abdomen, the abdominal exerciser is moved upward and downward, and in turn the subcutaneous fatty layer is slowly burned with time. At this time, heat generated from the abdomen is kept by the thermal keeping plate fitted to the bottom surface of the flexible plate, which allows the user to sweat while exercising, similar to being in a steam room. Furthermore, the abdomen can be heated for more effective exercise with the heat emitting plate as needed. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates a combination of the flexible plate  11  of the first embodiment with the weight retainer  39  of the second embodiment. 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , the weight retainer  39  filled with the filling  43 , instead of the weights  13 , is fitted to the top surface of the flexible plate  11  having the convex bottom surface, so as to apply a predetermined weight to the abdomen. Alternatively, the flexible plate  60  having the planar bottom surface of the second embodiment may be combined with the weights  13  of the first embodiment. In other words, any type of weight whose weight is sufficient to apply a predetermined pressure through the flexible plate to the abdomen can be utilized. 
   The effect of the abdominal exerciser according to the present invention was evidenced by the inventors. The results are shown in Table 1. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 1 
             
           
           
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Abdominal Obesity 
               Exercising Period of Time with 
             
             
                 
               Index before 
               Abdominal Exerciser (weeks) 
             
           
        
         
             
               Gender 
               Exercising 
               1 
               2 
               3 
               4 
               5 
               6 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               Male 
               1.2 
               1.1 
               1.05 
               1.05 
               1.0 
               1.0 
               1.0 
             
             
                 
               1.5 
               1.4 
               1.35 
               1.3 
               1.25 
               1.2 
               1.1 
             
             
               Female 
               1.2 
               1.1 
               1.05 
               1.0 
               0.95 
               0.9 
               0.9 
             
             
                 
               1.4 
               1.3 
               1.35 
               1.3 
               1.2 
               1.2 
               1.15 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   In Table 1, the abdominal obesity index refers to a waist-to-hip measure ratio. In the United States, the base line for abdominal obesity evaluation is 0.95 or more for males, and 0.8 or more for females. In Europe, the base line is 0.9 or more for males and 0.8 or more for females. 
   In Korea, a reliable base line for abdominal obesity evaluation has not been established yet. However, in practice, if the abdominal obesity index is 1.0 or more for males, and 0.9 or more for females, it is determined to be abdominal obesity. 
   As shown in Table 1, the abdominal obesity index starts to decrease after just 1-week of use of the exerciser. Also, after 4-week of use of the exerciser, the abdominal obesity index drops to almost the same level as a normal condition. 
   While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   As previously mentioned, the abdominal exerciser according to the present invention can be effectively utilized in burning subcutaneous fatty layer around the abdominal muscles by just letting a user take breaths while laying flat with the abdominal exercisers having a predetermined weight on his or her abdomen. As a result, excess fat around the abdomen can be easily decomposed within a short period of time. In addition, use of a heat emitting plate and permanent magnets activate movement of the intestines and the flow of blood during exercising, which enables to decompose intestinal fat and activate a function of the intestines. As a result, digestion and absorption in the human body facilitates, and constipation can be relieved. 
   While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.