Abstract:
A portable and collapsible aquatic abdominal exercising apparatus for use in a pool is provided. The apparatus includes first and second downwardly extending parallel leg members, first and second arm-rest extensions and first and second pool-deck supports. Each of these elements can be provided with telescopic capabilities. A single support rod extends between the two leg members and additionally supports a back-rest. A pair of four-way coupling units work to attach all of the elements together. The legs can move freely along two axis adding to its portability and collapsibility. The device sits freely in a pool and supports the weight of a user as the user rests their back against the back-rest, positions their forearms on the arm-rest extensions, grasps a pair of hand grips and repetitively moves their body upwardly to strengthen the abdominal muscles.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an exercise apparatus for use in a body of water. More particularly, it relates to a portable aquatic exercise apparatus used for strengthening abdominal muscles which mounts on the edge of a pool such that a person is supported in the pool by the apparatus while exercising, the apparatus capable of collapsing into a convenient size for easy transportation and storage when not in use. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Aquatic exercise devices used to strengthen muscles are known in the prior art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,735 to Erickson shows an aquatic exercise device removably attachable to a pool ladder or, in an alternate embodiment, permanently attachable to a pool deck. The device can be used to perform a bevy of different exercise routines including chin-ups, sit-ups, leg butterflys and leg kicking. Unfortunately, the Erickson device requires either exclusive use of the pool ladder or permanent pool deck attachment means to affect use thereof. If the ladder of the pool is needed, the Erickson device must be removed. Attempts at climbing the ladder with the device attached thereto could result in injury. An alternate embodiment of Erickson attempts to alleviate this problem by providing for permanent attachment to the pool deck. Unfortunately, not all pool owners want a device permanently affixed to the deck of their pool. Besides detracting from the aesthetic appearance of the pool, the permanently mounted device could cause injury if tripped upon. An improved aquatic exercising device is needed which can overcome the deficiencies seen in the prior art. Such a device should be portable, should not require the use of a ladder or other means of attachment and should further provide for easy transportation and storage thereof when not in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     I have invented an improved aquatic exercising apparatus which can be used to strengthen abdominal muscles. My apparatus does not require a permanent means of attachment nor the use of other pool accessories (i.e., ladder or steps) for affecting the use thereof. My apparatus conveniently rests upon the side and deck of the pool. Further, my apparatus is lightweight, portable and collapsible, providing for easy transportation and storage. 
     The apparatus includes a pair of downwardly extending legs which parallel the side of the pool when the apparatus is set therein. A pair of inwardly extending feet are positioned on a lower end of the pair of legs for resting upon the side of the pool. Positioned at a middle portion of the pair of legs are a pair of couplers to which a pair of four-way coupling units are mounted. Each four-way coupler has four openings formed therein. Two of the openings, which are axial alignment of one another retain the coupler in a fixed position. A third opening of each coupler receives one of a pair of outwardly extending arm-rests. A fourth opening of each coupler receives one end of a back-rest support rod. A pair of deck-resting members, integrally attached to an upper end of each leg at a ninety degree therefrom, work in conjunction with the pair of feet to position the apparatus in a fixed position along the side of the pool. A back rest, in parallel relationship with the side of the pool, is supported by the back rest support rod. 
     The arm-rest extensions are removable and the legs are pivotable within the coupler providing a means to collapse the apparatus (see FIG.  2 ). The arm-rests, the deck-resting members and the legs are telescopic permitting the apparatus to be adjusted for a variety of different people and configuration of pools. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention illustrating the novel portable and collapsible nature of the apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom side of a telescopic arm-rest extension of the aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention; the telescopic arm-rest extension in a non-extended state; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the telescopic arm-rest extension of the aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention; the telescopic arm-rest extension in an extended state; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred telescopic deck-resting member of the aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention; the preferred telescopic deck-resting member in a non-extended state; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferred telescopic deck-resting member of the aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention; the preferred telescopic deck-resting member in an extended state; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first alternate telescopic deck-resting member of the aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention; the first alternate telescopic deck-resting member in a non-extended state; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second alternate non-telescopic deck-resting member of the aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a preferred downwardly extending telescopic leg of the aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention; the preferred telescopic leg in a partially extended state; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the preferred downwardly extending telescopic leg of the aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention; the preferred telescopic leg in a non-extended state; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate downwardly extending telescopic leg of the aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention; the alternate telescopic leg in a partially extended state; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the preferred aquatic exercising apparatus of the present invention depicting how it is employed along the side of a swimming pool; and 
     FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the back rest of the aquatic exercising apparatus depicting the telescopic feature of the support rod. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Throughout the following description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an aquatic abdominal exercising apparatus  10  of the present invention is shown. Apparatus  10  is preferably made of lightweight PVC providing for ease of portability. As shown in FIG. 2, apparatus  10  is also collapsible adding to its portability as well as providing for ease of storage. 
     With continuing reference to FIG. 1, aquatic exercising apparatus  10  is shown to include a pair of downwardly extending legs  12  positioned in parallel relationship to one another. At a middle portion of each leg  12  is a coupler  16  in which leg  12  inserts through. At a lower end  18  of each leg  12  is an elbow connector  20 . Extending from each elbow connector  20  is a foot  22  having a cap  24  portioned over a terminus end  25 . Each foot  22  is generally positioned at a ninety degree angle from each leg  12  and extends inwardly from a front side of apparatus  10 . Cap  24  is preferably made of a hard rubber material for resting on a side of a pool. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, legs  12  oppositely pivot ninety degrees inwardly such that feet  22  face one another, thereby contributing to the collapsibility of apparatus  10 . The ability of each leg  12  to pivot is a result from the diameter of an outer circumference of each leg  12  being measurably less than the diameter of an inner circumference of each coupler  16 . Although not shown, a pair of stop members could be provided between each coupler  16  and each leg  12  so that legs  12  lock into two respective positions—that which is shown in FIG. 1 (the position for use) and that which is shown in FIG. 2 (the collapsed position). 
     With reference to FIG. 1, aquatic exercising apparatus  10  further includes a pair of four-way coupling units  26  having four openings formed therein and providing an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis. A first and second opening,  28  and  30  respectively, are in axial alignment with one another along the Y axis. A third opening  32  is positioned at a ninety degree angle from first and second openings,  28  and  30  respectively, along the X axis. A fourth opening  34  is positioned at a ninety degree angle from first, second and third openings,  28 ,  30  and  32  respectively, along the Z axis. Couplers  16  inserts through the four-way coupling unit first and second openings,  28  and  30  respectively, such that each coupler  16  exposes a top and bottom portion,  36  and  38  respectively. Coupler  16  is retained in a fixed position by friction; accordingly, the diameter of an outer circumference of coupler  16  is slightly less than that of an inner circumference of four-way coupling unit  26 . 
     With continuing reference to FIG. 1, each leg  12  has an upper curved end  40  extending in the same direction as that of elbow connectors  20  and feet  22 . In the preferred embodiment, upper curved end  40  is integral with leg  12 , although an alternate embodiment (not shown) could employs elbow connectors. Apparatus  10  is further provided with a pair of deck-resting members  42 , each having a tubular portion  44 , inserted over upper curved end  40 , and a seat  46 , in which tubular member  44  rests within. Tubular member  44  and seat  46  are fixedly attached, preferably by glue. Seat  46  resembles a three sided square wherein a flat bottom side lays upon the pool deck when apparatus  10  is employed in the pool. Telescopic means are further provided permitting a user of apparatus  10  to adjust the position of deck-resting members  42  (see FIGS.  5  and  6 ). In accordance therewith, a slit  48  is formed along a top side of tubular member  44 . A threaded aperture (not shown) is formed in upper curved end  40  along the portion which is inserted within tubular member  44 . The threaded aperture is axially aligned with slit  48 . A screw inserts through slit  48  and into the threaded aperture; a wing nut is used to lock the telescopic deck-resting member in the desired position. As shown in FIG. 5, deck-resting member is in a non-extended state, whereas FIG. 6 illustrates an extended position. 
     Although FIGS. 1,  2 ,  5  and  6  illustrate the preferred embodiment for deck-resting members  42 , alternate embodiments are provided. In particular, FIG. 7, illustrates a first alternate deck-resting member  50  wherein a downwardly extending deck foot  52  is provided along a distal end  54  of upper curved end  40 . Foot  52  can be attached by an elbow connector  56  or be integral with upper curved end  40  (not shown). FIG. 8, illustrates a second alternate deck-resting member  58  wherein a first downwardly extending canal foot  60  is attached near a distal end  54  of upper curved end  40  by a t-connector  62 . A second outwardly extending canal foot  64  extends from upper curved end  40  along the same axis thereof. In both alternate embodiments, all of the feet are either provided with caps  24  or suction cups  23 . Caps  24  are made of a hard rubber whereas suction cups  23  are made of soft rubber. The alternate embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 are used with pools having a different configurations than that of the pool in which the preferred embodiment is used. In particular, first alternate deck-resting member  50  is used with pools wherein an overflow canal is provided proximal to the pool edge. And, second alternate deck-resting member  58  is used with pools wherein an overflow canal is provided directly below the pool edge. Finally, it is noted that first alternate deck-resting member  50  is provided with the same telescopic means as preferred deck-resting member  42 . Although second alternate deck-resting  58  does not show the telescopic means, such could be provided if desired. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, aquatic exercising apparatus  10  further includes a pair of arm-rest extensions  66 . Each extension  66  is positioned along the Z axis and removably inserts within fourth opening  34  of four-way coupling unit  26 . Each arm-rest extension  66  includes a tubular portion  68  having an upwardly extending curved end  70 , a tubular collar  71  (see FIG. 3 and 4) inserted over an opposed straight end of tubular portion  68  and further inserted within fourth opening  34  and a three-sided square sleeve  72  attached to tubular collar  71 . Sleeve  72  in fixedly attached to tubular collar  71 , preferably by glue. Tubular collar  71  is held by friction within fourth opening  34 . A flat top side  74  of sleeve  72  permits a user of apparatus  10  to rest their arms thereupon. Upwardly curved end  70  acts as a hand-grip for the user. Also shown in FIG. 1, is a back rest  76  having a slightly concave front side  78 . A support rod  80  inserts through apertures  82  formed in side portions  84  of back rest  76  and attaches to apparatus  10  at opposed ends by friction in the pair of four-way coupling unit third openings  32  along the X axis. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, each arm-rest extension  66  can be removed from its associated four-way coupling unit fourth opening  34 . This adds to the collapsibility and portability of aquatic exercising apparatus  10 . Although not shown, a small pin can be used to hold each arm-rest extension  66  in place when attached to apparatus  10  (as in FIG.  1 ). Preferably, the pin is inserted through an aperture formed in a collar portion  86  of each fourth opening  34 ; an aperture formed in the inserted end of tubular collar  71  would then axially align with the collar aperture. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a bottom perspective view of a preferred arm-rest extension  66  is shown illustrating the telescopic means provided therewith. Such telescopic means works identically like that of deck-resting members  42 . As such, a slit  48  is formed along a portion of arm-rest extension tubular collar  71  and axially aligns with a threaded aperture (not shown) in tubular portion  68 . A screw inserts through slit  48  and into the threaded aperture; a wing nut is used to lock the telescopic arm-resting extensions  66  in the desired position. As shown in FIG. 3, arm-resting extension  66  is in a non-extended state, whereas FIG. 4 illustrates an extended position. 
     Legs  12  are also provided with telescopic means for adjusting aquatic exercising apparatus  10  in a user desired position. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a preferred telescopic means for legs  12  whereas FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate telescopic means. With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, each leg  12  has a slotted channel  88  formed therein. In the preferred embodiment, slotted channel  88  has four slots  90  thereby providing five different positions (the four slots plus the bottom end position). Each leg  12  further includes a slidable collar  92  having an aperture formed therethrough and a pin  94  inserted with the aperture. Collar  92  slides along channel  88  until the desired slot  90  is located whereby pin  94  is permitted to fall within, thereby retaining leg  12  in a fixed position by the force of gravity. As such, FIG. 10 illustrates a non-extended state whereas FIG. 9 illustrates a partially extended state. 
     With reference to FIG. 11, an alternate telescopic means for leg  12  is shown. This alternate embodiment utilizes a series of apertures  98  formed in leg  12 , the slidable collar  92  and a screw/wing nut set  96 . In accordance therewith, the desired position in first chosen by sliding collar  92  over one of the five apertures. Thereafter, collar  92  is locked in place by inserting the screw through the chosen apertures and locking it down with the wing nut. 
     With reference to FIG. 13, a rear perspective view of back rest  76  illustrates that the width of apparatus  10  can be adjusted by telescopic means provided along support rod  80 . In accordance therewith, a fixed collar member  100  is provided within a back area  102  of back rest  76  for receiving support rod  80 . Collar member  100  is positioned between a pair of parallel walls  104  integrally formed to back area  102  of back rest  76 . A pair of slits  106  are formed along collar member  100  and axially align with apertures (not shown) formed in support rod  80 . A pair of wing nuts are used to position support rod  80  at the appropriate width. 
     In utilizing preferred aquatic exercising apparatus  10 , the user first sets apparatus  10  in the pool such that the deck-resting members  42  lay upon the pool deck proximal to the pool edge. Feet  22  of legs  12  are allowed to come to rest upon the side of the pool underneath the water. It is presumed that the arm-rest extensions  66 , the desk-resting members  42  and the legs  12  have all been set to the desired telescopic position. If not, each can be easily adjusted with apparatus  10  employed in the pool. The user then mounts apparatus  10  by placing their back against back rest  76 , resting their forearms along arm-rest extension sleeve top side  74  and gripping upwardly extending curved ends  70  with their hands. Thereafter, using their abdominal muscles, the user gently and repetitively lifts the weight of their body upward. 
     Although not needed, the stability of aquatic exercising apparatus  10  can be enhanced by installing an attachment means to deck-resting members  42 . For instance, hook and loop strips (i.e., Velcro®) could be employed along the flat bottom side of seat  46 . Or, a series of screws could be inserted through seat  46  and into the pool deck. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the elements employed in this invention to obtain substantially the same result in substantially the same way and function.