Abstract:
A method and a cushion extension for an exercise device are provided. The cushion extension includes a first portion covering a surface of the exercise device, the covered surface configured to contact the user during an exercise, a second portion extending from the first portion in a direction of the exercise, and a third portion and a fourth portion each joined to opposite ends of the first portion and each forming a method of attachment between each and the first portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/887,047 filed on Oct. 4, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The field of the invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and more specifically, to apparatus and methods for attachments to exercise devices. 
         [0003]    At least some known exercise devices provide for assistance and/or additional resistance to a user during an exercise using the device through attachments or extensions added to the device during use. Some devices may be modified or “jury-rigged” by the user to make due during an exercise. For example, a rolled or folded towel may be used to provide cushioning when performing the exercise on a hard surface. 
         [0004]    However, such modifications may shift or relocate itself during movements of the exercise, negating the attempted beneficial effects of the modification and reducing or eliminating the desired cushioning of the body during the exercise or modification of the device for use. Such shifting may also cause improper performance of the exercise or cause interruption of the exercise to readjust the modification. There is a need for secure support and cushioning for the user during exercise periods using abdominal and back muscle conditioning equipment. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    In one embodiment, a cushion extension for an exercise device includes a first portion covering and/ or attaching to a surface of the exercise device, the surface configured to contact the user during an exercise, a second portion extending from the first portion in a direction of the exercise, and a third portion and a fourth portion each joined to opposite ends of the first portion or on opposite sides of the first portion and each forming a method for attaching to the first portion, each method configured to receive a respective portion of the exercise device. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a method of using a cover having a flap extension includes providing an exercise device cover, inserting a first edge of an exercise device within a first pocket of the cover, stretching the cover along a surface of the exercise device, inserting a second edge of the exercise device within a second pocket of the cover, and allowing the cover to rebound to apply a force along the surface that facilitates maintaining the cover affixed to the exercise device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIGS. 1-5  show example embodiments of the method and apparatus described herein. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a cover for an exercise device for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a view of a backside of cover  100 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a view of a front side of the cover. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of an example blank of resilient material for forming the cover (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ). 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of an example method of using a cover having an integral flap extension in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is contemplated that the invention has general application to embodiments of providing exercise in commercial and residential applications. 
         [0014]    As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a padded cover having flap extensions, also referred to as a burn guard. The padded cover encloses an existing exercise device configured to aid in the performance of a sit-up exercise. The attached padded flap extends under a tailbone of a user to facilitate reducing abrasion and or bruising of the tailbone area of the user that may occur during, for example, high-speed CrossFit “workout of the day” (WOD) sessions. 
         [0016]    The padded extensions are formed of a resilient material such as, but, not limited to neoprene and extends under the tailbone, providing padding while using the user&#39;s bodyweight to prevent the exercise device from moving across the floor. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a cover  100  for an exercise device  102  for exercising the upper and the lower abdominal muscles and the lower back of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a view of a backside of cover  100 .  FIG. 3  is a view of a front side of cover  100 . In the example embodiment, cover  100  includes a first portion  104  shaped or formed to conform to an upper surface  106  of exercise device  102 . Cover  100  also includes a second portion  108  shaped or formed to conform to a first edge  110  of exercise device  102  and to wrap around edge  110  to extend along a bottom surface  112  of exercise device  102 . Cover  100  also includes a third portion  114  shaped or formed to conform to a second edge  116  of exercise device  102  and to wrap around edge  116  to extend along bottom surface  112  of exercise device  102  toward second portion  108 . Portion  108  and first portion  104  form a first pocket  118  and/or other method of securing cover  100  to exercise device  102 . First pocket  118  is configured to receive first edge  110 . Portion  114  and first portion  104  form a second pocket  120  and/or other method of securing cover  100  to exercise device  102 . Second pocket  120  is configured to receive second edge  116 . Portions  104 ,  108 , and  116  may be formed a resilient material such as, but not limited to urethane, foamed urethane, polyethylene, or combinations thereof. All of portions  104 ,  108 , and  116  may be formed of the same resilient material or different materials and may be configured to stretch when applied to exercise device  102  to maintain cover  100  affixed to exercise device  102 . 
         [0018]    Cover  100  also includes a first extension flap  122  extending away from a joint  124  between portion  104  and portion  116 . In various embodiments, flap  122  is formed of the resilient material. In other embodiments, flap  122  is formed of two layers of the resilient material. In some embodiments, cover  100  may include a second extension flap  126  extending away from a joint  128  between portion  104  and portion  108 . In various embodiments, flap  126  is formed of the resilient material. In other embodiments, flap  126  is formed of two layers of the resilient material. In some embodiments, cover may contain various different flaps in different directions for securing exercise device during use. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a plain view of an example blank  400  of resilient material for forming cover  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ). In the example embodiment, blank  400  includes a first portion  404 , which corresponds to first potion  104  of cover  100 . In one embodiment, blank  400  includes a second portion  422 , which corresponds to flap  122  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ). Portion  422  may include a fold line  424  or portion  422  may simply be folded during fabrication in approximately the area shown by fold line  424 . Folding portion  422  along fold line  424  positions a portion  414 , which corresponds to portion  114  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ) proximate an edge  425  between portion  404  and portion  422 . Lateral edges  428  and  430  of portion  414  can be coupled to lateral edges  432  and  434  of portion  404  to form second pocket  120  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Similarly, in some embodiments, blank  400  may include a second flap portion  426  having a fold line  436 , and a portion  408  that can be folded under to form first pocket  118  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a method  500  of using a cover having an integral flap extension in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example embodiment, method  500  includes providing  502  an exercise device cover, inserting  504  a first edge of the exercise device within a first pocket of the cover, stretching  506  the cover along a surface of the exercise device. Method  500  also includes inserting  508  a second edge of the exercise device within a second pocket of the cover and allowing  510  the cover to rebound to apply a force along the surface that facilitates maintaining the cover affixed to the exercise device. 
         [0021]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.