Abstract:
An exercise apparatus and method for exercising at least a user&#39;s abdominal muscles is provided having a support frame, a platform pivotally connected to the support frame and having means for tilting the platform relative to the frame between a forward tilting position and a rearward tilting position. A bracket connects the platform to the support frame and includes a friction bearing mechanism for rotating the platform 360 degrees. A resistance element is secured between the support frame and platform.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/961,414, entitled “Pure Abs”, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 15, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to exercise devices and more particularly to an exercise apparatus having an ergonomic platform, swivel mechanism and selectively controlled tiling mechanism for stretching and strengthening a variety of different muscles. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Exercise equipment utilizing cushioned seats or benches are known to provide comfort and support while exercising abdominal muscles. These devices are commonly large, cumbersome, and unable to adjust in a variety of different positions easily. Those that do adjust, require users to get up and reposition the machine and themselves in order to exercise or strengthen different muscle groups. Furthermore, all products currently available lack the versatility to seamlessly isolate all areas of the abdominal and core muscle as well as areas of the back and legs. 
         [0006]    It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a versatile exercise apparatus that provide an ergonomic platform, swivel mechanism and tiling mechanism for seamlessly stretching and strengthening a variety of different muscles. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a platform with a connecting mechanism that allows the platform to rotate 360 degrees without the necessity of standing up and repositioning. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus having a tilting mechanism for providing users the ability to comfortably get into a variety of different exercise positions. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide resistance to the tilting mechanism that includes a spring that is quickly and easily connected between the platform and support frame for selectively providing tension and control to the tilting mechanism. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus that is compact and multi-functional and provides the convenience of swivel and tilting mechanisms as well as comfortably contoured support. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus suitable for supporting a variety of different body parts enabling the user to perform a variety of different exercises to stretch, strengthen, contract and utilize muscles of the body. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable, lightweight exercise apparatus that can be used anywhere by people of all ages. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an exercise apparatus for exercising at least a user&#39;s abdominal muscles is provided having a support frame and platform connected to the support frame. The platform includes means for tilting the platform relative to the frame between a forward tilting position and a rearward tilting position. The apparatus includes means for connecting the platform to the support frame, wherein the connecting means includes a swivel means for rotating the platform 360 degrees. The platform is able to simultaneously tilt and rotate relative to the support frame. 
         [0014]    The platform may be padded memory foam. The connecting means may be a bracket. The swivel means of the bracket may include a friction bearing mechanism having a plurality of ball bearings and a channel for retaining the ball bearings within the mechanism. 
         [0015]    The support frame may include a pair of tubular support members attached to a pair of cross members. The tubular support members may include non-skid gripping feet. 
         [0016]    The exercise apparatus may include a resistance element for providing resistance to the tilting means. The resistance element may be at least one spring removably connected to the platform and support frame. 
         [0017]    In accordance with an additional embodiment, an exercise apparatus for exercising at least a user&#39;s abdominal muscles is provided having a support frame and a padded platform having means for tilting the platform relative to the frame between a forward tilting position and a rearward tilting position. A bracket connects the platform to the support frame, and has means for swiveling the platform. The swivel means includes a friction bearing mechanism having a plurality of ball bearings and a channel for retaining the ball bearings within the mechanism. At least one resistance element is secured between the support frame and the padded platform for providing exercise resistance. 
         [0018]    The exercise apparatus may include a mounting plate coupled to the support frame. 
         [0019]    The exercise apparatus may include a fastening means having a vertical axis for connecting the bracket to the mounting plate and allowing the platform to rotate 365 degrees about the vertical axis. 
         [0020]    The bracket may include a pair of upwardly extending sides having horizontally aligned apertures. 
         [0021]    The titling means may include a channel member having a pair of parallel sides, a clearance space defined between the sides and horizontally aligned holes within the sides. 
         [0022]    The exercise apparatus may include a fastening means having a horizontal axis, wherein the holes of the channel member align with the apertures of the bracket and are secured together by the fastening means along the horizontal axis, for allowing the platform to tilt about the axis of the fastening means. 
         [0023]    The resistance elements may be springs. 
         [0024]    In accordance with an additional embodiment, a method of exercising by a user is provided that include the steps of providing an exercise apparatus comprising a support frame, a padded platform pivotally connected to the support frame and having means for tilting the platform relative to the frame between a forward tilting position and a rearward tilting position. Means for connecting the platform to the support frame includes swivel means for rotating the platform 360 degrees. The steps of the method further include positioning the support frame on a flat surface. Then, resting at least one body part on the padded platform. Followed by performing an exercise utilizing at least the abdominal and core muscles in tilting and twisting motions by tilting and swiveling the platform to strengthen, contract or stretch the muscles. 
         [0025]    The method of exercising may further comprise positioning at least one body part on the ground for stability and increased resistance. 
         [0026]    The method of exercising may further comprise increasing exercise resistance by securing a spring between the support frame and the padded platform. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to an exercise apparatus for strengthening the abdominal and core muscles as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an exercise apparatus of the present invention including a support frame pivotal connected to a padded platform; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bottom and front of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing tubular support members of the support frame and a resistance element; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bottom and rear of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing a portion of the tilting mechanism and the resisting element; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the padded platform showing a channel of the tilting mechanism; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the padded platform of the  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective bottom and front view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the padded platform, tilting mechanism, and connecting mechanism including a U-shaped swivel bracket; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a perspective top and front view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 7 , showing the U-shaped swivel bracket, ring and mounting plate of the connecting mechanism; 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the top and side of the U-shaped swivel bracket of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the bottom and side of the U-shaped swivel bracket of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 11A  is a front plan view of the support frame and connecting mechanism attached to the support frame of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 11B  is a rear plan view of the support frame and connecting mechanism of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11C  is a right side plan view of the support frame and connecting mechanism of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 11D  is a top plan view of the support frame and connecting mechanism of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  is front perspective view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the swivel motion of the platform relative to the support frame; 
           [0043]      FIG. 13  is right side perspective view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the tilting motion of the platform relative to the support frame; 
           [0044]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating one approach to using the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1  to exercise abdominal and core muscles; 
           [0045]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating another approach to using the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1  to exercise abdominal and core muscles; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view illustrating yet another approach to using the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1  to exercise abdominal and core muscles. 
       
    
    
       [0047]    To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]    The present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1-16  is directed to an exercise apparatus  10  for strengthening abdominal and core muscle groups of the body. In its broadest context, the exercise apparatus  10  includes a platform  12 , a support frame  40  and means  50  for connecting the platform  12  to the support frame  40 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the platform  12  has a padded top  14  and substantially flat bottom  16 . The padded top  14  is ergonomic, contoured and provides a comfortable cushion for lying, sitting or kneeling. The padded top  14  may be made of PVC foam, fabric, padded memory foam or other like decorative, durable, supportive, comfortable material. Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the platform includes a pair of opposed fastening plates  17  fixed to the bottom  16  with bolts  26  or other like fastening means. A tilting mechanism  18 , preferably a substantially elongated channel member, is fastened perpendicularly to the opposed fastening plates  17 . The channel  18  has parallel sides  20  and vertically aligned through holes  22  at each side  20 . The bottom  20  also includes a hook  24  extending outwardly from the channel  18 . Preferably, bolts  26  or other like fastening means secure the channel  18  and hook  24  to the bottom  16  of the platform. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a support frame  40  includes a pair of tubular support members  42 ,  44  rigidly attached to a pair of substantially parallel front and rear cross members  46 ,  48 . The support frame  40  may be made of metal, wood, plastic or other like durable and strong material. Preferably, the cross members  46 ,  48  are attached to the tubular support members  42 ,  44  by welding, or other like means. The front cross member  46  includes an outwardly extending hook  49 . The ends of each tubular support member  42 ,  44  include non-skid gripping feet  45 , preferably made of rubber. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-11D , the support frame  14  is securely attached to the padded platform by a connecting mechanism  50 . Preferably, the connecting mechanism  50  includes a U-shaped bracket  52  having swivel means  60 . Preferably, the swivel means  60  is a low friction bearing mechanism  60  rotating about a mounting plate  70 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-11D , the bracket  52  includes a substantially circular base  54  having an opening  56  and a pair of upwardly extending spaced apart sides  58 . The low friction bearing system  60  includes a substantially circular ring  62  integrally coupled to the base  54  of the bracket  52 . Preferably, the ring  62  is made of metal, nylon, plastic or other like materials. The ring  62  of the bearing system  60  includes a retaining channel  64 . A plurality of ball bearings  66  are disposed within the channel  64  and held between the mounting plate  70  and bracket  52 . It should be understood that the number, size, and spacing of the ball bearings  66  can be varied according to the particular design. 
         [0053]    The mounting plate  70  is attached to the front and rear cross members  46 ,  48  and bolted with bolts  26  or welded thereto. The plate  70  includes a centrally positioned plate hole  72  and a substantially circular groove  74 . 
         [0054]    The friction bear system  60  of the connecting mechanism  50  allows the platform  12  to swivel or rotate 360 degrees, illustrated in  FIG. 12  by arrow  86 , without the necessity of having to reposition the platform  12 . Preferably, the connecting mechanism  50  is one integrally coupled mechanism having a centrally positioned vertical axis  51  or swivel bolt. Preferably, the opening  56  of the bracket  52  and opening  63  of the ring  62  are aligned. The swivel bolt  51  couples the bracket  52  and ring  62  to the mounting plate  70 , such that the bracket  52  rotates about the axis of the bolt  51 . In alternate embodiments, the bracket  52 , bearing mechanism  60 , ring  62  and mounting plate  70  may be selectively welded together, bolted together, some portions welded together and others bolted together, or any another like fastening means or combination thereof. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  10  and  12 , the tilt control mechanism is illustrated. The U-shaped bracket  52  has horizontally aligned apertures  68 . The channel  18  of the platform  12  is secured to the bracket  52  of the support frame  40 . In particular, the holes  22  of the sides  20  of the channel  18  are aligned with the apertures  68  of the bracket  52 . A bolt  80 , having an end  82 , is inserted through the apertures  68  and holes  22 . A nut  84  is threaded onto the end  82  of the bolt  80 . As the nut  84  is drawn onto the bolt  80  the bracket  52  will move inward sandwiching the sides  20  of the channel  18 . This causes a rotation of the channel  18  about the axis of the bolt  80 , and rotates the platform  12  in relation to the support frame  40  in the direction of the arrow  88  shown in  FIG. 13 , from a first forward tilting position  90 , depicted in sold lines, to a second rearward tilting position  92 , depicted in dotted lines. 
         [0056]    At least one resistance element  100 , preferably a spring, is capable of controlling the tilting mechanism  18 . Specifically, the spring  100  is attached to the hook  24  of the platform  12  and at least one of the tubular support members, preferably the first member  42  of the frame  40  for providing exercise resistance. When the platform  12  is in the first forward tilting position  90 , the spring  100  is fully compressed. As the platform begins to tilt backwards toward the rearward tilting position  92 , the spring  100  begins to uncoil and create resistance. A tension adjustment spool, not shown, may be coupled to the resistance element  100  to selectively control the resistance. The spring  100  is interchangeable with other springs, in order to provide a variety of different degrees of tension. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 14-16  illustrate three examples of the present invention  10  in use. A variety of additional uses are possible and considered to form a part of the present invention. The user may exercise, strengthen, stretch, contract, engage, tilt, twist the muscles as desired. As shown, the user may sit, rest their back, or kneel on the padded platform to target particular muscle groups for exercise. The user may also rest their oblique muscles, knees, elbows, forearms, stomach, buttocks, or back on the platform.  FIG. 14  illustrates the user sitting on the platform  14 , tilting the platform substantially forward to the first position  90  and exercising abdominal or other like muscles.  FIG. 15  illustrates the user lying with their back on the platform and tilting the platform substantially backward to a second position  92 , preferably resting their head on a ground surface in order to achieve maximum isolation of the abdominal and core muscles sought to be exercised.  FIG. 16  illustrates the user kneeing on the platform and holding the platform in a substantially neutral position between the first and second tilting positions  90 ,  92  respectively. Here, the user may rotate their knees and hips or upper body in order to swivel the platform and exercise a variety of abdominal, leg, back, buttocks, and core muscles. When completing each exercise, the user may selectively swivel, tilt or swivel and tilt the platform  12  into numerous position. 
         [0058]    It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to an exercise apparatus for strengthening the abdominal and core muscles. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. 
         [0059]    It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention. 
         [0060]    While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations, which fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.