Abstract:
An exercise device for use with a support surface includes a first elongated member defining an elongated bore extending, a second elongated member defining an elongated bore extending, the first elongated member being removably secured to the second elongated member, and an attachment assembly configured to removable secure the first and second elongated members adjacent to the support surface. A user positions a portion of the user&#39;s body between the first and second elongated members and the support surface, thereby securing the portion of the user&#39;s body in a substantially stationary position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for use in performing abdominal exercises. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In recent years, the population has become more fitness-conscious as evidenced by the increasing popularity of health, fitness and wellness products that are available to the general public. As well, the proliferation of health clubs, yoga studios, dance studios, diets, etc., and programs such as “boot camp,” spin class, cross-fit, P90X, etc., are further evidence of the population&#39;s desire to attain fitness through exercise. However, access to many of these existing programs and clubs often requires membership, which can be prohibitively costly. As well, those products which are intended to be used in one&#39;s residence may also be prohibitively expensive, require a large amount of space, be complicated, time consuming and sometimes painful to use. As such, it is not uncommon for the desired results not to be achieved. 
         [0003]    The present invention recognizes and addresses considerations of prior art constructions and methods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an exercise device for use with a support surface, the device including a first elongated member having a first end, a second end and an elongated bore extending therebetween, a second elongated member having a first end, a second end and an elongated bore extending therebetween, wherein the first end of the second elongated member being removably secured to the second end of the first elongated member. An attachment assembly is configured to removably secure the first and second elongated members adjacent to the support surface. A user positions a portion of the user&#39;s body between the first and second elongated members and the support surface, thereby securing the portion of the user&#39;s body in a substantially stationary position. 
         [0005]    Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an exercise device for use with a support surface, the device including a first elongated member having a first end, a second end and an elongated bore extending therebetween, a strap extending through the elongated bore of the first elongated member, and a buckle having a first portion secured to a first end of the strap and a second portion secured to a second end of the strap. The strap and buckle are configured to removably secure the first elongated member adjacent to the support surface, and a user positions a portion of the user&#39;s body between the first elongated member and the support surface, thereby securing the portion of the user&#39;s body in a substantially stationary position. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides an exercise device for use with a support surface, the device including a first elongated member having a first end, a second end and an elongated bore extending therebetween, a second elongated member having a first end, a second end and an elongated bore extending therebetween, the first end of the second elongated member being removably secured to the second end of the first elongated member, an elongated flexible member having a first end and a second end, the elongated flexible member being configured to removably secure the first and second elongated members to the support surface, and means for connecting the first end of the elongated flexible member to the second end of the elongated flexible member. The elongated flexible member extends through the elongated bores of the first and second elongated members, and a user positions a portion of the user&#39;s body between the first and second elongated members and the support surface, thereby securing the portion of the user&#39;s body in a substantially stationary position. 
         [0007]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an unassembled abdominal exercise device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are partial, cross-sectional views of the abdominal exercise device, as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the abdominal exercise device, as shown in  FIG. 1 , in a fully assembled state; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the abdominal exercise device, as shown in  FIG. 1 , in a collapsed state to allow for storage; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the abdominal exercise device, as shown in  FIG. 1 , secured to a support surface; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a user performing abdominal exercises with the abdominal exercise device, as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are partial, cross-sectional views of an alternate embodiment of an abdominal exercise device in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are partial, cross-sectional views of an alternate embodiment of an abdominal exercise device in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are partial, cross-sectional views of an alternate embodiment of an abdominal exercise device in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation, not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0020]    Referring now to the figures, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of an abdominal exercise device  10  in accordance with the present disclosure includes at least a first elongated member  20   a,  a padded member  40  disposed thereabout, and an attachment assembly  50  for releasably securing exercise device  10  to a support surface, preferably padded, such as a mattress  12  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Additionally, as discussed in greater detail below, exercise device  10  may include additional elongated members  20   b,    20   c  and  20   d,  dependent upon the width of the support surface to which exercise device  10  is secured. 
         [0021]    Referring additionally to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , and as noted above, various configurations of exercise device  10  may include multiple elongated members. As shown, first elongated member  20   a  includes a first end  22 , a second end  24 , and an inner surface  28  that defines an elongated bore  26 . Padded member  40  also includes an elongated bore  42  that is defined by an inner surface that is received adjacent an outer surface  30  of first elongated member  20   a.  Preferably, first elongated member  20   a  is a cylindrical metal tube measuring 19 inches in length and having a 1 inch outer diameter. The 19 inch length for the elongated members is preferable in that when exercise device  10  is secured to a standard sized mattress  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , two elongated members can be used to span a twin, three sections to span a full or queen, and four sections to span a king. Note, although the elongated members are preferably cylindrical, they may also be formed from tubes of varying cross-sectional shapes (oval, rectangular, polygonal, etc.) and materials other than steel (fiber reinforced plastic, fiberglass, etc.) that exhibit sufficient rigidity for the intended purpose. 
         [0022]    As shown, padded member  40  is preferably cylindrical, formed of a polymer foam material, has an outer diameter of 3½ inches, and an overall length of 19 inches that corresponds to the length of first elongated member  20   a.  Elongated bore  42  of padded member  40  is correspondingly shaped to the cross-sectional shape of first elongated member  20   a.  Additionally, the external cross-sectional shape of padded member  40  may be varied (oval, rectangular, polygonal, etc.) 
         [0023]    In the configuration of exercise device  10  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , at least a second elongated member  20   b  is utilized. Second elongated member  20   b  differs only from first elongated member  20   a  in that a connector stub  34  is received in its elongated bore  26  at its first end  22 . Connector stub  34  is sized and configured such that a first portion  36  of connector stub  34  is received in elongated bore  26  of second elongated member  20   b  in a press-fit. Preferably, the press-fit of first portion  36  in elongated bore  26  is sufficient to prevent removal of connector stub  34  from second elongated member  20   b.  However, dependent upon the materials used to construct connector stub  34  and the corresponding elongated member, first portion  36  of connector stub  34  may be further secured in the elongated bore  26  by welding, gluing, crimping, staking, etc. A second portion  38  of connector stub  34  is removably received in elongated bore  26  of first elongated member  20   a  at its second end  24  in an interference fit. As such, first elongated member  20   a  and second elongated member  20   b  are selectively connectable by the user in the interference fit, thereby preventing their separation until an adequate amount of force in opposing axial directions is applied by the user. 
         [0024]    Referring additionally to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , attachment assembly  50  includes a strap  52  with a first end  54  and a second end  56 , and a buckle  58  with a first male portion  60  secured to first end  54  of strap  52  and a second female portion  62  attached to second end  56  of strap  52 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , male end  60  of buckle  58  is selectively removable from strap  52 . This is desirable in order to facilitate threading strap  52  through elongated bores  26  of the various elongated members  20   a,    20   b,    20   c  and  20   d,  that may be used in a specific configuration of abdominal exercise device  10 . After first end  54  of strap  52  has been threaded through the elongated bores of the elongated members, male end  60  is secured to strap  52  and the desired length of strap  52  may be adjusted by sliding one, or both, of first and second portions  60  and  62  along the length of strap  52 . 
         [0025]    Preferably, strap  52  is comprised of nylon and is 18 feet in length and 1½ inches in width, whereas buckle  58  is constructed of plastic. Alternate materials may be used for both the strap and the buckle. The length of strap  52  allows exercise device  10  to be used on mattresses  12  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) that range in size from a single up to a king. As shown, strap  52  is preferably passed under the box spring on which mattress  12  is supported to provide additional stability. As well, the length of strap  52  allows the user to position the strap around the bed frame on which mattress  12  and box spring are positioned if desired. Strap  52  can be threaded through the corresponding elongated bores  26  either prior to ( FIG. 4 ) or after ( FIG. 3 ) the various elongated members  20   a,    20   b,    20   c  and  20   d  are secured to each other. Note, attachment assembly  50  can also be used to attach the exercise device support surfaces other than bedding, for example, but not limited to, couches, lounge chairs, etc. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , in an alternate embodiment of abdominal exercise device  10   b,  connector stub  34  as used with the first embodiment is replaced with a first portion  23 , or mounting stub, of second elongated member  20   b  that is received in a second portion  25 , or mounting bore, of first elongated member  20   a . More specifically, exercise device  10   b  differs from exercise device  10   a  in that first portion  23  of second elongated member  20   b  is formed integrally therewith rather than using a separate connector stub to connect the elongated members. 
         [0027]    In yet another alternate embodiment of abdominal exercise device  10   c,  the various elongated members used may be assembled with a threaded connection. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , second elongated member  20   b  includes an externally threaded first portion  23 , or mounting stub, that is selectively connectable to an internally threaded second portion  25 , or mounting bore, of first elongated member  20   a.  Alternately, as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , adjacent elongated members  20   a  and  20   b  can each include an externally threaded first portion  23  that is selectively engagable with an internally threaded mounting bore  72  of a threaded nut  70 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , exercise device  10  is shown secured to mattress  12 . More specifically, exercise device  10  is secured to a king size mattress  12  and, as such, four elongated members  20   a,    20   b,    20   c  and  20   d  have been coupled together such that the device spans the entire width of the mattress. Note, however, fewer than four elongated members can be used if desired. To perform exercises, a user positions a portion of his body between the elongated members  20   a - 20   d  and the mattress in order to anchor that portion of his body to the mattress. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the user has positioned both feet under the elongated members in order to perform abdominal exercises. Note, however, the user may also position his head adjacent exercise device  10  and grasp elongated members  20   a - 20   d  with his hands. In this manner, exercises such as leg lifts may be performed. 
         [0029]    When not in use, buckle  58  can be used to disconnect the first and second ends of strap  52  such that elongated members  20   a - 2   d  can be positioned off to the side of mattress  12  to allow for its unencumbered use. Alternately, the entire exercise device can be removed simply by removing strap  52  from between mattress  12  and its box spring. As shown in  FIG. 4 , elongated members  20   a - 20   d  can be readily separated from each other while maintaining strap  52  positioned therethrough. This partial disassembly facilitates repositioning exercise device  10  on the mattress when desired, yet allows the device to be folded for easy storage, carrying in luggage, etc. 
         [0030]    While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For example, the cross-sectional shapes of the elongated members may be of any shape found to be suitable for the intended purpose. Additionally, the components of the exercise device may be constructed of any material found to be suitable for the intended purpose. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.