Patent Publication Number: US-8118718-B2

Title: Abdominal exercise training device

Description:
FIELD 
     The following description relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly to an abdominal exercise training device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fitness experts and athletes are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of a strong “core” to overall fitness and athletic ability. Among the most important core muscles are muscles in the stomach, chest and back, in particular the abdominal muscles. Abdominal and other core muscles can be exercised without the use of any exercise equipment, for example by doing abdominal crunches or sit-ups. However, performing these exercises poses risk of injury, especially to the lower back, if the person does not use proper technique and/or is not in good physical shape. It is therefore desirable to provide a piece of fitness equipment that allows people to exercise their core muscles safely using consistent form. 
     Many such devices are well known. For example, there are many devices used for performing abdominal crunches and sit-ups. Furthermore, devices for exercising core muscles using motions not possible without special equipment are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,217 to Barnett discloses a prone torso exerciser. However, these known devices lack functionality and features that would improve the user&#39;s exercise experience. For example, known devices generally only target one group of muscles or only allow the user to move through one or two rigidly defined ranges of motion. Additionally, known devices do not generally provide any feedback or instructions to the user. The combination of repetitive exercises and lack of device interactivity (e.g., capability of the device to instruct the user on routines to perform and respond to user input and/or movements) can quickly lead to monotonous exercise routines that users quickly abandon out of boredom. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an interactive exercise device that allows users to safely perform exercises using proper form without being constrained by the device to a narrow range of motion. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following simplified summary of devices that satisfy this need is provided in order to give a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an abdominal training device includes a stationary base with a user support surface and a hub connected to a track with a friction mitigation unit and a distal end with a track anchor. A console is slidably mounted on the track and includes a hand support member and a console anchor. A bearing is fixedly mounted to the proximal end of the track and supports an elastic resistance element with one end attached to the track anchor and the other end attached to the console anchor. A beam rigidly connects the track to the hub of the stationary base so that the track is at least partially rotatable about the hub of the stationary base. The device may also include an electronic training program that directs a user to rotate the track to specified positions. The device may be part of an abdominal training kit that also includes a rotation measurement device comprising a plurality of evenly spaced indicators disposed around the hub of the abdominal training device, the plurality of evenly spaced indicators defining an arc. 
     In some embodiments, the bearing mounted to the proximal end of the track is a pulley that rollably supports one or more elastic resistance elements, each of which has a first end anchored to the distal end of the track and a second end anchored to the console. In some embodiments the hand support member of the console is a pair of handlebars, and the friction mitigation unit of the track is a wheel. The track may have a range of rotation about the hub of the stationary base of at least 90 degrees. Furthermore, the abdominal training device may include a track position sensor that detects a current displacement of the track relative to a starting position. An alert system may indicate the current displacement of the track to a user, for example using lights that illuminate or extinguish, or a sound generator that emits sound, when the current displacement of the track exceeds a threshold displacement. The abdominal training device may also have a console position sensor that detects a current position of the console relative to the track. 
     In some embodiments, the console of the abdominal training device includes an embedded electronic training program that uses data received from a track position sensor to direct a user to rotate the track from a current position to a new position. The new position of the track may be indicated to the user by illumination of a light corresponding to the new position to which the user is required to rotate the track. Once the user successfully rotates the track to the new position, the light corresponding to the new position is extinguished, or the user is otherwise notified, for example by sound emissions from a sound generator. 
     In another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an abdominal training kit includes an abdominal training device and a rotation measurement device. The abdominal training device includes a stationary base with a user support surface and a hub. A track with a friction mitigation unit is rotatably connected to the hub of the stationary base. A console with a hand support member is slidably mounted on the track. A beam rigidly connects the track to the hub of the stationary base, the beam having a first end attached to the proximal end of the track and a second end attached to the hub of the stationary base so that the track is at least partially rotatable about the hub of the stationary base. The rotation measurement device includes a plurality of evenly spaced indicators disposed around the hub of the abdominal training device so as to define an arc about the hub. The arc defined by the plurality of evenly spaced indicators may be at least 45 degrees. The rotation measurement device may be an arcuate mat having a plurality of evenly spaced indicia. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of evenly spaced indicators may be a plurality of evenly spaced cones. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the claimed subject matter may be employed and the claimed subject matter is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an abdominal training device. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partial bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial bottom view of the distal end of the track portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partial top view of the distal end of the track portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating angular displacement of the track relative to a starting position. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an abdominal training device. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart detailing operation of a training program optionally included in some embodiments of an abdominal training device. 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of an alternative console for use with the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an abdominal training kit including an abdominal training device and a rotation measurement device. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an abdominal training kit including an abdominal training device and a rotation measurement device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an abdominal training device includes a track that can be rotated around a hub of a stationary base. A console is slidably mounted on the track and includes a hand support member. A bearing mounted to the track supports an elastic resistance element with one end anchored to the track and the other end anchored to the console. Movement of the console along the track is resisted in one direction by the elastic resistance element. The device may also include an electronic training program that directs a user to rotate the track to specified positions. The device may be part of an abdominal training kit that also includes a rotation measurement system. 
     In another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an abdominal training kit includes an abdominal training device and a rotation measurement device. The abdominal training device includes a stationary base with a user support surface and a hub. A track with a friction mitigation unit is rotatably connected to the hub of the stationary base. A console with a hand support member is slidably mounted on the track. A beam rigidly connects the track to the hub of the stationary base, the beam having a first end attached to the proximal end of the track and a second end attached to the hub of the stationary base so that the track is at least partially rotatable about the hub of the stationary base. The rotation measurement device includes a plurality of evenly spaced indicators disposed around the hub of the abdominal training device so as to define an arc about the hub. The arc defined by the plurality of evenly spaced indicators may be at least 45 degrees. The rotation measurement device may be an arcuate mat having a plurality of evenly spaced indicia. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of evenly spaced indicators may be a plurality of evenly spaced cones. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of abdominal training device  10  includes track  1 , console  3  and stationary base  7 . Console  3  is slidably mounted on track  1  and includes hand support members  5  and user interface  31 . User interface  31  may be on a removable panel that docks with console  3  so that user interface  31  is an optional feature. Track  1  includes proximal end  2  and distal end  4 . Beam  9  rigidly connects proximal end  2  of track  1  to stationary base  7 . The connection between beam  9  and stationary base  7  is a rotating connection (explained in further detail below) that allows track  1  to rotate in a horizontal plane at least partially around stationary base  7 . Locking mechanism  23  may be engaged to prevent rotation of track  1 . Stationary base  7  includes one or more user support surfaces  21  which may be formed as kneepads. 
     The underside of proximal end  2  of track  1 , console  3 , beam  9  and stationary base  7  is shown in  FIG. 3 . Pulley  42  is mounted in proximal end  2  of track  1  and serves as a support or roller bearing for one or more elastic resistance elements  44  which wrap around pulley  42 . Pulley  42  includes grooves  42   a ,  42   b  and  42   c  which prevent elastic resistance elements  44  from sliding laterally along pulley  42 . Elastic resistance elements  44  each have one end affixed to an anchor point on a console anchor such as anchor plate  47  on undercarriage  46  of console  3 . The opposite ends of elastic resistance elements  44  are fixedly anchored to distal end  4  of track  1 , in a manner described below. Undercarriage  46  of console  3  is fixedly attached to console  3  in order to facilitate the sliding of console  3  along track  1 . As used herein, the term “sliding” shall encompass “rolling” so that console  3  may “slide” along track  1  even if console  3  travels along track  1  on wheels or rollers. For example, undercarriage  46  includes friction mitigation units such as rollers  48 , though the friction mitigation units could also be low-friction pads or the like. Undercarriage  46  of console  3  slides along flange  18  of track  1 . 
     Track  1  is rigidly connected to hub  25  of stationary base  7  by beam  9 . It is to be understood that the term “rigidly connected” means that track  1  is constrained from displacing laterally relative to hub  25  of stationary base  2  even though track  1  and beam  9  are free to rotate about hub  25 , which defines the center of any arcs defined by rotation of track  1 . Hub  25  includes a bearing to facilitate rotation of hub  25  and track  1 . Thus, a user supported by support surface  21  of stationary base  7  and hand support members  5  of console  3  can rotate track  1  about hub  25  by applying lateral forces to track  1  through console  3 . 
     The underside of distal end  4  of track  1  is shown in  FIG. 4 . As mentioned above, the opposite ends of elastic resistance elements  44  are anchored to distal end  4  of track  1  at an anchor point on a track anchor such as anchor plate  67 . Thus, elastic resistance elements  44  are affixed at opposite ends to anchor plate  47  of console  3  and to anchor plate  67  of track  1 , with an interior portion of elastic resistance elements  44  rollably supported by pulley  42 . It can thus be seen that movement of console  3  away from proximal end  2  of track  1  and toward distal end  4  causes elastic resistance elements  44  to stretch in length. The force required to stretch elastic resistance elements  44  is provided by the user of abdominal training device  1  by resting upon support surface  21  and hand support members  5  and using the core muscles to push console  3  toward distal end  4  of track  1 . Distal end  4  of track  1  also includes a friction mitigation unit such as wheel  62 . The friction mitigation unit is provided to facilitate rotation of track  1  about hub  25  and may also be a roller ball or low-friction pad. 
     The topside of distal end  4  of track  1  is shown in  FIG. 5  and includes notification panel  52 . A plurality of indicators such as lights  53  are provided on panel  52  so as to be visible to a user supported by support surface  21  and hand support members  5 . Similarly, indicators such as lights  33  may be provided on console  3 . Finally, as shown in  FIG. 7 , abdominal training device  10  may also include a plurality of indicators such as lights  73  along the upper surface of track  1 . The purpose of lights  53  on panel  52 , lights  33  on console  3 , and lights  73  on track  1  will be explained below. Notification panel  52  may be removable from track  1 . For example, some versions abdominal training device  10  may initially lack notification panel  52  but a user has the ability to install notification panel  52  as desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , track  1  is free to rotate about hub  25  of stationary base  7  when locking mechanism  23  is disengaged. A user of abdominal training device  10  places his knees on support surface  21  of stationary base  7  and his hands on hand support members  5  of console  3 . To begin the exercise, the user pushes console  3  forward using core muscles. As console  3  is supported on track  1  by wheels, rollers, or low friction pads, the force applied by the user causes console  3  to slide toward distal end  4  of track  1 . This movement of console  3  toward distal end  4  of track  1  causes elastic resistance elements  44  to lengthen. Thus, the user must provide sufficient force to fully stretch elastic resistance elements  44  in order to move console  3  the entire length of the track. The user then pulls back on console  3  and moves back to the starting position with console  3  near proximal end  2  of track  1 . 
     In addition to the motion of console  3  along track  1  described above, the user may also move track  1  from side to side by rotating it about hub  25  of stationary base  7 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The user can rotate track  1  either before or during the motion of console  3  along track  1 . The total available range of motion of track  1  is not critical and can be as high as 360 degrees. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the range of motion of track  1  is approximately 90 degrees (45 degrees both clockwise and counterclockwise from the starting position). Further, the user is free to rotate track  1  less than the total available range of motion (for example, only 15 degrees) in order to add even more variety to the motion of the exercise. 
     Abdominal training device  10  may also included embedded software, such as training program  100  shown in  FIG. 8 , stored in non-transitory and tangible computer readable media connected to a processor in console  3 . After training program  100  is started by the user, it prompts the user to select a workout ( 110 ). This prompt may appear on a display such as display  32  on user interface  31  of console  3 . The user then selects a workout ( 120 ) using buttons  37  on user interface  31 . The program then starts ( 125 ) and activates an indicator ( 130 ) directing the user to move console  3  and/or track  1  to an indicated position. In this embodiment, the indicators activated by training program  100  are lights or LED&#39;s such as lights  33  on console  3 , lights  53  on distal end  4  of track  1  and/or lights  73  along the length of track  1 . For example, illumination of light  53   a  or  33   a  signifies that the user must rotate track  1  counterclockwise approximately 45 degrees. Similarly, illumination of lights  73  along track  1  indicates to the user how far to move console  3  (to add variety to the exercise routines, the user is not necessarily required to move console  3  all the way to distal end  4  of track  1 ). 
     Once the user is notified of the position to which track  1  and/or console  3  must be moved, the user begins performing the required repetition. Abdominal training device  10  then detects when the track  1  and/or console  3  has been moved to the required position ( 140 ). This detection may be accomplished by any conventional method, such as embedding magnetic sensors along track  1  that are triggered when console  3  passes by, or embedding magnetic sensors in slit  29  of stationary base  7  that are triggered when beam  9  rotates past. Alternatively, detection of the angle of track  1  relative to the starting position may accomplished by connecting beam  9  to a rheostat inside stationary base  7  so that the electrical resistance in a circuit varies as beam  9  rotates. By measuring the change in resistance, the position of track  1  can be determined. 
     When training program  100  detects that the user has performed the required movement, it counts one repetition ( 150 ) and displays the total number of repetitions performed on display  32 . Abdominal training device  10  then confirms to the user that the repetition was successfully performed ( 160 ) by deactivating the indicator (for example, light  53   a  or light  33   a ) or by emitting a sound such as a beep from sound generator  34  on user interface  31  of console  3 . Training program  100  then determines if the workout is over ( 170 ). If the repetition count exceeds a predetermined value (i.e., the most recent repetition was the last repetition of the workout selected by the user), the program ends ( 180 ). If more repetitions remain, training program  100  returns to step ( 130 ) and activates a new indicator requiring the user to move track  1  and/or console  3  to a new position. 
     Although in this embodiment of abdominal training device  10  the position of track  1  and/or console  3  is detected using sensors, it is to be understood that in other embodiments no sensors are required. For example, once an indicator is activated directing the user to move track  1  and/or console  3  to a specific position, training program  100  may simply give the user a fixed amount of time such as 5 seconds to perform the repetition before activating the next indicator. 
     In another alternative embodiment of abdominal training device  10 , the user interface may be a handheld computer such as a smartphone or digital music player. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , console  130  includes computer dock  132 . Computer dock  132  may include one or more universal serial bus (USB) ports or one or more ports designed for specific popular handheld devices. In this embodiment, the handheld computer in dock  132  is smartphone  137 . Training program  100  is stored in non-transitory and tangible computer readable media on smartphone  137 . Thus, smartphone  137  can be used to control and customize the workouts that abdominal training device  10  directs the user to perform. 
     By incorporating a handheld computer such as smartphone  137  into abdominal training device  10 , it is possible to provide richer user interactivity. Smartphone  137  may simply be used to run training program  100  and activate/deactivate lights  133   a - 133   e ,  53   a - 53   e  and  73 , but the relatively powerful processors in modern smartphones allows for much more complicated software. For example, a video game that responds to user movements of abdominal training device  10  may be stored on smartphone  137 . Furthermore, smartphone  137  may include an accelerometer that measures movement of console  133  and track  1 . Smartphone  137  may use data from the accelerometer, instead of sensors built into abdominal training device  10 , to determine whether the user has performed movements as required by training program  100 . Finally, smartphone  137  may communicate with another computer or video game console wirelessly. If so, a computer monitor or television screen can be used to display a video game that responds to movements of abdominal training device  10 . As desktop computers and video game consoles can have much more powerful processors than are found in handheld computers, the interactive user experience may be even richer. 
     An abdominal training kit  200  including abdominal training device  10  and rotation measurement device  210  is shown in  FIG. 10 . Rotation measurement device  210  is used as an alternative to, or in addition to, training program  100  and indicator lights  33  and  53 . In this embodiment, rotation measurement device  210  includes a plurality of cones  92  and arcuate mat  94  which is provided with indicia corresponding to the rotation of track  1  relative to the starting position (shown as 0 on arcuate mat  94 ). The user can then use rotation measurement device  210  to help perform repetitions on abdominal training device  10  in various desired directions. 
       FIG. 11  shows alternative abdominal training kit  200  with an alternative rotation measurement device  310 . In this embodiment, rotation measurement device  310  includes a plurality of indicators  312  on an arcuate strand  314 . Indicators  312  may be lights that illuminate and extinguish according to a predetermined pattern. The user can then rotate track  1  to align with each illuminated indicator  312  in order to perform a workout routine. 
     The materials used to construct abdominal training device  10  and abdominal training kit  200  are not critical. Most portions of track  1 , console  3  and stationary base  7  may be made from a wide variety of plastics such as polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, etc. Some portions of track  1 , console  3  and stationary base  7  may be made from metals for increased durability and strength. For example, undercarriage  46  of console  3  may be partially made from metal to withstand the weight of the user. Similarly, beam  9  may be made of metal to withstand stresses caused by the user performing exercises. 
     What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.