Patent Publication Number: US-11383124-B2

Title: Fitness device with curved sliding or rolling surface covering forearms

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/922,787, filed on Aug. 27, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present arrangement is directed to fitness equipment. More particularly, the present arrangement is directed to fitness equipment to assist with bodyweight exercises for strengthening the muscles throughout the human body. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     In the field of fitness equipment there are numerous types of devices to assist a user with exercise. Many of the standard fitness devices are large weight transfer machines, as typically found at the gym. Other devices are more basic such as simple weights. 
     Aside from these typical fitness devices, there is a subclass of devices that are designed to assist a user in a bodyweight exercise. A bodyweight exercise is an exercise that simply utilizes the weight of the body to provide the resistance to the exercise. An example of a bodyweight exercise is a push-up or pull-up. 
     In the prior art, there is a field of fitness devices that are designed to be used to assist or modify a bodyweight exercise to provide comfort, ease of movement, additional movements, etc., when performing bodyweight exercises. For example, when doing a push-up the normal method is to use the flattened hand. However, an alternative method is to use a closed first which has a slightly different effect on the muscle groups being challenged relative to the basic method, for example, to simultaneously add forearm stress. There are prior art floor pads with grips that allow a user to use the closed first during a push-up without pressing their knuckles into the ground. 
     Along these lines, there are numerous types of fitness devices to assist a user in bodyweight exercises of varying degrees of complexity and design. However, despite these existing devices, there is no fitness device that offers protection to a user&#39;s arms and knuckles when performing transitions between a first bodyweight exercise (that might stress the knuckles) into at least a second bodyweight exercise (that might stress the forearms), and vice versa without changing grips. Further, there is no existing fitness device that allows a user to perform sliding forearm low plank exercises on a curved surface, whether using one arm or two. A curved surface would enable the user to challenge balance according to different degrees of difficulty. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, the present arrangement provides a pair of forearm supports with an encased grip that has a curved outer surface that enable one to transfer from a plank position on their forearms up into a plank position on their knuckles protecting the knuckles and forearms from direct contact with the floor. The ability conveyed to a user by this fitness device, unique to the present arrangement, is to push up with handles from the plank forearms used in the low plank exercise to rolling up onto the knuckles of the curved push-up handle allowing a high plank exercise opportunity for the user. 
     Such a device provides a frame for one or more arms that consists of both forearm supports and a curved handle which can be used for push-ups that enable this shifting from one plank exercise position to another, all using the same piece of fitness equipment. 
     In one embodiment, the present handles have a curved surface on each of the two fitness devices (one for each arm or one for each hand, depending on the exercise the user chooses) that challenge the user&#39;s ability to enhance the difficulty of attaining desirable balance. Additionally, the curved surface helps recruit more muscles that are used to stabilize the plank position, providing additional exercising opportunities during use. 
     In one arrangement, the present devices can be used for numerous exercises. The potential list of exercise varieties made available when using the present fitness device is too long to itemize herein. In one example, side plank exercises would be available with this device such that when the user wants, the user turns to a side position (facing a wall or surface by turning onto one&#39;s side) and engages in a plank exercise position wherein there are only two points of contact with the supporting surface: 
     1) the sides of the user&#39;s shoes which take on a weight bearing function; and 
     2) one of the user&#39;s forearms which rests upon the supporting surface in such a way as to provide weight bearing support for the user. Furthermore, the list of exercises and variations thereof that can be performed with the present devices could be equally applied to push-ups, in several possible permutations. 
     In one embodiment, the present device is made of a material that has the capacity to slide smoothly and easily on a supporting surface on a curved bottom, either indoors or outdoors, such as an injection molded polymer or the like. The present fitness device provides the ability to safely and effectively train the muscles of the core, and other muscles of the body, through various exercises, some of them unique to this piece of equipment, including unique variations on the plank exercise. 
     To this end, an exercise device is provided for use in connection with at least one bodyweight exercise. The device has a grip handle and a forearm support at substantially a perpendicular arrangement with the grip handle, allowing a user to grasp the grip handle and simultaneously place a forearm into the device. It should be noted that the grip handle&#39;s attachment to the forearm support could vary in different embodiments from the substantially perpendicular arrangement. It could be placed in a horizontal fashion (180 degrees) or at varying angles providing a sloping arrangement, either titling forwards away from the user or sloping backwards closer to the user. The grip handle could also be sloped toward the middle or away from the middle. In one embodiment, the grip handle could rotate from the vertical position of the hands to the horizontal position of the hands. A curved finger shield region covers the grip handle and a curved forearm region covers the forearm support. 
     The curved finger shield region and the curved forearm region form a contiguous curved surface with a substantially perpendicular transition between the two, such that a user grasping the grip handle and simultaneously resting their forearm on the forearm region, can support at least a portion of their body weight on either one of the curved finger shield regions or the curved forearm region. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a fitness device in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the fitness device of  FIG. 1 , in use, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the fitness device of  FIG. 1 , in use, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the fitness device of  FIG. 1 , in use, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIGS. 5-6  illustrate a fitness device, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIGS. 7-9  illustrate particular views of the fitness device of  FIGS. 5-6 , in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIGS. 10-18  illustrate a fitness device, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIGS. 19-20  illustrate a fitness device, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIGS. 21-24  illustrate a fitness device, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIGS. 25-28  illustrate a fitness device, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a fitness device, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a fitness device, in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIGS. 31A-31I  illustrate a fitness device, in accordance with another embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 32A-32B  illustrate a fitness device, in accordance with another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In one embodiment of the present invention a fitness device  10  is provided as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . Device  10  can be made of any number of possible materials, for example, wood, metal, polymer and/or a combination of different materials. In one arrangement, device  10  is made of a molded polymer that slides on the exercise surface (floor) and not otherwise causes excessive friction/scratching. In  FIGS. 1-4 , device  10  is shown alone and in use ( FIGS. 2-4  to illustrate one salient exercise transition that can be performed using the present structure). However, the invention is not limited in this respect. Such device  10  can be used for additional exercises (not illustrated) and may be made with some varying shapes and features without deviating from the inventive concepts, for example, as shown in alternative embodiments in  FIGS. 5-6  and  FIGS. 10-17 . 
     In one embodiment, device  10  is shown as a device for use with a user&#39;s hand and forearm; however, it is contemplated that device  10  will be paired with another device  10 , one for each arm (forearm) and hand (protected knuckles in, e.g., the high plank position) of the user. Device  10  has a grip handle  12 , a curved finger shield region  14 , a curved forearm region  16  extending continuous with curved finger region  14 , a forearm support  20  and forearm pad  22 . Grip handle  12  is generally disposed substantially perpendicular to forearm support  20  although the angle between grip handle  12  and forearm support may be adjusted (or adjustable) to alter the grip comfort or to change the level of difficulty for the exercises. 
     For example, grip handle  12  is shown for exemplary purposes to be substantially perpendicular to curved forearm region  16 , but it is contemplated that in different embodiments, grip handle  12  could also be attached horizontally (180 degrees) or at varying titling angles, titling forwards or sloping backwards with respect to the user, as well as offset angles (+/− degrees from a 90 degree right angle). The grip handle could also be sloped toward the middle or away from the middle. In one embodiment, the grip handle could rotate from the vertical position of the hands to the horizontal position of the hands. 
     It is also noted that in the present  FIG. 1 , curved forearm region  16  is shown as separate from the internal straight forearm support  20  but in later embodiments, such pieces can be combined into a single molded element that has one curved outer surface and one flat inner surface as shown for example in  FIG. 5 . For the purposes of illustration of the function of elements  16  and  20 , the embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows these elements as separate elements. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates device  10  in a ready-to-use position for sliding on a supporting surface. It is noted that  FIG. 1  is not drawn to any specified scale, but is simply meant to convey the functional shape of device  10 . In one embodiment, device  10  may have an attachment element, e.g., a hook and loop strap, that will hold their forearm to forearm support  20  so that they remain securely anchored to the device forming a fusion between the user&#39;s forearm and the device  10  (not shown). However, it is noted that such a strap is not integral to device  10  and not required for use. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a user is in the beginning stages before performing an exemplary plank exercise using device  10 . As shown, the user holds grip handle  12  and places their forearm on forearm support  20 . Curved forearm region  16  rests on the floor. In some embodiments the user&#39;s two feet could be either together or moved into an asymmetrical, staggered position. In the drawing, both forearms are parallel to each other in the same position (that is, the arms are in the same symmetrical position with respect to each other and the spacing between the arms could be variable—either closer to each other or farther apart from each other). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the user begins the plank exercise by taking their knees off the ground, using device  10 , and now there are only two points of contact with the supporting surface, namely device  10  and either one or two of the user&#39;s feet. Here, this is meant to show the situation with the two feet being in the exact same position, but this could vary with each foot being in a staggered position with respect to the other foot; it could vary with one foot being held up off the supporting ground to provide a more challenging exercise position, for example; the variations of positioning for the feet are merely suggested here, and there are a number of positions with which the user could experiment. 
     It is noted that in  FIG. 3  the curved forearm regions  16  of each fitness device  10 , are shown in a staggered position with respect to one another. In this example as well, the relative positions of curved forearm region  16  can vary and this drawing is meant to suggest one possibility. Please note that the user in  FIG. 3  is in a typical plank exercise position which enhances muscle strengthening. The forearms are resting upon the forearm supports  20  with both elbows bent to encourage full contact with that surface of fitness device  10 . Padding 22 on forearm support  20  is available to maximize both the user&#39;s comfort and the user&#39;s duration for holding this plank exercise position. The different staggered positions shown in  FIG. 3  also illustrate possible sliding back and forth action and sliding side to side action which can be so beneficial to the user. 
     Regarding  FIG. 4 , the user has now moved from the low plank position into having their full outstretched arms (like the top of a push up) pushing against the supporting surface, i.e., the high plank position. As shown, the user&#39;s forearms remain against forearm support  20  and the user is still holding grip  12 . However, the user, in transitioning from  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 4 , can roll device  10  such that the contact point with the ground is now over the knuckles balancing on curved finger shield region  14 . Here there are two points of contact with the supporting surface: 1) both feet of the user where both feet are shown together, that is, not staggered; the distance between the two feet can vary but in each case the two feet will be parallel to each other; and 2) the curved finger portion  14  of device  10 . 
     One feature of device  10  is that the transition from the plank positions shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , i.e., from the low plank position to the high plank position, can be achieved without releasing grip  12 . Moreover, devices  10 , used one for each arm, are separate from one another, allowing the user even more flexibility regarding relative positioning of their arms. Even further, as noted above, device  10  may be made of a polymer, or other material, that allows for sliding on the floor/support surface for even more possible variations in movement. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-9  ( FIGS. 7-9  showing dimensions and different views) device  10  is shown in an alternative arrangement. As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , forearm support  20  and curved forearm region  16  that contacts the floor are shown as two separate physical elements with a space there between. In the alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-9 , device  10  is constructed as a more unified structure and these elements (forearm support  20  and curved forearm region  16 ) are simply opposing surfaces of a singular element. The forearm support  20  surface is relatively flat and designed for supporting the user&#39;s arms and the opposing curved surface forming curved forearm region  16  can be an otherwise a solid single component or a hollow structure, but, as shown in  FIGS. 5-9 , they are not formed as fully separate elements as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 . In other capacities, the device  10  of  FIGS. 5-9  essentially functions the same for exercise purposes as the device of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     In another embodiment,  FIGS. 10-18  show various views of another embodiment of device  10  with an additional curved balance point  30  near the elbow region on curved forearm region  16  (i.e., bottom surface). The curved balance point  30  could be designed in a variety of ways, e.g., a half sphere, a disc, etc. This curved balance point  30  could be made from a variety of materials. In other respects, device  10  is similar to device  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  and  FIGS. 5-9 . 
     In another embodiment,  FIGS. 19-20  show another embodiment of device  10  with an additional flattened nose  40  of the curved finger guard portion  14  for added support during an extended arm plank ( FIG. 4 ). In other respects, device  10  is similar to device  10  of  FIGS. 1-4 ,  FIGS. 5-9 , and  FIGS. 10-18 . Such an arrangement as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20  with flattened nose  40  provides an easier solution to achieving a balance between difficulty of an exercise and the safety of the device as it provides a more stable platform when at the top of a high plank exercise (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 21-24 , device  10  can be fitted with an omnidirectional rolling caster  50  at either one of the curved forearm regions  16  or curved finger shield regions  14  or both ( 51  representing an optional second omnidirectional caster located on said curved finger shield region  14 ). This arrangement is similar to the arrangement in  FIGS. 10-18  except that the curved balance point  30  is replaced with omnidirectional rolling caster  50 , providing a user with a wider range of flexibility to engage in additional flexion and movements when at the high plank position ( FIG. 4 ) or at the low plank position ( FIG. 3 ).  FIGS. 25-28  are similar to the arrangement in  FIGS. 21-24  except that the curved forearm region  16  has two (2) omnidirectional rolling casters  50 ,  52  arranged perpendicular to the axis of curved forearm region  16  to provide a more stable, and easier to manage, support connection than the embodiment in  FIGS. 21-24 . 
     In another embodiment, similar to the embodiments in  FIGS. 10-18 , device  10  shown in  FIG. 29  likewise includes a curved balance point  30  on curved forearm region  16  which provides additional challenges to a user&#39;s balance. As mentioned above, this curved balance point  30  can be made from a variety of materials. In this arrangement, curved balance point  30  is adjustable forwards and backwards (relative to grip handle  12 ) within a balance point track  31 . Such an arrangement allows a user to adjust balance point  30  to accommodate users of varied body size. Such a balance point track may include either one of free movement (sliding during an exercise) or could include distinct stopping points so that a user may set an ideal location for their body type/size. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 30 , device  10  may include a sharply defined curved or rounded point  32  on the tip of curved finger shield region  14 . In this arrangement, point  32  is a fixed polymer (as one example of a material that could be used) nub, unlike the rolling caster option  50  discussed above in connection with embodiments of  FIGS. 21-28 . This added point is another way for device  10  to include features that increase the difficulty of performing push-ups and high plank exercises for the user when using device  10 . 
     In another embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 31A-31I , device  10  is shown in nine images (A-I) representing different angles or views of the fitness device. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 31A-I , grip handle  12  is hollow, curved finger shield region  14  has an oval shape/profile, and curved balance point  30  on the bottom of forearm region  16  is rectangular in shape with curved edges. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 32A and 32B , device  10  can be fitted with omnidirectional rolling casters  70 ,  72 , and  74  on curved forearm region  16 . This arrangement is similar to the arrangement in  FIGS. 21-24  except that the triangularly arranged casters  70 ,  72 , and  74  provide a user with a more stable base when in the low plank position (relative to single caster or curved balance point options) and provide an additional range of exercises including lateral movements while in the low plank position. 
     Because on the need to provide more ideal contact between the three omnidirectional rolling casters ( 70 ,  72 , and  74 ) and the supporting surface, a different embodiment of device  10  could include a relatively flattened bottom surface of the forearm region  16  (eliminating the curved shape on the bottom as needed).