Patent Publication Number: US-11376466-B2

Title: Ab exercise device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally the present invention relates to exercise devices. In particular, the present invention pertains to ab exercise devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typically, ab exercise devices require the user to be in an uncomfortable position, for example on the floor on their back, or on an incline on their front. 
     Those ab exercise devices which do allow the user to adopt a comfortable position (e.g. seated) do not offer adequate range of motion for full concentric and eccentric (i.e. shortening and lengthening) contractions. 
     As well as being an important muscle group for functional strength and a stable foundation, the abs in particular are sought after by many for aesthetic confidence. 
     There are a large number of products that assert to engage core muscles when actually they assist the movement, reducing the muscle activation, and therefore reducing the effect. For example, many devices let the user to firmly grip the device with their hands so that the focus shifts from ab to arm strength to carry out the movement. 
     One efficient and widely known ab exercise movement is the crunch movement or sit-up movement. A crunch is executed by a person contracting their rectus abdominis (abs) so that their rib cage is pulled towards their pelvis. This can be done lying down (most commonly), hanging from a bar or sat down. 
     Carried out incorrectly, the crunch can cause lower back issues, particularly in the lying down position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objective is to at least alleviate the problems described hereinabove not satisfactorily solved by the known arrangements, and to provide a feasible ab exercise device. One objective is to discourage the use of arms to carry out the exercise motion so that there is more focus on the abs. Another objective is to provide greater range of motion. A third objective is to provide different levels of resistance. A fourth objective is to provide a rotatable top part that enables the user to carry out twisted crunches. A fifth objective is to provide rotating side parts that position the user in a comfortable movement direction. A sixth objective is to utilize elastic members, such as resistance bands, that may provide progressive resistance so that the elongation of the bands increases the resistance gradually. 
     The aforesaid objectives are achieved by the embodiments of an ab exercise device in accordance with the present invention. 
     The aforesaid objectives are achieved according to the present invention as claimed in claim  1 . 
     Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention an ab exercise device comprises
         a first tube member,   a second tube member movable with respect to the first tube member,   an elastic member resisting a downward movement of the second tube member and moving upward the second tube member upward with respect to the first tube member,   a first and a second side part for supporting the ab exercise device respectively against a first and a second surface, the first and the second side part being arranged respectively to a first and a second side of the first tube member in an upper end of the first tube member, and   a top part for pressing down the second tube member, the top part being attached to the second tube member.       

     In one embodiment the elastic member is a resistance band. 
     In one embodiment first and second ends of the resistance band to be attached respectively to first and second attachment points on the outside of the first tube member, the resistance band perforates the first tube member on higher locations than said first and second attachment points or the resistance band goes around the edges of the first tube member, and the resistance band perforates or goes around the second tube member in the lower end of the second tube member. 
     In one embodiment the first and second tube members have a rectangle-like shape comprising opposite first and second sides and opposite third and fourth sides. 
     In one embodiment the first and second sides form the longer side of the rectangle-like shape. 
     In one embodiment the ab exercise device comprises at least two resistance bands. 
     In one embodiment two resistance bands are arranged in parallel, the two resistance bands being attached to the first and second side of the first tube member. 
     In one embodiment the ab exercise device comprises a plurality of said first and/or second attachment points on different heights such that the resistance can be changed. 
     In one embodiment the ab exercise device comprises at least three first and second attachment points. 
     In one embodiment the first tube member is the lower tube member. 
     In one embodiment the first and second side parts are rotatable such that the movement direction is adjustable. 
     In one embodiment the first and second side parts comprise respectively a first and second side pad suitable for supporting against the thighs of a user. 
     In one embodiment the top part is rotatable such that the device is suitable for twisted ab movement. 
     In one embodiment the height of the top part is adjustable. 
     In one embodiment the top part forms a planar surface such that arms may be placed on top of the top part. 
     In one embodiment the top part is a handle comprising a first and second loop. 
     The utility of the present invention follows from a plurality of factors depending on each particular embodiment. Some embodiments of the present invention may discourage the use of arms to carry out the exercise motion, meaning more focus on abs. Some embodiments may provide different levels of resistance which may be adjustable by the user. Some embodiments may provide a rotatable top part that enables the user to carry out twisted crunches, which may engage obliques and transverse abdominis. Some embodiments may provide rotating side parts, preferably freely-rotating side parts that position the user in a comfortable movement direction. Some embodiments may provide great range of motion by arranging the first and second side parts in the upper end of the first tube member. Some embodiments may use elastic members, such as resistance bands, that may provide progressive resistance so that the elongation of the bands increases the resistance gradually. Some embodiments with a rectangle-like shape may allow a narrow width suitable for placing between the thighs of the user. Some embodiments with a rectangle-like shape with flat faces may make reinforcing the side part connection points structurally suitable. 
     The expression “a number of” refers herein to any positive integer starting from one (1), e.g. to one, two, or three. 
     The expression “a plurality of” refers herein to any positive integer starting from two (2), e.g. to two, three, or four. 
     Different embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS 
       Next the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which 
         FIG. 1 a - c    illustrates an embodiment of an ab exercise device in accordance with the present invention in three different positions. 
         FIG. 2 a - c    illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an ab exercise device in accordance with the present invention in three different positions. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of the first and second tube members in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the lower end of the second tube member in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5 a - c    illustrates an embodiment of the attachment points on the outside of the first tube member in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6 a - b    illustrates two views of an embodiment of the top part in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 a - c   , the ab exercise device  100  comprises a first tube member  102  and a second tube member  104 . The second tube member  104  is arranged within the first tube member  102  such that the second tube member  104  is movable with respect to the first tube member  102 . The first and second tube members may be plastic, for example. 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 2 a -2 c   , the ab exercise device  100  comprises a first and a second elastic member  106 ,  108 . The elastic members push the second tube member  104  upwards, simultaneously resisting the downward movement. The user may press the second tube member downwards. The range of motion is preferably 15-45 cm, more preferably 20-40 and most preferably 25-35 cm. In one preferable embodiment the range of motion is 32 cm. 
     The first and second tube members  102 ,  104  have a rectangle-like shape. The first tube member  102  comprises opposite first and second sides  142   a ,  144   a  and opposite third and fourth sides  146   a ,  148   a . The second tube member  104  comprises opposite first and second sides  142   b ,  144   b  and opposite third and fourth sides  146   b ,  148   b . The first and second sides  142   a ,  142   b ,  144   a ,  144   b  form the longer side of the rectangle-like shape. The width of the first and second sides  142   a ,  144   a  of the first tube member  102  is preferably 50-400 mm, more preferably 60-200 mm and most preferably 80-120 mm. The width of the third and fourth sides  146   a ,  148   a  of the first tube member is preferably 40-200 mm, more preferably 50-100 mm and most preferably 50-70 mm. In one preferable embodiment the width of the first and second sides  142   a ,  144   a  of the first tube member  102  is 102.6 mm and the width of the third and fourth sides  146   a ,  148   a  of the first tube member  102  is 57.6 mm. 
     A top part  110  is connected to the second tube member  104 . The height of the top part  110  is adjustable for adjusting the height of the exercise device  100 . The top part may comprise threads  112  for adjusting the height. In  FIG. 1 a   , the top part is illustrated in its upper position whereas in  FIGS. 1 b  and 1 c    the top part is illustrated in its lower position. 
     The user may place his/her arms on top of the device, preferably crossing the arms so that the first arm is against the top part and the second arm is on top of the first arm or next to the first arm. The user may then press down the top part of the device. 
     In  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b   , the exercise device  100  is illustrated in its upper starting position. In  FIG. 1 c   , the exercise device  100  is illustrated in its lower position. 
     The exercise device may also be locked in to the lower position so that the device takes less storage space. 
     First and second side parts  114 ,  116  are arranged respectively to the first and second sides  142   a ,  144   a  of the first tube member  102 . Preferably, the first and second side parts  114 ,  116  are arranged in the upper end of the first tube member. The upper end is preferably the upper half of the first tube member, more preferably the upper ⅓ of the first tube member and most preferably the upper ¼ of the first tube member. The connection points for the first and second side parts may be reinforced. In use, the first and second side parts  114 ,  116  are supported respectively against a first and a second surface. Preferably, the first and second side parts are supported against the thighs of the user. The user may be seated while supporting the side parts against his/her thighs. Preferably, the ab exercise device is used for performing seated crunches. 
     The first and second side parts may be rotatable so that the movement direction is adjustable. This has been illustrated in  FIGS. 2 a -2 c   . In  FIG. 2 a   , the device is tilting forwards. In  FIG. 2 b   , the device is straight. In  FIG. 2 c   , the device is tilting backwards. For example, in  FIG. 2 a   , the device is tilted away from the user, and in  FIG. 2 b    the device is tilted towards the user. Preferably, the side parts are rotating freely. The first and second side parts  114 ,  116  may comprise first and second side pads  115 ,  117  that are suitable for supporting against the thighs of the user. The side parts may be detachable. 
     The height of the exercise device in its upper position with the top part in its upper position is preferably 600-1000 mm, more preferably 700-900 mm and most preferably 760-800 mm. In one preferable embodiment the height of the device in its upper position is 780 mm. The height of the top part is adjustable by preferably 100-300 mm. The height of the exercise device in its lower position is preferably 350-550 mm, more preferably 400-500 mm and most preferably 430-470 mm. In one preferable embodiment the height of the device in its lower position is 450 mm. 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 5 a - c   , the first elastic member  106  attaches to a first and second attachment point  118   a ,  120   a  on the outside of the first tube member  102 . The first and second attachment points  118   a ,  120   a  are preferably located on the opposite sides of the first tube member  102 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 3 , the first elastic member  106  perforates the first tube member  104  a first and a second time on higher locations than the attachment points  118   a ,  120   a . The first tube member comprises a first and second hole  122 ,  124  such that the elastic member  106  may perforate the tube. Alternatively, the elastic member  106  may go around the upper edges of the first tube member  102 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 4 , the elastic member  106  perforates the second tube member  104  in its lower end. The lower end is preferably the lower half of the second tube member, more preferably the lower ⅓ of the tube member and most preferably the lower ¼ of the tube member. Alternatively, the elastic member may go around the lower end of the second tube member  104 . 
     The exercise device  100  comprises a second elastic member  108 . The second elastic member is preferably substantially parallel to the first elastic member  106 . The second elastic member  108  attaches similarly as the first elastic member from its first and second end to a first  126   a  and second (not in figure) attachment point. Alternatively, the exercise device comprises more than two elastic members. Some embodiments may only comprise one elastic member. The elastic members are preferably resistance bands. The elastic members may be arranged such that they are not facing the user. The first and second elastic members  106 ,  108  attach to the first and second side  142   a ,  144   a  of the first tube member  102 . 
     Alternatively, the elastic member is a spring. The spring may be arranged within the first tube member, underneath the second tube member, for example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the lower end of the second tube member  104  comprises two grooves  128 ,  130  for the elastic members  106 ,  108 . The second tube member comprises an end cover  132  for securing the elastic members  106 ,  108  to the second tube member. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 a -5 c   , the exercise device  100  comprises first and second attachment points on different heights such that the resistance of the elastic member can be adjusted. In a preferable embodiment, the exercise device comprises attachment points on three different heights. 
     The exercise device  100  comprises three first attachment points  118   a - 118   c  and three second attachment points  120   a - 120   c  for the first elastic member  106 . Similarly, the exercise device  100  comprises three first attachment points  126   a - 126   c  and three second attachment points (not in figure) for the second elastic member  108 . 
     The second attachment points are, preferably, substantially on the opposite side of the tube with respect to the first attachment points. The lowest attachment points give most resistance. The resistance can be reduced by moving the elastic members upwards. Respectively, the resistance is increased by moving the elastic members downwards. 
     The attachment points comprise plugs  134  for attaching/detaching the elastic members. In  FIG. 5 a    the plug  134  is in a closed position and the resistance band  106  is locked in place. In  FIG. 5 b   , the plug  134  is rotated to an open position such that the resistance band  106  may be detached from the attachment point. In  FIG. 5 c   , the plug  134  and the first elastic member  106  is detached from the attachment point. The attachment points that are not in use may comprise caps  136  for safety. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , the exercise device  100  comprises a top part  110  for pressing down the second tube member. The top part may form a planar surface such that the user may place his/her arms on top of the top part. The top part  110  comprises a handle  138  comprising a first and a second loop respectively on a first and a second side of the device. 
     Consequently, a skilled person may on the basis of this disclosure and general knowledge apply the provided teachings in order to implement the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims in each particular use case with necessary modifications, deletions, and additions.