Patent Publication Number: US-9421411-B2

Title: Exercise device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/774,586, filed Mar. 8, 2013 by James J. Stallman, said application hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to exercise devices, and more particularly to an exercise device for performing pushups at selectable levels of difficulty. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of devices for assisting in exercise routines have been used in the industry. Existing devices can range from simple benches or frames to large complex exercise equipment. These existing devices can be large, heavy, and not easily transported or collapsed for compact storage. Known simple benches or frames may include an adjustable height platform or cross bar for use in performing pushups. However, these known devices are not easily foldable into a single, tightly compact form, do not include options for both foot and hand ergonomic supports at adjustable heights on a single device, and do not provide ergonomic head clearance/hand support options for use. What is needed is an exercise device that is simple, lightweight, having height adjustable ergonomic support options, and folding quickly and easily compact for storage and transport. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention an exercise device is disclosed for use in performing pushups, the exercise device includes an elongated hand support structure adjacent an elongated foot support structure. A top end of the hand support structure is attached to a corresponding top end of the foot support structure, and at least a bottom end of the hand support structure is spaced apart from a corresponding bottom end of the foot support structure. The hand support structure includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart, generally parallel elongate hand support rails having longitudinally spaced-apart handle mounts. The foot support structure includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart, generally parallel elongate foot support rails having longitudinally spaced-apart platform mounts. The exercise device further includes a handle configured for selectable attachment to the handle mounts and a foot platform configured for selectable attachment to the platform mounts. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention an exercise device includes an elongated hand support structure adjacent an elongated foot support structure. A top end of the hand support structure is pivotally attached to a corresponding top end of the foot support structure. At least a bottom end of the hand support structure is spaced apart from a corresponding bottom end of the foot support structure to form a generally A-frame shape when the device is in an open position. The hand support structure includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart, generally parallel elongate hand support having longitudinally spaced-apart pairs of handle mounts. The foot support structure includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart, generally parallel elongate foot support rails having longitudinally spaced-apart platform mounts. The exercise device further includes a pair of handles configured for selectable attachment to the corresponding pair of the handle mounts, a foot platform configured for selectable attachment to the platform mounts, and a cross link is configured for attachment between the hand support structure and the spaced-apart foot support structure when the device is in an open position. The cross link is configured for pivotal movement from a collapsed storage position when the device is in a closed position into a secure latching position when the device is in the open position. 
     According to a further embodiment of the present invention a method of assembling an exercise device for use in performing pushups includes attaching the top end of an elongated hand support structure to a corresponding top end of an elongated foot support structure. The method further includes constructing the hand support structure to comprise a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel elongate hand support rails, each of the hand support rails including longitudinally spaced-apart handle mounts. The method also includes constructing the foot support structure to comprise a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel elongate foot support rails, each of the foot support rails including longitudinally spaced-apart platform mounts. The method further includes spacing apart a bottom end of the hand support structure from a corresponding bottom end of the foot support structure to form a generally A-frame shape, attaching at least one handle to the handle mounts, and attaching at least one foot platform to the platform mounts. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in light of the following description thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention to these particular embodiments. 
       Certain elements in selected ones of the drawings may be illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views, if any, presented herein may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a true cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity. 
       Elements of the figures can be numbered such that similar (including identical) elements may be referred to with similar numbers in a single drawing. For example, each of a plurality of elements collectively referred to as  199  may be referred to individually as  199   a ,  199   b ,  199   c , etc. Or, related but modified elements may have the same number but are distinguished by primes. For example,  109 ,  109 ′, and  109 ″ are three different versions of an element  109  which are similar or related in some way but are separately referenced for the purpose of describing modifications to the parent element ( 109 ). Such relationships, if any, between similar elements in the same or different figures will become apparent throughout the specification, including, if applicable, in the claims and abstract. 
       The structure, operation, and advantages of the present preferred embodiment of the invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercise device, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 , particularly showing a cross link that is movable for collapsing, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged plan view of a handle of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 , according to the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 , showing a user standing near the front of the device with hands positioned on the handles and performing a push up, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1  showing a user working at the back of the device with hands positioned on the handles of a floor platform, feet elevated onto a foot platform, and performing a push up, according to the invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is a side cross section view of a first embodiment of foot platform mounted on the exercise device, the view taken along the line  6 A/ 7 A- 6 A/ 7 A in  FIG. 5 , according to the invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is a plan view of the foot platform of  FIG. 6A , according to the invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a side cross section view of a second embodiment of foot platform mounted on the exercise device, the view taken along the line  6 A/ 7 A- 6 A/ 7 A in  FIG. 5 , according to the invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a plan view of the foot platform of  FIG. 7A , according to the invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a plan view of the floor platform from  FIG. 5 , according to the invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is an end elevation view of the floor platform of  FIG. 8B , according to the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the exercise device of  FIG. 1 , showing it in a collapsed position, according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Drawing reference numbers for terms and elements in the disclosure are listed as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Ref. No. 
                 Brief Definition 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 100 
                 exercise device 
               
               
                 102 
                 hand support structure 
               
               
                 104 
                 top end (hand support structure) 
               
               
                 106 
                 top end (foot support structure) 
               
               
                 108 
                 foot support structure 
               
               
                 110 
                 bottom end (hand support structure) 
               
               
                 112 
                 bottom end (foot support structure) 
               
               
                 114 
                 chamfered edge (hand support structure) 
               
               
                 116 
                 chamfered edge (foot support structure) 
               
               
                 118 
                 hand support rails 
               
               
                 120 
                 handle mounts 
               
               
                 122 
                 foot support rails 
               
               
                 124 
                 platform mounts 
               
               
                 126 
                 handle 
               
               
                 128 
                 foot platform 
               
               
                 130 
                 aperture (at handle mounts) 
               
               
                   
                 132-140 Refer To Elements Of a Handle 126 
               
               
                 132 
                 contoured portion 
               
               
                 134 
                 angled bends 
               
               
                 136 
                 proximal end 
               
               
                 138 
                 distal end 
               
               
                 140 
                 grip portion 
               
               
                 142 
                 cross brace (hand support structure) 
               
               
                 144 
                 cross brace (foot support structure) 
               
               
                 146 
                 floor pads 
               
               
                 148 
                 bottom surface (of floor pads) 
               
               
                 150 
                 wheel 
               
               
                   
                 152-164 Refer To Elements Of a Foot Platform 128 
               
               
                 152 
                 base (of foot platform) 
               
               
                 154 
                 hook 
               
               
                 156 
                 strut 
               
               
                 158 
                 front raised edge 
               
               
                 160 
                 back raised edge 
               
               
                 162 
                 recess 
               
               
                 164 
                 protrusion 
               
               
                   
                 166-172 Refer To Elements Of a Floor Platform 166 
               
               
                 166 
                 floor platform 
               
               
                 168 
                 base (of floor platform) 
               
               
                 170 
                 handle mounts (floor platform) 
               
               
                 172 
                 bottom surface (of floor platform) 
               
               
                 174 
                 pivot (pivoting connection between support structures) 
               
               
                   
                 176-184 Refer To Elements Of a Cross Link 176 
               
               
                 176 
                 cross link between support structures 
               
               
                 178 
                 first end 
               
               
                 180 
                 second end 
               
               
                 182 
                 latch 
               
               
                 184 
                 receptor 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of an exercise device  100  for use in performing pushups. The pushup exercise device is designed to assist any user from novice to expert to perform better pushups. The exercise device is designed so the user may perform pushups either facing toward the front of the device using their hands pushing against it, or facing away from the back of the device using their feet pushing against it. The position level where the user&#39;s hands or feet are braced against the device can be moved to higher or lower positions on the device to provide different levels of difficulty. Positioning hands at the top level provides the easiest level of difficulty, and positioning the hands at the lowest level provides the level of most difficulty. An optional adjacent floor platform may be used with the device to brace the user&#39;s hands against. The user may position their hands on the floor platform, and position their feet on the back of the exercise device at different levels. Positioning feet at the lowest setting provides the easiest level of difficulty and positioning the feet at the top setting provides the level of most difficulty. The exercise device is designed to fold together for convenient storage when not in use. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a pushup exercise device  100  is shown. The exercise device  100  includes an elongate hand support structure  102  adjacent to and attached at a top end  104  to a corresponding top end  106  of an elongate foot support structure  108 . In a preferred embodiment the hand support structure  102  and the foot support structure  108  form a generally A-frame shape wherein a bottom end  110  of the hand support structure  102  is spaced apart from a corresponding bottom end  112  of the foot support structure  108  when the device is in an open position. The top end  104  of the hand support structure  102  and the top end  106  of foot support structure  108  may each include an opposing chamfered edge  114 ,  116 , respectively, configured to allow the top ends  104 ,  106  to be closely abutting when the exercise device  100  is in the open position. The hand support structure  102  includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart, generally parallel elongate hand support rails  118  having longitudinally spaced-apart handle mounts  120 . The foot support structure  108  includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart, generally parallel elongate foot support rails  122  having longitudinally spaced-apart platform mounts  124 . 
     The exercise device  100  further includes a handle  126  configured for removable attachment to selected ones of the handle mounts  120 , and a foot platform  128  is configured for removable attachment to selected ones of the platform mounts  124  (see  FIG. 2 ). The handle mounts  120  may include pairs of laterally opposed apertures  130  in the hand support rails  118  configured for selectably receiving the handle  126 . Alternatively, handle mounts  120  may be any suitable support member configured to receive handle  126 , such as a bracket, saddle, flanged post or clamp mounted to or integral with hand support rails  118 . In order for the user to quickly and easily position the handle  126  at various elevations on the hand support rails, at least one of the apertures  130 , handle mounts  120  and the handle  126  may include a quick-release feature (not shown). The quick-release feature may be any suitable feature such as a spring-loaded detent or clamp, for example. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the handle  126  includes a contoured portion  132  having one or more angled bends  134  configured to provide an ergonomic position for a user&#39;s hand when performing pushups. Handle  126  includes a proximal end  136  configured for selectable attachment to the handle mounts  120  and a distal end  138  configured for engaging the user&#39;s hands during use of the exercise device  100 . Distal end  138  may include a cushioned hand grip portion  140  configured to provide a contoured, slip-resistant and/or cushioning resilient surface or feature for engaging the user&#39;s hand. Referring to  FIG. 4 , handle  126  is configured as one left handle paired with a separate right handle for selectable attachment to a corresponding pair of the handle mounts  120 . The handle  126  is configured for attachment to the hand support rails  118  such that the left handle extends outwardly away from the handle mount  120  on a left side hand support rail  118  and the right handle extends outwardly away from the handle mount  120  on a right side hand support rail  118 . Alternatively, handle  126  may be configured as a handle bar (not shown) that extends between, and optionally also outward beyond, opposing hand support rails  118 , or may include rigid, flexible or semi-rigid loops of material. To work with alternative embodiments, the aperture  130  may be an open notch, for example. 
     In a further alternative, a plurality of the handles  126  may be pivotally mounted to the pairs of handle mounts  120 , and be configured for selectable movement from a collapsed position for storage/non-use into a secured, open position. Further, although the handle  126  form is shown as generally tubular, it may have any suitable cross section, such as oval, rectangular, or triangular, for example, and the aperture  130  may have a suitably corresponding cross section. In particular, at least the proximal end  136  of the handle  126  and the aperture  130  of the handle mount  120  may have corresponding non-circular cross sections such that the ergonomic handle  126  will position itself at a predetermined optimum rotational orientation when it is mounted in a handle mount  120 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a cross brace  142  is preferably provided for structural stability, laterally extending between corresponding attachments on the pair of hand support rails  118 . Cross brace  142  is positioned generally perpendicular to and extending between the hand support rails  118 . If present, the cross brace  142  is preferably located at the bottom end  110  of the hand support structure  102 , in order to avoid obstructing movement of a user&#39;s head as he/she performs pushups as shown in  FIG. 4 , for example. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 5 , at least one of the platform mounts  124  of the foot support rails  122  includes a stabilizing cross brace  144  laterally extending between corresponding attachments on the pair of foot support rails  122 . The cross brace  144  is positioned generally perpendicular to, and attached to the pair of foot support rails  122 . Alternatively, platform mounts  124  may be any suitable attachment member configured to receive the foot platform  128 , for example a bracket, saddle, groove, notch, flanged post, clamp, and the like; being mounted to or integral with the foot support rails  122 , and longitudinally spaced apart as described hereinabove. Cross braces  142 ,  144 , handle mounts  120 , and platforms mounts  124  may be connected to exercise device  100  by any suitable feature such as fasteners, adhesive, or by friction fit, for example, or made integral with the hand support rails  118  and the foot support rails  122 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2, 4, 5 , the exercise device  100  may include one or more slip-resistant floor pads  146  on a bottom surface thereof. The bottom end  110  of the hand support structure  102  and/or the bottom end  112  of the foot support structure  108  are attached to one or more floor pads  146 . Floor pads  146  may include a slip-resistant feature as a bottom surface  148 . The bottom surface  148  includes any suitable slip-resistant feature such as textured, contoured, gripping, resilient or cushioning material that substantially prevents the exercise device  100  from moving relative to an underlying surface when in use. Floor pads  146  may be pivotally connected to the exercise device  100  to allow for self or manual leveling or adjustment of the device against an underlying surface. In an embodiment, exercise device  100  may include one or more wheels  150  configured for rollingly moving the exercise device when it is positioned to engage the one or more wheels on a supporting surface. Wheels  150  may be attached at the bottom ends  110 ,  112  to provide ease of transport of the exercise device  100  when not in use, for example a collapsed exercise device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 9  may be tilted enough to position the wheels on the floor which lifts the floor pads  146  to enable free rolling movement. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B , the foot platform  128  includes a generally horizontal base  152 , a hook  154 , and a strut  156 . The foot platform  128  is configured such that, when the foot platform is attached to the platform mount  124 , base  152  extends laterally (widthwise) between the pair of foot support rails  122  and has a width and a depth dimension configured for suitable support of a user&#39;s feet while performing pushups. In this manner, the user can perform pushups with their feet elevated and their hands below, the hands being unsupported by the foot support structure  108 . In this embodiment the hook  154  is configured to hook behind the cross brace  144  of the platform mount  124 , may be one or more spaced-apart hooks  154 , and may be configured to abut an adjacent foot support rail  122 . The strut  156  extends downward from the base  152  to supportingly engage at least one of the foot support rails  122  when the foot platform  128  is attached to a selected one of the platform mounts  124 . 
     Preferably the foot platform  128  further includes features for safely securing a user&#39;s toes/feet on the foot platform. For example, at least one of a slip-resistant surface (not shown, but with similar features to bottom surface  148 ), a front raised edge  158  and a back raised edge  160  may be provided. Of course many ways to secure the feet will occur to one of ordinary skill in the related art, and all are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. In addition to the above-described, a non-limiting list of further examples may include one or more depressions in the platform base  152 , and this can be extended to a form of stirrups hanging from a suitable attachment at the selectable platform mounts  124 . 
     In an embodiment, a plurality of the foot platforms  128  are mounted to a corresponding plurality of the platform mounts  124 , thereby extending between pairs of laterally opposed platform mounts  124  and attaching to the pair of foot support rails  122  at longitudinally spaced apart locations  124 . In this case the platform and mounts can be simplified to replace the cross braces  144  with substantially permanently attached foot platform bases  152 . 
     In an embodiment, a plurality of the foot platforms  128  may include a base  152  pivotally mounted to the pair of platform mounts  124 , and be configured for selectable movement from a collapsed position for storage/non-use into a secured, open position for use. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A, 7B , another embodiment of the foot platform  128  is shown in which the hook  154  is configured to provide a more secure attachment to the platform mount  124  to substantially prevent movement or accidental removal of the foot platform during use. Hook  154  includes a recess  162  and protrusions  164  configured for selectable engagement with or a cross brace  144  form of the platform mount  124 . Protrusions  164  are positioned proximate to recess  162  and may be any suitable geometric shape such as ridges or hooks, for example. During engagement, hook  154  may be temporarily deformed to allow a friction fit with platform mount  124  cross brace  144 . Alternatively, at least one of the hook  154  and platform mount  124  or cross brace  144  may include a quick-release feature (not shown). The quick-release feature may be any suitable feature such as a spring-loaded detent or clamp, for example. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5, 8A, 8B , the exercise device  100  preferably includes a floor platform  166  configured for selectable attachment of the handle  126 . The floor platform  166  includes a base  168  and a pair of spaced-apart handle mounts  170  extending upwardly therefrom. The handle  126  is preferably configured as a left handle paired with a separate right handle for selectable attachment to a corresponding pair of left and right handle mounts  170  such that the distal end  138  of the handles extend outwardly away from the floor platform  166  and are elevated above any surface therebelow. The floor platform  166  may include a slip-resistant bottom surface  172  having similar features to bottom surface  148 , to prevent slipping and/or sliding on an underlying surface, particularly while the floor platform  166  is being used for pushup exercise. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a user may position their hands on the handles  126  and their feet on the foot platform  128  to form an acute angle of their body relative to the underlying surface, placing their head below their feet such that they are performing inverted pushups. This shifts the body&#39;s center of gravity above the shoulders at a height that increases along with the selected foot support height, bringing more body weight to bear on the user&#39;s arms, and thus providing a greater level of difficulty in performing pushups. 
     The floor platform  166  is not required for performing pushups, but it makes inverted pushups somewhat more comfortable which encourages use of the exercise device  100 . In particular, referring to  FIG. 3 , the ergonomically shaped handle  126  hand support structure  102  with the contoured portion  132  having angled bends  134  and with an optionally cushioned grip portion  140 , is used with the floor platform  166 , which has handle mounting apertures  130  that match those on the hand support structure  102  so that the handle&#39;s proximal end  136  can be suitably inserted and secured in the apertures  130  wherever selected. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 9 , exercise device  100  includes a collapsible structure wherein a pivot  174  is configured for pivotal attachment of the top end  104  of the hand support structure  102  to the corresponding top end  106  of the foot support structure  108 . Exercise device  100  may also include at least one cross link  176  configured for attachment between the hand support structure  102  and the foot support structure  108 . The cross link  176  is configured for selectably latching at a full length to space apart the bottom ends  110 ,  112  respectively, of the hand support structure  102  and the foot support structure  108  when the exercise device  100  is in an open position for use, or collapsing to position the hand support structure  102  substantially adjacent and parallel to the foot support structure  108  when the exercise device  100  is in a closed, storage position (closed position shown in  FIG. 9 ). 
     The cross link  176  is shown pivotally attached at a first end  178  to the bottom end  112  of foot support structure  108  and has a second end  180  configured to latch to the bottom end  110  of the hand support structure  102 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , cross link  176  may include a movable latch  182  configured to engage a receptor  184  on the hand support structure  102 . Alternatively, this arrangement of the cross link  176  may be oppositely configured, and may be positioned at any point from the top ends  104 ,  106  to the bottom ends  110 ,  112  of the hand support structure  102  and foot support structure  104 . When the exercise device is in the open position forming an A-frame shape with the hand support structure  102  and the foot support structure  108 , the cross link  176  may be pivoted into a secure latching position where latch  182  engages receptor  184 . Alternatively, cross link  176  may include at least one hinge (not shown) between pivots at the first and second ends  178 ,  180  such that the cross link can be pivotally collapsed like a step ladder. In an alternative embodiment, (not shown), the hand support structure  102 , the foot support structure  108 , and/or the cross link  176  may include further jointed or telescoping features to reduce the height of the exercise device  100  in the closed position, to provide an even more compact design for ease of storage. Exercise device  100  may be formed of any suitable material such as metal, fiberglass, resin, composites, or a combination thereof. 
     Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character—it being understood that the embodiments shown and described have been selected as representative examples including presently preferred embodiments plus others indicative of the nature of changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention(s) being disclosed and within the scope of invention(s) as claimed in this and any other applications that incorporate relevant portions of the present disclosure for support of those claims. Undoubtedly, other “variations” based on the teachings set forth herein will occur to one having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention most nearly pertains, and such variations are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure and of any claims to invention supported by said disclosure.