Abstract:
An exercise apparatus to strengthen the abdominal and oblique muscles in a relaxed state by kneeling and twisting the lower torso. An embodiment configured according to principles of the invention includes a height-adjustable, contoured knee rest rotatingly mounted on a base. Handles extend from the base to where a user may comfortably grasp the handles while kneeling on the knee rest. The user exercises with the present exercise apparatus by urging the user&#39;s lower torso to rotate the knee rest. Rotation may be resisted by increasing the inertia of the knee rest with weights suspended from weight arms connected to the knee rest.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Application incorporates by reference herein and claims priority to United States Provisional Application No. 60/125,012, filed Mar. 18, 1999, entitled “EXERCISE APPARATUS.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to physical fitness equipment, specifically to an exercise apparatus that efficiently strengthens the upper and lower abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis) and the externus oblique muscles. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     As daily living shifts from reliance on physically demanding to more sedentary activities, human bodies become susceptible to unfitness. Many engage in a regimen of various physical activities, which often include interaction with inanimate objects, such as free weights, and machines, such as stationary bicycles, to preserve or regain fitness. 
     The body has many muscle groups which are responsible for controlling independent body functions. For example, muscles for extending an arm are independent of muscles for raising a leg. Thus, exercising one muscle group may not exercise another. 
     Accordingly, to preserve or regain muscle fitness, the body must engage in activities that exercise the muscle groups desired to be fit. However, some muscle groups, the abdominal and oblique muscle groups in particular, are difficult to condition. 
     Many devices exist for exercising the abdominal and oblique muscle groups. Such devices typically involve simple bending. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,647,041; 5,559,261; 5,702,329; and 5,779,607. However, simple bending does not adequately or efficiently exercise the abdominal and oblique muscle groups. 
     Other devices involve seated twisting. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,193. Sitting contracts the abdominal muscles. Thus, exercising while in a seated position does not exercise the abdominal muscles in a relaxed state. 
     Unfortunately, none of the foregoing provides an exercise apparatus to strengthen abdominal and oblique muscles in a relaxed state. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is an exercise apparatus to strengthen the abdominal and oblique muscles in a relaxed state by kneeling and twisting the lower torso. 
     The present invention provides an exercise apparatus that is easy to operate and adapt to a user&#39;s changing fitness needs and which efficiently strengthens the upper and lower abdominal muscles and the externus oblique muscles. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
     An embodiment configured according to principles of the invention includes a height-adjustable, contoured knee rest rotatingly mounted on a base. Handles extend from the base to where a user may comfortably grasp the handles while kneeling on the knee rest. The user exercises with the present exercise apparatus by urging the user&#39;s lower torso to rotate the knee rest. Rotation may be resisted by increasing the inertia of the knee rest with weights suspended from weight arms connected to the knee rest. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following figures, throughout which similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear side view of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear side view showing the kneeling system, support, and free weight resistance system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the knee rest of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view showing an alternate configuration for the base of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view showing an alternative arrangement for the arm member of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8-11 are top views showing additional alternative arrangements for the arm member and an alternative base of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a side viewing showing an additional alternative arrangement for the arm member; and 
     FIG. 13 is a side view showing an alternative configuration for the vertical support of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is an exercise apparatus to strengthen the abdominal and oblique muscles in a relaxed state by kneeling and twisting the lower torso. 
     Reference is now made to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. FIGS. 1-5 show the exercise apparatus of the present invention in which the exercise apparatus  2  is comprised of a base member  4  made of a strong material, preferably a polymer, graphite, metal or alloy. Its purpose is to maintain the balance of, and support the weight of, the apparatus and user. The base member  4  has a series of legs  6  configured in a cross or “t” shape which serve to optimize stability and minimize fabrication costs. At the end of each of the legs  6  are nonskid pads  8  preferably made of rubber. The nonskid pads  8  serve to minimize slip between the apparatus  2  and the floor. 
     A vertical stationary cylinder  10  is affixed to the base  4  and is positioned at the point of intersection of the legs  6 . Within the stationary cylinder  10  there is a rotating cylinder . 12 . The rotating cylinder  12  is rotatably coupled to the stationary cylinder  10 . Two weight arms  14  are mounted on directly opposing sides of the rotating cylinder  12 . Both the stationary  10  and rotating cylinders  12  and the weight arms  14  are made of a strong material, preferably a polymer, graphite, metal or alloy. The stationary  10  and rotating cylinders  12  contain a height adjustment mechanism  13  similar to that found in a rotating office chair, for example, pneumatic or screw-type adjustment. 
     Each weight arm  14  is hook-shaped and is positioned on the rotating cylinder  12  such that free weights  16  can be inserted over the open end of the weight arm  14 . Free weights  16  are added to increase the internal resistance of, hence the energy required to operate, the apparatus, thereby allowing the apparatus to be adapted to different users&#39; exercise requirements. 
     A cushioned knee rest  18  is attached to the top of the rotating cylinder  12 . The knee rest  18  is arranged such that it supports the user in a kneeling position, i.e., the user position. Deep contours  20  in the knee rest  18  minimize slipping between the apparatus and the user by supporting the lateral force applied to the knee rest  18  as a result of the rotating motion. Preferably, the knee rest is arranged such that it is long enough to comfortably support the user&#39;s legs from the knee area to an area just above the ankle. 
     A vertical support  22  is preferably made of a polymer, graphite, metal or alloy and is positioned at an end of one of the legs  6 . An arm member  24  forming a “U” shape defining two arms  26  is attached to the top of the vertical support  22  such that the arm member  24  extends perpendicularly from the vertical support  22  in a horizontal plane towards the knee rest  18 . Grips  28  surround the ends of each arm  26 , thereby providing a cushion for a user&#39;s hands. The grips  28  can preferably be, for example, foam rubber or a suitable synthetic material used in the grip field. 
     FIG. 6 is a top view showing a different base configuration in which the nonskid pads  8  are positioned such that they extend slightly past the ends of the legs  6  and are slightly wider than the legs  6 . 
     FIG. 7 is a side view showing an alternate arrangement of the arm member  24  and an internal resistance system  30 . As shown in FIG. 7, this alternate arm member extends up and towards the user position, thereby allowing a, shorter vertical support  22 . The internal resistance system  30  is built within the confines of the stationary cylinder  10  and the rotating cylinder  12 . 
     FIG. 8 shows still another alternative for the arm member  24  in which the portions of the arm member  24  which extend from the vertical column  22  are rounded. 
     FIG. 9 shows yet another alternative for the arm member  24 , in which the arms  26  are positioned perpendicularly to an arm support  28 , the arm support  28  being mounted to the vertical support  22 . In addition, FIG. 9 shows an alternative configuration for the base  4  in which the base  4  is a planar support upon which the stationary column  10 , the vertical support  22  and the nonskid pads  8  are mounted. 
     FIG. 10 shows another alternative arrangement for the arm member  24  in which the arms  26  extend away from the vertical support  22  forming a “V” shape in which the ends of the arms  26  are positioned such that they are tangential to the user position and are easily grabbed by the user&#39;s hands. 
     FIG. 11 shows a further alternative arrangement for the arm member  24  in which the arms  26  extend away from the vertical support  22  forming a continuous “V” shape. The ends of the arms  26  are positioned such that they are not tangential to the user position, but at a divergent angle, which may be more ergonomically suited for some users. 
     FIG. 12 shows yet another alternative arrangement for the arm member  24  in which the arms  26  extend from a support  22  that is upwardly and inwardly bent toward the knee rest, i.e., toward the user position. This configuration may render the exercise apparatus more stable or readily maintainable in close quarters. 
     FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the invention including a vertical support  22  with a height adjustment mechanism  32  for adjusting the length of the vertical support  22 . Adjusting the length of the vertical support  22  correspondingly adjusts the distance  34  between the grips  28  of the arms  26  relative to the knee rest  18 . This permits a user to adjust the exercise apparatus so that the user may exercise in a safe, comfortable state in which the abdominal muscles are relaxed. 
     The apparatus operates as follows. A user kneels on the cushioned knee rest  18  and grabs the grips  28 . The user then proceeds to twist the lower part of his body back and forth from approximately a 10 o&#39;clock position to approximately a 2 o&#39;clock position (the 12 o&#39;clock position is the one in which the user&#39;s hips are parallel to the axis formed by his hands) and back again, keeping the upper part of his body relatively stationary. The workout consists of the repetition of this motion. 
     The user can optionally add free weights  16  to the arms  14  in order to increase rotational resistance, thereby increasing rotational difficulty. The added weight increases the force necessary to reverse the momentum at the extreme positions of rotation. 
     The apparatus targets or focuses exertion by certain muscle groups such as the rectus abdominis (upper and lower abdominal muscles) and the externus oblique (also known as love handles). This exertion focus rapidly strengthens and tones these muscles groups to present a fit and trim appearance. 
     Because a user exercises in a kneeling position, the lower abdominal muscles are being exercised from a relaxed state (as if standing) and not from a contracted state (as if sitting). Because of the torso&#39;s limited range of twisting motion, having this advanced kneeling starting point results in using more energy during the work out, and accomplishes the workout with seemingly less effort. 
     Also, because a user exercises in kneeling position, there is no direct wear and tear taking place in the user&#39;s knees. This translates into more comfort for the user as well as decreasing the risk of future knee injuries. 
     Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.