Abstract:
An exercise apparatus having, as its principal objective, the provision of a portable exercise apparatus that offers substantially more benefits than a number of existing apparatus without their obvious associated problems. The exercise apparatus ( 1 ) has a base ( 2 ) having an upper surface ( 3 ) a lower surface ( 5 ), the upper surface ( 3 ) including a platform ( 7 ) with contact areas including a front ( 9 ) and a back ( 11 ) perpendicular to a right side ( 13 ) and a left side ( 15 ) adjacent a central area ( 17 ) of platform ( 7 ), the lower surface ( 5 ) rib supports ( 19 ) including dependent wheel support members ( 23 ) each one with a wheel ( 25 ) adapted for multi-directional movement (X, Y or Z).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to an exercise apparatus and more particularly to a portable multi-directional exercise apparatus constructed for use primarily in the conditioning and strengthening of the user&#39;s muscles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Fitness or exercise equipment developed for work-out stations include articles of equipment chosen to work selective parts of the body in a variety of different ways. However, the varied assortment of equipment have a tendency to be overly large, heavy, cumbersome, difficult to manage and of a size too large to be able to move from one place to another. This equipment relies heavily on essential hand held fittings that if used incorrectly, will inevitably result in muscle and bone damage, hence the need for supervised personnel to provide in-depth instruction prior and during use. Other equipment of a lesser size rely on handle grips on an apparatus with wheels for use on a flat surface. Accordingly, in an attempt to make the most of poor design and construction, the user is inevitably forced to work the groups of muscles of the upper and lower arms while gripping handles or the sides of the exercise device in an attempt to fulfill a chosen exercise regime for working muscles elsewhere. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, there is a need for a versatile and transportable multi-directional exercise apparatus for training and strengthening chosen body muscles in an environment conducive with the operation of the apparatus. 
         [0004]    The present invention is directed to an improved exercise apparatus and has, as its principal objective, the provision of a portable exercise apparatus that offers substantially more benefits than a number of existing exercise equipment without their obvious associated problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is portable and easy to use wherever there is a supporting surface. More particularly, the exercise apparatus provides the user with a multi-directional exercise apparatus with wheels depending, the apparatus including a base with a platform having alloted areas of contact for encouraging the correct use thereof so as to effectively work chosen muscle groups while carrying out chosen exercise regimes. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide an exercise apparatus comprising a base having an upper surface, a lower surface, the upper surface including a platform with contact areas including a front and a back perpendicular to a right side and a left side adjacent a central area of the platform, the lower surface having rib supports and including dependent wheel support members each one with a wheel, at least one wheel adapted for multi-directional movement. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a disproportionate height of the base. More specifically, the back of the base is higher than the front of the base providing a downward slope or slant. 
         [0007]    An embodiment of the present invention provides for the base including removable and adjustable wheel support members with at least one wheel for directed movement on a supporting surface. In one embodiment of the invention the wheel support members are in vertical alignment with the front, the right side and the left side of the base. The base may have a generally heart shaped dimension. Wheel support members rotate about a releasably secured vertical axis relative to the base and the wheels rotate about a horizontal axis relative to the wheel support members. 
         [0008]    A further embodiment of the present invention provides integral support members of the base for releasably securing a retaining member which is configured for releasably retaining a connector therein. In use the connector is attached to a resistance means. Preferably, the resistance means includes a length of cable, rope, belts or chains having a proximal end releasably attached to the connector and a distal end attached to weights. 
         [0009]    A further aspect of the of the present invention seeks to provide a method of exercising muscle groups by means of operating the apparatus of the present invention by including the steps of (a) placing wheels of the base on a supporting surface, (b) positioning a part of a users body on the platform of the base in vertical alignment with an arrangement of wheels of the base; (c) positioning a further part of the users body on a kneeling pad or the supporting surface, and (d) moving the apparatus and users body in combination for working the chosen muscle groups in accordance with a chosen exercise for the apparatus. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the present invention provides for a method of exercising muscle groups placing the wheels of an apparatus on a supporting surface, positioning a part of a users body on a platform of a base of the apparatus, positioning a further part of the users body on the supporting surface or kneeling pad, and moving the apparatus in a chosen direction for working the muscle groups in accordance with a chosen exercise. An embodiment of the present invention provides for releasably securing a connector to a retaining member of the base, attaching a first end of a joining member to the connector, attaching a second end of the joining member to a resistance means and moving the apparatus in a multi-directional path with resistance applied. 
         [0011]    A further aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a kit of parts for an exercise apparatus for exercising a user&#39;s body, the apparatus including a base having an upper surface, a lower surface, the upper surface including a platform with contact areas front and back perpendicular to a right side and a left side adjacent a central area of the platform, lower surface rib supports including dependent wheel support members each one with a wheel, at least one wheel adapted for multi-directional movement, and a kneeling pad for ease of use on a supporting surface. An embodiment of the kit of parts of the present invention further includes a retaining member for fixedly attaching to the base, a connector adapted for releasable securement to the retaining member, a joining member with a proximal end for releasable attachment to the connector of the base and a distal end for releasable attachment to a resistance means. 
         [0012]    Other aspects, features, and details of the present invention can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a apparatus shown with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an underside plan view of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the apparatus showing height and angle variation. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a back perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the apparatus showing a preferred embodiment therewith. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an underside plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8   a  to  8   c  are side views of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 to 7  used for a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8   d  is a side view of the of the present invention showing a preferred embodiment therewith. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 9   a  to  9   d  are top plan views of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , used for a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    Referring to the drawings in more detail, numeral ( 1 ) generally designates a portable exercise apparatus constructed of a base ( 2 ) in accordance with the present invention. As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base ( 2 ) has an upper surface ( 3 ) and a lower surface ( 5 ). A platform ( 7 ) of the upper surface ( 3 ) with a front area ( 9 ), a back area ( 11 ), a right side ( 13 ), a left side ( 15 ) and a central area ( 17 ). Preferably, the base ( 2 ) is generally heart-shaped and made from plastic to improve performance and reduce costs. The platform ( 7 ) attached to the base ( 2 ) is preferably made from a foam material impervious to water. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an arrangement of rib supports ( 19 ) as shown on an underside of the base ( 2 ) to define areas of rigidity. Underneath the area of the front ( 9 ) of the base ( 2 ) there are rigid integral support members ( 21 ). Additional rib supports ( 19 ) surround the area, where the wheel support members ( 23 ) are releasably secured into the base ( 2 ) thereby providing the required rigidity and associated strength. The wheel support members ( 23 ) rotate about a releasably secured vertical axis relative to the base ( 2 ), the wheels ( 25 ) rotate about a horizontal axis relative to the wheel support members ( 23 ). The wheels ( 25 ) can be of various types known in the art that allow for a 360 degree of rotation about the wheel support members ( 23 ) and about the base ( 2 ) of the apparatus ( 1 ). The wheels ( 25 ) can be made from suitable materials known in the art that allow for the apparatus ( 1 ) to roll with ease on a supporting surface ( 37 ) in omni-directional or multi-directional paths when in use. The wheels ( 25 ) may snap into position using, for example, a resilient expanding lock ring seated in a lock-ring groove on the lower surface ( 5 ) of the base ( 2 ) for locking a sleeve and connector body of wheel support members ( 23 ) together (not shown) or they are releasably secured in other ways known in the art to allow for exchanging one size of a wheel for a larger or smaller one to adjust the height (h 1  or h 2 ) of the base ( 2 ) from the supporting surface ( 37 ) for adjusting the slope/slant of the platform ( 7 ) and body ( 2 ) to increase or decrease the required exercise. 
         [0025]    As seen from  FIG. 3 , the wheels ( 25 ) are positioned in vertical alignment with areas of platform ( 7 ). Preferably, the wheel support members ( 23 ) and wheels ( 25 ) are in vertical alignment with front area ( 9 ), right side ( 13 ) and left side ( 15 ). Wheels ( 25 ) and the wheel support members ( 23 ) therefore are positioned in a triangular arrangement on lower surface ( 5 ) of the base ( 2 ) for providing stability when in use. The base ( 2 ) as seen from  FIG. 4 , shows the front area ( 9 ) and back area ( 11 ) having disproportionate heights (h 1  and h 2 ) in relation to one another as a means for providing stability. By way of example only, the difference in the disproportionate heights may be varied to accommodate the user. Alternatively, the base ( 2 ) may be provided with a steeper slant or less of a slant of the base and platform ( 7 ). As seen in  FIG. 5 , back area ( 11 ) is higher than front area ( 9 ) and accordingly provides that slant associated with the disproportionate heights (h 1  and h 2 ) as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0026]    As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , integral support members ( 21 ) of base ( 2 ) are used for securing retaining members ( 27 ) therein for positioning a connector ( 29 ) on to base ( 2 ). The retaining members ( 27 ) are releasably secured into the integral support members ( 21 ) by a securing means, preferably, Allan key lock-tight nuts or other securing means known in the art with their appropriate tools for engaging and securing such fasteners. The connector ( 29 ) extends from the base ( 2 ) outwards away from front area ( 9 ) and can be used to attach a resistance means ( 33 ) via a joining member ( 31 ) having a proximate end ( 31   a ) attached to the connector ( 29 ) and a distal end ( 31   b ) which is attached to resistance means ( 33 ). The resistance means ( 33 ) can be in and of itself an elastic joining member ( 31 ) connected via the distal end ( 31   b ) to a stationary structure (not shown). Preferably, the joining member ( 31 ) is selected from a cable, rope, belt (rubber or otherwise), a chain or combinations thereof. The resistance means can be a pulley (high or low) with weights thereon or other known means to apply resistance (refer to  FIG. 8   d ). Typical exercises used with the apparatus ( 1 ) include by way of example, “power crunches” as shown in  FIGS. 8   a  to  8   d  further illustrating connection with resistance means ( 33 ). 
         [0027]    The user, while kneeling on supporting surface ( 37 ) or an edge of kneeling pad ( 35 ) as in this instance, approaches the higher part of the apparatus ( 1 ) from a proximal end of back area ( 11 ) and with head forward toward the distal end of front area ( 9 ) arches the back prior to moving apparatus ( 1 ) in chosen path (Z) while keeping the users ( 39 ) knees are kept stationary on the kneeling pad. The kneeling pad ( 35 ) is made from a suitable material for comfort and ease of use, and is an optional element in the apparatus. 
         [0028]    As can also be seen from both  FIGS. 8   a - 8   d  and  FIGS. 9   a - 9   d,  user ( 39 ) positions the elbows and hands flat on the platform ( 7 ) as opposed to around the edge of the apparatus ( 1 ) or on a handle of an apparatus. The positioning of the elbows and hands on a trilateral formation on the platform ( 7 ) of the apparatus ( 1 ) is preferable. As can be seen in  FIGS. 9   a  to  9   d  the user ( 39 ) works an exercise allowing for a “cyclone” movement that can be in a multi-directional (X Y or Z) path. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the user&#39;s ( 39 ) positional coverage of weight is directed from the user&#39;s ( 39 ) elbows on the right side ( 13 ) and left side ( 15 ) with both hands face down on the front area ( 9 ), of the platform ( 7 ) forming the triangular formation. Use of the apparatus ( 1 ) is not limited to the exercise regimes (as shown in  FIGS. 8   a - 8   d  and  9   a - 9   d ), as the apparatus ( 1 ) can be used in other ways with different parts of the user&#39;s body dependent on the exercise regime followed (not shown). 
         [0030]    The aforesaid examples of exercises of power crunches and cyclones are by no means limiting as one skilled in the art exercising muscle groups would recognize the availability of the apparatus for further exercise regimes applicable for the exercise apparatus ( 1 ) of the present invention. 
         [0031]    The exercise apparatus components (e.g., the base, the platform, the wheel supports, the wheels, and the kneeling pad, may be available individually as spares, or packaged as a kit. Specifically, the kit for the apparatus ( 1 ) includes base ( 2 ), with platform ( 7 ), wheel support members ( 23 ) and wheels ( 25 ), kneeling pad ( 35 ) and a portable carrier (not shown) shaped to easily accommodate for the generally heart-shaped base ( 2 ). 
         [0032]    Optionally, retaining members ( 27 ), preferably in the form of lock-tight Allen key bolts, for insertion into integral support members ( 21 ), an Allen key for adjustment thereof and the at least one connector ( 29 ), can be supplied separately. 
         [0033]    It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings represent only a few of the many ways of implementing the apparatus ( 1 ), the method of use and the kit therefore.