Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for assisting the movement of a user during exercise. The apparatus comprises a base member and a support member having first and second ends rotatably connected to the base member at the first end and being resiliently bendable between said first and second ends. The apparatus further includes a lock for fixing the first end of the support member at an initial position relative to the base member at a locked angle, wherein the support member is adapted to resiliently bend when a force is applied to it by the user. The met comprises resiliently bending the support member between the first and second ends such that the second end is oriented to a second position in response to receiving force applied by the user and resiliently unbending the support member to the first position so as to assist in lifting the user to an initial position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to exercise equipment in general, and in particular to a method and apparatus for assisting the exercise movement of a user. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Exercise is known to be beneficial to the health and well-being of people. However due to injury or lack of physical fitness, many people are not able to perform many types of common exercises. In particular, sit ups are known to be difficult for many people due to the strain that such an exercise may put on the lower back of the individual. This is particularly true in the case of individuals having injuries to their lower back and/or a general lack of physical fitness. It is also known that such lower back injuries are common. 
         [0005]    A sit up typically comprises the exerciser placing their buttocks and feet on a flat level surface such as a ground or exercise mat. The user may then cyclically raise and lower their torso in a rotational movement about their hips so as to alternate between positions in which their torso is upright and in which their torso is adjacent to the flat horizontal surface. 
         [0006]    One difficulty that users may experience in performing a sit up is that they may lack sufficient abdominal strength to raise their body to the substantially upright position. Additionally, some users may have injuries to their lower back which may limit the amount of force that their abdominal muscles may exert during the course of such a movement. For such individuals, it is necessary to reduce the amount of force required to be exerted by their abdominal muscles to perform the sit up. Prior exercise equipments have not sufficiently addressed this issue by reducing the effort required by the user&#39;s abdominal muscles to perform a sit up. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    What is disclosed is a method and apparatus for assisting the movement of a user. The present invention utilizes a bendable member for supporting a portion of the body during the exercise movement. The present invention will provide greater support to the back of a user during exercise, such as for example, during a sit-up by resiliently conforming to the back of the user during the exercise. 
         [0008]    According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an apparatus for assisting the movement of a user during exercise. The apparatus comprises a base member and a support member having first and second ends, rotatably connected to the base member at the first end and being resiliently bendable between said first and second ends. The apparatus further includes a lock for fixing the first end of the support member at a set angle relative to the base member at a locked angle, wherein the support member is adapted to resiliently bend when a force is applied to it by the user. 
         [0009]    The support member may be rotatably connected to the base member about an axis of rotation. The apparatus may further comprise a shaft secured to one of the support member or the base member rotatable within a support block of the other of the support member or the base member for rotation about the axis. 
         [0010]    The lock may further comprise a clamp secured to the bushing for selectively clamping the shaft so as to prevent rotation between the base member and the support member. The clamp may comprise a plurality of flexible fingers surrounding the shaft being adapted to be biased into frictional contact with the shaft. The plurality of flexible fingers may be biased by a cam ring. The damp may further comprise a compressible collar surrounding the shaft, wherein the compressible collar has a tensioner adapted to shorten the compressible collar so as to grip the shaft. The tensioner may comprise a lever operated cam. The compressible collar may bear upon the plurality of flexible fingers. 
         [0011]    The lock may further comprise an indexed collar surrounding the shaft and secured to one of the shaft or support block. The indexed collar may be adapted to selectively engage a corresponding indexed surface secured to the other of the shaft or the support block. The indexed collar may be secured to the shaft. The indexed collar may comprise projections adapted to engage corresponding notches in the indexed surface. 
         [0012]    The support member may comprise a cantilever spring adapted to support a portion of the body of the user. The support member may comprise a substantially planar member. The support member may have a substantially constant modulus of bending elasticity between the first and second ends. The support member may have a greater modulus of bending elasticity proximate to the first end. The support member may have a greater modulus of bending elasticity proximate to the second end. 
         [0013]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed a method for assisting the movement of a user during exercise. The method comprises providing a support member having first and second ends and rotatably orienting the support member at a first position such that the first end is fixed at an angle of inclination relative to horizontal. The method further comprises resiliently bending the support member between the first and second ends such that the second end is oriented to a second position in response to receiving force applied by the user and resiliently unbending the support member to the first position so as to assist in lifting the user to an initial position. The method may also include rotatably fixing the support member relative to a base member with a lock. 
         [0014]    Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view, 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an apparatus for assisting movement of a user during exercise according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the lock apparatus of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  3 - 3  with the camming handle removed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the lock apparatus of  FIG. 3  according to an another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of an alternative lock apparatus for the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the apparatus for assisting movement of a user during exercise according to a further embodiment of the present invention having a button release lock apparatus. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the lock apparatus of  FIG. 6  taken along the line  7 - 7 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the support member rotated to be proximate to the base member. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the support member rotated to an initial position for use during exercise by a user. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the support member bent during use by a user with the user not shown. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is an exploded cross sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 8  taken along the line  11 - 11  showing a weighted insert. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 11 , an apparatus for assisting a movement of a user according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown generally at  10 . The apparatus  10  comprises a base member  12  and an support member  40  rotatably connected to the base member. 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the base member  12  comprises a substantially rectangular planar member having distal and proximate ends  14  and  16 , respectively, and first and second sides  18  and  20 , respectively. It will also be appreciated that the base member may also have other shapes such as, oval, circular, triangular, u-shaped by way of non-limiting example. The proximate end  16  of the base member includes a support block  22  supporting the support member  40  therein. The first and second sides  18  and  20  may have apertures  24  proximate thereto for receiving the hands of a user. The apertures  24  may be utilized as handles for carrying the apparatus  10  or for performing other exercises as discussed further below. 
         [0029]    The support member  40  comprises a planar member having first and second ends  42  and  44 , respectively, and first and second sides  46  and  48 , respectively. The support member  40  comprises a semi-rigid resilient member having a modulus of bending elasticity such that the support member  40  may bend between the first and second ends  42  and  44  as further described below. As illustrated, the support member  40  has a substantially rectangular outline defined by the first and second ends  42  and  44  and first and second sides  46  and  48 . It will be appreciated, however that other shapes of the support member  40  may also be useful, such as, by way of non-limiting example, square, triangular, u-shaped or actuate. 
         [0030]    The support member  40  is rotatably connected to the support block  22  of the base member  12  and is rotatable about axis  50 . The apparatus  10  also includes a lock apparatus  60  for locking the inclination angle between the base member  12  and the first end  42  of the support member  40  as indicated generally at  58 . The support member may optionally include a depression  52  or groove extending from the first end  42  substantially to the second end  44  in a top surface  54  of the support member. As illustrated the depression  52  extends substantially perpendicularly from the first end  42  of the support member. The depression  52  is adapted to receive the spine of a user during some forms of exercise as further described below. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of the apparatus  10  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. The first end  42  of the support member  40  includes at least two spaced apart suspending blocks  62  for spacing a shaft  64  apart from the first end  42  of the support member  40 . As illustrated, the base member may have first second and third support blocks  66 ,  68  and  70 , respectively having spaces therebetween for receiving the suspending blocks  62 . The first second and third support blocks  66 ,  68  and  70  have a continuous bore  72  therethrough aligned with the axis  50 . The bore  72  includes bearings, bushings, journals or other suitable anti-friction means and receives the shaft  64  such that the support member  40  is rotatable relative to the base member  12  about the axis  50 . 
         [0032]    The third support block  70  also includes a plurality of biased fingers  74  extending therefrom so as to surround the bore  72  adjacent to the first side  18  of the base member  12 . The biased fingers include threading on an external face thereof. In the present embodiment, the lock apparatus  60  comprises the biased fingers  74  and a camming handle or cam ring  80 . The camming handle  80  includes an outer gripping surface  82  and a threaded blind bore  84  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). The threaded blind bore  84  cooperate with the threading on the biased fingers  74  to urge the biased fingers racially inward upon the shaft  64  as the camming handle  80  rotated in a direction so as to move it towards the third support block  70 . 
         [0033]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , the camming handle  80  is illustrated in a cross-sectional view adjacent to the biased fingers  74  and shaft  64 . The threaded blind bore  84  have a larger circumference proximate to an open end  86  of the threaded blind bore  84  than at a closed end  88  of the threaded blind bore. Optionally as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , t he threaded blind bore  84  may have a constant circumference while the biased fingers  74  have a lesser thickness at a free distal end  90  than they do at an fixed end  92  proximate to the third support block  70 . It will be appreciated that other methods of biasing fingers towards the shaft  64  may also be used, such as for example, a hose clamp or quick-release type fitting as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0034]    The quick release grip  100  illustrated in  FIG. 5  includes a slotted collar  102  affixed to the third support block  70  and surrounding the shaft  64 . The slotted  10  collar  102  includes at least one axial slot  103  so as to permit the slotted collar to have a variable circumference. As illustrated the shaft  64  may include splines  65  on if s outer surface for engagement with corresponding grooves  104  on an inner surface of the slotted collar  102 . The splines  65  and grooves assist in fixing rotation between the shaft  64  and the slotted collar  102  when the quick release grip  100  is tightened. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the present invention may also include similar splines, ridges or other means to enhance the ability of the band, biased fingers or other means to grip the shaft. The quick release grip  100  includes a band  106  surrounding the slotted collar  102 . The band  106  includes an opening  108  bridged by a bolt  110  or other suitable means. The bolt  110  is secured to a first side  112  of the opening  108  and has a rotatable lever on a second side  114  of the opening. A lever actuated cam  116  is rotatably connected to the bolt  110  so as to bear against and urge the first and second sides  112  and  114  of the opening  108  towards each other when the lever actuated cam  116  is rotated in a direction generally indicated at  118 . 
         [0035]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is Illustrated wherein the apparatus  10  includes a push button locking apparatus  120 . The push button locking apparatus  120  includes a button  122  extending from the third support block  70  along the axis  50 . The button  122  may be utilized to selectively engage and disengage the locking apparatus to adjust the inclination angle  58  between the support member  40  and the base member  12 . As illustrated in cross-section in  FIG. 7 , the shaft  64  includes an end flange  124  having a first mating surface  126  disposed away from the button  122 . The button is connected to a collar  128  that is contained within a cavity  130  in the third support block  70 . The collar  128  is rotationally fixed within the cavity  130  through the use of splines, axial groves or other suitable means on the inside wall  131  of the cavity engaging with corresponding splines, groves or ridges on the collar  128 . The collar  128  surrounds the end flange  124  of the shaft  64  and includes an internal flange  132  having a second mating surface  134  disposed towards the first mating surface  126  of the shaft  64 . 
         [0036]    The internal flange  132  is biased towards the end flange  124  by a spring  136 . The button  122  may be actuated by a user in a direction indicated at  138  so as to disengage the second mating surface  134  from the first mating surface  126 . When the second mating surface  134  is disengaged from the first mating surface  126 , the shaft  64  may be freely rotated relative to the third support block  70  so as to permit the support member  40  to be freely rotated relative to the base member  12 . When the user releases the button  122 , the spring  136  urges the second mating surface  134  into engagement with the first mating surface  126  so as to restrict rotation therebetween thereby preventing the shaft  64  from rotating relative to the third support block  70 . Optionally, the first mating surface  126  of the shaft  64  may have radial grooves adapted to engage corresponding grooves on the second mating surface  134  of the collar  128 . These radial grooves may optionally be bevel or crown gears, or other suitable means of interlocking the first and second mating surfaces  126  and  134 . 
         [0037]    In operation, the apparatus may be adjusted such that the support member  40  is adjacent to the base portion  12  such that there is inclination angle  58  of 0 degrees therebetween as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In this arrangement, the apparatus  10  is suitable for carrying or storage. When a user wishes to use the apparatus, the user may unlock the locking apparatus  60  described above to permit the support member  40  to freely rotate relative to the base member  12 . The user may unlock the locking apparatus by pushing the button  122  illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , by rotating the camming handle away from the third support block  70  of  FIGS. 1 through 4 , or by rotating the lever actuated cam  116  of  FIG. 5 . The user may then position the support member  40  to a desired inclination angle  58  as illustrated in  FIG. 9  and locking the locking apparatus  60  by the reverse action as described above. 
         [0038]    During exercise, a user may apply a portion of their body to the support member  40 , such as, for example a portion of their back during a sit-up. In such an exercise, the user places apparatus behind their back on a surface on which they are sitting. The user may then lean back so as to bring their back into contact with the support member  40 . As the user applies more of their body weight to the support member  40  it will begin to bend as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . When the user has reached the bottom of their sit-up movement, they may begin to return to their initial position. During this portion of the movement, the support member  40  will provide a force to the back of the user so as to assist them in returning to their initial position. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the inclination angle  58  as set by the user does not vary for the first end  42  of the support member  40  during this exercise. Rather, the first end  42  of the support member remains rotationally fixed relative to the base member  12  while the support member bends. It will also be appreciated that other types of exercises may be performed with the current apparatus as well. 
         [0039]    The amount at which the support member  40  bends may be adjusted by selecting different types and thicknesses of materials. For example, where it Is desired to have a stiffer support member  40 , a material having a higher modulus of elasticity or by forming the support member  40  in a thicker shape so as to provide the support member  40  with a higher bending spring constant. For example, the support member may be constructed of fibreglass, plastics, natural or synthetic rubbers or metals, such as hardened steel, for example. It has been found that fibreglass is particularly useful. It will also be appreciated that the support member  40  may have a core of a hardened metal with an outer coating of a softer material to cushion the contact with the users body. Such cushioning material may be selected from any known cushioning material such as natural or synthetic rubber, plastic, fabric or foam rubbers, for example. 
         [0040]    It will also be appreciated that the support member  40  may have a constant or variable spring constant between the first and second ends  42  and  44 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 10 , the support member may have a thickness that is greatest proximate to the first end  42  and thinner proximate to the second end  44 . It will be appreciated that for a support member  40  constructed of a solid material, this will result in a higher spring constant proximate to the first end  42  that reduces proximate to the second end  44 . It will therefore be appreciated that the support member  40  could also be formed having a greater thickness proximate to the second end  44  so as to have a greater spring constant proximate to the second end as well. 
         [0041]    It will be appreciated that the inclination angle  58  to which the support member is initially set will also affect the amount of assistance provided to the user during the exercise movement. This is due to the fact that at higher inclination angles  58 , the user will contact the support member  40  earlier in their movement and will therefore bend the support member  40  to a greater degree during the exercise movement. Due to, the support member  40  being bent to a greater amount, it will apply a greater force to return the user to their initial position due to Hooke&#39;s Law. The inclination angle  58  may be adjustable between a range of angles so as to accommodate a greater or lesser amount of assistance to the user. It has been found that a range of the inclination angle  58  of between 0 and 135 degrees will be useful wherein an initial angel of 0 degrees will correspond to a folded or compact storage position as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In particular, it has been found that an inclination angle of between 45 and 90 degrees will be particularly useful. 
         [0042]    It will be appreciated that the inclination angle  58  will advantageously have a plurality of possible angles that it may be located at so as to permit the user to select one of a plurality of difficulty levels. By way of non-limiting example, the apparatus  10  may be orientable such that the inclination angle  58  is selected from 45, 50, 55, 60 or 75 degrees by way of non-limiting example. It will be appreciated that the angles selected will depend on the level of assistance required by the intended user. In addition, as described above, the first mating surface  126  may have radial grooves engaging corresponding radial grooves on the second mating surface  134  of the collar  128 . It will be appreciated that each set of grooves on the first and second mating surfaces  126  and  134  may correspond to a potential desired inclination angle  58 . Optionally, the first end  42  of the support member  40  may include a pointer  140  adapted to selectively align with one of a plurality of angle indicators  142  on the support block  22  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated the pointer  140  will align with a unique angle indicator  142  when the support member  40  is oriented at a corresponding unique inclination angle  58 . 
         [0043]    Although the above embodiments of the present invention are described as being used to assist the movement of a user during a sit-up, it will be appreciated that other forms of exercise may also be performed with these embodiments. In particular, it will be appreciated that a user may utilize the present apparatus for assisting the user in performing a push-up by placing the apparatus below their chest such that the support member  40  is bent by the user&#39;s chest when the user lowers their body. The support member  40  may then assist the user in returning to an initial position. In addition, it will be appreciated that a user may utilize the present apparatus to provide resistance to a plurality of exercise. By way of non-limiting example, a user may locate the apparatus  10  between their hands so as to place one hand on the support member  40  and one hand on the base member  12 . The user may then compress the apparatus  10  between their hands so as to bend the support member  40 . It will be appreciated that a wide variety of other similar exercises may be performed in a similar manner. 
         [0044]    The apparatus  10  may also include a rotatable leg  160  rotatably extending from the proximate end  16  of the base member  12 . The leg  160  may be rotated in direction  162  so as to be substantially vertical with respect to a surface supporting the apparatus  10 . In such a configuration the first end  42  of the support member  40  will be raised so as to permit additional exercises to be performed. 
         [0045]    Turning to  FIG. 12 , a cross sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 8  is illustrated having a weighted insert  150 . The insert may comprise a plate having parallel side edges  152  each having a ridge  154 . The base member may have a corresponding cavity  160  having sides  162  each having a groove  164 . The grooves  164  are adapted to receive the ridges  154  so as to retain the insert  150  within the cavity  160 . The insert  150  has a weight selected to enable the user to utilize the device as a weight for performing additional exercises as are known. The insert  150  may have a weight such that the overall weight of the apparatus  10  with the insert  150  installed is twenty pounds by way of non-limiting example. It will be appreciated that other weights for the insert  150  and the apparatus may also be selected. It will also be appreciated that a plurality of different inserts  150  may be provided to enable the user to select their desired weight of the apparatus  10 . 
         [0046]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.