Abstract:
A progressive resistance exercise device is provided. The progressive resistance exercise device includes a vacuum chamber of the progressive resistance device having a size to span an abdomen of the user from approximately just below a breastbone to approximately just above a pelvic bone of the user and a vacuum source coupled to the vacuum chamber, said vacuum source and vacuum chamber together being operable to provide progressive resistance to abdominal contractions of the user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The field of the invention relates to exercise and more particularly to progressive resistance exercise.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/571,796 filed on May 16, 2002 (pending), which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/895,527 filed on Jul. 17, 1997 (abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/653,812 filed on May 26, 1996 (abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/343,117 filed on Nov. 22, 1994 (abandoned).  
           [0003]    This invention relates to an exercise device generally, and more particularly to a device for use in exercising the abdominal muscles through application of suction.  
           [0004]    Therapeutic medicine has clearly established the fact that muscles can retain their strength and elasticity only if they are forced to perform the balanced movements of both contracting and stretching. Known prior art exercise devices, however, are directed to and are limited to repetitive contraction of abdominal muscles only. Known exercise devices are either designed for the development of mighty abdominal muscles or for superficially toning them by periodic contraction of these muscles against resistance, or by impact produced by various impact devices. Abdominal exercisers typically require use of other muscles in addition to abdominal muscles such as back and leg muscles. In such machines, the user typically bends the back to contract the abdominal muscles or brings the legs forward to accomplish the same purpose. Those with back ailments or other similar problems are unable to use such devices. Additionally, those using such devices may injure other muscles.  
           [0005]    In addition, it is desirable that exercise devices be adaptable so that other parts of the body may be exercised. Such an adaptable device saves space which may be at a premium in gyms and homes.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The disadvantages and problems of the above-described devices for exercising the abdominal muscles are substantially overcome by the present invention by providing an abdominal exerciser that uses suction to exercise the abdominal muscles. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for exercising the abdominal muscles that substantially overcomes the above problems.  
           [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved exercise device that does not require substantial use of the back or leg muscles when performing the abdominal exercises.  
           [0008]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved exercise device using suction against which the abdominal muscles work.  
           [0009]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved exercise device that can vary the suction to adjust the intensity of the exercise performed.  
           [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved exercise device which may be easily adapted to exercise different parts or members of the body.  
           [0011]    The invention for performing abdominal exercises includes a rigid shell having an upper portion, sidewalls rigidly attached to the upper portion, the rigid shell defining an internal chamber, and an opening of the chamber disposed opposite the upper portion. The sidewalls form a rim portion disposed along a portion of the opening and is adapted for sealably attaching to the abdominal portion of the body. A vacuum mechanism connected to the shell portion and in communication with the chamber creates suction within the shell such that the applied suction may be counteracted by the abdominal muscles to exercise the muscles. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a user in operational contact with a preferred embodiment of an exercise device;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a cut-away side view of the shell depicting a plunger mechanism according to a specific embodiment of the present invention taken along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 1; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an attachment to the exercise device of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 depicts a hand powered pump that may be used with the exercise device of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the exercise device is shown generally as  10 . The exercise device  10  includes a substantially rigid shell  12  which defines an inner chamber  13 . The rigid shell  12  has a rear wall or portion  14  and a side wall  16  rigidly attached about the periphery of the rear portion and extending forward from the rear portion to define an open end  18 . The sidewall  16  is preferably integrally formed with the rear portion  14 . The forward end of the sidewall forms a rim  20  which may have sealing or cushioning material  21  such as rubber or plastic secured to it so that when the shell  12  is placed on an abdominal portion of a user, the flow of air between the rim  20  and the abdominal portion  24  of the user is restrained. Preferably a substantially air-tight seal should be formed between the rim  20  and the abdominal portion  24 . Any suitable sealing material may be used, such as closed cell sponge rubber.  
         [0018]    While the shell  12  is depicted as generally rectangular in shape with a rectangular planar rear portion  14 , it will be appreciated that any suitable shape or size may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Such suitable shapes include a cylinder, a hemisphere, or any irregular shape that provides a rim which sealably contacts at least a portion of the abdominal area of the body such that a sealed chamber  13  is placed about the area.  
         [0019]    A vacuum mechanism, shown generally as  28 , creates a partial vacuum within the shell  12 , and thus, creates suction that “pulls” against the abdominal muscles  24 . The vacuum created when the user activates the vacuum mechanism  28  essentially urges the abdominal muscles  24  to distend into the shell  12  such that to contract the abdominal muscles the user must counteract the suction force of the vacuum. Repeated contractions of the abdominal muscle  24  against the force created by the suction effectively exercises the abdominal muscles.  
         [0020]    Further, as a person of skill in the art would recognize, the amount of contracting force necessary to resist the vacuum would become progressively greater, the closer the user brings his abdomen to a flattened (non-extended) state. As such, the exercise device  10  represents a very economical source of progressive resistance exercise.  
         [0021]    The shell  12  is suitably dimensioned to fit the abdominal portion of the user and may be produced in several sizes to accommodate children and adults. The shell preferably fits over the abdominal portion of the user and may be large enough to extend from just below the breast bone to just above the pelvic bone. Corresponding, the shell  12  is small enough so that the rim  20  sealably contacts the various body contours of the user to attain a vacuum seal.  
         [0022]    The vacuum mechanism  28  includes a vacuum pump  30 , a vacuum tube  32  connected to the vacuum pump, and a valve  34  or collar located in the rear portion  14  of the shell  12  for connecting the vacuum tube to the shell  12 . The vacuum pump  30  and vacuum tube  32  may be supplied by a household vacuum cleaner apparatus whereby the vacuum cleaner hose easily attaches to the valve  34  or collar located in the shell  12 . Once the vacuum cleaner is activated, the vacuum is supplied, and hence, suction is created within the chamber  13 . Alternatively, the vacuum pump  30  may be a stand-alone pump powered by household electricity or may be a battery powered pump. The vacuum pump  30  may also be a hand powered pump such as a squeeze-bulb pump which produces a vacuum when repeatedly squeezed. Any suitable device for creating a vacuum may be used. Such vacuum producing pumps and equipment are common, inexpensive, and well known in the art.  
         [0023]    The exercise  10  device may also include a vacuum gauge  36  attached to the shell  12 . The vacuum gauge  36  measures the vacuum created to indicate to the user the current level of exertion, since the greater the vacuum, the greater the suction force exerted on the abdominal muscles  24 , and hence, the greater the intensity of the exercise in the contracting of the muscles.  
         [0024]    A vacuum adjustment mechanism  38  may be disposed in the shell  12  to allow the user to vary the applied vacuum. The vacuum adjustment mechanism  38  allows a controlled amount of air flow into the shell so that the amount of suction may be reduced or increased by the user. The vacuum adjustment mechanism  38  includes a slot  39  preferably disposed in the sidewall  16  of the shell and a movable sliding door  40  capable of selectively blocking the slot when moved by the user. This allows the user to easily adjust suction force and thus the level of exercise. For example, if the user decides to reduce the exertion level of the exercise, the door  40  may be moved towards an open position so that the vacuum is significantly reduced. When the user wishes to increase the exertion level, the door  40  is shut to allow the vacuum to increase to appropriate exercise levels. Alternatively, the vacuum adjustment mechanism  38  may be, for example, a valve with a controllable opening, a rotatable vent, or any suitable mechanism which controls the level of vacuum within the shell  12 . The vacuum pump  30  may also include a control which varies the level of vacuum such as a port in the hose which may be selectively opened. Of course, placement of the vacuum gauge  36  or the vacuum adjustment mechanism  38  is not limited to any specific location on the shell  12  and may be placed at any convenient location.  
         [0025]    The shell may also include two finger holes  41  adjacent the slot  39  in the sidewall  16 . When the exercise device  10  is activated, it is preferred that the user block each finger hole  41  with a finger to maintain the vacuum. This allows for an effective emergency reduction of the suction by removal of the fingers from the finger holes  41 , should such a reduction be necessary.  
         [0026]    In an alternate embodiment, a single vacuum mechanism  28  may provide the vacuum to a plurality of exercise shells  12  through a series of vacuum tubes. The plurality of shells  12  could then be used by a number of users at the same time. This is economical since only a single vacuum pump  30  is needed.  
         [0027]    In another embodiment, a belt or strap  42  may be provided to secure the shell  12  to the user. The belt  42  may attach to the shell  12  and encircle the user&#39;s waist to further secure the shell when the user is in the vertical position. For example, such a belt  42  may fasten with VELCRO®, or may be in the form of a seat belt with clasps.  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the exercise device  10  of FIG. 1 is shown having a plunger mechanism, shown generally as  50 . Various exercise devices may be used in an attempt to maintain a constant amount of tension or force exerted by the muscles throughout the entire range of muscle movement. The plunger mechanism  50  responds to the amount of the displacement of the abdominal muscles  24  and varies the vacuum level so as to vary the force of the suction dependent on the configuration of the abdomen. By varying the suction depending upon the configuration of the abdomen, the progressive resistance provided by the device  10  may be altered to provide a constant resistance.  
         [0029]    The plunger mechanism  50  includes a flap  52  having one end mounted to the rear portion  14  of the shell  12 . The other end of the flap  52  is pivotally attached to an arm  53 . The other end of the arm  53  connects to a foot  54  adapted to contact the abdominal muscle area  24 . When the abdominal muscles are most relaxed (most distended) as shown by numeral  56 , the arm  53  is in a first position, shown as I. When the abdominal muscles  24  are least relaxed or most contracted, as shown by a dashed line and designated as numeral  58 , the arm  53  is in a second position, shown as II. A spring  59  disposed at the end of the flap  52  mounted to the shell  12  urges the flap  52  and the arm  53 , and hence, the foot  54 , against the abdominal portion  24  of the user regardless of the position of the user. Thus, the user may be vertical or horizontal when using the exerciser  10 .  
         [0030]    The position of arm  53  relative to the abdominal muscles  24  and the shell  12  communicates the effective position of the abdomen to the flap  52 . Depending upon the position of the arm  53 , the flap  52  partially blocks the opening  66  of the vacuum tube  32  at a point where the tube enters the shell  12 . This varies the level of applied vacuum. When the abdominal muscles  24  are most relaxed, as shown by numeral  56 , the vacuum is maintained at a minimum level since the flap  52  is in the most closed position covering the opening  66 . Conversely, when the abdominal muscles  24  are most contracted, as when the user is exercising heavily against the progressive resistance, as shown by numeral  58 , the vacuum is maintained at a maximum level since the flap  52  is in the most open position allowing full suction to be applied.  
         [0031]    Alternatively, the minimum and maximum vacuum levels may be adjusted by the user to provide a comfortable exercise level. For example, the minimum vacuum level may be increased while the maximum vacuum level may be decreased by adjusting the plunger mechanism.  
         [0032]    The spring  59  also biases the flap  52  away from the opening  66  to counteract the suction force applied by the vacuum pump  30 . The angular displacement of the flap  52  governed by the arm  53  and abdomen  24  when the abdomen is relaxed, forces the flap  52  to at least partially block the opening  66  by overcoming the biasing force of the spring  59 .  
         [0033]    The flap  52  need not be attached to the arm  53  such that displacement of the arm results in an equal displacement of the flap. Rather, the plunger mechanism  50  may include a mechanism, such as a gear and ratchet mechanism  70  which translates movement of the arm  53  into an incremental movement of the flap  52 . For example, displacement of the arm  53  may not cause angular displacement of the flap  52 , but rather, may cause horizontal displacement of the flap in a direction parallel to the upper portion  14  of the shell, as shown by the arrow labeled  72 . Thus, displacement of the arm  53  may cause the flap  52  to be horizontally displaced relative to the opening  66  so that a small portion of the opening is partially blocked. This allows displacement of the arm  53  to accurately control coverage of the flap  52  over the opening  66  to maintain a desired level of vacuum within the chamber  13 . Thus, the plunger mechanism  50  adjusts the vacuum level to keep a substantially constant force against the abdominal muscles  24  so that the user experiences a substantially “constant resistance” when exercising.  
         [0034]    Alternatively, the size and shape of the shell  12  may be altered to provide an exercise device for muscle groups other than the abdominal muscle.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIG. 4, in conjunction with FIG. 1, an apparatus for use in combination with the exercise device  10  to form an assembly for exercising such members of the body as the arms and legs is shown generally at  100 . The apparatus  100  is configured to utilized the suction created within the shell  12  to provide a force resisting the outward movement of a planar member  102  within the chamber  13 . The member  102  is preferably rigid and maybe made of any suitable material. The member  102  is attached about its periphery to an inner end  104   a  of a diaphragm  104  composed of a flexible material which is substantially nonporous to the passage of air, such as a rubberized cloth.  
         [0036]    The planar member  102  is sized so that it fits within the sidewalls  16  of the shell  12  in a position which is substantially parallel to the rear portion  14  and may freely move within the shell toward and away from the rear portion. An outer end  104   b  of the diaphragm is attached to a liner  106  which is preferably elastic, and sized so that the liner may be stretched about and sealingly engaged to the sealing material  21  about the rim  20  of the shell  12 . Because of the elasticity, the liner  106  may be slightly stretched to fit about and sealingly engage the rim  20 .  
         [0037]    As will be noted, when the assembly  100  is attached to the shell  12 , the planar member  102 , diaphragm  104  and liner  106  combine to seal against, or severely restrict the flow of air, so that the suction force created by the vacuum pump  30  draws the planar member  102  back toward the rear portion  14 . The suction force also provides a force of resistance opposing the movement of the member  102  away from the rear portion  14  and toward the rim  20 . A grasping member  108  for applying an outward directed force to move the planar member  102  away from the rear portion  14  is attached to the planar member  102 . The grasping member  108  is preferably a handle  110  but may also be an adjustable strap with a hood and pile arrangement so that a foot or hand may be removably attached to the planar member  102 .  
         [0038]    To fixably attach the assembly  100  to the shell  12  so that use of the assembly does not dislodge the assembly from the shell, the assembly includes a number of self-attaching flaps  112 . The flaps  112  have sufficient length to extend around the sidewall  16  to the exterior of the rear portion  14  where the flaps may be attached to each other by means of hook and pile strips  114  which are placed on both sides of each of the flaps in close proximity to the outer end  112   a  of the flaps.  
         [0039]    In operation, the user takes the insert apparatus  100  and inserts the planar member  102  into the chamber  13  and positions the member  102  so that it is generally co-planar with the rear portion  14  of the shell  12 . The liner  106  is then juxtaposingly extended about the sealing material  21  disposed about the rim  20 . With this placement, the diaphragm  104  extends generally along the sidewall  16  within the chamber  13 . The flaps  112  are then folded along the exterior of the sidewall  16 , around the rear portion  14  and attached to each other with the hook and pile strips  114 . The flaps  112  should be attached so that they are taut along the shell  12  to firmly anchor the liner  106  along the rim  20 .  
         [0040]    The vacuum pump  30  is then activated which creates a suction in the space defined by and between the apparatus  100  and shell  12  within the chamber  13 . The suction draws the member  102  against or in close proximity to the rear portion  14 . The user may then grasp the grasping member  108  to pull the planar member forward, away from the rear portion  14  and toward the rim  20 . After the user has pulled the planar member  102  away from the rear portion  14  and preferably to a position generally aligned with the rim  20 , the user may than reduce the pulling force so that the suction pulls the member  102  back toward the upper portion  14 . This process may than be repeated until the exercise activity is complete.  
         [0041]    The device  10 , in its illustrated embodiments, differs from prior art devices in a number of regards. Further, the prior art devices may generally be divided into massage and respiration devices. Massage devices, in general, tend to be smaller than the device  10  and, by definition, are intended for the stimulation of blood flow in localized areas.  
         [0042]    For example, Russian Patent No. SU 1556-676-A to Guskov describes a vacuum message device. Guskov is described as being intended for kidney massage and is therefore smaller than the exercise device  10  that spans the abdomen. Further, in being intended for kidney massage, the Guskov device would be shaped to conform with the kidneys rather than having the elonged shape of the exercise device  10 .  
         [0043]    In contrast, respiration devices tend to be larger than the device  10  and rely upon the skeleton of the user for support during use. In specific, prior art respiration devices are generally supported on an upper end by the user&#39;s rib cage and on a lower end by the user&#39;s pelvic bone.  
         [0044]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,772,673 to Huxley describes an artificial respiration apparatus. As such, Huxley is different not only in its intended purpose, but also in its structural details. For example, in order to effectively respirate a patient, the Huxley shell is shown to extend from an area over the patients rib cage on a first end to an area over the patient&#39;s ilium on a second end.  
         [0045]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,490,395 to Wilm also describes a respirator. Wilm also differs in its intended purpose and in its structural details. As with Huxley, the Wilm shell extends from over the patent&#39;s rib cage on a first end to an area over the pubic bone on a second end.  
         [0046]    Specific embodiments of the abdominal exercise device according to the invention have been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be made and used. It should be understood that implementation of other variations and modifications of the invention and its various aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. It is therefore contemplated to cover by the present invention any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic principles disclosed and claimed herein.