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Abdominal exercise device

Abdominal exercise device description/claims

This invention claims priority from the earlier-filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/935,450, filed on Aug. 14, 2007.

The present invention relates to exercise devices, and in particular, to abdominal exercise devices.

Abdominal exercises are recommended for toning of the abdominal area, increasing the core strength of an individual, and alleviating back problems. The proper exercise of the abdominal muscles is often confused with the traditional sit-up, whereas in fact, exercise of the lower abdominal muscles requires a significantly different motion.

Various portable exercise devices are well-known and a number of these devices are designed to assist a user in properly completing a sit-up. One such exercise device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,425. This device is supported on the floor and the user performs the sit-up against a variable resistance that is adjustable by the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,923 discloses an exercise device where a user in a sitting position pulls a pivoted backrest portion forwardly to perform a sit-up type exercise. The pivot position is generally at the base of the seat.

There are a number of devices that have been proposed for use in combination with a traditional chair. One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,081.

More recently there has been a shift in emphasis from a sit-up type exercise to a crunch-type exercise for exercising the abdominal muscles. U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,598 shows a particular apparatus which is placed to the front side of the user sitting on a chair and the user effectively compresses the device by means of a forwarded pivoting action to form a crunch-type exercise.

The present invention provides an exercise device that is easily supported on an upright chair or made as an integral part of a conventional chair such as a desk chair.

An abdominal exercise device according to the present invention comprises an upright base connected to a pivoting upper section. The upper section includes two pivoting handles adapted to extend forwardly at an upper edge of the pivoting upper section in a perpendicular manner to provide hand grip extensions above the shoulders of a user used to pivot the upper section relative to the upright base. The upper section and the upright base include a variable bias arrangement adapted to provide a resisting force when the upper section is pivoted forwardly relative to the upright base. The upright base is of a length significantly greater than the pivoting upper section, such that a pivoting axis between the pivoting upper section and the upright base is generally located adjacent a lower edge of the shoulder blades of a user.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bias arrangement includes replaceable torsion rods extending across the pivot axis and secured to the upright base and the pivoting upper section.

In a further aspect of the invention, the upright base and the pivoting upper section each include at least three securement slots for retaining the replaceable torsion rods.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the upright base and the pivoting upper section each include a molded plastic structural support having the securement slots molded therein.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, the replaceable torsion rods are inserted or removed through a top access slot of the pivoting upper section.

In a preferred structure of the invention, the pivoting upper section and the upright base include a common upholstered front face including an inner foam cushion layer.

In a different aspect of the invention, the upright base and the pivoting upper section each include opposed lugs including a pivoting port that receives a pivot shaft and forms part of the pivot axis.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, the hand grip extensions are telescopic and lockable to set a hand grip extension appropriate for the user.

In an aspect of the invention, the pivoting handles are movable between a storage position, with the hand grip extensions extending across a width of the upright portion at an upper edge thereof, to an exercise position, with the hand grip extensions generally perpendicular to the pivoting upper section.

In yet a different aspect of the invention, the exercise device forms the backrest portion of a chair and preferably forms the backrest portion of an office chair.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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