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Abdominal exercise apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Sit Up DeviceAbdominal exercise apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060166799, Abdominal exercise apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/621,648 filed on Oct. 26, 2004. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present application relates to an exercise machine for exercising various muscle groups by employing a resistive force against a range of bodily movement. More particularly, the present application is a versatile exercise machine for exercising the main and lower abdominals, the internal and external obliques, the quadratus lumborum, and the triceps. BACKGROUND [0003] Many types of machines have been designed for exercising stomach, side, and lower back muscles. Some of these employ springs, bows, weights, elastic, and body weight as resistance and utilize stretching, pulling, twisting, bending, and tucking motions applied against this resistance to achieve the desired effect. [0004] Generally, these machines are either unidirectional, enabling the user to work in only one plane of motion, or multi-directional, but with limited range of movement. Most often, adjustments are necessary to facilitate various modes of exercise, requiring the user to stop exercising in order to disconnect and reconnect the operative parts of the apparatus between modes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0005] In the drawings and description that follows, like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration. [0006] FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise machine 100; [0007] FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of the exercise machine 100; [0008] FIG. 3A is a simplified side view of one embodiment of a multidirectional pivot assembly 140 of the exercise machine 100; [0009] FIG. 3B is a simplified top view of one embodiment of a multidirectional pivot assembly 140 of the exercise machine 100; and [0010] FIG. 4A-E are simplified views of a user performing various exercises on the exercise machine 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0011] This application describes an exercise machine for exercising various muscle groups by employing a resistive force against a range of bodily movement. FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified perspective view of one embodiment of an exercise machine 100. The exercise machine 100 is a multi-directional abdominal exercise apparatus. However, as described below, it may be employed for exercising abdominal, back, and arm muscles, including the main and lower abdominals, the internal and external obliques, the quadratus lumborum, and the triceps. [0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the exercise machine 100 includes a frame assembly, or support assembly, 105 configured to support a user in at least a sitting position. The frame assembly 105 includes at least a bench or a seat 110 and an upright member 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the upright member 115 is an angled post. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the frame assembly may employ a vertical post, an A-frame, a plurality of legs, or any other appropriate member. [0013] The seat 100 defines a forward direction F. In other words, in the illustrated embodiment, the seat 100 is configured to orient a user towards the forward direction F under normal operation of the exercise machine. As will be described in more detail below, most of the exercises performed on the exercise machine 100 require a user to sit in the seat 100 facing the forward direction F. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 110 is a contoured seat mounted parallel to a floor surface. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the frame assembly may employ an oblong bench or any other known structure for supporting a user. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), the seat may be mounted to the upright member at an angle, or the angle of the seat may be adjustable to accommodate different preferences of a user or to allow a user to perform additional exercises. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), the height of the seat may be adjustable to accommodate users of different sizes. [0014] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the frame assembly 105 further includes an elongated body member 120 and front and rear members 125a,b configured to rest upon a floor surface. The frame assembly 105 also includes an optional foot support member or members, such as a foot plate 130. In one embodiment, the frame assembly 105 is constructed of metal tubing, such as 4-inch elliptical tubing. In other embodiments, the frame assembly may be constructed of a polymeric material or other suitable material. [0015] The exercise machine 100 further includes a pair of arm members 135 connected to a pivot assembly 140, such that the arm members 135 may be engaged by a user and pivoted in a first direction, a second direction, and the first and second directions concurrently, as will be described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm members 135 include ergonomically designed handlebars to provide a comfortable grip for a user. The arm members 135 are connected to each other via a rigid connection 145, such that both arm members must be moved together. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the arm members may be connected to separate pivots so that each arm member may be moved independently of the other. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the arm members may part of a unitary component. [0016] The exercise machine 100 further includes at least one resistance mechanism, as will be further described below. In the illustrated embodiment, the exercise machine 100 employs a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies 150. The piston and cylinder assemblies may be adjustable or non-adjustable. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the exercise machine employs a single piston and cylinder assembly. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), the exercise machine may employ elastic bands, springs, weights, or any other known resistance mechanisms. [0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified side view of the exercise machine 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the piston and cylinder assemblies 150 are disposed between the frame assembly 105 and the arm members 135. In the illustrated embodiment, the piston and cylinder assemblies 150 are pivotally connected to the upright member 115 via pivoting connections 155a,b. The piston and cylinder assemblies 150 would thus provide resistance in any direction the arms 135 are moved. In an alternative embodiment, the piston and cylinder assemblies 150 may be connected via ball and joint connections. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), the exercise machine may employ a resistance mechanism that is connected to a seat or another member of a frame assembly. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the resistance mechanism may be directly connected to the pivot assembly 140. [0018] The exercise machine 100 also employs a resistance adjustment mechanism 160, as will be described in more detail below. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the resistance mechanism 160 is configured to adjust a distance X measured from the pivot assembly 140 to the pivoting connection 155b between the piston and cylinder assembly 150 and the arm members 135. As this distance X is increased, the user will have to move the piston and cylinder assembly 150 through a greater range of motion and thus feel more resistance. In other embodiments (not shown) the resistance may be adjusted by adjusting the internal resistance of a piston and cylinder assembly, or by adding or subtracting elastic bands, springs, weights, or other resistance members. [0019] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the frame assembly 105 includes front and rear floor guides 165a,b. The floor guides 165a,b are constructed of a material softer than metal and having a low coefficient of friction so that the exercise machine 100 may be easily moved across a floor surface and the exercise machine will not damage a floor surface. Exemplary materials include nylon or other polymeric materials. Continue reading about Abdominal exercise apparatus... Full patent description for Abdominal exercise apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Abdominal exercise apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Abdominal exercise apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Exercise device Next Patent Application: Abdominal exercise machine Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Abdominal exercise apparatus patent info. 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