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Push-up benchPush-up bench description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080045390, Push-up bench. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/822,548, filed Aug. 16, 2006. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present invention relates, in general, to exercise equipment and, more particularly, this invention relates to an adjustable push-up bench. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Many exercising adults and children performing push-ups experience difficulty, often because a lack of upper body strength may not allow for effective performance in the standard position. There is a need in the art for a simple and effective device to provide users of any ability the encouragement and support to begin and continue a routine of push-ups designed to build muscle strength, endurance and definition. [0004]Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, several examples of push-up devices have been disclosed. Several examples disclose devices in which the exercise is completed at a non-adjustable fixed angle. One such example is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,868 to Montgomery, which discloses an exercise device comprising a push-up board that includes two push-up handles. The handles can be mounted at various positions on the board, providing the user multiple exercise routines. [0005]Other examples disclose push-up devices that allow a user to perform inclined push-ups, but only at a fixed angle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,119 to Dinkel discloses an inclined push-up device for allowing persons with knee or back problems to exercise more safely. A static platform is utilized to allow a user to complete push-ups from an inclined but fixed angle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,897 to Agan discloses an inclined push-up exercise apparatus in which the device is positioned against the edge of a wall, desk or the like, creating the opportunity to complete inclined push-ups at a fixed angle. The angle of inclination is dependent on the surface chosen to position the device. [0006]Other push-up devices provide a user the opportunity to complete push-ups from a variety of angles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,875 to Stan discloses a collapsible high-low push-up exerciser, in which a user positions a push-up bar at selected heights. The invention of Stan provides no support for the body of an exerciser, increasing stress upon the back and legs. [0007]U.S. Pat. No. 7,060,014 to Bergman et al. discloses a device and method for performing push-ups. The Bergman device includes a body support platform upon which the user is restrained in a prone position by a combination of straps which may be tightened around the user's back and legs, causing possible discomfort. The body support platform is maintained at an angle with respect to a support base, and the angle may be adjusted by the user. The support base includes handles which may be ergonomically positioned to accommodate the physical requirements of users. The handles as disclosed by Bergman are attached to the support base rather than the body support platform. A bias mechanism such as a series of elastomeric bands provides either assisting or resisting force, to be selected by the user. [0008]The present invention, as described and claimed below, has been designed to combine many desirable features disclosed in the prior art, and to improve upon them. The device of the present invention is designed to easily adjust to accommodate a wide variety of exercisers of various shapes, sizes and fitness levels with minimum discomfort. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009]The present invention provides an adjustable push-up bench designed for users of various sizes and strength levels. The device comprises three basic assemblies: a generally rectangular base member, designed to rest on a floor or other similar level surface; a generally rectangular inclined member, which is hingedly attached to the base member and which provides the platform upon which the user performs push-up exercises; and a connecting leg member, which is attached to both the base member and the inclined member. Adjustment of the connecting leg member between a completely horizontal position with respect to the base member and a completely vertical position, with multiple gradations in between, in turn adjusts the inclined member into multiple angles of inclination. The components of each assembly and their interrelationships will be detailed below. [0010]The generally rectangular base member comprises an end rail, an intermediate rail parallel to and positioned opposite the end rail, and two side rails, also positioned parallel to and opposite one another. The end rail and the intermediate rail are attached at each end to each of the two side rails. The intermediate rail is positioned roughly at the midpoint of the length of the side rails. The two side rails, the end rail, and the intermediate rail are assembled to form the generally rectangular perimeter of the base member, open at its far end. An additional end rail, attached to the side rails at the end farthest from the end rail and closing the generally rectangular base, may be added to provide additional structural support to the base. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the two side rails are longer than the end rail and intermediate rail. The base also includes an adjustment rail, which is attached at one end to the end rail and at its other end to the intermediate rail, at roughly the midpoint in length of the intermediate rail and end rail. Thus the adjustment rail is parallel to the side rails of the base, and spans the length between the intermediate rail and the end rail. [0011]The inclined member likewise is generally rectangular, and comprises an end member, an oppositely positioned end assembly, and two side rails, which are parallel and positioned opposite one another. The end member, end assembly, and two side rails are assembled to form the generally rectangular perimeter of the inclined member. The end member of the inclined member is flexibly attached to the base member, by at least one hinge or equivalent attachment. Foot pads are also attached to the end member of the inclined member for the comfort of users of the invention. The end assembly of the inclined member may further include a hand grip for the user, or alternatively may serve as an attachment point for an ergonomically acceptable hand grip. The end assembly may a linear rail member, or in another embodiment, be a U-shaped structure, where the free ends of the "U" engage the side rails of the inclined member. The length of the inclined member may be fixed or adjustable. In a preferred embodiment, the inclined member is adjustable in length, so that the distance between the foot pads and the hand grip can be selected by the user. [0012]The connecting leg member is comprised of one end rail, and two parallel side rails positioned parallel to and opposite one another. The two side rails are each attached to the end rail at one end, forming a U-shaped configuration. An optional cross bar, parallel to the end rail and attached to each side rail at roughly the midpoint of the length of the side rails, may be added for support purposes. The free ends of the side rails of the U-shaped configuration are hingedly attached to the side rails of the inclined member, so that the inclined member and connecting leg member move with respect to one another during adjustment of the device. The end rail of the connecting leg is connected to the adjustment bar of the base member. Thus the connecting leg connects the base member and the inclined member such that the connecting leg props the inclined member in an inclined position with respect to the base. The connecting leg is flexibly attached to a fixed point along the length of the respective side rails of the inclined member. The end rail of the connecting leg is adjustably attached to the base at the adjustment rail; the connecting leg can be released and moved to multiple positions along the adjustment rail. The verticality of the connecting leg, and in turn, the inclination of the inclined member the connecting leg supports, is adjusted by this mechanism, as will be further detailed below. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0013]It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a device designed to facilitate the proper performance of push-ups. [0014]Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise device which reduces the strain on the back, knees and legs of the user often associated with performing push-ups. [0015]Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can be easily adjusted to accommodate the strength level of multiple users, simply by adjusting the angle at which an exercise platform is inclined. [0016]Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can be easily adjusted to accommodate users of varying heights, by adjusting the relative position of the hand grips and foot pads on the inclined exercise platform. [0017]A final object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible push-up bench that folds into a flat configuration for convenient shipping and storage. [0018]In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading about Push-up bench... Full patent description for Push-up bench Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Push-up bench 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 Push-up bench or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Exercise device Next Patent Application: Working machine Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Push-up bench patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.22815 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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