CA2590880C

CA2590880C - Exercise bench platform with multiple functions

Info

Publication number: CA2590880C
Application number: CA 2590880
Authority: CA
Inventors: Hector Alejandro Suaste
Original assignee: Vencompass Group Enterprises Ltd
Current assignee: Vencompass Group Enterprises Ltd
Priority date: 2007-05-30
Filing date: 2007-05-30
Publication date: 2012-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2027-05-30
Also published as: CA2590880A1

Abstract

An exercise bench platform, which has a rectangular deck having a plurality of spaced apart holes therein for permitting the free passage therethrough of an elastic cord or tubing or rope; and a semicircular rocker assembly affixed to a central bottom portion of said deck. Two removable rectangular support blocks allow the exercise bench platform to become a fixed platform.

Description

EXERCISE BENCH PLATFORM WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS
FIELD

The present invention relates to an exercise bench platform capable of multiple uses for a wide variety of exercises.

BACKGROUND
Various types of fitness exercises address different aspects of fitness, such as aerobics, stability, mobility, muscle strength, muscle endurance, core training, pilates, yoga and plyometrics ranging from rehabilitation to extreme for all sports.
Such exercises often require different items of equipment such as stepping platforms, bench platforms, blocks, elastic cord, etc. Exercise bench platforms are generally of two types, namely, rocker boards and wobble boards. A rocker board permits only side-to-side rocking movement while a wobble board permits side-to-side and front to back movement, over a 360-degree range. Both boards enhance range of movement and stability, and develop better core stability and strength. A tool commonly used by fitness classes is the stepping platform. It is used in step aerobics to intensify the workout and consume more oxygen. A block is another tool used in yoga to aid in stretching. It can be used to support the user when in the basic sitting position with legs crossed. Elastic cord or bands and rope can be used for resistive exercises to give a resistance, which increases with extension. It would be advantageous to be able to combine a number of items of exercise equipment into a single portable item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided an exercise bench platform having a rectangular planar deck. The deck has two parallel long edges and two parallel end edges. The deck has a top surface and an under surface. Depending centrally from each of the long edges of the under surface of the deck is a semicircular rocker such that the deck is supported above the floor by the two rockers.

Optionally, one or more holes are provided that pass through the bench platform permitting the free passage of an elastic cord, tubing, or rope. By using elastic cord, tubing, or rope together with the exercise bench platform, as disclosed herein, it is possible to expand considerably the range of exercises to include negative and positive resistance exercises.

Optionally, there are provided cross supports on the under surface of the deck extending substantially the width of the deck, perpendicularly from one rocker to the other. Thus, the cross supports and rockers forming a substantially square recessed area, or box, on the under surface of the deck. This box receives a ball and allows the user to use the deck to balance on the ball. The box area constrains rolling of the ball relative to the deck and requires rotation of the exercise bench platform in order to rotate the ball.

Optionally, there are provided a pair of support blocks, each removably attachable to the under surface of the deck at either end thereof to prevent the deck from tipping and to support the deck in a stable position above the floor. The support blocks may have a rectangular profile in cross-section.

Optionally, elongated strips of a high friction material are attached to a top surface of the deck.

Optionally, the upper portion of the rockers extend toward the ends of the deck to form ribs that join the ribs to the under surface of the deck. Optionally, there is provided strips of pliant material attached to the under surface at the ends of the deck to cushion the contact between the deck-ends and the floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise bench platform with a user and an elastic cord, one end of which is attached to a wall or other support.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the exercise bench platform being used with support blocks to hold the platform level while the user performs an exercise.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the exercise bench platform showing an exercise using leveling support blocks and elastic cord.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the exercise bench platform showing an exercise using an elastic cord.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the exercise bench platform.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the exercise bench platform in association with a ball.

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the block as viewed from an end.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the block as viewed from the side.
Fig. 9 is a top view of the exercise bench plafform.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation view of the exercise bench platform in association with a ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
STRUCTURE OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Fig. 1 the exercise bench platform 10 has a rectangular deck 27 which has two parallel long-edges and two parallel end-edges. The deck has an upper surface and an under surface.

The deck 27 is supported at its longitudinal center by a pair of rockers 11, one rocker depending centrally from the under surface of each long-edge. As seen in Figs 1 and 5, the rockers 11 are in the form of semicircular rocker plates 29. The deck is supported above the floor by the rockers; consequently, when a user mounts the deck there is produced a side-to-side rocking motion.

As shown in Fig. 5, cross supports 20 extend from a front face 17 to a back face 15 of the deck 27, thereby producing a box 31 on the under surface of the deck. The volume of the box being bounded on two sides by the cross-supports 20 and on the other two sides by the rockers 11. As seen in Figs. 6 and 10, the box 31 on the underside of the deck 27 receives a ball 26, such as a 6 to 8 pound medicine ball or a size 5 soccer ball, as shown in dotted outline. In this configuration the exercise bench platform 10 functions as a wobble board whereby the user attempts to balance on the deck while it is suspended above the floor by only the ball.

At least one hole 14 in the exercise bench platform permits the passage of elastic cord, or tubing, or rope 13 for use by a user 16 in a variety of exercises.
(Fig 9.) The preferred positions of the holes 14 is that two are proximate either end of the deck 27 aligned parallel to the ends and four holes are in the box 31 proximate each corner thereof. Holes are also provided in the rockers 11 (Fig 2.) As a result of the holes, a user can pull up on the elastic cord or tubing or rope 13 in various ways to expand the range of exercises possible. Cord of different levels of resistance can be used.

Affixed to the upper surface are elongated strips 21, 23, and 25 of friction tape.
At the extreme ends the underside of the exercise bench platform 10 has two cushion strips 32 made of pliable material and extending across the exercise bench platform 10 to soften the impact of the exercise bench platform 10 with the floor and minimize noise.

Ribs 22 (see Figs. 2 and 10) extend from the upper portions of the rockers 11 laterally toward the ends of the deck 27 to provide rigidity to the deck.
These ribs 22 run along the underside of deck 27 adjacent longitudinally extending edges thereof.

Support blocks are provided that are attachable to the under surface of the deck.
Referring to Fig. 2, it can be seen that the exercise bench platform 10 can be converted to a stepping platform by placing the support blocks 12 underneath each end of the deck 27. The exercise bench platform 10 is then held in a stable horizontal position while a user 18 uses it to perform stepping exercises. Alternatively, as seen in Fig. 3, elastic cord or tubing or rope 13 may be passed through selected ones of holes 14 to perform resistive exercises while the deck 27 is supported level above the floor by the support blocks 12.

Figs. 7 and 8, show the cross-sectional profiles of the support blocks 12. The long dimension of the support blocks as shown in Fig. 7, is approximately the same distance between the under surface of the deck and the floor, when the deck is level to the floor. These support blocks are removably attached to the under surface of the deck on either end thereof. Thus, when the support blocks are attached to the ends of the deck as shown in Fig. 2, they support the deck in a level, horizontal position and convert the exercise bench platform 10 to a stepping platform as discussed above.

The preferred length of the exercise bench platform 10 is 38 inches so as to allow for proper lunges and squats. The width is 10.5 inches, which is the standard width of a staircase step. The height is 6 inches, which is the height of most platforms and stairs. The large surface area of the exercise bench platform 10 provides a high level of stability and allows a wide variety of exercises from rehabilitation to all sports including extreme sports. The holes 14 are 1.5 inches in diameter to permit the free passage of resistance tubing handles and bungee cords or rope.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

In operation the user 16 stands on the exercise bench platform 10 and attempts to stay balanced while performing any number of exercises. The exercises can range from simply standing on the board with feet spread and attempting to maintain balance to pulling up on the elastic cord or tubing or rope 13 which can be looped through various sets of the holes 14 while standing, lunging or squatting.
Alternatively, the exercise bench platform 10 may be placed on top of a medicine or soccer ball and used as a wobble board, capable of multi-directional balancing and spinning through degrees. Another option is to place the support blocks 12 underneath either end of the exercise bench platform 10 and use the exercise bench platform 10 as a stepping platform. Finally, the support blocks 12 may be used alone for yoga exercises.
The strategically placed holes 14 allow many options for wrapping elastic cord, or tubing, or rope 13 to provide for both a positive and a negative resistance. This feature allows for strength conditioning of muscles in combination with balance and stability training. For example, extra balance and stability can be achieved by working with a partner or trainer who uses the elastics to exert a pull on the one training, strengthening his/her balance reaction.

Referring to Fig. 4, with the exercise bench platform 10 free to rock, an elastic cord, or tubing, or rope 13 is passed through holes 14 in one end of the deck 27, then the elastic cord, or tubing, or rope 13 is pulled on while the user 16 balances on the exercise bench platform 10 with one foot.

Accordingly while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense.
Various modifications of the illustrative embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bench platform assembly, comprising:
A. a deck having a bottom portion;
B. a rocker assembly affixed to said bottom portion of said deck, wherein said rocker assembly is aligned longitudinally with said deck; and, C. a pair of spaced apart ribs extending longitudinally out from said rocker assembly, one on each end thereof and adjacent longitudinally extending edges of said deck.

2. The bench platform of claim 1 wherein said rocker assembly comprises two spaced apart semi-circular rocker plates.

3. A bench platform, comprising:
A. a deck having a bottom portion;
B. a rocker comprising at least two spaced apart semi-circular rocker plates attached to said bottom portion of said deck, wherein said rocker is aligned longitudinally with said deck;
and, C. at least two cross supports affixed to said bottom portion of said deck, wherein said rocker plates and said cross supports form a recess, wherein said recess receives a ball.

4. The bench platform of claim 3 further comprising a ball, wherein said ball is received by said recess.

5. The bench platform of claim 3 further comprising at least one elastic cord, tubing or rope, wherein said elastic cord, tubing, or rope passes through at least one hole in said deck.

6. The bench platform of claim 3 wherein said deck is substantially rectangular.

7. The bench platform of claims 3, further comprising blocks adapted to be placed under said deck, wherein said deck is converted to a horizontal stepping platform when said blocks are placed under said deck.

8. The bench platform of claim 7 wherein said blocks are removably attachable to said deck.

9 9. The bench platform of claim 3 further comprising elongate strips of friction tape attached to said deck.

10. The bench platform of claim 3, further comprising strips attached to the ends of said bottom portion of said deck wherein said strips soften the impact of said bench platform on a floor.

11. A bench platform, comprising:
A. a deck having a bottom portion;
B. a rocker comprising at least two spaced apart semi-circular rocker plates attached to said bottom portion of said deck, wherein said rocker is aligned longitudinally with said deck;
and, C. blocks adapted to be placed under said deck, wherein said deck is converted to a horizontal stepping platform when said blocks are placed under said deck.

12. The bench platform of claim 11 wherein said blocks are removably attachable to said deck.

13. The bench platform of claim 11 further comprising at least one elastic cord, tubing or rope, wherein said elastic cord, tubing, or rope passes through at least one hole in said deck.

14. The bench platform of claim 11 further comprising elongate strips of friction tape attached to said deck.

15. The bench platform of claim 11 further comprising strips attached to the ends of said bottom portion of said deck, wherein said strips soften the impact of said bench platform on a floor.