GB2369066A

GB2369066A - Portable, collapsible exercise frame for developing the abdominal muscles

Info

Publication number: GB2369066A
Application number: GB0027842A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Enright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-15
Filing date: 2000-11-15
Publication date: 2002-05-22
Also published as: GB0027842D0

Abstract

An exercise device which can be disassembled for storage, comprises a frame of detachably connected rods 1, 3, horizontal supports 5 for supporting the arms with optional adjustable hand grips 7, and a back support (8, fig 3). In the preferred embodiment, the frame consists of four rods which form the base 3 of the frame and four upright rods 1 which are releaseably attached to the corners of the base and which converge to form an apex 2, the frame being roughly pyramidal in shape. The positions of the arm supports and the back support may be adjusted to suit the physique of the user. The device is intended primarily for use in developing the abdominal muscles.

Description

TITLE. Improvements in or relating to exercisers.

This invention relates to exercisers, and is particularly concerned with exercise frames.

Various exercise frames, for indoor or outdoor use, are already known.

For example, outdoor exercise frames comprising tubular rods bolted together to provide connecting box frames are in general use in outdoor playgrounds. Exercise frames are also known, the parts of which are secured to a wall of an indoor gymnasium.

I have sought to provide an exerciser which is readily portable and readily mountable and dismountable. I have also sought to provide an exerciser which is specially designed to exercise the lower abdominal muscles of the user.

My invention consists in an exercise frame comprising longitudinal rod members detachably locked together at one end to provide the frame apex, and splayed apart from one another at their other ends, which are connected together by spacer rod members to provide a base for the frame, means being provided intermediate said apex and said base to act as supports for the arms and the back of the user.

In one embodiment, opposing pairs of longitudinal rod members are each provided with an arm support connected between the members of each pair intermediate their ends. The arm supports may be mounted on transverse stiffeners connecting the members of each such pair, or they may themselves act as stiffeners. The back support may have a variety of forms, but the demonstrated form consists in a triangular support member, the base of which is connected between adjacent longitudinal rod members, adjacent to the arm supports and extending upright above the level of the arm supports.

A kit for an exercise frame comprises at least four elongated rod members to provide the frame walls and at least four shorter supporting rod members to provide a base for the frame, a back support and a pair of arm supports, means for detachably fastening said elongated rod members at one end to provide an apex for the frame, means for detachably fastening the other ends of said elongated rod members to said supporting rod members to provide a base for the frame, means for securing said arm supports opposite one another to opposite pairs of said elongated rod members when erected, intermediate their ends, and means for securing said back support between adjacent elongated rod members, adjacent to said arm supports and extending upright above the level of the arm supports.

In a preferred embodiment, the exercise frame is pyramid shaped. The unobstructed opening between adjacent upright rods opposite the back support allows the user readily to enter the frame and to take up position with his back facing the back support and arms resting on the arm supports. The user can then lift himself up on the arm supports resting his back against the back support and carry out exercises of his lower torso thereby exercising his lower abdominal muscles. The arm supports are adjustably connected to the frame uprights and may be provided with adjustable hand grips.

As can be seen, the frame allows for comfort and safety in use and is particularly valuable in isolating the key lower abdominal muscles which are to be exercised.

The material of the frame should be chosen of light-weight metals or alloys, e. g. , aluminium alloys to allow easy transport in its assembled or disassembled state. When disassembled, the frame kit takes up little space and is easy to store.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of exercise frame according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a corresponding side elevation; and Fig. 3 is a corresponding rear elevation.

The illustrated frame comprises four upright elongated rods 1 constituting the skeleton of the frame. The rods 1 are detachably fastened-together at their upper ends 2 by appropriate fastening means (not shown) such as bolts held within corresponding slots (not shown) in the ends 2 by nuts, e. g. , wing nuts and washers (also not shown). A variety of other fastening means may be used. It is only necessary that

these should allow ready fastening together and unfastening of the rods 1.

Shorter spacer rods 3 are connected between the lower ends 4 of the rods 1 to provide a base for the frame by fastening means (not shown) similar to those used at the upper ends 2 which allow the rods to be readily coupled together and uncoupled.

Side supports 5 are again detachably fastened to the opposing pairs of upright rods 1 about halfway up the rods. The fastening means used allow the heights of the supports 5 to be varied to accommodate the height of the forearms of the user when in horizontal position. The supports 5 may be shaped as forearm supports themselves or they may be provided (as shown) with forearm supports 6 having adjustable hand grips 7.

A back rest 8 is also detachably fastened between the rear frame rods 1 (see Fig. l). The rest 8 is detachably fastened at its base to the rods 1 and its height can also be adjusted to suit the user.

Claims

Claims 1. A collapsible portable lower abdominal exerciser. In this case in the form of a pyramid.
2. A collapsible portable lower abdominal exerciser where the sections are locked in position once erected.
3. The various parts are adjustable, to allow the exercise machine to accommodate different individuals.
4. The exercise machine is both easily collapsible and easily portable.