GB2399033A

GB2399033A - Exercise apparatus for the stomach muscles

Info

Publication number: GB2399033A
Application number: GB0303945A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard William Dunlop
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-21
Filing date: 2003-02-21
Publication date: 2004-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-21
Also published as: GB0303945D0; GB2399033B

Abstract

Exercise apparatus comprising a support assembly of generally inverted-V form, the support assembly consisting of two panels linked together at an apex and arranged for the user to lie face-down upon, with his or her feet engaged with the support assembly at or adjacent on end thereof and with his or her hands engaged with the support assembly at or adjacent the opposite end thereof the arrangement enabling the user to urge the opposite ends of the assembly horizontally towards each other whilst raising the apex of the assembly.

Description

EXERCISE APPARATUS FOR THE STOMACH MUSCLES

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus for the s tomach or abdominal muscles.

Various forms of exercise apparatus for the stomach or abdominal muscles have been proposed hitherto: these known apparatus provide varying degrees of effectiveness. I have now devised an exercise apparatus which is of relatively simple construction and is straightforward to use, yet in use provides effective exercise of the abdominal muscles.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercise apparatus which comprises a support assembly of generally inverted-V form, arranged for the user to lie face-down upon, with his or her feet engaged with the support assembly at or adjacent one end thereof, and with his or her hands engaged with the support assembly at or adj acent the opposite end thereof, the arrangement enabling the user to urge the opposite ends of the assembly horizontally towards each other whilst raising the apex o:E the assembly.

In use, the user repeatedly urges the opposite ends of the support assembly horizontally towards each other, so raising the apex of the assembly, and then relaxes so that the opposi te ends of the assembly move apart and the apex lowers.

The user is required to use the abdominal muscles in urging the ends of the support assembly towards each other and raising its apex, with the result of exercising the abdominal muscles in an effective manner.

Preferably the opposite ends of tile support assembly are mounted to horizontal slides which are slidably mounted on longitudinal members or rails. Preferably these longitudinal members form the side members of a base frame which, in use, rests on the floor. Preferably the longitudinal members are provided with feet to lift them off the floor so that the horizontal slides can reciprocate without dragging on the f loor.

Preferably the apex of the support assembly is mounted to one or more vertical slides which are slidably mounted on upright supports. Preferably cushioning means are provided, against which t}le apex of the support member abut when it reaches its lowered position: for example, compression springs may be coiled around the upright supports, for the vertical slides to abut.

Preferably an upstanding foot rest is provided at or adjacent one (or each) end of the support assembly.

Preferably upstanding handgrips are provided at or adjacent the opposite (or each) end of the support assembly.

Preferably the support assembly comprises two support panels, one either side of the apex of the assembly.

Preferably each panel is able to deflect downwardly under loading: for example, each panel may comprise two sections hinged together along a transverse line intermediate its top and bottom edges, and resiliently supported. Each panel is preferably mounted to a sub-frame, with an elasticated member extending between opposite side members of the subframe and supporting the panel at or adjacent its hinge line.

Preferably each panel is of padded or cushioned construction, for the comfort of the user.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a stomach muscle exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the exercise apparatus shown in Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 is an end view of the exercise apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an exercise apparatus which comprises a base in the form of a rectangular frame 10, having upright supports 11 fixed to its side members, mid-way between its ends. A crossbar 12 extends between the two upright supports 11 and has tubular slides 13 mounted to its opposite ends, the tubular slides 13 being positioned on the upright supports 11.

The exercise apparatus further comprises a generally inverted V-shape support assembly, which comprises a pair of rectangular support panels 20 mounted to respective, rectangular sub-frames 22. Each sub-frame 22 comprises a pair of side members 23 pivotally connected at their upper ends to the vertical slides 13 on the upright supports 11, and pivotally connected at their lower ends to tubular, horizontal slides 24 on the side members of the base frame 10. Each sub- frarne 22 also includes a cross-bar 25 fixed at its opposite ends to the slides 24. The panel 20 is narrower than its sub- frame 22 and is positioned centrally between the opposite side members 23 of the sub-frame. The panel 20 is fixed at its lower end to the cross-bar 25 of its sub-frame, and at its top end to a tubular member 15 through which the cross-bar 12 extends. The panel 20 is divided into upper and lower sections 20a, 20b which are both of padded or cushioned construction and are hinged to each other along their line of join: also along this line, the panel 20 is supported by cross-member 26 which extends between the opposite side members of the sub-frame 22 and is elasticated to enable the panel 20 to deflect when loaded.

The base frame 10 is provided with feet e.g. 27 at its four corners and at the bottom of the upright supports 11, to lift its side members off the floor and so enable the horizontal slides 24 to move along these side members without dragging on the floor. Compression springs 28 are coiled around the upright supports 11, for the vertical slides 13 to abut in resilient or cushioned manner at the end of their downward movements.

Each of the sub-frames 22 is provided with an upstanding foot rest or foot plate 29, extending across the lower end of the support panel 20. Upstanding handgrips 30 are mounted to the horizontal slides 24, at the bottom of each sub-frame.

In use, the user lies face-down over the support panels 20, between the upright supports 11, with his or her feet against the foot plate 29 at the bottom of one support panel and his or her feet gripping the handgrips 30 adjacent the bottom of the other support panel. Then the user pulls on the handgrips and at the same time contracts the abdominal muscles, to urge the horizontal slides 24 inwardly towards the upright supports 11 and so raising the support panels 20 to a steeper angle, the vertical slides 13 rising up the upright supports 11 and the user's body becoming more arched. When the user then relaxes his or her effort, his or her weight causes the support panels 20 to descend, the vertical slides 13 moving downwards to abut the springs 28 and the horizontal slides 24 sliding outwards away from the upright supports 11. The springs 28 act to cushion against shock should the assembly of support panels fall quickly. The user repeats the exercise a desired number of times.

It will be appreciated that the padded or cushioned nature of the support panel 20 provides the user with comfort when lying over them. Also, because the two panels 20 are divided into upper and lower sections which are hinged together and supported by the elasticated cross-member 26, the support panels are each able to deflect downwardly under load.

It will also be appreciated that in use of the apparatus, the user will exercise his or her abdominal muscles in an effective manner. s

Claims

ClAIMS 1. Exercise apparatus comprising a support assembly of generally

inverted- V form, arranged for the user to lie face-down upon, with his or her feet engaged with the support assembly at or adjacent one end thereof, and with his or her hands engaged with the support assembly at or adjacent the opposite end thereof, the arrangement enabling the user to urge the opposite ends of the assembly horizontally towards each other whilst raising the apex of the assembly.
2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the opposite ends of the support assembly are slidably mounted to horizontal slides which are slidably mounted on longitudinal members or rails.
3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the longitudinal members form the side members of a base frame which, in use, rests on the floor.
4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim or Claim 3 in which the longitudinal members are provided with feet to lift them off the floor so that the horizontal slides can reciprocate without dragging on the floor.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the apex of the support assembly is mounted to one or more vertical slides which are slidably mounted on upright supports.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising cushioning means against which the apex of the support member abuts when it reaches its lowered position.
7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 in which the cushioning mean comprises compression springs coiled around the upright supports for the vertical slides to abut.
8. Apparatus comprising an upstanding footrest at or adjacent to one (or each) end of the support assembly.
9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 comprising upstanding hand grips positioned adjacent to the opposite (or each) end of the support assembly.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the support assembly comprises two support panels, one either side of the apex of the support assembly.
11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 in which each panel is able to deflect downwardly under loading.
12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 or 11 in which each panel comprises two sections hinged together along a transverse line intermediate its top and bottom edges and is resiliently supported.
13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 10, 11 or 12 in which each panel is mounted to a sub-frame with an elasticated member extending between opposite side members of the sub-frame and supporting the panel at or adjacent to its hinge line.
14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 13 in which each panel is of padded or cushioned construction.
15. Exercise apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.