GB2413502A

GB2413502A - Weight training bench pad

Info

Publication number: GB2413502A
Application number: GB0409628A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Gilmour
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-29
Filing date: 2004-04-29
Publication date: 2005-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-29
Also published as: GB0409628D0; GB2413502B

Abstract

A weight training bench which comprises a rigid, rectangular board 10 mounted horizontally on legs 12. A rectangular panel 14 of high-density foam is disposed on the board 10. The foam panel 14 has a flat upper surface, which is formed with a concave recess 16 adjacent but spaced from its head end into which the back of the head of a user can rest. The panel 14 may include a pair of recesses 18 formed in it's top longitudinal edges to give freedom of movement for the shoulder blades of the user.

Description

24 1 3502 - .

WEIGHT TRAINING BENCH

The present invention relates to a bench for use in weight training.

Weight training is increasingly popular but a common problem is that weight training benches fail to adapt to the curvature of the spine and so do not provide support to the full length of the user's back.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a weight training bench which comprises a rectangular support board and a rectangular panel of cushioning material, said panel having a flat upper surface which is formed with a recess adjacent its top end, into which the back of the user's head rests.

With the user's head rested into the recess formed in the upper surface of the panel of cushioning material, and the remainder of the panel deforming under the weight of the user laying on it, the panel adapts to the curvature of the spine and provides effective support over the full length of the user's back.

Preferably the recess for the user's head is generally oval in plan view, oriented longitudinally of the panel.

Preferably the surface of the recess is concave-curved both in crosssection and in longitudinal-section.

Preferably the panel of cushioning material is provided with a pair of recesses extending along its opposite sides, formed partly in its upper surface and partly in its side edges. These lateral recesses provide for freedom of movement for the user's shoulder blades, in use of the bench.

Preferably the lateral recesses extend from a point intermediate the top and bottom ends of the central recess for the user's head, to a point at least half-way to the bottom end of the panel. Preferably each of the lateral recesses is profiled to form a concave-curved boundary with the upper surface of the cushioning panel and also a concave-curved boundary with the edge surface of the panel.

ail-.' Preferably the cushioning panel comprises a panel of high-density foamed plastics material. Preferably the surfaces of the panel are provided with a protective coating.

The cushioning panel of the bench may comprise a one- piece panel, usually supported in horizontal position.

Alternatively, the cushioning panel may comprise two pieces, comprising a relatively short bottom section supported horizontally and a longer section supported on an upward incline.

The panel of cushioning material (whether as one-piece or two) may be supplied separately for fitting onto the support board of an existing bench. Thus, also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a panel of cushioning material for a weight training bench, said panel being rectangular in shape and having a flat upper surface which is formed with a recess adjacent its top and, into which the back of the user's head rests.

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 weight training bench in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the weight training bench; FIGURE 3 is a side view of the weight training bench; FIGURE 4 is a similar side view of the weight training bench when in use; and FIGURE 5 is an isometric view of a modified weight training bench.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a weight training bench which comprises a rigid, rectangular board 10 mounted horizontally on legs 12. A rectangular panel 14 of high-density foam is disposed on the board 10, the foam panel 14 being of the same length and width as the board 10 and having its side and end edges coincident with the corresponding edges of the board 10.

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The foam panel 14 has a flat underside rested on the top surface of the rigid board 10. The foam panel 14 also has a flat upper surface, which is formed with a recess 16 adjacent but spaced from its head end: the recess 16 is oval in plan view, oriented lengthwise of the panel 14 and centred between the opposite side edges of the panel 14; further, the recess 16 is concave-curved as seen in both cross-section and longitudinal- section, such that its surface slopes downwardly towards its centre, from the peripheral edge of the recess.

The foam panel 14 also has a pair of recesses 18, formed in its top surface and longitudinal edges and extending along these edges from a point intermediate the top and bottom ends of the recess 16, to a point at or beyond half way to the bottom end of the panel 14. Each recess 18 has a concave curved boundary with the upper surface of the panel 14, and a concave-curved boundary with the respective side edge of the panel 14, and is concave-curved both in cross-section and longitudinal section.

The foam panel 14 is provided with a protective coating, for example, applied as a rubberised spray, to protect against perspiration, slippage and staining.

In use, and as shown in Figure 4, the user lays face-up on the bench, with his back rested on the foam panel 14 and his head located in the oval recess 16 of the panel. The foam panel 14 is sufficiently thick (e.g. 2 to 4 inches) to deform, under the weight of the user and with the back of the user's head rested in the recess 14, to conform to the natural curve of the spine. The lateral recesses 18 of the foam panel 14 give freedom of movement for the shoulder blades and therefore enable improved performance during exercise.

Figure 5 shows a modified form of the weight training bench, which differs from bench of Figures 1 to 3 in that the foam panel 14 is divided into two sections A,B. The short, bottom section A rests on a board (not shown) which is supported horizontally on a leg 12, and a longer section B rests on a board which is supported to incline upwardly: the bottom end of the board for the inclined section B is supported by the board for the bottom section A and its top end is supported on the cross-bar of a H- shape, weight-supporting frame 20.

Claims

Claims 1. A weight training bench which comprises a rectangular support

board and a rectangular panel of cushioning material, said panel having a flat upper surface which is formed with a recess adjacent its top end, into which the back of the user's head can rest.
2. A weight training bench according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the panel is formed of cushioning material, with the remainder of the panel being formed of deformable material which can deform under the weight of the user laying on it to allow the panel to adapt to the curvature of the user's spine.
3. A weight training bench according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the recess for the user's head is generally oval in plan view.
4. A weight training device according to claim 3, wherein the recess is oriented longitudinally of the panel.
5. A weight training bench according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the surface of the recess is concave-curved both in cross- section and in longitudinal-section.
6. A weight training bench according to any preceding claim, wherein the panel of cushioning material is provided with a pair of recesses forming lateral recesses extending along opposite sides of the panel.
7. A weight training bench according to claim 6, wherein the pair of recesses is formed partly in the upper surface and partly in the side edges of the panel of cushioning material.
8. A weight training device according to claim 7, wherein the lateral recesses extend from a point intermediate the top and bottom ends of the central recess for the user's head, to a point at least half-way to the bottom end of the panel.
9. A weight training device according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the lateral recesses is profiled to form a concave-curved boundary with the upper surface of the cushioning panel and also a concave-curved boundary with the edge surface of the panel.
10. A weight training device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cushioning panel comprises a panel of high- density foamed plastics material.
11. A weight training device according to any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the panel is provided with a protective coating.
12. A weight training device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cushioning panel of the bench comprises a one-piece panel.
13. A weight training device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cushioning panel comprises two pieces.
14. A weight training device according to claim 12, wherein the panel comprising two pieces comprises a relatively short bottom section supported horizontally and a longer section supported on an upward incline.
15. A panel of cushioning material adapted to be fitted onto a support board of a weight training bench, said panel being rectangular in shape and having a flat upper surface which is formed with a recess adjacent its top and, into which the back of the user's head can rest.
16. A panel according to claim 15, wherein the recess for the user's head is generally oval in plan view.
17. A panel according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the recess is oriented longitudinally of the panel.
18. A panel according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the surface of the recess is concave-curved both in cross- section and in longitudinal-section.
19. A panel according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the panel of cushioning material is provided with a pair of recesses forming lateral recesses extending along opposite sides of the panel.
20. A panel according to claim 19, wherein the pair of recesses is formed partly in the upper surface and partly in the side edges of the panel of cushioning material.
21. A panel according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the lateral recesses extend from a point intermediate the top and bottom ends of the central recess for the user's head, to a point at least half-way to the bottom end of the panel.
22. A panel according to any of claims 19 to 21, wherein each of the lateral recesses is profiled to form a concave- curved boundary with the upper surface of the cushioning panel and also a concave-curved boundary with the edge surface of the panel.
23. A panel according to any of claims 15 to 22, wherein the cushioning panel comprises a panel of high-density foamed plastics material.
24. A panel according to any of claims 15 to 23, wherein a surface of the panel is provided with a protective coating.
25. A panel according to any of claims 15 to 24, wherein the cushioning panel of the bench comprises a one-piece panel.
26. A panel according to any of claims 15 to 25, wherein the cushioning panel comprises two pieces.
27. A panel according to claim 26, wherein the panel comprising two pieces comprises a relatively short bottom section supported horizontally and a longer section supported on an upward incline.
28. A weight training bench as substantially described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.
29. A panel adapted for use with a weight training bench as substantially described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.