US-12616871-B2 - Abdominal core and plank exercise apparatus

US12616871B2US 12616871 B2US12616871 B2US 12616871B2US-12616871-B2

Abstract

An abdominal core and plank exercise apparatus and related methods are provided. The exercise apparatus has an arm support pad and may include a hand grip and movable components for facilitating a user's abdominal strengthening. The apparatus interfaces with a ground surface.

Inventors

Michael Domesick

Assignees

Michael Domesick

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20221007

Claims (20)

1 . An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising: a frame having a centerline defined as an imaginary vertical plane equidistant between its outer left and right sides, and a midway axis defined by an imaginary axis equidistant between its forwardmost and rearmost extents, the frame comprising a handle or grip structure and at least one rigid mounting surface, the rigid mounting surface extending to at least one perimeter side of an arm support pad disposed on it, wherein the arm support pad comprises at least one layer of padding for cushioning an upper limb of the user and is mounted to the frame at one or more points, including at least one point rearward and spaced away from the midway axis; wherein the handle or grip structure includes at least two upwardly extending elongated grip portions arranged respectively on opposite sides of the centerline, each configured to extend in paths that are parallel or converging relative to each other and the centerline for most of their respective upward lengths, and further comprises a first portion configured for grasping and a second portion configured to fit into a cavity integrally formed within the body of the rigid mounting surface, wherein the arm support pad is positioned to contact a portion of the user's upper limb when the first portion is grasped; and a weight-bearing element, intersected by the centerline and configured to engage a ground surface, comprising a curved or contoured surface symmetrically disposed about a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis aligns or substantially coincides with an axis of symmetry of the curved or contoured surface, thereby allowing the frame to undergo rotational or tilting movement about the pivot axis relative to the ground surface.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame's outer left and right sides are formed, in whole or in part, as a unitary one-piece structure, and wherein the handle or grip portion includes an angled portion, the central axis of which extends directly upward from a point that is integrally formed within said unitary one-piece structure.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outer left and right sides are, in whole or in part, formed from a unitary one-piece structure.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one handle or grip portion is releasably mounted to the frame.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the handle or grip structure maintains a substantially uniform profile along substantially its entire length, such that at least one cross section of the handle or grip structure at its proximal extremity is substantially the same in outer profile compared to a cross section at its distal extremity.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the handle or grip structure comprises at least one grip portion, the majority of whose length is formed by a unitary one-piece construction, the at least one grip portion having a closed-curve outer profile along all or part of its length and terminating in at least one free end whose cross section near said free end is substantially the same as at least a portion of the closed-curve outer profile, thereby defining a terminal extremity of said one-piece construction.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, in a configuration in which a plane of the user-contacting surface is positioned substantially parallel to the ground, the bottom plane of the arm support pad is positioned at a vertical height substantially equal to or below that of at least a portion of the support structure.
8 . An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising: a frame having a centerline defined as an imaginary vertical plane dividing its left and right halves and a midway axis defined as an imaginary axis equidistant between its forwardmost and rearmost extents in plan view, the frame comprising a handle that includes a left elongated side and a right elongated side, each extending rigidly and symmetrically from an apex, arch, or other span central to the left and right elongated sides, said span straddling the centerline near the forwardmost points of said elongated sides and being arranged to extend between their uppermost grippable portions, when viewed from the side; a rigid linear support member defining a substantially straight central axis from end to end in plan view, wherein the rigid linear support member spans between the left elongated side and the right elongated side at a pair of substantially parallel sections of said elongated sides, with the rigid linear support member coupled to the elongated sides at or near its opposite ends and with its central axis oriented perpendicular relative to the centerline in plan view; at least one arm support pad, with a user-contacting surface positioned to contact a forearm of the user when the handle is grasped, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind the rearmost edge of the frame; and a component positioned between a pair of imaginary vertical planes that are parallel to the centerline and intersect the opposite ends of the rigid linear support member, the component having an exterior surface that includes a convex curved portion which, in a side view or in a cross section parallel to the centerline, includes a substantially continuous arc, wherein, with either the user-contacting surface of the at least one arm support pad or a portion of the frame positioned substantially parallel to the ground surface, at least a portion of the convex curved portion is positioned lower than the frame and, in plan view, is intersected by a vertical plane that includes at least a segment of the central axis of the rigid linear support member, and wherein at least a portion of the component is positioned both posterior to the midway axis and proximate to the centerline.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the left elongated side and the right elongated side are permanently connected, and wherein the rigid support surface forms part of a unitary one-piece structure that further includes a mounting cavity or recess having an axis of insertion that is substantially perpendicular or otherwise non-oblique relative to the centerline and oriented horizontally in at least one use position.
10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the at least one arm support pad comprises two separate arm support pads, each disposed in direct contact with a corresponding rigid support surface underlying all or part of its padding, and wherein said rigid support surfaces are spaced apart in the region directly between the two arm support pads.
11 . The apparatus of claim 8 , the at least one arm support pad comprises two separate arm support pads, each disposed at least partially in direct contact with a corresponding rigid support surface underlying all or part of its padding, the respective rigid support surfaces each configured as a base comprising a one-piece construction extending to the perimeter of the associated arm support pad, resulting in two separate bases, with their respective one-piece structures spaced apart and detached from the other in the region directly between the arm support pads.
12 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein at least one point where the apparatus contacts the ground surface is located directly under, or within the footprint of, at least one of: the rigid linear support member or the component.
13 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein in plan view, the at least one arm support pad extends at least as far rearward as a rearmost section of at least one of the elongated sides.
14 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the component is configured to be in dynamic contact with the ground surface, and the rigid linear support member is configured to remain substantially perpendicular to the centerline throughout said dynamic contact.
15 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein, in a side view, the frame comprises an outermost lateral structure that, between the front edge and the rear edge of the at least one arm support pad, does not extend substantially above an upper plane of said arm support pad.
16 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the rigid linear support member is a shaft supporting the component or connecting it to the apparatus.
17 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the rigid linear support member is configured such that, at at least one cross section taken parallel to the centerline and including all of the unitary one-piece structure at that cross section, the outer profile is substantially closed and symmetrical.
18 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein, in at least one use configuration where either the user-contacting surface of the at least one arm support pad or a portion of the frame is oriented substantially parallel to the ground surface, the convex curved portion of the component contacts the ground surface, and the component is the sole component on the apparatus that includes such a convex curved portion.
19 . An exercise apparatus for enhancing a user's abdominal strengthening, facilitating the user's torso extension in a downward-facing position, the apparatus comprising: a frame having a centerline defined as an imaginary vertical plane dividing its left and right halves and a midway axis defined as an imaginary axis equidistant between its forwardmost and rearmost extents in plan view, the frame comprising a structural element of rigid construction with either a continuous curve or one or more symmetrically placed bends that extends across the centerline, spanning the uppermost portions of a left elongated arm and a right elongated arm and being connected to or integrally formed with each elongated arm at or near their uppermost portions when viewed from the side; at least one arm support pad, with a user-contacting surface, wherein, when viewed from the side in at least one configuration, each elongated arm includes a bend where a section before the bend extends at a lesser angle relative to a horizontal plane than the section after the bend, which angles upward to form an upward-angled portion for gripping, at least in part higher than the user-contacting surface of the at least one arm support pad, with the user-contacting surface positioned to contact a forearm of the user when the upward-angled portions are grasped, while a portion of the user's lower limbs is in contact with a ground surface, and the user's knees are positioned behind the rearmost edge of the frame, and wherein, for each elongated arm, a cross section of the arm below the highest point of the bend has substantially the same outer perimeter as a cross section of the arm above the highest point of the bend, each cross section being taken perpendicular to the arm's central axis; and a component with an exterior surface that includes a convex curved portion which, in a side view or in a cross section parallel to the centerline, includes a substantially continuous arc, wherein, in a configuration where either the user-contacting surface of the at least one arm support pad or a portion of the frame is oriented substantially parallel to the ground surface, at least part of the convex curved portion is positioned lower than the frame, and wherein at least a portion of the component is positioned both posterior to the midway axis and proximate to the centerline.
20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the left elongated arm and the right elongated arm are integrally formed as a unitary one-piece structure, and wherein the at least one arm support pad comprises two separate arm support pads, each disposed at least partially in direct contact with a corresponding base underlying all or part of its padding, the respective bases each formed at least in part of a unitary one-piece construction that is spaced apart and detached from the other in the region directly between the arm support pads.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is being filed as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/368,962, filed on Mar. 29, 2019. Application Ser. No. 16/368,962 is both a national stage entry of International Application No. PCT/US18/55589, filed on Oct. 12, 2018, and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/959,405, filed on Apr. 23, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,286,245. PCT/US18/55589 and Ser. No. 15/959,405 are continuations of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/783,773, filed on Oct. 13, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,173,092. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/783,773 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/631,235, filed on Feb. 25, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,895,573. Application Ser. No. 14/631,235 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/944,154, filed on Feb. 25, 2014. This application claims the benefit of the above-described applications. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure is generally related to exercise devices and more particularly is related to an abdominal core and plank exercise apparatus and related methods. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE A plank exercise is a core strength exercise. The most common plank is the front plank which is held in a push-up position with the body's weight borne on forearms, elbows, and toes. FIG. 1 is a side view illustration of person 10 in a front plank position, in accordance with the prior art. This type of exercise may also be known as a front hold, hover, or abdominal bridge. As is shown in FIG. 1, when in the front plank position, a person 10 may maintain a push-up-like stance with his or her forearms in contact with the ground surface 12. In this position, the body weight of the person 10 is transferred through their feet and through their upper arms to the ground 12. Relevant to this disclosure, the transfer of the weight through the upper arms to the ground 12 places significant forces on the person's elbows, which are in contact with the ground 12. Variations on the plank exercise include alternative positions, such as the side plank, the reverse plank, the push-up plank, and/or the so-called ‘superman’ plank. FIG. 2 is a side view illustration of person 10 in a side plank position, in accordance with the prior art. In the side plank, the person 10 maintains a static position with a single forearm and single foot in contact with the ground 12. In this position, the body weight of the person 10 is transferred through his or her single foot and single arm which maintain contact with the ground 12. Relevant to this disclosure, the transfer of the weight through the single upper arm to the ground 12 places a significant force on the elbow of the person which is in contact with the ground 12. Plank exercises may further include the use of training devices to enhance the effect of the exercise on the person. As is well-known in the art, these training devices may include a padded mat or weighted athletic balls which the person balances his or her body weight on while maintaining a plank position or a modified plank position. In all variations of the plank position, the person may experience a balance and core conditioning exercise increasing strength, control, and coordination of the muscles within the person's body. The health benefits of plank exercises are well documented throughout the health, fitness, and exercise science industries. However, there are also some drawbacks of plank exercise, including the discomfort a user experiences. Some devices are available to assist plank exercises. One device includes a unitary shell with handle grips and a platform, and a sliding device positioned on an underside of the platform. A user may grasp the handle grips with his or her elbows in contact with the platform and his or her knees in contact with the ground surface. The user then exercises his or her abdominal muscles by sliding the unitary shell on the ground relative to his or her knees. A similar device uses independent sliding carriages for each arm of the user, whereby a plank position can be assumed on the carriages. It is noted that other plank exercise assisting devices, functioning under the same principles as described herein, may also exist in the conventional art. These devices, along with other conventional devices, have many shortcomings. One major shortcoming is that users are highly susceptible to inadvertent injury. Further, the devices require a user's forearm to be positioned in such a way that their body weight, transferred through their elbow and into the device, may discomfort the user. Additionally, conventional devices often have handle grips that are not ergonomically safe. For example, many devices have handle grips positioned aligned higher than the user's arm, which results in an upward pitching of the user's wrist. Long-term, this position can result in strain on the user's wrist and forearm. This position may also prevent a user from