Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02590880 2007-05-30
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
CA 02590880 2007-05-30
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.
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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
360
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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.
