US20140011648A1

US20140011648A1 - Apparatus for providing support when performing plank training exercises and methods of manufacturing and using same

Info

Publication number: US20140011648A1
Application number: US13/542,766
Authority: US
Inventors: William E. Carney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-06
Filing date: 2012-07-06
Publication date: 2014-01-09

Abstract

An exercise apparatus/device, and methods of making and manufacturing same, for performing a plank exercise is provided. The apparatus/device includes a first support member that operates to rest against the chest/body of a user, and a second support member that is attached to, and extends away from, the first support member and rests on a surface, such as a floor, mat, etc. The first support member and/or the second support member may be ergonomically designed by having features including, but not limited to, one or more contours or shapes that operate to receive one or more portions of the body of the user, such as the arms, chest, chin/neck, etc. Since an individual, who has not developed proper form and strength, performing the plank exercise can lead to serious injuries, the apparatus/device operates to permit the user to perform the plank exercise more easily and safely.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of exercise devices, and, more particularly, to exercise devices, including training devices, providing support to perform planking exercises/routines and methods of manufacturing and using same. Such plank training exercise devices provide stability while performing plank exercise routines, particularly in situations where individuals using the device have not developed the strength, proper form or other skills needed to perform plank exercises independently.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The plank exercise is a very popular exercise that is intended to work the core musculature (e.g., upper and/or lower body muscle(s), abdominal or stomach muscle(s), lower back muscle(s), hip muscle(s), buttock muscle(s), etc.) of the body. Strengthening the core muscles not only adds support to the spine, thereby aiding ideal posture, but improves the performance of other exercises. The plank exercise is generally defined as a static exercise where an individual uses his/her arms to raise the individual's body off of the floor and to hold the body straight and stiff/firm. Typically, the plank exercise is performed without any equipment, and is commonly performed on the ground where the hands and/or a portion of the arms (such as the forearms, elbows, etc.) are placed on the ground. The shoulders are typically positioned above the elbows, and the rest of the body is stiffened by contracting the core musculature, such as the abdominal muscles, lower back muscles, buttock muscles, etc., of the body such that the body is substantially straight from the shoulders all the way down to the feet, which are supporting the other end of the body by resting on the ground (e.g., the toes are on the ground, the feet are on the ground, the individual is supported by the balls of his/her feet, with feet hip-distance apart, with feet together, the heels are on the ground when performing a reverse planking exercise, etc.).
However, it has been found that a problem one encounters with this exercise is that the exercise relies on the arms and shoulders to support the weight of the body. The arms and shoulders are not intended to be exercised in the plank exercise, but often fatigue as quickly as the core musculature does. When an individual is not trained to maintain the proper position (e.g., the arms and/or shoulders are not strong enough to perform the exercise independently), it is possible that injuries to, such as, but not limited to, the arms, shoulders, chest, etc., may result from such lack of training, incorrect positioning, errors, etc. Often times, such injuries can be serious and/or can lead to set-backs in a training regimen. For example, experiencing such serious injuries can even prevent an individual from performing a same or similar exercise in the future, with or without the assistance of equipment (those individuals should consult their doctor before performing such exercises and/or using such devices for same). While gym goers may seek the help of private trainers to learn proper form while conducting such exercises, learning the proper form from a private trainer, especially when required to join, and travel to, a gym, can be cost prohibitive.
Thus, it would therefore be desirable to provide a device that operates to permit a user of the device to perform plank training exercise routines in a way that would allow the user to learn proper form/technique while developing the skills, strength, and ability to eventually perform the plank training exercises independently.
Additionally, there is a need in the art to provide an exercise device that operates to permit users to perform the plank training exercise when those users either cannot, or do not want to, perform the routine on their own (e.g., due to lack of experience, age of the user, laziness, etc.). Such is especially true where users are incentivized to exercise when they possess the proper equipment to carry out the routine and/or to enable the routine to be easier.
Thus, it would therefore be desirable to provide a novel device that operates to aid or assist a user in performing the plank exercise and methods for making and manufacturing same. There is also a need in the art to provide an exercise device that is easy to make and use, does not involve an expensive manufacturing process, increases the level of safety involved with performing the plank exercise, and reduces and/or eliminates injuries (e.g., by removing the weight of the body from the hands, arms and/or shoulders, by removing stress from the hands, arms and/or shoulders of the body, etc.) that may result from performing the plank exercise without proper equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, an exercise device for performing one or more plank exercise routines is provided with a first member that operates to rest against a portion of a user, such as a chest, back, waist, leg, etc., and support the user, and a second member extending substantially transversely away from the first member and operating to rest on a surface, such as a floor, thereby providing support for the device. The apparatus may be ergonomically designed to include one or more contours, cut-outs, shapes, etc. to comfortably accommodate the body of a user.
The exercise device may sit in between a surface and a user of the device, and supports the weight (either in part or in whole) of, the body of the user, thereby removing the weight and/or stress from the arms and/or shoulders. The exercise device takes the stress off these areas and makes the plank exercise more effective at working the intended target of the exercise, i.e., the core of the body. In one or more embodiments, the device may fit under the shoulders of the user, contact the shoulders at, be placed in between the shoulders against the chest, and/or be proximate to the shoulders. The device supports the weight of the body in part or in whole, thereby relieving the arms and shoulders of this task.
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a plank exercise device includes: a first support member having at least a first surface, a first side and a second side, the at least first surface of the first support member extending between the first and second sides for a predetermined length; and at least one second support member having a first and second end, the first end of the at least one second support member being attached to the first support member, the at least one second support member extending at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member and the second end of the at least one second support member operating to rest on at least a surface for performing one or more plank exercises, thereby providing vertical support to the exercise apparatus, wherein the first support member and the at least one second support member are sized and shaped such that exercise apparatus operates as a device for performing the one or more plank exercises. The exercise apparatus may operate to receive an upper portion of a body of a user on the first support member and to permit the user to place at least one of one or more hands, one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the user on at least the surface for the performing one or more plank exercises. The exercise apparatus may operate to remove at least a portion of the weight of the body of the user from at least one of one or more hands, one or more arms and one or more clavicles and/or shoulders of the user, thereby reducing or removing stress from at least one of the one or more hands, the one or more arms and the one or more clavicles and/or shoulders of the body.
One or more upper arms of the user may: (i) be substantially transverse, or substantially perpendicular, to at least the surface for performing the one or more plank exercises; and (ii) extend from respective sides of the exercise apparatus to permit the user to perform the one or more plank exercises.
The first support member may further include: (i) a third side and a fourth side on opposite sides of the first support member, the third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides; and (ii) one or more contours or indentations for receiving one or more portions of the body of the user of the exercise apparatus. In at least one embodiment of the exercise device, the first support member may further include a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to the first end of the at least one second support member such that the at least one second support member extends away therefrom.
Additionally or alternatively, the at least one second support member may at least one of slope and taper inwardly from the first end of the at least one second support member to a predetermined location along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member and then at least one of slope and taper outwardly from the predetermined location to the second end of the at least one second support member. In one or more embodiments, the at least one second support member may comprise at least one of: (i) two or more support members (or posts); and (ii) three support members (or posts) to provide the desired support and/or to distribute or spread out the weight/stress over the device.
In at least one embodiment, there may be one or more contours or indentations disposed on the superior surface of the exercise device to accommodate one or more portions of the user, such as, but not limited to, the chest of the user, the back of the user, a portion of the upper body of the user, etc., and to achieve desired comfort for the user when performing the plank exercise. The one or more contours or indentations of the first support member may include at least one of: at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication with, at least one of the first side and the second side of the first support member, the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of at least one clavicle/shoulder and a portion of at least one arm of the user; two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations, the first clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation being disposed on, and in communication with, the first side of the first support member and the second clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation being disposed on, and in communication with, the second side of the first support member, the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations operating to each receive at least one of at least one clavicle/shoulder and at least one arm of the user; one or more pectoral muscle (also referred to herein as “pec.” or “pec. muscle”) and/or breast contours or indentations disposed on, and in communication with, the third side of the first support member, the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations operating to receive at least one of a portion of at least one pectoral muscle and a portion of at least one breast of the user; at least one chest and/or upper body contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication with, the at least first surface of the first support member, the at least one chest and/or upper body contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of a chest, a portion of an upper body and a portion of the upper portion of the user; and at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication, the fourth side of the first support member, the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of a neck and a portion of a chin of the user.
The size and shape of the invention may be such that user of the invention can properly perform the one or more plank exercises. As such, at least one of a depth of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and a depth of the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations may be at least one of: about zero inches to about 5 inches; about zero inches to about 5 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 5 inches where the depth defines a radius thereof. At least one of a length of the first side of the first support member and a length of the second side of the first support member may be at least one of: about 1 inch to about 19 inches; about 1 inch to about 20 inches; about zero inches to about 19 inches, and about zero inches to about 20 inches. At least one of a length of the third side of the first support member and a length of the fourth side of the first support member may be at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches. At least one of a length, a width, a thickness and a depth of the at least one second support member may be at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches. A depth of the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation may be at least one of: about zero inches to about 4 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 2 inches at the deepest location thereof. A depth of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations may be at least one of: about zero inches to about 4 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 2 inches at the deepest location thereof. At least one of a height of the at least one second support member and a length of the at least one second support member may be about 4 inches to about 25 inches. At least one of a height of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation of the first support member and a depth of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation of the first support member may be at least one of: about zero inches to about 2 inches; and about zero inches to about 4 inches. A height of the exercise apparatus may be about 4 inches to about 25 inches. When the invention employs a base element, at least one of a length, a width and a diameter of the base element may be at least one of: about 3 inches to about 36 inches.
One or more exercise devices may include a cushion disposed on, or as part of, the at least first surface of the first support member and operating to receive at least one of a portion of the upper portion of the user and a portion of the chest of the user thereon, wherein at least one of the cushion, the first support member and the at least one second support member comprise at least one of: clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigid material or any other suitable material known to those skilled in the art. For example, the exercise device may include dense/rigid materials in the posts or supports of the exercise device. At least one of the first support member, the cushion and the at least one second support member may be integral.
One or more embodiments of the plank exercise device may include a base element attached to the second end of the at least one second support member, the base element being sized and shaped such that the base element operates to add horizontal support or stability to the exercise apparatus. The base element may at least one of: (i) extend radially in all directions from the second end of the at least one second support member to add the horizontal support or stability; (ii) extend away in one or more directions for one or more predetermined distances from the second end of the at least one second support member to add the horizontal support or stability; and (iii) be sized and shaped to be at least one of: a circle, a square, a rectangle, and an oval.
Additionally or alternatively, the first end of the at least one second support member may include a surface attached to the first support member, at least one of the surface of the at least one second support member and the first end of the at least one second support member having substantially the same, or the same, shape or surface area as the at least first surface of the first support member such that the at least one second support member may include the one or more contours or indentations and the second support member and the one or more contours or indentations of the second support member extend substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly away, from the first support member for a predetermined distance.
Additionally or alternatively, the first end of the at least one second support member may be attached to the first support member along a perimeter of the first support member such that the at least one second support member may have a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side of the at least one second support member extending substantially transversely or substantially perpendicularly away from the first side of the first support member, the second side of the at least one second support member extending substantially transversely or substantially perpendicularly away from the second side of the first support member, the third side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the third side of the first support member, and the fourth side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the fourth side of the first support member.
In one or more further embodiments of the plank exercise device, the first end of the at least one second support member may be attached to the first support member along a perimeter of the first support member such that the at least one second support member may have a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side of the at least one second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the first side of the first support member, the second side of the at least one second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the second side of the first support member, the third side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the third side of the first support member, and the fourth side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the fourth side of the first support member. The first and second sides of the at least one second support member may at least one of: include at least one of the clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations, and each include one of the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations. At least one of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations may extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member to the second end of the at least one second support member. At least one of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations may extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member for a predetermined distance. At least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation may extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member for a predetermined distance. At least one of the width and the depth of the at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation may decrease as the at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation extend away from the first support member.
The present invention of the instant application aids or assists a user in performing the plank exercise, is easy to use by the user, is cheap to manufacture, increases the level of safety involved with performing the plank exercise, and reduces and/or eliminates injuries (e.g., by removing the weight of the body from the arms and/or shoulders, by removing stress from the arms and/or shoulders of the body, etc.) that may result from performing the plank exercise without proper equipment.
The methods of using the exercise device aid or assist the user in learning how to perform, and in allowing the user to develop strength, skills, proper form, etc. while performing, the one or more plank exercises. Such skills, form, etc. allow the user to reduce and/or eliminate the chance of injury of performing plank exercises and other exercise routines. A method of performing one or more plank exercises comprises: placing at least one of a portion of a chest and a portion of an upper body of a user on a first support member of an exercise apparatus, the first support member having at least a first surface, a first side and a second side, the at least first surface of the first support member extending between the first and second sides a predetermined length, and the first support member being connected to a first end of at least one second support member, the at least one second support member extending at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member; placing a second end of the at least one second support member of the exercise apparatus on a surface or a floor for performing the one or more plank exercises such that at least one of the at least one second support member provides vertical support to the exercise apparatus; and placing at least one of one or more hands, one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the user on the surface or the floor for performing the one or more plank exercises, wherein the first support member and the at least one second support member are sized and shaped such that the exercise apparatus operates as a device for performing the one or more plank exercises.
The method of using the plank exercise device may further comprise at least one of: arranging one or more upper arms of the user substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly, to the surface or the floor for performing one or more plank exercises such that the one or more upper arms of the user extend from respective side(s) of the exercise apparatus to permit the user to perform the one or more plank exercises; and operating the plank exercise apparatus to remove at least a portion of the weight of the body of the user from at least one of one or more arms and one or more clavicles/shoulders of the user, thereby reducing or removing stress from at least one of the one or more arms and the one or more clavicles/shoulders of the body. Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise disposing a cushion on, or integrating or forming a cushion into, the at least first surface of the first support member between the first support member and at least one of the upper portion of the body of the user and the chest of the body of the user, wherein at least one of the cushion, the first support member and at least the second support member comprise at least one of: clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, substantially resilient material, and a hard or rigid material.
The methods of manufacturing the exercise device provide a cost effective, economic manufacturing process (to avoid excessive costs usually associated with manufacturing exercise equipment). A method of manufacturing an exercise apparatus for performing one or more plank exercises is provided, comprising: forming a first support member having at least a first surface, a first side and a second side, the at least first surface of the first support member extending between the first and second sides for a predetermined length by sizing and shaping the first support member to receive, or accommodate, at least an upper portion or a chest of at least one of a mold of a manikin, an anatomical model of a human body and a mold of a human model; forming at least one second support member having a first end and a second end by attaching the first end of the at least one second support member to the first support member and sizing and shaping the at least one second support member based on the at least one of the mold of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body and the mold of the human model such that the at least one second support member extends at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away for a predetermined distance from the first support member and the second end of the at least one second support member operates to rest on at least a surface for performing one or more plank exercises, thereby providing vertical support to the exercise apparatus, the predetermined distance that the at least one second support member extends being selected such that at least one of: (i) one or more elbows or one or more forearms of the manikin or anatomical model of the human body operate to rest on the surface for performing the one or more plank exercises; and (ii) the exercise apparatus operates to permit a user to place at least one of one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the user on at least the surface for the performing one or more plank exercises; and forming one or more contours or indentations on the first support member and the at least one second support member of the plank exercise apparatus, based on one or more contours of at least one portion of the at least one of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body and the mold of the human model such that: (i) the one or more contours or indentations of the plank exercise apparatus operate to receive at least one corresponding portion of a body of a user of the plank exercise apparatus, the portion including at least one of: a back, a side, an upper portion of a body, a shoulder, a clavicle, a neck, a chin, an arm, a chest, a breast and a pectoral muscle of the user; and (ii) the first support member and the at least one second support member are sized and shaped such that exercise apparatus operates as an apparatus for performing the one or more plank exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there are shown in the drawings simplified forms that may be employed, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited by or to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. To assist those of ordinary skill in the relevant art in making and using the subject matter hereof, reference is made to the appended drawings and figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a plank exercise device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the plank exercise device embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating a individual using the device to perform the plank exercise in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a front view of the plank exercise device embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating a individual using the device to perform the plank exercise in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the plank exercise device embodiment of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a plank exercise device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the plank exercise device embodiment of FIG. 4 illustrating a individual using the device to perform the plank exercise in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a front view of the plank exercise device embodiment of FIG. 4 illustrating a individual using the device to perform the plank exercise in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a plank exercise device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the plank exercise device embodiment of FIG. 6 illustrating a individual using the device to perform the plank exercise in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a front view of the plank exercise device embodiment of FIG. 6 illustrating a individual using the device to perform the plank exercise in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a plank exercise device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a top view of the plank exercise device embodiment of FIG. 8A in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of yet an additional embodiment of a plank exercise device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 9A illustrating a manikin or an anatomical representation of a human body in a reverse plank position in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An exercise device/apparatus including a first support member and a second support member is disclosed herein for performing one or more plank exercise routines. A plank exercise (also referred to as an abdominal bridge) is an isometric core exercise that strengthens the core musculature, typically by involving maintaining a difficult position for an extended time period. Such plank exercises, include, but are not limited to, a front plank (e.g., where the user holds his or her body in a push-up position with the weight of the body being placed on the forearms, elbows, hands and/or toes), a side plank (e.g., where the user holds his or her body to one side such that the weight of the body is placed on the toes and only on one forearm, elbow, and/or hand of one of the user's arms), a reverse plank (e.g., where the user holds his or her body in a reverse push-up position where the user's back is facing the floor or surface on which the toes and the forearms, elbows and/or hands are placed), etc. The device may be used in homes, gyms, outside, or in any other setting suitable for exercising. The first support member operates to rest against a portion of a user, such as a chest, waist, leg, back, etc., and support the user during such routine(s). The second support member is connected/attached to, and extends substantially transversely away from, the first member and operates to rest on a surface, such as a floor, thereby providing support for the device. The apparatus may be ergonomically designed to include one or more contours, cut-outs, shapes, etc. to comfortably accommodate one or more portions of the body of a user.
Turning now to the details of the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 10 including a first support member 2 having at least a first surface 3, a first side 4 and a second side 5, the at least first surface 3 of the first support member 2 extending between the first 4 and second sides 5 for a predetermined length; and at least one second support member 8 having a first end 9 and a second end 54, the first end 9 of the at least one second support member 8 being attached to the first support member 2, the at least one second support member 8 extending at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member 2 and the second end 54 of the at least one second support member 8 operating to rest on at least a surface 20 (e.g., such as, but not limited to, a floor, a gym mat, grass or other terrain suitable to perform one or more plank exercises, etc.) for performing one or more plank exercises, thereby providing vertical support to the exercise apparatus 10. Preferably, the first support member 2 and the at least one second support member 8 are sized and shaped such that exercise apparatus 10 operates as a device for performing the one or more plank exercises. One or more components (e.g., the first support member 2, the second support member 8, the base element 11 (further discussed below), etc.) of the exercise apparatus 10 may be made of less expensive, fewer, or lightweight components, such as, but not limited to, one or more of the following: clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, and a hard or rigid material. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structure and orientation of the first support member 2 and the at least one second support member 8 with respect to each other may be modified in various ways while providing the same benefits described herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the first support member 2 may be connected, or attached to, the second support member 8 using any means known to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, gluing, press-fitting, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the first support member 2 and the at least one second support member 8 may be releasably connected so that the first support member 2 and the at least one second support member 8 may be connected for use and then disconnected after use, during manufacturing, for storage, for shipment, and/or for any other suitable scenario.
The one or more exercise devices include structural attributes that permit one or more users 30 to operate the devices in such a way that the devices, such as the exercise apparatus 10, operate to remove at least a portion of the weight of the body 21 of the user 30 from at least one of one or more arms 25 a, 25 b and one or more clavicles 26 a, 26 b or one or more shoulders 27 a, 27 b of the user 30, thereby reducing or removing stress from at least one of the one or more arms 25 a, 25 b and the one or more clavicles 26 a, 26 b or one or more shoulders 27 a, 27 b of the body 21 of the user 30. Such reduction and/or removal of stress during the plank exercise routine(s) reduces and/or eliminates the chance for serious injuries to the body 21 of the user 30. As such, the user 30 may work the core musculature (e.g., upper and/or lower body muscle(s), abdominal or stomach muscle(s), lower back muscle(s), hip muscle(s), buttock muscle(s), etc.) of the body 21 by performing traditional basic plank exercises, side plank exercises, or modified forms of plank exercises (such as, but not limited to, reverse planks) using one or more embodiments of the exercise device, such as the exercise apparatus 10, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. Thus, when the user 30 uses one of the various embodiments of the exercise device, such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, exercise apparatus 100 discussed further below, exercise apparatus 200 discussed further below, exercise apparatus 300 discussed further below, and exercise apparatus 10′ discussed further below, to strengthen the core musculature, the user 30 obtains the one or more benefits of adding support to the spine, improving/aiding ideal posture, learning proper form for exercising, gaining strength, reducing injuries related to performing exercise routines that the user 30 is not familiar with, and improving the ability of the user 30 to perform other types of exercises, and not just plank exercises. The user 30 may use the device, such as the exercise apparatus 10, to develop the skills, strength, ability, etc. until such time that the user 30 may perform the one or more exercise routines independently (i.e., without the use of the device).
In one or more embodiments of the invention (best seen in FIGS. 2A-2B, 5A-5B and 7A-7B), the one or more structural characteristics, features and attributes of the one or more exercise devices (e.g., such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, exercise apparatus 100 discussed further below, exercise apparatus 200 discussed further below, exercise apparatus 300 discussed further below, and exercise apparatus 10′ discussed further below) permit them to operate to receive an upper portion 28 of a body 21 (such as, but not limited to, a portion of the back of the user 30, a portion of the chest 29 of the user 30, a side portion of the user 30, a portion of the sternum of the user 30, etc.) or a chest 29 of a user 30 on the first support member 2 and to permit the user 30 to place at least one of one or more hands 32 a, 32 b, one or more elbows 22 a, 22 b and one or more forearms 23 a, 23 b of the user 30 on at least the surface 20 (e.g., such as, but not limited to, a floor, a gym mat, grass or other terrain suitable to perform one or more plank exercises, etc.) for the performing one or more plank exercises. Additionally or alternatively, one or more upper arms 24 a, 24 b of the user 30 may be substantially transverse, or substantially perpendicular, to at least the surface 20 for performing the one or more plank exercises; and the one or more upper arms 24 a, 24 b of the user 30 may extend from respective sides 4, 5 of the exercise apparatus, such as the exercise apparatus 10, to permit the user 30 to perform the one or more plank exercises.
The first support member 2 of the exercise apparatus (also referred to herein as an exercise device) 10 may further include a third side 7 and a fourth side 6 on opposite sides of the first support member 2, the third 7 and fourth 6 sides extending between the first 4 and second sides 5. The one or more sides 4, 5, 6, 7 of the first support member 2, and/or the first support member 2, may include one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 for receiving one or more portions of the body 21 of the user 30 of the exercise apparatus 10. The one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 may be included to provide a more ergonomic structure for the exercise device, such as the exercise apparatus 10, thereby promoting the comfort of the user 30 and the ease of use. Additionally, the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 can promote the reduction and/or elimination of serious injuries due to the improved comfort and ideal fit of the exercise device, such as the exercise apparatus 10.
The one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 of the first support member 2 may include at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation 16, 17 disposed on, and in communication with, at least one of the first side 4 and the second side 5 of the first support member 2 where the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation 16, 17 operates to receive at least one of a portion of at least one clavicle 26 a, 26 b, a portion of at least one shoulder 27 a, 27 b and a portion of at least one arm 25 a, 25 b of the user 30. In one or more embodiments, the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 of the first support member 2 may include two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 16, 17, the first clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation 16 being disposed on, and in communication with, the first side 4 of the first support member 2 and the second clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation 17 being disposed on, and in communication with, the second side 5 of the first support member 2. The two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 16, 17 may operate to each receive at least one of at least one clavicle 26 a, 26 b, at least one shoulder 27 a, 27 b and at least one arm 25 a, 25 b of the user 30. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 of the first support member 2 may include one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations 12 disposed on, and in communication with, the third side 7 of the first support member 2, the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations 12 operating to receive at least one of a portion of at least one pectoral muscle and a portion of at least one breast of the user 30. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 of the first support member 2 may include at least one chest 29 and/or upper body 28 (or upper portion 28, such as, but not limited to the back of the user 30, a side portion of the user 30, the sternum of the user 30, etc.) contour or indentation 63 (best seen in FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 9A-9B) disposed on, and in communication with, the at least first surface 3 of the first support member 2, the at least one chest and/or upper body contour or indentation 63 operating to receive at least one of a portion of a chest 29, a portion of an upper body and a portion of the upper portion 28 (such as, but not limited to a portion of the back of the user 30, a side portion of the user 30, a portion of the sternum of the user 30, etc.) of the user 30. In the one or more embodiments, additionally or alternatively, the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 of the first support member 2 may further include at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation 13 disposed on, and in communication, the fourth side 6 of the first support member 2, the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation 13 operating to receive at least one of a portion of a neck and a portion of a chin of the user 30. The one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 may be any geometrical shape, including, but not limited to, circular, ovular, rectangular, grooved, concave, convex, semi-circular, etc.
Because one or more embodiments of the invention, such as the exercise apparatus 10, exercise apparatus 100, exercise apparatus 200, exercise apparatus 10′, etc., are preferably sized and shaped for permitting the user 30 to perform the one or more plank exercises, the corresponding dimensions for one or more of the first support member 2, the at least one second support member 8 and the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 may be selected to achieve a proper structural arrangement between the one or more components, such as, but not limited to, the first support member 2, the at least one second support member 8 and the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63, of the device, such as the exercise apparatus 10. Preferably, the relationship between the size and shape of the first support member 2 and the at least one second support member 8 permits the user 30 to perform the one or more plank exercises using the device, such as exercise apparatus 10, exercise apparatus 100, exercise apparatus 200, exercise apparatus 300, exercise apparatus 10′, etc., while the device vertically and horizontally supports the weight of the user 30, thereby aiding and assisting the user 30 during the one or more exercise routines.
The device may provide such support during any type of plank exercise, such as, but not limited to, side plank exercises (e.g., where only one hand 32 a, 32 b, a portion of one hand 32 a, 32 b, and/or a portion, such as, but not limited to a forearm 23 a, 23 b, an elbow 22 a, 22 b, etc., of one arm 25 a, 25 b is placed on the surface or floor 20; where at least one of the upper arms 24 a, 24 b extends substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly, from the apparatus, such as apparatus 10; where at least one of the one or more upper arms 24 a, 24 b extend substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly, towards the surface or floor 20; etc.), basic or advanced plank exercises (e.g., where one or more hands 32 a, 32 b of the user 30, a portion of the one or more hands 32 a, 32 b of the user 30, and/or a portion, such as, but not limited to a forearm 23 a, 23 b, an elbow 22 a, 22 b, etc., of each arm 25 a, 25 b of the user 30 is placed on the surface or floor 20 on which the toes and the forearms 23 a, 23 b, elbows 22 a, 22 b and/or hands 32 a, 32 b are placed; where the one or more upper arms 24 a, 24 b extend substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly, from the apparatus, such as apparatus 10; where the one or more upper arms 24 a, 24 b of the user 30 extend substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly, towards the surface or floor 20; etc.), reverse plank exercises (e.g., where the user holds his or her body in a reverse push-up position where the user's back is facing the floor or surface 20 on which the heels of the feet and the forearms 23 a, 23 b, elbows 22 a, 22 b and/or hands 32 a, 32 b are placed), etc. For example, the first support member 2 may be sized and shaped based on one or more measurements or statistics, such as, but not limited to, average measurements, one or more predetermined measurements, distance between each of arms 25 a, 25 b, etc., of chest 29 size for the user 30 or a group of the users 30.
As best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 8A, at least one of a length, L′, of the first side 4 of the first support member 2 and a length, L′, of the second side 5 of the first support member 2 may be at least one of: about 1 inch to about 19 inches; about 1 inch to about 20 inches; about zero inches to about 19 inches, and about zero inches to about 20 inches. Additionally or alternatively, as best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 8A, at least one of a length, L″, of the third side 7 of the first support member 2 and a length, L″, of the fourth side 6 of the first support member 2 may be at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches. Preferably, for the at least one second support member 8 (as best seen in FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 8A), at least one of a length, L″, a width, W, a thickness and a depth of the at least one second support member element may be at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches, and/or at least one of a height, H, of the at least one second support member 8 and a length of the at least one second support member may be about 4 inches to about 25 inches. Preferably, a height, H, of the exercise device/apparatus, such as exercise apparatus 10, exercise apparatus 100, exercise apparatus 200, exercise apparatus 300, exercise apparatus 10′, etc., may be about 4 inches to about 25 inches.
The same or similar statistics or measurements may be employed when designing the size, shape, contours, etc. of the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 may be custom-shaped, sized, contoured, sloped, tapered, etc. to accommodate each of the users 30, especially since many users 30 have different body types, shapes, sizes, etc. For example, in at least one embodiment (best seen in FIGS. 6 and 9A-9B), at least one of a height, H, of the chest and/or upper body (e.g., back, sternum, etc.) contour or indentation 63 of the first support member 2 and/or a depth, D, of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation 63 of the first support member 2 may be at least one of: about zero inches to about 2 inches; and about zero inches to about 4 inches. In one or more embodiments, the height and the depth of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation 63 of the first support member 2 may refer to the same dimension. Additionally or alternatively (as best seen in FIGS. 3, 4, 8A and 8B), at least one of a depth, D, of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 16, 17 and a depth, D, of the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 16, 17 may be at least one of: about zero inches to about 5 inches; about zero inches to about 5 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 5 inches where the depth defines a radius thereof. Additionally or alternatively (as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4), a depth, D′, of the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation 13 may be at least one of: about zero inches to about 4 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 2 inches at the deepest location thereof. As best seen in FIG. 3, a depth, D″, of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations 12 may be at least one of: about zero inches to about 4 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 2 inches at the deepest location thereof. When one or more embodiments of the invention include a base element 11 (further discussed below), at least one of a length, a width and a diameter of the base element 11 may be at least one of: about 3 inches to about 36 inches.
In one or more embodiments of the invention (as best seen in FIGS. 1, 3-4, 6 and 8A-8B), the device, such as, but not limited to, exercise apparatus 10, exercise apparatus 100, exercise apparatus 200, exercise apparatus 300, exercise apparatus 10′, etc., may further include a cushion 40 disposed on, or as part of (e.g., the first surface 3 of the first support member 2 may act as the cushion 40 when made of appropriate material, such as a soft material, resilient material or other appropriate material discussed below; the first support member 2 may act as the cushion 40 when including appropriate material, such as a soft material, resilient material or other appropriate material discussed below; a portion of the first support member 2 may comprise the cushion 40; etc.) may be, the at least first surface 3 of the first support member 2. Preferably, the cushion 40 operates to receive at least one of a portion of the upper portion 28 (e.g., a chest 29, a back, a sternum, a side portion of the user 30, etc.) of the user 30 and a portion of the chest 29 of the user 30 thereon. Like the first support member 2 and/or the at least one second support member 8 as discussed above, the cushion 40 may comprise at least one of: clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, and a hard or rigid material.
As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, one or more embodiments of the invention may include one or more additional features. For example, the first support member 2 may further include a second surface 14 on the opposite side of the at least first surface 3 such that the at least first surface 3 and the second surface 14 are facing away from each other. The second surface 14 may be attached to the first end 9 of the at least one second support member 8 such that the at least one second support member 8 extends away therefrom. The at least one second support member 8 may: (i) at least one of slope and taper inwardly from the first end 9 of the at least one second support member 8 to a predetermined location 15 (best seen in FIG. 1) along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member 8; and (ii) then at least one of slope and taper outwardly from the predetermined location 15 to the second end 54 of the at least one second support member 8.
Additionally or alternatively (as best seen in FIGS. 1-3), the device, such as the exercise apparatus 10, may further include a base element 11 attached to the second end 54 of the at least one second support member 8. The base element 11 may be sized and shaped such that the base element 11 operates to add horizontal support or stability to the exercise apparatus, such as the apparatus 10. As discussed above, the base element 11 may: (i) have at least one of a length, a width and a diameter of the base element 11 be at least one of: about 3 inches to about 36 inches; and (ii) include at least one of: clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, and a hard or rigid material. The base element 11 may at least one of: (i) extend radially in all directions from the second end 54 of the at least one second support member 8 to add the horizontal support or stability; (ii) extend away in one or more directions for one or more predetermined distances from the second end 54 of the at least one second support member 8 to add the horizontal support or stability; and (iii) be sized and shaped to be at least one of: a circle, a square, a rectangle, an oval or any other size and shape known to those skilled in the art suitable for providing the horizontal support or stability.
As shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, one or more devices, such as apparatus 10′, may include the at least one second support member 8 having at least one of: (i) two or more support members 8; and (ii) three support members 8. While this structural feature is not a requirement, additional support members 8 may be employed when accommodating additional weight of a user 30 and/or for removing additional stress and/or weight, or evenly distributing or spreading out the stress and/or weight, from the hands 32 a, 32 b, forearms 23 a, 23 b, elbows 22 a, 22 b, arms 25 a, 25 b, etc. of the user 30. As best seen in FIG. 9B, a manikin or anatomical representation of a human body 21 may be placed on the exercise apparatus 10′ to form one or more features of the exercise apparatus 10′ (for the method of manufacturing as further discussed herein below) and/or to illustrate (in a diagrammatic fashion) how a user 30 may use the exercise apparatus 10′ to perform one or more plank exercises (showing a reverse plank position in FIG. 9B).
As best seen in FIGS. 4-5B, the device, such as the exercise apparatus 100, may have at least one second support member 8 having the first end 9 thereof including a surface attached to the first support member 2. The surface of the first end 9 and/or the first end 9 of the at least one second support member 8 may have substantially the same, or the same, shape or surface area as the at least first surface 3 of the first support member 2 such that the at least one second support member 8 may include the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 and the second support member 8 and the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 of the second support member 8 may extend substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly away, from the first support member 2 for a predetermined distance. As best seen in FIG. 4, the exercise apparatus 100 may include the cushion 40 as described above. In one or more embodiments, at least one of the first support member 2, the cushion 40 and the at least one second support member 8 may be integral.
As best seen in FIGS. 6-7B, the device, such as the exercise apparatus 200, may have at least one second support member 8 where the first end 9 of the at least one second support member 8 is attached to the first support member 2 along a perimeter of the first support member 2 such that the at least one second support member 8 has a first side 41, a second side 51, a third side 71 and a fourth side 61. The sides 41, 51, 61, and 71 may include the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 in any orientation or arrangement described herein with respect to the exercise apparatus 200 or any other device, such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc. The first side 41 of the at least one second support member 8 may extend substantially transversely or substantially perpendicularly away from the first side 4 of the first support member 2. The second side 51 of the at least one second support member 8 may extend substantially transversely or substantially perpendicularly away from the second side 5 of the first support member 2. The third side 71 of the at least second support member 8 may be at least one of sloped and tapering away from the third side 7 of the first support member 2, and/or the fourth side 61 of the at least second support member 8 may be at least one of sloped and tapering away from the fourth side 6 of the first support member 2. Alternatively, the third side 71 and the fourth side 61 may extend substantially transversely or substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member 2. As best seen in FIG. 6, the exercise apparatus 200 may include the cushion 40 as described above. In one or more embodiments, at least one of the first support member 2, the cushion 40 and the at least one second support member 8 may be integral.
Now turning to FIGS. 8A-8B, the device, such as the exercise apparatus 300, may have at least one second support member 8 where the first end 9 of the at least one second support member 8 is attached to the first support member 2 along a perimeter of the first support member 2 such that the at least one second support member 8 has a first side 41, a second side 51, a third side 71 and a fourth side 61. The sides 41, 51, 61, and 71 may include the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 in any orientation or arrangement described herein with respect to the exercise apparatus 200 or any other device, such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc. The first side 41 of the at least one second support member 8 may be at least one of sloped and tapering away from the first side 4 of the first support member 2. The second side 51 of the at least one second support member 8 may be at least one of sloped and tapering away from the second side 5 of the first support member 2. Similarly, the third side 71 of the at least second support member 8 may be at least one of sloped and tapering away from the third side 7 of the first support member 2, and/or the fourth side 61 of the at least second support member 8 may be at least one of sloped and tapering away from the fourth side 6 of the first support member 2. Alternatively, the first side 41, the second side 51, the third side 71 and the fourth side 61 may extend substantially transversely or substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member 2. The exercise apparatus 300 may include the cushion 40 as described above. In one or more embodiments, at least one of the first support member 2, the cushion 40 and the at least one second support member 8 may be integral. The first 41 and second 51 sides of the at least one second support member 8 may at least one of: include at least one of the clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 16, 17; and each include one of the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations (e.g., the first side 41 may include the clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 16 and the second side 51 may include clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 17, etc.).
At least one of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 16, 17 and the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 16, 17 may extend from the first support member 2 along at least one of the length and the height, H, of the at least one second support member 8 to the second end 54 of the at least one second support member 8. In one or more embodiments, at least one of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 16, 17 and the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations 16, 17 may extend from the first support member 2 along at least one of the length and the height, H, of the at least one second support member 8 for a predetermined distance. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations 12 and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation 13 extend from the first support member 2 along at least one of the length and the height, H, of the at least one second support member 8 for a predetermined distance. In one or more embodiments, at least one of the width and the depth, D″, of the at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the depth, D′, of the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation may decrease as the at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations 12 and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation 13 extend away from the first support member 2.
So that one or more embodiments of the invention (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) may accommodate different users 30 having different shapes and sizes, the device (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) may include one or more adjustment elements that operate to adjust one or more dimensions of the device. For example, the adjustment elements may adjust at least one of: (i) the height of the device and/or of the at least one second support member; and (ii) the length of the first support member.
In accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, a method of performing one or more plank exercises is provided including: (i) placing at least one of a portion of a chest 29 and a portion of an upper body 28 of a user 30 on a first support member 2 of an exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.), the first support member 2 having at least a first surface 3, a first side 4 and a second side 5, the at least first surface 3 of the first support member 2 extending between the first and second sides 4,5 a predetermined length, and the first support member 2 being connected to a first end 9 of at least one second support member 8, the at least one second support member 8 extending at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member 2; (ii) placing a second end 54 of the at least one second support member 8 of the exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) on a surface or a floor 20 for performing the one or more plank exercises such that the at least one second support member 8 provides vertical support to the exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.); and (iii) placing at least one of one or more hands 32 a, 32 b, one or more elbows 22 a, 22 b and one or more forearms 23 a, 23 b of the user 30 on the surface or the floor 20 for performing the one or more plank exercises. Preferably, the first support member 2 and the at least one second support member 8 are sized and shaped such that the exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) operates as a device for performing the one or more plank exercises. As explained above, it is useful for the user 30 to develop and employ proper form when performing the one or more plank exercises. As such, in one or more embodiments of the invention, the size and shape of the device (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) is such that the user 30 may learn that proper form while developing strength, reducing injuries and obtaining other benefits as discussed above.
As part of learning and using that proper form, the method may further include arranging one or more upper arms 24 a, 24 b of the user 30 substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly, to the surface or the floor 20 for performing one or more plank exercises such that the one or more upper arms 24 a, 24 b of the user extend from respective side(s) 4, 5 of the exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) to permit the user 30 to perform the one or more plank exercises. Additionally or alternatively, the user 30 may operate the plank exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) to remove at least a portion of the weight of the body 21 of the user 30 from at least one of one or more hands 32 a, 32 b, one or more arms 25 a, 25 b and one or more clavicles 26 a, 25 b and/or shoulders 27 a, 27 b of the user 30, thereby reducing or removing stress from at least one of the one or more hands 32 a, 32 b, the one or more arms 25 a, 25 b and the one or more clavicles 26 a, 26 b and/or shoulders 27 a, 27 b of the body 21 of the user 30.
One or more features, elements, aspects, etc. of the device(s)/invention(s) (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) as discussed herein may be employed when practicing the method of using the invention.
The method may further include disposing a cushion 40 on, or integrating or forming a cushion 40 into, the at least first surface 3 of the first support member 2 between the first support member 2 and at least one of the upper portion 28 of the body 21 of the user 30 and the chest 29 of the body 21 of the user 30. The cushion 40 may incorporate one or more features of the cushions 40 as described herein, such as, but not limited to, being integral with the first support member and/or the at least second support member, being made of the aforementioned materials, etc.
Additionally, a method of manufacturing an exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) for performing one or more plank exercises is provided herein, the method comprising: (i) forming a first support member 2 having at least a first surface 3, a first side 4 and a second side 5, the at least first surface 3 of the first support member 2 extending between the first and second sides 4,5 for a predetermined length by sizing and shaping the first support member 2 to receive, or accommodate, at least an upper portion 28 or a chest 29 of at least one of a mold of a manikin, an anatomical model of a human body 21 and a mold of a human model; (ii) forming at least one second support member 8 having a first end 9 and a second end 54 by attaching the first end 9 of the at least one second support member 8 to the first support member 2 and sizing and shaping the at least one second support member 8 based on the mold of the at least one of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body 21 and the mold of the human model such that the at least one second support member 8 extends at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away for a predetermined distance from the first support member 2 and the second end 54 of the at least one second support member 8 operates to rest on at least a surface 20 for performing one or more plank exercises, thereby providing vertical support to the exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the at least one of the manikin or the anatomical model of a human body 21 or an actual person may be used to create the mold (e.g., similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A-8B) by creating a cast mold from direct contact with the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body 21 and/or the actual person, and then the mold may be used to create the exercise apparatus accordingly.
The predetermined distance that the at least one second support member 8 extends may be selected such that at least one of: (i) one or more hands 32 a, 32 b, one or more elbows 22 a, 22 b or one or more forearms 23 a, 23 b of the at least one of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body 21 and the mold of the human model operate to rest on the surface 20 for performing the one or more plank exercises; and (ii) the exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) operates to permit a user 30 to place at least one of one or more hands 32 a, 32 b, one or more elbows 22 a, 22 b and one or more forearms 23 a, 23 b of the user 30 on at least the surface 20 for the performing one or more plank exercises. When an exercise apparatus 10, 100, 200, 300, 10′, etc. employ one or more base elements 11, the distance that the one or more base elements 11 extend may be considered to determine the predetermined distances for the at least one second support member 8.
The method may further include forming one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 on the first support member 2 and the at least one second support member 8 of the plank exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.), based on one or more contours of at least one portion of the at least one of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body 21 and the mold of the human model such that: (i) the one or more contours or indentations 12, 13, 16, 17, 63 of the plank exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) operate to receive at least one corresponding portion of a body of a user 30 of the plank exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.), the portion including at least one of: a back, an upper portion 28, a shoulder 27 a, 27 b, a clavicle 26 a, 26 b, a neck, a chin, an arm 25 a, 25 b, a chest 29, a breast and a pectoral muscle of the user 30; and (ii) the first support member 2 and the at least one second support member 8 are sized and shaped such that exercise apparatus (such as, but not limited to, the exercise apparatus 10, the exercise apparatus 100, the exercise apparatus 200, the exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 10′, etc.) operates as an apparatus for performing the one or more plank exercises.
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus for performing one or more plank exercises, the apparatus comprising:

a first support member having at least a first surface, a first side and a second side, the at least first surface of the first support member extending between the first and second sides for a predetermined length; and

at least one second support member having a first and second end, the first end of the at least one second support member being attached or connected to the first support member, the at least one second support member extending at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member and the second end of the at least one second support member operating to at least one of rest on, contact and communicate with at least a surface for performing one or more plank exercises, thereby providing vertical support to the exercise apparatus, wherein

the first support member and the at least one second support member are sized and shaped such that exercise apparatus operates as a device for performing the one or more plank exercises.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the exercise apparatus operates to receive an upper portion of a body of a user on the first support member and to permit the user to place at least one of one or more hands, one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the user on at least the surface for the performing one or more plank exercises;

one or more upper arms of the user: (i) are substantially transverse, or substantially perpendicular, to at least the surface for performing the one or more plank exercises; and (ii) extend from respective sides of the exercise apparatus to permit the user to perform the one or more plank exercises; and

the exercise apparatus operates to remove at least a portion of the weight of the body of the user from at least one of one or more hands, one or more arms and one or more clavicles and/or shoulders of the user, thereby reducing or removing stress from at least one of the one or more hands, the one or more arms and the one or more clavicles and/or shoulders of the body.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of:

the first support member further comprises: (i) a third side and a fourth side on opposite sides of the first support member, the third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides; and (ii) one or more contours or indentations for receiving one or more portions of the body of the user of the exercise apparatus; and

the one or more contours or indentations of the first support member include at least one of:

at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication with, at least one of the first side and the second side of the first support member, the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of at least one clavicle and/or shoulder and a portion of at least one arm of the user;

two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations, the first clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation being disposed on, and in communication with, the first side of the first support member and the second clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation being disposed on, and in communication with, the second side of the first support member, the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations operating to each receive at least one of at least one clavicle and/or shoulder and at least one arm of the user;

one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations disposed on, and in communication with, the third side of the first support member, the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations operating to receive at least one of a portion of at least one pectoral muscle and a portion of at least one breast of the user;

at least one chest and/or upper body contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication with, the at least first surface of the first support member, the at least one chest and/or upper body contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of a chest, a portion of an upper body and a portion of the upper portion of the user; and

at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication, the fourth side of the first support member, the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of a neck and a portion of a chin of the user.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of:

at least one of a depth of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and a depth of the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations is at least one of: about zero inches to about 5 inches; about zero inches to about 5 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 5 inches where the depth defines a radius thereof;

at least one of a length of the first side of the first support member and a length of the second side of the first support member is at least one of: about 1 inch to about 19 inches; about 1 inch to about 20 inches; about zero inches to about 19 inches, and about zero inches to about 20 inches;

at least one of a length of the third side of the first support member and a length of the fourth side of the first support member is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches;

at least one of a length, a width, a thickness and a depth of the at least one second support member is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and about 3 inches to about 36 inches;

a depth of the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation is at least one of: about zero inches to about 4 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 2 inches at the deepest location thereof;

a depth of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations is at least one of: about zero inches to about 4 inches at the deepest location thereof; and about zero inches to about 2 inches at the deepest location thereof;

at least one of a height of the at least one second support member and a length of the at least one second support member is about 4 inches to about 25 inches;

at least one of a height of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation of the first support member and a depth of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation of the first support member is at least one of: about zero inches to about 2 inches; and about zero inches to about 4 inches; and

a height of the exercise apparatus is about 4 inches to about 25 inches.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a cushion disposed on, or as part of, the at least first surface of the first support member and operating to receive at least one of a portion of the upper portion of the user and a portion of the chest of the user thereon, wherein at least one of the cushion, the first support member and the at least one second support member comprise at least one of: clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, and a hard or rigid material.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of:

the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to the first end of the at least one second support member such that the at least one second support member extends away therefrom; and

the at least one second support member at least one of slopes and tapers inwardly from the first end of the at least one second support member to a predetermined location along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member and then at least one of slopes and tapers outwardly from the predetermined location to the second end of the at least one second support member.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least one of:

the exercise apparatus further comprises a base element connected or attached to the second end of the at least one second support member, the base element being sized and shaped such that the base element operates to add horizontal support or stability to the exercise apparatus;

the at least one second support member further comprises the base element connected or attached to the second end of the at least one second support member, the base element being sized and shaped such that the base element operates to add horizontal support or stability to the exercise apparatus and/or extends or increases at least one of the length, the width, the height and the diameter of the at least one second support member;

at least one of a length, a width, a height and a diameter of the base element is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 36 inches; and

at least one of a combined height of the at least one second support member and the base element and a combined length of the at least one second support member and the base element is about 4 inches to about 25 inches.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the base element at least one of: (i) extends radially in all directions from the second end of the at least one second support member to add the horizontal support or stability; (ii) extends away in one or more directions for one or more predetermined distances from the second end of the at least one second support member to add the horizontal support or stability; and (iii) is sized and shaped to be at least one of: a circle, a square, a rectangle, a semi-circle, and an oval.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one second support member comprises at least one of: (i) one support member; (ii) two or more support members; and (iii) three support members.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first end of the at least one second support member includes a surface attached to the first support member, at least one of the surface of the at least one second support member and the first end of the at least one second support member having substantially the same, or the same, shape or surface area as the at least first surface of the first support member such that the at least one second support member includes the one or more contours or indentations and the second support member and the one or more contours or indentations of the second support member extend substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly away, from the first support member for a predetermined distance.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a cushion disposed on, or as part of, the at least first surface of the first support member and operating to receive at least one of a portion of the upper portion of the user and a portion of the chest of the user thereon, wherein at least one of:

at least one of the cushion, the first support member and the at least one second support member comprising at least one of: clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, substantially resilient material, and a hard or rigid material;

the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to or connected to the at least one second support member such that the at least one second support member extends away therefrom; and

at least one of the first support member, the cushion and the at least one second support member are integral.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first end of the at least one second support member is attached to the first support member along a perimeter of the first support member such that the at least one second support member has a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side of the at least one second support member extending substantially transversely or substantially perpendicularly away from the first side of the first support member, the second side of the at least one second support member extending substantially transversely or substantially perpendicularly away from the second side of the first support member, the third side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the third side of the first support member, and the fourth side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the fourth side of the first support member.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a cushion disposed on, or as part of, the at least first surface of the first support member and operating to receive at least one of a portion of the upper portion of the user and a portion of the chest of the user thereon, wherein at least one of:

at least one of the cushion, the first support member and the at least one second support member comprising at least one of: clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, substantially resilient material, and a hard or rigid material; and

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first end of the at least one second support member is attached to or connected to the first support member along a perimeter of the first support member such that the at least one second support member has a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side, the first side of the at least one second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the first side of the first support member, the second side of the at least one second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the second side of the first support member, the third side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the third side of the first support member, and the fourth side of the at least second support member at least one of being sloped and tapering away from the fourth side of the first support member.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of:

(i) the first support member and the at least one second support member are integral;

(ii) the first support member includes a cushion disposed thereon, or as part of the at least first surface of the first support member, the cushion operating to receive at least one of a portion of the upper portion of the user and a portion of the chest of the user thereon;

(iii) at least one of the first support member, the cushion and the at least one second support member comprise at least one of: clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, substantially resilient material, and a hard or rigid material;

(iv) the first and second sides of the at least one second support member at least one of: include at least one of the clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations; and each include one of the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations;

(v) at least one of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member to the second end of the at least one second support member;

(vi) at least one of the at least one clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations and the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member for a predetermined distance;

(vii) at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation extend from the first support member along at least one of the length and the height of the at least one second support member for a predetermined distance;

(viii) at least one of the width and the depth of the at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation decreases as the at least one of the one or more pectoral muscle and/or breast contours or indentations and the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation extend away from the first support member;

(ix) at least one of the first support member, the cushion and the at least one second support member are integral; and

(x) the first support member further comprises a second surface on the opposite side of the at least first surface such that the at least first surface and the second surface are facing away from each other, the second surface being attached to or connected to the at least one second support member such that the at least one second support member extends away therefrom.

16. A method of performing one or more plank exercises, comprising:

placing at least one of a portion of a chest and a portion of an upper body of a user on a first support member of an exercise apparatus, the first support member having at least a first surface, a first side and a second side, the at least first surface of the first support member extending between the first and second sides a predetermined length, and the first support member being connected to or attached to a first end of at least one second support member, the at least one second support member extending at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away from the first support member;

placing a second end of the at least one second support member of the exercise apparatus on a surface or a floor for performing the one or more plank exercises such that at least one of the at least one second support member provides vertical support to the exercise apparatus; and

placing at least one of one or more hands, one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the user on the surface or the floor for performing the one or more plank exercises, wherein

the first support member and the at least one second support member are sized and shaped such that the exercise apparatus operates as a device for performing the one or more plank exercises.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising at least one of:

arranging one or more upper arms of the user substantially transversely, or substantially perpendicularly, to the surface or the floor for performing one or more plank exercises such that the one or more upper arms of the user extend from respective side(s) of the exercise apparatus to permit the user to perform the one or more plank exercises; and

operating the plank exercise apparatus to remove at least a portion of the weight of the body of the user from at least one of the one or more hands, one or more arms and one or more clavicles/shoulders of the user, thereby reducing or removing stress from at least one of the one or more hands, the one or more arms and the one or more clavicles/shoulders of the body.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least one of:

the first support member further comprises: (i) a third side and a fourth side on opposite sides of the first support member, the third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides; and (ii) one or more contours or indentations for receiving one or more portions of a body of a user of the exercise apparatus;

two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations, the first clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation being disposed on, and in communication with, the first side of the first support member and the second clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contour or indentation being disposed on, and in communication with, the second side of the first support member, the two clavicle/shoulder and/or arm contours or indentations operating to each receive a portion of at least one of at least one clavicle and/or shoulder and a portion of at least one arm of the user;

at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation disposed on, and in communication, the fourth side of the first support member, the at least one neck and/or chin contour or indentation operating to receive at least one of a portion of a neck and a portion of a chin of the user;

at least one of a length of the third side of the first support member and a length of the fourth side of the first support member is at least one of: about 3 inches to about 19 inches; and

about 3 inches to about 36 inches;

at least one of a height of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation of the first support member and a depth of the chest and/or upper body contour or indentation of the first support member is at least one of: about zero inches to about 2 inches; and about zero inches to about 4 inches;

a height of the exercise apparatus is about 4 inches to about 25 inches.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of:

the method further comprises disposing a cushion on, or integrating or forming a cushion into, the at least first surface of the first support member between the first support member and at least one of the upper portion of the body of the user and the chest of the body of the user, wherein at least one of the cushion, the first support member and at least the second support member comprise at least one of: clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, cork, a soft material, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, substantially resilient material, and a hard or rigid material;

the method further comprises providing a base element connected or attached to the second end of the at least one second support member, the base element being sized and shaped such that the base element operates to add horizontal support or stability to the exercise apparatus;

the method further comprises providing the base element as a component of the at least one second support member by connecting or attaching the base element to the second end of the at least one second support member, the base element being sized and shaped such that the base element operates to add horizontal support or stability to the exercise apparatus and/or extends or increases at least one of the length, the width, the height and the diameter of the at least one second support member;

20. A method of manufacturing an exercise apparatus for performing one or more plank exercises, comprising:

forming a first support member having at least a first surface, a first side and a second side, the at least first surface of the first support member extending between the first and second sides for a predetermined length by sizing and shaping the first support member to receive, or accommodate, at least an upper portion, a back or a chest of at least one of a mold of a manikin, an anatomical model of a human body and a mold of a human model;

forming at least one second support member having a first end and a second end by attaching the first end of the at least one second support member to the first support member and sizing and shaping the at least one second support member based on the at least one of the mold of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body and the mold of the human model such that the at least one second support member extends at least one of substantially transversely and substantially perpendicularly away for a predetermined distance from the first support member and the second end of the at least one second support member operates to rest on at least a surface for performing one or more plank exercises, thereby providing vertical support to the exercise apparatus, the predetermined distance that the at least one second support member extends being selected such that at least one of: (i) at least one of one or more hands, one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the at least one of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body and the mold of the human model operate to rest on the surface for performing the one or more plank exercises; and (ii) the exercise apparatus operates to permit a user to place at least one of one or more hands, one or more elbows and one or more forearms of the user on at least the surface for the performing one or more plank exercises; and

forming one or more contours or indentations on the first support member and the at least one second support member of the plank exercise apparatus, based on one or more contours of at least one portion of the at least one of the manikin, the anatomical model of the human body and the mold of the human model such that: (i) the one or more contours or indentations of the plank exercise apparatus operate to receive at least one corresponding portion of a body of a user of the plank exercise apparatus, the portion including at least one of: a back, an upper portion of a body, a side, a shoulder, a clavicle, a neck, a chin, an arm, a chest, a breast and a pectoral muscle of the user; and (ii) the first support member and the at least one second support member are sized and shaped such that exercise apparatus operates as an apparatus for performing the one or more plank exercises.