text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Feb 19, 2008
|Filing date
|Apr 22, 2005
|Priority date
|May 19, 2003
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|John Forcillo
|Original Assignee
|J.E.M. Concept International, Inc.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (27), Referenced by (6), Classifications (10), Legal Events (10)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/440,566, filed May 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,884,203 which is incorporated by reference herein.
This invention relates generally to the field of exercise equipment. More particularly, an abdominal bench is presented which has a unique system of pivots that increases the effectiveness of the abdominal exercise by maintaining the distance between the torso and seat cushions.
In the field of exercise equipment, abdominal benches have been previously utilized to exercise the abdominal muscles. Essentially, an abdominal bench is a short bench having at least one cushion. The exerciser would lie on the abdominal bench and do sit-ups, also known as abdominal crunches. Several benches have been devised to increase the effectiveness of the exercise.
The most common abdominal bench has one cushion to support both the torso and seat of the exerciser. More sophisticated benches have separate cushions for the torso and seat of the user. To utilize the bench, the exerciser would place his or her lower body on one seat cushion while his or her upper torso would rest on the torso cushion. The upper torso portion of the abdominal bench may pivot about a single pivot point. When the exerciser grasps the handles at the top end of the exercise bench and pulls himself upward, he accomplishes an abdominal crunch exercise. Repeating the exercise allows one to tone and strengthen the abdominal muscles.
One of drawbacks with these standard abdominal benches is that the single pivot point for the torso section pushes the torso section towards the lower portion of the body at the same time as the exerciser is doing the abdominal exercise. This forward motion of the torso also moves the lower portion of the exerciser's body. This motion reduces the effectiveness of the abdominal exercise. It is an object of this invention to eliminate the pushing of the torso towards the seat in an abdominal exercise.
Other abdominal benches have a footrest in addition to the seat and torso and handle portions of the bench. In accomplishing an abdominal exercise using this particular device, the exerciser would pull inwardly with his legs as well as pulling upwardly with his torso to accomplish the abdominal exercise. This exercise has been found to be effective. However, one drawback in the single pivot torso abdominal bench with footrests is that the torso section pushes on the lower body section thus decreasing the effectiveness of the exercise.
It would be highly desirable to have an abdominal bench utilizing both handles and footrests and a pivoting torso section, where the torso section and fixed seat section remained a constant distance from each other. Maintaining the constant gap between the torso and fixed seat cushions eliminates the movement of the torso section of the exerciser's body towards the seat, and hence the lower portion of the exerciser's body. It is an object of this invention to provide an abdominal bench where the pivoting torso section of the bench and the fixed seat section of the bench remain a constant distance apart. It is another object of this invention to provide a pivoting abdominal bench such that the movement of the upper torso section of the exerciser does not also force movement of the lower section of the exerciser.
In order to keep a constant gap between the upper torso cushion and the fixed seat cushion, a distinct system of pivots has been devised. The pivot system eliminates the movement of the lower seat section of the exerciser as the upper torso section of the exerciser is moved forward. Keeping this same gap, there is little or no pressure exerted on the legs, and hence the footrest section of the exerciser, when, the upper torso is lifted. It is a still further object of this invention to provide an effective abdominal exercise such that the movement of the upper torso section does not force movement in the lower seat and leg section of the exerciser.
Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the below described specification.
A pivoting abdominal bench has a fixed seat section and a pivoting upper torso section. The bench also has a pivoting leg and footrest section. The lower end of the leg and, footrest section is connected to a push rod. The push rod is connected to the lower end of the pivoting torso section. At least one guide rod is pivotably connected between the frame and a dog-leg lever. The dog-leg lever is pivotably connected to the lower part of the torso section. The arrangement of the rods, levers and pivots allows the exerciser to pivot the upper torso section upward while pivoting the leg and feet inwardly toward the abdomen. Due to the unique pivot system and the connection of the foot and leg rest to the torso section through the push rod, the torso section remains a constant distance from the seat section during the exercise. The constant gap between the pivoting torso section and the fixed seat section eliminates any pressure on the lower portion of the body that could result from the raising of the torso during the exercises.
An abdominal bench for body crunch exercises comprises two U-shaped frame braces 1 and 1′, having front 2 and rear 2′ horizontal foot braces. The U-shaped and horizontal bases form the essential frame for the abdominal bench.
Attached to the U-shaped brace 1 is a leg and footrest brace 3, as shown in
A footrest pivot bracket 5, as shown in
An L-shaped torso bracket 7 connects the pivoting torso section to the U-shaped frame braces 1 and 1′. This L-shaped torso bracket 7 is pivotably connected to the left and right U-shaped braces at torso upper pivot points 8 and 8′, as best shown in
The abdominal bench has a fixed seat 10 attached to left and right U-shaped frame braces. This seat is fixed to the braces and does not pivot or move.
An additional feature of this particular abdominal bench includes an adjustable weight 12. Attached to the lower section of the L-shaped torso bracket 7 is a weight arm plate 33, as best shown in
The upper torso cushion 14, as shown in
The pivoting system described herein has, as its major object, maintaining the gap 30 between the fixed seat 10 and the torso cushion 14 at a constant distance. Keeping this gap 30 constant between the fixed seat cushion 10 and the torso cushion 14 provides that pressure exerted by the exerciser in lifting his torso and drawing his feet and legs toward his abdomen, thus exercising his abdominal muscles, will not force the torso towards the seat and leg part of the exerciser's body, and will not push the exerciser's legs towards the leg end 35 of the abdominal bench. If the gap 30 can be kept at a constant distance, the abdominal exercise performed on this particular abdominal bench will be an improvement over the abdominal exercises that can be accomplished using only a single pivot for the upper torso section.
In order to keep the gap 30 constant between the seat and torso cushions, a system of pivots, levers and rods has been devised. This system is best shown in
The leg and footrest brace 3 pivots about pivot point 6 as shown in
The lower end of the pivoting push rod 16 is also pivotably connected to a lower push rod bracket 18. The push rod bracket 18 is fixedly connected to the L-shaped bracket 7. A guide rod pivot point 19 is attached to left 1 and right 1′ U-shaped braces as best shown in
The lower end of the push rod is connected to the L-shaped bracket 7 at lower push rod pivot point 29 by the lower push rod bracket 18. This mechanical connection thus connects the leg and footrest brace 3 to the torso section of the device through the push rod 16.
In the preferred embodiment, left and right dog-leg levers 21 are pivotably connected to the L-shaped bracket 7 and hence the torso cushion brace 15. The upper section of the dog-leg lever 21 is pivotably connected to the torso brace 15 at upper dog-leg pivot point 25. The center of each left and right dog-leg levers 21 are also pivotably connected to the left and right sides, respectively, of the L-shaped torso bracket at pivot points 24. The system could utilize only one dog-leg lever, but at least two are preferred.
To further stabilize the pivot system, a pair of corresponding guide rods 22 are pivotably connected at the guide rod pivot point 19. The lower ends of these guide rods 22 are pivotably connected to the corresponding dog-leg levers at the lower guide rod pivot point 23. The lower guide rod pivot point 23 and the lower dog-leg lever pivot point are the same pivot points, and both are designated as "23" in the drawing figures. While two guide rods 22 are contemplated by this invention in the preferred embodiment, one guide rod 22 could be used instead.
To further stabilize the torso brace 15, a short lever 26 is pivotably connected at one end near the outer end of the torso L-shaped bracket 7 at lower short lever pivot point 27. The upper portion of the short lever is connected to the torso brace 15 at upper short lever pivot point 28.
The mechanism set out above and described in the drawing Figures is designed to maintain the gap 30 at a constant distance during the exercise, despite, the raising and lowering of the torso brace 15 (and cushion 14). As has been described earlier, maintaining this gap 30 at a constant distance greatly enhances the abdominal exercise, particularly as it relates to drawing in the legs by pulling on the leg brace 3. As the leg brace is drawn towards the abdomen during the exercise, the head end 34 of the torso section is also raised towards the abdomen. The constant gap ensures that the torso section of the exerciser is not forced towards the seat section
Turning to
As the exerciser draws his legs in towards his abdomen and his torso upwards towards his abdomen, as shown in
The particular abdomen bench shown and described herein also has a footrest adjustment 31. This footrest adjustment 31 allows the foot rest to be raised and lowered or to be rotated slightly off line from the vertical. The footrest adjustment system, 31 is the subject of other patents by this inventor.
The handle bar system shown in the drawing figures also has adjustable features that allow the handlebars to be raised or lowered by a quick release system. The handle bar adjustment means shown in this particular specification has been the subject of a more specific patent by this inventor.
Minor variations of the location and mechanical associations between the pivots, rods and levers would still be within the spirit and disclosure of this invention.
|Cited Patent
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|Hjalmar Jensen Sigvard
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|Lambert Lloyd J Jr
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|Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries, Inc.
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|Luna Mario A
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|Jan 31, 1985
|Dec 9, 1986
|Diversified Products Corporation
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|Oct 6, 1986
|May 24, 1988
|Bollinger Industries
|Adjustable seat assembly for exercise apparatus
|Dec 6, 1988
|Mar 13, 1990
|Burchatz Rory J
|Multi function exercise machine
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|Escobedo Harold J
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|Stearns Technologies, Inc.
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|Pacific Fitness Corporation
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|Aug 17, 1999
|Stearns; Kenneth W.
|Exercise machine
|Mar 15, 1999
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|Feb 22, 1999
|Sep 11, 2001
|Brunswick Corporation
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|May 2, 2000
|Oct 29, 2002
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|Method for determining a bench pivot axle location on a support frame of an exercise machine
|Dec 18, 2000
|Jul 22, 2003
|Stamina Products, Inc.
|Exerciser with multiple bungee cord resistance and enhanced bench movements
|Mar 20, 2001
|Nov 11, 2003
|Paul William Eschenbach
|Recumbent exercise apparatus with leg curl
|May 19, 2003
|Apr 26, 2005
|J.E.M. Concept International Inc.
|Abdominal bench with constant gap torso cushion
|Apr 30, 2002
|Sep 6, 2005
|Qingping Wu
|Bend and stretch abdominal and lower back exercise machine
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Oct 23, 2007
|Mar 9, 2010
|Brunswick Corporation
|Exercise apparatus seat
|Sep 6, 2011
|J.E.M. Concept International, Inc.
|Abdominal bench
|Jun 18, 2013
|Thomas Duane McCall, JR.
|Core training bench
|Jun 9, 2008
|Dec 25, 2008
|J.E.M. Concept International, Inc.
|Abdominal bench
|Aug 10, 2010
|Feb 17, 2011
|Mccall Jr Thomas Duane
|Core Training Bench
|Jul 7, 2015
|Jan 14, 2016
|Multifunctional body builder with muscle stretching and massaging functions
|U.S. Classification
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Dec 21, 2007
Owner name: J.E.M. CONCEPT INTERNATIONAL, INC., CANADA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FORCILLO, MARY, AS LIQUIDATOR OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE JOHN FORCILLO;REEL/FRAME:020293/0227
Effective date: 20071218
|Oct 3, 2011
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Feb 19, 2012
|Reinstatement after maintenance fee payment confirmed
|Mar 26, 2012
|Patent reinstated due to the acceptance of a late maintenance fee
Effective date: 20120326
|Mar 26, 2012
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Mar 26, 2012
|Surcharge for late payment
|Apr 10, 2012
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20120219
|Oct 2, 2015
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Nov 9, 2015
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|Nov 9, 2015
|Surcharge for late payment
Year of fee payment: 7


text:
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The ending of this book was so foolish after a relatively strong story line. What a shame

subset: commoncrawl


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2 Ring .015 OS Bore Inline Piston Kit High Dome - Sierra
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text:
My soul was lacking.
I have been doing yoga for years and I try to get on my mat nearly every day. I won't lie to you. I have been feeling pretty damn proud of myself for finally sticking to something and following through. There was, however, something that just wouldn't let me settle into that pink, fluffy feeling of satisfaction.
I knew something was missing.
On a particularly beautiful morning, I decided to take my practice outside to the garden. The warmth of the sun on my skin, the way the light dappled through the leaves, the glimmer of the pond and birds rustling in the shrubs moved me. I was feeling especially open and in tune with my surroundings, and then I realized that it was this, which was missing from my practice: being moved, letting myself feel freely, allowing myself to be touched by beauty.
Aha! So It was me—I was what was missing.
I had been going through the motions, but not the emotions. Don't misunderstand—I was definitely not bored. No, not at all. In fact, learning to do asana (yoga pose) the right way, was challenging and motivating.
I was fully engrossed in what I was doing—on a physical level. The fine details of each asana—alignment, focus point, where I need to bend and where I need to lengthen were all encompassing, but I got stuck and forgot the whole point of yoga.
Again, I've got to be honest; I felt proud of being able to do stuff I couldn't do before. It was nice to know that my asanas looked good from the outsid—but the point of yoga is definitely not to put on a performance of beautiful movements and poses.
It should feel good on the inside, too.
So I decided I was going to go beyond the physical delivery of my asana practice and discover what each pose is stirring in me. I wanted to check out what part of my body awakens in tree and in turn what feelings that body part is connected to.
Magnificently, this was a conscious choice I just had to make. It was really a matter of shifting focus and allowing space for discovery.
It was about letting go of control and staying open to myself and about what might happen if I did that.
I won't tell you that it wasn't challenging to say: I do not have to be calm, cool and collected. I do not have to hold myself together.
It is OK to cry and feel broken—it's alright to be you.
As I moved from warrior I, stepping back into downward dog and resting in child's pose, I felt connected to my breath, and through my breath connected to everything else. A rush of emotions flooded me and I felt grateful and blissful. I guess it was my reward for moving beyond my fears and staying curious.
My forehead rested on the ground and the sweet smell of late summer filled my senses.
I arrived to a place in myself that is home.
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text:
WigJig Spiral Maker - Olympus, Olympus Lite, and Electra
Item Description
- Item: A012937
- Price: $8.49
Sold individually.
As low as $7.69 per tool!
|Volume Discount
|1 - 5
|6 - 14
WigJig spiral maker. To be used with Olympus, Olympus Lite, and Electra WigJig ONLY. Make spiral quickly and easily without plier markings, even spiral multiple colors together. Insert wire into hole and create spirals - works with soft wire up to 14 gauge. Detailed instructions included. Sold individually.


text:
Hours: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11-midnight.; Sun. noon-9:30 p.m.
Price: $$-$$$ ($15 and over)
The funky run-down shack is packed with crowds looking for 'cue. Blue collar, white collar and no collar at all — folks gather to dive into plates piled high with sweet, savory barbecue (beef, pork, ribs and chicken) and traditional sides.
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