Hand-held abdominal muscle exercise device

Abstract

A hand-held abdominal muscle exercise device includes a substantially rigid handle assembly which has a pair of hand-grip portions that are held in a spaced, generally parallel position by a transversely extending cross-member. The exercise device is used by a person in performing twisting type abdominal exercises to maintain the person's upper body in proper exercise position relative to the person's lower body to effectively exercise abdominal muscles at the person's waist. The exercise device may include a fixed or pivoting abdominal support adapted to engage and be firmly pressed against the waist of the person during exercise to massage the user's abdominal muscles to provide enhanced blood flow and stimulation thereof.

I claim as my invention:  
     
         1 . A hand-held abdominal muscle exercise device for use by a person in performing abdominal exercises which when held in the person's hands maintains the person's upper body in proper exercise position relative to the person's lower body to effectively exercise abdominal muscles at the person's waist, the exercise device comprising: 
 a substantially rigid handle assembly which includes a pair of hand-grip portions that are held in a spaced, generally parallel position by a transversely extending cross-member; and    wherein the exercise device is used by the person while a standing position with feet slightly spaced on a supporting floor surface by grasping said hand-grip portions such that the person's hands are positioned with palms inwardly facing in a parallel, laterally spaced position parallel to the person's upper body, and wherein alternating direction twisting of the upper body with exercise device at the waist relative to the lower body strengthens the abdominal muscles due to alternating inertia and momentum forces of the exercise device and the person's upper body during such alternating twisting, the exercise device forcing the person's body to assume the correct posture and path of motion as well as the ideal range of movement for targeting the abdominal muscles.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of claim I, wherein the handle assembly comprises an elongate tube having a transversely extending portion comprising the cross-member and at least one bend adjacent each opposite end portions thereof which form the hand grip portions.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate tube is in the generally V-shaped, having at least one additional bend formed generally centrally along the transversely extending portion, said V-shape which allows the user to invert the tool and gives maximum effects for teaching the hands to be self-stabilizing during exercise.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , wherein the elongate tube includes a pair of the additional bends, forming a short straight central portion, respective divergent straight portions, and respective straight hand-grip portions.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , additionally comprising a pair of resilient tubular hand-grips, one being affixed disposed about each hand-grip portion.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , additionally comprising a pair of end caps, one affixed to each end of the elongate tube to seal an inner chamber which extends therethrough.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , wherein the end caps each include a dome and a dependent stem adapted to be affixed within the respective hand-grip portions.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a weighting material disposable within an inner chamber of the handle assembly to increase inertia of the exercise device to a desired level.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 8 , wherein the handle assembly comprises an elongate tube having a transversely extending portion comprising the cross-member and at least one bend adjacent each opposite end portions thereof which form the hand grip portions, said tube having the inner chamber therethrough, the weighting material comprising a granulated material disposed within said inner chamber, being retained therein by a pair of end caps, one affixed to each end of said tube to seal said granulated material within said inner chamber.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 9 , additionally comprising at least one barrier which is affixable within the inner chamber of the elongate tube to retain the weighting material within one or more predetermined portions of said inner chamber.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 8 , having a weight of up to about twenty-five pounds.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle assembly is of an adjustable width, having separate hand-grip portions that are rigidly lockable to the cross-member in a plurality extension of positions using a pair of respective adjustable locking devices.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 12 , wherein the cross-member is curved and the hand-grip portions comprise respective curved hand-grip portions, said curved cross-member being adapted to engage and be firmly pressed against the waist of the person using said curved hand-grip arms to massage the user's abdominal muscles to provide enhanced blood flow and stimulation thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , additionally comprising a center cushion affixed to the cross-member.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , additionally comprising a pair of resilient tubular hand-grips, one being affixed disposed about each hand-grip portion.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , additionally comprising a pair of end caps, one affixed to an end of each end of the hand-grip portions to seal an inner chamber which extends through the handle assembly.  
     
     
         17 . The exercise device of  claim 16 , wherein the end caps each include a dome and a dependent stem adapted to be affixed to the respective hand-grip portions.  
     
     
         18 . The exercise device of  claim 12 , wherein the cross-member and the hand-grip portions are tubular, said hand-grip portions telecopically engaging said cross-member and being retained in the plurality of extension positions using adjustable locking devices.  
     
     
         19 . The exercise device of  claim 18 , wherein the adjustable locking devices comprise respective spring clips, the cross-member includes opposite end portions and the hand-grip portions include respective lower portions, said opposite ends of said cross-member and said lower portions of said hand-grip portions including corresponding individual adjustment holes and pluralities of adjustment holes, wherein each spring clip is disposed within the handle assembly and includes at least one locking button which is extendible through said adjustment holes to allow adjustment of said handle assembly to a plurality of predetermined widths.  
     
     
         20 . The exercise device of  claim 19 , wherein the spring clips are disposed in the lower portions of the hand-grip portions which telescopically fit within the opposite end portions of the cross-member, said lower portions having the individual adjustment holes and said opposite end portions having the pluralities of adjustment holes.  
     
     
         21 . The exercise device of  claim 19 , wherein the spring clips include a resilient V-shaped body made of sheet spring steel material and a pair of opposing locking buttons affixed to respective slightly angled end portions of body, the adjustment holes extending completely through the respective hand-grip portions and the cross-member.  
     
     
         22 . The exercise device of  claim 18 , additionally comprising a pair of resilient tubular hand-grips, one being affixed disposed about each hand-grip portion.  
     
     
         23 . The exercise device of  claim 18 , additionally comprising a pair of end caps, one affixed to each end of the elongate tube to seal an inner chamber which extends therethrough.  
     
     
         24 . The exercise device of  claim 23 , wherein the end caps each include a dome and a dependent stem adapted to be affixed within the respective hand-grip portions.  
     
     
         25 . The exercise device of  claim 12 , additionally comprising an abdominal support having a generally curved abdominal support plate and a support member that extends from a center portion of said support plate and is affixed to a center portion of the cross-member, said abdominal support plate being adapted to engage and be firmly pressed against the waist of the person using said hand-grip portions to massage the user's abdominal muscles to provide enhanced blood flow and stimulation thereof.  
     
     
         26 . The exercise device of  claim 25 , wherein the cross-member comprises a substantially straight center tube, the center portion of the abdominal support plate is substantially straight and with respective opposite curved end portions, and the support member comprises a generally rectangular support tube which includes a concave curved end affixed to center portion of the center tube.  
     
     
         27 . The exercise device of  claim 25 , additionally comprising a sheet center cushion affixed to said abdominal support plate opposite the support member.  
     
     
         28 . The exercise device of  claim 25 , additionally comprising a pair of resilient tubular hand-grips, one being affixed disposed about each hand-grip portion.  
     
     
         29 . The exercise device of  claim 25 , additionally comprising a pair of end caps, one affixed to each end of the elongate tube to seal an inner chamber which extends therethrough.  
     
     
         30 . The exercise device of  claim 29 , wherein the end caps each include a dome and a dependent stem adapted to be affixed within the respective hand-grip portions.  
     
     
         31 . A hand-held abdominal muscle exercise device for use by a person in performing abdominal exercises which when held in the person's hands maintains the person's upper body in proper exercise position relative to the person's lower body to effectively exercise abdominal muscles at the person's waist, the exercise device comprising: 
 a substantially rigid handle assembly of a generally doughnut shape which includes a pair of hand-grip portions disposed at opposite sides of said handle assembly that are held in a spaced, generally parallel position; and    wherein the exercise device is used by the person while a standing position with feet slightly spaced on a supporting floor surface by grasping said hand-grip portions such that the person's hands are positioned with palms inwardly facing in a parallel, laterally spaced position perpendicular to the person's upper body, and wherein alternating direction twisting of the upper body with exercise device at the waist relative to the lower body strengthens the abdominal muscles due to alternating inertia and momentum forces of the exercise device and the person's upper body during such alternating twisting, the exercise device forcing the person's body to assume the correct posture and path of motion as well as the ideal range of movement for targeting the abdominal muscles.    
     
     
         32 . The exercise device of  claim 31 , wherein the hand-grip portions are curved.  
     
     
         33 . The exercise device of  claim 31 , wherein the handle assembly includes at least one concave abdominal-engaging portion disposed between the hand-grip portions adapted to engage the person's waist, said abdominal-engaging portion being adapted to engage and be firmly pressed against the waist of the person using the hand-grip portions to massage the user's abdominal muscles to provide enhanced blood flow and stimulation thereof.  
     
     
         34 . The exercise device of  claim 33 , wherein the hand-grip portions are curved, and the handle assembly includes a pair of concave abdominal-engaging portions disposed between the hand-grip portions at opposite front and rear ends of said handle assembly, each being adapted to individually engage the person's waist.  
     
     
         35 . The exercise device of  claim 31 , wherein the handle assembly comprises a pair of half-tubes which are interconnected using a pair of connectors adapted to be affixed within respective ends of each half-tube.  
     
     
         36 . The exercise device of  claim 31 , additionally comprising a pair of resilient tubular hand-grips, one being affixed disposed about each hand-grip portion.  
     
     
         37 . The exercise device of  claim 31 , additionally comprising a weighting material disposable within an inner chamber of the handle assembly to increase inertia of the exercise device to a desired level.  
     
     
         38 . A hand-held abdominal muscle exercise device for use by a person in performing abdominal exercises which when held in the person's hands maintains the person's upper body in proper exercise position relative to the person's lower body to effectively exercise abdominal muscles at the person's waist, the exercise device comprising: 
 a substantially rigid handle assembly which includes a pair of hand-grip portions that are held in a spaced, generally parallel position by a transversely extending cross-member; and    an abdominal support which is pivotally connected to said handle assembly centrally of and substantially perpendicular to said hand-grip portions, said abdominal support being adapted to engage the person's waist; and    wherein the exercise device is used by the person while a standing position with feet slightly spaced on a supporting floor surface by grasping said hand-grip portions such that the person's hands are positioned with palms inwardly facing in a parallel, laterally spaced position parallel to the person's upper body with said abdominal support firmly pressed against the person's waist, wherein alternating direction twisting of the upper body with exercise device at the waist relative to the lower body strengthens the abdominal muscles due to alternating inertia and momentum forces of the exercise device and the person's upper body during such alternating twisting, the exercise device forcing the person's body to assume the correct posture and path of motion as well as the ideal range of movement for targeting the abdominal muscles, and wherein said abdominal support pressed against the person's waist acts to massage the abdominal muscles so that during exercise the abdominal muscles get adequate blood flow and stimulation for maximum exercise effect.    
     
     
         39 . The exercise device of  claim 38 , additionally comprising a pair of elastic members which interconnect the abdominal support and the handle assembly to laterally center said abdominal support and provide for lateral movement thereof upon application of sufficient lateral force during use of the exercise device.  
     
     
         40 . The exercise device of  claim 39 , wherein the handle assembly comprises a pair of hollow half-shells which are connectable together.  
     
     
         41 . The exercise device of  claim 40 , wherein the half-shells each include a center portion and a pair of dependent upstanding contoured hand-grip portions.  
     
     
         42 . The exercise device of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the half-shells includes a transverse slot into which an end portion of the plate support closely slidably fits.  
     
     
         43 . The exercise device of  claim 40 , additionally comprising a plurality of weighting members disposable within an inner chamber of the handle assembly to increase inertia of the exercise device to a desired level.  
     
     
         44 . The exercise device of  claim 40 , wherein the center portions of the half-shells are of a generally straight rectangular configuration.  
     
     
         45 . The exercise device of  claim 39 , wherein the elastic members each include an elongate body and opposite ends having respective anchoring pin holes therethrough, and wherein the abdominal support pivotally mounts to the handle assembly using a main pivot pin, and said elastic members are pivotally connected at said opposite ends to said abdominal support and said handle assembly using a plurality of anchoring pins.  
     
     
         46 . The exercise device of  claim 45 , wherein at least one of the half-shells includes a transverse slot into which an end portion of the plate support closely slidably fits, the plate support includes a pair of generally triangular slots adapted to receive the elastic members, and said elastic members are of such a height as to be received within said transverse slot.  
     
     
         47 . The exercise device of  claim 38 , wherein the abdominal support includes a contoured abdominal support member having a contoured wall having a curved periphery, and an integral generally triangular plate support which extends from said contoured wall.  
     
     
         48 . The exercise device of  claim 47 , additionally comprising a pair of elastic members which interconnect the abdominal support and the handle assembly to laterally center said abdominal support and provide for lateral movement thereof upon application of sufficient lateral force during use of the exercise device.  
     
     
         49 . The exercise device of  claim 48 , wherein the handle assembly comprises a pair of hollow half-shells which are connectable together.  
     
     
         50 . The exercise device of  claim 49 , wherein the half-shells each include a center portion and a pair of dependent upstanding contoured hand-grip portions.  
     
     
         51 . The exercise device of  claim 50 , wherein at least one of the half-shells includes a transverse slot into which an end portion of the plate support closely slidably fits.  
     
     
         52 . The exercise device of  claim 49 , additionally comprising a plurality of weighting members disposable within an inner chamber of the handle assembly to increase inertia of the exercise device to a desired level.  
     
     
         53 . The exercise device of  claim 38 , additionally comprising a weighting material disposable within an inner chamber of the handle assembly to increase inertia of the exercise device to a desired level.