Abdominal exercise machine

Abstract

An abdominal exercise device comprising a semi-rigid member, an upper member and a lower member is disclosed. The upper member and the lower member couple to the semi-rigid member, the upper member and lower member can be securely or detachably attachable to the semi-rigid member while the lower member can have pivoting capabilities. Feedback may be provided in a visual as well as a physical form to allow a user to determine whether the device is properly being used and optimal results are being achieved while performing the exercises.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An abdominal exercise machine for exercising abdominal muscles, comprising 
 an upper member and a lower member, said upper member and said lower member comprising generally extending members;    a semi-rigid member providing a range of bending force, said semi-rigid member coupled to said upper member and said lower member;    whereby feedback is provided when a predetermined abdominal exercise is performed.    
     
     
         2 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said generally extending members of said upper member separate by a range from 0-180 degrees;    said upper member further comprises an engagement member; and    said semi-rigid member coupled to said lower member by a pivoting joint.    
     
     
         3 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member securely coupled to said upper member; and    said semi-rigid member securely coupled to said pivoting joint.    
     
     
         4 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member detachably attachable to said upper member; and    said semi-rigid member detachably attachable to said pivoting joint.    
     
     
         5 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member coupled to said upper member by upper attachment means; and    said semi-rigid member coupled to said lower member by lower attachment means.    
     
     
         6 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein 
 said generally extending members of said upper member are curved; and    said generally extending members of said lower member include padded rollers.    
     
     
         7 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member securely coupled to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         8 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member detachably attachable to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         9 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein 
 said generally extending members of said upper member comprise rotatable handgrips.    
     
     
         10 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member securely coupled to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         11 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member detachably attachable to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         12 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein 
 said upper attachment means comprising a flex joint.    
     
     
         13 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member securely coupled to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         14 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member detachably attachable to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         15 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein 
 said lower attachment means comprising a pivot joint providing a pivot motion along the axis of said semi-rigid member.    
     
     
         16 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member coupled to said pivot joint by a flex joint and a plurality of bolts.    
     
     
         17 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member securely coupled to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         18 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member detachably attachable to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         19 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein 
 said lower attachment means comprising a pivot joint providing a combination of a pivot motion along the axis of said semi-rigid member and a rotational pivoting motion.    
     
     
         20 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member coupled to said pivot joint by a flex joint and a plurality of bolts.    
     
     
         21 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member securely coupled to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         22 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member detachably attachable to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         23 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein 
 said lower attachment means comprising a ball joint having a ball joint assembly, a ball joint cover and an opening;    said semi-rigid member coupled to said ball joint via said opening of said ball joint assembly; and    said ball joint allowing for a side to side as well as a front to back motion of said semi-rigid member.    
     
     
         24 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein 
 said generally extending members of said upper member being substantially parallel to said lower member.    
     
     
         25 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member securely attachable to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         26 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member detachably attachable to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means    
     
     
         27 . An abdominal exercise machine for exercising abdominal muscles, comprising 
 an upper member and a lower member, said upper member and said lower member comprising generally extending members;    a plurality of semi-rigid members providing a range of bending force, said plurality of semi-rigid members coupled to said upper member and said lower member;    whereby feedback is provided when a predetermined abdominal exercise is performed.    
     
     
         28 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein 
 said generally extending members of said upper member are curved.    
     
     
         29 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member securely coupled to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         30 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein 
 said semi-rigid member detachably attachable to said upper attachment means and said lower attachment means.    
     
     
         31 . An abdominal exercise machine comprising, 
 a top member;    a lower member;    said top member and said lower member comprising generally extending members;    a hinged-rigid member, said hinged-rigid member coupled to said lower member and said top member;    an elastic member, said elastic member coupled to said hinged-rigid member;    whereby feedback is provided when a predetermined abdominal exercise is performed.    
     
     
         32 . An abdominal exercise machine as set forth in  claim 31 , wherein 
 said top member having length adjustment means; and    said elastic member detachably attachable to said hinged-rigid member.    
     
     
         33 . An abdominal exercise machine for exercising abdominal muscles, comprising: 
 means for engaging an upper body portion;    means for engaging a lower body portion; and    semi-rigid means for flexibly resisting compression, said semi-rigid means coupling said upper body engaging means and said lower body engaging means, said semi-rigid means spanning abdominal muscles for exercise thereof;    whereby abdominal muscles are exercised when said semi-rigid means undergoes compression when said upper body portion is brought towards said lower body portion and feedback is provided during a predetermined abdominal exercise.    
     
     
         34 . An abdominal exercise machine for exercising abdominal muscles, comprising: 
 means for engaging an upper body portion;    means for engaging a lower body portion; and    biased elastic hinged-rigid means for resiliently resisting compression, said biased hinged-rigid means coupling said upper body engaging means and said lower body engaging means, said biased hinged-rigid means spanning abdominal muscles for exercise thereof;    elastic means for biasing said hinged-rigid means, said elastic means coupled to said hinged-rigid means;    whereby abdominal muscles are exercised when said biased hinged-rigid means undergoes compression when said upper body portion is brought towards said lower body portion and feedback is provided during a predetermined abdominal exercise.