Abdominal muscle exercise apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus configured for exercising abdominal muscles of a user comprises an elongated support structure, a translatable member, a foot support assembly and a foot support lifting mechanism. The elongated support structure has a first end and a second end and the translatable member has a first end and a second end. The translatable member is slidably attached to the elongated support structure for enabling translation of the translatable member with respect to the elongated support structure. The foot support assembly is movably mounted on the elongated support structure. The foot support lifting mechanism is coupled between the first end of the translatable member and the foot support assembly whereby translation of the translatable member toward the second end of the elongated support structure results in a corresponding upward movement of a foot engaging portion of the foot support assembly.

1 . An apparatus configured for exercising abdominal muscles of a user, comprising: 
 an elongated support structure having a first end and a second end;    a translatable member having a first end and a second end, wherein the translatable member is slidably attached to the elongated support structure adjacent the first end of the elongated support structure for enabling translation of the translatable member with respect to the elongated support structure;    a lower body support assembly movably mounted on the elongated support structure adjacent the second end of the elongated support structure; and    a lower body support lifting mechanism coupled between the first end of the translatable member and the lower body support assembly whereby translation of the translatable member toward the second end of the elongated support structure results in a corresponding upward movement of a lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the lower body support lifting mechanism includes a flexible link guide member attached to the elongated support structure and a flexible link having a first end and a second end;    the flexible link guide member is positioned adjacent the first end of the elongated support structure;    the first end of the translatable member is disposed between the flexible link guide member and the second end of the elongated support structure; and    the flexible link has the first end thereof attached to the translatable member adjacent the first end of the translatable member, the second end thereof attached to the lower body support assembly and an intermediate portion thereof engaged with the flexible link guide member.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the translatable member is an elongated shaft;    the elongated support structure includes an elongated stanchion and a housing attached to the elongated stanchion adjacent the first end of the elongated stanchion    the housing includes a shaft-receiving passage extending therethrough; and    a slidable portion of the elongated shaft is slidably disposed in the shaft-receiving passage of the housing thereby enabling the slidable portion of the elongated shaft to translate with respect to the housing.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein: 
 a longitudinal axis of the slidable portion of the elongated shaft extends generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongated stanchion.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein: 
 the lower body support lifting mechanism includes a flexible link guide member attached to the elongated stanchion and a flexible link having a first end and a second end;    the flexible link guide member is positioned adjacent the first end of the elongated stanchion;    the first end of the translatable member is disposed between the flexible link guide member and the second end of the elongated stanchion; and    the flexible link has the first end thereof attached to the translatable member adjacent the first end of the translatable member, the second end thereof attached to the lower body support assembly and an intermediate portion thereof engaged with the flexible link guide member.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein: 
 the flexible link guide member is mounted on the housing; and    the flexible link guide member includes at least one of a pulley, a roller and a non-rotating member having a low-friction contact surface.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the flexible link guide member serves to reverse movement direction of the second end of the flexible link relative to the first end of the flexible link thereby enabling operation of the lower body support lifting mechanism.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the lower body support assembly includes a lower body support member that is movable between a plurality of lower body support member positions and that defines the lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the lower body support assembly includes a first end pivotally attached to the elongated support structure and a second end having a lower body support member attached thereto for defining the lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the lower body support member is movable between a plurality of lower body support member positions.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for imparting resistance connected between the elongated support structure and the lower body support assembly for applying resistance to downward translation of the translatable member.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said means for imparting resistance is configured for enabling said resistance to be alterable.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said means for imparting resistance includes a resilient resistance member.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the elongated support structure includes a resistance member mount;    the lower body support assembly includes a resistance member mount; and    the resilient resistance member has a first portion attached to the resistance member mount of the elongated support structure and a second portion attached to the resistance member mount of the lower body support assembly.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the elongated support structure includes a support member attached to the second end of the elongated support structure;    the support member of the elongated support structure extends generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the translatable member;    the lower body support assembly includes an elongated lower body support member extending generally parallel to the stanchion support member; and    the resilient resistance member has a first portion attached to the support member of the elongated support structure and a second portion attached to the elongated lower body support member.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein: 
 the lower body support assembly is configured for having the resilient resistance member selectively attachable thereto at a plurality of resistance member attachment positions; and    the resilient resistance member is configured for being selectively attachable to the lower body support assembly at each one of said resistance member attachment positions thereby enabling adjustable resistance to be applied to said downward translation of the translatable member.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the elongated support structure and the lower body support assembly is configured for having the resilient resistance member selectively attachable thereto at a plurality of respective resistance member attachment points thereby enabling adjustable resistance to be applied to said downward translation of the translatable member.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus configured for exercising abdominal muscles of a user, comprising: 
 an elongated stanchion having a first end and a second end;    a flexible link guide member attached to the elongated stanchion;    a translatable member having a first end and a second end, wherein a slidable portion of the translatable member is slidably attached to the elongated stanchion and wherein the first end of the translatable member is disposed between the flexible link guide member and the second end of the elongated stanchion adjacent the first end of the elongated stanchion;    a lower body support assembly including a first end and a second end, wherein the lower body support assembly is pivotally attached to the elongated stanchion adjacent the second end of the stanchion; and    a flexible link having a first end attached to translatable member adjacent the first end of the translatable member, a second end attached to the lower body support assembly and an intermediate portion engaged with the flexible link guide member whereby translation of the shaft with respect to the shaft mount causes the lower body support to pivot relative to the elongated stanchion.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a housing attached to the elongated stanchion adjacent the first end of the elongated stanchion;    wherein the housing includes a shaft-receiving passage extending therethrough;    wherein the translatable member is an elongated shaft; and    wherein the slidable portion of the elongated shaft is slidably disposed in the shaft-receiving passage of the housing thereby enabling the slidable portion of the elongated shaft to translate with respect to the housing.    
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein: 
 the flexible link guide member includes at least one of a pulley, a roller and a non-rotating member having a low-friction contact surface.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the flexible link guide member serves to reverse movement direction of the second end of the flexible link relative to the first end of the flexible link in response to translation of the translatable member toward the second end of the elongated stanchion.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the lower body support assembly includes a lower body support member that is movable between a plurality of lower body support member positions and that defines a lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein: 
 the lower body support assembly includes a first end pivotally attached to the elongated stanchion and a second end having a lower body support member attached thereto for defining a lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly.    
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the lower body support member is movable between a plurality of lower body support member positions.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 means for imparting resistance connected between the elongated stanchion and the lower body support assembly for applying resistance to downward translation of the translatable member.    
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said means for imparting resistance is configured for enabling said resistance to be alterable  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said means for imparting resistance includes a resilient resistance member.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein: 
 the elongated stanchion includes a resistance member mount;    the lower body support assembly includes a resistance member mount; and    the resilient resistance member has a first portion attached to the resistance member mount of the elongated stanchion and a second portion attached to the resistance member mount of the lower body support assembly.    
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein: 
 the elongated stanchion includes a stanchion support member attached to the second end of the elongated stanchion;    the stanchion support member extends generally transverse to the elongated stanchion;    the lower body support assembly includes an elongated lower body support member extending generally parallel to the stanchion support member; and    the resilient resistance member has a first portion attached to the stanchion support member and a second portion attached to the elongated lower body support member.    
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein: 
 the lower body support assembly is configured for having the resilient resistance member selectively attachable thereto at a plurality of resistance member attachment positions; and    the resilient resistance member is configured for being selectively attachable to the lower body support assembly at each one of said resistance member attachment positions thereby enabling adjustable resistance to be applied to said downward translation of the translatable member.    
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein at least one of the elongated stanchion and the lower body support assembly is configured for having the resilient resistance member selectively attachable thereto at a plurality of respective resistance member attachment points thereby enabling adjustable resistance to be applied to said downward translation of the translatable member.  
   
   
       32 . An apparatus configured for exercising abdominal muscles of a user, comprising: 
 an elongated stanchion having a first end and a second end;    a U-shaped support structure having a first end and a second end, wherein the U-shaped support structure is attached at the first end thereof to the first end of the elongated stanchion;    a shaft mount fixedly attached between legs of the U-shaped support structure stanchion adjacent the second end of the U-shaped support structure;    a flexible link guide member attached to at least one of the shaft mount and the U-shaped support structure adjacent the second end of the U-shaped support structure;    an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein a slidable portion of the elongated shaft is slidably engaged with the shaft mount and wherein the first end of the elongated shaft is disposed between the shaft mount and the second end of the elongated stanchion;    a lower body support assembly slidably mounted on the elongated stanchion intermediate the first end and the second end of the elongated stanchion; and    a flexible link having a first end thereof attached to the elongated shaft adjacent the first end of the elongated shaft, a second end thereof attached to the lower body support assembly and an intermediate portion thereof engaged with the flexible link guide member whereby the lower body support assembly translates along the elongated stanchion toward the first end of the elongated stanchion in response to translation of the elongated shaft relative to the shaft mount toward the second end of the elongated stanchion.    
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein: 
 the flexible link guide member includes at least one of a pulley, a roller and a non-rotating member having a low-friction contact surface.    
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the flexible link guide member serves to reverse movement direction of the second end of the flexible link relative to the first end of the flexible link in response to translation of the elongated shaft toward the second end of the elongated stanchion.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the lower body support assembly includes a lower body support member that is movable between a plurality of lower body support member positions and that defines a lower body engaging portion of the lower body support assembly.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein the lower body support assembly includes a collar slidably mounted on the elongated stanchion intermediate the first end and the second end of the elongated stanchion thereby enabling translation of the lower body support assembly along the elongated stanchion.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising: 
 means for imparting resistance connected between the elongated stanchion and the lower body support assembly for applying resistance to downward translation of the elongated shaft.    
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein said means for imparting resistance is configured for enabling said resistance to be alterable.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein said means for imparting resistance includes a resilient resistance member.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39  wherein: 
 the elongated stanchion includes a resistance member mount;    the lower body support assembly includes a resistance member mount; and    the resilient resistance member has a first portion attached to the resistance member mount of the elongated stanchion and a second portion attached to the resistance member mount of the lower body support assembly.    
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 39  wherein: 
 the elongated stanchion includes a stanchion support member attached to the second end thereof;    the stanchion support member extends generally transverse to the elongated stanchion;    the lower body support assembly includes an elongated lower body support member extending generally parallel to the stanchion support member; and    the resilient resistance member has a first portion attached to the stanchion support member and a second portion attached to the elongated lower body support member.    
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 39  wherein: 
 the lower body support assembly is configured for having the resilient resistance member selectively attachable thereto at a plurality of resistance member attachment positions; and    the resilient resistance member is configured for being selectively attachable to the lower body support assembly at each one of said resistance member attachment positions thereby enabling adjustable resistance to be applied to said downward translation of the translatable member.    
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein at least one of the elongated stanchion and the lower body support assembly is configured for having the resilient resistance member selectively attachable thereto at a plurality of respective resistance member attachment points thereby enabling adjustable resistance to be applied to said downward translation of the translatable member.