Pushup exercise device

Abstract

Rotatable hand supports for performing pushups on a floor or ground surface. The handle of the supports has a grip portion adapted to be grasped by a user. The rotatable base is base has a bottom portion adapted to contact the floor, a top portion rotatably connected to the bottom portion, and a bearing assembly supporting the top portion on said bottom portion. A support connects the handle to the top portion of the base and supports the handle at an elevated position relative to the base and above the floor.

1 . A device for performing pushups on a floor or ground surface, comprising: 
 a) a handle having first and second ends, said handle having a grip portion adapted to be grasped by a user;    b) a base having a bottom portion adapted to contact the floor, a top portion rotatably connected to said bottom portion, and a bearing assembly supporting said top portion on said bottom portion; and,    c) a support for connecting said handle to said top portion of said base and for supporting said handle at an elevated position relative to said base and above the floor.    
   
   
       2 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of said top and bottom base portions comprises a generally-planar, circular base plate having a central portion and an outer annular lip, said plates being connected by a central shaft and arranged with said annular lips facing one another, said plates and lips defining an internal cavity intermediate said plates.  
   
   
       3 . The device recited in  claim 2 , wherein said bearing assembly comprises a bearing and cage assembly arranged in said internal cavity, said bearings separating and supporting said top plate relative to said bottom plate.  
   
   
       4 . The device recited in  claim 3 , wherein at least one of said base plates includes a race formed on the internal cavity side, said bearings traveling in said race.  
   
   
       5 . The device recited in  claim 3 , said bearings having a diameter large enough to prevent the lips of said top and bottom plates from contacting one another, but small enough so that the bearing assembly can not slide laterally through the gap formed between the lips of said plates.  
   
   
       6 . The device recited in  claim 1 , said support comprising a U-shaped bracket having a base and a pair of arms.  
   
   
       7 . The device recited in  claim 6 , wherein said base and said arms are integrally formed.  
   
   
       8 . The device recited in  claim 1 , said support comprising at least one support arm fixed at one end to the top portion of said base and connected at the other end to said handle.  
   
   
       9 . The device recited in  claim 8 , wherein said support comprises a pair of support arms, each arm being fixed at one end to the top portion of said base and at the other end to opposed ends of said handle  
   
   
       10 . The pushup device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said handle is removable from said support.  
   
   
       11 . The pushup device recited in  claim 10 , including a second handle that can be interchanged with said first handle, said second handle having a grip portion that is different than the grip portion of said first handle.  
   
   
       12 . The pushup device recited in  claim 11 , wherein at said first and second handles include a quick connect/disconnect fastener.  
   
   
       13 . The pushup device recited in  claim 1 , including an angular position indicator for measuring angular rotation of said handle relative to said bottom portion of said base.  
   
   
       14 . The pushup device recited in  claim 13 , said angular position indicator comprising a pointer axially-aligned with said handle and calibrated dial.  
   
   
       15 . The pushup device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said support is movable from a first, extended position supporting said handle at an elevated position relative to said base and a second collapsed position.  
   
   
       16 . The device recited in  claim 15 , including a hinge connecting said support to said upper portion of said base so that said support is rotatable between said first position and a second position generally co-planar with said base.  
   
   
       17 . The device recited in  claim 16 , wherein said handle prevents said support from collapsing from said first to said second position when said handle is connected to said base.  
   
   
       18 . The device recited in  claim 17 , wherein said handle is removable from said support, and said support is freely collapsible when said handle is disconnected from said support.  
   
   
       19 . The device recited in  claim 16 , wherein said support comprises a first and second support arms, said first arm being hinged to said top portion of said base and movable to a collapsed position coplanar and overlapping said top portion of said base, said second arm being bifurcated into two segments, said first segment fixed to said base portion, said second segment being hinged to said first segment and movable to a collapsed position coplanar and overlapping said first arm.  
   
   
       20 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said support comprises at least one support arm connected to said top portion of said base by a tongue and groove connector.  
   
   
       21 . A device for performing pushups on a floor or ground surface, comprising: 
 a) a plurality of handles having first and second ends and a grip portion adapted to be grasped by a user, each grip portion being different than another;    b) a base having a bottom portion adapted to contact the floor, a top portion that is rotatably connected to said bottom portion, and a bearing assembly supporting said top portion on said bottom portion; and,    c) a support for removably connecting one of said handles to said top portion of said base and for supporting said handle at an elevated position relative to said base and floor; and,    d) an angular position indicator for measuring angular rotation of said handle relative to said bottom portion of said base;    wherein said support is movable from a first, extended position supporting said handle at an elevated position relative to said base and a second collapsed position;    wherein said handles are freely connectable and interchangeable with said support.