Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device is disclosed having a self-inflating pillow with a compressed state and an expanded state. In an initial position, the pillow is biased in an expanded state, preferably by coils positioned in the pillow cavity. To perform exercises, the user must compress the pillow by applying force on the pillow. A two-way valve is provided on the pillow to facilitate the intake and the exhaust of air through the pillow. The valve can be adjusted to provide variable resistance and lumbar support to the user.

1 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a self-inflating pillow having an expanded state and a compressed state, the pillow defining a cavity therein for holding air;    a two-way valve in fluid communication with the air in the cavity, wherein the two-way valve comprises an adjustable outlet.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing device positioned in the cavity, wherein the biasing device biases the pillow in the expanded state.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise device of  claim 2  wherein the biasing device comprises a coil spring.  
   
   
       4 . The exercise device of  claim 3  further comprising a first plate and a second plate, wherein the coil spring is positioned between the first and second plates.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the self-inflating pillow comprises shape-memory foam.  
   
   
       6 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the two-way valve comprises: 
 a control knob;    a plurality of outlets, each outlet having a pre-selected size;    wherein the control knob is operatively connected to the plurality of outlets such that the control knob can be manipulated to select one of the plurality of outlets.    
   
   
       7 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the two-way valve comprises: 
 an upper portion;    a lower portion threadingly engaged to the upper portion;    wherein the upper portion is movable in an axial direction in relation to the lower portion, and wherein when the upper portion is moved in the axial direction away from the lower portion, a passageway for the flow of air is defined.    
   
   
       8 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a supplemental valve, wherein the supplemental valve is a one-way valve.  
   
   
       9 . The exercise device of  claim 8  wherein the supplemental valve is configured to allow air to enter the cavity.  
   
   
       10 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a self-inflating pillow having an expanded state and a compressed state, wherein the pillow is biased in the expanded state;    wherein the pillow provides a resistance against the movement of the pillow from the expanded state to a compressed state; and    means for adjusting the resistance provided by the pillow.    
   
   
       11 . The exercise device of  claim 10 , wherein the resistance adjustment means comprises a two-way valve having an adjustable outlet.  
   
   
       12 . The exercise device of  claim 11 , wherein the two-way valve comprises: 
 a control knob;    a plurality of outlets, each outlet having a pre-selected size;    wherein the control knob is operatively connected to the plurality of outlets such that the control knob can be manipulated to select one of the plurality of outlets.    
   
   
       13 . The exercise device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of outlets comprises a large outlet, a medium outlet and a small outlet.  
   
   
       14 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of outlets further comprises a blocked outlet.  
   
   
       15 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the two-way valve comprises: 
 an upper portion;    a lower portion threadingly engaged to the upper portion;    wherein the upper portion is movable in an axial direction in relation to the lower portion, and wherein when the upper portion is moved in the axial direction away from the lower portion, a passageway for the flow of air is defined.    
   
   
       16 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising a supplemental valve, wherein the supplemental valve is a one-way valve.  
   
   
       17 . The exercise device of  claim 16  wherein the supplemental valve is configured to allow air to enter the cavity.  
   
   
       18 . The exercise device of  claim 11  wherein the self-inflating pillow comprises shape-memory foam.  
   
   
       19 . An exercise device, comprising: 
 a self-inflating pillow having a first side and a second side, the first and second sides defining a cavity therebetween;    a first plate positioned adjacent the first side of the pillow, a second plate positioned adjacent the second side of the pillow, a spring positioned between the first and second plates;    wherein the self-inflating pillow has an expanded state and a compressed state, and the spring biases the pillow in the expanded state;    a two-way valve configured to provide fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the pillow, wherein the two-way valve comprises an adjustable outlet.