Oblique abdominal trainer

Abstract

An apparatus for exercising the abdominal muscles of a user includes an elongate track having first and second ends and a middle portion wherein the elongate track is positionable transverse to a user. The apparatus further includes a carriage movable along the track, wherein that carriage is biased toward the middle portion of the track, and an arm extending substantially perpendicular from the carriage. The arm has a free distal end such that application by user of an alternating torque to the free distal end of the arm urges the carriage in a corresponding reciprocating motion on the track.

1 . An apparatus for exercising the abdominal muscles of a user, the apparatus comprising:
 a body;   guide means for guiding said body along a path, said guide means having first and second ends and a middle portion;   biasing means for biasing said body towards said middle portion of said guide means;   transmitting means for transmitting alternating torso rotational movements of a user to said body so as to urge said body in reciprocating opposite directions along said path.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising resistance means for resisting movement of said body along said guide means. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for exercising the oblique abdominal muscles of a user, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate track having first and second ends and a middle portion, said elongate track being positionable transverse to a user;   a carriage movable along said track, said carriage being biased toward said middle portion of said track; and   an arm extending substantially perpendicular from said carriage and having a free distal end,   such that application by user of an alternating torque to said free distal end of said arm urges said carriage in a corresponding reciprocating motion on said track.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said elongate track has a curvature. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said middle portion is lower than said ends of said track. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said track is arcuate. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said curvature of said track has a constant radius. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said track has an adjustable height. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said track comprises a pair of parallel spaced apart rails. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  herein said rails further include parallel spaced apart support portions for supporting said carriage. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said arm extends from said carriage through a passage between said pair of rails. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said carriage further includes sliders slidably engaging said track. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said carriage further includes wheels rollably engaging said track. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said carriage includes support wheels and clamping wheels with said support portion retained therebetween. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein at least one of said support wheels or said clamping wheels comprise a pliable material. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said clamping wheels comprise a pliable material. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said pliable material comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said arm is pivotally connected to said carriage. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein said arm further includes a handle at said distal end. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said handle is rotatably secured to said arm. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said handle is pivotally and substantially collinearly secured to said arm. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further including a resistor for resisting the movement of said carriage along said path. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said resistor comprises a friction inducing means between said track and said carriage. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said resistor comprises retaining at least a portion of said track between at least two wheels, at least one of said at least two wheels having a rolling resistance on said track. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said at least one of said at least two wheels is adjustably engaged upon said track. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a biasing element for biasing said carriage towards said middle portion of said track. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said biasing element is selected from the group consisting of springs, elastomeric bands or pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders.