Adjustable abdominal exercise apparatus

Abstract

An abdominal exercise device includes a support structure, a track movable relative to the support structure, a body support member movable relative to the support structure and track, and an adjustable base secured to the support structure. A locking mechanism attaches to the track, and selectively secures the track at a fixed orientation relative to the support structure. In a first state, the locking mechanism restricts the track from rotating relative to the support structure. In a second state, the locking mechanism allows the track to rotate relative to the support structure. In using the exercise device, the user may obtain any of three motions. A first motion is provided by sliding the body support member along the track. A second motion is provided by rotating the track relative to the support structure. A third motion is a combined motion in which the body support slides along the track and the track rotates relative to the support structure. The resistance of each of the three motions may be varied by selectively varying the Sip Factor of the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a support structure;   a track secured relative to the support structure, the track having an axis of rotation about which the track is configured to selectively rotate;   a body support member movable along and supported at least partially by the track; and   a vertically adjustable base secured to the support structure.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first foot support attached to said adjustable base; and   a second foot support attached to said adjustable base;   wherein at least one of said first foot support and said second foot support is vertically adjustable.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said exercise device has a Sip Factor configuration selectable between 1.0 and 0.25. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said exercise device has a Sip Factor configuration selectable between 0.98 and 0.86. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said exercise device has a Sip Factor configuration selectable between 1.0 and 0.98. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , wherein said exercise device has a Sip Factor configuration selectable between 0.86 and 0.5. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a manual actuator secured to at least one of said first foot support or said second foot support;   wherein said manual actuator is configured to vertically adjust said at least one of said first foot support or said second foot support.   
     
     
         8 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising one of a manual actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an electrical actuator secured to said adjustable base. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being at least selectively secured to the track, wherein the locking mechanism has an engaged state and a disengaged state.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise device recited in  claim 9 , wherein:
 in the engaged state, the locking mechanism substantially restricts the track from rotating about the axis of rotation; and   in the disengaged state, the track is selectively rotatable about the axis of rotation.   
     
     
         11 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the track is pivotally secured to the support structure. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the track defines an arcuate translation path for the body support member. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation is about centered along a length of the track. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the track defines a first path, and rotation of the track about the axis of rotation defines a second path, and wherein at least a third path is defined which combines the first and second paths. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the track defines a path such that the axis of rotation of the track extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the path defined by the track, and substantially tangential to an arc defined by rotation of the track about the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         16 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a support structure;   an arcuate track pivotally secured relative to the support structure, the track having an axis of rotation about which the track is configured to selectively rotate;   a body support member movable along and supported at least partially by the track; and   a vertically adjustable base secured to the support structure, said vertically adjustable base including a first foot support attached to said adjustable base, and a second foot support attached to said adjustable base, wherein at least one of said first foot support and said second foot support is vertically adjustable;   wherein said exercise device has a Sip Factor configuration selectable between 1.0 and 0.25.   
     
     
         17 . The exercise device recited in  claim 16 , further comprising an actuator secured to at least one of said first foot support or said second foot support;
 wherein said actuator is configured to vertically adjust said at least one of said first foot support or said second foot support.   
     
     
         18 . The exercise device recited in  claim 17 , wherein said actuator comprises one of a manual actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or an electrical actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise device recited in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being at least selectively secured to the track, wherein the locking mechanism has an engaged state and a disengaged state;   wherein in the engaged state, the locking mechanism substantially restricts the track from rotating about the axis of rotation, and in the disengaged state, the track is selectively rotatable about the axis of rotation.   
     
     
         20 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a support structure;   an arcuate track pivotally secured relative to the support structure, the track having an axis of rotation about which the track is configured to selectively rotate;   a body support member movable along and supported at least partially by the track;   a vertically adjustable base secured to the support structure, said vertically adjustable base including a first foot support attached to said adjustable base, a second foot support attached to said adjustable base, and an actuator secured to at least one of said first foot support or said second foot support, wherein said actuator is configured to vertically adjust said at least one of said first foot support or said second foot support; and   a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being at least selectively secured to the track, wherein the locking mechanism has an engaged state and a disengaged state;   wherein in the engaged state, the locking mechanism substantially restricts the track from rotating about the axis of rotation, and in the disengaged state, the track is selectively rotatable about the axis of rotation;   wherein said exercise device has a Sip Factor configuration selectable between 1.0 and 0.25.