Sliding exercise apparatus

Abstract

In preferred embodiments, a sliding exercise apparatus comprises: a hard layer frame comprising a hard surface; and a soft layer comprising a soft surface located opposite to the hard surface and located within the body of the hard layer frame. The apparatus may be inverted from a first orientation in which the hard surface is configured to make contact with the ground to a second orientation in which the soft surface is configured to make contact with the ground. The soft surface may comprise a fabric material, and the hard surface may comprise substantially rigid material with a planar ground contacting region and with a smooth finish. The hard layer may comprise a beveled edge that curves away from the hard surface towards the soft surface with the beveled edge extending to slightly below the soft surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sliding exercise apparatus configured to assist a person with physical activities, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a hard layer frame comprising a hard surface;   b. a soft layer comprising a soft surface located opposite to said hard surface and located within the body of the hard layer frame; and   
       wherein said apparatus may be inverted from a first orientation in which the hard surface is configured to make contact with the ground to a second orientation where the soft surface is configured to make contact with the ground. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the soft surface is constructed from one of cloth or fabric material. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hard surface contains a planar ground contacting region with a smooth finish. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hard layer frame is constructed from a substantially rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the hard layer frame is constructed from a substantially rigid material selected from one of nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), or low density polyethylene (LDPE). 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hard layer frame comprises a beveled edge that extends around and protrudes away from the perimeter of the hard surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the beveled edge curves away from the hard surface towards the soft surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the beveled edge curves away from the hard surface towards the soft surface and wherein the beveled edge extends to slightly below said soft surface. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a cushion layer, and wherein the cushion layer is coupled to and between the hard layer frame and the soft layer. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the cushion layer is comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the cushion layer is comprises one of either a silicone rubber or foam. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the cushion layer comprises one of ARTiLAGE foams, Poron foams, silicone foams, rubber foams, plastic foams, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurenthane foam rubber, or an elastomer material. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hard layer frame comprises a first rounded end, a second rounded end, and two concave central regions connecting the first rounded end to the second rounded end. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hard layer frame comprises a first rounded end, a second rounded end, and two parallel straight sides connecting said first rounded end to said second rounded end. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hard layer frame is constructed in a peanut shape configured to accept the foot of a person. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a non-slip layer configured to be removably coupled to the hard surface. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a non-slip layer configured to be removably coupled to the soft surface.