Sliding exercise apparatus

Abstract

A sliding exercise apparatus which in some embodiments may include a hard layer frame which may comprise a hard surface; a body contacting layer which may comprise a body contacting surface located opposite to said hard surface and which may be coupled to the hard layer frame opposite to the hard surface; and a removable cover which may be configured to cover a portion of the hard surface. The hard surface may be configured to make contact with the ground such as when the removable cover is removed from covering the hard surface, and the removable cover may be configured to make contact with the ground when the removable cover is positioned over a portion of the hard surface. In further embodiments, the removable cover may be stretched over the hard surface to removably couple the removable cover to the hard layer frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sliding exercise apparatus configured to assist a person with physical activities, the apparatus comprising:
 a hard layer frame comprising a hard surface;   a body contacting layer comprising a body contacting surface located opposite to said hard surface and coupled to the hard layer frame opposite to the hard surface;   a removable cover configured to cover a portion of the hard surface; and   
       wherein said hard surface is configured to make contact with the ground when the removable cover is removed from covering the hard surface, and wherein said removable cover is configured to make contact with the ground when the removable cover is positioned over a portion of the hard surface. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the removable cover is constructed from one of cloth or fabric material. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the removable cover is removably coupled to the hard layer frame. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the removable cover further comprises resilient perimeter. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the resilient perimeter may be stretched over the hard surface to removably couple the removable cover to the hard layer frame. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hard surface contains a planar ground contacting region with a smooth finish. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hard layer frame is constructed from a substantially rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         8 . 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). 
     
     
         9 . 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. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the beveled edge curves away from the hard surface towards the body contacting surface. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the beveled edge curves away from the hard surface towards the body contacting surface and wherein the beveled edge extends to slightly below said body contacting surface. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the removable cover further comprises a resilient perimeter. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the resilient perimeter may be stretched over the hard surface and the beveled edge to removably couple the removable cover to the hard layer frame. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the body contacting layer comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the body contacting layer comprises one of either a silicone rubber or foam. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the body contacting layer comprises one of ARTiLAGE foams, Poron foams, closed cell silicone foams, closed cell rubber foams, closed cell plastic foams, closed cell neoprene foam, closed cell latex foam rubber, closed cell polyurenthane foam rubber, or an elastomer material. 
     
     
         17 . 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. 
     
     
         18 . 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. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hard layer frame is constructed in a peanut shape configured to accept the foot of a person. 
     
     
         20 . 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.