Rolling or sliding inch-worm style exercise platforms

Abstract

Non-stationary exercise “inch worm” style platforms are supported by either several skateboard trucks or large wheels on the outside of the platforms. The skateboard trucks include wheels secured to the platform via screws or other fastening mechanisms. At least one wheel includes a ratcheted or clutched one-way bearing to limit movement of the wheel in the desired direction(s). Notched wheels in combination with a track secured to the floor or a greased metal rod or pipe secured on the underside of several platforms can be utilized for further controlling directional movement. Where several platforms are used, the use of a secured stop on the rear platform allows the front platform to move forward as the user's abdominal muscles provide energy for moving the platforms in one direction. Hand-controlled break rods with rubber or plastic stops allow the user to control the pace at which the board is used.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for exercising abdominal muscles comprising:
 a platform;   wheels attached to the platform, at least one of the wheels including a ratcheted or clutched one-way bearing to prevent movement in at least one direction.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is free from restraints which cause the apparatus to remain in one place during use. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an attaching member between the wheels and the platform. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising screws or nuts and bolts for fastening the wheels to the attaching member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the wheels are notched wheels. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a track in which the notched wheels will ride on to preserve directional control of the platform. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the wheels are all-terrain wheels. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising handles. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an actuatable break rod with rubber or plastic stops to allow a user to control a pace at which the apparatus is used. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an additional platform having wheels positioned in front of the apparatus; 
 a greased or lubricated metal rod or pipe secured to the apparatus and the additional platform via guides attached to bottom surfaces of the apparatus and the additional platform; and 
 a secured stop that allows only the additional platform to move forward as a user's abdominal muscles provide energy for locomotion. 
 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for exercising abdominal muscles comprising:
 a first platform having a first platform bottom surface and first platform wheels attached to the first platform bottom surface, at least one of the first platform wheels including a one-way bearing preventing movement of the at least one first platform wheel in a first platform first direction; and   a second platform having a second platform bottom surface and second platform wheels attached to the second platform bottom surface, at least one of the second platform wheels including a one-way bearing preventing movement of the at least one second platform wheel in a second platform first direction; and   wherein during exercising abdominal muscles, the first platform is aligned with the second platform so that the first platform first direction is the same direction as the second platform first direction.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a secured stop that allows only the second platform to move forward as a user's abdominal muscles provide energy for locomotion. 
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a first guide secured to the first platform bottom surface; 
 a second guide secured to the second platform bottom surface; and 
 a rod slidably secured between the first guide and the second guide. 
 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the rod is secured to the first guide and slidably received by the second guide. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the rod further includes a first end and a second end and the first end includes a first stop. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the rod second end further includes a second stop. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the rod is slidably received by the first guide and slidably received by the second guide. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for exercising abdominal muscles comprising:
 a first platform having a first platform bottom surface and first platform wheels attached to the first platform bottom surface, at least one of the first platform wheels including a one-way bearing preventing movement of the at least one first platform wheel in a first platform first direction;   a second platform having a second platform bottom surface and second platform wheels attached to the second platform bottom surface;   a first guide secured to the first platform bottom surface;   a second guide secured to the second platform bottom surface; and   a rod slidably secured between the first guide and the second guide.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the rod is secured to the first guide and slidably received by the second guide. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the rod is slidably received by the first guide and slidably received by the second guide.