US5545114A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Abdominal exercise device
Assignee: KOR-ONE Ltd
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Filing: 1995-04-25
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Granted: 1996-08-13
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Expires: 2015-04-25
Abstract
Abstract An exercise device for exercising all of the major muscles comprising the upper and lower abdomen and back, while avoiding undue stress on the lumbar and cervical spinal discs and the muscles comprising the lower back and hip flexors. The device provides rigid upper and lower back supports which are pivotally joined at a point which restricts flexure of the spine to the T10-L1 region. Resistance means attach to the pivotal portions of the device to allow adjustable resistance to exercise motions.
Inventors
- 👤 Ned Gvoich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:20
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B21/00; A63B21/02; A63B21/055; A63B21/0552; A63B21/40; A63B21/4001; A63B21/4011; A63B23/00; A63B23/02; A63B23/0205; A63B23/0211; A63B21/00058; A63B21/00061; A63B21/00065; A63B21/023; A63B21/04; A63B21/0407; A63B21/0421; A63B21/0442; A63B2208/00; A63B2208/02; A63B2208/0242; A63B2208/0247; A63B23/0233
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A device for exercising the abdomen and back of a user, comprising: a) a rigid frame having a head end and a foot end; b) a lower back support having a head end and a foot end affixed intermedially to said rigid frame with the head end of said lower back support oriented in the same direction as the head end of said rigid frame; c) an upper back support having a head end and a foot end further including two leverage arms each comprising a free end and an attached end, wherein said attached ends are affixed to said upper back support and said free ends include handles suitable for grasping, said upper back support further including means for supporting the head and neck of a user; d) a pivot attaching the foot end of said upper back support to said head end of said lower back support, said pivot positioned such that the location of said pivot coincides with the T10-L1 region of said user's spinal column; and e) a foot restraint having-an attached end and a free end, said attached end being intermedially and pivotally attached proximately to the foot end of said rigid frame.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
A device for exercising the abdomen and back of a user, comprising: a) a rigid frame having a head end and a foot end; b) a lower back support having a head end and a foot end affixed intermedially to said rigid frame with the head end of said lower back support oriented in the same direction as the head end of said rigid frame; c) an upper back support having a head end and a foot end further including two leverage arms each comprising a free end and an attached end, wherein said attached ends are affixed to said upper back support and said free ends include handles suitable for grasping, said upper back support further including means for supporting the head and neck of a user; d) a pivot attaching the foot end of said upper back support to said head end of said lower back support, said pivot positioned such that the location of said pivot coincides with the T10-L1 region of said user's spinal column; and e) a foot restraint having-an attached end and a free end, said attached end being intermedially and pivotally attached proximately to the foot end of said rigid frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: means for selectively preventing pivotal motion of said foot restraint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an elastic member having a two ends, one end of said elastic member being detachably affixed to the head end of said rigid frame and another end of said elastic member being detachably affixed to said upper back support, for adding resistance to the movement of said upper back support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an elastic member having two ends, one end of said elastic member being detachably affixed to the foot end of said rigid frame and another end of said elastic member being detachably affixed to said foot restraint, for adding resistance to the movement of said foot restraint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the head end of said upper back support is angled from the plane of said upper back support so as to cradle said user; and the foot end of said lower back support is angled from the plane of said lower back support so as to cradle said user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an elastic means having two ends, one end of said elastic means being detachably affixed to a free end of said leverage arms, another other end of said elastic means being detachably affixed to said free end of said foot restraint for adding resistance to movement of said upper back support away from said foot restraint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said pivot includes an isotonic resistance device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the head end of said lower back support is pivotally attached to said rigid frame; the foot end of said lower back support is mechanically linked to said foot restraint wherein pivotal motion of said foot restraint draws the foot end of said lower back support in the upward direction.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
305 words
A device for exercising the abdomen and back of a user, comprising: a) a first rigid frame having a head end and a foot end; b) a lower back support having a head end and a foot end wherein the head end of said lower back support is pivotally attached to the head end of a said first rigid frame; c) an upper back support having a head end and a foot end further comprising two leverage arms each comprising a free end and an attached end, wherein said attached ends are affixed to said upper back support and said free ends include handles suitable for grasping, said upper back support further including means for supporting the head and neck of said user wherein said upper back support is affixed to a second rigid frame; d) wherein second rigid frame is attached to said first rigid frame by means of a pivot such that the foot end of said upper back support is proximate to the head end of said lower back support; e) wherein said pivot is positioned such that the location of said pivot coincides with the T10-L1 region of a user's spinal column; and f) a foot restraint having an attached end and a free end, said attached end being intermedially and pivotally attached to said foot end of said rigid frame; g) an extension bar having a head end and a foot end wherein the head end of said extension bar is affixed to the foot end of said lower back support; h) at least one leverage strap having a first end and a second end; i) wherein first end of said leverage strap is adjustable and intermedially attached to said foot restraint and second end of said leverage strap is adjustable attached to the foot end of said extension bar.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
305 words
A device for exercising the abdomen and back of a user, comprising: a) a first rigid frame having a head end and a foot end; b) a lower back support having a head end and a foot end wherein the head end of said lower back support is pivotally attached to the head end of a said first rigid frame; c) an upper back support having a head end and a foot end further comprising two leverage arms each comprising a free end and an attached end, wherein said attached ends are affixed to said upper back support and said free ends include handles suitable for grasping, said upper back support further including means for supporting the head and neck of said user wherein said upper back support is affixed to a second rigid frame; d) wherein second rigid frame is attached to said first rigid frame by means of a pivot such that the foot end of said upper back support is proximate to the head end of said lower back support; e) wherein said pivot is positioned such that the location of said pivot coincides with the T10-L1 region of a user's spinal column; and f) a foot restraint having an attached end and a free end, said attached end being intermedially and pivotally attached to said foot end of said rigid frame; g) an extension bar having a head end and a foot end wherein the head end of said extension bar is affixed to the foot end of said lower back support; h) at least one leverage strap having a first end and a second end; i) wherein first end of said leverage strap is adjustable and intermedially attached to said foot restraint and second end of said leverage strap is adjustable attached to the foot end of said extension bar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: means for selectively preventing pivotal motion of said foot restraint.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: said pivot includes an isotonic resistance device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the head end of said upper back support is angled from the plane of said upper back support so as to cradle said user; and the foot end of said lower back support is angled from the plane of said lower back support so as to cradle said user.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-13 | 2000-02-12 | 2000-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-13 | 2004-02-12 | 2004-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-13 | 2008-02-12 | 2008-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |