FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally the present invention relates to exercise devices. In particular, the pre- sent invention pertains to ab exercise devices.

BACKGROUND

Typically, ab exercise devices require the user to be in an uncomfortable posi- tion, for example on the floor on their back, or on an incline on their front.

Those ab exercise devices which do allow the user to adopt a comfortable posi- tion (e.g. seated) do not offer adequate range of motion for full concentric and eccentric (i.e. shortening and lengthening) contractions.

As well as being an important muscle group for functional strength and a stable foundation, the abs in particular are sought after by many for aesthetic confi- dence.

There are a large number of products that assert to engage core muscles when ac- tually they assist the movement, reducing the muscle activation, and therefore re- ducing the effect. For example, many devices let the user to firmly grip the de- vice with their hands so that the focus shifts from ab to arm strength to carry out the movement.

One efficient and widely known ab exercise movement is the crunch movement or sit-up movement. A crunch is executed by a person contracting their rectus abdominis (abs) so that their rib cage is pulled towards their pelvis. This can be done lying down (most commonly), hanging from a bar or sat down.

Carried out incorrectly, the crunch can cause lower back issues, particularly in the lying down position. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective is to at least alleviate the problems described hereinabove not satis- factorily solved by the known arrangements, and to provide a feasible ab exercise device. One objective is to discourage the use of arms to carry out the exercise motion so that there is more focus on the abs. Another objective is to provide greater range of motion. A third objective is to provide different levels of re- sistance. A fourth objective is to provide a rotatable top part that enables the user to carry out twisted crunches. A fifth objective is to provide rotating side parts that position the user in a comfortable movement direction. A sixth objective is to utilize elastic members, such as resistance bands, that may provide progressive resistance so that the elongation of the bands increases the resistance gradually.

The aforesaid objectives are achieved by the embodiments of an ab exercise de- vice in accordance with the present invention.

The aforesaid objectives are achieved according to the present invention as claimed in claim 1. Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention an ab exercise device corn- prises

-a first tube member, -a second tube member movable with respect to the first tube member,

-an elastic member resisting the downward movement of the second tube mem ber and moving upward the second tube member with respect to the first tube member,

-a first and a second side part for supporting the device respectively against a first and a second surface, the first and the second side part being arranged re- spectively to a first and a second side of the first tube member in the upper end of the first tube member, and

-a top part for pressing down the second tube member, the top part being attached to the second tube member. In one embodiment the elastic member is a resistance band.

In one embodiment first and second ends of the resistance band to be attached re- spectively to first and second attachment points on the outside of the first tube member, the resistance band perforates the first tube member on higher locations than said first and second attachment points or the resistance band goes around the edges of the first tube member, and the resistance band perforates or goes around the second tube member in the lower end of the second tube member. In one embodiment the first and second tube members have a rectangle-like shape comprising opposite first and second sides and opposite third and fourth sides.

In one embodiment the first and second sides form the longer side of the rectan- gle-like shape.

In one embodiment the ab exercise device comprises at least two resistance bands. In one embodiment two resistance bands are arranged in parallel, the two re- sistance bands being attached to the first and second side of the first tube mem ber.

In one embodiment the ab exercise device comprises a plurality of said first and/or second attachment points on different heights such that the resistance can be changed.

In one embodiment the ab exercise device comprises at least three first and sec- ond attachment points.

In one embodiment the first tube member is the lower tube member.

In one embodiment the first and second side parts are rotatable such that the movement direction is adjustable.

In one embodiment the first and second side parts comprise respectively a first and second side pad suitable for supporting against the thighs of a user. In one embodiment the top part is rotatable such that the device is suitable for twisted ab movement.

In one embodiment the height of the top part is adjustable.

In one embodiment the top part forms a planar surface such that arms may be placed on top of the top part.

In one embodiment the top part is a handle comprising a first and second loop.

The utility of the present invention follows from a plurality of factors depending on each particular embodiment. Some embodiments of the present invention may discourage the use of arms to carry out the exercise motion, meaning more focus on abs. Some embodiments may provide different levels of resistance which may be adjustable by the user. Some embodiments may provide a rotatable top part that enables the user to carry out twisted crunches, which may engage obliques and transverse abdominis. Some embodiments may provide rotating side parts, preferably freely-rotating side parts that position the user in a comfortable movement direction. Some embodiments may provide great range of motion by arranging the first and second side parts in the upper end of the first tube mem ber. Some embodiments may use elastic members, such as resistance bands, that may provide progressive resistance so that the elongation of the bands increases the resistance gradually. Some embodiments with a rectangle-like shape may al- low a narrow width suitable for placing between the thighs of the user. Some embodiments with a rectangle-like shape with flat faces may make reinforcing the side part connection points structurally suitable.

The expression“a number of’ refers herein to any positive integer starting from one (1), e.g. to one, two, or three.

The expression“a plurality of’ refers herein to any positive integer starting from two (2), e.g. to two, three, or four.

Different embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

Next the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which

Fig. la-c illustrates an embodiment of an ab exercise device in accordance with the present invention in three different positions.

Fig. 2a-c illustrates a side view of an embodiment of an ab exercise device in ac- cordance with the present invention in three different positions.

Fig. 3 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of the first and second tube members in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the lower end of the second tube member in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 5a-c illustrates an embodiment of the attachment points on the outside of the first tube member in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6a-b illustrates two views of an embodiment of the top part in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to figures la-c, the ab exercise device 100 comprises a first tube mem ber 102 and a second tube member 104. The second tube member 104 is arranged within the first tube member 102 such that the second tube member 104 is mova- ble with respect to the first tube member 102. The first and second tube members may be plastic, for example.

Referring also to figures 2a-2c, the ab exercise device 100 comprises a first and a second elastic member 106, 108. The elastic members push the second tube member 104 upwards, simultaneously resisting the downward movement. The user may press the second tube member downwards. The range of motion is preferably l5-45cm, more preferably 20-40 and most preferably 25-35cm. In one preferable embodiment the range of motion is 32cm.

The first and second tube members 102, 104 have a rectangle-like shape. The first tube member 102 comprises opposite first and second sides 142a, 144a and opposite third and fourth sides 146a, 148a. The second tube member 104 corn- prises opposite first and second sides 142b, 144b and opposite third and fourth sides l46b, l48b. The first and second sides l42a, l42b, l44a, l44b form the longer side of the rectangle-like shape. The width of the first and second sides 142a, 144a of the first tube member 102 is preferably 50-400mm, more prefera- bly 60-200mm and most preferably 80- 120mm. The width of the third and fourth sides 146a, 148a of the first tube member is preferably 40-200mm, more prefera- bly 50- 100mm and most preferably 50-70mm. In one preferable embodiment the width of the first and second sides 142a, 144a of the first tube member 102 is 102,6mm and the width of the third and fourth sides 146a, 148a of the first tube member 102 is 57,6mm.

A top part 110 is connected to the second tube member 104. The height of the top part 110 is adjustable for adjusting the height of the exercise device 100. The top part may comprise threads 112 for adjusting the height. In figure la, the top part is illustrated in its upper position whereas in figure lb and lc the top part is illus- trated in its lower position.

The user may place his/her arms on top of the device, preferably crossing the arms so that the first arm is against the top part and the second arm is on top of the first arm or next to the first arm. The user may then press down the top part of the device.

In figures la and lb, the exercise device 100 is illustrated in its upper starting po- sition. In figure lc, the exercise device 100 is illustrated in its lower position. The exercise device may also be locked in to the lower position so that the device takes less storage space.

First and second side parts 114, 116 are arranged respectively to the first and second sides 142a, 144a of the first tube member 102. Preferably, the first and second side parts 114, 116 are arranged in the upper end of the first tube member. The upper end is preferably the upper half of the first tube member, more prefer- ably the upper 1/3 of the first tube member and most preferably the upper 1/4 of the first tube member. The connection points for the first and second side parts may be reinforced. In use, the first and second side parts 114, 116 are supported respectively against a first and a second surface. Preferably, the first and second side parts are supported against the thighs of the user. The user may be seated while supporting the side parts against his/her thighs. Preferably, the ab exercise device is used for performing seated crunches. The first and second side parts may be rotatable so that the movement direction is adjustable. This has been illustrated in figures 2a-2c. In figure 2a, the device is tilting forwards. In figure 2b, the device is straight. In figure 2c, the device is tilt- ing backwards. For example, in figure 2a, the device is tilted away from the user, and in figure 2b the device is tilted towards the user. Preferably, the side parts are rotating freely. The first and second side parts 114, 116 may comprise first and second side pads 115, 117 that are suitable for supporting against the thighs of the user. The side parts may be detachable.

The height of the exercise device in its upper position with the top part in its up- per position is preferably 600-1000mm, more preferably 700-900mm and most preferably 760-800mm. In one preferable embodiment the height of the device in its upper position is 780mm. The height of the top part is adjustable by preferably l00-300mm. The height of the exercise device in its lower position is preferably

350-550mm, more preferably 400-500mm and most preferably 430-470mm. In one preferable embodiment the height of the device in its lower position is 450mm. Referring also to figures 5a-c, the first elastic member 106 attaches to a first and second attachment point 118a, l20a on the outside of the first tube member 102. The first and second attachment points 118a, l20a are preferably located on the opposite sides of the first tube member 102. Referring also to figure 3, the first elastic member 106 perforates the first tube member 104 a first and a second time on higher locations than the attachment points 118a, l20a. The first tube member comprises a first and second hole 122, 124 such that the elastic member 106 may perforate the tube. Alternatively, the elastic member 106 may go around the upper edges of the first tube member 102.

Referring also to figure 4, the elastic member 106 perforates the second tube member 104 in its lower end. The lower end is preferably the lower half of the second tube member, more preferably the lower 1/3 of the tube member and most preferably the lower 1/4 of the tube member. Alternatively, the elastic member may go around the lower end of the second tube member 104.

The exercise device 100 comprises a second elastic member 108. The second elastic member is preferably substantially parallel to the first elastic member 106. The second elastic member 108 attaches similarly as the first elastic member from its first and second end to a first l26a and second (not in figure) attachment point. Alternatively, the exercise device comprises more than two elastic mem bers. Some embodiments may only comprise one elastic member. The elastic members are preferably resistance bands. The elastic members may be arranged such that they are not facing the user. The first and second elastic members 106, 108 attach to the first and second side l42a, l44a of the first tube member 102.

Alternatively, the elastic member is a spring. The spring may be arranged within the first tube member, underneath the second tube member, for example.

Referring to figure 4, the lower end of the second tube member 104 comprises two grooves 128, 130 for the elastic members 106, 108. The second tube member comprises an end cover 132 for securing the elastic members 106, 108 to the sec- ond tube member.

Referring to figures 5a-5c, the exercise device 100 comprises first and second at- tachment points on different heights such that the resistance of the elastic mem ber can be adjusted. In a preferable embodiment, the exercise device comprises attachment points on three different heights.

The exercise device 100 comprises three first attachment points 118a- 118c and three second attachment points 120a- 120c for the first elastic member 106. Simi- larly, the exercise device 100 comprises three first attachment points 126a- 126c and three second attachment points (not in figure) for the second elastic member 108.

The second attachment points are, preferably, substantially on the opposite side of the tube with respect to the first attachment points. The lowest attachment points give most resistance. The resistance can be reduced by moving the elastic members upwards. Respectively, the resistance is increased by moving the elastic members downwards.

The attachment points comprise plugs 134 for attaching/detaching the elastic members. In figure 5a the plug 134 is in a closed position and the resistance band 106 is locked in place. In figure 5b, the plug 134 is rotated to an open position such that the resistance band 106 may be detached from the attachment point. In figure 5c, the plug 134 and the first elastic member 106 is detached from the at- tachment point. The attachment points that are not in use may comprise caps 136 for safety.

Referring to figures 6a and 6b, the exercise device 100 comprises a top part 1 10 for pressing down the second tube member. The top part may form a planar sur- face such that the user may place his/her arms on top of the top part. The top part 110 comprises a handle 138 comprising a first and a second loop respectively on a first and a second side of the device. Consequently, a skilled person may on the basis of this disclosure and general knowledge apply the provided teachings in order to implement the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims in each particular use case with necessary modifications, deletions, and additions.