FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally the present invention relates to exercise equipment. In particular, however not exclusively, the present invention pertains to exercise devices for performing squat movement.

BACKGROUND

Exercising is quite the trend today, and there exists a wide variety of different devices for exercising as well. However, in spite of the large supply, one major problem still exists today. Unfit people find it hard to start exercising. For example, different devices available in gyms and for home use may require quite some strength to start with. Someone with little or no exercising background may feel discouraged after trying out a few times. Another group of people who lack proper exercise equipment are people in rehabilitation. Rehabilitation from injuries often requires light workout with controlled exercise movements. Rubber bands and other tensioning equipment are used in rehabilitation, but movements are restricted to basic stretching movements that tension the rubber band, such as leg and arm extensions where the rubber band is attached to a wall.

Further, there is a need of exercise devices for people looking for a different approach to their fitness goals, e.g. greater number of repetitions or different exercises to keep their body guessing. Also, older people, who are not necessarily un- fit or in rehab, but are out of practice or have lost confidence in their stability and ability to conduct bodyweight squats with appropriate balance, are in need of exercise devices as well.

One efficient and widely known exercise movement is the squat movement. A squat movement is executed by a person taking a starting position by standing up with their legs straight (or slightly bent) in an approximately shoulder-wide stance. Thereafter, the movement is executed by moving the hips back and bending the knees and hips and lowering the torso. The second part of the movement consists of raising the torso by straightening the legs and hips. The person returns to the starting position.

There are some devices that are used with the squat movement. The most known, which is also used in strengthening training, is a barbell, alternatively with additional weights on the ends of the barbell. However, the squat movement in itself may already be challenging for many individuals and therefore extra weight only increases the resistance to and challenge of executing the movement. Especially people in rehabilitation and unfit people may find it hard to execute a squat movement with extra weight on their shoulders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objective is to at least alleviate the problems described hereinabove not satisfactorily solved by the known arrangements and to provide a feasible solution allowing squat exercise movements. One objective of the present invention is to assist in executing squat movements. Another objective of the present invention is to resist the downward movement of the squat movement.

The aforesaid objective(s) are achieved by the embodiments of an exercise device in accordance with the present invention.

The aforesaid objective(s) are achieved in accordance with the present invention as claimed in claim 1.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention an exercise device for performing squat movement comprises -a base part for supporting the device against a surface,

-a first tube member attached to the base part,

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

-an elastic member resisting the downward movement of the second tube member and moving upward the second tube member with respect to the first tube member, and -a seat member for pressing down the second tube member, the seat member being attached to the second tube member. In one embodiment, the elastic member is a resistance band. The resistance band is preferably made of rubber. In alternative embodiments, the band is made of other elastic/resisting material. In an alternative embodiment, the elastic member is a spring. In another, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment, first and second ends of the resistance band to be attached respectively to first and second attachment points on the outside of the first tube member, perforates the first tube member on higher locations than said first and second attachment points or goes around the edges of the first tube member, and perforates or goes around the sec- ond tube member in the lower end of the second tube member.

In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment, the device comprises at least two resistance bands. In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment, the exercise device comprises a plurality of said first and/or second attachment points on different heights such that the resistance can be changed. In some embodiments, the attachment points comprise locking means for attaching/detaching the resistance band.

In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment, the height of the seat member is adjustable. In some embodiments, the seat member is fixed to the second tube member. In some embodiments, the upper end of the second tube member forms the seat member.

In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment, the first tube member is attached inclined to the base part for directing the device in a tilted angle towards the user such that the device is suitable for squat movement. The utility of the present invention follows from a plurality of factors depending on each particular embodiment. The device may assist users starting squat training as the device may assist in the upward movement. The device assisting in the upward movement may help a user start his/her squat training. The device may also help people in rehabilitation by enabling controlled movements.

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 illustrates an embodiment of an exercise device in accordance with the present invention in an upper position with the seat member in its upper position. Fig. lb illustrates an embodiment of an exercise device in accordance with the present invention in an upper position with the seat member in its lower position. Fig. lc illustrates an embodiment of an exercise device in accordance with the present invention in its lower position (i.e. pushed in).

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of an exercise device in accordance with the present invention (in the lower position).

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.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to figs, la-lc, the exercise device 100 comprises a base part 102 that supports the exercise device against a surface such as the floor or ground. The exercise device 100 comprises a first tube member 104 attached to the base part 102. The first tube member 104 extends upwards from the base part. The first tube member 104 may be inclined connected to the base part, improving the usability for squat movement. The first tube member may form an angle with the base part of preferably 45-90 degrees, more preferably of 60-90 degrees and most preferably of 75-88 degrees. The first tube member 104 may be attachable to/detachable from the base part 102 such that the exercise device is easy to assemble. A second tube member 106 is arranged within the first tube member 104 such that the second tube member 106 is movable with respect to the first tube member 104. A seat member 108 is connected to the second tube member 106. The height of the seat member 108 is adjustable for adjusting the height of the exercise device such that it fits a user. The seat member may comprise threads for ad- justing the height. In fig. la, the seat member is illustrated in its upper position whereas in fig. lb and lc the seat member is illustrated in its lower position.

In figs, la and lb, the exercise device 100 is illustrated in its upper starting position. The elastic members 1 10a and 1 10b push the second tube member 106 up- wards, simultaneously resisting the downward movement. The user positions themselves slightly in front of the device, placing their behind on the seat member 108. By lowering their torso, the user presses the second tube member downwards. In fig. lc, the exercise device 100 is illustrated in its lower position. The exercise device may also be locked in to the lower position such that exer- cise device works as a stool and/or the exercise device takes less storage space. The second tube member 106 may comprise a pin close to the upper edge and the first tube member may comprise an L-shaped groove close to the upper edge in which the pin is secured by rotating the second tube member. The height of the exercise device in its upper position with the seat member in its upper position is preferably 50-150 cm, more preferably 70-1 10 cm and most preferably 80-100 cm. The height of the seat member is adjustable by preferably 10-30 cm. The height of the exercise device in its lower position is preferably 25- 65 cm, more preferably 30-60 cm and most preferably 35-55 cm.

Referring also to figs. 2-3, the first elastic member 1 10a attaches to a first and second attachment point 1 12a, 1 14a on the outside of the first tube member 104. The attachment points 1 12a, 1 14a are preferably located on the opposite sides of the first tube member 104. The elastic member 1 10a perforates the first tube member 104 a first and a second time on higher locations than the attachment points 1 12a, 1 14a. The first tube member comprises a first and second hole 1 16a, 1 16b such that the elastic member 1 10a may perforate the tube. The elastic member 1 10a perforates the second tube member 106 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 and most preferably the lower 1/4 of the tube member. Alternatively, the elastic member 1 10a may go around the upper edges of the first tube member 104 and/or go around the lower end of the second tube member 106.

The exercise device comprises, preferably, a second elastic member 1 10b. The second elastic member is preferably substantially perpendicular to the first elastic member 1 10a. The second elastic member 1 10b attaches similarly as the first elastic member from its both ends to a first 1 16a and second (not in figure) attachment point. Alternatively, the exercise device comprises more than two elastic members. Some embodiments may only comprise one elastic member. The elastic members are preferably resistance bands. 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 fig. 4, the lower end of the second tube member 106 comprises two fitting parts 1 18, 120 for securing the elastic members 1 10a, 1 10b. The first fit- ting part 1 18 comprises channels 122a, 122b for the elastic members 1 10a, 1 10b to perforate the second tube member. The second fitting part 120 works as a cover, securing the elastic members 1 10, 1 10b within the second tube member.

Referring also to figs. 5a-5c, the exercise device 100 comprises first and second attachment points on different heights such that the resistance of the elastic member can be adjusted. In a preferable embodiment, the exercise device comprises attachment points on three different heights. Figures 5a-5c illustrates the first attachment points 1 12a-c for the first elastic member 1 10a and the first attachment points 1 16a-c for the second elastic member 1 10b. Similarly, the exer- cise device comprises second attachment points for the first and second elastic member, 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 lightened by moving the elastic members upwards. The attachment points comprise plugs 124 for attaching/detaching the elastic members. Fig. 5a illustrates the second elastic member 1 10b detached from the attachment point. In fig. 5b, the elastic member 1 10b is placed in, and in fig. 5c the elastic member is locked in place. The attachment points not in use comprise caps 126 for safety.

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.