US20120258847A1

US20120258847A1 - Pinpoint push-up apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20120258847A1
Application number: US13/441,886
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony Dean Lafferty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-08
Filing date: 2012-04-08
Publication date: 2012-10-11
Also published as: WO2013154844A1

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to push-up devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pinpoint push-up apparatus that provides improved push-up performance through increased difficulty levels and balance requirements.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the following provisional applications, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/473,312 filed on Apr. 8, 2011 and entitled “PINPOINT PUSH-UP APPARATUS.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fitness equipment has become an important part of advanced physical training routines due to the fact the use of specialized fitness equipment potentially offers an individual different challenges to what can otherwise become routine, mundane or otherwise easy to perform.
Numerous devices have been created to improve or otherwise regulate the standard pushup routine. For instance, may devices offer a set of handles that the user places on the floor and the user is then required to use his or her chest muscles and triceps to push away from the handles. The user then lowers his or her body and repeats these steps for a set number of repetitions or until exhaustion/muscle failure. Most push-up exercise devices are purposefully made to be stable platforms allowing for easy and safe utilization of such devices. The problem is that as a user develops strength, the workout these devices provide tend to provide diminishing returns and do not allow for increased difficulty as time wears on. Furthermore, the stability and control of these devices provide development of muscles only in the chest and arms.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a push-up device that provides a more challenging pushup routine that can be utilized to develop muscle strength and definition in the chest arms as well as other areas as well as provide an enjoyable workout routine that users are inclined to stick with. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be explained and will become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of the invention that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a pinpoint push-up apparatus that provides improved push-up performance through increased difficulty levels and balance requirements. Embodiments of the present invention may include a labeling apparatus configured to describe or otherwise detail the displayed contents of the notification board.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pinpoint push-up apparatus includes: a top handle portion comprising a hand-grip component and one or more elevation arms, wherein said one or more elevation arm extends vertically from an end of said hand-grip component; and a lower base portion, comprising a substantially flat top portion and a substantially round lower portion, wherein said one or more elevation arms are connected to said substantially flat top portion of said lower base portion, whereby a space is formed between said hand-grip component of said top handle portion and said substantially flat top portion of said lower base portion capable of receiving a hand of a user.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hand-grip component is substantially horizontally aligned.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the round lower portion is configured to be received upon a floor during use, creating instability that requires the user to counteract such instability through the engagement of one or more core muscles.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the said one or more core muscles include one or more of a user's pelvic floor muscles, transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal obliques, external obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae (sacrospinalis) or diaphragm muscles.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hand-grip component comprises a coiled rope grip.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the substantially flat top portion of said lower base portion and said substantially round lower portion of said lower base portion are connected via one or more attachment means.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment means comprises one or more threaded studs and one or more threaded inserts.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more threaded studs are connected to said flat top portion of said lower base portion.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more threaded inserts are contained in or upon said round lower portion of said lower base portion.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hand-grip component comprises a pipe handle.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hand-grip component is secured to said one or more elevation arms via welding.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the round lower portion of said lower base portion comprises a high density rubber material.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, two of said pinpoint push-up apparatus may be utilized to perform an improved push-up workout routine.
The foregoing summary of the present invention with the preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention thus described may be further modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to designate like parts:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a pinpoint push-up apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a pinpoint push-up apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view an exemplary embodiment of a pinpoint push-up apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view an exemplary embodiment of a pinpoint push-up apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view an exemplary embodiment of a pinpoint push-up apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view an exemplary embodiment of a pinpoint push-up apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view an exemplary embodiment of a pinpoint push-up apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

In response to the complications of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a unique apparatus that enjoins a push-up device with balance maintenance requirements. In this manner, a user of a pinpoint push-up apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, will realize improved fitness benefits from performing push-ups that require an intense level of balance as well. These and other features will become apparent through the following detailed description of the present invention.
Turning now to FIGS. 1-4, views of an exemplary embodiment of a pinpoint push-up apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, are shown. In this embodiment, a top handle portion is attached to a lower base portion. Top handle portion is comprised of a substantially horizontally aligned hand-grip component and two elevation arms, one elevation arm extending vertically from each end of said horizontally aligned hand-grip component. Said elevation arms are connected to said base lower base portion and said horizontally aligned hand-grip component. Said lower base portion is comprised of a substantially flat top portion and a substantially rounded lower portion. The two elevation arms are connected to the substantially flat top portion of said lower base portion.
A space is created between the hand-grip component and the substantially flat top portion by the two elevation arms. This space is configured to allow a user of the pinpoint pushup apparatus herein described to put their hand through and grip the hand-grip component.
In use, a user will grip the hand-grip component and place the substantially rounded lower portion of the pinpoint pushup apparatus on the ground, floor or other substantially flat surface. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user will use one pinpoint push-up apparatus in each hand. Alternatively, the pinpoint push-up apparatus may be configured such that the hand-grip component is enlarged to a size capable of receiving both of the user's hands.
Once the user has gripped the pinpoint push-up apparatus and placed the substantially rounded lower portion on the ground, the user may enter into the standard push-up position. From here, the user may proceed to execute one or more push-ups. The difficulty of a push-up executed when utilizing the pinpoint push-up apparatus is increased due to the substantially rounded lower portion of the device. The substantially rounder lower portion of the device requires the user to stabilize and balance the pinpoint push-up apparatus while executing a push-up. This in turn creates activation of additional muscle groups in the body, resulting in an increased muscle development activity and caloric burn rate.
Exemplary Embodiments
Turning now to FIGS. 5-7, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. Referring specifically to FIG. 5 first, a top view of an exemplary embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the hand-grip component is comprised of a pipe 51 and an optional grip component 53. The pipe 51 runs the entire length between the elevation arms and is configured to support the weight of a user without bending, snapping or otherwise breaking The pipe may be constructed of metal, plastic, ceramics, wood or any other material appropriate for supporting the weight of a user. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the pipe could be of numerous shapes, sizes and constructed from various materials, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with pipes of any size, shape and construction material.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the optional grip component is configured to provide grip and or comfort to the user. In FIG. 5 the grip component 53 is a coiled rope. A grip component 53 could be made of, for instance, rope, foam, rubber, plastic, cloth, fabric or cork. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the grip component 53 could be constructed of numerous materials, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with grip components of any material.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pipe may be received in and connected to the two elevation arms via a through hole in the top of each elevation arm. In one embodiment, the pipe is fixed to each elevation arm, such as by welding or other permanent fixing. Alternatively, pipe may be removably attached to each elevation arm, such as by nut/bolt attachments. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous methods for attaching said pipe to said two elevation arms, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any manner of attaching said pipe to said two elevation arms.
FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the two elevation arms are enjoined by a base portion 52, creating a U shaped section. A lower portion said U shaped section is affixed to said substantially flat top portion of said lower base portion. alternatively, said U shaped section may be removably affixed to said lower base portion.
Also shown in FIG. 6 is a connection method, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, for connecting said substantially rounded lower portion to said substantially flat top portion of said lower base portion. In this method, a threaded stud 54 and threaded inserts 55 are used to connect the aforementioned portions together. In one embodiment, the aforementioned portions may be permanently affixed. Alternatively, the aforementioned portions may be removably affixed. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that there are numerous methods and attachment means for attaching said aforementioned portions together, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any method and attachment means for attaching said aforementioned portions together.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the components herein described may be configured in such a manner as to be removably connected to other components. In this manner, a collapsible pinpoint push-up apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. For instance: said grip component may be removably connected to said two elevation arms, said two elevation arms may be removably connected to said lower base portion, said substantially flat top portion may be removably connected to substantially rounded bottom portion, or any combination thereof. Advantageously, the collapsible pinpoint push-up apparatus may be granted additional portability.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. The invention is capable of myriad modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A pinpoint push-up apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

a top handle portion comprising a hand-grip component and one or more elevation arms,

wherein said one or more elevation arm extends vertically from an end of said hand-grip component; and

a lower base portion, comprising a substantially flat top portion and a substantially round lower portion,

wherein said one or more elevation arms are connected to said substantially flat top portion of said lower base portion, whereby a space is formed between said hand-grip component of said top handle portion and said substantially flat top portion of said lower base portion capable of receiving a hand of a user.

2. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hand-grip component is substantially horizontally aligned.

3. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein said round lower portion is configured to be received upon a floor during use, creating instability that requires the user to counteract such instability through the engagement of one or more core muscles.

4. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 3, wherein said one or more core muscles include one or more of a user's pelvic floor muscles, transversus abdominis, multifidus, internal obliques, external obliques, rectus abdominis, erector spinae (sacrospinalis) or diaphragm muscles.

5. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hand-grip component comprises a coiled rope grip.

6. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein said substantially flat top portion of said lower base portion and said substantially round lower portion of said lower base portion are connected via one or more attachment means.

7. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 6, wherein said attachment means comprises one or more threaded studs and one or more threaded inserts.

8. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 7, wherein said one or more threaded studs are connected to said flat top portion of said lower base portion.

9. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 7, wherein said one or more threaded inserts are contained in or upon said round lower portion of said lower base portion.

10. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hand-grip component comprises a pipe handle.

11. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hand-grip component is secured to said one or more elevation arms via welding.

12. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein said round lower portion of said lower base portion comprises a high density rubber material.

13. The pinpoint push-up apparatus of claim 1, wherein two of said pinpoint push-up apparatus may be utilized to perform an improved push-up workout routine.