# US 10,500,431 B2 · Exercise device

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- Number: US 10,500,431 B2
- Document ID: US10500431B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/720,211
- Filed: 2017-09-29
- Published: 2018-03-29
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2016-09-29
- Assignees: Expectations, LLC
- Applicants: Expectations, LLC
- Inventors: Christopher H. Leier
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500431B2

## CPC

- A63B 21/0023: {for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion}
- A61H 1/0292: {for the spinal column (A61H1/0218 takes precedence)}
- A63B 21/00185: {using resistance provided by the user, e.g. exercising one body part against a resistance provided by another body part (A63B21/068 takes precedence; isometric exercise A63B21/0023)}
- A63B 21/068: using user's body weight
- A63B 23/0233: {Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch}
- A63B 23/12: for upper limbs {or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles (bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06)}
- A61H 2201/1261: combined with active exercising of the patient
- A61H 2203/0431: in 90°/90°-position, like on a chair
- A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand}
- A63B 2023/006: {for stretching exercises}
- A63B 2208/0233: in 90/90 position, like on a chair
- A63B 2210/50: Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)

## Abstract

The current document is directed to an improved exercise device that facilitates isometric back-stretching exercises and other isometric exercises. One implementation of the improved exercise device includes a tubular U-shaped frame to which two conforming thigh pads are rotatably and slidably mounted. In this implementation, a tubular T-shaped extension is removably attached to the U-shaped frame to provide two leg pads mounted to a crossbar member of the T-shaped extension. The plane of the U-shaped frame is inclined with respect to the plane of the T-shaped extension. The U-shaped frame includes two handles at each end, each handle comprising a tubular handgrip that fits over the ends of the U-shaped frame.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An exercise device comprising:
a U-shaped frame that includes two handles and onto which two thigh pads are mounted between the two handles, the U-shaped frame configured and arranged to extend across a user's thighs and proximate a user's hips thereby positioning the thigh pads on top of the user's thighs and the handles proximate the user's hips during use; and
a T-shaped extension, affixed to the U-shaped frame between the two thigh pads, that includes two leg pads extending outward therefrom, the T-shaped extension configured and arranged to extend between a user's legs thereby positioning the two leg pads proximate backs of a user's knees during use.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the U-shaped frame further comprises a U-shaped, hollow, tubular bar to each end of which hand grips are mounted.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the T-shaped extension further comprises a shaft member that is removably affixed to the U-shaped frame at a first end and that is affixed to a crossbar member at a second end.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The exercise device of claim 3 wherein the shaft member and the cross bar member are both hollow, tubular bars.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The exercise device of claim 3 wherein the leg pads are cylindrical foam pads mounted to the ends of the crossbar member by one or more of
friction fit;
an adhesive;
mounting rings; and
tape.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The exercise device of claim 3
wherein the U-shaped frame additionally includes a short tubular stem, mounted perpendicularly to, or formed as part of, the U-shaped frame; and
wherein a first end of the shaft member of the T-shaped extension removably mounts to the short tubular stem.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The exercise device of claim 6 wherein the stem includes a snap-button fastener that provides spring-like extension of two rounded buttons that project outward through aligned apertures in the stem and the shaft member of the T-shaped extension when the stem is inserted into the shaft member of the T-shaped extension, to secure the rotational and translation position of the T-shaped extension with respect to the stem.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The exercise device of claim 6 wherein the shaft member of the T-shaped extension includes a snap-button fastener that provides spring-like extension of two rounded buttons that project outward through aligned apertures in the stem and the shaft member of the T-shaped extension when the shaft member of the T-shaped extension is inserted into the stem, to secure the rotational and translation position of the T-shaped extension with respect to the stem.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the thigh pads each comprises:
a molded base;
a cavity that accommodates an insert; and
a mounting component that slidably and rotationally mounts the thigh pad to the U-shaped frame.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The exercise device of claim 9 wherein the base is injection-molded plastic.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The exercise device of claim 9 wherein the mounting component comprises two semi-cylindrical prongs affixed to, or molded as part of, the molded base.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The exercise device of claim 9 wherein the insert comprises a compliant material selected from the group consisting of:
open-cell foam;
closed-cell foam;
a pliable polymeric material; and
at least one natural pliable material.

### Claim 13

An exercise device comprising:
a U-shaped frame that includes two handles;
two thigh pads rotationally and slidably mounted to the U-shaped frame, the two thigh pads configured and arranged to be positioned on top of a user's thighs during use; and
a T-shaped extension, removably affixed to the U-shaped frame between the two thigh pads, that includes two leg pads extending outward therefrom, the T-shaped extension configured and arranged to extend between a user's legs during use thereby positioning the two leg pads proximate backs of a user's knees.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The exercise device of claim 13
wherein the U-shaped frame further includes a stem that is affixed to, or formed as part of, the center of the U-shaped frame, the stem serving as a mount for the T-shaped extension;
wherein a first thigh pad is rotationally and slidably mounted on a portion of the U-shaped frame extending in a first direction from the stem; and
wherein a second thigh pad is rotationally and slidably mounted on a portion of the U-shaped frame extending in a second direction from the stem.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The exercise device of claim 13 wherein the T-shaped extension further comprises:
a shaft member, a first end of which mounts to the stem and extends perpendicularly from a central portion of the U-shaped frame;
a crossbar member, affixed to a second end of the shaft member and perpendicularly disposed to the shaft member;
a first leg pad of the two leg pads mounted to a first portion of the crossbar member; and
a second leg pad of the two leg pads mounted to a second portion of the crossbar member.

### Claim 16

An exercise device comprising:
a rigid frame that is reversibly assembled from first and second components and disassembled into first and second components;
two hand grips mounted to the first component of the frigid frame;
two hand grips mounted to the first component of the rigid frame;
one or more thigh pads mounted to the first component of the rigid frame between the two hand grips; and
one or more leg pads mounted to the second components of the rigid frame;
wherein the two hand grips, one or more thigh pads, and one or more leg pads are mounted in positions so that, when a user employs the exercise device during an isometric exercise, the second component extends between legs of the user, the one or more thigh pads cushion one or more thigh of the user while the one or more leg pads fit against the back side of one or more legs of the user while the user applies a force to the handles through arms and hands of the user, with upper legs perpendicular to back and lower legs of the user.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The exercise device of claim 16 wherein the first component includes a U-shaped-frame component and the second components includes a T-shaped-extension component.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The exercise device of claim 17 wherein a first hand grip is mounted to a first end of the U-shaped-frame component and wherein a second hand grip is mounted to a second end of the U-shaped-frame component.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The exercise device of claim 17 wherein a first thigh pad is mounted to a first portion of a central portion of the U-shaped-frame component and wherein a second thigh pad is mounted a second portion of the central portion of the U-shaped-frame component.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The exercise device of claim 17 wherein a first leg pad is mounted to a first portion of a crossbar member of the T-shaped-extension component and wherein a second leg pad is mounted to a second portion of the crossbar member of the T-shaped-extension component.