Abdominals and arms muscles exercise device

A multifunctional, portable, lap-based exercise device comprising:

• (a) a first pair of spaced-apart, elongate parallel rigid members defining a substantially uniform, linear trough having a proximal-to-the-user torso first longitudinal end and a distal second longitudinal end;
• (b) a linear channel disposed lengthwise of the inner surface of each of the opposing surfaces of the first pair and serving to provide a dual channel, linear track;
• (c) a first cross strut, which straddles the linear trough located distally between the parallel members of the first pair;
• (d) a spaced-apart, upstanding, second pair of rigid members being secured attached at their lower longitudinal ends to the proximal longitudinal ends of the first pair of members;
• (e) a second cross member aligned transversely at the junction of the first and second pairs of members and adapted to afford lateral stability to the device while same is positioned in the lap of a user;
• (f) a third cross member aligned transversely at the upper longitudinal ends of the second pair of members and adapted to be anchored centrally thereof, so to afford added lateral stability to the device while positioned in the user lap;
• (g) a short fourth cross member located straddling the transverse gap defined by the spaced-apart members of the second pair and positioned intermediate of their longitudinal ends;
• (h) a spanning bar connected pivotally at its upper longitudinal end to the fourth cross member and connected pivotally at its lower longitudinal end to the first cross strut, said bar comprising a pair of linear tubular members having one member sized dimensionally to telescopically engage the other tubular member to a controlled degree, which is effected by a mechanism that interruptibly interconnects the opposing inner ends of said members;
• (i) a fifth cross member secured across the distal longitudinal ends of said first pair of members and providing a manually grippable means serving to activate the exercise device;
• (j) a track-follower assembly pivotally attached to the first cross strut, which assembly operatively traverses the dual channel of said first pair, as driven by said fifth cross member and being secured centrally thereof;
• (k) a variably aligned, axially-movable resilient tensioning band with the distal band segment being anchored at its longitudinal end to the track-follower assembly and with the proximal band segment being anchored at its opposing longitudinal end to the first cross strut;
• and
• (l) a second cross strut straddling between the first pair of rigid members, located proximal to the second cross member, and being in a sliding engagement with the width of the movable band, which strut serves as a translation point for the reciprocating change of direction of the band during device use;
• whereby upon manually drawing inwardly the fifth cross member along an inherent arcuate range of motion, the spanning bar thereby moves the follower assembly somewhat distally along the linear track, against the countervailing tension imposed thereon by the operatively-connected tensioning band upon manual release, and conversely permitting the track follower assembly to return to its at rest position.