US20100248920A1

US20100248920A1 - Ergonomic pushup base

Info

Publication number: US20100248920A1
Application number: US12/383,752
Authority: US
Inventors: Miguel Alberto Morales
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-27
Filing date: 2009-03-27
Publication date: 2010-09-30

Abstract

Described herein is an article of manufacture designed to allow the performance of pushups comfortably, ergonomically, and in a balanced manner on a ground surface. The article in reference is composed of a pair of hand supports (left and right) made of plastic or similar material, and a plurality of cushions made of rubber, cloth, or similar materials. The supports have a base or bottom portion designed to contact the floor, and a top portion at an elevated position relative to the base and above the floor. The top portion of the supports provide space for the user's hands to rest in a position that is more ergonomic than if resting directly on the floor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of exercise, sports and training equipment, and more particularly to hand supports that are elevated relative to the floor, and which allow the users to maintain their hands in an ergonomic, comfortable, and balanced position while performing pushups.
The benefits of the use of pushups in physical and fitness training are well understood. The pushup exercise is used for strengthening arm and upper body muscles. This exercise is performed by lying face down with palms to the floor and by pushing the body up and down with the arms. One complaint that many people have with pushups is that they can be uncomfortable or put extra stress on their palms, fingers, or wrists.
Numerous devices have been developed to make pushups more comfortable. For example, there are devices that comprise a pair of stands with horizontal padded grips which a user can grip while performing pushups. There are also devices that comprise padded bars that can be grasped while doing pushups. However, most of the pushup devices available provide a handle with cylindrical form, which may be uncomfortable for many users. Some of these devices also require significant efforts from the users to maintain balance. In addition, although available pushup devices vary in size and weight, most devices are too large or heavy to carry while traveling.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a pushup device that allows for the user's hands to rest on top of the device with the palms open while allowing for the fingers and thumbs to bend and achieve a more ergonomic, comfortable, and balanced position; and which is compact in size and light in weight so that it can be easily stored for travel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device that allows the users hands to maintain an ergonomic position while performing pushups.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the performance of pushups that provides a more comfortable use position than other available devices.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the performance of pushups that allows the user to achieve better balance than with other available devices.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device for the performance of pushups that elevates the user's upper body from the floor to allow for a more complete exercise motion than if performed directly on the floor.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for the performance of pushups that is compact in size and light in weight so that it can be easily stored for travel.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an article of manufacture for the performance of pushups comprising: a pair of hand supports (left and right) made of plastic or similar material, and a plurality of cushions made of rubber, cloth, or similar materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention (for left hand).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the right side of the invention (for left hand).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an article of manufacture, specifically hand supports that are elevated relative to the floor and allow the users to maintain their hands in an ergonomic, comfortable, and balanced position while performing pushups. In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough description of the invention.
Turning to FIGS. 1 to 2, there is shown view of an exemplary push up base, with FIG. 1 being a top view, and FIG. 2 being a side view of the exemplary push up base. The push up base comprises a top surface 10, a front 11, a rear 12, left and right sides 13, 14, and a bottom surface 15.
FIG. 1 is a top view of the push up base that comprises a curved front wall 21, a curved rear wall 22, curved left side wall 23, curved concave right side wall 24, and a flat top surface 25. The push up base also comprises a bottom surface 26 for placement on a floor.
The top surface 10 is shown comprising planes 31 and 32 to provide a surface shaped to hold a user's open palm. The top surface also comprises four small “u shaped” planes on the front area 33, 34, 35, and 36 to provide a top surface shaped to rest the inner portion of the user's fingers, while allowing the fingers to bend to provide an ergonomic hand position. The left side of the pushup base designed for the user's right hand and the right side of the pushup base designed for the user's left hand 40 comprise a concave shaped area, which is rounded inward to create a location for the users thumbs and provide an ergonomic hand position. This feature also makes the device very easy to grab and hold on a user's hands, which can be very convenient for exercises or routines in which the pushup bases need to be moved to different positions.
The base is preferably constructed of a solid material such as plastic. The planes on the top surface comprise a plurality of cushions of soft material such as rubber, cloth, or similar materials.
In general, the pushup base will provide a comfortable and ergonomic position for the users hands while performing pushups, and help protect the hands and wrists from stress and strain.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Hand supports for the performance of pushups comprising:

a pair of bases (left and right) made of plastic or similar material;

said bases further comprising a top surface

said top surface further comprising planes to provide a surface shaped to hold a user's open palm ergonomically

said bases further comprising curved front and rear walls

said bases further comprising curved left and right side walls

the curved left side wall of the base designed for the right hand and the curved right side wall of the base designed for the left hand further comprising a concave shaped area, which is rounded inward to create a location for the user's thumbs and provide an ergonomic hand position

a plurality of cushions made of rubber or similar material

said cushions are attached to the bases using means of attaching them such as glue or contact cement