Abdominal exercise device and method

Abstract

An abdominal exercise device with a stable rolling platform, a pair of handles, and four roller assemblies. In addition to conventional roller exercises, the user may place toes or feet on the stable platform and push or pull the device. The device has attachment features on the handle and platform that permit one or more adjustable elastic cords to be temporarily attached to the exercise device while the device is pushed or pulled relative to the user's body. Variable resistance cords are provided which have a plurality of stop elements to permit the user to adjust the effective resistance of the elastic cords by temporarily securing selected stop elements to the device. In one example, the stop elements have internal tapered plugs and external tapered covers over the tapered plugs; so that the stop elements may nest in tapered receptacles on the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An abdominal exercise device
 comprising a platform comprising
 a top surface, 
 a left side edge, 
 right side edge, 
 a front edge, 
 a rear edge, 
 and a 
 bottom; 
   a left handle extending laterally from the left side edge of the platform, the left handle having
 a longitudinal axis, 
 a proximal end in proximity to the platform, and 
 a distal end: 
   a right handle extending laterally from the right side edge of the platform, the right handle having
 a longitudinal axis, 
 a proximal end in proximity to the platform, and 
 a distal end; and 
   four roller assemblies attached to the bottom of the platform.   
     
     
         2 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 1  further comprising
 a plurality of elastic resistance cord attachment points, each comprising
 a housing portion comprising
 a cord retention slot parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cord stop element receptacle, such that the cord retention slot is configured to accept a portion of an elastic resistance cord, and 
 a first cord stop element receptacle having a longitudinal axis, a top portion and a bottom portion, such that the cord stop element receptacle is configured to restrict passage of a stop element on the elastic resistance cord. 
 
 
 
     
     
         3 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 2  wherein the cord stop element receptacle is tapered, such that the top portion is larger than the bottom portion. 
     
     
         4 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 2  further comprising
 a first detachable elastic cord comprising
 a first end portion with a first elastic cord end, 
 a second end portion, and 
 
 a plurality of spaced apart first end portion stop elements, each first end portion stop element comprising a cross sectional enlargement feature formed on the first end portion of the elastic cord. 
 
     
     
         5 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 4  wherein
 the plurality of spaced-apart first end portion stop elements each comprise
 a tapered plug positioned within a hollow elastic cord, and 
 a cover element on the outside of the cord and positioned over the tapered plug. 
 
 
     
     
         6 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 5  wherein
 each of the cover elements on the first end portion stop elements has an indicia. 
 
     
     
         7 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 5  further comprising
 a plurality of spaced apart second end portion stop elements, each second end portion stop element comprising a cross sectional enlargement feature formed on the second end portion of the elastic cord. 
 
     
     
         8 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 5  further comprising
 a second detachable elastic cord comprising
 a first end portion with a first elastic cord end, 
 a second end portion, and 
 
 a plurality of spaced apart first end portion stop elements, each first end portion stop element comprising a cross sectional enlargement feature formed on the first end portion of the elastic cord. 
 
     
     
         9 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 2  wherein
 one of the plurality of resistance cord attachment points is provided on the distal end of the left handle, and has a longitudinal axis oriented orthogonal to the left handle longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
         10 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 2  wherein
 two of the plurality of elastic cord attachment elements are provided on an edge of the exercise device, and have a longitudinal axis oriented orthogonal to the edge. 
 
     
     
         11 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 2  further comprising
 a pair of excess cord retention slots in proximity to the two of the plurality of elastic cord attachment elements. 
 
     
     
         12 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 1  wherein
 the platform top surface further comprises top surface grip features. 
 
     
     
         13 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of massage features further comprise
 a plurality of spaced apart massage feature projections extending laterally from the platform. 
 
     
     
         14 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 1  wherein the platform rear edge further comprises a chin indention. 
     
     
         15 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 1  wherein each roller assembly further comprises
 a base comprising a plurality of roller bearings; 
 a roller ball having a diameter; and 
 a cover having an opening with a diameter smaller than the roller ball diameter. 
 
     
     
         16 . The abdominal exercise device of  claim 13  wherein the roller ball comprises a rubber or polymer ball having a diameter of at least 3.8 cm.