초록 ▼

Systems and methods are presented for performing exercises to strengthen the transversus abdominis and related muscles. The systems and methods may involve one or more independent belts, allowing a full range of continuous motion. The systems and methods may further use a resistance-control mechanis

Systems and methods are presented for performing exercises to strengthen the transversus abdominis and related muscles. The systems and methods may involve one or more independent belts, allowing a full range of continuous motion. The systems and methods may further use a resistance-control mechanism that allows a user to adjust the force required to move the one or more belts, thereby controlling the rate of motion in the forward and/or backward directions. The systems and methods may further use a unidirectional resistance mechanism that allows the user to increase the resistance of the one or more belts in one direction, while allowing the one or more belts to move freely in the other direction.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An exercise system comprising: a rigid framework;a first belt attached to at least two axles, including at least one first axle positioned at a front of the rigid framework and at least one second axle positioned at a rear of the rigid framework, the first belt configured to roll relative to the

1. An exercise system comprising: a rigid framework;a first belt attached to at least two axles, including at least one first axle positioned at a front of the rigid framework and at least one second axle positioned at a rear of the rigid framework, the first belt configured to roll relative to the framework in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions;a second belt attached to at least two axles, including at least one third axle positioned at the front of the rigid framework and at least one fourth axle positioned at the rear of the rigid framework, the second belt configured to roll relative to the framework in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, wherein the first and second axles are independently rotatable of the third and fourth axles; anda non-motorized resistance-control mechanism for controlling an amount of force required to roll the first and second belts in one or more of the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, wherein the non-motorized resistance-control mechanism is operable to control an amount of force required to roll the first and second belts in the counter-clockwise direction, while allowing the first and second belts to roll freely in the clockwise direction. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second belts form continuous loops. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first belt and the second belt run along paths that are substantially parallel. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first belt and the second belt are constructed using a combination of rubber and plastic. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is designed to interlock with systems above and beneath it, forming a vertical stack of similar systems. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the resistance-control mechanism includes a resistance-control knob, and wherein the force required to roll the first and second belts is controlled by turning the resistance-control knob in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second belts each roll along a pair of parallel grooves. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first belt is rotatable at a different rate of rotation than a rotation of the second belt. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the resistance-control mechanism further comprises a single resistance-control knob, and wherein the force required to roll both the first and second belts is controlled by rotating the single resistance-control knob. 10. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second belts remains movable when the non-motorized resistance-control mechanism controls the variable amount of force required to roll the first and second belts in one of the counter-clockwise direction and clockwise direction. 11. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the variable amount of force required to roll the first and second belts in one of the counter-clockwise direction and clockwise direction is user-selected. 12. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the non-motorized resistance-control mechanism further comprises at least one of a torsion spring and an elastic, wherein the variable amount of force required to roll the first and second belts in one of the counter-clockwise direction and clockwise direction is controlled by turning or stretching the at least one of the torsion spring and the elastic, and wherein allowing the first and second belts to roll freely in the other of counter-clockwise direction and the clockwise direction further comprises turning or retracting of the at least one of the torsion spring and the elastic. 13. An exercise system comprising: a rigid framework;at least one belt positioned on axles connected to the rigid framework, wherein the at least one belt is configured to roll relative to the framework in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions; anda non-motorized single resistance-control mechanism positioned on the rigid framework, wherein the non-motorized single resistance-control mechanism controls an amount of force required to roll the at least one belt in one or more of the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, wherein the non-motorized resistance-control mechanism is operable to control a user-selected amount of force required to roll the at least one belt in the counter-clockwise direction, while allowing the at least one belt to roll freely in the clockwise direction. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the resistance-control mechanism includes a resistance-control knob, and wherein the force required to roll the at least one belt is controlled by turning the resistance-control knob in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the resistance-control mechanism further comprises a top-half annular friction element and a bottom-half annular frictional element positioned around at least one resistance axle, wherein the at least one resistance axle is connected to at least a portion of the axles connected to the rigid framework. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the resistance-control knob controls a force of contact between the top-half annular friction element and the at least one resistance axle, wherein rotation of the resistance-control knob compresses the resistance axle between the top-half annular friction element and the bottom-half annular frictional element. 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one belt forms a continuous loop. 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is designed to interlock with systems above and beneath it, forming a vertical stack of similar systems. 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one belt rolls along a pair of parallel grooves. 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one belt rolls around front and rear axles. 21. The system of claim 13, wherein the exercise system is configured to be used for abdominal exercises. 22. The exercise system of claim 13, wherein the at least one belt remains movable when the non-motorized resistance-control mechanism controls the variable amount of force required to roll the at least one belt in one of the counter-clockwise direction and clockwise direction. 23. The exercise system of claim 13, wherein the variable amount of force required to roll the at least one belt in one of the counter-clockwise direction and clockwise direction is user-selected. 24. The exercise system of claim 13, wherein the non-motorized resistance-control mechanism further comprises at least one of a torsion spring and an elastic wherein the variable amount of force required to roll the at least one belt in one of the counter-clockwise direction and clockwise direction is controlled by turning or stretching the at least one of the torsion spring and the elastic, and wherein allowing the at least one belt to roll freely in the other of counter-clockwise direction and the clockwise direction further comprises turning or retracting of the at least one of the torsion spring and the elastic. 25. An exercise system comprising: a rigid framework;a first belt attached to at least two axles, including at least one first axle positioned at a front of the rigid framework and at least one second axle positioned at a rear of the rigid framework, the first belt configured to roll relative to the framework in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions;a second belt attached to at least two axles, including at least one third axle positioned at the front of the rigid framework and at least one fourth axle positioned at the rear of the rigid framework, the second belt configured to roll relative to the framework in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, wherein the first and second axles are independently rotatable of the third and fourth axles; anda resistance-control mechanism for controlling an amount of force required to roll the first and second belts in one or more of the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, wherein the resistance-control mechanism includes a resistance-control knob, and wherein the force required to roll the first and second belts is controlled by turning the resistance-control knob in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, wherein the resistance-control mechanism further comprises a top-half annular friction element and a bottom-half annular frictional element positioned around at least one resistance axle, wherein the at least one resistance axle is connected to at least one of the first axle, the second axle, the third axle, and the fourth axle. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the resistance-control knob controls a force of contact between the top-half annular friction element and the at least one resistance axle, wherein rotation of the resistance-control knob compresses the resistance axle between the top-half annular friction element and the bottom-half annular frictional element.