US20170050076A1

US20170050076A1 - Squat Assistance Device

Info

Publication number: US20170050076A1
Application number: US15/243,135
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph Beals
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-21
Filing date: 2016-08-22
Publication date: 2017-02-23

Abstract

A squat assistance device. The squat assistance device includes a base having a first side and a second side, a padded back support disposed on the first side of the base, a frame connected to the second side of the base, a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to opposing vertical rails of the frame, a neck support connected to an upper portion of the padded back support, the neck support configured to support configured a user's neck, and one or more weight supports disposed on the second side of the base extending perpendicularly therefrom, wherein the one or more weight supports are each configured to support a weight thereon. Users lean against the padded back rest while the plurality of wheels roll along a vertical surface such as a wall, assisting the user with the performance of the squat and reducing the risk of injury.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/207,959 filed on Aug. 21, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a squat assistance device for helping a user maintain proper form when squatting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The squat is one of the most beneficial compound exercises an individual can perform. It is a full body exercise that utilizes muscles of the legs and back. Squats are performed by individuals seeking to improve their core strength or their overall fitness in general. One potential drawback to the squat, however, is that it can cause injury if not performed correctly. Particularly, some individuals round their back when performing a squat, which can lead to lower back strain. If squats are performed with improper form for extended periods of time, chronic pain or other serious injuries may result. There exists a need for a device that provides assistance to individuals performing squats in order to prevent injury and maximize the effectiveness of the exercise.
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to squat assistance devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to squatting machines and devices, such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,998,041, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2014/0113773, U.S. Pat. No. 7,601,107, U.S. Pat. No. 8,025,615, U.S. Pat. No. 8,690,742, and U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2011/0195822.
These devices have several known drawbacks. The devices in the prior fail to provide a squat assistance device that includes hooks for resistance bands for additional exercise capabilities. Further, the prior art devices fail to provide a squat assistance device having the combination of weight attachments and wheels that roll along a vertical wall during use of the squat assistance device.
In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing squat assistance devices. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of squat assistance devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a squat assistance device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when performing squat exercises.
The squat assistance device includes a base having a first side and a second side. A padded back support is disposed on the first side of the base. A frame having an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member, a first vertical member, and a second vertical member is connected to the second side of the base. A plurality of wheels are rotatably attached to each of the first vertical member and second vertical member of the frame. A neck support configured to support configured a user's neck is connected to an upper portion of the padded back support. One or more weight supports are disposed on the second side of the base extending perpendicularly therefrom, wherein the one or more weight supports are each configured to support a weight thereon.
One object of the present invention is to provide a squat assistance device having all of the advantages of prior art squat assistance devices and none of the disadvantages.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a squat assistance device having hooks thereon for providing an attachment point for resistance bands.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a squat assistance device having optional shoulder supports for supporting the squat assistance device on the user's shoulders while performing a squat exercise.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a squat assistance device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of a squat assistance device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the squat assistance device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing assistance to a user when performing a squat exercise. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of a squat assistance device according to the present invention. The squat assistance device generally comprises a base 11 having a first side and a second side. The base 11 is preferably elongated and rectangular and each side is planar. A padded back support 13 is disposed on the first side of the base 11. The padded back support 13 includes a foam or other soft material for providing comfort to the user. The padded back support 13 supports the user's back when the user leans up against it to perform a squat.
A neck support 14 is connected to an upper end 22 of the back support 13. The neck support 14 is configured to support the user's neck while performing a squat with the squat assistance device. In the illustrated embodiment, the neck support 14 is pivotally attached to the back support 13. This allows the angle of the neck support 14 to be adjusted according to an angle at which the user wishes to position their neck for comfort during the squat. In one embodiment of the invention, shoulder supports 15 are further connected to the back support 13 and support the user's shoulders during the squat, providing additional form correction and comfort properties.
A frame 25 is connected to the second side of the base 11. The frame 25 may be statically connected to the base 11 or may be pivotally connected to the base 11 to provide additional adjustability. The frame 25 includes a pair of vertical members 16 having upper ends 17 and lower ends 18. A plurality of wheels 20 are disposed on each of the vertical members 16. In use, the wheels 20 contact the wall and roll against the wall when the user performs a squat with the present invention. The squat assistance device further includes hooks 21 disposed on the lower end 18 of the frame 25. The hooks provide an attachment point for resistance bands, which may be utilized to exercise other muscles or to provide additional resistance when performing the squat.
The squat assistance device further includes weight retaining bars 19 that are disposed on the second side of the base 11. The weight retaining bars 19 are positioned between the pair of vertical members 16 and extend perpendicularly from the second side of the base 11. The weight retaining bars 19 are preferably cylindrical so that they can support standard weight plates having circular apertures. This allows users to add weight to the squat assistance device to provide additional resistance for strength training.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a rear view of a squat assistance device according to the present invention. The frame 25 additionally includes an upper horizontal member 32 and a lower horizontal member 31. The hooks 21 are connected to opposing ends of the lower horizontal member 31. In the illustrated embodiment, the squat assistance device includes six wheels 20 that contact the wall during use. One pair is disposed toward the upper horizontal member 32, another pair is disposed toward the lower horizontal member 31, and a third pair is disposed between the first two. The wheels are evenly spaced from one another to provide even contact with against the wall and even weight distribution during use.
The illustrated embodiment includes two weight retaining bars 19 extending from the second side of the base 11. However, more weight retaining bars may be utilized. The weight retaining bars 19 support a weight 30 thereon in order to provide additional resistance during use. The user may removably secure a weight 30 to the weight retaining bar by sliding a weight 30 thereon. The illustrated embodiment further includes horizontal reinforcements 29 that add structural support to the frame 25. The horizontal reinforcements 29 extend across the base 11 between each vertical member 16 of the frame 25.
In order to use the squat assistance device, users lean against the padded back support 13 and press the wheels 20 against a vertical wall. The user then performs a squat which consists of a downward and upward motion, and the wheels 20 roll against the wall as the user moves upward and downward. The vertical wall prevents the user from rounding their back, which may cause injury. The weight retaining bars 19 do not extend past the wheels 20 so that they do not interfere with the wheels 20 contacting the wall. Users may attach various weights according to their strength level, and may utilize resistance bands with the hooks 21 to provide additional resistance. In this way, users may utilize a combination of resistance bands and weights to attain the optimal amount of resistance when performing a squat using the squat assistance device.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A squat assistance device comprising:

a base having a first side and a second side;

a padded back support disposed on the first side of the base;

a frame connected to the second side of the base, the frame having an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member, and a first vertical member, and a second vertical member, wherein the first and second vertical members are parallel to one another;

a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to each of the first vertical member and second vertical member of the frame;

a neck support connected to an upper portion of the padded back support, the neck support configured to support configured a user's neck; and

one or more weight supports disposed on the second side of the base extending perpendicularly therefrom, wherein the one or more weight supports are each configured to support a weight thereon.

2) The squat assistance device of claim 1, further comprising a pair of hooks, wherein the hooks are disposed on opposing ends of the lower horizontal member.

3) The squat assistance device of claim 1, further comprise a pair of shoulder supports connected to the padded back support, wherein the shoulder supports are configured to support the frame on the user's shoulders.

4) The squat assistance device of claim 1, wherein the neck support is pivotally attached to the back support.

5) The squat assistance device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheels includes a first pair of wheels disposed on an upper end the frame and a second pair of wheels disposed on a lower end of the frame.

6) The squat assistance device of claim 1, wherein the frame is pivotally connected to the base.

7) The squat assistance device of claim 1, further comprising one or more weights adapted to be removably secured to the one or more weight supports.

8) The squat assistance device of claim 1, further comprising one or more horizontal reinforcements disposed on the second side of the base, wherein the one or more horizontal reinforcements extend from the first vertical member of the frame to the second vertical member of the frame.