Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load includes a elastic resistance stack assembly connected to the exercise device, a first elastic band connected to the elastic resistance stack assembly to provide the load, a second elastic band not being connected to the elastic resistance stack assembly and not providing the load.

Description

PRIORITY

The present invention claims priority under 35 USC section 119 and based on application Ser. No. 60/644,174 filed on Jan. 14, 2005 and application Ser. No. 60/718,510 file on Sep. 19, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise equipment and more particularly to exercise equipment that employs static and dynamic loading.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to an increased public interest in fitness and health, a great variety of exercise equipment has been designed in recent years. Most of such exercise equipment includes a weight resistant apparatus or a cycle apparatus or both. To meet the demand for more convenient exercise equipment, manufacturers have designed smaller units for residential use. Although, these prior art devices are more convenient than larger commercial devices, this equipment suffers from the same limitations, namely, the prior art exercise devices are unattractive and too large to be placed in a living area of a home. Thus, this equipment is relegated into the basement or garage and is either used infrequently or is totally forgotten. Stair climbing is a popular form of exercise for the cardiovascular system. However, it can over an extended period of time over stress the knees. Walking is also a popular form of exercise, but walking does not load the cardiovascular system to the extent of climbing stairs.

There is a need for an exercise device that can provide a wide range of strength conditioning exercises, can be conveniently wall mounted and consume less than one square-foot of floor space and can also provide a load to the cardiovascular system.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,941 discloses a resistive exercise system which includes a frame structure, a seat member secured within the frame structure, and a pair of opposing arm supports that a plurality of weight members positioned upon a weight shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an exercise apparatus to exercise and strengthen the user's arms, shoulders, back and chest and to exercise and strengthen the user's legs. It can also be used as a cardiovascular conditioning device when used as a rowing apparatus.

The present invention is an exercise apparatus that that is wall mounted and very space-saving By being wall mounted, the exercise device can be kept in a convenient area of the home such as the family room Furthermore, by having doors covering the exposed front of the exercise device, the exercise device is more aesthetic in the family room, living room, den or bedroom of the user's home. The exercise apparatus of the present invention can be folded into a minimum profile which facilitates storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the exercise device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the elastic resistance stack assembly;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the bottom elastic resistance stack section and selector shaft;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the elastic resistance stack assembly;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cable diagram of the exercise device;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the pivoting arm;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the exercise device of the present invention;

FIG. 8a illustrates a front perspective view of the exercise device in a folded mode;

FIG. 8b illustrates a back perspective view of the exercise device in the fold mode; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a clip of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates another cable diagram of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a clip being used in conjunction with surgical tubing;

FIG. 13 illustrates another elastic resistance stack assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise device 100 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The exercise device 100 includes a main frame 1 which may be substantially rectangular in shape to support the exercise device 100 and a pivoting arm 2 which is releaseably connected to each side of the main frame 1 and which pivots with respect to the side of the main frame 1 so that the distance between the exercise handle 30 on each side and can be varied for different exercises as desired by the user of the exercise device 100. The exercise handle 30 is connected to cable 32 which is positioned across the first pivot arm pulley 22 and is positioned across the second pivot arm pulley 3 both of which are mounted on the pivoting arm 2. The pivoting arm 2 includes a first locking assembly 19 which may be a spring pin to lock and release the pivoting arm 2 as the pivot arm 2 rotates with respect to the side of the main frame 1 and a adjustable receiver 21 which allows the pivot arm 2 to be releasably connected to the side of the main frame 1. The side of the main frame 1 which is shown in a vertical orientation includes holes 34 to cooperate with the adjustable receiver 21 so that the pivoting arm 2 may be locked and released at different heights to the side of the main frame 1. The top of the main frame 1 is connected to first mainframe pulley 3 to connect the cable 32 with the elastic resistance stack assembly 5. In a similar fashion, the bottom of the main frame 1 includes a second mainframe pulley 36 to connect the cable 32 with the elastic resistance stack assembly 5

The elastic resistance stack assembly 5 allows for an adjustment to vary the load that is presented to the user of the exercise device 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the adjustment of the load is varied by varying the number of the elastic bands 4, surgical tubing, cords or similar elastic material that is connected to the cable 32. The amount of load for each elastic band 4 may be the same or the amount of load for each elastic band 4 may vary so that a wide range of the load is available for the user. The elastic resistance stack assembly 5 is slidably mounted on guide rails 38 so that the user may move the elastic resistance stack assembly 5 along the guide rails 38 with the elastic band 4 providing resistance by increasing and decreasing the load to the user.

Attached to the bottom of the main frame 1 are trolley guide rails 14 which are pivotally connected to the bottom of the main frame 1 so that the user can pivot the trolley guide rails 14 to a stowed position in that the trolley guide rails 14 are substantially parallel to the sides of the main frame 1 to provide a compact storage for the exercise device 100.

Attached to the trolley guide rails 14 is a trolley assembly 13 which serves as a bottom seat for the user and which is movable along the trolley guide rails 14 so that the distance between the main frame 1 and the user of the exercise device 100 can be varied or changed The trolley guide rails 14 are supported by a forward support 12 which can pivot for compact storage and which is connected to the trolley guide rails 14 and extends to the a ground or floor to support the trolley guide rails 14. The forward support 12 which includes a spring pin assembly 19 to lock the trolley guide rails 14 to the forward support 12, preventing the trolley guide rails 14 and the exercise device 100 from moving while the user is operating the exercise device 100. The leg extension strut 11 is connected to one end of de trolley guide rail 14 and is connected to the adjustable shin cushions 15 to engage and protect the shins of the user when oprating the exercise device 100. FIG. 1 additionally shows that backrest 9 and seat cushions 17 are positioned on the trolley assembly 13 to supo t the user operating the exercise device 100. The forward support 20 is connected to thigh/calf pad 10 to protect the thigh and calf of the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom elastic resistance stack section 300 which includes a front cover 350 which is held in a spaced relationship with the back cover 366 by a spacer 348. The bottom elastic resistance stack section 300 additionally includes guide wheels 362 to ride against the guide rails 38. Consequently, the elastic resistance stack assembly 5 moves substantially in the vertical direction along the guide rails 38. The bottom elastic resistance stack section 300 further includes a selector shaft 360 which is approximately perpendicular to the front cover 350 and the back cover 366 and which includes holes 362 along the longitudinal direction of the selector shaft 360. These holes are used to accept a pin which locks a portion of the elastic resistance stack sections and allows them to be moved by the user of the exercise device 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the elastic resistance stack assembly 5 and includes a plurality of elastic resistance stack sections 254 positioned on the bottom elastic resistance stack section 249 and each elastic resistance stack section 254 positioned on top of another elastic resistance stack section 254. The top elastic resistance stack section 256 is permanently fastened in place at the top of the guide rails and does not move. A first portion of the elastic resistance stack sections 254 moves with the bottom elastic resistance stack section 249 and consequently is fixed with respect to the bottom elastic resistance stack section 249. This portion consequently is movable with respect to the top elastic resistance stack section 256. The number of elastic resistance stacked sections 254 associated with this portion can vary, and consequently, the number of elastic resistance bands 4, tubes or cords associated with said portion can likewise vary.

The elements of the elastic resistance stack section 254 will be discussed. The elastic resistance stack section 254 additionally includes a front cover 250 having a hole 242 to accept a pin and aligned with the hole 362 of the selector shaft 360 so that when the pin is inserted in hole 242 and through the hole 362, the elastic resistance stack section 254 with the pin and the elastic resistance stack sections 254 below the elastic resistance stack section 254 with the pin will be associated with the first portion. Consequently, by the user choosing a specific elastic resistance stack section 254 to insert the pin into, the user has chosen the number of elastic resistance stack sections 254 associated with the first portion and the number of elastic resistance stack sections 254 associated with a second portion that will not move. Consequently, by selecting a different elastic resistance stack section 254 to be pinned, the user of the exercise device 100 can change the load by changing the number of elastic resistance stack sections 254 associated with the first portion that moves and changing the number of elastic resistance stack sections associated with the second portion that does not move. As the user continues to pull on the handles, the elastic bands 4 tubes or cords connected to with the elastic resistance stack sections 254 of the first portion are pulled down and a resistance load will be created by the resistance bands, tubes or cords 4 in the first portion. Each elastic resistance stack section 254 may have the corresponding attached elastic band 4 pre-tensioned to a different load than another elastic resistance stack section 254. As a consequence of the pre-tensioning of the elastic bands 4, the user obtains substantial resistance or load from the beginning of the exercise movement for the user. As the user continues to extend the handles and throughout the range of exercise motion, the resistance or load continues to increase with the resistance or load being the greatest at the fully contracted or extended position of the exercise which has been shown to be beneficial to muscle and strength development. The result of being able to quickly select a different elastic resistance stack section 254 is that it enables the user to quickly change the load of the elastic resistance of the elastic bands 4 of the exercise device 100.

FIG. 2 additionally shows spacer 252 to maintain spaced relationship between the front cover 250 and the rear cover 251 (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows the attachment fastener 246 which is shown as a fixed pin to attach the elastic resistance stack section 254 to the elastic band 4. The attachment fastener 246 is positioned at a different location for each elastic resistance stack section number 254 so that the elastic band 4 cord or tube attached to one elastic resistance stack section 254 does not interfere with the operation of another elastic band cord or tube attached to another elastic resistance stack section 254. FIG. 2 shows that the attachment apparatus 246 is positioned in a diagonal. However, other arrangements are possible.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the elastic resistance stack assembly 5 with the front cover of 250 removed to show the rear cover 251, the spacer 252 and the guide wheels 248. The attachment fastener 246 is shown as a fixed pin to attach the elastic resistance stack section 254 to the elastic band 4.

FIG. 12 shows the pin 246 attached to the elastic resistance clip 255. The elastic resistance clip 255 holds each end of the elastic tube 4 on to either the elastic resistance attachment rod or tube 23 or the attachment apparatus 246.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the elastic resistance clip 255 shown in FIG. 12 More particularly FIG. 10 shows a clip 255 having a hook or hole on one end and a series of barbed sections on the other end for attachment to the elastic bands 4, especially when the surgical tubes are employed. The clip 255 can also employ adhesive or a retaining sleeve to hold the elastic band 4 on the clip 255.

FIG. 13 illustrates another elastic resistance stack assembly 1305 which is similar to the elastic resistance stack assembly 5 which is shown in FIG. 1. The elastic resistance stack assembly 1305 as shown in FIG. 13 has a direction of pull resistance 1304 towards the floor 1302 and a direction of initial stack movement 1308 which is generally opposite to the direction of pull resistance and the direction of initial stack movement of the elastic resistance stack assembly 5 of FIG. 1. The elastic resistance stack assembly 1305 includes elastic band 4 cord or tube, a fixed rail brace 256, and elastic resistance attachment rod or tube 23, and elastic resistance stack section 254. The cable 1306 pulls the elastic resistance stack assembly 5 up.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of the cable connections and illustrates that the first cable 514 moves along the pivoting arm 2 to the first mainframe pulley 502 and then moves to the second mainframe pulley 504 and to a third mainframe pulley 506 and then moves to a fourth mainframe pulley 507 and then to a fifth mainframe pulley 508 and the to sixth mainframe pulley 510 and terminates at the receiver at point 512. Pulleys 501, 502 are both pivoting arm pulleys and adjust up and down with the receiver 21 and the pivoting arm 2. A second cable 516 is attached to the fourth mainframe pulley 507 and connects the cable 516 to seventh main frame pulley 518 and to the center mainframe pulley 520. which is connected to the elastic resistance stack assembly 5.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment showing another cable diagram in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The first cable 1120 passes over a first alternate mainframe pulley 1102 along the arm 2 and passes over the second alternate mainframe pulley 1104 and then passes over the third alternate mainframe pulley 1106. From the third alternate mainframe pulley 1106, the first cable 1120 passes over the fourth alternate mainframe pulley 1108 and then passes over fifth alternate mainframe pulley 1110. The first cable 1120 passes over the sixth alternate mainframe pulley 1112 and terminates at point 1114 on receiver 21. A second cable 1122 is connected to the fourth alternate mainframe pulley 1108 and passes over the seventh alternate mainframe pulley 1116 and is connected to the elastic resistance stack assembly 5.

The elastic band 4 cord or tube is connected to a rod 23 which traverses the longitudinal direction of the main frame 1. Consequently, pulling the cable 1120 out of the pivoting arm 2 pulls down on the elastic resistance stack assembly 5 which is attached to the elastic band 4. The more that the cable is pulled out from the pivoting arm 2, the more the user of the exercise device receives increased load due to the elastic bands 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the pivoting arm 2 which includes the first pivot arm pulley 22 and the second pivot arm pulley 3. The first pulley pivot housing 6 which includes the first pivot arm pulley 22 rotates with respect to the pivoting arm 2. The second pulley pivot housing 42 which includes the second pivot arm pulley 3 rotates the pivoting arm 2 in a horizontal plane. FIG. 6 additionally illustrates the first locking assembly 19 to allow the pivoting arm 2 to be raised or lowered by selecting an appropriate hole 34 so that the user of the exercise device 100 can perform different exercises by changing the height of the pivoting arm 2. Thus, the pivoting arm 2 can move from side to side by rotating and can move up and down to achieve mobility in the vertical direction thereby increasing the versatility of the exercise device 100. The cable and pulley configuration is such that there is little or no slack in the cable no matter where the receiver 21 is moved to regardless if only one handle is moved.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the exercise device 100 of the present invention. The forward support 12 supports the trolley guide rails 14 on the floor at an angle so that the user can sit against the backrest 9 and perform exercises with the legs of the user in conjunction with the leg extension strut 11. The leg extension strut is connected to the cable 32 by a cable attachment 39.

FIG. 8a illustrates the front view of the exercise device 100 of the present invention in a folded condition so that all of the elements of the exercise device 100 fits within the dimensions of the main frame 1, allowing the exercise device 100 to be wall mounted and therefore taking up little floor space (for example less than 1 square foot) also a door 40 or doors can be mounted on the front of the exercise device 100 making the exercise device 100 more attractive when wall mounted in a family room or similar living area.

FIG. 8b illustrates the back view of the exercise device 100 of the present invention in the fold condition, again showing all the elements of the exercise device 100 fitting within the dimensions of the main frame 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the exercise device 100 where the sides of the main frame 901 pivots, avoiding the need for the arm 902 to pivot.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.

Claims

1) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load, comprising:

a elastic resistance stack assembly connected to said exercise device,

a first elastic band connected to said elastic resistance stack assembly to provide said cardiovascular and strength load;

a second elastic band not being connected to said elastic resistance stack assembly and not providing said cardiovascular and strength load.

2) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 1, wherein said first elastic band includes surgical tubing.

3) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 1, wherein said second elastic band includes surgical tubing.

4) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 1, wherein said elastic resistance stack assembly includes a bottom elastic resistance stack assembly section to guide a first elastic resistance stack assembly section and a second elastic resistance stack assembly section.

5) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 4, wherein said first elastic resistance stack assembly section is attached to said first elastic band.

6) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 4, wherein said second elastic resistance stack assembly section is attached to said second elastic band.

7) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 4, wherein said elastic resistance stack assembly includes a pin to secure said first elastic resistance stack assembly section to said bottom elastic resistance stack assembly section, while said second elastic resistance stack assembly section is not attached to said bottom elastic resistance stack assembly section.

8) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load, comprising:

a pivoting arm to connect said cardiovascular and strength load to a user; a main frame to support said exercise device;

wherein said pivoting arm is adjustable in the vertical direction.

9) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 8, wherein said pivoting arm pivots from side to side.

10) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 8, wherein said mainframe includes a hole to accept a pin of said pivoting arm.

11) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 8 wherein said mainframe includes a plurality of holes to accept a pin of said pivoting arm.

12) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of holes correspond to a different height for said pivoting arm.

13) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 1, wherein said first elastic band includes an elastic cord.

14) An exercise device for providing a cardiovascular and strength conditioning load as in claim 1, wherein said second elastic band includes an elastic cord.