Rotating exerciser system and methods

Abstract

An exercise station system particularly suited for abdominal and cardiovascular workouts, the system comprising a base, a seat attached to the base wherein the seat is rotatable relative to the base, and a rotational brake attached to the base for impeding rotation of the seat. The base preferably includes at least two upwardly extending handles, the handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat from one another and positioned so as to be adjacent to or higher than the seat surface. In one preferred embodiment, an adjustable tensioner is provided for adjusting the resistance or friction of the rotational brake, thereby permitting adjustment of the workout intensity. Other optional features include one or more legs on the base and footrests extending out from the base or legs. Methods of use are also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, co-pending U.S. Design Patent Application Ser. No. 29/261,894, entitled “Exerciser”, filed on Jun. 22, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to an exercise station and more particularly, to an exercise station adapted for a variety of exercises for improving the muscle tone and cardiovascular fitness of the user. Methods of using the exercise station are also provided.

A variety of exercise machines have been developed for exercising particular muscles of the human body and the popularity of exercise machines has increased in light of the recognition of the significant benefits that can result from exercising muscles of the human body. Many of the exercise machines that have been hereto developed assist the user in working one or more of the abdominal muscles. Traditionally, the exercise considered the best for the exercising the abdomen was thought to be the sit-up. The sit-up, however, has a number of deficiencies, including the potential to be injurious to the exerciser. Over the years, doctors and therapists have learned that the traditional sit-up subjects the back to unnecessary strain.

Throughout the years, many doctors, athletes, and physical therapists have tried to create machines and exercises to develop and maintain the abdominal muscles. Unfortunately, many of the conventional exercise machines suffer from one or more disadvantages, such as a limited range of motion or breadth of exercise range, unwieldy size, weight, or bulkiness, lack of portability, lack of support to assist in beginner exercisers, complexity of the exercise apparatus, lack of scalable adjustment to the support assist available to the exerciser, simplicity in use and instruction, lack of an aerobic exercise mode or component, and high expense. These various drawbacks can discourage beginners or non-athletic users from participating in a conditioning and strengthening regimen for abdominal exercise. When used without training or instruction, these devices can actually injure the user from strain or improper exercise motion. Many of these systems are too costly or unwieldy for home use or travel, and thus do not render them readily susceptible to individual purchase and use or for portable applications. Another problem with conventional equipment for exercising the abdominal and other core muscles is that the individual components of the exercise equipment are often subject to being separated from others or misplaced or lost.

Further, many of the conventional exercise devices that are portable are subject to only being used for a limited number of exercises. Moreover, many of the conventional exercise devices are thought to be difficult to use, boring, and unexciting.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a support device upon which users may lean that addresses one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY

The present invention generally relates to an exercise station and more particularly, to an exercise station adapted for a variety of exercises for improving the muscle tone and cardiovascular fitness of the user. Methods of using the exercise station are also provided.

One example of an exercise station comprises a base; a seat having a top side and underside, the seat rotatably attached to the base; and a brake attached to the base for impeding rotation of the seat.

An example of a workout method for a user using an exercise station comprises providing an exercise station comprising a base, a seat attached to the base wherein the seat is rotatable, two handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat wherein each handle is attached to the base, and a rotational brake attached to the seat; sitting on the seat; gripping the two handles for stability; and rotating on the seat so as to cause abdominal muscle flexing of the user.

An example of an exercise station system comprises an upper portion comprising a base, a seat attached to the base wherein the seat is rotatable, a rotational brake attached to the base for impeding rotation of the seat wherein the brake comprises a circular drum on the underside of the seat and a band disposed around the circumference of the drum, an adjustable tensioner attached to the band for adjusting the amount of friction between the band and the drum, and a handle adjacent to the seat wherein the handle is attached to the base; and a lower portion comprising a plurality of legs attached to the base of the upper portion.

The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. While numerous changes may be made by those skilled in the art, such changes are within the spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate perspective views of one embodiment of an exercise station.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of an upper portion of an exercise station.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a lower portion of an exercise station.

While the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary 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, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally relates to an exercise station and more particularly, to an exercise station adapted for a variety of exercises for improving the muscle tone and cardiovascular fitness of the user. Methods of using the exercise station are also provided.

In certain embodiments, exercise stations of the present invention comprise, among other features, a base, a rotatable seat attached to the base, and a rotational brake attached the base for impeding rotation of the seat. Additional optional features of exercise stations of the present invention include support handles for gripping the exercise station and one or more legs for support of the base.

To facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, the following examples of certain embodiments are given. In no way should the following examples be read to limit, or define, the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate perspective views of one embodiment of exercise station 100. In this embodiment, seat 20 is attached to base 10. Seat 20 is rotatable with respect to base 10. Brake 30 is provided to impeded rotation of seat 20 relative to base 10. Handles 40 and legs 50 are attached to base 10 as shown in the figures. In one preferred embodiment, adjustable tensioner 35 is provided to function in conjunction with brake 30 to permit the rotational impedance of seat 20 to be adjusted, so as to provide an adjustable resistance for seat 20.

One of the advantages of exercise station 100 includes its adaptability to a variety of exercises that a user may perform for both muscle improvement and cardiovascular fitness. For example, one exercise performed by a user comprises sitting on seat 20 with an upright posture and rotating on the seat side to side, which has the salutary effect of working the core and abdominal muscles of the user. Gripping handles 40 are provided for, among other reasons, stability of the user and to aid the user in keeping an upright posture. In this regard, handles 40 are desirable to maximize the workout by permitting the user to most effectively rotate the torso while keeping the head and upper shoulders forward facing. Further, it has been found that the gripping portion 41 of the handles is most desirably located adjacent to or slightly above the upper surface of the seat. In this same vein, these gripping portions 41 are prefereably spaced apart from seat 20 to maintain the proper form of the user during a workout. Finally, in one preferred embodiment, handles 40 may be adjustable relative to base 10 so as to adjust the spacing between seat 20 and tripping portion 41, thereby accommodating users of different sizes and heights.

Those skilled in the art will understand that while brake 30 is described as a drum brake in one preferred embodiment, any type of brake known in the art can be utilized to impeded rotation of seat 20 relative to base 10, thereby providing the resistance for exercise station 100. For example, without limitation, brake 30 can also be a disk brake, a wheel brake, a contact brake or a hydraulic brake without limiting the foregoing invention.

Likewise, tensioner 35 is particularly desirable because it permits adjustment of the braking force applied by brake 30 to rotatable seat 20. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various users of exercise station 100 will have various workout requirements. Tensioner 35 can be adjusted to accommodate these various requirements.

In any event, the tension or resistance offered by rotational brake 30 aids in the strengthening the core muscles of the user. A numerous variety of exercises may be used with exercise station 100 depending on the desired muscles targeted for each exercise and the intensity of exercise desired. For example, while sitting on exercise station 100, the user may rest their feet on the floor for a less intense workout or during a warm-up. Lifting one's legs during exercises while keeping the legs at approximately a 90° angle at the knees, adds further intensity to the user's effort while at the same time, targeting certain lower abdominal muscles. For an even more intense workout, the user may extend the legs outward to a 30° angle while rotating on the seat. Indeed, the user's legs may be extended completely or at any other angle as desired. Exercise station 100 is adaptable to a multitude of other exercises as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill with the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of an upper portion 200A of an exercise station.

Seat 1 may be cushioned for the comfort of the user. In certain embodiments, seat 1 may be contoured to more comfortably engage the user. For example, the upper surface of seat 1 may be contoured to better stabilize the user on the seat when seat is in motion. In certain other embodiments, seat 1 may have a plurality of apertures to assist in the heat dissipation of the user and/or to reduce the weight of seat 1.

One embodiment of brake 30 is shown in FIG. 2A to comprise a drum assembly 31. Drum assembly 31 includes a first drum support structure 3 to which a drum 5 is attached. Secured to drum 5 is a second drum support structure 8 which is generally rotatably engaged by a base assembly 10. Components 3, 5, 8, and 9 fit together via connection mechanisms 4, 6, and 9 so as to produce an exposed circular surface area for drum 5. Seat 1 attaches to drum 5 via connection mechanisms 2, 18, and 19. Although seat 1 is depicted here as a circular seat, seat 1 may be any geometric shape suitable for allowing a user to sit on exercise station 200, including, but not limited to, circular, square, rectangular, substantially triangular, a contour shape custom-fitted to a user, or any combination thereof.

Band 11 encircles drum 5 and is disposed so as to provide resistance or friction against the rotation of drum 5 and correspondingly, as to the rotation of seat 1. Adjustable tensioner 14 in conjunction with spring 11 may be used to increase the tension exerted by band 11 upon drum 5. In this way, band 11 may be used to vary the intensity of a workout by increasing or decreasing the rotational resistance of seat 1. Band 11 may be fabricated out of any material suitable for providing resistance or friction to the rotation of drum 5, including, but not limited to, nylon, any of the fabrics known in the art, plastic, rubber, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, adjustable tensioner 14 incorporates a disc brake mechanism in lieu of band 11 for causing resistance or rotational friction to drum 5. Likewise, those skilled in the art will appreciate that adjustable tensioner 14 could have other arrangements so long as adjustable tensioner is capable of regulating rotation resistance of seat 20 relative to base 10.

In this preferred embodiment, base 10 is rigidly attached to support structure 23, such that seat 1 rotates relative to support structure 23. Support handles 16 may be inserted into and attach to support structure 23 via connection mechanisms 20. Foam covering 15 covers support handles 16 so as to provide additional comfort to the grip of the user. Support handles 16 of this embodiment are depicted as having a first end 16′ and a second end 16″ and curving upwards so as to provide a surface area for an ergonomic grip. Shown at ends 16′ and 16″ are a number of connection apertures to permit the position of the gripping surface area to be adjusted relative to seat 1 and support structure 23. Connection mechanisms 20 are screwed attachment mechanisms having large knobs adapted to be operated by hand so as to allow easy assembly and or adjustment of the exercise station without the need for hand tools.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a lower portion 200B of an exercise station. Lower portion 200B includes an x-frame 30 comprised of a plurality of support legs. The plurality of legs may be adjustable in height to accommodate users of various heights. In certain embodiments, x-frame 30 opens and locks at various angles to allow use of exercise station 200 at various heights. In still other embodiments, legs of x-frame 30 comprise telescoping members (not shown) to allow for adjustment of the height of exercise station 200. In the illustrated embodiment, cross-members 29 may be included to provide additional support to x-frame 30. Further, feet 28 may be included to provide a friction surface area to prevent slippage of x-frame 30 during use of exercise station 200. Feet 28 may be rubber or plastic or any material known in the art suitable for preventing slippage of the device. Frame members 34 provide additional support for x-frame 30 and are configured to allow the legs of x-frame 30 to fold together. Frame members 34 may also comprise slidable frame members so as to allow the folding of x-frame 30. Connection mechanisms 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, and 37 are shown here as screws and washers. The connection mechanisms used to attach or connect the various members of exercise station 200 may be any suitable connection mechanism known in the art, including, but not limited to, screw connections, glue, compression bonding, thermal bonding, screws, nails, clip connections, interference fits, quick-release connections, welded connections, or any combination thereof. End caps 24 seal the ends of the tubular frame members of x-frame 30. Pins 26 may be used to temporarily lock base 23 to x-frame 30 through the corresponding holes depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Pins 26 are one example of a quick-release connection mechanism that may be used to temporarily attach upper portion 200A to lower portion 200B. The term quick-release connection mechanism, as used herein, refers to connection mechanisms that allow for easy and convenient attachment of components without the need for hand tools, and includes, but is not limited to, pins, screw-gate connections, spring-loaded latches, any of the quick-release mechanisms known in the art, or any combination thereof.

The components of exercise station 200 may be constructed of any suitable material capable of withstanding the rigors imposed upon the device through normal exercise use, including, but not limited to, metal, the various alloys known in the art, plastic, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, sturdy lightweight materials are preferred to enhance the portability of exercise station 200. In certain embodiments, components of exercise station 200 are hollow to reduce the weight of the device, such as for example, the hollow tubular members of x-frame 30. In other embodiments, various components of exercise station 200 may be weighted or include weighted plugs to give a more “substantial feel” to exercise station 200.

In some embodiments, exercise station 200 may be used as an underwater aerobic exercise device or for shallow pool physical therapy exercises. In these embodiments, various members of exercise station 200 may be weighted so as to cause exercise station 200 to securely engage the pool floor. Components of exercise station 200 may be modified so as to be water compatible, including, but not limited to, the use of coated or rust-free materials.

Upper portion 200A may be easily and conveniently removed from lower portion 200B of exercise station 200 by removal of pins 26, which allow for the separation of upper portion 200A from lower portion 200B. In this way, exercise station may be conveniently disassembled for easy storage and transport. Pins 26 may be attached to x-frame 30 via a loose cord or wire, such as a nylon cord, to prevent loss of pins 26. Additionally, upper portion 200A may be used separately and apart from lower portion 200B by placing upper portion 200A directly on the ground. This configuration allows the user to perform a variety of exercises using only upper portion 200A.

Examples of exercises that may be performed with upper portion 200A, but without lower portion 200B, include traditional push-ups that use support handles 16. Additionally, a user may intensely target the transverse abdominal muscles with pelvic crunches with the pelvis situated on seat 1 with the user in the prone position. By rotating the pelvis on seat 1 so as to swing the legs back and forth, the user can work the transverse abdominal muscles. Another exercise, referred to herein as stabilized transverse abdominal crunches, places the user in a prone position with the feet together and spacing one's forearms at shoulder width apart on seat 1. The upper body is then rotated with shoulder and abdominal powered rotational movements or strides. Alternatively, a user may lay down on upper portion 200A, engaging the shoulder blades with seat 1. In this position, facing up, the user can rotate using a side-to-side motion to target the oblique muscles.

Many of the exercises performed with exercise station 200 may be performed with upper portion 200A used directly on the ground or optionally, attached to lower portion 200B. For example, a user may do traditional tricep dips using support handles 16 off the front of exercise station 200, either in the sitting position or with upper portion 200A directly engaged with the ground. Other examples include knee side crunches wherein the user sits on their knees upon cushioned seat 1 and using support handles 16, rotates side to side so as to work the lower oblique muscles.

Other exercises include leg lifts, leg extensions, or knee lifts while the user is sitting on rotatable seat 1 and simultaneously rotating in a swinging motion from side-to-side. The user may rotate in short side-to-side motions or the user may use a wider range of motion or strides. For additional variety and simultaneous upper body strengthening or cardio activity, the user may combine the aforementioned exercises with upper body punches side-to-side, which may further be combined with counter rotational movements of the core of the body using rotatable seat 1.

Exercise station 200 may include other features such as a weight scale for measuring the weight of the user incorporated, for example, into drum assembly base plate 10. In certain embodiments, a body fat analyzer may be incorporated into seat 1 for analyzing the body fat percentage of the user. In other embodiments, heart rate sensors may be incorporated in support handles 16 for measuring the heart rate of the user. Any number of other items useful to exercise enthusiasts known in the art may be incorporated in exercise station 200. In yet another embodiment, exercise station 200 may include a footrest extending out from base 10 or legs 50 on which a user may rest their feet and legs. In one such configuration, such footrest is supported on a frame extending away from seat 20 that that the user, when seated on seat 20 has their legs extended out in front of them.

Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee.

Claims

1. An exercise station comprising:

a base;

a seat having a top side and underside, the seat rotatably attached to the base; and

a brake attached to the base for impeding rotation of the seat.

2. The exercise station of claim 1 wherein the brake comprises a circular drum on the underside of the seat and a band disposed at least partially around the circumference of the drum.

3. The exercise station of claim 2 further comprising an adjustable tensioner attached to the band for adjusting the amount of friction between the band and the drum.

4. The exercise station of claim 1 wherein the brake comprises a disc brake.

5. The exercise station of claim 1 further comprising a handle adjacent to the seat wherein the handle is attached to the base.

6. The exercise station of claim 1 further comprising at least two handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat wherein each handle is attached to the base.

7. The exercise station of claim 1 wherein the base is a rectangular frame or a square frame.

8. The exercise station of claim 1 wherein the base comprises post.

9. The exercise station of claim 1 wherein the seat is round.

10. The exercise station of claim 1 wherein the seat further comprises a cushion.

11. The exercise station of claim 1 further comprising one or more legs attached to the base.

12. The workout method for a user using an exercise station comprising:

providing an exercise station comprising a base, a seat attached to the base wherein the seat is rotatable, two handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat wherein each handle is attached to the base, and a rotational brake attached to the seat;

sitting on the seat;

gripping the two handles for stability; and

rotating on the seat so as to cause abdominal muscle flexing of the user.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising lifting the legs of the user while rotating on the seat.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of adjusting the friction of the rotatable brake to adjust the intensity level of the workout.

15. An exercise station system comprising:

an upper portion comprising a base, a seat attached to the base wherein the seat is rotatable, a rotational brake attached to the base for impeding rotation of the seat wherein the brake comprises a circular drum on the underside of the seat and a band disposed around the circumference of the drum, an adjustable tensioner attached to the band for adjusting the amount of friction between the band and the drum, and a handle adjacent to the seat wherein the handle is attached to the base; and

a lower portion comprising a plurality of legs attached to the base of the upper portion.

16. The exercise station of 15 wherein the plurality of legs are configured in an x-frame configuration and are foldable to allow for easy storage and transport.

17. The exercise station of claim 15 wherein the upper portion is attached to the lower portion with a quick-release connection mechanism.

18. The exercise station of claim 17 wherein the seat further comprises a cushion.

19. An exercise station comprising:

a base;

a seat having a top side and a underside, the seat rotatably attached to the base;

at least two handles, wherein the handles are disposed on opposite sides of the seat from one another;

a brake attached to the base for impeding rotation of the seat; and

an adjustable tensioner attached to the brake, the tensioner capable of varying the resistance of the brake on the seat rotation.

20. The exercise station of claim 19 wherein the brake comprises a circular drum on the underside of the seat and a band disposed at least partially around the circumference of the drum.

21. The exercise station of claim 19 wherein the handles are attached to the base below the seat and extend upward from the base to a height adjacent the seat top side.

22. The exercise station of claim 19 wherein the handles are attached to the base below the seat and extend upward from the base to a height above the seat top side.

23. The exercise station of claim 19 wherein each handle has a first end, a second end and a middle portion therebetween and wherein the first and second ends are attached to the base and the middle portion is disposed adjacent the seat.

24. The exercise station of claim 19 wherein the brake and the adjustable tensioner are integrally formed.

25. The exercise station of claim 19 wherein the brake comprises an outer surface secured to the seat and the adjustable tensioner comprises a contact mechanism mounted on a screw supported on the base, such that rotation of the screw relative to the base moves the contact mechanism into engagement with the brake outer surface.

26. The exercise station of claim 25 wherein the contact mechanism is a wheel rotatably mounted on the screw.

27. The exercise station of claim 26 wherein the screw has a first end and a second end and threads disposed therebetween, which threads are rotatably engaged by the base and wherein the wheel is mounted on the first end of the screw.

28. The exercise station of claim 27 further comprising an adjustment knob mounted on the second end of the screw.