Combination office and exercise work station

Abstract

A combination office and exercise work station provides the user with capabilities to simultaneously perform physical lower body exercise and manual office and computer work. The combination office and exercise work station includes a main frame that has at least a base, a first upright section and a second upright section. It also includes a desk component connected to the first upright, the desk component may have a flat desktop area of at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches long to support at least one of a laptop computer and a writing paper tablet. The desk component flat desktop has an angle with respect to horizontal within the range of about 60 degrees above horizontal to about 45 degrees below horizontal. A torso support member for torso rest is also included. The torso support member may be connected to the second upright section, an exercise component for rotational continuous loop movement or reciprocal movement. The exercise component may be connected to the main frame lower than and in front of the torso support member. The torso support and/or the desk may be adjustable in any of the following ways: vertical, horizontal and angle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

a. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to a device that provides a desk worker (user) with the ability to simultaneously perform physical exercises and office work, such as computer work, writing and telephone work. Specifically, the present invention device is a station for both office work and exercise workouts. The exercise component involves lower body exercise that could involve areas below the chest, areas below the hips, legs or lower leg exercises. In many preferred embodiments, the exercise component is typically a stand up exercise component and the desk component is positioned for a stand up user. The stand up exercise components are preferably those which do not create significant vertical up and down user movement. Thus, treadmills, giselles, ski tracks and skate tracks are preferred over cycles and ellipses. For present invention devices with sit down features, any type of leg and foot exercise components may be used.

b. Description of Related Art

The following patents are representative of exercise devices for office use:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,265 B1 to Shea describes an exercise system that includes a plurality of exercise terminals, wherein a workout of an exerciser includes at least two exercises performed at one or more of the exercise terminals. Each exercise terminal includes a communication device for communicating to the other exerciser information regarding an exercise of the workout subsequent to a current exercise in the workout.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,710 B2 to Corbalis et al. describes an exercise trainer with a stride multiplier mounted on a base having crank arms rotationally supported on the base with foot links connected to the crank arms at one end and supported for movement distally from the crank arms. Foot pedals are respectively supported for longitudinal movement on the foot links with flexible connection between the foot pedals and a ground connection on the base and the foot links to provide a generally elliptical movement of the foot pedals. Pivotal levers having at least one portion connected for movement with the foot links are connected to the foot links by a pivotal connection. The pivotal levers have an upper portion with handles and a lower portion with at least a portion that can be disengaged from movement with the foot links.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,056 B1 to McBride et al. describes an exercise apparatus that includes a frame, a seat for a user, and a feet engageable moving mechanism carried by the frame and including a pair of feet engaging members. The feet engaging members present different foot receiving surfaces to be engaged by the feet of a user for providing different leg movements depending on the position of the user and the user's legs. First foot receiving surfaces support a user in a standing position and move the user's feet in a generally elliptical path of motion simulating a natural foot striding. Second foot receiving surfaces are spaced further away from the seat than the first foot receiving surfaces and have vertical components enabling a seated user to extend his legs forwardly and exert, with the bottom of his feet, forces having substantial horizontal components to the feet engaging members to drive the feet engageable moving mechanism against its internal resistance. The apparatus may also include third foot receiving surfaces spaced closer to the seat than the first foot receiving surfaces and having horizontal components enabling a seated user to extend his legs downwardly and exert, with the bottom of his feet, forces having substantial vertical components to the feet engaging members to drive the feet engageable moving the mechanism against its internal resistance. Third foot receiving surfaces are constructed and arranged to direct the user's feet in generally circular paths of motion.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,035 B2 to Duvernay et al. is an exercise device for leg exercises comprising a pair of foot pedals connected to actuation rods. While an operator is in a seated position, the operator uses their foot to apply pressure to the foot pedals so that the rod telescopes into and out of a bearing block in response to the applied pressure. A crossbar, elevated off ground by a pair of arched base bars, supports the bearing block for the telescoping oscillations.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,212 to Nelson is a leg exerciser including a leg exercise device sized to fit beneath the desk of a user, and an anchoring device attached to the exercise device. The anchoring device is adapted to be affixed to the user's chair. This allows the user to sit at his or her desk in the chair and actuate the leg exerciser while doing so.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,650 to Urso is a home and office health and fitness chair includes universally moveable armrests for supporting a user's arms and upper body weight while the user works. The armrests are mechanically supported to slide forward and rearward, more side-to-side, swivel about a vertical axis, tilt about two horizontal axes, and adjust laterally and vertically. They effortlessly follow the movement of a user's arms while typing on a keyboard or working a computer mouse. Each armrest comprises spaced hand grips; the combination being connectable to self-adjusting resistance devices for doing strength and fitness exercises. Having universal motion and orientation capabilities, the armrests/hand grips can be utilized for doing several different types of resistance workouts. The primary source of resistance is a fluid resistance reel which includes an impeller rotatable supported in a viscous liquid and surrounded by stators. Rotation of the impeller results in centrifugally driven liquid resistance. Also included in the chair are adjustable gravity resistance handles for additional workouts. An alternative resistance reel includes a generator that generates usable electrical energy as the user exercises.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,701 to Edelson is a collapsible desk with unique height adjustment features which allow users to change positions frequently and exercise while they work. The desk may also be used for a variety of other purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,116 to Minear is a pair of foot pedals of an exercising device supported by rollers on a floor surface externally of a housing are interconnected by a linkage arrangement within the housing for simultaneous displacement in opposite direction in response to the prevailing foot pressure applied to either one of the pedals. The linkage arrangement is drivingly connected through one-way clutches to a common loading disc through which foot pressure applied to either of the pedals is resisted by a selectively adjusted amount to suit the user of the exercising device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,449 to Propst is an office seating system which incorporates certain activity features into the office seating arrangement allowing the occupant to obtain beneficial exercise during the performance of work tasks. The activities which may be performed include: pedal pumping by the feet; a rocking of the seat on the upright with the head being fixed; a recline motion; and a pull and relax motion for the arms. Various mechanisms are disclosed for providing the accomplishment of these activity functions by occupants.

Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is a combination office and exercise work station that provides the user with capabilities to simultaneously perform physical lower body exercise and manual office and computer work. The combination office and exercise work station includes a main frame that has at least a base, a first upright section and a second upright section. It also includes a desk component connected to the first upright, the desk component may have a flat desktop area of at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches long to support at least one of a laptop computer and a writing paper tablet. The desk component flat desktop has an angle with respect to horizontal within the range of about 60 degrees above horizontal to about 45 degrees below horizontal. A stand up torso support member for torso rest is also included. The stand up torso support member may be connected to the second upright section, an exercise component for foot and leg movement. The exercise component may be connected to the main frame lower than and in front of the torso support member.

The torso support may be a support selected from the group consisting of a fixed backrest, an adjustable height backrest, an adjustable angle backrest and a combination adjustable height and angle backrest. It also may be an exercise component including two suspended footrest elements adapted for reciprocal arcuate movement.

The desk component is fixed on the first upright section of the main frame. It is an adjustable angle component with lock/unlock and rotate means. The desk component has an angle within the range of about 45 degrees above horizontal to 25 degrees below horizontal. It may also have at least one storage area under its desktop selected from the group consisting of a drawer, a shelf, a bin and a reading light.

The exercise component includes a pair of feet engaging members selected from the groups consisting of pedals and nests. It is also selected from the group consisting of a treadmill, an ellipse, a giselle, a flat ski track, an arcuate ski track, and a skate track.

The combination office and exercise work station provides the user with the capabilities to simultaneously perform physical lower body exercise and manual office and computer work. The main frame has at least a base, a first upright section and a second upright section. The desk component is connected to the first upright, the desk component having a flat desktop area of at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches long to support at least one of a laptop computer and a writing paper tablet, the desk component flat desktop having an angle with respect to horizontal within the range of about 60 degrees above horizontal to about 45 degrees below horizontal and a sit down torso support member for sit down torso rest. The torso support member is connected to the second upright section and an exercise component for foot and leg movement of full of a user, the exercise component is connected to the main frame lower than in front of the torso support member.

The torso support is a seat selected from the group consisting of a fixed horizontal seat, an adjustable height horizontal seat, an adjustable angle seat and a combination adjustable height and angle seat. The torso support is a seat including a backrest element.

The desk is fixed on said first upright section of the main frame. It may be an adjustable angle component with lock/unlock and rotate means. The desk may have an angle within the range of about 45 degrees above horizontal to 25 degrees below horizontal. It may have at least one storage area under its desktop selected from the group consisting of a drawer, a shelf, a bin and a reading light.

The exercise component may include a feet engaging unit such as a treadmill or may include a pair of feet engaging members selected from the groups consisting of pedals and nests and from the group consisting of a rotational continuous loop movement component and a reciprocal movement component.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of preferred embodiments of a combination office and exercise work station device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side stylized figure view of one embodiment of a present invention continuous loop exercise component work station device;

FIG. 3 is a side stylized figure view of another embodiment of a present invention continuous loop exercise component work station device;

FIG. 4 is a side stylized figure view of one embodiment of a present invention reciprocal track exercise component work station device;

FIG. 5 is a side stylized figure view of another embodiment of a present invention reciprocal track exercise component work station device;

FIG. 6 is a side, partially cut view of a present invention device with a desk with a drawer and a computer work station setup exercise component;

FIG. 7 is a side view of another present invention device;

FIG. 8 is an oblique side view of another embodiment of the present invention device; and,

FIG. 9 shows yet another oblique side view of another embodiment of the present invention device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the present invention devices are shown as examples and the exact locking mechanisms, aesthetic aspects, ergonomic details and design features are a matter of choice for the artisan. The materials of construction and the internal features of the exercise components are also well within the skills of the artisan.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of preferred embodiments of a present invention combination office and exercise component work station device 1. Device 1 includes a mainframe horizontal base 3 with a first upright 5 and a fixed or adjustable angle and/or fixed or adjustable height 9. There is a second upright 7 with a torso support number 11. This could be horizontal, angled or vertical for sitting or leaning. The torso support may be height adjustable and/or angle adjustable or fixed. The main frame also has a lower body exercise component 13 connected to it. The lower body exercise component 13 is basically an exercise component for foot engagement to exercise any or all of feet, ankles, caves, leg joints, upper leg, hip, abdomen, waist and other human components that maybe advantageously enhanced through exercises with the feet. Thus, the lower body exercise component 13 may be a continuos loop movement exercise component or a reciprocal movement exercise component, such as a bicycle exerciser, an ellipse, a skate track, a ski track, an articulate track, and so on exercise components. Fixed handle bars or hand exercise elements are optional components 19. In summary, FIG. 1 portrays the present invention possibilities for a station that provides simultaneous exercises and work capabilities.

FIG. 2 is a side stylized figure view of one embodiment of a present invention continuous loop exercise component work station device 20. Device 20 has a main frame 21 with an upright 23 with a seat 29. It also has an upright 25 with adjustable desk 33. This includes lamp 31. As can be seen, user 22 may work at desk 33 while peddling exercise component 27.

FIG. 3 is a side stylized figure view of another embodiment of a present invention continuous loop exercise component work station device 40. Device 40 has a main frame 41 with an upright 43 with a seat 49. It also has an upright 45 with adjustable desk 53. This includes lamp 55. Desk 53 is angle adjustable and has a locking knob 51. Handle bars 57 extend toward user 24 from upright 45. As can be seen, user 24 may work at desk 53 while elliptical exercise component 47. Ellipse exerciser may be sitting down or standing up and the present invention embodiment shown in FIG. 4 with a conventional ellipse replacing the reciprocal skiing device.

FIG. 4 is a side stylized figure view of one embodiment of a present invention reciprocal track exercise component work station device 60. Device 60 has a main frame 61 with an upright 63 with a lower back support pad 67. It also has an upright 65 with adjustable desk 71. This includes adjustment mechanism 73 lamp 75. As can be seen, user 26 may work at desk 71 while in a standing position skiing on exercise component 67, similar to a Nordic track device.

FIG. 5 is a side stylized figure view of another embodiment of a present invention reciprocal arcuate track exercise component work station device 80. Device 80 has a main frame 81 with an upright 83 with a lower back support pad 89 with height and angle adjustment mechanism 87. It also has an upright 85 with adjustable desk 71. This includes adjustment mechanism 73 lamp 75. As can be seen, user 26 may work at desk 91 while in a standing position exercising in a reciprocal arc on exercise component 84, similar to a gazelle track device. Skates such as 86 move back and forth within the arc.

FIG. 6 is a side, partially cut view of a present invention device 105 with a desk 110 with a drawer 136 and a computer work station setup on desk 110. Base 106 has a first upright 102 with a seat 104. Second upright 108 has a desk 110 with handle bars 112 extending outwardly there from. Cycling exercise mechanism 122 has peddles 120, ratio gear 126, wheel 128 and a second belt 132 connected to a monitoring mechanism and adjustment mechanism 130. Resistance may be increased or decreased by movement of a knob or other mechanism to tighten or loosen belt 132. Desk 110 is significantly large so as to hold a number of office items and equipment simultaneously, such as a telephone (not shown), a computer keyboard 118, a monitor 116 and other office items. (The monitor and keyboard may be connected to a computer that is located nearby, or on the floor nearby.)

FIG. 7 is a side view of another present invention device 200. It includes a stand up type elliptical device for exercise as well as office features. Main frame 201 has front floor brace 203 and rear floor brace 205. There is a first upright 207 with tilted desk 209 connected there to. Connected to desk 209 is an optional computerized monitor and setting device 211. The exercise component has tracks such as track 213 and foot nests such as nest 215. It also has appropriate elliptical wheels and resistance adjustment mechanisms 214. There are exercise handles 217 and 219 and these may be rotated down 180 degrees to be positioned out of the way for a user to operate on the desk without using the exercise handles.

Second upright 221 may include an angle adjustment 223 and a height adjustment 225. Second upright 221 has a padded torso support 227, but this could be replaced by a seat or other support. It may also be hinged such as with hinge 229 so that it has some floating capabilities to tilt slightly up or down as a user's lower back and buttock area may require.

FIG. 8 shows present invention device 250. It is a modified giselle-type device with a main frame having a floor base 253 and a riser frame 251 with a suspended stand up arcuate exercise component 261. In the forward area are adjustable desktop support members such as adjustable support member 257. This is connected to a desktop 259 that may include wireless telephone and/or WiFi connection 263. Adjustable back support 255 may be removed and adjusted forward or backward. There is also an adjustable back support 255.

FIG. 9 shows the same basic structure and present invention device that is shown in FIG. 8, with minor differences. Thus, present invention device 300 includes floor based 301, riser frame 303, exercise component 305, adjustable desktop support member 307 and desktop 309. Backrest 311 has a substantial height to it and offers significant buttock and back support.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

21. A combination office and exercise work station that provides a user with capabilities to simultaneously perform physical lower body exercise and manual office and computer work, which comprises:

a.) a main frame having at least a base, a first upright section and a second upright section;

b.) a desk component connected to said first upright, said desk component having a flat desktop area of at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches long to support at least one of a laptop computer and a writing paper tablet, said desk component flat desktop having an angle with respect to horizontal within the range of about 60 degrees above horizontal to about 45 degrees below horizontal;

c.) a stand up torso support member for torso rest, said torso support member being connected to said second upright section; and,

d.) an exercise component for foot and leg movement of a user, said exercise component being connected to said main frame lower than and in front of said torso support member, said exercise component including two suspended footrest elements adapted for reciprocal arcuate movement.

22. The combination office and exercise work station of claim 21 wherein said torso support is a support selected from the group consisting of a fixed backrest, an adjustable height backrest, an adjustable angle backrest and a combination adjustable height and angle backrest.

23. The combination office and exercise work station of claim 21 wherein said exercise component is a giselle.

24. The combination office and exercise work station of claim 21 wherein said exercise component is a flat ski track.

25. The combination office and exercise work station of claim 21 wherein said exercise component is a arcuate ski track.

26. The combination office and exercise work station of claim 21 wherein said exercise component is a skate track.

27. The combination office and exercise work station of claim 21 wherein said desk component is fixed on said first upright section of said main frame.

28. The combination office and exercise work station of claim 21 wherein said desk component is an adjustable angle component with lock/unlock and rotate means.

29. The combination office and exercise work station of claim 21 wherein said desk component has an angle within the range of about 45 degrees above horizontal to 25 degrees below horizontal.

30. The combination office and exercise work station of claim 21 wherein said desk component has at least one storage area under its desktop selected from the group consisting of a drawer, a shelf, a bin and combinations thereof.

31. The combination office and exercise work station of claim 21 wherein said desk component includes a reading light.