Exercise Machine Rail Indicia System

Abstract

An exercise machine rail indicia system for providing indicia to improve exercise instruction. The exercise machine rail indicia system generally includes a frame a rail, a carriage movably positioned upon the rail, a bias member connected between the carriage and the frame that applies a bias force upon the carriage, a first position indicator positioned upon the upper surface of the rail, and a second position indicator positioned upon the upper surface of the rail. The first position indicator and the second position indicator are distally spaced apart a first distance. The first position indicator and the second position indicator visually indicate to the exerciser where to position the carriage along the first rail during the performance of an exercise.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/343,201 filed May 31, 2016 (Attorney Docket No. LAGR-071). The 62/343,201 application is currently pending. The 62/343,201 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND

Field

Example embodiments in general relate to an exercise machine rail indicia system for providing indicia to improve exercise instruction.

Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Fitness training using weights is well known throughout the fitness world. In weight training, an exerciser selects an appropriate weight, for example, 50 pounds, and uses that 50 pound measured weight as muscle resistance against which to perform an exercise.

Another well-known method of fitness training comprises exerting a force against a spring bias. For instance, attaching a handle to one end of an extension spring that has the opposed end affixed to an immovable object, provides for the exerciser to pull against the springs, thereby accomplishing one form of resistance training. However, resistance force relative to spring extension is subject Hooke's Law, that is, the force is linearly proportional to the length of extension.

Spring-based resistance training creates an exceptional confusion on the part of the exerciser. Because of Hooke's Law, the springs than an exerciser expects to be equivalent to the 50 pound weight previously described will immediately find that when the spring is extended to twice its initial length, its weight-equivalent resistance has risen to 100 pounds.

Although well known to engineers and similar technologists who have studies the body of are related to spring dynamics, Hookean principles are largely unknown to the average exerciser. Therefore, there is an ever-present confusion by exercisers in determining the proper initial spring tension at the start of an exercise, and further confusion as to what percentage of the spring's initial length it should be extended to in order to maximize the efficiency and purpose of the exercise workout.

On the other hand, fitness trainers have come to understand the relationship between spring extension and the corresponding linear increase in force corresponding to the extension. Trainers are therefore qualified to instruct exercisers on the appropriate range of motion, and the appropriate selection of spring tension at the start of the exercise, and further are qualified to instruct the student exerciser on the proper range of motion, or in other words, the proper length of extension of the spring in order to maximize the beneficial effects of the exercise workout.

However, one significant problem remains unsolved. When an exerciser is performing exercises in a class environment, for instance, being one member of a class of ten to 20 other exercisers, the ability of an instructor to provide one-on-one, personal training is lost, and with that, the ability to instruct each exerciser who far to lengthen the spring during exercise is also lost.

Another significant unsolved problem is that on certain resistance-based exercise apparatus. One type of exercise apparatus comprises one or more substantially horizontal rails and a platform that slides substantially the length of the rails in response to the force exerted upon the moving platform by the exerciser. The exerciser moves the platform, which is spring biased toward one of the two opposed ends of the apparatus, by applying an ever increasing force corresponding to Hooke's Law. Therefore the longer distance that an exerciser moved the platform away from the spring biased end, the more force the exerciser must exert upon the platform. There is no absolute understanding of the force that should be applied to the platform that corresponds to the exerciser knowingly performing an exercise against a 50-pound weight.

Therefore, those skilled in the art will immediately appreciate a system and training method applicable to instructing a class of exercisers as to how far to move the movable platform from any given starting point in order to achieve the maximum benefit of the exercise.

Fitness trainers will also appreciate that exercisers exceeding their normal range of motion during exercise often times injure joints, ligament, muscles and other soft tissue. They will therefore appreciate a system and method of instructing a class of exercisers performing exercises on a movable, spring biased platform in such a manner that exercisers do not overextend their normal range of motion, thereby preventing injury.

SUMMARY

An example embodiment is directed to an exercise machine rail indicia system. The exercise machine rail indicia system includes exercise platform movable substantially the length of one or more longitudinal rails with range of motion indicia placed upon the rails, the indicia thereby being readily visible to an exerciser, and easily reference by the exerciser in response to instruction from a fitness trainer.

The various embodiments further provide for an exercise teaching method whereby an instructor directs exercisers where to position the movable platform relative to specific rail indicia.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments of the exercise machine rail indicia system in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments of the exercise machine rail indicia system that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the exercise machine rail indicia system in detail, it is to be understood that the exercise machine rail indicia system is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The exercise machine rail indicia system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a perspective view of an improved exercise machine.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing a side view of an improved exercise machine.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of an improved exercise machine.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of an improved exercise machine.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of an improved exercise machine.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a second end of and improved exercise machine with indicia.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a second end of an improved exercise machine with indicia.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a second end of an improved exercise machine with indicia.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a second end of an improved exercise machine with indicia.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a first end of an improved exercise machine with indicia.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a first end of an improved exercise machine with indicia.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a first end of an improved exercise machine with indicia.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a first end of an improved exercise machine with indicia.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary diagram showing a side view of an exerciser working on a first end of an improved exercise machine.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary diagram showing a side view of an exerciser working on a second end of an improved exercise machine.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating a method of instructing an exerciser on an improved exercise machine.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating a variation of a method of instructing an exerciser on an improved exercise machine.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary diagram showing a perspective view of an improved exercise machine of a monorail structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of specific embodiments are disclosed in the following description and related drawings. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure relevant details. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description, a discussion of several terms used herein follows.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a perspective view of an improved exercise machine 100 comprised of a pair of substantially horizontal and parallel rails 101 affixed at a preferred elevation above the floor by one of more support structures 102, the rigidity of the support structures being improved by optional stabilizing members 103. The machine provides for a plurality of exercise platforms positioned atop of the support structures and parallel rails, the platforms therefore being positioned substantially on a horizontal exercise plane. A first platform 104 is securedly affixed to a first end of the machine, and a second platform 105 is securedly affixed to the opposed second end of the machine. A third platform 106 is slidable upon the rails 101 substantially the length of the machine between the first platform and second platform. The movable platform 106 is spring biased toward the first end of the machine by removably attaching one or more springs 111 between the first end and the platform. A push bar 107 is optionally provided at a first end of the machine, the push bar being used as a structure against which an exerciser would push in order to move the movable platform 106 in a direction toward the second end, and in opposition to the resistance created by the spring biasing means.

Exercisers may perform exercises by placing different body parts on the first end platform 104 and the movable platform 106, the range of motion of the movable platform from a preferred starting point to a preferred maximum distance from the first platform being represented by the range of carriage movement dotted line 108.

Alternately, exercisers may perform exercises by placing different body parts on the second end platform 105 and the movable platform 106, the range of motion of the movable platform from a preferred starting point to a preferred minimum distance to the second platform being represented by the range of carriage movement dotted line 109.

A plurality of range of platform movement indicators are shown on the parallel rails as indicia lines 110 used as points of reference for instructing a class of exercisers as to where to position the movable platform.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing a side view of an improved exercise machine comprised of a pair of substantially horizontal and parallel rails 101 supported by one of more support structures 102 and optional stabilizing members 103, a first platform 104 securedly affixed to a first end of the machine, a push bar 107, a second platform 105 securedly affixed to the opposed second end of the machine, and a third platform 106 comprising a plurality of trolleys 200 that allow the platform to slide upon the rails 101 substantially the length of the machine between the first platform and second platform. The movable platform 106 is spring biased toward the first end of the machine by one or more springs 111.

Carriage positioning indicia 201 is shown having been provided in a preferred location upon the rails proximate to the first end of the machine, and more specifically within the range of carriage movement dotted line 108, and another variation of positioning indicia 202 has been provided upon the rails proximate to the second end of the machine, and more specifically within the range of carriage movement dotted line 109.

When an exerciser performs exercises incorporating the platform at the first end 104, the preferred range of carriage motion will fall approximately within the range of carriage movement dotted line 108, and exercisers would reference carriage-positioning indicia 201 proximate to the first end of the machine.

When an exerciser performs exercises incorporating the platform at the second end 105, the preferred range of carriage motion will fall approximately within the range of carriage movement dotted line 109, and exercisers would reference carriage-positioning indicia 202 proximate to the second end of the machine.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of an improved exercise machine as just described FIG. 2. It should be noted that indicia proximate to the first end of the machine 201 are provided on both parallel rails 101 with substantially the same indicia being positioned at substantially the same distance measured from the first end platform 104 of the machine, the right side being substantially a mirror image of the left side. The operable indicia are preferably positioned within the range of carriage movement dotted line 108. Further, indicia proximate to the second end of the machine 202 are provided on both parallel rails 101 with substantially the same indicia being positioned at substantially the same distance measured from the second end platform 105 of the machine, the right side being substantially a mirror image of the left side. The operable indicia are preferably positioned within the range of carriage movement dotted line 109.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of an improved exercise machine comprised of a pair of substantially horizontal and parallel rails 101 extending substantially the length of the machine between a platform at the first end 104 and platform at the second end 105. The machine further provides for a platform 106 slidable upon the rails 101 substantially the length of the machine between the first platform and second platform. The movable platform 106 is spring biased toward the first end of the machine by one or more springs 111 removably attached between the first end and the platform. A push bar 107 is optionally provided at a first end of the machine.

In the drawing, it can be seen that a plurality of through-slots have been incorporated into the movable platform 106, with a first pair of slots 400 being positioned on opposed sides of the first end of the movable platform substantially aligned with an axis transverse to the longitudinal major axis of the machine, and a second pair of slots 401 being positioned on opposed sides of the second end of the movable platform substantially aligned with an axis transverse to the longitudinal major axis of the machine.

As can be instantly recognized, indicia on the rails proximate to the first end 402 can be readily viewed through the platform slots 400, and the portion of the rails 101 as viewed through the pair of slots 401 at the second end of the movable platform show no indicia on the rails. The indicia 403 provided for on the rails proximate to the second end are not viewable through the movable carriage slots 401.

In practice, when an exerciser is performing exercises on the first end of the machine, and specifically with at least one body part in contact with the movable platform, the exerciser being positioned such that the indicia 402 are viewable through the platform slots 400, the exerciser moves the movable platform in response to the trainer's instructions until the slots 400 align with the indicia specified by the trainer.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of an improved exercise machine as just described FIG. 4. In the drawing, the start position of the just described movable platform is shown with the dotted line 500, the platform 106 having been moved during the performance of an exercise to the position as illustrated.

The indicia as is viewable by an exerciser through the through-slots 400, 401 in the movable platform 106 are decidedly different from the viewable indicia when the platform is in the starting position. Specifically, the cross-hatched indicia 403 integral with the rails 101 can be viewed by an exerciser who looks through the slots 401 during exercise.

In practice, as one illustrious example, a trainer may direct the class to perform an exercise by pushing the movable carriage 106 in a direction opposed to the first end platform 104, beginning with the platform at the starting position 500 until such time at the cross-hatched indicia 403 are first viewed when looking through the second pair of slots 401, then stop and hold the position for a preferred short period of time before directing the exerciser to return the carriage back to the starting position.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a second end of and improved exercise machine with indicia. More specifically, a dotted line 109 represents the range of travel of a movable platform 106 relative to a permanent platform of the second end 105 of an exercise machine as previously described, the range of travel as illustrated is not meant to me limiting, and may be represented by a larger or smaller dimension as measured between the two platforms just described.

As one variation of indicia that may be applied to, affixed upon, in integrated into the exerciser-viewable surfaces of one or more rails upon which the movable platform slides, the drawing shows a plurality of rectangular images 600 on each of the left and right rails. In this variation, the differing graphics within the highlighted rectangular areas may represent different colors, or different graphic images, either or both of which are quickly recognizable by an exerciser when directed by an instructor to move the carriage to a specified image.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a second end of an improved exercise machine with indicia. As another variation of indicia that may be applied to, affixed upon, integrated into the exerciser-viewable surfaces of one or more rails upon which the movable platform slides, the drawing shows a plurality of differently highlighted lengths of rail surface 700, 701, 701 positioned within the preferred range of travel of the movable platform 106 relative to the permanent platform of the second end 105. In this variation, the differing graphics within the highlighted rectangular areas may represent different colors, or different graphic images, either or both of which are quickly recognizable by an exerciser when directed by an instructor to move the carriage to a specified image.

In practice, a trainer may instruct exercisers to move the movable platform 106 to a position so that the edge of the movable platform closest to the permanent platform is aligned over the center darkened indicia 701. The purpose of the longer dimension of the indicia is to provide for short and tall exercisers to perform the exercise in accordance with the trainer's instructions, with both short and tall exercisers being physically able to position to edge of the movable platform over at least one portion of the laterally elongated indicia, or zone.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a second end of an improved exercise machine with indicia. As yet another variation of indicia that may be applied to, affixed upon, integrated into the exerciser-viewable surfaces of one or more rails upon which the movable platform slides, the drawing shows a substantial length of rail surface 800 positioned within the preferred range of travel of the movable platform 106 relative to the permanent platform of the second end 105. In this variation, the elongated rectangular area represent a color easily differentiated from the color of the rails, or a readily discernable graphic image, either or both of which are quickly recognizable by an exerciser when directed by an instructor to position the edge of the carriage proximate to the permanent second platform to a specified location over the image zone.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a second end of an improved exercise machine with indicia. As yet another variation of indicia that may be applied to, affixed upon, integrated into the exerciser-viewable surfaces of one or more rails upon which the movable platform slides, the drawing shows numerical position indicators 900 along a substantial length of the rail surfaces, the indicia being positioned within the preferred range of travel of the movable platform 106 relative to the permanent platform of the second end 105. In this variation, the numerical indicia easily viewable in contrast to the color of the rails would be quickly recognizable by an exerciser when directed by an instructor to position the edge of the carriage proximate to the permanent second platform to a specified position relative to any number. It should be noted that alpha characters and various other types of characters may also be used in combination with, or in the alternative to numerical indicia.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a first end of an improved exercise machine with indicia. More specifically, a dotted line 108 represents the range of travel of a movable platform 106 relative to a permanent platform of the first end 104 of an exercise machine as previously described, the range of travel as illustrated is not meant to me limiting, and may be represented by a larger or smaller dimension as measured between the two platforms just described.

As one variation of indicia that may be applied to, affixed upon, in integrated into the exerciser-viewable surfaces of one or more rails upon which the movable platform slides, the drawing shows a plurality of positioning images 1000 on each of the left and right rails. In this variation, the differing graphics within the highlighted lines or rectangular areas formed between any adjacent lines may represent different colors, or different graphic images, either or both of which are quickly recognizable by an exerciser when directed by an instructor to move the carriage to a specified image.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a first end of an improved exercise machine with indicia. As yet another variation of indicia that may be applied to, affixed upon, in integrated into the exerciser-viewable surfaces of one or more rails upon which the movable platform slides, the drawing shows a plurality of rectangular images 1100 on each of the left and right rails. In this variation, the differing graphics within the highlighted rectangular areas may represent different colors, or different graphic images, either or both of which are quickly recognizable by an exerciser when directed by an instructor to move the carriage to a specified image.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a first end of an improved exercise machine with indicia. As yet another variation of indicia that may be applied to, affixed upon, in integrated into the exerciser-viewable surfaces of one or more rails upon which the movable platform slides, the drawing shows specified stop and max indicators 1200, 1201 on each of the left and right rails. In this variation, the lines and/or text may represent the stop point 1200 that a trainer would instruct exercisers to position the edge of the movable platform 106 proximate to the permanent first platform 104 upon the recovery stroke of a repetition of an exercise. Further, the lines and/or text may represent the point 1201 that a trainer would instruct exercisers not to exceed while positioning the edge of the movable platform 106 proximate to the permanent first platform 104 upon the work stroke of a repetition of an exercise. The indicia just described is not meant to be limiting, and additional positioning points may be incorporated into the viewable surfaces of the parallel rails.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary diagram showing a top view of a variation of a first end of an improved exercise machine with indicia. As yet another variation of indicia that may be applied to, affixed upon, integrated into the exerciser-viewable surfaces of one or more rails upon which the movable platform slides, the drawing shows numerical position indicators 1300 along a substantial length of the rail surfaces, the indicia being positioned within the preferred range of travel of the movable platform 106 relative to the permanent platform of the first end 104. In this variation, the numerical indicia easily viewable in contrast to the color of the rails would be quickly recognizable by an exerciser when directed by an instructor to position the edge of the carriage proximate to the permanent first platform to a specified position relative to any number. It should be noted that alpha characters or other types of characters, symbols and other indicia may also be used in combination with, or in the alternative to numerical indicia. It should be further noted that the indicia proximate to the first end of the machine may be similar or dissimilar to the indicia proximate to the second end of the machine.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary diagram showing a side view of an exerciser working on a second end of an improved exercise machine. In the drawing, an exerciser 1400 is positioned with their knees upon the movable platform 106, and hands grasping the permanent platform at the first end 104. During the performance of the anticipated exercise, the exerciser will move the movable platform by applying a pushing force F exceeding, and in a direction opposed to the spring biasing resistance force R. The maximum length of travel of the movable carriage from a typical exerciser would be over a length of the parallel rails as indicated by the dotted line 108.

In practice, at a trainer's instruction, an exerciser being positioned as shown would move the movable carriage in a direction opposed to the platform 104 at the first end of the machine by activating “pushing” muscles highlighted, for instance, the gluteus maximus 1402, the deltoids and triceps 1403 and others not mentioned. At the trainer's instruction, the exerciser would stop moving the movable platform when the exerciser can see 1404 the specific indicia indicator 1401 called out by the trainer. The exerciser would then hold the position of the movable platform for an instructor-specified period of time before moving the platform to a subsequent trainer-specified position.

It should be noted that the type of indicia proximate to the first permanent platform 104 is of a different composition than the indicia proximate to the second end permanent platform 105, however, the indicia at the first end may be different, similar or identical as may be preferred.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating a method of instructing an exerciser on an improved exercise machine. In the drawing, an exerciser 1400 is positioned with their knees upon the movable platform 106, and hands grasping the permanent platform at the second end 105. During the performance of the anticipated exercise, the exerciser will move the movable platform by applying a pulling force F exceeding, and in a direction opposed to the spring biasing resistance force R. The maximum length of travel of the movable carriage from a typical exerciser would be over a length of the parallel rails as indicated by the dotted line 109.

In practice, at a trainer's instruction, an exerciser being positioned as shown would move the movable carriage in a direction towards the platform 105 at the second end of the machine by activating “pulling” muscles highlighted, for instance, the deltoids and biceps 1500, the abdominal and quadriceps muscles 1501 and others not mentioned. At the trainer's instruction, the exerciser would stop moving the movable platform when the exerciser can see 1502 the specific indicia indicator 1401 called out by the trainer. The exerciser would then hold the position of the movable platform for an instructor-specified period of time before moving the platform to a subsequent trainer-specified position.

As can readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the many variations of indicia positioned upon, affixed to, or integrated with the rails as just described, and the representative exercise are not meant to be limiting, but that describing the many thousands of combinations of exercises and types and colors of indicia would be exhaustive and burdensome. Nevertheless, describing every variation would illustrate the novel function of exerciser viewable indicia upon the rails, and the corresponding instruction method of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating a variation of a method of instructing an exerciser on an improved exercise machine. In the illustrious example, a trainer begins instructing a class of exercisers, each exerciser mounted upon an exercise machine of the present invention as previously described. The trainer informs the class that the instant exercise will be performed ten times 1600, each time an exerciser moves the movable platform from a first position, to a second position, back to a first position constituting one repetition.

Given the instruction, exercisers first perform two repetitions by moving the movable platform to a certain indicia indicating “position #1” 1601 before returning the movable carriage to the starting position, and repeat one more time. Given further instruction, exercisers perform two repetitions by moving the movable platform to a certain indicia indicating “position #2” 1602 before returning the movable carriage to the starting position, and repeat one more time. Given further instruction, exercisers perform two repetitions by moving the movable platform to a certain indicia indicating “position #3” 1603 before returning the movable carriage to the starting position, and repeat one more time. Given further instruction, exercisers perform one repetition by moving the movable platform to a certain indicia indicating “position #4” 1604 before returning the movable carriage to the starting position. Given further instruction, exercisers perform two repetitions by moving the movable platform to a certain indicia indicating “position #2” 1605 before returning the movable carriage to the starting position, and repeat one more time. Given a final instruction, exercisers perform one final repetition by moving the movable platform to a certain indicia indicating “position #1” 1606 before returning the movable carriage to the starting position. Upon completion of the cumulative of ten repetitions just described, the instructor instructs the class of exercisers to prepare for the next exercise.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating a variation of a method of instructing an exerciser on an improved exercise machine. As a variation to a method of exercising based on repetitions of a given exercise as just described, it may be preferred to perform, and hold positions of an exercise based on the period of time that a position is held during the work phase of an exercise.

In the illustrious example, a trainer begins instructing a class of exercisers, each exerciser mounted upon an exercise machine of the present invention as previously described. The trainer informs the class that the instant exercise will be performed, and that the objective is to hold the position when directed for a period of time 1700 as directed.

Since the position, being in the work phase of an exercise, correlates to marinating a force equivalent to extend and hold against the force exerted upon the movable platform by the spring biasing means.

It should be noted that the following references to colored bars as indicia are not meant to be limiting, and that any indicia previously described may be use instead of, or in combination with the colored bar indicia.

It should be further noted that the different colored indicia bars, being positioned at different locations upon the parallel rails upon which the movable platform slides, correlate to relatively increased or decreased force exerted by the springs against the movable carriage as first described under Hooke's law.

Given the instruction, exercisers first reposition the movable platform to the YELLOW BAR indicia 1701 while the instructor counts off the holding period in seconds. Given further instruction, exercisers then reposition the movable platform to the GREEN BAR indicia 1702 while the instructor counts off the holding period in seconds. Given further instruction, exercisers then reposition the movable platform to the RED BAR indicia 1703 while the instructor counts off the holding period in seconds. Given further instruction, exercisers then reposition the movable platform back to the GREEN BAR indicia 1704 while the instructor counts off the holding period in seconds. Given further instruction, exercisers then reposition the movable platform back to the YELLOW BAR indicia 1705 while the instructor counts off the holding period in seconds. Given the final instruction, exercisers then reposition the movable platform to the BLUE BAR indicia 1706 while the instructor counts off the holding period in seconds, the completion of which is consistent with the cumulative time objective of holding the movable carriage as different positions which correlated to different forces, and for different periods of time, thereby completing the instant exercise. The instructor then readies the class for a subsequent exercise.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary diagram showing a perspective view of an improved exercise machine of a monorail structure. In the drawing, a first stationary platform 104 is affixed to a support structure 1801 at a first end of the machine, and a second stationary platform 105 is affixed to a support structure 1802 at a second end of the machine. A single rail 1803 extends substantially between the support structure at the first end 1801 and support structure at the second end 1802. A movable platform 106 is slidably attached to the single rail 1803 such that the platform may be moved along the single rail substantially between the platforms at the first end and opposed second end.

The movable platform is spring biased toward the first end by use of one or more springs not shown, the spring biasing means connected preferably between the machine structure 1801 at the first end, and the movable platform 106. The spring biasing means provides for a resistance force against which an exerciser must overcome with an exercise work force by pushing the movable platform towards the platform at the second end 1802.

In the monorail structure just described, the movable platform may slide upon the monorail structure for a preferred distance from the first end, defining a preferred range or movement of the movable platform 108 when an exerciser is exercising between the movable platform and the platform at the first end 104. In some instances, it may be preferable to exercise between the movable platform and the stationary platform at the second end 105. During the performance of exercises between the movable platform and a second end, the movable platform will within a preferred exercise range, and therefore a preferred range of movement 109 between the movable platform and the stationary platform of the second end.

As previously described, a plurality of indicia 1803 is provided for exerciser reference when performing exercises between the first platform 104 and the movable platform 106, and a plurality of indicia 1804 is provided for exerciser reference when performing exercises between the second platform 105 and the movable platform 106, the indicia being one or more of the various types of indicia previously described. An exerciser performing exercises on a monorail exercise machine structure as just described would follow the trainer's instructions during the performance of exercises by referring to the indicia, and aligning the movable carriage to the appropriate indicia in response to the trainer's instructions.

An example exercise machine rail indicia system generally comprises a frame a rail, a carriage movably positioned upon the rail, a bias member connected between the carriage and the frame that applies a bias force upon the carriage, a first position indicator positioned upon the upper surface of the rail, and a second position indicator positioned upon the upper surface of the rail. The first position indicator and the second position indicator are distally spaced apart a first distance. The first position indicator and the second position indicator visually indicate to the exerciser where to position the carriage along the first rail during the performance of an exercise.

One or more of the embodiments of the exercise machine includes a frame having a first end, a second end and a first rail having an upper surface. The first rail extends between the first end and the second end. The rail preferably has a rectangular cross sectional shape with the upper surface, two side surfaces and a bottom surface. However, the rail may have various other cross sectional shapes such as, but not limited to, circular, triangular, polygonal, square, oval and the like. A carriage having an upper surface, a first end, a second end opposite of the first end, a first side and a second side opposite of the first side is movably positioned upon the first rail of the frame to allow an exerciser to perform an exercise on the carriage. The carriage is movable between the first end and the second end in a sliding manner supported by rollers or other moving structure. At least one bias member is connected between the carriage and the frame that applies a bias force upon the carriage forming resistance to the exerciser during the performance of the exercise. A first end platform connected to the frame and positioned near the first end of the frame and a second end platform connected to the frame and positioned near the second end of the frame. A first position indicator is positioned upon the upper surface of the first rail and is comprised of a first visual indicator. A second position indicator is positioned upon the upper surface of the first rail and is comprised of a second visual indicator. The first visual indicator and the second visual indicator are each preferably comprised of a character or a graphical image. The first position indicator and the second position indicator are distally spaced apart a first distance and visually indicate to the exerciser where to position the carriage along the first rail during the performance of an exercise.

A third, fourth, fifth and sixth position indicator may be used, with all of the position indicators at different locations long the rail to provide different distances for the carriage to be positioned for different exercises and/or resistances. The first position indicator and the second position indicator may each be comprised of the same or a different color. The first position indicator and the second position indicator are each preferably comprised of a character such as, but not limited to, numerals (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, i, ii, iii, iv), alphabetical characters (e.g. A, B, C, D, E, a, b, c, d, e). The first position indicator and the second position indicator are each preferably comprised of a different character to help differentiate to the exerciser what location to move the carriage to during the performance of an exercise. Though not required, the first position indicator and the second position indicator are preferably sequential (e.g. 1, 2, 3 or A, B, C).

The first position indicator and the second position indicator may each be comprised of a line that is substantially parallel to the first end of the carriage. The character may be positioned within (e.g. centrally) the line as shown in FIG. 18 or near an end of the line. The first position indicator and the second position indicator may also each be comprised of a graphical image and in particular a different graphical image from one another. For example, the position indicators may each have the same or different visual patterns (e.g. cross-hatched, diagonal lines, horizontal lines, vertical lines, dotted). As a further example, the position indicators may each have the same or different shapes (e.g. rectangular, square, circular). The position indicators may also extend along the entire width of the upper surface of the rail or only a portion of the width of the upper surface of the rail. The position indicators may also extend along the entire side of the rail or only a portion of the side of the rail (or both sides of the rail).

The first position indicator and the second position indicator may visually indicate to the exerciser where to position the first end or the second end the carriage along the first rail during the performance of the exercise. The frame may include a second rail that is parallel with respect to the first rail as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. The upper surface of the second rail preferably includes position indicator corresponding to and aligned with the first position indicator and the second position indicator, however, the second rail does not need to include position indicators with just the first rail having position indicators.

To use the embodiment that uses the first end of the carriage to be aligned with one of the position indicators, an instructor communicates to the exerciser to position the first end (or second end) of the carriage to be substantially aligned with the first position indicator. The exerciser then moves the carriage so that the first end (or second end) of the carriage is substantially aligned with the first position indicator. The instructor then communicates to the exerciser to position the first end (or second end) of the carriage to be substantially aligned with the second position indicator. The exerciser then moves the carriage so that the first end (or second end) of the carriage is substantially aligned with the second position indicator by the exerciser. This process may continue for a third position indicator, a fourth position indicator and so forth as desired.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the carriage may include one or more alignment openings extending through the carriage to allow the exerciser to visually align the alignment opening with a position indicator on the rail. The alignment opening is preferably near the first end and/or the second end of the carriage but may be located away from the first end of the carriage. The alignment openings are preferably rectangular shaped and extend completely through the carriage from the upper surface of the carriage through the lower surface of the carriage, however, various other shapes may be used. The first position indicator and the second position indicator may be comprised of a numeral, alphabetic character, line, shape or a combination thereof.

To use the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, an instructor communicates to the exerciser to position the alignment opening of the carriage to be substantially aligned with the first position indicator. The exerciser then moves the carriage so that the alignment opening of the carriage is substantially aligned with the first position indicator. The instructor then communicates to the exerciser to position the alignment opening of the carriage to be substantially aligned with the second position indicator. The exerciser then moves the carriage so that the alignment opening of the carriage is substantially aligned with the second position indicator by the exerciser. This process may continue for a third position indicator, a fourth position indicator and so forth as desired.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the exercise machine rail indicia system, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The exercise machine rail indicia system may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame having a first end, a second end and a first rail having an upper surface, wherein the first rail extends between the first end and the second end;

a carriage having an upper surface, a first end, a second end opposite of the first end, a first side and a second side opposite of the first side, wherein the carriage is movably positioned upon the first rail of the frame, and wherein the carriage is movable between the first end and the second end;

a bias member connected between the carriage and the frame that applies a bias force upon the carriage;

a first end platform connected to the frame and positioned near the first end of the frame;

a second end platform connected to the frame and positioned near the second end of the frame;

a first position indicator positioned upon the upper surface of the first rail, wherein the first position indicator is comprised of a first visual indicator; and

a second position indicator positioned upon the upper surface of the first rail, wherein the second position indicator is comprised of a second visual indicator;

wherein the first visual indicator and the second visual indicator are each comprised of a character or a graphical image;

wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are distally spaced apart a first distance, and wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator visually indicate to the exerciser where to position the carriage along the first rail during the performance of an exercise.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are each comprised of a different color.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are each comprised of a character.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are each comprised of a different character.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are each comprised of a numeral.

6. The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are sequential in number.

7. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are each comprised of an alphabetic character.

8. The exercise machine of claim 7, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are sequential.

9. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator visually indicate to the exerciser where to position the first end the carriage along the first rail during the performance of the exercise.

10. A method of exercising on the exercise machine of claim 9, said method comprising the following steps:

communicating to the exerciser to position the first end of the carriage to be substantially aligned with the first position indicator;

moving the carriage so that the first end of the carriage is substantially aligned with the first position indicator by the exerciser;

communicating to the exerciser to position the first end of the carriage to be substantially aligned with the second position indicator; and

moving the carriage so that the first end of the carriage is substantially aligned with the second position indicator by the exerciser.

11. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a second rail that is parallel with respect to the first rail, wherein an upper surface of the second rail includes position indicator corresponding to and aligned with the first position indicator and the second position indicator.

12. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are each comprised of a line that is substantially parallel to the first end of the carriage.

13. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are each comprised of a graphical image.

14. The exercise machine of claim 13, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are comprised of a different graphical image.

15. The exercise machine of claim 13, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are comprised of different visual patterns.

16. The exercise machine of claim 13, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are comprised of different rectangular images.

17. An exercise machine, comprising:

a frame having a first end, a second end and a first rail having an upper surface, wherein the first rail extends between the first end and the second end;

a carriage having an upper surface, a first end, a second end opposite of the first end, a first side and a second side opposite of the first side, wherein the carriage is movably positioned upon the first rail of the frame, and wherein the carriage is movable between the first end and the second end;

an alignment opening extending through the carriage near the first end of the carriage;

a bias member connected between the carriage and the frame that applies a bias force upon the carriage;

a first end platform connected to the frame and positioned near the first end of the frame;

a second end platform connected to the frame and positioned near the second end of the frame;

a first position indicator positioned upon the upper surface of the first rail, wherein the first position indicator is comprised of a first visual indicator; and

a second position indicator positioned upon the upper surface of the first rail, wherein the second position indicator is comprised of a second visual indicator;

wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are distally spaced apart a first distance;

wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator visually indicate to the exerciser where to position the alignment opening the carriage along the first rail during the performance of the exercise by aligning the alignment opening with the first position indicator or the second position indicator.

18. The exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are each comprised of a different color.

19. The exercise machine of claim 17, wherein the first position indicator and the second position indicator are each comprised of a numeral, alphabetic character, line, shape or a combination thereof.

20. A method of exercising on the exercise machine of claim 17, said method comprising the following steps:

communicating to the exerciser to position the alignment opening of the carriage to be substantially aligned with the first position indicator;

moving the carriage so that the alignment opening of the carriage is substantially aligned with the first position indicator by the exerciser;

communicating to the exerciser to position the alignment opening of the carriage to be substantially aligned with the second position indicator; and

moving the carriage so that the alignment opening of the carriage is substantially aligned with the second position indicator by the exerciser.