STABILIZING DEVICE FOR FREESTANDING EXERCISE DEVICES
A stabilizing device for a freestanding exercise device having a frame configured to at least partially support said freestanding exercise device and comprising at least one crossbar member. The stabilizing device comprises a recess configured to receive a wheel or leg of a chair, and at least one friction pad coupled to an outer region of the crossbar member. In one embodiment, the friction pad comprises a support wall and a ramp. Further, the recess may extend laterally from the support wall to the first end of the friction pad.
The application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/511,062, filed May 25, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe disclosure relates generally to exercise equipment, and more specifically, to a device used for stabilizing a freestanding exercise device.
BACKGROUNDThere are various freestanding exercise devices currently available for exercising while sitting on a chair or other standalone seating. Pedal exercisers and mini-elliptical trainers are two examples of devices that can be used while seated. Further, example exercise devices designed to be used by a seated user are described in the following U.S. Published Patent Applications: U.S. Pat. No. 20160296791 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 20160325137 A1and U.S. Pat. No. 20170113094 A1. The described devices are similarly designed to be used while sitting on a standalone seat and are referred to hereinafter as freestanding exercise devices.
However, the forces applied by a user when using a freestanding exercise device tend to displace the exercise device and/or the seated user relative to one another. This is particularly true of pedal exercisers because the forces applied to rotate the pedals are applied only in an outward direction. Commonly, these forces are also well above the base of the exerciser, which can cause the exerciser to become unsteady, and thus to rock longitudinally and/or laterally. Similar issues tend to arise with mini-elliptical trainers, though to a lesser extent. An oscillating exerciser minimizes these issues as opposed forces are applied to the foot platforms, and that these forces are close to the base of the device. However, even in this case, the minimized issues caused by the forces can be an unwelcome distraction and detract from the usability of the exercise device.
What is needed is a device for anchoring the exercise device, eliminating any issues caused by the forces applied by the user.
SUMMARYA stabilizing device for a freestanding exercise device comprises at least one friction pad defining a recess for receiving a leg of a chair. The stabilizing device may be mounted to a frame of a freestanding exercise device. Alternatively, the stabilizing device may comprises a frame to which the freestanding exercise device may be mounted or supported. In one embodiment, the friction pad comprises a support wall and a ramp. Further, the recess may extend laterally from the support wall to the first end of the friction pad.
In one embodiment, the friction pad is configured to couple to a first boss of the freestanding exercise device, or frame for a freestanding exercise device. In another embodiment, the stabilizing device includes a sleeve configured to receive a first extension (such a as a portion of the frame) of the freestanding exercise device, or frame for the freestanding exercise device. The stabilizing device may further comprise a second friction pad.
The present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which:
The present invention provides a stabilizing device for anchoring an exercise device to standalone seating, to eliminate any issues caused by the forces applied by the user. In one embodiment, the wheels of a chair used by the user are placed within a recess of the stabilizing device, anchoring the chair to the exercise device. In another embodiment, the legs of a chair used by a user are placed within the recess, anchoring the chair to the exercise device.
In one embodiment, a stabilizing device for a freestanding exercise device includes friction pads 10 fixed, either permanently or temporarily, to a frame 21. The frame 21 may be an element of the freestanding exercise device or the exercise device may be mounted to the frame. Each pad 10 may feature a recess 11 defined as a valley between abutments running laterally along its upper surface. In various embodiments, the recess 11 may be configured to receive a chair support—e.g., a wheel of a rolling chair and/or a leg of a non-rolling chair. For example, one or more dimensions and/or a shape of the recess may be formed to receive a wheel and/or leg of a chair. Further, in various embodiments each friction pad further comprises a ramp 12 extending rearward from the rearmost abutment and a support wall 13 that extends longitudinally along the inner edge of each friction pad 11. In one or more embodiments, the friction pads are preferably made of a rubber material or a rubber-like material.
The front wheels of a rolling chair may be positioned within the recess of a friction pad to prevent the chair from rolling relative to the exercise device when force is applied by a user on the exercise device. The ramps 12 facilitate rolling a chair's wheels up over the rearmost abutment, and into the recesses 11. The support walls 13 may be configured to provide some structural support and/or rigidity to the friction pads. For example, the support walls 13 may provide structural support and/or rigidity to the friction pads when a wheel is rolled up the corresponding ramp and when the when the exercise device is moved. Further, in various embodiments, the support walls also function as stops preventing the wheels from rolling laterally in the event they turn sideways. Additionally, the front legs of a non-rolling chair can similarly be placed in the recesses thus preventing the chair from sliding around relative to the exerciser.
In various embodiments, the friction pads are fixed to the frame (e.g., frame 21) of the exercise device and the weight of the user is indirectly transferred to the frame thus preventing the device from moving. This additional weight also helps to steady pedal-based and mini-elliptical exercise devices.
Turning now to
In various embodiments, the length of longitudinal face 21c is longer than that of lateral faces 21a and 21b. Additionally, the friction pads 10 may be coupled at positions along lateral face 21a. For example, the friction pads 10 are positioned near either end of lateral face 21a. Further, the friction pads 10 may be positioned an equal distance from each end of lateral face 21a. Additionally, the friction pads 10 may be closer to the center of lateral face 21a than either end of lateral face 21a.
In various embodiments, a stabilizing device 100 comprises at least two friction pads (e.g., friction pads 10) each of which is fixed (permanently or temporarily) to one of the rear outermost extents of the frame of a freestanding exercise device (e.g., as illustrated in the embodiments
In other embodiments of the present invention, a stabilizing device 100 comprises at least two friction pads (e.g. friction pads 10), each of which includes a crossbar member sleeve 14 as shown in
In various embodiments, when used with a rolling chair 40 the front wheels of the chair rest in the recesses 11 of the friction pads 10 (e.g.,
In various embodiments, the friction pads 10 are fixed to the frame 21 of the exercise device, and the weight of the user may be indirectly transferred to the frame thus acting as an anchor, preventing the exerciser from moving across the floor. The extra weight also helps steady pedal and mini-elliptical exercisers.
In another embodiment, the friction pads 10 are fixed to the frame 21 of a freestanding exerciser through an extension of the frame (e.g., crossbar members 32). This is achieved by fitting the crossbar member sleeve 14 of each friction pad over either end of the rear crossbar member 32. In such an embodiment, the sleeve 14 also serves as a cap though the cap could also be a separate piece.
These and other advantages may be realized in accordance with the specific embodiments described as well as other variations. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Claims
1. A stabilizing device for a freestanding exercise device having a frame for supporting said freestanding exercise device, said stabilizing device comprising:
- at least one friction pad configured for attachment to the frame of the exercise device, the friction pad defining a recess between upwardly-extending front and rear walls, the recess being dimensioned for receiving a chair support.
2. The stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein said front and rear walls extend laterally, and wherein said friction pad further comprises a support wall extending longitudinally between said front and rear walls, and a ramp extending from said rear wall.
3. The stabilizing device of claim 2, wherein said recess extends laterally from said support wall to a first end of said at least one friction pad.
4. The stabilizing device of claim 3, wherein said ramp extends parallel to said recess.
5. The stabilizing device of claim 2, wherein said recess is disposed between said ramp and said frame.
6. The stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein said recess is configured to receive a wheel of a rolling chair.
7. The stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein said recess is configured to receive a leg of a non-rolling chair.
8. The stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises at least one first lateral face and a second lateral face, wherein said first lateral face is disposed parallel to said second lateral face.
9. The stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein said freestanding exercise device is an oscillating exerciser.
10. The stabilizing device of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises at least one crossbar member.
11. The stabilizing device of claim 10, wherein said at least one friction pad defines a sleeve configured to receive said at least one crossbar member.
12. A stabilizing device for a freestanding exercise device, said stabilizing device comprising:
- a frame configured to at least partially support said freestanding exercise device and comprising a crossbar member; and
- at least one friction pad attached to the frame of the exercise device, the friction pad defining a recess between upwardly-extending front and rear walls, the recess being dimensioned for receiving a leg of a chair.
13. The stabilizing device of claim 12, wherein said stabilizing device comprises a first friction pad and a second friction pad, each of said first and second friction pads being coupled to said crossbar member.
14. The stabilizing device of claim 13, wherein said first friction pad is coupled at a first position along said crossbar member and said second friction pad is coupled at a second position along said crossbar member.
15. The stabilizing device of claim 14, wherein said first position is proximate a first end of said crossbar member and said second position is proximate a second end of said crossbar member.
16. The stabilizing device of claim 15, wherein said at least one crossbar member further comprises a third crossbar member coupled to said first crossbar member and said second crossbar member, said third crossbar member is disposed perpendicular to said first crossbar member and said second crossbar member.
17. The stabilizing device of claim 16, wherein said third crossbar member is longer than said first crossbar member and said second crossbar member.
18. The stabilizing device of claim 17, wherein said freestanding exercise device is mounted to said frame.
19. The stabilizing device of claim 12, wherein said at least one friction pad and said frame are coupled via complementary first and second bosses and said least one friction pad and said frame.
Type: Application
Filed: May 25, 2018
Publication Date: Nov 29, 2018
Inventor: Benjamin F. Bailar (Philadelphia, PA)
Application Number: 15/989,639