Musculature exerciser and method

Abstract

A fixed musculature exerciser adapted for a specific cardiovascular training exercise such as a rowing motion includes a plurality of spaced apart support legs including laterally and outwardly extending sponsons acting as stabilization feet. A resilient resistance band can be conveniently and removably secured at both ends between a pair of linearly opposed, spaced apart anchorments secured to the distal end sections of a pair of adjacent sponsons. One end of the resistance band can be detached and the band used for strength training. Additional resistance bands can be similarly secured between other pairs of anchorments on separated sponsons.

Description

PRIOR APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of copending U.S. Provisional Utility Patent Application Ser. No. 62/041,101, filed 202-06-18, incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to exercise and body development, and more particularly to multi-functional fixed exercise apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

Fixed exercise machines have long been used in the home, health spas, fitness centers, and weight rooms to provide for the exercise of specific muscle groups. For example, one fixed machine might be particularly adapted to performing biceps curls whereas a completely separate machine would be used for leg lifts to exercise the quadriceps muscles. Other machines such as stationary bicycles and rowing machines are adapted to provide a workout targeting cardiovascular fitness to the exclusion of strength training. Similarly those machines targeting strength training may not readily provide for cardiovascular training. Those facilities seeking to provide a wide range of exercises often choose to install dozens of different machines, each specific to one or more exercises. More machines and the floor space to accommodate them can increase the cost of operating those facilities significantly.

Rowing machines, such as disclosed in Jonas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,224, typically include a substantially horizontal, linear track upon which slides a seat. The track is typically supported upon the ground by at least a pair of legs. Footrests are affixed astride the track. A pulling handle is tethered to an adjustable resistance module at one end of the track. The user can therefore proceed through a sculling or rowing motion similar to that experienced on a racing shell, boat, or scull by repeatedly pulling the handle while simultaneously driving an extension of the legs. This device does not offer what can typically be described as strength training.

As shown in Giannotti, U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,776, prior rowing machines have used cables attached to the legs for various purposes.

Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus which addresses one or more of the above identified inadequacies.

SUMMARY

The principal and secondary objects of the invention are to provide an improved exercise apparatus. These and other objects can be achieved by providing one or more resistance bands detachably secured to specified attachment points on an exercise machine.

In some embodiments there is provided a rowing machine having a plurality of resistance bands detachably secured to its support legs.

In some embodiments there is provided an exercise apparatus comprises: a fixed exerciser comprising; at least one pair of support legs, wherein each of said pair of support legs comprises: a strut; a sponson extending laterally from a distal portion of said strut; an anchorment extending from a distal section of said sponson; at least one resistance band releasably secured to both of said pair of support legs; said resistance band comprising: resiliently extendable oblong member; a first buckle secured to a first end of said member; a second buckle secured to a second end of said member; wherein said first buckle is releasably attached to a first one of said anchorment, and said second buckle is releasably attached to a second one of said anchorment opposing said first one of said anchorment.

In some embodiments said anchorment comprises a closed loop of rigid material.

In some embodiments said anchorment extends along a plane substantially parallel with said track.

In some embodiments closed loop borders a central aperture shaped and dimensioned to allow a part of either one of said buckles therethrough.

In some embodiments said apparatus further comprises a second of said pair of anchorments and second resistance band releasably connected to said second of said pair of anchorments.

In some embodiments said pair of support legs are adjacent to one another, and said anchorments oppose one another in a substantially linear alignment parallelly spaced apart from said track.

In some embodiments said anchorments are spaced apart from a substantially planar floor upon which said apparatus rests.

In some embodiments said resiliently extendable oblong member has an untensioned first linear length, and a tensioned second linear length longer than said first linear length.

In some embodiments said fixed exerciser is a rowing machine comprising an oblong track extending along a first substantially horizontal axis; wherein said anchorments align substantially parallel to said axis; wherein said sponsons extend substantially perpendicular to and skewed from said axis.

In some embodiments said apparatus further comprises a free handle comprising at least one handle anchorment securable to at least one of said buckles.

In some embodiments there is provided an exercise apparatus comprises: a fixed exerciser comprising; a first support leg comprising: a first strut; a first sponson extending laterally from a first distal portion of said first strut; a first anchorment extending from a first distal section of said first sponson; a second support leg comprising: a second strut; a second sponson extending laterally from a second distal portion of said second strut; a second anchorment extending from a second distal section of said second sponson; at least one resistance band comprising: resiliently extendable oblong member; a first buckle secured to a first end of said member; a second buckle secured to a second end of said member; wherein said first buckle is releasably attached to said first anchorment, and said second buckle is releasably attached to said second anchorment.

In some embodiments said first anchorment linearly opposes said second anchorment.

In some embodiments said first anchorment comprises a first closed loop of rigid material, and wherein said second anchorment comprises a second closed loop of rigid material.

In some embodiments there is provided a method for performing a cardiovascularly targeted exercise on a fixed exercise apparatus and thereafter performing a strength targeted exercise on said fixed exercise apparatus, wherein said method comprises: selecting a rowing machine having a pair of supports including a pair of linearly opposed sponsons; forming a pair of linearly opposed anchorments on said pair of sponsons; securing a resistance band to both of said pair of anchorments; performing a rowing exercise on said fixed exercise apparatus; detaching a first end of said resistance band from one of said anchorments while leaving an opposite end of said resistance band secured to an other one of said anchorments; and, conducting a strength exercise using said resistance band after said performing and detaching.

In some embodiments there is provided a combination of a cardiovascular targeted exercise machine and a resilient resistance band, wherein said exercise machine comprises: a support structure including a pair of spaced apart sponsons; a pair of linearly opposed anchorments formed on said pair of linearly opposed sponsons; wherein said resistance band is secured to both of said pair of linearly opposed anchorments.

In some embodiments said resistance band comprises: an untensioned first linear length, and a tensioned second linear length longer than said first linear length.

In some embodiments said exerciser further comprises an oblong body extending along a first substantially horizontal axis; wherein said anchorments align substantially parallel to said axis; wherein said sponsons extend substantially perpendicular to said axis.

The original text of the original claims is incorporated herein by reference as describing features in some embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a exercise apparatus in the cardiovascular training configuration where all resistance bands are attached to anchorments according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic bottom view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional side view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 2 taken at line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a resistance band.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a exercise apparatus in a strength training configuration where a pair resistance bands are partially detached from the anchorments according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic flow chart diagram of method for conducting a cardiovascular training exercise and thereafter a strength training exercise on a single apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In this specification, the references to top, bottom, upward, downward, upper, lower, vertical, horizontal, sideways, lateral, back, front, etc. can be used to provide a clear frame of reference for the various structures with respect to other structures while the fixed exercise machine is resting with its support feet on the ground as shown in FIG. 1, and not treated as absolutes when the frame of reference is changed, such as when the machine is inverted or resting on its side.

The term “substantially” can be used in this specification because manufacturing imprecision and inaccuracies can lead to non-symmetricity and other inexactitudes in the shape, dimensioning and orientation of various structures. Further, use of “substantially” in connection with certain geometrical shapes, such as “cylindrical” and “conical”, letter shapes, such as “U-shaped” and orientations, such as “parallel” and “perpendicular”, can be given as a guide to generally describe the function of various structures, and to allow for slight departures from exact mathematical geometrical shapes, letter shapes, and orientations, while providing adequately similar function. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the degree to which a departure can be made from the mathematically exact geometrical references.

If used in this specification, the word “axial” is meant to refer to directions, movement, or forces acting substantially parallel with or along a respective axis, and not to refer to rotational nor radial nor angular directions, movement or forces, nor torsional forces unless otherwise noted.

In this specification the units “millimeter” or “millimeters” can be abbreviated “mm”.

In this specification reference may be made to the use of numerous patches of hook-and-vane fabric fastener such as VELCRO brand fastener available from Velcro USA Inc. of Manchester, N.H. in which a patch of hook-and-vane fabric fastener of a first type (either hook or vane) can releasably fasten to a patch of the opposite type. For example a patch of the hook type would releasably bond to a patch of the vane type. For clarity such fasteners are referred to in this specification as fabric fasteners, and a patch of fabric fastener will bond to a corresponding patch of fastener. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate which type will best be used for any given patch and whether the type of matable patches can be swapped.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4 a rowing machine-type exercise apparatus 10 which provides for the performance of various strength exercises in addition to cardiovascular conditioning rowing exercises. The apparatus can include a rigid, substantially horizontal linear track 11 upon which slides and upper seat 12. A handle 13 is secured to a the free end of a tether 14 which extends from a resistance module 15 which can resist the extraction of the tether from the module during the power stroke, and spool or take up the tether within the module on the recovery stroke. A controller 16 can adjust the resistance on the tether. An angled footrest 17 can be fixed to an upper surface of the track.

The track 11 can be supported upon the ground by a support structure including three legs 21, 31, 41. Each leg, 21 for example, can include a substantially vertical strut 22 having a proximal portion 23 secured to the undersurface 18 of the track and a distal portion 24. A pair of sponsons 25, 26 can extending laterally, substantially perpendicular to the track, and substantially orthogonally from the distal portion of the strut to spread the load of the apparatus on the floor and to stabilize the apparatus. In this embodiment the sponsons associated with a single support leg can extend in substantially opposite directions, and thus can be firmed by a single, substantially linear, rigid tubular member which can be made from a strong, durable material such as steel. The member can be welded or otherwise ruggedly fastened to the strut. A pair of end caps 27, 28 made from durable plastic can protect the distal ends of the sponsons and provide for padded contact with the floor.

Each sponson, 25 for example, can be formed by a rigid, oblong body 51 that has a proximal section 52 connected to the strut 22 and a free distal section 53. At least one anchorment 61 can be secured to the distal section 53 of the sponson.

Each anchorment, 61 for example, can be a closed loop of strong durable material such as steel. The anchorment can have a substantially U-shaped body whose substantially parallel arms 62, 63 connect at their free ends to the sponson. The connection can be a welded or otherwise ruggedly fastened to the sponson. The anchorment can extend from the sponson in a plane P substantially parallel with the substantially planar floor 2 and thus substantially parallel with the track 11. The anchorment can connect to the sponson at a location so that the anchorment is spaced apart from the ground by a spacing S. In this way the anchorment can be accessed from above and below yet does not interfere with the floor nor cause a tripping hazard by extending upwardly from the sponson. It shall be noted that the dimensioning of the anchorment can be selected to attach two or more resistance band buckles to a single anchorment in a side-by-side orientation. Thus, anchorment 66 shows that the dimension A substantially perpendicular to the track can be selected to be at least two times the diameter T of the substantially circular cross-section curved rod 97 forming the buckle engagement.

An adjacent sponson 71 on an adjacent leg 31 can have an anchorment 81 similarly affixed to its distal section. The anchorment can be positioned to oppose the anchorment 61 on the neighboring sponson 51. Further, the opposing anchorments can be aligned so that they are parallelly spaced apart from the track. In this way the anchorments can be said to linearly oppose one another in a spaced apart manner. This allows for a resistance band to be stretched between the anchorments in a substantially linear manner, albeit with a slight droop, which is substantially parallel with the track, enhancing the probability of avoiding interference with the user during rowing exercises. Further, this allows either end of the resistance band to be detached and used while the other end remains attached to perform a strength exercise as described further below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exercise apparatus can be oblong, extending along a substantially horizontal axis 6, and where the anchorments 61, 81 between adjacent sponsons 51, 71 align substantially parallel to the axis, and where the sponsons 51, 71 extend substantially perpendicular and skewed with respect to the axis.

As shown in FIG. 2 the apparatus 10 can have three legs 21, 31, 41, six sponsons, and eight anchorments. In this embodiment the central sponsons 71, 75 each have a pair of anchorments formed on opposite sides of the sponson. At least one resistance band 91 can releasably attach to any of the anchorments provided on the sponsons. In the resistance band storage configuration where the apparatus is used for cardiovascular training, four resistance bands 91, 99 (others not shown in FIG. 1) can be stored by on the apparatus when stretched between adjacently spaced apart anchorments in a one band to one pair of linearly opposed spaced apart anchorments manner. In this way the anchorments provide readily available attachment points for off-the-shelf resistance bands in absence of any other fastening structures.

Each resistance band 91 can have resiliently extendable oblong flexible member 92 made from fabric coated rubberized elastic material. The member can therefore have an untensioned first linear length, and a tensioned second linear length longer than said first linear length. The member can have opposite ends 93, 94. Each end can be secured to a buckle 95, 96 such as a carabiner which allows rapid attaching and detaching to one of the anchorments or to another device such as a pullhandle wristbelt, anklebelt, etc. It shall be noted that the cross-sectional diameter D of the anchorment must be smaller than the opening gap G of the carabiner to allow for a part of the buckle therethrough facilitating attachment. Acceptable resistance bands are commercially available from many manufacturers. One such resistance band is sold under the brand name Bodylastics from the Anazao Fitness Gear company of Denver, Colo.

In this way, the apparatus can provide strength training in absence of any other tensioning or weight equipment attached to the apparatus.

FIG. 1 shows the exercise apparatus in a configuration in which both buckles 95, 96 of all the resistance bands 91 are attached to adjacently spaced apart anchorments. This would be the standard resistance band storage configuration when the apparatus is used as a rowing machine for example.

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus 100 in one of a plural number of strength training configurations. In this particular configuration two resistance bands 91, 101 each have one buckle 95, 101 attached to the leg 21 furthest from the rowing machine resistance module 15. The other buckles 96, 106 are secured to a free handle 111 at a handle anchorment 112. A standing user can face the free handle and perform biceps curls for example, or can stand facing away from the free handle and perform behind the neck triceps head targeted exercises. A user can sit on the seat 12 and perform similar exercises with less resistance. The user can also remove one of the bands to further reduce resistance. Additional bands can be connected to the same anchorments to enhance resistance.

FIG. 6 shows a method 200 for performing a cardiovascularly targeted exercise on a fixed exercise apparatus and thereafter performing a strength targeted exercise on the same apparatus. The method can include selecting 201 a rowing machine having a pair of supports including a pair of linearly opposed sponsons, and forming 202 a pair of linearly opposed anchorments on the pair of sponsons. At least one resistance band can be secured 203 to both of the pair of anchorments. The user first performs 204 a rowing exercise on the rowing machine. After performing the rowing exercise, the user can detach 205 a first end of the resistance band from one of the anchorments while leaving its opposite end secured to an other one of the anchorments, then conduct 206 a strength exercise using the partially detached resistance band.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, modifications can be made and other embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprises:

a fixed exerciser comprising; at least one pair of support legs, wherein each of said pair of support legs comprises: a strut; a sponson extending laterally from a distal portion of said strut; an anchorment extending from a distal section of said sponson; at least one resistance band releasably secured to both of said pair of support legs; said resistance band comprising: resiliently extendable oblong member; a first buckle secured to a first end of said member; a second buckle secured to a second end of said member; wherein said first buckle is releasably attached to a first one of said anchorment, and said second buckle is releasably attached to a second one of said anchorment opposing said first one of said anchorment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said anchorment comprises a closed loop of rigid material.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said anchorment extends along a plane substantially parallel with said track.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said closed loop borders a central aperture shaped and dimensioned to allow a part of either one of said buckles therethrough.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a second of said pair of anchorments and second resistance band releasably connected to said second of said pair of anchorments.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of support legs are adjacent to one another, and said anchorments oppose one another in a substantially linear alignment parallelly spaced apart from said track.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said anchorments are spaced apart from a substantially planar floor upon which said apparatus rests.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein said resiliently extendable oblong member has an untensioned first linear length, and a tensioned second linear length longer than said first linear length.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein said fixed exerciser is a rowing machine comprising an oblong track extending along a first substantially horizontal axis;

wherein said anchorments align substantially parallel to said axis;

wherein said sponsons extend substantially perpendicular to and skewed from said axis.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said apparatus further comprises a free handle comprising at least one handle anchorment securable to at least one of said buckles.

11. An exercise apparatus comprises:

a fixed exerciser comprising; a first support leg comprising: a first strut; a first sponson extending laterally from a first distal portion of said first strut; a first anchorment extending from a first distal section of said first sponson; a second support leg comprising: a second strut; a second sponson extending laterally from a second distal portion of said second strut; a second anchorment extending from a second distal section of said second sponson; at least one resistance band comprising: resiliently extendable oblong member; a first buckle secured to a first end of said member; a second buckle secured to a second end of said member; wherein said first buckle is releasably attached to said first anchorment, and said second buckle is releasably attached to said second anchorment.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first anchorment linearly opposes said second anchorment.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first anchorment comprises a first closed loop of rigid material, and wherein said second anchorment comprises a second closed loop of rigid material.

14. A method for performing a cardiovascularly targeted exercise on a fixed exercise apparatus and thereafter performing a strength targeted exercise on said fixed exercise apparatus, wherein said method comprises:

selecting a rowing machine having a pair of supports including a pair of linearly opposed sponsons;

forming a pair of linearly opposed anchorments on said pair of sponsons;

securing a resistance band to both of said pair of anchorments;

performing a rowing exercise on said fixed exercise apparatus;

detaching a first end of said resistance band from one of said anchorments while leaving an opposite end of said resistance band secured to an other one of said anchorments; and,

conducting a strength exercise using said resistance band after said performing and detaching.

15. A combination of a cardiovascular targeted exercise machine and a resilient resistance band,

wherein said exercise machine comprises: a support structure including a pair of spaced apart sponsons; a pair of linearly opposed anchorments formed on said pair of linearly opposed sponsons;

wherein said resistance band is secured to both of said pair of linearly opposed anchorments.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein said resistance band comprises:

an untensioned first linear length, and a tensioned second linear length longer than said first linear length.

17. The combination of claim 15, wherein said exerciser further comprises an oblong body extending along a first substantially horizontal axis;

wherein said anchorments align substantially parallel to said axis;

wherein said sponsons extend substantially perpendicular to said axis.