U.S. patent application number 10/033108 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for resistance devices, total-body exercise machines outfitted therewith, and exercise methods using such devices and machines.
Invention is credited to Wilkinson, William T..
Application Number | 20020086779 10/033108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22984346 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020086779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilkinson, William T. |
July 4, 2002 |
Resistance devices, total-body exercise machines outfitted
therewith, and exercise methods using such devices and machines
Abstract
An exercise reel comprising an elongated tension member having
first and second ends, a user engagement connected to the elongated
tension member first end for engaging a body appendage, a spool
connected to the elongated tension member second end and on which
the elongated tension member is adapted to be wound, a resistance
mechanism comprising a rotatable disk and a pair of calipers for
engaging the rotatable disk for resisting unwinding of the spool,
and a retraction mechanism for automatically rewinding the spool.
One aspect of the invention comprises an exercise machine
comprising at least one exercise reel of the invention, preferably
an aerobic leg exercise machine wherein the exercise reel comprises
an arm exercise reel for providing resistance to the user's natural
forward arm swing. Exercise machines comprising other types of
resistance devices for providing resistance to the natural forward
arm swing are also claimed. Other aspects of the invention comprise
freestanding exercise devices incorporating the exercise reels and
methods of exercising.
Inventors: |
Wilkinson, William T.;
(Salem, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNER & PRESTIA
P.O. BOX 7228
WILMINGTON
DE
19803
US
|
Family ID: |
22984346 |
Appl. No.: |
10/033108 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60259293 |
Dec 29, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2022/067 20130101;
A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 21/4017 20151001; A63B 22/14 20130101;
A63B 23/12 20130101; A63B 23/03525 20130101; A63B 21/025 20130101;
A63B 22/0012 20130101; A63B 22/0076 20130101; A63B 2022/0041
20130101; A63B 21/4043 20151001; A63B 2022/0652 20130101; A63B
22/0087 20130101; A63B 21/153 20130101; A63B 21/015 20130101; A63B
21/4035 20151001; A63B 2022/0051 20130101; A63B 2022/0035 20130101;
A63B 23/0355 20130101; A63B 23/1209 20130101; A63B 5/11 20130101;
A63B 22/0005 20151001; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 23/1263
20130101; A63B 22/00 20130101; A63B 22/0056 20130101; A63B
2022/0079 20130101; A63B 22/203 20130101; A63B 21/4011 20151001;
A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B 23/03541 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/118 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/015 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. An exercise reel comprising: an elongated tension member having
first and second ends; a user engagement connected to the elongated
tension member first end for engaging a body appendage; a spool
connected to the elongated tension member second end and on which
the elongated tension member is adapted to be wound; a resistance
mechanism for resisting unwinding of the spool, the resistance
mechanism comprising a rotatable disk and a pair of calipers for
engaging the rotatable disk; and a retraction mechanism for
automatically rewinding the spool.
2. The exercise reel of claim 1, wherein the retraction mechanism
further comprises a spring.
3. The exercise reel of claim 2, wherein the spring comprises a
coil spring.
4. The exercise reel of claim 1, wherein the resistance mechanism
is adjustable.
5. The exercise reel of claim 1 further comprising a mounting
connection for mounting the reel to a surface.
6. The exercise reel of claim 1 wherein the user engagement
comprises a loop.
7. The exercise reel of claim 1 wherein the loop is padded.
8. The exercise reel of claim 7 wherein the loop is adjustable.
9. The exercise reel of claim 8 wherein the loop is adjustable by
use of an adjustment mechanism selected from the group consisting
of: a buckle, a set of snaps or buttons, a set of micro-hooks and
micro-loops, and a cable-through-ring mechanism.
10. The exercise reel of claim 1 wherein the resistance mechanism
provides a resistance of not greater than about 5 pounds of
force.
11. The exercise reel of claim 1 wherein the resistance mechanism
provides an adjustable resistance that is adjustable to provide a
resistance of greater than about 5 pounds of force.
12. An exercise machine comprising at least one exercise reel of
claim 1.
13. The exercise machine of claim 12 comprising an aerobic lower
body exercise machine wherein the exercise reel comprises an
exercise reel adapted to exercise a user's upper body to provide a
total body workout.
14. The exercise machine of claim 13 wherein the exercise reel
comprises a forward-stroke arm exercise reel positioned behind a
user to provide resistance to a forward swinging motion of an arm
of the user while allowing the user's arm to perform the forward
swinging motion in a natural, free-swinging arm position.
15. The exercise machine of claim 14 further comprising a
backward-stroke arm exercise reel adapted for use by the same arm
of the user as the forward-stroke arm exercise reel, the
backward-stroke arm exercise reel positioned in front of the user
to provide resistance to a backward swinging motion of the user's
arm while allowing the user's arm to perform the backward swinging
motion in the naturally extended arm position.
16. The exercise machine of claim 14 wherein the user engagement is
adapted to engage the user's hand, arm, or wrist.
17. The exercise machine of claim 14 comprising at least two arm
exercise reels, a first reel adapted for use by a left arm of the
user and a second reel adapted for use by a right arm of the
user.
18. The exercise machine of claim 14 comprising only a single arm
exercise reel adapted to be used either by the left arm or right
arm of the user.
19. The exercise machine of claim 13 wherein the aerobic lower body
exercise machine comprises a machine selected from a group
consisting of: treadmills, air walkers/gliders, upright and
recumbent bicycle machines, torso-twisting disks, cross-trainers,
steppers, elliptical exercise machines, cross-country and downhill
ski machines, trampolines, squat machines, rowing machines,
stretching machines, and abdominal machines.
20. The exercise machine of claim 14 further comprising a support
structure mounted behind the user for preventing the user from
being pulled backward off of the machine by the resistance of the
arm exercise reel.
21. The exercise machine of claim 20 wherein the support structure
comprises a padded support adapted to engage the back or buttocks
of the user.
22. The exercise machine of claim 21 wherein the support structure
is adjustable in at least one direction in the group consisting of:
up and down, forward and back, and left and right.
23. The exercise machine of claim 13 wherein the elongated tension
member consists of a length sufficient to extend from a mounting
point of the reel on the machine to a furthest point of a user's
arm swing from the mounting point, and the spool is sized to hold
substantially all of the elongated tension member length.
24. An exercise machine comprising an aerobic lower body exercise
machine comprising a single exercise reel mounted behind the user
for exercising a user's upper body, the single exercise reel
comprising a resistance mechanism for resisting unwinding of the
spool and a retraction mechanism for rewinding the spool, a first
elongated tension member adapted for use by a left arm of the user
and having a user engagement connected thereto, a second elongated
tension member adapted for use by a right arm of the user and
having a user engagement connected thereto, each elongated tension
member having a portion engaged by the reel to provide resistance
to the forward swinging motion of each arm.
25. The machine of claim 24 wherein the first elongated tension
member and the second elongated tension member comprise portions of
a single elongated tension member and the portion engaged by the
reel comprises a middle portion of the single elongated tension
member.
26. The exercise machine of claim 24 wherein the resistance
mechanism comprises a knob screw having a shaft coaxial with the
spool and a spring coaxial with the knob screw shaft and having
opposite ends, one end abutting the knob of the knob screw and the
other end abutting the spool such that as the knob is tightened,
the spring compresses and exerts increased force upon the
spool.
27. A free-standing exercise device comprising at least one
exercise reel of claim 1.
28. The exercise device of claim 27, wherein the user engagement is
a crossbar for engagement by both hands of the user.
29. An exercise device comprising a platform and at least one
exercise reel comprising an elongated tensioned member connected
between the platform and a user engagement such that the user may
lie or stand upon the platform and perform an upper body exercise
against the resistance of the reel.
30. The exercise reel of claim 1 further comprising a clutch
mechanism to disengage the resistance mechanism during rewinding of
the spool.
31. The exercise reel of claim 30 wherein the clutch is a roller
clutch.
32. The exercise reel of claim 1 further comprising a housing for
enclosing the spool, the rewind mechanism, and resistance
mechanism.
33. A method of exercising comprising using the exercise device of
claim 1.
34. A method of exercising comprising using the exercise device of
claim 12.
35. A method of exercising comprising using the exercise device of
claim 27.
36. An exercise machine for exercising a user, the machine
comprising an upper body exercise component comprising one or more
resistance devices adapted to provide resistance to a forward
swinging motion of an arm of the user while allowing the user's arm
to perform the forward swinging motion in a natural, free-swinging
arm position, the resistance device comprising a elongated tension
member having first and second ends, and a user engagement
connected to the elongated tension member first end, wherein the
user engagement is padded, adjustable, or a combination
thereof.
37. The exercise machine of claim 36 wherein the resistance device
comprises a spool connected to the elongated tension member second
end and on which the elongated tension member is adapted to be
wound, a resistance mechanism for resisting unwinding of the spool,
and a retraction mechanism for automatically rewinding the
spool.
38. The exercise machine of claim 37 wherein the resistance
mechanism comprises a rotatable disk, and first and second calipers
adapted to frictionally engage the rotatable disk.
39. The exercise machine of claim 36 wherein the resistance
mechanism is mounted behind the user.
40. The exercise machine of claim 36 further comprising at least
one user engagement rest positioned in front of the user for
holding the user engagement when not in use by the user.
41. The exercise machine of claim 36, wherein the resistance device
is not located behind the user, the machine further comprising at
least one guide mounted behind the user for directing the elongated
tension member to the user from the resistance device, optionally
in cooperation with one or more other guides.
42. The exercise machine of claim 41, wherein the guide comprises a
roller or pulley.
43. The exercise machine of claim 41, wherein the resistance device
comprises a spring having a first end connected to the exercise
machine and a second end connected to the elongated tension member
second end.
44. The exercise machine of claim 41, wherein the resistance device
comprises a single reel comprising at least one elongated tension
member having a portion engaged by the reel, a first user
engagement adapted for use by a left arm of the user, and a second
user engagement adapted for use by a right arm of the user.
45. The exercise machine of claim 44 wherein the resistance device
comprises a resistance mechanism comprising a knob screw having a
shaft coaxial with the spool and a spring coaxial with the knob
screw shaft and having opposite ends, one end abutting the knob of
the knob screw and the other end abutting the spool such that as
the knob is tightened, the spring compresses and exerts increased
force upon the spool.
46. The exercise machine of claim 36 wherein the resistance
mechanism comprises an elastic member having adjustable
resistance.
47. The exercise machine of claim 46, wherein the elastic member
comprises a portion having an adjustable length subject to tension,
the adjustable resistance effected by adjusting the length of the
portion subject to tension.
48. The exercise machine of claim 46, wherein the elastic member
comprises a plurality of elastic component members, the adjustable
resistance effected by how many elastic component members are
subject to tension.
49. The exercise machine of claim 36, wherein the exercise machine
comprises an aerobic lower-body exercise machine selected from a
group consisting of: treadmills, air walkers/gliders, upright and
recumbent bicycle machines, torso-twisting disks, cross-trainers,
steppers, elliptical exercise machines, cross-country and downhill
ski machines, trampolines, squat machines, rowing machines,
stretching machines, and abdominal machines.
50. The exercise machine of claim 36, wherein the exercise machine
comprises a lower-body exercise machine having a limited foot
support for engaging the exercise machine, in which the foot
support comprises a support area having a length and a width
greater than a length or width of a standard human foot, a raised
peripheral edge, and optionally, a high-traction surface.
51. The exercise machine of claim 50 further comprising a support
structure mounted behind the user for preventing the user from
being pulled backward off of the machine by the resistance supplied
by the one or more resistance devices.
52. The exercise machine of claim 36 further comprising a support
structure mounted behind the user for preventing the user from
being pulled backward off of the machine by the resistance supplied
by the one or more resistance devices.
53. The exercise machine of claim 36, wherein the exercise machine
comprises a lower-body exercise component having a motion and the
one or more resistance devices are independent of the motion of the
lower-body component.
54. The exercise machine of claim 36, wherein the exercise machine
comprises a lower-body exercise component having a motion and the
one or more resistance devices are attached to the lower-body
component and dependent upon the motion of the lower-body
component
55. The exercise machine of claim 36, wherein the user engagement
is adapted for being engaged with an open or loose grip.
56. A method of exercising comprising using the machine of claim
36.
57. A method of exercising comprising a user engaging in total body
exercise, including engaging in upper body exercise by swinging the
user's arms in a natural, multi-planar, free-swinging motion
against a tensile resistance force directed from a point behind the
user and transmitted by an elongated tension member having a user
engagement adapted to be engaged by the user in a manner other than
in a closed grip.
58. The method of claim 57 wherein the engagement is by the user's
hand in an open, loose grip.
59. The method of claim 57, wherein the user engagement is
adjustable, padded, or both.
60. The method of claim 57, wherein the user engagement is a hand
loop.
61. The method of claim 57, wherein the resistance force is created
by an exercise reel comprising a spool connected to one end of the
elongated tension member and on which the elongated tension member
is adapted to be wound; a resistance mechanism for resisting
unwinding of the spool, and a retraction mechanism for
automatically rewinding the spool.
62. The exercise reel of claim 4, wherein the adjustable resistance
mechanism comprises an adjustment mechanism that is remotely
actuatable.
63. The exercise machine of claim 12, wherein the exercise reel
comprises a remotely-actuatable adjustable resistance
mechanism.
64. The exercise machine of claim 63, wherein the
remotely-actuatable adjustable resistance mechanism comprises a
remote actuator mounted on the machine.
65. The exercise machine of claim 63, wherein the
remotely-actuatable adjustable resistance mechanism comprises a
remote actuator mounted on the user engagement.
66. An exercise machine comprising a lower body workout component
and an upper body workout component, the upper body workout
component comprising at least one pole providing resistance to
movement thereof, the pole having freedom to move in multiple
planes.
67. The exercise machine of claim 66, wherein the pole comprises a
ball and socket interface with the machine.
68. The exercise machine of claim 66, wherein the pole is axially
attached to a helical spring that is connected to the machine.
69. The exercise machine of claim 66, wherein the resistance is
adjustable.
70. The exercise machine of claim 69, wherein the pole comprises a
ball and socket interface with the machine and the ball and socket
interface comprises a member for increasing and decreasing radial
pressure on the ball.
71. An aerobic lower body exercise machine comprising an exercise
reel mounted behind the user and adapted to provide a total body
workout by exercising a user's upper body by providing resistance
to a natural, free-swinging forward motion of the user's arm,, the
reel comprising: an elongated tension member having first and
second ends and having a length sufficient to extend from a
mounting point of the reel on the machine to a furthest point of a
user's natural arm swing from the mounting point; a padded,
adjustable loop connected to the elongated tension member first end
for engaging the user's hand, arm, or wrist; a spool connected to
the elongated tension member second end and on which the elongated
tension member is adapted to be wound, sized to hold substantially
all of the elongated tension member length; an adjustable
resistance mechanism for resisting unwinding of the spool, the
resistance mechanism comprising a rotatable disk and a pair of
calipers for engaging the rotatable disk; a roller clutch for
disengaging the resistance mechanism during rewinding of the spool
a coil spring retraction mechanism for automatically rewinding the
spool.
72. A non-treadmill lower body exercise machine comprising at least
one device mounted behind a user of the machine for enabling and
providing resistance to a multi-planar, natural, free-swinging
forward arm motion of the user.
73. A lower body exercise machine comprising at least one device
permanently integrated with the machine and mounted behind a user
of the machine for enabling and providing resistance to a
multi-planar, natural, free-swinging forward arm motion of a
user.
74. A lower body exercise machine that is not a cross-country ski
machine, comprising at least one device mounted on the machine for
enabling and providing resistance to a multi-planar, natural,
free-swinging backward arm motion of the user.
75. A method of exercising comprising using the machine of claim
72.
76. A method of exercising comprising using the machine of claim
73.
77. A method of exercising comprising using the machine of claim
74.
78. The method of claim 33 comprising performing warm-up exercises,
aerobic and/or strength training exercises, or cool-down
exercises.
79. The method of claim 34 comprising performing warm-up exercises,
aerobic and/or strength training exercises, or cool-down
exercises.
80. The method of claim 35 comprising performing warm-up exercises,
aerobic and/or strength training exercises, or cool-down
exercises.
81. The method of claim 56 comprising performing warm-up exercises,
aerobic and/or strength training exercises, or cool-down
exercises.
82. The method of claim 57 comprising performing warm-up exercises,
aerobic and/or strength training exercises, or cool-down
exercises.
83. The method of claim 75 comprising performing warm-up exercises,
aerobic and/or strength training exercises, or cool-down
exercises.
84. The method of claim 76 comprising performing warm-up exercises,
aerobic and/or strength training exercises, or cool-down
exercises.
85. The method of claim 77 comprising performing warm-up exercises,
aerobic and/or strength training exercises, or cool-down exercises.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/259,293, filed on Dec. 29, 2000, and
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to exercise machines, and more
particularly to resistance devices for multiple uses, including for
converting aerobic lower-body exercise machines to total-body
exercise machines by providing an upper body exercise
component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The exercise and fitness industry continues to be an area of
high growth, marked by a proliferation of exercise machines. Among
many of the most popular exercise machines are aerobic leg exercise
machines such as but not limited to treadmills, air
walkers/gliders, upright and recumbent bicycle machines,
torso-twisting disks, cross-trainers, steppers, elliptical exercise
machines, cross-country and downhill ski machines, trampolines,
squat machines, rowing machines, stretching machines, abdominal
machines and the like.
[0004] Many embodiments of these machines have some sort of
handrail, grip, or handlebars for resting the arms, while other
embodiments provide nothing to hold on to, and still other
embodiments have some type of mechanism to enable simultaneous
exercising of the arms and/or upper body. Such mechanisms may
include but are not limited to poles, shafts, or arms that, for
example, move back and forth. Machines with such mechanisms for
exercising both the legs or lower body and arms or upper body are
often referred to as "dual action" or "total body" exercise
machines. In fact, the coined the phrase "total body" and
originated the concept of extending the "total body" idea to
exercise machines beyond cross-country ski machines.
[0005] Dual action or total body machines have a number of
benefits, including offering a more complete total body exercise
including both the arms and/or upper as well as the lower body. The
increased work raises the user's metabolism and heart rates more
quickly than single action machines, and maintains the higher
metabolism and heart rate throughout the workout. Such machines are
therefore more efficient, providing more exercise in less time. The
arm exercise features also strengthen, tone, or shape the arm
muscles during the aerobic workout. The overall safety of machines
with such features is also typically enhanced, as the arm exercise
mechanisms typically provide improved balance to the user as
compared to embodiments without such mechanisms.
[0006] There are, however, a number of disadvantages inherent in
presently available dual action machines. Typically, the upper body
or arm motion provided by such machines is an unnatural motion,
requiring the user to push forward and/or pull backward. For
example, certain cross-country ski machines, have a cable or reel
system for the arms that is mounted in front of the user. The
front-mounted arm system produces an awkward, pull-down/backward
motion on the backswing of the arms. This causes the body to lean
so uncomfortably forward that a separate structure is typically
provided as a stomach/mid-section support.
[0007] Additionally, arm-exercise mechanisms, such as poles, on
existing machines typically require the user's arms to be raised
above the waist during the entire push/pull cycle. The poles or
exercise arms are generally mounted in a fixed position, in front
of the user, often making the user lean forward, straining the
lower back and neck, rather than being in a more comfortable,
upright posture position. Additionally, the poles or exercise arms
typically travel in a fixed arc in a single plane, thus limiting
the range of motion of the arms and upper body to a predetermined
distance traveled and to a single plane of motion that is
unnatural.
[0008] The poles or arms may often be dependent on or tied into the
motion of the leg exercise device. This limits the motion of the
arms or upper body to the motion of the legs or lower body,
typically in a one-for-one cycle. Poles that are dependent upon the
leg motion typically keep moving, even when not engaged by the
exerciser. This creates the safety risk of striking the user. Also,
because the poles or exercise arms keep moving and do not fold
away, the user is basically forced to use them and has no choice of
exercising in a non-dual-action, arms-free mode because the poles
interfere with a natural arm swing. In many machines, the arms or
poles do not fold away or fold down flat for more compact
storage.
[0009] Arm exercise poles or other arm-exercise devices currently
available typically must be held in a closed grip fashion by the
hands, which may cause fatigue, strain or cramping of the hand,
wrist, and/or arm. A closed grip may also have the undesirable
effect of raising blood pressure. Additionally, the act of pushing
a pole forward may put considerable pressure on the palm of the
hand, causing a discomfort in a sensitive pressure point.
[0010] In summary, current dual action exercise machines typically
require arm motion that may be unnatural and/or uncomfortable and
in some circumstances may be unsafe. Additionally, the various arm
exercise mechanisms known in the art are often relatively
expensive. Thus, there is a need in the art for a dual action,
total body, arm exercise mechanism that addresses some or all of
the deficiencies noted above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] One aspect of the invention comprises an exercise reel
comprising an elongated tension member having first and second
ends; a user engagement connected to the elongated tension member
first end for engaging a body appendage; a spool connected to the
elongated tension member second end and on which the elongated
tension member is adapted to be wound; a resistance mechanism for
resisting unwinding of the spool, the resistance mechanism
comprising a rotatable disk and a pair of calipers for engaging the
rotatable disk; and a retraction mechanism for automatically
rewinding the spool. In one embodiment, the retraction mechanism
comprises a coil spring, the reel comprises a mounting connection
for mounting to a surface, and the reel further comprises a roller
clutch to disengage the resistance mechanism during rewinding of
the spool and a housing for enclosing the spool, the rewind
mechanism, and resistance mechanism. The resistance mechanism may
be adjustable. The adjustment mechanism may be remotely actuated
and/or motorized. In a preferred embodiment, the user engagement
comprises a hand loop that is padded, adjustable, or a combination
thereof.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention comprises an exercise
machine, preferably an aerobic lower-body exercise machine
comprising at least one exercise reel for exercising the upper body
as described above. Suitable lower body exercise machines may
include but are not limited to: treadmills, air walkers/gliders,
upright and recumbent bicycle machines, torso-twisting disks,
cross-trainers, steppers, elliptical exercise machines,
cross-country and downhill ski machines, trampolines, squat
machines, rowing machines, stretching machines, abdominal machines
and the like. The exercise reel may comprise a forward-stroke arm
exercise reel positioned behind a user to provide resistance to a
forward swinging motion of an arm of the user while allowing the
user's arm to perform the forward swinging motion in a natural,
free-swinging arm position. For such use, the elongated tension
member may consist of a length sufficient to extend from a mounting
point of the reel on the machine to a furthest point of a user's
arm swing from the mounting point, and the spool is sized to hold
substantially all of the elongated tension member length.
[0013] In one embodiment, the exercise machine may comprise at
least two arm exercise reels, a first reel adapted for use by a
left arm of the user and a second reel adapted for use by a right
arm of the user.
[0014] In some embodiments, the exercise machine may comprise a
support structure, such as a padded support adapted to engage the
back or buttocks of the user, mounted behind the user for
minimizing the possibility of the user being pulled backward off of
the machine by the resistance of the arm exercise reel.
[0015] In another embodiment, the exercise machine may comprise a
single arm exercise reel comprising a first elongated tension
member adapted for use by a left arm of the user, a second
elongated tension member adapted for use by a right arm of the
user, each elongated tension member having a portion engaged by the
reel to provide resistance to the forward swinging motion of each
arm. The first elongated tension member and the second elongated
tension member may comprise portions of a single elongated tension
member and the portion engaged by the reel may comprise a middle
portion of the single elongated tension member. The resistance
mechanism may comprise a knob screw having a shaft coaxial with the
spool and a spring coaxial with the knob screw shaft and having
opposite ends, one end abutting the knob of the knob screw and the
other end abutting the spool such that as the knob is tightened,
the spring compresses and exerts increased force upon the
spool.
[0016] Another aspect of the invention comprises a free-standing
exercise device comprising at least one exercise reel as described
herein. In one free-standing embodiment, the user engagement may
comprise a crossbar for engagement by both hands of the user.
Another embodiment may comprise a platform having at least one
exercise reel comprising an elongated tensioned device strung
between the platform and a user engagement such that the user may
lie or stand upon the platform and perform an upper body exercise
against the resistance of the reel, optimally while simultaneously
performing a lower body exercise such as jumping, running,
kneebends, stretching, and the like.
[0017] Yet another aspect of the invention comprises an exercise
machine for exercising a user, the machine comprising an upper body
exercise component comprising one or more resistance devices
adapted to provide resistance to a forward swinging motion of an
arm of the user while allowing the user's arm to perform the
forward swinging motion in a natural, free-swinging arm position.
The resistance device comprising a elongated tension member having
first and second ends, and a user engagement connected to the
elongated tension member first end, wherein the user engagement is
padded, adjustable, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment,
the resistance device comprises a spool connected to the elongated
tension member second end and on which the elongated tension member
is adapted to be wound, a resistance mechanism for resisting
unwinding of the spool, and a retraction mechanism for
automatically rewinding the spool. In another embodiment, the
resistance mechanism comprises an elastic member having adjustable
resistance.
[0018] The exercise machine may comprise at least one user
engagement rest positioned in front of the user for holding the
user engagement when not in use by the user. The resistance
mechanism may be mounted behind the user, or if the resistance
device is not located behind the user, the machine may further
comprise a guide such as a pulley, roller, or the like mounted
behind the user for directing the elongated tension member to the
user from the resistance device. In such an embodiment, the
resistance device may comprise a spring having a first end
connected to the exercise machine and a second end connected to the
elongated tension member second end. In another such embodiment,
the resistance device may comprise a single reel comprising at
least one elongated tension member having a portion engaged by the
reel, a first user engagement adapted for use by a left arm of the
user, and a second user engagement adapted for use by a right arm
of the user.
[0019] Another aspect of the invention comprises methods of
exercising comprising using any of the devices described herein.
One method of exercising, comprises a user engaging in total body
exercise, including engaging in upper body exercise by swinging the
user's arms in a natural, multi-planar, free-swinging motion
against a tensile resistance force directed from a point behind the
user and transmitted by an elongated tension member, the elongated
tension member having a user engagement that is engaged by means
other than a closed grip, such as in an open, loose grip.
[0020] Yet another aspect of the invention comprises an exercise
machine comprising a lower body workout component and an upper body
workout component, the upper body workout component comprising at
least one pole providing resistance to movement thereof, the pole
having freedom to move in multiple planes. The pole may comprise a
ball and socket interface with the machine, or the pole may be
axially attached to a helical spring that is connected to the
machine. In an ball and socket embodiment wherein the resistance is
adjustable, the ball and socket interface may comprise a member for
increasing and decreasing radial pressure on the ball.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustration of a user on an
exemplary treadmill outfitted with exemplary exercise reels.
[0022] FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustration of a user on a
treadmill similar to that of FIG. 1A but with a single reel
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 1C is a perspective view illustration of a single reel
embodiment similar to that of FIG. 1B but with guides for the
cable.
[0024] FIG. 2A is an exploded plan view illustration of an
exemplary spring-return cable spool mechanism.
[0025] FIG. 2B is perspective view illustration of the partially
assembled exemplary spring-return cable spool mechanism of FIG. 2A,
with the housing shown removed to reveal the inner workings.
[0026] FIG. 3A is an illustration of a hand loop user
engagement.
[0027] FIG. 3B is a plan view illustration of an exemplary
micro-hook/micro-loop adjustable hand loop embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 3C is an illustration of an exemplary adjustable
cable-through-ring hand loop embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 4A is a plan view illustration of an exemplary single
reel embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 4B is a partial cross-section side view illustration of
an exemplary resistance mechanism on the single reel embodiment
shown in FIG. 4A.
[0031] FIG. 5A is an illustration of an exemplary cross-country ski
machine having two forward-stroke exercise reels.
[0032] FIG. 5B is an illustration of an exemplary elliptical
machine having two forward-stroke exercise reels, two
backward-stroke exercise reels, and a support structure.
[0033] FIG. 5C is an illustration of an exemplary trampoline having
two forward-stroke exercise reels and a support structure.
[0034] FIG. 5D is an illustration of an exemplary stepper having
two forward-stroke exercise reels and a support structure.
[0035] FIG. 5E is an illustration of an exemplary exercise bicycle
having two forward-stroke exercise reels.
[0036] FIG. 5F is an illustration of an exemplary rowing machine
having two backward-stroke exercise reels.
[0037] FIG. 5G is an illustration of an exemplary torso-twisting
disk exercise machine having two forward-stroke exercise reels.
[0038] FIG. 5H is an illustration of an exemplary air walker/glider
exercise machine having two forward-stroke exercise reels.
[0039] FIG. 6A is an illustration of an exemplary exercise reel in
a freestanding floor-mounted configuration with a crossbar as a
user engagement.
[0040] FIG. 6B is an illustration of an exemplary exercise reel in
a freestanding wall-mounted configuration with a crossbar as a user
engagement.
[0041] FIG. 6C is an illustration of an exemplary exercise reel in
a freestanding ceiling-mounted configuration with a crossbar as a
user engagement.
[0042] FIG. 6D is an illustration of an exemplary freestanding
platform having two exercise reels mounted thereto for upper body
exercise.
[0043] FIG. 6E is an illustration of an exemplary freestanding
platform having a single-reel exercise reel embodiment mounted
thereto.
[0044] FIG. 6F is an illustration of an exemplary freestanding
platform having a two exercise reels mounted thereto for leg
exercises.
[0045] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary treadmill
embodiment having a plurality of exercise reels mounted
thereon.
[0046] FIG. 8 is a side view of an exemplary treadmill embodiment
having helical spring resistance devices mounted underneath the
treadmill.
[0047] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an exemplary treadmill embodiment
having a single reel mounted to the front thereof, with guides to
direct the cable to a point behind the user.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a partial longitudinal section illustration of an
exemplary pole mounted on a helical spring for mounting to an
exercise machine.
[0049] FIG. 11 is an illustration of an exemplary treadmill having
poles mounted thereon with a ball and socket resistance
mechanism.
[0050] FIG. 12 is an illustration of an exemplary stepper exercise
machine having the resistant units attached to the steps.
[0051] FIG. 13 is an illustration of an exemplary foot surface for
providing enhanced balance for a user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0052] The invention will next be illustrated with reference to the
figures. The figures are intended to be illustrative rather than
limiting and are included herewith to facilitate the explanation of
this invention.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 1A, there is shown a user 14 on an
exercise machine 10, namely a treadmill. Machine 10 has two
resistance units of this invention, namely exercise reels 12,
mounted behind user 14 to be used for exercising the user's arms.
Reels 12 are positioned to enable the natural, free-swinging back
and forth motion of arms 16 of user 14. User 14 swings each arm 16
forward in an upward arc along arrow A, extending from below the
waist or preferably behind the user's body at or to the rear of
point B, and moving alongside to point C in front of the user's
body. Most of the effort is exerted by pulling and lifting the arms
on the upswing (in the direction of arrow A), while letting the
arms swing backward freely on the downswing (opposite the direction
of arrow A).
[0054] One aspect of the invention allows the user to maintain this
natural arm swing motion while exercising, and in so doing provides
a superior exercise workout. Reels 12 may be permanently attached
to exercise machine 10 or may be detachable, and may be used to
retrofit a pre-existing machine. Although mounting the devices
behind the user for use in providing an arm workout is one
preferred embodiment, the resistance devices of this invention may
be placed anywhere on an exercise device in relation to the user,
for use in working-out any portion of the user's body. Although any
number of resistance units may be provided, a preferred embodiment
comprises two resistance units, one for each arm and/or leg.
Although four units may be provided so that both legs and both arms
may be exercised simultaneously, one preferred embodiment comprises
two units that may be adjustable for use with either arms or
legs.
[0055] The resistance units may be permanently affixed to the
machine, or may be detachable and removable. The resistance units
may also be fixed in a particular place on the machine, but are
preferably adjustable in one or more dimensions. For example, as
shown in FIG. 7, each reel 12 may be mounted on a shaft 700, each
shaft pivotable in the direction of arrow Z to provide
adjustability forward and backward relative to the user. Each reel
may also be slidable up and down shaft 700 along arrow Y, such as
on a track, providing vertical adjustability. Although not shown in
FIG. 7, shaft 700 may be jointed to allow pivoting toward and away
from each other, to provide right-to-left adjustability relative to
the user. The arrangement shown in FIG. 7 is merely one example of
how resistance mechanisms can be provided with adjustability in
more than one direction. Any other structural arrangements known in
the art may be used to provide one, two, or three directions of
adjustability (up/down, forward/back, or left/right). Shafts 700
may be provided as part of the original equipment for the exercise
machine, or may comprise a retrofit kit for attaching to existing
exercise machines.
[0056] The resistance units may allow for adjustment in the amount
of resistance, but units that are not adjustable may also be used.
The adjustable resistance may be continuously adjustable within a
certain range, may comprise incremental, stepped, non-continuous
adjustment, or a combination thereof. For example, a kit may be
provided having a first set of resistance devices for providing
continuous adjustment between 1-5 pounds of resistance, and a
second set of resistance devices interchangeable for the first set
for providing continuous adjustment between 5-10 pounds of
resistance. The noted ranges of resistance are merely exemplary,
however, as any range of resistance may be provided.
[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is shown an
exemplary exercise reel 12 in further detail. Reel 12 is depicted
in FIGS. 2A and 2B as a spring-return cable spool reel, but other
types of reels may also be used. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.
2A and 2B, however, cable 217 is attached to cable spool 207 at one
end and comprises user engagement means, such as hand loop 219 on
the opposite end. Although the cable may preferably be a
plastic-coated, twisted-metal cable as is well known in the art,
the term "elongated tension member" may be used herein to
generically refer to any type of cable, line, cord, tubing, band,
strip, rope, chain, string, or other means known in the art
suitable for transmitting tensile resistance to the arm movement of
the user from spool 207. For simplicity, however, the embodiments
described from this point forward are described with respect to a
"cable" (except where specific to other types of tension members),
but it should be understood that any applicable elongated tension
member may be substituted for the cable described in any of these
embodiments.
[0058] Cable 217 may be non-elastic or may have some elasticity.
Cable 217 is preferably just long enough to stretch from the
mounting location of the reel to the furthest point of the user
engagement from the mounting location during a standard arm swing.
Thus, for a reel mounted behind the user, the length corresponds to
the length of a full forward arm swing, and for a reel mounted in
front of the user, the length corresponds to a full backward arm
swing. The spool is preferably sized to just hold substantially all
of the length of the cable. By "substantially all," it is meant the
portion of the cable not including user engagement 219 or any
portion of the cable between the cable thimble 218 and the user
engagement. By "just hold" it is meant that the spool is preferably
not substantially oversized, so as to conserve weight and size and
to minimize cost. Restricting the length of cable and spool
capacity enables a more compact unit than if, for example, the
length of cable were indiscriminately long and the size of the
spool were correspondingly large. For example, previously known
reel devices for use in aquatic training would be unreasonably
bulky for use in the present application.
[0059] In the preferred embodiment, the user engagement is a
comfortable, "hands-free" design that may be in the form of a
padded, soft, non-chafing hand loop 219, such as is shown in FIG.
2B, or any other type of strap or grip that fits around the hand
without requiring a closed grip by the hand. A material such as a
dense foam rubber may provide the padded, soft, and non-chafing
qualities. The user engagement may comprise any of the suitable
mechanisms known in the art for enabling engagement by or
attachment to a portion of the upper body, however, such as but not
limited to handles, grips, bars, wraps, gloves, straps, cuffs, and
the like. In other embodiments, where the exercise reel of this
invention is used for the exercise of other muscles, the user
engagement may be any device for engaging any part of the body,
including the feet or legs, the waist, the torso, the head, the
shoulders, and the like. Thus, although referred to as a "hand
loop" herein, it should be understood that loop 219 may be used for
engagement of other parts of the body. The user engagement may be
permanently attached to or detachable from cable 217. Upper body
user engagements may be designed to be attached to, engaged by, or
held by any portion of the arms, wrists, hands, or fingers of the
user. The user engagement may be securable to the arm or hands by
any mechanism known in the art, such as but not limited to the user
grasping or holding the means, or the means being secured to the
user by any type of fastener such as one or more buckles,
Velcro.RTM. fasteners, snaps, pressure fittings, hooks, loops,
clips, and the like. User engagements for other parts of the body
may be securable to feet, legs, waist torso, head, shoulders, and
the like. The user engagement is preferably padded for comfort,
and/or lined for sweat absorption.
[0060] Although the user engagement may be a member suitable for
gripping by the user, a loop is preferred because it may simply
engage the user's hand 17 in a naturally open position as shown in
FIG. 3A with the loop passing between the user's thumb 19 and
forefinger 20. Loop 219 may also be adjustable for sizing and
comfort, while allowing for a quick release of the hands. For
example, as shown in FIG. 3B, loop 319 comprises a section 302 of
micro-hooks and mating section 304 of micro-loops (or vice versa),
such as a commonly known Velcro.RTM. fastener, that enables the
diameter D of loop 319 to be adjusted. Any number of equivalent
devices for providing adjustability are known in the art and may be
used, however, such as but not limited to snaps, buttons, a
"cable-through-ring" mechanism 419 such as is shown in FIG. 3C with
cable 417 and ring 418, and the like.
[0061] Returning now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, reel 12 further comprises
a split housing having a left component 201 and right component 202
that enclose the moving parts. Shaft end caps 220 are attached to
either end of shaft 205 to keep the assembled housing in place.
Reel 12 also may comprise a swivel mount, such as yoke 203 and
swivel tongue 204, that allows the reel to swivel with respect to
its attachment point to the exercise machine. Although the
yoke/swivel tongue mechanism allows only a single degree of freedom
(pivoting in the either direction along arrow X), the swivel mount
may comprise multiple swivel mechanisms, each of which provides
additional degrees of freedom, or may comprise a single mechanism,
such as a ball-and-socket mechanism that provides multiple degrees
of freedom. Instead of being attached to shaft 205 running through
cable spool 207, the swivel mount may also be attached to one or
both of the housing components 201 or 202. A swivel mounting, in
general, may protect the reel mechanism by reducing stresses on the
reel. In other embodiments, however, the reel may be attached to
the exercise machine, mounting bracket, wall, bench, platform, or
the like, by a non-swiveling mechanism.
[0062] Reel 12 preferably has a retraction mechanism so that cable
217 is wound back on the reel as the user's arm moves backward on
the back swing. As shown in FIG. 2A, an exemplary retraction
mechanism embodiment comprises a retractor spring 206, such as a
coil spring. Other retraction mechanisms may also be used. Spring
206 is loaded as cable 217 is unwound from spool 207 (and also
exerts some resistance) and then automatically springs back to
rewind the cable as the user moves hand loop 219 back below the
waist and behind the body so that it can be pulled forward again to
point C on the upswing to complete a full cycle of the arm swing.
The retraction mechanism also enables reel 12 to retract cable 217
so that cable thimble 218 abuts reel 12 when the reel is not being
engaged by a user, to neatly store the cable when not in use. Cable
thimble 218 prevents too much cable, including hand loop 219, from
being pulled into housing 201 and 202. Opening 230 in the housing
is sized to stop thimble 218 from being drawn inside.
[0063] The cord on the reel mechanism may fully retract up to
thimble 218, providing compact storage. In other embodiments,
holders may be provided forward of the user for resting the user
engagements where they may be readily picked up and put down by the
user. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, console 18 in front of user
14 may comprise wings 20 having upright posts 22 around which the
loops 219 (shown in FIG. 2B) may be optionally placed. So, a user
wanting to discontinue the arm exercise portion of the workout for
a period of time may merely continue exercising his legs while
temporarily putting the loops 219 down on posts 22 where they can
be readily picked up again without discontinuing the leg
workout.
[0064] Although shown in FIG. 2A as a spring 206, the retraction
mechanism on reel 12 may be of any type known in the art, however,
such as but not limited to a spring, weight, or elastic member. The
cable retraction mechanism may even be motorized, if desired. The
retraction mechanism may be adjustable to provide a range of
retraction forces or may be non-adjustable. In the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 1B and described herein later in which a
single reel has a cable with one end used by the user's right arm
and the other end used by the user's left arm, the retraction
mechanism for one arm is powered by the forward stroke of the
opposite arm.
[0065] Reel system 12 also has at least one resistance mechanism.
In some embodiments, the resistance mechanism and retraction
mechanism may be the same or at least a portion of the resistance
mechanism may also comprise at least a portion of the retraction
mechanism. In other embodiments, at least some substantial portion
of the resistance mechanism may be separate from the retraction
mechanism. For example, spring 206 provides some resistance force
as well as the retraction force. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.
2A and 2B, the resistance mechanism additionally comprises a brake
disk 211 and a pair of caliper arms 212 and 213. The element
providing the resistance may be anything known in the art, however,
such as but not limited to a spring; an elastic member, including a
tension band or ring; a weight; a friction brake, including a brake
on a reel or on the cable itself; a pressure pad; a screw; a device
using magnetic, hydraulic, or pneumatic resistance; a bendable
shape memory material such as a composite (i.e. a BOWFLEX.RTM.
rod); or the like.
[0066] The resistance mechanism may be adjustable, such as for
example, by turning caliper adjustment knob 216 which is connected
to shaft 214. Shaft 214 is coaxially mounted within spacer 215 and
has a threaded end that interfaces with threaded portion of left
caliper arm 212 to change the distance between left caliper arm 212
and right caliper arm 213, as shown in FIG. 2A. Shaft 214 protrudes
through housing component 202 via opening 221, allowing adjustment
knob 216 to be accessible without removing the housing.
[0067] The resistance mechanism may also be non-adjustable. For
example, if permanently set to be used for an aerobic workout, the
arm mechanism may be nonadjustable and set to provide less than
about 5 pounds of resistance. If the arm mechanism is designed to
provide a simulation of weight exercise, the arm mechanism may be
adjustable to offer a range of different resistance forces that may
typically exceed 5 pounds. This range of resistance forces may be
infinitely adjustable within the range along a continuum, or the
range may be adjustable stepwise.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the resistance mechanism
typically further comprises a clutch mechanism, such as roller
clutch 210 that disengages from spool clutch hub 208 when spool 207
spins in the direction for retraction of cable 217, and engages it
again when the cable causes the spool to spin in the opposite
direction. The clutch mechanism allows retractor spring 206 to
quickly rewind cable 217 on spool 207 without resistance.
Embodiments without a clutch may also be provided.
[0069] Although shown in FIG. 1A with two reels 12 with independent
cables 217 coming from each reel 12, referring now to FIG. 1B, a
single reel 112 may be shared by both arms. Reel 112, as shown in
greater detail in FIGS. 4A and 4B, may comprise one cable 117a for
one arm and another cable 117b for the other arm, each cable wound
on spool 107 in a different direction. Cables 117a and 117b may be
two distinct cables or may comprise a common cable with its middle
section wound around spool 107. Reel 112 as shown in FIG. 1B may be
mounted so that it can swivel up and down to accommodate users of
different height while assuring that the tension forces on the
cable are perpendicular to the axis of the spool. Referring now to
FIG. 1C, to further facilitate a natural, straight forward and
backward arm motion and to keep the cable from touching the back of
the user's body, the single reel embodiment may further comprise a
set of pulleys or guides 114 which move the origin point of the
resistance force more toward the outside of and behind the
body.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 4B, resistance may be provided in the
single reel embodiment by a spring 110 mounted around shaft 120 of
knob screw 122. As knob screw 122 is screwed downward to advance
threads 123 into nut 126, which abuts one end of spool 107 via
washer 128, knob 124 compresses spring 110 so that the pressure
exerted by the spring on spool 107 increases. FIG. 4B shows only
one exemplary mechanism for providing resistance, however, and
other mechanisms may be used as are known in the art without
limitation. The advantages of a single reel embodiment include the
simplicity of design and the economic benefit of having only a
single reel and cable. Single reel embodiments may limit the motion
of one arm to the opposite motion of the other arm, however, which
in some circumstances may not be desirable. Furthermore, single
reel embodiments can provide only the same resistance for each arm,
and the cable is not fully retractable when not in use.
[0071] Although arm exercise reels 12 are particularly useful for
providing total body workouts for aerobic leg exercise machines,
such as on a cross-country skiing machine 510 as shown in FIG. 5A,
an elliptical machine 520 as shown in FIG. 5B, a trampoline 530 as
shown in FIG. 5C, a stepper 540 as shown in FIG. 5D, an exercise
bike 550 as shown in FIG. 5E, a torso-twisting disk 560 as shown in
FIG. 5G, or an air walker/glider 570 as shown in FIG. 5H, the
invention is not limited thereto. This invention may be used in
conjunction with any type of exercise machine, such as but not
limited to home gyms, strength training machines, upper body
exercise machines, and the like, including specific machines such
as but not limited to treadmills, air walkers/gliders, upright and
recumbent bicycle machines, torso-twisting disks, cross-trainers,
steppers, elliptical exercise machines, cross-country and downhill
ski machines, trampolines, squat machines, rowing machines,
stretching machines, abdominal machines and the like.
[0072] Because of the backward resistance force applied by the
arm-exercise mechanism, in some embodiments it may be desirable to
include one or more attendant structures for facilitating the
invention. Such structures may include a support structure behind
the user, and/or, for devices such as steppers with a limited area
for engaging the foot, an oversized or at least full-sized foot
support. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, foot support 1300 has a
length L and width W greater than the comparative length and width
of a human foot 1302, and optionally further comprises a raised lip
or railing 1304 on the periphery to make it easier for the foot to
stay in the foot support area. The foot support area surface 1306
may optionally comprise a high-traction material.
[0073] Exemplary support structures 60 behind the user are
illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5E, 5G and 5H, and may be provided to
minimize the possibility that a user may lose his or her balance.
The support structure may be designed to support the back or
buttocks of the user, and may be adjustable in one or more
directions, such as up/down, right/left, and forward/back. For
example, as shown in FIG. SD, support 60 may rest on a pole 63 that
pivots forward and backward in the direction of arrow Z, and
support 60 may further be adjustable up and down the pole along
arrow Y. Other mounting means for support 60 may also be used,
however, such as a crossbar behind the user supported by a pair of
posts. Any means for mounting the support may be used, but
optimally should not interfere with the natural, free-swinging arm
motion of the user. In an exemplary exercise bicycle embodiment
550, back support 60 may comprise a back rest that is part of the
seat 62, as shown in FIG. 5E. Support structures may be
particularly desirable for machines where there may be a risk of
imbalance or instability, such as, for example, with an elliptical
machine 520, trampoline 530, stepper 540, torso-twisting disk 560,
or air glider 570, as shown in FIGS. 5B-5D, 5G, and 5H,
respectively, where the user is in a somewhat elevated position
when using the machine. Support structures are not limited to use
only with these machines, however, and may be provided on any
machine, including but not limited to treadmills. Embodiments
without such a support structure may also be provided for any type
of machine.
[0074] The resistance provided by the exercise device is preferably
unidirectional, preferably provided on the forward arm swing as
shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 5A-5E, 5G, 5H, 8, 9, and 12. The
unidirectional resistance allows for two phases of exercise: an
exertion phase (on the foreswing for rear-mounted devices) and a
resting phase (on the backswing for rear-mounted devices). As shown
in FIG. 5F, however, reel 12 may also be used to provide resistance
for backward arm motion, such as for use with a rowing machine 560.
Reels 12 or 112 may be used to provide resistance to forward or
backward arm motion on any exercise machine known in the art.
Although reel 112 is generally known for providing upper body
exercise in conjunction with a cross-country ski machine, it has
not been known for use with other exercise machines. Accordingly,
it is within the scope of this invention to use reel 112 to provide
resistance to forward arm motion when mounted to any exercise
machine and to provide resistance to backward arm motion when
mounted to any exercise machine other than a cross-country ski
machine. Furthermore, the scope of this invention includes the use
of any source of multi-planar (non-pole-type) arm swing resistance
on any lower body exercise machine other than a treadmill or a
cross-country ski machine and the use of any source of multi-planar
(non-pole-type) arm swing resistance permanently integrated with a
treadmill. By "permanently integrated" it is meant that the
arm-swing resistance is not a retrofit unit. Thus, this invention
serves needs and fills gaps currently not addressed by existing
exercise machines on the market.
[0075] A plurality of reels 12 may also be used to provide
bi-directional resistance both on the forward and backward swing.
An exemplary bi-directional resistance design, shown in FIG. 5B,
shows one reel 12a in front of the user and one reel 12b behind the
user for each arm. The user may optionally use both reels 12a and
12b at the same time to provide resistance on the upswing and
backswing, or may only use one reel at a time, to provide
resistance on the upswing or the backswing, depending upon user
preference. Although shown in FIG. 5B with use on an elliptical
machine 520, the bi-directional resistance design is not limited to
use on elliptical machines, nor are elliptical machines limited
only to bi-directional designs.
[0076] Preferably the arm exercise mechanism has at least one
anchor point for each reel 12. The anchor point or points may be
located anywhere, but are preferably located on the exercise
machine itself, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, 5A-5H, 7-9, and 12. The
anchor point may be located on the base or lower frame of the
exercise machine, and preferably to the rear of the user at a
height within a range between and including the user's feet to the
user's hips, as shown, for example, in FIGS 1A-C and 5A-5E, 5G, 5H
and 7. In other embodiments, discussed herein later, the anchor
point for the resistance device may actually be located somewhere
other than behind the user, with guides used for bringing the
cables to the rear of the user. Reels 12 may be detachable or
permanently or semi-permanently anchored. The attachment mechanism
at the anchor point may be a quick-connect mechanism that allows
for reels 12 to be quickly replaced or moved easily from place to
place around the machine, from machine to machine, or from machine
to non-machine or free-standing locations. The attachment mechanism
may also be a standard bolt and nut combination (with washers or
special brackets as needed to adapt to each machine). The
attachment mechanism may be adapted for easy detachment by the
user, or may be intended to remain fixed without routine detachment
by the user.
[0077] Reels 12 may also be used in a free-standing mode. For
example, one or more reels 12 may be mounted to any type of floor
600, wall 610, ceiling 620, pole, bench, or the like in a gym or
home at a desired height to provide an arm and/or leg workout, as
shown in FIGS. 6A-C. Cable 217 may have hand loops 219 as the user
interface as shown and described previously, or may have a crossbar
619 similar to a weight-lifting bar on which weights are typically
mounted.
[0078] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6D a pair of reels
12 may be mounted on a platform 50 on which a user 14 may stand,
with the opposite end comprising any of the user interfaces
described previously. A user standing on platform 50 may thus
approximate a curling or lifting exercise using free weights using
the reel mechanisms of this invention, optionally with a bar (such
as crossbar 619 shown in FIGS. 6A-C). A user lying on his or her
back on platform 50 between reels 12 with a crossbar 619 connected
to the respective cables may approximate a bench press exercise. A
single reel 112 may also be used in a freestanding mode with or
without a platform 50, as shown in FIG. 6E mounted on a platform.
Single reel 112 may be mounted at an angle or on a swivel or cable
guides may be used so that the pulling force is always
perpendicular to the axis of the spool for smooth operation
regardless of the height or position of the user. In one embodiment
(not shown), the platform may be relatively small, with just enough
size for the user to stand on, such that the user typically must
keep one foot down at all times to prevent the platform from
moving. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6D, the platform may
be relatively large and heavy. An advantage of a relatively large,
heavy platform is that the platform does not rely on the user
stepping on it to keep it in place. Thus, the user may run in
place, jump, stretch, perform kneebends, or other lower body
exercises while using a relatively heavy platform. Although some
lower body exercises may be possible in conjunction with upper body
exercise on a lightweight platform, exercises such as jumping and
running in place are not readily facilitated.
[0079] Reel 12 may also be used to exercise other body parts, such
as the legs, in a natural motion. In one embodiment, loop 219 may
be placed around the user's foot or leg, as shown in FIG. 6F and
the user may perform leg lifts with a natural motion. For example,
reels may be connected to a platform 50 and the user may position
himself or herself against a wall 610 for balance. Such exercise
may be beneficial for developing leg muscles above the knee and
muscles in the waist and buttocks, and may further provide an
enhanced aerobic workout. The use of reels for leg exercises is not
limited to freestanding reels as shown in FIG. 6F, however, but may
include reels mounted to exercise machines, benches, poles, walls,
floors, and the like. The uses of the reels of this invention are
not limited to exercising leg and arm muscles, however, as other
muscles may also be exercised, such as muscles in the neck,
midsection, shoulders, waist, and the like. Neck muscles may be
exercised, for example, by using a headband as the user engagement
means.
[0080] Thus, in one aspect, the subject invention solves a number
of the problems associated with present dual action machines in one
simple, compact, economic, easy-to-use mechanism. Embodiments
including placement of the mechanism behind the user allow for a
more natural, free-swinging arm motion and promotes a more natural,
upright body position, which is safer for the user. The natural,
free-swinging motion promotes better overall body coordination
during exercise, as the upper body typically sets the rhythm for
performing the exercise. As compared to pole-type mechanisms, the
present invention provides a more flexible and versatile range of
motion, allowing the user to choose the amount of upswing and
backswing distance most comfortable for him or her and to choose
the plane of motion relative to body most comfortable. Furthermore,
the user may choose between dual action or non-dual action mode,
and in some embodiments, unidirectional or bi-directional
resistance.
[0081] The use of a padded, non-chafing loop for engaging the hand
provides a more comfortable engagement than a grip, exerting less
pressure on the hand or wrist. The loose or open grip of a padded
loop also avoids the undesirably higher blood pressure that,
according to some sources, may be promoted by a closed grip. An
adjustable and/or padded cuff 1210 that merely slips around the
user's wrist, such as shown in FIG. 12 may also be used to avoid
the drawbacks of a closed grip. The hand loop 219 may be used as a
cuff around a user's wrist, if desired. The arm exercise mechanisms
discussed herein, such as reel 12, are relatively inexpensive to
manufacture and are relatively easy and inexpensive to repair or
replace. The mechanisms discussed herein are also lightweight and
are compact for storage.
[0082] Other mechanisms besides reel mechanisms may also be used to
provide total body workouts on lower-body-focused exercise
machines. The use of elastic members for enhancing a workout is
taught generally in U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,305, No. 5,476,431, and No.
5,632,708, incorporated herein by reference. As used herein the
term "elastic member" refers to any type of exercise bands, tubing,
ropes, or cords known in the art that provide resistance to being
stretched, and include any type of materials of construction,
including natural and synthetic materials. Elastic members can also
be made to have an adjustable resistance force. For example, by
shortening the length of the elastic member that is allowed to
stretch, the resistance provided by that member can be increased.
Devices are known in the art to provide such shortening capability
with relative ease of adjustment. One such device for use with
exercise tubing is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,096 to Ponce,
incorporated herein by reference, and another such device is
marketed by Innotrainer of Tanumshede, Sweden, as described
generally with respect to adjusting the distance between handles
for aerobic exercise on www.innotrainer.com, also incorporated
herein by reference. Thus, a pair of adjustment devices may be
mounted to the frame of an exercise device, such as in the position
of reels 12 shown in FIG. 7, and elastic members may be used to
provide the resistance from behind the user.
[0083] Another mechanism for providing adjustable resistance with
elastic members is to use a plurality of elastic members, with the
ability to engage or disengage selected members to increase or
decrease the resistance force. Use of the adjustable and/or padded
user engagements described herein may be particularly advantageous
over standard user engagements typically used with such elastic
members, for all of the reasons discussed herein.
[0084] Although described above with respect to self-contained
resistance mechanisms mounted behind the user, the resistance
mechanism may be mounted elsewhere on the machine and directed to a
point behind the user with rollers, pulleys or guides. For example,
as shown in FIG. 8, the resistance mechanism may comprise an
elastic member or helical spring 800 mounted underneath the
machine, with guides such as rollers or pulleys 802 for directing
the cable to the user. Adjustability of the amount of resistance
may be provided by increasing or decreasing the amount of
pre-stress on the spring or elastic band, such as by shortening the
length of the spring or band allowed to expand as a result of the
workout, or by preloading the spring or band. An exemplary method
of adjusting the preload on a helical spring is shown in FIG. 20 of
U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,649, incorporated herein by reference. The
spring or elastic member may be enclosed in a tube if desired for
aesthetic or safety purposes. Only one helical spring mechanism 800
is shown in FIG. 8, but it should be understood that optimally
there is one spring mechanism for each arm to provide independent
resistance. One embodiment (not shown), however, may comprise a
single spring configured so that each end of the single spring
serves as a spring mechanism for one of the arms.
[0085] As shown in the treadmill embodiment of FIG. 9, a single
reel 112 may also be mounted in front of the user or under the
machine with guides such as pulleys 900 and stays 902 provided for
guiding the cables to a point behind the user to provide an
exercise workout for the natural arm swing of the user.
[0086] When used with a treadmill, the resistance devices of the
present invention provide an increased workout without requiring,
for example, an inclined or motorized treadmill. The resistance
devices of the present invention also enable a natural,
free-swinging motion when walking or running on the treadmill.
Thus, the relatively inexpensive addition of resistance mechanisms
may eliminate the need for more expensive mechanisms, such as
inclines or motors, typically used with treadmills known in the
art. Of course, the resistance mechanisms may also be coupled with
inclined and motorized treadmills for an even greater workout.
[0087] As described herein, one aspect of the invention comprises
an exercise machine for exercising a user, the machine comprising
an upper body exercise component comprising one or more resistance
devices adapted to provide resistance to a forward swinging motion
of an arm of the user while allowing the user's arm to perform the
natural, free-swinging forward motion in a naturally extended arm
position. The resistance device comprises a elongated tension
member having first and second ends and a user engagement connected
to the elongated tension member first end, wherein the user
engagement is padded, adjustable, or a combination thereof.
Although the resistance device is preferably the exercise reel
described herein, or one of the other resistance systems described
above, any resistance device known in the art may be used in
conjunction with such an exercise machine. For example, the
following U.S. patents describe exemplary resistance mechanism, all
of which may be used to provide resistance for the upper body
workout: U.S. Pat. No. 518,967 to Poole; No. 3,929,331 to Beeding;
No. 4,114,875 to Deluty; No. 4,557,480 to Dudley; No. 4,779,866 to
Marshall et al.; No. 5,147,264 to Braathen; No. 5,176,599 to
Beliakov; No. 5,486,149 to Smith et al.; No. 5,618,249 to Marshall;
No. 5,733, 231 to Corn et al.; Nos. 5,876,310 and 6,149,559 to
Mackey, and No. 6,123,649 to Lee et al. This list is not limiting,
however, as a multitude of other resistance devices are known in
the art, and applicable for use as described generally herein.
[0088] Using resistance devices to provide upper body workouts on
machines otherwise designed for lower-body workouts, provides
greater exercise in less time, enabling a total body workout with
more aerobic benefit. The increased exercise provides increased
calorie consumption, as compared to equal time on a machine without
the additional resistance mechanisms, ultimately leading to
increased weight loss for those incorporating exercise into a
weight loss regimen. The resistance devices also provide
strengthening, toning, shaping, and stretching of the muscles using
the devices.
[0089] Although described primarily herein where the resistance
devices are independent from the lower body workout, the upper body
resistance devices may be dependent upon the lower body exercise
device. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, in a stepper-type machine
1200, each resistance unit 12 may be attached to one of the steps
1202 so that the stepping motion and upper body exercise motion are
tied together. The feature of making the upper body exercise
dependent on the lower body exercise may also be extended, as
applicable, to any of the exercise machines discussed herein.
[0090] The resistance devices may be provided as original equipment
on an exercise machine, or provided as retrofit units. Retrofit
units may have components allowing universal or near-universal
attachment to any machines known in the art.
[0091] Reels 12 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B have a manual
resistance adjustment effected by turning knob 216. It should be
understood that the resistance adjustment may also be motorized,
such as with a remote control that activates a motor which turns
shaft 214. Motorized adjustment also enables adjustment of the
resistance "on-the-fly", such as with a remote control integrated
into the user engagement, or provided on the exercise machine, such
as on a panel in front of or beside the user. Thus the user may
increase or decrease the resistance without stopping the exercise.
The remote control may be provided by a knob or push button. For
knob control, turning the knob one direction may increase
resistance whereas turning the knob the other direction may
decrease resistance. In push button embodiments, dual or single
push button control may be provided. In a single button mode, the
adjustment may continuously run through a loop of increasing and
decreasing resistance when the button is depressed, such that the
user need merely hold the button down until the desired resistance
is achieved. In a dual button mode, one button increases resistance
and the other button increases resistance. Mechanical, as opposed
to electrical, on-the-fly adjustment mechanisms may also be
provided.
[0092] Although the devices as described herein for use with
exercise machines have numerous advantages, one of the advantages
is providing freedom of movement in multiple planes, which is
typically not provided by the types of poles typically included for
upper body exercise on lower-body exercise machines. Poles may be
provided, however, that enable this functionality. In one
embodiment, for example as shown in FIG. 10, a pole 1000 may be
mounted axially on a heavy-gauge helical spring 1002 to enable
movement in more than one plane. Resistance adjustment may be
provided by adjusting the length of the portion of the spring
allowed to bend. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 11, pole 1100
may have a ball 1102 at the end that mounts in a socket 1104, with
an adjustable member, such as a compression screw 1106, for
adjusting the radial pressure on the ball for increasing and
decreasing the resistance to movement of the ball within the
socket. In some embodiments, to overcome the disadvantage of
typical pole grips 1108 (shown on pole 1100), a user engagement 219
as described herein may be attached to the poles (illustrated with
respect to right pole 1110), with an elastic or spring member 1112
provided to increase resistance and to provide a retraction
mechanism for the pole on the backswing.
[0093] The various embodiments described herein lend themselves to
novel methods of exercising, including any exercise using the
physical embodiments. A particularly novel exercise method
comprises exercising the upper body with a natural, free-swinging
arm motion, wherein resistance is provided to the arm motion by a
resistance device providing tensioned resistance from a point of
origin behind the user, and the resistance device is engaged by the
user's upper body by means other than a closed grip, for example
engagement by the hand in an open, loose grip such as provided by a
hand loop described herein. The various exercise methods may
comprise combining the upper body exercise with a lower body
exercise, such as provided by any of the exercise machines
discussed herein. The methods of exercise may include performing
warm-up exercises, aerobic and/or strength training exercises, or
cool-down exercises, and preferably may comprise a combination
thereof integrated into an exercise program.
[0094] Although various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be understood that the invention is not limited
to these embodiments, but is capable of numerous modifications of
parts, elements and materials without departing from the
invention.
* * * * *
References