U.S. patent application number 09/803566 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-12 for pad for use on an exercise machine.
Invention is credited to LaFountain, Thomas.
Application Number | 20020128132 09/803566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25186861 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020128132 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LaFountain, Thomas |
September 12, 2002 |
Pad for use on an exercise machine
Abstract
The present invention provides a pad for use on a conventional
exercise machine. The pad of the present invention comprises an
elongated foam core having a bar receiving opening formed
longitudinally therethrough and formed in the shape of two
oppositely directed, truncated cones positioned in point to point
relation to one another, and leather, or other durable material,
covering the foam. Alternatively, the pad may be shaped in the form
of two wedges positioned in point to point relation to one another
(e.g., two truncated cones bisected along their longitudinal axes
and positioned in point to point relation to one another).
Inventors: |
LaFountain, Thomas; (New
Hartford, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANCOCK & ESTABROOK, LLP
1500 MONY Tower I
PO Box 4976
Syracuse
NY
13221-4976
US
|
Family ID: |
25186861 |
Appl. No.: |
09/803566 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/142 ;
482/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4011 20151001;
A63B 21/4001 20151001; A63B 21/4017 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/142 ;
482/94 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/06; A63B
026/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pad adapted for use on an exercise machine, comprising: a. a
core having first and second sides, a transverse axis extending
therethrough, and first and second portions that taper uniformly
outwardly from said transverse axis towards said first and second
sides, respectively; and b. a durable material positioned in
covering relation to said core.
2. The pad according to claim 1, wherein said core includes a
longitudinal axis and an opening extending through said pad along
said longitudinal axis.
3. The pad according to claim 1, wherein said core is composed of a
foam material.
4. The pad according to claim 1, further comprising first and
second washers mounted to said first and second sides,
respectively.
5. The pad according to claim 1, wherein said core is shaped in the
form of first and second truncated cones positioned in point to
point relation to one another with said transverse axis extending
through the interface of said first and second truncated cones.
6. The pad according to claim 1, wherein said core is formed in the
shape of first and second truncated cones that have been
longitudinally bisected, and with said transverse axis extending
through the interface of said first and second truncated cones.
7. A method of exercising using a machine equipped with a pad
comprising a core having first and second sides, a transverse axis
extending therethrough, and first and second portions that taper
uniformly outwardly from said transverse axis towards said first
and second sides, respectively, said method comprising the steps
of: a. employing a first force against said pad along a vector that
is co-extensive with said transverse axis; and b. employing a
second force against said first portion of said pad along a vector
that extends at a predetermined, oblique angle to said transverse
axis.
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising, employing a
third force against said second portion of said pad at a
predetermined, oblique angle to said transverse axis.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to mechanical
exercise equipment, and more particularly to multi-functional
exercise equipment that isolates muscle groups.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] Exercise machines used for muscle strengthening and
rehabilitation commonly focus on specific muscle groups, such as a
biceps machine, leg extension machine, abdominal machine, and the
like. While free weight training is quite effective at building
muscle, many users of exercise equipment prefer the balanced and
smooth motion offered by mechanical machines that commonly include
a stack of weights (or some equivalent form of resistance, such as
a spring) that may be lifted via a pad covered bar tethered to the
weight stack by a cable that runs through a pulley mechanism. The
amount of weight to be lifted can be selectively controlled by
inserting a pin under the stack of weights that equal the amount
desired to be lifted. In addition, by the user adjusting the angle
or positioning of his or her body relative to the padded bar,
different parts of the particular muscle group can be isolated on
the machine.
[0005] Although mechanical exercise machines offer a user
flexibility and a targeted muscular workout, they do limit the user
to work on a muscle group in one particular direction of motion.
Moreover, because the bars on these types of machines are covered
with a user engaged pad that is typically cylindrical in shape (or
shaped to contour the particular body part that it is designed to
engage, such as a calf or forearm), the user is limited to movement
in only one direction. This, consequently, limits the extent of
work that can be achieved for a particular muscle group.
[0006] 3. Objects and Advantages
[0007] It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the
present invention to provide a pad for use on conventional exercise
machines that permits a user to alter the angle of resistance
without changing the normal muscle/joint range of motion.
[0008] It is another object and advantage of the present invention
to provide a pad for use on a conventional exercise machine that
permits a user to work on a combination of muscle groups on a
single machine without having to make adjustments to the
machine.
[0009] It is a further object and advantage of the present
invention to provide a pad for use on exercise machines that
decreases ligament stress for increased joint stability.
[0010] It is yet another object and advantage of the present
invention to provide a pad for use on conventional exercise
machines that stimulates joint proprioception for more effective
rehabilitation.
[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the
present invention provides a pad for use on a conventional exercise
machine. The pad of the present invention comprises an elongated
foam core having a bar receiving opening formed longitudinally
therethrough and formed in the shape of two oppositely directed,
truncated cones positioned in point to point relation to one
another, and leather, or other durable material, covering the foam.
Alternatively, the pad may be shaped in the form of two wedges
positioned in point to point relation to one another ( e.g., two
truncated cones bisected along their longitudinal axes and
positioned in point to point relation to one another).
[0013] The pad is adapted to be positioned on any conventional
exercise machine, such as those designed to target the hamstrings,
quadriceps, buttocks, lumbar and thoracic regions, abdominals,
pectoral major, deltoid, biceps, triceps, and cervical
muscle-skeletal groups, among others, the traditional arm that
anchors to a cable attached to the weights through a pulley system
is inserted through the opening of the pad, thereby enabling the
pad able to be retro-fit on pre-existing machines. The user may
then use the machine in the normal manner except that the vector at
which the force is directed can be selectively changed by the user
engaging the pad at a particular angle. For instance, by
positioning a body part at about the middle of the pad and
directing the force along a straight line (e.g., a straight
vector), relative to the direction of motion of the machine, the
user will isolate the same general muscle groups that would be
isolated if using the machine with a conventional pad in place.
However, by directing the force at an angle by engaging the pad
towards one side or the other (i.e., at an angled vector relative
to the direction of movement of the bar), the corresponding outer
portions of the muscle group will be isolated, as opposed to the
general muscle group isolated by using the straight vector.
Accordingly, various groups of muscles may be isolated through use
of the pad.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention will be more fully understood and
appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention
mounted on a conventional leg extension exercise machine;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an elevational view illustrating the present
invention's use in connection with the anterior thigh muscles
(quadriceps);
[0020] FIG. 6 is an elevational view illustrating the present
invention's use in connection with the posterior thigh muscles
(hamstrings);
[0021] FIGS. 7 and 8 are elevational and plan views, respectively,
illustrating the present invention's use in connection with the hip
abductors isolating the gluteal muscles;
[0022] FIGS. 9 and 10 are elevational and plan views, respectively,
illustrating the present invention's use in connection with hip
adductors isolating the medial thigh muscles;
[0023] FIG. 11 is an elevational view illustrating the present
invention's use in connection with hip flexors;
[0024] FIGS. 12 and 13 are elevational and plan views,
respectively, illustrating the present invention's use in
connection with hip extensors isolating the muscles of the
posterior thigh and gluteal regions;
[0025] FIGS. 14 and 15 are elevational and plan views,
respectively, illustrating the present invention's use in
connection with chest flyes isolating the muscles of the pectoralis
major region;
[0026] FIGS. 16 and 17 are elevational and plan views,
respectively, illustrating the present invention's use in
connection with shoulder raises isolating the muscles of the
shoulder and rotator cuff regions;
[0027] FIGS. 18 and 19 are elevational and plan views,
respectively, illustrating the present invention's use in
connection with lateral pull-down isolating the muscles of the
latissmus dorsi region;
[0028] FIGS. 20 and 21 are elevational and plan views,
respectively, illustrating the present invention's use in
connection with a mid to upper back machine isolating the trapezius
muscles;
[0029] FIGS. 22 and 23 are elevational and plan views,
respectively, illustrating the present invention's use in
connection with lower back machines isolating the muscles of the
lumbar and thoracic regions;
[0030] FIGS. 24 and 25 are elevational and plan views,
respectively, illustrating the present invention's use in
connection with abdominal machines isolating the abdominus
muscles;
[0031] FIGS. 26 and 27 are elevational and plan views,
respectively, illustrating the present invention's use in
connection with biceps curl machines isolating the biceps
muscles;
[0032] FIGS. 28 and 29 are elevational and plan views,
respectively, illustrating the present invention's use in
connection with triceps machines isolating the tricep s muscles;
and
[0033] FIG. 30 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in FIG. 1 a
pad, designated generally by reference numeral 10, mounted to a
conventional exercise machine, designated generally by reference
numeral 12. Exercise machine 12 comprises a frame 14 on which a
plurality of individual weights 16 are stacked. A cable 18 is
attached at one end to weights 16 and is run through a pulley
system 20 before terminating at a bar 22. A pair of pads 10 are
mounted on rods 24 attached to bar 22 and are adapted to be engaged
by a body part of the user of machine 12 (in the case of machine
12, the body part would be the feet of the user). The user may sit
or lay on a bench 26 operably positioned on frame 14 and which may
be adjusted via a telescoping rod 28 and pin 30 to alter the
precise muscle being focused on by the exercise. Exercise machine
12 is illustrated as being a conventional leg extension machine
used to target the anterior thigh (quadriceps) muscles, it should
be understood that pad 10 may be incorporated into any conventional
exercise machine, as will be explained in greater detail
hereinafter.
[0035] Pad 10 comprises a conventional foam core and leather, vinyl
or other durable material in covering relation to the foam core.
The foam core of pad 10 is symmetrically shaped about its
transverse axis A-A (see FIG. 4) in the form of opposing truncated
cone portions 32 and 34 positioned in point to point relation to
one another, and includes an opening 36 formed entirely
therethrough along its longitudinal axis B-B (see FIG. 4). Opening
36 may be reinforced with a metal or plastic washer 38 attached to
the side of pad 10 in circumferentially surrounding relation to
opening 36. Cone portions 32 and 34 each taper uniformly outwardly
from axis A-A (i.e., at a predetermined angle) towards the side
edges of pad 10, thereby creating an exercise pad that provides its
user with the option of altering the angle at which
force/resistance is applied to the machine.
[0036] Pad 10 is mounted to exercise machine 12 by inserting rod 24
fully through opening 36. In this manner, pad 10 may be retrofit
onto existing exercise machines or installed as original equipment
on an exercise machine.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 30, an alternate embodiment of a pad 100
is illustrated. Pad 100 is of the same material composition as pad
10, but is shaped in the form of two opposing truncated cone
portions 102 and 104 positioned in point to point relation to one
another that have been bisected along their longitudinal axes.
Opposing cone (or semi-cone) portions 102 and 104 taper uniformly
outwardly from a transverse axis C-C towards the respective side
edges of pad 100. A channel 106 is formed along the entire length
of the rigid rear surface 108 of pad 100 which provides the opening
110 through which a rod, such as rod 24, may be inserted in order
to mount pad 100 to an exercise machine. Pad 100 may be used on an
exercise machine, such as a neck machine, that may not facilitate
attachment of the larger pad 10, but will offer the same exercise
benefits as pad 10.
[0038] The use and benefits of pad 10 will be explained hereinafter
with specific examples being made to particular muscle groups that
may be targeted using pad 10. It should be understood that the
following descriptions are for example purposes only and are not
meant to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims. For purposes of consistency and understanding,
reference numerals 200, 300, and 400 will be used exclusively
hereinafter to designate vector forces directed along transverse
axis A-A, a predetermined, oblique angle to one side of axis A-A,
and a predetermined, oblique angle to the other side of axis A-A,
respectively. Vectors 200, 300, and 400 represent the
force/resistance applied by a user to pad 10 (or 100) in order to
isolate a particular muscle group.
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates use of pad 10 on a leg extension machine
which isolates the anterior thigh, or quadriceps, muscles. If the
user directs the force/resistance along vector 200, the general
quadriceps (rectus femoris dominant) muscles 202 will be isolated.
If the user directs the force/resistance along vector 300, the
vastus lateralis dominant muscles 302 will be isolated, and if the
user directs the force/resistance along vector 400, the vastus
medialis dominant muscle will be isolated.
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates use of pad 10 on a leg curl machine that
isolates the posterior thigh muscles, or hamstrings. If the user
directs the force/resistance along vector 200, the general
hamstring 204 will be isolated. If the user directs the
force/resistance along vector 300, the lateral hamstring 304 will
be isolated, and if the user directs the force/resistance along
vector 400, the medial hamstring 404 will be isolated.
[0041] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate use of pad 10 on a hip abductor
machine. If the user directs the force/resistance along vector 200,
the general hip and gluteal muscle group will be isolated. If the
user directs the force/resistance along vector 400, the hip
abductors with gluteas medius, gluteas minimus, and tensor fascia
lata are isolated. If the user directs the force/resistance along
vector 300, the hip abductors with dominant piriformis, obturator
internus, superior-inferior gemellus is isolated.
[0042] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate use of pad 10 on a hip adductor
machine that isolates the medial thigh muscles. If the user directs
the force/resistance along vector 200, the general abductors are
isolated. If the user directs the force/resistance along vector
400, the gracilus dominant muscles are isolated. If the user
directs the force/resistance along vector 300, the pectineus,
abductor longus, adductor brevis dominant muscle groups are
isolated.
[0043] FIG. 11 illustrates use of pad 10 on a hip flexor machine
that isolates the anterior thigh and pelvic muscle groups. If the
user directs the force/resistance along vector 200, the general hip
flexors will be isolated. If the user directs the force/resistance
along vector 300, the adductor muscle dominant will be isolated,
and if the user directs the force/resistance along vector 400, the
sartorius, iliopsoas dominant group will be isolated.
[0044] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate use of pad 10 on a hip extensors
machine that isolates the muscles of the posterior thigh and
gluteal regions. If the user directs the force/resistance along
vector 200, the general hip extensors will be isolated. If the user
directs the force/resistance along vector 300 the biceps femoris
dominant, and lateral rotation component to gluteas maximus will be
isolated, and if the user directs the force/resistance along vector
400, the semintendinosus, semimembranosus dominant groups are
isolated.
[0045] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate use of pad 10 on a chest fly
machine which isolates the pectoral muscles. If the user directs
the force/resistance along vector 200, the general pectoralis major
(sternocostal part) is isolated. If the user directs the
force/resistance along vector 300, the abdominal part--dominant--of
the pectorals is isolated, and if the user directs the
force/resistance along vector 400, the clavicular
part--dominant--of the pectorals is isolated.
[0046] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate use of pad 10 on a shoulder
(lateral raise) machine which isolates the muscles of the shoulder
and rotator cuff. If the user directs the force/resistance along
vector 200, the general abduction muscles (deltoid, supraspinatus)
are isolated. If the user directs the force/resistance along vector
300, the anterior deltoid, subscapularis, and teres major dominant
muscle groups are isolated, and if the user directs the
force/resistance along vector 400 the posterior deltoid,
infraspinatus, and teres minor dominant muscle groups are
isolated.
[0047] FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate use of pad 10 on a pull-down
machine that isolates the latisimus dorsi muscles. If the user
directs the force/resistance along vector 200, the general
latisimus dorsi muscle group is isolated. If the user directs the
force/resistance along vector 300, the adduction--internal rotation
dominant part of that muscle group is isolated, and If the user
directs the force/resistance along vector 400 the
adduction--external rotation dominant part of that muscle group is
isolated.
[0048] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate use of pad 10 on a mid to upper
back machine that isolates the trapezius muscles. If the user
directs the force/resistance along vector 200, the general scapular
retraction (mid-trapezius) posterior deltoid muscle group is
isolated. If the user directs the force/resistance along vector
300, the humeral external rotation, shoulder/scapular elevation
dominant (upper trapezius, levatur, infraspinatus, teres minor)
muscle groups are isolated, and If the user directs the
force/resistance along vector 400, the humeral internal rotation,
shoulder/scapular depression dominant (lower trapezius, teres
major, subscapuline) muscle groups are isolated.
[0049] FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate use of pad 10 on a lower back
machine. If the user directs the force/resistance along vector 200,
the general lumbar/thoracic extensor muscles are isolated. If the
user directs the force/resistance along vector 300, the right
lumbar/thoracic extensors are isolated, and if the user directs the
force/resistance along vector 400, the left lumbar/thoracic
extensors are isolated.
[0050] FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate use of pad 10 on an abdominal
machine. If the user directs the force/resistance along vector 200,
the rectus abdominis muscles are isolated. If the user directs the
force/resistance along vector 300, the left external/internal
oblique dominant muscle groups are isolated, and if the user
directs the force/resistance along vector 400, the right
external/internal oblique dominant muscle groups are isolated.
[0051] FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate use of pad 10 on an arm curl
machine that isolate the biceps muscles. If the user directs the
force/resistance along vector 200, the general biceps/brachialis
muscles are isolated. If the user directs the force/resistance
along vector 300, the short head of the biceps and coracobrachialis
muscles are isolated, and if the user directs the force/resistance
along vector 400, the long head of the biceps-dominant muscles are
isolated.
[0052] FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate use of pad 10 on a triceps
machine (illustrated for use by the left arm). If the user directs
the force/resistance along vector 200, the general triceps muscle
is isolated. If the user directs the force/resistance along vector
300, the lateral head of the triceps dominant muscle is isolated,
and If the user directs the force/resistance along vector 400, the
long head/medial head of the triceps dominant muscles are
isolated.
[0053] In use, a user may use pad 10(or 100) to synergistically
work a variety of muscle groups on a single machine by performing
repetitions at a combination of vectors 200, 300, or 400, or using
a combination of the vectors in a single repetition. This will
enhance rehabilitation of a muscle group and fosters low grade, yet
safe ligament stress for improved joint stability.
[0054] Again, it should be noted that pads 10 and 100 of the
present invention may be used on any existing type of exercise
machine or future machines that use a pad as a user interface. In
addition, pads 10 and 100 may be of any size. The scope and spirit
of the present invention should not be limited by the details of
the present description, but instead should extend to the extent
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *