U.S. patent application number 09/849142 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-07 for adjustable exercise bench.
Invention is credited to Wu, Jack.
Application Number | 20020165071 09/849142 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25305164 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020165071 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu, Jack |
November 7, 2002 |
Adjustable exercise Bench
Abstract
An adjustable bench has a bottom frame and a top frame
adjustable with respect to the bottom frame. The top frame has
three different positions provided to the user to exercise the
user's spine or for relaxation. Furthermore, the adjustable bench
is foldable for storage.
Inventors: |
Wu, Jack; (Taipei,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DELLETT AND WALTERS
310 S.W. FOURTH AVENUE
SUITE 1101
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
25305164 |
Appl. No.: |
09/849142 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 26/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/142 |
International
Class: |
A63B 026/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable exercise bench comprising: a U-shaped head frame
with tapered distal ends and having a stop formed on opposite sides
of the head frame; a U-shaped foot frame with tapered distal ends
pivotally connected to tapered distal ends of the head frame by
means of a control device and having a key formed on opposite sides
of the foot frame; a mediate frame selectively engaged with the
stop on the head frame and having a first frame pivotally extending
upward with respect to the mediate frame to pivotally yet securely
connect with the head frame and a second frame pivotally yet
securely connected with the mediate frame; a first locking device
provided at distal ends of the mediate frame to correspond to the
key on the foot frame so as to secure the engagement between the
distal ends of the mediate frame and the foot frame; and a second
locking device provided on the mediate frame to correspond to the
stop on the head frame so as to selectively secure the relative
position of the head frame to the mediate frame.
2. The adjustable exercise bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
control device comprises two disks separated from each other, a
shaft extending through tapered distal ends of the head frame and
the foot frame and a block formed between the two disks to stop
further pivotal movement between the head frame and the foot
frame.
3. The adjustable exercise bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first locking device comprises a connection plate securely engaged
at the distal end of the mediate frame with a keyway defined in the
connection plate, wherein the keyway is configured to mate with the
key to allow the key to be slidably received in the keyway.
4. The adjustable exercise bench as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
first locking device comprises a connection plate securely engaged
at the distal end of the mediate frame with a keyway defined in the
connection plate, wherein the keyway is configured to mate with the
key to allow the key to be slidably received in the keyway.
5. The adjustable exercise bench as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
second locking device comprises a support rod pivotally extending
out from the mediate frame and having a top extension and a bottom
extension separated from the top extension so as to receive the
stop on the head frame, wherein the bottom extension has a
ball-spring combination so as to detachably retain the stop between
the top and bottom extensions.
6. The adjustable exercise bench as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
second locking device comprises a support rod pivotally extending
out from the mediate frame and having a top extension and a bottom
extension separated from the top extension so as to receive the
stop on the head frame, wherein the bottom extension has a
ball-spring combination so as to detachably retain the stop between
the top and bottom extensions.
7. The adjustable exercise bench as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
second locking device comprises a support rod pivotally extending
out from the mediate frame and having a top extension and a bottom
extension separated from the top extension so as to receive the
stop on the head frame, wherein the bottom extension has a
ball-spring combination so as to detachably retain the stop between
the top and bottom extensions.
8. The adjustable exercise bench as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
second locking device comprises a support rod pivotally extending
out from the mediate frame and having a top extension and a bottom
extension separated from the top extension so as to receive the
stop on the head frame, wherein the bottom extension has a
ball-spring combination so as to detachably retain the stop between
the top and bottom extensions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an exercise bench, and more
particularly to an adjustable exercise bench that has a bottom
frame and a top frame adjustable with respect to the bottom frame.
A user lying on the bench is able to exercise in different
positions based on the configuration of the top frame.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] With more and more people working in offices for long
periods of time, the so-called "civilization illness" afflicting
the human body, especially the spine, has become more common place.
When people work with computers, they often maintain a particular,
unnatural posture for hours, which puts a great deal of stress on
the spine. The virtual constant application of these unnatural
stresses causes all kinds of bone and nerve damage that affect
human health. A solution to the deterioration of health is regular
exercise. However, many people do not like to exercise. An
alternate solution is thus necessary for those who spend a lot of
time indoors and do not like to exercise.
[0005] The present invention provides an improved adjustable
exercise bench to mitigate and obviate the aforementioned
problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The primary objective of the invention is to provide an
adjustable exercise bench to allow a user to lie on the bench and
exercise in a good posture, especially with regard to the
spine.
[0007] Another objective of the invention is to provide a foldable
exercise bench, such that the exercise bench occupies only a small
space for storage.
[0008] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable exercise
bench in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the mechanism
between the top frame and the support rod of the adjustable
exercise bench in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side plan view showing relationship between the
top frame and the support rod of the adjustable exercise bench in
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the mechanism
between the bottom frame and the foot frame of the adjustable
exercise bench in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the mechanism
between the head frame and the foot frame of the adjustable
exercise bench in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the exercise bench in FIG. 1
in a level position;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a side plan view of the exercise bench in FIG. 1
in a reversed V shape;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side plan view of the e exercise bench in FIG. 1
in a V shape; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the exercise bench in FIG. 1
folded for storage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the adjustable exercise
bench in accordance with the present invention has a top frame and
a bottom frame.
[0019] The top frame is composed of a head frame (20) and a foot
frame (30). Both the head frame (20) and the foot frame (30) are U
shaped and are pivotally connected to each other by means of a
control device (40) at respective tapered distal ends of the head
and foot frames (20, 30). The head frame (20) has a stop (21)
formed on opposite sides of the head frame (20). The foot frame
(30) has a key (31) (shown in FIG. 4) formed on opposite sides of
the foot frame (30).
[0020] The bottom frame is composed of a U-shaped mediate frame
(11), a first frame (12) and a second frame (13). The first frame
(12) is pivotally connected to the mediate frame (11) and the head
frame (20). The second frame (13) is pivotally connected to the
mediate frame (11). A support rod (50) is pivotally connected to
the mediate frame (11) and has a distal end and a proximal end.
With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a second locking device
comprises, for example, a top extension (51) and a bottom extension
(52). The top extension (51) and the bottom extension (52) extend
perpendicular from the support rod (50) near the distal end of the
support rod (50). The top and bottom extensions (51, 52) have a
proximal end and a distal end and are parallel and separated from
each other. A ball-spring combination (53) is mounted in the bottom
extension (52). The distance between the top and bottom extensions
(51, 52) is adapted to receive the stop (21). When the stop (21) is
received between the top and bottom extensions (51, 52), movement
of the stop (21) is limited by the ball-spring combination (53).
Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 4, distal ends of the mediate
frame (11) each has a first locking device including a connection
plate (15) with a keyway (16) defined in the connection plate (15)
and configured to mate with the key (31) on the foot frame (30).
Therefore, when the stop (21) is securely received between the top
and bottom extensions (51, 52) and the key (31) is slidably
received in the keyway (16) in the connection plate (15) on the
mediate frame (11) to allow pivotal movement between the foot frame
(30) and the mediate frame (11), the exercise bench is held in a
level (horizontal) position, as shown in FIG. 1 and 6, and a user
is able to lie on the exercise bench for relaxation.
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the control device
(40) has two disks (41), a shaft (42) and a block (43). The disks
(41) are separated from each other. The shaft (42) extends through
the two disks (41) and tapered distal ends of the head frame (20)
and the foot frame (30). The block (43) is formed between the two
disks (41). When the stop (21) is released from the ball-spring
combination (53), the support rod (50) pivots and engages with the
mediate frame (11). Meanwhile, if the key (31) leaves the keyway
(16) in the connection plate (15), the head frame (20) and the foot
frame (30) are able to freely pivot with regard to each other. With
reference to FIG. 7, when the head frame (20) and the foot frame
(30) pivot to form a reversed V shape, the block (43) engages with
both the head frame (20) and the foot frame (30) to stop further
pivotal movement between the head frame (20) and the foot frame
(30). Accordingly, the user is able to lie on the exercise bench to
work on the spine.
[0022] When the head frame (20) and the foot frame (30) pivot
toward the mediate frame (11) to form a V shape, the stop (21)
engages the periphery of the mediate frame (11) to stop further
pivotal movement such that the head frame (20) and the foot frame
(30) are held in position to exercise the user's spine.
[0023] Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 9, when the adjustable
exercise bench is to be put away for storage, the user only needs
to disengage the key (31) from the keyway (16), then the entire
exercise bench is able to be folded. Thus, the size of the folded
exercise bench is compact and occupies only a small space, which is
quite important in crowded metropolitan areas.
[0024] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is
illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the
principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the
broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are
expressed.
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