U.S. patent application number 10/210458 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-26 for removable recumbent seat attachment for exercise device.
Invention is credited to Arroyo, Joe.
Application Number | 20020198082 10/210458 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24851811 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020198082 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arroyo, Joe |
December 26, 2002 |
Removable recumbent seat attachment for exercise device
Abstract
The present invention provides the improvement of a
free-standing base supporting a recumbent seat that may be used
with any of a number of different existing pedal-operated exercise
machines having only upright seats. The base is designed to be
removably attached to the existing exercise machine to avoid
separation during use, the seat being laterally and vertically
adjustable by the user. In an alternative embodiment, the base and
recumbent seat may be integrated into and made part of the
underlying exercise device itself. Optional handles may also be
provided on the recumbent seat.
Inventors: |
Arroyo, Joe; (Fresno,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK D MILLER
KIMBLE, MACMICHAEL & UPTON
5260 NORTH PALM AVENUE
SUITE 221
FRESNO
CA
93704
US
|
Family ID: |
24851811 |
Appl. No.: |
10/210458 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10210458 |
Jul 30, 2002 |
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09709915 |
Nov 7, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/51 ; 482/37;
482/62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/0233 20130101;
A63B 2208/0238 20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B 21/1609
20151001; A63B 2022/0652 20130101; A63B 2022/0647 20130101; A63B
23/03575 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B 22/001 20130101;
A63B 22/0005 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/51 ; 482/62;
482/37 |
International
Class: |
A63B 007/04; A63B
009/00; A63B 022/00; A63B 069/16 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A recumbent seat assembly for use with a stationary exercise
cycle comprising a free standing base for deployment on a planar
surface adjacent to said exercise cycle, said base having an
adjustable upright standard attached thereto and a recumbent seat
adjustably attached to said standard.
2 The assembly of claim 1 wherein said base includes a telescoping
central member to which said upright standard is attached, and
wherein front and rear cross members are attached at opposite ends
of said central member, said central member being laterally
adjustable relative to said cross members.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein a means is provided for
removably attaching said free standing base to said stationary
exercise cycle.
4. In combination, a pedal-operated stationary exercise machine and
a separate recumbent seat assembly comprising a first base for
supporting said exercise machine, said assembly comprising a second
base for supporting an adjustable upright standard, and a recumbent
seat adjustably attached to said standard wherein said second base
is deployed behind and adjacent to said first base so that a user
in said recumbent seat is able to operate the pedals of said
exercise machine.
5 The combination of claim 4 wherein said second base includes
front and rear cross members attached at opposite ends of a
telescoping central member, said central member being laterally
adjustable relative to said cross members.
6 The combination of claim 5 wherein a means is provided for
removably attaching said second base to said first base.
7 An exercise device providing for simultaneous or independent
exercise of arms and legs of a human comprised of: a. a stationary
base made of a sturdy material; b. a first vertically oriented
standard made of sturdy material, the bottom of which is adjustably
attached to said stationary base; c. a rotatable load wheel mounted
on said stationary base with a crank with crank arms operatively
attached to the center of the load wheel and pedals mounted to the
ends of the crank ann for actuation of rotation of said load wheel;
d. a drag strap mounted to said stationary base and around the
outer rim of the load wheel made of sturdy flexible material; e. a
cushioned seat removably attached to said first vertical standard;
f. a second adjustable vertically oriented standard, adjustably
attached to said base said second standard having a stationary
handle attached at the upper end thereof; and g. a separate
recumbent seat assembly comprising a second base for supporting a
third adjustable upright standard, and a recumbent seat adjustably
attached to said third standard wherein said second base is
deployed behind and adjacent to said first base so that a user in
said recumbent seat is able to operate the pedals of said exercise
device.
8. The exercise device of claim 7 wherein said second base includes
a telescoping central member to which said third upright standard
is attached, and wherein front and rear cross members are attached
at opposite ends of said central member, said central member being
laterally adjustable relative to said cross members.
9. The exercise device of claim 8 wherein a means is provided for
removably attaching said second base to said first base.
10. An exercise device according to claim 9 wherein a pair of
slidable vertical members are mounted to said first vertical
standard, a pair of hand grips are attached near the upper end of
said slidable vertical members, and a pair of movable links are
provided between the bottoms of said slidable vertical members and
said rotatable pedals to transmit force from the slidable vertical
members to the load wheel.
11. The exercise device of claim 7 wherein at least on handle is
provided on said recumbent seat.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
09/709,915 filed Nov. 7, 2000 which claims the benefit of
application Ser. No. 09/359,828 filed Jul. 23, 1999 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,155,959) which claims the benefit of application Ser. No.
09/030,638 filed Feb. 25, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,115 issued
on Jul. 27, 1999) which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/039,815 filed on Feb. 26, 1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and
more particularly to a removable recumbent seat attachment for use
with an existing stationary exercise cycle.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Numerous stationary exercise devices are known in the art,
including stationary bicycles, treadmills, rowing machines, and
stair stepping devices to name a few. Stationary cycle devices are
ordinarily outfitted with a single adjustable seat that may be
adjustably positioned such that when the user is seated therein,
the user's arms reach the handle(s) and the user's feet reach the
pedals. Some stationary cycles provide a single upright seat, while
others provide a single recumbent seat. Unfortunately, for those
cycles that provide the single upright seat, it is not possible or
practical to move or adjust the seat into a recumbent position for
exercising the legs for long periods of time. The availability of
only the upright seat adds more strain and fatigue to the user's
lower back during longer workouts, which may lead the user to
shorten the workout thereby reducing the effectiveness of the
exercise machine. It is therefore desirable to provide a recumbent
seat alternative for existing exercise cycles having only an
upright seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention addresses this problem by providing an
adjustable recumbent add-on seat that may be used in conjunction
with a wide variety of upright stationary exercise cycles for use
in exercising the legs over long periods of time. Most ordinary
exercise cycles include a base that is deployed on the floor, the
base supporting a chassis, seat and one or two upright handles. The
chassis ordinarily contains the pedal mechanism for the cycle. The
seat support and handle(s) may be attached either to or through the
chassis, or directly to the base.
[0007] The present invention provides a independent and
free-standing adjustable base that supports a recumbent seat that
is adjustably mounted on a generally vertical standard. The base of
the present invention is designed to be deployed directly behind
and adjacent to an existing exercise cycle. The standard supporting
the recumbent seat may be adjusted laterally relative to its base
to bring the seat support as close to the exercise cycle as
desired. The seat may also be adjusted vertically on the standard
to properly position the seat. Both adjustments are made in order
to allow the user's feet to reach the pedals of the exercise cycle
while seated in the recumbent seat. This allows the user to lean
back and exercise the legs. The base of the recumbent seat is
preferably detachably engaged with the base supporting the cycle to
avoid separation during use. In one embodiment, the recumbent seat
may include a pair of gripping handles which are attached thereto.
In another embodiment, the base for the free-standing recumbent
seat is provided with frictional floor members to prevent movement
of the base during use.
[0008] The present invention also provides a vertically oriented
exercise device for working out both arms and legs simultaneously
or independently. This device may be used with or without the
recumbent seat. In the exercise device, a stationary base (main
base) is provided having an adjustable vertical standard attached
thereto. A rotatable pedal operated load wheel is provided near the
bottom of the standard. Friction drag on the load wheel may be
adjusted to make it easier or more difficult to rotate using the
arms and/or the legs. A cushioned seat is provided for attachment
to the standard at an adjustably convenient central location
thereby allowing the user to comfortably sit thereon while also
reaching the pedals attached to the load wheel. A pair of movable
hand grips are provided near the upper end of the standard to be
held by the user during exercise. Each of the hand grips is
attached to a slidable vertical member, and each such member is
attached through a set of pivoting linkages to the pedals on the
load wheel. These linkages allow force applied to the hand grips to
directly turn the load wheel. Thus, the legs independently, the
arms independently, or both the arms and legs together may be used
to turn the load wheel. As a result, without exiting or changing
anything on the exerciser, the user may shift the emphasis of force
back and forth from the arms to the legs during a given workout.
The user may rest the legs while operating the device using only
the arms, and vice versa.
[0009] In an alternative embodiment of the exercise device, it may
independently or additionally include a second adjustable upright
standard adjustably attached to the main base. This standard
supports a pair of vertically oriented handle members which are
pivotally attached at the top of the standard. A hand grip is
provided at the top of each handle member. The bottom of each
handle member is hingedly attached to one end of a motion
transmission member. The opposite end of each motion transmission
member is attached at the pivot of one of the load wheel pedals.
Thus, as the pedals move around the wheel, oscillating motion is
imparted to each transmission member, and thus to each handle
member. Alternatively, as the handle members are moved back and
forth, the load wheel can be turned. This allows the user to shift
the emphasis of force from the arms to the legs without exiting the
exercise device.
[0010] In another alternative embodiment of the exercise device, it
may independently or additionally include a second adjustable
upright standard adjustably attached to the main base for
supporting a stationary handle.
[0011] In the preferred embodiment, the adjustable recumbent seat
is provided with the exercise device of the present invention on
either (1) a removable independent free-standing base, or (2) on
the same main base as the exercise device itself. This allows the
exercise device to be used as a recumbent exercise machine for
exercising the legs. The recumbent seat also preferably includes a
pair of gripping handles which are attached thereto.
[0012] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to
provide an adjustable recumbent seat and support device that may be
used in conjunction with an existing stationary exercise cycle to
allow the user the option of exercising the legs for long periods
of time from a recumbent position.
[0013] It is a further important object of the present invention to
provide a simple and inexpensive free-standing apparatus for use
with an existing stationary exercise cycle of a type having an
upright seat that allows the user to exercise the legs from a
recumbent position without requiring the purchase of an entirely
new exercise cycle.
[0014] It is a further important object of the present invention to
provide a stationary exercise machine having a pair of vertical
standards, the first standard supporting a pedal operated load
wheel, an adjustable seat, and a pair of slidable hand grips which
are connected to the load wheel through a series of linkages
thereby allowing the load wheel to be rotated by sliding the hand
grips, and the second standard supporting an adjustable recumbent
seat with optional handles attached thereto.
[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
pair of stationary bases, the first base supporting a multiple-use
exercise machine having two vertical standards, one standard
supporting a load wheel, an adjustable seat, and a pair of slidable
vertical members with handles and linkages to the load wheel for
exercising the arms and legs, and the other standard supporting a
set of oscillating handle members connected to the load wheel
through a series of linkages for exercising the arms and legs; the
second base supporting a third standard supporting an adjustable
recumbent seat with optional handles attached thereto.
[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
pair of stationary bases, the first base supporting a multiple-use
exercise machine having two vertical standards, one standard
supporting a load wheel, an adjustable seat, and a pair of slidable
vertical members with handles and linkages to the load wheel for
exercising the arms and legs, and the other standard supporting a
set of stationary handle members; the second base supporting a
third standard supporting an adjustable recumbent seat with
optional handles attached thereto.
[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
single stationary base for supporting a multiple-use exercise
machine having three vertical standards, one standard supporting a
load wheel, an adjustable seat, and a pair of slidable vertical
members with handles and linkages to the load wheel for exercising
the arms and legs; another standard supporting a set of oscillating
handle members connected to the load wheel through a series of
linkages for exercising the arms and legs; and a third standard
supporting an adjustable recumbent seat with optional handles
attached thereto.
[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
single stationary base for supporting a multiple-use exercise
machine having three vertical standards, one standard supporting a
load wheel, an adjustable seat, and a pair of slidable vertical
members with handles and linkages to the load wheel for exercising
the arms and legs; another standard supporting a set of stationary
handle members; and the third standard supporting an adjustable
recumbent seat with optional handles attached thereto.
[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
stationary exercise machine which allows the user to operate the
load wheel using the legs independently, the anms independently, or
both the anms and legs together.
[0020] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
stationary exercise machine which allows the user to shift the
emphasis of force back and forth from the arms to the legs during a
given workout without exiting the machine or changing anything on
it.
[0021] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
stationary exercise machine which allows the user to rest the legs
while operating the device using only the arms.
[0022] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
stationary exercise machine which allows the user to rest the arms
while operating the device using only the legs.
[0023] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
stationary base supporting a load wheel with pedals and an
adjustable seat with handles attached thereto for use as a
recumbent exercise machine for exercising the legs.
[0024] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
pair of stationary bases, one base supporting a load wheel with
pedals and an adjustable seat with handles attached thereto, and
the other base supporting an adjustable recumbent seat for use with
the exercise machine for exercising the legs
[0025] It is another object of the invention to provide an
enjoyable exercise device.
[0026] Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the
detailed descriptions and the claims herein
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention
showing a user resting on the adjustable seat with feet on the
pedals and hands holding the slidable grips.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention showing
internal aspects using phantom lines.
[0029] FIG. 2A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention showing a single base supporting a first standard
for supporting the slidable vertical members, a second standard for
supporting a second set of handles, and a third standard for
supporting a recumbent seat.
[0030] FIG. 2B is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention showing a single base supporting a first standard
for supporting a first seat, a second standard for supporting a set
of handles and linkages, and a third standard for supporting a
recumbent seat.
[0031] FIG. 2C is a side view of another alternative embodiment of
the present invention showing a single base supporting a first
standard for supporting a first seat, a second standard for
supporting a stationary handle means, and a third standard for
supporting a recumbent seat.
[0032] FIG. 2D is a side view of another alternative embodiment of
the present invention showing a combination of two bases, the first
base supporting a first standard and seat, and a second standard
for supporting a handle means, and a second base supporting a third
standard for supporting a recumbent seat.
[0033] FIG. 3 is an opposite side view of FIG. 2 showing internal
aspects using phantom lines.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a cut away view along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a cut away view along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the free-standing base and
seat support of the present invention detachably engaged behind a
typical exercise machine.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the free-standing base and
seat support of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
and referring particularly to FIG. 7, it is seen that the
improvement of the present invention is a free-standing stationary
base 61 having front and back leg members 62 and 63. An upright
standard 64 is attached to base 61. Standard 64 may extend upward
vertically, or may extend upward at an angle such that recumbent
seat 45 leans slightly back. Base 61 supporting seat 45 is
adjustable with respect to front leg 63 in order to allow the
position of standard 64 and associated seat 45 to be adjusted
relative to the front of the assembly. The adjusted position may
then be fixed using an appropriate means such as knob 66 inserted
into the corresponding opening on base 61. Similarly, the vertical
position of seat 45 may be adjusted on standard 64 using an
appropriate means such as knob 67 inserted into the corresponding
opening on standard 64. A single handle or a pair of handles 47 may
optionally be provided on seat 45 for the user to grip with the
hands while exercising. Seat 45 may be of any suitable form, such
as the single unit seat shown in FIG. 2D, or a multi-part seat
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0039] Turning to FIG. 6, it is seen that the free-standing base 61
supporting recumbent seat 45 is designed for placement directly
behind the base 11 of a typical exercise device. Straps, bolts,
clamps or other suitable means 65 may be used to removably attach
the front leg 63 of free-standing base 61 to the back leg 9 (or
other similar support structure) of the exercise device in order to
prevent base 61 from separating from base 11 of the exercise device
during use. Alternatively or in addition to the removable
attachment means 65, a plurality of frictional members 68 may be
provided to prevent slippage of legs 62 and 63 on the support
surface where deployed. Frictional members 68 may be made of any
suitable material such as rubber or plastic, and may be provided
with an appropriate pattern for maximizing frictional contact with
the underlying surface.
[0040] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate different embodiments of the
combination of the recumbent seat with different versions of an
exercise device on a single base. It is to be appreciated that the
recumbent seat 45 may be provided on the same base 11 with any one
of a host of different exercise machines, the illustrations simply
providing some examples of such machines.
[0041] FIGS. 2D and 6 are illustrations of examples of the free
standing version of base 61 with legs 62 and 63 supporting the
recumbent seat 45 deployed with different exercise devices. It is
likewise to be appreciated that the adjustable recumbent seat 45
may be provided on the free-standing base 61 and used with any one
of a host of different exercise devices, the illustrations simply
providing some examples of such devices.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 it is seen that the exercise device
of the present invention includes a support base 11 having a
vertical standard 12 attached thereto. The load wheel 14 is
rotatably attached to standard 12 near the bottom at pivot 13. An
adjustable tension strap 15 is wrapped around wheel 14 and may be
tightened or loosened to adjust friction drag on the load wheel
using adjustment screw 16 on base 11 A pair of pedals 17 (and 17a)
are pivotally attached to the center of wheel 14
[0043] Strap 15 is attached around the outer edge of wheel 14 and
is mounted at either end on base 11. One end of strap 15 is
adjustable at 16 so as to allow different tension (friction) to be
imparted to the wheel. The outer edge of wheel 14 is slidably
(rotatably) attached to the wheel itself so that wheel 14 rotates
inside edge 19.
[0044] A seat 20 is provided which may be adjustably attached to
standard 12 at almost any location using support bar 21.
[0045] A pair of hand grips 41 (and 41a) are provided on the
device. Grips 41 and 41a are attached, respectively, to the upper
portions of slidable vertical members 33 and 33a. The positions of
the hand grips may be adjusted to fit the user. At least two
enclosures or housings 31 are provided along the length of standard
12 which guide, support and retain slidable members 33 and 33a. The
lower ends of slidable members 33 and 33a are pivotally attached,
respectively, to the upper ends of linking members 35 and 35a at
pivots 34 and 34a. The lower ends of linking members 35 and 35a are
pivotally attached, respectively, to the central pivots of pedals
17 and 17a (see FIGS. 2 and 3). This construction allows vertical
force (whether up or down) applied to the hand grips to be
transmitted through members 33 through linkages 34 and 35 to pedals
17 in order to rotate wheel 14.
[0046] Detail of housing 31 is shown in FIG. 4. The housing 31 is
made of two halves that are bolted together to allow firm support
to members 33 while also making access possible for lubrication and
repair A flange 36 is provided at the top of each of members 35 to
provide clearance between member 35 and wheel 14 as shown in FIGS.
1 and 5.
[0047] In the alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C,
it is seen that an adjustable seat 45 is provided on base 11. Seat
45 may be laterally and vertically adjusted by the user for optimum
distance from pedals 17. Optional grip handles 47 may be provided
on seat 45 for the user to hold him/herself in position while
pedaling the load wheel in a recumbent position. Seat 45, handles
47 and load wheel 14 with pedals 17 may be independently or
additionally provided in the exercise device.
[0048] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C also illustrate another alternative or
additional aspect of the exercise device utilizing a second
adjustable vertical standard 51 which supports either a single
handle or hand grip 56 (FIG. 2C) or a pair of elongated oscillating
handle members 54 (FIG. 2B). Standard 51 may be adjusted both
vertically and horizontally to place the handle 56 or handle
members 54 in an optimum position for the user. As shown in FIG.
2B, members 54 are pivotally attached to standard 51 at pivot 53.
Hand grips or handles 55 are provided at the tops of members 54. A
pair of transmission members 58 are provided between the lower ends
of members 54 and pedals 17. This construction allows force applied
to the pedals to move the handle members 54 back and forth, or
force applied to the handle members 54 to rotate the load wheel
14.
[0049] The second vertical standard 51 supporting oscillating
members 54 allows the user to exercise the arms. Thus, this
embodiment may be provided in addition to, or as an alternative to
the arm-exercising upper portion provided on the first standard 12.
When provided as an alternative arm exerciser as shown in FIG. 2B,
or as an alternative arm rest as shown in FIG. 2C, the upper
portion of standard 12 above seat support bar 21 is eliminated, as
are the slidable vertical members 33 and 33a, guides 31 and linking
members 35 and 35a.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] In the preferred embodiment, adjustable recumbent seat 45 is
provided on a free-standing base 61 that may be removably deployed
behind any one of numerous existing exercise machines, including
without limitation the exercise device described herein, as
illustrated in FIG. 6. It is also preferred that a pair of handles
47 be provided with seat 45. However, all of the embodiments may be
combined together in a single exercise device to allow the user
many different alternative exercises without the need for a large
space and/or multiple machines, as shown in FIG. 2A
[0051] All of the following parts should be made of sturdy metal or
other suitable substance: bases 61 and 11, vertical standards 64,
12, and 51, pedal connectors 18, linkages 54, 56 and 58, force
imparting members 33 and 35, and guides 31. Wheel 14 may be
constructed of heavy metal to retain inertia, to withstand the
friction of the tension strap and to transmit heat away from the
friction surface. Ball bearings, or other suitable structures may
be used between wheel 14 and rim 19 thereof. Strap 15 should be
made of metal fabric or other sturdy flexible material designed to
withstand the friction and the heat. Vertical standard 12 should be
at least six feet (6') in height, and seat 20 should be adjustable
to fit along at least a three foot (3') section at the center
thereof.
[0052] In the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 6
and 7, seat 45 should be adjustable back and forth, as well as up
and down, for different sized users so that each user may adjust
the seat for optimum distance from the pedals of the load wheel. It
is to be understood that any suitable frictionally resistant load
wheel 14 may be employed in the present invention.
[0053] It is to be understood that variations and modifications of
the present invention may be made without departing from the scope
thereof. It is also to be understood that the present invention is
not to be limited by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but
only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of
the foregoing specification.
* * * * *