U.S. patent application number 09/949544 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-13 for exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Tornabene, Dean.
Application Number | 20030050156 09/949544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25489221 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030050156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tornabene, Dean |
March 13, 2003 |
Exercise apparatus
Abstract
An exercise apparatus that exercises at least four groups of
muscles is disclosed. The apparatus exercises the hamstring muscle,
the quadriceps muscle, the maximus gluteus muscle and the abdominal
muscle. The apparatus uses a seated position for the person
exercising and incorporates elastomeric tension members to provide
the resistance. The exercise apparatus incorporates a backrest and
a footrest.
Inventors: |
Tornabene, Dean; (Marina Del
Rey, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWARD A KENYON -- PATENT AGENT
19620 SOUTH JEFFREY CIRCLE
CERRITOS
CA
90703
|
Family ID: |
25489221 |
Appl. No.: |
09/949544 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/123 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2023/0411 20130101;
A63B 23/00 20130101; A63B 23/0211 20130101; A63B 21/055 20130101;
A63B 21/0421 20130101; A63B 2208/0228 20130101; A63B 23/04
20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/123 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An exercise apparatus for exercising at least the hamstring
muscle, the quadriceps muscle, the maximus gluteus muscle, and the
abdominal muscle comprising: a padded backrest having a front side
and a back side; a headrest member attached to said backside of
said backrest, said headrest member having a top end and a bottom
end; a circular headrest adjustably attached to said top end of
said backrest member; two handles, one of each side attached to
said bottom end of said headrest member; a circular bar attached to
the back side of said headrest member; two flexible straps having a
top end and a bottom end, said top end being attached to said
circular bar, said bottom end having hand holds attached thereto; a
frame assembly having a front end and a back end, said front end
having a footrest attached and said back end having a cross member
attached, said cross member providing stability; a padded seat
attached to the top of said frame assembly.
2. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said cross
member of said frame assembly has a hinge bracket attached
thereto.
3. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said
bottom end of said headrest member has a hinge bracket attached
thereto.
4. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said
exercise apparatus has a link member, said link member having a
front end and a back end, said front end of said link member being
attached by hinge pin to said hinge bracket, which is further
attached to said headrest member.
5. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said back
end of said link member is attached by a hinge pin to said hinge
bracket which is further attached to said cross member of said
frame assembly.
6. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said frame
assembly has a rod bracket attached thereto, said rod bracket
having a rod there through, said rod having two ends with securing
means on each end of said rod.
7. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said
headrest member has a rod bracket attached thereto, said rod
bracket having a rod there through, said rod having two ends with
securing means on each end of said rod.
8. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said
securing means is a spring biased pin through a hole in said
rod.
9. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 7 where said
securing means is a spring biased pin through a hole in said
rod.
10. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said rod
having an elastomeric attached to each end of said rod, said
elastomeric secured on each end by said securing means.
11. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said rod
having an elastomeric attached to each end of said rod, said
elastomeric secured on each end by said securing means.
12. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said
elastomeric, having a specific tension, can be replaced by an
elastomeric with a different tension depending on the requirements
of the person exercising.
13. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein a person
exercising can sit on said seat, place their back against said
backrest, place their head on said headrest, place their hands on
said two handles, and place their feet on said footrest, said
person exercising when pushing back against said backrest will
cause the person exercising to lift off said seat, causing tension
in the elastomerics and exercise the hamstring muscle, the
quadriceps muscle, and the maximus gluteus muscle of said person
exercising.
14. An exercise apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein a person
exercising can sit on said seat, place their back against said
backrest, place their head on said headrest, place their hands in
said hand holes attached to said flexible straps, said person
exercising can pull said flexible straps which will cause the
person exercising to bend forward which will in turn provide a
tension in said elastomerics thereby providing exercise to the
abdominal muscle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an exercise apparatus and more
particularly the present invention is directed to an exercise
apparatus that will exercise at least four groups of muscles.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Many devices exist for exercising various parts of the body
for commercial and home use. Some of these devices are:
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,016 B1 to Johnson Kuo.
[0006] This exercise apparatus exercises only the abdominal
muscles.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,425 to Gvoich et al.
[0008] This exercise apparatus describes a device where a person
lays on their back and pushes two levers up with their arms.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,741 to Robert Fan.
[0010] This exercise apparatus simulates horse riding and rowing
type exercises.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,013 to W. R. Dofel.
[0012] This exercise device provides a mechanical resistance
assembly which employs a resistant strap which is stretched by use
of a pulley system pulled by the user.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,450 to Steams.
[0014] This exercise machine provides for abdominal exercising.
This machine also allows a chest pod to rotate, which is resisted
by either a viscous fluid resistance or stacked weights.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,287 to Brewer.
[0016] This exercise apparatus employs a resistance that is
experienced by a person exerting a force to pull or push the body
engagement members. The resistance can be varied.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] It is the object of the present invention to provide an
exercise apparatus to exercise four groups of muscles.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to exercise
the abdominal muscles, the hamstring muscles, the maximus gluteus
muscles and the quadriceps muscles.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an exercise apparatus that can be efficiently and economically
manufactured.
[0020] Briefly, in accordance with the present invention there is
provided an exercise apparatus that has a rectangular seat which is
attached to a main rectangular member. The main rectangular member
has fitted therein a rectangular footrest member having a attached
thereto a tee footrest. The rectangular footrest member is
longitudinally adjustable for different torsos sliding in the main
rectangular member. The seat is also adjustable along the main
rectangular member to adjust to different physical dimensions of an
exerciser. The backrest is fastened to a backrest member that has
an adjustable headrest on the upper end. Fastened to the bottom end
of the backrest member are hand holds on each side. The backrest
member is hinged to a link member on one end and the link member is
hinged to an extension of the main rectangular member on the other
end. The main rectangular member is divided into two members,
terminating at a cross member fastened at the end of the two
members. Fastened to the end of two members is a rod extending
outward where one end of an elastomeric fitted on the rod, the
other end of the elastomeric being fastened to a rod extending
outward and attached to each side of the backrest member. Also
attached to the upper side of the back rest member is a rod having
attached thereto two flexible Webs have hand grips on one end to
assist the exercise when performing the various exercises.
[0021] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent upon detail
consideration of the following Description of the Preferred
Embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a front view of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows the present invention configured to provide
abdominal exercises.
[0028] FIG. 7 shows the present invention configured to provide leg
exercises.
[0029] FIG. 8 shows the present invention in a folded position for
storage.
[0030] The nominal features which are believed to be characteristic
of the invention, both as its organization and its method of
operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof,
will be better understood from the following description in
connection with the accompanying drawings in which a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of
example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the
drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only, and
are not intended as a definition of the limits of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Turning now to FIG. 1 there is seen an exercise apparatus
generally shown as 10. The exercise apparatus 10 has a backrest 12
and a seat 14. The backrest 12 and seat 14 are made from a hard
material such as wood or fiberglass covered by foam material and
having an outside cover of waterproof material. The seat is
attached to a main rectangular member 16 and the seat 14 is
adjustable along the main rectangular member 16 to account for
different physical dimensions of an exerciser. The push pin 15, as
seen in FIG. 2 is provided for the longitudinal adjustment of the
seat. The main rectangular member 16 has fitted thereon a
rectangular footrest member (as seen FIG. 2 as 18) having attached
thereto a tee configured footrest 20. The rectangular footrest
member 18 is longitudinally adjustable by sliding inside the main
rectangular member 16. This adjustment allows for various physical
dimensions of the exerciser. The longitudinal adjustments for the
footrest 20 is provided by pushpins 22 in the main rectangular
member 16. The footrest 20 also folds down toward the rectangular
member 16 utilizing a hinge provided by hinge pin 24. FIG. 1 also
shows handles 26 and 28 that the exerciser holds with their hands
when performing the leg exercises. This configuration is more
readily shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 1 shows the extension of the main
rectangular member 16 ending at cross member 30 that is provided
for stability. Attached to the cross member 30 is a link bracket 32
that has pivoting means on one end for link member 34. The pivoting
means is provided by pivot pin 36.
[0032] Turning now to FIG. 2 there is seen a left side view of the
present invention. In this view there is seen the backrest 12
having a backrest member 37 with a headrest member 38 that slides
in backrest member 37. The headrest member 38 has brackets 40
attached thereon and contains a circular padded headrest 42 which
is covered with a waterproof material. The headrest 42 is
adjustable by the headrest member 38 fitting into backrest member
37 and utilizing adjustment means 44. Also seen in this view is
tension member 46. Tension member 46 fits on rods 48 and 50. The
tension member 46 is held on rods 48 and 50 by retaining means
which in this case are push pins 52 and 54. Also seen in FIG. 2 is
a link bracket 35 that has pivoting means on one end for link
member 34. The pivoting means is provided by pivot pin 39. Also in
bracket 35 is locking pin 41. This locking pin 41 prevents the
bracket 12 from rotating past a certain point as the locking pin 41
engages the link member 34 when the exerciser is performing the leg
exercises. This condition is seen in FIG. 7. It should be noted
that the present invention is supplied with a series of tension
members having various tensions that can be fitted to the
requirements of an exerciser. The tension members in the present
invention are elastomerics. FIG. 2 also shows a bar 48 that is
attached to headrest member 38. The flexible straps 52 and 54 are
attached to bar 48.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows the headrest 42 and headrest member 48 with
other exercise apparatus members that are described in FIGS. 1 and
2. FIG. 3 also shows footrest 20, seat 14, handles 26 and 28 and
cross member 30. FIG. 3 shows the flexible straps 52 and 54 that
have hand grips 56 and 58. The hand grips 52 and 58 assist the
exerciser when performing the various exercises, specifically the
abdominal exercises.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a right side view of the present invention. It
is essentially mirror of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 shows the flexible straps 54 and hand grips 58. Also seen in
FIG. 4 is tension member 60 fitted on rods 62 and 64. The tension
member 60 is held on rods 62 and 64 by retaining means 66 and 68
which in this case are push pins.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the present invention. FIG. 5
provides a good view of the two tension members 46 and 60. FIG. 5
also shows that bracket 35 is attached to main rectangular member
16. Bracket 35 also holds rods 50 and 64.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a view showing how the present is used to provide
abdominal exercises. The exerciser sits on seat 14, places the back
on backrest 12, places the feet on footrest 20, places the head on
headrest 42, places the hands on hand grips 56 and 58 (not shown)
and pulls forward with the hands and arms. This provides a
resistance by tension members 46 and 60 (not shown) and the
abdominal muscles are exercised. The exerciser relaxes and the
tension member pulls the exerciser back to the original position.
The exerciser repeats this movement until a complete abdominal
exercise is accomplished.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a view showing how the present invention is used
to provide leg exercises, namely, the hamstring muscles, the
quadriceps muscle and the maximus gluteus muscle. The exerciser
sits on seat 14, places the feet on footrest 20, places the back on
backrest 12, places the head on headrest 42, places the hands on
hand grips 26 and 28 (not shown) and pushes back with the back on
the backrest 12 which lifts the exerciser's rear off the seat 14.
The linking member 34 will rotate upward and locking pin 41 will
present backrest 12 from rotating further since the locking pin 41
engages linking pin 34. This movement will in turn provide a
resistance in tension members 46 and 60 (not shown) and exercise
the leg muscles. The exercises relaxes and the tension members 46
and 60 will allow the exerciser to sit back on seat 14. The
exerciser repeats this movement until a complete leg exercise is
accomplished.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows the present invention in a collapsed position
for storage.
[0039] The present invention includes that contained in the
appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description.
Although, this invention has been described in its
[0040] The present invention includes that contained in the
appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description.
Although, this invention has been described in its preferred form
with a certain degree of particularly, it is understood that the
present disclosure of this preferred form has been made only by way
of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction
and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to
without departing from the spirit and the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *