U.S. patent application number 10/313582 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-10 for translational type exercise machine with horizontal free planar motion.
Invention is credited to Read, Richard Allen.
Application Number | 20040110612 10/313582 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32468284 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040110612 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Read, Richard Allen |
June 10, 2004 |
Translational type exercise machine with horizontal free planar
motion
Abstract
A translational exercise machine with horizontal free planar
motion, has a base frame, supporting an optional upper horizontal
frame with seat and backrests supporting the user, and supporting
an intermediate wheeled horizontal frame, supporting an upper
wheeled frame. A vertical frame with horizontal handlebar with
hand/foot grips is provided, which frame is optionally attached to
the upper horizontal frame, or to the upper wheeled horizontal
frame. With hand or foot use of the hand/foot grips, the user can
propel self and wheeled frames in any horizontal motion. Exercise
is caused by acceleration of the user and wheeled frame masses in a
horizontal plane, and by braking assemblies between frames.
Inventors: |
Read, Richard Allen;
(Lansdale, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard A. Read
1080 Anders Road
Lansdale
PA
19446
US
|
Family ID: |
32468284 |
Appl. No.: |
10/313582 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0087 20130101;
A63B 21/068 20130101; A63B 22/0007 20130101; A63B 22/203
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/142 |
International
Class: |
A63B 026/00 |
Claims
What I claim as my invention is:
1. An exercise machine comprising: (a) a base frame; (b) an
intermediate wheeled horizontal frame whereby the user can move
frame in the motion 1 direction, with: (1) brakes provided for
movement resistance; (c) an upper wheeled frame whereby the user
can move frame in the motion 2 direction, with: (1) brakes provided
for movement resistance; (d) a horizontal handlebar, slidingly
attached to vertical posts, facilitating vertical positioning of
said horizontal handlebar frame: (1) said horizontal handlebar
frame comprising a pair of hand/foot grips, which can be adjusted
pivotally about and along said horizontal handlebar frame to suit
hand and foot positioning; (2) whereby the user can move self and
frames in any horizontal motion; (e) an upper horizontal rigid
support frame; (f) a seat and backrest assembly for support of
user, with: (1) a removable section for adjusting brake mechanisms.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention is a companion invention to the
invention I submitted under application Ser. No. 10/073,578, titled
"A translational type exercise machine with horizontal free planar
motion" and application Ser. No. 09/872,619, titled "A riding type
exercise machine with horizontal free planar motion". No other
similar invention was found.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an exercise
machine, and more particularly to a translational type exercise
machine with horizontal free planar motion.
[0003] In recent years the value of staying physically fit has
become universally recognized, and sought after by men and women of
all ages, with a high emphasis on the cardiovascular system. To
this end, a wide variety of exercise equipment has been provided
for use in fitness centers and in homes. Fitness centers, which
have ample space and financial resources, tend to provide a variety
of specialty equipment which concentrate on the exercise of very
specific muscle groups. However, family units have limited space
and financial resources. Consequently, families need an exercise
machine which is space effective and economical, and which: can
exercise the entire body with a minimal number of operations; is
primarily aerobic in nature, but able to provide significant
resistance for anaerobic exercise; is easy to operate and adjust,
and can be operated by any member of the family, including the
disabled; and has no user body impact or other detrimental
affects.
[0004] Many machines which have been invented are either aerobic or
anaerobic. Those machines which are primarily aerobic, such as
cycles: are simple in nature, but tend to involve only the lower
body, have a one directional action (not push/pull), and exercise a
limited number of muscles.
[0005] Machines which are primarily aerobic, but involve the upper
and lower body, such as rowing and riding machines, have a
prescribed motion path, either one direction horizontally, or a
combined vertical motion, and tend to have multiple simultaneous
activities and multiple user body load paths (legs and arms). The
multiple simultaneous activities tend to be difficult to perform.
The multiple user body load paths cause the user to decide which
path to emphasize, reducing the effectiveness of the other
path.
[0006] Both of the above types of aerobic machines operate in a
linear horizontal direction, or combine a vertical motion, but do
not allow transverse motion. Consequently the use of associated
muscle groups is greatly reduced.
[0007] Finally, machines which are primarily anaerobic, are either
multi-functional, or concentrate on one muscle group. Because of
space limitations, only the multi-functional machines are of use in
most family units. While these machines exercise the entire body,
but only one muscle group at a time, they tend to be complex,
spacious, not user friendly to all family members, and not
aerobic.
[0008] Additionally, many of the above machines are complex in
operation, using multiple moving parts, such as cables, pulleys,
weights, stretch bands, and levers.
[0009] Specifically, applicant has developed a translational type
machine with horizontal free planar motion which can exercise the
user's entire lower or upper body, with one machine operation for
each, using a single user body load path; is primarily aerobic in
nature, using variable directional momentum as force resistance,
and is able to provide supplemental user adjusted braking
resistance for both push and pull, aerobic and anaerobic exercise;
is easy to operate and adjust, and can be used by any member of the
family, including the disabled; and has no user body impact or
other detrimental affects. Finally, this machine is simple in
construction, resulting in cost effectiveness.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with the present invention, applicant provides
a translational type exercise machine with horizontal free planar
motion. The apparatus comprises of: a horizontal base frame; an
intermediate wheeled horizontal frame, which rides upon the base
frame, with adjustable brakes to resist longitudinal motion; an
upper wheeled horizontal frame, which rides upon the intermediate
wheeled horizontal frame, with adjustable brakes to resist lateral
motion; a vertical frame, which can be attached to the upper
wheeled horizontal frame, or to the horizontal base frame,
comprised of two vertical channel members, a horizontal handlebar
member which is vertically adjustable, having sliding attachment to
the vertical channel members, and having positionally adjustable
hand/foot grips clamped to the horizontal handlebar; an upper
horizontal rigid frame, which can be attached to the horizontal
base frame, passing over the wheeled horizontal frames; and a seat
and backrest assembly which support the user, which can be attached
to the upper horizontal rigid frame, or to the upper wheeled
horizontal frame.
[0011] It is therefore the object of the present invention to
provide a translational type exercise machine with horizontal free
planar motion, which makes use of the momentum of the user and the
machine frames, to provide a uniform push and pull resistence
throughout the exercise cycle.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
translational type exercise machine with horizontal free planar
motion, which adds a two-directional frame braking system, to cause
additional uniform push and pull resistance throughout the exercise
cycle.
[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a translational type exercise machine with horizontal free planar
motion, which makes use of hand/foot grips, which can be adjusted
to any convenient height or spacing to provide a user selected
variation in the orientation of the user body load path during said
exercise cycle.
[0014] Some of the objects of the invention have been stated, other
objects will become evident as the description proceeds, when taken
in connection with the accompanying drawings described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective of the translational type exercise
machine embodying Configuration No. 1 of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a plan view of Configuration No. 1 of the exercise
machine;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a plan view of Configuration No. 1 of the
horizontal base frame;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view of Configuration No. 1 of the
intermediate wheeled horizontal frame;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a plan view of Configuration No. 1 of the upper
wheeled horizontal frame;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a plan view of Configuration No. 1 of the vertical
handlebar frame;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a plan view of Configuration No. 1 of the upper
horizontal rigid frame which supports the user (seat pad and
backrests not shown);
[0022] FIG. 8 is a side elevation of Configuration No. 1 of the
exercise machine showing the front-to-back translational motion of
the first of the two primary operating modes, upper body
exercise;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a side elevation of Configuration No. 1 of the
exercise machine showing the front-to-back translational motion of
the second of the two primary operating modes, lower body
exercise;
[0024] FIG. 10 s a perspective of the translational type exercise
machine embodying Configuration No. 2 of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a plan view of Configuration No. 2 of the
exercise machine;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a plan view of Configuration No. 2 of the
horizontal base frame;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a plan view of Configuration No. 2 of the
intermediate wheeled horizontal frame;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a plan view of Configuration No. 2 of the upper
wheeled horizontal frame (seat pad and backrests not shown);
[0029] FIG. 15 is a plan view of Configuration No. 2 of the
vertical handlebar frame;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a side elevation of Configuration No. 2 of the
exercise machine showing the front-to-back translational motion of
the first of the two primary operating modes, upper body
exercise;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a side elevation of Configuration No. 2 of the
exercise machine showing the front-to-back translational motion of
the second of the two primary operating modes, lower body
exercise;
[0032] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective of the support wheels for
the wheeled frames;
[0033] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective of the guide wheels for
the intermediate and upper wheeled frames;
[0034] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective of the braking mechanism
for the intermediate and upper wheeled frames;
[0035] FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective of the horizontal
handlebar vertical adjustment clamping mechanism;
[0036] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective of the hand/foot grip on
the horizontal handlebar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 17, the preferred embodiment of
a translational type exercise machine according to the present
invention is shown to comprise a base frame 10, an intermediate
wheeled frame 20, an upper wheeled frame 30, a vertical handlebar
frame 40 with hand/foot grips, a upper horizontal rigid support
frame 50, and a seat and backrest assembly 60.
[0038] Base Frame 10 includes two rails 12 which support, guide,
and assist braking for intermediate wheeled frame 20; two
horizontal members 13 which support horizontal frame 50 or vertical
handlebar frame 40; and support posts 14. Said rails 12 are rigidly
connected at each end to transverse members 13 and vertical posts
14. Said members 13 are rigidly connected at each end to members 12
and vertical posts 14.
[0039] Intermediate Wheeled Frame 20 includes two horizontal rails
22 which support, guide, and assist braking from upper wheeled
frame 30. Said rails 22 are rigidly connected at each end to
horizontal members 23. Intermediate frame 20 includes four vertical
wheel assemblies 24 (FIG. 18) attached to members 23 for riding
along above and below frame 10, rail 12. Intermediate frame 20 also
includes four horizontal wheel assemblies 25 (FIG. 19), which ride
along frame 10, rail 12 in order for frame 20 to maintain its
directional orientation with respect to frame 10. Intermediate
frame 20 further includes two braking clamps 26 (FIG. 20), attached
to member 23, which clamp to frame 10, rail 12, for the purpose of
resisting motion 1 of frame 20.
[0040] Upper Wheeled Frame 30 includes two horizontal members 31,
which are rigidly connected at their ends to two horizontal members
32, which are rigidly connected at their ends to two horizontal
members 33. Upper frame 30 also includes four vertical wheel
assemblies 34 (FIG. 18) attached to members 32 for riding along
above and below frame 20, rail 22. Upper frame 30 also includes
four horizontal wheel assemblies 35 (FIG. 19), attached below
member 31, which ride along frame 20, rail 22, in order for frame
30 to maintain its directional orientation with respect to frame
20. Frame 30 further includes two braking clamps 36 (FIG. 20),
attached to members 32, which clamp to frame 20, rail 22, for the
purpose of resisting motion 2 of frame 30.
[0041] Vertical Handlebar Frame 40 includes two vertical channel
posts 42; a horizontal pipe handlebar member 41 for optional
gripping, which includes two hand/foot grips 45 (FIG. 22) which are
pivotally and longitudinally clamped to member 41; and two diagonal
brackets 43. Said member 41 is slidingly attached at each end to
vertical channel members 42, with clamping devices 44 (FIG. 21).
Said diagonal members 43 are rigidly connected at their upper end
to member 42, for the purpose of supporting and stiffening member
41. Said members 42 and 43 are attached at their lower end to frame
30, member 33, or to frame 10, member 13.
[0042] Upper Horizontal Rigid Support Frame 50 includes two
horizontal members 51 and four horizontal members 52 which rigidly
connect at their ends, and all of which are rigidly supported by
four vertical corner posts 53. Posts 53 are attached at their lower
end to frame 10, members 13.
[0043] Seat and Backrest Assembly 60 is comprised of two fixed seat
pads 61, one removable seat pad 62, and two framed backrests 63.
Removable seat pad 62 is for the purpose of access for adjusting
brake clamps 26 and 36 (FIG. 20). Seat and backrest assembly 60 is
attached on top of upper horizontal rigid support frame 50 or upper
wheeled horizontal frame 30.
[0044] Said Vertical Wheel Assembly 24 and 34, shown in FIG. 18, is
comprised of one vertical plate 61, rigidly attached to frame 20 or
30, which holds two bolted wheels 62, which roll above and below
along frame 10, members 12 or frame 20, members 22, for the purpose
of supporting frames 20 or 30 under a downward or upward loading
conditions.
[0045] Said Horizontal Wheel Assembly 25 and 35, shown in FIG. 19,
is comprised of one bolted wheel 63, attached to frame 20, member
22, or to frame 30, member 31 (FIG. 19), which roll along frame 10,
member 12 or frame 20, member 22, for the purpose of causing frames
20 and 30 to maintain their directional orientation, with respect
to frames 10 and 20 respectively.
[0046] Said Braking Clamp 26 and 36, shown in FIG. 20, is comprised
of a toed-down channel 69, rigidly attached to frame 20, member 23,
or to frame 30, member 32; and two bolts 64 which pivotally connect
two plates 65 to channel 69. Plates 65 are pulled together by knob
bolting device 66, which applies pressure by way of spring 67, for
the purpose of providing a more flexible adjustment. Plate member
65 applies pressure to frame 10, member 12 or to frame 20, member
22 by way of frictional elements 68. The preferred material for
element 68 is hard rubber.
[0047] Said Horizontal Handlebar Vertical Adjustment Clamping
Mechanism 44, shown in FIG. 21, is comprised of one plate 70 along
the face of member 42 and two knob bolts 71, with threaded plates
inside member 42. Tightening of knob bolts 71 causes threaded
plates to clamp to channel member 42, stopping vertical sliding
motion of handlebar 41 with respect to member 42.
[0048] Said Hand/Foot Grip 45, shown in FIG. 22, is comprised of a
steel box 72 with circular cutouts to match member 41; a hand grip
73 which is rotated to cause clamping action against handlebar
member 41, thus restraining pivotal and longitudinal motion of the
hand/foot grips 45 with respect to member 41; and an adjustable,
flexible strap 74, attached to steel box 72, for the purpose of
inserting the users foot for push/pull action.
EXERCISE
[0049] The present invention includes two configurations for
exercise. Configuration No. 1 allows the user to remain stationery
upon the upper horizontal rigid support frame, moving the
horizontal wheeled frames below by way of the vertical handlebar
frame, attached to the upper horizontal wheeled frame.
Configuration No. 2 allows the user to ride upon the upper
horizontal wheeled frame, propelling self and the horizontal
wheeled frames by way of the stationery vertical handlebar frame,
attached to the base frame.
[0050] When horizontal motion of the wheeled frames, and user for
Configuration No. 2, is caused by use of the hand grips, the body
load path is through the hands, arms, shoulders, and upper body,
causing exercise of all muscle groups in these areas. A secondary
effect is in the muscles of the lower body due to stabilization.
The degree of strain is through use of the braking systems, as
determined by the user.
[0051] When horizontal motion of the wheeled frames, and user for
Configuration No. 2, is caused by use of the foot grips, the body
load path is through the feet, legs and hips, causing exercise of
all muscle groups in these areas. A secondary effect is in the
muscles of the upper body due to stabilization. The degree of
strain is through use of the braking systems, as determined by the
user.
ALTERNATIVES AND ENHANCEMENTS
[0052] It will be understood that various details of the invention
may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention;
for example, variations in material, member and element types,
motion resisting devices, and functional conveniences are possible.
It is also noted that, while the present invention is described as
a machine with two-directional planar motion, the machine can be
reduced to a one-directional linear motion by eliminating one
wheeled frame. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the
purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of
limitation, the invention being defined by the claims. The present
invention represents what is considered to be the basic best
configuration for the intended purpose.
* * * * *