U.S. patent application number 10/351190 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for exercise device.
Invention is credited to Duvernay, Daniel J., Itrich, David J..
Application Number | 20040147379 10/351190 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32735750 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040147379 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Itrich, David J. ; et
al. |
July 29, 2004 |
Exercise device
Abstract
An exercise device for lower and upper body exercising. The
exercise device is configured for lower and upper body exercising.
The exercise device includes a pair of connecting rods. The
connecting rods are movable and restrained by a resistance element
for exercising.
Inventors: |
Itrich, David J.; (Marine
City, MI) ; Duvernay, Daniel J.; (Marine City,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER
TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Family ID: |
32735750 |
Appl. No.: |
10/351190 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/126 ;
482/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20130101;
A63B 23/0355 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/126 ;
482/121 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A exercise device, the device comprising: an elongated pivot; at
least one connecting rod having a first connecting end and a second
connecting end, wherein the first connecting end is operatively
connected to the pivot for rotating around the pivot and a user can
apply force to the second connecting end for causing the first
connecting end to rotate around the pivot; a resistive element for
resisting the rotation of the connecting rod; and a first support
and a second support for supporting the pivot, wherein the first
support is sufficiently positioned on a first side of the pivot and
the second support is sufficiently positioned opposite the first
support on a second side of the pivot to substantially project the
applied force between the first support and the second support to
prevent the exercise device from tipping over.
2. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the first support and the
second support are spaced apart by a support spacing distance and
wherein a length from the first connecting end to the second
connecting end defines a connecting rod length, wherein the support
spacing distance is sufficiently proportional to the connecting rod
length to prevent the exercise device from tipping over.
3. The exercise device of claim 3 wherein a connecting rod angle
.alpha. represents the angular rotation of the connecting rod
rotates around the pivot and wherein a force angle .theta.
represents the angle of the force applied to the second connecting
end and wherein a perpendicular distance P represents the
perpendicular distance of the force applied to the second
connecting end relative to the first support, wherein the support
spacing distance is sufficiently proportional to the connecting rod
angle .alpha. the force angle .theta. and the perpendicular
distance to preventing the exercise device from tipping over.
4. The exercise device of claim 4 wherein the support spacing
distance is determined according to the following equation: 3 cos -
P D > 0wherein D is the support spacing distance, .theta. is the
force angle, .alpha. is the connecting rod angle, and P is the
perpendicular distance.
5. The exercise device of claim 4 wherein the connecting rod length
and the support spacing distance are sufficiently sized for
operation of the exercise device in a compact area.
6. An exercise device for exercising in a compact area, the
exercise device comprising: a three dimensional housing defining an
interior cavity; a pivot supported within the housing; two
separately moveable connecting rods covered by the housing and
connected to the pivot for rotating around the pivot; a handle bar
connected to each connecting rod and extending beyond the housing
for a user to apply force to the connecting rod for separately
rotating each connecting rod around the pivot; a resistive element
connected to each connecting rod for resisting rotation of the
connecting rod; and a pair of supports connected to the
housing.
7. The exercise device of claim 6 wherein the housing includes an
angular track that corresponds with the rotational movement of the
handle bars.
8. The exercise device of claim 6 further comprising a coating over
each support for preventing the exercise device from skidding.
9. The exercise device of claim 6 wherein the resistive element is
a number of rubber bands.
10. The exercise device of claim 9 wherein the housing includes a
hatch for accessing the housing and connecting the rubber bands to
the connecting rod and the housing for adjusting the amount of
force required to rotate the connecting rod around the pivot.
11. The exercise device of claim 6 wherein the resistive element is
a torsion spring.
12. The exercise device of claim 11 wherein the torsion spring
includes a tension adjustment arm having sufficient length to
extend beyond the housing for adjusting the amount of force
required to rotate the connecting rod around the pivot.
13. The exercise device of claim 12 wherein the housing includes a
tension adjustment panel having notches for securing the adjustment
arm and each notch adjusts the amount of force required to rotate
the connecting rod around the pivot.
14. The exercise device of claim 6 wherein the pair of supports are
sufficiently spaced apart by a support spacing distance to prevent
the exercise device from tipping over.
15. The exercise device of claim 14 wherein the support distance is
sufficiently spaced for the user applied force to be substantially
directed within the space defined by the support distance to
prevent the exercise device from tipping over.
16. The exercise device of claim 6 wherein the housing includes a
stop for positioning the connecting arm at an inclined angle
relative to a vertical axis that stretches through the center of
the handle bar to perpendicularly bisect a horizontal axis
stretching through the centers of the supports, wherein the
inclined angle insures normally applied force is directed toward
the supports.
17. An exercise device for humans to operate while the exercise
device is positioned on a generally horizontal surface, the
exercise device comprising: a pair of spaced apart feet for resting
on the generally horizontal surface; a pivot disposed between and
supported by the feet and having an axis extending generally
parallel to the horizontal surface; a connecting arm journalled on
the pivot for swingable movement in a plane intersecting the feet;
and a resistive element supported by the feet for resisting the
swingable movement of the connecting arm.
18. The exercise device of claim 17 wherein the connecting arm and
the pivot are disposed for lower body exercising from a lying
position, wherein the horizontal surface is elevated approximately
with the lying position.
19. The exercise device of claim 17 wherein the connecting arm and
the pivot are disposed for lower body exercising from a seated
position, wherein the horizontal surface is elevated below the
seated position.
20. The exercise device of claim 17 wherein the connecting arm and
the pivot are disposed for upper body exercising from a seated
position, wherein the horizontal surface is elevated above the
seated position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an exercise device. The
exercise device is configured for lower and upper body
exercising.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] The advantages of exercising are widely know and numerous
exercise devices are available. Typically, the exercises devices
include a structure that allows the user to move a portion of their
body against a resistive element. The resistive element resists the
movement and thereby exercises the muscle performing the movement.
The exercising movement determines the muscle group that is
exercised.
[0005] Leg muscles can be exercised with a pushing action. The
pushing action requires the suer to exert force while pushing their
legs in a pushing their legs from a crouched position relative to
the body to an extended position relative to the body. This type of
motion is advantageous for increasing lower body circulation and
muscle mass.
[0006] Arm muscles can be exercised with both a pushing action and
a pulling action. The pushing motion requires the user to exert
force while pushing their arms away from a crouched position
relative to the body to an extended position relative to the body.
The pulling motion requires the user to exert force while pulling
their arms from an extended position relative to the body to a
crouched position relative to the body. These types of motions are
advantageous for increasing upper body circulation and muscle
mass.
[0007] When a person remains in a fixed position for a period of
time, such as while seated or lying down, the upper and lower body
tend to receive little if any physical movement. As such, when the
muscles are not in motion the blood supplied thereto tends to
decrease or become stale. In response, muscles can stiffen,
atrophy, and the like. As a result, blood clots and other maladies
can occur. Exercising leg or arm muscles while in the fixed
position decreases the effects of remaining inactive for extended
periods of time. Accordingly, there exists a need for an exercise
device that can be used for leg or arm exercises while an operator
is in a fixed position.
[0008] There are numerous locations where a user is in a fixed
position for a period of time and desire to perform leg or arm
exercises. Such positions may include the user sitting at desks and
tables, in planes, trains, boats, wheelchairs, hospital beds, or as
a passenger in an automobile. Accordingly, there exists a need for
an exercise device that can be used for leg exercises while the
user is seated in these types of locations.
[0009] Many of the exercise devices that can perform such
exercising movements are not sufficiently sized for use in compact
areas. In addition, many of the devices that are sufficiently sized
to perform such movements in compact areas have a tendency to tip
over during operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] One aspect of the present invention relates to an exercise
device. The exercise device includes an elongated pivot and at
least one connecting rod having a first connecting end and a second
connecting end. The first connecting end of the connecting rod is
connected to the pivot for rotating around the pivot. A user can
apply force to the second connecting end for causing the first
connecting end to rotate around the pivot. In addition, the
exercise device further includes a resistive element for resisting
the rotation of the connecting rod. To prevent the exercise device
from tipping over, the exercise device still further includes a
first support and a second support. The supports are sufficiently
positioned on a first side of the pivot and a second side of the
pivot so that the user applied force is substantially projected
between the first support and the second support to prevent the
exercise device from tipping over.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an
exercise device for exercising in a compact area. The exercise
device includes a three dimensional housing defining an interior
cavity. A pivot and two separately movable connecting rods
supported within and are covered by the housing. The pair of
connecting rods separately connect to the pivot for rotating around
the pivot. Handle bars are connected to each connecting rod and
extend beyond the housing for a user to apply force to the
connecting rod to separately rotate each connecting rod around the
pivot. A recessed resistive is connected to each connecting rod for
resisting rotation of the connecting rod. A pair of supports
connect to the housing to support the exercise device in
operation.
[0012] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to an
exercise device for humans to operate while the exercise device is
positioned on a generally horizontal surface. The exercise device
includes a pair of spaced apart feet for resting on the generally
horizontal surface. The feet support a pivot disposed between the
feet and having an axis extending generally parallel to the
horizontal surface. A connecting arm is journalled on the pivot for
swingable movement, the feet projected from the swingable movement
in a plane that intersects the feet. A resistive element resists
the swingable movement on the connecting arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise device being used for lower
body exercising, in accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the exercise device being used for upper
body pushing exercising, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates the exercise device being used for upper
body pulling exercising, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of
FIG. 5 of the exercise device showing an elastic resistive element,
in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end view of the exercise device
shown in FIG. 4 taken from a rear position, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of
FIG. 7 showing a torsion spring resistive element rather than the
elastic element of FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a fragmentary end view of the exercise
device shown in FIG. 6 taken from a rear position, in accordance
with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a tension adjustment panel for use with
the torsion spring resistive element of FIG. 6 in accordance with
the present invention; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a force diagram having a force projection between
supports of the exercise device to prevent the exercise device from
tipping over, in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exercise device 10 being used for
lower body exercising in accordance with the present invention. In
this position, the user is required to move their legs in a pushing
motion against resistance provided by the exercise device. The
pushing motion requires the user to exert force while pushing their
legs from a crouched position relative to the body to an extended
position relative to the body. As shown, the user is seated above
the exercise device 10, but the user could also be seated or lying
on the floor at substantially the same elevation as the exercise
device. In both arrangements, this type of motion is advantageous
for increasing lower body circulation and muscle mass.
[0023] The exercise device 10 can also be positioned for upper body
exercising. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the exercise device can be
positioned on top of a table and the user can move their arms
against the resistance provided by the exercise device. In this
position, the exercise device is elevated above the user's seated
position.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the user moving their arms in a pushing
motion. The pushing motion requires the user to exert force while
pushing their arms away from a crouched position relative to the
body to an extended position relative to the body. FIG. 3
illustrates the user moving their arms in a pulling motion. The
pulling motion requires the user to exert force while pulling their
arms from an extended position relative to the body to a crouched
position relative to the body. These types of motions are
advantageous for increasing upper body circulation and muscle
mass.
[0025] Clearly the ability to use the exercise device 10 to
exercise both the upper body and the lower body is advantageous.
Moreover, the exercise device can be used to exercise both portions
of the body without having to perform any mechanical adjustments to
the exercise device 10. The user does not have to adjust any
positional mechanisms or resistive mechanisms. Rather, the user
simply places the exercise device relative to the portion of the
body they desire to exercise.
[0026] Especially advantageous is the relatively compact size of
the exercise device. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the entire exercise
device is not much larger than the user's feet and hands.
Accordingly, the exercise device can be used in virtually any
location. The relatively small size allows the exercise device to
be used in compact areas, such as, under or on top of a work desk,
on a floor within an automobile, on a floor within the all too
narrow floor areas of an airplane, and in restrained seating
arrangements like hospital beds and wheelchairs. Moreover, the
relatively small size allows the exercise device to be relatively
light and easy to transport to such areas.
[0027] As shown, the exercise device moves in a semi-rotational or
swingable manner. In FIG. 4 the use of the exercise device 10 is
illustrated with a pictorial representation of the exercise device
10 in a non-actuated, resting position and a fully actuated,
resisting period.
[0028] For exemplary purposes described more fully below, the
non-actuated, resting position corresponds with a rear of the
exercise device, and the actuated, resisting position corresponds
with a front of the exercise device. In the non-actuated, resting
position, sufficient force has not been provided to overcome the
force provided by the exercise device. In the actuated, resisting
position, sufficient force has been supplied to overcome the
resistance provided by the exercise device.
[0029] The exercise device generally comprises a three dimensional
housing 14. The three dimensional housing 14 defines an inner
cavity. The cross-section shown in FIG. 4 is taken longitudinally
and approximately through the middle of the housing 14 as shown in
FIG. 5. The swingable exercising motion provided by the exercise
device is accomplished by rotating a pair of connecting rods 16 and
16' journalled on an elongated pivot 18 which is connected at
opposite ends to the opposite side walls 15 and 15' of the housing
14.
[0030] The connecting rod 16 and pivot 18 are substantially covered
by the housing 14 to protect the user from pinching the user's
fingers in the moving parts. A handle bar 20 is attached to the
connecting rod 16 and extends beyond the housing 14. The user can
push and pull the handle bar 20 for applying force to the
connecting rod 16 to conduct the exercising movements. An angular
slot 22 is provided in the housing 14 so that the handle bar 20 can
move as shown.
[0031] To prevent over extending the movement of the connecting rod
16 and damaging the housing 14 or other components in the housing
14, a rear stop 26 and a front stop 28 are provided. The stops
mechanically prevent the connecting rods 16 from moving past the
stops. The stops can include a coating 30 to prevent wearing and
noise from the contact generated by the connecting rods 16
contacting the stops.
[0032] The portion of the connecting rod 16 connecting to the pivot
18 corresponds with a first connecting end 30, and a portion of the
connecting rod connecting to the handle bars 20 corresponds with a
second connecting end 32. The user applied force causes the
connecting rod 16 to rotate on the pivot 18 to provide the upper
body and lower body exercising.
[0033] The exercise device 10 generally rotates around the pivot 18
from the rear to the front of the housing. The exercise device
includes a resistive element 34 to resist the movement of the
exercise device from the rear to the front of the housing.
[0034] In FIG. 4, the resistive element 34 comprises rubber bands,
or other flexible or elastic elements. The resistive element 34
wraps around pegs 36 mounted on the connecting rods 16 and 16' and
pegs 37 mounted on a bracket 39 which in turn is mounted on the
housing as by screws 56. As shown, multiple pegs 36 and 37 provide
for attaching multiple resistive elements. The additional pegs 36
and 37 and resistive elements 34 can be used to adjust the
resistance to control the amount of force the user must apply to
move the connecting rods 16 and 16'. A hatch 38 and a hinge 40 is
provided to access the interior cavity. The resistive elements 34
can be changed by opening the hatch 36 and removing or replacing
the rubber bands.
[0035] Attached with brackets 44 to the front and rear of the
housing are a first, rear support 46, and a second, front support
48. The first, rear support 46 is considered to be on a first side
50 of the pivot and the second, front support is considered to be
opposite the first support on a second side of the pivot. The
supports 46 and 48 are shown as generally cylindrical, but they
need not be. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the supports 46
and 48 extend the entire width of the housing 14 and beyond. The
supports 46 and 48 do not have to extend the entire width as a
single structure, but it is advantageous to at least extend some
portion of the supports 46 and 48 beyond the width of the housing
14 for stabilizing the exercise device 10 from side to side
movements. If the exercise device 10 is not stabilized in such a
manner it may fall over on its side.
[0036] The exercise device 10 can be constructed with any type of
plastic or metal. As shown, the exercise device 10 comprises a
metal with different components and sections held together with a
number of screws.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a fragmentary end view of the exercise
device 10 shown in FIG. 4, as taken from the rear. The device 10
includes a pair of connecting rods 16 and 16' with corresponding
handle bars 20 and 20' extending beyond the housing 14 for the user
to grasp to apply force. The connecting rods 16 and 16' are
separately movable against the separate resistive elements 34 and
36' such that each arm or leg can be exercised as desired.
[0038] The handle bars 20 and 20' have brackets 58 and 58' which
extend through the curved slots 22 in the sides 15 and 15' of the
housing for attachment to the connecting rods. In addition, the
supports 46 and 48 and the handle bars 20 and 20' can include a
coating 60. The handle bars 20 can be coated with a foam or other
material 59 that may be used for user comfort and gripping. The
supports 46 and 48 can be coated with a rubber or other material 60
that can help to prevent skidding of the exercise device relative
to the surface upon which it rests. The coating or other material
should have a coefficient friction relative to the surface that
prevents such skidding.
[0039] FIG. 6 presents a cross-sectional view of another embodiment
of the exercise device 10 taken longitudinally and approximately
through the middle of the housing 74 as shown in FIG. 2. While most
of the components are the same as the exercise device 10 shown in
FIG. 4, the main difference occurs with the resistive element 34.
Rather than a rubber band, the resistive element comprises a
torsion spring.
[0040] The torsion spring wraps around the pivot 18 and includes
fingers 66 and 68 at each end of the spring. One of the fingers 66
presses against the connecting rod 16 and one of the fingers 68 at
the other end of the spring connects to a tension adjustment arm
70.
[0041] Depending on how tightly coiled the fingers 66 and 68 are,
the resistance provided by the torsion spring can vary. The
resistance provided by the torsion spring can be adjusted to
control the amount of force the user needs to apply to move the
connecting rods 16 and 16' to conduct the upper and lower body
exercises.
[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates a fragmentary end view of the exercise
device shown in FIG. 6, as seen from the rear. As shown, ends of
the finger 66 and 66' presses against the connecting rods 16 and
16' and other ends of the finger 68 and 68' inserts within a relief
78 provided by the adjustment arm 70. In addition, two torsion
springs are shown for separate movement of the connecting rods 16
and 16' such that each arm or leg can be exercised as desired.
[0043] The preceding demonstrates two types of resistive elements
that may be used with the present invention. Other resistive
elements could similarly be used, such as a coil spring or
pulley.
[0044] The housing 14 includes a tension adjustment panel 74, as
shown in FIG. 8, for positioning the tension adjustment arm 70. The
tension adjustment arm 70 is positioned within a notch 76 of the
panel. The notch 76 positions cause the fingers 66 and 68 of the
torsion spring to be arranged into a tighter or looser coil.
[0045] The tension provided by the torsion spring against the
connecting rod 16 can be controlled in combination with the tension
adjustment panel 74. For example, the tension supplied at a notch
#1 is less than the tension supplied at a notch #4. As such, when
the tension adjustment arm 70 is positioned at notch #4 the torsion
spring is wrapped in a tighter coil and thus provides greater
resistance to the connecting rod 16. The user can position the
tension adjustment arm 70 in any of the notches 76 for controlling
the desired amount of resistance.
[0046] Turning to FIG. 9, yet another aspect of the present
invention relates to configuring the connecting rods 16 and 16' the
pivot 18, the first support 46, and the second support 48 to
prevent the exercise device 10 from tipping over the second, front
support 48. To prevent the exercise device 10 from tipping over the
force F applied by the user pushing or pulling the handle bar must
be projected between the first support 46 and the second support
48.
[0047] The connecting rod 16 defines a linear line stretching from
the pivot 18 at the first connecting end to the handle bar 20 at
the second connecting end. The distance therebetween is a
connecting rod length L. Likewise, the first support 46 and the
second support 48 define a linear line stretching from the center
of the first support 46 to the center of the second support 48. The
distance therebetween is a spacing distance D.
[0048] The first support 46 and the second support 48 are coplanar
for level operation on a generally horizontal surface 80, whether
it be a floor or a table top. For any given position of the pivot
point 18, the connecting rod length L and the support spacing
distance D must be proportionally configured to prevent the
exercise device 10 from tipping over.
[0049] Static equilibrium analysis is used to determine the
appropriate connecting rod length and the support spacing distance
D. The analysis begins by summing all the forces in the vertical Y
direction and solving the summation by deriving the unknown forces
from a summation of the moments about the first support 46.
[0050] Please note, the present invention makes the assumption that
the coating 60 on the supports is sufficient to prevent the
exercise device 10 from skidding during operation. Accordingly, the
forces acting on the horizontal X direction are assumed to be
sufficient to prevent skidding and are not required for configuring
the proportionality of the connecting rod length to the support
spacing distance.
[0051] The summation of the forces in the vertical Y direction is
given by the following equation (1):
A.sub.y+B.sub.y-F.multidot.cos(.theta.)=0 (1)
[0052] wherein A.sub.y is the reactionary force of the surface 80
pressing upwardly against the first support 46, B.sub.y is the
reactionary force of the surface 80 pressing upwardly at the second
support 48, F is the user applied force, and .theta. is the angle
of the user applied force F relative to a vertical axis that
stretches through the center of the handle bar 20 to
perpendicularly bisect a horizontal axis stretching through the
centers of the supports 46 and 48.
[0053] The summation of the forces in the vertical Y direction
shows the force F applied by the user and must be matched by the
reactionary forces applied by the surface 80 against the supports
46 and 48 as shown with force arrows A.sub.y and B.sub.y. The
forces A.sub.y and B.sub.y are unknown, but can be derived for the
purposes of determining tipping by solving for the summation of the
moments about the first support 46.
[0054] The summation of the moments about the first support 46
equation (2) is given by the following.
D.multidot.B.sub.y-P.multidot.F=0 (2)
[0055] wherein D is the support spacing distance, B.sub.y is the
upward reactionary force supplied by the surface 80 against the
second support 48, P is the perpendicular distance of the handle
bar 20 relative to the first support 46, and F is applied user
force, and .theta. is the angle of the user applied force F.
[0056] A tipping equation (3) is provided below and determined by
combining equations (1) and (2) and solving for A.sub.y. 1 A y = F
[ cos - P D ] ( 3 )
[0057] If the reactionary force A.sub.y at the first support 46 is
zero, then the surface 80 is not supplying any reactionary force
against the first support 46. The exercise device 10 may tip over
in such a situation. As long as the value in a portional
relationship shown below in equation (4) is greater than zero for
all movements of the handle bars 20, then there is some force
A.sub.y and the exercise device 10 will not tip over. 2 cos - P D
> 0 ( 4 )
[0058] The proportional relationship shown in equation (4) can be
used to develop general design parameters for the exercise device
10. More specifically, design parameters can be determined based on
the intended usage of the exercise device.
[0059] The intended usage of the exercise device 10 can be used to
determine maximum and minimum values for applied force angle
.theta.. As the equation illustrates, the value for cos(.theta.)
decreases as the applied force angle .theta. increases and
increases as the applied force angle .theta. decreases. The
relationship of the perpendicular distance P to the support spacing
distance D can be designed accordingly.
[0060] If the intended applied force angle is relatively large,
such as when the user is applying force F when lying down or
pulling from a seated position, then the relationship of P to D
requires P to be correspondingly less than D in order to maintain a
positive value when P/D is subtracted from cos(.theta.). The
perpendicular distance P can be designed accordingly by lowering
the pivot 18 toward the supports, moving the pivot closer to the
first support 46, decreasing the connecting rod length L, or
increasing the support spacing distance D. In general, as the
intended use requires larger applied force angles .theta., the
exercise device can be relatively longer between the supports for a
longer length and relatively shorter between the supports and the
handle bars for a smaller height.
[0061] If the intended applied force angle .theta. is relatively
small, such as when the user is applying force F by pushing with
their hands or feet, then the relationship of P to D allows P to be
a larger value than in the conditions described above where the
force angle .theta. was larger. As such, the connecting rod length
L can be larger, the pivot 18 can be raised, the pivot 18 can be
move closer to the second support 48, and the support spacing D can
be decreased. In general, as the intended use requires smaller
applied for angles .theta., the exercise device can be relatively
shorter between the supports for a shorter length and relatively
longer between the supports and the handle bars for a larger
height.
[0062] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *