U.S. patent application number 10/621075 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for exercise device for under a desk.
Invention is credited to Neff, John D..
Application Number | 20050014609 10/621075 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34062916 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050014609 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Neff, John D. |
January 20, 2005 |
Exercise device for under a desk
Abstract
A hand and foot lever-arm rowing type exercise device is mounted
in the leg space under a desk or cubicle work surface. A resistance
device such as a spring, rubberized cord, air cylinder, attaches
between the pivotally attached adjustable lever arms and the desk.
Hand grips twist and have tension arms for gripping exercises as
well as moving the lever arm for full arm exercises. Foot straps on
a foot board and bicycle pedals enable leg exercises.
Inventors: |
Neff, John D.; (Los Altos,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Donald W. Meeker
Patent Agent
924 East Ocean Front #E
Newport Beach
CA
92661
US
|
Family ID: |
34062916 |
Appl. No.: |
10/621075 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/57 ;
482/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/00072 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 21/4047 20151001; A63B 2208/0233
20130101; A63B 21/0087 20130101; A63B 21/023 20130101; A63B 21/0421
20130101; A63B 2022/0041 20130101; A63B 22/0012 20130101; A63B
21/055 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B
22/0076 20130101; A63B 22/0694 20130101; A63B 2022/0035 20130101;
A63B 2225/055 20130101; A63B 22/0046 20130101; A63B 2022/0082
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/057 ;
482/072 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A lever-arm rowing type exercise device mountable in a leg space
under a desk or cubicle work surface, the device comprising: at
least one lever arm attachable to a desk surface within a foot
space of a desk by a pivotable means at a first end of the at least
one lever arm; a tension means attachable between the at least one
lever arm and the desk surface to create a resistance to moving the
at least one lever arm for the purpose of exercising by moving the
at least one lever arm; a hand grip attached to the at least one
lever arm at a second end of the lever arm, the hand grip enabling
movement of the at least one lever arm by a user, the hand grip
further comprising a means for turning relative to the at least one
lever arm for wrist twisting exercise and a squeeze handle
pivotally mounted to the hand grip with a tension means
therebetween for performing hand gripping exercises.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one second
lever arm attachable to the desk surface within the foot space of
the desk by a pivotable means at a first end of the at least one
second lever arm; a tension means attachable between the at least
one second lever arm and the desk surface to create a resistance to
moving the at least one second lever arm for the purpose of
exercising by moving the at least one second lever arm; a foot
attaching portion attached to the at least one second lever arm at
a second end of the at least one second lever arm, the foot
attaching portion capable of receiving at least one foot of a user
for the purpose of moving the at least one second lever arm for leg
exercises.
3. The exercise device of claim 2 wherein the at least one lever
arm and at least one second lever arm are removably mountable to
the desk surface by a suction cup means having a pivot rod
connecting means for pivotally mounting the lever arms thereon.
4. The exercise device of claim 2 wherein the foot attaching
portion comprises a flat surface mounted on the at least one second
lever arm, the foot attaching portion capable of receiving at least
one foot of the user and at least one foot receiving loop attached
to the flat surface.
5. The exercise device of claim 4 wherein the foot attaching
portion further comprises a pair of foot pedals attachable to the
foot attaching portion by a rotatable means having a tension means
for exercising the legs of the user in a bicycle pedaling
movement.
6. The exercise device of claim 2 wherein the tension means between
the desk surface and the at least one lever arm and between the
desk surface and the at least one second lever arm comprises a
spring means.
7. The exercise device of claim 2 wherein the tension means between
the desk surface and the at least one lever arm and between the
desk surface and the at least one second lever arm comprises a
rubberized cord means.
8. The exercise device of claim 2 wherein the tension means between
the desk surface and the at least one lever arm and between the
desk surface and the at least one second lever arm comprises an air
pressure means.
9. The exercise device of claim 8 wherein the tension means between
the desk surface and the at least one lever arm and between the
desk surface and the at least one second lever arm comprises an air
cylinder.
10. The exercise device of claim 2 wherein the lever arms are
adjustable in length by a telescoping means.
11. The exercise device of claim 2 wherein the at least one lever
arm and the at least one second lever arm are connected together at
the attaching means by an adjustable length telescoping rod.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to office exercise
devices that can be used by a user while seated at a desk, and in
particular, to a hand and foot lever-arm rowing type exercise
device that is mounted in the foot space under a desk.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Many people appreciate the need to exercise regularly.
Unfortunately, busy business schedules often make it difficult to
incorporate a regular exercise schedule into a working week. An
exercise device that can be used while a person is working would
provide the benefit of exercise that can be achieved during working
hours.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,211, issued Sep. 15, 1998 to Berryhill,
shows an exercise device that is particularly adapted for use by
individuals while seated in a stationary chair. The inventive
exercise device employs a folding frame, which has attached bicycle
type pedals, a leg press bar, and resistance pulls. The bicycle
type pedals are attached to one side of the folding frame, the leg
press bar hangs from a horizontal bar on the opposite side of the
folding frame, and the resistance pulls are also attached to the
other side of the folding frame, opposite the bicycle type pedals.
By positioning the front of the exercise device in front of an
individual seated in a chair, pedaling exercises can be
accomplished. By positioning the rear of the exercise device in
front of a seated individual.
[0006] U.S. Patent Application #20020137606, published Sep. 26,
2002 by Willis, puts forth a portable leg or arm powered exercise
device for a person that may include a seating pad permanently or
detachably affixed to a support base upon which one or more
resistance members are mounted for engagement by one or both feet
or hands of the user. Preferably the resistance members include
coil springs to provide the resistance and spring control guides to
prevent overly sharp angular bending of the coil springs. The
exercise device can be used while seated with the device placed
under a desk or table having limited vertical dimensions.
[0007] U.S. Patent Application #20020142898, published Oct. 3, 2002
by Willis, concerns an office chair and office desk independently
incorporating certain activity features. The chair and desk
arrangements allow the user to perform beneficial exercise without
leaving the chair or desk by utilizing movable exercise arms
attached to adjustable variable resistance bearing assemblies
attached to the chair seat or the desk to provide a full range of
omni-directional exercises.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,212, issued Sep. 15, 1998 to Nelson,
concerns a leg exerciser that includes a leg exercise device sized
to fit beneath the desk of a user, and an anchoring device attached
to the exercise device. The anchoring device is adapted to be
affixed to the user's chair. This allows the user to sit at his or
her desk in the chair and actuate the leg exerciser while doing
so.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,212, issued Jul. 17, 2001 to Vallone,
provides an adjustable resistance rehabilitation exercise device
for use by individuals without supervision to follow prescribed or
desired iterative cycles of therapeutic exercise regimens. The
adjustable resistance rehabilitation exercise device preferably
includes a pilot pulley assembly and a adjustable resistance
control spooler assembly, mounted and secured to individual `O`
clamp and/or channeled `U` clamp assemblies, interconnected by a
flexible cord, with bayonet clips secured at both ends of the cord,
and supplemented with hand grips, precision straight scale,
multi-purpose harness assembly and anchoring device. The `O` clamp
and channeled `U` clamp screw assemblies may be disassembled and
employed in either of two `O` clamp screw holes and also are
interchangeable between the `O` and Channeled `U` clamps. The pilot
pulley assembly is configured with a single grooved roller and
performs the primary function of establishing and maintaining a
tangential path for the flexible cord travel from the adjustable
resistance control spooler assembly to the pilot pulley roller to
minimize friction and resultant added exercise forces. The
adjustable resistance rehabilitation exercise device accessories
include hand grip(s) and a precision, spring style, straight scale
for calibrating and verifying prescribed and preset exercise forces
for individual therapeutic regimens. The channeled `U` clamp is
more ideally suited for attachment to flat board surfaces such as
found in physical therapy plinths, tables, desks and exercise/work
bench configurations.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,149, issued Nov. 13, 1984 to Weldon,
discloses an arm exercise device that has an exercising arm
adjustable to different lengths to accommodate forearms of
different lengths and attached to a bearing-supported lateral rod
which has an upright portion at the other end. Springs or other
tension devices are attached at one end to the lateral rod and, at
the other end, to a tension bar that is adjustable with respect to
the base. In one variation, the tension arm can be re-positioned
180 degrees from its initial position, thereby permitting use of
the device for exercising right or left arms. In a further
refinement, safety stops are provided which limit the movement of
the exercising arm, thereby preventing it from passing the upright
position. The base of the exercise machine is held in place on a
table or desk by table clamp braces.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,303, issued Nov. 3, 1992 to Smith,
indicates a compact and easily adjusted exercising device useful
for exercising the upper arms, shoulders, calves or the like. The
device has a base that may be supported on a desk, table or floor.
A pair of uprights support an upper bar over which one or more
rubber bands are placed. This bar is removable when it is desired
to change the rubber bands. A hollow lower bar is held between the
uprights and the one or more rubber bands pass over this bar. A
handle-supporting bar is then slid through vertical slots in the
uprights and through the center of the lower supporting bar. This
provides a light, easily adjusted exercising device that can be
easily used by the busy executive or even by bedridden persons.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,633, issued Sep. 3, 1991 to Rice,
provides chair that functions well as an ordinary office chair and
which can be used to perform exercises. The chair includes all the
attributes of a comfortable office chair, including a padded seat
with a seat bottom and seat back, and a pedestal with casters that
rollably support the seat on a chair pad lying behind an office
desk. The seat back has an upper part with extendable handles that
can be grasped to raise and lower it while a mechanism resists
vertical movement to provide exercise. The seat has armrests that
each have a moveable portion with extendable handles and a
resistance mechanism to provide exercise in raising and lowering
the armrests. The chair also has an extendable mechanism mounted
under the seat bottom and having a pair of foot handles that allow
the seated person to move the handles forward and back for further
exercise. All exercise mechanisms of the chair can be deployed,
used, and stowed while the person remains seated, so the person is
encouraged to conduct exercises during brief appropriate periods
such as when the person is talking on a speakerphone.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,649, issued Jun. 12, 1973 to Miller,
discloses an exercising arrangement that includes a chair with a
space beneath the seat portion. The exercise devices are mounted on
a platform beneath the seat and concealed by front and side panels.
A track comprises the mount for the platform, permitting it to be
extended in front of the seat portion where the exercise apparatus
is accessible for manipulation by a person sitting in the chair.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,575, issued Nov. 10, 1998 to Holslag,
illustrates a portable exercise apparatus that includes a support
frame, which has a base mountable under a chair to hold the base in
a stationary position with a user seated on the chair and an
upright standard mounted upon the base. The apparatus also
comprises a shaft mounted to an upper end of the upright standard
and that has opposite ends extending from opposite sides thereof.
The apparatus further comprises a pair of arms disposed on opposite
sides of the upright standard with each arm at one end mounted to
one end of the shaft for rotatably mounting the arm to the upright
standard. The apparatus includes a pair of pedals each mounted to
the other end of each of the arms for engagement by a user to
create the force necessary to rotate the arms relative to the
upright standard. The apparatus also includes a resistance
generating and adjusting mechanism disposed on the ends of the
shaft at the opposite sides of the upright standard and engaged
with the one ends of the arms and being operable to generate and
selectively adjust a level of resistance to rotation of the pair of
arms relative to the upright standard in response to rotation of
the arms. The resistance generating and adjusting mechanism
includes at least one conical-shaped spring washer received over
one of the shaft ends and being respectively compressible and
expandable for correspondingly increasing and decreasing the level
of resistance to rotation of the arms by the user. The support
frame is attachable to a desk chair or the like.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,392, issued May 24, 1994 to Hawkins,
illustrates a pedal exerciser for performing stepper exercises. The
device includes a pair of pedal cranks, each crank driving one of a
pair of crankshafts that are coupled together by bevel gears such
that, when one pedal is forced to rotate downward, the other pedal
rises thereby providing reciprocating stair climbing motion.
Adjustable resistance to stepping is provided by a resistance pad
against either the idler bevel gear or one or both crankshafts. The
compact construction is amenable to positioning the exerciser under
a desk or table for a seated user. A detachable frame with handles
may be attached for an erect user.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,033, issued Aug. 7, 1973 to Rosenthal,
indicates a combination of a chair and an advanceable and
retractable pedaling device. The pedaling device is pivotally
secured to the bottom of a chair by a telescoping member. The
telescoping member with the pedaling device may be adjusted to a
desired angle for comfortable pedaling. The length of the
telescoping member may be adjusted to suit the length of the user's
legs. An adjustable counter-force device is provided to vary the
force desired applied by the user. The device may be locked in
place out of the way, under the chair.
[0016] While there have been a number of portable exercise devices
and exercise devices attachable to furniture, none provide a
lever-arm rowing type exerciser attached under a desk. The present
invention addresses the inadequacies of the prior art by providing
a simplified exercise device for use while seated in a chair. The
exercise device of the present invention is small, lightweight and
easily secured to any desk or cubicle. In addition, due to its
relatively small size and lightweight the exercise device of
present invention is easily stored.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a
simplified lever-arm rowing type exercise device that is easily
mounted under a desk for use while seated in a chair.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
lever-arm rowing type exercise device that is small, lightweight
and easily secured to any desk in the foot space.
[0019] One more object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise device for use with a desk or cubicle that is easily
stored when not in use by holding the lever arms flat against the
upper portion of the leg space with friction clamps.
[0020] A succeeding object of the present invention is to provide a
hand grip that has a turning means for wrist twisting exercises and
a squeeze handle for performing hand gripping exercises.
[0021] Once again another object of the present invention is to
provide a foot attaching portion for moving the second lever arm
for leg exercises, which further comprises a pair of foot pedals
for bicycling exercises.
[0022] In brief, a lever-arm rowing type exercise device that is
mountable in a leg space under a desk, which comprises pivotally
attached lever arms for exercising both arms and legs. The lever
arms are removably mountable to the desk surface by suction cups or
other attachment means that have pivot rods for pivotally mounting
the lever arms thereon. The lever arms are telescopically
adjustable in length and have a spring or tensioned rubberized
cords or an air cylinder or other pneumatic system connected
between the lever arm and the desk, which provide resistance while
exercising. When not in use the lever arms are easily stored and
held flat against the desk by friction clamps.
[0023] The first set of lever arms, which are to be used for arm
and upper body workout, include a hand grip that enables movement
of the lever arm by a user. The hand grip also has a means for
turning, as indicated by the arched two-headed arrow, relative to
the lever arm for wrist twisting exercises. The hand grip further
comprises a squeeze handle that is pivotally mounted to the hand
grip with a tension means, such as a spring hinge, therebetween for
performing hand gripping exercises.
[0024] The second lever arm, which is used for leg and lower body
workout, includes a foot attaching portion with foot receiving
loops for receiving at least one foot of a user for the purpose of
moving the second lever arm for leg exercises. The foot attaching
portion further comprises a pair of foot pedals, which are attached
to the side of the foot attaching portion by a rotatable means
having a tension means, such as a torsion knob, for alternately
exercising the legs of the user in a bicycle pedaling motion.
[0025] An advantage of the present invention is that it may be used
while seated at a desk.
[0026] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides a variety of exercises for both arms and legs.
[0027] An additional advantage of the present invention is that it
may be held in place, out of the way when not in use.
[0028] One more advantage of the present invention is that it is
easily secured to any desk.
[0029] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it is
small and lightweight.
[0030] Still another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides a way to fit exercise into a busy schedule or a sedentary
lifestyle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] These and other details of my invention will be described in
connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only
by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and
in which drawings:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the hand and foot
lever-arm rowing type exercise device of the present invention
mounted in the leg space under a desk;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a side elevational partial broken view showing a
seated exerciser using the device of FIG. 1.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0034] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a lever-arm rowing type exercise device 20
that is mountable in a leg space 41 under a desk 40, which
comprises preferably two adjustable lever arms 21A, attached to a
desk surface 42 within the leg space 41 of the desk 40 by a
pivotable means, such as a pivot rod hinge 23, at the first end of
each of the lever arms 21A with one lever arm 21A on each side.
[0035] The device 20 also comprises a tension means, such as a
spring means 22 or rubberized cord or an air pressure means 22A,
such as an air cylinder or other pneumatic device, which is
attached between the lever arm 21A and the desk surface 42 to
create a resistance to moving the lever arm 21A for the purpose of
exercising by moving the lever arm 21A.
[0036] The device 20 further comprises a hand grip 18 that is
attached to the second end of the lever arm 21A. The hand grip 18
enables movement of the lever arm 21A by a user. The hand grip 18
has a means for turning, as indicated by the arched two-headed
arrow shown in FIG. 1, relative to the lever arm 21A for wrist
twisting exercises. The hand grip 18 also comprises a squeeze
handle 19, which is pivotally mounted to the hand grip 18 with a
tension means, such as a spring hinge 15, therebetween for
performing hand gripping exercises, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0037] The device 20 also comprises a second lever arm 21F,
preferably an adjustable single arm 21F centrally attached to the
desk surface 42 within the foot space 41 of the desk 40 by a
pivotable means 23 at the first end of the second lever arm 21F. A
tension means that comprises a spring means 22 or rubberized cord
or an air pressure means 22A, such as an air cylinder or other
pneumatic means is attached between the second lever arm 21F and
the desk surface 42 to create a resistance to moving the second
lever arm 21F for the purpose of exercising by moving the second
lever arm 21F. A foot attaching portion 27, which comprises a flat
surface 27 mounted on the second lever arm 21F, attached to the
second end of the second lever arm 21F by a hinged bracket 16. The
foot attaching portion 27 receives the feet of a user for the
purpose of moving the second lever arm 21F for leg exercises, as
shown in FIG. 2. The foot attaching portion 27, which receives feet
of the user has a pair of foot receiving loops 26 attached to the
flat surface 27. The foot attaching portion 27 further comprises a
pair of foot pedals 28 that attach to the side of the foot
attaching portion 27 by a rotatable means that has a tension means,
such as a torsion knob 29, for exercising the legs of the user in a
bicycle pedaling movement.
[0038] The lever arms 21A and 21F are adjustable in length by a
telescoping means and are connected together at the attachment
means 23 and 24 by two telescoping adjustable rods 17. The lever
arms 21A and 21F are removably mountable to the desk surface 42 by
suction cups 24 or other mounting means that have a pivot rod
connecting means 23 for pivotally mounting the lever arms 21A and
21F thereon, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0039] In practice, the lever-arm rowing type exercise device 20
would be mounted to the upper surface 42 of a leg space 41 under a
desk 40 by adhering the suction cups 24 for the lever arms 21A and
21F and the tension means 22 or 22A to the desk surface 42. Prior
to use the user would need to adjust the telescoping portions of
the lever arms 21A and 21F to the desired length.
[0040] To exercise the wrists the user would twist the hand grip
18, as indicated by the arched two-headed arrow, as shown in FIG.
1, relative to the lever arm 21A.
[0041] To perform hand gripping exercises, the user would
alternately grip and release the squeeze handle 19, which is
pivotally mounted to the hand grip 18 with a tension means, such as
a spring hinge 15 therebetween, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0042] To perform arm exercises the user would grasp the hand grips
18 and push or pull the lever arm 21A against the resistant force
of the spring 22 or rubberized cord or the air pressure means 22A,
such as an air cylinder or other pneumatic means, thereby
strengthening the arms, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0043] To perform leg exercises the user would insert their feet
into the foot receiving loops 26 attached to the flat surface 27
and push or pull the second lever arm 21F against the resistant
force of the tension means 22 or 22A, thereby strengthening the
legs, as shown in FIG. 2. The user could also exercise their legs
by placing their feet on the pedals 28, which are attached to the
sides of the flat surface 27, and moving the pedals 28 in a
bicycling motion.
[0044] When not in use the lever arms 21A and 21F may be easily
stored with the lever arms 21A and 21F held flat against the desk
surface 42 by friction clamps 25.
[0045] It is understood that the preceding description is given
merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the
invention and that various modifications may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.
* * * * *