U.S. patent application number 10/629732 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-03 for aerial exercising device and method.
Invention is credited to Creary, Nya A..
Application Number | 20050026757 10/629732 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34103679 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050026757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Creary, Nya A. |
February 3, 2005 |
Aerial exercising device and method
Abstract
An exercise device for allowing a user to perform functional
tasks during training or exercise. The exercise device has an upper
frame from which various exercise stations are positioned. The
exercise device is provided which enables users to achieve jumping,
horizontal movement, bounding, suspended sit-ups and leg-lift
exercise movements. The exercise device comprises a harness system
attached to an elastic suspension system to enable the user to jump
vertically, another harness system attached to a flexible line to
hoist the user up the wall and enable user to move horizontally on
a vertical surface, and a cradle system with a ring attachment that
allows a user to use upper body strength for suspension and perform
abdominal exercises.
Inventors: |
Creary, Nya A.; (Freeport,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Neal T. Hauschild
4310 Sunbury Rd.
Galena
OH
43021
US
|
Family ID: |
34103679 |
Appl. No.: |
10/629732 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/143 ;
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0064 20130101;
A63B 7/00 20130101; A63B 5/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/143 ;
482/142 |
International
Class: |
A63B 026/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An exercise device comprising: an upper frame comprising a
plurality of beams, each beam having a plurality of frame
connectors along said beam; a first harness assembly to be worn by
a user beneath said upper frame, said first harness assembly
comprising a plurality of first harness connectors connected to a
plurality of resilient members, said resilient members connected to
said frame connectors, whereby said plurality of resilient members
apply variable vertical elastic tension forces on said user; a
second harness assembly to be worn by a user beneath said upper
frame, said second harness assembly comprising a plurality of
second harness connectors connected to a flexible line, said
flexible line operatively disposed to a sliding system attached to
said upper frame, whereby said flexible line aerially suspends said
user in a horizontal position and allows a horizontal planar
movement on a vertical surface; a cradle system comprising a seat
having a front seat end, a back seat end, a first seat end and a
second seat end, a flexible back having an top end and a bottom
end, said bottom end attached to said back seat end, a plurality of
cradle connectors connected a plurality of vertical members, a
first vertical member having a first vertical end hanging from said
frame connector and a second vertical end connected to said cradle
connector located at said first seat end, a second vertical member
having a third vertical end hanging from said frame connector and a
fourth vertical end connected to said cradle connector located at
said second seat end, an elastic cord having a first cord end
hanging from said frame connector and a second cord end connected
to said cradle connector located at said top end of said flexible
back, whereby a user can be seated in said cradle and recline to a
supine position.
2. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein the said upper
frame is fixedly attached to ceiling joists.
3. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein said upper
frame is supported by a plurality of legs whereby said legs are
configured to allow said user freedom of movement beneath said
upper frame.
4. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein said first
harness assembly is attached to a rigid anchor box comprising a
horizontal bar with a right end and a left end, a first vertical
bar with a first top bar end and a first bottom bar end, and a
second vertical bar with a second top bar end and a second bottom
bar end wherein said right end is attached to said first bottom bar
end and said left end is attached to said second bottom bar end,
said first top bar end and said second top bar end are connected to
a stopper, said rigid anchor box attached to said harness
connectors, said stopper attached to said resilient members.
5. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein said resilient
members are connected to said frame connectors at a first location,
and wherein said sliding system is located at a second location,
and wherein said first vertical member, said second vertical
member, said third vertical member, said first support member and
said second support member are connected to said frame connector at
a third location, whereby a first user can be exercising using said
first harness assembly while a second user is exercising using said
second harness assembly and a third user can be exercising using
said cradle system.
6. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein a handle system
comprising a first handle having a first handle connector and a
second handle having a second handle connector, said first handle
connector attached to said second vertical end of said first
vertical member and said second handle connector attached to said
fourth vertical end of said second vertical member.
7. The exercise device according to claim 1 wherein a handle system
comprising a first handle having a first handle connector and a
second handle having a second handle connector, a first support
member having a first top support end and a first bottom support
end, said first support end hanging from said frame connector and
said first bottom end attached to said first handle connector, a
second support member having a second top support end and a second
bottom support end, said second support end hanging from said frame
connector and said second bottom end attached to said second handle
connector, whereby a user can grasp said pair of handles and
maintain aerial suspension.
8. The exercise device according to claim 6 wherein said first
handle comprises a first ring and said second handle comprises a
second ring.
9. The exercise device according to claim 7 wherein said first
handle comprises a first ring and said second handle comprises a
second ring.
10. An exercise device comprising: an upper frame comprising a
plurality of beams, each beam having a plurality of frame
connectors along said beam; a first harness assembly to be worn by
a user beneath said upper frame, said first harness assembly
comprising a plurality of first harness connectors connected to a
plurality of resilient members, said resilient members connected to
said frame connectors, whereby said plurality of resilient members
apply variable vertical elastic tension forces on said user; a
second harness assembly to be worn by a user beneath said upper
frame, said second harness assembly comprising a plurality of
second harness connectors connected to a flexible line, said
flexible line operatively disposed to a plurality of block and
tackle pulley systems fixedly attached to said frame connectors,
whereby said flexible line aerially suspends said user in a
horizontal position; a cradle system comprising a seat having a
front seat end, a back seat end, a first seat end and a second seat
end, a flexible back having an top end and a bottom end, said
bottom end hingedly attached to said back seat end, a plurality of
cradle connectors connected a plurality of vertical members, a
first vertical member having a first vertical end hanging from said
frame connector and a second vertical end connected to said cradle
connector located at said first seat end, a second vertical member
having a third vertical end hanging from said frame connector and a
fourth vertical end connected to said cradle connector located at
said second seat end, an elastic cord having a first cord end
hanging from said frame connector and a second cord end connected
to said cradle connector located at said top end of said flexible
back, whereby a user can be seated in said cradle and recline to a
supine position; a handle system comprising a first handle having a
first handle connector and a second handle having a second handle
connector, a first support member having a first top support end
and a first bottom support end, said first support end hanging from
said frame connector and said first bottom end attached to said
first handle connector, a second support member having a second top
support end and a second bottom support end, said second support
end hanging from said frame connector and said second bottom end
attached to said second handle connector, whereby a user can grasp
said pair of handles and maintain aerial suspension.
11. The exercise device according to claim 10 wherein the said
upper frame is fixedly attached to ceiling joists.
12. The exercise device according to claim 10 wherein said upper
frame is supported by a plurality of legs whereby said legs are
configured to allow said user freedom of movement beneath said
upper frame.
13. The exercise device according to claim 10 wherein said first
harness assembly is attached to a rigid anchor box comprising a
horizontal bar with a right end and a left end, a first vertical
bar with a first top bar end and a first bottom bar end, and a
second vertical bar with a second top bar end and a second bottom
bar end wherein said right end is attached to said first bottom bar
end and said left end is attached to said second bottom bar end,
said first top bar end and said second top bar end are connected to
a stopper, said rigid anchor box attached to said harness
connectors, said stopper attached to said resilient members.
14. The exercise device according to claim 10 wherein said
resilient members are connected to said frame connectors at a first
location, and wherein said block and tackle pulley system is
connected to said frame connectors at a second location, and
wherein said first vertical member, said second vertical member,
said third vertical member are connected to said frame connector at
a third location, and wherein said first support member and said
second support member are connected to said frame connector at a
fourth location, and whereby a first user can be exercising using
said first harness assembly while a second user is exercising using
said second harness assembly and a third user can be exercising
using said cradle system and a fourth user can be exercising using
said handle system.
15. The exercise device according to claim 10 wherein said cradle
system and said handle system are connected to said same frame
connector.
16. The exercise device according to claim 10 wherein said first
handle comprises a first ring and said second handle comprises a
second ring.
17. The exercise device according to claim 10 wherein said flexible
line is operatively disposed between a mountain climbing ascender
and a mountain climbing descender whereby said user in said second
harness is prevented from free falling.
18. The exercise device according to claim 17 wherein said flexible
line is operatively disposed to a floor-anchored block and tackle
pulley whereby a spotter can pull said flexible line to hoist said
user up a vertical surface.
19. The exercise device according to claim 18 wherein said flexible
line is connected to a seated rowing machine whereby said spotter
performs a seated rowing exercise with a resistance resulting from
a tension from said flexible line supporting said user.
20. A method of exercise with an exercise device, comprising the
steps of: providing a first harness assembly to be worn by a user,
said first harness assembly comprising a plurality of first harness
connectors connected to a plurality of resilient members, said
resilient members connected to said frame connectors, whereby said
plurality of resilient members apply variable vertical elastic
tension forces on said user; providing a second harness assembly to
be worn by a user beneath said upper frame, said second harness
assembly comprising a plurality of second harness connectors
connected to a flexible line, said flexible line operatively
disposed to a plurality of block and tackle pulley systems fixedly
attached to said frame connectors, whereby said flexible line
aerially suspends said user in a horizontal position; providing a
cradle system comprising a seat having a front seat end, a back
seat end, a first seat end and a second seat end, a flexible back
having an top end and a bottom end, said bottom end hingedly
attached to said back seat end, a plurality of cradle connectors
connected a plurality of vertical members, a first vertical member
having a first vertical end hanging from said frame connector and a
second vertical end connected to said cradle connector located at
said first seat end, a second vertical member having a third
vertical end hanging from said frame connector and a fourth
vertical end connected to said cradle connector located at said
second seat end, an elastic cord having a first cord end hanging
from said frame connector and a second cord end connected to said
cradle connector located at said top end of said flexible back,
whereby a user can be seated in said cradle and recline to a supine
position; providing a handle system comprising a first handle
having a first handle connector and a second handle having a second
handle connector, a first support member having a first top support
end and a first bottom support end, said first support end hanging
from said frame connector and said first bottom end attached to
said first handle connector, a second support member having a
second top support end and a second bottom support end, said second
support end hanging from said frame connector and said second
bottom end attached to said second handle connector, whereby a user
can grasp said pair of handles and maintain aerial suspension.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates, in general, to exercise
devices and methods. This invention relates more particularly to an
aerial or suspended exercise device enabling users to achieve
vertical jumping and bounding, horizontal movement, and suspended
exercise movements to achieve exercise positioning, including
upright, horizontal, seated, and supine, etc.
[0005] Exercise apparatus for use in a workout facility are well
known in the art. However, the current equipment used for the
average person seeking muscular and aerobic workout are fairly
restricted to floor or ground placement, thereby restricting the
amount of equipment available at one facility or location due to
space requirements. In the majority of workout facilities, the
vertical spaces of the structure is of little or no use to the
exerciser or user of the workout equipment placed on the floor
throughout the building or structure.
[0006] Devices for suspending an exercising individual for limited
aerial aerobatics is well known in the art. U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,052,070 and 4,125,257 disclose two such devices. Both devices
rely on a mechanical advantage achieved by the use of a complicated
system of pulleys and cables. These devices require the user to
have considerable strength and athletic ability. Further, the
complicated mechanical systems do not lend themselves to quick
assembly and disassembly. These devices are more suitable for
gymnastics-type exercises such as are ordinarily achieved through
the use of flying rings but not necessarily usable by the average
person seeking to perform aerobic training exercises. Other aerial
exercise devices that include pelvic harnesses are disclosed by
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,107,377 and 3,432,163. These devices, for the most
part, limit the range of exercises to tumbling and gymnastic
maneuvers that can be accomplished through their use. U.S. Pat. No.
3,519,239 discloses a simple device to be used by a child which
includes means for storing and reusing the energy of the child as
he moves in a vertical plane. A simple bounding or bouncing motion
is all that may be achieved through use of this device.
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
alleviate the above-described problems and shortcomings of the
exercise devices heretofore available to people who exercise.
Therefore, a device which provides the versatility of working in
multi-planar directions and does not require significant amounts of
athletic strength and agility, and does not require any gymnastic
technique would be a useful device to the average person seeking an
aerobic workout. Furthermore, the present invention does not
require excessive amount of floor or ground space since the workout
area is defined to be vertical and aerial spaces and multi-planar
directions which minimize floor and ground space needed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user performs
functional tasks during training or exercise using the exercise
device. The exercise device has an upper frame which supports the
various workout stations. The first workout station includes a
harness assembly that is worn by the user. The harness assembly is
located substantially beneath the upper frame and is connected to
the upper frame by at least one resilient member, such as, but not
limited to, a spring or a hydraulic device, in which the resilient
member have a predetermined vertical extension tension force. The
resilient member has a first end connected to the harness assembly
and a second end connected to the upper frame. There could be a
line connected to the first harness system to enable a spotter to
aid the user in jumping vertically. The second workout station
includes a harness assembly that is worn by the user and is located
substantially beneath the upper frame. The harness assembly is
connected to at least one flexible line which has one end connected
to the harness assembly by at least one harness connectors and the
other end passes though a pulley system attached to the upper frame
by the frame connectors or attached to the upper frame by a sliding
system. The flexible line is operatively disposed to the pulley
system or the sliding system whereby said flexible line aerially
suspends the user in a horizontal position and allows a horizontal
planar movement on a vertical surface. The flexible line extends to
the floor and is operatively disposed to another pulley system
whereby a spotter can pull the flexible line to aid the user up the
vertical surface. The third workout station includes a cradle
system comprising a seat and back rest. The seat may be composed of
a different material than that of the back. The cradle system
supports the user substantially beneath the upper frame. At least
one vertical member is attached to the cradle system and connected
to the upper frame by the frame connectors. An elastic cord
connects the flexible back to the upper frame by the connectors.
Handles, such as but not limited to, flying rings, are located next
to the seat. A vertical member connects to the handle and connects
to the upper frame. The handle may be connected to the vertical
member connected to the seat of the cradle system.
[0009] The exercise device of the current invention is further
directed to a method of exercising and allows the user to perform
functional exercises. The first step is to put the first harness
assembly on the user. The second step is to attach the first end of
the resilient members to the harness assembly. With the user
located beneath the upper frame, the third step is to attach the
second end of the resilient members to the upper frame. The user is
now secured by the harness assembly and resilient members and may
now perform functional exercises, such as but not limited to,
side-lunges, 2-and-1 legged lunges, reverse lunges, frog jumps,
sumo dead lifts, knee lifts, mid-air hand-to-toe touches and other
exercise programs as might be designed by one skilled in the art.
The fourth step is to put the second harness assembly on the user.
The fifth step is to attach the first end of the flexible line to
the harness assembly. With the user located beneath the upper
frame, the sixth step is to operatively dispose the flexible line
to the pulley systems connected to the upper frame and to the
pulley system connected to the floor. The user is now secured by
the harness assembly and flexible line and may now be pulled up the
vertical surface by a spotter and perform functional exercises,
such as but not limited to, an aerobic workout by running
horizontally back and forth across the vertical surface while the
spotter pulls on the ends of the flexible line performs a seated
row exercise. The seventh step is to attach the vertical member to
the cradle system. The eighth step is to attach the elastic cord to
the flexible back. The ninth step is to attach the handles to the
vertical members. The tenth step is to attach the vertical members
and the elastic cord to the upper frame. With the cradle system
located beneath the upper frame, the user can now securely be
seated in the cradle system and perform functional exercises, such
as but not limited to, various abdominal exercises.
[0010] Advantages and novel features of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description, which simply illustrates various modes and
examples contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be
realized, the invention is capable of other different aspects, all
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
descriptions are illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] So that the manner in which the above recited features,
advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and
can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the
invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the
embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended
drawings.
[0012] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings
illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the
invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. While
the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out
and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that
the same will be better understood from the following description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
an exercise device made in accordance with the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a partial, exploded view of an exemplary
embodiment of an exercise device of the first harness system made
in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2A is a partial, exploded view of the assembly
resilient members to the beam and stopper plate;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a partial, exploded view of an exemplary
embodiment of an exercise device of the second harness system made
in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3A is a partial, exploded view of the alternative
sliding system as part of the beam;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a partial, exploded view of an exemplary
embodiment of an exercise device of the cradle system with the
handles system made in accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view similar to that of
FIG. 2 showing a user of the exercise device;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a partial, perspective view similar to that of
FIG. 3 showing a user of the exercise device;
[0021] FIG. 7A is a partial, perspective view similar to that of
FIG. 4 showing a user of the exercise device without the handle
system being used;
[0022] FIG. 7B is a partial, perspective view similar to that of
FIG. 4 showing a user in the supine position of the exercise device
without the handle system;
[0023] FIG. 7C is a partial, perspective view similar to that of
FIG. 4 showing a user of the exercise device with the handle
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the
present invention may be produced in other specific forms without
departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The present
embodiment, is therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the
claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which
come within the meaning and range of the equivalence of the claims
are therefore intended to be embraced therein. Reference will now
be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings wherein like numerals indicate the same elements
throughout the views and numbers with the same final two digits
indicate corresponding elements among embodiments. It should be
understood that the present invention can be adapted for any other
uses and applications to exercising or performing functional tasks
while exercising.
[0025] Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and
4, an exercise device constructed in accordance with the present
invention is shown generally at 10 which may be supported from the
ceiling structure of an exercise room as shown in FIG. 1, or which
may be supported by a framework of legs that is assembled to the
floor structure of a building or to the ground for outdoor use (not
shown). The exercise device 10 incorporates an upper frame 11 which
as shown consists of three beams 14-16 on which is located a
multitude of frame connectors 17 which are evenly spaced. The frame
connectors 17 consist of eye-hooks or U-shaped devices fixedly
attached to the beams.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the exercise device 10 may be connected
to any suitable structure for support thereof. The exercise device
10 may be connected to the ceiling with a plurality of threaded
fasteners 98 though a plurality of apertures 99 through the upper
frame 11. The exercise device 10 is elevated to any suitable level
above the floor or ground 19 in order for a user 20 to have free
range of motion horizontally and vertically. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, there are three workout stations 30, 50, 70.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustratively depicting the first workout station 30
comprises a first harness assembly 31 to be worn by a user 20
beneath the upper frame 11. The first harness assembly 31 consists
of a modified mountain climbing harness conveniently composed of
high-strength fabric strap material such as nylon with a rigid
D-ring 35 located on the back of the harness assembly and a
multitude of harness connectors 37. An anchor box 41 comprising a
rigid U-shaped apparatus extends upward approximately two feet. The
anchor box 41 is fixedly attached to the D-ring 35 and to the
harness connectors 37. The upwardly extending arms of the anchor
box 41 are attached to a stopper 42 which may be covered with foam
or other sound and impact absorbing material 43. The stopper 42 is
fixedly attached to a plate 46 to which attached are downward
extending resilient members 44 which are shown as a set of five
springs as shown in FIG. 2A. The resilient members 44 may be housed
in tubes 45 to prevent entanglement of a plurality of resilient
members 44. The length of the resilient members 44 extending beyond
the tubes 45 incorporate a plate 46 which serves as a safety device
to slow the user 20 down if the vertical upward movement is too
rapid. The resilient members 44 are connected to the upper frame 11
by the frame connectors 17 on beam 14.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustratively depicting the second work out station
50 comprises a second harness assembly 51 to be worn by a user 20
beneath the upper frame 11. The second harness assembly 51 consists
of a mountain climbing harness conveniently composed of
high-strength fabric strap material such as nylon with harness
connectors 57. Two flexible lines 61, 62 are attached to the
harness connectors 57 and extend upward toward the upper frame 11.
A series of block and tackle pulley systems 53 are attached to the
upper frame 11 by the frame connectors 17. The pulleys 53 can
provide any even mechanical advantage including a 2-to-1, a 4-to-1,
or an 8-to-1 mechanical advantage. The flexible lines 61,62
operatively disposed to the pulleys 53 are sufficiently resistant
to stretching so that the user 20 when standing erect on a vertical
surface 18 and is co-planar with the ground/floor 19 does not
become significantly off balance. The flexible lines 61, 62 pass
through a mountain climbing ascender 58 and a mountain climbing
descender 59 other suitable brake device may be secured to the
upper frame structure 11 as shown so as to establish a controllable
breaking relationship with the hoisting line and to prevent user 20
from free falling. The flexible lines 61, 62 extend downward and
are operatively disposed to a floor-mounted pulley 54. The flexible
lines 61, 62 terminate at grasping handles 63, 64 which a spotter
can grasp and perform a two-handed seated row pull exercise to
hoist user 20 up the vertical surface 18. A safety membrane (not
shown) may be suspended from the upper frame 11 in a horizontal
plane parallel to the floor positioned beneath the block and tackle
pulley system 53 to prevent hair and appendages from coming into
contact with the pulley system 53. The upper frame connectors may
be attached to a sliding system 100 comprising the beam 15 and a
track 101 in which the frame connectors 17 freely move in a
horizontal planar direction as shown in FIG. 3A.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustratively depicting the third workout station 70
comprises a cradle system 71 made up of a rigid seat 73 and a
backrest 74 conveniently composed of high-strength fabric having a
bottom end 75 and a top end 76 hingedly attached by the bottom end
75 to the back of the seat 73. An elastic cord 79 attaches to the
top end 76 and extends upwardly to the upper frame 11 and beam 16
and is connected at the frame connector 17. The elastic cord 79 has
a limited elasticity that only stretches to a maximum length so as
to allow the user 20 to recline to a supine position while
positioned on the rigid seat 73. Two vertical members 81, 82 are
connected to the seat 73 by cradle connectors 77 and extend
upwardly to the upper frame 11 and connected by the frame
connectors 17.
[0030] Co-located with the cradle system 70 is a handle system 90
comprising a pair of flying rings 91,92. Each ring 91, 92 has a
handle connector 93, 94 which is connected to a support member
95,96 extending upwardly to the upper frame 11 and connected via
the frame connectors 17. The support members 95, 96 can be
connected to the same frame connectors 17 as the vertical members
81, 82.
[0031] The exercise device of the current invention may be used in
a variety of exercises. One embodiment of a basic method, see FIG.
5, that allows a user 20 to perform functional task during training
or exercise using the exercise device 10 would be to first secure
the user with the first harness assembly 31 and the anchor box 41.
The harness assembly 31 may be of a variety of embodiments as
previously stated, but is basically adapted to be worn by the user
20. Attach the upwardly extending arms of the anchor box 41 to a
stopper 42. Attach the stopper 42 to a predetermined number of
downward extending resilient members 44 to establish an adequate
amount of vertical force. Again, both the resilient members 44 and
the upper frame 11 may have connectors for attachment. The height
of the upper frame 11 should be predetermined so that the user 20
is located substantially beneath the upper frame 11 and allows for
the vertical height of the anchor box 41 and the desired vertical
distance the user 20 shall move. Typically, the user 20 will be in
the center of the beam 14 and will be capable of moving and jumping
about beneath the upper frame 11 (see dotted lines in FIG. 5). The
user 20 would then be prepared to perform the functional task or
tasks. These tasks may be part of a training exercise program to
include but are not limited to side-lunges, 2-and-1 legged lunges,
reverse lunges, frog jumps, sumo dead lifts, knee lifts, mid-air
hand-to-toe touches and other exercise programs as might be
designed by one skilled in the art. Exercises performed by user 20
primarily target the gluteus, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, hip
abductor, adductor, and iliopsoas muscle groups.
[0032] The second step of one embodiment of a basic method, see
FIG. 6, that allows a user 20 to perform functional task during
training or exercise using the exercise device 10 would be to first
secure the user with the second harness assembly 51. The harness
assembly 51 may be of a variety embodiments as previously stated,
but is basically adapted to be worn by the user 20. Attach the two
flexible lines 61, 62 to the harness connectors 57 and operatively
dispose the flexible lines through a series of block and tackle
pulley systems 53 and the floor mounted pulley 54. The flexible
lines 61, 62 terminate at grasping handles 63, 64 which a spotter
can grasp and perform a two-handed seated row pull exercise to
hoist user 20 up the vertical surface 18. Again, both the flexible
line and the upper frame 11 may have connectors for attachment. The
height of the upper frame 11 should be predetermined so that the
user 20 is located substantially beneath the upper frame 11 and
allows for the installation of a safety membrane (not shown) and
the desired vertical distance the user 20 shall move. Typically,
the user 20 will be in the center of the beam 15 and will be
capable of moving horizontally about beneath the upper frame 11 on
the vertical surface 18 (see dotted lines and directional arrows in
FIG. 6). The user 20 and the spotter would then be prepared to
perform the functional task or tasks. These tasks may be part of a
training exercise program to include but are not limited to an
aerobic workout by running horizontally back and forth across the
vertical surface 18 while suspended in the air by the second
harness assembly 51. The spotter pulls on the ends of the flexible
line 61, 62 while in a seated rowing position and aids the user 20
up the vertical surface 18. Exercises performed by user 20 and
spotter primarily target the muscle groups including but not
limited to latissimus dorsi, trapezius, rhomboids, teres major and
minor, deltoids, infraspinatus, brachialis, brahcioradialis,
pectoralis major, sternal and erector spinae and muscles used in
other exercise programs as might be designed by one skilled in the
art.
[0033] The third step of one embodiment of a basic method, see FIG.
7A, that allows a user 20 to perform functional task during
training or exercise using the exercise device 10 would be to first
seat the user within the cradle system 70. The cradle system 70 may
be of a variety embodiments as previously stated, but is basically
adapted to be a rigid seat 73 with a flexible backrest 74 in which
the user 20 is seated comfortably. Attach the two vertical members
81, 82 to the seat extending upward to the upper frame 11 and
secured via the frame connectors 17. Attach an elastic cord 79 to
the back 74 and to the frame connector 17. Again, both the vertical
members 81, 82, the elastic cord 79, and the upper frame 11 may
have connectors for attachment. The elastic cord 79 has a
predetermined elasticity that only stretches as far as to allow the
user to recline in the seat 73 to a supine position, see FIG. 7B.
User 20 to perform abdominal exercise while seated in seat 73 with
45 degree angle position with legs extended and supine position
with back resting in backrest 74 and legs extended performing
various crunches such as bicycle crunches, scissor switches and
double crunches. Also, V-sit exercises require the user 20 to sit
with back erect, knees bent and legs raised to 45 degree angle,
hands are anchored behind thighs, alternating between legs
outstretched and straightened. Exercises performed during this
activity target the rectus abdominis, external and internal
obliques, transverse abdominals and erector spinae. The height of
the upper frame 11 should be predetermined so that the user 20 is
located substantially beneath the upper frame 11 and allows for the
desired vertical distance the user 20 shall move. Typically, the
user 20 will be in the center of the beam 16 (see generally FIGS.
7A, 7B, and 7C ). FIG. 7C shows the user 20 also performing various
abdominal exercises while locking arms and bearing weight down on a
pair of flying rings 91,92. Each ring 91, 92 has a handle connector
93, 94 which is connected to a support member 95,96 extending
upwardly to the upper frame 11 and connected via the frame
connectors 17. The rings 91, 92 are positioned parallel to the
waist of the user 20 and at a predetermined height above the seat
73. User 20 bears downward on rings 91, 92 causing the lifting of
the buttocks and legs inches off seat 73 and user 20 then performs
inward knee bends and horizontal scissor kicks. The muscle groups
used are the triceps, forearm, biceps, deltoids, infraspinatus,
teres major and minor as well as the rectus abdominis, external and
internal obliques, transverse abdominals and erector spinae. These
tasks may be part of a training exercise program or other exercise
programs as might be designed by one skilled in the art.
[0034] While certain specific materials and arrangements have been
detailed in the above description of exemplary embodiments, these
may be varied, where suitable, with similar results. For example,
while a steel upper frame is preferred, the upper frame may be
formed from any suitable material such as wood, plastics,
fiberglass, composite materials, or combinations of these or other
materials.
[0035] Having shown and described the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, further adaptations of the exercise device of
the present invention as described herein can be accomplished by
appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art
without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several
of these potential modifications and alternatives have been
mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
For example, while exemplary embodiments of the inventive system
and process have been discussed for illustrative purposes, it
should be understood that the element described will be constantly
updated and improved by technology and advances. Similarly, as
described, the exercise device of this invention could be applied
with just about any user or accessory exercise or athletic
equipment such as a trampoline or a ball. Accordingly, the scope of
the present invention should be considered in terms of the
following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details
of structure, operation, or process steps as shown and described in
the specification and drawings.
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