U.S. patent application number 10/758447 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-21 for variably configured exercise device.
Invention is credited to Kmatz, Jane, McVay, John, Schnabel, Robert JR., Smith, Deltev F..
Application Number | 20050159277 10/758447 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34749507 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050159277 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McVay, John ; et
al. |
July 21, 2005 |
Variably configured exercise device
Abstract
A variably configured exercise device is provided. The exercise
device can include a vertical support member having a longitudinal
axis, a sliding member configured to move along the vertical
support member in a direction substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis, a pair of rails each having first end portions
that can be pivotally connected to the sliding member on the
vertical support member, and a user support platform slidably
engaged with the pair of rails. The exercise device can further
include an actuation mechanism coupled to the sliding member where
the actuation mechanism can be configured to selectively adjust the
position of the sliding member relative to the vertical support
member.
Inventors: |
McVay, John; (Canton,
OH) ; Kmatz, Jane; (Louisville, OH) ;
Schnabel, Robert JR.; (Navarre, OH) ; Smith, Deltev
F.; (Fairlawn, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BENESCH, FRIEDLANDER, COPLAN & ARONOFF LLP
ATTN: IP DEPARTMENT DOCKET CLERK
2300 BP TOWER
200 PUBLIC SQUARE
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
34749507 |
Appl. No.: |
10/758447 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0087 20130101;
A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 23/0405 20130101; A63B 21/068 20130101;
A63B 2220/56 20130101; A63B 23/03575 20130101; A63B 21/00069
20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B 2220/30 20130101; A63B
2220/801 20130101; A63B 23/03525 20130101; A63B 21/4034 20151001;
A63B 2220/13 20130101; A63B 21/4045 20151001; A63B 21/0622
20151001; A63B 21/154 20130101; A63B 23/1209 20130101; A63B
2208/0252 20130101; A63B 21/4043 20151001; A63B 21/4031 20151001;
A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 2225/093
20130101; A63B 21/0083 20130101; A63B 2024/0093 20130101; A63B
2225/50 20130101; A63B 21/0085 20130101; A63B 21/0628 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/142 |
International
Class: |
A63B 026/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An exercise device comprising: a vertical support member having
a longitudinal axis; a sliding member configured to move along the
vertical support member in a direction substantially parallel to
the longitudinal axis; a pair of rails, each of the rails having a
first and second end portions, the first end portion of each rail
being pivotally connected to the sliding member on the vertical
support member; a user support platform slidably engaged with the
pair of rails; and an actuation mechanism coupled to the sliding
member, the actuation mechanism configured to selectively adjust
the position of the sliding member relative to the vertical support
member.
2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism
includes a lead screw assembly mounted adjacent the vertical
support member.
3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein the lead screw assembly
includes a lead screw and a bi-directional motor having a motor
shaft.
4. The exercise device of claim 3, further comprising a threaded
member mounted to the sliding member, the threaded member being
configured to engage the lead screw for axial movement of the
threaded member along the lead screw in response to rotation of the
shaft.
5. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a controller
electrically connected to the actuation mechanism and an input
device, the controller being configured to operate the actuation
mechanism in response to a control signal from the input
device.
6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein the input device
includes a switch electrically connected to the controller.
7. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein the controller includes
a wireless receiver and the input device includes a wireless
emitter to transmit the control signal to the wireless receiver of
the controller.
8. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the exercise device
includes at least one handle and the input device is positioned on
the at least one handle.
9. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the input device is a
remote control.
10. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein the control signal is
transmitted from the wireless emitter to the wireless receiver of
the controller via transmission means selected from the group
consisting of infrared transmission, radio frequency transmission,
and bluetooth transmission.
11. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism
is adjustable from a location remote from the exercise device.
12. A variably configured exercise apparatus comprising: a vertical
member; a guide slidably engaged with the vertical member; at least
one rail having a first end portion and a second end portion, the
first end portion of the rail being pivotally connected to the
guide; a user support platform configured to engage the rail in a
sliding relationship; and a motor-driven linear actuator operably
connected to the guide and configured to selectively vary the
inclination of the user support platform.
13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: pulley
means; and connector means extendable through the pulley means and
connecting to the user support platform, wherein the rail is
extendable from the vertical member and alignable such that the
user support platform is rollable along the rail when the connector
means is extended through the pulley means.
14. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein the connector means
comprises a cable.
15. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein the motor-driven
linear actuator includes a motor, an elongate lead screw driven by
the motor, and a drive element attached to the guide and threadedly
associated with the lead screw to raise or lower the first end of
the rail when the motor is operated to rotate the lead screw.
16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein the drive element
comprises a drive nut.
17. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, wherein upper and lower
ends of the lead screw are mounted in a generally vertical
relationship to the vertical member by mounting brackets.
18. The exercise apparatus of claim 17, wherein each mounting
bracket includes bearing means to support the upper and lower ends
of the lead screw.
19. An adjustable exercise device comprising: an upright post; a
set of substantially parallel rails, each rail having an first end
portion configured to move in a direction substantially parallel to
the upright post for adjusting the inclination of the rails; a
glide board slidably engaged with the rails; and a drive mechanism
coupled to the upper portion of the frame, the drive mechanism
configured to selectively adjust the height of the upper portion of
the rails and thereby change the inclination of the rails to and
from any one of various inclined positions.
20. The exercise device of claim 19, wherein the drive mechanism is
driven by a motor.
21. The exercise device of claim 20, wherein the drive mechanism
includes: a threaded driven member configured to engage the lead
screw, the threaded driven member being attached to at least one of
the first end portions; and a lead screw having an external thread
profile matching the profile of the internal thread of the threaded
driven member, the lead screw configured to threadingly engage the
threaded driven member such that when the motor rotates the lead
screw, the first end portions of the rails are raised or lowered
along the upright post.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present application relates to a variable configuration
exercise device. In particular, the present application relates to
a variable configuration exercise device that can be adjusted to
change the orientation of a support surface (e.g., height,
inclination, etc.) and/or the resistance provided for by the
exercise device.
[0002] In some exercise devices, the exerciser can sit or lie on a
seat or other support platform (e.g., a bench) and, from this
position, the exerciser can perform a series of exercise routine
depending on the type of exercise device that the exerciser is
using. Currently, support platforms can be adjusted by the
exerciser, for example in height, so that the inclination of the
support platform can be changed to suit the exerciser. Depending on
the exercise device, the adjustment of the inclination can also
change the resistance felt by the exerciser when performing certain
exercise routines. Generally, this adjustment is a manual one and
must be carried out each time in accordance with a change of
exercise or for a different user.
[0003] In such exercise devices, orientation adjustment and/or
resistance adjustment can be accomplished through manual means
through the use of removable locking devices such as locking pins.
The locking pins are configured to retain the support platform in a
fixed orientation when engaged, yet permit the exerciser to remove
the pin and fix the support platform in another orientation. Since
adjustment is manual, the exerciser typically has to dismount the
exercise device to adjust the orientation and/or resistance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] It will be appreciated that the illustrated boundaries of
elements (e.g., boxes or groups of boxes) in the figures represent
one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that one element may be designed as multiple
elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element.
An element shown as an internal component of another element may be
implemented as an external component and vice versa.
[0005] Further, in the accompanying drawings and description that
follow, like parts are indicated throughout the drawings and
description with the same reference numerals, respectively. The
figures are not drawn to scale and the proportions of certain parts
have been exaggerated for convenience of illustration.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a variably
configured exercise device 100;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the variably configured
exercise device 100;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of one embodiment of
an actuation mechanism 300; and
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment
of the actuation mechanism 300.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present application is directed to exercise devices that
include one or more support surfaces that can be adjusted to
control one or more operating parameters of the exercise device,
such as resistance, inclination or other similar operating
parameters. While the present application will be described in the
context of a multi-function exercise device such as the Total
Gym.RTM., it should be understood that the present application is
not limited to any particular type of exercise device. To the
contrary, the actuation mechanism described herein can be readily
adapted to any exercise device to adjust the orientation of the one
or more support surfaces to control an operating parameter of the
device such as resistance. As used herein, the term "exercise
device" shall refer broadly to any type of exercise machine,
including, but not limited to, incline sit-up devices, weight
benches, lateral sliding exercise devices, treadmills, exercise
cycles, Nordic-style ski exercise devices, rowers, steppers,
elliptical or striding exercise devices.
[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a perspective view and a side
elevation view of one embodiment of an exercise device 100,
respectively. The exercise device 100 can include an upright
support post or vertical support member 105 and guide or sliding
member 110. The sliding member 110 can be configured to be
selectively moved along the vertical support member 105 in a
direction, represented by arrows A, substantially parallel to the
vertical support member 105. In one embodiment, the sliding member
110 can be configured to receive the vertical support member 105
and permit the sliding member 110 to slide freely upwardly and
downwardly along the vertical support member 105. Alternatively,
the sliding member 110 can be configured to be received by the
vertical support member 105 for relatively smooth sliding motion.
Optionally, to reduce friction between the sliding member and the
vertical support member 105, bushings (not shown) may be
provided.
[0012] In one embodiment, the exercise device 100 can be configured
to be collapsible such that it can be folded for relatively easy
storage as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,955, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In such an
embodiment, the exercise device 100 can include a pair of inner
rails 115. Each inner rail 115 has a first end portion 116
pivotally connected to the sliding member 110, and a second end
portion 118 pivotally connected to a first end portion 119 of an
outer set of rails 120 at a rail pivot point 125. Obviously, the
exercise device 100 can be configured such that the inner and outer
rails are reversed where the first end portion 119 of each outer
rail 120 is pivotally connected to the sliding member 110.
[0013] To provide support for the inner and outer sets of rails
115, 120 and to provide collapsible support for the rails 115, 120,
a strut 130 can be provided. The strut 130 has a first end portion
132 that can be pivotally connected to a lower portion of the
vertical support member 110 and a second end portion 134 that can
be pivotally connected to the rail pivot point 125. Optionally, the
second end portion 134 of the strut 130 may be pivotally connected
to the rail pivot point 125, while the first end portion 132 can
rest on a support surface 135 such as a floor or other support
platform.
[0014] In an alternate embodiment and when collapsibility may not
be desired, the exercise device 100 can include a single pair of
rails (not shown) as opposed to two pairs of rails (i.e., the inner
and outer pairs of rails 115, 120). In this embodiment, the first
end of the single pair of rails can be pivotally connected to the
sliding member 110. Also, depending on the design, a strut may or
may not be provided. It will be appreciated that in either the
collapsible or non-collapsible embodiments, a single rail may be
used in place of a pair of rails.
[0015] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the exercise device 100
can further include a user support platform or glide board 140
having rollers (not shown) provided on a bottom side thereof. The
rollers on the user support platform 140 can be configured to
engage and roll along the inner and outer pair of rails 115, 120.
To prevent the user support platform 140 from rolling too far down
the outer rails 120, a bumper 145 can be positioned on at least one
of the outer rails 120.
[0016] In one embodiment, the sliding member 110 can include pulley
support bars 150 extending from opposite sides thereof. The pulley
support bars 150 can, for example, be L-shaped and extend out from
the sliding member 110 in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the direction of sliding A of the sliding member 110. To prevent
interference between the pivotal movement of the inner rails 115
relative to the sliding member 110, the pulley support bars 150 can
extend outward from the sliding member 110 beyond the outer edge of
the inner rails 115. Attached to the pulley support bars 150 are
pulleys 155.
[0017] The exercise device 100 can further include a connector
extending through the pulleys 155 and connecting to the user
support platform 140. The connector may be of any suitable
well-known type, but shown by way of example in FIG. 1 is a cable
160. The cable 160 can include handles 165 at each end. In one
embodiment, the cable 160 can extend through the two pulleys 155
positioned on the pulley support bars 150 and loop through a third
pulley (not shown) attached to the user support platform 140 along
the lateral centerline of the user support platform 140. This
position allows for unilateral (i.e. one arm), bilateral (i.e., two
arm) and static equilibrium (i.e. holding the user support platform
140 suspended by keeping a constant force on each handle 165) use.
The cable 160 should be of sufficient length to extend through the
pulleys 155 and allow the exerciser to grasp one or both of the
handles 165 while the exerciser is on the user support platform 140
and the user support platform 140 is at rest.
[0018] In an alternate embodiment, the connector may be two
separate cables extending through the pulleys 155 with each cable
fixedly attached to the user support platform 140.
[0019] In one embodiment, the exercise device 100 may further
include a footrest 170 provided at a second end 172 of the outer
set of rails 120. For example, the footrest 170 can include a
pressure plate 175 attached to support bars 180 that are coupled to
the second end 172 of the outer set of rails 120 by a cross member
185. When that exercise device 100 is in an unfolded state, the
footrest 170 can be, for example, positioned substantially
perpendicular to the second end 172 of the outer set of rails 120.
In one embodiment, the footrest 170 is removable; however it will
be appreciated that the footrest 170 can be permanently attached to
the outer rails 120.
[0020] As stated above, the sliding member 110 can be selectively
moved along the vertical support member 105. The sliding member 110
can be at least partially supported by and incrementally moveable
along the vertical support member 105 via an actuation mechanism
(not shown). In one embodiment, the actuation mechanism can adjust
the position of the sliding member 110 along the vertical support
member 105 in a linear direction A, which is substantially parallel
to the vertical support member 105. The vertical adjustment of the
sliding member 110, in turn, can vary the inclination of the user
support platform 140 relative to the floor. As used herein, an
actuation mechanism refers to a powered mechanism for changing the
position of elements of the exercise device to adjust orientation
of a support surface of the exercise device and/or the resistance
of the exercise device to movement induced by the user.
[0021] By varying the position of the sliding member 110 along the
vertical support member 105, the angle .theta. between the rails
115, 120 and the floor 135 (illustrated in FIG. 2) may be adjusted.
The adjustment of this angle alters the percentage of the
exerciser's weight that the exerciser's muscles are moving (i.e.,
resistance). This allows for adjustment of the intensity of the
exerciser's workout. At the lowest level, the exerciser's muscles
can be moving 5% of the exerciser's body weight; at the highest
level the exerciser's muscles can be moving 60%. Weight bars (not
shown) may be added to the user support platform 140 so that weight
plates (not shown) may be positioned on the weight bars, thus
adding to the weight propelled by the exerciser's muscles.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of one
embodiment of an actuation mechanism. One suitable example of an
actuation mechanism is a leadscrew assembly 300. The leadscrew
assembly 300 can include a drive motor 305 coupled to a leadscrew
310. In one embodiment, the drive motor 305 can be coupled to the
leadscrew 310 via a gear box 315. In an alternate embodiment, the
leadscrew 310 can be directly coupled to the shaft of the drive
motor 305 by any suitable coupling. The drive motor 305 can be, for
example, a bi-directional motor configured to be selectively
rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction which, as
described further below, will cause the sliding member 110 to raise
or lower with respect to the vertical support member 105. However,
it will be appreciated that other types of motors can be used such
as AC motors, DC motors, and stepper motors.
[0023] It will be appreciated that other suitable electromechanical
actuation mechanisms can be used instead of leadscrew assemblies
such as belt driven linear actuators, linear slides, rack and
pinion assemblies, and linear servomotors. It will also be
appreciated that other types of actuation mechanisms can be used
such as slides that are powered hydraulically, pneumatically, or
electromagnetically.
[0024] In one embodiment, the leadscrew 310 can include an external
thread profile. The external thread profile can be, for example, an
ACME thread profile. The leadscrew 310 can be any desired length
depending on the range of motion required for any exercise
device.
[0025] The leadscrew assembly 300 can include mounting brackets 320
at each end of the leadscrew 310 for mounting the leadscrew
assembly 300 to the vertical support member 105. To support the
leadscrew 310 and to ensure smooth rotational motion of the
leadscrew 310, thrust bearings 325 can be provided in each mounting
bracket 320. To house and protect the leadscrew assembly 300, a
shroud 330 is mounted to the vertical support member 105.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of one
embodiment of the leadscrew assembly 300. To convert the rotary
input motion of the motor 305 and leadscrew 310 to linear output
motion to selectively raise and lower the sliding member 110 along
the vertical support member 105, a driving element or threaded
driven member 405 can be threadedly engaged with the leadscrew 310
and attached to the sliding member 110 by a mounting bracket 410.
In one embodiment, the driving element 405 can be a leadscrew nut.
The driving element 405 can have an internal thread profile that
matches the external thread profile of the leadscrew 310 to ensure
mating rotational contact between the driving element 405 and the
leadscrew 310. In general, as the leadscrew 310 is rotated, the
driving element 405 will move in a linear direction A along the
leadscrew 310. Since the leadscrew nut 405 is attached to the
sliding member 110, the sliding member 110 can be raised or lowered
relative to the vertical support member 105.
[0027] In an alternate embodiment, the actuation mechanism can
directly support and incrementally adjust the position of the first
end 116 of the first pair of rails 115 along the vertical support
member 105 without the need for a sliding member 110. In yet
another alternate embodiment, the actuation mechanism can replace
both the vertical support member 105 and the sliding member 110 by
exclusively supporting the rails and being configured to raise and
lower the first end 120 of the first set of rails 115.
[0028] To control the movement of the actuation mechanism 300 and
change the vertical position of the sliding member 110, a
controller or processor (not shown) can be provided. The controller
(not shown) can be configured to communicate and control the motor
305 that is coupled to the actuation mechanism 300. For example,
the controller (not shown) can control the speed and rotational
direction of the motor 305. It will be appreciated that the
controller can be a valve when the actuation mechanism is powered
pneumatically or hydraulically.
[0029] In one embodiment, the initiation of a change in vertical
position of the sliding member 110 can be activated by a control
signal generated by an input device (not shown). Suitable input
devices can include transducers, sensors and switches. Sensors and
transducers can convert physical data such as speed, position,
temperature, acceleration and pressure into electrical signals that
are recognized by the controller. Switches can be configured to
permit the operator to initiate, halt, or modify action in the
controlled system, including turning electric, electromagnetic,
pneumatic, and hydraulic devices on and off.
[0030] In one embodiment, an input device can be provided on the
vertical support column 105 to permit the exerciser to adjust the
position of the sliding member 110 relative to the vertical support
column 105. In this embodiment, the input device can take the form
of a "up" and "down" switch that is electrically connected to the
controller and is configured to permit the exerciser to
independently control the movements of the sliding member 110.
[0031] In another embodiment, an input device can be provided on at
least one of the handles 165 to permit the exerciser to adjust the
position of the sliding member 110 relative to the vertical support
column 105 while performing an exercise routine. In this
embodiment, the input device can take the form of a switch having a
wireless emitter that is configured to transmit a control signal to
a wireless receiver in the controller. The input device can be
connected to the controller through different kinds of wireless
transmission means (e.g., radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR),
bluetooth (see www.bluetooth.org/spec/for information on the
Bluetooth Specification), or any other recognized wireless
transmission protocol. Other types of suitable transmission means
can include satellite, modem, cable modem, DSL, ADSL connection,
ISDN, Ethernet, or other similar connections, voice activated, and
the like.
[0032] In yet another embodiment, an input device can take the form
of a remote control configured to permit the exerciser or a trainer
to adjust the inclination of the user support platform 140. In this
embodiment, the remote control can include a wireless emitter that
is configured to transmit a control signal to a wireless receiver
in the controller.
[0033] In yet another embodiment, an input device may be provided
at both ends of the leadscrew 310 to provide the controller with
"out of bounds" information. For example, the input device may take
the form of an optical switch that is configured to terminate power
to the motor 305 upon activation of one of the optical switches.
Other suitable input devices that can be used instead of optical
switches include mechanical switches that are activated by physical
contact, hall effect switches that are activated by magnetic
properties, and inductive proximity switches.
[0034] In use, the exerciser can position himself or herself on the
user support platform 140 in the supine position and grasp one or
both of the handles 165. The exerciser can then draw one or both of
the handles 165 toward the exerciser and, by doing so, transports
the user support platform 140 up along the inner and outer rails
115, 120. An exerciser may also vary the resistance while working
upper body muscles by positioning himself or herself on the user
support platform 140 with the exerciser's feet on the floor. The
legs and lower body then provide assistance in moving the user
support platform 140 lessening the load on the upper body
muscles.
[0035] In an alternate embodiment, the exerciser may position him
or herself on the user support platform 140 with the exerciser's
feet positioned on the footrest 170. The exerciser may then extend
the exerciser's legs to move the user support platform 140 up along
the rails 115, 120.
[0036] To selectively adjust the inclination of the user support
platform 140 and/or vary the resistance before the exerciser
positions himself or herself on the user support platform 140, the
exerciser can activate the "up/down" switch located on the vertical
support member 110 or remote control. By pressing the "up" button
on the switch, the inclination of the user support platform 140 can
be incrementally increased (i.e., the angle .theta. is increased).
On the other hand, by pressing the "down" button on the switch, the
inclination of the user support platform 140 can be incrementally
decreased (i.e., the angle .theta. is decreased).
[0037] To selectively adjust the inclination of the user support
platform 140 and/or vary the resistance while the exerciser is
positioned on the user support platform 140, the exerciser can
activate the "up/down" switch located on one of the handles 165. By
pressing the "up" button on the switch, the inclination of the user
support platform 140 can be incrementally increased. On the other
hand, by pressing the "down" button on the switch, the inclination
of the user support platform 140 can be incrementally
decreased.
[0038] If the exerciser is working with a trainer/instructor, the
trainer/instructor can observe the exerciser and control the
exerciser's device from a remote location. For example, the
trainer/instructor can use the remote control to selectively adjust
the inclination of the user support platform 140 and/or vary the
resistance while the exerciser is positioned on the user support
platform 140. This feature can permit the trainer/instructor to
control multiple exercise devices when used in a classroom or group
setting.
[0039] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have
been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of
the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the
appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and
modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to
the specific details, the representative apparatus, and
illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures
may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or
scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
* * * * *
References