U.S. patent application number 10/939543 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-15 for adjustable hand grip for exercise machine.
Invention is credited to Van Waes, Richard.
Application Number | 20050277520 10/939543 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36060510 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050277520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Waes, Richard |
December 15, 2005 |
Adjustable hand grip for exercise machine
Abstract
An adjustable hand grip assembly is provided for treadmills that
provides variable height positioning of vertical grips immediately
forward of the exerciser's lower chest wall.
Inventors: |
Van Waes, Richard; (Jackson,
TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOUGLAS T. JOHNSON
MILLER & MARTIN
1000 VOLUNTEER BUILDING
832 GEORGIA AVENUE
CHATTANOOGA
TN
37402-2289
US
|
Family ID: |
36060510 |
Appl. No.: |
10/939543 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60575676 |
May 28, 2004 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 ;
482/62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/02 20130101;
A63B 2225/093 20130101; A63B 22/0235 20130101; A63B 71/04 20130101;
A63B 69/0057 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/054 ;
482/062 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/12; A63B
022/02; A63B 069/16 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A pivotable hand grip assembly for use of a treadmill of the
type having a base with an endless belt supported thereon and a
support frame extending upward from the base comprising: (a) first
and second mounting brackets on the support frame; (b) a first hand
rail assembly with a mount for pivotable attachment to the first
mounting bracket, a lateral extension from the mount, and a
vertical grip section; (c) a second hand rail assembly with a mount
for pivotable attachment to the second mounting bracket, a lateral
extension from the mount, and a vertical grip section.
2. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 1 wherein the first
and second hand rail assemblies are pivotable between an extended
position where the vertical grip sections are located over the
endless belt, and a retracted position.
3. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 1 wherein the first
and second hand rail assemblies are adjustable vertically to a
desired height above the endless belt.
4. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 1 wherein the vertical
grip sections of the first and second hand rail assemblies further
comprise a padded grip surface.
5. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 1 wherein the lateral
extensions of the first and second hand rail assemblies further
comprise a grip section with a padded grip surface.
6. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 2 further comprising a
locking mechanism for selectively locking the first and second hand
rail assemblies in the extended position and the retracted
position.
7. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 1 wherein the first
and second mounting brackets comprise vertical tubular sections
having a first diameter and extending upward from the support
frame.
8. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 7 wherein the mounts
of the first and second hand rail assemblies comprise vertical
tubular sections having a second diameter that engage the mounting
bracket vertical tubular sections and are rotatable with respect
thereto.
9. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 8 wherein the both
mounting bracket vertical sections of first diameters and the hand
rail assembly tubular sections of second diameter have apertures
defining bisecting passages across such sections, and a pin
inserted through the apertures of a mounting bracket vertical
section and a tubular section of second diameter engaged therewith
acts to lock the position of the hand rail assembly relative to the
mounting bracket.
10. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 1 wherein the first
hand rail assembly comprises a first tubular section forming a
mount for pivotable engagement to the first mounting bracket, a
first corner section connected to and forming a right angle with
the first tubular section, a second tubular section with a first
end connected to the first corner section, said second tubular
section forming a lateral extension and having a padded grip
surface thereon, and said second tubular section having a second
end connected to a second corner section forming a right angle with
the second tubular section, a third tubular section with a first
end connected to the second corner section, said third tubular
section forming a vertical grip section and having a padded surface
thereon and extending to a second end.
11. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 10 wherein the first
tubular section and the third tubular section are substantially
parallel in orientation.
12. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 10 wherein the first
hand rail assembly further comprises a flange on the first corner
section at a connection with the first tubular section.
13. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 10 wherein the first
mounting bracket comprises a vertical tubular section having a
first diameter and extending upward from the support frame.
14. The pivotable hand grip assembly of claim 13 wherein the first
tubular section of the first hand rail assembly has a second
diameter that engages the vertical tubular section of the first
mounting bracket and is rotatable with respect thereto.
15. A hand rail assembly comprising a first tubular section, a
first corner section connected to and forming a right angle with
the first tubular section, a second tubular section with a first
end connected to the first corner section, said second tubular
section forming a lateral extension and having a padded grip
surface thereon, and said second tubular section having a second
end connected to a second corner section forming a right angle with
the second tubular section, a third tubular section with a first
end connected to the second corner section, said third tubular
section forming a vertical grip section and having a padded surface
thereon and extending to a second end.
16. The hand rail assembly of claim 15 further comprising a flange
on the first corner section at a connection with the first tubular
section.
17. The hand rail assembly of claim 15 further comprising pairs of
apertures spaced at predetermined increments on the first tubular
section defining bisecting passages across said tubular
section.
18. The hand rail assembly of claim 15 further comprising an end
cap on the end of the third tubular section.
19. A hand rail assembly for use in a treadmill of the type having
a base with an endless belt supported therein for longitudinal
movement and having a first support frame extending upward from the
base on a first side of the endless belt and a second support frame
extending upward from the base on a second opposite side of the
endless belt, comprising: (a) a first tubular rib extending upward
from the support frame; (b) a first S-bar having a tubular lower
section pivotably engaging the first tubular rib, a horizontal
section extending from the lower section, and a vertical grip
section; (c) a first locking mechanism engaging the first tubular
rib and the first S-bar tubular lower section and locking the S-bar
at least in an extended position with the horizontal section normal
to the longitudinal axis of the endless belt such that the vertical
grip section is above the endless belt, and in a retracted position
with the vertical grip section positioned off of the endless belt;
(d) a second tubular rib extending upward from the support frame;
(e) a second S-bar having a tubular lower section pivotably
engaging the second tubular rib, a horizontal section extending
from the lower section, and a vertical grip section; and (f) a
second locking mechanism engaging the second tubular rib and the
second S-bar tubular lower section and locking the S-bar at least
in an extended position with the horizontal section normal to the
longitudinal axis of the endless belt such that the vertical grip
section is above the endless belt, and in a retracted position with
the vertical grip section positioned off of the endless belt.
20. The hand rail assembly of claim 19 wherein the horizontal
section of the first S-bar and the horizontal section of the second
S-bar are each adapted to provide a horizontal hand grip.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/575,676 filed on May 28, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to exercising devices, and
particularly to an adjustable hand grip system adapted for use with
treadmills.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Treadmill exercising machines are well known and basically
consist of an endless belt mounted in a base. By walking or running
on this belt, one may obtain an aerobic level of exercise.
Treadmill machines come in wide variety of configurations with most
modern models now being powered by electric motors and providing a
variety of controls to set the speed and perhaps incline of the
belt at a desired position for exercise. Less expensive models have
fewer features and may even be manually powered. The general
objective of treadmill devices is to provide the cardiopulmonary
benefits of walking, jogging or running. The walking, jogging or
running exercise on a treadmill works the large gludimous maximus
and deltoid muscle groups, thereby providing aerobic level exercise
and corresponding cardiovascular benefits.
[0004] While it is possible to exercise on a treadmill machine
without utilizing hand grips, hand grips are usually provided for
exercisers who prefer or require such grips. Perhaps the most
common grip position is that of a horizontal crossbar located
directly in front of the exerciser toward the forward end of the
treadmill as typified by bars shown in Lynch, U.S. Pat. No.
5,000,440, and in Fisher, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,117 in
phantom. A common alternative position is a side grip such as that
shown FIG. 2 of Lynch, and the final common option is a pivoting
exercise enhancing grip such as shown in Fisher, et al. that allows
the exerciser to also work upper body muscle groups.
[0005] While the aforementioned grip configurations have proved
suitable for most treadmill users, there remain inadequacies for
the use of treadmills in cardiac rehabilitation. After open heart
surgery, the recovering patients are instructed to engage in light
exercise as a part of their cardiac rehabilitation, and treadmill
exercise devices are well suited for this purpose. However,
patients are instructed to tuck their arms close to their body with
hands positioned directly against the frontal lower chest wall
directly beneath their pectoral muscles. When utilizing a
horizontal crossbar, the exerciser's hands are necessarily rotated
to a horizontal position and in the best case, hands extend
somewhat forward from the exerciser's abdomen. Obviously, the use
of side grips or pivoting grips moves the exerciser's hands even
further away from the desired position, and also causes the arms to
be moved away from the sides of the body.
[0006] Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to
provide a hand grip assembly that may be adapted for use by
exercisers engaged in cardiac rehabilitation, or who need or desire
aid with stability and balance while exercising.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a hand grip
assembly suitable for use in cardiac rehabilitation that when not
needed for such purpose may be easily moved out of the way so that
traditional grip locations are available.
[0008] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a hand rail that supplies vertical grips that may be
positioned immediately forward of the exerciser's lower chest wall
and that also provides grips in the location of a horizontal
crossbar.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The above recited objects of the invention and others which
will become apparent upon a reading of the following specification
and claims are achieved by the present invention which provides for
two pivotably mounted hand rails that are rotatable into position,
such that each hand rail provides both a horizontal section and a
vertical section for gripping immediately forward of the exerciser
and that may be adjusted vertically to the desired height for a
particular individual. When not in use, the hand rails may be
pivoted out of position so that the treadmill may be utilized with
its ordinary hand rail configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention may be described with greater clarity and
particularity by reference to the accompanying drawings in which
like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the
various views.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a treadmill equipped with
hand rails according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of a single hand rail according
to the present invention located in retracted position.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an end view of a left hand rail according to the
present invention located in extended position for use.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rib and hand
rail assembly of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of hand rails of the
present invention located in extended position for use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring now to the drawings in more detail, a treadmill
exercise device 10 is illustrated comprised generally of base 11 in
which an endless belt 12 is supported longitudinally and upon which
the exerciser 17 jogs or walks. Also shown is a display 15 set at
the top of display support 14 extending upward from base 11. The
display 15 typically provides user controls to adjust speed and
incline of the belt 12 and may also provide visual readouts of
elapsed time, estimated caloric consumption, heart rate and other
information. The features of treadmills vary widely, and the
present invention is not restricted to use on any particular model
or features other than as set forth in the claims. Of principal
interest in the present invention is the support frame, in the
illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 comprised of left frame 21 and
right frame 31 on either side of the endless belt 12. Left and
right frames 21, 31 are each respectively comprised of front leg
sections 22, 32, horizontal bar sections 23, 33, and rear leg
sections 24, 34. On each of the left and right frames 21, 31 is a
mounting bracket such as channeled rib 25 which receives a hand
rail assembly such as S-bar 40 that provides an adjustable grip in
the form of a vertical section 48 that may be positioned against
the exerciser's 17 front lower chest wall.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of right side rail 31 with
rib 25 and S-bar 40 shown in its retracted position. Bracket 25 may
be permanently welded to horizontal section 33 of side rail 31 or
may have a removable mounting section such as horizontal tube 28,
the channel of which is securely but removably mounted to
horizontal section 33. Bracket 25 preferably has a vertical tubular
section 26 with pairs of apertures 27 extending through the tube
wall. The S-bar 40 has a mount such as lower section 41, that in
the use of the illustrated tubular embodiments may be overfitting
or interfitting as shown with the bracket provided having vertical
tubular section 26, to permit pivoting movement. Illustrated lower
section 41 also has apertures 42 at predetermined increments to
form a part of an adjusting and locking assembly. In order to set
the height of the S-bar 40 and thereby set the height of the
vertical section 48 above the endless belt of the treadmill, a set
of desired lower section apertures 42 is aligned with a pair of
vertical tube apertures 27 and a mounting pin 36 extended
therethrough. From lower section 41, S-bar 40 of the illustrated
hand rail assembly proceeds to corner 44 making a right angle, a
lateral extension such as horizontal section 45, a second corner 47
also making a right angle, vertical section 48 and end cap 50.
Horizontal section 45 and vertical section 48 each preferably have
padded grip sections 46, 49 which may be formed from hard foam
rubber, or similar suitable materials, to provide a softer gripping
area and to minimize the chance of injury if bumped against. The
two right angled corners 44, 47 cause the lower section 41 and the
vertical section 48 to be substantially parallel, but offset by the
distance attributable to the lateral extension.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an end view of side member 23 of the left frame 21
having upstanding tubular section 26 with S-bar 40 rotated into its
extended position for use. Mounting pin 36 is shown with head 37
and distal end 38 so that the post section of pin 36 extends
through apertures 27 in tubular section 26 and apertures 42 in
lower section 41 of S-bar 40. In this fashion, the pin 36 fixes the
position of the lower section 41 and indeed the entire handrail
assembly of S-bar 40, relative to the tubular section 26. It will
be seen that flange 43 just above lower section 41 prevents corner
44 of S-bar 40 from entering tubular section 26 and becoming wedged
in that position.
[0019] As better shown in FIG. 4, it can also be seen that rather
than simply having pairs of apertures 27 extending on opposite
sides of vertical tube 26, the lower section 41 of S-bar 40 has
sets of four apertures 42 evenly spaced about the circumference of
the lower section 41 at each predetermined increment so that the
S-bar 40 may be rotated in 90.degree. increments with respect to
tubular section 26. This enables the S-bar 40 to be positioned in
both retracted and extended positions at each height.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the central
horizontal sections 23, 33 of left and right side rails 21, 31.
S-bars 40 are shown in their extended positions with vertical
sections 48 positioned over the forward portion of the endless
belt. Arrows A and B show how S-bars 40 may be rotated 90.degree.
to retracted positions to position central horizontal sections 45
generally above and parallel to left and right horizontal sections
23, 33. It will also be seen in FIG. 5 that S-bars 40 present both
vertical grip sections 48 with grips 49 that may be easily
positioned against the front lower chest wall of an exerciser, and
horizontal sections 45 providing grips in the positions with
padding 46 in the fashion of the customary horizontal crossbars.
Thus the S-bars 40 of the present invention provide the ability to
convert the support frame of a treadmill machine to both a
horizontal crossbar grip and to a vertical cardiac rehabilitation
friendly grip configuration.
[0021] It will be understood that there are numerous methods that
may be utilized to provide mounting brackets on the frame of a
treadmill and to pivotably attach a hand rail assembly to such
mounting points, and similarly that there are many alternatives for
lockingly engaging a hand rail assembly in a selected vertical and
rotational position.
[0022] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been disclosed in detail herein, it will be understood that various
substitutions and modifications may be made to the disclosed
embodiment described herein without departing from the scope and
spirit of the present invention as recited in the appended
claims.
* * * * *