U.S. patent application number 11/006424 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-08 for exercise seat for transport vehicle.
Invention is credited to Michael A. Long, Tony H. Nguyen.
Application Number | 20060122040 11/006424 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36575070 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060122040 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nguyen; Tony H. ; et
al. |
June 8, 2006 |
Exercise seat for transport vehicle
Abstract
A leg exerciser having first and second foot pads coupled to a
glide assembly having longitudinally extending first and second
tracks for moving the first and second foot pads between a stored
position and an exercising position. The foots pads are coupled to
a resistance means to provide resistance to the movement of the
foot pads. The leg exerciser is configured to be mounted to a
seat.
Inventors: |
Nguyen; Tony H.; (Renton,
WA) ; Long; Michael A.; (Freeland, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KLEIN, O'NEILL & SINGH
2 PARK PLAZA
SUITE 510
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
36575070 |
Appl. No.: |
11/006424 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/80 ;
482/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/08 20130101;
A63B 21/05 20130101; A61H 2209/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/080 ;
482/051 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/00 20060101
A63B022/00; A63B 23/08 20060101 A63B023/08; A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00; A63B 23/10 20060101 A63B023/10 |
Claims
1. A leg exerciser comprising: a first and a second foot pad; a
glide assembly having longitudinally extending first and second
tracks for moving said first and second foot pads between a stored
position and a exercising position; and a resistance means coupled
to said foot pads to provide resistance to the movement of said
foot pads, said leg exerciser configured to be mounted to seat
tracks of a first seat such that loads experienced by the
compression of the first and second foot pads are absorbed in seat
tracks of the first seat while a user of the leg exerciser is
seated in a second seat.
2. The leg exerciser of claim 1, wherein said glide assembly
includes at least one means for folding the foot pads into a
collapsed configuration.
3. The leg exerciser of claim 1, wherein the leg exerciser is
configured to be operated from a seated position.
4. The leg exerciser of claim 1, further comprising means for
providing variable resistance to the motion of the first and second
foot pads.
5. The leg exerciser of claim 1, wherein the first and second foot
pads have a texturized surface.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to exercising equipment and, more
particularly, to an apparatus for the exercise of leg muscles to
increase blood flow in the legs while seated on a transport
vehicle.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Currently, there are limited options for exercising on an
airplane. On very long flights passengers are seated for long
periods of time, which can cause their legs to become numb due to
reduced circulation. The ability to stand up and walk around in an
airplane is not always practical and the attempt to do so may
disturb other passengers.
[0005] Some air carriers are considering exercise rooms on board
airplanes. However, this requires that the number of seats or cargo
space be reduced.
[0006] Other exercise options can include exercise-friendly power
bands used to provide resistance to the movement of a user's limbs.
While others choose to brace themselves against walls, typically
near the galley or lavatories, to perform stretching exercises for
legs, calves, back, and arms. With increased security concerns on
airplanes, the congregation of passengers near the galley or
lavatories is discouraged and often prohibited.
SUMMARY
[0007] The invention provides exercise equipment that allows for
movement of the legs while offering resistance to that movement.
The exercise equipment is for use on an airplane while in a seated
position. The exercise equipment includes two pedals, which can be
alternatively compressed with the feet to exercise the legs and
stimulate circulation.
[0008] As described below, the exercise apparatus rides on a
telescoping track mounted below a seat in front of the exercising
passenger. The exercise equipment can be moved from a stowed
position to an exercise position. The resistance is provided
through any means of mechanical or pneumatic actuation and the
like. The loads experienced by the compression of the pedals are
absorbed in the seat tracks of the seat in front of the exercising
passenger to prevent disturbance of other passengers. The exercise
equipment stows under the seat in front of the exercising passenger
when not in use.
[0009] Beneficially, the present invention inhibits deep vein
thrombosis, which can cause blood clots, triggered by long periods
of inactivity while seated. The present invention enables movement
of the leg muscles, which increases blood flow in the legs and
inhibits the formation of blood clots.
[0010] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description
which follows. It is to be understood that both the foregoing
general description and the following detailed description are
merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an
overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of
the invention as it is claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings are included to provide further
understanding of the invention, illustrate various embodiments of
the invention, and together with the description serve to explain
the principles and operation of the invention. In the drawings, the
same components have the same reference numerals. The illustrated
embodiment is intended to illustrate, but not to limit the
invention. The drawings include the following Figures:
[0012] FIGS. 1A and 1B are simplified side and top views of the
exercise apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0013] FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of the exercise apparatus
of FIG. 1A mounted to a seat in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The present invention allows for exercise of a user's leg
muscles while the user is seated.
[0015] FIGS. 1A and 1B are side and top views of exercise apparatus
100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Exercise
apparatus 100 includes a glide assembly 102 including two
telescoping tracks 104 and 106. The telescoping feature of tracks
104 and 106 allows for track 106 to moveably extend from track 104
in a linear path, generally free of lateral motion.
[0016] At the extended end of track 106 is mounted a pair of foot
pads 108 and 110. The overall width of foot pads 108 and 110 should
provide for travel in a linear path within glide assembly 102, also
free of lateral motion. In one embodiment, foot pads 108 and 110
are made slightly narrower then the distance between tracks 104 and
106 of glide assembly 102.
[0017] At least one roller wheel 112 is positioned on the extended
end of track 106 to evenly distribute the weight and increase the
stability of exercise apparatus 100 during use. One skilled in the
art will recognize that the number and location of roller wheel 112
is not limited to that which is shown in FIG. 1. Various bracing
structures can be used to enhance structural rigidity of tracks 108
and 110 as would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the
art.
[0018] Foot pads 108 and 110 permit simultaneous exercise of two
legs. Foot pads 108 and 110 may be formed of a variety of
materials, such as plastic, metal, or other material that is
lightweight, durable and sturdy to minimize flexing when in use.
Glide assembly 102 are also formed of plastic, metal or other
material that is lightweight, durable and sturdy to avoid flexing
when in use. By way of example glide assembly 102 may be formed of
aluminum.
[0019] In one embodiment, a joint or hinge 114 may be provided to
allow the ability to fold foot pads 108 and 110 down toward tracks
108 and 110 for convenient storage. Optionally, a second joint or
hinge 116 can be provided near foot pads 108 and 110 to allow foot
pads 108 and 110 to be folded along tracks 104 and 106 and lay flat
there along.
[0020] Foot pads 108 and 110 are sized in width to fit between
tracks 104 and 106 of tracks 108 and 110. Such a width would then
easily allow exercise apparatus 100 to fit between the legs of a
stationary chair. Exercise apparatus 100 located under a chair
allows the path of travel of the user's feet while exercising to be
natural. In one embodiment, foot pad travel may be sized in length
to provide about a 0.5 inch to about 8 inches of travel, although
it is known that shorter lengths may be sufficient for increasing
blood flow. Foot pads 108 and 110 may be sized to accommodate any
user's feet. Foot pads 108 and 110 are made generally longer and
wider than a user's foot to avoid the ends of a user's foot from
approaching the ends of the foot pads and be in danger of colliding
with surrounding structures. It should be understood that the
present invention is not limited to any specific dimensions.
[0021] In one embodiment, the top surfaces of foot pads 108 and 110
can be texturized to inhibit the user's foot from sliding relative
to the texturized foot pads.
[0022] In one embodiment, the resistance mechanism is provided by a
mechanical spring within a pneumatic cylinder. The mechanical
spring is a coil spring providing a minimal amount of resistance
for exercise and the pedal return force. The pneumatic cylinder is
a cylinder within a cylinder having sliding surfaces that are
pneumatically sealed. An internal guide keeps the internal cylinder
aligned with the external cylinder. A simple valve connected to the
cylinder is opened for less resistance and closed for greater
resistance.
[0023] In one embodiment, the internal cylinder can be welded or
similarly attached to a foot pad, while the external cylinder is
welded or similarly attached to an attachment block. The attachment
block is welded or similarly attached to the track. The attachment
between the external cylinder and the attachment block is made so
as to angle the pneumatic cylinder toward the user's foot.
[0024] FIG. 2. illustrates exercise apparatus 100 for use as part
of a seating configuration in a transport vehicle, such as an
airplane seating arrangement. Exercise apparatus 100 is mounted
close to the floor and oriented below a seat in front of the user.
The user is seated in a chair located at the other end of exercise
apparatus 100, such that the chair and the user are facing exercise
apparatus 100. The user places one foot on each foot pad 108 and
110. Alternatively or in addition, a user may place her foot on the
texturized surface of the foot pads.
[0025] In operation, the user moves both feet fore and aft so as to
move foot pads 108 and 110 40 in a bicycling motion.
[0026] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the present invention
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
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