U.S. patent application number 10/534332 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for chair type exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Peter Anthony Ashley.
Application Number | 20060258517 10/534332 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9951968 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060258517 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ashley; Peter Anthony |
November 16, 2006 |
Chair type exercise apparatus
Abstract
A multifunction exercise apparatus having a seat portion (47)
and a backrest (48) in the configuration of a chair, which in a
first passive mode conceals the presence of a plurality of exercise
elements which together form an exercise apparatus, and in a second
exercise mode reveals one or more of said exercise elements for a
user, the position of the seat portion (47) being altered and
locked in a position with respect to a base portion and support
surface on which the apparatus stands when the apparatus is moved
between its first passive mode and the second exercise mode. This
provides a comfortable chair construction that will fit in well
with conventional home or office furniture when the apparatus is
not required to be used for an exercise session.
Inventors: |
Ashley; Peter Anthony;
(Suffolk, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Peter Anthony Ashley
233, Grange Road
Felixstowe, Suffolk
1P112QD
GB
|
Family ID: |
9951968 |
Appl. No.: |
10/534332 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
January 22, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB04/00275 |
371 Date: |
May 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/94 ;
482/904 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/159 20130101;
A63B 2210/04 20130101; A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 2210/02
20130101; A63B 21/154 20130101; A63B 23/0355 20130101; A47C 9/002
20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 21/4034 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/094 ;
482/904 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/06 20060101
A63B021/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 28, 2003 |
GB |
0301962.7 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus having a seat portion and a backrest in
the configuration of a chair, which in a first passive mode
conceals the presence of a plurality of exercise elements which
together form an exercise apparatus, and in a second exercise mode
reveals one or more of said exercise elements for a user, the
position of the seat portion being altered and locked in a position
with respect to a base portion and support surface on which the
apparatus stands when the apparatus is moved between its first
passive mode and the second exercise mode.
2. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the seat
portion may be raised and tilted to a position parallel to the
support surface when the chair is altered from the first mode to
said second exercise mode.
3. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the
chair includes supporting frame elements which are interconnected
operably to allow movement of the seat portion between said
modes.
4. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which at least
two frame elements interlock to provide a locking mechanism to
secure the chair in said second exercise mode, the locking
mechanism being releasable by a rotation of one of said frame
elements.
5. An exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in
which the exercise elements are connected to a single resistance
source which is adjustable to vary the resistance to movement
encountered by a user at the exercise elements.
6. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the
resistance source comprises a set of `free` weights.
7. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the free
weights are movable along flexible guides which collapse from a
taut condition when the chair is moved from an exercise mode to a
passive mode.
8. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the
resistance source is selected from one or more resistance means
such as springs, tension bands including rubber ropes, hydraulic or
pneumatic cylinders, a set of free weights, electromagnetic
resistance means, or dynamic friction mechanisms.
9. An exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, in
which the resistance source is disposed centrally at a rear side of
the backrest.
10. An exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding
claims, in which the backrest includes a pair of opposed side
panels which are capable of being opened to allow access to a pair
of exercise elements adapted to operate together against a single
resistance source.
11. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the
exercise elements include a `butterfly` mechanism having a pair of
butterfly arms each of which is rotatable about a secured pivot
against the resistance to movement provided by said resistance
source.
12. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 11, in which each
butterfly arm includes a constant resistance means effective to
ensure the resistance to movement of the butterfly arms is
substantially retained throughout the stroke.
13. An exercise apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in
which the connecting elements are attached to resistance elements
for use as a chest press exercise means.
14. An exercise apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in
which the backrest includes a centrally disposed support beam
having attachment means for a `high pull` exercise element and
having a resistance to movement provided by the said single
resistance source.
15. An exercise apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in
which the seat portion has an exposed front edge to which there is
hingedly attached an exercise element movable against a resistance
source, the exercise element being so shaped as to provide exercise
regimes for two or more separate muscle groups.
16. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the
hingedly attached exercise element has an arc element piece or
other elements attached to provide a downward force resisting
upward movement.
17. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the
exercise element is securable in a fixed extended position and to
which there is attachable a cycle crank mechanism having a pair of
pedals connected via a rotatable shank, resistance to rotation of
the pedals being provided by an adjustable friction sleeve.
18. an exercise apparatus as in claim 6 in which the resistance
source comprises a set of free weights where the up stand guide
elements are located adjacent to the outer edges of the weights,
facilitating easy removal of the weights
19. An exercise apparatus substantially as herein described, with
reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to exercise apparatus. It relates
particularly to an exercise apparatus that is suited to being used
in the home rather that a commercial fitness centre. Many users of
exercise apparatus do of course have a multiple exercise unit in
their home but these units are large and bulky and usually have to
be situated in a special room, a bedroom or garage since they do
not fit in well alongside conventional furniture pieces. There is
therefore a requirement to provide exercise apparatus that would
not look out of place in an ordinary home or office environment
[0002] There have been earlier attempts to provide an exercise
apparatus that was formed in the shape of a chair and one of these
is disclosed in patent number U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,298. The patented
apparatus provides means for carrying out a limited range of
exercises which are directed to leg and arm movements. The
apparatus does not require a long setting up procedure and thus it
is convenient to be used at intervals during the day or else to
remain as a functional item of furniture.
[0003] The present invention was devised to provide an exercise
apparatus that would be able to exercise and tone as many muscle
groups of the body as possible and thus to provide a complete
training workout. Conventional machines which perform this function
are usually tall in height and thus they do not have a compact
shape that would blend well with conventional home or office future
pieces. The invention attempts to provide a compact construction of
multifunction exercise apparatus.
[0004] According to the invention, there is provided an exercise
apparatus having a seat portion and a backrest in the configuration
of a chair, which in a first passive mode conceals the presence of
a plurality of exercise elements which together form an exercise
apparatus, and in a second exercise mode reveals one or more of
said exercise elements for a user, the position of the seat portion
being altered and locked in a position with respect to a base
portion and support surface on which the apparatus stands when the
apparatus is moved between its first passive mode and the second
exercise mode.
[0005] The seat portion may be raised and tilted to a position
parallel to the support surface when the chair is altered from the
first mode to said second exercise mode. The chair may include
supporting frame elements which are interconnected operably to
allow movement of the seat portion between said modes. At least two
frame elements may interlock to provide a locking mechanism to
secure the chair in said second exercise mode, the locking
mechanism being releasable by a rotation of one of said frame
elements. The exercise elements may be connected to a single
resistance source which is adjustable to vary the resistance to
movement encountered by a user at the exercise elements. The
resistance source may comprise a set of freely mounted weights. The
free weights may be movable along flexible guides which collapse
from a taut condition when the chair is moved from its exercise
mode to the passive mode.
[0006] The resistance source may be selected from one or more
resistance means such as springs, tension bands including rubber
ropes, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, a set of free weights,
electromagnetic resistance means, or dynamic friction mechanisms.
The resistance source may be disposed centrally at a rear side of
the backrest.
[0007] The backrest may include a pair of opposed side panels which
are capable of being opened to allow access to a pair of exercise
elements adapted to operate together against a single resistance
source.
[0008] The exercise elements may include a `butterfly` mechanism
having a pair of butterfly arms each of which is rotatable about a
secured pivot at elbow or arm support level against the resistance
to movement provided by said resistance source. Each butterfly arm
may include a constant resistance means effective to ensure the
resistance to movement of the butterfly arms is substantially
retained throughout the stroke. The connecting elements may be
attached to resistance elements for use as a chest press exercise
means.
[0009] The backrest may include a centrally disposed support beam
having attachment means for a `high pull` exercise element having a
resistance to movement provided by the said single resistance
source. The seat portion may have an exposed front edge to which
there is hingedly attached an exercise element movable against a
resistance source, the exercise element being so shaped as to
provide exercise regimes for two or more separate muscle groups.
The hingedly attached exercise element may have an arc element
piece or other elements attached to provide a downward force
resisting upward movement. The exercise element may be securable in
a fixed extended position and to which there is attachable a cycle
crank mechanism having a pair of pedals connected via a rotatable
shank, resistance to rotation of the pedals being provided by an
adjustable friction sleeve.
[0010] By way of example, some particular embodiments of the
invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows the exercise apparatus in the form of a
conventional side chair for home or office use,
[0012] FIG. 2 shows the chair frame after removal of upholstery
panels,
[0013] FIG. 3 shows how upholstery panels may be fitted to the
chair frame,
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a leg extension element
when in use,
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front view of the FIG. 4 detail,
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of the chair when in use for a biceps
curls exercise,
[0017] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the back frame top
element,
[0018] FIG. 8 shows the butterfly pad,
[0019] FIG. 9 shows the butterfly arm, spacer arm and pivot rod
end,
[0020] FIG. 10 shows the cable connections from the weight stack to
the various exercise modules,
[0021] FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the exercise
apparatus,
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the apparatus showing the
internal mechanism,
[0023] FIG. 13 is a side view of the leg extension mechanism
showing the method of exercising,
[0024] FIG. 14 is a side view of the bicycle exercise module,
[0025] FIG. 15 is a side view of the bicycle pedal resistance
mechanism,
[0026] FIG. 16 shows the means for locking the base frame and seat
frame in a fixed position,
[0027] FIG. 17 shows a side section of the apparatus in exercise
mode,
[0028] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the butterfly
mechanism,
[0029] FIG. 19 depicts the butterfly arm and pivot rod,
[0030] FIG. 20 shows the cable connections to the weight stack,
[0031] FIG. 21 shows upholstery panels and cushions, and,
[0032] FIG. 22 shows the base frame and seat frame with extension
arms.
[0033] As depicted in FIG. 1, the exercise apparatus has the
general appearance of an ordinary chair until it is required to be
modified by a user to form the multifunction exercise unit. The
apparatus is provided with a chair seat 47, a back support 48 and
arm rests 51. The arm rests can be fixed, pivoted or removable.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows the basic structural components of the chair
including a back frame upright element 41, lower support element
45, top element 62 and first pulley 6. An extended top element 33
carries a second pulley 34.
[0035] A seat structure comprises a seat frame 40 (FIG. 3) attached
to the back frame upright element 41 and which carries a pivot
housing 15 for supporting butterfly arms. The seat frame 40 has an
extension element arranged for enabling the length of the seat to
be increased when the apparatus is arranged in the exercise
mode.
[0036] A lower base support element 42 (FIG. 3) which is attached
by a hinge 46 to the lower support element 45 also is provided with
a front support element 43. An adjustable height element 36 is
attached between the lower base support element 42 and the seat
frame 40.
[0037] The extended top element 33 (FIG. 3) is raised and secured
in a position above the back of the chair and having the second
pulley 34 is attached to the top extremity.
[0038] A butterfly arm element consists of a pivot housing 15 (FIG.
7) carrying a butterfly pivot rod 65 (FIG. 9) and fixed to the seat
frame 40. The butterfly pivot rod 65 is connected to the butterfly
arm 10 (FIG. 9) having a separate cable spacer arm 11 pivoted to
it. The vertical piece of the butterfly arm is a hollow section and
this houses an adjustable butterfly handgrip 66. The butterfly arm
10 is also connected to the cable spacer arm 11 by means of a
connecting link 9 which serves to pull the cable spacer arm
rotating on a vertical axis. The cable spacer arm 11 has two
vertical anchor rods 14 where the cable 16 (FIG. 9) passes through.
The cable 16 passes through a cable stop 12 and with a simple
fixing this is held in position along the cable 16. When the
butterfly module is used, force is exerted against forearm pads 13
(FIG. 8) that in turn rotate the cable spacer 11 via the connecting
link 9. The cable spacer arm 11 allows the force exerted on the
butterfly arm 10 to be kept relatively constant, as the arm 10
rotates allowing the cable 16 to be kept at a constant radius from
the pivot point. As the arm 11 rotates it pulls cable stop 12 and
pulls the cable 16, which is connected to a floating pulley 17. The
floating pulley 17 is connected to cable 35, it transmits the force
to the weight stack by the connection 7 and cable 8 (FIG. 10).
[0039] The pectoral bar 25 (FIG. 7) or handgrip 81 can be attached
to a hook 26 on the cable 16 which passes through the anchor rods
14. When the pectoral bar 25 or handgrip 81 is pushed forward, the
force exerted is transmitted to the weight stack by means of cable
16, floating pulley 17 to cable 35. Cable 35 is joined to the
connection 7 coupled to cable 8 which is connected to a weight
stack pick-up rod 3 and the force is thus transmitted to the weight
stack.
[0040] A stomach exercise effect is achieved by pushing the
pectoral bar 25 forward against the bar with the user's chest. The
pectoral bar 25 and handgrip 81 can then be disconnected when not
in use.
[0041] A leg extension element is provided by a front extension
element 22 (FIG. 4) and member 23 with an elbow joint along its
length and hinged at its upper extremity to the seat extension
element 28. This hinge allows the front extension element 22 to
swing freely when the apparatus is in exercise mode. Attached to
the front extension element 22 is a cable spacer piece 24 (FIG. 7)
which rotates as the front extension elements 22 rotate. A front
cross bar 29 is attached to the front extension member 23 (FIG. 4).
The front cross bar 29 (FIG. 5) has a protective material
cushioning the user's ankles when in use. The front cross bar 29
can be extended or retracted according to the leg length of the
apparatus user by means of a thumb screw 39. When the extension
elements 22, 23 are pushed forwards and upwards, they do not follow
in a perfect arc and tend to ride upwards on the leg of the
apparatus user. In order to prevent this situation, an arc element
37 (FIG. 4) is attached to the elbow of the front extension element
22 which serves to pull it in a downward direction.
[0042] A biceps curl exercise is achieved by lifting the front
cross bar 29 which acts as a handgrip bar for this exercise. As the
handgrip is pulled upwards, the force exerted is transmitted to
cable 8 which passes under the cable spacer piece 24 keeping it at
a constant radius from the hinge 27. The cable spacer piece allows
a constant force to be felt by the apparatus user as the extension
elements are raised. The force on cable 8 is then transmitted to
the weight stack pick-up rod 3 which in turn lifts the weight
stack.
[0043] A rowing exercise is achieved by pulling the front cross bar
29 away from the chair structure while the apparatus user is seated
on the floor. As the cross bar 29 is pulled away from the chair,
force is exerted to cable 8 which is then transmitted to the weight
stack pick-up rod 3 which in turn lifts the weight stack.
[0044] The weight stack 1 (FIG. 10) is of a conventional
construction comprising a stack of rectangular weights
slide-mounted on to a pair of vertical guides 4. Each weight is
provided with a central horizontal hole registering with a
respective hole in the weight stack pick-up rod 3. The central
pick-up rod 3 has a lift cable 8 attached and this passes over the
first pulley 6. The amount of weight to be lifted is selected by
engaging a lock pin 2 through the appropriate hole in the weight
stack and then into the pick-up rod 3. Thus when the cable is
adequately tensioned the selected number of weights in the stack
will be lifted.
[0045] The cable function depicted in FIG. 10 comprises five cables
namely, cable 8, connected to the weight stack pick-up rod 3
passing over the first pulley 6, down under the pulley 18 to pulley
21 onto the leg extension module and being connected to front
extension member 23. Cable 35 is joined to cable 8 by a connection
7 which can be simply a ring connected to cable 8. Cable 35 is
joined to connection 7 then passes down under pulleys 19 and 20 and
is connected to a floating pulley coupling 17 (FIG. 10). Cable 16
passes through the floating pulley 17 over pulley 5 and has a hook
26 at each of the extremities of the cable 16. The hook 26 is
attached to each end of the pectoral bar 25, or hand grips 81 (FIG.
7) by means of a ring fastening. When the pectoral bar 25 or
handgrip 81 is pushed forward, force is transmitted from cable 16
to cable 35 via floating pulley 17 which is connected to cable 8
via connection 7. The force is then transmitted to the weight stack
pick-up rod 3 where the appropriate number of weights is lifted.
Cable 16 has a cable stop 12 secured along each side of its length
(FIG. 10) which is secured onto vertical anchor rods 14 fixed to
the cable spacer arm 11. When the forearm pad 13 is rotated in a
forward direction, it rotates the cable spacer arm via connecting
link 9 and transmits the force to the weight stack as described
above. Cable 31 is also connected to the weight stack pick-up rod 3
(FIG. 10) and to connection 36. When the extended top element 33 is
attached to the upper support bearing beam a second cable 31a is
joined to cable 31 via a connection 36 and then travels over the
second pulley 34 and to a hook or connection on the high pull bar
32. When the high pull bar is pulled downwards force is transmitted
via cable 31a and through cable 31 to the weight stack 1 as
described.
[0046] The basic upholstery arrangement of the exercise apparatus
includes a padded side panel 49 (FIG. 3) which is fixed to the back
frame upright element 41 with side panels 50 that are made to be
hinged, rotated or removable to give access to the butterfly
elements. The back support 48 (FIG. 3) is secured to the back frame
element and the seat frame element and is padded or suitably
upholstered. The chair seat 47 is a normal firm padded seat which
can slide forward with the extended seat element The arm rests 51
of the chair can be hinged or removed when the apparatus is
required for use in the exercise mode. When the butterfly mechanism
has been stowed away, the side panels 50 (FIG. 3) can be placed in
position and the exercise apparatus becomes converted to a
chair.
[0047] FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the exercise
apparatus where, when not required for training purposes, the
apparatus can have the appearance and use of a conventional
comfortable armchair.
[0048] The exercise apparatus comprises a strong-ridged base frame
153 (FIG. 22) and a strong-ridged seat frame 154. The base frame
and seat frame are secured together by rotating extension arms 155
and 172 (FIG. 16) and held in the raised position by locking arms
156. The locking mechanism consists of a square section bar 167
placed across the base frame 153 (FIG. 16) which rotates by means
of a pull arm 169 or a handle 192 (FIG. 16). The locking arm has a
square section cut out which locks onto the bar 167 when lifted up
to exercise mode. A spring 157 (FIG. 16) forces the locking arms
156 back onto the square section bar 167 securing the seat in an
exercise mode. The square section bar 167 has an extension piece
168 attached at either side of the bar where the locking bar is
positioned, and when the square bar 167 is rotated it forces the
locking arm free from the square bar allowing the seat frame 154 to
be lowered onto the base frame 153 and base side structures. To
raise the seat frame it is simply lifted up from the back, and it
is automatically held in position by the locking arms 156 as they
lock into position. The rear rotating extension arms are longer
than the front rotating extension arm allowing the back of the seat
frame to rise higher than the front of the frame.
[0049] The rear extension arms 155 have a mechanism such as a
spring, gas strut, rubber band or hydraulic lift 176 (FIG. 17)
attached to the lower end and to the side base frame 158 in order
to counterbalance the weight of the seat thus making it easier to
lift
[0050] There are two side base structures 158 and two side
structures 159 as shown in FIG. 17. The side base structures 158
are fixed to the base frame 153 (FIG. 17) and the side seat
structures 159 are secured to the seat frame 154. Attached to the
side base structures 158 at the lower edge is a pulley wheel bar
175 (FIG. 12), with two pulley wheels 120, 121 (FIG. 20) attached
to its centre position. Also attached at the lower edge of the side
base structures 158 is a weight stack support frame 174 with pulley
wheels 118, 119 (FIG. 20) attached centrally. There are heavy-duty
wheel castors 193 (FIG. 12) also secured to the lower edge of the
side base structure, which allows the chair to be easily moved. The
side seat structures 159 are of an L-shape, and a vertical back 160
(FIG. 19) is attached to its vertical edge stabilizing the
structure. Attached to the top of the L-shaped side seat structure
is an upper load bearing support frame 162 (FIG. 18) which is also
secured to the vertical back 160. The upper load bearing frame 162
consists of a rectangular frame with a pulley wheel 106 (FIG. 18)
between the frame at its centre position and parallel to the side
seat structure. The rear member of the upper load bearing support
frame is a load-bearing beam having a hole in its central position.
There are two flexible weight guides secured at the top extremity
to the load-bearing beam by means of the clamps 163 (FIG. 18). The
lower extremity of the flexible weight guide is secured to the
weight stack support frame, which is fixed to the base side
structure. When the chair is lifted and locked into the exercise
mode, the flexible guides become tight and taut allowing the
weights to slide freely up and down their length.
[0051] A high pull extension piece 133 (FIG. 18) is secured to the
centre of a load bearing beam which forms the back of the load
bearing frame 142 (FIG. 18). The high pull extension piece consists
of a rod or bar secured at its lower extremity into the hole of the
load bearing beam and having a pulley wheel 134 (FIG. 20) attached
to the top extremity.
[0052] A butterfly arm mechanism comprises a pivot housing 115
(FIG. 18) having a friction insert, housing the butterfly pivot rod
165 (FIG. 19) and fixed to the side of the L-shaped seat structure
159. The pivot rod 165 is connected to the butterfly arm 110 (FIG.
19) having a separate cable spacer arm 111 (FIG. 18) pivoted to it.
The vertical piece of the butterfly arm is a hollow section and
houses an adjustable butterfly handgrip 166. The butterfly arm 110
is also connected to the cable spacer arm 111, by means of a
connecting link 109 which pulls the cable spacer arm rotating on a
vertical axis about pivot point 165a in a circular motion. The arm
111 has two vertical anchor rods 114 where the cable 116 (FIG. 18)
passes through. The cable 116 passes through a cable stop 112 which
with a simple fixing is held in position along the cable 116. When
the butterfly module is used, force is exerted against forearm pads
113 (FIG. 20) that in turn rotates cable spacer 111 via the
connecting link 109. The cable spacer 111 allows the force exerted
on butterfly arm 110 to be relatively constant, as the arm 110
rotates allowing the cable 116 to be kept at a constant radius from
pivot point 165a. As the arm 111 rotates it pulls cable stop 112
and pulls cable 16, which is connected to a floating pulley 17. The
floating pulley 117 connected to cable 135, transmits the force to
the weight stack by connection 107 and cable 108 (FIG. 20).
[0053] A pectoral bar 125 or handgrip 181 can be attached to a hook
126 on the cable 116 which passes through anchor 114. When the
pectoral bar 125 or handgrip 181 is pushed forward, the force
exerted is transmitted to the weight stack via cable 116, coupling
the floating pulley 117 to cable 135. Cable 135 is connected to
cables 107 and 108 which are connected to lifting rod 103 and the
force is thereby transmitted to the weight stack.
[0054] A stomach exercise is achieved by pushing the pectoral bar
125 forward against the bar with the chest. The pectoral bar 125
and handgrip 181 can then be disconnected when not in use.
[0055] A leg extension mechanism as depicted in FIG. 13 comprises
two parallel extension arms 122 and a hollow tubular front
extension arm 123 connected inside the two arms by an elbow pivot
140. The top of the arms 122 is attached to the front member 128 of
the seat frame 154 by means of a hinge 127. This hinge allows the
two arms to swing freely when in exercise mode. Attached to
extension arms 122 is a cable spacer piece 124 (FIG. 20) which
rotates as the arms 122 rotate. A tee piece 129 slides inside the
extension arm 123 (FIG. 13). The front cross bar is provided with a
protective material cover for cushioning the user's ankles when the
apparatus is in use. The tee piece 129 can be extended or retracted
according to the leg length of the apparatus user by adjustment of
a thumb screw 139. The feet of the exercise apparatus user may be
hooked under the front cross bar 129 and raised and lowered against
the resistance of the weight stack via cable 108. When the
extension arms 122, 123 are pushed forwards and upwards they do not
traverse in a perfect arc and tend to ride up on the leg of the
user. In order to prevent this effect occurring, another instep
foot bar 130 pivoting on swivel arms 173 (FIG. 13) is placed under
the cross bar and this provision serves to keep the tee piece in a
constant position on the user's ankle.
[0056] For a biceps curl exercise, the instep foot bar 130 is
lifted and this component then also acts as a handgrip bar for this
exercise. As the handgrip is pulled upwards the force exerted is
transmitted to cable 108 which passes under the cable spacer arm
124 keeping it at a constant radius from the hinge 127. The cable
spacer piece allows a constant force to be felt by the apparatus
user as the extension arms are raised. The force on cable 108 is
then transmitted to the weight stack pick up rod 103 which in turn
lifts the weight stack.
[0057] A rowing exercise is achieved by pulling the instep bar 130
away from the chair while the apparatus user is seated on the
floor. As the instep bar 130 is pulled away from the chair, force
is applied to cable 108 which is then transmitted to the weight
stack pick up rod 103 which in turn lifts the weight stack
[0058] A bicycle attachment can be connected to the leg extension
module as shown in FIG. 14. The bar 150 is of a square section
material usually metal having a connection lug 149 attached. This
connection lug slots into the square hollow section extension arm
123. The bar 150 is held in position on the two arms 122 by a bolt
with a hand turn knob 147 passing through the bar 150 and tightened
with cross plates 147a onto the arms 122. The pedal arm is a
Z-shape with rod 151 being held onto a sliding tube 181 by a clamp
177 and 179 and a turn bolt 148. The rod has two standard bicycle
pedals 152 attached on either side of the rotatable crankshaft. The
crankshaft formed by the rod 151 passes through a friction sleeve
180 and as the turn bolt 148 is tightened the friction on the
crankshaft will increase thus causing the apparatus user to apply a
greater physical force to turn the pedals 152. The tube 181 slides
along bar 150 to allow the apparatus user to adjust the position of
the pedals to suit the individual leg length. The tube 181 is kept
in position along bar 150 by a turn bolt 178 (FIG. 15).
[0059] FIG. 20 shows the connection links which are used to access
the weight stack which is provided with rectangular weight bodies
that are mounted on a pair of flexible vertical guides 104. Each
weight having a central horizontal hole registering with a
respective hole in the pick-up rod 103. The central pick-up rod has
a lift cable 108 attached which passes over a pulley wheel 106. The
amount of weight to be lifted is selected by engaging a lock pin
102 through the appropriate hole in the weight stack and into the
pick-up rod 103. Thus when the cable is adequately tensioned the
selected number of weights in the stack will be lifted.
[0060] The cable function depicted in FIG. 20 comprises mainly five
cables which are cable 108, connected to the pick-up rod 103
passing over the pulley wheel 106 down under the pulley wheel 118,
to pulley wheel 121 onto the leg extension module and connected to
front extension tube 123. Cable 135 is connected to cable 108 by a
coupling 107, which can be a simple ring fastened to cable 108
where the cable 135 is fastened. Cable 135 is connected to coupling
107, then passes down under pulleys 119 and 120 and is connected to
a floating pulley coupling 117 (FIG. 20). Cable 116 passes through
the floating pulley 117 over pulley 5 and has a hook 126 at each of
the extremities of the cable 116. The hook 126 is attached to each
end the pectoral bar 125 or hand grips 181 (FIG. 18) by means of a
ring fastening. When the pectoral bar 125, or hand grips 181 is
pushed forward, force is transmitted from cable 116 to cable 135
via floating pulley 117 which is connected to cable 108 via
connection 107. The force is then transmitted to pick up rod 103
where the appropriate number of weights is lifted. Cable 116 has a
cable stop 112 secured along each side of its length (FIG. 20)
which hooks onto vertical anchor rods 114 fixed to the cable spacer
arm 111. When the butterfly press pad 113 is rotated in a forward
direction, it rotates the cable spacer arm via connecting link 109
and transmits the force to the weight stack as described above.
Cable 131 is also connected to pick up rod 103 (FIG. 20) and to
connection 136. When the high pull extension piece 133 is attached
to the upper support bearing beam a second cable 131a is connected
to cable 131 via a coupling 136 and then travels over pulley wheel
134 and to a hook or connection on the high pull bar 132. When the
high pull bar is pulled downwards, force is transmitted via cable
131a and via cable 131 to the weight stack 1 as described.
[0061] The basic upholstery of the exercise apparatus armchair is a
padded side panel 182, 183 (FIG. 21) fixed to the side base
structure 158 and to the side seat structure 169 and covered with
an upholstery material. The back support 160 (FIG. 21) is secured
to the vertical edge of the seat side structure 159 and an
upholstered panel 186 attached thereto forming the padded back of
the exercise chair. The side flaps 190 conceal the back panel 159a
and the butterfly arms 110. The side flaps are flexibly hinged at
the lower edge to the outside arm of the chair, and held in
position by the upholstery material on the back panel 186. The seat
of the chair is a normal firm conventional cushion 185 placed onto
the seat frame 154. The top portion of the backrest 187 (FIG. 21)
consists of an upholstered top panel secured to the load bearing
frame with an opening at its centre for the high pull extension
piece. A specially shaped cushion 188 is placed over the arms of
the chair to conceal the butterfly rod housing. A fixing piece 191
is secured to the front member 128 of the seat frame 154 (FIG. 12)
to which the front upholstered panel or material 189 is fastened
concealing the leg extension mechanism. The back panel 159a (FIG.
18), the top upholstered panel 187, the padded back panel 186, and
side arms 183 (FIG. 21) form a recess at the rear of the backrest
160 where all of the butterfly mechanism can be stowed away. When
the butterfly mechanism is thus stowed, the side flaps 190 (FIG.
21) can be placed in position and the exercise apparatus has been
converted again to an armchair configuration. The exercise
apparatus of the invention has been found to provide a practical
construction of machine that may be built at a reasonable cost. The
invention provides an armchair that does not look out of place in a
living room or office but which can be transformed into an exercise
machine within seconds. The seat of the chair lifts up and it is
locked in position for performing multiple exercises, and thus
exercising most of the body muscle groups in a normal workout. Each
exercise routine operates independently and the apparatus enables
many routines to be performed that are normally undertaken only on
a much larger machine. When the apparatus is not in use, it is
simply lowered down and it returns to the appearance of a
comfortable armchair.
[0062] The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention
has been given by way of example only and a number of modifications
may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as
defined in the appended claims. For instance, the vertical guides
which serve to retain the weights of the weight stack 1 in
alignment with one another, could be replaced by end or corner
guides which are located adjacent to the outer edges of the
weights
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