U.S. patent application number 11/807741 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for orbital exerciser system.
Invention is credited to Pershant Mehta.
Application Number | 20070298943 11/807741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46327969 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070298943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mehta; Pershant |
December 27, 2007 |
Orbital exerciser system
Abstract
An exercise station system comprising a frame, a base pivotally
attached to said frame, and a seat rotatably attached to the base,
wherein the seat is attached to said base along a first axis and
the base is attached to said frame along a second axis that is
parallel with but spaced apart from said first axis. The system
preferably includes at least one adjustable rotational brake to
impeded relative movement of said base to said frame or said seat
to said base. The base preferably includes at least two upwardly
extending handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat and
positioned so as to be adjacent to or higher than the seat surface.
In one preferred embodiment, an adjustable tensioner is provided
for adjusting the resistance or friction of the rotational brake,
thereby permitting adjustment of the workout intensity. Other
optional features include footrests extending out from the
base.
Inventors: |
Mehta; Pershant; (Houston,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Tidwell;Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Suite 2400
112 E. Pecan Street
San Antonio
TX
78205-1521
US
|
Family ID: |
46327969 |
Appl. No.: |
11/807741 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11717311 |
Mar 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
11807741 |
May 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
29261894 |
Jun 22, 2006 |
|
|
|
11717311 |
Mar 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/0211 20130101;
A63B 22/0061 20130101; A63B 69/0062 20200801; A63B 2023/003
20130101; A63B 21/015 20130101; A63B 23/03575 20130101; A63B 22/14
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/115 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/015 20060101
A63B021/015 |
Claims
1. An exercise station comprising: a frame; a base having a first
axis passing therethrough; a seat having a top side and underside,
the seat rotatably attached to the base at the first axis; and the
base pivotally attached to said frame at a point removed from said
first axis.
2. The exercise station of claim 1 further comprising a brake
attached to the base which brake is capable of impeding rotational
movement of the seat relative to the base.
3. The exercise station of claim 2 wherein the brake comprises a
circular drum on the underside of the seat and a band disposed at
least partially around the circumference of the drum.
4. The exercise station of claim 3 further comprising an adjustable
tensioner attached to the band for adjusting the amount of friction
between the band and the drum.
5. The exercise station of claim 2 wherein the brake comprises a
disc brake.
6. The exercise station of claim 1 further comprising a handle
adjacent to the seat wherein the handle is attached to the
base.
7. The exercise station of claim 1 further comprising at least two
handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat wherein each handle
is attached to the base.
8. The exercise station of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a
pivot structure which pivot structure is positioned on said base at
the point removed from said first axis.
9. The exercise station of claim 8 wherein the pivot structure
comprises a post.
10. The exercise station of claim 8 wherein the pivot structure is
defined by a second axis passing therethrough which second axis is
parallel to but spaced apart from said first axis.
11. The exercise station of claim 1 wherein the seat further
comprises a cushion.
12. The exercise station of claim 1 wherein said frame further
comprises a chassis, wherein said base is pivotally attached to
said chassis.
13. The exercise station of claim 12 wherein said chassis further
comprises a track defined on said chassis and said base further
comprises a support attached thereto, which support is disposed to
move along said track as said base pivots relative to said
frame.
14. The exercise station of claim 13 wherein said support comprises
at least one roller, which roller rolls along said track as said
base pivots relative to said frame.
15. The exercise station of claim 13 wherein said track is
semicircular.
16. The exercise station of claim 13 wherein said track is
circular.
17. The exercise station of claim 12 wherein said frame further
comprises one or more legs attached to said chassis.
18. The exercise station of claim 1 further comprising a brake
attached to the frame which brake is capable of impeding pivotal
movement of the base relative to the frame.
19. The exercise station of claim 2 further comprising a second
brake attached to the frame which brake is capable of impeding
pivotal movement of the base relative to the frame.
20. The exercise station of claim 1 further comprising a footrest
mounted on said frame.
21. An exercise station system comprising: a frame, said frame
having a chassis portion on which a track is defined, a first
support pivotally attached to said chassis and a second support
attached to said chassis; a base having a first axis passing
therethrough and a second axis passing therethrough, wherein said
first and second axis are parallel but spaced apart from one
another, said base further comprising a first pivot mechanism at
said first axis and a second pivot mechanism at said second axis,
wherein said second pivot mechanism pivotally attaches said base to
said frame; a seat, wherein said first pivot mechanism rotatably
attaches said seat to said base; a rotational brake capable of
impeding motion of at least said base relative to said frame or
said seat relative to said base; a roller attached to a lower side
of said base so as to roll along said track when said base pivots
relative to said frame; and a handle adjacent to the seat wherein
the handle is attached to the base.
22. The exercise station of claim 21 wherein said brake comprises a
circular drum on an underside of the seat and a band disposed
around the circumference of the drum and an adjustable tensioner
attached to the band for adjusting the amount of friction between
the band and the drum.
23. The exercise station of 21 wherein the first support comprises
a first set of legs pivotally attached to said chassis at a first
end of said legs and a cross member attached to a second end of
said legs and a telescoping support pivotally attached at a first
end to said chassis and pivotally attached at a second end to said
cross member.
24. The exercise station of 21 wherein the second support comprises
a second set of legs attached to said chassis at a first end of
said legs and a cross member attached to a second end of said legs,
wherein said legs extend out and away from said chassis.
25. The exercise station of 24 further comprising a footrest
slidlingly attached between said second set of legs.
26. The exercise station of 21 further comprising a stop on said
track.
27. The exercise station of claim 27 wherein the seat further
comprises a cushion.
28. An exercise station comprising: a frame, said frame having a
chassis portion on which a track is defined, a first support
pivotally attached to said chassis and a second support attached to
said chassis; a base having a first axis passing therethrough and a
second axis passing therethrough, wherein said first and second
axis are parallel but spaced apart from one another, said base
further comprising a pivot mechanism at said second axis, wherein
said second pivot mechanism pivotally attaches said base to said
frame; a seat attached said base at said first axis; a rotational
brake capable of impeding motion of said base relative to said
frame; a roller attached to a lower side of said base so as to roll
along said track when said base pivots relative to said frame; a
handle adjacent to the seat; and wherein the first support
comprises a first set of legs pivotally attached to said chassis at
a first end of said legs, wherein the second support comprises a
second set of legs attached to said chassis at a first end of said
legs so as to extend out and away from said chassis; and a footrest
secured to said second support.
29. The exercise station of claim 28 further comprising a second
pivot mechanism, wherein said second pivot mechanism rotatably
attaches said seat to said base.
30. The exercise station of claim 28 further comprising at least
two handles, wherein the handles are disposed on opposite sides of
the seat from one another and secured to said base.
31. The exercise station of claim 29 further comprising a second
brake, wherein the second brake comprises a circular drum on the
underside of the seat and a band disposed at least partially around
the circumference of the drum.
32. The exercise station of claim 31 further comprising a tensioner
attached to said band.
33. The exercise station of claim 30 wherein the seat is defined by
a top side and a bottom side and the handles are attached to the
base below the seat and extend upward from the base to a height
above the seat top side.
34. The exercise station of claim 30 wherein each handle has a
first end, a second end and a middle portion therebetween and
wherein the first and second ends are attached to the base and the
middle portion is disposed adjacent the seat.
35. The exercise station of claim 28 further comprising at least
two handles, wherein the handles are disposed on opposite sides of
the seat from one another and secured to said frame.
36. The exercise station of claim 29 further comprising a second
brake capable of impeding motion of said seat relative to said
base.
37. The exercise station of claim 36 wherein the brake comprises an
outer surface secured to the seat and an adjustable tensioner which
adjustable tensioner comprises a contact mechanism mounted on a
screw supported on the base, such that rotation of the screw
relative to the base moves the contact mechanism into engagement
with the brake outer surface.
38. The exercise station of claim 37 wherein the contact mechanism
is a wheel rotatably mounted on the screw.
39. The exercise station of claim 37 wherein the screw has a first
end and a second end and threads disposed therebetween, which
threads are rotatably engaged by the base and wherein the wheel is
mounted on the first end of the screw.
40. The exercise station of claim 39 further comprising an
adjustment knob mounted on the second end of the screw.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of, and
claims priority to, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/717,311, entitled "Rotating Exerciser System and Methods", filed
on Mar. 13, 2007, which is continuation-in-part of, and claims
priority to, co-pending U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No.
29/261,894, entitled "Exerciser", filed on Jun. 22, 2006, all of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention generally relates to an exercise
station and more particularly, to an exercise station adapted for a
variety of exercises for improving the muscle tone and
cardiovascular fitness of the user, particularly muscles in the
abdominal region of the user.
[0003] A variety of exercise machines have been developed for
exercising particular muscles of the human body and the popularity
of exercise machines has increased in light of the recognition of
the significant benefits that can result from exercising muscles of
the human body. Many of the exercise machines that have been hereto
developed assist the user in working one or more of the abdominal
muscles. Traditionally, the exercise considered the best for the
exercising the abdomen was thought to be the sit-up. The sit-up,
however, has a number of deficiencies, including the potential to
be injurious to the exerciser. Specifically, some doctors and
therapists now believe that the traditional sit-up subjects the
back to unnecessary strain.
[0004] Throughout the years, many doctors, athletes, and physical
therapists have tried to create machines and exercises to develop
and maintain the abdominal muscles. Unfortunately, many of the
conventional exercise machines suffer from one or more
disadvantages, such as a limited range of motion or breadth of
exercise range, unwieldy size, weight, or bulkiness, lack of
portability, lack of support to assist in beginner exercisers,
complexity of the exercise apparatus, lack of scalable adjustment
to the support assist available to the exerciser, simplicity in use
and instruction, lack of an aerobic exercise mode or component, and
high expense. These various drawbacks can discourage beginners or
non-athletic users from participating in a conditioning and
strengthening regimen for abdominal exercise. When used without
training or instruction, these devices can actually injure the user
from strain or improper exercise motion. Many of these systems are
too costly or unwieldy for home use or travel, and thus do not
render them readily susceptible to individual purchase and use or
for portable applications. Another problem with conventional
equipment for exercising the abdominal and other core muscles is
that the individual components of the exercise equipment are often
subject to being separated from others or misplaced or lost.
[0005] Further, many of the conventional exercise devices that are
portable are subject to only being used for a limited number of
exercises. Moreover, many of the conventional exercise devices are
thought to be difficult to use, boring, and unexciting.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a support device
upon which users may lean that addresses one or more of the
disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention generally relates to an exercise
station and more particularly, to an exercise station adapted for a
variety of exercises for improving the muscle tone and
cardiovascular fitness of the user. Methods of using the exercise
station are also provided.
[0008] One example of an exercise station comprises a frame, a base
orbitally attached to said frame; a seat having a top side and
underside, the seat rotatably attached to the base; and a first
brake attached to the base for impeding rotational motion of the
seat. In one embodiment, a second brake may be included to control
the orbital motion of the base relative to the frame. Preferably,
the frame is raised and includes additional outrigger handles
disposed on opposite sides of the frame adjacent the base, and
footrests mounted on a portion of the frame extending away from the
seat. Additional handles may also be provided adjacent the
footrests. The frame may include a plurality of adjustable length
legs so that the height of the base and the dimensions of the frame
can be adjusted to accommodate a user. In another preferred
embodiment, the braking force applied by the brake to the movement
of either the seat, the base, or both is adjustable to vary the
intensity of the workout.
[0009] An example of a workout method for a user using an exercise
station comprises providing an exercise station comprising a base,
a seat attached to the base wherein the seat is orbitally mounted
to said base, two handles disposed on opposite sides of the seat
wherein each handle is attached to the seat, and a brake attached
to the seat to regulate orbital motion of the seat; sitting on the
seat; gripping the two handles for stability; and causing said seat
to move orbitally relative to an attachment point on the base so as
to cause abdominal muscle flexing of the user. In another
embodiment, a user might lie face down with their feet secured in
the footrests and, while gripping the handles adjacent the seat in
a "push-up" fashion, cause the seat to move orbitally.
[0010] The features and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. While numerous changes may be
made by those skilled in the art, such changes are within the
spirit of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A more complete understanding of the present disclosure and
advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures,
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
orbital exercise station.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of the orbital
exercise station shown in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
orbital exercise station.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of the orbital
exercise station shown in FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a back view of the embodiment of the orbital
exercise station shown in FIG. 3.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the orbital mechanism of the
embodiment of the orbital exercise station shown in FIG. 3.
[0018] While the present invention is susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments
thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are
herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that
the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to
limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents,
and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention generally relates to an exercise
station and more particularly, to an exercise station adapted for a
variety of exercises for improving the muscle tone and
cardiovascular fitness of the user. Methods of using the exercise
station are also provided.
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1-6, an exercise station 10 is shown
which comprises, among other features, a frame 12, a base 14
orbitally attached to said frame 12, a rotatable seat 16 attached
to the base 14, and a rotational brake 18 (FIG. 6) attached the
base 14 for impeding rotation of the seat 16 relative to the base
14.
[0021] Seat 16 is rotatable with respect to base 14. Brake 18 is
provided to impeded rotation of seat 16 relative to base 14. Seat
handles 20 are attached to base 14. As best seen in FIG. 6, an
adjustable tensioner 22 is provided to function in conjunction with
brake 18 to permit the rotational impedance o f seat 16 to be
adjusted, so as to provide an adjustable resistance for seat
16.
[0022] One novel feature of the invention is the orbital movement
of base 14 relative to frame 12. Orbital movement as described
herein means that base 14 is pivotally attached to frame 12 at an
attachment point on base 14 that is removed from the central axis
of base 14. Those skilled in the art with the benefit of this
disclosure will appreciate that seat 16 and base 14 are pivotally
attached to one another so that seat 16 rotates about the central
axis of base 14. In contrast, the axis about which base 14 pivots
relative to frame 12 is offset from the axis around which seat 16
pivots.
[0023] The foregoing is best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6. Therein
a rotational axis 24 of base 14 and seat 16 is shown. Rotational
axis 24 passes through the center of both seat 16 and base 14 such
that seat 16 is pivotally attached to base 14. Also shown is a
rotational axis 26, where it can be seen that axis 24 and axis 26
are offset from one another. Axis 26 passes through the portion 28
of base 14 which is pivotally attached to frame 12. In this way,
base 14 can orbit around axis 26 and the attachment point 30 of
frame 12. To further support base 14 as it orbits around point 30
of frame 12, one or more supports 32 may be attached to base 14. In
the illustrated embodiment, two supports 32 are shown and follow a
track 34 that comprises a portion of frame 12. Track 34 is
preferably circular or semi-circular in shape with the axis thereof
being coaxial with axis 26. In one embodiment of the invention,
supports 32 may be rollers 36 that roll along track 34 as base 14
pivots about axis 26.
[0024] While brake 18 may be of many different configurations, in
the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6, brake 18 comprises a drum
assembly 40. Drum assembly 40 includes a drum 42 fixed to the lower
side 44 of seat 16. Drum 42 includes an exposed wall or surface
area 46 at its radius. Drum assembly 40 and seat 16 are generally
rotatably engaged by a base 14. Band 48 encircles drum 42 and is
disposed adjacent surface 46 so as to provide resistance or
friction against the rotation of drum 42 and correspondingly, as to
the rotation of seat 16. Adjustable tensioner 22 in conjunction
with spring 50 may be used to increase the tension exerted by band
48 upon drum 42. In this way, band 48 may be used to vary the
intensity of a workout by increasing or decreasing the rotational
resistance of seat 16. Band 48 may be fabricated out of any
material suitable for providing resistance or friction to the
rotation of drum 42, including, but not limited to, nylon, any of
the fabrics known in the art, plastic, rubber, or any combination
thereof. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, adjustable
tensioner 22 may incorporate a disc brake mechanism in lieu of band
48 for causing resistance or rotational friction to drum 42.
Likewise, those skilled in the art will appreciate that adjustable
tensioner 22 could have other arrangements so long as adjustable
tensioner 22 is capable of regulating rotational resistance of seat
16 relative to base 14. Likewise, while brake 18 is described as a
drum brake in one preferred embodiment, any type of brake known in
the art can be utilized to impede rotation of seat 16 relative to
base 14. For example, without limitation, brake 18 can also be a
disk brake, a wheel brake, a contact brake, or a hydraulic brake
without limiting the foregoing invention.
[0025] In this same vein, a second brake 52 may likewise be
provided to provide rotational friction of base 14 relative to
frame 12 at attachment point 30. As shown in FIG. 6, base 14 may
include a shaft 54 extending from portion 28 of base 14. Shaft 54
may be pivotally secured within a coupler 56 secured to frame 12 at
attachment point 30. Second brake 52 may be actuated to control the
ease with which shaft 54 rotates in coupler 56. Again, those
skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will
appreciate that any type of mechanism can be used to control
resistance between shaft 54 and coupler 56, or more broadly between
base 14 and frame 12, and that a particular configuration of the
foregoing is not intended to be a limitation of the invention.
[0026] Stops 58 may be provided on frame 12 to limit the orbit of
base 14. Although certain embodiments do not include stops 58,
FIGS. 3-6 illustrate an embodiment that does include stops 58. In
the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, base 14 can make a full
orbit around attachment point 30, while in the embodiment of FIGS.
3-6, base 14 can only make a half orbit. In this regard, track 34
extends around a full circumference of the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1-2, while track 34 extends around only a half circumference
or semi-circle in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-6.
[0027] Although seat 16 is depicted here as a circular seat, seat
16 may be any geometric shape suitable for allowing a user to sit
on exercise station 210, including, but not limited to, circular,
square, rectangular, substantially triangular, a contour shape
custom-fitted to a user, or any combination thereof. Moreover, seat
16 may be cushioned for the comfort of the user. In certain
embodiments, seat 16 may be contoured to more comfortably engage
the user. For example, the upper surface 60 of seat 16 may be
contoured to better stabilize the user on the seat when the seat is
in motion.
[0028] Gripping handles 20 are provided for, among other reasons,
stability of the user and to aid the user in keeping an upright
posture during use of machine 10. In this regard, handles 20 are
desirable to maximize the workout by permitting the user to most
effectively rotate the torso while keeping the head and upper
shoulders facing forward. Further, it has been found that the
gripping portion 21 of handles 20 is most desirably located
adjacent to or slightly above the upper surface 60 of seat 16.
Thus, handles 20 of this embodiment are depicted as having a first
end 20' and a second end 20'' and curving upwards at gripping
portion 21 so as to provide a surface area for an ergonomic grip.
In this same vein, these gripping portions 21 are prefereably
spaced apart from seat 16 to maintain the proper form of the user
during a workout. Finally, in one preferred embodiment, handles 20
may be adjustable relative to base 14 so as to adjust the spacing
between seat 16 and gripping portion 21, thereby accommodating
users of different sizes and heights.
[0029] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, another set of adjustable
handles 62 extend from frame 16. Handles 62 are preferably located
on opposite sides of rotational axis 26. Handles 62 may be
adjustable relative to frame 12 so as to adjust the spacing between
handles 62 and axis 26. Likewise, the height of the gripping
portion of handles 62 may be adjustable to accommodate different
users.
[0030] Foam covering may be used to cover handles 20 and 62 as
desired so as to provide additional comfort to the grip of the
user.
[0031] The embodiment of FIGS. 3-6 further includes a backrest 94.
Backrest 94 may be mounted on the bottom of seat 16 or base 14.
[0032] As described above, frame 12 is adjustable to accommodate
individual users. Frame 12 generally comprises an orbit chassis 64,
a first support 66 and a second support 68. Attachment point 30
provided on orbit chassis 64. In one preferred embodiment, orbit
chassis 64 is substantially circular in shape and attachment point
30 is provided at the center of chassis 64 such that rotational
axis 26 passes through the center of chassis 64. First support 66
and second support 68 may comprise one or more legs. In the
preferred embodiments of the Figures, first support 66 comprises
two legs 70, each having a first end and a second end, wherein the
first end of each of said legs 70 is pivotally attached to the
lower side of chassis 64. In this embodiment, the second end of
legs 70 attach to a stabilizing cross member 72. A telescoping
support 74 having a first end and a second end also extends between
chassis 64 and cross member 72 and is pivotally attached to said
chassis 64 and cross member 72 at its respective ends, such that
adjustment of telescoping support 74 can be used to adjust the
height of chassis 64 and hence the height of seat 16 to accommodate
a particular user.
[0033] Second support 68 likewise comprises two legs 76 in the
preferred embodiment, each leg having a first end and a second end.
The first end of legs 76 is secured to chassis 64. The second end
of legs 76 attach to a stabilizing cross member 78. In one
preferred embodiment, legs 76 may be telescoping. Likewise, legs 70
may be telescoping, all to further accommodate heights of various
users.
[0034] Further, feet 79 may be included to provide a friction
surface area to prevent slippage of frame 12 during use of exercise
station 10. Feet 79 may be rubber or plastic or any material known
in the art suitable for preventing slippage of the device.
[0035] Mounted on second support 68 is a footrest assembly 80.
Footrest assembly 80 includes footrest pads 82 mounted on a
crossbar 84, and may also include handles 86 secured thereto. In
one preferred embodiment, second support 68 comprises spaced apart
legs 76 and crossbar 84 extends between legs 76. In this
configuration, footrest assembly 80 is slidingly mounted on support
68, wherein crossbar 84 includes a U-shaped adjustment bracket 86
on each end with an aperture therethrough, which aperture can be
aligned with one of a plurality of corresponding apertures provided
along leg 76. A fastener 88 may be provided to pass through the
aligned apertures and secure footrest assembly 80 to second support
68. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, footrest pads 82 are flat pads,
while in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-6, footrest pads 82 comprise a
padded cross member under which a user's feet can be hooked.
[0036] In one embodiment, as best illustrated by FIGS. 1-2, the
orientation of footrest assembly 80 can be altered to accommodate
various exercises performed on station 10. Thus, footrest pads 82
can be defined as having a first end 82' and a second end 82''.
Disposed at first end 82' is a footstrap 81 that secures over the
forefoot of a user, while disposed at second end 82'' is a heelrest
83. In FIG. 1, footrest assembly 80 is oriented for a user whose
feet are pointed down, such as a user who may be positioned over
seat 16 and facing down to do push-up type exercises while gripping
handles 20. Alternatively, footrest assembly 80 can be oriented so
that a user's feet are pointed up in which case heelrests 83 are
below footstraps 81. In this configuration, a user may sit on seat
16 and utilize footrest assembly 80 to stabilize their feet for
seated exercises.
[0037] Machine 10 may also include a workout computer 90 to monitor
various aspects of a user's workout. Workout computer may, among
other things, monitor a user's heart rate using touchpads 92
installed on one or more of the handles. Likewise, a body fat
analyzer may be incorporated for analyzing the body fat percentage
of the user.
[0038] The connection mechanisms used to attach or connect the
various members of exercise station 10 may be any suitable
connection mechanism known in the art, including, but not limited
to, screws, pins, compression fits, clips, interference fits,
quick-release connections, welded connections, or any combination
thereof. Pins 92 are one example of a quick-release connection
mechanism that may be used to temporarily attach various components
of exercise station 10. The term quick-release connection
mechanism, as used herein, refers to connection mechanisms that
allow for easy and convenient attachment of components without the
need for hand tools, and includes, but is not limited to, pins,
screw-gate connections, spring-loaded latches, any of the
quick-release mechanisms known in the art, or any combination
thereof.
[0039] The components of exercise station 10 may be constructed of
any suitable material, preferably such material being capable of
withstanding the rigors imposed upon the device through normal
exercise use, including, but not limited to, metal, the various
alloys known in the art, plastic, or any combination thereof. In
certain embodiments, sturdy lightweight materials are preferred to
enhance the portability of exercise station 10. In certain
embodiments, components of exercise station 10 are hollow to reduce
the weight of the device, such as for example, hollow tubular
members of frame 12. In other embodiments, various components of
exercise station 10 may be weighted or include weighted plugs to
give a more "substantial feel" to exercise station 10.
[0040] While exercise station 10 has been described in the
preferred embodiments as having seat 16 rotate relative to base 14
and have base 14 orbitally pivot relative to frame 12, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the orbital exercise motion
can be achieved without the relative movement between seat 16 and
base 14. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, seat 16 and base
14 are fixed relative to one another or otherwise are unitary. In
such case, of course, the need for first brake 18 is obviated.
[0041] One of the advantages of exercise station 10 includes its
adaptability to a variety of exercises that a user may perform for
both muscle improvement and cardiovascular fitness. As described
above, one exercise performed by a user comprises sitting on seat
16 with an upright posture and rotating on the seat side to side,
and in an orbital motion which has the salutary effect of working
the core and abdominal muscles of the user. In another example, a
user may orient themselves in a traditional push-up position using
support handles 20 and then perform rotational and/or orbital upper
body movements utilizing station 10.
[0042] Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to attain
the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are
inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are
illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified and
practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those
skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein.
Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of
construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the
claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular
illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified
and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit
of the present invention. Also, the terms in the claims have their
plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly
defined by the patentee.
* * * * *