U.S. patent application number 11/641188 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-19 for exercise apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to LIFEGEAR, INC.. Invention is credited to Paul Hsieh.
Application Number | 20080146421 11/641188 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39528071 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080146421 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsieh; Paul |
June 19, 2008 |
Exercise apparatus
Abstract
Exercise apparatus of the stepper type which is adapted for use
while the user is seated. The apparatus can be placed on the floor
so that the user's legs can be exercised, or on a tabletop so that
the user's arms can be exercised. Different combinations of
resistance bands extending between a central post and user operated
treadles provide different levels of resistance for the exercise.
Changing the angle of the central post changes the range of motion
for the exercise.
Inventors: |
Hsieh; Paul; (Arcadia,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID L. DAVIS, ESQ.
90 WASHINGTON VALLEY ROAD
BEDMINSTER
NJ
07921
US
|
Assignee: |
LIFEGEAR, INC.
|
Family ID: |
39528071 |
Appl. No.: |
11/641188 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/129 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/0233 20130101;
A63B 22/0056 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 22/0007
20130101; A63B 21/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/129 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02 |
Claims
1. Exercise apparatus, comprising: a base; a pair of treadles
mounted to said base for pivoting movement about a first pivot
axis; a post mounted to said base between said pair of treadles and
extending upwardly from said base; a pair of co-linear first holder
rods each secured to said post and extending parallel to said first
pivot axis each toward a respective one of said treadles; a pair of
second holder rods each secured to a respective one of said
treadles and extending parallel to said first pivot axis toward
said post; and a pair of resilient resistance members each
extending from a respective one of said first holder rods to a
respective one of said second holder rods each on a respective side
of said post.
2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said post is
mounted to said base for angular pivoting about a second pivot axis
parallel to said first pivot axis, and said apparatus further
comprises: means for securing said post in a selected angular
position about said second pivot axis.
3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said post
has an aperture spaced a first distance from said second pivot
axis, and said means for securing comprises: a plate member secured
to said base adjacent to said post, wherein said plate member lies
in a plane orthogonal to said second pivot axis, and wherein said
plate member has a plurality of apertures arrayed in a circular arc
centered at said second pivot axis and spaced said first distance
from said second pivot axis; and a holder extendable through said
post aperture and a selected one of said plate member
apertures.
4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said holder
comprises a spring detent.
5. The exercise apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said spring
detent includes a detent button extendable through said post
aperture and a selected one of said plate member apertures, the
apparatus further comprising: a cover member mounted on said post
and having a resilient flap extending over said plate member and
said detent button.
6. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:
a pair of massage pads each secured to a respective one of said
treadles.
7. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said base
comprises a substantially U-shaped structure having a cross member
and a pair of parallel arm members; and said pair of treadles and
said post are mounted to said cross member.
8. The exercise apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each of said
treadles includes a stop member which contacts a respective arm
member of said base to limit downward movement of the respective
treadle.
9. Exercise apparatus, comprising: a base; a treadle mounted to
said base for pivoting movement about a first pivot axis; a post
mounted to said base adjacent said treadle and extending upwardly
from said base; a first holder rod secured to said post and
extending parallel to said first pivot axis toward said treadle; a
second holder rod secured to said treadle and extending parallel to
said first pivot axis toward said post; and a resilient resistance
member extending from said first holder rod to said second holder
rod.
10. The exercise apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said post
is mounted to said base for angular pivoting about a second pivot
axis parallel to said first pivot axis, and said apparatus further
comprises: means for securing said post in a selected angular
position about said second pivot axis.
11. The exercise apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said post
has an aperture spaced a first distance from said second pivot
axis, and said means for securing comprises: a plate member secured
to said base adjacent to said post, wherein said plate member lies
in a plane orthogonal to said second pivot axis, and wherein said
plate member has a plurality of apertures arrayed in a circular arc
centered at said second pivot axis and spaced said first distance
from said second pivot axis; and a holder extendable through said
post aperture and a selected one of said plate member
apertures.
12. The exercise apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said
holder comprises a spring detent.
13. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said
spring detent includes a detent button extendable through said post
aperture and a selected one of said plate member apertures, the
apparatus further comprising: a cover member mounted on said post
and having a resilient flap extending over said plate member and
said detent button.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to exercise apparatus and, more
particularly, to exercise apparatus of the stepper type which can
be operated by either the user's legs or arms while the user is
seated and in which the level of resistance and range of motion are
easily adjusted.
[0002] Exercise apparatus of the stepper type is generally well
known. Such apparatus usually requires the user to stand on the
apparatus and alternately shift his/her weight between two
treadles. There are many instances where a potential user of such
apparatus cannot stand while exercising. For example, the user may
be disabled but may still wish to exercise. Another instance is
where the user has been sitting at a desk all day and wishes to
exercise while still sitting. It would therefore be desirable to
have exercise apparatus of the stepper type which can be operated
while the user is seated.
[0003] It would also be desirable to have such apparatus which can
also be operated by the arms of the user so that the arms can be
exercised.
[0004] It would also be desirable to have such apparatus wherein
the level of resistance and range of motion are easily
adjusted.
[0005] It would also be desirable to have such apparatus which is
compact, lightweight and inexpensive to produce.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The foregoing desirable traits are attained in accordance
with the principles of this invention by providing exercise
apparatus which comprises a base and a pair of treadles mounted to
the base for pivoting movement about a first pivot axis. A post is
mounted to the base between the pair of treadles and extends
upwardly from the base. A pair of co-linear first holder rods are
each secured to the post and extend parallel to the first pivot
axis each toward a respective one of the treadles. A pair of second
holder rods are each secured to a respective one of the treadles
and extend parallel to the first pivot axis toward the post. A pair
of resilient resistance members each extends from a respective one
of the first holder rods to a respective one of the second holder
rods each on a respective side of the post.
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of this invention, the post is
mounted to the base for angular pivoting about a second pivot axis
parallel to the first pivot axis. The apparatus further comprises
means for securing the post in a selected angular position about
the second pivot axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing will be more readily apparent upon reading the
following description in conjunction with the drawings in which
like elements in different figures thereof are identified by the
same reference numeral and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an alternate
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIGS. 6-9 are schematic views showing how the inventive
exercise apparatus can be operated to perform various exercises for
the user's legs and arms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 depict an
embodiment of the inventive exercise apparatus, designated
generally by the reference numeral 10. The apparatus 10 includes a
base 12, which is preferably a tubular metal piece bent into a
U-shape so as to have a cross member 14 and a pair of parallel arm
members 16, 18. (Although tubular metal is preferred for the base,
it is understood that other materials, such as plastic, for
example, can be utilized as well.) Non-slip feet 20 are mounted to
the base 12. A central section of the cross member 14 is cut out
and a plate member 22 is placed therein and secured to the cross
member 14, as by welding or the like. The plate member 22 is
preferably formed by bending a single piece of sheet stock material
so as to have a pair of parallel side plates 24, 26 and a back
plate 28. Each of said side plates 24, 26 is formed with a
plurality of apertures. Thus, the side plates 24, 26 each have an
aperture 30 aligned substantially with the center of the cross
member 14 and a plurality of apertures 32,34,36,38 arrayed along a
circular arc centered at the aperture 30.
[0016] The apparatus 10 also includes a pair of treadles 40, 42,
each of which is mounted to a respective frame support structure
44, 46. The frame support structures 44, 46 are mounted to the
cross member 14 of the base 12 for pivoting movement about a first
pivot axis defined by co-linear pivot pins 48 which pass through
openings in respective mounting plate members 50 and frame support
structures 44, 46. The mounting plate members 50 are each
preferably formed by bending a single piece of sheet stock material
and are secured to the cross member 14 as by welding or the like.
The treadles 40, 42 are adapted to support a user's feet and are
sized accordingly. Also, massage pads 52, 54 are secured to
respective ones of the treadles 40, 42. The pads 52, 54 are formed
with integral bumps and function to massage a user's bare feet when
pressure is applied to the pads 52, 54.
[0017] A central post 56 is mounted to the base 12 via the plate
member 22 (as will be described hereinafter) between the treadles
40, 42 for pivoting movement about a second pivot axis parallel to
the first pivot axis. The post 56 is formed as a hollow member with
an upper pair of opposed openings 58 and a lower pair of opposed
openings 60 near its lower end. The spacing between the openings 58
and 60 is the same as the radius of the circular arc along which
the apertures 32, 34, 36, 38 of the plate member 22 are arrayed. A
first spring detent member 62 having detent buttons 64 is inserted
into the interior of the post 56 so that the buttons 64 extend
through the upper pair of openings 58 and a second spring detent
member 66 having detent buttons 68 is inserted into the interior of
the post 56 so that the buttons 68 extend through the lower pair of
openings 60. A detent button cover 70 is then placed over the lower
end of the post 56 so that the detent buttons 68 are within the
openings of the hooks 72 at the lower end of the cover 70 and the
detent buttons 64 are beneath the resilient flaps 74 of the cover
70. The post 56 is then installed between the side plates 24, 26 so
that the lower detent buttons 68 extend into the apertures 30 of
the side plates 24, 26 and the upper detent buttons 64 extend into
selected respective pairs of the apertures 32, 34, 36, 38 of the
side plates 24, 26. The angle of the post 56 relative to the base
12 is determined by which of the pairs of apertures 32, 34, 36, 38
the upper detent buttons 64 are inserted into. The reasons for
being able to select the angle of the post 56 will become apparent
from the discussion which follows.
[0018] A pair of co-linear holder rods 76, 78 are secured to the
upper end of the post 56 and extend parallel to the pivot axes of
the post 56 and the treadles 40, 42. Preferably, the holder rods
76, 78 are part of a unitary rod member which extends through
suitable openings in the post 56 and is secured thereto by welding
or the like. The holder rod 76 extends away from the post 56 toward
the treadle 40 and the holder rod 78 extends away from the post 56
toward the treadle 42. The end of the post 56 is covered by a pair
of caps 80, 82 and the ends of the holder rods 76, 78 are covered
by a pair of caps 84, 86, respectively. Each of the caps 84, 86 has
an enlarged head at its end remote from the post 56.
[0019] Each of the treadles 40, 42 has a holder rod 88, 90,
respectively, secured to its frame support structure 44, 46,
respectively. The holder rods 88, 90 extend toward the post 56
parallel to the pivot axes of the post 56 and the treadles 40, 42.
The ends of the holder rods 88, 90 are covered by a pair of caps
92, 94, respectively. Each of the caps 92, 94 has an enlarged head
at its end remote from the respective treadle 40, 42.
[0020] Resilient bands 96 provide resistance during use of the
exercise apparatus 10. The bands 96 are installed to each extend
between holder rods on the same side of the post 56. Thus, a band
96 extends between the holder rods 76 and 88 (over the caps 80 and
92) and a band 96 extends between the holder rods 78 and 90 (over
the caps 82 and 94). The enlarged heads of the caps 80, 82, 92, 94
prevent the bands 96 from slipping off. Different strength
resilient bands 96 provide different levels of resistance when
using the apparatus 10, and multiple bands 96 can be installed in
an overlying manner on the holder rods 76, 78, 88, 90 to select a
desired resistance level which is the sum of the resistance levels
of the overlying multiple bands. The resistance provided by a band
is determined by its dimensions, such as its width or
thickness.
[0021] Resilient stopper pads 98 are secured to the underside of
each of the frame support structures 44 and 46 so as to provide
interfering contact with the arm members 16 and 18, respectively.
Accordingly, downward movement of the treadles 40, 42 is limited
and the treadles 40, 42 are cushioned upon reaching their downward
limits.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the inventive
exercise apparatus, designated generally by the reference numeral
100. The difference between the apparatus 100 and the apparatus 10
is in the lengths of the holder rods 76, 78, 88, 90 and the way the
resistance bands are held on the apparatus. In the apparatus 10,
the resistance bands are either placed individually or in overlying
relationship on the holder rods, whereas in the apparatus 100, the
resistance bands are next to each other and remain on the holder
rods 76 and 78 and are then selectively placed on the holder rods
88 and 90. Thus, with the apparatus 100, the resistance bands can
remain with the apparatus 100 and are less likely to be
misplaced.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 6-9, the exercise apparatus 10 can be
utilized four different ways. FIG. 6 illustrates use for exercising
the user's legs, with the apparatus 10 on the floor and the user
seated in a chair. The user's feet are on the treadles 40, 42 with
the user's heels closest to the pivot axes of the treadles. FIG. 7
illustrates an alternate leg exercise, where the apparatus 10 is on
the floor but turned in the opposite direction from that shown in
FIG. 6. The user's heels are on the floor, with the balls of the
user's feet engaging the ends of the treadles 40, 42 remote from
their pivot axes. FIG. 8 illustrates use of the apparatus 10 for
exercising the user's arms, with the apparatus 10 supported on a
table, or the like. The user's arms are on the treadles 40, 42,
with the user's elbows closest to the pivot axes of the treadles
and the user's hands holding the other ends of the treadles by
means of the openings 102, 104. FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate arm
exercise, where the apparatus 10 is on the table but turned in the
opposite direction from that shown in FIG. 8. The user's elbows are
on the table, with the user's hands engaging the openings 102, 104
in the ends of the treadles 40, 42 remote from their pivot
axes.
[0024] The openings 32, 34, 36, 38 in the side plates 24, 26 of the
plate member 22 are used to change the angle of the post 56
relative to the plane of the base 12. Changing the angle of the
post 56 is accomplished by the user depressing the flaps 74 of the
detent button cover 72 so as to release the detent buttons 64 from
whichever of the openings 32, 34, 36, 38 they were engaged and then
pivoting the post 56 so that the detent buttons 64 engage the
desired ones of the openings 32, 34, 36, 38. Having the detent
buttons 64 engage a selected pair of the openings 32, 34, 36
determines the angle of the post 56 for purposes of exercise. This
angle sets the range of motion for the treadles 40, 42 when used
for exercising. When the detent buttons engage the openings 38,
this provides a compact configuration of the apparatus 10 suitable
for storage and/or transport.
[0025] Accordingly, there have been disclosed embodiments of an
improved exercise apparatus of the stepper type. While preferred
embodiments of the inventive apparatus have been disclosed herein,
it will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that various
alterations and modifications to the disclosed apparatus are
possible while remaining within the spirit and scope of the
disclosed invention. For example, a smaller and less expensive
exercise apparatus can be manufactured with only a single treadle.
Also, instead of using spring detents to select the angle of the
central post, other holders can be used, such as a solid pin
inserted through aligned openings. It is therefore intended that
this invention be limited only by the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *