U.S. patent application number 12/049501 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for inclinable exercise device with clamp mechanism and method of using same.
This patent application is currently assigned to ENGINEERING FITNESS CORP.. Invention is credited to Thomas J. Campanaro, Dan McCutcheon.
Application Number | 20080161173 12/049501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39584834 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080161173 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campanaro; Thomas J. ; et
al. |
July 3, 2008 |
Inclinable Exercise Device With Clamp Mechanism and Method of Using
Same
Abstract
An exercise device including a vertical support member; an
adjustable incline having a first end and a second end, the first
end of the adjustable incline vertically movable with respect to
the vertical support member for setting the incline of the
adjustable incline; a user support platform movably attached to the
adjustable incline; first and second pulleys coupled to the
adjustable incline; one or more cables extendable through first and
second pulleys and coupled to the user support platform for
movement of the support platform along the adjustable incline
through cable movement; and a clamping mechanism at the first end
of the adjustable incline that provides a clamping force on the
vertical support member to fix the first end of the adjustable
incline relative to the vertical support member to set the incline
of the adjustable incline.
Inventors: |
Campanaro; Thomas J.;
(Rancho Santa Fe, CA) ; McCutcheon; Dan; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH LLP
530 B STREET, SUITE 2100
SAN DIEGO
CA
92101
US
|
Assignee: |
ENGINEERING FITNESS CORP.
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
39584834 |
Appl. No.: |
12/049501 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10785541 |
Feb 24, 2004 |
7270628 |
|
|
12049501 |
|
|
|
|
60896592 |
Mar 23, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/133 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 2225/093 20130101; A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 22/0087
20130101; A63B 23/03575 20130101; A63B 21/154 20130101; A63B
21/0622 20151001; A63B 22/0023 20130101; A63B 21/068 20130101; A63B
2208/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/133 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise device, comprising: a vertical support member; an
adjustable incline having a first end and a second end, the first
end of the adjustable incline vertically movable with respect to
the vertical support member for setting the incline of the
adjustable incline; a user support platform movably attached to the
adjustable incline; first and second pulleys coupled to the
adjustable incline; one or more cables extendable through first and
second pulleys and coupled to the user support platform for
movement of the support platform along the adjustable incline
through cable movement; and a clamping mechanism at the first end
of the adjustable incline that provides a clamping force on the
vertical support member to fix the first end of the adjustable
incline relative to the vertical support member to set the incline
of the adjustable incline.
2. An exercise device, comprising: a vertical support member; an
adjustable incline having a first end and a second end, the first
end of the adjustable incline vertically movable with respect to
the vertical support member for setting the incline of the
adjustable incline; a user support platform movably attached to the
adjustable incline; first and second pulleys coupled to the
adjustable incline; one or more cables extendable through first and
second pulleys and coupled to the user support platform for
movement of the support platform along the adjustable incline
through cable movement; and means for clamping at the first end of
the adjustable incline for providing a clamping force on the
vertical support member to fix the first end of the adjustable
incline relative to the vertical support member to set the incline
of the adjustable incline.
3. A method of using an exercise device, comprising: providing an
exercise device including a vertical support member; an adjustable
incline having a first end and a second end, the first end of the
adjustable incline vertically movable with respect to the vertical
support member for setting the incline of the adjustable incline; a
user support platform movably attached to the adjustable incline;
first and second pulleys coupled to the adjustable incline; one or
more cables extendable through first and second pulleys and coupled
to the user support platform for movement of the support platform
along the adjustable incline through cable movement; and a clamping
mechanism at the first end of the adjustable incline that provides
a clamping force on the vertical support member to fix the first
end of the adjustable incline relative to the vertical support
member to set the incline of the adjustable incline; moving the
first end of the adjustable incline vertically relative to the
vertical support member to a desired height for a desired incline
of the adjustable incline; activating the clamping mechanism to
provide a clamping force on the vertical support member to fix the
first end of the adjustable incline relative to the vertical
support member to set the desired incline of the adjustable
incline.
4. The method of claim 3, further including deactivating the
clamping mechanism to remove a clamping force on the vertical
support member so that the first end of the adjustable incline is
freely movable relative to the vertical support member in the
vertical direction.
5. The method of claim 4, further including moving the first end of
the adjustable incline vertically relative to the vertical support
member to a desired height for a desired incline of the adjustable
incline; and activating the clamping mechanism to provide a
clamping force on the vertical support member to fix the first end
of the adjustable incline relative to the vertical support member
to set the desired incline of the adjustable incline.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/688,539, filed Mar. 20, 2007, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/785,541, filed Feb. 24, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,628 and
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/896,592,
filed Mar. 23, 2007, U.S. Provisional Application 60/806,146, filed
Jun. 29, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Application 60/790,325, filed
Apr. 6, 2006. All of these applications/patent(s) are incorporated
by reference as though set forth in full.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an inclinable exercise
device including a clamping mechanism that eliminates the needs for
hooks, notches, holes, pins, or the like in setting the incline
angle in the inclinable exercise device, and allows the inclinable
exercise device to be inclined at a greater number of angles than
was possible in the past.
[0003] Another aspect of the invention involves an exercise device
including a vertical support member; an adjustable incline having a
first end and a second end, the first end of the adjustable incline
vertically movable with respect to the vertical support member for
setting the incline of the adjustable incline; a user support
platform movably attached to the adjustable incline; first and
second pulleys coupled to the adjustable incline; one or more
cables extendable through first and second pulleys and coupled to
the user support platform for movement of the support platform
along the adjustable incline through cable movement; and a clamping
mechanism at the first end of the adjustable incline that provides
a clamping force on the vertical support member to fix the first
end of the adjustable incline relative to the vertical support
member to set the incline of the adjustable incline.
[0004] A further aspect of the invention involves an exercise
device including a vertical support member; an adjustable incline
having a first end and a second end, the first end of the
adjustable incline vertically movable with respect to the vertical
support member for setting the incline of the adjustable incline; a
user support platform movably attached to the adjustable incline;
first and second pulleys coupled to the adjustable incline; one or
more cables extendable through first and second pulleys and coupled
to the user support platform for movement of the support platform
along the adjustable incline through cable movement; and means for
clamping at the first end of the adjustable incline for providing a
clamping force on the vertical support member to fix the first end
of the adjustable incline relative to the vertical support member
to set the incline of the adjustable incline.
[0005] A still further aspect of the invention involves a method of
using an exercise device including providing an exercise device
including a vertical support member; an adjustable incline having a
first end and a second end, the first end of the adjustable incline
vertically movable with respect to the vertical support member for
setting the incline of the adjustable incline; a user support
platform movably attached to the adjustable incline; first and
second pulleys coupled to the adjustable incline; one or more
cables extendable through first and second pulleys and coupled to
the user support platform for movement of the support platform
along the adjustable incline through cable movement; and a clamping
mechanism at the first end of the adjustable incline that provides
a clamping force on the vertical support member to fix the first
end of the adjustable incline relative to the vertical support
member to set the incline of the adjustable incline; moving the
first end of the adjustable incline vertically relative to the
vertical support member to a desired height for a desired incline
of the adjustable incline; and activating the clamping mechanism to
provide a clamping force on the vertical support member to fix the
first end of the adjustable incline relative to the vertical
support member to set the desired incline of the adjustable
incline.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an
inclinable exercise device including an embodiment of a clamping
mechanism that allows the inclinable exercise device to be inclined
at a larger number of angles;
[0007] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the clamping
mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a clamping mechanism
similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but with another embodiment
of pulley support bars shown attached to the clamping mechanism,
and shows the clamping mechanism in an unlocked position;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a clamping mechanism
similar to that shown in FIG. 3, and shows the clamping mechanism
in a semi-locked position;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a clamping mechanism
similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and shows the clamping
mechanism in a locked position.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of an
inclinable exercise device including an alternative embodiment of a
clamping mechanism that allows the inclinable exercise device to be
inclined at a larger number of angles;
[0012] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of an
inclinable exercise device including a further embodiment of a
clamping mechanism that allows the inclinable exercise device to be
inclined at a larger number of angles;
[0013] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the inclinable
exercise device shown in FIG. 7, but with the ladder/tower 70
removed;
[0014] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the inclinable exercise device
shown in FIG. 7;
[0015] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the inclinable
exercise device shown in FIG. 7;
[0016] FIGS. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views taken along the
line shown in FIG. 9, and show the clamping mechanism in an
unlocked position (FIG. 11) and a locked position (FIG. 12).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of an inclinable
exercise device 50 including an embodiment of a clamping mechanism
60 and method of using the same will be described.
[0018] Before describing the clamping mechanism 60, the inclinable
exercise device 50 will first be generally described. The
inclinable exercise device 50 includes ladder/tower 70 with a pair
of vertical support members 35. Although two vertical support
members 35 are shown, in an alternative embodiment, the tower 70
includes one or more vertical support members 35. Slide brackets 55
are slidable along the vertical support members 35.
[0019] The slide brackets 55 are U-shaped brackets including
opposing flanges 80 pivotally coupled to rail brackets 116 of upper
rails 112 via cam members 161 and fasteners 156 (e.g., bolts, nuts,
washers). Rectangular rubber grip members 155 are disposed on a
span of the slide brackets 55 on a rear side of the vertical
support members 35 (to assist in gripping the vertical support
members 35 with the cam members 161). The cam members 161 are
narrow curvilinear members made of a rigid material to transfer the
leverage loads efficiently and are lined or coated with an
elastomer to improve grip strength. The cam members 161 have a top
162, an abutment side 163, and a bottom 164. Lower rails 101 are
pivotally coupled to upper rails 112. A strut 130 is pivotally
connected to a base tube 135 at the lower end of the vertical
support members 35 and is also pivotally connected to a rail pivot
point 123. Lift-assist mechanism 150 is pivotally connect to a
pivot point 170 of the strut 130 and is also pivotally connected at
an opposite end to approximate mid-points of the upper rails 112
though a pivot bar 180. In the embodiment shown, the lift-assist
mechanism 150 is a push-type gas spring. The push-type gas spring
provides an upward angled force towards the pivot bar 180, reducing
the upward force and work required by a user when raising the
height and increasing the angle of the upper rails 112 relative to
the ground. This upward force also makes it easier to lower the
height and reduce the angle of the upper rails 112 because it
reduces the lifting work required of the user.
[0020] A user support platform or glideboard 120 with rollers (not
shown) rolls along the rails 101, 112.
[0021] A pulley arm 154 connects the U-shaped brackets 80 and
terminates in opposite pulley support bars 138. Although in the
embodiment shown the supports bars 138 are integral with pulley arm
154, in an alternative embodiment, the support bars 138 are
separate from the arm 154. Attached to the pulley support bars 138
are pulleys 166.
[0022] The pulley support bars 138 extend outward from the U-shaped
brackets 80 beyond the outer edge of the upper rails 112. Although
not shown, a connector extends through the pulleys 166 and connects
to the user support platform 120. The connector may be of any
suitable well-known type, but is preferably a cable with handles at
each end. The cable extends through the pulleys 166 positioned on
the pulley support bars 138 and loops through a third pulley
attached to the user support platform 120. The third pulley is
positioned along the lateral centerline of the user support
platform. This position allows for unilateral (i.e. one arm),
bilateral (i.e., two arm) and static equilibrium (i.e. holding the
user support platform 28 suspended by keeping a constant force on
each handle) use. The cable should preferably be of sufficient
length to extend through the pulleys 166 and allow the exerciser to
grasp one or both of the handles while the exerciser is on the user
support platform 120 and the user support platform 120 is at
rest.
[0023] In an alternate embodiment, the connector is two separate
cables extending through the pulleys 166 with each cable fixedly
attached to the user support platform 120.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the inclinable exercise device
50 and clamping mechanism 60 will now be described in use. FIG. 3
illustrates the clamping mechanism 60 in an unlocked position. To
unlock the clamping mechanism 60, the rails 101, 112 are lifted and
the tower 70 is pulled towards the rails 101, 112 so that the cam
member 161 no longer contacts the vertical support members 35. In
this position, the clamping mechanisms 60 are free to move
vertically along the vertical support members 35.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates the clamping mechanism 60 in a
semi-locked position. To put the clamping mechanism 60 in this
position, the tower 70 is pushed away from the rails 101, 112 and
the rails 101, 112 are let go. This causes the abutment sides 163
of the cam members 161 to contact the vertical support members 35.
This does not fully lock the clamping mechanism 60 in position, but
holds the clamping mechanism 60 tight enough against the vertical
support members 35 until weight on the rails 101, 112 or a hand
push downward on the rails 101, 112 drop the rails 101, 112 and put
the clamping mechanism 60 into the position shown in FIG. 5. The
clamping mechanism 60 would be locked after the centerline CL of
the rails 101, 112 is pushed below the fasteners (e.g., bolt) 162,
as shown in FIG. 5.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates the clamping mechanism 60 in a locked
position. In this position, the clamping mechanism 60 is locked
because the more weight applied to the rails, the tighter the cam
members 161 press against the vertical support members 35. In this
position, the centerline CL of the rails 101, 112 is pushed below
the left fasteners (e.g., left bolt) 156 of the U shaped bracket 80
(CL passes through the U shaped bracket 80). Also, the torque
created by the pulley force F from exercising rotates the cam
members 161 further against the vertical support members 35,
further tightening the clamping mechanism 60 against the vertical
support members 35.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of a
clamping mechanism 200 having a U-shaped clamp 210 is shown. The
clamp 210 includes a rear L-shaped clamp section 220 integrally
joined with a forward L-shaped clamp section 230. The L-shaped
clamp sections 220, 230 include respective rubber coatings or
covers.
[0028] Similar to the method of use described above with respect to
FIGS. 3-5, to unlock the clamping mechanism 200 from the vertical
support members 35, the rails 101, 112 are lifted and the tower 70
is pulled towards the rails 101, 112 so that the clamp members 220
becomes loose on the vertical support members 35. In this position,
the clamping mechanisms 200 are free to move vertically along the
vertical support members 35. To lock the clamping mechanisms 200 to
the vertical support members 35, the tower 70 is pushed away from
the rails 101, 112 and the rails 101, 112 are let go. Weight or
downward force is applied to the rails 101, 112. This causes the
rear L-shaped clamp sections 220 to move relatively upward along
the rear of the vertical support members 35 and the forward
L-shaped clamp sections 230 to move relatively downward along the
front of the vertical support members 35, tightening the clamping
mechanisms 200 against the vertical support members 35 and securing
the clamping mechanisms 200 in position.
[0029] FIG. 6 also illustrates alternative embodiments of pulley
support bars 300, 310.
[0030] Although not shown, in another embodiment of the invention,
resistance level information is provided along the tower (e.g., on
the vertical support members 35) to assist the user in selecting an
incline/resistance level for the rails 101, 112.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 7-12, an alternative embodiment of a
clamping mechanism 400 will be described. In this embodiment, the
upper rails 112 are directly pivotally connected to U-shaped slide
bracket 410 via fasteners (e.g., bolts) 420. A broad, curved
U-shaped lever 430 is disposed between the U-shaped slide bracket
410. The lever 430 is pivotally attached to the U-shaped slide
brackets 410 through fasteners (e.g., bolts 440). Bolts 440 and
bolts 445 are used to connect the respective ends of the lever 430
to respective cam members 460. Bolts 445 move within curved slots
448 of U-shaped brackets 410 with pivotal movement of the lever
430. The cam members 460 are disposed in U-shaped slide brackets
410 and move/rotate with pivotal movement of the lever 430. Similar
to cam members 161, the cam members 460 are narrow curvilinear
members made of a rigid material to transfer the leverage loads
efficiently and are lined or coated with an elastomer to improve
grip strength. The cam members 460 pivot around bolts 440 and they
are spring loaded with torsion springs that urge the lever into the
locked position shown in FIG. 12. The torsion springs are
disengaged by the lever 430 connected to the cam members 460 by
means of bolts 445 and 440.
[0032] Unlike the methods described above with respect to FIGS.
1-6, the method of using clamping mechanism 400 does not require
the process of lifting and pulling the ladder/tower 70 toward the
rails 112. Instead, one lifts the lever 430 to the position shown
in FIG. 11, where the clamping mechanism 400 is in an unlocked
position (the cam members 460 are disengaged from the vertical
support members 35), while vertically suspending the rails 112 at
the same time, then move the rails 112 to the desired vertical
position/angle and hold the rails 112 while releasing the lever 430
so that the lever 430 is urged by the torsion springs to the locked
position shown in FIG. 12, where the clamping mechanism 400 is
secured to the vertical support members 35.
[0033] An inclinable exercise device with a clamping mechanism such
as, but not limited to, clamping mechanism 60, 200, 400 eliminates
the needs for hooks, notches, holes, pins, and/or the like in
setting the incline angle in the inclinable exercise device, and
allows the inclinable exercise device to be inclined at a greater
number of angles than was possible in the past. Instead of only
being able to incline the rails 101, 112 at only, for example,
seven incline levels or resistance levels, the inclinable exercise
device with a clamping mechanism allows one to set the rails 101,
112 at a much greater number of incline levels or resistance levels
because there are not a select number of hooks, notches, holes
limiting the number of incline levels or resistance levels. This
gives the user much more control and variety in setting the
exercise resistance level.
[0034] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented
herein represent presently preferred embodiments of the invention
and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is
broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further
understood that the scope of the present invention fully
encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those
skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is
accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.
* * * * *