U.S. patent application number 12/316464 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-17 for exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Brandon Huu Tho Le, Brittany Ai Thi Le, Thong Huu Le, Tiffany Thuy Vi Le.
Application Number | 20100152007 12/316464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42241216 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100152007 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Le; Tiffany Thuy Vi ; et
al. |
June 17, 2010 |
Exercise apparatus
Abstract
Exercise apparatus includes rotatable horizontal cylinder
supporting user in a wide variety of excercises. Transversely
spaced elongated handles extend from behind and lower than the
cylinder upward and forward to substantially higher than the
cylinder. The frame, cylinder, and elongated handles arranged so
that user's body is supported primarily by the cylinder while
user's hands can grasp the elongated handles sequentially higher
and lower positions and can selectively pull and push translating
user's body fore and aft on the cylinder. In exemplary embodiment,
handles are bowed with upper portions positioned substantially
above said cylinder to enable user sitting on said cylinder to
reach upward and grasp handle upper portions, and frame includes
transversely spaced posts, handles include portions extending
downward to engage posts. Other features include lower handle set,
vertically adjustable cylinder and soft surface cylinder and
handles.
Inventors: |
Le; Tiffany Thuy Vi;
(Oceanside, CA) ; Le; Brandon Huu Tho; (Oceanside,
CA) ; Le; Brittany Ai Thi; (Oceanside, CA) ;
Le; Thong Huu; (Oceanside, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Tiffany Thuy Vi Le
4511 Corte Azul
Oceanside
CA
92056
US
|
Family ID: |
42241216 |
Appl. No.: |
12/316464 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/148 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/0211 20130101;
A63B 23/0233 20130101; A63B 26/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/148 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/00 20060101
A63B023/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus comprising, A frame having a base for
resting on a horizontal floor surface, A cylinder for supporting at
least substantially all of a user's weight, said cylinder mounted
on said frame for rotation about a horizontal axis, A pair of
transversely spaced elongated handles coupled to said frame and
extending from behind and lower than said cylinder upward and
forward to substantially higher than said cylinder, Said frame,
cylinder, and elongated handles so arranged that when a user's body
is supported primarily by said cylinder, the user's hands can grasp
the elongated handles in directions from said cylinder at
selectively and sequentially higher and lower positions on the
elongated handles and can selectively pull and push the elongated
handles to translate the user's body fore and aft while the body is
being primarily supported by the cylinder.
2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper
forward portions of said elongated handles are positioned higher
than said cylinder to enable a user when sitting on said cylinder
with legs extending forward of said cylinder to reach generally
upward to grasp said elongated handle upper portions with user's
hands.
3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
elongated handles extend rearward and downward form positions
substantially above and substantially vertically aligned adjacent
opposite ends of the cylinder.
4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said
elongated handles are arranged generally in upstanding planes.
5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said
elongated handle include generally bow-shaped portions.
6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said frame
includes a pair of transversely spaced upstanding post members, and
said elongated handles include forward portions extending downward
to engage and be supported by respective ones of said post
members.
7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said
cylinder is releasably mounted to said post members.
8. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of said
post members includes a plurality of mounts for selectively
supporting said cylinder at a plurality of predetermined vertical
positions relative to said frame.
9. An exercise apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one
releasable securing member is provided to secure said cylinder at
vertical position selected by the user in association with the
respective mount on said post member.
10. An exercise apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said
cylinder includes an axel located on said axis and having axel
ends, said axel ends extend beyond the ends of said cylinder and
cooperate with said mounts.
11. An exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each mount
comprises an opening in said post member, and the ends of said axel
extend in respective ones of the openings.
12. An exercise apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each mount
comprises a slot in said post members, said slot having a mouth
facing toward the fore or aft direction, and the ends of said axel
being seated though said mouth and into respective ones of said
slots.
13. An exercise apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each slot
slopes downward in the direction away from the slot mouth.
14. An exercise apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least
one end of said axel is a threaded end, and wherein at least one
releasable securing member is provided to secure said cylinder at a
vertical position selected by the user in association with the
respective mount on said post member, said securing member
comprising a fastening member threaded to said threaded end of the
axel to releasably secure said axel to said post member.
15. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the forward
portions of said elongated handles include fore and aft extending
generally horizontal portions to enable user to grasp said
horizontal portions from above and in a direction toward the
cylinder.
16. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the forward
portions of said elongated handles include fore and aft extending
generally horizontal portions to enable user to grasp said
horizontal portions from above and in a direction toward the
cylinder, said fore and aft generally horizontal portions being
supported by said frame.
17. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3, wherein fore and
aft extending generally horizontal handles are provided to enable
user to grasp said horizontal handles from above and in a direction
toward the cylinder, said fore and aft generally horizontal
portions being supported by said frame and positioned to enable
user to balance while standing, walking, or running on the
cylinder.
18. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pair of
transversely spaced lower handles are coupled to said frame for
enabling a user to grasp the same with user's hands while user's
body is supported by said cylinder, said lower handles extending
rearward toward the lower portions of respective ones of said
elongated handles, wherein the user can grasp said lower handles
with user's hands while user's body is supported by the
cylinder.
19. An exercise apparatus according to claim 18, wherein user can
grasp progressively rearward portions of the lower handles to
translate user's body aft while the body engages and rotates said
cylinder until user's torso or legs are supported by the cylinder
and user's upper body is primarily supported by user's arms, hands,
and said lower handles.
20-33. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention related to exercise apparatus and more
particularly to a new apparatus having a horizontally oriented
rotatable cylinder and elongated side handles to enable the user to
exercise on and across the cylinder in a variety of new exercise
positions, extensions, orientations, and methods.
[0002] Children have flexible back muscle that allow them to arch
with their chest upward with ease. As adults, without Exercising
gravity pulls the backbones downward which causes compression and
stiffness in these areas. Most back pain is due to pressure on a
disc and/or irritation of the ligaments and muscles around disc.
Pressure on a disc can result in pressure on a nerve or nerves of
the spine which can also cause back pain. Due to ago, injury, or
unhealthy occupation or lifestyle, it is necessary to build and
exercise equipment to stretch and strengthen the back muscles,
stretch the ligaments, and strengthen the intervertebral disk and
nerves.
[0003] Placing the lumbar spine in a passively extended position
allows the strained structures to come closer together, and in
response, become stronger and thicker. To accomplish this, the
spine should be stretched: forwardly, backwardly, and sidewardly,
to increase flexibility and to strengthen and condition ligaments
and other connective tissues which hold the vertebrae together.
Strengthening and stretching the back muscles provides stability
around the muscle and ligaments to better hold the vertebrae in
place.
[0004] Various machine have been designed to address the
above-mentioned back problems, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos.
1,643,039; 6,478,721; 6,245,000; 5,634,887; 5,242,342; 6,375,601;
2,048,587 and 195,247 (1877).
[0005] Many attempts have been made to address the attractive
appearance and health issue of flattening the abdomen or stomach by
stretching and strengthening the abdomen. There has always been a
desire to focus on a economic and fast way to lose fat around a
person's mid-section. For example, abdominal exercise device of
U.S. Pat. No. 1,936,022 has a mounted motor inside a casing allows
for vibration of a ball on the abdominal area. It does not fully
work the abs and the device can be uncomfortable and tedious, with
little of no effective results in abdominal muscle
strengthening.
SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF PRESENT INVENTION
[0006] The apparatus according to the principle of the present
invention includes a cylinder mounted for horizontal axial rotation
on a frame and a pair of elongated side handles extending from
behind and below the cylinder upward and forward to substantially
above the cylinder. This fundamental arrangement enables the user
to address the cylinder either by facing the cylinder or facing
away from the cylinder either by facing the cylinder or facing away
from the cylinder, grasping both side handles from the undersides
and pulling and/or pushing the user's body back and/or torso across
the cylinder to rotate the same. In this way, user not only
strengthens one's arms and upper body, but the normal weight of
ones upper and lower body parts are efficiently used to stretch the
parts directly supported by the cylinder. In addition, user can
continue this action or remain stationary on the cylinder while
walking user's hands from the upper side handle portions down to
the lower side handle portions to extend and stretch the back
and/or abdomen muscles in a new and controlled manner. As user's
hands grasp incrementally lower party of the handrails, the body is
flexed and stretched incrementally more. To withdraw user need only
walk users hand upward on the side rails to rise to a position
enabling user to dismount the apparatus.
[0007] Additional features of the exemplary embodiment include
vertical adjustment of the cylinder height to accommodate various
user heights (including children). For and aft extending bottom
handles for hand and/or foot gripping or standing. These bottom
handles preferably extend fore and aft of the vertical frame
members supporting the cylinder axle.
[0008] Advantageously, the exemplary embodiment according to the
principles of the present invention provides a number of new
exercise options to user, some of which shall be described
below.
[0009] A principal object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus that more effectively exercises the user's spinal system,
abdominal system, and other muscular and circulatory systems than
prior know apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] Other and further objects and benefits of the present
invention shall become apparent with the following detailed
description of an exemplary embodiment when taken in view of the
appended drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the elements of the FIG. 1
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cylinder of
FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the coated cylinder of FIG.
3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 showing an alternate coating
design.
[0016] FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 4 showing a further alternate
coating design.
[0017] FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 3 of an alternate cylinder
assembly.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a partial horizontal top view section of the
cylinder assembly and vertical post.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a partial side elevation view of FIG. 8.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the frame and handrail
assembly of alternate embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 7 showing a further alternate
cylinder assembly embodiment that cooperates with the frame and
handrail of FIG. 10.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 1-6, one exemplary exercise apparatus
10 according to the principle of the present invention includes a
bottom free assembly 12 having a pair of bottom side rails 14
rigidly connected in spaced, preferably parallel, arrangement by
cross strut 16. Although only one strut 16 is shown, two fore and
aft spaced struts can be employed as desired.
[0023] Apparatus 10 further includes upstanding post assemblies 16
secured on the forward portions of rails 14. Each post assembly 16
includes a vertical series of horizontally aligned through-holes 18
for receiving and mounting cylinder axel 20, better seen in FIG.
2.
[0024] Apparatus 10 further includes a pair of arcuate or angled
handrail assemblies 22, which preferably include a rear arcuate
handgrip sections 24 with its rear end mounted to the rear portion
of rail 14 and upper end joined to hand grip section 24, which are
preferably horizontally oriented. Sections 26 are joined to
upstanding sections 28 which, in turn, are supported by post
assemblies 16. Frame assemblies 12, post assemblies 16 and hand
rail assemblies 22 should be made of metal or other suitable
material that can support maximum user weight plus a suitable
safety factor. Shapes and cross section shapes of these assemblies
can be any suitable design such as box cylinder, tubular,
triangular, or other. In this example handrails 22 are tubular with
their forward, lower ends 28 inserted within the square tubes of
posts 16 and secured therein by conventional fasteners 30. Although
hand rails 22 can be bare metal or heavy plastic, it is preferred
that sections 24, 26, 30 be covered or coated with softer foam or
other material for providing more hand comfort to users during
operation.
[0025] Apparatus 10 further includes a pair of lower handrails 32
mounted between lower parts of handrail section 24 and posts 16.
Lower handrails 32 should be foam covered and also serve to help
stabilize handrails 22 and posts 16. Lower forward rails 34 have
aft ends mounted to posts 16 and forward ends vertically oriented
to be mounted on the forward parts of frame rails 14. Lower rails
32 and rails 34 are preferably aligned fore and aft to further
stabilize pasts 16 and provide hand and foot grips further
described below.
[0026] Apparatus 10 further includes a cylinder or roller-assembly
36 having an outer preferably cylindrical surfaces 38 covered by a
one or more layers 40 of foam rubber or other suitable material for
providing a cushion to the user during operation. Cylinder 36
should be made of suitable material such as metal and have closed
ends 43 having a central opening and bushing 44 to accommodate
threaded axel 20. Axel 20 inserts through lock washer 46, and post
16, disks 42, bushings 44, the other post 16, lock washer 48 and
threads into wind nut 50. Accordingly, cylinder 36 can be
selectively assembled for rotation at any desired vertical position
determined by the selected opening 18 through which axel 20
passes.
[0027] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art
that further positions and static and dynamic exercises can be
implemented on apparatus 10 and that the above mentioned exercise
methods are examples and not the methods possible.
[0028] Although the soft cylinder cover 40 is shown as having a
substantially cylindrical surface, if desired, cover 40 could have
a horizontal ribbed surface (FIG. 5) or a circumferentially ribbed
surface (FIG. 6). Other designs are possible as desired.
[0029] An alternate arrangement for cylinder and post support can
be seen in FIGS. 8-10 in which cylinder assembly 36A includes a
central axel 20A having a bushing or bearing assembly 45 mounted on
each end of axel 20A. Each port 16A includes a support channel 17
facing cylinder 36A. A series of vertically spaced support rods 47
are seated through respective and aligned holes in the fore and aft
channel parts. Rods 47 are releasably held in channel 17 by spring
biased snap buttons 19. To install cylinder 36A, a predetermined
rod 47 is inserted though each respective holes in each channel 17.
Each brushing or bearing assembly 45 is inserted into the open top
of each channel 17 and assembly 36A is lowered until the bearings
45 rests on rods 47. Then, a second pair of rods 47 is installed
though the openings just above the bearings 45 to complete the
installation.
[0030] To adjust the vertical position of cylinder 36A, rods 47
above bearings 45 are removed to allow upward adjustment or below
bearings 45 to allow downward adjustment of cylinder 36A. The
removed rods 47 (or other spare rods 47) can be installed below or
above the new (desired) position and cylinder 36A moved to that
position and held manually while the remaining rods 47 are
installed to secure the vertical position as described above.
[0031] Yet a further exemplary arrangement is shown in FIGS. 10, 11
in which cylinder assembly 36B includes central axel 20B which is
preferably threaded at both ends to cooperate with respective wing
nuts. Bearing assemblies 45B are bounded by spacers or washers 49.
Posts 16B include a vertical series of forward opening slots 51
that extend rearward and downward generally as shown. Alternately,
slots 51 could open to the rear and could have other shapes, such
as simply horizontal. Also, cylinder assembly 36B could have an
axel with but a single threaded axel at one end with an enlargement
at the other end, if desired.
[0032] To install, initially washers 49 are slide onto axel 20B to
contact bearings 45B. Assembly 36B is then inserted into the
selected vertical position by sliding axel 2B through respective
horizontally aligned slots 51 and seated therein. Next lock washers
can be installed outside posts 16B and then wing nuts threaded on
both ends tightened against lock washers and posts 16B to secure
the position. Note the full weight of the cylinder and user is
carried by posts 16B. Wing nuts serve to clamp the assembly to
prevent axel 20B from moving toward the slot 51 opening.
[0033] To change cylinder 36B vertical position on apparatus 10,
wing nuts are loosened but not removed from axel 20B threaded ends.
This removes the clamping actions mentioned above. Axel 20B can now
be lifted and moved free from slot 51 through the openings thereof.
User simply moves cylinder 36B to the new vertical position,
inserts and seats axel 20B into the respective new slots 51, and
tighten wing nuts to complete the adjustment.
[0034] Other functions changes and improvements can be made to the
exemplary embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *