U.S. patent application number 12/843709 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-27 for exercise apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to ENANEF Limited. Invention is credited to Neil Summers.
Application Number | 20110021325 12/843709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41066841 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110021325 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Summers; Neil |
January 27, 2011 |
EXERCISE APPARATUS
Abstract
The present invention provides for an exercise apparatus
comprising a pair of support-plates such as foot plates arranged
for reciprocal motion along adjacent and parallel paths of travel
which can be defined by an associated, and preferably gently
concave, track serving to present a support surface for supporting
the said support-plates and along-which the support-plates move
during the reciprocal motion; the support surface further serving
to define the paths of travel, and wherein the support surface
further defines, at least in part, a slope for the paths of travel
and wherein weight means can be provided to be moved by way of the
footplate and so as to offer resistance to the movement of plates
over the said track.
Inventors: |
Summers; Neil; (Dorking,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER, EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
ENANEF Limited
Dorking
GB
|
Family ID: |
41066841 |
Appl. No.: |
12/843709 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/70 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/203 20130101;
A63B 2022/0038 20130101; A63B 21/0618 20130101; A63B 2022/0041
20130101; A63B 2022/206 20130101; A63B 22/0012 20130101; A63B
21/0628 20151001; A63B 21/0609 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/70 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/00 20060101
A63B022/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 27, 2009 |
GB |
0912979.2 |
Nov 4, 2009 |
GB |
0919328.5 |
Claims
1. Exercise apparatus comprising: a pair of support-plates arranged
for reciprocal motion along adjacent and parallel paths of travel;
means for presenting a support surface for supporting the said
support-plates and along-which the support-plates move during the
reciprocal motion; the support surface further serving to define
the paths of travel, and wherein the support surface further
defines, at least in part, a slope for the paths of travel.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said slope
comprises a curved slope.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slope extends from
a central portion at least upwardly towards one end of the path of
travel.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the slope comprises
sloped regions extending upwardly from the central portion of the
path of travel to each of the respective ends of the path of
travel.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means presenting a
support surface includes means for defining a track along which the
support-plates are arranged to move.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said support
surface is provided as part of one or more tracks for receiving an
engagement formation of the support-plates or for presenting an
engagement formation to be received within the support-plates.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein separate tracks are
provided for each of the support-plates and which comprise
respective sets of rails.
8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and including means for
resisting motion of each support-plate in a direction up the said
slope.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the said means for
resisting such motion relies on one or more of resilience, friction
and/or, the effect of gravity.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein each support-plate is
arranged to, at least temporarily, engage with a weight-portion of
the apparatus in a manner to at least partially raise the weight
during at least part of its movement along the paths of travel.
11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said
weight-portion is arranged also to move along at least part of the
said path of travel and can likewise be provided for engagement
with the said track defining the path of travel.
12. Apparatus of claims in claim 10, wherein the weight-portion is
arranged for releasable engagement with the support-plates so as to
be moved thereby only during movement of the support-plates over
part of the paths of travel.
13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said
weight-portion is arranged to abut the support-plates or engage
therewith by means of connection/extension arms.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein each weight-portion
is arranged to be engaged with the support-plate during its
movement up the slope.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support-plate is
arranged to be disengaged from the weight-arrangement for part of
the movement downward slope.
16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the weight-portion
comprises a weight having an engagement formation for facilitating
the stacking of a plurality of weights.
17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and including handle bar and/or
hand grip means arranged to be gripped by a user when standing on
the footplates.
18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the handlebar and/or
hand grip means are pivotally mounted to the apparatus.
19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein they handlebar and/or
hand grip means are pivotally mounted in a resilient manner.
20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein they handlebar and/or
hand grip means can be rotated to different positions prior to use
or as part of an exercise routine.
21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the
support-plates can be moved relative to the paths of travel so as
to vary the angle of inclination of the support-plates thereto.
22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance and/or
position between the support-plates and a track can be varied and,
if required, some form of elliptical motion can be achieved between
the footplate and the track during travel over the path of motion.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to exercise apparatus.
[0002] Various forms of exercise apparatus are commonly known for
use in exercising various parts of the human body, for example, for
enhanced level of fitness and body toning.
[0003] Known forms of exercise apparatus for exercising the human
legs and comprising a wide variety of generally complex apparatus
is commonly available in public and private gymnasiums.
[0004] However, it has also become more popular recently to
exercise within a domestic environment for possibly more efficient,
time-saving and cost effective exercise routines.
[0005] However, much of the known apparatus is not appropriate for
the domestic environment and can prove to be unnecessarily complex
and bulky such that the known apparatus is not readily stored in a
space-saving and tidy manner when not in use.
[0006] Further, various forms of leg exercise apparatus include
frame structures which are not readily disassembled and can prove
unsightly when stored and indeed when used, within a domestic
environment.
[0007] The present invention seeks to provide for leg exercise
apparatus having advantages over known such apparatus.
[0008] In particular, the present invention seeks to provide for
leg apparatus which is relatively simple in structure and
operation, whilst nevertheless enhancing the nature of the exercise
routines available to different users and which, as a further
advantage, can prove relatively compact and easily stored when not
in use.
[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided exercise apparatus comprising a pair of support-plates
arranged for reciprocal motion along adjacent and parallel paths of
travel, means for presenting a support surface for supporting the
said support-plates and along-which the support-plates move during
the reciprocal motion; the support surface further serving to
define the paths of travel, and wherein the support surface further
defines, at least in part, a slope for the paths of travel.
[0010] Advantageously, through the provision of the support means
for the support-plates and which serve to define the paths of
travel and over which the support-plates move, a particularly
compact and simple exercise apparatus can be provided which, as
will be discussed in further detail below, readily allows for
further adaption so as to allow for varied and enhanced exercise
routines as required by a user.
[0011] Advantageously, the slope can comprise a curved slope and/or
further, a slope can extend from a central portion at least
upwardly towards one end of the path of travel.
[0012] As a further advantage, the slope can comprise sloped
regions extending upwardly from the central portion of the path of
travel to each of the respective ends of the path of travel.
[0013] The slope exhibited by the paths of travel can then
advantageously exhibit a shallow concave form.
[0014] The means presenting a support surface advantageously can
include means for defining a track along which the support-plates
are arranged to move.
[0015] Of course, it should be appreciated that any appropriate
bearing, bearing surface, wheel or castor means can be provided as
required to allow for travel of the support-plates over the support
surface.
[0016] Indeed, this support surface can be provided as part of one
or more tracks for receiving an engagement formation of the
support-plates or for presenting an engagement formation to be
received within the support-plates.
[0017] Advantageously, separate tracks can be provided for each of
the support-plates and which can comprise respective sets of
rails.
[0018] Preferably, of course, such rails will extend in a generally
parallel configuration.
[0019] The apparatus can further include means for resisting motion
of each support-plate in a direction up the said slope.
[0020] Said means for resisting such motion can rely on resilience,
friction and/or, as referred to below, the effect of gravity.
[0021] In one particular arrangement, each support-plate can be
arranged to, at least temporarily, engage with a weight-portion of
the apparatus in a manner so as to at least partially raise the
weight during at least part of its movement along the paths of
travel.
[0022] In particular, the said weight-arrangement can be arranged
to also move along at least part of the said path of travel and can
likewise be provided for engagement with the said track defining
the paths of travel.
[0023] In particular, separate weight-arrangements can be provided
at each end of each of the paths of travel of each of the
support-plates. In this manner, four separate weight-arrangements
would therefore be provided.
[0024] As will be appreciated, the weight-arrangements can be
arranged for releasable engagement with the support-plates so as to
be moved thereby only during movement of the support-plates over
part of the paths of travel.
[0025] Any such weight-arrangements can be arranged to abut the
support-plates or engage therewith by means of extension arms.
[0026] Advantageously, each weight-arrangement can be arranged to
be engaged with the support-plate during its movement up the
slope.
[0027] Yet further, the support-plate can be arranged to be
disengaged from the weight-arrangement for part of the movement
downward slope.
[0028] Of course, means can be provided within the apparatus so as
to arrest the downward-slope movement of the weight-arrangement in
this manner, the stroke of reciprocal movement provided for the or
each weight-arrangement therefore far less than the potential
stroke movement of each support-plate along the paths of
travel.
[0029] Each weight-arrangement can then be arranged for reciprocal
movement at an end region of the paths of travel.
[0030] Of course, the weight-arrangement can itself be arranged so
as to readily vary the weight against which the user works during
the exercise routine and so the weight-arrangement can include a
set of readily stackable weights.
[0031] In addition, or as an alternative, the weight-arrangement
can include at least one container arranged for receiving liquid or
particulate matter for increasing and/or vary the weight
thereof.
[0032] As noted above, means other than a weight arrangement can be
provided for resisting the motion of the support-plates and,
whether frictional and/or resilient, an appropriate number and
location of such alternative arrangements can be provided in place
of the weight arrangements described above.
[0033] As will be appreciated, the support-plates can comprise
respective left and right footplates. The apparatus can also
include handle bar and/or hand grip means arranged to be gripped by
a user when standing on the footplates.
[0034] As a further feature, each of the support-plates can be
moved relative to the paths of travel so as to vary the angle of
inclination of the support-plates thereto.
[0035] Yet further, the distance of separation between the
support-plates and the track can be varied and, if required, some
form of elliptical motion can be achieved between the footplate and
the track during travel over the path of motion.
[0036] Allowing for such change in orientation of the
support-plates advantageously serves to further enhance the range
of exercise routines that are available by way of the
apparatus.
[0037] In order to enhance the controlled relative movement of the
footplate with respect to the said support surface, each footplate
can be actively coupled to resilient and/or pivotal mounting means
as required.
[0038] As a further feature of the invention, the apparatus can
include handle bar and/or hand grip means provided in the region of
one end of the paths of travel and arranged to be gripped by a user
when kneeling on the support-plates.
[0039] The support plates can therefore be configured as knee
plates.
[0040] As should be appreciated, the handlebar and hand grips
mentioned above can be removable and adjustable so as to vary the
orientation and/or position thereof.
[0041] The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of exercise apparatus
according to one embodiment the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus of FIG.
1;
[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of exercise apparatus
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 4 is a further view of the apparatus of FIG. 3
illustrating its change in configuration when in use;
[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the embodiment of FIG.
4;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of exercise apparatus
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of exercise apparatus
according to still another embodiment of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of exercise apparatus according
to yet a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8; and
[0051] FIGS. 10 and 11 are rear and front side perspective views of
a yet further embodiment of the present invention.
[0052] Turning first to FIG. 1 there is illustrated, in side view,
schematic representation of exercise apparatus according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] As will be appreciated, the apparatus is arranged for
exercising a user's legs and so it is only the operative elements
relevant thereto that are illustrated.
[0054] That is, the apparatus schematically represented in FIG. 1
will also generally include some form of support means to be
gripped by a users hands but, for clarity, this is not illustrated
the drawings.
[0055] FIG. 1 illustrates leg exercise apparatus 10 comprising
longitudinally shallow concave support member 12 having a central
region 14 adjacent upwardly curved end regions 16, 18.
[0056] The apparatus 10 is arranged to be used when located on a
floor and so includes stabilizing leg arrangements 20, 22.
[0057] A pair of support-plates 24, 26 is mounted to the support
surface 12, and generally engaged therewith in a moveable manner so
as to allow for reciprocal motion along the shallow convex track in
the direction of arrows A.
[0058] In the illustrated embodiment the maximum stroke for each of
the support-plates 24, 26 along the path of travel comprises the
full length of the support 12.
[0059] It should therefore be appreciated that the support 12
serves to define a path of travel for each of the footplates 24, 26
and this is illustrated with reference to FIG. 2.
[0060] Here there is provided a plan view of the apparatus of FIG.
1 from which it can be seen that the support 12 effectively defines
two tracks 12A, 12B which in turn serve to define adjacent and
parallel longitudinal paths of travel for each of the footplates
24, 26. While in the illustrated embodiment the common support
defines the two tracks 12A, 12B, it should of course be appreciated
that separate support means can serve to define the respective
tracks 12A, 12B.
[0061] During an exercise routine, a user places each of their feet
on a respective one of the footplates 24, 26 and then urges the
footplates 24, 26 backwards and forwards so as to slide the
footplates along each of the respective tracks 12A, 12B and ideally
along the full extent of the tracks 12A, 12B as indicated by arrows
B in FIG. 2. Such movement is generally in an opposite manner so
that one footplate travels forwards, the other travels backwards.
Thus, as the footplate 24 moves towards the left end of the track
12B as illustrated in FIG. 2, the footplate 26 moves towards the
track 12A as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0062] During such an exercise routine, the user's torso generally
remains stationary above the central portion 14 of the support
12.
[0063] The provision of the shallow concave support 12 defining the
tracks 12A, 12B serves to allow for a particularly compact
construction which readily allows for ease of storage.
[0064] It should of course be appreciated that the invention is not
restricted of details of the embodiment illustrated with reference
to FIGS. 1 and 2 insofar as any form of, even partially, sloped
surface can be provided as required.
[0065] Turning now to FIG. 3, there is provided a similar schematic
side elevational view of leg exercise apparatus according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0066] The shallow concave form of the apparatus of FIG. 3 is
similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 insofar as similar parallel
adjacent tracks are provided by way of a support 28, having
upwardly curved end regions 30, 34 at which there is provided a
weight-arrangement 32, 36.
[0067] In further detail the weight-arrangement 32 comprises a
support plate upon which can be stacked a plurality of weight
elements 38 operatively coupled by way of an arm 40 to a buffer 42
which is arranged to engage with one of the footplates as will be
described further below.
[0068] The weight-arrangement 36 associated with the end 34 of the
support 28, likewise includes a support means and related stack of
weight elements 44 connected by way of an arm 46 to a buffer 48
arranged for engagement with one of the footplates as will again be
described further below.
[0069] The provision of the weight-arrangements 38, 44 serves to
increase the amount of work expended by a user during an exercise
routine. As the movement of each of a pair of footplates 50, 52
approaches the end of its stroke, the respective footplate 50 and
52 engage, by way of the buffers 42, 48, with the
weight-arrangements 32, 36 so as to move the weight elements 38, 44
in an outward but importantly also upward, manner. Such movement of
the weight elements 38, 44 serves to increase the amount of work
required by the user during an exercise routine, which amount can
of course be varied by stacking the appropriate number of weight
elements 38, 44 within each arrangement 32, 36.
[0070] In one particular embodiment, such weight-arrangements 32,
36 are provided towards the end of each of the tracks such that,
once each footplate has started to return down the slope of the
track, it disengages from the respective buffer 42, 48 of the
weight-arrangements 32, 36 such that the weight does not then serve
to assist the downward movement of the footplate along the
slope.
[0071] Arresting means are therefore advantageously provided for
limiting the reciprocal scope of movement of each of the
weight-arrangements 32, 36 and which arresting means can also be
arranged so as to slow the movement of the weight-arrangement 32,
36 down the slope presented by each of the end regions 30, 34 of
the support 28.
[0072] Of course, it should be appreciated that the invention is
not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment insofar
as any appropriate means for seeking to resist the movement of each
of the footplates 50, 52 up each of the slopes can be provided as
required and whether relying on frictional resistance or resilient
resistance. The illustrated examples employing the stacked weights
comprise only one of many possibilities.
[0073] The embodiment of FIG. 3 is illustrated further with
reference to FIG. 4 where it can be seen that each of the
footplates 50, 52 has moved along the path of travel to the extreme
end of each of its strokes and thereby moved its respective
weight-arrangement outwardly and upward as part of an enhanced
exercise routine.
[0074] Turning now to FIG. 5, there is provided a plan view of the
apparatus of FIG. 4 to further illustrate the provision of the pair
of weight-arrangements 38A, 44A, associated arms 40A; 46A and
buffers 42A; 48A associated therewith one track, whereas a similar
pair of weight-arrangements 38B; 44B and respective arms 40B, 48B
and buffers 42B; 48B are likewise illustrated for the other of the
two tracks.
[0075] Thus, in this embodiment, four separate means for resisting
motion of the footplates 50, 52 are provided, one at each end of
the paths of travel such that, whether moving forward or backwards,
the movement of each footplate 50, 52 in an up-slope direction
serves to work against the additional resistance identified by each
respective weight-arrangement.
[0076] Turning now FIG. 6, there is provided a further schematic
illustration of an embodiment of the present invention in use and
wherein a support arrangement 54 is formed as a tubular track
configuration and in which each of the pairs of weight-arrangements
56, 58 serve to engage with the footplates by means of similar
tubular support arms having buffers at the ends thereof.
[0077] Turning finally to FIG. 7 there is illustrated an embodiment
of the present invention in which each of the footplates is
arranged to pivot relative to each of the support tracks so as to
vary the angle of inclination thereto.
[0078] Such pivoting can be achieved in a coupled and resilient
manner so as, if required, to allow for possible elliptical motion
of the footplate during progress on its path of travel. Any
appropriate support coupling means can be provided and, in addition
to allowing for the change of inclination of the footplate with
regard to each of the support tracks, the distance of separation of
the footplate from each of the tracks can likewise be varied.
[0079] The support tracks 60 and related footplates 62, 64 can
thereby allow for a further range of exercises to be undertaken as
illustrated schematically in FIG. 7.
[0080] Turning now to FIG. 8 there is provided a perspective view
of exercise apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0081] The exercise apparatus 66 according to the FIG. 8 embodiment
comprises a substantially tubular frame member presenting
substantially parallel tubular tracks 68, 70 extending between
frame floor supports 72, 74 provided at the respective end regions
of the tracks 68, 70.
[0082] Extending upwardly at one end of the apparatus defined by
the floor support 72 is an upstanding handlebar arrangement 76
which is arranged to present handgrips to be engaged by a user of
the apparatus 66 when standing on the apparatus.
[0083] As will be appreciated from the subsequent discussion, the
position or orientation and/or height of the handlebar extension 76
can be varied as required and indeed, the handlebar arrangement 76
can be completely removed from the apparatus 66 if required.
[0084] At the end of the apparatus remote from the upstanding
handlebar arrangement 76 are a pair of laterally extending
handgrips 78, 80 whose position and/or orientation can likewise be
varied as required and again, can indeed be releasably mounted on
the frame of the apparatus 66.
[0085] As should likewise be appreciated from the subsequent
discussion of this embodiment of the present invention, the
handgrips 78, 80 are arranged to be gripped when the user is
kneeling on the apparatus and this particular embodiment of the
present invention is therefore really adaptable insofar as it can
comprise means for presenting leg exercise apparatus and/or abdomen
or core-muscle exercising apparatus.
[0086] Of course, it should be appreciated that the various forms
and configuration of handlebars and handgrips illustrated within
the embodiment of FIG. 8, can of course be incorporated into the
earlier embodiments of the present invention as discussed in
relation to the previous drawings.
[0087] Supported in a secure but moveable manner on each of the
tracks 68, 70 is a respective pair of support plates 84, 82
arranged for simple motion along the longitudinal extent of the
respective tracks 68, 70.
[0088] As will be appreciated from the provision of the various
handlebar and handgrip arrangements 76, 78, 80, the support plates
82, 84 can function as footplates and/or knee plates/supports as
required.
[0089] Associated with each of the support plates 82, 84 is a
respective pair of weights 86, 88 and whose reciprocal motion can,
as required, likewise be guided by the respective tracks 68, 70 and
which are arranged to engage with the support-plates 82, 84 so as
to be moved thereby during the passage of the support plates 82, 84
along the tracks.
[0090] The configuration of the weights 86, 88 and their
relationship with the footplates 82 as illustrated further by
reference to FIG. 9 which comprises a side view of the apparatus of
FIG. 8.
[0091] Here it can be appreciated that each of the weights 86, 88
is supported by means of a respective extension arm 87, 89 which
extends in the direction of the support-plate 82.
[0092] Each of the weights 86, 88 can comprise a set mass or,
preferably, can comprise a receptical arranged to receive a
selective quantity of fluid or particulate matter which serves to
enhance the weight thereof. Indeed, a plurality of such weights can
be provided and, by means of respective engagement formations can
be arranged to be stacked on the weights 86, 88 illustrated in FIG.
9 so as to yet further increase the amount of weight removed by the
user of the apparatus when moving the support-plates 82, 84.
[0093] As with the earlier described embodiments of the present
invention, a variety of configurations can be provided when
considering the manner in which the weights 86, 88 engage with the
support plate 82 to be moved thereby.
[0094] That is, and referring in particular to FIG. 9, when the
support-plate 82 is caused to move to the left within FIG. 9 the
support-plate 82 can be arranged to abut or engage with the weight
86 and/or its extension arm 87 so as to likewise move the weight 86
to the left as in the figure but, at the same time, an engagement
between the support plate 82 and the weight 88 and its extension
arm 89 can be released so that the weight 88 remains in the
position indicated in FIG. 9. Then, as the support-plate 82 moves
back down the shallow concave track to the right in the drawing
back to its position as shown in FIG. 9, the weight 86 likewise
moves back downwardly until such time as the central position
indicated in FIG. 9 is reached whereby the engagement between the
weight 86 and its extension arm 87 with the support-plate 82 is
released and the support-plate 82 then engages, by way of the
extension arm 89, with the weight 88 so as to work against the
resistance offered by weight as the support-plate 82 is moved
further to the right in FIG. 9 and up the shallow concave track
68.
[0095] Of course, as an alternative, the support-plate 82 can be
retained in engagement with both of the weights 86, 88 during its
full extent of travel back and forth along the track 68. Yet
further, either one of the weights 86, 88 and/or its respective
extension arm 87, 89 can be releasably engaged to the apparatus so
as to be removed therefrom such that, during the required exercise
routine, the user only has to work against the resistance offered
one of the weights 86, 88 illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0096] It will of course be appreciated that the embodiment
illustrated with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 provides a compact form
of the apparatus. However, if required, somewhat longer extension
arms 87, 89 can be provided so as to increase the separation
between the weights 86, 88 and the support-plate 82 and this can
serve to increase the height through which each of the weights 86,
88 moves so as to thereby increase the amount of work undertaken by
a user during an exercise routine. As mentioned above, and during a
leg-exercise routine, the user stands on the support-plates 82
which therefore function as footplates and, for added stability,
the user can grip the upper regions of the upwardly extending
handlebar arrangement 76 so as to perform a leg-exercise routine in
a stable and secure manner. If, as an alternative, the user wishes
to exercise their abdominal and core muscles, they can kneel on the
support-plates 82, 84 in a direction generally facing the handgrips
78, 80 which are of course gripped by the user's hands as the user
exercises their abdominal/core muscles in moving the "knee-plates"
82, 84 back and forth, i.e. left-right directions as illustrated in
FIG. 9 along the shallow concave tracks 68, 70. Again, the exercise
weight arrangements 86, 88 can be included or removed as required
as indeed can the upstanding handlebar arrangement 76 which is
arranged to be releasably mounted to the exercise apparatus.
[0097] A wide variety of exercises can therefore be performed by
way of the simple and compact apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 8 and
9. And, through adoption of weighting arrangements 86, 88 that can
be "charged" with liquid or particulate material as required, a
wide variety of weights can be provided for various exercise
routines.
[0098] However, it should be appreciated that the weighting
arrangements as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 can likewise be
supplemented, or replaced by another appropriate form of resistance
inducing means such as is discussed in relation to the preceding
embodiments and employing frictional, rather than gravitational
resistance.
[0099] Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, there are provided rear and
front side-perspective views of exercise apparatus 90 according to
yet another embodiment of the present invention. As will be
appreciated, the overall configuration is somewhat similar to the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 in that it shares a cradle-frame
92 forming a base unit upon which foot-rests and associated weights
are movably mounted. At one end of the cradle-frame 92 is provided
and upstanding support 94 at the upper end of which is provided a
variety of hand-rest/handlebar arrangements 96-102. Two sets of
such arrangements are illustrated with the first comprising a
simple static central handlebar arrangement 96. The second
arrangement comprises a pair of left/right elongate handgrips 98,
100 illustrated in the figures as extending in a substantially
upwardly direction. A particular feature of this embodiment of the
invention is the manner by which the handgrips 98, 100 are totally
connected to the upstanding support 94. The pivotal connection
comprises a barrel connector 102 which allows for reciprocal
pivotal motion of each of the handgrips 98, 100 independently of
each other. If required, biasing means can be included within the
barrel connector 102 such that this pivotal motion can be
influenced by, or performed against, such biasing. Yet further, the
barrel connector 102 allows for pivotal adjustment of the "at rest"
position of the handgrips 98, 100. That in FIGS. 10 and 11, the "at
rest" position of the handgrips 98 and 100 is substantially
vertical so as to allow for a "back-and-forth" reciprocal movement
about the barrel connector 102 as the use of slides the foot rest
in an automated manner when using the apparatus facing 80 handlebar
arrangements.
[0100] As and when required, the handgrips 98, 100 can be rotated
as if a single unit by means of the barrel connector 102 and so as
to extend in a substantially horizontal direction when "at rest"
and so as to allow for "up-and-down" movement by the user when
performing a different exercise routine which, for example, could
comprise the user facing in an opposite direction to that noted
above.
[0101] Of course, it should be appreciated that the invention is
not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments.
[0102] As noted, any appropriate means for resisting the upward
motion of the support-plates up each respective slope can be
provided and any appropriate form of track/support arrangement can
be provided for defining the extent, and configuration, of the
paths of travel. Of course, the various features illustrated in
relation to the different embodiments can be combined and any
appropriate manner and combination as required.
* * * * *