U.S. patent application number 13/385012 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-01 for multi purpose exercise apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lawrence S. Kaye. Invention is credited to Lawrence S. Kaye.
Application Number | 20130196828 13/385012 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48870713 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130196828 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaye; Lawrence S. |
August 1, 2013 |
Multi Purpose Exercise Apparatus
Abstract
The disclosed invention is an exercise device being capable of
providing aerobic exercise and abdominal muscle conditioning. The
device is comprised of an upper frame and a lower frame. The upper
frame includes a seat back which supports the upper portion of the
torso of a user. The lower frame includes a pelvis support and a
bicycle pedaling mechanism. The preferred embodiment includes a
linkage system that connects the upper frame to the lower frame.
This linkage is capable of providing a translating center of
rotation when the upper frame rotates with respect to the lower
frame. This is done to follow the body's translating center of
rotation during trunk flexion. An alternative to the preferred
embodiment includes a arcuate roller attached to the upper
frame.
Inventors: |
Kaye; Lawrence S.;
(Chatsworth, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kaye; Lawrence S. |
Chatsworth |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48870713 |
Appl. No.: |
13/385012 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0051 20130101;
A63B 21/0053 20130101; A63B 23/0211 20130101; A63B 2210/50
20130101; A63B 21/0442 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B
23/03541 20130101; A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B 21/0552 20130101;
A63B 2022/0652 20130101; A63B 2208/0247 20130101; A63B 22/0012
20130101; A63B 23/1209 20130101; A63B 21/015 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/57 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/06 20060101
A63B022/06 |
Claims
1. An abdominal exercise device which receives a user in a
substantially supine position, the device comprising: an upper
frame adapted for support of the upper torso of the user; a lower
frame adapted to support a portion of the lower torso of the user;
an first link with a head end pivotally connected to said upper
frame and a foot end pivotally connected to said lower frame; and a
second link with a head end pivotally connected to said upper frame
above said head end of said first link and a foot end pivotally
connected to said lower frame below said foot end of said first
link, whereby movement of said upper frame toward said lower frame
as guided by said first link and said second link results in a
translating rotation of said upper frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention herein relates to a device for exercising the
human body and more specifically to a combination abdominal
exercise machine and a stationary exercise bike.
[0003] 2. Overview of Prior Art
[0004] A variety of art exists in the area of exercise devices and
inclusive of the areas of bikes for aerobic conditioning as well as
abdominal exercisers. What has eluded the art thus far is a
functional combination device that provides the capability to
adequately perform in both realms of fitness.
[0005] The most apparent attempt was made by Shirley in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,534,553 where a pedal and crank assembly drove an eccentric
cam. The cam articulated with a plurality of bearings on the
posterior of the seat back of the machine. Movement of the cam
caused an angular displacement of the seat back and therefore some
type of upper body flexion of the user. One of the problems with
the device is the point of rotation (14 in FIG. 1) of the seat back
to the frame is located below the pad and the axis of rotation is a
single pivot point.
[0006] The human body primarily undergoes trunk flexion by rotating
the five lumbar vertebrae, each with respect to the adjacent
vertebrae, including the fifth lumbar with the sacrum and the first
lumbar with the twelfth thoracic vertebrae. This involves a
translating center of rotation that runs aligned through the
vertebral bodies, clearly above the seat. This misalignment would
cause the user to slide on the seat back making it virtually non
functional as a support for the user performing trunk flexion.
[0007] The second and most prevalent problem with the disclosure is
that the cam causes the seat back to rotate up, which is driven by
the pedaling motion.
[0008] This means that the muscles of the user's legs are driving
this movement, not the user's abdominal muscles. The movement may
make the device somewhat enjoyable to use but it clearly does not
function as an abdominal exerciser.
[0009] Another bike apparatus is disclosed by Zibell in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,538,804 which includes an inclined slant board. Though the
board could conceivably be used as a board for doing abdominal
exercises, the board offers no support for the user during that
movement. The disclosure specifies the purpose being to pull
isometrically with the arms of the user while pedaling with the
legs, not to function as an abdominal exerciser. The bench is also
not disclosed to be able to be changed in angle, thereby
disallowing the device to the used in a semi-recumbant position as
an exercise bike, which would be most comfortable to most
users.
[0010] An abdominal exercise device was disclosed by Abelbeck in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,874 which includes a pad to place the pelvis of
the user, creating a slight posterior rotation of the pelvis. The
disclosure also specifies a mechanism that creates a translating
center of rotation that is aligned with the vertebral rotation of
the user's body during trunk flexion. The invention also includes a
pad to support the head of the user, but the there is no device
disclosed, nor anticipated to add an aerobic element of training to
the device, specifically an exercise bike.
[0011] Another abdominal exercise device is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,729,562 by Pipasik. This disclosure relates only to a device
that is intended to work the abdominal muscles of the user. The
device uses two stationary pivots, one apparently near the lower
chest of the user and the other near the hip. It is intended to
stimulate the abdominal muscles by a flexion movement of a narrow
region of the vertebral column and the hip. The latter would be
primarily the hip flexor muscles, namely the Iliacus and the Psoas
major, not the Rectus Abdominis.
[0012] Though the arcuate seat could place the user's pelvis in
posterior rotation, it is the pelvis not the entire trunk that
should be in constant slight flexion. The purpose of an abdominal
exercise device is to cause the movement of trunk flexion. If, as
here, the trunk is completely flexed before the exercise begins,
there can be no flexion under load, because there is little if any
flexion. The only realistic flexion could come from the hip, thus
actuating the hip flexors, not the abdominal muscles. Therefore the
disclosure would enable a device that is only marginally functional
in terms of an abdominal exerciser and no suggestion to a
combination with a device to provide aerobic exercise is made by
the reference.
[0013] A unique device is disclosed by Mulenburg et al in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,616,104 which includes a bike pedaling exercise apparatus.
The disclosure includes the user being in a recumbent position but
does not suggest to be used in any form of abdominal exercise. The
device is intended to be used as a human centrifuge, the pedaling
action causing the user to spin about an axis near the head of the
user. The acceleration forces would be useful to counteract the
effects of microgravity on persons exposed to an environment such
as on prolonged space flights. As such, the addition of abdominal
flexion would be of no value because the resistance to the user's
muscles in this case is created by the effect of gravity on the
body of the user. In a microgravity environment this is of little
value.
[0014] A device is disclosed by Beistegui Chirapozu in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,479,646 that incorporates a trunk vibration mechanism. The
vibration mechanism is intended to provide a massage to the user
during the exercise. The action of the vibrating mechanism is
enabled as a result of the pedaling action of the exercise bike. It
is unlikely that any benefit of massage is realized during exercise
because the action of massaging a muscle enables it to relax while
exercising a muscle causes it to contract. In any case, the
vibrating mechanism that contacts the user's abdomen and lower back
are adjustable to rigidly secure into place. Therefore the
disclosed device does not suggest there be any form of abdominal
flexion or other abdominal exercise be realized from the
device.
[0015] A combination exercise bike is disclosed by Buchmann in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,140,312 in that the pedal component can be adjusted into
a variety of positions relative to the user. The user can sit in a
variety of positions and actuate the pedals with the user's leg
muscles. The device can also be oriented such that the user can
actuate the pedals with the user's hands, thus exercising the
muscles of the upper body. The combination does, in no way,
disclose nor suggest functioning as an abdominal exercise device.
There is a position that suggests two items (13 and 14 in FIG. 2)
could support the body of the user, but it is clearly not intended
nor conceivably capable of allowing for trunk flexion with a user
positioned thereon.
[0016] The disclosure of semi-recumbant exercise bikes is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. D362,699 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,900 by Heaton et
al, and Leask respectively. It is clear that both disclosures are
relative to exercise bikes alone and not suggested to include any
form of abdominal exercise device therewith.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The object of the disclosed invention is to provide a means
of aerobic conditioning and abdominal muscle strengthening and
upper body muscle body strengthening in one compact machine.
Abdominal exercisers are commonly marketed as devices that reduce
the user's body fat in the abdominal area. To adequately remove
body fat an aerobic exercise is desirable, not just abdominal
exercise. An aerobic exercise that uses large muscle groups, such
as in the legs, is optimal. The disclosed invention uses a pedaling
mechanism similar to that of a stationary exercise bike. The user
is placed in a reclined position that is more comfortable, thus
further facilitating the use of the invention. The device is
further comprised of an abdominal exercise machine that provides a
translating center of rotation to follow the actuation of the
user's spine at it undergoes trunk flexion. This is done to provide
for axial alignment of the machine to the user, thus providing
continuous comfortable positioning of the user on the machine
during use. When not in use, the device folds up for compact
storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of a user, shown in the supine
position, identifying the critical centers of rotation of the human
body during trunk flexion.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side view of an exercise device shown with a
user positioned thereon, the device being used in the fully
recumbent or supine position as an exercise bike, the invention
being produced in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of an exercise device shown with a
user positioned thereon, the device being used in a semi-recumbent
position as an exercise bike and produced in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of an exercise device shown with a
user positioned thereon, the device being used as an abdominal
exercise device, while also showing the user's foot position for
adjusting the pedal position of the exercise bike, the device
produced in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cut away of a side view of the exercise bike
portion of an exercise device produced in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a side view of an exercise device shown in a
folded position for easy storage, the device produced in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a top view of an exercise device shown with the
pedal position adjustment in the closest position, the device being
produced in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a side view of an exercise device shown with the
pedal position adjustment in the closest position, the device being
produced in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] As technology becomes more advanced, we as a society become
less physically active. As a result disease becomes more apparent
as well as diminishing the quality of life on an every day level,
in that daily activities become difficult due to the atrophy of the
human body. To counteract this process physical activity must be a
part of our lifestyles. For many, the availability of gyms and
health clubs are not a viable option and so fitness equipment that
is suitable for home use is the answer.
[0027] The accumulation of body fat has long been associated with
disease (Manson, et al, 1991; Manson, et al, 1992 and Helmrich, et
al). The benefits of exercise alone or in combination with a
reduction in body fat is apparent in combating or preventing
diseases (Wood, et al; Hyers, et al; Paffenbarger, et al; Helmrich,
et al; Manson, et al, 1991; and Manson, et al, 1992). Abdominal
products have filtered into the fitness market generating a notion
of exercising the midsection would result in reducing the user's
body fat in that area. This concept of "spot reduction" has no
validity in the scientific community, but never the less "couch
potatoes" open their wallets in the hope of creating a lean, ripped
midsection with the investment of a few minutes a day.
[0028] Strengthening and developing the abdominal muscles does
though have value to the user for a number of reasons. When the
body fat is absent, a Herculean midsection is only possible if the
abdominal muscles are developed. Additionally, the abdominal
muscles help support the lumbar spine, a common sight of back pain.
Incapacitating back pain will effect between 70 and 90% of
Americans at some point in their lives (Margolis et al; 1997) at a
cost of $100 billion annually (Margolis et al; 1998). Exercise has
been shown to reduce the incidence of back pain (Bravo, et al;
1996). An optimal product would include abdominal exercise as well
as cardiovascular conditioning, thus furthering the caloric
expenditure of the exercise session, thereby reducing the body fat
of the user.
[0029] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a side view of a
body 10 in the supine position, as would be the case in one
position of using the disclosed invention. The pelvis of the user
has been manipulated to be put in slight posterior rotation, to be
more advantageous in so far as reduced stress on the lumbar spine
during trunk flexion. A series of circles are shown to depict the
instantaneous centers of rotation of the vertebrae as the body 10
would undergo trunk flexion. The lowest, or anatomically inferior
center 12 represents the center of rotation between the fifth
lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum abbreviated L5-S1. The adjacent
center 14 represents the center of rotation between the fourth and
fifth lumbar vertebrae (L4-L5). The adjacent centers continue
numerically to include the (L3-L4) 16, the (L2-L3) 18, and the
(L1-L2) 20. The lower Thoracic vertebrae can also contribute to
trunk flexion. The respective centers are the (T12-L1) 22 and the
(T11-T12) 24. The proper alignment of the instantaneous center of
rotation of the body to any machine that is used to guide trunk
flexion is vitally important in that the machine must follow the
natural movement of the user's body. If it does not, the machine is
of little value.
[0030] The invention 26 is shown in FIG. 2 with a user 10 in the
supine position. Here it is being used as an exercise bike with the
user's spine being fully unloaded during exercise. Such would be
advantageous to persons rehabilitating lower back injuries where
the stress of sitting would not be desirable or possible. This
embodiment of the invention includes a seat back 28 to support the
head, neck and upper back of the user, a handle 30 one each side of
the user 10. This combination comprises the upper fame of the
invention 26. A pelvis support 32 is shown under the pelvic region
of the user 10. Optimally it is produced as shown here with the
posterior portion of the support being higher than the anterior
portion. This arrangement places the user's pelvis in a slight
posterior rotation.
[0031] A set of pivoting links 34 connect the upper frame, via the
handle 30 to the pelvis support by way of the pivot plate 36. A
pedal mechanism 38 is shown here to be pivotally attached to a seat
extension frame 40. The pivotal attachment allows for the
adjustment of the pedal position relative to the user. This is done
to accommodate various body statures of individual users. The seat
extension frame 40 is pivotally attached to the pelvis support 32
at pivot shaft 42 to provide a means of folding the invention 26
when it is not in use, thus enabling more convenient storage. This
feature is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6.
[0032] Another common use of the invention is shown in FIG. 3. Here
the seat back 28 is elevated by rotating the pivot plate 36 with
respect to the seat frame bracket 44 and locking it in place by
connecting one to the other with lower pin 46. The seat back 28 is
secured in place by fastening the pivoting links 34 one to another.
One method is shown here by use of an upper pin 48 that passes
through a hole placed in the pivoting links 34. The result allows
the user 10 to sit in a semi-recumbent position and exercise by use
of the rotating the pedals of the pedal mechanism 38.
[0033] A novel use of the device which utilizes the pivoting links
34 in shown in FIG. 4. Here the user is again positioned on the
pelvis support 32 with the user's upper body against the seat back
28. The pivot plate 36 is locked in the lower position, stationary
to the pelvis support 32 and the links 34 provide for translation
and rotation of the seat back 28 relative to the pelvis support 32.
The links 34 can allow this movement in a variety of ways, here it
is due to the links 34 being comprised of a pair of pivoting links,
an upper link 50 and a lower link 52. In the down position, as is
shown in FIG. 2, the upper link 50 is pivotally fastened to the
handle 30 above the lower link 52. At the base of the seat the
upper link 50 is pivotally fastened below the lower link 52. This
cross over provides a translation of the center of rotation of the
seat back 28 and the user's upper body supported thereon when the
seat back 28 is rotated The positioning of the links as shown
provides a translating center of rotation which follows the path of
the center of rotation of the body (items 12-24 in FIG. 1).
[0034] Similar results could be achieved through use of a rolling
device such as an annular rail which would be fixed to the seat
back 28 on the upper frame by use of the handle 30 with the annular
rail being received in a track which would be secured to the pelvis
support 32. Though such a device would function well, the bulky
nature of such a design and the necessity of controlling the
movement of the annular rail in the track would provide additional
complications that the disclosed linkage mechanism does not
have.
[0035] Also shown in FIG. 4 is the use of the pedal adjustment 54.
The user's foot 56 is placed on the adjustment pedal 58. By pushing
thereon, the user 10 will cause the notched ring 60 to rotate about
the axis pin 62. This allows the notches 64 to disengage from the
rod 66, freeing the pedal mechanism 38 to rotate about the pivot
mount 68, thus varying the distance of the pedals 70 to the user
10. The device also includes a tension spring 72 to keep any given
notch 64 engaged with the rod 66 when the device is in use. When
the device is being used as an abdominal exercise device, as shown
here, the user 10 can place their feet under the rod 66 to aid in
holding the user's position in the device. This is illustrated by
the user's left foot 74.
[0036] A preferred embodiment of the pedal mechanism 38 is shown in
greater detail in FIG. 5. The enclosure 76 is cut away to show the
pedal drive mechanism. This includes a pair of pedals 70 which are
rotateably mounted to a crank arm 78, the crank arm 78 being
journaled to a framework 80 by a bearing 82. A drive sprocket 84 is
mounted to the crank arm 78 which mechanically communicates with
the flywheel sprocket 86 by use of the chain 88. The flywheel
sprocket 86 is connected to the flywheel 90 which is journaled to
the framework 80 by clutch bearing 92. The clutch bearing 92
provides rotation of the flywheel 90 when the pedals 70 are driven
clockwise, as depicted by the arrow 94 and allows the flywheel to
spin freely when the pedals 70 are not moving. Resistance to the
drive mechanism is applied by contact between the belt 96 and the
flywheel 90. The tension is controlled by varying the tension in
the belt 96 by rotating the screw knob 98.
[0037] This drive mechanism is not unusual from many exercise bikes
and it is not considered necessary to the novelty of the disclosed
invention. The use of chains and sprockets to drive a flywheel, and
even the existence of the flywheel is desirable, but not critical
to the invention. The chain 88 can be replaced with a belt and the
flywheel with an electromagnetic resistance device such as an eddy
current brake or an alternator. A second reduction in the
transmission of rotary power can also be made if higher rotational
velocity is desired by the resistance device. The given disclosure
is considered to be the most efficient method as per the
marketability of the device as dictated by price and function.
[0038] Another novelty to the disclosed invention is depicted in
FIG. 6 in which the device folds onto itself to reduce the storage
size. This is possible by a lower frame of the device which is
comprised of two parts, a first frame portion 100 and a second
frame portion 102. The first frame 100 supports the pedal mechanism
38. The first frame portion 100 is pivotally connected to the
second frame portion 102 at the pivot mount 68 which also supports
the pedal adjustment 54. The second frame portion 102 is pivotally
connected to the pelvis support 32 with the pivot shaft 42. The
lower frame is able to be folded onto the seat back 28 by pivoting
the device at the pivot shaft 42.
[0039] Top and side views of exercise apparatus constructed in
accordance the invention are shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The basic
function of the device is consistent with that already disclosed.
The pedal mechanism 38 is shown to be adjusted in the closest
position to the user. The second frame portion 102 is pivotally
mounted to the pelvis support 32. This is done to allow for
adjustment in position of the pedal mechanism 38 between use and
storage, similar to previously disclosed, only here an adjustment
lock 104 has been added. The lock 104 provides two positions, one
for use, as shown here in which the locking pin 106 is positioned
in the lower lock hole 108. The locking pin 106 moves with the
second fame portion 102. This enables the device to be locked in
position for storage by rotating the locking pin 106 and second
frame portion 102 toward the seat back 28 and securing the locking
pin 106 in the upper lock hole 110. This provides easy and secure
storage of the device. The seat back 28 can likewise be secured
from moving with respect to the pelvis support 32 by securing pins
112 through link hole 114. As previously stated, this is also used
to secure the seat back 28 into a set position, as shown in FIG. 3,
when the device is used as a semi-recumbent exercise bike.
[0040] In another embodiment of the invention, hooks 120, 121, 122,
123 (FIGS. 2 and 7) are fixedly or removably secured to the
invention 26 at any desired location. For example, hooks 120 and
121 are secured to seat back 28, while hook 123 is secured to
second frame portion 102. Supplemental exercise devices are
permanently or removably secured to at least one hook 120 to
123.
[0041] In one embodiment of the invention, the supplemental
exercise device comprises an elastic strap(s). One end of an
elongate elastic strap is attached to a hook 120. The other end of
the elastic strap is secured to a handle. A user grasps the handle,
pulls the handle away from hook 120 to stretch and elongate the
elastic strap, and, while maintaining a grasp on the handle, then
reduces and somewhat releases the force pulling the handle away
from hook 120 such that the elastic strap can resiliently contract
and shorten and such that the strap "pulls" or moves the handle
back toward hook 120. This "pull and release" scenario is repeated
as many times as desired. The elastic strap (or any other
supplement device) can, if desired be utilized at the same time an
individual is performing the exercises illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4
or while the individual is performing some other exercise with the
apparatus of the invention.
[0042] Attachment means other than hooks 120 to 123 can be
utilized. One other attachment means is a nut and bolt. Another
attachment means comprises cord that is used to tie a portion of an
elastic strap or other supplemental exercise device to the
invention 26.
[0043] What is disclosed are considered to be preferred
embodiments. Variations to the disclosed invention are infinite
without changing the function and unique combination of the
exercise bike and abdominal exercise device.
* * * * *