U.S. patent application number 15/509000 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-07 for exercise machine.
The applicant listed for this patent is Monkey Mill Limited. Invention is credited to Michael McKenna.
Application Number | 20170252594 15/509000 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51796275 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170252594 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McKenna; Michael |
September 7, 2017 |
Exercise Machine
Abstract
There is described a parallel bar exerciser suitable for
simulating a horizontal ladder comprising a plurality of hand-bars;
each hand bar being linked to a drive member said drive member
being operably linked to a drive means.
Inventors: |
McKenna; Michael; (West
Yorkshire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Monkey Mill Limited |
West Yorkshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
51796275 |
Appl. No.: |
15/509000 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
September 4, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2015/052550 |
371 Date: |
March 6, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 3/00 20130101; A63B
23/02 20130101; A63B 23/04 20130101; A63B 24/0087 20130101; A63B
2071/0081 20130101; A63B 23/1245 20130101; A63B 21/068 20130101;
A63B 23/0233 20130101; A63B 21/00076 20130101; A63B 2208/029
20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 21/15 20130101; A63B
2208/0285 20130101; A63B 17/00 20130101; A63B 2023/006
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 3/00 20060101
A63B003/00; A63B 23/02 20060101 A63B023/02; A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A63B 23/12 20060101 A63B023/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 5, 2014 |
GB |
1415758.0 |
Claims
1. A parallel bar exerciser suitable for simulating a horizontal
ladder comprising a plurality of hand-bars; each hand bar being
linked to a drive member said drive member being operably linked to
a drive means.
2. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the drive
member is provided with locating means for the plurality of
hand-bars.
3. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the drive
means comprise a sprocket or a pair of sprockets mounted around an
axle and driven by a motor, e.g. an electric motor.
4. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein the
sprockets are operably linked to the drive means, such that when
the motor is in operation the sprocket or pair of sprockets will
turn, driving the drive member and moving any hand-bars linked to
the drive member.
5. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein the
sprocket or pair of sprockets is linked directly to the motor.
6. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein the motor
turns a cog which itself turns a sprocket.
7. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein the
sprockets in the parallel bar exerciser comprises a single pair of
sprockets i.e. a first sprocket and a second sprocket, located at
either end of an axle.
8. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein the
sprockets in the parallel bar exerciser comprises two separate
pairs of sprockets, a first pair of sprockets comprising a first
sprocket and a second sprocket, located about a first axle; and a
second pair of sprockets comprises a first sprocket and a second
sprocket.
9. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 8 wherein the first
pair of sprockets is driven, directly or indirectly, by a first
motor and the second pair of sprockets is independently driven,
directly or indirectly, by a second motor.
10. (canceled)
11. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 8 wherein the first
and second pairs of sprockets are substantially the same size.
12. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 8 wherein the first
and second pairs of sprockets are substantially different
sizes.
13. (canceled)
14. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the drive
member comprises a chain.
15. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the
exerciser is provided with from about 2 to about 20 hand-bars.
16.-18. (canceled)
19. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the
exerciser is provided with a housing.
20. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 19 wherein the
housing is provided with one or more recesses for locating the
exerciser.
21. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 19 wherein the
housing is provided with a support frame.
22. (canceled)
23. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 3 wherein one or
more pairs of sprockets is provided with a braking mechanism.
24. (canceled)
25. A parallel bar exerciser according to claim 1 wherein the
exerciser is provided with tensioning means.
26.-30. (canceled)
31. A parallel bar exerciser system comprising: a plurality of
hand-bars; each hand bar being adapted to be linked to a drive
member; said drive member being adapted to be operably linked to a
drive means; a housing for locating the exerciser and optionally a
support frame.
32. A kit for a parallel bar exerciser comprising: a plurality of
hand-bars; each hand bar being adapted to be linked to a drive
member; said drive member being adapted to be operably linked to a
drive means; a housing for locating the exerciser and optionally a
support frame.
33. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise machine, to
uses thereof and to a method of use.
[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to an exercise
machine that simulates the exercise achieved with a horizontal
ladder, often referred to as "monkey bars".
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] Different types of training equipment simulate various types
of exercise and will exercise different parts of the body. For
example, equipment for facilitating upper body exercise may
comprise parallel bars, horizontal ladder bars, overhead rings and
the like.
[0004] Horizontal ladder bars, also known as "monkey bars" provide
strenuous exercise for arms and shoulders, by the user "walking"
the length of the ladder hand over hand. Such horizontal ladder
bars, or "monkey bars" are popular as outdoor fitness equipment,
however, due, inter alfa, to the length of the ladder, they are
generally not suitable for use in indoor gyms or in the home.
[0005] Attempts have been made to address this. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,145,472 describes an upper body exerciser having a frame
which supports a rotatable head that has a single axis of rotation.
The head is provided with radially extending cross-rods are
reciprocally radially movable. Thus, a person can exercise by
hanging from one of the cross-rods and move from one cross-rod to
another simulating a "monkey bar" movement. Whilst the system does
provide a portable "monkey bar" system, it does suffer from a
number of disadvantages. For example, it does not provide the user
with a real sense of "hand walking" across a ladder; there is no
ability to vary the energy required to rotate the head; and it is
not capable of being wall mounted, etc.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for an improved upper body exerciser,
especially in the form of horizontal ladder bars which overcomes or
mitigates the disadvantages of the prior art systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] We have now found a novel horizontal ladder bar exercise
machine.
[0008] Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a parallel bar exerciser suitable for simulating a
horizontal ladder comprising a plurality of hand-bars; each hand
bar being linked to a drive member said drive member being operably
linked to a drive means.
[0009] In one embodiment of the invention the drive member is
provided with a plurality of locating means for the plurality of
hand-bars. Each locating means may comprise a female member
attached to the drive member.
[0010] The drive means may comprise a sprocket or a pair of
sprockets mounted around an axle and driven by a motor, e.g. an
electric motor. The sprockets are operably linked to the drive
means, such that when the motor is in operation the sprocket or
pair of sprockets will turn, driving the drive member and moving
any hand-bars linked to the drive member.
[0011] The sprocket or pair of sprockets may be linked directly to
the motor. Alternatively, the motor, in operation, may turn a cog
which itself turns a sprocket.
[0012] The sprockets in the parallel bar exerciser may comprise a
single pair of sprockets, i.e. a first sprocket and a second
sprocket, located at either end of an axle. Preferably, two
separate pairs of sprockets are provided. Thus, a first pair of
sprockets may comprise a first sprocket and a second sprocket,
located about a first axle. The first pair of sprockets will be
driven, directly or indirectly, by the motor.
[0013] A second pair of sprockets comprises a first sprocket and a
second sprocket. The second pair of sprockets may be independently
driven, i.e. by a second motor. However, in an alternative
embodiment the second pair of sprockets may not include a separate
drive means (motor) and therefore may be driven only by the drive
member, such that the first pair of sprockets is a lead pair or a
drive pair. It will be understood by the person skilled in the art
that the number of sprockets may be varied.
[0014] Each sprocket is rotatably mounted about a support axle.
Thus, when a two pairs of sprockets is provided a corresponding
support axle is also provided. Thus, for example, when two groups
or two pairs of sprockets are present, the first sprocket from each
pair may share a single axle and the second sprocket from each pair
may share an axle; and so on.
[0015] The size of the sprockets in the parallel bar exerciser of
the invention may be the same or different. Thus, in one embodiment
of the invention the sprockets are all substantially the same size.
In an alternative embodiment the sprockets are different sizes. In
this embodiment, preferably, the first and second sprockets in each
pair may be the same size. In one embodiment, if there is a lead
pair of sprockets, the lead pair is generally of larger dimensions
than the other pair, i.e. the trailing pair of sprockets. The
references to the term "larger" in this context, is generally
intended to mean of greater diameter.
[0016] The drive member may comprise a chain, belt, rope or the
like. Preferably the drive means comprises a chain, e.g. a roller
chain. Such a drive chain will generally comprise a continuous loop
around a group of sprockets, thus the drive chain can be considered
as having an inner surface, i.e. which engages with the sprockets
and an outer surface remote from the sprockets. It is within the
scope of the present invention than one or more wheels may be
present which simply acts as a guide wheel rather than engaging in
a driveable manner with the drive chain.
[0017] It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that
the term "drive chain" should not be considered to be limiting.
Whilst a drive chain is preferred, the parallel bar exerciser could
suitably be operated with other conventionally known drive means.
The drive chain may typically comprise a metal chain, but it will
be understood that other material, such as, a natural or polymer
material, such as natural or synthetic rubber and may optionally
include high tensile fibres, such as fibreglass, etc.
[0018] The number of hand-bars used in the parallel bar exerciser
of the present invention may vary and may, for example, be from
about 2 to about 20 hand-bars, preferably from about 5 to about 15
hand-bars, e.g. about 10 hand-bars.
[0019] The drive means may be provided with locating means for the
plurality of hand-bars. Whilst any locating means may be suitably
used, it is desirable that the locating means comprises a female
member attached to the drive member. Alternatively, the locating
means may be absent such that a hand-bar is fixed to the drive
member, e.g. may be screwed to the drive member.
[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention the parallel bar
exerciser of the present invention is provided with a housing. Such
a housing may desirably be provided with one or more recesses which
is shaped so that a group of sprockets and corresponding drive
member, including any motor, may be located in the recess.
[0021] A further aspect of this embodiment provides a support frame
for the housing. In one particular embodiment the support frame is
provided with means for pivotally mounting the housing and the
parallel bar exerciser. The use of a support frame is advantageous
in that, inter alfa, the housing and the parallel bar exerciser may
be inclined to the horizontal, thus varying the workload required
from the user to operate the exerciser.
[0022] In a further aspect of this embodiment the support frame may
be provided with means for pivotally mounting the housing and the
parallel bar exerciser. The use of a pivotally mounted support
frame is advantageous in that, inter alfa, the housing and the
parallel bar exerciser may be inclined to the horizontal, thus
varying the workload required from the user to operate the
exerciser. In this embodiment the parallel bar exerciser may
optionally be self-powered.
[0023] Thus, according to this aspect of the invention there is
provided a parallel bar exerciser suitable for simulating a
horizontal ladder comprising a plurality of hand-bars; each hand
bar being linked to a drive member, wherein the parallel bar
exerciser is provided with a housing and a support frame for the
housing, the support frame being provided with means for pivotally
mounting the housing and the parallel bar exerciser.
[0024] According to this aspect of the invention the parallel bar
exerciser may optionally be self-powered or the drive member being
operably linked to a drive means, e.g. a motor, as herein
described.
[0025] In addition, the power input and output of the drive means,
e.g. a motor, may also be varied such that the workload required
from the user to operate the exerciser may be varied.
[0026] The parallel bar exerciser may include one or more bearings.
Thus, for example, bearings may be included around the support axle
where a sprocket is rotatably mounted. Furthermore, when the
parallel bar exerciser is located in a housing, the housing may
optionally be provided with a bearing strip along the recess to aid
the smooth running of the drive member.
[0027] The parallel bar exerciser may optionally be provided with a
braking mechanism. Although any conventionally known braking
mechanism may suitably be used, a friction disc located about an
axle may suitably be used.
[0028] The parallel bar exerciser may further optionally be
provided with tensioning means, allowing the user to vary the
workload required from the user to operate the exerciser. Any
conventionally known tensioning means may suitably be used, a
tensioning screw, for example, located adjacent an axle, may
suitably be used.
[0029] In use, the drive means will drive the drive member such
that the hand-bars will essentially travel from sprocket to the
next sprocket. The user will "hand-walk" from one hand-bar to the
next, as with a conventional horizontal ladder or "monkey bar"
exercise equipment. The hand-bars will rotate about the pairs of
sprockets and present the next hand-bar each time, so that the user
experiences the simulation of a conventional horizontal ladder or
"monkey bar" exercise equipment. The parallel bar exerciser may be
inclined or tensioned to increase or decrease the workload required
of the user or the owner output if the drive means, e.g. a motor
may be varied so as to increase or decrease the workload required
of the user.
[0030] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of exercising, which comprises a user
operating a parallel bar exerciser suitable for simulating a
horizontal ladder, said parallel bar exerciser comprising a
plurality of hand-bars; each hand bar being linked to a drive
member said drive member being operably linked to a drive
means.
[0031] The method according to this aspect of the invention
particularly comprises a method of upper body exercise, e.g.
exercising arms and shoulders. The method suitably comprises a user
operating a parallel bar exerciser as herein described by "walking"
the length of the ladder hand over hand. The method may suitably
include use of the parallel bar exerciser of the present invention
inclined to the horizontal.
[0032] According to a further aspect of the invention there is
provided a parallel bar exerciser system comprising: [0033] a
plurality of hand-bars; [0034] each hand bar being adapted to be
linked to a drive member; [0035] said drive member being adapted to
be operably linked to a drive means; [0036] a housing for locating
the exerciser and optionally a support frame.
[0037] The parallel bar exerciser or parallel bar exerciser system
may be suitable for use in a gymnasium or may be suitable for use
in a domestic location. Therefore, it is within the scope of the
present invention to provide the parallel bar exerciser of the
present invention in kit form.
[0038] Therefore, according to this aspect of the present invention
there is provided a kit for a parallel bar exerciser comprising:
[0039] a plurality of hand-bars; [0040] each hand bar being adapted
to be linked to a drive member; [0041] said drive member being
adapted to be operably linked to a drive means; [0042] a housing
for locating the exerciser and optionally a support frame.
[0043] The kit according to this aspect of the invention may
optionally include a housing and/or a support frame.
[0044] The invention will now be described by way of example only
and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
[0045] FIG. 1 is a three dimensional perspective view of a of a
parallel bar exerciser of the invention.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1 a parallel bar exerciser (1) suitable
for simulating a horizontal ladder comprises an electric motor (2)
operably linked to a drive wheel (3) via a flywheel (4), using
belts (5) and (6). The drive wheel (3) is operably linked to a
sprocket (7) mounted on an axle (8). As the motor operates the
drive wheel (3) and sprocket (7) rotate causing a chain (9) to
turn. Hand-bars (10), in the form of cylindrical rod, are attached
to the chain (9) so that as the chain (9) turns, moving the
hand-bars (10) with it.
[0047] The parallel bar exerciser (1) is provided with a housing
(11) and a support frame (12). The support frame (12) comprises a
pair of side plates/legs (13) and (14), provided with feet (15) and
(16). The support frame (12) is dimensioned so that the housing
(11) fits within the support frame (12). A controller (17) may be
optionally included.
* * * * *