Squat exercise apparatus

• US 20040097353A1
• Filed: 11/15/2002
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christopher J. Mencis
• Original Assignee: Christopher J. Mencis
• Inventors: Mencis, Christopher J., Boivin, Hughes N.
• Application Number:
  US10/295,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20040097353A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/148
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4005 to the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A squat exercise apparatus (10) provides back support (12) for a user (20) leaning against a support surface (22) while performing a squat exercise. A frame (12) connected to the back support is rolled along the support surface by wheels (18) as the user lowers and raises his/her torso. An arm support (16) allows the user to grasp the apparatus and to comfortably rest his/her arms during the exercise. A portable heart monitor display (48) may be attached to the handle portion (26) of the arm support. Pivoting connections (42) allow upper and lower back support pads (38, 40) to be rotated to a comfortable position for a variety of users. A supplemental weight attachment (52) allows the user to increase the weight lifted during the exercise. A shoulder support (62) may be used to facilitate the lifting of the weight of the apparatus. A support base (58) may be used to provide a desired height to the apparatus when placed on a floor (60).

Claims

1. A squat exercise apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a back support connected to the frame; and

a rolling member connected to the frame and protruding beyond the frame to make rolling contact with a support surface when the apparatus is urged against the support surface by a user'"'"'s back being leaned against the back support.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rolling member further comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to the frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least three wheels rotatably attached to the frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising four wheels rotatably attached to the frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back support further comprises:

a lower support pad for making contact with a lower portion of a user'"'"'s torso; and

an upper support pad for making contact with an upper portion of a user'"'"'s torso.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back support further comprises a pivoting connection for providing a plurality of positions of the back support relative to the frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a locking mechanism for holding the pivoting connection in a selected position.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an arm support connected to the frame.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a handle disposed at a distal end of the arm support opposed the frame.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a portable heart monitor display connected to the handle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a portable heart monitor display connected to the frame.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

the frame comprising a generally rectangular shape and having a generally horizontal upper member and a generally horizontal lower member interconnected at respective opposed ends by opposed generally vertical members;

the back support comprising a generally B-shape member having a generally straight portion connected at opposed ends to the upper and lower members respectively and a curved portion extending in a direction opposed the rolling member.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a generally U-shaped arm support connected to the frame at opposed corners and extending in the direction opposed the rolling member and extending beyond the generally B-shaped member.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising opposed ends of the generally U-shaped arm support being bent to form respective handles.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a free weight removably attached to the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a shoulder support connected to the frame.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a support base connected to the frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder support connected to the frame.

19. A squat exercise apparatus comprising:

a back support for receiving force exerted by the torso of a user as the user leans against the back support with the back support between the user and a substantially vertical support surface; and

a means for rolling the back support along the substantially vertical support surface as the user performs a squat exercise.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a means for applying a supplemental vertical force to the apparatus as the user performs the squat exercise.