Leg exercise method and apparatus

• US 20040167000A1
• Filed: 02/26/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Magic Schwarz
• Original Assignee: Magic Schwarz
• Inventors: Schwarz, Magic
• Application Number:
  US10/374,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20040167000A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/123
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0295 on hands and feet for push-ups A63B23/1236
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0417 with guided foot supports moving parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane by translation

Abstract

A leg exercise apparatus and method is provided in which the exercise apparatus can include an elongated base, at least one foot mount slidably coupled to the elongated base, and a biasing member attached to the foot mount and the elongated base and adapted to resist sliding movement of the foot mount relative to the elongated base. The leg exercise apparatus can also include two foot mount guides and substantially parallel foot mount guides, in which the foot mounts can be slidably mounted in the foot mount guides. The leg exercise apparatus can also include a plurality of support structures. Additionally, the leg exercise apparatus can include a biasing member control system. The biasing member control system can include a biasing member and a guide to offset a portion of the biasing member from an imaginary line between the two points, so as to tension the biasing member.

Claims

1. A leg exercise apparatus comprising:

an elongated base;

at least one foot mount slidably coupled to said elongated base; and

a biasing member attached to said foot mount and said elongated base and adapted to resist sliding movement of said foot mount relative to said elongated base.

2. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises two foot mounts and said elongated base comprises substantially parallel foot mount guides, said foot mounts being slidably mounted in said foot mount guides.

3. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein each said foot mount guide comprises a pair of substantially parallel rail members that engage each said foot mount.

4. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein each said substantially parallel rail member comprises a substantially parallel upper and lower rail member, said foot mounts being slidably mounted between the upper and lower rail member.

5. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said foot mount comprises a foot platform.

6. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said foot mount further comprises at least one pair of rail engaging wheels.

7. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a support structure.

8. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said support structure is collapsible.

9. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said support structure is hinged to said elongated base.

10. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said hinge is adapted for variable position adjustment of said support structure at least between a collapsed position and an upright position.

11. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said hinge comprises removable locking pivot pins.

12. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a shoulder brace.

13. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising an upper body support structure.

14. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising hand supports.

15. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a biasing post for securing said biasing member.

16. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a lower body support structure.

17. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said lower body support structure is detachably coupled to said elongated base.

18. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said lower body support further comprises a cushioning material.

19. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each biasing member is secured between said foot mount and said biasing post so as to be substantially horizontal.

20. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said biasing member provides a force resisting movement of each said foot mount as each foot mount is moved in a direction that increases the distance between said foot mount and said biasing post.

21. The leg exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said biasing member provides a force encouraging movement of each said foot mount in a direction that decreases the distance between said foot mount and said biasing post.

22. The leg exercise apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said biasing member is selected from a group consisting of a spring or an elongated elastic element.

23. A biasing member control system for an exercise apparatus comprising:

a biasing member fixed between two points; and

a guide to offset a portion of the biasing member, from an imaginary line between the two points, so as to tension the biasing member.

24. The biasing member control system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said biasing member comprises a spring.

25. The biasing member control system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said guide comprises a wheel.

26. The biasing member control system as claimed in claim 25 wherein said wheel comprises a concave surface adapted to receive a portion of the biasing member.

27. A method for exercising the legs comprising the steps of:

providing a leg exercise apparatus comprising an elongated base, at least one foot mount slidably coupled to said elongated base, a support structure coupled to the elongated base, a biasing member attached to said foot mount and said elongated base and adapted to resist sliding movement of said foot mount relative to said elongated base;

placing each foot in a foot mount;

pushing with each foot on said foot mount.

28. The method for exercising the lower body as claimed in claim 27 further comprising the step of resting the chest on a chest support;

29. The method for exercising the lower body as claimed in claim 27 further comprising the step of engaging a shoulder brace with the shoulders.

30. The method for exercising the lower body as claimed in claim 27 further comprising the step of clasping hand supports with the hands.

31. The method for exercising the lower body as claimed in claim 27 wherein said pushing step occurs in an alternating fashion, first one foot and then the other.