Reformer exercise apparatus having a trapeze bar

• US 20040176227A1
• Filed: 03/18/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Balanced Body Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Balanced Body Incorporated
• Inventors: Endelman, Ken
• Granted Patent: US 7,125,369 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4033 Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• 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 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0087 with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0228 Sitting on the buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0247 with legs in a kneeled 90/90 position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0252 supine
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0257 prone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 : Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 : Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 : A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03575 : Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 : involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 : for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06

Abstract

A reformer exercise apparatus comprises a rectangular frame, a movable carriage mounted on the frame for supporting a user an elongated elastic member extending between the frame and the movable carriage for biasing the carriage toward the one end of the frame, and a U shaped trapeze bar assembly removably fastened to the reformer frame via outwardly open T shaped slots in each reformer frame rail. The trapeze assembly includes a support bracket assembly slidably disposed in the slot to fasten a trapeze leg to the reformer frame. the support bracket assembly permits the trapeze assembly to be folded parallel to the reformer frame for storage and transport, and rigidly fastened to the reformer frame in an upright position during use.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a generally rectangular frame having a pair of end members and a pair of spaced apart parallel side rail members forming part of said frame, wherein each said rail member has an outwardly open T shaped slot;

a moveable carriage mounted on said frame for movement along said rail members between said end members, said carriage having a generally flat upper surface, a pair of spaced shoulder stops mounted to said upper surface of said carriage and a plurality of support/guide wheel assemblies mounted to an underside of said carriage; and

a generally U shaped trapeze assembly removably fastened in said T shaped slots.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein said trapeze assembly comprises an arched frame portion joining two parallel frame legs and an adjustable leg support bracket assembly fastened to each of the frame legs, each said bracket assembly clamping the trapeze frame leg to the reformer frame via the T shaped slot.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein a free end of each trapeze frame leg has a longitudinal open slot therein and a first closed longitudinal slot spaced from the open slot.

4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said trapeze assembly is foldable between an upright operating position and a storage position generally parallel to said rail members of said rectangular frame.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4 wherein said trapeze assembly comprises an arched frame portion joining two parallel frame legs and an adjustable leg support bracket assembly fastened to each of the frame legs, each said bracket assembly clamping the trapeze frame leg to the reformer frame via the T shaped slot.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein a free end of each trapeze frame leg has a longitudinal open slot therein and a first closed longitudinal slot spaced from the open slot.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein said adjustable leg support bracket assembly comprises:

an elongated inner plate having a cross sectional outer shape complementary to the T shaped slot so as to slide within the slot;

a rectangular spacer tube fastened to an outer face of the inner plate adjacent to a clamp portion of the inner plate; and

an outer bracket plate fastened to the spacer plate, the bracket plate having a pair of spaced upper and lower holes therethrough each for receiving a clamp bolt therethrough.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7 wherein a free end of each trapeze frame leg has a longitudinal open slot therein and a first closed longitudinal slot spaced from the open slot.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8 wherein each clamp bolt passes through one of the trapeze frame legs through one of the slots in the one trapeze frame leg.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein a lower one of the clamp bolts passes through the outer plate, the open slot, and into the clamp portion of the inner plate.

11. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a generally rectangular frame having a head end, a foot end and a pair of spaced apart parallel rail members therebetween, each of said rail members including an outwardly open T shaped longitudinal slot therein;

a movable carriage mounted on said frame for movement along said rail members between said head and foot ends, said carriage having a generally flat upper surface, a pair of spaced shoulder stops mounted to said upper surface and a head rest extending toward said head end from said upper surface of said carriage;

a plurality of elongated elastic members extending between said carriage and said foot end of said frame;

a foot support assembly mounted to said frame near said foot end comprising a U shaped foot bar having a pair of spaced parallel leg portions each forming a support member, each support member being fastened to a foot bar support bracket assembly, each said foot bracket assembly having an elongated anchor bar member slidably disposed in one of said slots in said rail members; and

a generally U shaped trapeze assembly removably fastened in said T shaped slots near said head end of said frame.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11 wherein said trapeze assembly comprises an arched frame portion joining two parallel frame legs and an adjustable leg support bracket assembly fastened to each of the frame legs, each said bracket assembly clamping the trapeze frame leg to the reformer frame via the T shaped slot.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12 wherein a free end of each trapeze frame leg has a longitudinal open slot therein and a first closed longitudinal slot spaced from the open slot.

14. The exercise apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said trapeze assembly is foldable between an upright operating position and a storage position generally parallel to said rail members of said rectangular frame.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 14 wherein said trapeze assembly comprises an arched frame portion joining two parallel frame legs and an adjustable leg support bracket assembly fastened to each of the frame legs, each said bracket assembly clamping the trapeze frame leg to the reformer frame via the T shaped slot.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15 wherein a free end of each trapeze frame leg has a longitudinal open slot therein and a first closed longitudinal slot spaced from the open slot.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 15 wherein said adjustable leg support bracket assembly comprises:

an elongated inner plate having a cross sectional outer shape complementary to the T shaped slot so as to slide within the slot;

a rectangular spacer tube fastened to an outer face of the inner plate adjacent to a clamp portion of the inner plate; and

an outer bracket plate fastened to the spacer plate, the bracket plate having a pair of spaced upper and lower holes therethrough each for receiving a clamp bolt therethrough.

18. A generally U shaped trapeze assembly for mounting to a reformer exercise apparatus having parallel frame rails and each rail having an outwardly open T shaped slots in the rail, the trapeze assembly comprising:

an arched frame portion joining two parallel trapeze frame legs; and

means riding in the slots for adjustably clamping each of the trapeze frame legs to the frame rail via its slot.

19. The assembly according to claim 18 wherein the clamping means is an adjustable leg support bracket assembly fastened to each of the trapeze frame legs, each said bracket assembly clamping the trapeze frame leg to the reformer frame via the T shaped slot.

20. The assembly according to claim 19 wherein bracket assembly comprises:

an elongated inner plate having a cross sectional outer shape complementary to the T shaped slot so as to slide within the slot;

a rectangular spacer tube fastened to an outer face of the inner plate adjacent to a clamp portion of the inner plate;

an outer bracket plate fastened to the spacer plate, the bracket plate having a pair of spaced upper and lower holes therethrough; and

a pair of clamp bolts in the holes to fasten the frame leg to the outer bracket plate.