Self-aligning pivoting seat exercise machine

• US 20050032611A1
• Filed: 08/04/2003
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems
• Original Assignee: Hoist Fitness Systems
• Inventors: Hockridge, Bruce, Webber, Randall T., Meredith, Jeffrey O., Brennan, Christopher E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,594,880 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/72
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0079 with a pulling cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/159 Using levers for transmitting forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4031 with parts of the bench moving against a resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0002 involving an exercising of arms for strengthening the upper limbs A63B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0005 with particular movement of the arms provided by handles moving otherwise than pivoting about a horizontal axis parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0089 a counterforce being provided to the support force-resisting aspects A63B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0247 with legs in a kneeled 90/90 position
• 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 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1218 Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1227 Dips, i.e. push-ups in a vertical position, i.e. eccentric movement, e.g. between parallel bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1254 : Rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, e.g. butterfly-type exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 : Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 : primarily by articulating the elbow joint

Abstract

An exercise machine has a main frame with a pivot mount, a user support frame pivotally mounted on the pivot mount, the pivot mount defining a vertical, gravitational center line, an exercise arm movably mounted for engagement by the user in performing exercises, a connecting link linking movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support frame, and a load for resisting movement of at least one of the moving parts. Movement of the user engagement device in an exercise movement simultaneously moves the user support frame between a start and an end position, the pivot mount being positioned at a predetermined location under the user support frame, such that portions of the combined weight of the user and user support frame are distributed on each side of the gravitational centerline throughout the entire exercise movement and only a portion of the combined weight passes through the gravitational centerline during the exercise movement.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

a main frame;

a user support pivot mount on the main frame;

a user support frame pivotally mounted on the user support pivot mount, the pivot mount defining a vertical, gravitational center line, the user support frame comprising one moving part of the machine;

the user support frame having at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user'"'"'s body in the same relative positions throughout an exercise movement;

a user engagement device movably mounted on one of the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, the user engagement device comprising a second moving part of the machine;

a connecting link linking movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support frame, the connecting link comprising a third moving part of the machine; and

a load for resisting movement of at least one of the moving parts of the machine;

whereby movement of the user engagement device in an exercise movement simultaneously moves the user support frame between a start position and an end position, the user support pivot mount being positioned such that portions of the combined weight of the user and user support frame are distributed on each side of the gravitational centerline of the pivot mount in both the start and end position and only a portion of the combined weight passes through the gravitational centerline during the exercise movement.

2. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary support comprises a seat pad.

3. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the secondary support comprises a back pad.

4. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the secondary support comprises a chest pad.

5. The machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the secondary support comprises thigh hold down pads.

6. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary support comprises a back pad.

7. The machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the secondary support comprises a head rest pad and shoulder rest pads.

8. The machine as claimed in claim 1, including an additional user support for supporting a different part of the user'"'"'s body from the primary support and secondary support.

9. The machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the additional user support is mounted on the user support frame.

10. The machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the additional user support is mounted on the main frame.

11. The machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the additional user support comprises a foot support for the user'"'"'s feet.

12. The machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the additional user support is fixed in position relative to the first two supports throughout an exercise movement.

13. The machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the additional user support comprises hand grips.

14. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user support frame defines an initial position for the user'"'"'s body when supported on the frame in the start position of the exercise, and a finish position for the user'"'"'s body in the end position of the exercise, the gravitational centerline extending through a central portion of the user'"'"'s body in at least one of said initial and finish positions.

15. The machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the gravitational centerline of the pivot mount extends through the user'"'"'s hips in at least one of said user positions.

16. The machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the gravitational centerline of the pivot mount extends through the user'"'"'s thighs in at least one of said user positions.

17. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main frame has a base and the pivot mount is mounted on the base.

18. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user support frame has a base and an upright, the primary user support being mounted on the base.

19. The machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the user support pivot mount comprises a four bar linkage.

20. The machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the pivot mount is located directly beneath the primary user support.

21. The machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the pivot mount is located approximately at a junction between the base and upright of the user support frame.

22. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user engagement device is movably mounted on the main frame.

23. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user engagement device is movably mounted on the user support frame.

24. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user engagement device comprises at least one rigid exercise arm.

25. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user engagement device comprises a flexible member.

26. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting link is a rigid link.

27. The machine as claimed in claim 26, wherein the connecting link has a first end pivoted to said user engagement device and a second end pivoted to said user support frame.

28. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting link is a flexible member.

29. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting link is adjustable in length.

30. The machine as claimed in claim 1, including a slide member slidably mounted on said user support frame, the connecting link having a first end pivoted to said slide member.

31. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting link has a first end pivoted to said user engagement device and a second end pivoted to said main frame, the user support frame being pivotally connected to said user engagement device, whereby movement of said user engagement device is linked to movement of the user support frame.

32. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting link comprises a first gear toothed cam mounted on said user engagement device and a second gear toothed cam mounted on said user support frame and meshing with said first gear toothed cam.

33. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting link comprises a cable and pulley assembly extending between said user engagement device and said user support frame.

34. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting link comprises a moving wedge member slidably engaged with said main frame and user support frame, and said user engagement device is mounted on said moving wedge member.

35. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user engagement device is adjustable.

36. An exercise machine, comprising:

a main frame;

a user support pivot mount on the main frame;

a user support frame pivotally mounted on the user support pivot mount, the pivot mount defining a vertical, gravitational center line of the pivotal movement, the user support frame comprising one moving part of the machine;

an exercise arm movably mounted on one of the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, the exercise arm having a user engaging portion, and comprising a second moving part of the machine;

a connecting link movably engaged with at least two of the main frame, user support frame and exercise arm for linking movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support frame, the connecting link comprising a third moving part of the machine; and

a load for resisting movement of at least one of the moving parts of the machine, whereby movement of the user engagement device in an exercise movement simultaneously moves the user support frame between a start position and an end position, the user support pivot mount being positioned at a predetermined location under the user support frame and beneath the user'"'"'s body when supported on the frame, such that portions of the combined weight of the user and user support frame are distributed on each side of the gravitational centerline of the pivot mount throughout the entire exercise movement between the start and end position, only a portion of the combined weight passing through the gravitational centerline during the exercise movement.

37. An exercise machine, comprising:

a main frame having a base;

a user support pivot mount on the main frame;

a user support frame pivotally mounted on the user support pivot mount for rotation at a location spaced above the base, the support frame being designed for supporting the body of a user in a predetermined exercise position, the pivot mount defining a vertical, gravitational center line of the pivotal movement, the user support frame comprising one moving part of the machine;

the user support frame having at least a primary user support and a secondary user support for supporting different parts of a user'"'"'s body during an exercise, the user supports being fixed relative to one another during an exercise movement;

an exercise arm movably mounted on one of the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, the exercise arm having a user engaging portion, and comprising a second moving part of the machine;

a connecting link linking movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support frame, the connecting link comprising a third moving part of the machine;

a load for resisting movement of at least one of the moving parts of the machine, whereby movement of the user engagement device in an exercise movement simultaneously moves the user support and user between a start position and an end position; and

the pivot mount being located under the user support frame at a location directly beneath the user'"'"'s body when supported on the frame.

38. The machine as claimed in claim 37, including an additional user support mounted on the user support frame and being fixed relative to the user support frame during an exercise movement so as to move with the user support frame in the same orientation relative to the frame.

39. The machine as claimed in claim 37, wherein the additional user support comprises at least one foot support plate.

40. The machine as claimed in claim 37, wherein the gravitational centerline passes through a central portion of the user'"'"'s body in at least one of the start and end positions.

41. The machine as claimed in claim 40, wherein the gravitational centerline of the pivot mount passes through the user'"'"'s hips in at least one of the start and end positions.

42. The machine as claimed in claim 40, wherein the gravitational centerline of the pivot mount passes through the user'"'"'s upper thighs in at least one of the start and end positions.

43. The machine as claimed in claim 37, wherein the connecting link is a rigid member.

44. The machine as claimed in claim 37, wherein the connecting link is a flexible member.

45. The machine as claimed in claim 37, wherein the connecting link is adjustable in length.

46. The machine as claimed in claim 37, wherein the exercise arm comprises at least one rigid member.

47. The machine as claimed in claim 46, wherein the exercise arm comprises a pair of articulating arm members mounted on opposite sides of the user support frame.

48. The machine as claimed in claim 37, wherein the exercise arm comprises a flexible member.

49. The machine as claimed in claim 37, wherein the exercise arm is adjustable.

50. An exercise machine, comprising:

a main frame having a base;

a user support pivot mount on the main frame;

a user support frame pivotally mounted on the user support pivot mount for rotation at a location spaced above the base, the support frame being designed for supporting the body of a user in a predetermined exercise position, the pivot mount defining a vertical, gravitational center line of the pivotal movement, the user support frame comprising one moving part of the machine;

the user support frame having at least a primary user support and a secondary user support for supporting different parts of a user'"'"'s body during an exercise, the user supports being fixed relative to one another during an exercise movement;

an exercise arm movably mounted on one of the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, the exercise arm having a user engaging portion, and comprising a second moving part of the machine;

a connecting link linking movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support frame, the connecting link comprising a third moving part of the machine;

a load for resisting movement of at least one of the moving parts of the machine, whereby movement of the user engagement device in an exercise movement simultaneously moves the user support and user between a start position and an end position; and

the pivot mount being positioned such that portions of the combined weight of the user and user support frame are distributed on each side of the gravitational centerline of the pivot mount in both the start and end position and a portion of the combined weight passes through the gravitational centerline during the exercise movement.