Portable excercise assembly

• US 20060019806A1
• Filed: 05/16/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Diverplast S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: Diverplast S.p.A.
• Inventors: Mikulski, Walter Joseph
• Application Number:
  US11/131,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20060019806A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/121
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/04 attached to static foundation , e.g. a user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4003 to the head; to the neck
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4013 to the ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0238 with stretched legs, like on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0242 Lying down
• 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 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0216 moving lower limbs with immobilized torso
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0233 Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch
• 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 23/0355 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 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1218 : Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 : primarily by articulating the elbow joint
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0062 : Leg restraining devices

Abstract

A portable exercise assembly structured to facilitate the performance of multiple exercises by a user, thereon and including a base and/or a mounting assembly either of which are capable of being selectively positioned between an operative position and a stored position and, when in the stored position are capable of being easily hand carried, with other associated components of the exercise assembly. When in the operative position, the base comprises a plurality of segments disposed in an end-to-end, elongated orientation. A resistance assembly comprising a plurality of resistance elements, preferably formed of an elastic material is connected to the base and/or to the mounting assembly as well as to a gripping assembly which is either attachable to various portions of the user'"'"'s body or may be at least partially gripped by the user, such that the user exerts a force thereon so as to position the plurality of elastic elements between a stressed position and a non-stressed position, thereby exerting a variable range of forces on muscle group which are intended to be exercise. The gripping assembly includes one or more gripping bars having one or more cushions mounted thereon each having a retaining member, which comfortably and removably retains engagement with various portions of the user'"'"'s body while the user selectively extends or retracts the plurality resistance elements.

Claims

1. An exercise assembly structured to facilitate a user performing multiple exercises thereon, said exercise assembly comprising:

a) a base including a plurality of base segments secured in coaxial relation to one another and collectively defining a substantially elongated linear configuration,

b) a resistance assembly removably attached to said base at any one of a plurality of locations along the length of said base,

c) said resistance assembly repeatedly oriented between a stressed position and a non-stressed position, and

d) a gripping assembly connected to said resistance assembly and selectively positioned by the user to orient resistance assembly between said stressed and non-stressed positions.

2. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of base segments are removably attached to one another in an end-to-end alignment.

3. An exercise assembly as. recited in claim 1 wherein each of said base segments are removably attached to one another in an end-to-end alignment, each of said base segments comprising an elongated linear configuration along at least a majority of its length.

4. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said base segments is formed of a high strength, light. weight material of tubular construction.

5. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said plurality of base segments are removably attached to one another in an end-to-end alignment.

6. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein said plurality of base segments are formed from a material of a sufficiently light weight to be carried by the user when said base segments are detached from one another.

7. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said base segments comprises an enlarged section extending laterally outward from said base.

8. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said enlarged portion comprises a frame disposed in at least partially surrounding relation to a central opening, said central opening being of sufficient dimension to allow the user'"'"'s head to pass therethrough.

9. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 8 further comprising a restraint structure secured to said base substantially adjacent to said enlarged portion, said restraint structured disposed in restraining engagement with any one of a plurality of portions of the user'"'"'s body.

10. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said resistance assembly comprises a plurality of elongated elastic material resistance elements having a first end secured to said base and a second end removably connected to said gripping assembly, the first end of a predetermined number of said plurality of resistance elements secured together and collectively and removably attached to said base.

11. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein said second end of said predetermined number of said plurality of resistance elements are each independently removable from said gripping assembly.

12. An exercise assembly as recited in claim. 11 wherein each of said second ends include a mounting member dimensioned and configured for removal engagement with said gripping assembly.

13. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said gripping assembly comprises at least one gripping bar having an elongated configuration.

14. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said gripping bar comprises a plurality of cushions mounted on said bar, each of said cushions including a retaining member disposed in cooperative relation thereto, each of said retaining members structured to engage a portion of the user'"'"'s body during movement of said gripping bar relative to said base.

15. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 14 further comprising a roller structure rotationally mounted on said gripping bar and disposed in movable engagement with a supporting surface.

16. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of base segments are removably attached to one another in an end-to-end alignment, each of said base segments comprising an elongated linear configuration along at least a majority of its length, at least one of said base segments comprising an enlarged section extending laterally outward from said base, said enlarged section comprising a frame disposed in at least partially surrounding relation to a central opening of said enlarged section.

17. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 16 wherein said resistance assembly comprises a plurality of elongated elastic material resistance elements each having a first end secured to said base and a second end removably connected to said gripping assembly, said first end of a predetermined number of said plurality of resistance elements secured together and collectively and removably attached to said base.

18. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein said gripping assembly comprises at least one gripping bar having an elongated configuration and a plurality of cushions mounted thereon, each of said cushions including a restraining member disposed in cooperative relation thereto, each of said restraining members structured to engage a portion of the user'"'"'s body, said gripping bar further comprising a roller structure rotationally mounted thereon and selectively disposable in movable engagement with a supporting surface.

19. An exercise assembly structured to facilitate a user performing multiple exercises thereon, said exercise assembly comprising:

a) a mounting assembly removably secured to an upright supporting structure disposed in a substantially vertical orientation,

b) a resistance assembly removably attached to said mounting assembly at a plurality of locations on the supporting structure,

c) said resistance assembly repeatedly oriented between a stressed position and a non-stressed position,

d) a gripping assembly removably connected to said resistance assembly and selectively positioned by the user to orient said resistance assembly between said stressed and non-stressed position.

20. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 19 wherein said resistance assembly comprises a plurality of elongated elastic material resistance elements having a first end secured to said mounting assembly and a second end movably connected to said gripping assembly.

21. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said gripping assembly comprises a plurality of retaining structures removably mounted on predetermined portions of the user'"'"'s body and removably connected to a predetermined number of said resistance elements.

22. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 20. wherein said gripping assembly comprises at least one handle structure gripped by the user'"'"'s hand and removably attached to a predetermined number of said resistance elements.

23. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said gripping assembly comprises at least one gripping bar having an elongated configuration and comprising a plurality of cushions mounted on said bar, each of said cushions including a retaining member disposed in cooperative relation thereto, each of said retaining members structured to engage a portion of the user'"'"'s body during movement of the bar.

24. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 23 including a roller rotationally mounted on said gripping bar in movable engagement with a supporting surface.

25. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said mounting assembly comprises a plurality of mounts each removably securable to a door, wherein the door comprise an upright supporting structure.

26. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 25 wherein said plurality of mounts comprise at least one clamp removably secured to an upper peripheral edge of the door and removably connected to one end of a predetermined number of said resistance elements.

27. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said plurality of resistance elements are connected to said clamp on each opposite side of the door.

28. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 25 wherein said plurality of mounts comprise at least one bracket structure removably secured to a lower peripheral edge of the door, said bracket structure removably interconnected to a predetermined number of said resistance elements.

29. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 28 wherein said bracket structure comprises a flexible material connector secured thereto and extending beneath the lower peripheral edge of the door into removable attachment with a predetermined number of said plurality of said resistance elements.

30. An exercise assembly structured to facilitate a user performing multiple exercises thereon, said exercise assembly comprising:

a) a resistance assembly structured to be repeatedly oriented between a stressed position and a non-stressed position,

b) a gripping assembly connected to said resistance assembly and selectively positioned by the user to dispose said resistance assembly between said stressed and non-stressed positions,

c) a resistance assembly comprising a plurality of elongated elastic material resistance elements having a first end secured to said gripping assembly, and

d) said gripping assembly comprising at least one gripping bar having an elongated configuration and comprising a plurality of cushions mounted on said bar, each od said cushions including a retaining member disposed in cooperative relation thereto, each of said retaining member structured to engage a portion of the user'"'"'s body during predetermined movement of the bar by the user.

31. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 30 further comprising a roller structure rotationally mounted on said one bar and movably engaging a supporting surface.

32. An assembly as recited in claim 31 wherein said first end of a predetermined number of said plurality of resistance elements are secured together and collectively and removably attached to said one bar, said second end of said predetermined number of said plurality of resistance elements each independently removal from an accessible, manipulable position by the user.

33. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 32 wherein said gripping assembly further comprises a second elongated bar removably attachable to said plurality of resistance elements and disposed in engaging relation with various portion of the user'"'"'s body.

34. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 33 wherein each of said second ends of said plurality of resistance elements include a mounting member dimensioned and configured for removal engagement with said second bar.

35. A portable exercising assembly comprising:

a) a base including a plurality of base segments movably connected to one another and relatively disposable into an operative position and a collapsed position,

b) a first platform removably mounted on said base and dimensioned and configured to support a portion of a user'"'"'s body thereon,

c) a resistance assembly removably attached to said base at a plurality of locations and disposed for orientation by the user between a stressed and a non-stressed position, and

d) said resistance assembly structured to exert a variable range of forces on the user'"'"'s body dependent at least in part on the relative positions of said resistance assembly and the user'"'"'s body on said base.

36. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 35 wherein said operative position is at least partially defined by an aligned substantially linear orientation of said plurality of base segments.

37. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 36 wherein said collapsed position is at least partially defined by a folded, substantially parallel orientation of at least two of said base segments relative to one another.

38. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 35 wherein said plurality of base segments comprises at least two base segments each comprising a substantially straight line configuration, said operative position defined by said two base segments aligned in a substantially linear, end-to-end orientation.

39. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 38 wherein said two base segments are hingedly connected to one another.

40. An assembly as recited in claim 38 wherein said base is configured for mounting on a substantially horizontal support surface when in said operative position.

41. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 35 wherein said base comprises at least two elongated base segments each having a substantially straight line configuration and being movably connected to one another at corresponding ends thereof, said two base segments selectively positionable into either said operative position or said collapsed position;

said operative position defined by said two base segments oriented in a substantially linear, end-to-end alignment.

42. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 41 wherein said collapsed position is defined by said two base segments disposed in adjacent, substantially parallel orientation to one another.

43. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 42 wherein said base is formed from a material of sufficiently light weight to be carried by the user when said base is in said collapsed position.

44. An exercise assembly is recited in claim 41 wherein each of said two base segments comprises an elongated channel extending along the length thereof intermediate a longitudinal side of the corresponding one of said two base segments.

45. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 44 wherein said channels are disposed in longitudinally aligned relation to one another when said two base segments are in said operative position.

46. An assembly as recited in claim 45 wherein said first platform is removably mounted in any of a plurality of locations along said base and is at least partially disposed in at least one of said channels.

47. An exercise, assembly as recited in claim 46 further comprising a bar disposed to engage and at least partially support the user'"'"'s feet, said bar slidably positionable along the length of said base and movably mounted at least partially within said channels.

48. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 47 further comprising a plurality of cushions mounted on said bar, each of said cushions including a restraining member disposed in cooperative relation thereto, each of said restraining members structured to engage the feet of the user during movement of said bar relative to said base.

49. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 35 wherein said resistance assembly comprises a plurality of elongated, elastic material resistance elements having a first end anchored to said base and a second end disposed in an accessible, manipulatable position by the user.

50. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 49 wherein said variable range of forces is further dependant on the number of said plurality of resistance elements disposed between said base and the user.

51. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 49 wherein said variable range of forces is further dependant on the inherent elasticity of each of said plurality of resistance elements disposed between said base and the user.

52. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 49 further comprising a slide bar secured to anyone of a plurality of locations on said base, said slide bar configured to removably connect said first end of at least one of said plurality of resistance elements to said base.

53. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 52 wherein said slide bar extends outwardly from oppositely disposed sides of said base.

54. An exercise assembly as in claim 53 wherein said slide bar comprises a plurality of apertures disposed in receiving relation to said first end of at least one of said resistance elements.

55. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 49 wherein said first end of a predetermined number of said plurality of resistance elements are secured together and collectively and removably attached to said base.

56. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 55 wherein said second end of said predetermined number of said plurality of resistance elements are each independently removable from said accessible, manipulatable position by the user.

57. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 56 wherein each of said second ends include a mounting ring dimensioned and configured for removable engagement with a gripping bar accessible to the user.

58. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 35 wherein said resistance assembly comprises:

at least one bow formed of flexible material, said bow including a mid-portion removably secured to said base and oppositely disposed ends extending outwardly from opposite longitudinal sides of said base; and

a resistance line secured to each of said opposite ends of said bow and being further disposed to allow a pulling force to be exerted on said opposite ends of said bow by the user through said resistance line.

59. An exercise assembly recited in claim 35 further comprising a restraint assembly movably mounted in a variety of locations along the length of said base and extending outwardly from an exposed surface of said base in engaging relation with shoulders of the user when the user is supported on said first platform.

60. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 59 wherein said restraint assembly comprises two elongated ends each removably and independently insertable into said base in spaced relation to one another.

61. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 59 further comprising a head rest secured to said base adjacent said restraint assembly and extending outwardly from the exposed surface of said base in a direction substantially common to said restraint assembly.

62. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 35 further comprising a stabilizing assembly mounted on said base in an accessible position to the user and structured to substantially stabilize and orient a portion of the user'"'"'s body relative to said base while performing exercises thereon.

63. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 62 wherein said stabilizing assembly comprises at least two handles each removably secured to said base in substantially opposing relation to one another and in outwardly extending relation to opposite longitudinal sides of said base.

64. To facilitate the performance of multiple exercises thereon, a portable exercise assembly comprising:

a) an elongated base comprising at least two base segments. relatively disposable between an operative position and a collapsed position,

b) each of said two base segments having an elongated, substantially straight line configuration and being movably connected to one another at corresponding ends thereof,

c) said operative position defined by said two base segments oriented in a substantially linear, end to end alignment,

d) a track assembly disposed at least in part along an exposed surface of said base and extending along at least a portion of a length thereof when said two base segments are oriented in said operative position.

e) a first platform removably mounted on said base and dimensioned and configured to support a portion of a user'"'"'s body thereon,

f) a trolley mounted on said track assembly and reciprocally moveable thereon along the length of said base,

g) a resistance assembly removably connected to said base and disposed in accessible, manipulatable relation to the user, and

h) said resistance assembly structured to exert a variable range of forces on the user'"'"'s body when oriented by the user between a stressed and a non-stressed position.

65. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 64 wherein said collapsed position is at least partially defined by a folded, side-by-side, substantially parallel orientation of said two base segments relative to one another.

66. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 65 wherein said two base segments are hingedly connected to one another at corresponding ends thereof.

67. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 64 wherein said track assembly comprises two elongated beams extending along the length of each of said two base segments, said beams of each base segment attached in spaced, substantially parallel relation to one another and said two beams of one of said base segments disposed in substantially longitudinally aligned relation to said two beams of the other of said base segments when said two base segments are in said operative position.

68. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 67 wherein said track assembly further comprises each of said two base segments including an elongated channel disposed between said beams and being dimensioned and configured to receive at least a portion of said trolley therein.

69. An exercise assembly as recited in claim 68 wherein said first platform is mounted at least partially within at least one of said channels when removably mounted on said base.