Exercise machine with manually operated pivoting rocker and with counterbalance arm configurable to assist or oppose movement of rocker

• US 20080058172A1
• Filed: 06/12/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy Tyree
• Original Assignee: Timothy Tyree
• Inventors: Tyree, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 7,935,038 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/92
• 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 21/4011 to the lower limbs means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057
• 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 2208/0214 Kneeling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0257 prone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0261 using trunk supports resisting forward motion of user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 primarily by articulating the elbow joint

Abstract

An exercise machine includes a rocker and a weight bearing frame pivotally interconnected with the rocker. The rocker and weight bearing frame are each pivotally mounted on a support frame or base. The weight bearing frame opposes movement of the rocker when the rocker moves in one direction and assists movement of the rocker when the rocker moves in another direction. The rocker can move from an upright orientation to a second orientation in which the rocker is canted below horizontal.

Claims

1. An exercise machine including

(a) a primary stationary support frame;

(b) a rocker attached to said primary frame at a first pivot point and including

(i) a knee rest,

(ii) a chest rest generally normal to said knee rest,

(iii) handles attached to said chest rest,

(iv) a first arm, and

(iv) a counterbalance weight,

said rocker movable between at least two operative positions,

(v) a first upright operative position, and

(vi) a second operative position with said rocker canted from said first upright position;

(c) a foot rest;

(d) a secondary weight bearing frame

(i) including a second arm,

(ii) including a third weight bearing arm, and

(iii) attached to said primary frame at a second pivot point, said first and second arms pivotally attached such that when said rocker pivots about said first pivot point and said first arm is displaced, said second arm and said secondary frame are simultaneously displaced.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said second frame is shaped and dimensioned such that said third weight bearing arm

(a) opposes movement of said rocker from said first to said second operative position,

(b) assists movement of said rocker from said first to said second operative position,

3. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said second frame including a fourth weight bearing arm that

(a) assists movement of said rocker from said first to said second operative position, and

(b) opposes movement of said rocker from said second to said first operative position.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said rocker is movable between at least three operative positions including said first and second operative positions and a third operative position in which said rocker is canted at an angle below horizontal.

5. An exercise machine including

(a) a primary stationary support frame;

(b) a rocker attached to said primary frame at a first pivot point and including

(i) a knee rest,

(ii) a chest rest generally normal to said knee rest,

(iii) handles attached to said chest rest,

(iv) a first arm, and

(iv) a counterbalance weight,

said rocker movable between at least three operative positions,

(v) a first upright operative position,

(vi) a second operative position with said rocker canted from said first upright position, and

(vii) a third operative position with said rocker canted from said first upright position to a position below horizontal;

(c) a foot rest;

(d) a secondary weight bearing frame

(i) including a second arm,

(ii) including a third weight bearing arm that

assists movement of said rocker from said first to said second operative position, and

opposes movement of said rocker from said second to said first operative position,

(iii) a fourth weight bearing arm that

assists movement of said rocker from said first to said second operative position, and

opposes movement of said rocker from said second to said first operative position, and

(iv) attached to said primary frame at a second pivot point [spaced apart from said first pivot point], said first and second arms pivotally attached such that when said rocker pivots about said first pivot point and said first arm is displaced, said second arm and said secondary frame are simultaneously displaced.