ROWING EXERCISE MACHINE WITH SELF-ALIGNING PIVOTING USER SUPPORT

• US 20080214365A1
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoist Fitness Sytems Incorporated (Hoist Fitness Systems)
• Original Assignee: Hoist Fitness Sytems Incorporated (Hoist Fitness Systems)
• Inventors: Hockridge, Bruce, Webber, Randall T., Meredith, Jeffrey O.
• Granted Patent: US 7,766,802 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 21/4035 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 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 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• 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 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

Abstract

A rowing or mid-row exercise machine has a main frame and a user support frame pivotally mounted relative to the main frame for rotation between start and end positions. The user support frame supports spaced positions on a user'"'"'s body in the same relative orientation throughout an exercise movement. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames and has at least one handle gripped by the user in performing exercises. The handle is movable in a predetermined rowing exercise path between a start position spaced in front of a user'"'"'s chest and an end position closer to the chest. A connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.

Claims

1. A mid-row exercise machine, comprising:

a floor-engaging main frame having a forward end and a rear end;

a user support frame pivotally associated with the main frame and movable between a start position and an end position during an exercise;

the user support frame having at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user'"'"'s body throughout an exercise movement, the secondary support being fixed at a predetermined angular orientation relative to the primary support, the primary support supporting the majority of a user'"'"'s weight in the start position of the support frame;

a user engagement device movably mounted relative to the frames and having at least one handle for gripping by a user positioned on the user support, the user engagement device being movable in a predetermined mid-row exercise movement path between a start position in which the handle is at a first position spaced in front of the chest of a user positioned on the user support, and an end position spaced rearwardly from the first position closer to the user'"'"'s chest;

a connecting linkage which translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support frame; and

a load for resisting movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage;

whereby the combined motion of the user, user support, and user engagement device substantially replicates the natural movement of the upper part of a human body when performing a rowing exercise.

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the user support frame supports a user in a seated position, the primary support comprises a seat pad and the secondary support comprises an upper body engaging pad.

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein the secondary support comprises a back pad.

4. The machine of claim 2, wherein the secondary support comprises a chest pad.

5. The machine of claim 2, further comprising an additional support which supports a different part of a user'"'"'s body from the seat and upper body pads.

6. The machine of claim 5, wherein the additional support comprises a foot support for the user'"'"'s feet.

7. The machine of claim 6, wherein the foot support is secured to the user support frame and moves in unison with the primary and secondary supports throughout an exercise.

8. The machine of claim 6, wherein the foot support is secured to the main frame in front of the user support frame.

9. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a single pivot connection pivotally connecting the user support frame to the main frame and located beneath the user support frame.

10. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a four-bar pivot system pivotally connecting the user support frame to the main frame.

11. The machine of claim 1, wherein the user engagement device is movable in a linear path relative to the frames.

12. The machine of claim 11, wherein the user engagement device comprises a pair of exercise arms slidably moveable relative to the main frame in diverging linear paths between the start and end positions, each arm having a handle for gripping by the user and the handles being closer together in the start position than the end position of an exercise.

13. The machine of claim 1, wherein the connecting linkage comprises a moving carriage member slidably engaged with the main frame and associated with user support frame.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the moving carriage member is slidably engaged with both the main frame and the user support frame.

15. The machine of claim 13, wherein the connecting linkage further comprises a link member pivotally linking the sliding carriage with the user support frame.

16. The machine of claim 13, wherein the user engagement device is associated with the moving carriage member for sliding movement relative to the frames.

17. The machine of claim 13, wherein the user engagement device is pivotally mounted on the main frame and linked to the moving carriage member.

18. The machine of claim 1, wherein the user engagement device comprises first and second handles and first and second arm portions extending from the respective handles and associated with at least one of the main frame, user support frame, and connecting linkage, each arm portion being at least partially non-rigid.

19. The machine of claim 18, wherein each arm portion has a first, rigid part extending from the respective handle, and a flexible part extending from the rigid part to the connecting linkage.

20. The machine of claim 19, wherein the flexible part comprises at least one cable extending between the rigid parts of the two arm portions and associated with the connecting linkage between the rigid arm parts.

21. The machine of claim 1, wherein the handle has a first portion rotatable about a first axis and a second, gripping portion rotatable relative to the first portion about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

22. The machine of claim 1, wherein the user engagement device comprises first and second rigid exercise arms rotatable relative to the frame about a common pivot axis, each exercise arm having a handle for gripping by a user positioned on the user support frame.

23. The machine of claim 22, wherein the exercise arms are joined to move together in an exercise movement.

24. The machine of claim 22, wherein the exercise arms are independently movable.

25. The machine of claim 1, wherein the primary support comprises a seat pad, and the end position of the seat pad is at a different angular orientation relative to the start position.

26. The machine of claim 25, wherein the seat pad is forwardly inclined in the start position and rotates rearwardly from the forwardly inclined position during an exercise.

27. The machine of claim 26, wherein the seat pad is rearwardly reclined in the end position.

28. The machine of claim 25, wherein the seat pad is rearwardly reclined in the start position and rotates forwardly from the rearwardly reclined start position during an exercise.

29. The machine of claim 28, wherein the seat pad is in a less rearwardly inclined orientation in the end position than in the start position.

30. The machine of claim 28, wherein the seat pad is forwardly inclined in the end position.

31. The machine of claim 1, wherein the user engagement device and user support frame move in opposite directions during an exercise.

32. The machine of claim 1, wherein the user engagement device and user support frame move in the same direction during an exercise.

33. A rowing exercise machine, comprising:

a floor-engaging main frame having a forward end and a rear end;

a user support frame;

a pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame relative to the main frame which allows rotation of the user support frame between a start position and an end position, the pivot assembly having at least one pivot and defining a vertical gravitational center line of the pivotal movement of the user support frame;

the user support frame having at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user'"'"'s body throughout an exercise movement, the secondary support being fixed at a predetermined angular orientation relative to the primary support during the exercise movement, the primary support supporting the majority of a user'"'"'s weight in the start position of the support frame;

a user engagement device movably mounted relative to one of the frames which has at least one partially rigid arm portion having a handle engaged by the user in performing rowing exercises and moving in a predetermined path between exercise start and end positions;

a connecting linkage which translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support frame; and

a load for resisting movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.

34. The machine of claim 33, wherein the gravitational center line of the user support pivotal motion is positioned such that portions of the combined weight of the user and user support frame are distributed on each side of the gravitational center line of the pivotal motion in at least one of the start and end position and only a portion of the combined weight passes through the gravitational center line during the exercise movement.

35. The machine of claim 33, wherein the user support frame has a seat pad which supports a user in a seated position and the gravitational center line extends through the seat pad in at least one of the start and end position of an exercise movement.

36. The machine of claim 33, wherein the user support frame has a base and a seat pad on the base which supports a user in a seated position, and the gravitational center line extends through the base of the user support frame.

37. The machine of claim 33, wherein the user support frame has a base, the primary user support comprises a seat pad on the base which supports a user in a seated position, and the user support pivot assembly is associated with the base of the user support frame.

38. The machine of claim 37, wherein the main frame has a base and the user support pivot assembly comprises a four bar pivot linkage between the bases of the user support frame and the main frame.

39. The machine of claim 37, wherein the user support pivot assembly further comprises a pivot mount on the main frame and said pivot comprises a pivot connection between the pivot mount and the base of the user support frame.

40. The machine of claim 33, wherein the user support frame further comprises an additional support spaced from the primary and secondary supports and supporting a spaced position on a user'"'"'s body.

41. The machine of claim 40, wherein the additional support comprises a foot support for the user'"'"'s feet.

42. The machine of claim 33, wherein the user engagement device has two partially rigid arm portions each having a handle engaged by the user when performing rowing exercise.

43. A rowing exercise machine, comprising:

a floor-engaging main frame;

a user support frame;

a pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame relative to the main frame which allows rotation of the user support frame between a start position and an end position, the pivot assembly having at least one pivot and defining a vertical gravitational center line of the pivotal movement of the user support frame;

the user support frame having at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user'"'"'s body throughout an exercise movement, the secondary support being fixed at a predetermined angular orientation relative to the primary support, the primary support supporting the majority of a user'"'"'s weight in the start position of the support frame;

a user engagement device movably mounted relative to the frames and having at least a first exercise arm having a handle engaged by the user positioned on the user support when performing a rowing exercise, the exercise arm having a rigid portion extending from the handle along at least part of the length of the arm;

a connecting linkage associated with at least two of the main frame, user support frame, and user engagement device which translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support frame;

a load for resisting movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage; and

the gravitational center line of the user support pivotal motion being positioned such that portions of the combined weight of the user and user support frame are distributed on each side of the gravitational center line of the pivotal motion in at least one of the start and end position and only a portion of the combined weight passes through the gravitational center line during the exercise movement.

44. The machine of claim 43, wherein portions of the combined weight of the user and user support frame are distributed on both sides of the gravitational center line in both the start and end position of a rowing exercise.

45. The machine of claim 43, wherein the exercise arm is rigid along its entire length.

46. The machine of claim 43, further comprising a second exercise arm having a handle engaged by the user and a rigid portion extending from the handle along at least part of the length of the second exercise arm.

47. The machine of claim 46, wherein the exercise arms are positioned on the opposite sides of the user support frame, and the handles move in parallel paths during an exercise movement and are at the same spacing in the start and end positions.

48. The machine of claim 46, wherein the handles move in divergent paths during an exercise movement and are spaced farther apart in the end position than in the start position.

49. The machine of claim 46, wherein both exercise arms are rigid along their entire length and have lower ends which are connected together and movably mounted relative to the main frame.

50. The machine of claim 46, wherein the exercise arms are pivotally mounted on the main frame.

51. The machine of claim 46, wherein the exercise arms are slidably mounted for linear motion relative to the main frame.

52. The machine of claim 46, further comprising a flexible member linking the exercise arms and associated with at least one of the main frame and connecting linkage.

53. The machine of claim 43, wherein the handle is at a lower elevation relative to the user support frame in the end position than in the start position of an exercise.