EXERCISE APPARATUS

• US 20090163331A1
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Natural Fitness, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Natural Fitness, Inc.
• Inventors: Lacher, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,654,941 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/98
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0622 with adjustable inclination angle of the guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/10 Combat sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/22 mounted on, or suspended from, a fixed support

Abstract

An improved exercise apparatus for martial arts is provided and includes a longitudinally extending platform, a support on which the platform rests or is otherwise supported and a plate unit slidably carried along the platform and movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position in response to a force being applied to the plate unit by the leg or arm of an individual during exercise.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

(a) a longitudinally extending platform;

(b) a support on which said platform is supported off the ground; and

(c) a substantially vertically directed plate slidably carried along said platform and movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position therealong in response to a force being applied to said plate by an appendage of an individual.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support comprises a support bar extending from one end of said platform and a support frame extending down from said platform at a location away from said one end.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support bar has a height which is selectively and independently adjustable and said support frame has a height which is selectively and independently adjustable.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said support bar is adjustable in height by means of a sleeve slidably movable with respect to said support bar.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said support bar is pivotally connected to said platform at said one end and said support frame is pivotally connected to said platform at said location.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said support frame includes an adjustment bar extending down from said platform and a pair of arms connected to said adjustment bar and extending angularly downward therefrom and away from one another.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said arms are slidably connected to said adjustment bar by means of a sleeve slidably movable with respect to said adjustment bar and to which said arms are connected at one end thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said support further includes a base to which the other ends of said arms are pivotally connected.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said platform is formed with a longitudinally running channel through which a wheel assembly for carrying said plate is transported in response to a force being applied to said plate.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plate is pivotally rotatable in at least one of a lateral direction and longitudinal direction.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said plate is restricted in its lateral rotation movement by means of a stop member.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for adding resistance to said force being applied to said plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said resistance adding means includes at least one of a spring member and an added weight element.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for urging said plate towards said retracted position when a force is not applied on said plate.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said urging means comprises a counterweight mechanism.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said platform is pivotally rotatable from side to side in a lateral direction.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, further including an appendage supporting loop hanging from said platform and operatively connected to said wheel assembly.

18. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said platform is formed with a longitudinally running channel through which a wheel assembly for carrying said plate is transported in response to a force being applied to said plate.

19. The apparatus of claim 5, further including means for urging said plate towards said retracted position when a force is not applied on said plate.

20. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said plate is pivotally rotatable in at least one of a lateral direction and longitudinal direction.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a mechanism for selectively adjusting the angular direction which said platform extends in a vertical plane and a first locking mechanism for selectively locking said platform in varying angular directions.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said angular direction mechanism comprises a support frame extending down from said platform and away from either end thereof, said frame having a height which is selectively and independently adjustable, said frame comprising at least part of said support.

22. The apparatus of claim 22, further including a mechanism for selectively pivotally rotating said platform from side to side in a lateral direction and a second locking mechanism for selectively locking said platform in varying pivotally rotated directions.