FREESTANDING EXERCISE APPARATUS

• US 20090181833A1
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Torque Fitness LLC (Torque Fitness)
• Original Assignee: Torque Fitness LLC (Torque Fitness)
• Inventors: Cassidy, John M., Novak, Michael G., Luger, Nathan R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,506,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/94
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/156 the position of the pulleys being variable, e.g. for different exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/06 incorporated in cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/10 specially constructed to fit in the corner of a room
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/102 having a common resisting device
• 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: Y10T 403/592 Ball detent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/599 Spring biased manipulator

Abstract

A freestanding exercise apparatus comprises a frame, a right door, a left door, and an exercise resistance source. The frame defines a sagittal plane dividing the frame into a left half and a right half with anterior and posterior ends. The right door is pivotally attached to the right half of the frame proximate the anterior end of the frame for pivoting about a right pivot axis. The left door is pivotally attached to the left half of the frame proximate the anterior end of the frame for pivoting about a left pivot axis. The exercise resistance source is connected to the frame. The frame, right pivot axis, and left pivot axis are configured and arranged such that the angle formed at the intersection of a first plane defined by the right pivot axis and the posterior end of the right half of the frame and a second plane defined by the left pivot axis and the posterior end of the left half of the frame is less than 90°.

Claims

1. A freestanding exercise apparatus, comprising:

(a) a frame defining a sagittal plane dividing the frame into a left half and a right half with anterior and posterior ends;

(b) a right door pivotally attached to the right half of the frame proximate the anterior end of the frame for pivoting about a right pivot axis;

(c) a left door pivotally attached to the left half of the frame proximate the anterior end of the frame for pivoting about a left pivot axis; and

(d) an exercise resistance source connected to the frame;

(e) wherein the frame, right pivot axis, and left pivot axis are configured and arranged such that the angle formed at the intersection of a first plane defined by the right pivot axis and the posterior end of the right half of the frame and a second plane defined by a left pivot axis and the posterior end of the left half of the frame is less than 90°

.

2. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a platform pivotably attached to the frame.

3. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the exercise resistance source is a weight stack.

4. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein (i) the platform pivots from a stored position to a use position and (ii) the platform is pivotally attached to a bottom member of the frame.

5. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein (i) the platform pivots from a stored position to a use position and (ii) the platform is pivotally attached to a top member of the frame.

6. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the angle is greater than 50°

.

7. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the angle is less than 80°

.

8. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the right door and the left door may be pivoted from a closed position to a first open position and locked and a second open position and locked.

9. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the right door includes an exercise unit attached to the right door wherein the unit (i) reciprocates along a path relative to the right door, (ii) is configured and arranged to pivot with the right door relative to the frame, and (iii) is operably connected to the exercise resistance source wherein the source provides resistance to the reciprocating exercise unit.

10. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the left door includes an exercise unit attached to the left door wherein the unit (i) reciprocates along a path relative to the left door, (ii) is configured and arranged to pivot with the left door relative to the frame, and (iii) is operably connected to the exercise resistance source wherein the source provides resistance to the reciprocating exercise unit.

11. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the right door has a frame and an outer housing wherein the housing is curved so as to define a space between the housing and the frame.

12. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the left door has a frame and an outer housing wherein the housing is configured and arranged so as to define a space between the housing and the frame.

13. A freestanding exercise apparatus, comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) an exercise resistance source connected to the frame;

(c) a right door pivotably attached to the frame;

(d) a left door pivotably attached to the frame;

(e) a first exercise unit attached to the right door wherein the unit (i) reciprocates along a path relative to the right door, (ii) is configured and arranged to pivot with the right door relative to the frame, and (iii) is operably connected to the exercise resistance source wherein the source provides resistance to the reciprocating exercise unit; and

(f) a second exercise unit attached to the left door wherein the unit (i) reciprocates along a path relative to the left door, (ii) is configured and arranged to pivot with the left door relative to the frame, and (iii) is operably connected to the exercise resistance source wherein the source provides resistance to the reciprocating exercise unit.

14. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein the exercise resistance source is a weight stack.

15. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein the first exercise unit is attached to the right door via a mechanism and adjustable in two degrees of freedom relative to the door.

16. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein the second exercise unit is attached to the left door via a mechanism and adjustable in two degrees of freedom relative to the door.

17. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein the first exercise unit is attached to the right door via a mechanism and adjustable in one degree of freedom relative to the door.

18. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein the left exercise unit is attached to the door via a mechanism and adjustable in one degree of freedom relative to the door.

19. The freestanding exercise apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein the right door and the left door may be pivoted from a closed position to a first open position and locked and a second open position and locked.