SEATED EXERCISE APPARATUS

• US 20110028277A1
• Filed: 10/06/2010
• Published: 02/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hablamer LLC
• Original Assignee: Christopher Merli
• Inventors: Merli, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,562,491 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/63
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/067 with crank and handles being on opposite sides of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. the crank is behind and handles are in front of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0088 by moving the surrounding air
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/001 by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/06 with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movementsupport stands for bicycles A63B69/16; unicycles B62K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03575 Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously

Abstract

A seated exercise apparatus comprises a frame having a seat attached to the frame. A pair of opposed cranks are rotatably coupled to the frame such that they rotate about a first axis. A medial portion of each of a pair of elongated members is rotatably connected to the frame at a second axis. A first end of each elongated member has a handle and a second end of each elongated member is rotatably connected to a one end of a respective pedal arm. The handles may be adjustable to invert the handles from an upper position to a lower position. The other end of each pedal arm is in turn rotatably connected to a respective crank. Each pedal arm also has a pedal adapted to receive a user'"'"'s foot. In operation, the apparatus provides the user with coordinated seated exercise of both the arms/hands and legs/feet.

Claims

1. An apparatus for exercising having a first axis toward the rear end of the apparatus and a second axis toward the front end of the apparatus, comprising:

a frame, said first axis being on said frame and being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said apparatus;

a seat attached to said frame, said seat adapted to support a user in a seated position;

first and second cranks, each said crank having a first and second end, each of said first ends of said first and second cranks rotatably coupled to the frame at said first axis such that the first and second cranks rotate about said first axis;

first and second elongated members each having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion, said medial portion of said first elongated member rotatably connected to said frame and configured to rotate about said second axis which is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said medial portion of said second elongated member rotatably connected to said frame and configured to rotate about said second axis;

first and second pedal arms each having a first end, a second end and a pivot portion between said first end and said second end, said first end of said first pedal arm rotatably connected to said second end of said first crank, said pivot portion of said first pedal arm rotatably connected to said second end of said first elongated member at a first pivot, said first end of said second pedal arm rotatably connected to said second end of said second crank, said pivot portion of said second pedal arm rotatably connected to said second end of said second elongated member at a second pivot;

first and second pedals each configured to support the foot of a seated user, said first pedal operably connected to said first pedal arm proximate said second end of said first pedal arm, whereby said pedals move in a generally reciprocating pattern along a path that is self-intersecting at least one point along said path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a major axis of said path forms an acute angle of greater than 45 degrees from horizontal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said path is in the shape of an elongated figure eight.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising;

a first handle attached to said first end of said first elongated member; and

a second handle attached to said first end of said second elongated member.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first and second handles are adjustable between an upper position and a lower position, the upper position being higher than the lower position, relative to the first end of the elongated member to which the handles are attached.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first end of said first elongated member has a first slider tube and a first locking device, said first handle comprises a first tubular portion, a first vertical grip and a first horizontal grip, said first tubular portion slidably received within said first slider tube, and said first locking device configured to releasably lock the said first handle in a fixed position on said first end of said first elongated member;

and said first end of said second elongated member has a second slider tube and a second locking device, said second handle comprises a second tubular portion, a second vertical grip and a second horizontal grip, said second tubular portion slidably received within said second slider tube, and said second locking device configured to releasably lock said second handle in a fixed position on said first end of said second elongated member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first pedal is rigidly connected to said first pedal arm, and said second pedal is rigidly connected to said second pedal arm.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first pedal is rotatably connected to said first pedal arm, and said second pedal is rotatably connected to said second pedal arm.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pulley to which said first and second cranks are attached, said pulley rotatably connected to said frame and configured to rotate about said first axis.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a load resistance device operably coupled to said pulley and configured to provide an adjustable load resistance on said pulley.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first pedal is operably connected to said first pedal arm in front of said first pivot

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable load resistance device operably coupled to said first and second cranks.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a flywheel operably engaged to said pulley via a belt.

14. An apparatus for exercising having a first axis toward the rear end of the apparatus and a second axis toward the front end of the apparatus, comprising:

a frame, said first axis being on said frame and being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said apparatus;

a seat attached to said frame, said seat adapted to support a user in a seated position;

first and second cranks, each said crank having a first and second end, each of said first ends of said first and second cranks rotatably coupled to the frame at said first axis such that the first and second cranks rotate about said first axis;

first and second elongated members each having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion, said medial portion of said first elongated member rotatably connected to said frame and configured to rotate about said second axis which is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said medial portion of said second elongated member rotatably connected to said frame and configured to rotate about said second axis, said first end having a slider tube;

a first handle having a first tubular portion, and a first grip, said first tubular portion slidably received within said slider tube of said first elongated member, said first handle being adjustable between an upper position and a lower position, the upper position being higher than the lower position relative to the first end of the first elongated member;

a first locking device configured to releasably lock said first handle in a fixed position on said first end of said first elongated member;

a second handle having a second tubular portion, and a second grip, said second tubular portion slidably received within said slider tube of said second elongated member, said second handle being adjustable between an upper position and a lower position, the upper position being higher than the lower position relative to the first end of the second elongated member;

a second locking device configured to releasably lock said second handle in a fixed position on said first end of said second elongated member;

first and second pedal arms each having a first end, a second end and a pivot portion between said first end and said second end, said first end of said first pedal arm rotatably connected to said second end of said first crank, said pivot portion of said first pedal arm rotatably connected to said second end of said first elongated member at a first pivot, said first end of said second pedal arm rotatably connected to said second end of said second crank, said pivot portion of said second pedal arm rotatably connected to said second end of said second elongated member at a second pivot;

first and second pedals each configured to support the foot of a seated user, said first pedal operably connected to said first pedal arm proximate said second end of said first pedal arm, whereby said pedals move in a generally reciprocating pattern along a path.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said path is self-intersecting at least one point along said path.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a major axis of said path forms an acute angle of greater than 45 degrees from horizontal.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said path is in the shape of an elongated figure eight.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first pedal is rigidly connected to said first pedal arm, and said second pedal is rigidly connected to said second pedal arm.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said first pedal is rotatably connected to said first pedal arm, and said second pedal is rotatably connected to said second pedal arm.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a pulley to which said first and second cranks are attached, said pulley rotatably connected to said frame and configured to rotate about said first axis.