Exercise desk

• US 5,813,947 A
• Filed: 11/08/1996
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elnore A. Densmore
• Original Assignee: Elnore A. Densmore
• Inventors: Densmore, Elnore A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWNE, LYNNE HAMBLETON
• Application Number:
  US08/748,474
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54, 482/52, 482/70, 482/71, 482/72, 482/57
• US Class Current: 482/51
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/06 Treadmill combined with furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/205 in a substantially vertical plane, e.g. for exercising against gravity exercising for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a user's body weight A63B21/068; with adjustable inclination A63B22/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/06 incorporated in cabinets

Abstract

An exercise desk enables a user to exercise on an exercise device while carrying out unrelated activities, such as working, by providing a work surface for supporting articles used in such activities. The exercise desk serves as an enclosure for storing the exercise device out of sight when it is not in use and has the look and finish of fine furniture. Additionally, the exercise desk can serve as an upright desk when the user is not exercising. Another embodiment of the exercise desk is usable as a low table or bench when the exercise device is not in use. A top of the exercise desk can be locked in the closed position to prevent opening desk doors that provide access to the interior, and thus preclude unauthorized use of the exercise device stored within.

Claims

1. An exercise desk that enables a person to exercise while carrying on another activity unrelated to exercising, comprising:

(a) an exercise device having a front and at least one force resisting movable part coupled thereto, said at least one movable part being adapted to receive force applied by the person when exercising in an upright position, said exercise device being selectively configured in a first state in which the exercise device is unusable for exercising and a second state in which the exercise device is usable for exercising;

(b) an enclosure having an opening on at least one side for receiving and storing said exercise device when the exercise device is in the first state, said enclosure being disposed adjacent to the exercise device when the exercise device is in the second state in which it is usable for exercising; and

(c) a work surface comprising one side of the enclosure, said work surface being oriented so as to define an upper surface of the enclosure when the exercise device is in the second state, said enclosure disposed at the front of the exercise device being sized so that the upper surface is at a height that enables said upper surface to be adapted to support an article for use by the person when engaged in the other activity while exercising in the upright position and said upper surface thereby serving as the work surface.

2. The exercise desk of claim 1, wherein the exercise device is pivotally attached to the enclosure about a pivot axis and is movable between the first state and the second state about the pivot axis.

3. The exercise desk of claim 1, wherein the exercise device comprises one of a treadmill, a stair-step machine, a cross-country ski machine, and a stationary bicycle.

4. The exercise desk of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes a moveable cover that is positionable over said at least one side of the enclosure to at least partially close said one side of the enclosure when the exercise device is stored in the first state.

5. The exercise desk of claim 1, wherein the enclosure has a generally rectilinear, elongate shape.

6. The exercise desk of claim 1, wherein the work surface is pivotally attached to the enclosure about a pivot axis and is movable about the pivot axis to enable the exercise device to be moved between the first and the second states.

7. The exercise desk of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is adapted to be tilted from an upright position, said enclosure remaining in the upright position while the exercise device is in the second state, to a horizontal position wherein the enclosure substantially covers and encloses the exercise device in the first state, said enclosure serving as a table when in the horizontal position.

8. The exercise desk of claim 1, wherein the work surface has a channel formed in said surface that engages a holder, said holder being adapted to support written materials at an angle, so that said written materials may be viewed by the person while exercising.

9. The exercise desk of claim 1, wherein the work surface has a data outlet for supplying data to an electronic device.

10. The exercise desk of claim 1, wherein the work surface has an electrical outlet for supplying electricity to an electrically powered device.

11. The exercise desk of claim 1, wherein the work surface has an electronic device for determining exercise data.

12. The exercise desk of claim 1, further including panels pivotally attached to each side of the exercise desk, said panels being closed over a portion of the work surface when the exercise device is in the first state and opened to each side of said portion of the work surface when the exercise device is in the second state, said panels providing a work surface having an area greater than that of an end of the exercise desk.

13. An exercise desk that enables a person to exercise in an upright sitting or standing position while carrying on another activity unrelated to exercising, comprising:

(a) an exercise device having a force resisting surface, said force resisting surface being adapted to receive force applied by the person while exercising, said force causing movement of an element coupled to the exercise device; and

(b) an enclosure useable as;

(i) a desk while the person is exercising on the exercise device in the upright position, said enclosure having a work surface with a receptacle that is adapted to support an article for use by the person when engaged in the other activity while thus exercising;

(ii) an enclosure for the exercise device when it is not being used for exercising, said enclosure having an interior in which the exercise device is then disposed and having a furniture-like exterior; and

(iii) a support that is selectively accessible by the person while exercising to provide stability.

14. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the exercise device is pivotally connected to the interior of the enclosure, enabling one of the exercise device and the enclosure to be pivotally tilted relative to the other to enclose the exercise device within the interior of the enclosure.

15. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the enclosure is tilted over to substantially enclose and cover the exercise device within the interior of the enclosure when the exercise device in not in use, said enclosure then serving as a table.

16. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the receptacle in the work surface comprises a slot for holding an upright plate to support a book-like object.

17. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the receptacle in the work surface comprises a recess sized to hold at least one of a telephone, a writing implement, an electronic remote control, and a portable computer.

18. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the enclosure includes an electrical lead that is adapted to connect to the article.

19. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the enclosure includes at least one door that is closed when the exercise device is stored within the interior of the enclosure to at least partially conceal the exercise device.

20. The exercise desk of claim 13, further comprising a cover for closing the enclosure while the exercise device is stored within the interior of the enclosure, said cover at least partially concealing the exercise device within the interior of the enclosure.

21. The exercise desk of claim 20, further comprising a lock that secures the cover in place while the lock is engaged, said lock preventing access to and use of the exercise device stored within the interior of the enclosure.

22. The exercise desk of claim 20, wherein the work surface is pivotally attached to the enclosure about a pivot axis, said work surface being pivoted about the pivot axis to provide clearance while moving the exercise device into and out of the interior of the enclosure.

23. The exercise desk of claim 22, wherein the work surface includes a lip that prevents the cover from being opened away from the enclosure and thus keeps the exercise device from being moved out of the interior of the enclosure until the work surface is pivoted upwardly to enable the lip to clear the cover.

24. The exercise desk of claim 13, further comprising an indicator mounted on the enclosure, said indicator being coupled to the exercise device to provide an indication of a parameter related to exercising with the exercise device.

25. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the exercise device comprises one of a treadmill, a stair-step machine, a cross-country ski machine, and a stationary bicycle.

26. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the enclosure has a generally rectilinear, elongate shape.

27. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the enclosure includes a decorative molding so that when being used to store the exercise device, the enclosure appears to be a piece of furniture and the exercise device is not visible within the interior of the enclosure.

28. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the exercise device is configurable to a smaller size for storage, compared to its size when being used, said smaller size enabling the exercise device to be stored within the interior of the enclosure.

29. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the work surface has a channel formed in said surface that engages a holder, said holder being adapted to support written materials at an angle for viewing by the user while exercising.

30. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the work surface has a data outlet for supplying data to an electronic device.

31. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the work surface has an electrical outlet for supplying electricity to an electrically powered device.

32. The exercise desk of claim 13, wherein the work surface has an electronic device for determining exercise data.

33. The exercise desk of claim 13, further comprising a panel that is pivotally attached to the enclosure and pivotal between a first position in which at least a portion of the work surface is covered by the panel and a second position in which an under surface of the panel comprises a portion of the work surface.

34. An exercise desk that enables a person to exercise while carrying on another activity unrelated to exercising, comprising:

(a) an exercise device having at least one force resisting movable part coupled thereto, said at least one movable part being adapted to receive force applied by the user when exercising in an upright position, said exercise device being selectively configured in a first state in which the exercise device is unusable for exercising and a second state in which the exercise device is usable for exercising;

(b) an enclosure having an opening on at least one side for receiving and storing said exercise device when the exercise device is in the first state, said enclosure being disposed adjacent to the exercise device when the exercise device is in the second state in which it is usable for exercising; and

(c) a work surface comprising one side of the enclosure, said work surface being pivotally attached to the enclosure about a pivot axis and movable about the pivot axis to enable the exercise device to be moved between the first and the second states, said work surface being oriented so as to define an upper surface of the enclosure when the exercise device is in the second state, said enclosure being sized so that the upper surface is at a height that enables said upper surface to support an article for use by the person when engaged in the other activity while exercising in the upright position, and said upper surface thereby serving as the work surface.

35. An exercise desk that enables a person to exercise while carrying on another activity unrelated to exercising, comprising:

(a) an exercise device having at least one force resisting movable part coupled thereto, said at least one movable part being adapted to receive force applied by the user when exercising in an upright position, said exercise device being selectively configured in a first state in which the exercise device is unusable for exercising and a second state in which the exercise device is usable for exercising;

(b) an enclosure having an opening on at least one side for receiving and storing said exercise device when the exercise device is in the first state, said enclosure being disposed adjacent to the exercise device when the exercise device is in the second state in which it is usable for exercising; and

(c) a work surface comprising one side of the enclosure, said work surface being oriented so as to define an upper surface of the enclosure when the exercise device is in the second state, said enclosure being sized so that the upper surface is at a height that adapts said upper surface to support written materials for viewing by the person, said upper surface having a channel formed in said surface that engages a holder, said holder being adapted to support said written materials at an angle for viewing by the person when engaged in the other activity and while exercising in the upright position, so that said upper surface thereby serves as the work surface.