Exercise device

• US 6,419,611 B1
• Filed: 12/23/1999
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Air Fitnesslab, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fitnesslab LLC
• Inventors: Levine, James H., Latham, Peter A., Sheadel, Douglas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HWANG, VICTOR KENNY
• Application Number:
  US09/470,846
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 482/26, 482/27, 482/29, 482/62, 482/51-54, 482/74, 482/75, 482/77, 482/79, 482/111-113, 482/121, 482/130, 482/139, 472/134, 472/135
• US Class Current: 482/53
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0085 using pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0414 with both ends stationary during the actual exercise, i.e. moving only at intermediate locations
• 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 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 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03575 Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously

Abstract

An exercise device having two chambers, underlying two elastic membrane portions, in a position to closely support above the ground, the left and right foot respectively, of a user. A support structure such as a housing for the first and second membrane portions permit raising and lowering, as by shifting body weight, of the left and right foot in a stair stepping action, preferably without raising each foot from contact with the membrane portions to elastically stretch the membrane portions in succession. A fluid underlies the first and second elastic membrane portions. The fluid preferably is displaced by the stretching of each membrane portion and in the preferred embodiments, it acts with the membrane portions to support the body of a user in use.

Claims

1. An exercise device for supporting a left and right foot of a user and allowing alternate successive raising and lowering action of each foot for exercise of said user, said device comprising:

a first elastic membrane portion and a second elastic membrane portion in position to closely support said left and right foot of a user above the ground,

a support structure for said first and second membrane portions for permitting raising and lowering movement of said left and right foot in a stair stepping action to elastically stretch said membrane portions in succession and allow return to said unstretched condition,

said support structure comprising a base defining a first and second fluid containing chamber, each chamber having substantially rigid surfaces and an open top,

a fluid underlying said first and second elastic membrane portions which fluid is displaced by stretching of each membrane portion and at least one passageway interconnected with said base for determining fluid flow under said first and second elastic membrane portions.

2. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said fluid is contained in chambers under said first and second elastic membrane portions and shifted from beneath one portion to the other and vice versa in successive raising and lowering of each foot of a user in a stair stepping action.

3. An exercise device in accordance with claim 2, and further comprising left and right hand grips for balancing the body.

4. An exercise device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fluid is contained in first and second yieldable chambers underlying said first and second elastic membranes.