Exerciser with multiple bungee cord resistance and enhanced bench movements

• US 6,595,905 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2000
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stamina Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stamina Products Incorporated
• Inventors: McBride, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONNELLY, JEROME W
• Application Number:
  US09/738,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20020077229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 482/135, 482/130, 482/142, 482/121, 482/99, 482/104, 482/123, 482/127, 482/129, 482/138, 482/137
• US Class Current: 482/130
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/04 attached to static foundation , e.g. a user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/151 Using flexible elements for reciprocating movements, e.g. ropes or chains
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4031 with parts of the bench moving against a resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0238 with stretched legs, like on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/035 for limbs, i.e. upper or lower limbs, e.g. simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03566 the multiple stations having a common resistance device

Abstract

An exerciser includes an upright frame assembly constructed and arranged to be disposed in an operative position supported on a horizontal surface. The upright frame assembly has a user support assembly to support a user thereon. First, second and third moving assemblies are disposed in normal inoperative positions with respect to the user support assembly. The first, second and third moving assemblies are manually engaged and individually manually moved away from the normal inoperative position thereof into a desired extended position by a user supported on the user support assembly. First, second and third connecting terminals are connected to the first, second and third moving assemblies, respectively, so that the first and third connecting terminals and the second and third connecting terminals move away from one another when any one of the moving assemblies is moved away from the normal inoperative position thereof. The set of resilient resistance structures has operative extents and is separately connected between the first and third connecting terminals and between the second and third connecting terminals. The set of resilient resistance structures provide resilient resistance throughout the operative extent thereof to the relative movement of the first and third connecting terminals and the second and third connecting terminals away from one another and a resilient bias throughout the operative extent thereof to move the first and third connecting terminals and second and third connecting terminals toward one another.

Claims

1. An exerciser comprising:

an upright frame assembly constructed and arranged to be disposed in an operative position supported on a horizontal surface, said upright frame assembly having a user support assembly constructed and arranged to support a user thereon;

first and second moving assemblies disposed in normal inoperative positions with respect to said user support assembly constructed and arranged to be manually engaged and individually manually moved away from the normal inoperative position thereof into a desired extended position by a user supported on said user support assembly;

a third moving assembly disposed in a normal inoperative position with respect to said user support assembly constructed and arranged to be engaged and moved away from the normal inoperative position thereof into a desired extended position by a user supported on said user support assembly;

first, second and third connecting terminals connected to said first, second and third moving assemblies respectively so that said first and third connecting terminals and said second and third connecting terminals move away from one another when any one of said moving assemblies is moved away from the normal inoperative position thereof;

a set of resilient resistance structures having operative extents constructed and arranged to be separately connected between said first and third connecting terminals and between said second and third connecting terminals so as to provide resilient resistance throughout the operative extent thereof to the relative movement of the first and third connecting terminals and the second and third connecting terminals away from one another and a resilient bias throughout the operative extent thereof to move the first and third connecting terminals and second and third connecting terminals toward one another;

said set of resilient resistance structures being related to said upright frame assembly such that the first and third connecting terminals and said second and third connecting terminals are restrained against biased movement toward one another beyond normal inoperative positions thereof corresponding generally with the normal inoperative positions of said moving assemblies while permitting relative movement away from one another so that (1) manual movement of said first moving assembly away from the inoperative position thereof causes the first connecting terminal to move away from the third connecting terminal enabling the resilient structure connected thereto to provide resilient resistance throughout the operative extent thereof to the movement of said first moving assembly away from the inoperative position thereof, (2) manual movement of said second moving assembly away from the inoperative position thereof causes the second connecting terminal to move away from the third connecting terminal enabling said resilient structure to provide resilient resistance throughout the operative extent thereof to the movement of said second moving assembly away from the inoperative position thereof, and (3) movement of said third moving assembly away from the inoperative position thereof causes the third connecting terminal to move away from the first and second connecting terminals enabling the set of resilient structures connected thereto to provide resilient resistance throughout the operative extent thereof to the movement of said third moving assembly away from the inoperative position thereof.

2. An exerciser as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second moving assemblies comprise:

first and second upper pulley members rotatably mounted on said frame assembly;

first and second lower pulley members rotatably mounted on said frame assembly at fixed position s below said first and second upper pulley members;

first and second flexible elongated structures trained around said first and second lower pulley members and extending upwardly over said first an d second upper pulley members respectively and then downwardly toward a lower portion of said frame assembly;

movement preventing structures on said lower frame portion operatively associated with terminal portions of said first and second flexible elongated structures extending downwardly from said first and second upper pulley members constructed and arranged to prevent upward movements of said terminal portions; and

a pair of user hand grip units connected with first and second end portions of said first and second flexible elongated structures extending outwardly from said first and second lower pulley members in positions to enable a user supported on said user support assembly to move said pair of user hand grip units away from inoperative positions thereof into desired extended positions;

said first and second flexible elongated structures including a set of bungee cords constructed and arranged to resiliently resist movement of said user hand grip units and the end portions of said flexible elongated structures away from the inoperative positions thereof into desired extended positions and to resiliently return said user hand grip units to the inoperative positions thereof when no longer moved by the user,

said movement preventing structures including a series of lower pulleys rotatably mounted on the lower portion thereof, each having lower bungee cord stop structure extending across a peripheral portion thereof,

each bungee cord of said set of bungee cords including a lower end portion trained about one of said lower pulleys and having a lower hook connector fixed on the terminal end of said lower end portion constructed and arranged to be selectively engaged with the third connecting terminal or an associated lower bungee cord stop structure whereby the number of lower hook connectors connected to said third connecting terminal determines the number of bungee cords resisting movement of the third moving assembly away from the inoperative position thereof.

3. An exerciser as defined in claim 2, wherein said upright frame assembly includes:

a lower frame portion constructed and arranged to be stablely supported in an operative position on a horizontal surface; and

first and second rigid upright support members fixed at lower end portions thereof on said lower frame portion and extending upwardly from said lower frame portion when in the operative position thereof.

4. An exerciser as defined in claim 2, wherein said third moving assembly includes a third elongated flexible non-extensible element connected with said third connecting terminal.

5. An exerciser as defined in claim 4, wherein said third moving assembly includes a leg-engaging unit pivoted to an outer end portion of said user support assembly with which said third elongated flexible non-extensible element is connected, said leg-engaging unit having a pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced leg-engaging members pivotally movable therewith from a normal inoperative position disposed outwardly of said user support assembly wherein a user supported on said user support assembly in enabled to engage lower forwardly facing portions with legs and move said leg-engaging members thereby from said inoperative position to an extended position spaced upwardly and outwardly from the inoperative position thereof.

6. An exerciser as defined in claim 5, wherein said third moving assembly includes a second pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced leg-engaging members pivotally movable with said leg-engaging unit from a normal inoperative position spaced upwardly and outwardly from the inoperative position of said first-mentioned pair of leg-engaging members wherein a user supported on said user support assembly can engage lower rearwardly facing leg portions therewith and move said second pair of leg-engaging members thereto from said inoperative position to an extended position spaced inwardly and above the inoperative position of said second pair of leg-engaging members.

7. An exerciser as defined in claim 6, wherein the outer end portion of said user support assembly is constructed and arranged to receive in supported relation thereof an upper arm supporting pad in a position to be engaged by the upper arms of a user supported on said user support assembly and an arm lift unit is provided for enabling a user supported on said user support assembly with upper arms engaged on said upper arm-engaging pad to move said leg-engaging unit from the inoperative position of said first and second pairs of leg-engaging members to the extended positions thereof, said upper arm lift unit including a pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced hand-engaging members and a linkage member extending from said pair of hand-engaging members to said leg-engaging unit in connected relation thereto in spaced relation to a pivotal axis thereof.

8. An exerciser as defined in claim 4, wherein said upright frame assembly includes a centrally located upright rigid frame member, said third elongated flexible non-extensible element extending over a third pulley on the upper end of said third elongated flexible non-extensible element, said third moving assembly also including a manually engageable pull down bar fixed to said third elongated flexible non-extensible element outwardly of said third pulley.

9. An exerciser as defined in claim 8, wherein said third elongated flexible non-extensible element includes one end connected to said third terminal and an opposite end connected to said pull down bar and including a portion trained about a third lower pulley spaced below said first mentioned third pulley and a fourth pulley forming a part of a fourth moving assembly, said fourth moving assembly includes a leg-engaging unit pivoted to an outer end portion of said user support assembly which carries said fourth pulley, said leg-engaging unit having a pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced leg-engaging members pivotally movable therewith from a normal inoperative position disposed outwardly of said user support assembly wherein a user supported on said user support assembly in enabled to engage lower forwardly facing portions with legs and move said leg-engaging members thereby from said inoperative position to an extended position spaced upwardly and outwardly from the inoperative position thereof so that the movement of said fourth pulley with said leg-engaging members will move the third connecting terminal by said third elongated flexible non-extensible element while the opposite end thereof remains stationary.

10. An exerciser as defined in claim 9, wherein said third moving assembly includes a second pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced leg-engaging members pivotally movable with said leg-engaging unit from a normal inoperative position spaced upwardly and outwardly from the inoperative position of said first-mentioned pair of leg-engaging members wherein a user supported on said user support assembly can engage lower rearwardly facing leg portions therewith and move said second pair of leg-engaging members thereto from said inoperative position to an extended position spaced inwardly and above the inoperative position of said second pair of leg-engaging members.

11. An exerciser as defined in claim 10, wherein the outer end portion of said user support assembly is constructed and arranged to receive in supported relation thereof an upper arm supporting pad in a position to be engaged by the upper arms of a user supported on said user support assembly and an arm lift unit is provided for enabling a user supported on said user support assembly with upper arms engaged on said upper arm-engaging pad to move said leg-engaging unit from the inoperative position of said first and second pairs of leg-engaging members to the extended positions thereof, said upper arm lift unit including a pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced hand-engaging members and a linkage member extending from said pair of hand-engaging members to said leg-engaging unit in connected relation thereto in spaced relation to a pivotal axis thereof.

12. An exerciser as defined in claim 11, wherein said user support assembly includes:

a user seat member;

a user seat back member;

an elongated support member having one end connected to said upright frame assembly and extending in an operative position generally horizontally outwardly therefrom;

an outer leg structure constructed and arranged to engage and be supported on the horizontal surface in spaced relation to said frame extending in an operative position in supporting relation with respect to said elongated support member to maintain the elongated support member in said generally horizontally outwardly extending relation from said lower frame portion, seat mounting structure constructed and arranged to mount said user seat member for movement horizontally with respect to said elongated support member when in the operative position thereof between an outer position and an inner position and spaced inwardly of and at generally the same level as said outer position;

seat back mounting structure disposed in supporting relation to said seat back member constructed and arranged to be moved between a bench position extending in generally horizontally aligned relation to said user seat member and an upright position extending generally inwardly in inclined relation to said user seat member in response to the movement of said user seat member between the outer and inner positions thereof respectively.

13. An exerciser as defined in claim 12, wherein said elongated support member is pivotally mounted at said one end to said upright frame assembly so as to be moved between the operative position thereof and an upright storage position wherein said elongated support member, said outer leg structure and said seat and seat back members are alongside said upright frame assembly.

14. An exerciser as defined in claim 13, wherein said outer leg structure is fixed to an outer end of said elongated support member and said seat mounting structure comprises a slide frame unit supporting said user seat member slidably mounted on said elongated support member.

15. An exerciser as defined in claim 14, wherein said slide frame unit includes a series of rollers constructed and arranged to roll along said elongated support member, a releasably engageable lock is disposed in operative relation between said slide frame unit and said elongated support member constructed and arranged to releasably lock said user seat member in either of the inner or outer positions thereof.

16. An exerciser as defined in claim 14, wherein said seat back mounting structure includes a pivoted support frame unit supporting said user seat back member pivotally connected to said slide frame unit and a pivoted strut frame pivotally connected between said pivoted support frame unit and said elongated support member.

17. An exerciser as defined in claim 16, wherein said lower frame portion has a pair of horizontally spaced rollers rotatably mounted thereon for rotation about a horizontal axis in a position to facilitate the transport of said exerciser to different locations of use with said elongated support in the storage position thereof by tilting said upright frame assembly in a direction opposed to the direction of the outward extent of said elongated support member when in said operative position.

18. An exerciser as defined in claim 17, wherein said third moving assembly includes a leg-engaging unit pivoted to an outer end portion of said user support assembly with which said third elongated flexible non-extensible element is connected, said leg-engaging unit having a pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced leg-engaging members pivotally movable therewith from a normal inoperative position disposed outwardly of said user support assembly wherein a user supported on said user support assembly in enabled to engage lower forwardly facing portions with legs and move said leg-engaging members thereby from said inoperative position to an extended position spaced upwardly and outwardly from the inoperative position thereof.

19. An exerciser as defined in claim 18, wherein said third moving assembly includes a second pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced leg-engaging members pivotally movable with said leg-engaging unit from a normal inoperative position spaced upwardly and outwardly from the inoperative position of said first-mentioned pair of leg-engaging members wherein a user supported on said user support assembly can engage lower rearwardly facing leg portions therewith and move said second pair of leg-engaging members thereto from said inoperative position to an extended position spaced inwardly and above the inoperative position of said second pair of leg-engaging members.

20. An exerciser as defined in claim 19, wherein the outer end portion of said user support assembly is constructed and arranged to receive in supported relation thereof an upper arm supporting pad in a position to be engaged by the upper arms of a user supported on said user support assembly and an arm lift unit is provided for enabling a user supported on said user support assembly with upper arms engaged on said upper arm-engaging pad to move said leg-engaging unit from the inoperative position of said first and second pairs of leg-engaging members to the extended positions thereof, said upper arm lift unit including a pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced hand-engaging members and a linkage member extending from said pair of hand-engaging members to said leg-engaging unit in connected relation thereto in spaced relation to a pivotal axis thereof.

21. An exerciser as defined in claim 1, wherein said user support assembly includes:

a user seat member;

a user seat back member;

an elongated support member having one end connected to said upright frame assembly and extending in an operative position generally horizontally outwardly therefrom;

an outer leg structure constructed and arranged to engage and be supported on the horizontal surface in spaced relation to said frame extending in an operative position in supporting relation with respect to said elongated support member to maintain the elongated support member in said generally horizontally outwardly extending relation from said lower frame portion, seat mounting structure constructed and arranged to mount said user seat member for movement horizontally with respect to said elongated support member when in the operative position thereof between an outer position and an inner position and spaced inwardly of and at generally the same level as said outer position;

seat back mounting structure disposed in supporting relation to said seat back member constructed and arranged to be moved between a bench position extending in generally horizontally aligned relation to said user seat member and an upright position extending generally inwardly in inclined relation to said user seat member in response to the movement of said user seat member between the outer and inner positions thereof respectively.

22. An exerciser as defined in claim 21, wherein said elongated support member is pivotally mounted at said one end to said upright frame assembly so as to be moved between the operative position thereof and an upright storage position wherein said elongated support member, said outer leg structure and said seat and seat back members are alongside said upright frame assembly.

23. An exerciser as defined in claim 22, wherein said outer leg structure is fixed to an outer end of said elongated support member and said seat mounting structure comprises a slide frame unit supporting said user seat member slidably mounted on said elongated support member.

24. An exerciser as defined in claim 23, wherein said slide frame unit includes a series of rollers constructed and arranged to roll along said elongated support member, a releasably engageable lock is disposed in operative relation between said slide frame unit and said elongated support member constructed and arranged to releasably lock said user seat member in either of the inner or outer positions thereof.

25. An exerciser as defined in claim 23, wherein said seat back mounting structure includes a pivoted support frame unit supporting said user seat back member pivotally connected to said slide frame unit and a pivoted strut frame pivotally connected between said pivoted support frame unit and said elongated support member.

26. An exerciser as defined in claim 25, wherein said lower frame portion has a pair of horizontally spaced rollers rotatably mounted thereon for rotation about a horizontal axis in a position to facilitate the transport of said exerciser to different locations of use with said elongated support in the storage position thereof by tilting said upright frame assembly in a direction opposed to the direction of the outward extent of said elongated support member when in said operative position.

27. An exerciser as defined in claim 26, wherein said third moving assembly includes a leg-engaging unit pivoted to an outer end portion of said user support assembly with which said third elongated flexible non-extensible element is connected, said leg-engaging unit having a pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced leg-engaging members pivotally movable therewith from a normal inoperative position disposed outwardly of said user support assembly wherein a user supported on said user support assembly in enabled to engage lower forwardly facing portions with legs and move said leg-engaging members thereby from said inoperative position to an extended position spaced upwardly and outwardly from the inoperative position thereof.

28. An exerciser as defined in claim 27, wherein said third moving assembly includes a second pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced leg-engaging members pivotally movable with said leg-engaging unit from a normal inoperative position spaced upwardly and outwardly from the inoperative position of said first-mentioned pair of leg-engaging members wherein a user supported on said user support assembly can engage lower rearwardly facing leg portions therewith and move said second pair of leg-engaging members thereto from said inoperative position to an extended position spaced inwardly and above the inoperative position of said second pair of leg-engaging members.

29. An exerciser as defined in claim 28, wherein the outer end portion of said user support assembly is constructed and arranged to receive in supported relation thereof an upper arm supporting pad in a position to be engaged by the upper arms of a user supported on said user support assembly and an arm lift unit is provided for enabling a user supported on said user support assembly with upper arms engaged on said upper arm-engaging pad to move said leg-engaging unit from the inoperative position of said first and second pairs of leg-engaging members to the extended positions thereof, said upper arm lift unit including a pair of horizontally aligned and fixedly spaced hand-engaging members and a linkage member extending from said pair of hand-engaging members to said leg-engaging unit in connected relation thereto in spaced relation to a pivotal axis thereof.

30. An exerciser comprising:

an upright frame assembly constructed and arranged to be disposed in an operative position supported on a horizontal surface, said upright frame assembly having a user support assembly constructed and arranged to support a user thereon;

exercising assemblies on said upright frame assembly constructed and arranged to be moved through exercising strokes by a user;

said user support assembly including

a user seat member;

a user seat back member;

an elongated support member having one end connected to said upright frame assembly and extending in an operative position generally horizontally outwardly therefrom;

an outer leg structure constructed and arranged to engage and be supported on the horizontal surface in spaced relation to said frame extending in an operative position in supporting relation with respect to said elongated support member to maintain the elongated support member in said generally horizontally outwardly extending relation from said lower frame portion, seat mounting structure constructed and arranged to mount said user seat member for movement horizontally with respect to said elongated support member when in the operative position thereof between an outer position and a inner position and spaced inwardly of and at generally the same level as said outer position;

seat back mounting structure operatively associated with said seat back member constructed and arranged to enable said seat back member to be selectively retained in a bench position extending in generally horizontally aligned relation to said user seat member in an outer position thereof and an upright position extending generally inwardly in inclined relation to said user seat member in an inner position thereof,

said upright frame assembly including a lower frame portion constructed and arranged to be stablely supported on a horizontal surface, an upstanding portion extending upwardly from said lower frame portion, and a seat support portion extending upwardly from said lower frame portion in horizontally spaced relation to said upstanding portion,

said elongated support member being pivotally mounted on said seat support portion so as to be moved between the operative position thereof and an upright storage position wherein said elongated support member, said outer leg structure and said user seat and seat back members are alongside said upstanding portion.

31. An exerciser as defined in claim 30, wherein said outer leg structure is fixed to an outer end of said elongated support member and said. seat mounting structure comprises a slide frame unit supporting said user seat member slidably mounted on said elongated support member.

32. An exerciser as defined in claim 31, wherein said slide frame unit includes a series of rollers constructed and arranged to roll along said elongated support member, a releasably engageable lock is disposed in operative relation between said slide frame unit and said elongated support member constructed and arranged to releasably lock said user seat member in either of the inner or outer positions thereof.

33. An exerciser as defined in claim 32, wherein said seat back mounting structure includes a pivoted support frame unit supporting said user seat back member pivotally connected to said slide frame unit and a pivoted strut frame pivotally connected between said pivoted support frame unit and said elongated support member.

34. An exerciser as defined in claim 33, wherein said lower frame portion has a pair of horizontally spaced rollers rotatably mounted thereon for rotation about a horizontal axis in a position to facilitate the transport of said exerciser to different locations of use with said elongated support in the storage position thereof by tilting said upright frame assembly in a direction opposed to the direction of the outward extent of said elongated support member when in said operative position.

35. An exerciser as defined in claim 30, wherein said seat back mounting structure is constructed and arranged to enable the seat back member to be moved between the bench position and the upright position thereof in response to the movement of said user seat member between the outer and inner positions thereof respectively.