Storage unit for collapsible exercise device

• US 6,971,975 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ellen Croft
• Original Assignee: Ellen Croft
• Inventors: Croft, Ellen
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly, Jerome W.
• Application Number:
  US10/266,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20040067828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 482/137, 482/136, 482/135, 482/148, 482/129, 113/0, 113/2, 190/4, 112/1, 112/9, 111/2
• US Class Current: 482/121
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport

Abstract

A compact, low profile, collapsible exercise device with storage base. The device includes a storage case, a rectangular or U-shaped frame pivotally attached to the storage case, a horizontal hinge rod assembly attached to the frame and rotatably mounted on the frame, a resistance bar, a pair of swing arms, each swing arm having a distal end attached to opposing ends of the hinge rod, and proximal ends attached to opposing ends of the resistance bar. The device includes at least two springs, each spring having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal ends of the springs are releasably attached to spring connectors on the frame. The proximal ends of the springs are attached to the respective swing arms near the proximal ends thereof. In use, an exerciser positions a part of his/her body, such as the hands, in contact with the resistance bar and applies a force sufficient to extend the springs. When the exerciser releases the force, the spring restores to its non-extended length. The exerciser repeats the cycle until the targeted body part(s) is sufficiently exercised. The various possible attachment points for the distal ends of the springs enable the device to be used for exercising various muscles of the body, including the arms, shoulders, legs, back, chest and abdomen. The exercise device, when collapsed, is housed within the compact, low profile case for storage and transport.

Claims

1. A resistance-type exercise device comprising:

(a) a frame having an upper horizontal member and left and right vertical members attached to said upper horizontal member;

(b) a plurality of loops integral with said vertical members of said frame and spaced from each other by an interloop distance;

(c) a left hinge bar mounting bracket integral with said left vertical member of said frame;

(d) a right hinge bar mounting bracket integral with said right vertical member of said frame;

(e) a hinge bar having a left end rotatably attached to said left vertical member by said left hinge bar mounting bracket and a right end rotatably attached to said right vertical member by said right hinge bar mounting bracket;

(f) a left swing arm having a distal end rotatably attached to said left end of said hinge bar and a proximal end with at least one spring attachment loop integral therewith and disposed at said proximal end;

(g) a right swing arm having a distal end rotatably attached to said right end of said hinge bar and a proximal end with at least one spring attachment loop integral therewith and disposed adjacent said proximal end;

(h) a resistance bar having a left end attached to said proximal end of said left swing arm, and a right end attached to said proximal end of said right swing arm;

(i) two substantially identical springs, each spring having a proximal end and a distal end with hooks thereon, said hooks being operable for releasably engaging said spring attachment loops on said frame and on said swing arms; and

(j) a storage case dimensioned to receive said frame therewithin, said storage case having a lid and a base portion having pivotal frame mounting means thereon operable for pivotally attaching said left and right vertical members of said frame to said base portion of said storage case.

2. A low-profile, wall-mountable resistance-type exercise device comprising:

(a) a pivotally-mountable frame having a plurality of spring attachment loops integral with said frame;

(b) a substantially U-shaped resistance member having unitary construction comprising a proximal resistance bar portion adapted to be gripped by the hands, two distal ends rotatably attached to said frame and a spring attachment loop adjacent each end of said resistance bar portion; and

(c) two coil springs having a proximal end attached to said spring attachment loops on said resistance member adjacent said resistance bar portion, and a distal end attached to one of said spring attachment loops on said frame; and

(d) a storage case dimensioned to receive said frame therewithin, said storage case having a lid and a base portion having pivotal frame mounting means thereon operable for pivotally attaching said frame to said base portion of said storage case.

3. The exercise device in accordance with claim 2 further comprising two hinge mounting brackets adapted to rotatably attach said two distal ends of said resistance member to said frame.