Body weight gravity apparatus

• US 6,971,978 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2003
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matthews Production Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Matthews Production Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Hyder, Matthew Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/668,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20040116258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 482/140, 482/142, 482907-908, 482 94-112, 482/62, 482135-137
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0274 for the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00072 by changing the length of a lever
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615

Abstract

An exercise machine making use of the body weight of an exerciser as a load weight thereof comprises a horizontal base, a vertical bar member, an upper rocking bar member, a lower rocking bar member, a connection bar, a seat pad, a back pad, a handle, a pivoting cross member (V bar) and cushioning members. Unlike a conventional exercise machine, the exercise machine is composed of no weights. The vertical tube bar member is affixed to the base. The position of the upper rocking bar member can be adjusted by adjusting the pivoting position of the connection bar via the shuttle and two key pins. The exerciser can use the machine by sifting, kneeling, or standing on the seat pad of the machine for doing the muscle-building exercise.

Claims

1. An exercise machine making use of the body weight of an exerciser as a load weight thereof comprising:

a horizontal base;

a vertical bar member fastened obliquely at one end thereof to said base;

an upper rocking bar member provided with a predetermined number of spaced-apart through holes in a side edge of said upper rocking bar member and pivoted adjustably to a top end of said vertical bar member, the upper rocking bar member further including a spaced-apart elongate bar that runs parallel to the side edge of said upper rocking bar member and includes a plurality of spaced-apart through holes that align with the predetermined number of spaced-apart through holes in the upper rocking bar member;

a lower rocking bar member pivoted to said vertical bar member and located in a spaced-apart relationship underneath the upper rocking bar member;

a connection bar with both ends thereof pivoted respectively to said upper rocking bar member and said lower rocking bar member such that said connection bar is located to the side of the said vertical bar member, the connection bar further including a plurality of spaced-apart through holes for selective adjustment relative to the upper rocking bar member, and the connection bar extending between the upper rocking bar member side edge and its spaced-apart elongate bar;

a seat pad disposed on another end of said lower rocking bar member;

a padded back rest member having one end pivoted to said lower rocking bar member and another end lapped with a front surface of said vertical bar member;

a generally U-shaped handle bar fastened to a front end of said upper rocking bar member with hand grab means at each end thereof; and

two cushioning members having one end pivoted to each side of said lower rocking bar member and another end pivoted to each corresponding side of said vertical support member for enabling said lower rocking bar member to return to a stationary position at a moderate pace;

wherein said connection bar further comprises;

a shuttle and two key pins with the lower end of the shuttle being pivotally and detachably connected to said vertical bar member;

the shuttle being formed with two parallel elates in a spaced-apart relationship with the connection bar being capable of moving between said plates;

the shuttle plates further having three through holes, two near the shuttle plate top edge and one near the shuttle plate lower edge, the lower edge holes being that through which one of the key pins is insertable for engagement with the connection bar and the remaining two holes near the upper edge being that through which the other key pin is insertable for selective engagement with the upper rocking bar.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said vertical bar member comprises:

a vertical tube with one end fastened to said horizontal base.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said cushioning members are oil-pressure cylinders.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a detachable cross member that pivotally connects to each end of the generally U-shaped handle, the cross member having a padded V shape at an intermediate location for alignment with an exerciser'"'"'s neck.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the connection bar further includes a compressed spring at its lower end near the pivotable connection to the lower rocking bar member.