Leg press and abdominal crunch exercise machine
First Claim
1. An exercise machine comprising:
- a frame;
a means for transferring an incident force from the legs of a user;
a first four bar linkage system operably mounted to the frame and operably connecting the transferring means to the frame, the first four bar linkage system for allowing back and forth movement of the transferring means along a path of travel about an instantaneously changing axis of rotation and for changing the angle of inclination of the transferring means to maintain the transferring means in a position normal to the length of the lower legs of the user during a corresponding leg extension movement of the user;
a second four bar linkage system operably engaging the first four bar linkage system;
a resistance means; and
a means for operatively connecting at least one of the first four bar linkage system and the second four bar linkage system to the resistance means; and
wherein the second four bar linkage system operates in conjunction with the first four bar linkage system and the resistance means to create a mechanical disadvantage to the user;
a first arm member connected to the frame;
a second arm member pivotally mounted to the first arm member; and
a handlebar operably connected to the second arm member; and
a means for operably connecting the handlebar to the resistance means; and
whereinthe handlebar is positioned above the head of the user for grasping by the hands of the user;
the handlebar is movable along an arcuate path together with the user while the user performs an abdominal crunch exercise; and
the handlebar resists a pulling force exerted by the user when the user performs an abdominal crunch exercise while grasping the handlebar, the handlebar operated on by the constant force of the resistance means in opposition to the pulling force.
20 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An exercise machine composed of a frame, a first four bar linkage system, a second four bar linkage system, and a means for transferring an incident force from the legs of a user is disclosed. The first four bar linkage system is operably mounted on the frame and operably connects the transferring means to the frame to allow for back and forth movement of the transferring means along a path of travel about an instantaneously changing axis of rotation. The second four bar linkage system operably engages the first four bar linkage system. Either or both of the first four bar linkage system and the second four bar linkage system are operably connected to a resistance means, whereby the second four bar linkage system operates in conjunction with the first four bar linkage system and the resistance means to create a mechanical disadvantage to the user.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. An exercise machine comprising:
-
a frame; a means for transferring an incident force from the legs of a user; a first four bar linkage system operably mounted to the frame and operably connecting the transferring means to the frame, the first four bar linkage system for allowing back and forth movement of the transferring means along a path of travel about an instantaneously changing axis of rotation and for changing the angle of inclination of the transferring means to maintain the transferring means in a position normal to the length of the lower legs of the user during a corresponding leg extension movement of the user; a second four bar linkage system operably engaging the first four bar linkage system; a resistance means; and a means for operatively connecting at least one of the first four bar linkage system and the second four bar linkage system to the resistance means; and wherein the second four bar linkage system operates in conjunction with the first four bar linkage system and the resistance means to create a mechanical disadvantage to the user; a first arm member connected to the frame; a second arm member pivotally mounted to the first arm member; and a handlebar operably connected to the second arm member; and a means for operably connecting the handlebar to the resistance means; and
whereinthe handlebar is positioned above the head of the user for grasping by the hands of the user; the handlebar is movable along an arcuate path together with the user while the user performs an abdominal crunch exercise; and the handlebar resists a pulling force exerted by the user when the user performs an abdominal crunch exercise while grasping the handlebar, the handlebar operated on by the constant force of the resistance means in opposition to the pulling force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. An exercise machine comprising:
-
a frame; a foot plate for engaging the feet of a user and for receiving an incident force from the legs of the user; a first four bar linkage system comprising; a first substantially vertical member; a second substantially vertical member spaced apart from the first vertical member, wherein the first member and second member are operably mounted at their lower ends to a portion of the frame in a first spaced relation to each other; and a support member mounted to the foot plate and further operably mounted substantially transverse to each of the first member and the second member at their upper ends in a second spaced relation to each other, wherein the second spaced relation is a lesser distance than the first spaced relation; and
whereinthe first four bar linkage system allows for back and forth movement of the foot plate along a path of travel about an instantaneously changing axis of rotation and for changing the angle of inclination of the foot plate to maintain the foot plate in a position normal to the length of the lower legs of the user during a corresponding leg extension movement of the user; a second four bar linkage system operably engaging the first four bar linkage system, the second four bar linkage system comprising; a third member operably engaging at least one of the first member, the second member, the support member, and the frame; and a fourth member operably engaging the third member and at least one of the first member, the second member, the support member, and the frame; whereby a portion of the first four bar linkage system comprises a portion of the second four bar linkage system; a resistance means; and a means for operatively connecting at least one of the first four bar linkage system and the second four bar linkage system to the resistance means;
whereinthe second four bar linkage system, in conjunction with the first four bar linkage system, continually increases the incident force required of the user to exert on the foot plate during a leg extension movement to counteract a constant force exerted by the resistance means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification