Resistance band exercise machine

• US 7,585,254 B1
• Filed: 02/15/2006
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Larry W. Vittone, Suzanne R. Vittone
• Original Assignee: Larry W. Vittone, Suzanne R. Vittone
• Inventors: Vittone, Larry W., Vittone, Suzanne R.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US11/354,797
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 54, 482/70, 482/57, 482/121, 482/123, 482/138
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0041 one hand moving independently from the other hand, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the hands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/04 attached to static foundation , e.g. a user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• 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 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/159 Using levers for transmitting forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

An exercise machine, including an elastic band and a tension fulcrum positioned so that the band extends around the tension fulcrum to provide resistance exercise to the user.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising:

an elongate handle member having a first portion pivotally mounted to a base and a second portion opposite the first portion and configured for grasping by a user; and

a resistance system comprising an elastic band having a first end portion connected to the elongate handle member adjacent the second portion of the handle, a second end portion fixedly positionable relative to the first end portion of the elastic band, and a tension fulcrum positioned so that the band extends around the tension fulcrum such that as the elongate handle member is moved in a first direction the movement thereof is resisted by the band to provide resistance exercise to the user.

2. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the exercise machine comprises a treadmill.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the elastic band is made of an elastomeric material.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a stop configured to limit the extent of movement of the handle in a second direction different from the first direction.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a length of cable connected to an end of the elastic band and secured to a fixed point to apply a desired pre-set tension to the band.

6. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the tension fulcrum is adjustably positionable to adjust a pre-set tension of the elastic band.

7. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the tension fulcrum comprises a roller and when force is exerted by a user to stretch the band, the fulcrum rolls the band in the direction of the force exerted by the user so that the band stretches more between the first end portion of the band and the tension fulcrum than between the fulcrum and the second end portion of the band.

8. An exercise machine, comprising:

a user engaging member with which a user interacts with during performance of an exercise, and a resistance system operably associated with the user engaging member to provide resistance exercise to the user during movement of the user engaging member by the user, the user engaging system comprising a slide which travels along a guide, with a hand grip connected to the slide and configured for grasping by a user, and the resistance system comprising an elastic band having a first end portion connected to the user engaging member, a second end portion fixedly positionable relative to the first end portion of the elastic band, and a tension fulcrum positioned so that the band extends around the tension fulcrum such that as the user engaging member is moved in a first direction the movement thereof is resisted by the band to provide resistance exercise to the user.

9. An exercise machine, comprising:

a user engaging member with which a user interacts with during performance of an exercise, and a resistance system operably associated with the user engaging member to provide resistance exercise to the user during movement of the user engaging member by the user, the resistance system comprising an elastic band having a first end portion connected to the user engaging member, a second end portion fixedly positionable relative to the first end portion of the elastic band, and a tension fulcrum positioned so that the band extends around the tension fulcrum such that as the user engaging member is moved in a first direction the movement thereof is resisted by the band to provide resistance exercise to the user, wherein the band is positioned around one or more rollers in addition to the tension fulcrum to render the band in a substantially compact configuration.