Portable convertible multifunction exercise apparatus and method

• US 7,591,763 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2008
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chao Zhang
• Original Assignee: Gymflex Fitness, LLC
• Inventors: Fucci, Joseph Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roland; Daniel F
• Application Number:
  US12/044,759
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 482121-130, 482/133, 482141-147, 482/910, D21/686, D21/690, 297/69, 297/354.11
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• 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 21/0442 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 21/4013 to the ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4029 Benches specifically adapted for exercising for bench press exercises A63B21/078
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0257 prone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03575 Apparatus used for exercising upper and lower limbs simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 primarily by articulating the elbow joint

Abstract

Portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus, devices, systems and methods of using that allows individuals to accomplish their fitness, health conditioning, weight loss and rehabilitation goals with a single platform having selectively length adjustable resistance bands. Rotatable spring biased wheels can lock the bands to different lengths, where the longer the length the less resistance, and the shorter the length the more the resistance. The platform can transform from a stepper into a bench to an incline seat with foldable legs. Contained within the platform storage unit are several bars handles and leg attachments. An exercise bar having a rotatable midportion can have handle grip ends removably attachable to the bands and/or the bar so that a variety of additional exercises can be performed allowing the user to exercise all muscle groups for a total body workout.

Claims

1. A portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus, comprising:

a rectangular platform having a front end, a rear end, a left side and a right side;

an elongated elastic band having a proximate end and an outer end;

a spring biased rotatable wheel for attaching the proximate end of the elongated elastic band to the rectangular platform, the spring biased rotatable wheel for selectively controlling the length of at least one elongated elastic band, the spring biased rotatable wheel which allows the proximate end of the elastic band to easily roll up thereon, so that pulling out the elastic band pulls against a spring;

a spring loaded plunger for locking the wheel in a fixed position; and

a plurality of slots about a side wall of the wheel for allowing an internal end of the plunger to be positioned therein, wherein each of the slots allows for a different length of the elastic band to be extended out from the platform.

2. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated elastic band includes:

a pair of parallel elongated resistive bands extending from the platform.

3. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elongated elastic band includes:

a second pair of parallel elongated resistive bands extending from the platform, the second pair being on an opposite side of the platform from the first pair.

4. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a central tubular member having a rotatable exterior surface portion;

a left member having a left band attachment portion, the left member extending from a left end of the central tubular member, the left attachment portion being removable attachable to a left elongated resilient band that is also attached to a portion inside of the platform;

a right member having a right band attachment portion, the right member extending from a right end of the central tubular member, the right attachment portion being removably attachable to a right elongated resilient band that is also attached to another portion inside of the platform, wherein the central tubular member being rotatable relative to the left member and the right member.

5. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform further includes:

an elongated member having extendable ends, wherein each of the extendable ends are connected to elastic bands that are connected to the platform.

6. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform includes:

foldable legs for converting the platform from a stepper to bench.

7. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform further includes:

an interior storage compartment for storing accessory items inside the platform.

8. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform further includes:

a raisable lid which converts the platform to an inclined chair.

9. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform further includes:

wheels for allowing the platform to be portable.

10. A portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus, comprising:

a rectangular platform having a front end, a rear end, a left side and a right side;

at least one pair of elongated resistive bands, each of the resistive bands having a proximate end and an outer end; and

at least one pair of effective length adjusting members, each of the effective length adjusting members for attaching the proximate ends of the elongated resistive members to the rectangular platform, the effective length adjusting members for selectively controlling the effective length of the elongated resistive bands, each of the effective length adjusting members includes;

a rotatable wheel which allows the proximate end of the elongated band to roll up or roll out thereon; and

a plunger for locking the wheel in a fixed position; and

a plurality of slots about a side wall of the wheel for allowing an internal end of the plunger to be positioned therein, wherein each of the slots allows for a different length of each band to be extended out from the platform;

at least one pair of foldable legs for converting the platform from a stepper to a bench;

an interior storage compartment for storing accessory items inside the platform; and

a raisable lid which converts the platform from the bench to an inclined chair.

11. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein each rotatable wheel includes:

a spring for biasing the wheel to roll up the band on the wheel.

12. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein each rotatable wheel includes:

a keyhole slot having a large opening adjacent to a narrow opening, the large opening for allowing an enlarged portion on the proximate end of the band to be inserted and locked in place when being slid into the narrow opening, the keyhole slot allowing for the band to be easily removed and replaced.

13. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

a central tubular member having a rotatable exterior surface portion;

a left member having a left band attachment portion, the left member extending from a left end of the central tubular member, the left attachment portion being removable attachable to a left elongated resilient band that is also attached to a portion inside of the platform;

a right member having a right band attachment portion, the right member extending from a right end of the central tubular member, the right attachment portion being removably attachable to a right elongated resilient band that is also attached to another portion inside of the platform, wherein the central tubular member being rotatable relative to the left member and the right member.

14. The portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein the platform further includes:

an elongated member having extendable ends, wherein each of the extendable ends are connected to elastic bands that are connected to the platform.

15. A portable, convertible and multifunction exercise apparatus, comprising:

a rectangular platform having a front end, a rear end, a left side and a right side;

an elongated resistive band having a proximate end and an outer end; and

a spring biased rotatable wheel which allows the proximate end of the elongated band to easily roll up thereon, so that pulling out the elongated resistive band pulls against a spring, the spring biased rotatable wheel for attaching the proximate end of the elongated resistive member to the rectangular platform, the spring biased rotatable wheel for selectively controlling the length of at least one elongated resistive band; and

wherein the spring biased rotatable wheel includes a keyhole slot, the keyhole slot having a large opening adjacent to a narrow opening, the large opening for allowing an enlarged portion on the proximate end of the elongated resistive band to be inserted and locked in place when being slid into the narrow opening, the keyhole slot allowing for the elongated resistive band to be easily removed and replaced.