Exercise apparatus

• US 7,704,199 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2006
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Core STIX Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Core STIX Fitness LLC
• Inventors: Kadar, Michael Shannon, Koch, Kregg Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): GANESAN, SUNDHARA M
• Application Number:
  US11/533,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20070072752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 482/126, 482/907, 482/127, 482/15, 482/12, 482/18, 482/25, 482 85- 86, 482 90- 91, 482121-123, 482129-130, 482/140, 482/905, 482/908, 482/910
• US Class Current: 482/130
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/026 Bars; Tubes; Leaf springs A63B21/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• 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 23/12 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 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1227 Dips, i.e. push-ups in a vertical position, i.e. eccentric movement, e.g. between parallel bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1254 Rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, e.g. butterfly-type exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

This description is not intended to limit the scope of the claims herein. An exercise device comprising a base that can be oriented at any angle and that defines a plurality of connection interfaces, each of which is designed to carry and restrain one end of a cantilevered resilient member. Said connection interfaces can be positioned at or adjusted to a widely varying range of locations and angular orientations with respect to the base. The resilient members can be affixed to any of the connection interfaces that the user desires, so that the resilient members can be positioned in a correspondingly wide range of locations and angular orientations relative to the base to enable the user to perform a wide range of exercises on the apparatus by gripping and exerting a force on the resilient members or other handles attached to the resilient members.

Claims

1. A device for exercising the muscles in one'"'"'s body, said device comprising:

a base comprising a first base portion and a base member supported by the first base portion so that at least a portion of the base member is positioned above the first base portion, the base being supportable by a support surface, the support surface defining a normal axis that is perpendicular to the support surface;

a plurality of openings formed in the base, each opening configured so as to define a first axis disposed generally axially through at least a portion thereof; and

two resilient members, each comprising a first end portion and defining a second axis disposed generally axially through at least a portion of the first end portion thereof;

wherein;

the openings are each configured to provide a removable support for the first end portion of the resilient members, each resilient member being supported so that the second axis of the first end portion of the resilient member is generally aligned with the first axis of the opening providing the removable support and so that the resilient member extends from the opening in a cantilevered disposition;

each opening is configured so as to prevent the first end portion of the resilient member supported by the opening from rotating relative to the base about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the first axis of the opening;

each resilient member is configured to produce a resistance force when a user exerts a force thereon so as to deflect at least a portion of the resilient member from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the resilient member, effecting an exercising of one or more muscles in the user'"'"'s body;

at least one of the plurality of the openings is formed in the base member and is oriented at a first angular orientation such that the first axis thereof is non-parallel to the normal axis;

at least one of the plurality of the openings is formed in the base at a second angular orientation that is different than the first angular orientation;

the base member defines an angled surface and at least one opening perpendicular to the angled surface configured to support at least one resilient member at the first angular orientation; and

the device is configured such that the angular orientation of the centerline of at least a portion of each resilient member is adjustable from the first angular orientation to at least the second angular orientation without deflecting the resilient member from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the resilient member by varying the opening defining the removable support of the resilient member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the base defines a first side and a second side and wherein the connection interfaces are substantially symmetrically disposed on the first and second sides of the base.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first base portion comprises a generally flat, generally horizontally oriented surface to support the user of the device, the first base portion being adapted to be supported by a generally horizontal support surface.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the base is fixed to a support structure.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured such that at least one end of an axially resilient resistance member can be supported by the device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of openings are formed in the base member.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of the openings is formed in the base at a third angular orientation that is non-parallel to the normal axis, the third angular orientation being different than the first angular orientation and the second angular orientation.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of the openings is formed in the base at an angle that is from approximately 45 degrees to approximately 90 degrees relative to the normal axis.

9. The device of Claim 1, wherein the first angular orientation and the second angular orientation are each measured relative to at least one of a longitudinal centerline axis of the first base portion in a plane that is parallel to the support surface and the normal axis in a plane that is perpendicular to the support surface.

10. A method of exercising the muscles of one'"'"'s body, comprising,

supporting a base on a support surface, the base comprising a first base portion and at least one base member supported by the first base portion so that at least a portion of the at least one base member is positioned above the first base portion;

grasping at least two resilient members in one'"'"'s hands;

supporting at least a portion of each of the resilient members with the at least one base member so as to define a plurality of supports for the resilient members so that each resilient member extends from the at least one base member in a cantilevered disposition, wherein the plurality of supports are each configured to prevent at least a portion of the resilient member from pivoting relative to the base member when a force is applied to the resilient member;

exerting a force on at least one resilient member so as to deflect at least a portion of the resilient member from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the resilient member and effect an exercising of one or more muscles in the user'"'"'s body; and

adjusting the angular orientation of the centerline of at least a portion of at least one of the resilient members from a first angular orientation of at least a second angular orientation by either removing the resilient member from the support defining the first angular orientation and placing it in another support having the second angular orientation or adjusting the angle of the base member such that at least a portion of the at least one of the resilient members can be oriented in a plurality of angular orientations without deflecting the resilient members can be oriented longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the resilient member;

wherein;

the orientation of the first angular orientation is different than the orientation of the second angular orientation; and

at least one of the first angular orientation and the second angular orientation is non-parallel to a normal axis that is perpendicular to the support surface.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising varying the location of the one of the plurality of supports with respect to the base such that at least a portion of the resilient member can be positioned in any of a plurality of locations on the base.

12. The method of claim 10, comprising adjusting the angular orientation of the centerline of at least a portion of at least one of the resilient members from either the first angular orientation or the second angular orientation to a third angular orientation, wherein the orientation of the third angular orientation is different than the orientation of the first angular orientation and the second angular orientation.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the first angular orientation and the second angular orientation are each measured relative to a longitudinal centerline axis of the first base portion in a plane that is parallel to the support surface.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the base is supportable by a vertically oriented support structure.

15. A device for exercising the muscles in a user'"'"'s body, the device comprising:

a base comprising at least one base portion, a first base member, and a second base member;

a plurality of connection interfaces supported by each of the first base member and the second base member; and

two resilient members, each comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein;

the first base member is supported by the at least one base portion at a first location and a first angular orientation;

the second base member is supported by the at least one base portion at a second location that is different than the first location and a second angular orientation that is different than the first angular orientation;

the second portion of each resilient member is configured so as to define a longitudinal axis disposed generally longitudinally through at least a portion of the second portion;

the plurality of connection interfaces supported by each of the first base member and the second base member are each configured to support at least the first portion of the resilient member such that the resilient member is extendable from the base in a cantilevered disposition such that at least the first portion of the resilient member is prevented from pivoting relative to the base, at least a portion of the second portion of the resilient member being unrestrained in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second portion of the resilient member;

each resilient member is configured to produce a resistance force when a user exerts a force on the resilient member so as to deflect at least a portion of the resilient member from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the resilient member; and

the first and second base members are supported by the at least one base portion so that at least a portion of each of the first and second base members are positioned above the at least one base portion.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the connection interfaces is defined by an opening formed in at least one of the first and second base members.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of one or more of the openings is generally cylindrically shaped.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of one or more of the openings is generally conically shaped.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and second base members is rotatable such that the angular orientation of at least one connection interface can be varied by varying the angular orientation of at least one of the first and second base members.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and second base members is moveable such that the location of at least one connection interface can be varied by varying the location of at least one of the first and second base members.

21. The device of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the base is fixed to a support structure.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the at least a portion of the base is supportable by a vertically oriented support structure.

23. The device of claim 15, comprising a balance device adapted to be carried by the base.

24. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the resilient members comprises a solid cross-section.

25. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the resilient members comprises at least one opening extending generally longitudinally through at least a portion of the resilient member.

26. The device of claim 25, further comprising at least one stiffener member disposed in the at least one opening in the resilient member.

27. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one resilient member is configured to support a “

W”

shaped handle, and individual handle, a rope, or other suitable handle.

28. The device of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of at least one resilient member is curved or angled.

29. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the resilient members comprises:

a first member that is substantially rigid; and

a second member that is resilient about at least a substantial portion of its length, the second member comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein;

the first member is positioned generally at the first end portion of the resilient member;

the first member is configured to support at least the first portion of the second member such that the second member extends from the first member in a cantilevered disposition so that the first portion of the second member is prevented from pivoting relative to the first member; and

the second member is configured to produce a resistance force when a user exerts a force on the second member so as to deflect at least a portion of the second member from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the second member.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the resilient member is configured to support at least a third member, the third member being resilient about at least a substantial portion of its length and being configured to increase the resistance force produced by the resilient member when a portion of the resilient member is deflected from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the resilient member.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the third member is supported by the first member in a cantilevered disposition such that at least a portion of the third member is prevented from pivoting relative to the first member when a force is applied to the resilient member so as to deflect at least a portion of the resilient member from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the resilient member.

32. The device of claim 15, further comprising a third base member supported by the at least one base portion at a third location and a third angular orientation, the third location being different than the first location and the second location, and the third angular orientation being different than at least one of the first angular orientation and the second angular orientation, wherein the third base member supports one or more connection interfaces.

33. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one resilient member is configured to support a stiffener member configured to increase the resistance force produced by the resilient member when a user exerts a force on the resilient member so as to deflect at least a portion of the resilient member from the longitudinal axis of the relaxed position of the resilient member.

34. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is configured such that:

the first angular orientation and the second angular orientation are both non-parallel to the normal axis;

the first axis of at least one of the openings in the first angular orientation is coplanar with a first plane that is perpendicular to the support surface;

the first axis of at least one of the openings in the second angular orientation is coplanar with a second plane that is perpendicular to the support surface, and

the first plane is not parallel to or coplanar with the second plane.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein at least one of the plurality of the openings is formed in the base at a third angular orientation wherein the first axis thereof is non-parallel to the normal axis, the third angular orientation being different than the first angular orientation and the second angular orientation.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the device is configured such that:

the first axis of at least one of the openings in the third angular orientation is coplanar with a third plane that is perpendicular to the support surface; and

the third plane is not parallel to or coplanar with the first plane or the second plane.

37. The device of claim 35, wherein at least one of the plurality of the openings is formed in the base at a fourth angular orientation that is non-parallel to the normal axis, the fourth angular orientation being different than the first angular orientation, the second angular orientation, and the third angular orientation.

38. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first base member and the second base member is supported by the at least one base portion so as to be entirely above of the at least one base portion.

39. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is configured such that the resistance generated by the resilient members can be varied without changing the size or shape of the connection interfaces.

40. The device of claim 15, wherein the base comprises a generally flat, generally horizontally oriented surface to support the user of the device.

41. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one resilient member is configured such that a handle member can be supported thereby, the handle member being configured to at least allow the user to vary the orientation of his or her hand relative to the resilient member.

42. The device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of connection interfaces comprises one or more projections projecting from the base, the projections each being configured to provide a removable support for at least the first end portion of at least one of the resilient members.

43. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is configured such that at least one end of an axially resilient resistance member can be supported by the device.

44. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of connection interfaces is formed in the base at an angle that is from approximately 15 degrees to approximately 30 degrees relative to the normal axis.

45. The device of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of connection interfaces is formed in the base at an angle that is from approximately 45 degrees to approximately 90 degrees relative to the normal axis.