Reformer exercise apparatus

• US 8,721,511 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2011
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Balanced Body Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Balanced Body Incorporated
• Inventors: Endelman, Ken, Savarino, Christopher J., Masterson, Brian, Oberwelz, Elger, Yurchenco, James R., Patron, Anthony, Overthun, Thomas Dieter Christian, Student, Joerg, Webster, David, Davis-Wilson, Jennifer Ellen
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deichl, Jennifer M
• Application Number:
  US13/181,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20130017935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 482/23, 482/51, 482 91- 96, 482121-126, 482128-135, 482140-142, 482/145, 482/904, 561/2, 601 23- 24
• US Class Current: 482/142
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00065 by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units
• 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 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/152 Bowden-type cables
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/156 the position of the pulleys being variable, e.g. for different exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0089 a counterforce being provided to the support force-resisting aspects A63B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0247 with legs in a kneeled 90/90 position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/00 Apparatus for jumping mats for jumping A63B6/00; for racing or riding sports, e.g. hurdles A63K

Abstract

A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame. The rail portions of the frame each have an upright outer wall, an integral downwardly slanted inner wall and a hidden outwardly open slot therein between the outer and inner walls. A foot bar support assembly movably carried by each of the outwardly open slots supports the foot bar. Each foot bar support assembly has an elongated slide plate movably supported within the slot, a hook plate fastened to the slide plate, and a foot bar support arm rotatably and slidably fastened to the hook plate. A pair of tubular risers each having an upper roller therein at the head end of the frame direct arm cord ends to a cord retraction assembly mounted on the carriage. The retraction assembly releases the cords by pivoting either one of the shoulder stops toward the foot end of the frame.

Claims

1. A reformer exercise apparatus comprising:

a generally rectangular frame having a pair of parallel spaced side rail portions, a head end portion, and a foot end portion;

a movable carriage supported by the side rail portions for movement of the carriage between the head and foot end portions;

a bias member connected between the carriage and the foot end portion of the frame for biasing the carriage toward the foot end of the frame; and

a foot support member supported by the side rail portions of the frame, wherein each of the side rail portions has an outer surface inverted generally U shape in transverse cross section, formed by an upright outer wall beginning at an outer bottom edge, extending substantially upright to an integral horizontal top wall merging into an inwardly and downwardly slanted inner wall and ending at an inner bottom edge spaced from the outer bottom edge.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each side rail portion has a downwardly extending mid wall between the outer wall and the inner wall for supporting the foot support member.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the mid wall has a longitudinally extending upper boss and a longitudinally extending lower boss forming an outwardly open slot therebetween facing the outer wall.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein an end of the foot support member is movably supported in the outwardly open slot between the upper and lower bosses.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each side rail portion includes a horizontal wall between the inner wall and the mid wall.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the mid wall has a lower end portion forming a horizontal track for supporting the carriage.

7. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the mid wall includes a plurality of features for discrete positioning of the foot support member along a length of the side rail members.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the side rail portions, the head end portion and the foot end portion has an upright outer wall and an integral horizontal top wall merging into an inwardly and downwardly slanted inner wall.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein each side rail portion has a downwardly extending mid wall between the outer wall and the inner wall for supporting the foot support member.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the mid wall has a longitudinally extending upper boss and a longitudinally extending lower boss forming an outwardly open slot therebetween facing the outer wall.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each side rail portion includes a horizontal wall between the inner wall and the mid wall.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the mid wall has a lower end portion forming a horizontal track for supporting the carriage.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising one or more hourglass spool shaped pins secured to the foot end portion of the frame for receiving a free end of one of the bias members.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each pin has a central axis and tapers upward and inward from its base to a waist at a first angle from the pin'"'"'s central axis and then outward at a second angle greater than the first angle so that the free end of the spring placed on the pin is securely held at the waist of the pin.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the second angle is at least twice that of the first angle.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an elastic resistance member biasing the foot bar support assembly toward one of the head and foot ends of the frame.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the resistance member is fastened between at least one foot bar support assembly and the head end of the frame.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the resistance member is fastened to each foot bar support assembly and extends around the head end of the frame.

19. A reformer exercise apparatus comprising:

a generally rectangular frame supporting a carriage for movement between a head end and a foot end of the frame on parallel spaced side rail portions of the frame;

a bias member between the carriage and the foot end for urging the carriage toward the foot end of the frame;

a foot bar supported by the frame near the foot end;

wherein the head end of the frame has a pair of spaced vertical bores formed therein each supporting a cord support riser comprising;

a hollow cylindrical tube carrying a first pulley wheel disposed therein near an upper end of the tube, the first pulley wheel rotating about a horizontal axle carried in the tube; and

a guide in the tube on each side of an exit opening adjacent the first pulley wheel for directing an arm cord out of the tube.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein each guide is a roller rotatable about a vertical axis.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the exit opening is elongated to accommodate the arm cord passing around the first pulley wheel and out of the tube.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising a second pulley wheel disposed in the tube near a bottom end of the tube, for routing an arm cord into the tube, through the tube, around the first pulley wheel and out through the opening.

23. The apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising another elongated opening aligned below the exit opening for entry of an arm cord therein.

24. The apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising one or more hourglass spool shaped pins secured to the foot end of the frame for receiving a free end of one of the bias members to attach that bias member to the foot end.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein each pin has a central axis and tapers upward and inward from its base to a waist at a first angle from the pin'"'"'s central axis and then outward at a second angle greater than the first angle so that the free end of the spring placed on the pin is securely held at the waist of the pin.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the second angle is at least twice that of the first angle.