Exercise machine support system

• US 10,279,207 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2016
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lagree Technologies, Inc. (Sebastien Lagree)
• Original Assignee: Lagree Technologies, Inc. (Sebastien Lagree)
• Inventors: Lagree, Sebastien Anthony Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Urbiel Goldner, Gary D
• Application Number:
  US15/376,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20170087397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/003 by torsion of the body part around its longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00061 Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping
• 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 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0085 using pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• 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 21/0442 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 21/068 using user's body weight
• 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 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 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0046 : Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0087 : with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0089 : a counterforce being provided to the support force-resisting aspects A63B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 : in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/205 : in a substantially vertical plane, e.g. for exercising against gravity exercising for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a user's body weight A63B21/068; with adjustable inclination A63B22/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 : Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0214 : Kneeling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0219 : on hands and knees
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0242 : Lying down
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 : moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 : Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/047 : Walking and pulling or pushing a load for exercising the player ability for rugby or American football A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 : Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

An exercise machine support system for providing increased versatility including inclination or declination of an exercise surface, a reduction in the overall length and width of the exercise machine, and an enhanced user interface which reduces the risk of injury. The exercise machine support system generally includes a cantilevered exercise machine which is adapted to have a variable angle of incline or decline with respect to a horizontal ground surface. The exercise machine will generally include a base and a support which extends between the base and the exercise machine. The upper end of the support is connected to the exercise machine by a first pivot such that the exercise machine pivots about the support. An adjustment device may be utilized to pivot the exercise machine and thus adjust its angle of incline. Various types of adjustment devices are disclosed, including an actuator, ratchet-and-pawl, gears, and cam.

Claims

1. An exercise machine support system, comprising:

an exercise machine having a first end, a second end, a midpoint centrally located between the first end and the second end, and a first end platform near the first end;

at least one rail extending between the first and the second end of the exercise machine;

a carriage movably connected to the at least one rail;

a bias member connected to the carriage, wherein the bias member is adapted to exert resistance on the carriage;

a base positioned underneath the exercise machine;

a support extending upwardly from the base, wherein the exercise machine is pivotally connected to the support at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is located between the first end and the midpoint of the exercise machine; and

an actuator connected between the base and the exercise machine for pivoting the exercise machine about the support;

wherein pivoting the exercise machine in a first direction causes the first end of the exercise machine to move upwardly and the second end of the exercise machine to move downwardly, and wherein pivoting the exercise machine in a second direction causes the first end of the exercise machine to move downwardly and the second end of the exercise machine to move upwardly.

2. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, wherein the pivot point is located at or near the first end of the exercise machine, and wherein the actuator is connected to the exercise machine between the pivot point and the midpoint of the exercise machine.

3. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is connected to the exercise machine between the pivot point and the first end of the exercise machine.

4. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, wherein the actuator extends vertically between the base and the exercise machine.

5. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, wherein the actuator extends diagonally between the base and the exercise machine.

6. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the actuator is connected to or near the first end of the exercise machine.

7. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is comprised of an electro-mechanical actuator.

8. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is comprised of a hydraulic actuator or pneumatic actuator.

9. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is comprised of a screw jack.

10. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a ground surface.

11. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, wherein the exercise machine is cantilevered.

12. The exercise machine support system of claim 1, including a counterbalancing bias member connected between the base and the exercise machine, wherein the counterbalancing bias member is connected to the exercise machine on a side of the pivot point opposite of the actuator.

13. The exercise machine support system of claim 12, wherein the counterbalancing bias member is comprised of a spring.

14. An exercise machine support system, comprising:

an exercise machine having a first end, a second end, a midpoint centrally located between the first end and the second end, and a first end platform near the first end;

at least one rail extending between the first and the second end of the exercise machine;

a carriage movably connected to the at least one rail;

a bias member connected to the carriage, wherein the bias member is adapted to exert resistance on the carriage;

a base positioned underneath the exercise machine;

a support extending upwardly from the base, wherein the exercise machine is pivotally connected to the support at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is located between the first end and the midpoint of the exercise machine;

an adjustment device connected between the base and the exercise machine for pivoting the exercise machine about the support, wherein the adjustment device is connected to the exercise machine between the pivot point and the midpoint of the exercise machine; and

a counterbalancing bias member connected between the base and the exercise machine, wherein the counterbalancing bias member is connected between the pivot point and the first end of the exercise machine.

15. The exercise machine support system of claim 14, wherein the counterbalancing bias member is comprised of a spring.

16. The exercise machine support system of claim 14, wherein the adjustment device is comprised of a pawl.

17. The exercise machine support system of claim 14, wherein the adjustment device is comprised of a cam.

18. An exercise machine support system, comprising:

an exercise machine having a first end, a second end, a midpoint centrally located between the first end and the second end, and a first end platform near the first end;

at least one rail extending between the first and the second end of the exercise machine;

a carriage movably connected to the at least one rail;

a bias member connected to the carriage, wherein the bias member is adapted to exert resistance on the carriage;

a base positioned underneath the exercise machine;

a support extending upwardly from the base, wherein the exercise machine is pivotally connected to the support at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is located between the first end and the midpoint of the exercise machine; and

a cam connected between the base and the exercise machine for pivoting the exercise machine about the support, wherein the cam is connected to the exercise machine between the pivot point and the midpoint of the exercise machine, wherein the cam is adapted to contact an underside of the exercise machine to provide a counterbalancing force to support the second end of the exercise machine, and wherein the cam is mechanically rotated to incline or decline the exercise machine about the pivot point.

19. The exercise machine support system of claim 18, wherein the cam is connected to a motor.

20. An exercise machine support system, comprising:

an exercise machine having a first end, a second end, a midpoint centrally located between the first end and the second end, and a first end platform near the first end;

at least one rail extending between the first and the second end of the exercise machine;

a carriage movably connected to the at least one rail;

a bias member connected to the carriage, wherein the bias member is adapted to exert resistance on the carriage;

a base positioned underneath the exercise machine;

a support extending upwardly from the base, wherein the exercise machine is pivotally connected to the support at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is located between the first end and the midpoint of the exercise machine;

an actuator connected between the base and the exercise machine for pivoting the exercise machine about the support; and

a counterbalancing bias member connected between the base and the exercise machine, wherein the counterbalancing bias member is connected to the exercise machine on a side of the pivot point opposite of the actuator.

21. The exercise machine support system of claim 20, wherein the counterbalancing bias member is comprised of a spring.