Variable unweighting and resistance training and stretching apparatus for use with a cardiovascular or other exercise device

• US 7,494,450 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard D. Solomon
• Original Assignee: Richard D. Solomon
• Inventors: Solomon, Richard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Application Number:
  US10/846,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20050255971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,747 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/54, 482121-122, 482/124, 482/74, 482/69
• US Class Current: 482/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0229 by reducing gravity forces normally applied to the body, e.g. by lifting or hanging the body or part of it
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0414 with both ends stationary during the actual exercise, i.e. moving only at intermediate locations
• 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 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/16 Supports for anchoring force-resisters
• 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 21/4045 Reciprocating movement along, in or on a guide weights moving along or in guiding means A63B21/06; for cardio-training A63B22/201
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• 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 23/1209 Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1218 Chinning, pull-up, i.e. concentric movement
• 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 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0064 : Attachments on the trainee preventing falling

Abstract

A device for variably unweighting or unloading and performing resistance exercises and stretches while performing cardiovascular exercises on a cardiovascular exercise machine or other exercise device, including a plurality of exercise elements at different locations above the machine or device, the exercise elements being graspable individually or in a selected number and resiliently extended in a variety of directions for reducing forces applied against movable elements of the exercise machine or device and for performing a variety of resistance exercises and stretches.

Claims

1. A variable unloading and resistance exercise device for use by a person when performing a cardiovascular exercise, comprising:

a cardiovascular exercise machine in which at least a portion of the person'"'"'s weight is supported by at least one lower extremity of the person'"'"'s body in moving contact with a movable weight bearing element of the machine disposed so as to be located beneath the person for performing the cardiovascular exercise;

a support element and structure for supporting the support element above the movable weight bearing element of the cardiovascular exercise machine; and

a plurality of resiliently yieldable exercise elements suspended from the support element at different locations over the movable weight bearing element, including at least one exercise element disposed at a first elevation so as to be located at least generally in front of the person and graspable in a hand of the person when performing the cardiovascular exercise, and at least one exercise element disposed at a second elevation lower than the first elevation so as to be located at least generally beside the person and graspable in a hand of the person when performing the cardiovascular exercise, such that when performing the cardiovascular exercise the person can alternatingly grasp the exercise elements disposed at the first and second elevations and resiliently extend them in a sufficient number of directions for performing different resistance exercises in different ways involving several muscle groups of the person, including downwardly for reducing the portion of the person'"'"'s weight supported by the movement of the at least one lower extremity of the person'"'"'s body in moving contact with the movable weight bearing element of the machine and sidewardly, wherein the support element comprises a frame including at least one member supported over the cardiovascular exercise machine and supporting the exercise elements and configured to be movable along the frame through a range of positions over the movable weight bearing element of the cardiovascular exercise machine for positioning the exercise elements at different locations thereover, and wherein the at least one exercise element supported by said at least one member is suspended therefrom for movement relative thereto.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first elevation is sufficient such that the at least one of the exercise elements disposed so as to be located in front of the person will be positioned about in front of a head of the person.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one exercise element disposed at the first elevation includes a plurality of resiliently elongatable cords graspable individually or in a desired number and elongatable in a plurality of directions including at least one downward direction and at least one forward direction for performing several of the resistance exercises.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein at least some of the exercise elements comprise resiliently elongatable cords and the support element includes connectors at a plurality of different locations above the weight bearing element for connecting to and supporting the cords.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the cardiovascular exercise machine comprises a treadmill and the weight bearing element comprises an endless belt of the treadmill.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the cardiovascular exercise machine comprises a stationary cycle and the weight bearing element comprises pedals of the cycle.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the cardiovascular exercise machine comprises an elliptical exercise machine and the weight bearing element comprises pedals of the elliptical exercise machine.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one exercise element further includes at least one elongate resiliently yieldable element supported by and extending between members of the frame in position to be grasped in a hand of the person and yieldably extended for performing another resistance exercise, and the at least one elongate resiliently yieldable element includes elements positioned so as to be located above a head of the person when exercising using the cardiovascular exercise machine.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the at least one elongate resiliently yieldable element includes elements positioned so as to be located beside the body of the person when exercising using the cardiovascular exercise machine.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of exercise elements suspended from the support element at at least one of the locations comprises a plurality of generally parallel elastic cords, a selected number of the cords being graspable and extendable for providing a corresponding desired amount of resistance.

11. A combination cardiovascular and variable unloading and resistance exercise device for use by a person when performing a cardiovascular exercise, comprising;

a cardiovascular exercise machine in which at least a portion of a person'"'"'s weight is supported by at least one lower extremity of the person'"'"'s body in moving contact with a weight bearing element of the machine for performing a cardiovascular exercise on the machine;

a support element and structure for supporting the support element above the weight bearing element of the exercise machine; and

a plurality of resiliently yieldable exercise elements suspended from the support element at different locations over the weight bearing element, including at least one exercise element disposed at a first elevation so as to be located at least generally in front of the person and graspable in a hand of the person when performing the cardiovascular exercise, and at least one exercise element disposed at a second elevation lower than the first elevation so as to be located at least generally beside the person and graspable in a hand of the person when performing the cardiovascular exercise, such that when performing the cardiovascular exercise the person can alternatingly grasp the exercise elements disposed at the first and second elevations and resiliently extend them in a sufficient number of directions for performing different resistance exercises in different ways involving several muscle groups of the person, including downwardly for reducing the portion of the person'"'"'s weight supported by the movement of the at least one lower extremity of the person'"'"'s body in moving contact with the weight bearing element of the machine and sidewardly, wherein the support element comprises a structural frame including at least one member supported over the cardiovascular exercise machine and supporting the exercise elements, and wherein the at least one exercise element further includes at least one elongate resiliently yieldable element supported by and extending generally horizontally between portions of the frame in position to be grasped in a hand of the person and yieldably extended for performing another resistance exercise.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one elongate resiliently yieldable element includes elements positioned so as to be located above a head of the person when exercising using the cardiovascular exercise machine.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one elongate resiliently yieldable element includes elements positioned so as to be located beside the body of the person when exercising using the cardiovascular exercise machine.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of exercise elements suspended from the support element at at least one of the locations comprises a plurality of generally parallel elastic cords, a selected number of the cords being graspable and extendable for providing a corresponding desired amount of resistance.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein the first elevation is sufficient such that the at least one of the exercise elements disposed so as to be located in front of the person will be positioned about in front of a head of the person.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein the at least one exercise element disposed at the first elevation includes a plurality of resiliently elongatable cords graspable individually or in a desired number and elongatable in a plurality of directions including at least one downward direction and at least one forward direction for performing several of the resistance exercises.

17. The device of claim 11 wherein at least some of the exercise elements comprise resiliently elongatable cords and the support element includes connectors at a plurality of different locations above the weight bearing element for connecting to and supporting the cords.

18. The device of claim 11 wherein the cardiovascular exercise machine comprises a treadmill and the weight bearing element comprises an endless belt of the treadmill.

19. The device of claim 11 wherein the cardiovascular exercise machine comprises a stationary cycle and the weight bearing element comprises pedals of the cycle.

20. The device of claim 11 wherein the cardiovascular exercise machine comprises an elliptical exercise machine and the weight bearing element comprises pedals of the elliptical exercise machine.

21. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one exercise element supported by said at least one member is suspended therefrom for movement relative to the support element.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the member is movable for positioning the at least one exercise element at different locations above the weight bearing element.