Exercising apparatus

• US 7,771,319 B1
• Filed: 06/11/2007
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael G. Lannon
• Original Assignee: Michael G. Lannon
• Inventors: Fitzgerald, Jacob, Spoeth, Carl R. Jr., Pearson, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathew; Fenn C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tecco; Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US11/811,524
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 482 4- 5, 482/8, 482 93- 94, 482 98-102, 482901-902
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• 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 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00076 on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/063 Weight selecting means
• 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 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 : Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 : Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/065 : within a certain range
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 : body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• 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 23/03566 : the multiple stations having a common resistance device
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 : primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take 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 23/1263 : Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 : Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for enabling an operator to exercise comprising a frame having a body, a base and a top. A load is positioned on the frame for providing a resistive force. A press is positioned on the frame for displacement by the operator. A linkage joins the load with the press for displacing the load upon displacement of the press by the operator. An arm extends between a support end and a user end. A support pivot secures the support end of the arm to the top of the frame for pivoting the arm about the frame. A user interface inputs and outputs data. A user pivot securing the user interface to the user end of the arm for pivoting the user interface about the arm.

Claims

1. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise, comprising:

a frame having a body, a base and a top;

a load positioned on said frame to provide a resistive force;

a press positioned on said frame for displacement by the operator;

a linkage joining said load with said press for displacing said load upon displacement of said press by the operator;

an arm extending between a support end and a user end;

a support pivot securing said support end of said arm to said top of said frame for pivoting said arm about said frame, the support pivot comprising;

a body defining an interior chamber extending between a first end and a second end; and

a pin traversing through said top of said frame and through said interior chamber of said support pivot to pivotably mount said support pivot to said top of said frame;

a user interface device to input and output data; and

a pivot securing said user interface to said user end of said arm for pivoting said user interface about said arm.

2. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein said arm defining a generally L-shape.

3. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body of the support pivot is a cylindrical body, the apparatus further comprising:

a pin receiver defining a pin receiver interior chamber secured within said interior chamber of said cylindrical body

the pin traversing through said top of said frame and through said pin receiver interior chamber to pivotably mount said support pivot to said top of said frame.

4. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body of the support pivot is a cylindrical body, the apparatus further comprising:

a pin receiver defining a pin receiver interior chamber extending between a first pin receiver end and a second pin receiver end and secured within said interior chamber of said cylindrical body;

a first bearing positioned within said first pin receiver end; and

a second bearing positioned within said second pin receiver end the pin traversing through said top of said frame and through said second bearing and said first bearing of said pin receiver to pivotably mount said support pivot to said top of said frame.

5. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body of the support pivot is a cylindrical body, the apparatus further comprising:

a pin receiver defining a pin receiver interior chamber extending between a first pin receiver end and a second pin receiver end and secured within said interior chamber of said cylindrical body;

a first support plate positioned at said first pin receiver end and extending between said pin receiver and said support pivot for securing said pin receiver within said interior chamber of said cylindrical body; and

a second support plate positioned at said second pin receiver end and extending between said pin receiver and said support pivot for securing said pin receiver within said interior chamber of said cylindrical body;

the pin traversing through said top of said frame and through said pin receiver interior chamber to pivotably mount said support pivot to said top of said frame.

6. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body of the support pivot is a cylindrical body, the apparatus further comprising:

a stop plate extending from said second end of said cylindrical body; and

a stop pin extending from said top of said frame for contacting said stop plate for terminating rotation of said arm.

7. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein body of the support pivot is a cylindrical body, the apparatus further comprising:

a first stop surface extending from said second end of said cylindrical body;

a second stop surface extending from said second end of said cylindrical body; and

a stop pin extending from said top of said frame for contacting said first stop surface for terminating rotation of said arm in a first arm position and contacting said second stop surface for terminating rotation of said arm in a second arm position.

8. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein body of the support pivot is a cylindrical body, the apparatus further comprising:

a brake plate extending from said second end of said cylindrical body; and

a brake extending from said top of said frame for contacting said brake plate for restricting the rotational speed of said arm.

9. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein body of the support pivot is a cylindrical body, the apparatus further comprising:

a brake plate extending from said second end of said cylindrical body;

a brake housing having a cylindrical brake housing body defining a brake housing interior chamber extending between a closed end and a brake aperture;

a brake pad slidably engaging along the brake housing interior chamber; and

a brake spring applying a compressive force between said closed end and said brake pad for pressing said brake pad against said brake plate for restricting the rotational speed of said arm.

10. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arm includes an arm interior chamber extending from said user end; and

said pivot includes a bushing bearing neck interposed between a pivot head and a pivot base;

the apparatus further comprising;

a first bushing and a second bushing rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

a base receiver positioned within said user interface for receiving said pivot base of said pivot;

a keying receiver integral to said base receiver;

a keying mount integral to said pivot base for engaging said keying receiver to lock said pivot to said user interface;

said pivot head and said bushing bearing neck inserted into said arm interior chamber for positioning said first bushing and said second bushing within said arm;

a first fastener securing said first bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm; and

a second fastener securing said second bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm.

11. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arm includes a cylindrical arm body defining a generally L-shape;

said arm includes an arm interior chamber extending between a first arm end and a second arm end; and

said pivot includes a bushing bearing neck interposed between a pivot head and a pivot base;

the apparatus further comprising;

a first bushing and a second bushing rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

a base receiver positioned within said user interface for receiving said pivot base of said pivot;

a first keying receiver integral to said base receiver;

a second keying receiver integral to said base receiver and positioned opposite to said first keying receiver;

a first keying mount integral to said pivot base for engaging said first keying receiver to lock said pivot to said user interface;

a second keying mount integral to said pivot base and positioned opposite to said first keying mount for engaging said second keying receiver to lock said pivot to said user interface;

said pivot head and said bushing bearing neck inserted through said second arm end and into said arm interior chamber for positioning said first bushing and said second bushing within said arm;

a first fastener securing said first bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm; and

a second fastener securing said second bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm.

12. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arm includes an arm interior chamber extending from said user end;

said pivot includes a bushing bearing neck interposed between a pivot head and a pivot base; and

said pivot head includes a cylindrical pivot head body defining a pivot head interior chamber extending between a first pivot head end and a second pivot head end;

the apparatus further comprising;

a first bushing having a generally C-shape extending between a first bushing end and second bushing end for rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

a second bushing having a generally C-shape end for rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

a base receiver positioned within said user interface for receiving said pivot base of said pivot;

a keying receiver integral to said base receiver;

a keying mount integral to said pivot base for engaging said keying receiver to lock said pivot to said user interface;

a head groove integral to said second pivot head end;

said head groove defining a first block surface and a second block surface; and

a top block pin extending from said first bushing end of said first bushing for contacting said first block surface for terminating rotation of said user interface in a first user interface position and contacting said second block surface for terminating rotation of said user interface in a second user interface position.

13. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arm includes an arm interior chamber extending from said user end;

said pivot includes a bushing bearing neck interposed between a pivot head and a pivot base; and

said pivot head includes a cylindrical body defining an interior chamber extending between a first end and a second end;

the apparatus further comprising;

a first bushing having a generally C-shape extending between a first bushing end and second bushing end for rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

a second bushing having a generally C-shape for rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

a base receiver positioned within said user interface for receiving said pivot base of said pivot;

a keying receiver integral to said base receiver;

a keying mount integral to said pivot base for engaging said keying receiver to lock said pivot to said user interface;

a base groove integral to said second pivot head end;

said base groove defining a first block surface and a second block surface; and

a bottom block pin extending from said first bushing end of said first bushing for contacting said first block surface for terminating rotation of said user interface in a first user interface position and contacting said second block surface for terminating rotation of said user interface in a second user interface position.

14. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arm includes an arm interior chamber extending from said user end; and

said pivot includes a bushing bearing neck interposed between a pivot head and a pivot base;

the apparatus further comprising;

a first bushing and a second bushing rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

a base receiver positioned within said user interface for receiving said pivot base of said pivot;

a plate receiver integral to said base receiver;

a plate mount integral to said pivot base for engaging said plate receiver;

a plate fastener securing said plate mount to said plate receiver to lock said pivot to said user interface;

said pivot head and said bushing bearing neck inserted into said arm interior chamber for positioning said first bushing and said second bushing within said arm;

a first fastener securing said first bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm; and

a second fastener securing said second bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm.

15. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arm includes an arm interior chamber extending from said user end; and

said pivot includes a bushing bearing neck interposed between a pivot head and a pivot base;

the apparatus further comprising;

a first bushing and a second bushing rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

a base receiver positioned within said user interface for receiving said pivot base of said pivot;

a first plate receiver integral to said base receiver;

a second plate receiver integral to said base receiver and positioned opposite to said first plate receiver;

a first plate mount integral to said pivot base for engaging said first plate receiver;

a second plate mount integral to said pivot base and positioned opposite to said first plate mount for engaging said second plate receiver;

a first plate fastener securing said first plate mount to said first plate receiver to lock said pivot to said user interface;

a second plate fastener securing said second plate mount to said second plate receiver to lock said pivot to said user interface;

said pivot head and said bushing bearing neck inserted into said arm interior chamber for positioning said first bushing and said second bushing within said arm;

a first fastener securing said first bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm; and

a second fastener securing said second bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm.

16. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arm includes an arm interior chamber extending from said user end; and

said pivot includes a bushing bearing neck interposed between a pivot head and a pivot base;

the apparatus further comprising;

a first bushing and a second bushing rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

an upper slot and a lower slot positioned on said first bushing;

an upper slot and a lower slot positioned on said second bushing;

a first bushing O-ring engaging said upper slot of said first bushing and said upper slot of said second bushing for compression against said arm interior chamber;

a second bushing O-ring engaging said lower slot of said first bushing and said lower slot of said second bushing for compression against said arm interior chamber;

a base receiver positioned within said user interface for receiving said pivot base of said pivot;

a keying receiver integral to said base receiver;

a keying mount integral to said pivot base for engaging said keying receiver to lock said pivot to said user interface;

said pivot head and said bushing bearing neck inserted into said arm interior chamber for positioning said first bushing and said second bushing within said arm;

a first fastener securing said first bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm; and

a second fastener securing said second bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm.

17. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arm includes an arm interior chamber extending from said user end; and

said pivot includes a bushing bearing neck interposed between a pivot head and a pivot base;

the apparatus further comprising;

a neck slot positioned on said bushing bearing neck;

a neck bushing O-ring engaging said neck slot;

a first bushing and a second bushing rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

an upper slot and a lower slot positioned on said first bushing;

an upper slot and a lower slot positioned on said second bushing;

a first bushing O-ring engaging said upper slot of said first bushing and said upper slot of said second bushing for compression against said arm interior chamber;

a second bushing O-ring engaging said lower slot of said first bushing and said lower slot of said second bushing for compression against said arm interior chamber;

said pivot head and said bushing bearing neck inserted into said arm interior chamber for positioning said first bushing and said second bushing within said arm; and

said neck bushing O-ring compressing between said bushing bearing neck and said first bushing and said second bushing for creating a user interface brake for restricting the rotational speed of said user interface.

18. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arm includes an interior chamber extending from said user end; and

said pivot includes a bushing bearing neck interposed between a pivot head and a pivot base;

the apparatus further comprising;

a first bushing and a second bushing rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

a base receiver positioned within said user interface for receiving said pivot base of said pivot;

a keying receiver integral to said base receiver;

a keying mount integral to said pivot base for engaging said keying receiver to lock said pivot to said interface;

said pivot head and said bushing bearing neck inserted into said arm interior chamber for positioning said first bushing and said second bushing within said arm;

a first fastener securing said first bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm;

a second fastener securing said second bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm; and

a boot having a boot interior chamber extending between a first boot end and second boot end;

wherein said first boot end is positioned on said arm and said second boot end is positioned on said user interface for concealing said pivot.

19. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arm includes an arm interior chamber;

said pivot includes a bushing bearing neck interposed between a pivot head and a pivot base; and

said pivot head includes a cylindrical pivot head body defining a pivot head interior chamber extending between a first pivot head end and a second pivot head end;

the apparatus further comprising;

a first bushing and a second bushing rotatably engaging said bushing bearing neck;

a base receiver positioned within said user interface for receiving said pivot base of said pivot;

a keying receiver integral to said base receiver;

a keying mount integral to said pivot base for engaging said keying receiver to lock said pivot to said user interface;

said pivot head and said bushing bearing neck inserted into said arm interior chamber for positioning said first bushing and said second bushing within said arm;

a first fastener securing said first bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm;

a second fastener securing said second bushing relative to said arm for rotatably pivoting said pivot relative to said arm; and

a pivot head cap engaging said first pivot head end of said pivot head for coupling electrical conductors traversing from user interface, through said pivot and out through said arm.