Multi axes exercise apparatus

• US 7,938,761 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2008
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nate Fryer, Paul R. Jeselnick, Tom Simonson
• Original Assignee: Nate Fryer, Paul R. Jeselnick, Tom Simonson
• Inventors: Fryer, Nate, Simonson, Tom, Jeselnick, Paul R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada; Rinaldi I
• Assistant Examiner(s): LONG, ROBERT FRANKLIN
• Application Number:
  US12/170,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20100009818A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 482/97, 482/148, 482100-103, 482136-138
• US Class Current: 482/100
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/08 anchored at one end
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/159 Using levers for transmitting forces
• 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 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 23/1263 Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements

Abstract

An apparatus and method for an exercise apparatus is disclosed that includes a base structure, a multiple axes pivotal mechanism disposed adjacent to the base structure, and an arm. The arm further includes a distal end portion and a proximal end portion with a longitudinal axis spanning therebetween. The distal and proximal end portions are each adapted to provide independent resistive force to muscle exertion, with the proximal end portion being adjacent to the mechanism such that operationally at least two independent axes of movement occur in the arm relative to the structure. Also included in the exercise apparatus is an assemblage for creating selectable variable resistance forces to the movement of the arm relative to the structure, such that each axis of movement has an independent selectable variable resistance force to the arm movement.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

(a) a base structure;

(b) a multiple axes pivotal mechanism directly connected to said base structure, wherein said pivotal mechanism pivotally rotates about a first axis and also pivotally rotates about a second axis, wherein said first and second axes are independent in pivotal rotation and perpendicularly oriented to one another, said pivotal mechanism is sized and configured such that said first and second axes intersect in the same plane;

(c) an arm including a distal end portion and a proximal end portion with a longitudinal axis spanning therebetween, said proximal end portion is directly connected to said pivotal mechanism wherein said pivotal mechanism is sized and configured such that said arm proximal end portion pivotally rotates about said first axis in a first rotational arc of movement resistance and said arm proximal end portion also pivotally rotates about said second axis in a second rotational arc of movement resistance, wherein operationally two independent arm movements about said first and second axes occur in said arm relative to said base structure, wherein said arm pivots about a single point in space that is defined by said first and second axes same plane perpendicular intersection, to facilitate a constant moment arm distance along said longitudinal axis to said plane, said distal and proximal end portions are adapted to provide to each of said first and second rotational arcs of movement an independent resistance to facilitate muscle contraction from a muscle tension free state;

(d) a first assemblage directly connected to said base structure for creating an independently selectable variable resistance force is sized and configured such that said first rotational arc of movement resistance is created by said first assemblage; and

(e) a second assemblage directly connected to said base structure for creating an independently selectable variable resistance force is sized and configured such that said second rotational arc of movement resistance is created by said second assemblage, wherein said first and second assemblages are independent of one another, such that operationally said first assemblage can have a first selected resistance and said second assemblage can be selected to have no resistance or said second assemblage can have a second selected resistance and said first assemblage can be selected to have no resistance or said first assemblage can have said first selected resistance and said second assemblage can have said second selected resistance, operationally to facilitate said constant moment arm distance along said longitudinal axis to said plane, said first and second assemblages create independently selectable variable resistance forces, on each of said first and second rotational arcs of movement resistance to operationally help facilitate said arm to include a combined motion by simultaneously pivotally rotating about both said first and second axes.

2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pivotal mechanism is formed from a yoke element that is pivotally attached to said base structure about said first axis and said arm proximal end portion is pivotally attached to said yoke about said second axis.

3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first assemblage is also directly connected to said proximal end portion and said second assemblage is also directly connected to said distal end portion.

4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first assemblage is constructed of a flexible component that communicates said first rotational arc of movement resistance from said proximal end portion to a first selected weight plate movably disposed upon said base structure and said second assemblage is constructed of a retainer extension that removably engages a second selected weight plate.

5. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

(a) a base structure;

(b) a multiple axes pivotal mechanism directly connected to said base structure, wherein said pivotal mechanism pivotally rotates about a first axis and also pivotally rotates about a second axis, wherein said first and second axes are independent in pivotal rotation and perpendicularly oriented to one another, said pivotal mechanism is sized and configured such that said first and second axes intersect in the same plane;

(c) an arm including a distal end portion and a proximal end portion with a longitudinal axis spanning therebetween, said distal end portion is directly connected to said pivotal mechanism wherein said pivotal mechanism is sized and configured such that said arm proximal end portion pivotally rotates about said first axis in a first rotational arc of movement resistance and said arm proximal end portion also pivotally rotates about said second axis in a second rotational arc of movement resistance, wherein operationally two independent arm movements about said first and second axes occur in said arm relative to said base structure, wherein said arm pivots about a single point in space that is defined by said first and second axes same plane perpendicular intersection, to facilitate a constant moment arm distance along said longitudinal axis to said plane, said distal and proximal end portions are adapted to provide to each of said first and second rotational arcs of movement an independent resistance to facilitate muscle contraction from a muscle tension free state;

(d) a first assemblage directly connected to said base structure for creating an independently selectable variable resistance force is sized and configured such that said first rotational arc of movement resistance is created by said first assemblage; and

(e) a second assemblage directly connected to said base structure for creating an independently selectable variable resistance force is sized and configured such that said second rotational arc of movement resistance is created by said second assemblage, wherein said first and second assemblages are independent of one another, such that operationally said first assemblage can have a first selected resistance and said second assemblage can be selected to have no resistance or said second assemblage can have a second selected resistance and said first assemblage can be selected to have no resistance or said first assemblage can have said first selected resistance and said second assemblage can have said second selected resistance, operationally to facilitate said constant moment arm distance along said longitudinal axis to said plane, said first and second assemblages create independently selectable variable resistance forces, on each of said first and second rotational arcs of movement resistance to operationally help facilitate said arm to include a combined motion by simultaneously pivotally rotating about both said first and second axes.

6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said pivotal mechanism is formed from a yoke element that is pivotally attached to said base structure about said first axis and said arm proximal end portion is pivotally attached to said yoke about said second axis.

7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first assemblage and said second assemblage are both also directly connected to said proximal end portion.

8. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first assemblage is constructed of a flexible component that communicates said first rotational arc of movement resistance from said distal end portion to a first selected weight plate movably disposed upon said base structure and said second assemblage is constructed of a retainer extension that removably engages a second selected weight plate.

9. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

(a) a base structure;

(b) a multiple axes pivotal mechanism directly connected to said base structure, wherein said pivotal mechanism pivotally rotates about a first axis and also pivotally rotates about a second axis, wherein said first and second axes are independent in pivotal rotation and perpendicularly oriented to one another, said pivotal mechanism is sized and configured such that said first and second axes intersect in the same plane;

(c) an arm including a lat pull down end portion, an intermediate portion, and a bench push up end portion with a longitudinal axis spanning therebetween, said intermediate portion is directly connected to said pivotal mechanism wherein said pivotal mechanism is sized and configured such that said arm intermediate portion pivotally rotates about said first axis in a first rotational arc of movement resistance and said arm intermediate portion also pivotally rotates about said second axis in a second rotational arc of movement resistance, wherein operationally two independent arm movements about said first and second independent axes occur in said arm relative to said base structure, wherein said arm pivots about a single point in space that is defined by said first and second axes same plane perpendicular intersection, to facilitate a constant moment arm distance along said longitudinal axis to said plane, said lat pull down end portion and said bench press up end portion are adapted to provide to each of said first and second rotational arcs of movement an independent resistance to facilitate muscle contraction from a muscle tension free state;

(d) a first assemblage directly connected to said base structure for creating an independently selectable variable resistance force is sized and configured such that said first rotational arc of movement resistance is created by said first assemblage; and

(e) a second assemblage directly connected to said base structure for creating an independently selectable variable resistance force is sized and configured such that said second rotational arc of movement resistance is created by said second assemblage, wherein said first and second assemblages are independent of one another, such that operationally said first assemblage can have a first selected resistance and said second assemblage can be selected to have no resistance or said second assemblage can have a second selected resistance and said first assemblage can be selected to have no resistance or said first assemblage can have said first selected resistance and said second assemblage can have said second selected resistance, operationally to facilitate said constant moment arm distance along said longitudinal axis to said plane, said first and second assemblages create independently selectable variable resistance forces, on each of said first and second rotational arcs of movement resistance to operationally help facilitate said arm to include a combined motion by simultaneously pivotally rotating about both said first and second axes.

10. An exercise apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said pivotal mechanism is formed from a yoke element that is pivotally attached to said base structure about said first axis and said arm intermediate portion is pivotally attached to said yoke about said second axis.

11. An exercise apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said first assemblage is also directly connected to said lat pull down end portion and said second assemblage is also directly connected to said bench push up end portion.

12. An exercise apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said first assemblage is constructed of a flexible component that communicates movement from said lat pull down end portion to a first selected weight plate movably disposed upon said base structure and said second assemblage is constructed of a retainer extension that removably engages a second selected weight plate.