Exercise apparatus

• US 7,967,736 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2009
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2009
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: D'Silva Limited
• Original Assignee: Garuda Enterprises Limited
• Inventors: Barber, Glynn Ray, D'Silva, James Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada; Rinaldi I
• Assistant Examiner(s): LONG, ROBERT FRANKLIN
• Application Number:
  US12/542,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20100323857A1
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 482/23, 482121-123, 482/142, 422 41- 42
• US Class Current: 482/121
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 17/00 Exercising apparatus combining several parts such as ladders, rods, beams, slides
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0033 Lower limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0035 Upper limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00 Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00043 Exercising devices consisting of a pair of user interfaces connected by flexible elements, e.g. two handles connected by elastic bands skipping ropes A63B5/20; resilient elements A63B21/02
• 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 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0421 the ends moving relatively by a pivoting arrangement
• 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 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4033 Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• 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 22/0002 involving an exercising of arms for strengthening the upper limbs A63B23/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0007 by alternatively exercising arms or legs, e.g. with a single set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/001 by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• 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 2208/0233 : in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0242 : Lying down
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0247 : with legs in a kneeled 90/90 position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 : Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 : Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/10 : Multi-station exercising machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/16 : Training devices for jumping; Devices for balloon-jumping; Jumping aids A63B25/02, A63B25/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 7/02 : Swinging rings; Trapezes

Abstract

Apparatus suitable for pilates and other exercise comprises rails, supported on a box-like frame and an exercise carriage, mounted on the rails, wherein the carriage comprises a first carriage section and a second carriage section which sections can be (i) connected together to form a single exercise carriage which slides forwards and backwards on the rails, or (ii) disconnected to form two exercise carriages which independently slide forwards and backwards on the rails. The apparatus also has a seat with a spring-biased foot pedal and a spring-biased trapeze bar.

Claims

1. Exercise apparatus, comprising:

(1) a box-like frame defining an exercise area within and around the frame, comprising;

(a) two rails, referred to as lower rails supported on the frame and on which is mounted an exercise carriage comprising a first carriage section and a second carriage section;

(b) two left hand side uprights, being proximal to the first carriage section;

(c) two right hand side uprights being proximal to the second carriage section; and

(d) two upper rails mounted between the pairs of uprights,

wherein the first carriage section and the second carriage section can be (i) connected together to form a single exercise carriage which slides forwards and backwards on the rails during exercise, and (ii) disconnected to form two exercise carriages which independently slide forwards and backwards on the rails during exercise;

(2) from 2 to 5 springs removably attachable to the frame, the first carriage section and/or the second carriage section so that;

the first carriage section is connectable by one or more of the springs to the frame; and

/ or

the first carriage section is connectable by one or more of the springs to the second carriage section; and

/ or

the second carriage section is connectable by one or more of the springs to the frame;

(3) a lock to lock the first carriage section at any position along the rails;

(4) a lock to lock the second carriage section at any position along the rails;

(5) two pulleys attached to the frame, two ropes threaded through the pulleys and two rope cleats located on the first carriage section, and wherein the ropes have two ends, one of which is free and one is to attach to one of the rope cleats;

(6) a seat mounted between the two left hand uprights, or between the two right hand uprights, and a resistance-biased foot pedal associated with the seat; and

(7) a trapeze bar pivotally mounted between the two left hand uprights, or between the two right hand uprights or between the two upper rails, biased to provide resistance to movement.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the from 2 to 5 springs can be independently connected between the first carriage section and the frame.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the from 2 to 5 springs can be independently connected between the first carriage section and the second carriage section.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the from 2 to 5 springs can be independently connected between the second carriage section and the frame.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, comprising springs connecting the pedal to the uprights or to the seat and offering resistance to movement of the pedal away from the seat by a user.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, comprising springs connecting the trapeze bar to the frame, e.g. to the uprights or to the rails, offering resistance to movement of the bar by a user.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a foot bar attached between the left hand uprights or the right hand uprights.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ladder attached to the upper rails.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the upper rails extend between the right hand uprights and the left hand uprights and comprise projections which project to the right of the right hand uprights or to the left of the left hand uprights, the ladder being connected to the projections.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a flat board, attached to the right hand uprights or to the left hand uprights, substantially perpendicular to the exercise carriage.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, comprising one or more buffers to lessen the impact of the exercise carriage at the limits of its travel on the rails.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, comprising four pulleys, two mounted on each of the left hand side uprights, wherein each pulley can be fastened at any position along the length of its upright.