Exercise system using exercise resistance cables

• US 7,998,042 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2009
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VQ ActionCare, LLC
• Original Assignee: VQ ActionCare, LLC
• Inventors: Lunau, Kevin R., Skahan, Michael S., Bowser, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Donnelly; Jerome W
• Application Number:
  US12/581,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20100041526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 482/130, 482/140, 482/142, 482/121
• US Class Current: 482/130
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• 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 21/04 attached to static foundation , e.g. a user
• 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 21/1609 for anchoring on a chair chairs with exercising means A47C9/002
• 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 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03541 Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0355 A single apparatus used for either upper or lower limbs, i.e. with a set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limb or limbs
• 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

Abstract

An exercise chair for an exercise system. The exercise system is of a type that utilizes an exercise resistance cable apparatus of a type that includes an exercise resistance cable having a first end being connectable to an exercise chair, and; a handgrip connected to a second end of the exercise resistance cable. The exercise chair includes: a) a chair frame; b) a first force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a first selected location at approximately shoulder height level at the left side of the chair frame; c) a second force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a second selected location at approximately shoulder height level at the right side of the chair frame; d) a third force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a third selected location at approximately ankle height level at the right side of the chair frame; e) a fourth force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a fourth selected location at approximately ankle height level at the left side of the chair frame; and, f) means for connecting the first end of a resistance cable to a selected position on the chair frame. The first, second, third and fourth force directing means provide a redirection of force applied by a user at the shoulder and ankle height levels for a selectable exercise using resistance cables.

Claims

1. An exercise chair for an exercise system, said exercise system of a type that utilizes an exercise resistance cable apparatus of a type that includes an exercise resistance cable having a first end being connectable to an exercise chair, and;

a handgrip connected to a second end of said exercise resistance cable, said exercise chair comprising;

a) a chair frame;

b) a first force directing means securely attached to said chair frame at a first selected location at approximately shoulder height level at the left side of said chair frame;

c) a second force directing means securely attached to said chair frame at a second selected location at approximately shoulder height level at the right side of said chair frame;

d) a third force directing means securely attached to said chair frame at a third selected location at approximately ankle height level at the right side of said chair frame;

e) a fourth force directing means securely attached to said chair frame at a fourth selected location at approximately ankle height level at the left side of said chair frame; and

,

f) means for connecting the first end of an elastic resistance cable to a selected position on said chair frame,

wherein said first, second, third and fourth force directing means provide a redirection of force applied by a user at said shoulder and ankle height levels for a selectable exercise using a resistance cable, and,

wherein said first, second, third and fourth force directing means each comprise a retractable reel assembly including a safety mechanism for preventing unintended retraction of said cable, said retractable reel assembly, comprising;

a reel housing securely connected at one of said selected locations;

a torsional spring assembly operably positionable within said reel housing; and

,

an exercise resistance cable, operatively connected to said torsional spring assembly.

2. The exercise chair of claim 1 wherein said first, second, third and fourth force directing means comprise rotatable elbow assemblies each having an interior channel with a low friction surface for slidable engagement of a resistance cable.

3. The exercise chair of claim 1 wherein said first, second, third and fourth force directing means comprise rotatable elbow assemblies having interior channels having low friction surfaces for slidable engagement of a resistance cable, each of said force directing means, comprising:

a) a swivel housing securely and rotatably connected to said chair frame; and

,

b) an elbow element secured to said swivel housing having said interior channel.

4. The exercise chair of claim 1 wherein said first, second, third and fourth force directing means comprise rotatable elbow assemblies having interior channels with low friction surfaces for slidable engagement of a resistance cable, each of said force directing means, comprising:

a) a swivel housing securely and rotatably connected to said chair frame; and

,

b) an elbow element secured to said swivel housing having said interior channel, said elbow element comprising a bent tubing element.

5. The exercise chair of claim 1 wherein said retractable reel assembly is constructed such that the user can adjust the level of resistance.

6. The exercise chair of claim 1 wherein said retractable reel assembly includes a safety mechanism for preventing unintended retraction of said cable.

7. The exercise chair of claim 1 wherein said first, second, third and fourth force directing means each comprise a needle bearing assembly.

8. An exercise chair for an exercise system, said exercise system of a type that utilizes an exercise resistance cable apparatus of a type that includes an exercise resistance cable having a first end being connectable to an exercise chair, and;

a handgrip connected to a second end of said exercise resistance cable, said exercise chair comprising;

a) a chair frame;

b) a seat back assembly connected to said chair frame, comprising;

i. a left set of spaced rotatable guide wheels, each having a groove for supporting an exercise resistance cable, said left set including a left proximal rotatable guide wheel providing a first position for supporting an exercise resistance cable; and

, a left terminal rotatable guide wheel at approximately shoulder height level at the left side of said chair frame for providing a terminal position for supporting said exercise resistance cable;

ii. a right set of spaced rotatable guide wheels, each having a groove for supporting an exercise resistance cable, said right set including a right proximal rotatable guide wheel providing a first position for supporting an exercise resistance cable; and

, a right terminal rotatable guide wheel at approximately shoulder height level at the right side of said chair frame for providing a terminal position for supporting said exercise resistance cable;

iii. means for connecting the first end of a first resistance cable to a selected position on said chair frame; and

,

iv. means for connecting the second end of a first resistance cable to a selected position on said chair frame;

c) a first force directing means securely attached to said chair frame at a first selected location at approximately ankle height level at the right side of said chair frame; and

,

d) a second force directing means securely attached to said chair frame at a second selected location at approximately ankle height level at the left side of said chair frame; and

,

e) means for connecting the first end of a resistance cable to a selected position on said chair frame,

wherein said first and second force directing means provide a redirection of force applied by a user at said ankle height levels for a selectable exercise;

wherein said exercise resistance cable is encapsulated within said seat back assembly and

wherein said seat back assembly comprises;

a left seat back subassembly for supporting said left set of spaced rotatable guide wheels; and

, a right seat back subassembly for supporting said right set of spaced rotatable guide wheels.

9. The exercise chair of claim 8, wherein said left seat back subassembly and said right seat back subassembly are rigidly attached to said chair frame, said rotatable guide wheels for supporting an elastic exercise resistance cable.

10. The exercise chair of claim 8, wherein:

a) said right seat back subassembly, comprises;

i. a right side, first support element (RSFSE) for supporting a first subset of said right set of spaced rotatable guide wheels; and

,

ii. a right side, second support element (RSSSE) for supporting a second subset of said right set of spaced rotatable guide wheels, wherein said RSFSE and said RSSSE are operatively connected in a manner that allows limited lateral translation therebetween, said rotatable guide wheels for supporting a non-elastic exercise resistance cable; and

,

b) said left seat back subassembly, comprises;

i. a left side, first support element (LSFSE) for supporting a first subset of said left set of spaced rotatable guide wheels; and

,

ii. a left side, second support element (LSSSE) for supporting a second subset of said left set of spaced rotatable guide wheels, wherein said LSFSE and said LSSSE are operatively connected in a manner that allows limited lateral translation therebetween, said rotatable guide wheels for supporting a non-elastic exercise resistance cable.

11. The exercise chair of claim 10, wherein said exercise resistance cable is slightly elastic.

12. The exercise chair of claim 10, wherein said RSFSE and said RSSSE are operatively connected by a compression spring;

and, said LSFSE and LSSSE are operatively connected by a compression spring.

13. The exercise chair of claim 10, wherein said RSFSE and said LSFSE are attached to said RSSSE and to said LSSSE in manners that allow limited lateral translation therebetween.

14. The exercise chair of claim 13, wherein said limited lateral translation is provided by a tension spring assembly.

15. The exercise chair of claim 13, wherein said limited lateral translation is provided by a leaf spring assembly.

16. The exercise chair of claim 10, wherein the means providing limited lateral translation is adjustable.

17. An exercise system, comprising:

a) an exercise chair, comprising;

i. a chair frame;

ii. a first force directing means securely attached to said chair frame at a first selected location at approximately shoulder height level at the left side of said chair frame;

iii. a second force directing means securely attached to said chair frame at a second selected location at approximately shoulder height level at the right side of said chair frame;

iv. a third force directing means securely attached to said chair frame at a third selected location at approximately ankle height level at the right side of said chair frame;

v. a fourth force directing means securely attached to said chair frame at a fourth selected location at approximately ankle height level at the left side of said chair frame; and

,

vi. means for connecting the first end of a resistance cable to a selected position on said chair frame,

wherein said first, second, third and fourth force directing means provide a redirection of force applied by a user at said shoulder and ankle height levels for a selectable exercise using a resistance cable; and

,

b) an exercise resistance cable apparatus, comprising;

i. an elastic exercise resistance cable having a first end being connectable to said exercise chair, and;

ii. a handgrip connected to a second end of said exercise resistance cable, wherein said exercise resistance cable comprises an exercise resistance cable section; and

a tension spring located within a portion of said exercise resistance cable section.