Exercising apparatus

• US 8,197,389 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2010
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael G. Lannon
• Original Assignee: Michael G. Lannon
• Inventors: Spoeth, Carl R. Jr., Pearson, Jeffrey A., Fitzgerald, Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US12/814,948
• Publication Number:
  US 20100292052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 482 4- 5, 482/8, 482 93- 94, 482 98-102, 482901-902, 248/323, 248/580, 248/581, 248/248, 248/671, 248/917, 248919-920
• 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 portion, a base portion and an upper portion;

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 having first and second ends;

a support pivot securing said first end of said arm to said upper portion of said frame for rotating said arm about said upper portion of said frame;

a user interface device to input and output data; and

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

2. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support pivot securing said first end of said arm to said frame permits a portion of said aim secured to the frame to rotate in a horizontal plane with respect to said frame.

3. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support pivot has a cylindrical interior chamber extending between a first end and a second end, the apparatus further comprising:

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

a 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 support pivot has a cylindrical an interior chamber extending between a first end and a second end, 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; and

a 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 support pivot has a cylindrical an interior chamber extending between a first end and a second end, 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;

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; and

a 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 support pivot has a cylindrical an interior chamber extending between a first end and a second end, the apparatus further comprising:

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 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 said support pivot has a cylindrical an interior chamber extending between a first end and a second end, the apparatus further comprising:

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 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 said support pivot has a cylindrical an interior chamber extending between a first end and a second end, apparatus further comprising:

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 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 the user interface further comprises:

a display device to render instructions to the user; and

a computing device disposed in the display device to generate instructions to the user.

10. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 9, wherein the display device is a touch screen display device to render instructions to the user and to input data from the user.

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

and 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.

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 second 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;

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

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

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

13. An apparatus for enabling an operator to exercise as set forth in claim 12, the apparatus further comprising:

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.

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 hushing 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;

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.

16. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

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

a load supported by the body portion of the frame to provide a resistive force;

a press supported on the frame for displacement by an operator;

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

an arm member having a first end rotatably coupled to the top portion of the frame to permit the arm to rotate in a horizontal plane about the frame; and

an electronic device to input data and to output data, the electronic device rotatably coupled to a second end of the arm member.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the electronic device comprises a liquid crystal touch screen display for presenting visual data.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the electronic device includes an input port for receiving a memory storage device of receiving data.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the electronic device includes one or more speaker units to provide audible feedback to the operator.

20. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a seat support;

a seat secured to the seat support.

21. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the arm member defines a generally L-shape.

22. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a sensor to measure displacement of the press support that feeds a signal related to the displacement to the electronic device.

23. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 comprising a support pivot for attaching the arm member to the top portion of the frame.

24. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the arm member is configured to pivot about the frame to position the electronic device coupled to the second end of the arm member at multiple positions relative to the apparatus.

25. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a stop pin for terminating a movement of the arm about the frame.

26. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a brake for restricting a rotational speed of the electronic device about the frame.

27. The exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the electronic device comprises a user interface for instructing the operator of the apparatus through an interactive exercise program.