Multi-axis adjustable exercise machine

• US 9,474,926 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lagree Technologies, Inc. (Sebastien Lagree)
• Original Assignee: SPX Fitness, Inc.
• Inventors: Lagree, Sebastien Anthony Louis, Cox, Samuel D., Remund, Todd G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn
• Application Number:
  US15/187,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20160317858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 127 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0094 for active rehabilitation, e.g. slow motion devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/003 by torsion of the body part around its longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/0411 Squatting exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0081 Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users
• 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 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 21/00069 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 21/0083 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 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0428 the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation
• 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 21/068 using user's body weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4033 Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• 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 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 22/0012 : the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 : the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0046 : Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20
• 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 22/02 : with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 : performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 : performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/18 : with elements, i.e. platforms, having a circulating, nutating or rotating movement, generated by oscillating movement of the user, e.g. platforms wobbling on a centrally arranged spherical supporthoop exercising apparatus A63B19/00; eccentric weights put into orbital motion by nutating movement of the user A63B21/0608; pots rotating or rocking by moving the whole body A63G23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 : in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 : Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0214 : Kneeling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0219 : on hands and knees
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0242 : Lying down
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 : Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/60 : muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0205 : Abdomen
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 : moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0233 : Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 : For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• 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 23/03541 : Moving independently from each other A63B22/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/047 : Walking and pulling or pushing a load for exercising the player ability for rugby or American football A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 : Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

A multi-axis adjustable exercise machine which is pivotable about both a pitch axis and a roll axis with respect to a base for allowing an exerciser to perform a wide range of exercises on a pitched or rolled exercise machine. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine generally includes an exercise machine which is adjustable with respect to a base. The exercise machine may be pivoted about a roll axis to adjust the roll angle of the exercise machine or may be pivoted about a pitch axis to adjust the pitch angle of the exercise machine. One or more actuators may be connected between the base and the exercise machine to effectuate the pivoting of the exercise machine about either or both axes with respect to the base.

Claims

1. A multi-axis adjustable exercise machine, comprising:

a base;

an exercise machine movably connected to the base, wherein the exercise machine comprises a track, a carriage slidably connected to the track, a biasing member attached to the carriage to apply a resistive force to the carriage, a first platform near a first end of the exercise machine and a second platform near a second end of the exercise machine;

a first actuator connected between the base and the exercise machine; and

a second actuator connected between the base and the exercise machine, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are operable to move the exercise machine about a first axis and a second axis with respect to the base;

wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are motorized;

wherein the first actuator and the second actuator operate to pivot the exercise machine about the first axis and the second axis;

wherein the first axis is comprised of a pitch axis of the exercise machine and wherein the second axis is comprised of a roll axis of the exercise machine.

2. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first actuator pivots the exercise machine about the first axis and wherein the second actuator pivots the exercise machine about the second axis.

3. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the first axis comprises a pitch axis of the exercise machine.

4. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 3, wherein the second axis comprises a roll axis of the exercise machine.

5. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is adapted to increase or decrease a pitch angle of the exercise machine with respect to the base.

6. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the second actuator is adapted to increase or decrease a roll angle of the exercise machine with respect to the base.

7. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are connected to at least one motor.

8. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are individually motorized.

9. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein extension of both the first actuator and the second actuator pivots the exercise machine about the first axis in a first direction.

10. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 9, wherein retraction of both the first actuator and the second actuator pivots the exercise machine about the first axis in a second direction.

11. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 10, wherein pivoting the exercise machine about the first axis in the first direction increases a pitch angle of the exercise machine with respect to the base and wherein pivoting the exercise machine about the first axis in the second direction decreases the pitch angle of the exercise machine with respect to the base.

12. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein extension of the first actuator pivots the exercise machine about the second axis in a second direction.

13. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are connected to at least one motor.

14. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are individually motorized.

15. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the carriage, the first platform and the second platform each have an upper surface that is positioned on or near a common plane.

16. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the movement of the exercise machine about the first axis and the second axis occurs concurrently with one another.

17. The multi-axis adjustable exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the movement of the exercise machine about the first axis and the second axis occurs independent of one another.

18. A method of exercising on a multi-axis adjustable exercise machine, comprising:

providing an exercise machine movably connected a base, wherein the exercise machine comprises a track, a carriage slidably connected to the track, a biasing member attached to the carriage to apply a resistive force to the carriage, a first platform near a first end of the exercise machine, a second platform near a second end of the exercise machine, and at least one motorized actuator connected between the base and the exercise machine operable to move the exercise machine about a pitch axis and a roll axis with respect to the base;

positioning an exerciser on the exercise machine to perform a first exercise;

moving the exercise machine about the pitch axis in a first direction and about the roll axis in a second direction to a first position; and

performing the first exercise by the exerciser during or after the step of pivoting the exercise machine.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising:

pivoting the exercise machine about the pitch axis in the first direction and about the roll axis in the second direction to a second position, wherein the second position has a different attitude than the first position; and

performing a second exercise by the exerciser during or after the step of pivoting the exercise machine.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein moving the exercise machine about the pitch axis occurs concurrently with moving the exercise machine about the roll axis.