GB2563219A

GB2563219A - Resistance exercise machine

Info

Publication number: GB2563219A
Application number: GB1708934.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrade Paddington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-05
Filing date: 2017-06-05
Publication date: 2018-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-05
Also published as: GB2563219B; GB201708934D0

Abstract

A resistance exercise machine 10 comprises a support frame 12 with a ground engaging portion 14. The apparatus 10 has a shoulder rest 16 configured in use to contact the front surfaces of a user's shoulders and a foot plate 18 configured in use to contact the feet of a user. The footrest 18 is moveable in a direction substantially parallel to a contact plane defined by the ground engaging portion 14. An adjustable weight stack 20 comprising a plurality of discrete weights is moveable in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the contact plane of the base 14. The pedal 18 may move in a direction extending between the users head and foot. The machine 10 may include a mechanism connecting the footrest 18 to the weights 20. This mechanism may include a pulley, bearings or levers. Also disclosed is a method of assembling the machine 10.

Description

RESISTANCE EXERCISE MACHINE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a resistance exercise machine for strengthening legs and core muscles of a user.

Background A number of conventional exercise machines are available to strengthen different muscles in the body. Conventional machines however can be quite large and require a significant amount of space during use. Furthermore, more than one type of machine is generally required in order to exercise different groups of muscles.

There is therefore a need for a more compact machine that can be used to strengthen leg muscles at the same time as strengthening core muscles. There is also a need for a machine which provides a more effective workout for a user.

Prior Art EP 2223721 (RAO) discloses a prone crawling exerciser comprising: upper limp support; left and right leg slides; track means; and pulley and cable means; wherein left and right leg slides are each mounted with wheels. The track means comprises two parallel left and right track and track brackets which are mounted on track brackets with a space from the ground. The upper limp support is located on left and right tracks or track brackets. The left and right leg slides are mounted on left and right tracks and are able to slide on left and right tracks through said wheels; pulley and cable means.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a resistance exercise machine comprising: a support frame comprising a ground engaging portion defining a contact plane configured in use to contact the ground or support surface; a shoulder rest configured in use to contact the front surfaces of a user’s shoulders; a moveable foot plate configured in use to contact the feet of a user, and in which the foot plate is configured to be moveable in a direction extending substantially parallel to the contact plane defined by the ground engaging portion; and an adjustable weight stack comprising a plurality of discrete weights, and in which the weight stack is configured to be moveable in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the contact plane of the ground engaging portion.

The adjustable weight stack may comprise a weight adjustment regulation mechanism, which mechanism enables the user to fix the adjusted stack at a preferred weight.

In contrast to the prior art therefore the present invention provides a more compact resistance exercise machine which is capable of providing a more effective means of exercising core and leg muscles simultaneously.

The machine of the present invention is capable of providing a more effective means of exercising core and leg muscles simultaneously. The machine can provide a full body workout using a single piece of equipment.

The machine of the present invention may be used by athletes to improve one or more of: performance, strength, speed and/or agility, or any combination thereof.

The foot plate is preferably moveable in a direction extending between the head and foot of the user during use.

The resistance exercise machine preferably further comprises an actuating mechanism connecting the moveable foot plate to the adjustable weight stack. The actuating mechanism may comprise one or more of: a pulley mechanism; bearings, rollers and/or one or more lever arms, or any combination thereof.

The shoulder rest is preferably adjustable. The shoulder rest is preferably configured such that the user may adjust the position of the free end of the shoulder rest to a suitable height for the user.

At least one of the foot plate and/or shoulder rest may further comprise anti-slip material.

At least one of the foot plate and/or shoulder rest may further comprise high density foam wrapped in a vinyl cover.

The footplate may extend at an angle to the contact plane defined by the ground engaging portion. The angle at which the footplate extends may be adjustable.

The support frame may be composed of extruded aluminium.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a resistance exercise machine as herein described, comprising: providing the support frame comprising the ground engaging portion, the shoulder rest, the footplate and the adjustable weight stack; positioning the shoulder rest such that in use the shoulder rest contacts the front surfaces of the shoulders of a user; connecting the footplate to the adjustable weight stack such that in use movement of the footplate in a direction extending substantially parallel to the contact plane defined by the ground engaging portion causes movement of the adjustable weight stack in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the contact plane of the ground engaging portion.

Embodiments of the present invention may now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying Figures.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of one embodiment of the resistance exercise machine of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view from below of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view from above of the support frame of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view from the front of a foot plate of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view from the rear of the footplate of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view from the front of a shoulder rest of the machine of Figure 1; and

Figure 7 shows a perspective view from the rest of the shoulder rest of Figure 6.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures, the resistance exercise machine 10 comprises a support frame 12 comprising a ground engaging portion 14 defining a contact plane configured in use to contact the ground or support surface. The support frame 12 is composed of a strong extruded aluminium frame. It is however to be understood that the frame 12 may be composed of any suitable material capable of imparting strength to the machine and resisting forces supplied to components of the machine by the user. The support frame 21 further comprises a pair of spaced apart runners 13 extending parallel to each other. The pair of spaced apart runners 13 are longitudinally extending grooves. Each runner 13 extends substantially parallel to the contact plane defined by the ground engaging portion 14.

The machine 10 further comprises a shoulder rest 16 configured in use to contact the front surfaces of a user’s shoulders. The shoulder rest 16 is adjustable such that the user can adjust the shoulder rest 16 to the preferred height from the ground or support surface. The positioned of the shoulder rest 16 may be adjusted relative to support frame 12. The shoulder rest 16 further comprises a plurality of spaced apart rollers 23 engageable with runners 13 provided by the support frame 12.

The machine 10 further comprises a moveable foot plate 18 configured in use to contact the feet of a user. The foot plate 18 is configured to be moveable in a direction extending substantially parallel to the contact plane defined by the ground engaging portion 14. The foot plate 18 comprises a plurality of spaced apart rollers 21. Each roller is shaped and dimensioned to be engageable with a runner 13 on the support frame 12.

The angle formed between the contact plane 17 defined by the foot plate 18 and the contact plane may be adjusted. The footplate 18 is attached to an adjustable arcuate shaped support arm 19. The positioned of the support arm 19 may be adjusted in order to alter the angle formed by the contact plane 17.

The machine 10 further comprises an adjustable weight stack 20 comprising a plurality of discrete weights and a stack locking pin 61. The weight stack 20 is configured to be moveable in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the contact plane of the ground engaging portion. The weight stack 20 may comprise any suitable number of weights, each weight having any suitable weight. For example, the weight stack 20 may comprise a plurality of weights allowing the user to adjust the weight being lifted from 5kg to 100 kg.

In use, the user positions themselves adjacent the support frame 12 of the machine 10. The user adjusts the shoulder rest 16 to the predetermined extension. The user places their feet in contact with the foot plate 18. The user adopts the plank position. The plank position is when a user’s body is suspended above the ground. When in the plank position, the user pushes the foot plate 18 away from the shoulder rest causing the weight stack 20 to rise away from the ground or support surface. The user then reduces or releases pressure on the foot plate 18 by bending their knees. The foot plate 18 moves back towards the shoulder rest 16 and the weight stack 20 lowers again towards the ground or support surface. The user carries out any number of suitable repetitions of this movement while in the plank position. The machine is configured to engage with a user while in the plank position in order to work out and strengthen the legs and core muscles of a user.

This machine enables the user to strength their legs and core muscles in order to improve their stamina and performance. The machine may also strengthen additional muscles. The machine provides a full body workout. The user may achieve the equivalent of a 30 minute whole body exercise workout by using this machine for a period of 5 minutes.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

Claims

1. A resistance exercise machine comprising: a support frame comprising a ground engaging portion defining a contact plane configured in use to contact the ground or support surface; a shoulder rest configured in use to contact the front surfaces of a user’s shoulders; a moveable foot plate configured in use to contact the feet of a user, and in which the foot plate is configured to be moveable in a direction extending substantially parallel to the contact plane defined by the ground engaging portion; and an adjustable weight stack comprising a plurality of discrete weights, and in which the weight stack is configured to be moveable in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the contact plane of the ground engaging portion

2. A resistance exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the foot plate is moveable in a direction extending between the head and foot of the user during use.

3. A resistance exercise machine further comprising an actuating mechanism connecting the moveable foot plate to the adjustable weight stack.

4. A resistance exercise machine as claimed in claim 3, in which the actuating mechanism comprises a pulley mechanism.

5. A resistance exercise machine as claimed in either of claims 3 or 4, in which the actuating mechanism comprises bearings.

6. A resistance exercise machine as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, in which the actuating mechanism comprises lever arms.

7. A resistance exercise machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the shoulder rest is adjustable.

8. A resistance exercise machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one of the foot plate and shoulder rest further comprise anti-slip material.

9. A resistance exercise machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least one of the foot plate and shoulder rest further comprise high density foam wrapped in a vinyl cover.

10. A resistance exercise machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the footplate extends at an angle to the contact plane defined by the ground engaging portion.

11. A resistance exercise machine as claimed in claim 10, in which the angle at which the footplate extends is adjustable.

12. A resistance exercise machine as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support frame is composed of extruded aluminium.

13. A method of assembling a resistance exercise machine as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising: providing the support frame comprising the ground engaging portion, the shoulder rest, the footplate and the adjustable weight stack; positioning the shoulder rest such that in use the shoulder rest contacts the front surfaces of the shoulders of a user; connecting the footplate to the adjustable weight stack such that in use movement of the footplate in a direction extending substantially parallel to the contact plane defined by the ground engaging portion causes movement of the adjustable weight stack in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the contact plane of the ground engaging portion.