KR100768461B1 - Reformer exercise apparatus anchor bar and carriage stop assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The reformer device has a pair of parallel track members at predetermined intervals from the head end and the foot end, and a movable carriage mounted on the track member to move between the head end and the foot end. At the foot end, one or more springs are connected between the carriage and the elastic member anchor bar and the carriage stop assembly. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly adjustably positions the carriage, anchor bar and resilient member on the track member to adapt to a wide range of user heights. Each end of the anchor bar is disposed in an elongate slot formed in each track member. The elongate slot has a predetermined spacing gear shaped opening that defines the anchor bar stops or locking portions at predetermined spacing. The anchor bar can only be moved between the locking portions when it is rotated to the unlocked position, and the bar coupled to the carriage can slide along the track in the slot. The assembly also maintains the carriage and anchor bar by a predetermined distance when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position and maintains a minimum distance between the anchor bar and the carriage when the anchor bar is in the locked position.

Description

Anchor Bar and Carriage Stop Assembly in Reformer Motion Device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to the field of exercise equipment (generally referred to as "reformers") where movable carriages are used to at least partially support the user's body, more specifically reformers having adjustable spring anchor bars and carriage stop assemblies. It is about.

In US Pat. No. 1,621,477, Joseph H. Pilates utilizes a wheeled platform carriage connected to a resistive device, such as a weight set, with a fixed frame to the main muscles of the user's torso, legs and / or arms. The concept was first developed to provide a variable resistance that allows the user to push or pull with the arm in a sitting or lying position to exercise the arm. As time went by and the construction of such a device was advanced by Joseph H. Pilates, it was recently developed by his students and others. U.S. Patent 5,066,005 and the aforementioned patents represent the current state of evolutionary development since 1927.

Current traditional devices are generally referred to as "reformers" comprising wheeled platform carriages placed on parallel rails that are provided on or form part of a rectangular wooden or metal frame. The carriage is connected to a series of parallel springs or elastic members connected to the foot ends of the rectangular frame. The carriage lies on the rail or on a track mounted inside the long side of the rectangular frame. This carriage is generally spaced a predetermined distance to support the user's shoulders and head when lying on the carriage and typically includes a pair of upright shoulder stops and a head restrained padded at one end. An adjustable foot bar, foot support or foot rest on which the user places his foot is removably mounted to the foot end of the rectangular frame. The spring support rod is positioned across the foot end between the tracks by the spring support bracket fixed to the frame. This spring support rod is typically fitted in one of three or four recesses or slots of the support bracket, depending on the size or capability of the user. Alternatively, the spring support rod may be permanently secured to the frame. The user can move the carriage along the track in a direction away from the foot rest against spring tension by pushing the foot rest to exercise the leg and foot muscle groups in accordance with a defined movement routine. At the head end of the frame, the arm and torso muscle group of the user are exercised using a rope connected to the head end of the carriage through a pulley.

The carriage is prevented from moving close to the foot rest by a stop pin secured to the upper end of each track, the carriage being in contact with the stop pin when at rest. Alternatively, the function of the stop pin may be performed by a spring anchor bar and a carriage stop member, as disclosed in Applicants' U.S. Patent Nos. 6,120,425 and 6,338,704.

Many traditional reformer designs utilize tubular anchor bars that slide into slope slots in brackets fixed to the rails at the foot end of the frame. The slot allows the user to adjust the longitudinal position of the anchor along the rail. This anchor bar is typically circular in cross section. Thus, when the user wants to change the number of springs attached to the anchor bar, the user must be careful not to remove all springs from the anchor bar at the same time, since there is no slight spring tension for at least one hook, This is because the anchor bar simply rotates downward to position the hook toward the floor. At this point, the user must rotate the bar with one hand and secure the spring to one of the hooks with the other hand so that the hook faces the carriage. Another drawback with traditional round bars and slotted bracket spring anchor designs is that the bracket is a separate component that typically must be mounted on the rail at the foot end of the frame.

Embodiments of the present invention may be considered to be reformer exercise devices, preferably including wheeled carriages having a substantially flat top surface. The carriage is attached to a nearly rectangular frame having a head end and a foot end or is movably mounted on a parallel track member constituting the side of the frame. The carriage is equipped with a pair of shoulder stops, and between the shoulder stops, the head rest extends outward from the carriage toward the head end of the frame. A plurality of elastic members connected between the foot end and the carriage elastically bias the carriage toward the foot end of the frame. A movable spring anchor bar and a carriage stop assembly are integrated between the track members at or near the foot end of the rectangular frame to secure the elastic member to properly position the carriage with respect to the anchor bar.

The track member is preferably a tube, and each track member preferably has a rectangular cross section extending between the head end and the foot end of the frame. Alternatively, each track member may have a "top hat" or U-shaped cross section so that when the track is secured inside the side of the frame, the track has a horizontal track surface for the carriage support roller and a vertical sidewall on which the carriage guide roller will be placed. Can be. A spring anchor bar and a carriage stop assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention include an elongate anchor bar having a carriage, a tubular track member and an opposite end that lies in an elongate slot when facing the vertical sidewall of the tubular track member. More specifically, each track member has an elongate longitudinal keyway slot formed in the inner wall of the track member adjacent to the foot end of the track member. Each keyway slot has a series of geared cutouts of predetermined intervals that form anchor bar stops of predetermined intervals. Each end of the anchor bar forms a key or tenon that lies within one of the elongated keyways such that the anchor bar is supported and captured by the key end of the anchor end between the track members at intervals.

Once the anchor bar is trapped in these slots, the anchor bar can be rotated about its longitudinal axis between the locking position of the pair of geared walls and the unlocking position of the tenon parallel to the length of the slot. These gears or stops are formed such that the keyed ends of the anchor bars can be rotated between the locked and unlocked positions when both ends are aligned with the corresponding stops. Between these stops, i.e. when the key ends are aligned parallel to the length of the elongated keyway slot, the anchor bar key end is defined by the foot end of the frame end between the stops of the keyway slot where the user continues the anchor bar. Slide to move back and forth in perspective.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a carriage stop bracket extending from the anchor bar toward the carriage and rotated by the anchor bar to lock the anchor bar and the carriage together when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position. This same stop bracket keeps the carriage at a predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar and unlocks the carriage when the anchor bar is rotated to the locked position.

Another embodiment of the present invention is incorporated into the reformer exercise device, wherein the foot bar is not limited to either the head end or the foot end of the frame, but also to various points by a support bracket assembly that slides in the T slot along each side of the frame therebetween. And the horizontal and vertical positions of the foot bar with various angle positions such that the foot bar is selectively positioned in a plurality of vertical positions from the carriage near the head end or foot end of the frame.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed as illustrative examples.

1 is a perspective view of a reformer movement device according to the present invention in which the carriage portion is in a retracted position relative to the carriage stop of the anchor bar and the carriage stop assembly.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the foot end of the reformer shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

3 is an independent perspective view of the foot bar support assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the reformer from inside the foot end of the reformer shown in FIG. 1, with the right portion of the frame removed to show the anchor bar at the dashed lock position and the dashed line unlock position.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

6 is an independent perspective view of the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an exploded perspective view of the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly shown in FIG. 6.

8 is an end view of one of the assemblies shown in FIG. 6.

9 is an independent perspective view of the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly according to the present invention, wherein the anchor bar is in an unlocked position with the carriage.

FIG. 10 is an independent perspective view of the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly shown in FIG. 9 with the anchor bar separated from the carriage in the locked position. FIG.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the anchor bar used in the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

12 is a foot end view of the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly shown in FIG.

Figure 13 is an independent perspective view of another embodiment of the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly according to the present invention, with the anchor bar in the unlocked position.

An exercise device 10 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The exercising device 10 has a substantially rectangular frame 12 having a head end 14 and a foot end 16 and a pair of parallel track or rail members 18. The frame 12 is a substantially rectangular wooden frame in which the track or rail member 18 is secured inside the opposite sidewall 20 of the frame 12, or the rail member 18 itself, as in a reformer having a metallic tubular frame. May constitute a parallel sidewall of the frame 12. The exercising device 10 further comprises a movable carriage 22 which is slidably or rollably arranged on the track member 18 to move back and forth on the track member 18 between the head end 14 and the foot end 16. do.

Each track member 18 of the reformer exercise device 10 according to the invention is a metal tube having a rectangular, preferably substantially square cross-sectional shape. In the illustrated embodiment, these metal tubes are bolted or otherwise secured to the inner side of the side wall 20 of the frame 12.

The carriage 22 includes a substantially rectangular pad platform 24 for supporting the user's body, and is a pair fixed to the upper surface of the platform 24 adjacent to the head end of the carriage 22 and spaced a predetermined distance. Shoulder stop 26 and a head rest 28 located in the center between these shoulder stops 26. The head rest 28 can be hinged to the platform 24 so that it can be adjusted at least between the raised and lowered positions. The head rest extends outward from the platform 24 toward the head end of the frame 12. The carriage 22 has four support wheels or rollers (not shown) that support the carriage 22 on the horizontal top surface of the track member 18 to move back and forth with minimal friction on the track member 18. . The carriage 22 also has a guide roller 25 (FIG. 5) that rolls along the vertical surface of the track member 18 to prevent the carriage 22 from engaging on the track member 18 or with respect to the frame sidewall 20. It is under the platform 24 adjacent to the support roller. The guide roller and the support roller are mounted to a square tubular member 27 fixed to the bottom surface of the platform 24. The plurality of elastic resistance members 30 (typically springs as shown in the figure) are provided with a foot end of the carriage 22 and a foot end of the frame 12 such that the carriage 22 is deflected toward the foot end of the frame 12. Hooked or otherwise secured between the 16.

The foot bar assembly 32 is of substantially U type with a pair of parallel legs 36, 38, preferably of tubular aluminum, spaced at predetermined intervals, and a foot bar portion 40 between these legs. It has a foot bar 34 and a pair of adjustable support bracket assemblies 42. The pad sleeve on the foot bar 40 provides a cushion support for the user's foot. The support bracket assembly 42 of the foot bar is shown separately in FIG. 3 in a perspective view separated from the frame 12.

Foot bar portion 40 defines an S-shaped recurve region 44 that engages leg portions 36 and 38 such that the straight portion of foot bar portion 40 extends completely across rail member 18. At each end, when the foot bar 34 is rotated to lie horizontally above the foot end 16, the foot bar 34 does not contact the foot end 16. The curved area 44 further provides a more rigid structure to the foot bar 34 than a simple straight right bend between the leg and foot bars, with the user's feet being at a distance on the foot bar 34. Provide a gap for the ankle of the user. Referring now to FIG. 3, there is a lateral bearing sleeve 46 at each distal end of the leg portions 36, 38. The pivot pin 48 is secured through the sleeve 46 into a threaded central bore in one of the support brackets 42. The spring loaded stop pin 50 is fitted through a corresponding bore penetrating the respective leg portions 36, 38 and a predetermined distance above the pivot sleeve 46. This stop pin 50 is used to adjust the vertical posture of the foot bar portion 40 of the foot bar 34 as described in detail below.

Each support bracket assembly 42 is mounted along the length of the frame sidewall 20 such that the support bar 52 can slide back and forth in the T slot 54 between the foot end 16 and the head end 14. Elongate support bar 52 having an approximately T-shaped cross section of a size complementary to slot 54 is provided. The base of the T-shaped cross section of the support bar 52 has a support plate having an elongate base 58 extending along the base of the support bar 52 and an arc portion 53 extending in parallel to the upper end of the support bar 52. 56 is fixed. The arc portion 53 has a series of holes 55 spaced at different angles from the horizontal plane passing through the central pivot pin 48. This hole 55 is positioned to receive a spring loaded stop pin 50 for locking the foot bar 34 posture over the rail member 18 at a particularly desired height. At least one of the holes 55 is located directly above the pivot pin 48 to provide a vertical posture of the foot bar 34. The other of the holes 55 is horizontally aligned with the central pivot pin 48 to completely fold the foot bar 34 around the foot end 16 of the frame 12. The stop pin 50 is activated by pressing a lever 57 that pivots the spring loaded stop pin 50 out of one of the holes 55 so that the foot bar 34 can be rotated to the desired position. do. This configuration allows the foot bar 34 to be positioned below the top of the reformer so that the entire top surface of the reformer 10 can be used without the foot bar 34.

At the other end of base 58 of support plate 56 is a spring loaded stop pin assembly 59. The pins of the stop pin assembly 59 are selectively fitted into one of the plurality of holes 51 spaced in the horizontal direction within the T slot 54. The support bar 52 of the foot bar assembly 32 slides along this slot in the T slot 54. The spring loaded stop pin assembly 59 stops the support bar 52, thus the foot bar assembly 32, along the frame wall 20 in the desired position. This configuration, in which the T-slot 54 extends along the entire length of the frame 12, opens up a variety of new movement possibilities not previously possible with the foot bar 34, which can only be positioned near the foot end of the frame of the reformer 10. To facilitate.

A reformer 10 incorporating an embodiment of the present invention is shown in more detail in FIG. The spring 30 is attached to the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly 60 in which the track 18 is integrated at the foot end 16. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly 60 adjustably secures the spring 30 to the anchor bar 62 at the foot end 16 of the frame 12 to at least one carriage stop attached to the anchor bar 62. A predetermined minimum distance is maintained between the carriage 22 and the anchor bar 62 via the member 64. Anchor bar 62 is an elongate straight bar or tube that may have a circular cross section. Alternatively, bar 62 may have a C-shaped cross section or otherwise an elongated closed or open form.

The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown independently in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly 60 includes a pair of track members 18 and anchor bars 62 at predetermined intervals. Anchor bar 62 has an elongate carriage stop arm 64 adjacent each end of anchor bar 62. As described below in more detail with reference to FIG. 4, in the locked position, the distal end of the stop arm 64 contacts the carriage 22 to maintain a predetermined minimum distance between the anchor bar 62 and the carriage 22. do. This stop arm 64 also acts as a lever to rotate the anchor bar from the locked position to the unlocked position so that the anchor bar 62 can be repositioned along the keyway slot 66.

Each track member 18 has an elongate keyway slot 66 formed in the inner wall of the tubular track member 18 adjacent to the foot end 16 of the frame 12. The portion of each track member 18 forming the keyway slot 66 includes gears 68 spaced apart to form an anchor bar stop or locking portion 70. Each end of the anchor bar 62 includes an approximately rectangular tenon 72 that protrudes in the axial direction, and a protruding axial pin 74 that extends from the distal end of the tenon 72. As best seen in FIG. 7, the proximal end of the stop arm 64 is complementary in shape to the tenon 72 and the stop arm 64 is held relative to the base of the tenon 72 so that the anchor bar 62 is located. It has an almost rectangular elongate slot 76 which receives tenon 72 so that it cannot be rotated about. Similarly, the elongated spacer arm 78 has a slot sized to fit the spacer onto the tenon 72. Guide wheels 80 are fastened by screws 82 on shaft pins 74.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the stop arm 64 is assembled on the tenon 72, and then a spacer is mounted on the tenon 72, and the guide wheels 80 are secured to each axial pin 74. do. Finally, a series of spring anchor hooks 83 are mounted on the anchor bar. The wheel 80 of this subassembly is located at the top wall of the track member 18 such that the tenon 72 on the anchor bar 62 fits into the slot 66 to complete the assembly of the anchor bar and the carriage stop assembly 60. Fall into slot 84 and engage with slot 66. In this configuration, the guide wheel 80 is located between the top wall and the bottom wall in the track member 18 such that the anchor bar 62 is not engaged in the track member 18 or the slot 66. It is ensured that 72 is located substantially centrally within slot 66. This is best seen in the end view of FIG. 8.

The operation of the assembly is best shown with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 4, the foot end 16 of the exercising device 10 is shown with the anchor bar 62 positioned in both the locked position 86 and the unlocked position 88. The broken line 86 shows the anchor bar 62 in the locked position in which the tenon 72 is rotated to engage the gear 68. In this position, it should be noted that the parallel sides of tenon 72 are about 60 degrees from horizontal to prevent horizontal movement of anchor bar 62.

Dotted line 88 represents anchor bar 62 in the unlocked position, where the parallel sides of tenon 72 are parallel to the longitudinal axis of slot 66. In this rotational position, the anchor bar 62 can be freely moved from one locking position to another locking position. In particular, when the desired position is reached, the user can lock the anchor bar 62 in place by rotating the stop arm 64 clockwise, so that the carriage stop end of the stop arm 64 is shown in FIG. 5. 90 is brought into contact with the bumper 92 on the carriage 22. In this position, when at least one spring 30 is attached to one of the hooks 83, the anchor bar 62 is securely locked in place. Further, even when no spring is attached, the anchor bar 62 causes the offset mass of the assembly upward or counterclockwise due to the elongated stop arm 64 projecting at right angles to the axis of rotation of the anchor bar 62. Rotation is prevented.

9-12 show a reformer 10 incorporating another preferred embodiment of another anchor bar and carriage stop assembly 100 in the present invention. 9, 10 and 12, similar to that shown in FIG. 5, the reformer 10 including corners of the square tubular track member 18 and the carriage 22 to facilitate the description of this embodiment 100. Only the foot end portion of is shown in perspective view.

Each track member 18 of the reformer device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is also a metal tube with a rectangular, preferably substantially square cross-sectional shape. In the embodiment shown, this metal tube is bolted or otherwise secured to the inner side of the side wall 20 of the frame 12. Alternatively, the track member 18 may perform the supporting function of the side walls 20 in all metal frame structures of the reformer to eliminate the need for separate side walls 20.

The carriage 22 also includes a nearly flat pad platform 24 that supports the user's body and is a pair of fixed distances to the top surface of the platform 24 adjacent to the head end of the carriage 22. A shoulder stop 26 and a head rest 28 located centrally between these shoulder stops 26 are provided. The head rest 28 can be hinged to the platform 24 so that it can be adjusted at least between the raised and lowered positions. The head rest extends outward from the platform 24 toward the head end of the frame 12. The carriage 22 has four support wheels or rollers 29 shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 9 and 10 and clearly shown in FIG. 12. These wheels 29 support the carriage 22 on the horizontal top surface of the track member 18 to move back and forth with minimal friction on the track member 18 as shown in FIG. 12. The carriage 22 also rolls along the vertical inner surface of the track member 18 to prevent the carriage 22 from engaging on the track member 18 or the carriage 22 against the frame sidewall 20. Four guide rollers 25 are under the platform 24 adjacent to the support rollers 29. The guide roller 25 and the support roller 29 are respectively attached to a square tubular member 27 which is secured to the lower surface of the platform 24 and extends the length of the lower surface. A carriage stop angle bracket 105 is vertically fixed to the foot end of each support tubular member 27 at the foot end of the carriage 22. The lower end of the bracket 105 extends below the foot end of the tubular member 27 to which the bracket is attached.

A plurality of elastic resistance members 30; Typically a spring as shown in the figures (see FIGS. 2 and 8), the foot 22 of the carriage 22 and the frame 12 such that the carriage 22 is deflected toward the foot end 16 of the frame 12. Hooked or otherwise secured between the 16. These springs 30 are omitted in FIGS. 9-12 for clarity of the following description.

The spring 30 is removably attached to an anchor bar integrated with the track 18 at the foot end 16 and an anchor hook 83 on the anchor bar 102 forming part of the carriage stop assembly 100. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly 100 adjustably secures the spring 30 at the foot end 16 of the frame 12 and the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly are directed from the anchor bar 102 toward the carriage 22. A predetermined minimum distance is maintained between the carriage 22 and the anchor bar 102 through the extending at least one carriage stop member 104. In this preferred embodiment 100, there are two carriage stop members 104 in the form of pizza slices that each engage one of the carriage stop brackets 105 to form part of the assembly 100. Variations not shown may be constructed using only one carriage stop member 104. In such an embodiment, the stop member 104 is preferably located adjacent to the central spring 30 (see FIG. 8), and one stop bracket similar to the stop bracket 105 is preferably associated with the stop member 104. It is fixed to the center lower surface of the carriage 22 to engage.

Anchor bar 102 is shown independently of the exploded view of FIG. 11. This anchor bar 102 is preferably an elongate straight bar or tube with a basically circular cross section. Alternatively, anchor bar 102 may have a square or D-shaped cross section, or else may have an elongated closed cross-sectional shape, a solid cross-sectional shape, or an open cross-sectional shape. For example, anchor bar 102 may be a tube having a wall of predetermined thickness to which anchor hook 83 is secured into anchor bar 102.

Each end of anchor bar 102 has a substantially cylindrical cap 106 that secures the carriage stop member 104 in the form of a pizza slice to its end. The cap 106 has an elongate tenon portion 108 and a cylindrical body portion 110. The tenon portion 108 preferably has at least two parallel sides and may have a rounded end that engages with the parallel sides of the tenon portion 108. The tenant portion axially contacts the carriage stop member 104 to bring the cylindrical body portion 110 at a distance from the carriage stop member 104. Cap 106 is fastened to anchor bar 102 by a pair of countersunk head bolts 112.

The cap 106 has a central axis recess or blind bore 114 that receives a spring loaded indexing ball 118 at its open end. More specifically, within the bore 114, a coil spring 116 is placed and extends out of the cap 106, against the ball 118 captured in the open end of the bore 114. This ball 118 is configured to lie against the inner surface of the vertical outer wall of the track member 18 of the square rail tube, aligned with the direct facing of the locking portions 70 in the slot 66 of the track member 18. And snaps into a detent or hole (not shown) in the outer wall of the track member 18, if any. This interaction provides the user with tactile feedback to correct the longitudinal positioning of the anchor bar 102 within each locking portion 70.

The cylindrical body portion 110 of the cap 106 is a low friction, tough polymeric material, such as nylon, so as to slide easily within the track member 18 when the anchor bar 102 is mounted between the track members 18. It is preferred to be made of or coated with the material. In order to mount the anchor bar 102, the cap 106 is inserted into the opening 84 of the track member 18 such that the tenon 108 has a longitudinal translation within the slot 66 of the track member 18. Is located.

Alternatively, the tenon 108 may be formed in the anchor bar 102 as an integral part of the anchor bar 102. In this variant, the caps 106 are each cylindrical bodies without tenon. In this variant, the stop member 104 has an elongate slot to receive the tenon on the anchor bar 102.

The carriage stop member 104 is preferably a sheet metal in the form of a flat pie piece having a tapered base end 111 that extends into a large arcuate distal end 113. Tapered proximal end 111 is secured to anchor bar 102. The edge of the arcuate distal end 113 has an arc having a radius about the center of the anchor bar 102. The arcuate distal end 113 also has a latch finger 114 protruding from the bottom end of the arc portion of the distal end. The size of this latch finger 114 is such that the lower end of the stop angle bracket 105 is fixed to the tubular member 27 on the carriage 22 when the carriage 22 is retracted with respect to the stop member 104 by the spring 30. Set to engage with wealth.

The carriage stop member 104 keeps the carriage 22 at a distance from the anchor bar 102. When the anchor bar 102 is rotated upward by the user, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the distal edge of the arcuate distal end 113 of the stop member 104 causes the carriage 22 to anchor the carriage 22. The contact with the bracket 105 is continued so that a predetermined distance to separate it from is maintained. When the anchor bar 102 is rotated completely upwards so that the sides of the tenon 108 are aligned parallel to the track member 18 and thus parallel to the wall of the slot 66, the latch fingers 114 It is moved upwards to hook the back of the lower edge of the bracket 105, thereby locking the carriage 22 and anchor bar 102 together. When this engagement position is reached, the anchor bar 102 is unlocked so that the combined anchor bar 102, spring 30 and carriage 22 all slide within the track member 18 along the slot 66. And move along the track member 18 with the cap 106. As anchor bar 102 moves within slot 66, indexing ball 118 slides along the inside of the outer wall of track member 18. When encountering the locking portion, the indexing ball falls into the recess to indicate to the user that the locking portion has been reached. At this point, the user can rotate the anchor bar 102 downward from the unlocked position shown in FIG. 9 to the locked position shown in FIG. 10. This operation separates the latch finger 114 from the carriage stop bracket 105 while still maintaining the minimum distance between the carriage 22 and the anchor bar 102.

The plastic cushion 120 may be mounted at the lower end of the stop bracket 105 to cushion the impact of the carriage 22 with the stop bracket 105 during the operation of the exercise device 10. The cushion 120 may cover only the lower end of the bracket 105 or alternatively may extend completely over the rear face of the bracket 105. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 9-12, each carriage stop member 104 has a handle 122 that projects laterally from the upper end of the arc.

The handle 122 may have any other form, such as a straight pin projecting from the rubber bumper sleeve 124 or a ring that the user grasps and rotates the anchor bar between the unlocked and locked positions. Alternatively, the handle 122 may be disposed separately from the carriage stop member 104. The handle 122 may, for example, be disposed directly on the anchor bar 102 or protrude upwards from the anchor bar itself.

The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above. Many modifications, variations, variations, and equivalents to the various structures shown and described will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, each track member may have a "top hat" or U-shaped cross section so that when the track is secured inside the side of the frame, the track has a horizontal track surface for the carriage support roller and a vertical sidewall on which the carriage guide roller will be placed. have. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly may be configured for use in the reformer device disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 5,607,381 and 5,338,278. In this case, the track constitutes a tubular frame rail and the anchor bar slots can simply be formed in the tubular frame rail. The foot bar support assembly 42 is mounted to a T slot 54 secured to the outer wall of the tubular frame rail so that the foot bar assembly 32 can be located anywhere along the length of the frame rail.

Anchor bar 62 may have a cross-sectional shape different from the circular as shown, and may be solid or hollow. The stop arm 64 may have a shape different from that of the flat metal sheet as shown. These members may be circular and may alternatively be formed from a single piece of material. Similarly, foot rest 32 and foot rest support 38 may be made differently than specifically shown and described. The wheel 80 may be replaced with the sliding block device of the tubular track member 18. Any such device that maintains the tenant of the anchor bar in the center in the slot 66 may be used. The anchor hook 83 may be a device such as a cap post, hook, ring, or other suitably formed member configured to receive or attach to one end of each spring 30. Alternatively, the anchor device may be machined into anchor bar 62.

The above discussed modifications may also be incorporated into variations of the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 9-12. Further, the shape of the carriage stop bracket and the stop member may differ from those specifically described and illustrated. For example, the cap 106 may incorporate a roller to facilitate smooth movement within the track 18.

Various other types of elastic resistance elements, such as elastic cords, may replace the springs 30. The carriage 22 can be placed in a pair of horizontally oriented "U" channel tracks, with slots 66 and 54 integrally formed in the bottom wall by extrusion of the track itself. Another variant includes a pair of track members each having a top vertical wall, a middle horizontal wall and a bottom vertical wall, similar to a horizontally oriented "Z" shaped cross section with a keyway slot 66 formed in the bottom wall. can do. In this case, the carriage is rolled along the middle vertical wall and the upper vertical wall is fixed to the frame 12 of the reformer device 10. In these variations, the anchor bar and the carriage stop assembly 100 are also integrated.

Another variant 200 of the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of the present invention may have a stop bracket / latch member and bracket 105 that function in reverse. This variant 200 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In this variant 200, the free end 202 of the elongate bottom 204 of the metal angle stop bracket 206 causes the spring 30 to retract the carriage 22 towards the anchor bar 102. Extends toward and is in contact with the anchor bar 102 at that time. This stop bracket 206 may alternatively be replaced by the bracket 105 shown in FIGS. 9-12, with the posts secured to its bottom, such as the bottom 204, protruding toward the anchor bar 102. Can be. In such a variant, the stop member 104 is simply replaced by a latch hook 208 that is omitted from the assembly and fits in a hole or recess in the post end. Also in a variant, the contact between anchor bar 102 and this bottom 204 or post maintains a predetermined distance between the anchor bar and the carriage.

The bottom 204 has a cushion 210 at its distal end that contacts the anchor bar 102. The user grasps the tenon 108 as described above by gripping the handle post 212 preferably located at the anchor bar 102 and rotating the anchor bar 102 upward to the unlocked position. Place parallel to inside. In this variant 200, the handle post 212 may be different from the straight rod. The combination of the bracket 206, anchor bar 102 and latch member 208 is a predetermined minimum between the carriage 22 and the anchor bar 102 regardless of the position of the anchor bar 102 within the slot 66. Keep your distance.

Accordingly, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and illustrated herein with reference to the illustrated embodiments. It is intended that the present invention not be limited to the specifically illustrated embodiment, but include all modifications, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and broad scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. All patents, patent applications, and publications referenced herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims (35)

A frame having a head end and a foot end, the frame comprising a pair of parallel hollow tubular track members spaced a predetermined distance between the head end and the foot end, A movable carriage mounted on a frame to move along the track member; At least one elongate elastic member extending between the carriage and an anchor bar supported in the elongate slot of the track member near the foot end of the frame; Elastic member anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for controlably securing the at least one elastic member to the anchor bar at a plurality of predetermined locations within the slot. Wherein each slot is elongated in a direction parallel to the length of the track member, wherein the resilient member anchor bar and the carriage stop assembly comprise an anchor bar, the anchor bar being defined between the carriage and the anchor bar. Wherein the exercise device can be positioned at a predetermined position selectable along the length of the elongate slot of the track member. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the anchor bar comprises a spacer plate oriented nearly upright and having a central end fixed to the anchor bar and a curved end in contact with the carriage. 2. The anchor bar of claim 1, wherein the anchor bar has opposing ends, and at each end a cylindrical end cap is secured, the end cap having an axially extending tenon secured to the anchor bar end, each end cap. Is housed in one of the elongated slots in one of the track members. 3. The anchor bar of claim 2, wherein the anchor bar has opposing ends, and at each end a cylindrical end cap is secured, the end cap having an axially extending tenon secured to the anchor bar end, each end cap having a track member. Housed in one of the elongated slots in one of the two slots, the spacer plate is rotated such that the anchor bar can be selectively moved between predetermined positions in the elongated slots of the parallel tracks such that the tenon is at the end of the track member. And a latch member on a curved end that can be selectively engaged with the carriage to align the anchor bar with a minimum distance to the carriage when aligned in the elongated slot. 2. An exercise device according to claim 1, wherein each selectable position in each slot of the track member is defined by a spaced anchor bar stop at a predetermined spacing of slots defining a spaced anchor bar lock position. . 6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a spacer plate having a central end fixed to said anchor bar and a curved end in contact with the carriage and oriented substantially upright, wherein the anchor bar is rotated only when the anchor bar is rotated to the unlocked position. An exercise device operable to move between locking positions 7. The anchor bar of claim 6, wherein the anchor bar has opposing ends, each end having a cylindrical end cap secured via an axially extending tenon engaging with the anchor bar end, each end cap having one of the track members. Housed in one of the elongated slots in, the tenons each having parallel sides, the sides of each tenon are parallel to the slots of each track member only when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position, and the spacer plate is anchored The minimum distance to the carriage when the anchor bar is rotated to align the tenon in the elongated slot at the end of the track member so that the bar can be selectively moved between predetermined positions within the elongated slot of the parallel track. And a latch member on a curved end that can be selectively engaged with the carriage to retain at. 2. The anchor bar of claim 1, wherein the anchor bar has opposing ends, each end having a cylindrical end cap secured via an axially extending tenon that engages the anchor bar end, each end cap having one of the track members. Housed in one of the elongated slots in, the tenons each have parallel sides, the sides of each tenon are parallel to the slots of each track member only when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position, and the parallel sides of the tenons Is engaged with one of the anchor bar stops of the slot when the anchor bar is rotated to the locked position, And further comprising a spacer plate which has a central end fixed to the anchor bar and a curved end in contact with the carriage and is oriented substantially upright, wherein the anchor bar moves between locking positions only when the anchor bar is rotated to the unlocked position. And the spacer plate is anchored when the anchor bar is rotated to align the tenon within the elongated slot of the track member so that the anchor bar can be selectively moved between predetermined positions in the elongated slot of the parallel track. And a latch member on a curved end that can be selectively engaged with the carriage to maintain a minimum distance to the carriage. The exercise device of claim 2 further comprising a latch member that can engage the carriage when the carriage is at a predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vertically oriented spacer plate extending from the anchor bar toward the carriage, the spacer plate having a latch member that can engage the carriage when the carriage is at a predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar. Exercise apparatus having. An anchor bar and a carriage stop assembly for use in an exercise device having a movable carriage mounted on a parallel track member, comprising: Each track member has an elongated tubular shape and a longitudinal axis, each track member has an elongated slot of tubular form parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track member, and a plurality of anchor bar stops are provided at predetermined intervals inside each slot. Formed, An anchor bar having opposing ends, each end extending into an elongated slot of one of the track members such that the anchor bar stops when the anchor bar is located in a locked position in the slot to prevent the anchor bar end from moving along the slot. An anchor bar that can be engaged with one of the wealth, A spacer member fixed to one of the anchor bar and the carriage and an opposite end facing the other of the anchor bar and the carriage, the spacer member operable to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar Anchor bar and carriage suspension assembly comprising a. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the anchor bar engages with the other of the anchor bar and the carriage when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position to maintain a minimum distance between the carriage and the anchor bar while the anchor bar moves between the anchor bar stops in the slot. Anchor bar and carriage stop assembly further comprising latch means. 12. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of claim 11, wherein each end of the anchor bar comprises an axially extending tenon with parallel sides. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of claim 13, wherein the parallel sides of the tenon engage the anchor bar stop when the anchor bar is in the locked position. 12. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of claim 11, further comprising determining means on the anchor bar for determining whether the anchor bar is at one of the anchor bar stops. 16. The ball bearing according to claim 15, wherein the determining means has a spring loaded ball that protrudes from each end of the anchor bar and engages the recess of the tubular track at each stop to determine whether the anchor bar is at one of the stops. Anchor bar and carriage suspension assembly. 12. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of claim 11, wherein the spacer member is a substantially upright oriented spacer plate having a central end fixed to the anchor bar and a curved end in contact with the carriage. 12. The spacer member of claim 11, wherein the spacer member is a substantially upright oriented spacer plate having a central end secured to the anchor bar and a curved end in contact with the carriage, the anchor bar having opposing ends, each end at the anchor bar end. An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly having a axially extending tenon to be secured and having a cylindrical end cap secured to the anchor bar end, each end cap being received in one of the elongated slots in one of the track members. . 12. The spacer member of claim 11, wherein the spacer member is a substantially upright oriented spacer plate having a central end fixed to the anchor bar and a curved end in contact with the carriage, wherein the spacer member is defined in an elongated slot of a track where the anchor bars are parallel. Curve that can be selectively engaged with the carriage to keep the anchor bar at a minimum distance to the carriage when the anchor bar is rotated to align selectively between positions to align the tenon within the elongated slot at the end of the track member. Anchor bar and carriage stop assembly comprising a latch member on an end. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the spacer member maintains a predetermined distance between the carriage and the anchor bar when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position and maintains a minimum distance between the carriage and anchor bar when the anchor bar is in the locked position. Anchor bar and carriage suspension assembly. 12. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of claim 11, wherein the spacer member is vertically oriented and has one end secured to the anchor bar and an opposite end facing the carriage. 22. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of claim 21, wherein the vertically oriented member has latching means extending from the member to engage the carriage to maintain a predetermined distance in the unlocked position. 21. The axial blind bore of claim 20, wherein each end of the anchor bar is releasably engaged with a portion of the track member at each locking position to indicate registration of the anchor bar at each locking position. Anchor bar and carriage suspension assembly. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein each end of the anchor bar comprises a substantially cylindrical cap having a tenon connected to the anchor bar, the size of the tenon being defined to slide in the slot of the track member, wherein the cylindrical cap is tenon. The anchor bar and the carriage stop assembly substantially centering inside the track member. 12. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of claim 11, wherein the spacer member comprises a pair of vertically oriented members each having one end attached to the anchor bar. 27. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of claim 25, wherein the vertically oriented members each have a latch member that engages the carriage when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position. 12. The anchor bar of claim 11, wherein the spacer member is a bracket that is secured to the carriage and the bracket extends from the carriage toward the anchor bar and has an elongate member that contacts the anchor bar in the unlocked and locked position. And carriage stop assembly. 28. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of claim 27, wherein the distal end of the elongate member has a cushioning pad that absorbs shock between the carriage and the anchor bar. 29. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of claim 28, wherein the anchor bar has a latch member extending from the anchor bar and engageable with an elongate member extending from the carriage when the anchor bar is in the unlocked position. 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the spacer member comprises a pair of brackets each secured to a support tube on the carriage, each bracket extending from the carriage toward the anchor bar and contacting the anchor bar in the unlocked and locked positions. Anchor bar and carriage stop assembly having an elongated portion. delete delete delete delete delete

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