US20060122043A1

US20060122043A1 - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20060122043A1
Application number: US11/020,043
Authority: US
Inventors: Willem Van Straaten
Original assignee: Greenhouse International LLC
Current assignee: Greenhouse International LLC
Priority date: 2004-12-02
Filing date: 2004-12-23
Publication date: 2006-06-08
Also published as: CN101111292A; WO2006084293A1; ZA200602029B

Abstract

An exercise apparatus including a structure which, in use, rests on the floor and at least one resistance device which is engaged with the structure and which is actuable against a reaction force generated by the mass of a user on the structure. The structure includes opposed first and second ends and at least first and second resistance devices which are engaged at spaced locations with the structure at least at the first end.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to exercise apparatus.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides exercise apparatus which includes a structure which, in use, rests on the floor and at least one resistance device which is engaged with the structure and which is actuable against a reaction force generated by the mass of a user on the structure.
The structure may be of any appropriate shape or size and be made from any appropriate material e.g. moulded from a suitable plastics material.
In a preferred form of the invention the structure includes opposed first and second ends and at least first and second resistance devices which are engaged at spaced locations with the structure at least at the first end.
Preferably the first and second resistance devices are also engaged at spaced locations with the structure at the second end.
The structure may include opposed third and fourth ends which are positioned between the first and second ends.
The structure may be in the nature of a continuous sheet or it may include one or more openings through which at least part of the floor is visible. The latter feature may be adopted for aesthetic or material-saving reasons.
As used herein the phrase “floor” includes any underlying support, e.g. the ground, a conventional floor or the like, upon which the exercise apparatus rests.
In one form of the invention the structure comprises a framework formed from a plurality of interengaged frame members. The structure, in this example, may be of generally rectangular outline, viewed in plan, with the first and second ends being formed respectively by first and second frame members and the third and fourth ends being formed respectively by third and fourth frame members. The first and second resistance devices may respectively extend alongside and adjacent at least the third and fourth frame members.
A central opening may optionally be formed between the first, second, third and fourth frame members.
In a different form of the invention the structure is formed at least by first and second frame sections which, preferably, are pivotally movable relatively to each other between a first, operative, position at which both frame sections lie on the floor and a second, storage or transport, position at which one frame section is superimposed on the other frame section.
The frame sections may for example be attached to each other by means of suitable hinges or hinge material or the like.
Each frame section may be of any suitable shape. In one example each frame member is in the nature of a U with adjacent first limbs of each respective frame section forming a first end of the structure and adjacent second limbs of each respective frame section forming a second end of the structure. The third and fourth ends of the structure may be defined by respective bases of the U-shaped frame sections.
Each resistance device may be of any appropriate type. It is preferred however for each resistance device to be made from an extensible member such as a spring or elastic band. In the latter case each elastic band may pass over one or more pulleys.
Each extensible member may be accommodated at least partly in a suitable formation formed in or on a respective frame section. Preferably the arrangement is such that when the frame sections are folded into the second, storage or transport position the various resistance devices are enclosed, at least partly, inside the superimposed frame sections.
The invention further extends to an exercise arrangement which includes exercise apparatus of the aforementioned kind and a user support device on top of the structure which provides support for a user who is working on the or each resistance device and which transmits a reaction force, generated by the user's mass, to the structure so that it remains on the floor or ground.
In a preferred form of the invention the user support device is movable with a substantially rocking motion as a user acts on the resistance device or devices.
Depending on the force levels which are generated by a user the support device can be moved by the user relatively to the exercise apparatus so as to counter any tendency of the exercise apparatus to lift off the ground during use thereof.
The user support device may be of any appropriate kind but preferably is an inflatable device.
The exercise apparatus and the user support device may be shaped and dimensioned so that part of a lower surface of the user support device rests on the floor and part on an upper surface portion of the exercise apparatus. This feature is by no means essential and may be adopted for aesthetic, constructional or material-saving reasons only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of exercise apparatus according to a first form of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of exercise apparatus according to a second form of the invention in a first or operative mode;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan and side views of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 shows the exercise apparatus of FIG. 2 in a second, storage or transport, mode; and
FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 illustrate in perspective, from one side, in plan and from one end respectively the exercise apparatus of FIG. 2 when used in conjunction with an inflatable user support device. This combination is referred to herein as “an exercise arrangement”.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates exercise apparatus 10 according to a first form of the invention which includes a frame structure 12 and four resistance devices 14,16, 18 and 20 respectively.
The frame structure 12 has first and second frame members 22 and 24 respectively and third and fourth frame members 26 and 28 respectively.
The frame members 22 and 24 respectively define first and second ends of the frame structure and are spaced apart and are parallel to each other. Similarly the frame members 26 and 28 define third and fourth ends of the frame structure. These frame members are also spaced apart and are parallel to each other and extend between the frame members 22 and 24. A central opening 30 is formed between the encircling frame members through which an underlying ground or floor support is visible.
Each resistance device 14 to 20 comprises a respective rubber band 34. The construction of only the resistance device 14 is described herein for the resistance devices are substantially similar to each other.
The elastic band 34 of the device 14 is anchored at one end 36 to a suitable attachment component 38 which is fixed to the frame member 22 at a respective end thereof. The band 34 extends to a pulley 40 fixed to one end of the frame member 24 directly opposing the attachment component 38. The band then returns to a pulley 42 which is mounted to the attachment component 38 and terminates in a lug or similar mechanism 44 to which is attached a handle 48 which can be gripped by a user. The handle is shown detached from the lug but normally is secured thereto.
The various frame members are interengaged through the use of suitable T-connectors 50. The frame members can be permanently engaged with the T-connectors or can be releasably engaged therewith to enable the frame structure to be disassembled into a compact mode (not shown) for storage and transport purposes.
The manner in which the exercise apparatus 10 is used is similar to the manner in which the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is used and thus is not described further herein. It is to be understood that the description which follows herein and which relates to the way of use of the FIG. 2 apparatus is similar in all practical respects to the way in which the apparatus 10 is used.
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are perspective, plan and side views respectively of exercise apparatus 58 according to a second form of the invention. The exercise apparatus includes a frame 60 made from first and second frame sections 62 and 64 which are each roughly U-shaped when viewed in plan. The frame section 62 includes a first limb 66, a second opposed limb 68, and a base or transverse portion 70. The corresponding components in the section 64 are similarly numbered but with the suffix “A”. Abutting surfaces 72 and 72A of the limbs 66 and 66A respectively, and 74 and 74A of the limbs 68 and 68A respectively, are secured to each other by means of respective hinges 76 and 78 on a lower side of the frame 60.
The limbs 66 and 66A, and 68 and 68A, have relatively flat, planar upper surfaces. Upper edge surfaces of the bases 70 and 70A, on the other hand, are curved outwardly substantially the form of inverted channel sections.
As is shown in dotted outline in FIGS. 3 and 4 resistance devices 14A and 14B, similar to those used in the exercise apparatus 10, are mounted to the frame sections 62 and 64. Attachment components 38A and 38B, which are substantially similar to the corresponding component 38 shown in FIG. 1, are secured to opposed corners 80 and 82 of the structure formed respectively at the junctions of the limb 66 and the base 70, and the limb 66A and the base 70A. Pulleys 84 and 84A, and 86 and 86A, are attached to the respective attachment components and project upwardly through corresponding holes 88 and 90 in the frame sections. Guide and direction-changing pulleys 96, 98, 100 and 102 are located on an underside of the frame 60 adjacent the other two respective corners thereof.
The resistance devices 14A and 14B include two elastic bands designated 34A and 34B respectively. The band 34A extends around the pulley 84 and is connected to a handle, not shown, similar to the handle 48 shown in FIG. 1. The band passes around the pulley 96, across the second limbs 68 and 68A, around the pulley 100 and is then anchored to the attachment device 38B. Alternatively as is described hereinafter, a handle, not shown, can be attached to this end which then passes around the pulley 86A. Similarly the band 34B extends around the pulley 86 with the respective end being attached to a handle, not shown. The band then passes around the pulleys 102 and 98 and the other end thereof is then anchored to the attachment component 38A. Alternatively, as is described hereinafter, a handle, not shown, can be attached to this end which then passes around the pulley 84A.
The frame sections 62 and 64 are shaped and dimensioned so that a central opening 106 is formed between the frame sections. The ground or floor on which the exercise apparatus rests is visible through this opening.
FIGS. 6 to 9 are perspective, side, plan and end views respectively of the exercise apparatus 58 illustrating how it is used together with a user support device 110. In combination the exercise apparatus 58 and the user support device 110 are referred to herein as an “exercise arrangement”.
The user support device 110 may be of any appropriate kind but in a preferred form of the invention the user support device is made from an inflatable material. The user support device is preferably of the kind described in the specification of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/639,525 and the content of that specification is hereby wholly incorporated into this specification.
The user support device, in this example, includes a lower convex ground engaging surface 112 and an upper surface 114 formed by a convex end 116, a concave seat region 118 and a relatively large convex back supporting region 120. The upper surface 114 further includes a plurality of pockets, defined by inflatable sections of material, which extend over the end 116 and the back region 120.
The apparatus 58 and the support device 110 are shaped and dimensioned so that, as is shown particularly in FIGS. 8 and 9, sides 124 and 126 of the inflatable support device, which bulge outwardly, rest on the corresponding curved edges 70 and 70A of the frame sections. A portion 128 of the lower ground engaging surface 112, with the user support device in the FIG. 7 position, rests on inner edges 130 and 130A of the limbs 66 and 66A, see FIG. 3, which are curved inwardly into the central opening 106. Similarly a portion 132 of the lower ground engaging surface 112 rests on edges 134 and 134A of the limbs 68 and 68A. On the other hand due to the slightly resilient and compressible nature of the user support device, which results from the fact that it is formed from an inflatable body, a substantial portion of the lower ground engaging surface extends through the central opening 106 onto the ground or floor which supports the exercise apparatus 58.
It is possible for a user, not shown, to make use of the support device 110 in a manner which has been described in the specification of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/639,525 without making active use of the exercise apparatus 60. The benefit in this regard is that as the user goes through an exercise routine which may cause the user support device to move to and fro, the stability of the user support device is enhanced by virtue of the fact that, at least to some extent, it is guided for movement by the underlying exercise apparatus on which it rests.
A primary objective, however, with the exercise arrangement of the invention (the combined exercise apparatus and the user support device) is that a user on the support device is able to work on the resistance devices 14A and 14B while seated or otherwise resting on the user support device. Thus, for example, with the exercise arrangement in the FIG. 7 configuration, a user seated on the seat region 118 can grip the handles 48 which are connected to the resistance bands 34A and 34B and do arm or bicep curls in a forward or reverse direction. The user can also do leg curls or leg raises either by engaging his feet with the handles 48 or by connecting a cross bar to the opposed handles and positioning the knees underneath the cross bar. Another exercise possibility is for the user to do a seated rowing action by working the handles 48, by hand, to and fro.
If the support device 110 is turned around, when viewed in plan, by 180°, then the end 116 is adjacent the limbs 68 and 68A. The user can then effectively lie on the upper support surface 114 with the back passing over the region 120, grip the handles 48 and do bench press movements or arm curls with the arms starting at positions below then torso and then extending upwardly.
In each of the aforementioned exercise modes the user support device transfers the user's mass and a force which is dependent on the forces exerted by the actuated resistance bands, to the underlying exercise apparatus. The exercise apparatus is of a rigid construction but the user support device is resiliently compressible and is in the nature of a cushion. The support device thus acts as an effective interface between the user and the exercise apparatus providing contoured and body-engaging support for the user.
In use of the exercise arrangement there is a natural tendency for the user support device to move to and fro relatively to the exercise apparatus as the force which is exerted by the user varies and as the orientation of the user's body varies. As the user support device rests freely on the exercise apparatus but otherwise is constrained to some extent to move in a particular direction by the outwardly bulging edge formations 70 and 70A, which act as guide formations, the aforementioned type of relative movement is readily accommodated and allowed for but in a manner which ensures that the user is at all times given firm, comfortable and effective support.
Another factor is that the position of the user support device can be moved relatively to the exercise apparatus to take account of the forces which are generated by the user. If these forces are high there could be a tendency for the exercise apparatus to be lifted thereby. This can be countered by moving the support device closer to the pulleys at which the handles 48 are located for the effective moment (force x distance) exerted on the exercise device is then reduced.
Various other modes of use of the exercise apparatus, not described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
The resistance forces generated by the resistance bands can be varied by changing the band material or its dimensions or by increasing or reducing the number of bands which are connected to the respective handles.
The resistance bands can also be configured in different ways. For example handles can be attached to opposed ends of a single band, or a number of bands which are in parallel to each other. In this arrangement both arms then act on one resistance device, as opposed to the situation which has been described wherein each arm acts on a separate resistance device.
When the exercise apparatus 58 is not in use it can be folded into a compact form as shown in FIG. 5. This facilitates storage and transport of the exercise apparatus. The two frame sections are pivoted about the hinges 76 and 78 and are moved to superimposed positions at which the resistance bands are enclosed between the frame sections. The user support device 110 when deflated, can also be folded into a compact form. Optionally the exercise apparatus 58 can be formed with an enclosure or pocket in which the deflated user support device 110 can be accommodated.
As previously mentioned the exercise apparatus 10 can be used essentially in the same way as the apparatus 58. The use of the apparatus 10 is therefore not further described herein.
The shape of the exercise apparatus can be varied in any appropriate way taking into account constructional and operational requirements, costs, aesthetic factors and other aspects. Thus it is to be understood that the exercise apparatus is not restricted, in shape, to the examples illustrated herein.

Claims

1. Exercise apparatus which includes a structure which, in use, rests on the floor and at least one resistance device which is engaged with the structure and which is actuable against a reaction force generated by the mass of a user on the structure.

2. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the structure includes opposed first and second ends and at least first and second resistance devices which are engaged at spaced locations with the structure at least at the first end.

3. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the structure is formed at least by first and second frame sections which are pivotally movable relatively to each other between a first, operative position at which both frame sections lie on the floor and a second, storage position at which one frame section is superimposed on the other frame section.

4. Exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each frame member is in the nature of a U with adjacent first limbs of each respective frame section forming a first end of the structure and adjacent second limbs of each respective frame section forming a second end of the structure.

5. Exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each resistance device is a respective elastic band which is accommodated at least partly in a suitable formation formed in or on a respective frame section, such that that when the frame sections are folded into the second, storage position each resistance device is enclosed, at least partly, inside the superimposed frame sections.

6. An exercise arrangement which includes exercise apparatus according to claim 1 and a user support device on the structure which provides support for a user who is working on the at least one resistance device and which transmits a reaction force, generated by the user's mass, to the structure so that it remains on the floor.

7. An exercise arrangement which includes a structure which rests on the floor, at least one elastic band which is engaged with the structure, and an inflatable device which rests at least partly on the structure, which is movable relatively to the structure, and which provides support for a user who exercises against the at least one elastic band.

8. An exercise arrangement according to claim 7 wherein the structure includes at least one guide formation to assist in retaining the user support device on the structure.