US20060217240A1

US20060217240A1 - Exercise apparatus for full figured individuals

Info

Publication number: US20060217240A1
Application number: US11/388,446
Authority: US
Inventors: Ann White; Carol Medvec
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-25
Filing date: 2006-03-24
Publication date: 2006-09-28

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals includes a low profile frame having a first support member, a second support member, a front base, a rear base, and stem support member, a seat bar pivotally attached to said frame, an oversized seat rotatably connected to said seat bar, first and second stems pivotally attached to said stem support member, first and second rocking bars, wherein the first rocking bar is pivotally attached to said first stem and said second rocking bar is pivotally attached to said second stem, and wherein said rocking bars are pivotally attachable to said seat bar, first and second handlebars connected to said first and second stems, first and second oversized foot pedals connected to said first and second stems, and a piston having two ends, wherein one end is connected to said frame, and the second end is connected to said bar. An exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals configured to provide at least 432 square inches of surface seating area. An exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals configured to support user by a user weight up to 1000 pounds.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to prior co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/665,601 filed on Mar. 25, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sit-on exercise equipment.

BACKGROUND

Prior to now obese persons ranging from 200 to 1,000 pounds had difficulty accessing exercise machines because their physical size was incompatible with the physical dimensions of the machinery, including the machine's height, handlebar location, and seat size, location, and adjustability. Similarly, exercise machines that placed pressure on joints caused medical problems and discomfort for obese persons. Another problem arose in that exercise machines' foot pedals were too small to accommodate obese persons, diabetics or others with foot problems. The high frames of exercise machines also caused difficulty to persons confined to a bed or unable to take high steps in accessing the exercise equipment. Those with limited mobility faced the additional dilemma of being unable to straddle the exercise machine prior to seating, resulting in loss of stability. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus that addresses these concerns.
Presently known art attempts to address this problem, but has not completely solved the problem. The following represents a list of known related art:

Reference: Issued to: Date of Issue:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,760 Bobroff Nov. 17, 1981

U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,378 Yu Nov. 7, 1995
The teachings of each of the above-listed citations (which does not itself incorporate essential material by reference) are herein incorporated by reference. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
Thus, while the foregoing body of art indicates it to be well known to have exercise apparatuses, the art described above does not teach or suggest an exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) provides obese persons with an exercise machine that allows them to obtain a cardiac and strength training workout without placing pressure on their joints; (2) has a low profile frame providing machine access to a person with limited movement; (3) constructed with strong weight-bearing materials; (4) has a seat that is also much wider than traditional exercise machines to provide for comfort and stability; (5) has a seat that seat pivots to assist the user onto the machine; (6) has a seat that adjusts forward and backward to accommodate different leg lengths; (7) has overlarge foot pedals to accommodate a larger foot; (8) has handlebars also adjust up or down to accommodate different arm lengths; (9) can support and be used by individuals weighing up to 1000 pounds.

SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES

The exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals of the present invention includes a low profile frame having a first support member, a second support member, a front base, a rear base, and stem support member, a seat bar pivotally attached to said frame, an oversized seat rotatably connected to said seat bar, first and second stems pivotally attached to said stem support member, first and second rocking bars, wherein the first rocking bar is pivotally attached to said first stem and said second rocking bar is pivotally attached to said second stem, and wherein said rocking bars are pivotally attachable to said seat bar, first and second handlebars connected to said first and second stems, first and second oversized foot pedals connected to said first and second stems, a piston having two ends, wherein one end is connected to said frame, and the second end is connected to said bar. An exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals can have a seat having at least 432 square inches of surface seating area.
An exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals includes a frame which supports a user of up to 1000 pounds in weight, a seat bar pivotally attached to said frame which supports a user of up to 1000 pounds in weight, an oversized seat having at least 432 square inches of seating surface area rotatably connected to said seat bar, and which supports a user of up to 1000 pounds in weight, first and second stems pivotally attached to said stem support member, first and second rocking bars pivotally attached first and second stems and pivotally pivotally attachable to said seat bar, and which support a user of up to 1000 pounds in weight, first and second handlebars connected to said first and second stems, first and second oversized foot pedals connected to said first and second stems, a piston having two ends, wherein one end is connected to said frame, and the second end is connected to said bar.
The exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals of the present invention presents numerous advantages, including: (1) provides obese persons with an exercise machine that allows them to obtain a cardiac and strength training workout without placing pressure on their joints; (2) has a low profile frame providing machine access to a person with limited movement; (3) constructed with strong weight-bearing materials; (4) has a seat that is also much wider than traditional exercise machines to provide for comfort and stability; (5) has a seat that seat rotates to assist the user onto the machine; (6) has a seat that adjusts forward and backward to accommodate different leg lengths; (7) has overlarge foot pedals to accommodate a larger foot; (8) has handlebars also adjust up or down to accommodate different arm lengths; (9) can support and be used by individuals weighing up to 1000 pounds in one embodiment; (10) can support and by used by individuals weight up to 600 pounds in another embodiment.
Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows another view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 shows another view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 shows a view showing an aspect of the piston of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 shows another view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 shows another view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 shows another view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 shows another view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 shows another view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 shows the handle portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 12 shows a view of the seat portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 13 shows a view of the seat portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 14 shows a view of the seat portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before-beginning a detailed description of the subject invention, mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like reference materials and characters are used to designate identical, corresponding, or similar components in differing figure drawings. The figure drawings associated with this disclosure typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy to scale, i.e., such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity of viewing and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy.
In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
As shown in FIGS. 1-14, an exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals 10 is provided and includes a low profile frame 14, a pivoting seat bar 22 pivotally connected to said low profile frame 14, a rotatable oversized seat 12 rotatably connected to said pivoting seat bar, rocking bars 50 pivotally connectable to said seat bar, pivoting stems 16 pivotably connected to said rocking bars, oversized foot pedals 18 connected to said pivoting stems, handle 20 connected to said pivoting stems, a piston 24 connected to said low profile frame 14 and said pivoting seat bar 22. The exercise apparatus 10 can further include wheels mount assembly 26 attached to said low profile frame.
Low profile frame 14 is preferably two parallel inverted elongated “U” shaped supports 14 a, 14 b with a front base 14 c perpendicularly joining the two supports and attached to the front ends of said supports, and a rear base 14 d perpendicularly joining the two supports and attached to the opposite ends portions of said supports. Low profile frame 14 has a seat pivot point 30 where the seat bar 22 is pivotally attached the frame. Low profile frame 14 is further provided with a pivoting stem support member 32 to which pivoting stems 16 are pivotally connected. Pivoting stem support member 32 is preferably rectangular with one end perpendicularly connecting two supports 14 a, 14 b of low profile frame 14 above the front base 14 d and extending upward.
Seat bar 22 is pivotally attached to the low profile frame 14 at the seat pivot point 30. Seat bar 22 is preferably provided with a number of bolt passages 80 through said seat bar 22 through which a sliding locking bolt 84 can be removably inserted to slidably adjust the oversized seat 12 on the seat bar 22.
Rocking bars 50 are preferably parallel elongated “U” members with one set of ends pivotally and removably connected to the seat bar 22 at rocking bar-seat bar bolt passage 52 and the other ends pivotally attached each to a pivoting stem 16 at a pivoting stem pivot point 54. Rocking bars 50 can be easily disengaged from the seat bar 22. Preferably a removable sliding locking rocking bar bolt 56 inserts through rocking bar bolt passages 58 matching a rocking bar-seat bar bolt passage 52 on the seat bar 22, pivotally locking the rocking bars 50 to the seat bar 22 at said rocking bar-seat bar bolt passage 52.
Rotatable oversized seat 12 is rotatably attached to the seat bar 22 and is oversized. Preferably the seat 12 is at least 24 inches wide and 18 inches long and has a surface seating area of 432 square inches. Seat 12 pivots rotatably 90-degrees to allow use by individuals whose movement is impaired by excess weight. Preferably seat can be adjusted forwards and backwards accommodate a variety of leg lengths. Adjustment bar holes 80 transect the seat bar 22 matching in alignment to hole 82 in seat mount to allow a bar 84 with a handle on one end to go through the seat mount hole 82 and the adjustment bar holes 80 to lock seat 12 in a position on the seat bar 22. Seat 12 is rotatably attached to the seat bar mount housing 86. In preferred embodiment seat 12 is rotatably connected to the seat bar mount housing 86 upon which the oversized seat 12 rotates. Bottom portion of seat is provided with a circular washer 88 with notches 90 at set intervals, preferably 90 degree intervals. Seat 12 has a freely turning axle 92 in the center of the washer 88 projecting downwards. Seat 12 has a bushing 94 on said axle. Mount housing 86 has a plate 96 on a rectangular metal frame 98. Frame 98 rotatably slides on washer 88 and bushing 94. Axle 92 is attached to frame 98. A lever 100 attached to said housing plate 96 lifts a notch block 102 in an out of circular washer notches 90 to lock said seat 12 in said housing 86 at set intervals. Mount housing rectangular metal frame 98 is slidably attached to said seat bar 22.
Preferably, exercise apparatus 10 has adjustable handles 20 to accommodate a variety of arm lengths. Each handle 20 include a handle mount 60 which slides up and down the pivoting stem 16 and locks into place with a handle adjustment bar 62. Each pivoting stem 16 is provided with one or more adjustment holes 64 which transect the stem 16.
The piston 24 is attached to said seat bar 22 at one end of piston. Piston's opposite end preferably attaches to said rear base 14 d. Alternatively, piston's opposite end attaches to the low profile frame. Piston preferably has adjustable tension. Suitable pistons are well known in the art and readily available off the shelf.
Extra wide foot pedals 18 are preferably 12″ long by 4″ wide for comfortable use by diabetics. Foot pedals 18 pivot on foot pedal mount 70. Foot pedal mount 70 is preferably slidably adjustable on the distal end if the pivoting stems 16 from the handles. Foot pedal mount 70 slides up and down the pivoting stem 16 and locks into place with a pedal adjustment bar 72 in the same fashion that the handle mount slides up an down and locks into place with a handle adjustment bar.
Preferably the frames are made of 1.5 inch (38.1 mm) square tubular steel with 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) wall thickness, which provides adequate strength after bending and drilling through-holes and attachment points. Other suitable weight-bearing materials may be used, such as tubing with round or triangular cross sections, or any other strength members with equivalent bending strength, to support users up to 600 pounds (272 kilograms). In another embodiment, the frames are made of tubular steel or other suitable weight-bearing material to support use by a user weighing up to 1000 lbs.
Preferably bronze bushings in conjunction with bolts, nuts, and saucers are used at pivot points for smooth operation and increased machine durability.
The preferred embodiment of the comfort rider has a low profile in which the length of the comfort rider from its floor base to the top of its handles is at or below 4 feet.
In operation, when storage is desired, exercise apparatus can fold back upon itself for ease of storage, see FIGS. 3, 6, 7. Rocking bars 50 are disengaged from the seat bar 22 by removing bolts from the rocking bar bolt passages and the rocking bar-seat bar bolt passage. Pivoting stems 16 are then folded down upon the rotating seat 12. Front base is then lifted up and exercise apparatus is pivoted on the wheels. Exercise apparatus is then wheeled to the storage area, such as a closet or under a bed.
The user accesses the exercise apparatus when the apparatus is in the rest position, seen in FIG. 10. The exerciser then straddles the frame of the machine and sits upon the seat, seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. Alternatively, the user may pivot the seat up to 90-degrees, seat himself, and then pivot the seat to its rest position resulting in his arms are facing the handlebar and his feet are facing the pedals, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 8. Next, the user places one foot on each foot pedal and grabs the handlebar with both hands. To begin exercising, the user pulls the handles towards his chest while pushing on the pedals with his feet away from his body. The seat will rise causing it to no longer be parallel to the surface on which the comfort rider rests. The user will continue to pull the handlebar and push the pedals until he can push and pull no further or the handlebar and his hands reach his chest, see FIG. 9. The user then lowers the handles by extending his arms away from his body while also bending his knees and bringing his feet back towards his body see FIG. 8. Finally, the user returns to the start position with arms extended, knees bent, and the seat parallel to the surface on which the exercise apparatus rests.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications and changes may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. It will, of course, be understood that modifications of the invention, in its various aspects, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only after study, others being matters of routine mechanical, chemical and electronic design. No single feature, function or property of the preferred embodiment is essential. Other embodiments are possible, their specific designs depending upon the particular application. As such, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments herein described but should be defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals, comprising:

a low profile frame having a first support member, a second support member, a front base, a rear base, and stem support member;

a seat bar pivotally attached to said frame;

an oversized seat rotatably connected to said seat bar;

first and second stems pivotally attached to said stem support member;

first and second rocking bars, wherein the first rocking bar is pivotally attached to said first stem and said second rocking bar is pivotally attached to said second stem, and wherein said rocking bars are pivotally attachable to said seat bar;

first and second handlebars adjustably connected to said first and second stems;

first and second oversized foot pedals adjustably connected to said first and second stems; and

a piston having two ends, wherein one end is connected to said frame, and the second end is connected to said bar.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising wheel assemblies attached to said low profile frame, wherein said wheel assemblies include wheels, axles and mounts.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handles are slidably adjustable along said stems.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pedals are slidably adjustable along said stems.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seat is slidably adjustable along said seat bar.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the piston resistance is adjustable to accommodate varying exertion levels.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said seat has at least 24 inches wide by at least 18 inches long.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said seat is at least 24 inches wide.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seat is at least 18 inches long.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 of sufficient strength to support use by a user of up to 1000 pound in weight.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 of sufficient strength to support use by a user of up to 600 pounds in weight.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame, said first and second stems, and said first and second rocking bars are comprised of tubular steel members.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said tubular steel members are square cross section.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said tubular steel members are square cross sectioned members of dimensions approximately 1.5 inches per side, and 3/16 inches wall thickness.

15. An exercise apparatus for fully figured individuals, comprising:

a frame which supports a user up to 1000 pounds in weight;

a seat bar pivotally attached to said frame which supports a user of up to 1000 pounds in weight;

an oversized seat having at least 432 square inches of seating surface area rotatably connected to said seat bar, and which supports a user of up to 1000 pounds in weight;

first and second stems pivotally attached to said stem support member;

first and second rocking bars pivotally attached first and second stems and pivotally pivotally attachable to said seat bar, and which support a user of up to 1000 pounds in weight;