US20100311553A1

US20100311553A1 - Arm Flex Machine

Info

Publication number: US20100311553A1
Application number: US12/479,795
Authority: US
Inventors: Norman L. Piccolo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-06
Filing date: 2009-06-06
Publication date: 2010-12-09

Abstract

An exercise machine for exercising the upper body of a user may include a top section which may include a first handle adapted to be operated by the a first hand of the user, and a second handle adapted to be operated by a second hand of the user. The first handle and the second handle may be independently rotated, extended and retracted by increasing the resistance exerted on the first hand and the second hand respectively and the top section may include a first and second shaft member for connection to the first and second handle respectively. The top section may include a first and second bushing member to cooperate with the first and second shaft member to allow the shaft member to rotate, extend and retract and the top section may include a first and second arm member to cooperate with the first and second shaft member. The top section may include a first and second biasing device to bias the first and second arm member, and the top section may include a third and fourth biasing device to bias the first and second arm member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise devices, particularly to devices which exercise the hands, wrists and forearms.

BACKGROUND

As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,591,151; 4,632,383; 4,643,417; and, 4,171,802, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse arm and wrist exercising devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,109 relates to a body-building apparatus that primarily comprises a board with a fulcrum bar attached to one end thereof. The fulcrum bar is provided at its top end with a lever arm to which springs are connected. An abdominal press is affixed to the lever arm. With this apparatus, users can exercise their arm strength and reduce fat in their abdomen at the same time
U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,899 discloses an arm and wrist exercise apparatus comprising a pair of handle units and a pair of intertwined spring units; wherein, each of the spring units is operatively engaged to the pair of handle units.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,109 relates to a body-building apparatus that primarily comprises a board with a fulcrum bar attached to one end thereof. The fulcrum bar is provided at its top end with a lever arm to which springs are connected. An abdominal press is affixed to the lever arm. With this apparatus, users can exercise their arm strength and reduce fat in their abdomen at the same time.

SUMMARY

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the top section of the arm flex machine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the handle member of the arm flexing machine.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the handle member of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view and an end view of the bushing member of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the base section of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the base section of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the base section of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the support member of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of the support member of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the top section of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the top section of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the top section of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the top section of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the center frame member of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 15 illustrates an end view of the center frame member of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of the said center frame member of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 17 illustrates a front view of the arm member of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of the arm member of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the arm member of the arm flexing machine;

FIG. 20 illustrates the arm member and biasing devices of the arm flexing machine in a first position;

FIG. 21 illustrates the arm member and biasing devices of the arm flexing machine in a second position;

FIG. 22 illustrates the arm member and biasing devices of the arm flexing machine in a third position;

FIG. 23 illustrates the arm member and biasing devices of the arm flexing machine in a fourth position;

FIG. 24 illustrates the arm member and biasing devices of the arm flexing machine in a fifth position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the top section 107 of the arm flex machine 100 (not shown in FIG. 1). The top section 107 may include a pair of opposing handle members 101 for the user of the arm flex machine 100 to rotate and to extend and retract in order to operate the arm flexible machine 100. The handle member 101 may be connected to a shaft member 103 to cooperate with the handle member 101 by translating the movement of the handle member 101 to the arm member 105 so that the arm member 105 moves in response to the movement of the handle member 101. The shaft member 103 may be slidably and rotatably connected to the bushing member 107 in order that the handle member 101 may be rotated and may extend and retract in order to provide a exercise for the user of the arm flexible machine 100. The opposing handle member 101 is connected in a substantially same manner to the opposing bushing member 109 which may be connected to the opposing arm member 105.
The bushing member 109 may be connected to a side frame member 117 which may be connected between a front frame member 111 and the back frame member 113. In addition, a center frame member 115 may be positioned in a spaced relationship with the side frame members 117 and connected between the front frame member 111 and the back frame member 113. The top section 107 may be enclosed with the housing (not shown) with only the handle member 101 and the shaft member 103 extending out from the housing. While the front frame member 111, the side frame member 117 and the back frame member 113 are formed in a substantial rectangular, other shapes are within the scope of the invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a exploded view of the handle member 101 which may include a substantially U-shaped frame portion 131 which may be formed from thin plates and a substantially cylinder shaped handgrip portion 119 to cooperate with the sides of the frame portion 131 to provide a grip for the user.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the handle member 100 and illustrates the substantially U-shaped frame portion 131 and the handgrip portion 119.
FIG. 4 illustrates the side and front view of the bushing member 109. The bushing member 109 includes a central aperture 133 to cooperate with the shaft member 103.
FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the base section 151 of the arm flex machine 100 to provide a platform for the user to stand on are using the arm flex machine 100. The base section 151 may be covered by housing (not shown) and may include a front base frame member 153 which may be opposed to a back base frame member 155. The front base frame member 153 and the back base frame member 155 may be connected to a pair of opposing side base frame members 157. The front base frame member 153 and the back base frame member 155 may be connected to a center base frame member 159. FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the base section 151 and illustrates the side base frame member 157.
FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the base section 151 and illustrates the front base frame member 153.
FIG. 8 illustrates a support member 161 to connect the top section 107 to the base section 151. The support member 161 may be cylindrical in shape and include an angled ends in order to provide a convenient angle to the top section 107 for the user. Other shapes for the support member 161 are within the scope of the invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of the support member 161 and illustrates the central aperture 163.
FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the top section 107 and illustrates the front frame member 111, the back frame member 113 and a pair of opposing side frame members 117.
FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the top section 107 and illustrates the front frame member 111.
FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the top section 107 and illustrates the side frame member 117.
FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the top section 107 and illustrates the front frame member 111, the back frame member 113 and the opposing side frame members 117.
FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the center frame member 115 which may be connected to the support member 116 (not shown).
FIG. 15 illustrates an end view of the center frame member 115.
FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of the center frame member 115.
FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 illustrates a substantially rectangular center frame member 115, but other shapes are within the scope of the invention.
FIG. 17 illustrates a front view of the arm member 105, and FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of the arm member 105. FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the arm member 105. FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 illustrates a substantially rectangular arm member 105, but other shapes are within the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 20 illustrates a pair of opposing arm members 2005 which may be connected to the shaft member 103, and FIG. 20 illustrates a upper fastening device 2151 and a lower fastening device 2153. The fastening devices may be bolts or other appropriate devices. The upper fastening device 2151 is connected to a first biasing device 2155 and is connected to a second biasing device 2157 which may be opposed to the first biasing device 2155. The biasing devices may be springs. The first biasing device 2155 and the third biasing device 2159 bias or urges the arm member 2005 in opposing directions and provides a bias or exercise for the user as the shaft member 103 is rotated. In a similar fashion, the second biasing device 2157 and the fourth biasing device 2161 bias or urge the opposing arm member 205 in opposing directions and provides exercise or bias for the user as the shaft member 103 is rotated by the user. The biasing devices 2155, 2157, 2159, 2161 may be springs or other types of devices to provide a linear or nonlinear counterforce to the actions of the user for example to counter force the rotation of the handle members 101 and the extension or retraction of the handle members 101.
FIG. 21 illustrates that the arm members 2005 have been rotated in the same direction by the user, and that the biasing devices 2157, 2159 provide an opposing bias to the user.
FIG. 22 illustrates that the arm members 205 have been rotated in the same direction (opposite to the direction in FIG. 21) and that the biasing devices 2155, 2161 provide an opposing bias to the user.
FIG. 23 illustrates that the arm members 2005 have been rotated in opposite directions and the biasing devices 2155, 2157 provides an opposing bias to the user.
FIG. 24 illustrates that the arm members 2005 have been rotated in opposite directions, and the biasing devices 2159, 2161 provide an opposing bias to the user.
FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view of the arm flex machine 100.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.

Claims

1. An exercise machine for exercising the upper body of a user, comprising:

a top section including:

a first handle adapted to be operated by a first hand of the user a second handle adapted to be operated by a second hand of the user;

wherein the first handle and the second handle may be independently rotated, extended and retracted by increasing the resistance exerted on the first hand and the second hand respectively,

wherein the first handle and the second handle are connected to a first biasing device and a second biasing device which are connected together and wherein the first handle and the second handle are connected to a third biasing device and a fourth biasing device which are connected together to provide a first resistance to the first handle and a second opposed resistance to the second handle.

2. An exercise machine for exercising the upper body of a user as in claim 1, wherein the top section includes a first and second shaft member for connection to the first and second handle respectively.

3. An exercise machine for exercising the upper body of a user as in claim 2, wherein the top section includes a first and second bushing member to cooperate with the first and second shaft member to allow the first and second shaft member to rotate, extend and retract.

4. An exercise machine for exercising the upper body of a user as in claim 3, wherein the top section includes a first and second arm member to cooperate with the first and second shaft member.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)