WO2007056245A1

WO2007056245A1 - Exercise glider device

Info

Publication number: WO2007056245A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/043130
Authority: WO
Inventors: Siegfried H.H. Gerstung
Original assignee: Gerstung Siegfried H H
Priority date: 2005-11-03
Filing date: 2006-11-03
Publication date: 2007-05-18
Also published as: WO2007089308A3; WO2007056198A1; WO2007089308A2

Abstract

An individual may move along the length of a suspended beam by pushing off a first support or pulling oneself towards a second support. The beam is slidably coupled to a carriage that is preferably attached to a swing seat that supports the user and/or a hand bar which allows the user to be suspended. An individual's own muscle power is used to move themselves across the length of the beam.

Description

EXERCISE GLIDER DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/732,651 filed November 3, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an exercise device used to build a user's strength primarily in the core, arms and legs.

2. Description of Related Art

[0003] In recent years, the general public has become more concerned with health issues. Increased pollution and recent awareness regarding heart disease now make aerobic exercise in a clean environment a necessity. Some common forms of aerobic exercise include running, jogging, walking, and choreographed movements referred to as "aerobics". Aerobic exercise enhances the heart and lungs and, with a proper diet, may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. [0004] Unfortunately, exercise is often perceived by children and others as either boring or as an uncomfortable or painful form of punitive activity. Traditional fitness equipment has done little to engage the youthful couch potato, while video games, movies, television and other sedentary activities continue to dominate the marketplace of ideas in youth culture. [0005] There is a need, therefore, for a fun fitness system and method that overcomes the problems of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The glider system of the present invention is preferably used to build strength in the legs and arms. The glider system is used to generate fun and fitness activities at the same time, especially for anyone older than 7 years of age. The glider system provides a method and apparatus for mastering a physical challenge without concentrating the user's awareness on his or her strenuous workout. Most importantly, the glider system provides a means for having fun while engaging in a task that develops muscular fitness. The glider system preferably provides a means for measuring one's ability and allowing for adjustments in the workout intensity. [0007] The glider system includes a first support and a second support for suspending a beam above a floor. In a preferred embodiment, the beam is inclined such that a first end of the beam is attached to the first support at a lower height than where a second end of the beam is attached to the second support. The beam is slidably coupled to a carriage. The carriage includes a user engaging support, preferably a swing seat that supports the user which can be used with or without a hand bar which allows the user to be suspended. An inward facing surfaces of the first and second supports preferably each include padded surfaces. An individual's or user's own muscle power is used to move her or himself along the length of the beam from a first position proximal to the first support to a second position distal from the first support. Alternatively, cord segments are positioned at the second support and the user may pull her or himself toward the second support.

[0008] A variety of games can be employed to make use of this exercise apparatus fun and two or more of them can be arrayed so that a plurality of users can exercise in a synchronous manner or can compete with one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the glider system in accordance with the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the first support attached to the beam in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; [0012] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the second support attached to the beam in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is enlarged view of the rolling carriage attached to the beam in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 shows a first preferred embodiment of an exercise that may be performed using a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015] FIG. 6 shows a second preferred embodiment of an exercise that may be performed using a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring now to FIGS 1-6, FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the glider system 2 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The glider system 2 includes a first support 4 and a second support 6 for supporting a glider beam or rail 8 above a floor. The beam 8 has a first end that is supported by the first support 4 and a second end that is supported by the second support 6. The first support 4 and the second support 6 may be any suitable structure capable of supporting the beam 8 above the floor. The first support 4 and the second support 6 are preferably "A" frame trestles hingedly attached at their upper ends and providing a plurality of horizontal rungs or support bars. Each A-frame trestle preferably includes one or more horizontal platforms spanning the space defined within the A-Frame, to provide an additional play space while rigidly locking the trestles into the open position at a selected height.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the glider beam 8 is inclined such that the first end is at a lower height than the second end to provide a selected glide rail slope. A carriage 10, which may also be referred to as a truck, is slidably coupled to the beam 8. The carriage 10 is adapted to move between the first end and the second end of the beam 8. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the first support 4 attached to the first end of the beam 8 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The carriage 10 is provided with a user-engaging support. The user engaging support is preferably a swing seat 12 made of webbing or flexible tough, plastic that supports the user. Optionally, the user-engaging support may also comprise a hand bar 14 which allows the user to be suspended while gliding. [0018] An inward facing surface of the first support 4 preferably includes a first padded surface 16 affixed to horizontal rungs of the first support 4, also referred to as a first trestle. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the second support 6 attached to the second end of the beam 8 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. An inward facing surface of the second support 6 preferably includes a second padded surface 18 affixed to horizontal rungs of the second support 6, also referred to as a second trestle. [0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the carriage 10 slidably coupled to the beam 8 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The beam 8 may have any suitable cross-sectional configuration capable of supporting the carriage 10. In a preferred embodiment, the beam 8 is preferably an I-beam having an upper flange 20 and a lower flange 22 separated by a web. In a preferred embodiment, the carriage 10 includes two aligned pairs of vertically oriented wheels 24 supported on an upper weight bearing surface of the lower flange 22 to bear the user's weight. In this preferred embodiment, the carriage 10 also includes opposing, co-planar, aligned pairs of horizontally oriented wheels 26 positioned in the plane of the lower flange 22 and against an opposing side-load bearing surfaces of the lower flange 22 to laterally constrain and center the carriage 10 for freewheeling rolling engagement with the beam 8. The vertically oriented wheels 24 are symmetrically positioned such that a first and second vertically oriented wheel are spaced apart but are aligned to track in line on a left side of the upper weight bearing surface of the lower flange 22 and a third and fourth vertically oriented wheel are spaced apart but are aligned to track in-line on a right side of the upper weight bearing surface of the lower flange 22. The horizontally oriented wheels 26 are symmetrically positioned such that a first and second horizontally oriented wheel are spaced apart but track in-line on the left side of the side bearing surface of the lower flange 22 and a third and fourth horizontally oriented wheel are spaced apart but track in-line on the right side of the side bearing surface of the lower flange 22. [0020] Although the preferred embodiment references wheels, it should be understood that rollers, bearings or other similar devices may likewise be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the present invention is not intended to be limited to a carriage 10 that only includes wheels for providing movement of the carriage 10 along the beam 8. The beam 8 and the carriage 10 may be configured in any suitable manner that permits the carriage to be slidably coupled to the beam such that the carriage 10 may freely move along the beam's length between the first end and the second end of the beam 8. The beam 8 may be formed from any resilient structural material including, but not limited to, aluminum or steel. The carriage 10 preferably includes a cast iron, steel or aluminum body, but may be made from any resilient material having enough structural integrity to support a user performing the exercise, in accordance with the present invention. [0021] FIG. 5 shows a first preferred embodiment of an exercise that may be performed using a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An individual's own muscle power is used to move themselves across the beam 8 from a position proximal to the first support 4 to a position distal to the first support 4. The user or individual may sit in seat 12 and place her or his feet against the first padded surface 16 proximate the first support 4. The user then extends the legs and pushes off from the first padded surface 16 proximate the first support 4 moving her or his body up an incline along the glider beam's length and then sliding or rolling back down toward the first padded surface 16, coming to rest with the knees bent, ready to press off again, resulting in an effective leg press exercise. [0022] In a preferred embodiment whereby the beam 8 is inclined, the difficulty of the exercise may depend on the degree of slope of the beam 8. The individual may be seated on the swing seat 12 or may hang by his arms from the handbar 14. Regardless of his position, the individual may push off from the first padded surface using his feet. Alternatively, the individual may be able to push off from the first padded surface using other body parts including, but not limited to, his feet.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a second preferred embodiment of an exercise that may be performed using a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this preferred embodiment, the glider system 2 can be used as part of an arm exercise as the user pulls himself across the beam 8 with the use of cords 28, for example, bungee cords or other elastic cord segments, attached to said second support 6. Preferably, the user is seated in the swing seat 12 facing the second support 6 and grasps a cord with each hand. The user may then pull himself up the inclined beam along the length of the beam 8 in a direction toward the second padded surface 18. This exercise may be modified by changing the slope of the beam 8. [0024] The glider system 2 may be used in conjunction with an obstacle 30. The obstacle 30 is preferably a soft rhomboid obstacle. When moving along the beam's length, the user can lift his legs over the obstacle 30 when passing over the obstacle 30 while hanging from the handbar 14. [0025] Although the present invention has been disclosed in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims:

Claims

We claim:

1. An exercise glider system comprising a first support; a second support; a beam having a first end supported by said first support and a second end supported by said second support, whereby said beam is supported above a floor; and a carriage slidably coupled to said beam, said carriage including a user engaging support.

2. The exercise glider system of claim 1, wherein said first support and said second support are both "A" frame trestles.

3. The exercise glider system of claim 1, wherein said beam has a first end positioned at a higher height than said second end in order to provide an inclined beam.

4. The exercise glider system of claim 1, wherein said user engaging support is a swing seat suspended from said carriage.

5. The exercise glider system of claim 1, wherein said user engaging support is a handbar suspended from said carriage.

6. The exercise glider system of claim 1, wherein said first support includes an inward facing surface supporting a first padded surface.

7. The exercise glider system of claim 6, wherein said second support includes an inward facing surface supporting a first padded surface.

8. The exercise glider system of claim 1, wherein said beam is an I-beam having an upper flange and a lower flange separated by a web.

9. The exercise glider system of claim 8, wherein said carriage includes vertically oriented wheels supported on an upper weight bearing surface of said lower flange and horizontally oriented wheels positioned against a side bearing surface of the lower flange.

10. The exercise glider system of claim 9, wherein said carriage includes a first and a second vertically oriented wheel spaced apart on a left side of the upper weight bearing surface of the lower flange and a third and a fourth vertically oriented wheel spaced apart on a right side of the upper weight bearing surface and a first and a second horizontally oriented wheel spaced apart on a left side of the side bearing surface of the lower flange and a third and a fourth horizontally oriented wheel spaced apart on a right side of the side bearing surface of the lower flange.

11. The exercise glider system of claim 1, further comprising cord segments attached to said second support.

12. A method of exercising comprising providing a first support; providing a second support; providing a beam having a first end supported by said first support and a second end supported by said second support, whereby said beam is supported above a floor; providing a carriage slidably coupled to said beam, said carriage including a user engaging support; providing a user that is connected to the user engaging support; causing said carriage to move by having the user push off from an inward facing surface of said first support.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said beam has a first end positioned at a higher height than said second end in order to provide an inclined beam

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said user engaging support is a swing seat suspended from said carriage.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said user engaging support is a handbar suspended from said carriage.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said first support includes an inward facing surface supporting a first padded surface.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said second support includes an inward facing surface supporting a first padded surface.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said beam is an I-beam having an upper flange and a lower flange separated by a web.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said carriage includes vertically oriented wheels supported on an upper weight bearing surface of said lower flange and horizontally oriented wheels positioned against a side bearing surface of the lower flange.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said carriage includes a first and a second vertically oriented wheel spaced apart on a left side of the upper weight bearing surface of the lower flange and a third and a fourth vertically oriented wheel spaced apart on a right side of the upper weight bearing surface and a first and a second horizontally oriented wheel spaced apart on a left side of the side bearing surface of the lower flange and a third and a fourth horizontally oriented wheel spaced apart on a right side of the side bearing surface of the lower flange.

21. A method of exercising comprising providing a first support; providing a second support, said second support includes cord segments; providing a beam having a first end supported by said first support and a second end supported by said second support, whereby said beam is supported above a floor; providing a carriage slidably coupled to said beam, said carriage including a user engaging support; providing a user that is connected to the user engaging support and attached to said cord segments; causing said carriage to move by having the user pull on said cord segments.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein said beam has a first end positioned at a higher height than said second end in order to provide an inclined beam

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said user engaging support is a swing seat suspended from said carriage.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said user engaging support is a handbar suspended from said carriage.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein said second support includes an inward facing surface supporting a first padded surface.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein said beam is an I-beam having an upper flange and a lower flange separated by a web.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said carriage includes vertically oriented wheels supported on an upper weight bearing surface of said lower flange and horizontally oriented wheels positioned against a side bearing surface of the lower flange.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said carriage includes a first and a second vertically oriented wheel spaced apart on a left side of the upper weight bearing surface of the lower flange and a third and a fourth vertically oriented wheel spaced apart on a right side of the upper weight bearing surface and a first and a second horizontally oriented wheel spaced apart on a left side of the side bearing surface of the lower flange and a third and a fourth horizontally oriented wheel spaced apart on a right side of the side bearing surface of the lower flange.