Removable Headrest for Pilates Equipment

Abstract

A method for extending the head position of a person using a Pilates Reformer with Tower to enable additional exercises. The method utilizes a headrest extension mechanism temporarily or permanently attached to the Reformer to enable the participant to move closer to the tower mechanism with their head supported beyond the tower bed.

Claims

1. A headrest device for enabling improved or additional exercises on an exercise apparatus by providing said headrest temporarily or permanently mounted to said apparatus where said headrest supports an exercise participants head when said participant's head would normally extend past the end of said apparatus.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of a slip fit wherein said headrest slips over said apparatus and is held in place by means of friction between said headrest and said apparatus.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more bolts.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more screws.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more screw down tightening devices such as screw clamps or compression screws.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more straps.

7. The device of claim 1, (with any of the preceding mounting methods) wherein said headrest has a hinge to allow said headrest to be lifted and locked in place when in use and lowered out of the way when not in use.

8. A method of enabling improved or additional exercises on an exercise apparatus by providing a headrest temporarily or permanently mounted to said apparatus where said headrest supports an exercise participant's head when said participant's head would normally extend past the end of said apparatus.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of a friction fit wherein said headrest slips over said apparatus and is held in place by means of friction between said headrest and said apparatus.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more bolts.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more screws.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more screw down tightening devices such as screw clamps or compression screws.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said headrest is attached to said apparatus by means of one or more straps.

14. The method of claim 8, (with any of the preceding mounting methods) wherein said headrest has a hinge to allow said headrest to be lifted and locked in place when in use and lowered out of the way when not in use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of the Pilates reformer (1) device with the tower (2) and an exercise participant lying on the reformer (1). In this view the participant is as close to the tower (2) attachment as possible in the existing available configuration.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows the exercise participant lying in a position that puts their shoulders closer to the tower attachment (2). In this position the participant's head is not supported (16) by the existing equipment.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a view with the participant in the position from FIG. 2, but with the addition of the headrest (6) of the current invention to provide support for the participant's head.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a cutaway, side-view of the headrest (6) attachment to the Reformer (1) in the preferred embodiment where the headrest (6) slips over the end of the reformer (1) for a slip fit mounting (7) and is supported by friction due to the close tolerances between the headrest (6) and the mounting surface.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a close-up, cutaway side-view of the preferred embodiment showing the tight fit of the slip-on headrest (6) to the reformer (1) internal structure (9).

[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) is attached to the reformer (1) with one or more mounting bolts (10).

[0025] FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) is attached to the reformer (1) with one or more mounting screws (11).

[0026] FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) is attached to the reformer (1) with screw down clamps such as compression screws (11).

[0027] FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) is attached to the reformer (1) with one or more mounting straps (13).

[0028] FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) uses a force fit mounting (14) that utilizes force from the tower mat to hold the headrest in place.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the headrest (6) where the headrest (6) includes a hinge (15) to enable the headrest to fold down out of the way without removing the tower bed (the folding embodiment).

[0030] FIG. 12 is a side view of the folding embodiment with the headrest (6) folded down and not in use.

[0031] The foregoing disclosure and showing made in the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.