Abstract
An exercise apparatus comprises a movable carriage having a generally flat top surface, the carriage being movably mounted on parallel track members of a frame having a head end and a foot end, the carriage having a pair of shoulder stops mounted thereto and plurality of elastic members connected between the foot end and the carriage to elastically bias the carriage toward the foot end of the frame. The apparatus has a movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly comprising an anchor bar with at least one elongated stop member arranged perpendicular to and secured to the anchor bar, the stop member having a carriage stop surface located towards the end of the stop member remote from the anchor bar and the stop member further comprising at least one movable means of engagement with the frame of the exercise apparatus. The anchor bar and stop assembly may easily be moved and readjusted one handed with safety and smooth operation.
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a movable carriage having a generally flat top surface, the movable carriage being movably mounted on parallel track members of a frame having a head end, a foot end and side members, the movable carriage having a pair of shoulder stops mounted thereto and plurality of elastic members connected between the foot end and the movable carriage to elastically bias the movable carriage toward the foot end of the frame, and a movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly comprising an anchor bar with at least one elongated stop member arranged perpendicular to and secured to the anchor bar, the at least one elongated stop member having a carriage stop surface located towards an end of the at least one elongated stop member remote from the anchor bar and the at least one elongated stop member further comprising at least one movable means of engagement with the frame side members of the exercise apparatus.
2. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one movable means of engagement with the frame side members of the exercise apparatus is located towards the end of the at least one elongated stop member towards which the carriage stop surface is located.
3. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one movable means of engagement provides a pivot point about an axis perpendicular to the side members of the frame of the apparatus.
4. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated stop members pivot about a point associated with the at least one movable means of engagement.
5. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly comprises two elongated stop members.
6. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated stop members have carriage stop surfaces at their ends.
7. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated stop members comprise a stop surface member secured at their ends.
8. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stop surface member comprises an elastomeric or polymeric material.
9. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stop surface member is located between the end of the at least one elongated stop member and the movable means of engagement.
10. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable means of engagement is a vertical wheel riding within a C-section runner along the side of or within the side frame side members.
11. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side frame is a C-section frame.
12. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable means of engagement is a vertical wheel combined with a horizontal wheel both riding within a square section runner along the side of or within the frame side members.
13. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame side member is a square section frame.
14. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the end of the at least one elongated stop member is located between the stop surface member and the movable means of engagement.
15. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable means of engagement comprises a slot in the apparatus frame side member and an axle engaged with said slot that protrudes from the side of the at least one elongated stop member.
16. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the axle is an integral part of a stop surface member secured at the end of the at least one elongated stop member.
17. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the integral part of the stop surface member as the axle passes through the at least one elongated stop member to engage with the slot.
18. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the slot is located in a metal plate or section that is attached to or within the frame side members of the apparatus.
19. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the slot comprises low friction material.
20. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stop surface member comprises a metal or a low friction material.
21. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one movable means of engagement comprises a low friction material slidably engaged within the frame side members of the apparatus.
22. An exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the low friction material is friction polymeric material.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the foot end of an exercise apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
[0029] FIG. 1-A is an exploded image of region A of FIG. 1,
[0030] FIG. 2 is a top view of the exercise apparatus shown in FIG. 1,
[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of movable spring anchor bars and carriage stop assemblies of different size as used in the apparatus of FIG. 1,
[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly in a further embodiment of the present invention,
[0033] FIG. 5 is a top view of the foot end of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the further embodiment of the present invention incorporating the assembly of FIG. 4,
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention using an axle and slot as the means for movable engagement,
[0035] FIG. 6-B is an exploded image of region B of FIG. 6,
[0036] FIG. 7 is a top view of the foot end of an exercise apparatus in accordance with FIG. 6,
[0037] FIG. 8 is a top and perspective view of a movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for the apparatus of FIGS. 6 and 7,
[0038] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the foot end of an exercise apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
[0039] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly for the apparatus of FIG. 9,
[0040] FIG. 11 is an enlarged portion of the top view of the movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly as shown in FIG. 8, and
[0041] FIG. 12 is a perspective and enlarged portion of the top view of the movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly of FIGS. 8 and 11, showing a rubber sleeve addition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 1. 1-A and 2, the illustrated exercise apparatus (1) has a foot end (2), side frame (3) and carriage (4). Also illustrated is a foot bar assembly (5, 5′, 6 and 6′), which is adjustable for different heights and distance from the carriage (4). The movable spring anchor bar is shown (8), which is of square cross-section with a number of anchor points (14) for the movable springs (7). Secured to either end of the movable spring anchor bar (8) are two elongated stop members (9), which extend from the movable spring anchor bar (8) towards the carriage (4) and are arranged generally parallel with the side frames (3). The movable spring anchor bar (8) comprises pins (15) at either end that engage with and are secured within slots (13) that are within an anchor bar support (16), which is secured to the side frame (3). At the ends of the elongated stop member (9) there is a stop surface member (10), which is located between the end of the elongated stop member (9) and a movable engagement means (11), which is securely engaged within a C-section profile (12) of the side frame (3). In this embodiment the movable means of engagement (11) takes the form of a wheel arrangement which has an axis perpendicular to the elongated stop member (9) and the frame (3) and which passes through the stop surface member (10) and the end of the elongated stop member (9). During use the movable spring anchor bar (8) and its pins (15) are removed from engagement within the slots (13) of the anchor bar support (16) and the whole assembly pivots about the axis through the wheel (11), which is securely located within the C-section (12). As the anchor bar (8) is moved towards the next slot (13) as anchor point in the anchor bar support (16) and towards the carriage (4) the wheel form movable engagement means (11) travels along and within the C-section and maintains the end of the elongated stop members (9) and stop surface members (10) in rigid alignment with the frame (3) about the pivot axis. The anchor bar (8) is raised upwards forcing the elongated stop member (9) to rotate upwards about the pivot axis of the wheel. Once the anchor bar (8) is aligned with the next slot (13) location in the anchor bar support (16) and it is placed in that slot (13) location the attached elongated stop member (9) will now rotate downwards about the pivot axis of the wheel and the whole assembly will be rigidly locked in position for use. During this movement because of the rigidity of the anchor bar (8) and the constrained but movable location of the movable engagement means (11) in relation to the anchor bar (8) the whole assembly retains its strength and rigidity through this movement, and this ensures smooth and safe operation.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 3, two similar anchor bar assemblies are shown (20) with an anchor bar (8) with pins (15) and anchor points (14). The assembly has elongated stop members (9 and 9′) having stop surface members (10) and wheel means for movable engagement (11) at their ends. The elongated stop members (9 and 9′) are of different length.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 4, the anchor bar assembly (40) is designed for use with an exercise apparatus that has a square section profile side frame as an alternative to the C-section profile (12) of FIG. 1. The assembly (40) has an anchor bar (45) with anchor bar pins (48), spring anchor points (46) elongated stop members (43), stop surface members (42) and two-wheeled means for movable engagement (41 and 47). The larger wheel (41) and smaller wheel (47) mounted perpendicular to the larger wheel (41) co-operate to ensure proper alignment and travel of the assembly within a square section framed apparatus.
[0045] With reference to FIG. 5, the apparatus of FIG. 4 is shown in-situ in an exercise apparatus (50) having a frame end (56) and a side frame (49), which has a square section interior channel (not shown). Also shown is the anchor bar support member (51), which is secured to the side frame (49) and which has multiple slots (55) for engaging pin (48) of the anchor bar (45). Also illustrated is the foot bar assembly (52, 53 and 54).
[0046] With reference to FIG. 6, an exercise apparatus (60) is shown, which incorporates a pin (94, not shown) and low friction slot or guide (69) arrangement as the movable engagement means. Illustrated are inter alia the carriage (61), shoulder stops (62) the side frame (63), the foot bar assembly (64 and 65), the anchor bar (66), the elongated stop member (67), the stop surface member (68) and a low friction polymer lined slot (69) located within the side frame (63) and anchor bar support (72), which is secured to the side frame (63). This is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 6-B and 7, which show the apparatus (70) with footrest assembly (64, 74, 75 and 76) anchor bar of square cross-section (66) with end pins (73), elongated stop member (67) and stop surface member (68) and springs (77). A pin (94) attached to or passing through the elongated stop member (67) movably engages within the slot (69). The anchor bar assembly (90) for this apparatus is further illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 11, in which is shown an anchor bar (91), having end pins (93) for engagement with an anchor bar support (72, not shown), the anchor bar (91) having two elongated stop members (92) and two stop surface members (95) at the ends of the elongated stop members (92) remote from the anchor bar (91). Also show are the pins or axles (94) adjacent the stop surface members (95); these pins engage within and rotate and slide within the slots (69) of the apparatus. During use the elongated stop members (92) and stop surface members (95) are able to pivot about the axis of these pins (94) but are constrained from any other movement other than to move with these pins (94) as they rotate and/or slide within the low friction slots (69). As shown in FIG. 11, the end pins (93) have two sections (120, 121); the first section (120) proximate to the elongated stop member (92) is of larger dimension than the second section (121), which is of the correct dimensions to sit comfortably within the slots (71) of the anchor bar support (72). The larger dimension of section (120) ensures that there is minimum lateral movement of the anchor bar (91) when the end pins (93) are located within the slots (71) and at the same time ensures that the sides of the elongated stop members (67,92) do not come into contact with the apparatus frame (63) and anchor bar support (72) during use. The movable engagement means in the form of a pin (94) comprises two sections (122, 123). The first section (122), which is proximate to the outer surface of the elongated stop member (67,92) sits comfortably within the low friction slot (69) of the apparatus (60), whilst the outer section (123), which is in the form of a flange sits within the interior of the side frame (63) and prevents the lateral movement of the pin (94) from engagement within the low friction slot (69). This arrangement ensures that when the anchor bar (91) is disengaged from the anchor bar support (71,72) that the elongated stop members (67,92) are held rigidly in position relative to and remain engaged with the side frame (63) but may pivot freely about the pins (94) and the whole anchor bar assembly may then be moved to a new slot (71) location in the anchor bar support (72) as the pin (94) slides freely within the constraints of the low friction slot or guide (69). The stop surface (124) of the stop surface members (95) is also illustrated.
[0047] With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is show an apparatus (100) and anchor bar assembly (200) which utilize a top surface track (109), upon which the part of the movable engagement means (107) in the form of a wheel is engaged. Illustrated are the elongated stop members (102), footrest assembly (103, 111, 112, 114 and 115) at the foot end (110) of the apparatus (100), the square-section anchor bar (104), the spring anchors (105), the carriage (106), carriage springs (116), side frame (114, the stop surface members (108) and aligned wheels (117).
[0048] With reference to FIG. 12, the end pin (93) consisting of engagement first section (120) proximate to the elongated stop member (92) is of larger dimension than the second section (121), which is further modified by the addition of a rubber sleeve (125), which is optionally secured to the end pin (93) by means of a bolt (126). In this embodiment the exterior dimensions of the sleeve (125) are of the correct dimensions to sit comfortably within the slots (71) of the anchor bar support (72), which may be of larger dimensions in this embodiment to accommodate the larger sleeve (125) dimensions. The dimensions of all features these features (71, 93, 120, 121, and 125) may be adjusted to accommodate each other in the final assembly of the apparatus.
[0049] The present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described above. Many changes, alternatives, variations, and equivalents to the various structures shown and described will be apparent to one skilled in the art.
[0050] Accordingly, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described and shown herein with reference to the illustrated embodiments. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments illustrated but is intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and broad scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. All patents, patent applications, and printed publications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[0051] It is understood that any embodiment described herein may be used in combination with one or more of each of the other embodiments and all of these combinations of embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
[0052] All of the features disclosed in this specification for each and every embodiment (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
