Exercise Device

Abstract

An exercise machine is provided which is configured to place a user in an exercise position, wherein movement during exercise against a load will target the gluteus maximus muscles. The exercise machine positions the body of a user in a lowered or exercise position which supports the user while raising their body to an elevated position, in a manner to stabilize the user and direct movement of the user along the sagittal plane during use, while concurrently isolating the gluteus maximus muscles as the muscles overcoming the load.

Claims

1. An exercise machine, comprising: a frame having a first end and a second end opposite said first end; a foot support positioned at said first end of said frame; a back support engaged with said frame, said back support inclining from a lower first end closest to said first end of said frame, to a higher end closest to said second end of said frame; said exercise machine defining an exercise position for said user, requiring positioning both feet of said user upon said foot support thereby positioning upper legs of said user inclining along a line running from their hips supported upon said back support, toward their knees, and positioning a torso of said user inclining in a direction running from said hips toward their head elevated above said hips; a pivoting arm rotationally engaged with said frame; a contact member in a connection at one end to said pivoting arm, said contact member extending from said pivoting arm in a horizontal disposition above said back support to a distal end; said contact member rotating said pivoting arm when moved from a lowered position closest to said back support, to a raised position; said pivoting arm configured for engagement with a load which resists movement of said contact member from said lowered position to said raised position; and whereby a user positioned in said exercise position, and having a portion of their abdomen between said knees and their shoulders contacting said contact member, may only move said contact member from said lowered position toward said raised position, by a movement of said body of said user along a sagittal plane, from said exercise position, to an elevated position, by employing the gluteus maximus muscles to overcome said load and elevate said hips of said user above said back support.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising: a vertical support member positioned at said first end of said frame, adjacent said foot support; and said vertical support positioned for a contact with said knees of said user during movement of said body from said exercise position to said elevated position; and a said contact of said knees with said vertical support forming a stop preventing lateral translation of said body of said user toward said first end of said frame, during movement between said exercise position and said elevated position.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising: a pivoting arm rotationally engaged with said frame; and said connection of said contact member with said pivoting arm being a rotational connection allowing a pivoting of said contact member.

4. The exercise machine of claim 2, further comprising: a pivoting arm rotationally engaged with said frame; and said connection of said contact member with said pivoting arm being a rotational connection allowing a pivoting of said contact member.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said back support is in a sliding engagement with said frame, whereby said back support is adjustable to a plurality of positions upon said frame between said foot support and said second end of said frame.

6. The exercise machine of claim 2 wherein said back support is in a sliding engagement with said frame whereby said back support is adjustable to a plurality of positions upon said frame between said foot support and said second end of said frame.

7. The exercise machine of claim 3 wherein said back support is in a sliding engagement with said frame whereby said back support is adjustable to a plurality of positions upon said frame between said foot support and said second end of said frame.

8. The exercise machine of claim 4 wherein said back support is in a sliding engagement with said frame whereby said back support is adjustable to a plurality of positions upon said frame between said foot support and said second end of said frame.

9. The exercise machine of claim 1 further comprising: said pivoting arm engaged with a cam which is in a rotational engagement with said frame; said cam being adjustable in an angular position around said rotational engagement by engagement of a pin with one of a plurality of holes in said cam; and adjustment of said angular position of said cam concurrently adjusting a distance of said contact member from said back support.

10. The exercise machine of claim 2 further comprising: said pivoting arm engaged with a cam which is in a rotational engagement with said frame; said cam being adjustable in an angular position around said rotational engagement by engagement of a pin with one of a plurality of holes in said cam; and adjustment of said angular position of said cam concurrently adjusting a distance of said contact member from said back support.

11. The exercise machine of claim 3 further comprising: said pivoting arm engaged with a cam which is in a rotational engagement with said frame; said cam being adjustable in an angular position around said rotational engagement by engagement of a pin with one of a plurality of holes in said cam; and adjustment of said angular position of said cam concurrently adjusting a distance of said contact member from said back support.

12. The exercise machine of claim 4 further comprising: said pivoting arm engaged with a cam which is in a rotational engagement with said frame; said cam being adjustable in an angular position around said rotational engagement by engagement of a pin with one of a plurality of holes in said cam; and adjustment of said angular position of said cam concurrently adjusting a distance of said contact member from said back support.

13. The exercise machine of claim 5 further comprising: said pivoting arm engaged with a cam which is in a rotational engagement with said frame; said cam being adjustable in an angular position around said rotational engagement by engagement of a pin with one of a plurality of holes in said cam; and adjustment of said angular position of said cam concurrently adjusting a distance of said contact member from said back support.

14. The exercise machine of claim 6 further comprising: said pivoting arm engaged with a cam which is in a rotational engagement with said frame; said cam being adjustable in an angular position around said rotational engagement by engagement of a pin with one of a plurality of holes in said cam; and adjustment of said angular position of said cam concurrently adjusting a distance of said contact member from said back support.

15. The exercise machine of claim 7 further comprising: said pivoting arm engaged with a cam which is in a rotational engagement with said frame; said cam being adjustable in an angular position around said rotational engagement by engagement of a pin with one of a plurality of holes in said cam; and adjustment of said angular position of said cam concurrently adjusting a distance of said contact member from said back support.

16. The exercise machine of claim 8 further comprising: said pivoting arm engaged with a cam which is in a rotational engagement with said frame; said cam being adjustable in an angular position around said rotational engagement by engagement of a pin with one of a plurality of holes in said cam; and adjustment of said angular position of said cam concurrently adjusting a distance of said contact member from said back support.

17. The exercise machine of claim 1 wherein said load which resists movement is generated by one or a combination of load generators from a group of load generators including a weight stack, a free weight, elastic members, springs, hydraulic resistance components and pneumatic resistance components.

18. The exercise machine of claim 10 wherein said load which resists movement is generated by one or a combination of load generators from a group of load generators including a weight stack, a free weight, elastic members, springs, hydraulic resistance components and pneumatic resistance components.

19. The exercise machine of claim 15 wherein said load which resists movement is generated by one or a combination of load generators from a group including a weight stack, a free weight, elastic members, springs, hydraulic resistance components and pneumatic resistance components.

20. The exercise machine of claim 2 wherein said back support inclines from said lower first end toward said higher end, at an angle between 5 degrees to 20 degrees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed device. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of the invention herein, rather than limiting in any fashion.

In the drawings:

[0042] FIG. 1 depicts a side view of the device having a user positioned in an as-used or an exercise position, applicable to all modes of the device, with feet positioned on a support and knees adjacent to, or contacting, a vertical support at a point across from a contact point with their buttocks or back, and with their abdomen adjacent a contact member, and showing the sagittal plane of movement which occurs during use.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows device of FIG. 1 with the user exercising by moving to a raised or elevated position after movement along the sagittal plane, which is accomplished by raising their hips from a position supported on a back support to the elevated position, and ready for the hip flexion portion of use, with the force required for such movement isolated to the gluteus maximus muscles.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows another mode of the device similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a bottom view of the device showing the sagittal plane of motion the device directs user movement along by maintaining positioning of the feet, knees, and head.

[0045] FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the mode of the device as in FIG. 3.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows the load or resistive force system of the device using a weight stack connected to cable which is connected or in communication with the second arm and a padded or unpadded member.

[0047] FIG. 6 shows an overhead view of a the device of FIG. 3.

[0048] FIG. 7 shows an end view of the device of FIG. 6.

[0049] FIG. 8 depicts a mode of the device employing free weights for resistance to rotation of the pivoting arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-8, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1, the device 10 having a user 12 situated therein in an exercise position. In all modes of the device 10 it is particularly preferred to provide a means to maintain the feet and knees supported in a substantially stationary position and properly spaced from the point on a user's mid section across from a support point for their back when in an elevated position as in FIG. 2.

[0051] In an as-used or exercise position of FIGS. 1-2, the user is fixed on the device 10 such that upward and downward movement follows the sagittal plane 13 and the user must employ the gluteus maximus muscles to raise the member 43 which is connected with a load or resistive force. It is this fixing of the feet with angled upper legs and angled torso inclining toward the head, which helps maintain movement in line with the sagittal plane 13 and focuses the majority of exertion and exercise by the user to the gluteus maximus muscles when raising the contact member 43 which is under a load from resistance.

[0052] As can be seen in the mode of the device 10 of FIG. 1, the device 10 as shown has a frame 14 supporting the overlying engaged components on an underlying support surface. Positioned at a first end of the frame 14 is positioned a horizontally disposed foot platform 16 which supports the feet of a user, while in the exercise position on the device 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0053] Adjacent the platform 16, in some preferred modes of the device 10 is preferably positioned a vertical support member 20 which may have a cushion 18. The support member 20 is preferably engaged to the first end of the frame 14. The adjacent positioning of the support member 20 and attached cushion 18, to the foot platform 16, is done to position the feet and knees such that when the user places their feet on the foot platform 16 while in the exercise position, the knees contact against the support member 20 or cushion 18 preventing lateral translation of the body of the user in the direction toward the first end of the frame 14.

[0054] It is this exercise position shown in FIG. 1 and movement to the elevated position shown in FIG. 2, along the sagittal plane 13, which runs through the middle of the body of the user during the exercise, which focuses the exercise to overcome the load from a resistive force, to the gluteus maximus muscles. It is this focusing of movement along the sagittal plane 13 during the raising to the elevated position and lowering of the body of the user to the exercise position, which helps communicate the majority of work against the load on the device 10 to the gluteus maximus muscles.

[0055] This lower leg positioning and stability portion of the device 10 forms a stop which prevents the upper leg and torso of the user from translating toward the support member 20, during use of the device 10. Combined with the positioning of the upper back of the user upon an adjustable base 22 in the exercise position, and the positioning of the back at a position across from the knee support during the elevated position, the user's waist or hips form a pivot between the torso angling upward toward the head of the user from the hips supported on a back support 36, and the upper legs angling upward from the hips toward the knees, which are elevated above the foot support. This positioning of the hips of the user in the exercise position, with the upper legs and torso of the user both angling upward at opposite angles, isolates the gluteus maximus muscles during use for targeted exercise when the user moves to the raised position of FIG. 2, and raises their hips a distance off the back support in a direction toward a position where the upper legs and torso may align. The user need not align the upper legs and torso but will move toward doing so when moving to the elevated position.

[0056] To allow the user to move the back support 36 to a proper and comfortable exercise position if desirable, a translatable base 22 supporting the back support 36, may be slidably engaged with one or a plurality of diagonal tracks 24 which incline from a lower end adjacent the foot platform 16, toward a higher end engaged to a riser 28 adjacent the second end of the frame 14 opposite the first end.

[0057] A currently preferred mode of the device 10 positions the diagonal track 24 at an angle between 5 and 20 degrees on an incline from the plane, with 10 degrees being particularly preferred as an angle employable for use with most users 12.

[0058] The base 22 is slidable by users 12 to position it at different elevations along the track 24 to support their torso during use. Such adjustment of the base 22 allows for position adjustment of the back of the user to one that is comfortable and in a raised position across from the support of the knees. As noted, positioning of the hips against this back support 36, and fixed positioning of the feet and knees in the exercise position, isolate the communication of the load from resistance from the engaged cable 32, to the pivoting arm 30, to work the gluteus maximus muscles as the user pivots the body from the exercise position of FIG. 1, to the elevated position such as in FIG. 2.

[0059] In all modes of the device, the base 22 may be in a ratcheted engagement with a track 24, or the device may employed other means to prevent it from sliding downward on the track 24 during adjustment. If employed, a ratchet may be released using a release handle 34 for users wishing to move the base 22 downward toward the foot rest 16 to change where the back is supported.

[0060] The back support 36 should be comfortable and can be formed of a cushioning material such as with dense foam material, and when engaged to the base 22 provides a padded contact with the backside of the user 12 when in the as-used or exercise position. The pivot point of the pivoting arm 30, may be fixed in positioning whereby the user will move the back support 36 only during positioning, or it may be made adjustable to move it toward or away from the foot pad 16 end of the device, or to adjust the mechanical advantage communicated to the cable 32 during use.

[0061] The pivoting arm 30 in all modes of the device, is in operative engagement with a load or resistive force providing the load resisting the elevation of the pivoting arm 30 by the user. In one mode a cable 32 or member can be engaged at the other end with the pivoting arm 30, and at the other with fixed or preferably variable load or resistance, such as a weight stack 38, or other resistive device such as a pneumatic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, elastic band, spring or the like. In another mode of the device 10 such as in FIG. 8, free weights 48 can be engaged to the pivoting arm 30, such as on a weight support member 49 similar to a barbell engaged to the pivoting arm 30.

[0062] As shown in all modes of the device 10 in FIGS. 1-8, a secondary arm 40 is engaged with the pivoting arm 30 at one end and with a cushioned 42 or uncushioned contact member 43 at or adjacent the opposite end. While pictured as static in length, this secondary arm 40 may be telescopic to adjust length or to provide a plurality of sizes or adjustable sizes in length. Adjusting the length would allow a means for varied positioning of a cushioned or uncushioned contact member 43 engaged at a distal end of the secondary arm 40.

[0063] In all modes of the device 10 herein, with the user 12 in the exercise position such as in FIGS. 1-2, with their back contacting the back support 36 positioned on the base 22, and their feet upon the foot platform 16 and their knees adjacent or contacting a vertical support 20 or if provided, a vertical cushion 18, the user will employ the device 10 and rotate the pivoting arm 30 from a lowered or almost sitting position of FIG. 1, where the axis of their spine is substantially perpendicular or normal to the axis of their femur, to a raised position of FIG. 2, and back again. The positioning of the user on the foot support and back support and positioning of the contact member against the body, focuses the movement of the user along the sagittal plane. This is key to the device, as is the fixed positioning of the feet and knees and the support of the back with the back support 36, which positions the hip joints of the user as the pivot as the body bends. This results in a communication of the major amount of load or resistance to movement to the gluteus maximus muscles during their employment to pivot the waist and raise the contact member 43 and pivoting arm 30.

[0064] Depicted in FIG. 3-4 is another mode of the device 10 similar to FIG. 1 and configured to isolate the gluteus maximus muscles during use. Shown are the foot platform 16 adjacent the support member having the cushion 18 for contact with the knees of the user in the exercise position. A back support 36 may be positioned atop the slidable base 22 as in other modes or the back support 36 may be the slidable base 22. The contact member 43 is positioned to contact the abdomen of the user during use. Also shown are a flexible member or cable 32 connecting the pivoting arm 30 to the adjustable weight stack, or other means to generate a load or resistance. Changes in direction of the cable 32 are provided by one or a plurality of pulleys 33 positioned on the device 10.

[0065] The contact arm 43 may be in a fixed engagement with the pivoting arm 30, however during experimentation with the device 10 it was unexpectedly found that a rotating or pivoting engagement 31 of the contact arm 43 to the pivoting arm 30, provided a self-centering action during use. Essentially, the contact arm 43, if allowed to move on the pivoting engagement, will self center on the user's waist or abdomen at a comfortable position and usually at the pivot point on the user such as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, while a fixed engagement of the contact arm 43 to the pivoting arm 30 works well during use to help maintain the body of the user along the sagittal plane, the pivoting engagement 31 is more preferred.

[0066] Shown in FIG. 5, is the load from the resistive force components of the device 10, which employ the cable 32 and pulleys 33 to connect to a weight stack 38 shown in dotted line to indicate other load generating means for resistance may be employed. As can be seen, force imparted against the contact member 43 will cause the pivoting arm 30 to rotate and move the cable 33 which is resisted by load from the weight stack 38 or other means of resistance to movement of the pivoting arm 30 such as hydraulic, pneumatic, frictional, or elastic resistance. An adjustable cam 45 for changing the contact member 43 position relative to the abdomen of the user is also shown. Changing a pin 47 to engagement with a line of sequential holes 40 adjusts an angular position of the cam 45 in its rotational engagement with the frame, to thereby rotate the pivoting arm 30 and adjust contact member to positions closer or further from the back support. In this mode the cam 45 engages with the load resisting rotation.

[0067] Shown in FIG. 6 is an overhead view of the device such as in FIG. 3. Depicted are the foot platform 16 adjacent the pad 18 on the support member 20. Also shown is the contact member 43 engaged with the pivoting arm 30 which will communicate force to the cable 32 to overcome the load generated by the resistive force attached. The same components may be viewed in the device as shown in FIG. 7.

[0068] Finally, depicted in FIG. 8, is a mode of the device 10 adapted to employ free weights 48 as the load or resistive force to the rotation of the pivoting arm 30 when moved by the user contacting the contact member 43. This mode of the device 10, as can be seen, includes the foot and knee engagements and back support noted above as providing the means to isolate and target the gluteus maximus muscles during exercise. The free weights 48 are shown operatively engaged to the pivoting arm 30. [0069] As noted, any of the different configurations and components of the exercise device 10 can be employed with any other configuration or component shown and described herein.

[0070] Additionally, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof and steps in the method of production, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, it will be appreciated that in some instance some features, or configurations, or steps in formation of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.

[0071] Further, the purpose of any abstract of this specification is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Any such abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.