77035

Abstract

An exercise apparatus has a repositionable crank with a crank drive. The crank drive is housed in a base unit mounted on a platform. Various exercise machines such as a stationary bike, rowing machine, and elliptical machine are selectively mounted to the base unit and engage the crank drive to provide a variety of exercises.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus having a repositionable crank and a power source connector to provide power to the repositionable crank, the crank comprising a crank drive further comprising a main body; a crank-receiving aperture at a first end; a top portion at a second end, the top portion having a top receiving aperture; and a top piece having an irregularly shaped protrusion on a first side, the top receiving aperture having an irregular shape complimentary to the irregular shape of the top piece protrusion such that the top piece fits into the top receiving aperture.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the irregular shape of the top piece protrusion comprises a hexagon shape with a tongue extension.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a base unit to house the crank drive.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a platform upon which the base unit is mountable.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising at least one exercise machine selectively mountable to the platform and selectively engageable with the crank drive.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one exercise machine comprises a stationary bicycle.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the stationary bicycle comprises pedals connected to the crank drive.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one exercise machine comprises a rowing machine.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the rowing machine comprises a pulley connected to the crank drive.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one exercise machine comprises an elliptical machine.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one exercise machine comprises a recumbent stationary bicycle.

12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one exercise machine comprises a hand crank.

13. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the platform further comprises a position marker rail member extending from the platform.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a lock to selectively secure the platform at a selected position on the position marker rail member.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a terminus member attached to the position marker rail member.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the position marker rail member comprises a spine.

17. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base unit further comprises a pivotable mount to the platform such that the base unit is able to be selectively pivoted to a selected position.

18. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base unit further comprises a wireless control unit.

19. An exercise apparatus having a repositionable crank and a power source connector to provide power to the repositionable crank, the crank comprising a crank drive further comprising a main body; a crank-receiving aperture at a first end; a top portion at a second end, the top portion having a top receiving aperture; and a top piece having an irregularly shaped protrusion on a first side, the top receiving aperture having an irregular shape complimentary to the irregular shape of the top piece protrusion such that the top piece fits into the top receiving aperture; the apparatus further comprising: a base unit to house the crank drive; a platform upon which the base unit is mountable; a wireless control unit mounted in the base unit and connected to the crank drive; and at least one exercise machine selectively mountable to the platform and selectively engageable with the crank drive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is an isometric side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention with a spin bicycle attachment and spin bicycle crank drive.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention with a seat attachment and hand crank drive.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention with an elliptical machine attachment.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention with a row machine bench attachment and row machine crank drive.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention with a recumbent seat attachment and spin bicycle crank drive.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a cross section side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a cross section top view of an exemplary alternative embodiment of a spine base unit of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 9 is an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a crank drive of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of the invention. The term invention is not intended to refer to any particular embodiment or otherwise limit the scope of the disclosure. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

[0016] In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms including and comprising are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean including, but not limited to. Also, the term connect or connected where used if at all is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first component connects to a second component, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other components and connections.

[0017] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components and method steps. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function.

[0018] The apparatus base can be configured on-the-fly to do a multitude of cardio exercises such as for example spin biking to elliptical tension exercises. Users have the option to start with one configuration and then build their system capabilities over time to incorporate different exercises.

[0019] Additional Exercise Attachments that are contemplated for use with the present Base Unit include those for Climbing and Resistance Training.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 100 generally designates a Base Unit 100 embodying features of the present disclosure. The Base Unit 100 houses the exercise mechanisms which will be described below, Base Unit 100 includes Interchangeable Crank Drivers (Pedals, hand grips, and the like) 110. Base Unit 100 is mounted to platform 120 which is position adjustable by Unit mount 112 connected to platform 120. Terminus member 140 is distal from Unit mount 112 and is connected to platform 120 by position marker rail member 130 which extends between and is connected to platform 120 and terminus member 140. Position lock 135 connected to platform 120 and secures Base Unit 100 in a selected position. For simplicity, when referring to platform 120 in this description, it will be understood to include position marker member 130 and terminus member 140 unless otherwise stated or as may be clear from the context.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention with a spin bicycle attachment 200 and spin bicycle crank drive 210. Spin cycle attachment 200 is attached to platform 120 with connectors 212, 214. The spin cycle attachment in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 include seat 220 and handlebars 230.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention with a seat attachment 310 and hand crank drive 320. Base Unit 100 is rotated vertically on pivoting mount 112 to position the crank 320 for hand operation.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention with an elliptical machine attachment 410. Hand members 412, 114 and foot members 420, 422 engage base unit 100 via elliptical machine attachment 410.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention with a row machine bench attachment 510 and row machine crank drive 520. The crank mechanism of base unit 100 is engaged by pulley 522 drive instead of a bicycle or hand crank. Base Unit 100 is rotated slightly vertically on pivoting mount 112 to position the pulley crank for hand operated rowing exercise.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention with a recumbent seat 610 attachment and spin bicycle crank drive 110. Base Unit 100 is pivoted on pivoting mount 112 to position crank 110 for foot operated recumbent bike exercise.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross section side view of an exemplary embodiment of a base unit of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 7, the Base Unit has a number of features:

[0027] Repositionable Crank Drive 710

[0028] Interchangeable Crank Drivers (Pedals, hand grips, and the like) 110

[0029] Computer Controlled Tensioner 720

[0030] Speed Measurement Device 730

[0031] Connection Points for Exercise Components 740

[0032] Specific alternative embodiments provide a wireless Remote Controller as well as Bluetooth Connection capability for use with and control by a Smart Phone App.

[0033] Specific alternative embodiments provide a position marking system to identify the angle of the Device and the location of attachments on the Base Unit. Specific alternative embodiments of adjustable attachments such as the spin bike also feature the same system.

[0034] FIG. 7 also illustrates how the various components inside the casing of the Base Unit are laid out in an exemplary embodiment. These components include:

[0035] Gears 712;

[0036] Chain/Belt 714;

[0037] Servo Motor/Resistance 718;

[0038] Rotation Tracking 722 for Speed Measurement;

[0039] Device & Position Securing Plate 705;

[0040] Circuit Board and receiver unit 716 for Radio Remote Transceiver for Tension Controller;

[0041] Bluetooth Connectivity for App, and Rotation Measurement 724.

[0042] Power supply connector 732 is provided so that power can be supplied to motor 718 and to other components that require power to function.

[0043] Radio Remote for Tension Controller: An exemplary embodiment of a system that includes a base unit of the present invention further include a wireless tension controller. Wireless communication is by any suitable means such as Bluetooth or a plug and play dongle to eliminate the need for Bluetooth pairing.

[0044] In other alternative exemplary embodiments, the wireless signal receiving housing will be able to be snapped on and off of the various workout attachments for easy use in the various exercise configurations.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a cross section top view of an exemplary alternative embodiment of a spine base unit of the present invention. Base unit 100 is secured in position on platform 120 (not shown) with lock 135. Hinges 820, 822 allow position rail spine member 130 to fold vertically for storage. Spine member 130 is sectional and expandable as indicated with dividing lines 810. A series of locking holes 132 is provided to facilitate securing an attachment in a selected position.

[0046] Base Unit Overhead View: An advantage of the spine base embodiment of FIG. 8 is better ease of use for adaptive athletes, particularly so that those who are wheelchair-bound or have other mobility constraints can use the device without needing to transfer out of their chairs.

[0047] The spine-based embodiment provides easily incorporated locking/securing holes for the various exercise components. An expandable spine 130 may accommodate future exercise components that have not yet been envisioned. The spine includes hinges 820,822 so that the spine can be raised up, perpendicular to the ground so it takes up less storage space. Also provided is a locking lever 35 to secure the spine in place.

[0048] Data, Monitors & Digital Readouts: Specific alternative embodiments of the present exercise apparatus support a smart phone app that is included as an optional component of a system that includes an apparatus of the present invention. A smart shone app helps users to monitor and control their workouts. The app connects to the base unit 100 via Bluetooth or other suitable wireless connection to receive speed and resistance data. The app may be set to automatically adjust tension to keep the exerciser in the optimum heart rate workout zone using data from a heart-rate monitor and personal data (age, sex, weight, etc).

[0049] FIG. 9 is an isometric exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a crank drive of the present invention. Main body 900 provides threaded aperture 910 to threadedly receive a pedal member or pulley crank or other resistance conveying component. Top piece 930 provides protrusion 932 which is shaped to fit into receiving portion 950 of main body 900 and which protrusion 932 has a threaded center hole to receive top cap 920A, 920B. The shape of protrusion 932 may include an irregular shape such as tongie portion 936. Tongue portion 936 is received by and fits into slot 952 of receiving portion 950. The top cap has a bottom side 920A and a top side 920B. Threaded male protrusion 915 protrudes from 920A and is formed to matingly and threadedly connect to top piece 930 through threaded female aperture 934 of protrusion 932 which is disposed in receiving portion 950 to threadedly attach to top piece 930 to main body 900.

[0050] Interchangeable Crank Drivers: As seen in FIG. 9, The Interchangeable Crank Drivers are easily attached and removed from Base Unit 100. The crank driver will have a hexagonal (or some like-shape) hole which will fit over a protruding male shape 932 that is attached to the drive mechanism of the main body. The crank driver will be secured with a cap 940 which locks into the female hole in the protruding male shape using either a treaded or spring-loaded male cap protrusion.

[0051] Alternatives to Arc Motion

[0052] There are a number of other methods to accomplish the core concept of this invention of a rather than the Arc motion described above. For example:

[0053] Telescoping Mechanism: Specific alternative embodiments provide a telescoping mechanism to raise or lower the crank to the desired height.

[0054] Vertical Rail: Specific alternative embodiments provide a rail system such that the crank moves up and down to the desired height and then locks in place with a securing mechanism.

[0055] Many modifications and other embodiments of the repositionable crank exercise apparatus described herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.