Exercise apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus suitable for pilates and other exercise comprises rails, supported on a box-like frame and an exercise carriage, mounted on the rails, wherein the carriage comprises a first carriage section and a second carriage section which sections can be (i) connected together to form a single exercise carriage which slides forwards and backwards on the rails, or (ii) disconnected to form two exercise carriages which independently slide forwards and backwards on the rails. The apparatus also has a seat with a spring-biased foot pedal and a spring-biased trapeze bar.

Claims

1. Exercise apparatus, comprising: .[.(1).]. a box-like frame defining an exercise area within and around the frame, comprising: .[.(a).]. two .[.rails, referred to as.]. lower rails, supported on the frame and on which is mounted an exercise carriage comprising a first carriage section and a second carriage section; .[.(b).]. two left hand side uprights, being proximal to the first carriage section; .[.(c).]. two right hand side uprights being proximal to the second carriage section; and .[.(d).]. two upper rails mounted between the two pairs of uprights, wherein the first carriage section and the second carriage section can be .[.(i).]. connected together to form a single exercise carriage which slides forwards and backwards on the rails during exercise, and .[.(ii).]. disconnected to form two exercise carriages which independently slide forwards and backwards on the rails during exercise; .[.(2).]. from 2 to 5 springs removably attachable to the frame, the first carriage section and/or the second carriage section so that: the first carriage section is connectable by one or more of the springs to the frame; and / or the first carriage section is connectable by one or more of the springs to the second carriage section; and / or the second carriage section is connectable by one or more of the springs to the frame; .[.(3).]. a lock to lock the first carriage section at any position along the rails; .[.(4).]. a lock to lock the second carriage section at any position along the rails; .[.(5).]. two pulleys attached to the frame, two ropes threaded through the pulleys and two rope cleats located on the first carriage section, and wherein the ropes have two ends, one of which is free and one is to attach to one of the rope cleats; .[.(6).]. a seat mounted between the two left hand .Iadd.side .Iaddend.uprights, or between the two right hand .Iadd.side .Iaddend.uprights, and a resistance-biased foot pedal associated with the seat.Iadd., further comprising springs connecting the pedal to the uprights or to the seat and offering resistance to movement of the pedal away from the seat by a user.Iaddend.; and .[.(7).]. a trapeze bar pivotally mounted between the two left hand .Iadd.side .Iaddend.uprights, or between the two right hand .Iadd.side .Iaddend.uprights or between the two upper rails, biased to provide resistance to movement.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the from 2 to 5 springs can be independently connected between the first carriage section and the frame.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the from 2 to 5 springs can be independently connected between the first carriage section and the second carriage section.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the from 2 to 5 springs can be independently connected between the second carriage section and the frame.

.[.5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, comprising springs connecting the pedal to the uprights or to the seat and offering resistance to movement of the pedal away from the seat by a user..].

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, comprising springs connecting the trapeze bar to the .[.frame, e.g. to the.]. uprights or to the .Iadd.upper .Iaddend.rails, offering resistance to movement of the bar by a user.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a foot bar attached between the left hand .Iadd.side .Iaddend.uprights or the right hand .Iadd.side .Iaddend.uprights.

.[.8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ladder attached to the upper rails..].

.[.9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the upper rails extend between the right hand uprights and the left hand uprights and comprise projections which project to the right of the right hand uprights or to the left of the left hand uprights, the ladder being connected to the projections..].

10. The exercise apparatus of claim .[.9.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., further comprising a flat board, attached to the right hand .Iadd.side .Iaddend.uprights or to the left hand .Iadd.side .Iaddend.uprights, substantially perpendicular to the exercise carriage.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, comprising one or more buffers to lessen the impact of the exercise carriage at the limits of its travel on the rails.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, comprising four pulleys, two mounted on each of the left hand side uprights, wherein each pulley can be fastened at any position along the length of its upright.

.Iadd.13. Exercise apparatus, comprising: a box-like frame defining an exercise area within and around the frame, the frame comprising: two lower rails; two left hand side uprights; two right hand side uprights; and two upper rails mounted between the two pairs of uprights; an exercise carriage, comprising a first carriage section and a second carriage section, mounted on the lower rails, wherein the first carriage section and the second carriage section can be (i) connected together to form a single exercise carriage which can slide forwards and backwards on the rails during exercise against an adjustable resistance, and (ii) disconnected to form two exercise carriages each of which can independently slide forwards and backwards on the rails during exercise against an adjustable resistance; a lock to lock the first carriage section at any position along the rails; a seat mounted between the two left hand side uprights, or between the two right hand side uprights; a resistance-biased foot pedal associated with the seat; and springs connecting the pedal to the uprights or to the seat and offering resistance to movement of the pedal away from the seat by a user, wherein the two left hand side uprights are proximal to the first carriage section, and wherein the two right hand side uprights are proximal to the second carriage section..Iaddend.

.Iadd.14. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the adjustable resistance is provided by springs..Iaddend.

.Iadd.15. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising springs removably attachable to the frame, the first carriage section and/or the second carriage section so that: the first carriage section can be connected by one or more springs to the second carriage section; and/or the second carriage section can be connected by one or more springs to the frame..Iaddend.

.Iadd.16. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising springs removably attachable to the frame, the first carriage section and/or the second carriage section so that: the first carriage section can be connected by one or more springs to the second carriage section; and/or the first carriage section can be connected by one or more springs to the frame..Iaddend.

.Iadd.17. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising from 2 to 5 springs which can each be independently connected between the first carriage section and the frame..Iaddend.

.Iadd.18. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising from 2 to 5 springs which can each be independently connected between the first carriage section and the second carriage section..Iaddend.

.Iadd.19. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising from 2 to 5 springs which can each be independently connected between the second carriage section and the frame..Iaddend.

.Iadd.20. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising a lock to lock the second carriage section at any position along the rails..Iaddend.

.Iadd.21. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising: two pulleys attached to the frame; two ropes threaded through the pulleys; and two rope cleats on the first carriage section, wherein the ropes have two ends, one of which is free and one is to attach to one of the rope cleats..Iaddend.

.Iadd.22. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising four pulleys, two mounted on each of the left hand side uprights, wherein each pulley can be fastened at any position along the length of its upright..Iaddend.

.Iadd.23. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising a trapeze bar pivotally mounted between the two left hand side uprights, or between the two right hand side uprights or between the two upper rails, biased to provide resistance to movement..Iaddend.

.Iadd.24. The exercise apparatus of claim 23, comprising springs connecting the trapeze bar to the frame, offering resistance to movement of the bar by a user..Iaddend.

.Iadd.25. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising a foot bar attached between the left hand side uprights or the right hand side uprights..Iaddend.

.Iadd.26. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising a flat board, attached to the right hand side uprights or to the left hand side uprights, substantially perpendicular to the exercise carriage..Iaddend.

.Iadd.27. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, comprising one or more buffers to lessen the impact of the exercise carriage at the limits of its travel on the rails..Iaddend.

.Iadd.28. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the seat is configured to be mounted in a fixed position between the two left hand side uprights or between the two right hand side uprights..Iaddend.

.Iadd.29. The exercise apparatus of claim 13, wherein the seat is configured to be mounted at a level that is raised up with respect to the level of the first and second carriage sections..Iaddend.

.Iadd.30. Exercise apparatus, comprising: a box-like frame defining an exercise area within and around the frame, the frame comprising: two lower rails; two left hand side uprights; two right hand side uprights; and two upper rails mounted between the two pairs of uprights; an exercise carriage, comprising a first carriage section and a second carriage section, mounted on the lower rails, wherein the first carriage section and the second carriage section can be connected together to form a single exercise carriage which can slide forwards and backwards on the rails during exercise against an adjustable resistance, and disconnected to form two exercise carriages each of which can independently slide forwards and backwards on the rails during exercise against an adjustable resistance; a lock to lock the first carriage section at any position along the rails; a seat mounted between the two left hand side uprights, or between the two right hand side uprights; a resistance-biased foot pedal associated with the seat; and four pulleys, two mounted on each of the left hand side uprights, wherein each pulley can be fastened at any position along the length of its upright, wherein the two left hand side uprights are proximal to the first carriage section, and wherein the two right hand side uprights are proximal to the second carriage section..Iaddend.

.Iadd.31. Exercise apparatus, comprising: a box-like frame defining an exercise area within and around the frame, the frame comprising: two lower rails; two left hand side uprights; two right hand side uprights; and two upper rails mounted between the two pairs of uprights; an exercise carriage, comprising a first carriage section and a second carriage section, mounted on the lower rails, wherein the first carriage section and the second carriage section can be connected together to form a single exercise carriage which can slide forwards and backwards on the rails during exercise against an adjustable resistance, and disconnected to form two exercise carriages each of which can independently slide forwards and backwards on the rails during exercise against an adjustable resistance; a lock to lock the first carriage section at any position along the rails; a seat mounted between the two left hand side uprights, or between the two right hand side uprights; a resistance-biased foot pedal associated with the seat; and one or more buffers to lessen the impact of the exercise carriage at the limits of its travel on the rails, wherein the two left hand side uprights are proximal to the first carriage section, and wherein the two right hand side uprights are proximal to the second carriage section..Iaddend.

Description

(1) The invention is now illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a view from the right hand side and slightly above of an apparatus of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows detail of the trapeze bar;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an isolated carriage split into first and second sections;

(5) FIG. 4 shows detail of the right hand side of the apparatus with a jump board mounted on the right hand uprights;

(6) FIG. 5 shows detail of the right hand end of the frame (jump board not present);

(7) FIG. 6 shows detail of a clamp used to attach a foot bar to an upright of the frame of the apparatus;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a view from above of attaching springs in varying number between the carriage and the frame, one spring being connected;

(9) FIG. 8 shows detail of the upper rails, frame and a cross bar; and

(10) FIG. 9 shows detail of the left hand side of the apparatus, including the pulleys and the chair.

(11) The illustrated apparatus works on spring resistance and has a carriage (bed) that can be split into two and a pulley system that can be adjusted in height to suit the versatility of the exercise and the size and ability of the exerciser.

(12) The pulley system allows for work on targeted muscle groups of the upper and lower body and also the core muscles. A jumping board provides a cardiovascular workout and is used for remedial foot and body work. The overall frame is stronger, higher, longer, wider and more stable than previous machines, using aircraft-grade aluminium and steel.

(13) The invention thus provides exercise equipment that is truly multi-functional. It offers a wide range of exercises and a much greater range of movements due e.g. to the infinite adjustability of its clamps, bars, hooks and springs; this serves to give it the edge compared to existing apparatus, that have a limited number of fixed position settings.

(14) The increased range of features available for incorporation into the apparatus means that exercises can be performed from sitting, lying, standing, hanging, leaning and kneeling, making it a multi-functional piece of apparatus for all ages, sizes and abilities. It is ideal for rehabilitation, sports-specific training and general body conditioning.

(15) An increased working areawithin and around the apparatusallows for a wide range of exercises and makes the machine more comfortable for all body shapes and sizes particularly for athletes and those with a bulkier frame. The size and strength of the machine allows for up to three people to work on it at the same time.

(16) A trapeze bar is positioned on the side frames or overhead and allows for a greater range of movement that would not be possible from one fixed position.

(17) The carriage can also be separated or connected into and used as a single platform; it can be fixed at any position along the length of the rails, this allows for spring work on the upper and lower body and the use of one or more overhead trapeze bars. The option to split the carriage improves the versatility of the machine and allows for an increased repertoire of exercises also with variability of resistance between the two carriages, this serves to focus on muscle instabilities that can compromise other exercises and activities.

(18) An extension platform or static board is included which converts the whole length of the frame into an elongated bed that can be used for mat work and exercises that are usually carried out on the floor.

(19) An adjustable-height chair, the wonder chair system is another feature and is removably attached to either the left or the right hand side of the frame over a spring resistance pedal that can work to strengthen all the muscle groups.

(20) Referring to all Figures and FIG. 1 in particular, the apparatus assembly 10 comprises four 10 cm (4) diameter aluminium feet 11 attached to 7.5 cm (3) diameter steel legs 12 with a 1.88 cm (?)-10 steel stud per leg and foot assembly, centred, making the individual foot assembly adjustable, thus creating a levelling pad for the apparatus 10 when in situ. The steel legs 12 are bored to a 4.39 cm (1?) ID 15 cm (6) deep.

(21) Two 7.5 cm (3) steel legs with the aluminium foot facing the floor are attached to the aluminium ends (base housings 13) on 72.5 cm (29) centres with 3 0.78 cm ( 5/16)-18 shoulder bolts per leg. The aluminium base housings 13 are 1.88 cm (?) thick?10 cm (4) wide?80 cm (32) length. There are two aluminium base housings 13 per apparatus. These base housings have mounted between them 2 steel tubing 5 cm (2) OD?0.63 cm (?)?292.5 cm (117) length carriage rails 14 with welded inserts in each end creating a 0.94 cm-0.47 cm (?-16) tapped hole for a single fastener. The base housings are bored to a 3.8 cm (1.5) depth creating a working envelope between the two assembled base housings of 285 cm (114).

(22) The base housings are vertically bored with two 4.30 cm (1?) diameter holes placed on 72.5 cm (29) centres. These four holes are fitted with four steel upright tubes 15, being 4.30 cm (1?) OD?0.24 cm (0.095) wall?210 cm (84) lengths. These uprights tubes 15 are then inserted vertically through the base housings and into the steel leg. Then a single 0.94 cm-0.47 cm (?-16) fastener is used to bind the upright, also referred to as vertical tube 15, the base housings 13 and the split carriage guide rail 14 (10 cm (2) diameter tubing)).

(23) Atop each of the vertical tubes 15 rests a 10 cm?10 cm?10 cm (4?4?4) aluminium junction 16. There is one 4.38 cm (1?) diameter?68.13 cm (27.25) cross tube 17 mounted parallel to each base housing, between two of the 10 cm (4) square aluminium junctions 16. Then two 4.39 cm (1?) diameter?360 cm (144) length top rail tubes 18 are inserted through the one 10 cm (4) junction block and into the end opposite junction. This creates a rectangular frame above the existing assembled grounded frame leaving 60 cm (24) of 4.38 cm (1?) diameter tubing protruding as trapeze rails 19 from one end of the machine. All 4.38 cm (1?) diameter tubes are then fastened to the 10 cm (4) square junctions using 0.78 cm-0.69 cm ( 5/16-18) fasteners. This completes the entire frame assembly of the apparatus.

(24) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, the wonder chair 20 consists of an aluminium frame 21 with a padded foot pedal 22. The frame 21 has 0.63 cm (?) pins at the end opposite the foot pedal that attach to either end of the apparatus base 23 using 0.63 cm (?) holes in the steel legs of the frame of the apparatus. Seat assembly 24 is attached to a 0.94 cm (?)?7.5 cm (3)?70 cm (28) aluminium bar 25 which has a clamp 26 attached to both ends thus allowing a positioning of the seat 24 on either end of the machine or making the seat completely removable.

(25) Springs 27 are attached at one end to the base of the frame 21 near the foot pedal and at their other ends to the uprights 15 to provide resistance when the foot pedal is pushed away from the uprights in use e.g. by someone sitting on the seat 24.

(26) On each side of the uprights are mounted two upper and lower pulleys 30a, 30b through each pair of which is threaded rope 31 having at its respective each a hand/foot strap 32 for attachment in use to the hand or foot of a user and a free end (not shown) for location in and securing to the carriage (described below). The pulleys are attached to the uprights via releasable clamps 33 enabling them to be positioned at substantially any location up and down the uprights.

(27) Referring to FIG. 2, the trapeze bar 40 consists of two 1.3 cm (?)?2.5 cm (1)?47.5 cm (19) aluminium side bars 41 welded one end of each bar to a 3.13 cm (1?) diameter?65 cm (26) aluminium trapeze rod 42. The side bars are then pivotally attached to two clamps 43. Springs 44 connect the end distal from the pivoting, clamped end to cross bar 45 (shown on e.g. FIG. 1) mounted across the protruding portions 19 of top rail tubes 18. The side bars and rod making up the trapeze bar are thus attached to the clamps and the frame allowing the trapeze bar to move back and forth, with resistance from the springs when the trapeze bar is moved away from the cross bar 45. The clamps are moveable on the uprights so as to be suitable any particular user. The clamps can also be removed and attached to the top rail tubes, giving greater positioning and user options. A second cross bar 45b is moveably attached to the top tubes, so the trapeze bar can be relocated to the other end of the frame, with the clamps attached to the uprights or to the top tubes.

(28) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a split carriage 50 is mounted on runners on the carriage rails 14 and slides forward and back on the rails. The split carriage assembly consists of two halves, referred to as first carriage section 51 and second carriage section 52, each being 87.5 cm (35) wide?53.8 cm (21.5) long and 5 cm (2) thick. Each half has four steel bearing retainers with three bearing and wheel assemblies on a 120 degree rotation within the bearing retainer (details not shown). These bearing retainers are placed on 72.5 cm (29) centres in the 87.5 cm (35) plane and 40 cm (16) centres in the 53.8 cm (21.5) plane. The top bearings then set directly atop and centred on the 5 cm (2) diameter split carriage guide rails and the other two bearing and wheel assemblies on the 120 degree angles are slid into place, touching the 5 cm (2) diameter split carriage guide rails thus encompassing the split carriage guide rails. One half of the split carriage, the first carriage section 51 has 3 springs attached to it via a piece of aluminium angle. These 3 springs can be removably attached to the other half of the split carriage, the second carriage section 52 thus creating spring resistance between the two carriage halves, by placing the spring in a slot provided on the opposite split carriage half. In use one, two or three springs can be attached between the first and second carriage sections, varying the resistance at the choice of the user. The other half of the split carriage, the second carriage section 52, has a piece of aluminium angle with five springs attached. These 5 springs are easily attached, again removably, to the right hand end 53 of the apparatus by placing one or more or up to all five, using spring heads 55 (shown in FIG. 7) placed in the slots 54 provided by a piece of 0.94 cm (?)?7.5 cm (3)?87.5 (35) removable steel spring retainer 56 (shown in FIG. 4) affixed to the end 53 of the apparatus opposite the springs. The opposite half of the split carriage, first carriage section 51 has two cammed rope cleats 57 attached to the upper 2 corners. Rope 31 is threaded through two of the pulleys affixed vertically and attached to the rope cleat on the perspective side as described above. The opposite side is threaded the same. There is a hand/foot strap on the end of each rope opposite the cleat and the cleat allows infinite adjustability of the rope length to specifically allow any height or build to have a custom length rope immediately available for use. Towards the middle of the first carriage section are positioned two removable shoulder pads (not shown) which locate in shoulder pad anchor points 58. These pads project from the carriage section so that when a user is lying on the carriage section the user's head fits between the shoulder pads and the user's shoulders rest on the pads thus providing body stability so that various exercises can be carried out against the adjustable spring resistance of the apparatus with no body slippage. Each of the first and second carriage sections can be locked in any position along the split carriage guide rails using a Destako? vertical clamp (not shown) attached to each side, in the centre, or two Destako? clamps per split carriage section. The split carriage is stopped from ramming the end of the machine by two 1500 lb hydraulic shock absorbers 59, 1.88 cm (?) in diameter?7.5 cm (3) shown in FIG. 5, attached to a 5 cm (2) split collar 60 which is affixed to each split carriage guide rail. This two-position shock absorption system is positioned to rest on the bearing retainers closest to the 5 spring, right hand end 53 of the apparatus.

(29) The jump board 70 is comprised of a rectangular board, made in this case of two boards, covered with vinyl and foam, attached to the vertical frame uprights of the 5 spring end 53 of the apparatus with four Velcro? straps. The jump board is 80 cm (32)?45 cm (18)?5 cm (2) with four Velcro? straps attached on 72.5 cm (29) centres?40 cm (16) centres. The jump board can be positioned at any position on either the vertical frame uprights, top tubes, or split carriage guide rails but generally is used on the vertical uprights of the 5 spring end 53 of the apparatus, resting via hooks 71 on the foot bar 72, for jumping against one or more or all five of the five springs which can be attached between the right hand end 53 of the frame and the second carriage section.

(30) The static full body board 80 is 87.5 cm (35)?168.8 cm (67?)?5 cm (2) covered in vinyl and foam. The static full body board has six aluminium rests positioned 72.5 cm (29) between centres in the 87.5 cm (35) plane and three per side positioned 137.5 cm (55) between centres in the 168.8 cm (67?) plane. This static full body board is laid on top of the split carriage guide rails to the end opposite the split carriage assembly creating a static working table encompassing the entire apparatus base.

(31) The apparatus clamps 33, shown in detail in FIG. 5 consist of 2 pieces of aluminium with a roll pin strategically placed joining the two halves creating the clamp. The clamps are infinitely adjustable and are used with varying attachments for the foot bar 72, the cross bars 45, to secure the trapeze side bars 41, the pulleys 30 and to attach the seat assembly 24. These removable and infinitely adjustable clamps enable positioning of each of the respective devices at any position on the apparatus tubes, and their selective removal from the apparatus.

PARTS LIST

(32) 10 Apparatus 11 Foot 12 Leg 13 Base housing 14 Carriage rail 15 Upright tube 16 Junction 17 Cross tube 18 Top rail tubes 19 Trapeze rails 20 Wonder Chair 21 Frame 22 Foot pedal 23 Apparatus base 24 Seat assembly 25 Bar 26 Clamp 27 Spring 30a,b Pulley 31 Rope 32 Hand/foot strap 33 Pulley clamp 40 Trapeze bar 41 Side bar 42 Trapeze rod 43 Trapeze clamp 44 Trapeze springs 45 Cross bar 50 Split carriage 51 First carriage section 52 Second Carriage section 53 Right hand end of apparatus 54 Spring slot 55 Spring head 56 Spring retainer 57 Rope cleat 58 Shoulder pad 59 Shock absorbers 60 Split collar 70 Jump board 71 Hook 72 Foot bar 80 Body board

(33) The invention thus provides exercise apparatus and uses thereof.