POWER SQUAT EXERCISE MACHINE

Abstract

The present invention is a squat exercise machine for performing squat exercise in a safe and controlled manner by providing shoulder pads with a specific angle which allows for the optimal comfort, posture, safety, and transfer of strength to a free weight squat. Support members are provided for more stability to the machine. It provides a dual safety stopping mechanism. The stopping mechanism provides controlled movement by the user and a safe entry and exit from the squat exercise machine. An adjustable safety locking mechanism is also provided which allows the user to control the movement range of the resistance, restrict the movement for training effect and to stop the moving resistance just below the user's working range of movement to prevent injury from the user becoming suppressed by the resistance. Additionally, the apparatus is equipped with fixed resistance band hooks to provide for virtually unlimited resistance and for 3 forms of resistance; static weight, exponential band resistance and the combination of both.

Claims

1) A power squat exercise machine comprising: a) a base frame having a front side and a rear side; b) a foot platform attached to the front side of said base frame and having a predefined foot-platform angle with respect to a floor; c) a pivotally moveable member having a set of lower arms that are pivotally engaged with said frame, a set of upper arms, and a set of vertical arms connecting the set of upper arms to the set of lower arms; d) a set of resistance plate holders securely attached to said pivotally moveable member to receive a set of weight plates, and e) a main stopper comprising of i) an upwardly extending pivot-arm having an arm-body, an arm-distal-end and an arm-proximal-end that is hingedly engaged to said base frame, and a set of catch hooks on the arm-body to hold the pivotably movable member, ii) a counterweight beam attached to said arm-proximal-end and extending towards the back side of the frame, wherein the counter weight beam is designed to force the upwardly extending pivot-arm to lean backwards towards the rear side of the main frame, and iii) a foot-beam attached to said arm-proximal end and extending towards the front side of the frame, said foot-beam having a foot-plate, whereby the user can bring the main stopper under the moveable member by pressing on said foot-plate.

2) The power squat exercise machine of claim 1, further having a second stopper mounted on said base frame close to said main stopper, wherein said second stopper having an adjustable height to limit the range of movement of said pivotally movable member, whereby the user can lower the pivotably movable member onto said second stopper to disengage said resistance.

3) The power squat exercise machine of claim 1, further having a first pair of curved shoulder pads attached to the ends of said set of upper arms and having a predefined shoulder-pad-angle with respect to said set of upper arms, whereby said first pair of curved shoulder pads enable the user to use said machine facing into said resistance plates, and said shoulder-pad-angle maintains a safe back posture when using the machine.

4) The power squat exercise machine of claim 3, wherein said shoulder-pad-angle is approximately 32 degrees.

5) The power squat exercise machine of claim 1, further having a back pad rigidly mounted on said set of vertical arms of said moveable member and substantially parallel to said frame.

6) The power squat exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said foot platform is approximately 24 inches wide by 48 inches long, to allow for maximal variation of foot stance, more optimal involvement of the hip muscles and for different desired training adaptations for users of different heights sizes, leg and torso lengths.

7) The power squat exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said second stopper is a telescopic beam with a set of apertures and a pin to allow the user to adjust the height of the stopper to the user's comfort height.

8) The power squat exercise machine of claim 1, further having a second pair of shoulder pads attached to a lower side of said set of upper arms to enable the user to use said power squat exercise machine facing away from said resistance plates, thereby allowing the user to perform a safe Hack squat or front squat type of exercise.

9) The power squat exercise machine of claim 1, further having band hooks attached to the sides of said frame to allow the use of resistance bands for exponential resistance for almost unlimited resistance to be added to this exercise as well as new forms of resistance, thereby allowing for 3 types of resistance, including static weight, exponential band resistance and the combination of both.

10) The power squat exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said power squat exercise machine having two weight plate storage holders per side of the frame, for a total of four, to receive said resistance weight plates for storage.

11) The power squat exercise machine of claim 1, further having a pair of two sided hand grips attached to said set of upper arms to provide a safe grip for the user while using said machine in both facing into and facing away from said resistance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Embodiments herein will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the power squat exercise machine according to the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the power squat exercise machine according to the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the power squat exercise machine according to the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of the power squat exercise machine according to the present invention;

[0045] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the dual stopper system;

[0046] FIG. 6A is a schematic view of the main stopper of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 6B is a schematic view of the main stopper of the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the angles of the shoulder pads according to the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 8 illustrates a user performing squat exercise while using the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 9 illustrates a user performing squat exercise while using the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 10 illustrates a user performing squat exercise while using the present invention, and;

[0052] FIG. 11 illustrates a user performing squat exercise while using the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0053] According to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 a power squat exercise machine 10 is disclosed. The machine 10 includes a base frame 11 which is large enough to provide stability to the machine. The base frame 11 includes side supports in the front side 12, 14 and side supports in the rear side 13, 15 of the base frame. The front side supports 12, 14 are V-shaped supports installed parallel to each other and angled with the floor. The rear side supports 13, 15 are parallel to each other and engaged with the floor and have elongated vertical support beams 16, 18 and 17, 19 to install and support the base parts of the squat machine.

[0054] A large foot platform 20 on which the user stands for performing the power squat exercise is engaged to the front side supports 12 and 14 of the frame so that the foot plate makes an angle with the floor. The size of the foot platform 20 is approximately 24 inches wide by 48 inches long (for width of feet) and with a rubber surface. The foot platform 20 and the arcing pattern inherent in this machine due to the axis and lever nature of the machine emphasizes the hinge of the hips backward to create and improve form in the free weight squat.

[0055] The frame includes a pivotally moveable member 30 to which resistance plate holders 40, 41 and user support members are attached. The moveable member 30 comprises of two parallel Z-shaped arms 21, 22 pivotally attached to the vertical legs 16, 18 of the frame 11 from their distal end and move pivotally in an axis to the frame 11. Each Z-shaped arm 21, 22 comprising of first leg 1, second leg 2 and third leg 3. The moveable member 30 is designed to engage with the back and shoulders of the user to permit the user to bend his or her knees in a squatting motion. The moveable member includes a back pad 31 attached to the second legs 2 of each Z-shaped arm 21 and 22, shoulder pads 32, 33 are attached to the end of the third leg 3 of each Z-shaped arm 21, 22 and shoulder pads 34, 35 are attached to the bottom side of the third legs 3. The moveable member further includes hand grips 36 and 37 attached to the sides of the third legs 3 of the z-shaped arms 21 and 22.

[0056] According to FIG. 5, FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B the squat exercise machine further includes a main stopper 50 to provide controlled movement by the user. The main stopper system 50 is a strong metal stopper pivotally secured to a horizontal leg of the base frame 65. The main stopper comprises of an upwardly extending pivot arm 52 attached to a foot plate 51 perpendicularly adjacent to the foot platform 20 of the frame. The pivot arm 52 of the main stopper 50 is hinged and engaged to the base frame and pivots on the pivot point 53. One or more catches 54 and 55 are provided on the body of the pivot arm 52 of the main stopper 50 to stop the movement of the moveable member 30. The counter weight 56 forces the stopping mechanism to lean backward via gravity. This enables the user to continue the exercise until it is finished. The user disengage his/her bodily support of the resistance while standing in an upright position with knees and hips fully extended and squatting the resistance up successfully, by pressing one foot onto the stopper systems footplate 51 and thereby disengaging the resistance and transferring the support of the resistance back to the machine. Volitionally, the user can stop the machine 10 by stepping on the footplate 51 of the main stopper system 50 during the exercise enabling the stopper system engaging to the bottom section of the engaging member 30 to stop the machine.

[0057] In this way the user may then freely step out from under the shoulder pads and exit the machine. Alternatively the machine includes a second stopper 60 which is an adjustable safety stopper and if the user fails to lift the resistance weight and is involuntarily yielding the resistance, they may simply yield and allow the resistance to rest safely on the second stopper 60.

[0058] The second stopper 60 may also be used to limit range in the exercise for a specific training effect such as improving strength in one part of the range of the squat, removing the myotatic stretch reflex to emphasize muscular strength improvement over connective tissue strength improvement, or due a user's injury. The second stopper 60 allows the user to safely overload this machine and the squatting exercise pattern it creates with a supra-maximal amount of resistance relative to a free weight squat. This taxes the nervous system, muscles, bones, connective tissue and neuro-muscular system, in general such that the user may safely use this machine in this way to overcome a free weight squat resistance amount that they were previously unable to lift.

[0059] According to FIG. 5 again the second stopper 60 comprises a telescopic leg mounted on the horizontal leg of the base frame 65 close to the first stopper 50. The second stopper 60 is adjustable by a steel pin 66 and includes a holder 62 on its distal end. Adjustable safety stopper 60 allows for the user to safely end the set of exercise by simply lowering the weight onto the second stopper 60 instead of using the alternative foot plate 51 of the first stopper 50 to disengage the resistance.

[0060] The main stopper 50 involves moving the feet closer together, standing on one foot, and pressing against the foot plate 51 with the other foot to disengage the resistance, all while still holding and supporting the resistance, after exercise that can be exhausting. This can be dangerous as the person must move their feet, and support the entire resistance weight with one foot instead of two feet, balance the entire resistance load on a single foot/leg, and successfully push the foot plate 51 with the other foot that will then allow the frame 11 to support the resistance, such that the user can step out of the machine 10. With typical, similar machines if anything goes wrong during this process, the user can get crushed under the resistance weight which they are still supporting with no way for it to be stopped.

[0061] The second stopper 60 further adjust the movement range of the machine according to the user's safe squatting range, comfort, or desired training effect. The second stopper 60 allows for the adjustable, restricted and limited range of the resistance and the range of the movement of the moveable member 30. This allows for a safe entry and exit from the squat exercise machine.

[0062] The frame includes plate holders 40, 41 which are engaged to the moveable member to receive the weight plates as resistance to provide the desired weight resistance during the exercise. 2 (two) weight plate storage holders per side of the machine 42, 43, 44 and 45 for a total of 4 (four) are engaged to frame at the rear side of the machine to receive the weight plates for storage when they are not in use as actual resistance on the machine.

[0063] The moveable member 30 has a back pad 31 and two pair of shoulder pads 32, 33 and 34, 35. The back pad 31 is attached to the second legs 2 of each Z-shaped arm 21 and 22 to the moveable member 30. The shoulder pads 32, 33 and 34, 35 enable the user to use the machine facing into or away from the resistance plates. The moveable member 30 is designed to engage with the back and shoulders of the user to permit the user to bend his or her knees in a squatting motion. The shoulder pads 32, 33 are attached to the end of the third leg 3 of each Z-shaped arm 21, 22 and shoulder pads 34, 35 are attached to the bottom side of the third legs 3. The moveable member 30 further includes hand grips 36 and 37 attached to the sides of the third legs 3 of the z-shaped arms 21 and 22.

[0064] Facing the resistance plates creates a greater emphasis on the posterior chain muscles of the back of the legs, the lower back muscles, and the hip muscles. Facing away from the resistance and leaning on the back pad creates a greater emphasis on the anterior, quadriceps muscles of the legs and the hip flexor muscles as well as muscles of the torso. This machine effectively allows a shrug exercise movement which emphasizes the upper trapezius muscles and various forms of calf or lower leg muscle exercises as well.

[0065] The first shoulder pads 32, 33 attached to the ends of the Z-shaped arms create a 32 degree angle from the frame holding the shoulder pads (which is at 0 degrees). This creates a direct force vector optimally into the apex of the shoulder pads which is perfectly symmetrical over the user's center of gravity and center of mass, at typically the most difficult part of the squat in practice and from a force and leverage standpoint. (see accompanying diagramPower Squat Shoulder Pad Angle)

[0066] The second shoulder pads 34, 35 are attached beneath the third leg 3 of the Z-shaped leg 21 and 22 of the moveable member 30 perpendicular to the back pad 31 to allow for a Hack squat or what is similar to a front squat movement. This structure creates an apparatus enabling the user to perform a Hack squat or front squat type of squatting movement allowing user's back to engage the back pad 31 while the user's shoulders engage the shoulder pads 32, 33 to push the back and shoulder pads upwardly.

[0067] The structure of the second shoulder pads 34, 35 allows the user to yield the resistance downwardly on the machine, driving the hips back, while sitting back in the squat to accommodate a healthy extension of the lower back and more optimal emphasis on the posterior chain muscles. This hinging of the hips and healthy posture of the lower back is vital for squatting correctly with a free weight. The back pad 31 and shoulder pads 32, 33 and 34, 35 are padded to enhance user comfort while exercising.

[0068] A pair of two-sided hand grips 36, 37 are attached to the sides of the third legs 3 of the z-shaped arms 21 and 22 of the machine to provide a safe grip for the user while using the machine in both facing into and facing away from the resistance.

[0069] The power squat machine is further equipped with band hooks 38, 39 to allow the use of resistance bands 90 for exponential resistance. Bands also allow for 3 types of resistance: Static weight, exponential band resistance, the combination of both.

[0070] According to FIG. 7, the angled shoulder pad illustrated in this machine is shown by numeral 70. The 32 best accommodates the particular point in the movement arc, where force created and required is greatest by the user. Force vector 71, the straight line of force, where the apex of the shoulder pads that connect the resistance to the user is perfectly symmetrical to user's center of gravity, directly perpendicular to the force vector/line of force. This point in the squat range is approximately half way up the arcing movement pattern range. It is typically where the average user will be at an approximately 90 degree knee flexion or bend, just above the point where the femur bone of the upper leg is approximately parallel to the foot plate (or floor) surface. Again, this is typically the most difficult part of the squat and where the most force is required to move the resistance upward. Therefore, it is the most reasonable and rational point in the squat range to create a perfectly symmetrical apex of the shoulder pad and where that apex is completely and evenly in line with the force vector of the arcing pattern, at that particular point in the range where moving the resistance is the most difficult.

[0071] Typically, on similar squat machines, the shoulder pads are fixed at 0 degrees in relation to the frame. This angle provides a more comfortable and symmetrical apex of the shoulder pads in relation to the user, in line with the force vector created at the point when the user is standing in the machine. Contrarily, it does not provide that optimal angle for the apex of the shoulder pads when the user requires the most inline force vector in relation to his/her position where the most force is required. Further, this angle of the shoulder is less optimal in the lowest part of the movement where it will act to bend the user over and out of a safe back position.

[0072] FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a user performing a safe Hack squat or front squat type of exercise using the present power squat exercise machine. The user performs a squat exercise by initially pressing against the shoulder pads 32, 33 upwardly with their shoulders. This causes the pivot arm of the stopper system 50 to automatically disengage via the counter weight attached to the stopper system arm. It also allows the user to volitionally to end the exercise by stepping on the stopper system footplate 51 to disengage the support of the resistance from the user back to the frame of the machine. Further, it enables the user, if they are unable to continue the exercise until it is finished, to simply yield and allow the resistance to rest safely on the adjustable safety stopper 60. As such, the safety stopper system 60 allows the user to safely end the set of exercise by simply lowering the weight onto the safety stopper 60 instead of using the alternative foot plate 51 of the first stopper 50 to disengage the resistance.

[0073] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Including but not limited to creating an angle of the sliding resistance that is less than or greater than 20 degrees and back pad that will lower to less than 15 degrees both in relation to the horizontal floor.

[0074] With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the parts of the invention in regard to size, shape, form, materials, function and manner of operation, assembly and use are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.