Exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus and method for rotational and vertical movement, the exercise apparatus including a base with a stabilizing foot extending substantially perpendicular to the lengthwise axis, further included is a support beam having proximal and distal end portions, wherein the proximal end extends from the base. Also included is a suspension handle that is disposed adjacent to the distal end and a pivotally attached platform attached to the base. Wherein operationally, on the exercise apparatus an individual standing on the platform can simultaneously grasp the suspension handle to initiate a whole body twisting motion via a pivotal movement of the platform situated as between the suspension handle and the pivoting platform with the ability to add a pull up exercise using the suspension handle, wherein the suspension handle provides added stability and support to the individual for effecting a soft skeletal joint vertical support that is variable at will.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus for rotational and vertical movement, said exercise apparatus, comprising: (a) a base having a lengthwise axis, said base further including a stabilizing foot extending substantially perpendicular to said lengthwise axis; (b) a support beam having a longitudinal axis, said support beam including a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion with said longitudinal axis disposed therebetween, wherein said proximal end portion extends from said base; (c) a suspension handle that is disposed adjacent to said distal end portion; (d) a platform that has a first pivotal attachment to said base, said platform having a first pivotal movement relative to said base about a first pivotal axis that is parallel to said longitudinal axis, wherein operationally an individual standing on said platform can simultaneously grasp said suspension handle to initiate a whole body twisting motion via said first pivotal movement situated as between said suspension handle and said pivoting platform with the ability to add a pull up type exercise using said suspension handle, wherein said suspension handle provides added stability and support to the individual for effecting a soft skeletal joint vertical support that is variable at will, wherein said support beam distal end portion and said suspension handle are structurally extended to be above said platform to define a first vertical distance along said longitudinal axis in going from said proximal end portion to said distal end portion, thus operationally forcing the individual to grasp said suspension handle in an overhead manner; and (e) a means for rebounding that is positioned adjacent to said base, said means for rebounding is operational to allow an individual user to jump on said means for rebounding while grasping said suspension handle with the ability to add an assisted pull up type exercise using the suspension handle, wherein said suspension handle provides added stability and support to effect a soft skeletal joint vertical support that is variable at will, said support beam distal end portion and said suspension handle are structurally extended to be above said means for rebounding to define a second vertical distance along said longitudinal axis in going from said proximal end portion to said distal end portion, thus operationally forcing the individual to grasp said suspension handle in an overhead manner, wherein said suspension handle has a second pivotal attachment to said distal end portion such that said second pivotal attachment has a second pivotal axis that is positioned perpendicular to both said lengthwise and said longitudinal axes, said suspension handle is operational to have a second pivotal movement from being suspended over said platform to being suspended over said means for rebounding thus giving the individual user free access to said suspension handle either over said platform or said means for rebounding.

2. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a first pivotal movement dampening element that is disposed as between said platform and said base, wherein said dampening element is operational to dampen said first pivotal movement thus operationally adding resistance to said first pivotal movement to add effort to the whole body twisting motion for additional exercise.

3. The exercise apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said dampening element is constructed by applying a force compressing a plurality of surfaces to one another so as to have a dynamic coefficient of friction between said plurality of surfaces that have said first pivotal movement relative to one another, wherein a selectable control of said first pivotal movement between said plurality of surfaces results in a control of said dampening element first pivotal movement.

4. The exercise apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said dampening element is sized and configured to be selectively adjustable for the dampening units of (pounds forceseconds)/inch, being defined as a dampening coefficient.

5. The exercise apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said selectively adjustable dampening element accomplishes dampening adjustment by a selectively variable force compressing said plurality of surfaces to one another so as to vary said dampening coefficient between said plurality of surfaces that have a first movement relative to one another, wherein said control of said first pivotal movement between said plurality of surfaces results in a control of said first dampening element movement.

6. The exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said dampening element plurality of surfaces includes a sacrificial friction disc adjacent to a hard disc and a spring element to maintain a substantially constant said compressing force as said friction disc wears.

7. The exercise apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said spring element includes a selectively adjustable spring element to create said selectively variable compressing force.

8. The exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for rebounding is a trampoline that is constructed of an inwardly open peripheral frame that is supported above a surface, said frame includes a plurality of resilient elements facing inwardly, wherein each resilient element has a third pivotal attachment to said frame, further each said resilient element is oppositely fourthly pivotally attached to a flexible mat to suspend said mat over the surface and proximate to said frame.

9. The exercise apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising a fifth pivotal attachment having a fifth pivotal axis between said trampoline frame and said proximal end portion, being operational via a fifth pivotal movement to move said trampoline mat from being parallel to said lengthwise axis to being parallel to said longitudinal axis for storage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus that is adapted to provide specific overhead grasping support for a user of a pivotal foot platform that can have the pivotal platform first movement dampened, or a means for rebounding with the grasping support able to flip in a second pivotal manner that is directly suspended over either the pivotal foot platform or the means for rebounding, also shown is the exercise apparatus base, foot, and support beam;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view close-up of the dampening element that selectively dampens the first pivotal movement of the first pivotally attached foot platform of the exercise apparatus that also includes the base and foot;

(3) FIG. 3 basically shows the view of the exercise apparatus as in FIG. 1, that further includes the user that is standing on the first pivotally attached foot platform and grasping the suspension handle to start an exercise sequence of vertical movement;

(4) FIG. 4 basically shows a sequential follow-up to FIG. 3, that further includes the user that is pivoting in a first pivotal movement upon the first pivotally attached foot platform with rotational movement and whole body twisting motion while continuing to grasp the suspension handle while simultaneously performing the exercise sequence of vertical movement;

(5) FIG. 5 shows the user engaging the means for rebounding via jumping upon the means for rebounding, that further includes the user pivoting upon the means for rebounding from a lower position and combining the whole body twisting motion while to grasping the suspension handle while starting to execute a vertical upward movement;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a sequential follow-up to FIG. 5 with the user propelling vertically upward from the means for rebounding via jumping upon the means for rebounding, that further includes the user pivoting upon the means for rebounding from a lower position to a higher position and combining the whole body twisting motion while grasping the suspension handle for support stability and as a way to execute the whole body twisting motion;

(7) FIG. 7 shows a top view of the exercise apparatus with the base, foot, support beam, plus the first pivotally attached foot platform, the suspension handle, plus the fifth pivotally attached means for rebounding that is in the form of a mini-trampoline;

(8) FIG. 8 is an expanded cross sectional view 8-8 from FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 8 shows the dampening element that utilizes the optionally selectable dampening element of the plurality of adjacent disc surfaces that are compressed as against one another by selectable compressive force levels, wherein dampening is provided for the first pivotal movement of the foot platform, in addition to the elastomeric material for the means for centering the disc surfaces; and

(9) FIG. 9 is an expanded cross sectional view 9-9 from FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 9 shows the dampening element that utilizes the optionally adjustable spring element dampening element of the plurality of adjacent disc surfaces that are compressed as against one another by selectable compressive force levels, wherein dampening is provided for the pivotal movement of the foot platform, in addition to the elastomeric material for the means for centering the disc surfaces.

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS

(10) 50 Exercise Apparatus 55 Base 60 Lengthwise axis of the base 55 65 Stabilizing foot of the base 55 70 Perpendicular relationship as between the stabilizing foot 65 and the lengthwise axis 60 75 Support beam 80 Longitudinal axis of the support beam 75 85 Proximal end portion of the support beam 75 90 Distal end portion of the support beam 75 95 First vertical distance of the support beam 75 that is essentially suspending the handle 180 over the platform 100 or the means for rebounding 205 100 Platform 105 First pivotal attachment of the platform 100 to the base 55 110 First pivotal movement of the platform 100 115 First pivotal axis of the platform 100 first pivotal attachment 105 120 Parallel relationship between the first pivotal axis 115 and the longitudinal axis 80 125 Dampening element for the first pivotal movement 110 of the platform 100 126 Means for linking the pivoting 110 platform 100 to the drive shaft 127 127 Drive shaft of the dampening element 125 128 Housing of the dampening element 125 129 Means for centering the disc surfaces 130 130 Plurality of disc surfaces of the dampening element 125 135 Force compressing as applied to the dampening element 125 that can be fixed or selectively variable as applied to the plurality of disc surfaces 130 140 Dynamic dampening coefficient of friction between the plurality of disc surfaces 130 145 Selective control of an amount of dampening compressive force for the dampening element 125, wherein the amount of dampening is preferably in units of ((pounds forceseconds)/inch) being termed the dynamic dampening coefficient 140 150 First pivotal movement 110 of the dampening element 125 via the means of linking 126 155 Relative first movement 150 of the plurality of disc surfaces 130 to one another 160 Sacrificial friction disc of the dampening element 125 165 Hard disc of the dampening element 125 170 Spring element of the dampening element 125 175 Selectively adjustable spring element 180 Suspension handle for support 185 Second pivotal attachment of the suspension handle 180 190 Second pivotal flip movement of the suspension handle 180 195 Second pivotal axis of the suspension handle 180 200 Perpendicular position of the second pivotal axis 195 to both the lengthwise axis 60 and the longitudinal axis 80 205 Means for rebounding 210 Peripheral frame that is inwardly open 215 Plurality of resilient elements 220 Third pivotal attachment of each one of the plurality of resilient elements 215 to the peripheral frame 210 225 Flexible mat 230 Fourth pivotal attachment of each one of the plurality of resilient elements 215 to the flexible mat 225 235 Fifth pivotal attachment between the peripheral frame 210 and the proximal end portion 85 of the support beam 75 240 Fifth pivotal axis of the fifth pivotal attachment 235 245 Fifth pivotal movement of the peripheral frame 210 250 Surface 255 Second vertical distance of the support beam 75 260 Individual exercising user 265 Positioning the individual 260 to be standing upon the platform 100 270 Positioning the individual 260 to be standing upon the means for rebounding 205 275 Grasping the suspension handle 180 by the individual 260 280 Rotational movement of the individual 260 285 Whole body twisting motion of the individual 260 290 Vertical movement of the individual 260 295 Pull up type exercise by the individual 260 300 Assisted pull up type exercise by the individual 260 305 Rebound movement of the individual 260 exercising

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) With initial reference to FIG. 1 shown is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus 50 that is adapted to provide specific overhead grasping 275 support 180 for a user 260 of a first pivotal 105 attached foot platform 100 that can have the first pivotal platform movement 110 dampened 125, or a means for rebounding 205 with the grasping 275 support 180 able to flip 190 in a pivotal manner 185 that is directly suspended 95 over either the pivotal 110 foot platform 100 or the means for rebounding 205, also shown in the exercise apparatus 50 base 55, foot 65, and support beam 75. Continuing, FIG. 2 is a perspective view close-up of the dampening element 125 that selectively dampens the first pivotal movement 110 of the first pivotally attached 105 foot platform 100 of the exercise apparatus 50 that also includes the base 55 and foot 65.

(12) Next, FIG. 3 basically shows the view of the exercise apparatus 50 as in FIG. 1, that further includes the user 260 that is standing on the first pivotally attached 105 foot platform 100 and grasping 275 the suspension handle 180 to start an exercise sequence of vertical movement 290, 295, 300. Further, FIG. 4 basically shows a sequential follow-up to FIG. 3, that further includes the user 260 that is pivoting in the first pivotal movement 110 upon the first pivotally attached 105 foot platform 100 with rotational movement 280 and whole body twisting motion 285 while continuing to grasp 275 the suspension handle 180 while simultaneously performing the exercise sequence of vertical movement 290, 295, 300.

(13) Moving onward, FIG. 5 shows the user 260 engaging the means for rebounding 205 via jumping 305 upon the means for rebounding 205, that further includes the user 260 pivoting upon the means for rebounding 205 from a lower position and combining the whole body twisting motion 285 while grasping 275 the suspension handle 180 while starting to execute a vertical upward movement 290. Yet further, FIG. 6 shows a sequential follow-up to FIG. 5 with the user 260 propelling vertically upward 290, from the means for rebounding 205 via jumping 305 upon the means for rebounding 205, that further includes the user 260 pivoting 280 upon the means for rebounding 205 from a lower position to a higher position and combining the whole body twisting motion 285 while grasping 275 the suspension handle 180 for support stability and as a way to execute the whole body twisting motion 285.

(14) Next, FIG. 7 shows a top view of the exercise apparatus 50 with the base 55, foot 65, support beam 75, plus the first pivotally attached 105 foot platform 100, the suspension handle 180, plus the fifth pivotally attached 235 means for rebounding 205 that is in the form of a mini-trampoline. Continuing, FIG. 8 is an expanded cross sectional view 8-8 from FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 8 shows the dampening element 125 that utilizes the optionally selectable 145 dampening element of the plurality of adjacent disc surfaces 130 that are compressed as against one another by selectable compressive force levels 135, wherein dampening is provided for the first pivotal movement 110 of the foot platform 100, in addition to the elastomeric material that is preferably used for the means for centering 129 the disc surfaces 130, wherein the means in mounted in a housing 128. Next, FIG. 9 is an expanded cross sectional view 9-9 from FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 9 shows the dampening element 125 that utilizes the optionally adjustable spring element 175 dampening element of the plurality of adjacent disc surfaces 130 that are compressed as against one another by selectable compressive force levels 135, wherein dampening is provided for the first pivotal movement 110 of the foot platform 100, in addition to the elastomeric material that is preferred for the means for centering 129 the disc surfaces 130.

(15) In looking at the FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, for the exercise apparatus 50 for an individual exercising 260 having rotational 280, 285 and vertical 290, 295, 300 movement, the exercise apparatus 50 including a base 55 having a lengthwise axis 60, the base 55 further including a stabilizing foot 65 extending substantially perpendicular 70 to the lengthwise axis 60. Further included in the exercise apparatus 50 is a support beam 75 having a longitudinal axis 80, the support beam 75 including a proximal end portion 85 and an opposing distal end portion 90 with the longitudinal axis 80 disposed therebetween, wherein the proximal end portion 85 extends from the base 55. Further included in the exercise apparatus 55 is a suspension handle 180 that is disposed adjacent to the distal end portion 90 and a platform 100 that has a first pivotal attachment 105 to the base 55. The platform 100 having a first pivotal movement 110 relative to the base 55 about a first pivotal axis 115 that is parallel 120 to the longitudinal axis 80. Wherein operationally, on the exercise apparatus 50 an individual 260 standing on the platform 100 can simultaneously grasp 275 the suspension handle 180 to initiate a whole body twisting motion 280, 285 via the first pivotal movement 110 situated as between the suspension handle 180 and the pivoting 110 platform 100 with the ability to add a pull up type exercise 290, 295, 300 using the suspension handle 180, wherein the suspension handle 180 provides added stability and support to the individual 260 for effecting a soft skeletal joint vertical support that is variable at will, see FIGS. 3 and 4 in particular.

(16) Alternatively, for the exercise apparatus 50, wherein the support beam 75 distal end portion 90 and the suspension handle 180 are structurally extended to be above the platform 100 to define a first vertical distance 95 along the longitudinal axis 80 that is greater than a height of the individual 260, thus operationally forcing the individual 260 to grasp the suspension handle 180 in an overhead manner, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

(17) As an option for the exercise apparatus 50, it can further comprise a first pivotal movement 110 dampening element 125 that is disposed as between the platform 100 and the base 55, see FIGS. 2, 8, and 9 primarily, and FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 secondarily. Wherein the dampening element 125 is operational to dampen the first pivotal movement 110 thus operationally adding resistance to the first pivotal movement 110 to add exercise effort to the whole body twisting motion 285 for additional user 260 exercise, see FIGS. 3 and 4 in particular. Further, for the dampening element 125 on the exercise apparatus 50 wherein the dampening element 125 is preferably constructed by applying a force 135 compressing a plurality of disc surfaces 130 to one another so as to have a dynamic coefficient of friction 140 between the plurality of disc surfaces 130 that have the first pivotal movement 150 relative to one another, wherein a selectable control 145 of the first pivotal movement 150 between the plurality of disc surfaces 130 results in a control of the dampening element 125 first pivotal movement 150. Continuing, the dampening element 125 is preferably sized and configured to be selectively adjustable 145 for the dampening units of (pounds forceseconds)/inch, being defined as a dampening coefficient 140, see FIGS. 2, 8, and 9.

(18) Further, on the optional dampening element 125, wherein the selectively adjustable 145 dampening element 125 accomplishes dampening adjustment by preferably a selectively variable force 135 compressing the plurality of disc surfaces 130 to one another so as to vary the dampening coefficient 140 between the plurality of disc surfaces 130 that have a first movement 155 relative to one another, wherein the control of the first movement 155 between the plurality of disc surfaces 130 results in a control of the first dampening element movement 150. Additionally, on the optional dampening element 125 it can include for the dampening element plurality of disc surfaces 130 a sacrificial friction disc 160 adjacent to a hard disc 165 and a spring element 170 to maintain a substantially constant compressing force 135 as the friction disc wears 160 over time. Plus, on the optional dampening element 125 the spring element 170 can include a selectively adjustable spring element 175 to create the selectively variable 145 compressing force 135. Further, the optional dampening element 125 can utilize a remote means for linking 126 the first pivotal movement 110 of the platform 100 to the drive shaft end 127 of the dampening element 125, as shown primarily in FIG. 2, and also shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, plus in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9. The means for linking 126 is preferably a belt, however, it could be a chain, or a suitable equivalent.

(19) Another option for the exercise apparatus 50 is that it can include a means for rebounding 205 that is positioned adjacent to the base 55, wherein the means for rebounding 205 is operational to allow an individual user 260 to jump on the means for rebounding 205 while grasping 275 the suspension handle 180 with the ability to add an assisted pull up type exercise 290, 295, 300 using the suspension handle 180, wherein the suspension handle 180 provides added stability and support to effect a soft skeletal joint vertical support that is variable at will, see FIGS. 5 and 6. Note that the means for rebounding 205 can be used in combination with the platform 100 or the means for rebounding 205 can be used without the platform 100 present, further the platform 100 can be used without the means for rebounding 205. Further, optionally on the exercise apparatus 50 the support beam 75 distal end portion 90 and the suspension handle 180 are structurally extended to be above the means for rebounding 205 to define a second vertical distance 255 along the longitudinal axis 80 that is greater than a height of the individual 260, thus operationally forcing the individual 260 to grasp 275 the suspension handle 180 in an overhead manner, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

(20) As a further option on the exercise apparatus 50 the suspension handle 180 can have a second pivotal attachment 185 to the distal end portion 90 such that the second pivotal attachment 185 has a second pivotal axis 195 that is positioned perpendicular 200 to both the lengthwise 60 and the longitudinal 80 axes. The suspension handle 180 is operational to have a second pivotal movement 190 from being suspended over the platform 100 to being suspended over the means for rebounding 205 thus giving the individual user 260 free access to the suspension handle 180 either over the platform 100 or the means for rebounding 205, see FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

(21) In addition, on the means for rebounding 205; it is preferably a trampoline that is constructed of an inwardly open peripheral frame 210 that is supported above a surface 250, the frame 210 includes a plurality of third pivotally attached 220 resilient elements 215 facing inwardly, wherein the resilient elements 215 are oppositely fourthly pivotally attached 230 to a flexible mat 225 to suspend the mat 225 over the surface 250 and proximate to the frame 210, see in particular FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Also, on the means for rebounding 205; it can have a fifth pivotal attachment 235 having a fifth pivotal axis 240 between the trampoline frame 210 and the proximal end portion 85, being operational via a fifth pivotal movement 245 to move the trampoline mat 225 from being parallel to the lengthwise axis 60 to being parallel to the longitudinal axis 80 for storage, see FIGS. 3 and 4.

Method of Use

(22) Referring in particular to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, a method of using an exercise apparatus 50 for the user 260 exercises of rotational 280, 285 and vertical movement 290, 295, 300, is disclosed that includes the steps of firstly providing the exercise apparatus 50 as previously described utilizing the platform 100 without the means for rebounding 205. Next, a second step of positioning 265 the individual 260 to be standing upon the platform 100, see FIG. 3, a subsequent third step of grasping 275 the suspension handle 180 by the individual 260, and a fourth step of initiating the whole body twisting motion 285 for exercise by the individual 260 as situated between the suspension handle 180 and the first pivotal movement 110 pivoting platform 100 via using the suspension handle 180 to twist 280, 285 against, see FIGS. 3 and 4. An optional added step of a pulling up type exercise 290, 295, 300 using the suspension handle 180 in combination with the twisting motion exercise 280, 285, wherein the suspension handle 180 provides added stability and support to the individual 260 for effecting a soft skeletal joint vertical support that is variable at will, see FIGS. 3 and 4.

(23) Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a method of using an exercise apparatus 50 for rotational 280, 285 and vertical movement 290, 295, 300, for the user 260 exercises includes the step of firstly providing the exercise apparatus 50 as previously described utilizing the means for rebounding 205 without the platform 100. Next, a second step of positioning 270 the individual 260 to be standing upon the means for rebounding 205, see FIG. 5. A subsequent third step of grasping 275 the suspension handle 180 by the individual 260, and a fourth step of initiating the whole body vertical bouncing motion 290, 295, 300 for exercise by the individual 260 as situated between the suspension handle 180 and the means for rebounding 205 via using the suspension handle 180 to pull up 295 against and stabilize the individual's 260 vertical bouncing motion on the means for rebounding 205, wherein the suspension handle 180 provides added stability and support to effect a soft skeletal joint vertical support that is variable at will, see FIGS. 5 and 6.

CONCLUSION

(24) Accordingly, the present invention of an exercise apparatus and method of using the same has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so modifications the changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained therein.