LEG EXERCISE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A leg exercise assembly includes a stand assembly, a weight carrying member, and a leg extension assembly. The leg exercise assembly is designed to facilitate a modular unit that is operable separate from other workout equipment. A user can use the leg exercise assembly by placing his weight on a base of the stand assembly. The weight carrying member includes a shaft and a weight post. The weight post is coupled to the shaft and is configured to carry weights. The shaft is pivotally coupled to the post. The leg extension assembly is pivotally coupled to the shaft of the weight carrying member and is releasable so as to be selectively oriented on the shaft to allow for the performance of different exercises.

Claims

1. A leg exercise assembly, comprising: a stand assembly including a post and a base coupled to one another; a weight carrying member including a shaft and a weight post, the weight post being coupled to the shaft and is configured to carry weights, the shaft pivotally coupled to the post; and a leg extension assembly pivotally coupled to the shaft of the weight carrying member, the leg extension assembly being releasable so as to be selectively oriented on the shaft to allow for the performance of different exercises.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the stand assembly further comprises side apertures located in the post and a pair of post pads releasably coupling to the side apertures.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein stability of the post is increased by locating weight on the base.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the location of the weight carrying member on the post is adjustable.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the weight post is positionable on the shaft in a plurality of locations.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the weight carrying member further includes a foot.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the leg extension member includes leg pads and the stand assembly includes a pair of post pads.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shaft includes opposing cutouts, the leg extension assembly configured to pass through the opposing cutouts and hingedly pivot about a fastener.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the leg extension assembly is configured to enable different workouts by adjusting its orientation through the opposing cutouts.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the leg extension assembly is configured to pass through a first cutout of the opposing cutouts in a first orientation.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the leg extension assembly is configured to pass through a second of the opposing cutouts in a second orientation.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the leg extension assembly includes a brace and an extension member selectively coupled to the shaft of the weight carrying member, the brace securing the orientation of the extension member relative to the shaft.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the brace is repositionable on the shaft to adjust the relative angle of the extension member relative to the shaft.

14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the leg extension assembly includes leg pads coupled to a distal end of the extension member.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the position of the leg pads is adjustable along the length of the extension member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] FIGS. 1-2 are front perspective views of a leg exercise assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1 in a second orientation for the performance of an alternate exercise.

[0021] While the embodiments and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0023] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the embodiments described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

[0024] The embodiments and method in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with the prior art discussed previously. In particular, the leg exercise assembly of the present application is configured to enhance the functional capabilities for a user during leg exercises. Of particular note is the ability to adjust a pivot point location for the user as well as permitting assorted weight carrying locations to minimize resistance. Another key feature of the present assembly is the ability to be portable and functional with various different workout benches or other sitting apparatus. These and other unique features are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The embodiments and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described.

[0026] Referring now to the Figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe embodiments of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, embodiments of the present application are herein described. It should be noted that the articles a, an, and the, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7 in the drawings, views of leg exercise assembly 101 are illustrated. Assembly 101 is configured to enable a user to perform various leg exercises separate and apart from a workout bench that leg assemblies are customarily attached to. Assembly 101 is configured to work with various different sitting apparatuses such as chairs benches or other seats. Assembly 101 is fully separate from conventional workout benches and may be purchased independently so as to function with other existing equipment. A user may have the advantage of using assembly 101 in combination with any seat even those separate from conventional workout equipment.

[0028] Assembly 101 is configured to include a stand assembly 103, a weight carrying member 105, and leg extension assembly 107 having a plurality of leg pads 115. Stand assembly 103 includes a base 109 coupled to a post 111. Base 109 is configured to have an enlarged surface area for stability and is configured to rest upon the ground. Another feature of base 109 is that it is configured to be relatively thin so as to be capable of extending underneath existing seats. For example, base 109 may rest underneath a workout bench or chair. In use, whatever seat or bench a user elects to sit on is placed upon an upper surface of base 109 wherein the weight of the user and the bench/seat acts to hold assembly 101 stable during exercises. When exercises are complete a user may remove assembly 101 including its base 109 from under the bench/chair for storage or transportation.

[0029] Post 111 is configured to extend upward from the upper surface of base 109 in a relatively vertical orientation. Post 111 further includes side apertures 118 passing through its opposing sides that are configured to support post pads 116. During an exercise wherein a user is sitting adjacent to assembly 101, the user's legs are typically resting over the top of post pads 116. This leaves the legs to extend downward so as to contact leg pads 115 of leg extension assembly 107. In this configuration a user is able to do leg extensions as an exercise. It is understood that a plurality of side apertures 118 are available to allow a user to adjust the height of post pads 116 so as to accommodate height differences of the users and also changes in seating height.

[0030] It is understood that FIGS. 1-6 illustrate leg exercise assembly 101 in a configuration to permit leg extension exercises. It should be understood that FIG. 7 illustrates leg exercise assembly 101 a configuration to permit leg curl exercises wherein the user's legs would be routed underneath post pads 116.

[0031] Weight carrying member 105 is releasably coupled to a distal end of post 111 opposite from base 109. The distal end of post 111 includes apertures 120 (see FIG. 3) configured to accept one or more fasteners 114 for the selective locating of weight carrying member 105. A bracket 113 is held by fasteners 114 and is selectively located along the length of post 111, ideally adjacent the distal end of post 111. The adjustability in height of bracket 113 allows assembly 101 to further adapt for comfortability of the user during the performance of various exercises.

[0032] Weight carrying member 105 includes a shaft 121 and a weight post 123. A first end of shaft 121 is coupled to bracket 113 and is configured to pivot about axis 119 at its first end adjacent to post 111 and bracket 113. Weight post 123 is configured to extend from an upper surface 122 of shaft 121. Weight post 123 is ideally orthogonal to shaft 121 and is configured to accept weights. Shaft 121 includes apertures 124 along surface 122 for the selective locating of weight post 123. Wake post 123 is configured to be positioned at different locations along the length of shaft 121. An advantage of this capability is that a user is able to selectively adjust the relative weight by changing the position of the weights at different cantilevered points relative to the position of the leg pads 115. For example, extending weight post 123 outward distally from bracket 113 increases the weight as it is cantilevered further away from the legs. Conversely, locating weight post 123 more proximal to bracket 113 allows the relative weight to decrease as the cantilever is shortened relative to the position of leg pads 115.

[0033] Leg extension assembly 107 is coupled to shaft 121 and is positionable relative to shaft 121 to permit a user to perform different leg exercises. Leg extension assembly 107 includes an extension member 127, brace 125, and leg pads 115. Extension member 127 is configured to releasably couple to side apertures 126 in shaft 121. Side apertures 126 extend along the side of shaft 121 to permit the relocation and selective positioning of extension member 127 and brace 125.

[0034] Extension member 127 is releasably coupled to shaft 121 through apertures 126. Extension member 127 is configured to extend through shaft 121 via cutouts 128. Cutouts 128 are formed along surface 122 of shaft 121 and its opposing lower surface. The use of cutouts 128 allows extension member 127 to change its relative angle with respect to shaft 121 by allowing extension member 127 to pivot within shaft 121 and not contact upper surface 122 or its opposing lower surface. This allows a user to adjust assembly 101 to fit their height, comfort, and increase the overall usability of assembly 101. In a first orientation shown through FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings, extension member 127 is situated through cut out 128 along the lower surface of shaft 121. In a second orientation of assembly 101, shown in FIG. 7, extension member 127 is situated through cut out 128 along upper surface 122 of shaft 121. The use of cutouts 128 in shaft 121 allows for different orientations or in other words the reorientation of leg extension assembly 107 to allow the user to perform different leg exercises.

[0035] Brace 125 is configured to support and stabilize the orientation of extension member 127 relative to shaft 121. Brace 125 includes a series of apertures that allow it to adjust the orientation and relative angle of extension member 127 relative to shaft 121. Fastener 129 is used to secure brace 125 to shaft 121. Fastener 129 is releasable and reusable Like most other fasteners in assembly 101.

[0036] It is understood that leg pads 115 are coupled to a distal end of extension member 127. By adjusting the relative angle and orientation of extension member 127, a user is thereby changing the location of leg pads 115 relative to post pads 116. The location of pads 115 and 116 relative to one another are what allows four different exercises to be performed by a user. It is also understood that the position of leg pads 115 on extension member 127 are adjustable as well so that a user may raise or lower leg pads 115.

[0037] It should be further noted that weight carrying member 105 may further include a foot 133. Foot 133 is attached to a distal end of shaft 121 and is configured to include a pad so as to engage the ground and support the carried weights between reps. It is understood that the pad may be removable as well as the ability to adjust the location of foot 133 along shaft 121.

[0038] The current application has many advantages over the prior art including at least the following: (1) the ability to adjust the orientation of the leg extension member relative to the weight; (2) the ability to reduce resistance lag during the exercise; and (3) the ability to adjust the pivot point of assembly 103 and member 105 relative to post 111.

[0039] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.