Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing weight resistance
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2001-11-06
Yu, Justine R. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing weight resistance
C482S093000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312365
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various methods and apparatus exist to strengthen leg muscles, especially the muscles of the calf. Generally these devices have a common feature, namely the raising of the heels from a flat surface. The exercise can be done while carrying a barbell or other free weights, or it can be carried out by lifting some weighted apparatus while lifting the heels from a standing position. The lifting of the heels to a position standing on the balls and toes of the feet necessarily creates a tendency to instability, especially if free weights are being carried and additional balance challenges are thereby presented. A safe and effective apparatus to allow the exercise of the calf muscles in a stable position would be a salutary development.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention disclosed provides an effective and safe to operate exercise apparatus for strengthening the muscles of the legs, particularly the calf muscles. A base is equipped with a rocking foot platform which is pivotable from front to rear about a central pivot axis oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the base. An upright support member is mounted on the base at an opposing end of the base from the foot platform. At the upper end of this fixed upright member is a hinge to which is mounted a lateral arm which terminates in a pair of shoulder engagement bars which are padded and separated such that a user's head and neck will fit between the separated shoulder engagement bars. The shoulder engagement bars are positioned above the foot platform. A weight arm is also hinged to the upright support member below the lateral arm so that it can pivot vertically in alignment with the lateral arm. At the end of the weight arm opposing its hinged connection to the upright support member there is a transverse weight support rod which is centered on the end of the weight arm. An adjustable link member interconnects the lateral arm and the weight arm. The link member is adjustable lengthwise and is hinged at each of its ends. The link member is hinged to the lateral arm about midway between the hinge of the lateral arm to the upright support and the shoulder engagement bars. The link member is hinged to the weight arm approximately one-third of the distance along the weight arm measured from its hinge mounting to the weight support member. Free weights can be added to the weight support rod on either side of the weight arm and preferably symmetrically. A weight arm support member is mounted to the base under the weight support to provide a lower rest support for the weight arm. An inclined stabilizer arm interconnects the weight arm support member and the upright support member.
In practice, the user may stand on the floor behind the foot platform on the base and place his head and neck between the shoulder engagement bars. The link member is then adjusted for the user's height such that the weight arm rests on the weight arm support member with the shoulder engagement bars resting on the user's shoulders. The user may then step forward onto the foot platform, raising the lateral arm and the weight arm as the user mounts the apparatus. As the user rocks back on the heels, the weight is lowered almost into contact with the weight arm support member. As the user rocks forward, the weight arm is raised as the user forces the lateral arm upward with his shoulders. Handles are mounted to either side of the lateral arm so that the user has a structure to grip while the exercise is done. Once the desired repetitions of the exercise have been completed, the user may crouch slightly to rest the weight arm on the weight arm support member and dismount the exercise apparatus.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a stable exercise apparatus for safe exercise of the calf muscles of the legs.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an effective calf exercise apparatus which is adjustable for many different sizes of users.
It is also an object of the invention to provide calf exercise apparatus which can utilize free weights to provide appropriate loading to challenge the strength of the user.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise apparatus which allows the user to rock his feet forward to raise the heels without lifting the heels off a support surface.
These and other objects of the invention will be better understood from examination of the detailed description and the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4270749 (1981-06-01), Hebern
patent: 4357010 (1982-11-01), Telle
patent: 4828254 (1989-05-01), Maag
patent: 5201694 (1993-04-01), Zappel
patent: 5529558 (1996-06-01), Koenig
patent: 5702328 (1997-12-01), Mansvelt
patent: 5711749 (1998-01-01), Miller
Hammer Strength Rowing/Seated Shrug, Hammer: First In Strength, Hammer Strength brochure, p. 11, circa 1994.
Advertising brochure: “PTS Personal Training System by Pro Industries”, Pro Industries, 1015 N. Hurricane Road, Franklin, IN 46131.
Advertising brochure: “Hammer Strength Product Information Guide”, Hammer Strength, P.O. Box 19040, Cincinnati, OH 45219.
Advertising brochure: Badger Magnum Strength Systems, 1010 Davis Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172.
“She's Got Legs”,Muscle and Fitness, Apr. 1996, pp. 131-137.
Harms Allan L.
M'N Fitness Corp.
Yu Justine R.
LandOfFree
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