Exercise devices – Support for entire body of user
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-27
2004-01-13
Lucchesi, Nicholas D. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Support for entire body of user
C482S062000, C482S092000, C482S148000, C482S093000, C482S907000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06676577
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for exercising a person's quadriceps muscles in isolated, closed chain fashion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The quadriceps muscles constitute one of the human body's major muscle groups, and these muscles are primarily responsible for moving a person's legs from a bent knee position to a straight leg position. Exercise machines have been built for the specific purpose of resisting this particular motion and thereby strengthening and/or toning a person's quadriceps muscles.
A conventional quadriceps exercise machine, known in the fitness industry as a leg extension machine, is shown in
FIGS. 6-7
. This prior art leg extension machine
90
generally includes a frame
91
, a seat
92
rigidly mounted on the frame
91
, a pivot arm
93
pivotally mounted on the frame
91
, and a weight stack resistance device
97
mounted on the frame
91
and operatively connected to the pivot arm
93
. The resistance device
97
includes a variable amount of weight
98
that is connected to the pivot arm
93
by means of a cable
99
. The components of the machine
90
are preferably arranged so that a user's knee is axially aligned with the pivot axis of the pivot arm
93
, and a pad
94
on the pivot arm
93
bears against the user's shin. Counter-clockwise rotation of the pad
94
, caused by straightening of the user's leg at the knee (but not the hip), is resisted by gravity acting upon the weight
98
.
The leg extension machine
90
has been a staple item in fitness clubs for decades. Typically, it is provided as part of a circuit of a dozen or so machines, each of which is dedicated to a single exercise and/or a particular muscle group. As noted above, the leg extension machine
90
is provided for isolated exercise of a person's quadriceps muscles. Generally speaking, the theory behind these circuits is that each machine allows a person to focus on a specific muscle group or exercise movement, and several people can use alternative, high quality machines in parallel. In another familiar arrangement that is also suitable for circuit training, a similar leg extension assembly is mounted on a relatively larger frame that also supports other types of exercise mechanisms (sometimes referred to as universal gyms).
Unfortunately, recent medical opinions are suggesting that conventional leg extension machines (or assemblies) may cause pain and/or damage to a person's knees. One possible explanation is that the conventional leg extension machine involves an “open chain” arrangement, wherein the person's leg is loaded in cantilevered fashion. Generally speaking, this sort of exercise tends to impose significant shearing force on a person's joint (in this case, the knee). On the other hand, a “closed chain” exercise involves stabilization of the distal ends of any limbs being exercised, thereby encouraging joint stability and coordinated interaction of the associated body components.
One type of conventional “closed chain” exercise machine, known in the fitness industry as a leg press machine, is shown in
FIGS. 8-9
. Like the leg extension machine
90
, this prior art leg press machine
80
has also been a staple item in fitness clubs for decades, and is similarly provided as part of a circuit of machines and on universal gym units. The leg press machine
80
generally includes a frame
81
, a seat
82
slidably mounted on the frame
81
, a foot platform
83
mounted on the frame
81
in front of the seat
82
, and a weight stack resistance device
87
mounted on the frame
81
and operatively connected to the seat
82
. The resistance device
87
includes a variable amount of weight
88
that is connected to the seat
82
by means of a cable
89
. Movement of the seat
82
away from the foot platform
83
, caused by extension of the user's legs at both the hip joints and the knee joints, is resisted by gravity acting upon the weight
88
. Another common type of leg press machine (not shown) has a fixed seat and a pivoting foot support that cooperate to facilitate a similar exercise motion. In other words, movement of the pedals away from the seat is similarly caused by extension of the user's leg at both knees and hips.
Although conventional leg press machines facilitate closed chain exercise of a person's quadriceps muscles, a significant amount of the user exerted force is generated by a person's gluteus muscles (due to extension of the user's legs at the hips, as well as the knees). As a result, conventional leg press machines are ineffective for isolated exercise of a person's quadriceps muscles. In other words, a need exists for an exercise apparatus that facilitates isolated, closed chain exercise of a person's quadriceps muscles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for exercising a person's quadriceps muscles in isolated, closed chain fashion. The present invention may be implemented in various ways and/or described with reference to various embodiments and methods. A preferred embodiment includes a frame that is designed to rest on a floor surface; a body support, having at least a back rest, that is movably mounted on the frame; and a foot platform that is mounted on the frame in front of the body support. The body support and the foot platform are configured and arranged to support a person in a rest position with his back against the back rest, his thighs extending generally perpendicular to his torso, his legs bent at the knees, and his feet flat against the foot platform. As the person straightens his legs at the knees, the body support and the foot platform cooperate to maintain a fixed, perpendicular angle between the user's thighs and torso, thereby isolating the user's quadriceps muscles, while continuously supporting the user's legs in closed chain fashion. Among other things, the body support may be selectively latched to the frame or limited to a desired range or rotation, in order to reduce the likelihood of injury during exercise and/or to facilitate mounting and dismounting of the apparatus. Also, the foot platform may be adjusted relative to the frame to accommodate persons of various sizes and/or different ranges of exercise motion. Additional aspects and/or optional features of the present invention will become apparent from the more detailed description that follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5554090 (1996-09-01), Jones
patent: 5827154 (1998-10-01), Gill
Amerson L.
Lucchesi Nicholas D.
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