Exercise furniture

Details Exercise furniture Exercise furniture

1999-06-10

2001-10-23

Yu, Mickey (Department: 3764)

Exercise devices

User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...

Utilizing weight resistance

C482S079000, C482S133000, C482S142000, C482S904000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06306067

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to exercise apparatus, and in particular, to apparatus associated with a couch or other seating assembly.
2. Description of Related Art
With the wide recognition of the benefits of regular exercise, people have been increasing the opportunities to exercise by bringing exercise equipment into their homes. Conventional exercise equipment employs a frame having a system of cables and pulleys to lift an adjustable weight. The exerciser can stand or can rest on a seat or bench next to the frame in order to manually pull an end of the cable. Conventional exercise apparatus of the foregoing type are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 321,388; 4,372,553; 4,549,733; and 4,603,855.
With one known exercise machine, the exerciser stands between a pair of spaced frames. The exerciser can pull an opposing pair of cables on the frames to lift an adjustable weight with the cable system. A variety of exercises can be performed with this equipment, such as butterfly exercises. The cable can be routed in a bight around a reversing pulley attached to an adjustable weight. Thus the exerciser can pull either end or both ends of the cable to lift the adjustable weight.
A disadvantage with these exercise machines is the relatively large amount of floor space required by them. Many apartments and homes do not have a sufficient number of rooms or rooms large enough to accommodate such exercise machines. On the other hand, where the space is available a homeowner may find the exercise equipment aesthetically dissonant with the furnishings or decorations in the room where the exercise is to take place.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 382,440 and 337,942 exercise machines having cable-lifted weights are mounted in tall boxes that are finished like furniture. While attractive, these devices are dedicated exercise machines and therefore still require the same amount of floor space as conventional exercise apparatus.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,423 a chair is outfitted with cables that can be pulled by means of handles located atop the arms and the back of the chair. Similarly, a leg device can use cables pulled from the foot of the chair. This reference shows a double chair in FIG. 8. A disadvantage with exercise equipment of the foregoing type is the difficulty adjusting the effort level. The above exercise apparatus employs internal springs that establish the cable tension during exercise. This produces a tension that is not readily adjusted without disassembling the chair. Also, the tension on the exercise cable increases in accordance with the spring constant of the spring. In one embodiment of this known exercise device, a stack of adjustable weights are mounted in the back of the chair. Accordingly, the chair cannot be positioned against the wall, since the user will then be denied access to the weights for the purpose of adjustment.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,667 shows a small seat containing a system of springs that can be pulled from various directions by means of cables. Again, this reference has the disadvantages associated with springs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,926 shows a chair that is fitted with exercise apparatus, including a pair of cables that can be used to lift weights. When installed on a chair, however, this apparatus interferes with use as an ordinary chair. See also U.S. Pat. No. 1,114,458.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,218,067 shows an exercise machine that is mounted in a headboard. This device uses elastic cables that can be wound onto a reel. This arrangement has the same disadvantage as the spring operated machines.
Elaborate and aesthetically unappealing apparatus mounted on beds are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,057,811 and 3,455,295.
Accordingly, there is a need for exercise apparatus that does not require a large amount of floor space and can be placed in room without upsetting its decor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided an exercise apparatus with a couch having a seating area sized to seat more than one person. The apparatus has an engagement means mounted at least partially inside the couch with a distal end adapted for reciprocation. Also included is an exercise means coupled to the engagement means for applying a force to the distal end in order to exercise one who reciprocates the distal end.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an exercise apparatus is provided with a seating assembly having a pair of side structures and a seating area between the side structures. Also included is a case mounted alongside one of the side structures of the seating assembly. The apparatus also has a cable routed through the seat assembly to the case. The cable has one end routed to emerge through the seat assembly for pulling exercises. The apparatus also has an adjustable weight mounted in the case and coupled to the cable to be lifted in response to pulling of the cable.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, an exercise apparatus is provided with a couch having a rear face, a pair of arms and a seating area between the arms sized to seat at least two people. The exercise apparatus also includes a cable that is routed through the couch to emerge from the couch near the arms for pulling exercises. Also included is an adjustable weight coupled to the cable to be listed in response to pulling of the cable. The adjustable weight is accessible in a region that is spaced from the rear face of the couch to avoid any need for clearance behind the couch in order to gain access to the adjustable weight.
By employing equipment of the foregoing type, an improved exercise apparatus is achieved. In the preferred embodiment exercise apparatus is associated with a couch. The assembly is built with a rectangular case mounted next to one arm of the couch. In this preferred embodiment the case is designed as a decorative column upon which a lamp may be placed. The case however, contains a adjustable weight that is lifted by a header that can roll on a pair of vertical tracks inside the case. The weights may be lifted by a cable system that is routed between the case and the couch. In other embodiments, the weights may be replaced with springs, elastomeric cords or other devices that can be stretched or deformed to provide muscle resistance to the exerciser.
In one preferred embodiment, a cable system terminates in a pair of attachment loops that protrude through openings on the inside of each of the arms of the couch. Handles or other exercise devices can be attached to these loops by clasps or the like. A stop, preferably mounted in the arms of the couch, can prevent the cable from retracting into the arm and getting lost.
The cable is preferably routed in two stretches from the two couch arms into the case. Inside the case, the cables may be routed under a pair of lower pulleys and over a pair of upper pulleys before they meet and loop a reversing pulley mounted on a header that holds the weights. Arranged in this preferred fashion, the two ends of the cable emerging from the couch arms can be used individually or together to lift the adjustable weight. The tension on the cable system can be changed, for example, by stacking a selectable number of weight plates on the header.
In one embodiment, an additional cable line can protrude from an end of the couch opposite the case. This additional cable line can protrude at a low elevation and can be used with a strap or other device for leg exercises.


REFERENCES:
patent: 223668 (1880-01-01), Duplessis
patent: 1561979 (1925-11-01), Gore
patent: 4243219 (1981-01-01), Price
patent: 4691918 (1987-09-01), Rockwell
patent: 4913423 (1990-04-01), Farran et al.

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