Exercise devices – Having specific electrical feature – Monitors exercise parameter
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-10
2003-07-08
Richman, Glenn E. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Having specific electrical feature
Monitors exercise parameter
C482S009000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06589137
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an exerciser, such as a back extension machine or a leg extension machine, and more particularly to an exerciser which includes a light emitting element that generates a light beam for correcting the posture of the user of the exerciser.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to
FIG. 1
, a conventional back extension machine is shown to include a supporting frame unit
1
, a swing rod
2
disposed pivotally on the frame unit
1
, and a counterweight unit
3
. The supporting frame unit
1
has a brace
101
that supports a seat
102
fixedly on an upper end thereof. The seat
102
is disposed below the swing rod
2
. Two foot plates
103
are disposed fixedly on a lower end portion of the brace
101
. The swing rod
2
is provided with a fixed back cushion
201
that is disposed above the seat
102
. A pull rope
202
extends around a pulley
203
, and is fastened to the swing rod
2
at one end, and to the counterweight unit
3
at another end.
Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the user sits on the seat
102
in such a manner that his feet rest on the foot plates
103
. To exercise the muscles of the user's back, the back of the user turns the back cushion
201
rearwardly so as to rotate the swing rod
2
synchronously with the back of the user, thereby pulling the counterweight unit
3
upwardly. It should be noted that if the rotating axes of both the swing rod
2
and the back joint of the user are improperly coordinated, the swinging movement of the swing rod
2
will hurt the back muscles and the back joint of the user.
Referring to
FIG. 4
, a conventional leg extension machine is shown to include a supporting frame unit
4
, a swing rod
5
disposed pivotally on the supporting frame unit
4
, and a counterweight unit
6
. The frame unit
4
is provided with a fixed seat
401
, a fixed backrest
402
and a fixed handle unit
403
. The swing rod
5
is provided with a shank cushion
501
that is located below the seat
401
. A pull rope
502
extends around a pulley
503
, and is fastened to the swing rod
5
at one end, and to the counterweight unit
6
at another end.
Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6
, the user sits on the seat
401
, and grasps the handle unit
403
. The back of the user abuts against the backrest
402
. To exercise the muscles of the user's legs, the calves of the user turn the shank cushion
510
forwardly and upwardly so as to rotate the swing rod
5
synchronously with the calves of the user, thereby pulling the counterweight unit
6
upwardly. It should be noted that if the rotating axes of both the swing rod
5
and the knee joint of the user are improperly coordinated, the swinging movement of the swing rod
5
will hurt the leg muscles and the knee joint of the user.
To help correct the posture of the user with respect to the swing rod
5
, a mark is provided to indicate the correct position of the joint of the user on the exerciser. For example, referring to
FIGS. 7 and 8
, each of a pair of improved back and leg extension machines includes a colored cap
801
,
801
′, which covers a pivot that connects a swing rod
8
,
8
′ rotatably to a supporting frame unit
7
,
7
′. The body of the user can move on the frame unit
7
,
7
′ by adjusting the position of at least one element, such as a seat, a shank cushion, a back cushion or a backrest, relative to the frame unit
7
,
7
′ so as to align his joint with the cap
801
,
801
′. However, because the cap
801
,
801
′ is spaced apart from the body of the user, it is difficult to align the joint of the user accurately with the cap
801
,
801
′.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide an exerciser which includes a light emitting element that generates a light beam for indicating a correct position of one joint of the user on the exerciser.
According to this invention, an exerciser includes a seat attached to a supporting frame unit, and a swing rod disposed pivotally on the supporting frame unit and adapted to be swung by a portion of a human body so as to rotate synchronously with the portion of the human body about a rotating axis. A light emitting element is mounted on an assembly of the supporting frame unit and the swing rod so as to generate a light beam that extends along the rotating axis. When the human body sits on the seat, the portion of the human body can move on the supporting frame unit so as to align the light beam accurately with the rotating axis of one joint of the human body, about which the portion of the human body rotates.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5004230 (1991-04-01), Jones
patent: 5954674 (1999-09-01), Fuhr
patent: 6273841 (2001-08-01), Johnston
patent: 6334837 (2002-01-01), Hein et al.
Lo Peter K. C.
Richman Glenn E.
Trop Pruner & Hu P.C.
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