Exercise devices – Support for entire body of user
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-06-19
Donnelly, Jerome W. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Support for entire body of user
C482S148000, C482S066000, C482S141000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06248048
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to exercise devices, and more particularly to a portable, foldable isometric exercise apparatus that is useful in carrying out a wide variety of upper-body and abdominal exercises.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recent studies and articles in the popular media have reported that regular exercise is beneficial to health and longevity. As a result, membership gyms have become very popular among those seeking an exercise regimen. However, it is often difficult to maintain a regular exercise routine when visits to a gym are inconvenient or impossible, due to, for example, traveling or working. Thus, it is desired to be able to exercise in the convenience of one's home, office, temporary workplace, hotel room, etc., using a lightweight and portable exercise apparatus that can be stored and transported readily.
One of the best forms of exercise to improve muscle tone and strength, as well as to increase overall fitness, is isometric weight training, in which the exerciser may use his or her own body weight as resistance against muscular movement. For example, a number of common upper-body and abdominal exercises utilize isometric resistance, including dips and push-ups for upper-body muscular development, and leg or knee raises for abdominal muscles.
Isometric exercise apparatus are generally advantageous in that they do not necessitate the implementation of moving parts or supplemental weights for their utility, or a second person to spot the user. However, isometric exercise apparatus are nevertheless typically quite heavy and bulky, and are usually not portable. In addition, these apparatus are commonly incorporated into expensive multi-station gyms, which occupy a substantial area of floor space. Accordingly, such exercise devices are often ill suited to home or office use because of their bulk and their non-portability.
Prior attempts to provide portable exercise apparatus have largely failed to solve the aforementioned problems, due to a variety of reasons. Such known apparatus have often been highly specialized and limited to one orientation, thereby permitting the exercise of only a single discrete portion of an individual's anatomy. For example, apparatus consisting of fixed, high-mounted horizontal parallel bars allow the user to perform traditional full-body dips and leg or knee raises, but do not facilitate other varieties of dip exercises which isolate certain muscle groups (such as “tricep dips,” where a user performs dips with his/her arms behind the back, while maintaining the back of his/her heels on the floor) or multiple variations of push-ups of any kind. Another prior art example is the simple push-up bar which does not allow the user to perform full-body dips or knee raises to exercise his/her abdominal muscles. In addition, the portability of some prior art apparatus has required the assembly/disassembly of numerous component parts, use of tools making the devices difficult and time-consuming to use. Further, many of the portable exercise devices in the prior art have lacked sufficient stability or sturdiness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages of prior art exercise equipment, the present invention provides a compact, lightweight exercise apparatus preferably utilizing a pair of side frames, each of which is pivotally connected to a front cross brace. The side frames are advantageously pivotable from an extended or unfolded position, to a collapsed or folded position in which the side frames are folded against and roughly parallel to the cross brace. In this manner, the apparatus can be easily folded for ease of transport and storage during periods of non-use. The present invention also provides a sturdy and stable apparatus which may be positioned in either a horizontal or a vertical orientation to permit a wide variety of exercises.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a foldable exercise apparatus which may be pivotally collapsed is provided. When folded, the apparatus may be stored or transported using a minimum of space; when extended, the apparatus may be used for exercise on almost any flat surface, indoors or outdoors. The apparatus is most preferably capable of being oriented either horizontally or vertically, thereby permitting the user to perform numerous exercises, including dips, push-ups and leg or knee raises, and variations thereof. Preferably, the apparatus when placed in its vertical orientation is supported by at least four vertical support legs, two legs extending downward from each side frame.
In one aspect of this embodiment, the apparatus is pivotally foldable by use of a hinge connected to each side frame which may further be locked in an extended position, thereby providing stability during use. Preferably, this locking is provided by a locking pin or similar means which may be inserted through a hole in a hinge plate into a corresponding receiving hole provided in the cross brace.
In another aspect of this embodiment, the apparatus is constructed of square steel tubing with brace supports, thereby providing sturdy construction. Preferably, the tubing comprising the apparatus frame is welded for strength and durability.
In a further aspect of this embodiment, multiple handgrips are placed at various locations on the apparatus for proper positioning of the user's hands and to provide comfort during exercise. Moreover, using grips to do pushups, as opposed to doing pushups with the hands flat on the ground, advantageously reduces wrist strain and risk of wrist injury. Preferably, the handgrips are made from foam rubber or other suitable material which provides cushioning and a non-slip surface.
In yet another aspect of this embodiment, elastomeric footpads or cups are provided at the bottom ends of the vertical support legs when the apparatus is in its vertical orientation, so as to prevent sliding of the apparatus along the floor during use.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable, foldable apparatus suitable for positioning in different orientations relative to the user, so as to facilitate a wide variety of upper-body and abdominal exercises, including dips, push-ups and leg or knee raises.
Other related objects will be apparent from the following drawings and description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and the claims appended thereto.
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Burrell Travis
Zuckerman Robert
Amerson Lori Baker
Donnelly Jerome W.
Lyon & Lyon LLP
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