Exercise devices – User manipulated force resisting apparatus – component... – Utilizing weight resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-14
2001-06-26
Richman, Glenn E. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
User manipulated force resisting apparatus, component...
Utilizing weight resistance
C482S137000, C482S908000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06251052
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to exercise apparatuses. More particularly, the invention relates to an exercise apparatus designed for performing squats in a convenient, safe and effective manner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The squat is a free-weight exercise in which a barbell is placed on a user's shoulders directly behind the neck and is supported by the arms while the user first lowers his or her body by bending the legs and then raises his or her body by restraightening the legs. This exercise is probably the most effective exercise for building lower body muscles and often is used by experienced weight lifters.
However, this exercise can be one of the most painful and traumatic exercises since the legs are capable of lifting a large amount of weight and yet the weight must be supported by the lifter's arms and shoulders. In addition, it is one of the most dangerous exercises since it typically is terminated by placing the barbell on a rack when the lifter's legs are fully extended. As the lifter approaches his or her limit, it becomes difficult to obtain this position. Furthermore, the weight tends to throw lifters forward and cause them to lose their balance. It is, therefore, usually necessary to have two spotters when performing the squat.
With the foregoing in mind, a variety of prior art squat type exercise apparatuses have been developed to provide a safer environment for performing squats. Most of these apparatuses require that an individual partially squat into position such that his or her back and/or shoulders engage a user support member coupled to a source of resistance. Once the user is properly positioned relative to the user support member, he or she may move through an exercise routine. The user then moves from the user support member and steps away from the exercise apparatuses.
Considering these simple steps, the prior art is surprisingly filled with squat type exercise apparatuses which are difficult to use. For example, many squat type exercise apparatuses require users of different sizes to adapt to the apparatus itself rather than readily adjust for different size users. Where the squat type exercise apparatus does provide a mechanism for adjusting to suit users of differing sizes, prior art mechanisms are invariably difficult to use. While prior art squat type exercise apparatuses offer many set up challenges for users wishing to take advantages of the apparatuses, these prior art squat type exercise apparatuses are even more difficult to get out of once a user's exercise routine is completed.
With this in mind, the inventor has studied the prior squat type exercise apparatuses and determined that a need overwhelmingly exists for a squat type exercise apparatus offering users a convenient, adaptable and easy to use apparatus for performing squat type exercises. The inventor has, therefore, developed the present exercise apparatus overcoming the shortcomings of prior art devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus for performing squat type exercises. The apparatus includes a base supporting a resistance assembly and a pivoting user engaging assembly. A cable assembly links the user engaging assembly to the resistance assembly for applying resistance as a user performs an exercising routine. The user engaging assembly includes an upwardly extending post and a pivot arm secured to a free end of the upwardly extending post. The user engaging assembly further includes a locking assembly integrally associated with the pivot arm assembly for controlling the pivotal movement of the pivot arm.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the locking assembly includes a ratchet arm pivotally secured to the upwardly extending post adjacent a pivot point for the pivot arm such that the ratchet arm moves with the pivot arm as a user moves up and down.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the ratchet arm further includes an arcuate latching bar with a series of holes shaped and dimensioned for engagement with a locking pin coupled to the pivot arm at a central location thereof such that the locking arm is controlled for selective engagement with the latching bar holes to orient the pivot arm at a desired position relative the ratchet arm.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the locking pin is spring bias for selective engagement and release of the latching bar holes.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the locking pin is controlled by a release handle.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein a cable links the locking pin to the release handle in a manner allowing the release handle to control the movement of the locking pin.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein a back/shoulder engaging assembly is secured to an end of the pivot arm and the release handle is coupled to the back/shoulder engaging assembly.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the cable assembly consists essentially of a single cable linked between the resistance assembly and the user engaging assembly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the base includes a user support platform upon which a user may stand while performing exercises
It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the user support platform includes a first end and a second end adjacent the user engaging assembly, and the user support platform is inclined upwardly as it extends from a central section of the user support platform toward the first end of the user support platform.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.
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Hoffman Wasson & Gitler
Hwang Victor K.
Richman Glenn E.
The Simonson Family Limited Partnership
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