Exercise Apparatus

In the field of body exercise and strength training, there is a need to exercise the lower extremities under a resistive load. Various exercises have been devised to strengthen hip and leg muscles of the body through squatting exercises and leg lifting exercises. To increase the exercise level, the person performing the exercise may carry weights on the shoulders while doing squatting exercises. However, squatting exercises place great stress on knee joints, ligaments, and tendons, and can lead to injury if not performed properly and with care. In addition, the use of carried weights to further load the musculature presents the problem of reduced stability with a raised center of gravity which occurs when a barbell is placed on the shoulders.

Some exercise machines nave been devised to facilitate exercise of leg muscles under load. The known devices fail to vary the load between stages in the exercise when the body is weaker such as at the bottom of a squat maneuver. A need exists for an exercise machine which can be safely used to effectively resist the action of the lower extremity muscles and thereby to provide strengthening while providing a load which varies between positions during the exercise.

The present invention relates to exercise machines and in particular to apparatus to allow an athlete to increase lower body strength. A supporting frame is provided with an inclined foot plate on which the user stands. A vertical arm extends from the frame at a distance from the foot plate. A pivot arm is pivotally mounted at the top of the vertical arm, the pivot arm being pivotable in a vertical direction. An upright mast is pivotably fixed to the frame near the foot plate, and movable in a plane in which the pivot arm moves. The pivot arm is provided with a pivotable head member on its free end, the head member being slidable along the mast and having a locking plug which can be selectively entered into one of a plurality of openings along the mast in order to retain it in a fixed vertical position when the user is becoming stationed on the machine. The head member further is provided with a pair of shoulder rests which extend from the head member and have a space between them such that the rests can touch the shoulders of the user with the user's head placed between the rests. Handholds also depend outwardly and downwardly from the head member to provide grips for the hands of the user in a comfortable, natural position.

The pivot arm is provided with a weight suspending bar which depends from a point along the pivot arm at an angle of approximately 65 degrees. The weight suspending bar has a tranverse weight arm at its free end on which free weights of the common type can be suspended.

The foot plate of the frame is inclined downwardly from the outside of the frame toward the mast pivot so that the user will be prompted to lean forward slightly when using the apparatus.

The locking plug of the head can be disengaged from the mast to allow the head member to be alternately lowered and raised as it slides along the mast. As the user lowers the trunk of his or her body, the force exerted by the weights on the transverse weight arm is increased as the user pushes the head upwardly along the mast. Hence the resistance increases as the natural strength of the user increase as the user returns to a standing position.

An optional toe plate may be stationed over the foot plate near or at the outer edge of the frame. The toe plate is shaped to provide an inclined surface on which the user may place the forward part of his or her feet. The slope of the surface is inclined upward toward the mast. The toe plate allows the user to exercise lower leg and foot muscles by relaxing the heel onto the surface of the toe plate and then positioning the shoulder rests on the user's shoulders and then forcing the head member upward on the mast as the heels are raised from the surface of the toe plate.

It is an object of the invention to provide an exercise apparatus to build leg and hip strength of a user.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a leg strengthening apparatus which causes the user to perform exercises at the minimal risk of injury to the ligaments, tendons and joints in the legs and knees.

It is a further object of the invention to provide exercise apparatus to strengthen hip and leg muscles which distributes the weight to the user's body in a safe and efficient manner.

It is a further object of the invention to provide exercise apparatus which increases the resistive force of the apparatus as the position of the user changes to a stronger position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise apparatus which is variable in application of force to the user through use of readily available free weights.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an exercise apparatus which may be adjusted for differing sizes and strengths of athlete users.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means for an athlete to perform squatting exercises with weights without losing stability and without the need for a spotter.

These and other objects Of the invention will become apparent from examination of the description and claims which follow.

FIG. 1 is a front left perspective of the invention in a locked position with the head and pivot arm midway along the mast.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the invention with a user in phantom shown in position to commence use of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the invention in a second position showing a user in phantom in a squat position while using the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partly cut away perspective view of the head member of the pivot arm showing its component parts and their engagement with the mast of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross section of the mast and head of the invention taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates the invention 2 in a front left perspective view. Invention 2 is provided with a base frame 4 from which upwardly extends a support arm 6 which is located at first end 8 of frame 4. Frame 4 supports a foot plate 10 which is located adjacent second end 12 of frame 4. A beam 14 extends from first side 16 to second side 18 of frame 4 and provides a support member for mast 20 which is pivotally mounted to beam 14 of frame 4 at pivot 22. The axis of mast 20 is coplanar with the axis of support arm 6 and mast 20 is movable relative to its pivot 22 in this plane. A brace 24 is conveniently interconnected between beam 14 and support arm 6 for stability of support arm 6.

At upper end 26 of support arm 6 is pivotably mounted a pivot arm 28 which is movable vertically about pivot pin 30 in the plane common to the axes of mast 20 and support arm 6. Depending from pivot arm 28 along its length are weight support arms 32, 33 which are provided with transverse rod 34 at the free end 36 of weight support arm 32, 33. Weight support arms 32, 33 extend downwardly from pivot arm 28 and toward mast 20. In the preferred embodiment, weight support arms 32 and 33 are paired and fixedly mounted to opposing sides of pivot arm 28 such that each is generally coplanar with mast 20. Weight arms 32 and 33 may be substituted by a single arm fixed to pivot arm 28.

The pivot arm 28 is provided with a head member 38 which is pivotably movable upon pivot arm 28 about axle 40 and is fashioned to ride up and down along mast 20.

Shoulder rests 42, 43 depend generally horizontally from head member 38 to overlie foot plate 10 and are spaced apart sufficiently to allow a user to position his or her head between shoulder rests 42 and 43. Shoulder rests 42 and 43 are provided with cushions 44, 45 which are of suitable resilient material, e.g. foam rubber, to reduce abrading which might occur when the user's shoulders are in engagement with shoulder rests 42 and 43. In the preferred embodiment, head member 38 comprises first and second plates 46 and 48 which are spaced apart and parallel and disposed on opposing sides of mast 20. Guide rollers 50 and 52 are mounted in plate 46 to engage mast 20. Similar rollers are mounted to plate 48. A lock 54 is located upon first plate 46.

A transverse bar 56 is mounted to front edges 58 and 60 of plates 46 and 48 respectively to serve as a mounting for shoulder rests 42 and 44. Also depending from bar 56 are hand holds 62 and 64, which extend outward and downward from head member 38 on opposing sides thereof to provide a place for the user to hold the device.

Mast 20 is constructed of a hollow rolled steel bar and has a plurality of vertically spaced openings 66 on first side 68 of mast 20 along the upper end thereof. Openings 66 are provided to interact with lock 54 to selectively retain head member 38 in alternative selected locations along mast 20 when desired. A stop 70 is mounted to the first side 68 of mast 20 to provide a lowermost position for head member 38, thereby providing a safety feature to prevent head member from being slideable along mast 20 below a fixed vertical location.

Foot plate 10 is mounted to frame 4 such that the top surface 72 of foot plate 10 declines from first end 12 of frame 4 to beam 14.

FIG. 1 illustrates the invention 2 with optional toe plate 74 installed. Toe plate 74 is optionally placed to overlie the region of foot plate 10 adjacent first end 12 of frame 4 and provides a top surface 76 which inclines from first end 12 of frame 4 toward mast 20.

It can be seen that the preferred embodiment device provides a device with mast 20 and support arm 6 extending above frame 4 at generally the midline thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a user 100 is shown in phantom in position to use invention 2. User's feet 102 are situated on foot plate 10 of the preferred embodiment device. The optional toe plate 74 has been removed. In a standing position, user 1 00 has released lock 54 which allows head member 38 to follow mast 20 to a point where shoulder rest 42 rests upon the user's shoulder 104. The right hand 106 of user 1 00 is shown grasping hand hold 62. With user 1 00 in a standing position with legs 108 extended, head member 38 is disposed at a first relatively higher position along mast 20. Head member 38 has pivoted about axle 40 and pivot arm 28 has pivoted about pin 30 on upper end 26 of support arm 6 such that shoulder rests 42 and 43 remain generally horizontal and rest on user's shoulder 104. Weight support arm 32 is shown with free weight 110 (shown in phantom) mounted on transverse rod 34. Weight support arm 32 is mounted to pivot arm 28 at an acute angle a which is preferably 65.+-.5 degrees. It can be seen that as pivot arm 28 is rotated about first end 26 of support arm 6 in an upward direction, transverse rod 34 is moved upward and closer to mast 20, thereby increasing the effective moment arm of free weights 110 about pivot pin 30.

FIG. 3 discloses the invention 2 in a second position thereof when user 100 has squatted, thereby bending user's knees 112. As the user 100 squats, shoulder rest 42 follows user's shoulder 104 as it declines and head member 38, having lock 54 released, is permitted to follow mast 20 in a downward path. As head member 38 follows mast 20, mast 20 rotates about pivot 22 toward user 100 and pivot arm 28 is lowered about pivot pin 30. Weight support arm 32 and transverse rod 34 also are lowered and the placement of weight 110 is moved in an arc toward support arm 6 and away from mast 20, thereby reducing the moment of weight 110 about pivot pin 30 and reducing the lifting force needed to be exerted by user 100 on shoulder rest 42. The action of invention 2 can be seen to provide effective, safe resistive force to user 100 with the force declining as the user 100 squats into a relatively weaker position and with the resistive force increasing as the user 100 extends his or her legs 108 into a standing position.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the detail of the structure of head member 38 can better be visualized. FIG. 4 provides a partly cut away front left perspective of the head member 38 and mast 20 showing left shoulder rest 43 depending generally horizontally from head member 38. Head member 38 comprises first plate 48 and second plate 46 which are maintained in spaced apart relationship on opposing sides of mast 20 by thrust bearings 80 and 81 which roll along the front and rear of mast 20 as head member 38 traverses mast 20. Guide bearing 50 is mounted within second plate 46 and rolls along first side 68 of mast 20. Lock 54 is mounted within second plate 46.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the head member 38 and mast 20 are shown in section taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3. First plate 48 of head member 38 has guide bearings 51 and 53 mounted thereto, which roll along the lateral sides of mast 20. Thrust bearings 81 and 83 serve to space first and second plates 48 and 46 and to provide roller bearing upon rear face of mast 20. Lock 54 is shown in an unlocked state in FIG. 3 with plunger 84 thereof displaced from any of openings 66 of mast 20. Lock handle 86 is moved to an unlocked position where plunger 84 is locked in a position displaced from mast 20. When lock handle 86 is moved, spring biasing of plunger 84 causes plunger 84 to be urged toward mast 20 and to locate in an opening 66 as one of openings 66 comes into alignment with plunger 84.

The invention 2 minimizes the risk of injury because of its unique design which causes the loaded weight of the machine to be distributed correctly to the athlete's body. The weight imposed upon the athlete's frame is mechanically proper for safety and muscle growth and the apparatus utilizes the strength promoting effect of free weights and the safety of a machine. The angled foot plate 10 improves hip and low back mechanics while squatting.

The attachment of the load arm 32 and pivot arm 28 to the fixed upright arm 6 allows for variable resistance as the pivot arm 28 moves up and down. Weight plates loaded on the transverse arm 34 move through a downward arc that decreases the resistance to the user while squatting. This decrease in weight at the bottom allows for perfect form and mechanical advantage when the athlete is in his weakest position. As the athlete returns to the standing position, the weight arcs upward and toward the user. This motion increases the weight and corresponds to the increased leverage of the athlete as he straightens up.

The mast 20 stabilizes the head member 28 and provides the locking holes 66 for the lock plunger 84 to engage when the machine is not in use. This allows the machine to be set at any level depending on the users height.

The thrust bearing and guide bearings of the head member 38 allow the user and the weight load to move freely during the up and down movement of the machine. The bearings contact the mast 20 to provide a smooth but tight movement. This structure keeps the plunger 84 aligned with the locking holes 66 in the mast 20. When the lock plunger is engaged in the mast, the head member cannot move. However, by rotating the lock pin the head becomes free to move up or down. To secure the head member 38, the lock handle 86 is rotated back, plunger locates in a mast opening 66, and movement stops. The shoulder thrust pads 42 and 43 rest on the user's shoulders while the user's hands grasp the angled hand grips for balance. The head member transfers the weight load from the transverse arm 34 to the athlete's shoulders and allows for the required movement. The three pivot points allow the weight rack to arc upward and backward or down and forward without binding the main mast.

The mast latching design allows this machine to be used without the help of a spotter. The variable load resistance is provided by the angled weight arm 32 on the pivot arm 28. The angled foot plate 10 and the cushioned shoulder pads 42, 43 enhance good and proper form as do the angled hand grips.

With optional toe plate 74 removed, and selected weight plate 110 placed on transverse arm 34, the user 100 takes position on foot plate 10 and unlocks lock 54 to allow the shoulder rests 42, 43 to rest on the user's shoulders. The lock 54 is reset such that the head member is locked to mast 20 at a fixed height. Once comfortable and ready to begin exercise, the user unlocks lock 54 by rotating lock handle 86 which displaces plunger 84 from the opening 66 of mast 20 in which it was resting. The user may then do squatting exercises by thrusting the pelvis rearward and bending the knees, allowing the head member to roll along mast 20 with the force transferred to the user's shoulders at shoulder rests 42 and 43 declining as user lowers his or her torso into the squat position because the weights 110 swing away from the mast 20 as the head member is lowered.

When the bottom of the exercise is reached, the user may thrust the lower body forward and drive the head member 38 up mast 20 while invention 2 increases the resistance as the user approaches a standing position. By moving the feet closer or farther from mast 20 and the shoulder closer or farther from the head member 38, the user may perform varying exercises.

When the optional toe plate 74 is placed upon the foot plate 10, with the head member 38 locked to the mast 10, the user may position his or her feet upon surface 76 with the heels extending from the lower level of toe plate 74 and unsupported. With the lock 54 disengaged, the user may push the shoulder rest 42, 43 upward by action of the feet and ankles in bringing the heels upward to a level even with the balls of the feet which rest on the surface 76.

Exercise of other body structures may be devised with the apparatus as well .