Exercise Machine

The present invention relates to exercise machines having lever arms against which a user may exert a physical force. More particularly, the present invention relates to exercise machines operable from several positions for strengthening a variety of the users muscle groups.

Exercise machines are available on the market in a plurality of styles and combinations. What was once an expensive and bulky contraption found only in gyms and health spas has developed into a variety of compact, relatively inexpensive machines which can be easily used and stored in a user's home. However, as exercise machines have been reduced in size to accommodate home use, the variety of exercise positions provided by the larger machines and muscle groups strengthened thereby was reduced as well.

Bench press machines, rowing machines, curling machines, and an endless number of other specialized exercise machines are available. What is needed, however, is an exercise machine that is compact in design, but incorporates a maximum number of exercise features.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a compact exercise machine that provides a maximum number of exercise positions for the user to utilize in strengthening a maximum number of muscle groups.

In support of the principal object, another object of the present invention is to provide a exercise machine with an adjustable user support platform which may be set to a variety of positions to assist and support the user in a number of selected exercises.

Also in support of the principal object, yet another object of the present invention is to provide resistive lever arms which selectively pivot about both vertical and horizontal axis to maximize the number of exercise positions and routines available to the user.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished through the use of a frame having a first user support pad slidably attached to a top portion thereof. A second user support pad is detachably and pivotally attached to the first user support pad. A third user support pad is detachably and pivotally attached to the first user support pad opposite the second user support pad. A first telescopic support arm is pivotally connected to the frame and to the second user support pad to selectively position and support the second user support pad in selected angular relationships to the first user support pad. A second telescopic support arm is pivotally connected to the frame and to the third user support pad to selectively position and support the third user support pad in selected angular relationships to the first user support pad.

A vertical shaft is rotably connected to the frame subjacent to the first user support pad for rotation about a vertical axis. A horizontal flange is connected to the vertical shaft in coaxial relation thereto. One or more holes are defined by the horizontal flange in circular disposition thereon. One or more pneumatic piston and shaft cylinders are pivotally connected to the frame and detachably connected to the horizontal flange by a pin connected to each piston and shaft cylinder and slidably received in a selected one of the one or more holes defined by the horizontal frame. A lock pin may be received within one of the holes and threadably engaged within a threaded base defined by the frame to selectively lock the horizontal flange and vertical shaft in a fixed non-rotational position.

A pair of tubular lever hubs are connected to the vertical shaft in diametrically opposed relation thereon and extend horizontally therefrom. A shaft bore is defined by the vertical shaft and the tubular lever hubs. An elongated cylindrical shaft is received within the shaft bore for rotational movement therein about a horizontal axis.

Two L-shaped tubular lever arms are provided, each having a shaft engaging portion and a leverage position. The shaft engaging portion of each leverage arm slidably receives an opposite end of the cylindrical shaft. Each leverage arm defines two flanges connected to the shaft engaging portion, the first of which is engaged by a pair of C-shaped semi-circular flange hubs connected to a corresponding one of the lever hubs. The second flange defines a plurality of holes in circular disposition thereon. Pneumatic piston and shaft cylinders are attached to the frame and may be selectively attached to the second flanges using pins which are connected to the cylinders and selectively inserted within selected ones of the holes defined by the second flange. Pins are provided to selectively secure one or both lever arms to the cylindrical shaft in fixed non-rotational relation thereto such that the lever arms may be rotated individually or concurrently. A pin is provided to selectively secure the cylindrical shaft in fixed non-rotational relation to the vertical shaft.

In operation, the present invention can accommodate a number of exercise positions and routines. The vertical shaft may be secured, the lever arms secured to the horizontal shaft and the horizontal shaft left free to rotate within the vertical shaft and tubular lever hub to accommodate motion of the lever arms about a horizontal axis. With pneumatic and piston shaft cylinders attached to the second flanges, the user may rotate the lever arms in a sitting position to replicate a rowing exercise or from a lying position to replicate a bench press. The second user support pad may be fixed in an incline position to assist the user in performing an incline bench press. The lever arms may be set at a variety of angles by inserting the piston and shaft cylinder pins in a selected one of the one or more holes defined by the second flanges. The pin securing the lever arms to the cylindrical shaft may be disengaged to permit independent rotation of each lever arm or without the cylindrical shaft.

Note also that the vertical shaft can be released for movement about a vertical axis with the horizontal cylindrical shaft and the lever arm secured in a stationery position. This configuration allows the user to rotate the lever arms without a vertical axis. With one or more of the pneumatic piston and shaft cylinders attached to the horizontal flange, the user can perform a twisting exercise intended to strengthen the user's upper back muscles and arms. The number of exercise positions and routine capable of being performed with the present invention are not limited to this discussion but are as numerous as the imagination of the user. The flexibility of the user support pads in combination with the combined vertical and horizontal rotation lever arms have provided an exercise machine with limited versatility.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention are depicted in the accompanying drawings which form a portion of this disclosure and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a detailed view of a telescopic first support arm 18.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is the sectional view taken along Line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the first, second, and third user support pads.

FIG. 5A is a detailed view of the pins shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the frame.

FIG. 7 is the sectional view taken along Line 7--7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along Line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a detailed partially broken view taken along Line 9--9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along Line 10--10 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is atop plan view of the frame vertical cyclinder horizontal flange and pneumatic piston and shaft cylinders.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the frame vertical cyclinder horizontal flange and pneumatic piston and shaft cylinders

FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the vertical cylinder with the pneumatic piston and shaft cylinder connected to the first vertical flange.

FIG. 14 is a detailed view of the vertical cylinder with the pneumatic piston and shaft cylinder connected to the first vertical flange with the deeper arms rotated and substantially opposite relation to that as shown in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawing for a clearer understanding of the invention, it should be noted that the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a frame 1 having a first user support pad 2 slidably connected thereto. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, two plates 3 are connected to the frame, each defining a slot 4 through which a threaded pin 6 extends is shown in FIG. 7. The pins 6 are threadably received within corresponding threaded bores 7, defined by the first user support pad 2, to selectively secure the first user support pad 2 in pressed non-sliding relation to the frame 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 5A, a second user support pad 8 is detachably and pivotally connected to the first user support pad 2. Threaded pins 9 extend through eyelets 11, which are connected to and form a part of the second user support pad 8 and are threadably received within threaded bores 12 defined by the first user support pad 2. A third user support pad 13 is detachably and pivotally connected to the first user support pad 2. Threaded pins 14 extend through eyelets 16 which are connected to and form a part of the third user support pad 13 and are threadably received within threaded bores 12 defined by the first user support pad 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, a telescopic first support arm 18 is pivotally connected to the frame 1 and pivotally and detachably connected to the second user support pad 8 to support the second user support pad 8 in selected angular relations to the first user support pad. The first support arm 18 includes a first sheath 19 pivotally connected to the frame 1 and a first rod 21 slidably received within the first sheath 19 and pivotally and detachably connected to the second user support pad 8. The first rod 21 defines a plurality of holes 22 spaced lengthwise thereon. A pin 23 is selectively received within holes 24 defined by the first sheath 19 and a selected one of the holes 22 to support the first rod 21 at a selected extension from the first sheath 19.

A telescopic second support arm 26 is pivotally connected to the frame 1 and pivotally and detachably connected to the third user support pad 13 to support the third user support pad 13 in selected angular relations to the first user support pad 2. The second support arm 26 includes a second sheath 27 pivotally connected to the frame 1 and a second rod 28 slidably received within the second sheath 27 and pivotally and detachably connected to the third user support pad 13. The second rod 28 defines a plurality of holes 29 spaced lengthwise thereon. A pin 30 is selectively received within hole 31 defined by the second sheath 27 and a selected one of the holes 29 to support the second rod 28 at a selected extension from the second sheath 27. It should be noted that several interchangeable first rods 21 and second rods 28, all having different lengths, are anticipated for use in supporting the second an third user support pads 8 and 13 in a wide array of angular relations with the first user support pad 2.

As is shown in FIGS. 7, 13 and 14, a vertical shaft 32 is rotably connected to the frame 1 by an upper bearing block 33, connected to and forming a part of, the frame 1 subjacent the first user support pad 2, and a lower bearing block 34 connected to, and forming a part of, the frame 1 opposite the upper bearing block 33. The vertical shaft 32 rotates around a vertical axis 36 and has a horizontal flange 37 connected coaxially thereto proximate the lower bearing block 34. A plurality of holes 38 are defined by the horizontal flange 37 in circular disposition thereon. A pair of pneumatic piston and shaft cylinders 39 are pivotally connected to the frame 1 and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, may be detachably connected to the horizontal flange 37 by inserting a pin 41 which is pivotally connected to each piston and shaft cylinder 39 within a selected one of the plurality of holes 38. A locking pin 42 may be selectively inserted through a hole 38 and threadably received within a threaded bore 43 to lock the horizontal flange 37 and vertical shaft 32 in fixed non-rotating relation to the frame 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, two tubular rotator hubs 44 are connected to the vertical shaft 32 in diametrically opposed relation thereon and extend horizontally therefrom. The rotator hubs 44 and the vertical shaft 32, define a shaft bore 46 through which a cylindrical rotator shaft 47 is received for rotational movement about a horizontal axis 48. Roller bearings 49 are seated within the rotator hubs 44 to facilitate smooth unresisted rotary movement of the rotator shaft 47 within the shaft bore 46.

A pair of L-shaped and cross-sectionally tubular lever arms 51 slidably engage opposing ends 52 of the rotator shaft 47. Each lever arm 51 includes a shaft engaging portion 53 and a leverage portion 54 disposed in substantially perpendicular relation to the shaft engaging portion 53. A first vertical flange 56 is connected to each lever arm 51 proximal a distal end of the shaft engaging portion 53. The first flanges 56 are engaged by a plurality of flange hubs 57 which are each detachably connected to a rotator hub 44 to secure the first vertical flange 56 in proximity to a corresponding rotator hub 44. Roller bearings 58 are seated within the flange hubs 57 and against the shaft engaging portions 53 of the lever arms 51 to facilitate smooth rotation of the lever arm 51 within the flange hubs 57.

A second vertical flange 59 is connected to each shaft engaging portion 53 of the lever arms 51 in parallel planer relation to the first vertical flanges 56. Roller bearings 61 are seated within channels 62 defined by the second flanges 59 and the shaft engaging portions 53 to facilitate smooth rotary movement of the shaft engaging portion 53 about the rotator shaft 47. As shown in FIGS. 7, 13 and 14, Holes 63 are defined by the second vertical flanges 59 for receiving a pin 41 to detachably connect a selected piston and shaft cylinder 39 to the second vertical flange 59.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, hole 64 is defined by each lever arm 51 in which a threaded pin 66 may be selectively inserted and threadably received within one of two threaded bores 67 defined by the rotator shaft 46. As shown in FIG. 9, a threaded bore 68 is defined by the vertical shaft 32 for receiving a threaded pin 69 selectively screwed therein and against the rotator shaft 47 to selectively secure the rotator shaft 47 in fixed non-rotational relation to the vertical shaft 32.

Handles 71 are slidably and detachably connected to the lever arms for purposes of gripping by the user. Note that the Handles 71, shown in FIG. 1 include two gripping members 71A and 71B which extend in substantially perpendicular relation. The gripping members of 71A and 71B accommodate the use of the lever arms about both a vertical and a horizontal axis. Other handles (not shown) are anticipated and may be detachably connected to the lever arms to accommodate the specific exercise being performed by the user.

In operation, the present invention can accommodate a number of exercise positions and routines. The vertical shaft may be secured, the lever arms secured to the horizontal shaft and the horizontal shaft left free to rotate within the vertical shaft and tubular lever hub to accommodate motion of the lever arms about a horizontal axis. With pneumatic and piston shaft cylinders attached to the second flanges, the user may rotate the lever arms in a sitting position to replicate a rowing exercise or from a lying position to replicate a bench press. The second user support pad may be fixed in an incline position to assist the user in performing an incline bench press. The lever arms may be set at a variety of angles by inserting the piston and shaft cylinder pins in a selected one of the one or more holes defined by the second flanges. The pin securing the lever arms to the cylindrical shaft may be disengaged to permit independent rotation of each lever arm or without the cylindrical shaft.

Note also that the vertical shaft can be released for movement about a vertical axis with the horizontal cylindrical shaft and the lever arm secured in a stationery position. This configuration allows the user to rotate the lever arms about a vertical axis. With one or more of the pneumatic piston and shaft cylinders attached to the horizontal flange, the user can perform a twisting exercise intended to strengthen the user's upper back muscles and arms. The number of exercise positions and routine capable of being performed with the present invention are not limited to this discussion but are as numerous as the imagination of the user. The flexibility of the user support pads in combination with the combined vertical and horizontal rotation lever arms have provided an exercise machine with limited versatility.

While I have shown my invention in one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.