Exercise apparatus

[0001] The inventive exercise apparatus is designed to avoid the risk of injury caused by the current traditional methods of martial arts training. The only way to obtain flexibility in martial arts training was to use stationary objects such as chairs, table tops, stairs etc. In such training, one leg would be held on the object while stretching the other leg. This creates a high risk of injury, imbalance and very slow results.

[0002] Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, an improved exercise apparatus for martial arts training is provided. The apparatus includes a longitudinally extending platform along which a leg or other body appendage is extendible, a support on which the platform rests or is otherwise supported, and a plate unit slidably carried along the platform and movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position in response to a force being applied to the plate unit by one's leg or other body appendage during exercise.

[0003] The support of the inventive exercise apparatus consists of a support bar extending down from one end of the platform and a support frame extending down from the platform at a location away from the support bar. Significantly, both the support bar and the support frame may have their heights selectively and independently adjusted. The support bar is adjustable in height by means of a sleeve that is slidably movable with respect to the support bar. The support frame includes an adjusting bar extending down from the platform and a pair of arms that are slidably connected to the adjusting bar; these arms extend angularly downward from the adjustment bar at a direction away from one another. In a preferred embodiment, the arms of the support frame are slidably connected to the adjustment bar by means of a slidably movable sleeve.

[0004] The platform of the inventive exercise apparatus is preferably formed with a running channel through which a wheel assembly for carrying the plate unit is transported in response to a force being applied thereto. In one embodiment, the plate unit is pivotally rotatable in a lateral or longitudinal direction, or in both directions.

[0005] In the design of the inventive exercise apparatus, the plate unit includes a base on which a pedal is pivotally supported. In one form, the base includes a mechanism for adding resistance against a force that is applied to the pedal. This mechanism can include either some type of spring member disposed along the platform or a weight element that is added to the base.

[0006] In order to ensure that the plate unit is normally in a retracted position, that is, to ensure that the plate is in a retracted position when a force is not applied to the pedal, a counterweight is optionally provided. The counterweight is preferably disposed within the support bar of the support.

[0007] An optional feature of the inventive exercise apparatus is having the platform being pivotally rotatable from side to side.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved exercise apparatus for martial arts training.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide an exercise apparatus for promoting muscle stretching during martial arts training.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide an improved exercise apparatus which is also suitable for stretching one's leg muscles.

[0011] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved exercise apparatus for martial arts training which improves flexibility while substantially eliminating the risk for injury.

[0012] Other objects and advantages of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, be apparent from the following description.

[0013] The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

[0030] Referring first to FIG. 1, the exercise apparatus of the invention is generally indicated at 11 and includes a longitudinally extending platform unit 41, a support unit 27 extending downwardly from one end of platform unit 41, a support frame 30 extending downwardly from platform unit 41 midway therealong and a base unit 13 for supporting support frame 30. Platform unit 41 has a first rearward end 42 pivotally hinged to support unit 27 and a second forward end 44. Platform unit 41 includes a longitudinally extending top or base 45 along which a kick plate assembly 43 slidably rides therealong and an underlying longitudinally extending and rectangularly configured housing 47.

[0031] As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, housing 47 is defined by an elongated bracket 46 having a pair of fingers 72 disposed in flush contact with the underside of base 45. Fingers 72 are fixed to base 45 by means of a plurality of screw connections 74 running along either side of housing 47. Bracket 46 defines a longitudinally running channel 53 in which a wheel assembly 65 is rollably movable therewithin. Wheel assembly 65 is coupled to plate assembly 43 in order to enable plate assembly 43 to slidably move along the base 45 of platform unit 41. Wheel assembly 65 is defined by a slide unit 70 and two pairs of wheels 67. Slide unit 70 includes a body 75, forward and rear extensions 71a and 71b and an upper extension 73. Both forward and rearward extensions 71a and 71b are formed with an opening through which an axle 69 is rotatably received. Wheels 67 are supported at the ends of each of axles 69 in a conventional manner. Significantly, extension 73 of slide unit 70 is received in a longitudinally extending slot 55 formed in base 45 so that wheel assembly 65 is capable of selectively transporting plate assembly 43 along the upper surface of base 45, as described in more detail hereinbelow.

[0032] Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 3, as well as to FIG. 1, kick plate assembly 43 includes a rectangularly configured base 57 and a plate unit 43^I supported on base 57. Plate unit 43^I includes a plate element 48 on which a pedal 59 is overlyingly mounted. Plate unit 43^I is pivotally mounted to base 57 by means of a pivot assembly 50. Pivot assembly 50 includes a pivot support 56 and a pivot rod 49 about which pivot support 56 is rotatably movable. Pivot support 56 includes a back 52 fixed to plate 48 of plate unit 43 and forwardly depending finger supports 51. Each of finger supports 51 is formed with an opening through which rod 49 is rotatably received, thereby enabling plate unit 43^I to swivably rotate with respect to base 57. As can be appreciated from viewing FIGS. 2 and 3, swivable rotation of plate unit 43^I is limited by means of pins 61 upwardly depending from base 57. Pins 51 act as a stop for preventing rotational movement of plate unit 43 beyond a pre-designed angle.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, kick plate assembly 43 further includes an upwardly depending post 83, spaced forward and substantially away from plate unit 43^I. Post 83 is used for selectively carrying one or more circular weights 85 in order to increase the resistance in moving or sliding kick plate assembly 43 along platform unit 41.

[0034] Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, as can be appreciated, kick plate assembly 43 also includes a connecting member 56A radially fixed about the lower part of rod 49 of pivot assembly 50 and fixed along its bottom to base 57 of plate assembly 43. Base 57 in turn is fixed to upper extension 73 of slide unit 70. As a result, when a forward force is applied to pedal 59 of plate unit 43^I (by, for example, a foot or some other body appendage), plate assembly 43 is able to slidably move along base 45 of platform unit 41 as wheel assembly 65 rolls within channel 53 of bracket 46.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, housing 47 of platform unit 41 includes a pair of sidewalls 46A and 46B, at least one of which having a series of aligned, spaced apart holes 81. Holes 81 are designed for selectively receiving a pin element 82 in order to provide a rearward stop for wheel assembly 65. In other words, depending on how far back it is desired for kick plate assembly 43 to return to a particular longitudinal location along platform unit 41, pin element 82 is inserted in one of holes 81 as desired.

[0036] Continuing now with FIGS. 1 and 2, support frame 30 includes an adjustment bar 31 pivotally depending from platform unit 41 and a pair of adjustment arms 33 slidably depending from adjustment bar 31. Adjustment bar 31 has a top end 32 that is formed with an extending male member 93. Male member 93 is pivotally received within a female member 91, which depends down from a bottom wall 46C of housing 47. A pivotal connection between male member 93 of adjustment bar 31 and depending female member 91 is thus achieved by means of a pivot pin 95 extending therethrough.

[0037] Adjustment bar 31 includes a sleeve 35 slidably received thereover, as best shown in FIG. 4. Adjustment arms 33 fixedly depend from sleeve 35 in directions away from one another and are pivotally attached at their ends to base unit 13, as described in greater detail hereinafter. Significantly, adjustment bar 31 is provided with a plurality of spaced apart openings 36 running longitudinally therealong. Any of said openings 36 may be aligned with an opening 40 formed in sleeve 35 in order to receive a locking bar 86 (see FIG. 4). Accordingly, sleeve 35 may be slidably moved relative to adjustment bar 31 and then locked in position at a desired height by means of inserting locking bar 86 through opening 40 of sleeve 35 and one of openings 36 of adjustment bar 31. As a result, platform unit 41 may be angularly adjusted in height as desired by the user.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, the connection of adjustment arms 33 to base unit 13 is now described. Base unit 13 includes a pair of spaced apart support bars 15 and a cross bar 17 transversely connected between support bars 15 in order to provide base 13 with an “H” shaped configuration. Extending from cross bar 17 in substantially the same plane thereof, and in a direction opposite to that of platform unit 41, is a rectangularly shaped stand 19, on which the user rests one of his or her legs during use of the exercise apparatus of the invention. Stand 19 fixedly supports an upwardly extending cane element 21 that is used to help the user of exercise apparatus 11 support his or her self. Cane element 21 includes a plug shaped base 24 fixed to stand 19, a pole 23 extending upwardly from base 24 and a grip element 25.

[0039] With specific reference to FIG. 6, each of arms 33 of support frame 30 includes a downwardly depending leaf element 20 that is pivotally engaged by means of a bolt 18 to a projection 22 upwardly depending from corresponding support bar 15 of base unit 13. This construction enables arms 33 of support frame 30 to rotatably bend relative to support bars 15 when slidably adjusting the height of sleeve 35 relative to adjustment bar 31.

[0040] Reference is now made to FIG. 7 as well as to FIG. 1, both of which illustrate the construction of support unit 27. Support unit 27 includes a vertically disposed post 29, the bottom of which sits on the ground, and a retangularly configured sleeve 34 in which post 29 is slidably received therewithin. Post 29 has a passage 96 running therethrough and includes a plurality of spaced apart holes 97 which may be selectively aligned with an opening 98 formed in sleeve 34 in order to adjust the height of support 27. In particular, a screw element 101 is provided with a rotatable handle or head 102, a body 104 and an extending pin 103. In use, pin 103 of screw element 101 is designed to be received in opening 98 of sleeve 34 and any of holes 97 of post 29 when the selected hole 97 is disposed in aligned position with opening 98. Therefore, by selectively placing pin 103 of screw element 101 within different holes 97 of post 29, the height of support unit 27 may be raised and lowered as desired.

[0041] Continuing with FIG. 7, and referring once again to FIG. 3, kick plate assembly 43 is shown provided with a counterweight mechanism in order to ensure that plate assembly 43 is retracted to a position along platform unit 41 adjacent to support unit 27 when no pressure is being applied to pedal 59 of plate unit 43^I. More specifically, base 57 of kick plate assembly 43 has a rope 54 tied to the rear end thereof. Rope 54 extends through channel 53 of bracket 46, across pulley wheel 99 (see FIG. 15), and down through passage 96 of post 29. Rope 54 has a counterweight 50 fixed at its end (see FIG. 7) that is of a sufficient mass to ensure complete retraction of kick plate assembly 43 along platform unit 41 regardless of the angular position of platform unit 41 relative to support unit 27.

[0042] In FIG. 8, exercise apparatus 11 is shown in one configuration in which platform unit 41 extends downwardly at an angle from the top of support unit 27. In FIGS. 9-11, platform 41 is shown in a position in which it is substantially parallel to the floor. FIG. 9 shows the user with his or her leg in a retracted position; FIG. 10 shows the user with his or her leg in an extended position, and FIG. 11 show the user with his or her leg in an alternative extended position.

[0043] In FIG. 12, platform unit 41 is shown in a position in which it extends upwardly from the top of relative support unit 27.

[0044] FIG. 13 shows platform unit 41 in the same angular position as in FIG. 12 but with the user having his or her foot extended in a different exercise position.

[0045] In FIG. 14, the user of exercise apparatus 11 is shown having his or her foot wrapped around pedal 59 of plate unit 43^I.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 15, exercise equipment 11 is shown as being modified to include a hanging loop 121 in order to enable a different type of exercise to be carried out. Loop 121 is made of a leather, canvas or rubber material and hangs from the forward end 44 of platform unit 41 by means of a pulley mechanism 123. Pulley mechanism 123 consists of a rope having a first end coupled to slide unit 70 of wheel assembly 65 that is movably retained in channel 53 of housing 47 and a second end fixed to the top of loop 121. Mechanism 123 also includes a pivot wheel 127, which is disposed at forward end 44 of platform unit 41 along which rope 125 is rotatably carried.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 16-20, there are shown different ways for using exercise apparatus 11 in exercising one's hand or arm.

[0048] FIG. 16 shows the pointer and middle fingers of the user pressing against pedal 59 of plate unit 43^I.

[0049] FIG. 17 shows the user with a closed fist pushing against pedal 59 of plate unit 43^I.

[0050] FIG. 18 also shows the fist of the user pressing against pedal 59 of plate unit 43^I, but in a different rotated position.

[0051] FIG. 19 shows the back of one's hand pressing against pedal 59 of plate unit 43^I.

[0052] FIG. 20 shows the side of one's hand pressing against pedal 59 of plate unit 43^I.

[0053] FIG. 21 is similar in part to FIG. 2, but illustrates the option of having base 45 of platform unit 41 being pivotable from side to side in a lateral direction. In this embodiment, slide unit 70 has an upper extension 73′ extending well above channel 53 of housing 47 and is pivotally connected to base 45 by means of a longitudinally extending pivot pin 125. This enables base 45 and, in turn, base 57 of kick plate assembly 43 to pivotally rotate to one side or the other in order to provide further options for using exercise apparatus 11.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 22, a further embodiment of the inventive apparatus in which a spring 131 is shown disposed within the forward portion of channel 53 and fixedly attached to the forward end of wheel assembly 65. Spring 131 provides enhanced resistance when pressing against pedal 59 of plate unit 43^I during use of the inventive apparatus.

[0055] In FIG. 23, the inventive apparatus includes a mechanism for providing selective pivotal movement of plate unit 43 in both a first lateral angular direction, as described and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and in a second longitudinal angular direction, as indicated by arrows B and C. As shown, attached to pivot assembly 50, is a second pivot assembly 150 defined by a pair of prong elements 152 and a pivot pin 154. Prong elements 152 depend from a pivot panel 156, which is fixed to plate 48 of plate unit 43^I. Accordingly, plate unit 43^I can pivotally rotate in both longitudinal and lateral rotational directions.

[0056] FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 show the inventive apparatus having the optional feature of a pair of wing elements 200 pivotally hinged along platform unit 41. Each of wing elements 200 includes an angularly directed slot or track 202 running in parallel to the outer curved end wall 204. Each of slots 202 slidably receives a post 206 about which the foot of the person exercising can be wrapped in order to perform another type of exercise.

[0057] The inventive apparatus eliminates the fear of injury by letting the body stretch naturally. Stretching is accomplished with small controlled increments. It also allows the left and right legs to improve flexibility at the same rate. Being able to control the height and angle of movement gives the user much more confidence to obtain maximum flexibility in a much shorter period of time.

[0058] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the description, are attained by the construction of the inventive apparatus and the use thereof.

[0059] Moreover, the scope of the invention is now defined in the following claims.