Collapsible resistance exercise device

[0001] This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 10/899,683 filed Jul. 26, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/266,443, filed Oct. 7, 2002, both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety as though fully set forth.

[0002] The present invention relates to a resistance exercise equipment and, more particularly, to a collapsible, pilates-type device for personal exercise.

[0003] Wall-mountable resistance-type exercise devices are well known in the art. Various embodiments of such devices are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,468,205, 5,431,617, 4,402,504 and 5,385,525. Little, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,546, the contents of which patent is incorporated herein by reference thereto, provides a review of such prior art devices and discloses a wall-mountable resistance-type exercise device that overcomes many of the limitations present in prior art devices. Little's device has a matched pair of slotted rails adapted to be vertically mounted on a vertical surface. A matched pair of swing arms are rotatably mounted on slidably adjustable universal blocks disposed within the slots. The opposing ends of the swing arms are attached to a resistance bar and an elastic resistance member. The points of attachment of both the swing arms and the elastic resistance members to the slotted rails are incrementally adjustable along substantially the entire length of the slotted rails. A disadvantage of the device is the large number of parts required to make the device operational.

[0004] Resistance exercise devices that employ springs for providing resistance to the movement of a limb of the body are known in the art. Croft, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,679, the content of which patent is incorporated herein by reference thereto, discloses a compact, low profile, wall-mountable exercise device (“the Croft device” or, in the alternative, a “Croft-type device”). The Croft device includes a modular, wall-mountable rectangular frame, a horizontal hinge rod assembly attached to the frame and rotatably mounted on the frame, a resistance bar, a pair of swing arms, each swing arm having a distal end attached to opposing ends of the hinge rod, and proximal ends attached to opposing ends of the resistance bar. The Croft device includes at least two springs, each spring having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal ends of the springs are releasably attached to spring connectors on the frame. The proximal ends of the springs are attached to the respective swing arms near the proximal ends thereof. In use, an exerciser positions a part of his/her body, such as the hands, in contact with the resistance bar and applies a force sufficient to extend the springs. When the exerciser releases the force, the spring restores to its non-extended length. The exerciser repeats the cycle until the targeted body part(s) is sufficiently exercised. The various possible attachment points for the distal ends of the springs enable the device to be used for exercising various muscles of the body, including the arms, shoulders, legs, back, chest and abdomen. The device is not readily transportable and requires a permanent wall mount, which may not be aesthetically pleasing in a home setting. There is, therefore, a need for a versatile resistance-type exercise device that is quickly and easily assembled and may be collapsed when not in use for convenient storage and/or transport.

[0005] In co-pending application Ser. No. 10/266,443, filed Oct. 7, 2002, and published Apr. 8, 2004, as US 2004/0067828, Croft discloses a device that is similar to the '679 device but is not wall-mountable. The device, which is collapsible, is provided with a low-profile storage case that serves as a base of support and by which the device may be conveniently transported and stored.

[0006] There is a continuing need for a versatile resistance-type exercise device that is quickly and easily assembled and may be collapsed when not in use for convenient storage and/or transport.

[0019] A collapsible resistance exercise device in accordance with the invention has a low profile when collapsed and may be quickly deployed and readied for use by an exerciser without the need for tools or the assembly of separable parts other than the attachment of springs to the device.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise device 10 in accordance with the present invention wherein the device 10 is collapsed for storage. The device 10 has a base support frame 11 with a lower end 12a of an upright frame 12 pivotally attached thereto. A resistance bar 13 is attached to a transverse bar 14 pivotally mounted on the upright frame 12. A pair of guide slots 15a and 15b receive guide pins 16a and 16b into a detent on the rearward end of the guide slots when the upright frame 12 is raised to an upright position as shown in FIG. 2.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the device of FIG. 1, without springs attached thereto, deployed for exercising. The upright frame 12 includes a plurality of spring attachment loops 21 affixed thereto that provide means for attaching an end of a spring to the device. The forward end of the guide slots 15a and 15b also provide means for attaching a spring to the device 10. A pad 20 is provided to support the body of an exercisor as shown in FIG. 3.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device 10 showing an exerciser 30 using the device to exercise muscles associated with rearward extension of the left leg and hip. The forward end 31a of a spring 31 is shown attached to the forward end of the guide slot 15b and the rearward end 31b of spring 31 is attached to a strap 32 which provides means for the exerciser 30 to place the left foot in order to extend and relax the spring 31.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device 10 showing an exercisor 30 using the device to exercise muscles associated with both of the exercisor's legs and hips. The rearward ends of the springs 31 are attached to spring attachment loops 21 on the upright frame and the rearward end of the springs are attached to straps 32. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device showing an exercisor using the device in a sitting position to perform pull-down/push-down type exercises.

[0024] Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, a wall-mountable exercise device (hereinafter referred to as “the Croft device”), disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,679 to the present inventor, is generally indicated at numeral 100. The Croft device 100 includes a rectangular frame 110 attached to a wall 120 by frame mounting means 130 such as, for example, screws. The frame 110 includes a plurality of spaced spring attachment loops 140 integral therewith. A transversely oriented hinge bar 150 is rotatably attached to the frame by a pair of hinge bar mounting brackets 160 affixed to the frame 110. The hinge bar 150 has left and right ends, labeled 610 and 620 in FIG. 11, extending laterally from the hinge bar mounting brackets 160.

[0025] The Croft device 100 includes a left swing arm 170 (not visible in FIG. 6) and a right swing arm 180. A distal end of both swing arms are rotatably attached to the respective left and right ends 610 and 620 of the hinge bar 150. The opposing, proximal ends of the left and right swing arms are non-rotatably attached to left and right ends of a resistance bar 250 which provides a gripping surface for an exerciser's hands. Resistance to motion of the resistance bar is provided by left and right extensible springs 210 (not visible in FIG. 6) and 220. A distal end of the springs include a hook 1100 thereon which releasably engages one of the plurality of spring attachment loops 140 on the frame. A hook 1111 on the proximal ends of the respective springs releasably engages one of the spring attachment loops 230a, 230b, 240a or 240b disposed on the proximal ends of the respective swing arms.

[0026] An important feature of the Croft device 100 is that the device 100 has fewer separable parts than previous prior art devices and the modular construction permits shipping the device as a kit that is easily assembled. The frame 110 comprises an upper horizontal member 110a, a lower horizontal member 110b, a left vertical member 110c and a right vertical member 110d. The four members comprising the frame preferably have mitered corners and are affixed to one another by frame attachment plates 1700 to form a rectangle as shown in FIG. 7. The overall dimensions of the frame 110 are 47 inches high and 18.5 inches wide. The four members comprising the frame and the four frame attachment plates are most preferably aluminum. A plurality of spring attachment loops 140 are disposed along the length of the vertical members 110c and 110d and spaced from one another by a distance of about 3 inches. The spring attachment loops 140 are integral with the frame 110 and are made by die punching the wall of the vertical members to cut two slots and stretching the material between the slots outwardly to form a loop.

[0027] In operation, an exerciser places a targeted portion of the body in contact with the resistance bar and exerts a force on the resistance bar sufficient to move the resistance bar thereby extending the spring against a restoring force. The force required to displace the resistance bar and extend the spring is substantially constant over the range of motion. The resistance bar is then allowed to return to its initial position and the motion repeated until the targeted body portion is sufficiently exercised. The selection of spring attachment hooks 14 on the frame that are available to the exerciser for anchoring the distal hook 1100 of the spring makes it possible to exercise a variety of muscles within the body.

[0028] A further embodiment of a wall-mountable Croft device is shown at numeral 1800 in FIG. 8. In the embodiment 1800, the frame 110 is of unitary construction, wall-mountable and is preferably made of ⅛-¼ inch aluminum plate or from four extruded aluminum members joined to form a rectangular frame by welding or the like. The hinge bar, swing arms and resistance bar are incorporated into a single unitary, substantially U-shaped resistance member 1810 that is rotatably attached to the frame 11 at two distal ends 1840. The unitary resistance member 1810, which has at least two spring attachment loops 1820 integral therewith adjacent a resistance bar portion 1830, is preferably extruded aluminum rod or tubing formed into a U-shape by bending the extruded member around a mandrel to the desired shape. In the embodiment 1800, the hinge bar mounting brackets 160 preferably include roller bearings press-fitted into the bore 1610 to reduce wear on the moving surfaces. Embodiment 1800 has six separable parts: a unitary frame 110, a unitary resistance member 1810, two hinge bar mounting brackets 160 and two springs 220.

[0029] While wall-mountable Croft devices may be suitable for many installations, it may be desirable to transport the device such as, for example, in a vehicle, for use while traveling. The present invention discloses an exercise device comprising a storage case adapted for pivotal attachment to a modified frame 110 of a Croft device such as, for example, the embodiment 1800 of the Croft device shown in FIG. 8. The storage case, indicated in perspective view at numeral 400 in FIG. 9, is integral with the Croft device 1800. The storage case 400 provides stable support for the Croft device, obviates the need for wall-mounting the device and provides a compact, low-profile means for storing and transporting a Croft device when not in use. The storage case 400 includes a rectangular lid 410 having a fixed end 450 that is pivotally attached to a rectangular base 420 by means of a hinge 430. The lid 410 has a pair of notches 430a and 430b at a free end 440 thereof that serve to support the frame 110 of the Croft device 1800, wherein the frame 110 is modified to provide pivotal attachment means 510 thereon, when the modified frame of the device is erected for use as shown in FIG. 12. The base 420 of the storage case 400 includes a pair of cylindrical holes 460 dimensioned to receive pivotal attachment means 300 and 310 on the frame 110.

[0030] With reference now to FIG. 10, an exercise apparatus comprising a Croft device 1800 pivotally attached to a storage case 400 is indicated in perspective view at numeral 500. The lid 410 of the storage case is shown opened to expose the Croft device 1800 housed therewithin. The frame 110 of the Croft device 1800 is pivotally attached to the storage case 400 by pivotal attachment means 510. The pivotal attachment means is preferably a pair of cylindrical axles 300 and 310 (FIG. 8) extending outwardly from the base of the frame to rotate within cylindrical recesses or holes 460 in the rectangular base 420 of the storage case 400. The frame, which may be U-shaped inasmuch as the lower horizontal member 110b of the prior art Croft device is not required, is erected by lifting the lid 410, rotating the frame upwardly from the confines of the storage case as shown in perspective view in FIG. 11 and closing the lid as shown in FIG. 12. When the frame is erected and the lid 410 closed, the notches 430a and 430b on the lid 410 fit snugly against the frame 110 to prevent the frame from collapsing into the storage case 400 when the device 500 is being used. Assembly includes the attachment of a pair of springs 220 (not shown in FIGS. 9-12) to the appropriate spring attachment loops 140 on the frame 110 and loops 1820 on the swing arms 1810 of the device to provide the desired resistance in the manner discussed above in the description of the assembly and operation of the wall-mounted Croft devices 100 and 1800. The exercise device 400 of the present invention is readily stored when not in use and easily transported.

[0031] While the invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, changes, omissions and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the following claims construed as broadly as applicable law allows, including all proper equivalents thereof.