# US 11,896,869 B2 · Exercise apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,869 B2 - Document ID: US11896869B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/089,283 - Filed: 2020-11-04 - Published: 2021-05-06 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-04 - Assignees: Align-Pilates Equipment Ltd - Applicants: Align-Pilates Equipment Ltd - Inventors: David St John Elliott - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896869B2 ## CPC - A63B 21/023: {Wound springs} - A63B 22/203: {in a horizontal plane} - A63B 21/028: {made of material having high internal friction, e.g. rubber, steel wool, intended to be compressed (resistance provided by plastic deformable materials A63B21/00189)} - A63B 21/0428: {the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation} - A63B 21/154: {using special pulley-assemblies} - A63B 22/0087: {with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers (A63B22/0076 takes precedence)} - A63B 23/03525: {Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle (A63B21/0724 takes precedence)} - A63B 23/0405: {involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously (A63B23/0476 takes precedence)} - A63B 21/00065: {by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units} - A63B 21/00069: {Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve} - A63B 21/16: Supports for anchoring force-resisters - A63B 2208/0252: supine - A63B 2208/0257: prone - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract An exercise apparatus comprises a movable carriage having a generally flat top surface, the carriage being movably mounted on parallel track members of a frame having a head end and a foot end, the carriage having a pair of shoulder stops mounted thereto and plurality of elastic members connected between the foot end and the carriage to elastically bias the carriage toward the foot end of the frame. The apparatus has a movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly comprising an anchor bar with at least one elongated stop member arranged perpendicular to and secured to the anchor bar, the stop member having a carriage stop surface located towards the end of the stop member remote from the anchor bar and the stop member further comprising at least one movable means of engagement with the frame of the exercise apparatus. The anchor bar and stop assembly may easily be moved and readjusted one handed with safety and smooth operation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An exercise apparatus comprising: a movable carriage having a generally flat top surface, the movable carriage being movably mounted on parallel track members of a frame having a head end, a foot end and side members, the movable carriage having a pair of shoulder stops mounted thereto and a plurality of elastic members connected between the foot end and the movable carriage to elastically bias the movable carriage toward the foot end of the frame, and a movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly comprising an anchor bar with an associated anchor bar support for engagement with the anchor bar, the anchor bar having at least one elongated stop member arranged perpendicular to and secured to the anchor bar, the at least one elongated stop member having a carriage stop surface located towards an end of the at least one elongated stop member remote from the anchor bar and the at least one elongated stop member further comprising at least one movable means of engagement, engaged with the side members of the exercise apparatus and the at least one elongated stop member, at a pivot point about an axis perpendicular to the side members of the exercise apparatus that are proximate to the carriage stop surface, said pivot point being remote from and separate from the location of the anchor bar on the at least one elongated stop member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable spring anchor bar and carriage stop assembly comprises two elongated stop members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carriage stop surface is located at the end of the at least one elongated stop member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated stop member comprises a stop surface member secured at its end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the stop surface member comprises an elastomeric or polymeric material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the stop surface member is located between the end of the at least one elongated stop member and the at least one movable means of engagement. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the end of the at least one elongated stop member is located between the stop surface member and the at least one movable means of engagement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the stop surface member comprises a metal or a low friction material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one movable means of engagement is a vertical wheel riding within a C-section runner along the side of or within the side members. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side member is a C-section frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one movable means of engagement is a vertical wheel combined with a horizontal wheel both riding within a square section runner along the side of or within the side members. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side member is a square section frame. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one movable means of engagement comprises a slot in the side member and an axle engaged with said slot that protrudes from the side of the at least one elongated stop member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the axle is an integral part of a stop surface member secured at the end of the at least one elongated stop member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the integral part of the stop surface member as the axle passes through the at least one elongated stop member to engage with the slot. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the slot is located in a metal plate or section that is attached to or within the side members of the apparatus. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the slot comprises low friction material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one movable means of engagement comprises a low friction material slidably engaged within the side members of the apparatus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the low friction material is friction polymeric material.