Dual exercise apparatus with resistance adjustment and interconnection arrangement for user movable elements
AssigneeLifeGear, Inc.
InventorYi Fong Hsieh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exercise apparatus having movable elements which are manipulatable against resistance by a user to selectively exercise either the abdominal muscles or the back muscles of the user. The movable elements are interconnected for concurrent movement. Resistance to their movement is provided by an elastic resistance band which is secured to one of the elements and to a fixed support structure of the exercise apparatus. An adjustment mechanism is provided for pre-tensioning the resistance band.
Claims9
Exercise apparatus including:
- a fixed support;
- a pair of movable elements each adapted for user manipulation in a respective direction during a respective one of a pair of independent exercises;
- an elastic resistance element;
- and
- an arrangement for coupling together the fixed support, the pair of movable elements and the resistance element, the arrangement comprising:
- a pair of intermeshed circular gears mounted to said fixed support for rotation in opposite angular directions each about a respective one of a pair of parallel axes;
- means for securing a first of said movable elements to a first of said gears for rotation therewith;
- means for securing the second of said movable elements to the second of said gears for rotation therewith;
- first holding means secured to one of said movable elements for holding a first end of said resistance element;
- and
- second holding means secured to said fixed support for holding the second end of said resistance element;
- wherein one of said first and second holding means includes means for selectively varying the position of the respective end of said resistance element relative to the respective one of said movable elements and said fixed support to provide a desired pre-tension to said elastic resistance element, whereby the amount of resistance provided by said resistance element is adjustable.
An arrangement for providing a selectively adjustable resistance for a user movable element in an exercise apparatus having a fixed support, the arrangement comprising:
- an elastic resistance element;
- first holding means secured to said movable element for holding a first end of said resistance element;
- and
- second holding means secured to said fixed support for holding the second end of said resistance element;
- wherein one of said first and second holding means includes adjustment means for selectively varying the position of the respective end of the resistance element relative to the respective one of the movable element and the fixed support to provide a desired pre-tension to said elastic resistance element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.