# US 5,702,332 A · Dual exercise apparatus with resistance adjustment and interconnection arrangement for user movable elements > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,702,332 A - Document ID: US5702332A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/621,293 - Filed: 1996-03-22 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1996-03-22 - Assignees: LifeGear, Inc. - Inventors: Yi Fong Hsieh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5702332A ## CPC - A63B 21/055: extension element type - A63B 21/04: attached to static foundation {, e.g. a user} - A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand} - A63B 23/03533: {With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements} - A63B 23/03541: {Moving independently from each other (A63B22/00 takes precedence)} - 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 21/0428: {the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation} - A63B 21/0552: {Elastic ropes or bands} - A63B 21/4015: {to the foot} - A63B 23/12: for upper limbs {or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles (bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06)} - A63B 23/1209: {Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously} - A63B 23/1263: {Rotation about an axis passing through both shoulders, e.g. cross-country skiing-type arm movements} - A63B 2208/0233: in 90/90 position, like on a chair - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said one of said first and second holding means includes: support structure mounted to the respective one of said movable elements and said fixed support; a carriage mounted to said support structure for movement relative thereto along a defined path; user operable means for selectively moving said carriage to a desired position along said path; and a holding member secured to said carriage and adapted to hold the respective end of said resistance element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: said carriage is arranged for linear movement relative to said support structure and is prevented from rotating about the line of movement; said carriage includes a set of helical internal threads having an axis parallel to said line of movement; said user operable means includes an externally threaded rod engaging said threads of said carriage; and said user operable means further includes means secured to said rod for rotating said rod about said axis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein: said support structure includes a hollow tubular member having a non-circular interior cross section, a wall of said tubular member being formed with an elongated slot extending parallel to said rod; said carriage is supported within said tubular member and has an exterior cross section transverse to said rod which interferes with the interior cross section of said tubular member so that said carriage is prevented from rotating about said rod within said tubular member; and said holding member is secured to said carriage and extends out of said tubular member through said slot. ### Claim 5 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. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The arrangement according to claim 5 wherein the adjustment means includes: support structure mounted to the respective one of the movable element and the fixed support; a carriage mounted to said support structure for movement relative thereto along a defined path; user operable means for selectively moving said carriage to a desired position along said path; and a holding member secured to said carriage and adapted to hold the respective end of said resistance element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The arrangement according to claim 6 wherein: said carriage is arranged for linear movement relative to said support structure and is prevented from rotating about the line of movement; said carriage includes a set of helical internal threads having an axis parallel to said line of movement; said user operable means includes an externally threaded rod engaging said threads of said carriage; and said user operable means further includes means secured to said rod for rotating said rod about said axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The arrangement according to claim 7 wherein: said support structure includes a hollow tubular member having a non-circular interior cross section, a wall of said tubular member being formed with an elongated slot extending parallel to said rod; said carriage is supported within said tubular member and has an exterior cross section transverse to said rod which interferes with the interior cross section of said tubular member so that said carriage is prevented from rotating about said rod; and said holding member is secured to said carriage and extends out of said tubular member through said slot. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The arrangement according to claim 5 wherein the exercise apparatus further includes an additional user movable element adapted for user manipulation to perform an exercise independent of the exercise performed by manipulation of the first-mentioned user movable element, the arrangement further including: 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 user movable elements to a first of said gears for rotation therewith; and means for securing the second of said user movable elements to the second of said gears for rotation therewith.