# US 6,071,217 A · Prone torso exerciser

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- Number: US 6,071,217 A
- Document ID: US6071217A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/957,962
- Filed: 1997-10-21
- Granted: 2000-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 1997-10-21
- Inventors: Larry W. Barnett
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6071217A

## CPC

- A63B 22/203: {in a horizontal plane}
- A63B 21/0552: {Elastic ropes or bands}
- A63B 21/154: {using special pulley-assemblies}
- A63B 22/205: {in a substantially vertical plane, e.g. for exercising against gravity (exercising for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a user's body weight A63B21/068; with adjustable inclination A63B22/0023)}
- A63B 23/0211: {moving torso with immobilized lower limbs}
- 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 23/0417: {with guided foot supports moving parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane by translation}
- A63B 21/00061: {Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping}
- A63B 21/00065: {by increasing or reducing the number of resistance units}
- A63B 21/0428: {the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation}
- A63B 21/0442: {Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user}
- A63B 21/0557: {Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps}
- A63B 22/0023: {the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band}
- A63B 23/0233: {Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch}
- A63B 23/03508: {For a single arm or leg, (A63B21/0726 takes precedence)}
- A63B 2071/027: {using player's own weight, e.g. on a platform}
- A63B 2208/0214: Kneeling
- A63B 2208/0219: on hands and knees
- A63B 2225/093: Height
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)

## Abstract

An exercise apparatus which comprises a track, a track carriage slidably disposed on the track, and a resistance system for providing unidirectional, selectively variable resistance to the track carriage. The track carriage is capable of sliding along the track in a first direction when a force is applied to the track carriage sufficient to overcome the resistance force of the resistance system, and whereby the track carriage is capable of sliding along the track in a direction opposite to the first direction when the applied force is diminished.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An exercise apparatus comprising:
a track including an elongated track member having first and second ends substantially opposite to one another;
a track carriage slidably disposed on the track; a resistance system for providing unidirectional, selectively variable resistance to the track carriage;
a strut connected to the first end of the track member, the strut extending in a direction substantially parallel to the track member; and
a pad on the strut, the pad being adjustable along the strut to facilitate use of the exercise apparatus by different sized users;
whereby the track carriage is capable of sliding along the track in a first direction when a force is applied to the track carriage sufficient to overcome the resistance force of the resistance system, and whereby the track carriage is capable of sliding along the track in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the applied force is diminished.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistance system includes at least one elongated elastic member, one end of which is releasably attached to the track carriage to vary the resistance force of the resistance system.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein said apparatus includes a plurality of elongated elastic members, each being releasably attached to the track carriage.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vertical support member for changing the position of the track from a generally horizontal position to an inclined slope position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the vertical support member is adjustably connected to the second end of the track member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the resistance system includes at least one pulley near the connection of the strut and the first end of the track member, the pulley directing the elongated elastic members toward the track carriage.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the track carriage includes at least one bearing engaging the track member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one user engagement member for allowing a user to engage the apparatus.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one user engagement member includes at least one handle connected to the track carriage.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one user engagement member includes a detachable platform on the track carriage.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein a housing is provided to substantially encase the resistance system.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the strut is pivotally connected to the first end of the track member.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pivotal connection allows the strut to pivot in at least a vertical direction.