Exercise methods and apparatus with total body support
OwnerKenneth W. Stearnsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An exercise device includes a frame, a foot support mounted on the frame, and a body supporting linkage mounted on the frame. The linkage includes a seat, a lower back support, and an upper back and head support. Also, a handlebar is preferably mounted on the upper back and head support. The linkage is movably mounted on the frame in a manner that comfortably supports a person during both a leg press exercise and an abdominal crunch exercise. A resistance device is interconnected between the linkage and the frame to provide resistance to each type of exercise.
Claims18
An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a frame;
- a foot support mounted on the frame;
- a body supporting linkage mounted on the frame, the linkage including an intermediate prop pivotally mounted on the frame for pivoting about a pivot axis on the frame, an upper prop pivotally connected directly to an upper end of the intermediate prop, a lower prop pivotally connected directly to a lower end of the intermediate prop, a first rocker link pivotally connected directly to the lower prop and pivotally connected directly to the frame, and a second rocker link pivotally connected directly to the upper prop and pivotally connected directly to the frame;
- and
- a resistance device operatively interconnected between the linkage and the frame.
An exercise apparatus, comprising:
- a frame;
- a foot support mounted on the frame;
- a body supporting linkage mounted on the frame, the linkage including (a) an intermediate prop pivotally mounted on the frame, thereby defining a first pivot axis;
- (b) an upper prop pivotally connected to an upper end of the intermediate prop, thereby defining a second pivot axis;
- (c) a lower prop pivotally connected to a lower end of the intermediate prop, thereby defining a third pivot axis;
- (d) a first rocker link pivotally interconnected between the lower prop and the frame, thereby defining a fourth pivot axis and a fifth pivot axis, respectively;
- and (e) a second rocker link pivotally interconnected between the upper prop and the frame, thereby defining a sixth pivot axis and a seventh pivot axis, respectively;
- and
- a resisting means for resisting movement of the linkage relative to the frame.
A method of facilitating exercise, comprising the steps of:
- providing a frame;
- mounting a foot support on the frame;
- providing a body supporting linkage that includes a seat link, a head rest link, and an intermediate link pivotally connected directly to the seat link and pivotally connected directly to the head rest link;
- movably mounting the body supporting linkage on the frame in such a manner that movement of any said link relative to the frame causes each said link to move relative to the frame;
- and
- interconnecting a resistance device between the body supporting linkage and the frame in a manner that resists movement of the body supporting linkage in both a first direction relative to the frame and an opposite, second direction relative to the frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.