# US 9,039,585 B2 · Exercise machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,585 B2 - Document ID: US9039585B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/839,304 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2013-08-15 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2010-02-03 - Applicants: John D. Derrick - Inventors: John D. Derrick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039585B2 ## CPC - A63B 21/068: using user's body weight - A63B 21/00072: {by changing the length of a lever} - A63B 21/00181: {comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising} - A63B 21/0615: {pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum} - A63B 21/062: including guide for vertical {or non-vertical weights or} array of weights {to move against gravity forces} - A63B 21/0628: {for vertical array of weights} - A63B 21/075: with variable weights {, e.g. weight systems with weight selecting means for bar-bells or dumb-bells} - A63B 21/153: {wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel} - A63B 21/156: {the position of the pulleys being variable, e.g. for different exercises} - A63B 21/22: Resisting devices with rotary bodies {(A63B21/0608 takes precedence)} - A63B 21/4013: {to the ankle} - A63B 21/4031: {with parts of the bench moving against a resistance during exercise} - A63B 21/4033: {Handles, pedals, bars or platforms} - A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand} - A63B 21/4047: {Pivoting movement (weight pivoting A63B21/0615)} - A63B 21/4049: {Rotational movement} - A63B 23/0233: {Muscles of the back, e.g. by an extension of the body against a resistance, reverse crunch} - A63B 23/0238: {Spinal column (for the neck A63B23/025)} - A63B 26/00: Exercising apparatus not covered by groups A63B1/00 - A63B25/00 - A63B 26/003: {for improving balance or equilibrium (balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16)} - A63B 2208/0261: using trunk supports resisting forward motion of user - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract An exercise machine includes a frame, a pivotable body support assembly, a lifting mechanism in parallel linear engagement with the frame, and a counter balance assembly connected to the body support assembly, wherein the body support assembly is pivotable from a downward position to a top position. The lifting mechanism includes a foot plate, an ankle pad, and a foot pad. The lifting mechanism also includes a lifting assist mechanism, such as a spring or gas shock. The counter balance assembly partially balances a body weight of a user as the body support assembly is pivoted from the downward position to the top position. A method of using an exercise machine includes stepping onto the foot plate and securing the back of a user's foot against the ankle pad, releasing the lift assist mechanism, and bringing the foot plate to the toe pad. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An exercise machine comprising: a frame; a body support assembly in pivotable engagement with the frame; a lifting mechanism engaged with the frame and adapted to lift a user into a prone position against the body support assembly; and a counter balance assembly connected to the body support assembly and comprising a reaction arm extending from a rear portion of the body support assembly and pivotable about the frame, the reaction arm including a weight bearing end opposite the body support assembly, wherein, in operation, the body support assembly is pivotable from a downward position to a top position, and the counter balance assembly partially offsets a body weight of the user as the body support assembly is pivoted from the downward position to the top position, and wherein, when the body support assembly is in the downward position, the weight bearing end is in a raised position providing a counter balance to the user's body weight. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the lifting mechanism is rotatable about a lifting mechanism hinge and adapted to lift and rotate a user into a prone position against the body support assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the lifting mechanism is essentially parallel with the frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a foot plate with an ankle pad connected via a lifting assist mechanism to a foot pad, and wherein the lifting assist mechanism provides an upward force and brings the foot plate and foot pad together. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The exercise machine of claim 4, wherein the lifting assist mechanism is a gas shock. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a standing plate in pivotable engagement with the frame and a support member in pivotable engagement with the frame, wherein the support member pivots upward to support the weight of the standing plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the weight bearing end is adapted to receive weights directly thereon. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the counter balance assembly further comprises a cable and pulley system having a first pulley, a second pulley, a weight stack, and a cable running from the weight stack over the first pulley, under the second pulley, and to a cable arm connected to the body support assembly, wherein, when the body support assembly is in the top position, the weight stack is in a lowered position, and, wherein when the body support assembly is in the downward position, the reaction arm lifts the weight stack to a raised position providing a counter balance to the user's body weight. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the weight bearing end is pivotally attached to the reaction arm via an adjustment wheel, wherein the weight bearing end is angularly adjustable with respect to the reaction arm between a plurality of angular positions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the body support assembly comprises a chest pad assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The exercise machine of claim 10, wherein the chest pad assembly comprises a chest pad and a chest pad frame wherein the chest pad frame is adjustable with respect to the chest pad, such that the chest pad is in slideable engagement with the chest pad frame and can be positioned at varying distances from the chest pad frame. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the chest pad assembly further comprises at least one hamstring pad wherein the chest pad assembly is adapted to allow the user to perform hamstring exercises. ### Claim 13 A method of performing an exercise, comprising the steps of: positioning a user's feet on a foot plate and securing the user's ankle against an ankle pad; rotating the foot plate, toe pad, and ankle pad about a lifting mechanism hinge of a lifting mechanism engaged with a frame to lift a user into a prone position against a body support assembly; pivoting the body support assembly from a downward position to a top position; and counter balancing the user's body weight via a weight bearing end of a counter balance assembly reaction arm pivotable about the frame, the weight bearing end extending from a rear portion of and being opposite the body support assembly, such that it is in a raised position when the body support assembly is in the downward position at least partially offsetting a body weight of the user as the body support assembly is pivoted from the downward position to the top position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method of performing an exercise according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: orienting a user's body prone against a body support assembly; and moving the user's body from a downward position to a top position by pivoting the body support assembly from a downward position to a top position about the exercise machine frame via the user's knees. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising, after the step of moving the user's body from a downward position to a top position, moving the user's body from the top position to the downward position by pivoting the body support assembly from the top position to the downward position about the exercise machine frame via the user's knees. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the step of counter balancing the user's body comprises the step of offsetting the user's body weight by adding weight resistance to a weight bearing end of a reaction arm extending away from the body support assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of releasing a lever and moving the foot plate toward the toe pad.