Abstract:
A collapsible device includes extendable hydraulic cylinders mounted on a base by swivel joints and which are amenable to use with a plurality of different grips whereby the device is amenable to a wide variety of exercises.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the general art of exercise, and to the particular field of exercise devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Today, good health is highly emphasized in our society. Proper maintenance of the cardiovascular system and various muscle groups requires a great deal of exercise. 
     Weight lifting is a popular type of exercise that provides a very effective means to achieve and maintain good health. The traditional method of weight lifting is “free” weight lifting. Free weight lifting is generally performed with barbells and dumbbells. A major advantage of free weight training is that it allows the user maximum freedom to exercise against a selected resistance in any manner chosen. The user is however confined to working against gravity. No resistance can be provided when moving the weights in a downwards direction. Furthermore, due to the danger and complexity involved, free weight exercises have been replaced to a large extent with exercises performed on exercise machines. Exercise machines provide more efficient ways to exercise and are much easier and safer to use. 
     An exercise machine operates by providing resistance to various exercising forces exerted or applied by the exerciser or machine operator. Most conventional exercise machines utilize adjustable weight stacks to provide the resistance. 
     Although machine weight lifting has many advantages over free weight lifting, conventional weight machines are not suitable in all applications. Most conventional machines are too expensive for the individual weight lifter to afford. It is often very burdensome, time consuming and dangerous for the operator to adjust the weights. The conventional weight machines are generally too heavy to be moved, and take up a great deal of space. The constant sound of clashing weights makes the machines too noisy for many environments. 
     In addition, conventional weight machines are not suitable for certain types of exercises. The weights provide both positive and negative resistance. Positive resistance is created when the weights are lifted or pushed. Negative resistance is created when the weights are lowered or released. For some types of exercises, particularly “rapid thrust” type exercises, the sudden transfer of supporting energy from one set of muscles to another created by a sudden change in resistance can cause muscular strains and other injuries. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an exercise machine which does not rely on free weights for the resistance aspect of the movements. 
     There are numerous types of exercise machines and apparatus for use by individuals who wish to improve their overall physical fitness and strength. Many of the same machines are also used in the medical profession for physical therapy for patients recovering from injury or sickness. 
     Exercise devices are often used to simulate aerobic exercises such as rowing, cross-country skiing, and stair climbing. The use of aerobic exercise devices is preferred as they can provide a continuous, steady work-out at a convenient location, for example, at home or an exercise facility. In order to more closely simulate a particular activity, these exercise devices are equipped with hydraulic and/or mechanical devices that provide a resistive force to arm and leg movement. A typical stair-stepping type exercise device employing a hydraulic device for providing the desired resistive force is marketed by CSA, Inc. under the trademark ALPINE CLIMBER. 
     It is well known that exercising devices generally serve two purposes, the strengthening and rehabilitation of muscles. The older exercising devices generally use a series of pulleys and ropes for lifting weights. 
     Furthermore, athletes and other performers and artists, such as dancers, must regularly perform various specific physical exercises to maintain proper body conditioning. While traveling, the performance of such exercises may be inconvenient or impossible since many of the exercise routines require exercise machines or devices which heretofore were large and cumbersome and required attachment to a building support. Additionally, the size and immobility of the prior exercise devices restricted utilization in space-limited environments, such as apartments, offices, etc. It is generally important to these users for the exercise device to include at least some means for exercising the specific muscles that they primarily use. For example, a golfer may wish to exercise his or her core muscles in a golf swing motion, or the like. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a self-contained, hand-transportable portable exercise device for performing upper and lower body exercises. 
     There is a further need for a stable, freestanding portable exercise device which can be assembled into a compact, space efficient configuration. 
     There is yet a further need for a self-contained portable exercise device that is convenient for travel and space efficient for storage and use. 
     There is still further need for an exercise device that can be used to exercise specific muscles used in a specific manner. 
     A good exercising device should enable motions of exercise which alternately stress the agonist or antagonist. In each exercise, a muscle or a combination of muscles is working. In the compulsory return motion, the counteracting muscle or group of muscles is working. One-sided training resulting in uneven distribution of the muscles is counteracted by means of devices having a double-acting function. For optimum results, the muscle is to be exercised under maximum load during the entire movement. The training should be effected entirely on the exercising person&#39;s conditions and not on the conditions of the device, which applies both to sound persons and to those with reduced functions, the device preferably being settable in the range 1 kP-300 kP. 
     Double-acting training of groups of muscles counter-acting each other produces a flow of blood to the working muscles, which is constantly high during the exercise. By alternatively contracting and stretching the muscles they are made smoother and more flexible. The double-acting function, which is desired in an exercising device, is used by physiotherapists, inter alia for relieving the patients&#39; muscles of tension and for increasing the patients&#39; muscular strength. The physiotherapist&#39;s manual and strenuous can in many cases be taken over by a well-functioning exercising device by means of which the patient can exercise on his own according to instructions, without the physiotherapist&#39;s assistance. Finally, a well-functioning exercising device should permit exercising of all large group of muscles, but most of the exercising devices available on the market are not designed for this, but only for separate exercises. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an exercising device having a double-acting function, for exercising all large groups of muscles in the body. 
     Many types of multi-purpose exercise devices have been proposed, and Nautilus and other large bulky and expensive machines are enjoying widespread popularity. However, many persons cannot afford the time or money to visit a health club where the large exercise apparatus is normally found, nor do they wish to set aside a large portion of their living quarters to accommodate such a large and costly apparatus. Accordingly, there is a significant need for a small or compact and versatile exercising apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by a collapsible device that includes extendable hydraulic cylinders mounted on a base by swivel joints and which are amenable to use with a plurality of different grips whereby the device is amenable to a wide variety of exercises. 
     The use of hydraulic systems for providing the resistive force utilized in exercising equipment is preferred since these systems have relatively few moving parts and are reliable. In general, the hydraulic system of the exercise device embodying the principles of the present invention includes a cylinder and a piston that is reciprocally mounted in the cylinder. One of either the piston or the cylinder is mounted to a stationary member and the other one of the piston and cylinder is attached to a movable member. The desired hydraulic resistive force is produced by the restricted flow of a working fluid, for example, a hydraulic fluid, that is contained within the cylinder. 
     In accordance with the invention, an exercising device comprises a frame for supporting a human body, actuating apparatus mounted with the frame for movement by the portion of the body, and a double acting hydraulic cylinder connected to the frame for resisting movement of the actuating apparatus. The cylinder includes a container with first and second chambers for supporting a fluid disposed therein and passageways for placing the chambers in fluid communication with one another. A piston is slidably mounted within the first chamber for acting on the fluid disposed therein and the piston has a passageway for placing a portion of the first chamber on one side of the piston in fluid communication with the portion of the first chamber on the other side. A piston rod extends from the piston out of the container for moving the piston in response to movement of the actuating means and valve means are used for limiting fluid flow through a selected passageway from the first chamber to the second chamber. A control means is connected to the cylinder for governing the fluid flow through the selected passageway to regulate the amount of force necessary to move the actuating means. 
     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercise device embodying the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the exercise device in the collapsed condition. 
         FIG. 3  shows a portion of a hydraulic handle used by the exercise device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a distal end of the hydraulic handle. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the exercise device in a partially disassembled condition. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a connection between the handles and the base of the exercise device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows one form of air regulator which is used in conjunction with the hydraulic handles of the exercise device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows another form of air regulator which is used in conjunction with the hydraulic handles of the exercise device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a rubber shield used in conjunction with the air regulators. 
         FIG. 10  shows a coupling joint used to couple a handle to the distal end of a hydraulic handle of the exercise device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows one form of hand grip used on the exercise device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a hand grip which is in the form of a golf club grip. 
         FIG. 13  shows an ankle attachment used on the exercise device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in an exercise device  10  which can be used in a deployed condition shown in  FIG. 1  or stored in a collapsed condition shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a strap S can be used to securely hold the elements of the device together during storage. 
     Exercise device  10  includes a base  12  which has a lower surface  14  which rests on a support surface, such as a floor, and which has a top surface  16  on which support bars  20  and  22  are mounted. Support bar  20  extends in the longitudinal direction of the base and divides the base into two foot-accommodating areas  30  and  32  and a pad  34  can be mounted on the top surface if desired. Support bars  22  extend in the transverse direction of the base and are located at ends  36  and  38  of the base. 
     As can best be seen in  FIG. 5 , a first unit  50  is mounted on support bar  20  to extend in the longitudinal direction of the base. Unit  50  includes a telescoping unit  60  having a proximal end  62  pivotally mounted on bar  20  by a pivot joint  64  and a pad  66  mounted on a distal end of a piston  68  which is slidably received in section  70  of unit  60  to move into and out of section  70  in directions  72  and  74  to adjust unit  60  to the exercise and size of the user. A fastening pin  80  is accommodated in fastener holes  82  in section  70  which are aligned with corresponding fastener holes in cylinder  68  to lock cylinder  68  to section  70  in the set condition. A support arm  90  is attached at a distal end  92  thereof to bar  20  and at a proximal end  94  thereof to section  70  by a pivot joint  96 . Pivot joint  96  can be slidably mounted in directions 72  and  74  on section  70  and can include locking fasteners to hold the section in a desired position. 
     A speaker  100  for an audio system can be mounted in pad  66  and a timer  102  can be mounted on section  70 . 
     Two handle units  110  are mounted on a bar  22  adjacent to end  36  of the base. These handle units are identical, therefore, only one handle unit will be described. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , proximal end  122  of handle unit  120  is mounted on bar  22  by a swivel joint  124  and includes a section  126  which has at least one bar  128  telescopingly accommodated in an outer section  130  and which moves into and out of the outer section in directions  132  and  134  against the resistance of a hydraulic fluid located in the handle. A hand grip element  140  is mounted on distal end  142  of the innermost section  144  of handle unit  120 . Thus handle unit  120  moves in a multitude of directions in all planes whereby a full exercise routine can be carried out while taking advantage of the resistance of the hydraulic system. Furthermore, handgrip element  140  can rotate with respect to the handle as indicated by arrows  140 ′ and  140 ″ in  FIG. 5 . As indicated by arrow  146  in  FIG. 5 , the handles have elements that can rotate with respect to each other to provide further versatility to the device. 
     Yet a further handle, handle  150 , can be mounted on bar  22 . Handle  150  is shown in  FIG. 6  is hydraulically controlled and is connected to bar  22  by a swivel joint  152  by a connection unit  154  which includes a pivot pin  156  accommodated in a housing  157  on proximal end  158  of an outer cylinder  160  of handle  150 . A rubber bearing element  162  is also included in the joint  152 . Handle  150  is hydraulically controlled and includes an air pressure regulator, such as regulator  170  shown in  FIG. 7  or a regulator  172  shown in  FIG. 8 , mounted in the proximal end of handle  150  by means of a rubber seal  174 . Suitable ports, such as port  176 , are defined in the handle for proper venting of the hydraulic system as will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the teaching of this disclosure. 
     The hydraulic handles are partially shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and include ball bearing units  180  interposed between adjacent sections of the handle with suitable seals, such as seal  182  enclosing the ball bearing units so the sections of each handle will slide with respect to each other in a manner which will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the teaching of this disclosure. Each handle unit includes a piston, such as piston  184 , and there can be multiple piston sizes for executing a plurality of different exercises. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a cap element  190  is mounted on distal end  192  of the innermost section of each handle and serves as a quick connect/disconnect element for various hand grips elements, such as standard hand grip  200  ( FIG. 11 ), leg grip  202  ( FIG. 13 ) or golf hand grip  204  ( FIG. 12 ) each of which includes a projection  210  which is accommodated in transverse bore  212  defined in cap element  190  to attach the hand grip element to the handle unit of device  10 . As shown, hand grip  200  can be rotatable so it can accommodate suitable hand movement and leg grip  202  includes cushions  220  and a clamp  222  while grip  204  is in the shape of a golf hand grip and can be connected to the handle units of the exercise device at either end thereof. The golf hand grip is also rotatable so a user can execute a swing motion against the resistance of the handles to strengthen his or her core. 
     The handle units can be extended to as much as eight feet to accommodate a large variety of exercises while the hand grips allow rotation so the desired motions can be executed while exercising a plurality of muscles, at least two, on each set. 
     In accordance with the invention, it is possible to include double acting hydraulic cylinders, each of which comprises an inner tube disposed within an outer tube. Head and base members can be used to close the ends of the tubes with each head and base member having a passageway for placing fluid disposed within the inner and outer tubes in communication. A piston can be slidably mounted within the inner tube for acting on the fluid disposed therein and can have a passageway extending therethrough for placing the fluid on one side of the piston in fluid communication with the fluid on the other side. A piston rod for moving the piston can be mounted with the piston and extends through the head member to displace fluid in the inner tube. A first valve can be mounted in the base member passageway to prevent fluid communication therethrough when the piston is moved toward the base member and a second valve can be mounted in the piston passageway for preventing fluid communication therethrough when the piston is moved toward the head member. The valves and piston rod, thus, would coact so that fluid in the inner tube will always flow through the head member passageway to the outer tube when the piston is moved. 
     The swivel joints and the hydraulic systems allow the handles to move in a plurality of movements, including a movement which is along the longitudinal axis of the handle as indicated in  FIG. 1  by double-headed arrow  300 , and a movement which is in a rotational direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle as indicated by double-headed arrow  302  in  FIG. 1  as well as a pitch direction as indicated by double-headed arrow  304  in  FIG. 1  and a yaw axis as indicated by double-headed arrow  306  in  FIG. 1 , all while operating against a double resistance of a hydraulic system. The handles can thus be located in a multitude of planes. Thus, a large variety of exercises can be executed and proper exercise motions for each exercise can be carried out. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.