Leg and upper body exerciser

A multipurpose pedal-type exercise device comprising a frame having a seat thereon, a pedal assembly having an adjustable resistance, and a multiposition adjustment mechanism connecting the pedal assembly to the frame to provide the user the capability of adjusting the position of the pedal assembly to compensate for the variation in the user's position during use of the pedal assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to multipurpose upper body 
exercising devices which are also used as leg exercising devices. More 
specifically, the present invention relates to a multipurpose pedal-type 
exercise device which may be used, when in a seated position, to exercise 
either the upper body or the legs or, when in a standing position, to 
exercise the upper body. 
2. State of the Art 
The prior art contains examples of exercise devices which incorporate 
pedal-type exercise devices which may be used to exercise the upper body 
or the legs while either in seated, standing or reclining positions. 
For instance U.S. Pat. No. 2,209,034 illustrates a frame forming a seat 
having a pedal spindle connected an adjustable length tube supporting a 
pedal system which includes a set of two pedals with straps to hold the 
user's feet thereon and an adjustable means for a brake of the drum and 
ribbon type. 
Disclosed and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,649 is a conventional 
upholstered armchair having a concealed, extensible exercising apparatus 
on a movable platform. The platform supports a bicycle pedal device with 
pedals and a suitable means for providing resistance to rotation of the 
pedals. 
Illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,312 is an adjustable multi-purpose 
exercise device having a handle bar, saddle and a pedal mechanism with an 
inertial mass. In addition to the saddle the device includes an adjustable 
frame and seat which allows the user to rotate the pedal mechanism either 
from the saddle with the user's legs, from a seat in a horizontal position 
with the user's legs, or in a horizontal position for a user to lie on 
their belly while operating the pedal mechanism. 
Alternatively, illustrated in French Patent 1,468,272 is a pedal-type 
exercise device having an adjustable seat assembly and an adjustable pedal 
mechanism having, in turn, a resistance mechanism. The pedal-type exercise 
device may be used to exercise the upper body or the legs when the user is 
in different positions. 
In published German Patent OFFENLEGUNGSSCHRIFT 2,712,875 a pedal-type 
exercise device is illustrated having a pedal device which may be used 
with a chair or alone by a user. The pedal-type exercise device may have a 
spring-type resistance connected to the pedals. 
Illustrated in the Executive Home Gymnasium materials is an exercise device 
having a pedal-type exercise device which may be used either in a leg 
shaping manner or in a bust shaping manner by the user. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The multipurpose pedal-type exercise device of the present invention 
comprises a frame having a seat thereon, a pedal assembly having an 
adjustable resistance, and a multiposition adjustment mechanism connecting 
the pedal assembly to the frame to provide the user with the capability of 
adjusting the position of the pedal assembly to compensate for the 
variation in the user's position on the seat, length of legs, provide for 
exercising of the user's legs and upper body, and provide the user with a 
variety of types of exercise, such as pedaling, swimming, rowing, etc. 
The pedal-type exercise device may further comprise vibration, heat, 
massage and a control system therefore in the frame and seat for the 
comfort of the user either alone or in combination with the use of the 
pedal assembly. In that manner, the user may exercise the upper body or 
the legs as desired while in a position most suitable to the user and the 
preferred type of exercise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an embodiment of the multipurpose 
exercise device 100 of the present invention comprises a frame 110, seat 
112, pedal assembly 114, and multiposition pedal adjustment assembly 116. 
The frame 110 includes front end cross members 120, connecting support 122 
rear end cross members 120, vertical support 124 extending vertically from 
connecting support 122, horizontal seat support 126 connected to the upper 
end of vertical support 124, and seat back support 128 connected to the 
horizontal seat support 126. 
The seat includes seat cushion 130 connected to the horizontal seat support 
126 and seat back 132 connected to the seat back support 128. The seat 
cushion 130 may be connected to the horizontal seat support 126 of frame 
110 by means of a suitable adjustment mechanism 131 to allow the seat 
cushion to be translated along the support 126 in any desired position 
thereon. A suitable adjustment mechanism amy be in the form of a clamping 
assembly, threaded rod assembly, plate and pin assembly, etc. A suitable 
seat adjustment mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,650 which is 
hereby incorporated by reference. 
The pedal assembly 114 includes a housing 140, housing support 142 having 
an aperture 144 in one end thereof and an aperture 146 in a portion 
thereof, and pedal arms 148 having pedals 150 thereon. The pedals 150 may 
include hand loops 152 thereon. The pedal assembly 114 includes a flywheel 
assembly having a belt and adjustable spring resistance means thereon to 
provide the desired amount of resistance during use of the pedals 150. An 
adjustment knob 154 is illustrated on the housing 140. The pedal arms 148 
are removably attached to shaft 147 by any suitable means to allow 
reorienting of the pedal arms 148 so that they extend in opposite 
directions or the same direction or any desired direction for use. 
The multiposition pedal adjustment assembly 116 includes one or more plates 
160 having a plurality of apertures 162 therein and a pin 164 connected 
thereto connected, in turn, to the end of horizontal seat support 126. The 
pin 164 extends through aperture 144 in one end of housing support 142 of 
pedal assembly 114 to rotatably mount the pedal assembly 114 with respect 
to the frame 110. To secure the pedal assembly 114 in a desired position 
by the user, a pin 166 extends through aperture 146 of housing support 142 
of pedal assembly 114 to engage an aperture 162 in plates 160 of assembly 
116. In this manner, the pedal assembly 114 may be selectively rotated and 
secured in a variety of desired positions by the user with respect to the 
frame 110 and seat 112 to allow use of the pedal assembly 114 by the legs 
of the user or, when in the pedal assembly 114 is in an upright position 
shown in phantom, to allow use of the pedal assembly 114 by the arms of 
the user for upper body exercise. 
Referring to drawing FIG. 2, the multipurpose exercise device 100 of the 
present invention is shown. As shown, the frame 110 includes front end 
cross member 120, vertical support 124 and horizontal seat support 126. 
The seat cushion 130 and seat back 132 are illustrated. 
The pedal assembly 114 is shown in its lower position with respect to the 
horizontal seat support 126 and seat cushion 130 for use as a pedal-type 
exercise device for the legs of a user seated on the frame 110. 
Briefly referring to drawing FIG. 3, the multipurpose exercise device 100 
of the present invention is shown to illustrate the relationship of the 
pedal assembly 114 with respect to the horizontal seat support 126. 
Referring to drawing FIG. 4, the pedal assembly 114 is shown with the 
housing 140 being shown in phantom for convenience. 
The pedal assembly 114 comprises a pulley 170 connected via drive chain 172 
to pulley 174 on shaft 176 connected to flywheel 178. Engaging the 
periphery of flywheel 178 is tension belt 180 which further engages spring 
tension device 184 which, in turn, may adjust the tension on belt 180 via 
cable 182 connected to adjustment knob 154. The tension belt, spring 
tension device and adjustment knob may be any suitable type. Similarly, 
the drive chain 172 and tension belt 180 may be of any suitable type. 
Referring to drawing FIG. 5, the pedal 150 is shown to illustrate the foot 
pedal face 151 upon which a user's foot is placed when using the 
multipurpose exercise device 100 for pedal-type exercises and the hand 
loop 152 in which a user's hand is placed to use the device 100 for 
suitable upper body exercises when the pedal assembly 114 is rotated to a 
substantially-vertical position. 
Referring to FIG. 6, the pedal 150 is shown to further illustrate the pedal 
face 151 and hand loop 152. 
Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, a second embodiment 200 of the 
multipurpose exercise device of the present invention comprises a frame 
210, seat 212, pedal assembly 214, and multiposition pedal adjustment 
assembly 216. 
The frame 210 includes a lower rectangular box frame having bottom members 
220, vertical members 222, seat and back support members 224, and seat 
plate 226. The frame 210 may include suitable covers extending between 
bottom members 220 and vertical members 222. 
The seat 212 includes seat cushion 230 connected seat plate 226 and seat 
back 232 connected to a portion of the seat and back support members 224. 
The seat cushion 230 may be connected to the seat plate 226 by means of a 
suitable adjustment mechanism 231 to allow the seat cushion to be 
translated along the seat plate 226 in any desired position thereon. A 
suitable adjustment mechanism may be in the form of a clamping assembly, 
threaded adjustment, plate and pin assembly, etc. such as hereinbefore set 
forth. 
The pedal assembly 214 includes a housing support 242 having an aperture 
244 in one end thereof, and aperture 246 in a portion thereof, pedals 247 
and sprocket 246 rotatably connected to the other end of housing support 
242, chain 248 connecting the sprocket of pedals and sprocket 246 to 
sprocket 250 on a drive shaft having, in turn, a pulley thereon which, in 
turn, is connected by belt 252 to eddy brake resistance device 254 mounted 
via supports 256 to portions of frame 210 beneath the seat 230. The eddy 
brake resistance device 254 may be any suitable design for use in an 
exercise device. The pedals 247 are the same type shown hereinbefore in 
drawing FIGS. 5 and 6. 
The eddy brake resistance device 254 includes flywheel 253 and adjustable 
magnet assembly 255. By adjusting the relationship of the magnet assembly 
255 with respect to the flywheel 253, the resistance of the flywheel to 
turning may be varied. Any suitable adjustment means may be mounted on 
frame 210 to allow adjustment of the magnet assembly 255 with respect to 
the flywheel 253. 
The multiposition pedal adjustment assembly 216 includes at least one plate 
260 connected to housing support 242 of pedal assembly 214 having a 
plurality of apertures 262 therein and a pin 264 rotatably interconnecting 
housing support 242 via aperture 244 to support 266 which, in turn, is 
connected to portions of frame 210. To secure the pedal assembly 214 in a 
desired position by the user a pin 268 extends through aperture 262 of 
plate 260 connected to housing support 242 and extends into an aperture in 
support 266. In this manner, the pedal assembly 214 may be selectively 
rotated and secured in a variety of desired positions by the user with 
respect to the frame 210 and seat 212 to allow use of the pedal assembly 
214 by the legs of the user or, when the pedal assembly 214 is in an 
upright position shown in phantom, to allow use of the pedal assembly 244 
by the arms of the user for upper body exercise whether seated or 
standing. 
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings another embodiment 300 of the 
multipurpose exercise device of the present invention comprises a frame 
310, seat 312, pedal assembly 314 and multiposition pedal adjustment 
assembly 316. 
The frame 310 is similar in construction to that previously described but 
is more extensive to provide greater support for a user including arm 
rests 320, an extended back portion 324 and leg support portion 324. 
The seat 312 includes seat and removable leg cushion 330, back cushion 332 
having head rest 334 thereon and arm cushions 336. The seat 312 further 
includes, as desired, a plurality of heating areas 338, vibration areas 
340 and massage areas 342. The heating areas 338, vibration areas 340 and 
342 are controlled and activated by suitable control means 346 located at 
any desired position, such as on the arm rest area of these at 312. 
The heating areas 338 may be any suitable type electric resistance-type 
heating devices. The vibration areas 340 may be of any suitable type such 
as a plate and cam/roller arrangement. The massage areas 342 may be of any 
suitable type such as a plurality of rollers and threaded shaft, plurality 
of rollers mounted on a plurality of arms with a common actuator, etc. 
The pedal assembly 314 is similar in construction to that previously 
discussed herein. 
Similarly, the multiposition pedal adjustment assembly 316 is similar in 
construction to that previously discussed herein. 
Referring to drawing FIGS. 10 and 11 another embodiment 400 of the present 
invention is shown. The frame 410 is similar to that described 
hereinbefore. The pedal assembly 414 is slidably mounted on vertical pipe 
450 connected to horizontal seat support 426 by any suitable means. The 
pedal assembly 414 is slidably connected to pipe 450 via clamp 452. The 
clamp 452 is retained and secured on pipe 450 by threaded member 454 while 
pedal arm 442 is secured to clamp 452 via threaded member 456 engaging 
aperture 458 in one end of pedal arm 442. 
Referring to drawing FIGS. 12 and 13 another embodiment 500 of the present 
invention is shown. The pedal assembly 514 engages apertures 550 in 
vertical bar 552. The frame 510 and pedal assembly 514 are similar to that 
described hereinbefore. Located on the end of pedal arm 542 is hook and 
lug member 556 having hook portion 558 which engages one aperture 550 in 
bar 552 while lug member 560 abuts the exterior surface of bar 552 to 
position the pedal assembly 514 thereon. 
Referring to drawing FIGS. 14 and 15 another embodiment 600 of the present 
invention is shown. The frame 610 and pedal assembly 614 are similar to 
that described hereinbefore. The horizontal seat support 626 has vertical 
member 650 secured thereto by any suitable means. The vertical member 650 
contains a plurality of apertures 652 therein. Located on the end of pedal 
arm 642 is cylindrical arm end member 654 which engages an aperture 652 of 
vertical member 650 to support the pedal assembly 614 thereon. Either the 
apertures 652 or end 654 of pedal arm 642 may be roughened to increase 
friction therebetween or, alternatively, tapered or both. The pedal 
assembly 614 is pivotally secured to arm member 654 via threaded fastener 
660 engaging an aperture in the end pedal arm 642. 
OPERATION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to drawing FIGS. 1 through 4, the multipurpose exercise device 
100 is used as follows: 
To exercise the legs, a user sits upon seat cushion 130 with their back 
generally engaging seat back 132, with the pedal assembly 114 oriented 
generally downwardly with respect to the plane of the seat support 126. 
The user may place their feet on the pedal faces 151 of pedals 150 to use 
the pedal assembly 114 to exercise the user's legs with the appropriate 
amount of tension being placed on belt 180, which engages flywheel 178 by 
adjusting knob 154. In this position, the pedal arms 148 are oriented on 
shaft 147 to extend in opposite directions to accomplish the pedaling 
thereof for exercise. It should be noted that the multiposition pedal 
adjustment assembly 116 allows the user m readily orient the position of 
the pedal assembly 114 for use by the user to exercise their legs to any 
desired position by merely rotating the pedal assembly 114 around pin 164 
which extends through aperture 144 in one end of the housing support 142 
of pedal assembly 114 and placing pin 166 in any suitable aperture 162 of 
plates 160 and through aperture 146 in housing support 142. 
To exercise the upper body, the user moves the pedal exercise assembly 114 
to a substantially vertical position, as shown in phantom in drawing FIG. 
1, by pivoting the assembly 114 around pin 164 and replacing pin 166 in 
the suitable aperture 162 of plates 160 and aperture 146 of housing 
support 142. In this position, with the pedal arms 148 oriented to extend 
in opposite directions, the user grasps hand loops 152 and rotates the 
pedal arms 148 in a circular swimming-type motion to exercise the upper 
body. Again, using tension knob 154, the tension of the belt 180 on 
flywheel 178 may be adjusted to the desired amount by the user. 
To perform another type upper body exercise with the pedal assembly 114 in 
a substantially vertical position, the pedal arms 148 are oriented to 
extend in the same direction by the user removing one arm and reinstalling 
the same on shaft 147. When the pedal arms 148 extend in the same 
direction, the user grasps hand loops 152 and rotates the pedal arms 148 
in a circular rowing-type motion to exercise the upper body. The tension 
of belt 180 on flywheel 178 may be adjusted by using knob 154. 
From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that the multipurpose exercise 
device 100 provides the opportunity for a user to perform lower body 
pedaling-type leg exercises, upper body circular swimming-type exercises 
and upper body circular rowing-type exercises merely by easily adjusting 
the orientation of the pedal assembly with respect to the frame 110 and 
adjusting the orientation of the pedal arms 148. 
Referring to drawing FIG. 7, the operation of the multipurpose exercise 
device 200 is generally as described hereinbefore. Rather than adjusting 
the tension of a belt on a flywheel to vary the resistance of the pedal 
assembly in the multipurpose exercise device 200, the relationship of the 
magnet assembly 255 is varied with respect to the flywheel 253. 
As described hereinbefore, the multipurpose exercise device 200 may be used 
to exercise the lower body through pedaling-type exercises with the legs 
when the device 200 is in its lower position and the upper body through 
circular swimming-type exercises and circular rowing-type exercises as 
hereinbefore described when the device 200 is in its 
substantially-vertical position, shown in phantom in drawing FIG. 7. 
Referring to drawing FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation of the multipurpose 
exercise device 300 is similar to that described hereinbefore. To use the 
pedal assembly 314, the leg cushion 330 is removed to allow access thereto 
for subsequent pedal-type, swimming-type and rowing-type exercises as 
described hereinbefore. 
Referring to drawing FIGS. 10 and 11 to adjust the pedal assembly 414 on 
pipe 450 threaded fastener 454 is loosened, the pedal assembly 414 moved, 
and the threaded fastener 454 again tightened. To vary the orientation up 
and down of the pedal assembly 414 to threaded fastener 456 is used to 
pivot the pedal assembly 414 thereabout. The operation of the pedal 
assembly 414 is similar to that described hereinbefore. 
Referring to drawing FIGS. 12 and 13 to adjust the pedal assembly 514 the 
assembly is merely unhooked from an aperture 550 and hooked into another 
aperture 550 with hook portion 558 engaging the aperture 550 while lug 560 
engages the exterior of the bar 550. The operation of the pedal assembly 
514 is similar to that described hereinbefore. 
Referring to drawing FIGS. 14 and 15 to adjust the pedal assembly 614 the 
assembly is merely removed from an aperture 652 and reinserted into 
another. The orientation of the assembly with respect to the bar 650 can 
be changed via threaded fastener 660 securing cylindrical arm end 654 to 
pedal arm 642 to pivot the assembly 614 thereabout fastener 660. The 
operation of the pedal assembly 614 is similar to that described 
hereinbefore. 
Thus, from the foregoing it can be easily seen that the multipurpose 
exercise device of the present invention provides a variety of types of 
exercises for a user with the ease of simple pivotal movement of portions 
of the device with respect to the user without the necessity of any 
substantial disassembly of the device by merely reorienting portions of 
the device. It can also be easily seen that the multipurpose exercise 
device of the present invention may utilize a variety of differing types 
of mounting of the pedal assembly to the seat frame. Similarly, a variety 
of resistance mechanisms may be used. As illustrated in the drawings, a 
flywheel and flywheel belt tension-type apparatus or an eddy brake-type 
apparatus may be used as resistance mechanisms. If desired, equivalent 
types of resistance mechanisms connected to the pedal assembly may be used 
such as an air fan-type resistance device, a caliper brake and wheel-type 
resistance device or a simple friction disk and brake-type resistance 
device, etc. 
Therefore, the multipurpose exercise device of the present invention 
provides a variety of types of exercises for a user with convenience of 
operation.