Leg exercise machine with multi exercise capability

A leg exercise machine comprises a user support assembly pivotally attached to a sub frame that is linearly attached to a main support frame. The sub frame linearly travels back and forth during leg press exercise and extended leg calf raise exercise. The user support assembly pivots up and down during seated calf raise exercise. A movable brace assembly mounted to the user support assembly adjusts to a first position for engaging a user's legs during seated calf raise exercise and a second position storing the brace assembly during leg press exercise.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to exercise equipment and, more particularly, an exercise machine to perform leg presses and calf raises.

BACKGROUND

Various types of exercise machines for strengthening and conditioning the body are known. One type of exercise machine is a combination leg press and extended leg calf raise machine which typically has a common user support for the user to sit on and a foot platform to put their feet on while performing leg presses or calf raises. To perform leg presses a user sits on the user support which includes a bottom and back seat, adjusts the back seat according to user size and stretch, and places their entire feet on the foot platform. The user then presses the platform in a back and forth fashion to perform leg presses. During exercise the foot platform will either pivot back and forth, the foot platform will linearly move back and forth, or the user support will linearly move back and forth based upon the design of the combination leg press and calf raise machine. Resistance is typically connected to the foot platform or the user support. This will exercise the upper leg and glute muscles of the user.

To perform extended leg calf raises on this same machine a user sits on the user support, adjusts the back seat according to user size and stretch, and outwardly stretches their legs and places the balls of their feet on the bottom of the foot platform. The user then pivots their feet at their ankles which will cause the foot platform to move away from the user. The user repeats this pivot motion for the desired number of repetitions. This will exercise the user's calf muscles. This will also exercise the leg and glute muscles because the user's legs are in an outwardly stretched position which help support the calf muscles while exercising. This type of extended leg calf raise exercise does not isolate a user's calf muscles during exercise.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/934,922, wherein Roger Batca is the inventor, shows a combination exercise machine that allows a user to perform leg presses, extended leg calf raises, as well as seated calf raises which isolate the calf muscles. To perform leg presses and extended leg calf raises a user sits on a pivotally attached user support assembly and presses a pivotally attached foot platform outward. To perform seated calf raises a user sits on the user support assembly placing their legs in a generally ninety degree position, adjusts a movable brace pad assembly to an upward position, and presses a multi function handle bar assembly to lift the user support assembly to allow the brace pad assembly to be positioned above the knees to support the legs. The user then pivots their feet at the ankles causing the user support to pivot up and down. This will isolate the user's calf muscles during exercise.

It is a belief among fitness professionals that exercising one's muscles with different types of movements and angles provides optimal muscle growth. As mentioned in paragraph two above, leg press machines can be designed and made wherein the user support assembly or the foot platform can linearly move back and forth during leg press exercise. Thus it would also be advantageous to have a leg exercise machine that would allow a user to perform linear motion leg presses and extended calf raises, as well as pivotal motion seated calf raises to isolate the calf muscles during exercise. Combination exercise machines are cost efficient to manufacture and space efficient because numerous stations can share the same framework and the same resistance load.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a leg exercise machine that provides means for a user to perform linear motion leg presses and extended leg calf raises as well as pivotal motion seated calf raises.

The leg exercise machine comprises a main support frame, a linearly attached sub frame, a pivotally attached user support assembly, a multi function handle bar assembly, a resistance element, and a flexible connector system connecting the user support assembly and the linearly attached sub frame to the resistance element. In the exemplary embodiment, the resistance element is a weight stack and the flexible connector system is a cable system.

In an exemplary embodiment, a linearly attached sub frame supports a pivotally attached user support assembly and includes rollers that support and guide the sub frame along two rods attached to the main support frame. The user support assembly comprises a seat frame assembly, a pivotally attached bottom seat assembly for a user to sit on, and a pivotally attached brace assembly to support a user's legs above the knees during seated calf raises. The brace assembly includes a brace housing and a pad assembly which telescopically adjusts into the brace housing. The pad assembly includes brace pads that adjust to a storage position below the user's legs when the user performs leg presses and extended leg calf raises, and adjust to a use position above the user's legs during seated calf raises. A multi function handle bar assembly, which is pivotally attached to the sub frame, can be pressed to lift the user support assembly to allow the user to position their feet on foot plates mounted on the sub frame when positioning for seated calf raises.

During seated calf raises, the user support assembly pivots up and down and the linearly attached sub frame remains in a bumpered rest position. During leg presses and extended leg calf raises, the user support assembly remains in a bumpered rest position as the sub frame linearly moves back and forth as a user presses their feet against a stationary foot platform on the main support frame. A cable assembly connects the user support assembly and the sub frame to the weight stack which provides resistance to the user.

In an alternate embodiment, a bottom seat assembly is pivotally attached to the sub frame. A pivot arm assembly is pivotally attached to the sub frame underneath the bottom seat assembly. The brace pad assembly is attached to the pivot arm assembly. As in the exemplary embodiment, the brace pads of the pad assembly adjust to a storage position below the user's legs when the user performs leg presses and extended leg calf raises, and adjust to a use position above the user's legs during seated calf raises. A multi-function handle bar assembly, which is pivotally attached to the sub frame, can be pressed to lift the pivot arm assembly to allow the user to position their feet on foot plates mounted on the sub frame when positioning for seated calf raises.

During seated calf raises, the pivot arm assembly pivots up and down and the linearly attached sub frame remains in a bumpered rest position. During leg presses and extended leg calf raises, the pivot arm assembly remains in a bumpered rest position as the sub frame linearly moves back and forth as a user presses their feet against a stationary foot platform on the main support frame. A cable assembly connects the pivot arm assembly and the sub frame to the weight stack which provides resistance to the user.

In another alternate embodiment, a user support assembly is pivotally attached to the main support frame rather than to a linearly attached sub frame, and pivots up and down during seated calf raises as described in the exemplary embodiment. A sub frame including a foot platform is linearly attached to the main support frame and moves back and forth during leg presses and extended leg calf raises as the user support assembly remains stationary. Other aspects and embodiments of the invention will become apparent in the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, a leg exercise machine according to the present invention is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral10. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the leg exercise machine10comprises a main support frame25, weight stack or other resistance element80, sub frame100, user support assembly150, back pad assembly210, multi function handle bar assembly225, and connector system270interconnecting the sub frame100and the user support assembly150with the weight stack80. The exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings is for performing leg presses, extended leg calf raises, and seated calf raises. In the exemplary embodiment, the connector system270is a cable and pulley system having at least one flexible line. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that other flexible lines such as belts, straps, chains, ropes, or cords could be used to carry out the present invention. Also, those skilled in the art would appreciate that there are numerous configurations of cables and pulleys that could be used to carry out the present invention.

The main support frame25, illustrated inFIGS. 1-5, provides structural support and stability to the leg exercise machine10. The main support frame25also houses the resistance element80, includes linear rods30for attaching and providing a linear guide for sub frame100, includes foot platform27for pressing when a user performs leg presses and extended leg calf raises, and provides connection points for the pulleys within connecting system270.

In the exemplary embodiment, the resistance element80is a weight stack which is illustrated inFIGS. 1-5. Weight stacks are commonly used as a resistance element in the art of strength training. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other resistance devices, such as electronic resistance devices, magnetic breaks, hydraulic cylinders, elastic bands, free weights, or pneumatic resistance may also be used to practice the present invention.

The sub frame100, illustrated inFIGS. 6-8, provides an attachment axis for user support assembly150, two attachment axes for multi function handle bar assembly225, and an attachment sleeve101for linearly attaching back seat assembly210. Sub frame100includes foot plates115for a user to position their feet on when performing seated calf raises and includes rollers110which linearly attach sub frame100to main support frame25wherein rollers110roll along linear rods30during leg presses and extended leg calf raises. Other linear motion components could be used to allow sub frame100to linearly move along linear rods30such as linear bearings or bushings. The sub frame100also includes bumper105which bumpers against main support frame25when in a rest position. Although not shown, a locking mechanism could be added to selectively lock sub frame into main support frame25to prevent linear travel if desired.

The user support assembly150, illustrated inFIGS. 6-8, provides seating for the user while performing leg presses, extended leg calf raises, and seated calf raises. The user support assembly150comprises a seat frame assembly160, a pivotally attached bottom seat assembly200for a user to sit on which is locked into the desired angular position by lock pin168, and a pivotally attached brace assembly175to support a user's legs above the knees during seated calf raises.

The brace assembly175includes a brace housing180and a pad assembly190which telescopically adjusts and locks into the brace housing180by locking pin182. Brace housing180includes locking pin181to lock brace housing180into seat frame assembly160in an upward or a downward position. Pad assembly190includes brace pads191which support a user's legs when performing seated calf raises.

Bottom seat assembly200pivotally attaches to seat frame assembly160and includes bottom seat pad201for a user to sit on when performing leg presses, extended leg calf raises, and seated calf raises.

Back pad assembly210, illustrated inFIGS. 6-8, includes back seat pad211and provides back support to a user when performing leg presses, extended leg calf raises, and seated calf raises. Back pad assembly210is linearly adjustable into sleeve101of sub frame100and is secured by locking pin102.

The multifunction handle bar assembly225, illustrated inFIGS. 6-8, provides means to lift the user support assembly150upward to enable the user to position their feet on and off of the foot plates115in the beginning and end of seated calf raises. The multi function handle bar assembly225can also be grasped by the user to stabilize the upper body while performing leg presses and extended leg calf raises. The multi function handle bar assembly225includes left and right handle bar assemblies230that are pivotally attached to the sub frame100, left and right link assemblies235that are pivotally attached to respective handle bar assemblies230, and wheel assembly245which is pivotally attached to sub frame100as well as link assemblies235. Wheel assembly245includes wheel246which bumpers against sub frame100to provide a rest position for multi function handle bar assembly225and also serves as a bumper to provide a rest position for user support assembly150. Multi function handle bar assembly225also includes extension springs265which also attach to sub frame100. The extension springs265returns the multi function handle bar assembly225back to a rest position after the user support assembly150is lifted to the desired height.

The connector system270connects the linearly attached sub frame100and the pivotally attached user support assembly150to the weight stack80. Connector system270includes pulley280attached to sub frame100, best illustrated inFIGS. 6-8, and pulley281attached to user support assembly150, best illustrated inFIGS. 6-8. When the sub frame100linearly moves outward during leg presses and extended leg calf raises the selected weights in weight stack80are lifted. When the user support assembly150pivots upward during seated calf raises the selected weights in weight stack80are lifted.

FIG. 1illustrates leg exercise machine10wherein sub frame100is linearly attached to main support frame25and is in a resting position. User support assembly150is pivotally attached to sub frame100and is in a resting position. Brace assembly175is pivotally attached to user support assembly150and is in a storage position which allows a user to perform leg presses and extended leg calf raises without interference.FIG. 2illustrates leg exercise machine10wherein brace assembly175is in a use position which allows a user to perform seated calf raises.

FIG. 3illustrates leg exercise machine10wherein multi function handle bar assembly225is pressed forward wherein handle bar assemblies230press link assemblies235forward which push wheel assembly245downward on one end and wherein wheel246is pushed up on the other end and rolls along seat frame assembly160and lifts user support assembly150upward which lifts the selected weights in weight stack80. This enables the user to position their feet on and off of the foot plates115in the beginning and end of seated calf raises. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are a variety of configurations of linkages that could be used in order to lift the user support assembly150.FIG. 4illustrates leg exercise machine10wherein user support assembly150is lifted upward in a position during seated calf raises and the multi function handle bar assembly225is retracted back into a resting position.

FIG. 5illustrates leg exercise machine10wherein the sub frame100and the user support assembly150are pressed into an outward position of a linear path during leg presses or extended leg calf raises.

In use, the user will sit on the user support assembly150to perform exercise on the leg exercise machine10. To perform leg presses and extended leg calf raises, the user will adjust the back pad assembly210to the desired position based upon user size and desired stretch by unlocking and relocking locking pin102. The user will then adjust bottom seat assembly200to the desired angle by removing lock pin168, rotating bottom seat assembly200to the desired angle, and by re-engaging lock pin168into seat frame assembly160. The user then adjusts the brace pads191of the brace assembly175to a position below the legs of the user. The user can then grasps the multi function handle bar assembly225to stabilize their upper body. The user then presses foot platform27for the desired number of repetitions wherein sub frame100will linearly travel back and forth which will lift the selected weights in the weight stack80. The user's body weight while seated on the user support assembly150along with cable and pulley system270being connected to the user support assembly150and pulling the seat support assembly150downward will keep the user support assembly150in a bumpered and rest position while leg presses and extended leg calf raises are being performed.

To perform seated calf exercises, the user will sit on the bottom seat assembly200facing forward and adjust the brace pads191of the pad assembly190to an upward position above their knees. The user will then press multi function handle bar assembly225forward which will raise the user support assembly150upward which will raise the selected weights in weight stack80. The user then places their feet on the foot plates115. The user will then let the multi function handle bar assembly225return to a bumpered rest position. As the user's legs above the knees are braced by the brace pads191of the brace assembly175, they will pivot their feet at their ankles for the desired number of repetitions. This will raise and lower the user support assembly150which is connected to the weight stack80and provide resistance to the user. When finished performing seated calf exercises, the user will press multi function handle bar assembly225forward to re-engage and lift the user support assembly150upward. This will lift the brace pads191of the brace assembly175off of the user's legs above the knees and allow the user to remove their feet off of the foot plates115. The user will then let the multi function handle bar assembly225return to its resting position.

FIG. 9illustrates an alternate embodiment that includes sub frame300and pivot arm assembly325. A bottom seat assembly200is pivotally attached to sub frame300and stays in a fixed position during seated calf raises. Bottom seat assembly200could be fixedly attached to sub frame300to carry out the present invention. Rather than a user support assembly150pivoting up and down during seated calf raises, a pivot arm assembly325is pivotally attached to sub frame300and pivots up and down during seated calf raises. Multi function handle bar assembly225functions in the same way in this alternate embodiment as in the exemplary embodiment however wheel246rolls along pivot arm assembly325rather user support assembly150in order to lift pivot arm assembly325to allow a user to position their feet on foot plates115in the beginning and end of seated calf raises. Pivot arm assembly325is pivotally attached to sub frame300underneath bottom seat assembly200and includes pivotally attached brace assembly175. Brace assembly175adjusts and locks into pivot arm assembly325into a position wherein the brace pads191are below the user's legs during leg presses and extended leg calf raises and adjusts and locks into pivot arm assembly325into a position wherein the brace pads191are above the user's legs during seated calf raises. Sub frame300linearly mounts to main support frame25the same way sub frame100of the exemplary embodiment mounts to main support frame25and connects to weight stack80. Pivot arm assembly325is connected to weight stack80as well and lifts the selected weights when pivot arm assembly325is lifted upward.FIG. 10illustrates multi function handle bar assembly225pressed forward thus lifting pivot arm assembly325upward wherein brace assembly175is adjusted to an upward position for performing seated calf raises. The process to perform leg presses, extended leg calf raises, and seated calf raises is the same in this alternate embodiment as is in the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11illustrates an alternate embodiment leg exercise machine410that includes an alternate embodiment main support frame425and sub frame500. The only difference between alternate embodiment leg exercise machine410and exemplary embodiment leg exercise machine10is that foot plates115are mounted to the main support frame425rather than sub frame500. The rollers110mounted on the front of sub frame500are also positioned further towards the rear of sub frame500to allow foot positioning on foot plates115during seated calf raises. The process to perform leg presses, extended leg calf raises, and seated calf raises is the same in this alternate embodiment as is in the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12illustrates an alternate embodiment leg exercise machine510that includes an alternate embodiment main support frame525and sub frame600. There are several differences between alternate embodiment leg exercise machine510and exemplary embodiment leg exercise machine embodiment10. One difference is that foot plates115are mounted to the main support frame525rather than sub frame600. The rollers110mounted on the front of sub frame600are also positioned further towards the rear of sub frame600to allow foot positioning on foot plates115during seated calf raises. A second difference is that sub frame600is not directly connected to the weight stack80. Pulley280is mounted to main support frame525rather than sub frame600. Sub frame600is still indirectly connected to weight stack80because user support assembly150is pivotally mounted to sub frame600and user support assembly150is connected to weight stack80. Bumper105is mounted further towards the rear of sub frame600to allow room to mount pulley280onto main support frame525. The process to perform leg presses, extended leg calf raises, and seated calf raises is the same in this alternate embodiment as is in the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13illustrates an alternate embodiment leg exercise machine610that includes an alternate embodiment main support frame625and sub frame700. Alternate embodiment leg exercise machine610provides means to perform linear motion leg presses, linear motion extended leg calf raises, and pivotal motion seated calf raises as does exemplary embodiment leg exercise machine10. However, foot platform27is attached to sub frame700which is linearly attached to main support frame625and user support assembly150is pivotally attached to main support frame625. To perform leg presses and extended leg calf raises, a user sits on user support assembly150and places their feet on foot platform27and presses outward which causes sub frame700to linearly travel along rods630. This will provide resistance to the user as sub frame700is connected to weight stack80by flexible connector system750. To perform seated calf raises, the user sits on user support assembly150and performs the same process as described in the exemplary embodiment. Flexible connector system750connects the user support assembly150to weight stack80.FIG. 13illustrates alternate embodiment leg exercise machine610wherein sub frame700is pressed to an outward position of a linear path during leg presses or extended leg calf raises, brace assembly175is adjusted to a storage position, and user support assembly150is bumpered into a rest position.FIG. 14illustrates alternate embodiment leg exercise machine610wherein brace assembly175is adjusted to a use position, user support assembly150is lifted to an upward position during seated calf raises, and sub frame700is bumpered into a rest position.

Those skilled in the art would appreciate that any of the embodiments described could be interchanged with one another to form another embodiment of the present invention. For example, the pivot arm assembly325illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9could be used in alternate embodiment leg exercise machine610rather than the user support assembly150to perform seated calf raises.