Pivoting leg and arm exercise device

Base and pivot blocks, each having a generally triangular transverse cross section, are pivotally mounted at their central apexes by an elongated pivot axle. The pivot block has a flat upper surface having a plurality of outwardly extending mounting rails spaced along opposite side edges. A pair of mounting blocks having cooperating recesses are adjustably mounted on the side edges of the pivot block. A foot support is adjustably secured on each of the mounting blocks. A plurality of coil springs extend between the base and pivot blocks, each of the springs having opposite end portions received in cylindrical recesses in the pivot and base blocks. A hand grip is attached by at least elongated coil spring to an outer side edge of each of the adjustable mounting blocks. In use, an individual stands on the pivot block, with their feet on the foot supports. The user rocks from side to side against the resistance of the springs extending between the pivot and base blocks. By varying the number of springs between the base and pivot blocks, a user may select the desired resistance. As an individual rocks from side to side on the pivot block, the hand grips are extended against the resistance of the elongated coil springs, providing arm exercise for the individual.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to exercise devices, and more particularly 
pertains to a spring resistance type exercise device. In order for an 
individual to maintain proper muscle tone, a large number of muscle groups 
must be regularly exercised. These muscle groups include inner thigh 
muscles, calf muscles, ankles, stomach, arm, shoulder and back muscles. In 
order to exercise all these muscle groups, individuals must currently 
perform a large number of complex and time consuming exercises. These 
exercises entail going to a fully equipped gym, or performing a variety of 
complex and difficult exercises on expensive home exercise equipment. In 
order to overcome these problems, the present invention provides a simple, 
inexpensive spring resistance exercise device which may be utilized to 
exercise a large number of muscle groups while performing a single simple 
exercise. The exercise device of the present invention also provides 
aerobic conditioning. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Various types of exercise devices are known in the Prior art. A typical 
example of such an exercise device is to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,089,520, Which issued to A. Ozbey et al on May 16, 1978. This patent 
discloses a spring resistance exercise device having a platform with arm 
exercise members extending laterally from opposite sides thereof. These 
arm exercise members are mounted to pivot vertically and horizontally and 
coil springs are provided to oppose this pivotal movement. Also, a leg and 
abdominal exercise member is mounted on the platform for universal pivotal 
movement relative to the platform. This leg and abdominal exercise member 
includes a plurality of coil springs to provided resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 
4,304,402, which issued to H. Ripp on Dec. 8, 1981, discloses an exercise 
device which has a base provided with a foot receiving stirrup. The base 
is connected by a plurality of coil springs to a handle bar unit. An 
individual places one or both feet in the base stirrup, while manipulating 
the handle bar against the bias of the coil springs. The number of coil 
tension springs may be varied to alter the degree of resistance. U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,351,527, which issued to M. Crisp, Jr. on Sept. 28, 1982, discloses 
a spring resistance exercise device having a generally rectangular base on 
which an upstanding compressible spring resistance column is transversely 
attached. A rod slidably mounted in the column has an upper end provided 
with a transversely extending handle bar. A second hand grip is provided 
adjacent the platform base. The exercise device may be utilized to perform 
a variety of exercises against the resistance of the spring column. U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,583,731, which issued to J. Crivello et al on Apr. 22, 1986, 
discloses a spinal exercising table which has an elongated bench pivotally 
secured to a central apex of a tubular, generally triangular-shaped frame. 
The bench is pivotable through a range of motion against the resistance of 
the telescopic spring column. U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,454, which issued to R. 
Walton on Oct. 28, 1986, discloses a leg conditioner for leg split type 
exercises. An elongated rail designed for support on a floor has a pair of 
handles disposed at a central portion thereof. A pair of foot stop 
elements are slidably mounted for parallel movement against a spring 
resistance at opposite ends of the rail. In use, an individual places one 
foot against each of the foot stop elements and performs a leg split type 
exercise against the spring resistance. 
While the above mentioned devices are suited for their intended usage, none 
of these devices provide a spring resistance exercise device which will 
simultaneously exercise a large number of muscle groups while performing a 
single simple exercise. Additionally, none of the aforesaid exercise 
devices provides a pivot block mounted for pivotal movement against a 
spring force on a base block and having provisions for exercising both arm 
and leg muscles. Inasmuch as the art is relatively crowded with respect to 
these various types of exercise devices, it can be appreciated that there 
is a continuing need for and interest in improvements to such exercise 
devices, and in this respect, the present invention addresses this need 
and interest. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of 
exercise devices now present in the prior art, the present invention 
provides an improved exercise device. As such, the general purpose of the 
present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, 
is to provide a new and improved exercise device which has all the 
advantages of the prior art exercise devices and none of the 
disadvantages. 
To attain this, a representative embodiment of the concepts of the present 
invention is illustrated in the drawings and makes use of base and pivot 
blocks, each having a generally triangular transverse cross section, which 
are pivotally mounted at their central apexes by an elongated pivot axle. 
The pivot block has a flat upper surface having a plurality of outwardly 
extending mounting rails spaced along opposite side edges. A pair of 
mounting blocks having cooperating recesses are adjustably mounted on the 
side edges of the pivot block. A foot support is adjustably secured on 
each of the mounting blocks. A plurality of coil springs extend between 
the base and pivot blocks, each of the springs having opposite end 
portions received in cylindrical recesses in the pivot and base blocks. A 
hand grip is attached by at least one elongated coil spring to an outer 
side edge of each of the adjustable mounting blocks. In use, an individual 
stands on the pivot block, with their feet on the foot supports. The user 
rocks from side to side against the resistance of the springs extending 
between the pivot and base blocks. By varying the number of springs 
between the base and pivot blocks, a user may select the desired 
resistance. As an individual rocks from side to side on the pivot block, 
the hand grips are extended against the resistance of the elongated coil 
springs, providing arm exercise for the individual. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, 
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter 
and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In 
this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those 
skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this 
disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing 
of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several 
purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the 
claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as 
they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved exercise device which has all the advantages of the prior art 
exercise devices and none of the disadvantages. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved 
exercise device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and 
marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved exercise device which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved exercise device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture 
with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then 
susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making 
such exercise devices economically available to the buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved exercise device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of 
the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously 
overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved exercise device having provisions for exercising a large number 
of muscle groups while performing a single simple exercise. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved exercise device which utilizes a pivot block mounted for pivotal 
movement against a spring resistance on a base block and having adjustable 
foot supports and laterally extendable spring resistance arm exercising 
hand grips. 
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and 
improved exercise device which allows resistance for upper and lower body 
exercises to be independently varied. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, a 
new and improved exercise device embodying the principles and concepts of 
the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 
will be described. 
More specifically, it will be noted that the first embodiment 10 of the 
invention includes a base block 12 having a generally triangular 
transverse cross sectional shape. The base block 12 is provided with an 
elongated semi-cylindrical recess 18 which extends along the apex of the 
block 12. A plurality of cylindrical recesses 26 are spaced along opposite 
side edges of the base block 12. A pivot block 14, having a generally 
triangular transverse cross sectional shape, has a semicylindrical 
elongated pivot bearing recess 20 which extends along the apex of the 
pivot block 14. The pivot block 14 is pivotally mounted on the base block 
12 by a pivot axle 16 which is received between the blocks 12 and 14 in 
the recesses 18 and 20. A plurality of outwardly extending mounting rails 
28 are spaced along opposite side edges of the pivot block 14. Each of the 
mounting rails 28 is provided with a plurality of spaced pin receiving 
recesses 30. An adjustable mounting block 22, having a generally L-shaped 
transverse cross sectional shape, is provided with a plurality of spaced 
recesses 32 adapted for cooperation with the mounting rails 28. One of the 
mounting blocks 22 is provided on each side of the pivot block 14. By 
inserting the mounting rails 28 within the recesses 32 and inserting 
retaining pins through the apertures 34 in the mounting block 22, the 
mounting block 22 may be adjustably secured to the pivot block 14. A foot 
support 24 is provided with a plurality of pegs 38 adapted for cooperation 
with a plurality of spaced recesses 36 in the mounting block 22. As may 
now be understood, the foot support 24 may be adjustably secured on the 
mounting block 22. While the components on only one side of the pivot 
block 14 have been illustrated, it is to be understood that similar 
components are provided on both sides of the pivot mounting block 14, thus 
a further description of these symmetrically arranged components is not 
considered necessary. 
In FIG. 2, a top view is provided, looking downwardly, upon the flat top 
surface of the pivot block 14. A hand grip 46 is secured adjacent an outer 
side edge of each of the adjustable mounting blocks 22. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the hand grips 46 are secured by at least one coil 
spring 44 to an upwardly extending leg 40 of the mounting block 22. At 
least one coil spring 48 extends between the base block 12 and pivot block 
14, on each side of the pivot axle 16. In use, an individual places their 
feet against the foot supports 24 on the adjustable mounting blocks 22 and 
rocks from side to side against the resistance of the springs 48. While 
performing these rocking motions, the individual grasps the hand grips 46. 
When an individual rocks to the left, the hand grips spring 44 on the 
right side will be automatically extended, thus providing arm and upper 
body exercise. By varying the number of springs 44 and 48, the upper and 
lower body resistance may be independently adjusted according to the 
desires of each individual user. The laterally adjustable mounting blocks 
22 and foot supports 24 allow the device to be adjusted for use by a wide 
variety of individuals of different sizes. 
In FIG. 4, a side view, partially in cross section, is provided. Each of 
the hand grips 46 is provided with a centrally positioned elongated slot 
47. In use, an individual inserts their hand through the slot 47 to grasp 
the hand grip 46. While three coil springs 44 are illustrated connecting 
each of the hand grips 46 to the adjustable mounting block 22, it should 
be understood that the number of springs 44 may be increased or decreased, 
to vary the resistance. The base block 12 has a generally hollow interior 
divided by a central support strut 13. Openings 17 are formed in the 
support strut 13 for purposes of weight reduction. A similar support strut 
19 of the pivot block 14 is provided with a plurality of openings 23, also 
for purposes of weight reduction. Cylindrical recesses 26 and 27 in the 
base 12 and pivot 14 blocks receive a plurality of spaced coil springs 48. 
The springs 48 may be secured in the recesses 26 and 27 by a variety of 
conventional clamps and threaded fasteners. As previously mentioned, the 
number of spring 48 may be varied to determine the resistance available 
for lower body exercises. As may now be understood, when springs on one 
side of the pivot axle 16 are in compression, the springs 48 on the 
opposite side of the pivot axle 16 will be in tension. By virtue of this 
arrangement, a resistance will be provided through a full range of 
movement. 
In FIG. 5, a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 
2, illustrates the internal construction of the base 12 and pivot 14 
blocks. The base block 12 has a generally triangular transverse cross 
sectional shape and a hollow open interior 15 subdivided by a vertical 
central support strut 13. Pivot block 14 also has a generally triangular 
transverse cross sectional shape with a hollow interior 21 subdivided by a 
vertical central support strut 19. The adjustable mounting arrangement of 
the mounting blocks 22 on the pivot block 14 is clearly illustrated on the 
left hand side of FIG. 5. A retaining pin 35 which extends through aligned 
recesses 34 and 30 in the mounting block 22 and pivot block 14 serves to 
laterally adjustably mount the block 22. The various components of the 
invention may be formed from a variety of conventional materials such as 
wood, metal or plastic. The device may be inexpensively constructed and is 
of a small size so as to be easily transportable and suitable for home 
use. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.