Exercise assisting machine

An exercise assisting instrument assists the user's knee-bending exercise, and lightens a burden and maintains safety of the user. It has a base 10, supporting columns 20, lifting mechanisms 30 consisting of lifting arms, lever arms 40, and a chair 50. A three-member linkage system is formed by the supporting columns 20 and the lifting mechanisms 30, so that the chair 50 may move upward and downward. Further, it is equipped with an upward movement assisting device 33, which provides a force in the raising direction to the hinge point 30a of the lifting arms, so that stand-up movement of the user is assisted and lightening the user's burden is possible. Moreover, a locking device 11 and a stopper 13 are equipped, so the user's safety may be improved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise assisting instrument and more specifically to an exercise assisting instrument that fits to use assisting knee-bending exercise of legs and knees or exercise of waist and arms.

2. Description of Related Art

In Japan, an aging ratio of population is rapidly increasing, and currently one person per six people is over 65 years old. Generally many of elder people have some kinds of illness, especially rate of elder people suffering from arthritis is high. Further, the more the age is advanced, the worse legs and knees or waist and arms are and become disabled in every day life gradually. And they stop exercising because of disability, and the state of the malfunction progresses forming a vicious circle. To solve the problem, a variety of exercise assisting instrument have been developed conventionally.

Japanese Patent Kokai No. 2000-70405 discloses one of exercise instrument for leg exercise (refer to Japanese Patent Kokai No. 1). The invention defined in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 1 is an exercise instrument that makes a user able to exercise legs as effectively as if the user does walking exercise without putting his/her weight on his/her legs and waist. The user lies on his/her back on a frame, the angle of which can be changed, hangs both legs on a leg-hanging-part slung by means of pulley(s), and moves legs hung on the leg-hanging-part up and down while his/her body is kept lied down, so he/she may exercise his/her legs without putting his/her weight on his/her legs.

Moreover, Japanese Patent Kokai No. Hei 10-5279 discloses an invention of a standing up assisting instrument (refer to Japanese Patent Kokai No. 2). The invention defined in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 2 is the invention of a standing up assisting instrument used in rehabilitation for a handicapped person who cannot stand up, and it helps a user stand up by oneself safely. The user fixes his/her lower body by buttocks supporting part and longitudinal ditch formed mat into which his/her knees are fit, and becomes able to stand upright by oneself, by supporting upper body by cylindrical mat on which arms lean. And, in this state, the user bends his/her knees, while he/she winds up traction line by backward traction device set on the standing up assisting instrument, and at the same time by up and down movement of the buttocks supporting part operating together with expansion and contraction of lifting and rotating arms connected to the traction line.

However, the exercise instrument of the invention defined in Patent Publication No. 1 does not function if the user cannot raise his/her legs by oneself so the users are limited to those who can raise their legs by themselves. Further, the user lies on his/her back and exercises only his/her legs so there exists a problem in which he/she may exercise only his/her legs and cannot exercise the whole body.

Moreover, in the invention defined in Patent Publication No. 2, the user set in designated position can do knee-bending exercise automatically by turning on an electric machine with the lifting and rotating arms and the electric machine. But, the user cannot exercise by his/her intention, so the user cannot have an intention of training by oneself and cannot have fun. Further, there are problems in which using electric machine causes a big noise and vibrations, and the user may have anxiety about having malfunction of the machine.

Therefore, the present invention solves the problems mentioned above, and aims to provide an exercise assisting instrument which a user may easily and safely do knee-bending exercise corresponding to his/her respective physical strength. To put it concretely, the invention aims to provide the exercise assisting instrument that may lighten burdens imposed on the user's legs, knees and so on while the user can do the knee-bending exercise repeatedly from any position corresponding to the user's respective physical strength. Furthermore, even at a time the user's physical strength goes to the limit and suddenly his/her knees and waist becomes unsteady and the user cannot help squatting down, to prevent bone-breaking accident, the present invention aims to provide the exercise assisting instrument having a chair which moves upward and downward always in a state coming into contact with his/her buttocks so that the user may sit down on the chair from any position while he/she does the knee-bending exercise. The user may sit down on the chair as he/she lean on it and may go down to the lowest point slowly and safely with aid of upward force affecting the chair. Further, the present invention aims to provide the exercise assisting instrument of simple structure and low production cost because no need of power source from outside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is an exercise assisting instrument for assisting knee-bending exercise being characterized in that, a lifting device always positions a chair for supporting a user's body near buttocks of the user, which moves upward and downward together with the knee-bending exercise, whereby the user doing the knee-bending exercise may sit at the chair any time, accordingly the user may do the knee-bending exercise safely.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said lifting device raises the chair in conjunction with pulling movement of user's arms when a user stands up with pulling user's arms.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said lifting device comprises a base; a pair of supporting columns formed on the base; a pair of lifting mechanisms having lifting arms connected to each other at first hinge points, one ends of lifting mechanisms being rotationally connected to said supporting columns and other ends thereof moving upward and downward along said supporting columns, and said one ends serving as second hinge points; a pair of lever arms having handle-parts at their ends for the user to grip, said lever arms being rotationally connected to the supporting columns at third hinge points, around which they swing upward and downward as seesaws; a stopper for abutting the chair to stop when the chair moves down and reaches to the lowest point; an upward movement assisting device for urging an assisting force in a direction that the other ends of the lifting mechanisms move upward; and, a connecting member for connecting the first hinge points of the lifting arms to control the movement of said paired lever arms, wherein said lifting device partially assists standing-up movement of the user and lightens a burden of the knee-bending exercise when the user stands up and pulls said handle-parts of the lever arms upward with gripping said handle-parts.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said lever arms have length adjusting devices so the user may adjust the length thereof corresponding to user's body size.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that said upward movement assisting device is made of an elastic member which is connected between said stopper and said connecting member.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said lifting device comprises a base; a pair of supporting columns formed on the base; a pair of lifting mechanisms having lifting arms connected to each other at first hinge points, one ends of lifting mechanisms being rotationally connected to said supporting columns and other ends thereof moving upward and downward along said supporting columns, and said one ends serving as second hinge points; a pair of lever arms having handle-parts at their ends &r the user to grip; a connecting member for connecting the first hinge points of the paired lifting arms to control the movement of said paired lever arms; a lifting linkage having a linkage system for moving said moving ends of said lifting mechanisms upward and downward in conjunction with the movements of said lever arms; a lifting base fixed to said moving ends of said lifting mechanisms, said lifting base moving upward and downward together with the upward-downward movement of said moving ends and having support means for supporting said lever arms to move backward and forward; and, an upward movement assisting device for urging an assisting force in a direction that said moving ends of the lifting mechanism moves upward, wherein said lifting device partially assists standing-up movement of the user and lightens a burden of the knee-bending exercise when the user stands up and pulls said lever arms upward with gripping said handle-parts.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said lever arms have length adjusting devices so that the user may adjust the length thereof corresponding to user's body size.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said lifting device comprises a base; a pair of supporting columns formed on the base; a pair lifting mechanisms having lifting arms connected to each other at first hinge points, one ends of lifting mechanisms being rotationally connected to said supporting columns and other ends thereof moving upward and downward along said supporting columns, and said one ends serving as second hinge points; a pair of lever arms which move upward and downward in conjunction with the upward-downward movement of said moving ends; a connecting member for connecting the first hinge points of the paired lifting arms to control the movement of said paired lever arms; a pair of wire members, each having an end which is used as a pulling end part pulled by the user and an other end which is connected at the first hinge point of said lifting arms so that the moving ends of said lifting arms may be moved upward by pulling said pulling end parts; and, an upward movement assisting device for urging an assisting force in a direction that said lifting mechanism moves upward, wherein said lifting device partially assists standing-up movement of the user and lightens a burden of the knee-bending exercise when the user stands up and pulls said lever arms upward with gripping said handle-parts.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said lifting rums have winding devices for winding said wire members at the first hinge points.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said lever arms have an angle adjusting device so that the user may adjust the angle of said lever arms corresponding to user's body size.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said upward movement assisting device is made of an elastic member, which is connected between an upper end of said supporting column and the first hinge point of said lifting arms.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said chair moves upward and downward in conjunction with the upward-downward movement of the moving ends of said lifting arms, wherein said exercise assisting instrument further includes an upward movement stopper to stop said chair at a designated position of height.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said chair has an adjusting device for moving the chair backward and forward so that the position of the chair may be adjusted to a suitable position to the user.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said chair has a structure able to tilt forward so that the user may easily stand up when some part of the user's body touches said chair to tilt forward.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said stopper is a column member established under said chair and supports said chair at the upper part of said column member when said chair moves downward.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said exercise assisting instrument further includes, an assisting force adjusting device that may even the assisting forces of said upward movement assisting devices and also may adjust the force thereby the assisting force being adjusted according to the user's condition.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said exercise assisting instrument further includes a counting a number of knee-bending exercises of the user.

To solve the problems mentioned above, the invention is the exercise assisting instrument being characterized in that, said base has slip stoppers to prevent slipping so that the user does not slip.

THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

Below, embodiments of an exercise assisting instrument of the present invention are explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a first embodiment according to the exercise assisting instrument of the present invention.

An exercise assisting instrument1of the present invention comprises a base10, a pair of supporting columns20, a pair of lifting mechanism30, a pair of lever arms40, a lifting member and a chair50as shown inFIG. 1.

To the base10, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a locking device11for locking the lever arms40, a stopper13for stopping the chair50at the lowest point, a pair of slip stoppers15to prevent slipping when the user does knee-bending exercise, and a pair of the supporting columns20to support the chair50to allow it to move upward and downward are assembled.

The base10is metallic, and the center of the front part thereof is constricted.

The locking device11, as shown inFIG. 3, comprises a locking device body16, a locking ball17, and a spring18. The locking device11is positioned almost in the center of the base10in its wide direction and at back side of its lengthwise direction. In the locking device11, a connecting member35fits in a cut part16aof the locking device body16at the time when the lever arms40moves downward and reaches the lowest point. The connecting member35and the lever arms40move in connection with each other. At this time, the connecting member35overcomes pushing force of the spring18and pushes the locking ball17up to fit into the cut part16a. After this, the connecting member35is locked by the pushing force of the locking ball17.

Conversely, if the lever arms40are pulled up forward toward the user with a force greater than the pushing force of the spring18, the connecting member35pushes up the locking ball17, gets out of the cut part16aof the locking device body16from the locked state, and unlocked.

The stopper13is a metallic bar material, and, as shown inFIG. 1, comprises a stopper body13aand a buffer rubber13b. It is positioned almost in the center of the base10in wide direction and under the chair50. The stopper13supports the chair50at its upper end of the stopper13when the chair50moves down and reaches to the lowest point. In this embodiment, the buffer rubber13bis used to buffer shock of collision with the chair50, but any buffer members that can absorb the shock as a whole such as a sponge and a spring may be substituted.

The slip stoppers15are made of rubber and cut ditch at the surface to make the slip resistance performance more effective. Each slip stopper15is positioned evenly on each projecting part10aformed by the constricted part of the base10so that the position of the user's foot fits in, respectively. Or, the same effect may be achieved by forming ditch directly on the projecting part10a, even though in the embodiment shown the ditch cut rubber at the surface is used.

The supporting columns20are metallic square pillars and each of them is positioned at each side of backward of the base10, and, as shown inFIG. 4, comprises revolving hinges20aand20bto which the lifting mechanism30and the lever arms40are rotationally connected. The inside surfaces of the supporting columns20, which face to each other, are formed with sliding ditches20c.

The lifting mechanism30is metallic, and comprises a pair of lifting arms connected to each other at a hinge point30aand provides a structure of three member linkage system as a whole; one end of the lifting mechanism is connected to the revolving hinge20aat the base of the supporting column20, the other end thereof moves upward or downward along the sliding ditch20cformed inside the supporting columns20.

Upward movement assisting device33is made of a spring member. One end thereof is fixed to an upper end supporting part13cof the stopper13and the other end is fixed to the hinge point30aof the lifting mechanism30. Pulling force always acts on the hinge point30ain a direction toward the stopper13(in a direction of Arrow C shown inFIG. 1). This force may be divided into a horizontal component force and a vertical component force, and the chair50gets an assisting force to rise by the vertical component force. In this exercise assisting instrument, the spring member is used, but other elastic materials such as rubber may be substituted.

Each of the lever arms40comprises a handle pipe41, an arm43, a fixing device45and a grip47, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 5.

The handle pipe41is metallic and is shaped to a bent letter-L-configuration. At one end of the handle pipe41, the grip47is attached for the user to grip easily and, at the other end thereof, the arm43is connected to the handle pipe41by the fixing device45. At the end of the arm43where the fixing device45is equipped, length of the handle pipe41may be changed according to the user's body size. Further, at the end of the handle pipes41where the fixing device45is equipped, graduation41ais marked.

The arm43is metallic and is shaped to large-curve, and one end thereof is connected to the handle pipes41by the fixing device45. And, as shown inFIG. 1, the arm43is formed with a guide groove43ahaving a fixed width along the curve-shaped part of the arm43. The hinge point30aof the lifting mechanism30moves along the guide groove43ain conjunction with the movement of the lever arm40.

As shown inFIG. 5, the fixing device45is provided for connecting and fixing the handle pipe41and the arm43. The user can set up and fix the length of the handle pipe41as he/she likes with referring to the graduation41aof handle pipes41by means of a fixing lever45a.

The grip47is made of resin and is installed detachably at the end of the handle pipes41. The grip47is exchangeable and the most suitable to the size and the gripping force of the user's hand may be chosen. Further, resin material and thickness may be exchangeable at the user's will, so not only leg-and-knee-bending exercise but also training of the grip may be expected.

A counter49is positioned at the end of the grips47, and automatically counts a number of upward and downward movements of the lever arms40. Accordingly, the user may easily confirm the number of knee-bending exercise by oneself. And, the counter49is removable so that the user may perform the knee-bending exercise for multipurpose efficiently by exchanging the counter with a counter having alarm function or calorie-calculating function.

Then, action of the exercise assisting instrument1explained above will be described. First, the user gets on the base10, places his/her both feet on the slip stoppers15, and confirms the position of the feet. After the user sits down on the chair50so as to fit his/her feet at the slip stoppers15, the position of the chair50in back and front direction is adjusted. Next, the user grips the grips47at the ends of the lever arms40. At that time, the user adjusts the length of the right-and-left-pair of handle pipes41and fixes them with the fixing device45. Next, the user resets the number of the counter49to “0” before starting the knee-bending exercise.

Then, the user stands up and pulls the lever arms40up toward the user (in the direction A shown inFIG. 1) with grasping the grips47, the hinge point30aof the lifting arm30comes off the locking device11to be unlocked. Since the chair50rises by link function of the lifting mechanism30and assisting force of the upward movement assisting device33, the user may stand up undisturbedly. Further, the chair50inclines forward freely when the user stands up so that the front edge of the chair50does not bite into buttocks and thigh of the user. Since the chair50moves upward and downward in a state coming into contact with his/her buttocks all the time while he/she does the knee-bending exercise, the user may sit down or lean on the chair even at a time the user becomes unsteady and cannot help squatting down, and may go down to the lowest point slowly and safely.

Contrary to the above, if the user pushes down the lever arms40from its uppermost position (in the direction B shown inFIG. 1), the chair50goes downward and the user may squat while his/her buttocks coming into contact with the chair50.

In usual knee-bending exercise, the chair50goes down to a position higher than an upper end of the stopper13and repeats lifting. Therefore, during usual use, the exercise assisting instrument1is not locked by the locking device11and the user may repeat knee-bending exercise smoothly.

In case that the user quits or discontinues knee-bending exercise, the user sits on the chair50and goes down to the lowest point. When the chair50reaches to the lowest point, the chair50hits the stopper13to stop and, at the same time, the lever arms40are locked by the locking device11and are stopped safely in a stable state.

Next, a second embodiment of the exercise assisting instrument according to the present invention will be described with referring toFIG. 6.

The exercise assisting instrument2of the present invention comprises a base110, a pair of supporting columns120, a pair of lifting mechanisms130, a pair of lever arms140, a chair150, a lifting linkage160, and a lifting base170as shown inFIG. 6.

To the base110, as shown inFIGS. 6˜8, a stopper113for stopping the chair150at an appropriate lowest point with taking the user's safety into consideration, slip stoppers115to prevent slipping when the user does knee-bending exercise, and the paired supporting columns120to support the chair150to allow it to move upward and downward are integrated.

The base110is metallic and is made of a board member, the corners of which are chamfered so that the user may use it safely.

The stopper113is a metallic bar material, and, as shown inFIG. 6, comprises a stopper body113aand a buffer rubber113b. It is positioned almost in the center of the base110in wide direction and under the chair150. The stopper113supports the chair150by means of the buffer rubber113bfor absorbing a shock at its upper end thereof when the chair150moves down to the lowest point. In this embodiment, the buffer rubber113bis used to buffer shock of collision with the chair150, but any buffer member that can absorb the shock as a whole such as a sponge and a spring may be substituted.

The slip stoppers115is made of rubber and cut ditch at the surface to make the slip resistance performance more effective. Each slip stopper115is positioned to an area where the foot of the user roughly fits in. Or, the same effect may be achieved by forming irregularity directly on the base110, even though in the present embodiment the ditch cut rubber at the surface is used.

The supporting columns120are metallic square pillars and each of them is positioned at the back in a lengthwise direction of the base110, and as shown inFIGS. 7˜9, comprises a bridge member122, an upward movement assisting device180, and revolving hinges120awhich connect to the lifting mechanism130. The inside surfaces of the supporting columns120, which face to each other, are formed with sliding ditches120bso that the chair150slides upward and downward.

The lifting mechanism130is metallic, and comprises two lifting arms connected to each other at a hinge point; one end of the lifting mechanism130is connected to a revolving hinge120anear the base of the supporting column120, and the other end thereof acts as a moving end132, which moves upward and downward along the sliding ditch120bformed inside the supporting columns120. The lifting mechanism130and the supporting columns120as a whole provides a structure of linkage system.

Each of the lever arms140comprises a L-shaped member141, a sliding member143, and a length adjusting device145, as shown inFIGS. 6,7, and9. The lever arms140are fixed to each other by a connecting member148under the chair150so that movement of each lever arm is limited.

The L-shaped member141is metallic and, as shown inFIG. 10, comprises a grip147installed for the user to grip easily at one end and a connecting part141afor connecting to the sliding member143by means of the length adjusting device145at the other end.

The sliding member143is metallic. One end of the sliding member is a connecting part143aconnected to the L-shaped member141through the length adjusting device145and the other end thereof is movably supported by a pair of supporting parts174of the lifting base170.

As shown inFIG. 10, the length adjusting device145is metallic and hollow cylindrical member. The connecting part141aof the L-shaped member141and the connecting part143aof the sliding member143are fixed to each other with fastening means such as bolts190after inserting into the length adjusting device145from opposite ends thereof. Length of the lever arms140may be adjusted by changing the inserted lengths of the L-shaped member141and/or the sliding member143into the length adjusting device145.

The grip147is made of resin and is installed detachably at the end of the L-shaped members141. The grip147is exchangeable and the most suitable to the size and the gripping force of the user's hand may be chosen. Further, resin material and thickness may be exchangeable at the user's will, so not only leg-and-knee-bending exercise but also training of the grip may be expected.

The lifting linkage160is metallic, and, as shown inFIG. 6or9, comprises a first link member162, a second link member164, and a third link member166. The first link member162and the second link member164are rotationally connected at their ends. One end of the third link member166is rotationally connected to the center or its vicinity of the first joint162.

As shown inFIG. 6or9, one end of the first link member162of the lifting linkage160is rotationally connected to the center or its vicinity of the connecting member148that connects the paired lever arms140. One end of the second link member164is rotationally connected to the center or its vicinity of a connecting member135that connects hinge joints131of the paired lifting mechanisms130. One end of the third link member166is rotationally connected to the center or its vicinity of a connecting member134that connects the moving ends132of the paired lifting mechanisms130.

The lifting base170comprises a pair of metallic L-shaped members172and the supporting parts174. One end of the sliding member143of the lever arm140and the supporting parts174, through which the former passes, compose a sliding system.

One end of the L-shaped member172fits into the sliding ditch120bformed inside the supporting column120so that it moves upward and downward. The supporting parts174are established in outer sides176of the L-shaped members172.

The chair150is positioned upon the paired L-shaped members172. The angle of the chair150may be changed by means of spring152so that the chair150is positioned near the user's buttocks according to the user's movement.

As shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, the upward movement assisting device180comprises a tension adjusting part182, a pair of pulleys183, a pair of tension springs184, a string of wire185connected to the respective one ends of the paired tension springs184and guided by the pulleys183, and an adjusting handle187.

In this embodiment, the tension springs184are used, but other elastic material such as rubber may be used as long as it produces pulling tension to perform the same assisting effect as that of the present invention.

Tension adjusting part182is positioned at the center or its vicinity of the bridge member122. At both sides of the tension adjusting part182the pulleys183are positioned. At the upper side of the bridge member122, the adjusting handle187, which is connected to the tension adjusting part182, is positioned.

One end of the tension spring184is connected to the connecting member135, which connects between the hinge points131of the paired lifting mechanisms130, and the other end thereof is mechanically connected to the tension adjusting part182through the wire185, which passes around the pulleys183. When the adjusting handle187is turned, the wire185is pulled or loosened and the tension force of the tension springs184connected thereto may be adjusted.

Then, action of the exercise assisting instrument2explained above will be described with reference toFIG. 9. First, before using the exercise assisting instrument, the user adjusts in advance the length of the lever arms140with using the length adjusting device145so that it fits the user's body size and arm-length. Further, the user adjusts the assisting force of the upward movement assisting device180by turning the adjusting handle187in R-direction so that it fits the user's weight and physical condition. After finishing the preparation, the user gets on the base110, places his/her both feet on slip stoppers115, and confirms the position of the feet. The user sits down on the chair150so as to fit his/her feet at the slip stoppers115, and then the position of the chair150in back and front direction is adjusted. Next, the user grips the grips147at the ends of the lever arms140, and stands up with pulling the lever arms140up toward the user (in the direction A shown inFIG. 9). The chair150rises (in the direction E shown inFIG. 9) so that it positions near the user's buttocks by means of cooperative movement of the lifting mechanisms130(moving in the direction D shown inFIG. 9) and the lifting linkage160(moving in the direction C shown inFIG. 9). At this time, the chair150is urged upward by the assisting force given by the link function of the lifting mechanism130and the tension of the upward movement assisting device180so that the user may stand up undisturbedly. And, when the user stands up, the chair150inclines forward freely by means of spring152so that the front edge of the chair150does not bite into buttocks or thigh of the user. Since the chair150moves upward and downward in a state coming into contact with his/her buttocks all the time while he/she does the knee-bending exercise, the user may sit down or lean on the chair even at a time the user becomes unsteady and cannot help squatting down, and may go down to the lowest point slowly and safely due to the assisting force given by the upward movement assisting device180.

Contrary to the above, if the user squats with pushing the lever arms140down from its uppermost position in the direction B shown inFIG. 6(the opposite of direction A shown inFIG. 9), the chair150goes downward and the user may also go down while his/her buttocks comes into contact with the chair150.

In case that knee-bending exercise is quitted or discontinued, the user sits on the chair150and goes down to the lowest point. When the chair150reaches to the lowest point, the chair150hits the stopper113to stop safely.

Next, a third embodiment of the exercise assisting instrument according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 11.

The exercise assisting instrument3of the present invention comprises a base210, a pair of supporting columns220, a pair of lifting mechanism230, a pair of lever arms240, a chair250, and wires260as shown inFIG. 11.

To the base210, as shown inFIGS. 11˜13, a stopper213for stopping the chair250at an appropriate lowest point with taking the user's safety into consideration, slip stoppers215to prevent slipping when the user does knee-bending exercise, the paired supporting columns220to support the chair250to allow it to move upward and downward, and a pair of wire guide devices290each for guiding the string of wire260are integrated.

The base210is metallic and is made of a board member, the corners of which are chamfered so that the user may use it safely.

The stopper213is a metallic bar material, and, as shown inFIG. 11, comprises a stopper body213aand a buffer rubber213b. It is positioned almost in the center of the base210in wide direction and under the chair250. The stopper213supports the chair250by means of the buffer rubber213bfor absorbing a shock at its upper end thereof when the chair250moves down to the lowest point. In this embodiment, the buffer rubber213bis used to buffer shock of collision with the chair250, but any buffer member that can absorb the shock as a whole such as a sponge and a spring may be substituted.

The slip stoppers215is made of rubber and cut ditch at the surface to make the slip resistance performance more effective. Each slip stopper215is positioned to an area where the foot of the user roughly fits in. Or, the same effect may be achieved by forming irregularity directly on the base210, even though in the present embodiment the ditch cut rubber at the surface is used.

The supporting columns220are metallic square pillars and each of them is positioned at the back in a lengthwise direction of the base210, and, as shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, comprises a bridge member222, an upward movement assisting device280, and revolving hinges220awhich connect to the lifting mechanism230. The inside surfaces of the supporting columns220, which face to each other, are formed with sliding ditches220bso that the chair250slides upward and downward.

The wire guide device290comprises a pulley base291and a pulley292. The wire260is guided around the pulley292. The wire guide device290gives the wire260a tension so that the wire260can transfer the pulling force to the lifting mechanism230without being loosened when the user pulls grips247.

The lifting mechanism230is metallic, and comprises two lifting arms connected to each other at a hinge point231to which one end of the wire260is connected. One end of the lifting mechanism230is connected to the revolving hinge220anear the base of the supporting column220, and the other end thereof acts as a moving end232which moves upward and downward along the sliding ditch220bformed inside the supporting column220. The lifting mechanism230and the supporting columns220as a whole provide a structure of three member linkage system.

Each of the lever arms240, as shown inFIGS. 11˜14, comprises a first arm member242, a second arm member243, an angle adjusting device248for rotationally connecting and fixing at a specific angle between the first arm member242and the second arm member243, and a pulley part246for guiding the wire260.

The first arm member242is metallic, and comprises at one end a fixing part244having a pulley246. The other end of the first arm member242is connected to the second arm member243through the angle adjusting device248.

The second arm member243is metallic. And, one end of the second arm member243slides upward and downward along the ditch220bformed inside the supporting column220and the other end thereof is connected to the first arm member242through the angle adjusting device248.

The pulley part246and the fixing part244, as shown inFIG. 14, may be movable in the direction H inFIG. 14and are fixed at a user's desired position through the angle adjusting device248.

The wire260is made of high tension metallic wire, and at one end is connected to the grip247for the user to grip and at the other end is wounded and fixed to winding device236of the hinge point231.

As shown inFIG. 11, when the user pulls grips247in the direction A, the wires260connected to them are also pulled and, at the same time, the hinge points231of the lifting mechanisms230connected to the other ends of wires260are pulled in the direction D whereby the moving ends231of the lifting mechanisms230rise (in the direction E inFIG. 14) in conjunction therewith.

The chair250is positioned upon arm bodies241fixed inside the second arm members243, and may change its angle by means of spring252.

As shown inFIGS. 13A and 13B, the upward movement assisting device280comprises an adjusting part282, a pair of pulleys283, a pair of tension springs284, a string of wire285connected to respective one ends of the paired tension springs and guided by the pulleys283, and an adjusting handle287.

The tension adjusting part282is positioned at the center or its vicinity of the bridge member222. At both sides of the tension adjusting part282the pulleys283are positioned. At the upper side of the bridge member222, the adjusting handle287, which is connected to the tension adjusting part282, is positioned.

One end of the tension spring284is connected to a connecting member235, which connects between the hinge points231of the paired lifting mechanisms230, and the other end thereof is mechanically connected to the tension adjusting part282through the wire285, which passes around the pulleys283. When the adjusting handle287is turned, the wire285is pulled or loosened and the tension force of the tension springs284connected thereto may be adjusted.

Then, action of the exercise assisting instrument3explained above will be described. First, before using the exercise assisting instrument3, the user adjusts and fixes the position of the pulley part246in advance by changing the angle of the first arm member242relative to the second arm member243by means of the angle adjusting device248, which is installed at the lever arm240, so that it fits the user's body size and arm-length of the user. After the preparation is finished, the user gets on base210, places his/her both feet on slip stoppers215, and confirms the position of the feet. The user sits down on the chair250so as to fit his/her feet at the slip stoppers215and then the position of chair250in back and front direction is adjusted. Then, the user grips the grips247with sitting down on the chair250, the user adjusts the length of the wire260corresponding to the length of the user's arm by winding it around the winding device236to set the length of the wire260a specific length. After the adjustments above are finished, the user stands up and pulls the grips247up toward the user (in the direction A shown inFIG. 11) with gripping the grips247. The chair250rises (in the direction E shown inFIG. 13) so that it positions near the user's buttocks by means of cooperative movement of the hinge points231of the lifting mechanisms230, which move in the direction D shown inFIG. 11. At this time, the chair250is urged upward by assisting force given by the link function of the lifting mechanisms230and the tension of the upward movement assisting device280so that the user may stand up undisturbedly. And, when the user stands up, the chair250inclines forward freely so that the front edge of the chair250does not bite into buttocks or thigh of the user. Since the chair250moves upward and downward in a state coming into contact with his/her buttocks all the time while he/she does the knee-bending exercise, the user may sit down or lean on the chair even at a time the user becomes unsteady and cannot help squatting down, and may go down to the lowest point slowly and safely.

Contrary to the above, if the user squats down with pushing the grips247out, the chair250goes downward and the user may also go down slowly with the assisting force of the upward movement assisting device280while his/her buttocks comes into contact with the chair250.

In case that the knee-bending exercise is quitted or discontinued, the user sits on the chair250and goes down to the lowest point. When the chair250reaches to the lowest point, the chair250hits the stopper213to stop safely.

Finally, a fourth embodiment of the exercise assisting instrument according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 15˜19.

The exercise assisting instrument4of the present invention comprises a base310, a pair of supporting columns320, a pair of lifting mechanisms330, a pair of lever arms340, a chair350, a lifting linkage360, and a lifting base370as shown inFIG. 15or16.

To the base310, as shown inFIG. 15or16, a stopper313for stopping the chair350at the lowest point for the user's safety, slip stoppers315to prevent slipping when the user does knee-bending exercise and the paired supporting columns320to support the chair350to allow it to move upward and downward are integrated.

The base310is metallic and is made of a board material, the corners of which are chamfered so the user may use it safely.

The stopper313is a metallic bar material, and, as shown inFIG. 15, comprises a stopper body313aand a buffer rubber313b.It is positioned almost in the center of the base310in wide direction and under the chair350. The stopper313supports the chair350by means of the buffer rubber313bfor absorbing a shock at its upper end thereof when the chair350moves down to the lowest point. In this embodiment, the buffer rubber313bis used to buffer shock of collision with the chair320, but any buffer member that can absorb the shock as a whole such as a sponge and a spring may be substituted.

The slip stoppers315is made of rubber and cut ditch at the surface to make the slip resistance performance more effective. Each slip stopper315is positioned to an area where the foot of the user roughly fits in. Or, the same effect may be achieved by forming irregularity directly on the base310, even though in the present embodiment the ditch cut rubber at the surface is used.

The supporting columns320are metallic square pillars and each of them is positioned at the back in a lengthwise direction of the base310, and, as shown inFIGS. 15,16and19, comprises a bridge member322, an upward movement assisting device380, and revolving hinges320awhich connect to the lifting mechanism330. The inside surfaces of the supporting columns320, which face to each other, are formed with sliding ditches320bso that the chair350slides upward and downward along the sliding ditches320b.

The lifting mechanism330is metallic, and comprises two lifting arms connected to each other at a hinge point331. One end of the lifting mechanism330is connected to the revolving hinge320anear the base of the supporting column320, and the other end thereof acts as a moving end332which moves upward and downward along the sliding ditch320bformed inside the supporting column320. The lifting mechanism330and the supporting columns320as a whole provide a structure of linkage system.

Each of the lever arms340comprises a L-shaped member341, a sliding member343, a length adjusting device345, an upward movement stopper346, and a graduation343b, as shown inFIGS. 15,16and18. The paired lever arms340are fixed under the chair350by means of a connecting member348thereby movement of the lever arms being limited.

The L-shaped member341is metallic and comprises a grips347installed for the user to grip easily at one end and at the other end a connecting part341ato connect with the sliding member343through the length adjusting device345.

The sliding member343is metallic and one end is a connecting part343a, with which the L-shaped member341is connected through the length adjusting device345, and the other end is supported movably by a pair of supporting parts374of the lifting base370.

As shown inFIG. 18, the length adjusting device345is metallic and is made of hollow cylindrical member. The L-shaped member341and the sliding member343are inserted into the opposite ends of the length adjusting device345and fixed with fastening members391such as bolts and nuts. The length of the lever arms340may be adjusted by changing length inserted of the L-shaped member341and/or the sliding member343.

As shown inFIG. 18, the upward movement stopper346comprises a cylinder346aand a handle346c.

The cylinder346ais metallic and a hollow cylindrical member, and female screw346bis formed at a bore formed thereon.

At one end of the handle346c, a head346dis provided for the user to grip, and at the other end a male screw346eis formed.

The sliding member343of the lever arm340is inserted into the cylinder346a, at which the graduation343bis formed, and the fastening screw346eformed at one end of the handle346cis fastened into the female screw346bformed at the cylinder346athereby the upward movement stopper346and the sliding member343being fixed.

Since the upward movement stopper346is provided, upward movement of the chair350beyond a predetermined limit may be stopped. Thus, when the user pulls the lever arms340with standing up, the upward movement stopper346abuts against one of the supporting parts374so that the chair350may be stopped. In other words, by adjusting a position of the upward movement stopper346with reference to the graduation343b, the upper limit of the chair350may be set corresponding to the user's height etc.

In the present embodiment, the upward movement stopper346is provided on the lever arms340, but as the second embodiment of the upward movement stopper, as shown inFIGS. 19 and 20, an upward movement stopper390may be used at the upper end of the supporting column320thereby the upper limit of the lifting base370, which moves upward and downward along the sliding ditch320, being set.

The upward movement stopper390according to the second embodiment comprises a L-shaped metallic member390a, a fixing nut390b, an adjusting bar390c, and a buffer rubber390d. The buffer rubber390dis detachably fixed at one end of the adjusting bar390c. The adjusting bar390cis adjusted its length at other end thereof and fixed by means of the L-shaped metallic member390aand the fixing nut390bcorresponding to the height of the user.

Further, as shown inFIGS. 19 and 20, a downward movement stopper349may be also provided at the base of the supporting columns320together with the upward movement stopper390so that a range of lifting movement of the lifting base370may be limited.

The downward movement stopper349comprises a L-shaped metallic member349a, a fixing nut349b, an adjusting bar349c, and a buffer rubber349d. The buffer rubber349dis detachably fixed at one end of the adjusting bar349c. The adjusting bar349cis adjusted its length at other end thereof and fixed by means of the L-shaped metallic member349aand the fixing nut349bcorresponding to the height of the user's legs.

In the present embodiment, the stopper313is provided for limiting the lowermost position of the chair350so that the stopper313abuts the chair350to stop thereat when the user gets tired or is about to fall down. On the other hand, the downward movement stopper349, used with the upward movement stopper390, may set and limit a specified range of upward-downward movement according to the level of knee-bending-ability of the user. For example, by changing the positions of the upward movement stopper390and the downward movement stopper349, a range of knee-bending may be widened. As a result of training with using the exercise assisting instrument according to the present invention, the user may gradually widen the range of knee-bending. Under such circumstances, the user may confirm such effect given by the present exercise assisting instrument when he/she records the positions set of the stoppers.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the upward movement stopper346or390is used, but its' use is not limited to those described above, and it may be any forms in which the position of the chair is set near the user's buttocks when the user starts exercise.

The grip347is made of resin and is installed detachably at the end of the L-shaped members341. The grip347is exchangeable and the most suitable to the size and the gripping force of the user's hand may be chosen. Further, resin material and thickness may be exchangeable at the user's will, so not only leg-and-knee-bending exercise but also training of the grip may be expected.

The lifting linkage360is metallic, and as shown inFIGS. 15 and 19, comprises a first link member362, a second link member364, a third link member366, and a fourth L-shaped link member368. The one end of the first link member362and the one end of the second link member364are rotationally connected to each other. The other end of the first link member362and one end of the fourth link member368are rotationally connected to each other at hinge point to which one end of the third link member366is rotationally connected. Those of the link members structure a linkage system and make the chair350to lift by cooperative function with the lifting mechanism330.

As shown inFIG. 15or19, the other end of the fourth link member368of the lifting linkage360is rotationally connected at the center or its vicinity of the connecting member348which connects the paired lever arms340. The other end of the second link member364is connected to a connecting member335which connects the hinge points of the paired lifting mechanisms330. And, the other end of the third link member366is connected to a connecting member334, which connects the moving ends332of the paired lifting mechanisms330.

The lifting base370comprises a pair of metallic L-shaped members372and the supporting parts374. The supporting parts374, through which one end of the sliding member343of the lever arm340is inserted to slide, constitutes a sliding system.

One ends of the paired L-shaped members372are connected to the sliding ditches320bestablished inside of the supporting columns320, along which they move upward and downward. The paired supporting parts374are fixed to each of outer sides376of the paired L-shaped members372.

The chair350is positioned upon the paired L-shaped members372, and may change its angle by means of spring352so that it may position near the user's buttocks during the exercise.

As shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B, the upward movement assisting device380comprises an adjusting part382, a pair of pulleys383, a pair of tension springs384, a string of wire385connected to respective one ends of the paired tension springs384and guided by the pulley383, and an adjusting handle387.

In this embodiment, the tension springs384are used, but other elastic material such as rubber may be used as long as it produces pulling tension to perform the same assisting effect as that of the present invention.

The tension adjusting part382is positioned at the center or its vicinity of the bridge member322. At both sides of the tension adjusting part382the pulleys383are positioned. At the upper side of the bridge member322, the adjusting handle387, which is connected to the tension adjusting part382, is positioned.

One end of the tension spring384is connected to the connecting member335, which connects between the hinge points331of the paired lifting mechanisms330, and the other end thereof is mechanically connected to the tension adjusting part382through the wire385, which passes around the pulleys383. When the adjusting handle387is turned, the wire385is pulled or loosened and the tension force of the tension springs384connected thereto may be adjusted.

Then, action of the exercise assisting instrument4explained above will be described with reference toFIG. 19. First, before using the exercise assisting instrument, the user adjusts in advance the length of the lever arms340with using the length adjusting device345so that it fits the user's body size and arm-length. Further, the user adjusts the assisting force of the upward movement assisting device380by turning the adjusting handle387in the R-direction so that it fits the user's weight and physical condition. After finishing the preparation, the user gets on the base310, places his/her both feet on slip stoppers315, and confirms the position of the feet. When the user sits down on the chair350from the his/her standing position, the user adjusts the position of the cylinder346aof the upward movement stopper346so that the chair350is positioned at the height where the user easily sits down, and fixes the cylinder346aby turning the head346d. The user sits down on the chair350so as to fit his/her feet at the slip stoppers315, and then the position of the chair350in back and front direction is adjusted. Next, the user grips the grips347at the ends of the lever arms340, and stands up with pulling the lever arms340up toward the user (in the direction A shown inFIG. 19). The chair350rises (in the direction E shown inFIG. 19) so that it positions near the user's buttocks by means of cooperative movement of the lifting mechanisms330(moving in the direction D shown inFIG. 19) and the lifting linkage360(moving in the direction C shown inFIG. 19). At this time, the chair350is urged upward by assisting force given by the link function of the lifting mechanism330and tension of the upward movement assisting device380so that the user may stand up undisturbedly. And, when the user stands up, the chair350inclines forward freely so that the front edge of the chair350does not bite into buttocks or thigh of the user. Since the chair350moves upward and downward in a state coming into contact with his/her buttocks all the time while he/she does the knee-bending exercise, the user may sit down or lean on the chair even at a time the user becomes unsteady and cannot help squatting down, and may go down to the lowest point slowly and safely due to the assisting force given by the upward movement assisting device380.

Contrary to the above, if the user squats with pushing the lever arms340down from its uppermost position in the direction B shown inFIG. 6(the opposite of direction A shown inFIG. 19), the chair350goes downward and the user may also go down while his/her buttocks comes into contact with the chair350.

In case that knee-bending exercise is quitted or discontinued, the user sits on the chair350and goes down to the lowest point. When the chair350reaches to the lowest point, the chair350hits the stopper313to stop safely.

If the user leaves the chair350, the chair350rises automatically by the assisting force of the upward movement assisting device380to the position set by the upward movement stopper346. Therefore, when the same user comes back and uses the exercise assisting instrument4next time, he/she may sit down on the chair350at the position where he/she easily sits down and may start exercising comfortably.

According to the exercise assisting instrument of the present invention described above, in leg-and-knee-bending exercise or waist-and-arm exercise, a burden to the knee-bending exercise is lightened by the assisting force for extending his/her legs when standing up. Therefore, the user may easily do the knee-bending exercise corresponding to his/her physical strength.

Further, said exercise assisting instrument is equipped with the length adjusting mechanism for the lever arms and the position adjusting mechanism for the chair. Therefore, it may be adjusted to the user's body size in a range to a certain extent. Accordingly, the user may do the knee-bending exercise in the most suitable condition.

Furthermore, even at a time the user's physical strength goes to the limit and suddenly his/her knees and waist becomes unsteady and the user cannot help squatting down, to prevent bone-breaking accident, the chair moves upward and downward always in a state coming into contact with his/her buttocks so that the user may sit down on the chair from any position while he/she does the knee-bending exercise. The user may sit down on the chair as he/she lean on it and may go down to the lowest point slowly and safely with aid of upward force affecting the chair.