EXERCISE APPARATUS

Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprising a platform (1) mounted on a support structure (2) with a curved base, so that the platform (1) can rock between two end positions. The platform (1) being adapted so that a person can exercise thereon. The curved base ensures that the person maintains a preferred posture whilst exercising. Normally, the exercises will utilise an elastic (9) tied to the platform (1).

Description: EXERCISE APPARATUS This invention relates to exercise apparatus for use in a gymnasium or domestic situation and is particularly but not exclusively intended to enable a user to exercise in accordance with a predetermined programme. It is known to carry out exercises in a predetermined sequence, and in one technique, known as circuit training, one exercise consists of stepping on and off a step or low bench a certain number of times, which essentially exercises the leg muscles only. It is also known to use springs in the form of coil springs or elongate lengths of rubber, colloquially known as elastics, to strengthen the muscles of the upper body, particularly the arms. One name for such devices is chest expanders. The present invention seeks to provide an improved apparatus which not only combines the benefits of the above two exercises but also requires the user to maintain a correct posture while exercising which greatly increases the benefits to be derived. According to the present invention there is provided an exercise apparatus including a platform adapted to enable a person to stand thereon, characterised in that the apparatus includes a platform base having a curved ground interface surface to enable the platform to rock between two end positions. In a preferred embodiment, at least one resilient exercise element is adapted to be used by said person in cooperation with the platform. A plurality of orifices can be provided in the platform and said exercise element comprises an elongate member or "elastic" that is adapted to pass through two of said orifices such that a central portion of the elongate member is adjacent the underside of the platform, so that the ends of the elastic which are held by the said person are at a desired spacing. Preferably, the orifices extend at spaced intervals along the two longitudinal edges of the platform, but they can be in other positions. Each orifice may have mounted therein a rotatable member to enable the elastic to run smoothly with little friction through the orifice. The rotatable member may be mounted so that its axis of rotation is pivotable in the plane of the platform. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in whic :- Figure l shows a side view of an exercise apparatus, Figure 2 shows a plan view of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows an end view of Figure 1 , Figure 4 shows an underneath view of an alternative elastic arrangement, Figure 5 shows an enlarged plan view of a preferred embodiment for the orifices of Figure 2 , Figure 6 shows a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Referring now to figures 1 to 3, the exercise apparatus comprises a platform (1) on which the exerciser stands, which is mounted on a base (2) consisting of two arcuate members (3) fastened to the platform (1) adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof. A reinforcing strut (4) extends between- the two members (3) at a position remote from the platform (2). In this embodiment, the platform (1) is approximately 95 cm by 45cm and the height of the platform surface above the ground is 15cm. The members (3) of the present embodiment are arcuate with a chord length of approximately 72cm and a height of 13-14 cm. The ground interface surface of the members (3) is covered with a suitable tyre such as a plastic strip or foam strip to give the required degree of resistance to twisting and slipping and will also allow a degree of resilient damping. The members (3) may be designed to fold flat for storage purposes. As shown in Figure 2, the platform (1) has a plurality of orifices (5) at spaced intervals along its longitudinal side edges. Typically, four orifices 5cm in diameter are spaced 15cm apart, the outer ones being approximately 20-22 cm from the ends (6) of the platform. Each orifice (5) contains a concave roller (18) rotatably mounted on a shaft (17) which extends transversely across the platform (1). Elastics (9) , of which more than one may be provided and which may be of different lengths and strengths, are passed through selected ones of the orifices (5) as shown in Figure 2, depending upon the type of exercise being undertaken. The rollers (18) enable the elastics to pass freely through the orifices (5) with minimal friction. The elastics (9) have a handle (10) at each end and may be colour coded for length and strength. Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown the underside of an alternative form of platform (1) which has a plurality of capstans (12) located at spaced intervals. A long elastic (9) passes through one of the orifices (5) and round a number of the capstans (12), its end being secured at anchor point (14) to the platform (1). The use of a longer elastic has the advantage that for a given extension, the applied load does not increase to the same extent as it would for a shorter elastic. In this embodiment, the exerciser can adjust the length and strength of the elastic (9) to suit the exerciser or the exercise, by varying the length and/or elasticity of the elastic (9) and/or the capstans (12) about which the elastic (9) is passed and/or the anchor point (14) to which the elastic (9) is fixed. Figure 5 shows a preferred arrangement for the orifices (5) consisting of an outer annular mounting (15) which is secured in the platform and within which there is mounted an inner ring (16) rotatable in the plane of the platform (1). The ring (16) carries a shaft (17) on which a concave roller (18), around which the elastics (9) run, the concave roller being rotatable about the axis of the shaft (17), ie. rotatable about an axis in the plane of the platform (1). As shown in Figure 6 and in dotted outline in Figure 1, removable stops in the form of shaped supports (11) may be provided for those occasions when the pivotal movement of the platform (1) is not required. Each block (11) has a tongue that is securable in a catch device (not shown) on the underside of the platform (1). The catch device is often is normally in the form of a resilient clip arrangement. However, it will be understood that the blocks (11) could be incorporated into the platform (1) itself, being pivotable by means of hinges to a stop position. Resilient stops (not shown) are provided under each of the ends 6 of the platform (1) , to damp the impact of the ends (6) on the ground. The resilient stops reduce the noise produced by the apparatus and also reduces damage caused to the exercise floor. Also, the resilient stops reduce the amount of jarring of the person exercising, thereby reducing injury caused by impact, especially to the knee joints. As will be seen from Figure 6, the bottom surface of the members (3) are preferably in the form of a complex curve, such as a parabola. However, in a preferred embodiment, the extent of the bottom surface which can engage with the ground is generally arcuate. In use, the exerciser stands on the platform (1) with feet spread apart so that the platform (1) is rocked from side to side by changing the position of the body mass. This action demands a correct posture which, in conjunction with appropriate movement of the elastics (9) , enable a better form of exercise, and particularly better exercise routines, to be undertaken than is possible with the previously known apparatus.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Exercise apparatus including a platform (1) adapted to enable a person to stand thereon, characterised in that the apparatus includes a platform base (2) having a curved ground interface surface to enable the platform to rock between two end positions. 2. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1, characterised by at least one resilient exercise element (9) adapted to be used by said person in cooperation with the platform (1). 3. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a plurality of orifices (5) are provided in the platform (1) and said exercise element (9) comprises an elongate member (9) that is adapted to pass through two of said orifices (5) such that a central portion of the elongate member (9) is adjacent the underside of the platform (1). 4. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the exercise element (9) comprises an elongate member (9) secured to the platform (1). 5. Exercise apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that a plurality of anchor means (14) are located on the underside of the platform (1), wherein the elongate member (9) passes through an orifice (5) in the platform (1) and is secured at one of said anchor means (14) such that a predetermined length of the elongate member (9) extends on the upperside of the platform (1). 6. Exercise apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that a plurality of capstans (12) are located on the underside of the platform (1), and the elongate member (9) extends about at least one of said capstans (12) to the anchor means (14). 7. Exercise apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the exercise element (9) comprises an elongate member (9) which is looped about a runner (18) mounted in an orifice (5) of the platform (1). 8. Exercise apparatus according to claim 3 to 7, characterised in that a shaft (17) is mounted in each orifice (5), the shaft (17) being rotatable about an axis substantially transverse to the plane of the platform (1), wherein the associated elongate member (9) turns about the shaft (17). 9. Exercise apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that damping means are provided on the underside of the ends (6) of the platform (1). 10. Exercise apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus is provided with chocks to prevent said rocking of the platform (1) , the chocks being releasably mounted to the underside of the platform (1) . AME3SIDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 21 May 1993 (21.05.93); original claim 1 amended; other claims unchanged (2 pages)] 1. Exercise apparatus including a platform (1) extending longitudinally and transversely and being adapted to enable a person to stand thereon, the apparatus including a platform base (2) having a ground interface surface on one side of the platform (1), characterised in that the ground interface surface is curved in a single plane to enable the platform (1) to rock between two end positions, the rocking motion comprising only movement of the platform about a longitudinally oscillating transverse axis. 2. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1, characterised by at least one resilient exercise element (9) adapted to be used by said person in cooperation with the platform (1). " 3. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a plurality of orifices (5) are provided in the platform (1) and said exercise element (9) comprises an elongate member (9) that is adapted to pass through two of said orifices (5) such that a central portion of the elongate member (9) is adjacent the underside of the platform (1). 4. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the exercise element (9) comprises an elongate member (9) secured to the platform (1). 5. Exercise apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that a plurality of anchor means (14) are located on the underside of the platform (1), wherein the elongate member (9) passes through an orifice (5) in the platform (1) and is secured at one of said anchor means (14) such that a predetermined length of the elongate member (9) extends on the upperside of the platform (1). 6. Exercise apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that a plurality of capstans (12) are located on the underside of the platform (1), and the elongate member (9) extends about at least one of said capstans (12) to the anchor means (14) . 7. Exercise apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the exercise element (9) comprises an elongate member (9) which is looped about a runner (18) mounted in an orifice (5) of the platform (1). 8. Exercise apparatus according to claim 3 to 7, characterised in that a shaft (17) is mounted in each orifice (5), the shaft (17) being rotatable about an axis substantially transverse to the plane of the platform (1) , wherein the associated elongate member (9) turns about the shaft (17). 9. Exercise apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that damping means are provided on the underside of the ends (6) of the platform (1). 10. Exercise apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus is provided with chocks to prevent said rocking of the platform (1) , the chocks being releasably mounted to the underside of the platform (1)-

Inventors: GLASER JACQUELINE, GLASER, JACQUELINE
Applicants: RAPESCO GROUP PLC
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A63B23
IPC codes: A63B21, A63B22