Abstract:
An exercise apparatus particularly designed to strengthen the gluteus and hamstring muscles is disclosed. A pivot arm includes a weight arm which can be loaded with weights as desired. The pivot arm pivots in a longitudinal direction at one side of the base of the apparatus. The pivot arm includes a paddled hip engagement bar which extends over the base. A handhold member is mounted to the base and is pivotable at a right angle to the pivot movement of the pivot arm. A latching on the pivot arm can engage a catch on the handhold member when the apparatus to be placed is in a parked position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the field of strength training, exercise of the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscles is commonly carried out with lifting maneuvers involving the lifting of barbells, or with complicated machines requiring the user to climb onto apparatus to assume an awkward position. Injury can occur when improper weight lifting motions are performed which can also happen with poorly designed hip and gluteus muscle exercise apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an exercise machine which safely exercises the gluteus, hamstring, and spinal erector muscles while providing an opportunity for an intense workout of these muscle groups. The user may simply move into a standing position on the machine to begin the exercise. 
     A generally rectangular base frame to support the members of the machine has front and rear ends and opposing sides interconnecting the front and rear ends. An upright handhold member is pivotally mounted to the base frame generally at its center. 
     The handhold member is pivotable from side to side on the frame over only a limited range from a park position to an operating position of the machine. On the upper end of the handhold member there is a cross bar on which two upright hand grips are mounted such that the axes of the hand grips are substantially parallel to the axis of the upright handhold. 
     The upright handhold member includes an elongate bar pivotally mounted to the front end of the base frame and a stabilizer member extending rearward from the elongate bar. The stabilizer member is fixed to the elongate bar along its length near the lower end of the elongate bar. The stabilizer member includes a first generally horizontal bar which extends rearwardly from the elongate bar. Fixed to the horizontal bar at its rear end is a generally vertical leg which at its lower end is pivotally mounted to a medial cross member of the base frame which interconnects the sides of the base frame generally midway between the front and rear ends of the base frame. The stabilizer is also equipped with a transverse horizontal bar which extends perpendicularly from the first horizontal bar of the stabilizer toward the left side of the base frame. A brace further strengthens the stabilizer by crossing between the transverse horizontal bar of the stabilizer and the first horizontal bar thereof. Because the vertical leg of the stabilizer member pivots in the same plane as the elongate upright member, the entire handhold member pivots on the base frame over a limited range from generally vertical to slightly inclined. 
     Along the left side of the base frame there is mounted a variable length post which is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the left side of the base frame. The pivoting movement of the variable length post is within a vertical plane defined by the left side of the base frame. The variable length post is generally vertical when the machine is in the park position. The variable length post includes a lower tube and an upper tube which is slidable within the lower tube to adjust the length of the variable length post. A lock pin mechanism fixes the extension of the upper tube from the lower tube at the desired position. 
     Extending rearward from the lower tube of the variable length post is a weight support arm which is fixed to the lower tube near the top thereof. The angle of the axis of the weight support arm is slightly greater than ninety degrees relative to the axis of the lower tube of the variable length post. 
     Near the free end of the rearwardly extending weight support arm is a perpendicular weight support rod which extends horizontally from the weight support arm. This weight support rod can receive circular Olympic-style free weights. 
     Mounted to the upper end of the upper tube of the variable length post is a padded body engagement bar which extends from the variable length post generally horizontally over the base frame. This padded body engagement bar is engaged by the hip region of the user, the length of the variable length post being adjustable to properly engage users of differing heights. 
     A foot plate is mounted between the sides of the base frame extending rearward and downward from the medial cross member of the base frame. By inclining the foot plate on which the user stands, proper posture for the user can be achieved while exercise is being accomplished. 
     The machine is held in the park position by latching the upright handhold member to the variable length post. This is accomplished through use of a bracket arm which extends rearwardly from the second horizontal bar of the stabilizer member. This bracket arm projects slightly downward such that the curve of the bracket arm follows the arc of movement of a fixed point on the variable length post as the variable length post pivots about its mounting. The variable length post includes a catch which may be engaged by at least one complementary hook on the bracket member. In order for the catch on the variable length post to engage a hook on the bracket member, the handhold upright member must be pivoted slightly toward the left side of the base frame and once a hook on the bracket member engages the catch on the variable length member, the machine is locked in its park position. In that position the variable length member is generally upright and the handhold upright member is tilted slightly toward the left side of the base frame. Of course it is to be understood that the machine could be built as a mirror image of that described immediately above and that many variations could be made without departing from the structural functionality of the exercise machine. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an exercise machine which effectively exercises the gluteus, hamstring, and spinal erector muscles. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide an exercise machine which permits the user to exercise with little risk of injury. 
     It is a further objection of the invention to provide a machine which can be selectively loaded with ordinary Olympic-style free weights. 
     It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine which allows the user to exercise the gluteus and hamstring muscles from a standing position. 
     These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from examination of the description and claims which follow. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a front right perspective of the invention exercise apparatus shown in its parked position with its pivot post locked in an upright position. 
     FIG. 2 is a front end plan view of the invention shown in its parked position with the handhold member tilted toward the pivot post of the device. 
     FIG. 3 is an overhead cross section view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a left side plan view of the invention shown in operation by a user shown in dashed lines. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the preferred embodiment of exercise apparatus  2  is shown in its parked position. Exercise apparatus comprises a base  4  which is preferably rectangular, having a front end  6 , an opposing rear end  8  and opposing sides  10  and  12  which interconnect the front end  6  and the rear end  8 . Generally midway along base  4  is a medial cross member  14  which joins the sides  10 ,  12  at right angles. A foot plate  16  is mounted within base  4  between medial cross member  14  and rear end  8 . Foot plate  16  is inclined such that its front edge  18  is supported upon medial cross member  14  and is higher than its rear edge  20  which is supported between sides  10 ,  12 . 
     Mounted generally centrally along front end  6  is upstanding handhold member  22  which is pivotally retained to front end  6  at its lower end  23 . Lower end  23  is mounted in pivot bracket  24  by axle  26 . A stop plate  32  extends vertically from one side of pivot bracket  24  to prevent rotation of handhold member  22  past vertical in one direction of its pivot. Stop plate  32  also limits the rotation of handhold member  22  in the reverse direction to preferably less than about ten degrees from vertical. 
     Handhold member  22  comprises an elongate bar  28  at the top of which is mounted a cross bar  30  which is generally perpendicular to, and centered upon elongate bar  28 . Mounted spaced apart to the cross member  30  at its opposing ends are handgrips  34  and  36  which are generally identical and extend vertically. Handgrips  34  and  36  may be padded (not shown) for comfort when they are grasped by the user. 
     Extending rearward from elongate bar  28  is a stabilizer member  38  which is pivotally mounted to medial cross member  14 . Stabilizer member  38  assists in preventing handhold member  22  from deflecting rearward when the exercise apparatus  2  is operated. Stabilizer member  38  comprises a first horizontal bar  40  extending rearward longitudinally which is joined to a vertical leg  44  which is pivotal on medial cross member  14 . The axis of pivot of vertical leg  44  is the same as the axis of pivot pin  26 . Joined perpendicularly at the connection of first horizontal bar  40  to vertical leg  44  is a transverse bar  42  which extends toward left side  10  of base  4 . A brace  50  interconnects first horizontal bar  40  to transverse bar  42 . A bracket arm  52  extends rearward from free end  84  of transverse bar  42  and is provided with forward bracket  80  and rear bracket  82  on its outer face  88 . 
     Mounted along left side  10  of base  4  is pivot arm  54  which is pivotal about its lower end  60  which is retained to left side  10  by pivot arm bracket  56 . A pivot axle  58  oriented transversely to the axis of left side  10  provides an axis of pivot of pivot arm  54  such that pivot arm  54  will pivot in the vertical plane defined by left side  10 . Pivot arm bracket  56  retains pivot arm  54  generally adjacent the forward edge  18  of foot plate  16 . 
     Pivot arm  54  comprises an upper tube  68  which is axially slidable within lower tube  66 . The extension of upper tube  68  is selected by use of spring loaded pin  86  in the well known manner. 
     Mounted along upper tube  68  preferably at its upper end is engagement bar  70  which extends over base  4 , generally horizontally. Engagement bar  70  is preferably padded because it will be contacted by the front of the hip area of the user. The location of pivot arm  54  on base  4  is selected to space engagement bar  70  sufficiently from hand grips  34 ,  36  such that a user may lean forward to grasp handgrips  34 ,  36 . 
     Pivot arm  54  further comprises a weight arm  62  which extends rearward from the upper end of lower tube  66 . Weight arm  62  defines an acute angle with upper tube  68  of pivot arm  54 , the angle being preferably in the range of seventy-five to eighty-nine degrees, most preferably about eighty-five degrees. A gusset bar  72  supports weight arm  62 . Weight arm  62  comprises a free end  74  adjacent to which is perpendicularly mounted a weight suspension rod  64 . Other structures for suspending free weights on weight arm  62  are also feasible, including hooks, vertical posts, etc. Preferably weight suspension rod  64  extends horizontally over base  4  to keep exercise apparatus  2  compact and to avoid any structural members extending from the perimeter of base  4 . 
     Weight arm  62  is sufficiently long to locate weight suspension rod  64  substantially rearward from the fulcrum provided by pivot axle  58 , such that pivot arm  54  would not easily rotate forward of a vertical position. A stop may be provided at pivot arm bracket  56  to prevent rotation of pivot arm  54  forward of a vertical position when operated. 
     Reference is now directed to FIG.  3 . It can be seen that lower tube  66  of pivot arm  54  is a hollow box tube having a latch  78  extending over foot plate  16  a short distance. 
     Details of the latching mechanism of the preferred embodiment are best visualized in FIG.  3 . Forward bracket  80  of bracket arm  52  is abutted to latch  78  to prevent the pivot arm  54  from rotating rearward. A second rear bracket  82  is provided along bracket arm  52  to provide an alternative latch point which allows the exercise apparatus  2  to be parked in an alternative position, for instance if the user experiences fatigue and cannot return pivot arm  54  to vertical to latch it to forward bracket  80 . It is to be understood that forward bracket  80  and rear bracket  82  of bracket arm  52  may only become engaged with latch  78  when handhold member  22  is tilted, a few degrees, toward the side on which the pivot arm  54  is mounted, as is easily understood from examination of FIG.  2 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, the exercise apparatus  2  is shown in operation by user  5 . User  5  stands with user&#39;s feet  11  upon foot plate  16 . User  5  leans forward to extend user&#39;s arms  7  so that handgrips  34 ,  36  may be grasped by the user&#39;s hands  9 . User&#39;s legs  13  remain generally straight and user  5  engages engagement bar  70  at user&#39;s hip region  15 . A circular weight plate  3  of desired mass has been mounted on weight rod  64  before user  5  has released pivot arm  52  to begin exercise. The user  5  must force engagement bar  70  forward and then rotate handhold member  22  from its tilted position to a substantial vertical. This allows latch  78  to disengage front bracket  80  and allows pivot arm  54  to rotate rearward from the moment of weight  3 . By extending user&#39;s gluteus and hamstring muscles, user  5  allows pivot arm  54  to rotate toward rear end  8  to the extent of user&#39;s reach. Thereafter, user  5  contracts his gluteus and hamstring muscles thrusting the hips forward to force pivot arm  54  to return to an upright position. After repetition of the exercise is complete, user  5  may force engagement bar  70  forward sufficiently while tilting handhold member  22  to the left to allow latch  78  to slide along face  88  of bracket arm  52  until it engages and is caught by either forward bracket  80  or rear bracket  82 . As can be seen in FIG. 4, bracket arm  52  is angled downward such that the latch  78  on pivot arm  54  will generally follow the contour of bracket arm  52 . Preferably bracket arm  52  is curved to replicate the arc defined by the latch  78  as pivot arm  54  is pivoted about pivot axle  58 . 
     An intense workout of the hamstring and gluteus muscles is possible without risk of injury to the spine due to the stabilized position of the user  5  with user&#39;s hands secured to handgrips  34 ,  36 . 
     Many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.