Abstract:
An exercise apparatus for providing multi-directional training of the body of a user is disclosed. The exercise apparatus allows the a user to exercise the mid-section, hips, legs, ankles and connective tissues joining all the muscles in these areas. the apparatus comprises a support structure, two elongate foot platforms and hanging members for attaching the foot platforms to the support in such a manner that they can move in a substantially horizontal X-Y plane with two degrees of freedom. The foot platforms can be hung so that they are either arranged in parallel or have one of their ends closer together than their opposite ends. At least one substantially horizontal connecting member may be provided to interconnect the two foot platforms, either in front, in the middle or in the rear. The support structure is designed to be free standing or to be mounted onto other supporting structures.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/004,022, filed Jan. 10, 2011, entitled “MULTI-DIRECTIONAL BODY SWING TRAINER WITH INTERCHANGEABLE AND ADJUSTABLE ATTACHMENTS” which claims benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/785,658, filed May 24, 2010 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,914,428); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/287,731, filed Oct. 14, 200, (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,722,514), both of which are entitled “MULTI-DIRECTIONAL BODY SWING, TURN AND TWIST TRAINER WITH INTERCHANGEABLE AND ADJUSTABLE ATTACHMENTS”, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/293,234, filed Jan. 8, 2010. This application also claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/367,538, filed Jul. 26, 2010, entitled “LOW IMPACT DYNAMIC SWING EXERCISE EQUIPMENT”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus and more specifically to a multi-attachment exercise apparatus with adjustable parts for multi-directional training of the user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The human body moves in multi-planar directions and incorporates multitude of muscles all working in combination simultaneously in almost all aspects of life. Strength, mobility, flexibility, cardio-conditioning, balance, muscle awareness and coordination are all important during daily life particularly in the area of sports conditioning and movement but also in normal human activities found in everyday life like loading groceries into a car, walking the dog on a slippery sidewalk in the snow, raking leaves, etc. Existing exercise devices do not allow the user to train all these aspects simultaneously even though we live in a world that requires such skills. 
     Existing swing training fitness devices are designed to simulate the walking patterns of user. They are limited in their functionality and are usually fixed in a single use design. They swing forward and backward in an arced path, with the user standing on two pedals attached to two solid bars with a pivot point at about waist height and usually with the other end of each bar above the pivot point for the user to hold onto. As the user swings each leg alternatively forward and backward they stimulate a walking pattern. Such a device can be used for a cardio exercise but it provides very limited strength to the user. Exercises particularly in the mid-section, hips, legs, ankles and the connective tissues joining all of muscles in these areas are not provided by the existing fitness devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an exercise apparatus for allowing multi-planar and multi-directional training to the body of a user, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a supporting frame, a plurality of foot platforms and means for attaching the foot platforms to the frame. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus of this type which allows a user to exercise mid-section, hips, legs, ankles and the connective tissues joining all of the muscles in these areas. 
     It is further an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus to allow for training and coordination of the mid-section, hips, legs, ankles with the upper body of the user for better strength, mobility, flexibility, cardio-conditioning, balance, muscle awareness and coordination. 
     It is further an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus to allow rotational and multi-directional ankle training. 
     It is further an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus which can be mounted on devices having attaching means for a supporting frame. 
     It is further an object of the present invention to provide a supporting frame upon which an exercise apparatus can be mounted thereby making it a stand-alone product. 
     It is further an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus which has multiple interchangeable parts, attachments and accessories allowing for various upper and lower body applications to be performed. 
     These objects, as well as other objects which will become apparent from the discussion that follows, are achieved, in accordance with the present invention by providing an exercise apparatus which comprises: 
     a support having a plurality of connecting points; 
     two foot platforms adapted to be attached to, and hang from, the connecting points in a side by side arrangement to support a user; and 
     at least one vertical elongate hanging member, connecting each of the foot platforms to at least one of the connecting points on the support, allowing for movement of the foot platforms in a substantially horizontal X-Y plane with at least two degrees of freedom. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the foot platforms are elongate and hung so that they are either arranged in parallel or have one of their ends closer together than their opposite ends. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the foot platforms are hung with one of their ends higher or lower than their opposite ends. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, at least one substantially horizontal connecting member is provided to interconnect the two foot platforms together, either in front, in the middle or in the rear. 
     The support structure is designed to be free standing or to be mounted onto other supporting structures. It is preferably provided with a series of connecting points for each hanging member so that the user can select the positions of the foot platforms by selecting the connecting points to which the respective hanging members are attached. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 , comprising  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d , depict the exercise apparatus  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with its basic parts. 
         FIG. 2 , comprising  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , depict the exercise apparatus  100  with an attachment for upper body workout. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an upper body bicycle attachment for the exercise apparatus. 
         FIG. 4 , comprising  FIGS. 4   a - 4   d , depict various attachments for the foot platforms. 
         FIG. 5 , comprising  FIGS. 5   a - 5   e , depict foot platforms with tethers for limiting their movement. 
         FIG. 6 , comprising  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d , depict a stand for the exercise apparatus. 
         FIG. 7 , comprising  FIGS. 7   a - 7   h , depict foot platforms of the exercise apparatus in various configurations. 
         FIG. 8 , comprising  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c , depict another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-8  of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are designated with the same reference numerals. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide an exercise apparatus for multi-directional and multi-planar training of the body of the user. In the description of the present invention, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or mechanisms, to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the present invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1   a  illustrates an exercise apparatus  100  along with its various parts. The exercise apparatus  100  comprises a support frame which supports foot platforms  20  substantially in parallel by means of hanging elements  30  such as chains, cables, ropes, cords, rods or bands. The support frame comprises a C-shaped holding bar  12  and support bars  14 . The holding bar  12  of the support frame is attached to the support bars  14 , oriented such that the C-shaped configuration is substantially horizontal. The user steps on the foot platforms  20  and holds the holding bar  12  when commencing a workout. The support bars  14  are adapted to be attached to a mounting support, such as a wall, floor or other frame members, with the aid of mounting means. The mounting support can be a wall, or a separate stand, or any supporting frame such as a SUPERCELL exercise system available commercially from Vortex Fitness Equipment is Wilmington, Del., USA. 
     The hanging elements  30  used to attach the foot platforms  20  to the holding bar  12  adapted or hinged for movement in multiple directions, allowing the foot platforms to move in a substantially horizontal X-Y plane with two degrees of freedom. This allows the user to train his/her body in multi-directional patterns for better strength, mobility, flexibility, cardio-conditioning, balance, muscle awareness and coordination. Multiple connecting points  48   a ,  48   b ,  48   c  and  48   d  in front, and  49   a ,  49   b ,  49   c  and  49   d  in the rear, arranged on strips fastened below the holding bar  12  permit adjustment of the distance between the foot platforms  20 , and also permit the foot platforms to be suspended either substantially in parallel or at an angle with respect to each other (away from strictly parallel) to facilitate different training exercises, and to allow various starting positions for the feet, such as a “pigeon toed” stance and the like. The holding bar  12  has swivel snap hooks or clips  42  which are further attached to a carabiner  44  to lock the links of one end of the hanging elements  30 . A snap hook or the carabiner  44  can be used to adjust the length of each respective hanging element  30  to raise or lower the ends of each foot platform separately. In this way, the foot platforms can be arranged either substantially horizontally, as shown, or with one end of one or both at a different height or level than the opposite end. 
     The lower ends of the hanging elements  30  can be attached directly to the foot platforms  20  or connected via bungee cords or similar elastic members  50 , as shown. This gives the platforms an additional degree of freedom of movement, in the vertical or “Z” direction, enabling the user to bounce up and down. Alternatively, instead of the chain or cable  30 , elastic members such as rubber bands or bungee cords can be used to connect the foot platforms  20  to the holding bar  12 . 
     In another embodiment only the carabiner  44  can be used to lock the links of the hanging elements  30 . The present invention contemplates the use of swivel snap hooks  42 , whereas other types of hooks or connecting means can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In another embodiment the hanging elements  30  are slidably attached to the support frame  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 1   b . Ring members  46  can be used to attach the hanging elements  30  to the holding bar  12 , thereby allowing the user to adjust the points of attachment of the hanging elements  30  to the most comfortable position or to vary the respective distances between the front and rear ends of the platforms. 
     In still another embodiment, the holding bar  12  is provided with various connecting elements  48  and  49  to allow the user to attach the hanging elements  30  at specific points on the holding bar  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 1   c . Various other exercise devices can also be attached to the holding bar  12  through these multiple connecting points. 
     In still another embodiment, provisions  70  are made on the support bars  14  of the main frame  10  for accommodating crossbars  60  or similar structures as illustrated in  FIG. 1   d . The crossbars are affixed to the support bars by means of pop pins  64 , or the like. Various accessories can be attached to the crossbars  60  to facilitate several types of workouts. 
     One such accessory can be a detachable device for upper body training as illustrated in  FIG. 2   a . This accessory allows the user to train the upper body either in unison or in isolation to the lower body. The attachment includes two horizontal handles  66   a  and  66   b  mounted on an upright bar  80 , the bottom end of which is pivotally mounted on a crossbar  60  fitted between the support bars  14  of the frame  10 . The bar  80  is lockable in a fixed upright position, or in any one of several different tilted positions, but when unlocked it can tilt freely in any direction. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   a , an elastic member  90  is used as a means of resistance to provide resistance to tilting motion of the bar  80 . One way of attaching an elastic member  90  is to connect it between the top end of the handle  80  and a post  110  attached to a second crossbar  61 . Another way of providing resistance is to attach multiple elastic members  94  to the bottom of the bar  80  as shown in  FIG. 2   b . In this embodiment, one end of the elastic members is attached to the bottom end of the bar  80  and while the other end is attached at various points to the main frame  10 . The bar  80 , which is pivoted on the crossbar  60 , can me moved in any direction away from the vertical using the handles  66   a  and  66   b ; however, it is continually biased toward the upright position by the elastic members  94 . As in the case of the embodiment of  FIG. 2   a , the bar  80  in the embodiment of  FIG. 2   b  can be locked in the upright position, or in one of a number of different non-upright positions as selected by the user, to prevent tilting movement. 
     Another such upper body training accessory is a detachable exercise bicycle device  120  with an adjustable resistance to facilitate an upper body workout of the user as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The hand operated bicycle device  120  is mounted on a post  130  which is attached to the crossbar  60 . When coupled to a device for measuring the energy expended by the user, this type of accessory is sometimes referred to as an “ergometer.” 
     To provide information about the use of the exercise apparatus, a number of electronic sensors may be disposed at various points on the apparatus. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2   b , metal sensors  68   a  and  68   b  may be mounted on the handles  66   a  and  66   b , respectively, to sense the heart rate of the user. A motion sensor  24  may be mounted on the movable bar  80  to sense the position, speed and/or acceleration of the bar. 
     On or more such sensors  122   a  and  122   b  may also be fitted to the hand-operated bicycle device, as shown in  FIG. 3 , for sensing heart rate, motion, etc. 
     In still another embodiment, the foot platforms  20  are fitted with various accessories for ankle training in multiple directions. These accessories may be both attachable and detachable, so that the user can apply them to the foot platforms  20  whenever an ankle exercise is required. 
     The accessory can be a pivotal circular plate  140  as shown in  FIG. 4   a . The accessory can also be a half ball  145  made up of a material such as rubber as shown in  FIG. 4   b . A rotatable disc  135  can also be used as an accessory for the foot platforms  20  for developing rotational strength of the ankle of user as shown in  FIG. 4   c . As shown in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c , the platforms may be hung directly from non-elastic hanging members  30  or from elastic members  50 , such as rubber bands or bungee cords for example, which, in turn, are connected either to the non-elastic members  30  or to the support bar  12 . 
     In still another embodiment, a foot platform  138  can be pivoted centrally as shown in  FIG. 4   d  so that the platform will rock up and down in see-saw fashion. This extra degree of freedom, in addition to the basic two degrees of freedom afforded the foot platform by the hanging elements  30 , enables the user to perform ankle training. 
     In still another embodiment, the exercise apparatus  100  is mounted on a stand  200  using a ladder hook-on assembly  150  thereby making it a stand-alone product as shown in  FIG. 5   a . The ladder hook-on assembly  150  is attached to the support bars  14  of the supporting frame of the exercise apparatus  100  as shown. Ladder hook-on assembly  150  allows for adjusting the height and position of the holding bar  12  of the exercise apparatus  100  and it can be attached or detached from the stand  200  as well as from the exercise apparatus  100  with ease. 
     Motion sensors  22   a  and  22   b  can be provided on the foot platforms to sense the motion imparted by the user. These and the other sensors that may be provided on the exercise apparatus are connected to an electronic system (not shown) for processing and signals and providing an image display in response to these signals. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5   a , the foot platforms  20  can be hung from the holding bar  12  via flexible cables or ropes  35 , either elastic or non-elastic, or with other types of elastic or non-elastic cables, chains or cords. The hanging members  35  can also be solid rods, provided that they are connected to the bar  12  in such a manner as to swing freely in all directions. The hanging members  35  can be attached directly to the foot platforms  20 , as shown in  FIG. 5   a , or via cords  50 , with may be either elastic or non-elastic, as shown in  FIG. 6   a.    
       FIGS. 5   b - 5   e  illustrate another embodiment of the exercise apparatus in which the left and right platforms are connected to the horizontal base members  220  via tethers  23   a  and  23   b , respectively. These tethers, which may be connected either to the center of each platform, or to each end of each platform, as shown, prevent the platforms from moving too far apart or close together. The tethers are preferably attached by clips or rings at each end. The clips may be connected and disconnected to attach and remove the tethers from the apparatus, as desired. The clips allow for movement of the tethers with respect to the platforms and the base members at the points of connection. 
     The tethers  23   a  and  23   b  are preferably adjustable in length and may be rigid rods, or flexible bands, cables, chains or cords. The tethers can also be elastic bands or springs, or even a piston and cylinder arrangement that provides resistance to axial movement. 
       FIGS. 5   c - 5   e  show different configurations of the tethers with respect to their points of attachment. In  FIG. 5C  the tethers are elastic and made as short as possible to bias the platforms toward their central, default position. In  FIG. 5   d  the tethers  23   a  and  23   b  are connected between a base member  220  and an opposite platform, to prevent the platforms from spreading apart. In  FIG. 5   e  the tethers are longer than the distances between the base members and their respective platforms, providing slack and allowing the platforms to move horizontally right or left to a certain degree. 
     The stand  200 , without the support frame, the hanging members and the foot platforms, is illustrated in  FIG. 6   a . The stand  200  has vertical members  210  which are attached to each other by crossbar  230  forming a ladder-like frame structure as shown in  FIG. 6   b . The vertical members  210  are attached to horizontal members  220  by well known means, such as gusset plates  250 . The horizontal members  220  are provided with leveling feet  260  which can be adjusted to required height. The side view of the stand  200  as shown in  FIG. 6   c  depicts the connection between the vertical members  210  and horizontal base members  220  by the gusset plate  250  and the arrangement of the leveling feet  260  on the base members  220 .  FIG. 6   d  depicts the use of hexagonal lock nuts  270  on the horizontal base members  220  in attaching the feet  260 . 
     The exercise apparatus  100  can also be mounted on wall or any supporting structure using standard mounting means. 
       FIGS. 7   a - 7   h  show various configurations of the foot platforms  20 , as they are hung in the exercise apparatus according to the present invention. In  FIGS. 7   a - 7   c , the foot platforms are arranged substantially in parallel. In  FIGS. 7   d  and  7   e , the foot platforms  20  are arranged closer together in the front than in the rear, so that when a user stands on these platforms, aligning the feed with the elongate platforms, he/she stands “pigeon toed”. In  FIG. 7   f , the foot platforms  20  are arranged closer together in the rear than in the front. It will be understood that the arrangement of the platforms can be selected, and thereafter modified, by connecting the snap hooks or clips  24  to the holding bar  12  at different clip locations. 
     Since the hanging members are pivoted at the top, and/or are flexible in and of themselves, the user can cause the foot platforms to assume any position desired in the horizontal X-Y plane, even though their “default” position may be in parallel, as shown in  FIGS. 7   a - 7   c ,  7   g  and  7   h , or at a slant with respect to each other, as shown in  FIGS. 7   d - 7   f.    
       FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b ,  7   c  and  7   e  show the addition of a horizontal connecting member  24  extending between and interconnecting the two horizontal foot platforms  20 . In  FIG. 7   a , the member  24  is connected to each foot platform substantially midway between its two ends. In  FIGS. 7   b  and  7   e , the member  24  connects the front portions of the two foot platforms  20 , and in  FIG. 7   h  the front portion of one platform is connected by a diagonal connecting element to the rear portion of the other platform. In  FIG. 7   c , two connecting members  24   a  and  24   b  interconnect both the front portions and rear portions of the two foot platforms, respectively. In  FIG. 7   g , a web of material or sheet  24   c , which may be either rigid or elastic, extends between, and is connected to, the two foot platforms. Additional connecting members can be provided as desired. 
     The connecting members  24  can be flexible cords or chains or inflexible rods. In the case of flexible cords, they can be elastic, such as bungee cords, rubber bands or springs, or non-elastic, such as cables or chains. In the case of inflexible rods, they can be either rigidly connected to the foot platforms or pivotally connected, so that the foot platforms can rotate in the horizontal plane about the points of connection. Advantageously, the connecting members  24  are clipped to the foot platforms so as to permit relative movement in any direction. 
     Advantageously, the connecting members  24  can comprise a piston and cylinder providing at least one of hydraulic and pneumatic resistance in at least one direction. The piston and cylinder are preferably spring biased in one direction to restore the spacing between the foot platforms to a default position when the user does not apply force. 
     Advantageously also, the hanging members  30  and/or the connecting members  24  are adjustable in length. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates still another embodiment of exercise apparatus according to the present invention which employs the same hanging foot platform concept as has been described heretofore. For this embodiment,  FIG. 8   a  shows a front view,  FIG. 8   b  shows a side view and  FIG. 8   c  shows a top view of the exercise apparatus  300 . 
     As illustrated, the apparatus includes a stand  310  which supports the foot platforms  20 , in the manner described above, as well as a vertical member  312  to which are attached horizontal handles  314  and an exercise chart  316 . 
     The foot platforms  20  are slanted toward each other at the front to create the “pigeon-toe” effect described above in connection with  FIGS. 7   d  and  7   e.    
     Advantageously, the main support or stand  310  is formed of a frame made in two pieces, a right side  310   a  and left side  310   b , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 8   c.    
     A cord or rod  24  is connected between the foot platforms. Preferably this connecting member is elastic, such as a rubber band, a bungee cord, a spring or the like. 
     In still another embodiment, the exercise apparatus  100  can be adapted to be used by a physically challenged person. A person having a disabled leg can rest the disabled leg on a foot rest mounted on the apparatus and perform the exercise with the other leg. Also, the exercise apparatus can be designed to be used by a person in a wheelchair. The user can perform upper body exercise by attaching an add-on to the main frame  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  3 . A locking device can be provided to lock the wheelchair of the user to avoid movement of the wheelchair while the user is performing the exercise. Various other alterations in the design of the equipment can be made to help a physically challenged person in performing several types of exercises without changing the scope of the invention. 
     In still another embodiment, one or more sensors can be disposed within the exercise apparatus  100 . The sensors can be integrated with a screen display (not shown) for interactive use in a manner well known in the art. The sensors can be used to sense the heartbeat rate or other body conditions of the user in order to display these conditions on a screen and to notify the user about his/her physical health status. Various other types of sensors, such as the motion sensors  22   a  and  22   b  shown in  FIG. 5   a , can also be used for information transfer between the exercise device and the user. 
     In still another embodiment, the exercise apparatus  100  can be equipped with electricity generating means to convert the physical energy of the user into electrical energy. Generated electrical energy can be used to power the electronic systems of the exercise apparatus  100 ; that is, the sensors, monitors and displays and the like. 
     While certain embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as described in the following claims.