Abstract:
A complex exercise machine utilizes a horizontally extending frame assembly having a plurality of resistance elements. A plurality of foot pedals are included that are slidably mounted on the frame assembly. The foot pedals are moveable between a first position, proximate to the user, and a second distal position. The resistance elements have a first end and a second end. The first end of the resistance element is removably anchored to the frame assembly A first resistance element includes a handle at its second to exercise upper body muscle groups, while a second resistance element includes the pedals at its second end to exercise lower body and abdominal muscle groups. A seat is provided that is adjustably mounted to the frame assembly. The angulation between the seat back and seat bottom is also adjustable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and in particular, to a compact, simple and flexible full body exercise apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Maintaining good health is achieved in large part by maintaining good physical fitness. Exercise machines, useful in achieving and maintaining good physical fitness, are of varied designs. One class of exercise machine is designed to work targeted muscle groups only, thereby requiring multiple machines to achieve a total body work-out. Examples of targeted machines are stationary bicycles, treadmills, and stepper machines. Often these devices are large and not easy to store. 
         [0003]    A second class of exercise machine, known in the art as a complex exerciser, is configurable or adjustable to enable a user to engage in many varied and different exercises targeting multiple muscle groups, typically by allowing for a number of different body positions such as sitting, laying down, standing, etc. These complex exercisers are often mechanically complicated, having many parts, and may require the user to rearrange or add constituent assemblies to accommodate the various exercises supported. Often, these types of exercisers are expensive and typically do not store easily in a small area such as under a bed. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is still a continuing need for improved complex exerciser designs. The present invention fulfills this need and further provides related advantages. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention comprises a complex exerciser having a simple design which enables a user to exercise multiple muscle groups. This simple design achieves significant manufacturing cost savings and is storable in a relatively small area, yet allows for quick easy adjustment to accommodate users of differing heights. 
         [0006]    In a preferred embodiment a complex exerciser is disclosed, wherein muscle groups are exercised by providing resistance to repetitive movements of the user. 
         [0007]    A horizontally extending frame assembly is provided having a plurality of resistance elements. A plurality of foot pedals are included that are slidably mounted on the frame assembly. The foot pedals are moveable between a first position, proximate to the user, and a second distal position. The resistance elements have a first end and a second end. The first end of the resistance element is removably anchored to the frame assembly A first resistance element includes a handle at its second to exercise upper body muscle groups, while a second resistance element includes the pedals at its second end to exercise lower body and abdominal muscle groups. A seat is provided that is adjustably mounted to the frame assembly. The angulation between the seat back and seat bottom is also adjustable. 
         [0008]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the exercise apparatus. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the frame assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an explode perspective view of the frame assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the seat assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the seat assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the seat assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the seat assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the foot pedal assembly. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessary to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. Where possible, like reference numerals have been used to refer to like parts in the several views of the present invention described herein. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is provided a perspective view of the exercise apparatus  10  of the present invention. A substantially rectangular shaped frame assembly  12  comprises a first and second set of spaced, elongated parallel members  16 ,  16 ′ and a pair of cross members  18 ,  18 ′. Additional cross members may be included to stiffen the frame assembly  12 , as required. It must be understood that the frame assembly  12  may be provided by other structures as can be provided by skilled persons. For example, each cross member  18 ,  18 ′ may be comprised of a plurality of elements or components (not explicitly shown for simplicity). 
         [0022]    The spaced, elongated parallel members  16 ,  16 ′ are fixed below and above front cross member  18  and rear cross member  18 ′. Cross members  18  and  18 ′ provide spacing between the elongated parallel members  16 ,  16 ′. Spaced, elongated parallel members  16 ,  16 ′ and front and rear cross members  18 ,  18 ′ are further fixed in their relationship to one another by insertion into corner piece  60  and by tube spacer assembly  62 , comprised of cap screw  64 , washer  66 , tube spacer  68 , and nut  70 . A corner piece  60  is fixed at each corner by attachment to each end of front and rear cross members  18 ,  18 ′ by screw  182 . Leveling foot  180  is mounted to the underside of the front of each elongated member  16 . 
         [0023]    Rear cross member  18 ′ is received by rear leg assembly  170 . Rear leg assembly  170  further comprises top cross piece  176 , bottom cross piece  178 , and two leveling feet  180 . Push-up handle cord stop  172  is attached to push-up handle  174  using fastener  182  so that the cord stop  172  can swivel. Push-up handle  174  is fixed to top cross piece  176 . In this exemplar, top cross piece  176  is located above rear cross member  18 ′. 
         [0024]    The spaced, elongated parallel members  16 ,  16 ′ are provided to enable foot pedal assembly  20  to be slidably mounted between them. The foot pedal assembly  20  is slideable to move between a first position  20   a  and a second position  20   b . The first position  20   a  may be termed proximal to the position/location of the user, while the second position  20   b  may be termed distal to the position/location of the user. 
         [0025]    The foot pedal assembly  20  is represented in  FIG. 9 . Upper and lower foot slider covers  70 ,  72  house foot pedal carrier  74 , comprised of a roller assembly  76  located to roll against elongated parallel members  16 ,  16 ′ when assembled. Roller assembly  76  comprises head screw  78  received by carrier  74 , roller  80 , bearing  84 , and washer  82 . Lower and upper foot slider covers  72 ,  70  form lower and upper channels  86 ,  86 ′ to slidably receive elongated parallel members  16 ,  16 ′, thereby maintaining carrier  74  in slidable contact with elongated parallel members  16 ,  16 ′. Cap screw  88  fixes a slider bumper  90  to the front and rear of carrier  74 . 
         [0026]    Pedal  92  is mounted to a first arm  93  of crank  94 . A second arm  95  of crank  94  passes through the carrier  74 . Foot stop  96  is attached to carrier  74  by shoulder screw  98 . Dowel pin  100  provides extra support for the foot stop  96 . Pedal cord stop  102  is fixed by dowel  104  to the second arm  95  of crank  94  which extends past the carrier  74 . 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5-8 , a seat assembly  120  is provided for adjustable mounting on the frame assembly  10 . This adjustment of the seat position forward and backward accommodate users of differing heights. In particular, if a user has long legs the seat may be moved back, thereby increasing the distance between the foot pedals  92  and the seat  124 . 
         [0028]    Seat assembly  120  comprises seat back  126  hingeably attached to seat bottom  128  by a rear wheel axle  134  which passes through a pair of ratchets  132  mounted to the seat bottom  128 . The angle α formed by the seat back  126  to seat bottom  128  is maintained by a spring tensioned back adjustment bar  130  slidably fixed to the seat back  126  and received by the pair of ratchets  132 . Springs  148  are tensioned by locating them between spring pin  150  (received by back adjustment bar  130 ) and upper bar mount  152 . In this manner the seat back may be brought to a horizontal (flat) or even negative position relative to the seat bottom, thereby enhancing a user&#39;s ability to perform push-ups, leg, and stomach exercises. 
         [0029]    Rear wheel axle  134  rotatively receives a wheel assembly  136  at each end. Wheel assembly  136  comprises a spacer  138 , a seat wheel  140 , two bearings  142 , a washer  144 , and a retaining ring  146 , depicted in  FIG. 6 . A front wheel axle  150  passes through a pair of axle mounts  152  fixed to seat bottom  128  and rotably receives a wheel assembly  136  at each end. 
         [0030]    The geometry of wheel  140  is such that it is rotably maintained between elongated parallel members  16 ,  16 ′ ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In the exemplar, the geometry of wheel  140  comprises an inner and outer flange  141 ,  141 ′ ( FIG. 5 ) which prevents lateral displacement of wheel as it travels along the elongated parallel members  16 ,  16 ′. 
         [0031]    Seat adjustment bar  154  is hingeably received by front wheel axle  150  as front wheel axle  150  pass through adjustment bar axle receiving elements  156 . Seat adjustment bar  154  is tensioned through the use of seat adjustment bar spring  158 . The seat adjustment bar  154  is levered to allow seat assembly  120  movement and released to prevent movement. As seat adjustment bar  154  is levered, the upturned free ends  155  are disengaged from a receiving orifice  157  located on the underside of elongated member  16 ′ ( FIG. 4 ). A plurality of receiving orifice  157  are available to allow for varied positioning of the seat assembly  120 . 
         [0032]    Returning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a plurality of resistance elements, for example, elastic cords are included with the exercise apparatus  10 . While elastic cords are used in the exemplar, the resistance elements are not limited to elastic cords. Other known resistance elements, for example but not limited to, springs and hydraulic resistance elements are also contemplated. 
         [0033]    Leg cord  200  is fixed at a first end  202  to a rear corner piece  61  and at a second end  204  to the pedal cord stop  102  ( FIG. 9 ). A front hand cord  206  is fixed at a first end  208  to a front corner piece  63  and at a second end  210  to a handle  212 . A rear hand cord  214  is fixed at a first end  216  to the push-up handle cord stop  172  ( FIG. 4 ) and at a second end  218  to a handle  212 . In this exemplar, there are bilaterally mounted front hand cords  206  and rear hand cords  212 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Though not required, in this exemplar, the rear hand cord  212  is positioned higher than the front hand cord  206  to provide more effective leverage when sitting. 
         [0034]    In this manner, a user can exercise multiple muscle groups. For example, after seat adjustment, muscle groups of the upper body may be exercised using the front and rear hand cords  206 ,  214  by repeatedly pulling on or pushing against the handle  212 . Separately or simultaneously, muscle groups of the lower body and abdomen may be exercised using the leg cord  200  by repeatedly pushing against pedal  92  causing it to slidably and repeatedly move between the first pedal assembly position  20   a  and the second pedal assembly position  20   b . Push-up handle  174  is utilized to further exercise upper body muscle groups by permitting, for example, deeper push-up exercises because the hands are in a higher position than the feet. Its raised location further allows for more effective leg and stomach exercises while in the set to run exercise position. 
         [0035]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of other variations and modifications within its scope. These examples and embodiments are intended as typical of, rather than in any way limiting on, the scope of the present invention as presented in the appended claims.