Abstract:
An exercise apparatus having a first and a second guide rails. The exercise apparatus further has a first and a second handle, the first handle being mounted on the first guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the first guide rail while the second handle is mounted on the second guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the second guide rail. The exercise apparatus further has a first transverse support system on which the first and second guide rails are movably mounted so that each of the first and second guide rails are movable over the first transverse support system along a first axis toward, and a second transverse support system on which the first transverse support system is movably mounted and configured to be moveable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/189,501 filed Jul. 7, 2015, the entire contends of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an exercise apparatus, and more particularly, it relates to a weight-lifting apparatus that simulates dumbbell exercises. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    Fitness is increasingly popular among people of all ages and professions. The common approach for an exerciser who wishes to develop his physique is to practice strength training exercises that develop muscle strength, hypertrophy and endurance. 
         [0004]    Free-weight versions of these exercises may involve dumbbells and barbells which pose a certain degree of danger to beginner and veteran exercisers. For example, when performing an exercise (e.g., a bench press, an overhead shoulder press, etc.), the exerciser is required to lift the dumbbell/barbell above his head or chest. In the case of failure to properly complete the exercise, the dumbbell/barbell may pose serious threat to the exerciser. 
         [0005]    Several conventional barbell-simulating machines have attempted to solve these safety issues by adding guide rails to plate-loaded assemblies. However, the adding of the guide rails has led to restricted movements which limit the development of small muscle groups known as stabilizing muscles. Some of such machines have focused on safety associated with barbell use [e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,500,608 and 4,527,797]. In particular, the Smith Machine [e.g., U.S. Patent Publication Application No. 2006/0252615] adds one pair of vertical rails restricting a barbell to two vertical guides and ultimately allowing only linear movements in one direction. The Dual Action Machine [e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,743] adds one more pair of guide rails perpendicular to the vertical guide rails and parallel to the sidetrack, thus allowing a greater variety of exercises, but still limiting movements to two degrees of freedom (e.g., up &amp; down, back &amp; forth). 
         [0006]    The dangers of free-weight exercises become more prominent when the exercises are performed with dumbbells rather than barbells. In the past, there have been attempts to design machines that simulate dumbbell exercises. However, the achievement of exerciser safety still led to restricted freedoms of movement. The Exercise Apparatus Providing Simulated Free Weight Exercises and Compact Stowage [e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,459] uses cables that transmit the weight stack resistance; thus, allowing for greater degrees of freedom. However, it requires the entire weight stack to move accordingly during the exercise. The inertia of the entire weight stack makes it difficult to horizontally move back-and-forth. The Free Weight Training Simulation Apparatus [e.g., U.S. Publication Application No. 2010/0216610] applies two sets of rollers to enable horizontal back-and-forth movement. However, its lever arms, connected to the main frame, have a preset radius and thus restrict the freedom of movement to an arc with fixed radius. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an exercise apparatus comprises first and second guide rails and first and second handles. The first handle is mounted on the first guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the first guide rail. The second handle is mounted on the second guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the second guide rail. The exercise apparatus further comprises a first transverse support system on which the first and second guide rails are movably mounted so that each of the first and second guide rails are movable over the first transverse support system along a first axis toward and away from the other of the first and second guide rails. Additionally, a second transverse support system on which the first transverse support system is movably mounted is configured to be moveable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, the first and second guide rails include sliding joints that enable the first and second guide rails to move over the first transverse support system. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the first and second guide rails include rollers that enable the first and second guide rails to move over the first transverse support system. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, the first and second guide rails are movable independent of each other along first axis and the second axis. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the first transverse support system includes a first and a second horizontal guide rail on which the first guide rail is configured to be moveably mounted, and a third and forth horizontal guide rail on which the second guide rail is configured to be moveably mounted. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, the first and second guide rails include at least one hole configured to receive a pin. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, the first transverse support system includes sliding joints that enable the first transverse to move over the second transverse support system. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, the first transverse support system includes rollers that enable the first transverse to move over the second transverse support system. 
         [0015]    In another aspect, the first handle is joined to a first plate hanger and the second handle is joined to a second plate hanger. 
         [0016]    In another aspect, a bench is situated in a lower middle plane of the exercise apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing detailed labeling of the components. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a detailed view of an upper structure of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate exemplary embodiment of the exercise apparatus, according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a detailed view of an upper structure of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a detailed view of the upper structure of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed view of the upper structure of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows a detailed view of the upper structure of the exercise apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a flat bench press with an exerciser in the starting position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a flat bench press with the exerciser in the ending position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a shoulder press with the exerciser in the starting position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a shoulder press with the exerciser in the ending position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as an incline bench press with the exerciser in the starting position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as an incline bench press with the exerciser in the ending position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a squat lunge with the exerciser in the starting position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a squat lunge with the exerciser in the ending position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the related appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments are related to an exercise apparatus. 
         [0034]    The exercise apparatus according to the present invention enables three degrees of freedom of movement of plate-loaded assemblies for upper and lower-body dumbbell pressing exercises including, but not limited to, flat/incline/decline bench press exercise, dumbbell overhead press exercise, squat lunge exercise, deadlift exercise, all whilst ensuring the safety of an exerciser. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show an exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus  100  according to the present invention. The exercise apparatus  100  includes a first base member  1  and a second base member  2 . The first base member  1  is joined to a first vertical strut  3  and a second vertical strut  6 . The second base member  2  is joined to a third vertical strut  4  and a fourth vertical strut  5 . Upper ends of the first vertical strut  3  and the second vertical strut  6  are joined to a first cross strut  7 . Similarly, Upper ends of the third vertical strut  4  and the fourth vertical strut  5  are joined to a second cross strut  8 . The first cross strut  7  and the second cross strut  8  extend towards a center of the exercise apparatus  100 , where they are joined. A first lateral horizontal back-and-forth rail  9  extends between the first vertical strut  3  and the second vertical strut  6 . Similarly, a second lateral horizontal back-and-forth rail  10  extends between the third strut  4  and the fourth strut  5 . 
         [0036]    A first handle  29  and a second handle  30  are slidably mounted on a first guide rail  31  and a second guide rail  32 , respectively, thus allowing a vertical movement up and down. Immediately above the first handle  29  is a first plate hanger  27 , while a second plate hanger  28  is immediately above the second handle  30 . Weight plates (not shown) may be slid onto the plate hangers  27 ,  28 . A bench  50  (optional) may be situated in a lower middle of the exercise apparatus  100 . Furthermore, rest plate hangers  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26  may be attached to any of the vertical struts  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  to hold a variety of different weight plates. In an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plate hangers  27 ,  28  may be positioned below the handles  29 ,  30  or, alternately, the plate hangers  27 ,  28  and the handles  29 ,  30  may be on the same horizontal plane. Those skilled in the art would understand that the plate hangers  27 ,  28  and the handles  29 ,  30  may be composed of a single body or two joined bodies. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the top of the first guide rail  31  is connected to a first horizontal left-and-right slider  17  and the top of the second guide rail  32  is connected to a second horizontal left-and-right slider  18 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, each of the first and second guide rails  31 ,  32  and each of the first and second sliders  17 ,  18  may be formed as a single body or as multiple bodies. The first slider  17  is slidably mounted on a first pair of horizontal left-to-right guide rails  15 ,  16  and the second slider  18  is slidably mounted on a second pair of horizontal left-to-right guide rails  13 ,  14 ; thus, allowing horizontal movement left-and-right of each of the guide rails  31 ,  32 . In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a first single horizontal guide rail may be used instead of the first pair of horizontal guide rails  15 ,  16  and a second single horizontal guide rail may be used instead of the second pair of horizontal guide rails  13 ,  14 . 
         [0038]    Those skilled in the art would understand that the shape of the first and second single horizontal guide rails would determine whether the first and second sliders  17 ,  18  may rotate in addition to sliding. It should be noted that while the first pair of horizontal guide rails  15 ,  16  and the second pair of horizontal guide rails  13 ,  14  are is set as being substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, those skilled in the art would understand that circumstances may require for the first pair of horizontal guide rails  15 ,  16  and the second pair of horizontal guide rails  13 ,  14  to deviate from the horizontal plane. 
         [0039]    The ends of the first pair of guide rails  15 ,  16  are connected to a first traveling member  11 , while the opposite ends of the first pair of guide rails  15 ,  16  are connected to a second traveling member  20 . Similarly, the ends of the second pair of guide rails  13 ,  14  are connected to a third traveling member  12 , while the opposite ends of the second pair of guide rails  13 ,  14  are connected to a fourth traveling member  19 . This forms a first transverse support system. 
         [0040]    The first member  11  is slidably mounted on the first lateral rail  9 . The second member  20  is slidably mounted on the rail formed by the first cross strut  7 . The third member  12  is slidably mounted on the second lateral rail  10 . The fourth member  19  is slidably mounted on the rail formed by the second cross strut  8 . The first lateral rail  9 , the second lateral rail  10 , the rail formed by the first cross strut  7 , and the rail formed by the second cross strut  8  form a second transverse support system. This allows for independent lateral back-and-forth movement of each of the guide rails  31 ,  32 . Those skilled in the art would understand that alternate configurations may be used to form the second transverse support system. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus  200  according to the present invention. The exercise apparatus  200  utilizes rollers instead of sliding joints.  FIG. 5  shows a detailed view of an upper structure of the exercise apparatus  200 . A first roller  39  connects the first member  11  to the first lateral rail  9 . A second roller  40  connects the third member  12  to the second lateral rail  10 . A third roller  33  connects the second member  20  to the rail formed by the first cross strut  7 . A fourth roller  34  connects the fourth member  19  to the rail formed by the second cross strut  8 . This allows for independent lateral back-and-forth movement of each of the guide rails  31 ,  32 . 
         [0042]    A fifth roller  35  and a sixth roller  36  connect the first slider  17  to the first pair of horizontal guide rails  15 ,  16 . A seventh roller  37  and an eighth roller  38  connect the second slider  18  to the second pair of horizontal guide rails  13 ,  14 . This allows for independent horizontal left-and-right movement of each of the guide rails  31 ,  32 . The fifth roller  35  and the sixth roller  36  are situated inside first slider  17 , while the seventh roller  37  and the eighth roller  38  are situated inside second slider  18 . While  FIGS. 4 and 5  show a single roller on each guide rail, those skilled in the art would understand that multiple rollers per guide rail may be used instead. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , each of the guide rails  31 ,  32  may have multiple holes  43  spanning a portion of the length of each of the guide rails  31 ,  32 . The holes  43  may be used for inserting a pin (not shown). The pin may prevent the handles  29 ,  30  from sliding below a predetermined height set by the pin. The holes  43  may be of any shape, including, but not limited to, circular, triangular or rectangular. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows a detailed view of the first roller  39  connecting to the first member  11  to the first lateral rail  9 . As mentioned above, this allows for independent lateral back-and-forth movement of each of the guide rails  31 ,  32 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed view of the third roller  33  connecting the second member  20  to the rail formed by the first cross strut  7  and the fourth roller  34  connecting the fourth member  19  to the rail formed by the second cross strut  8 . As previously mentioned, this allows for independent lateral back-and-forth movement of each of the guide rails  31 ,  32 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  shows a detailed view of the fifth roller  37  and sixth roller  38  connecting the second horizontal slider  18  to the second pair of horizontal guide rails  13 ,  14 . As previously mentioned, this allows for independent horizontal left-and-right movement of each of the guide rails  31 ,  32 . In addition, a detailed view of the second roller  40  connecting the third member  12  to the second lateral rail  10  is shown. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show an exemplary utilization of the exercise apparatus  100  according to the present invention. In particular,  FIGS. 9 and 10  demonstrate starting and ending positions of the dumbbell bench press exercise. During a concentric phase (i.e., a pushing phase) of the dumbbell bench pressing exercise, ergonomics require for the exerciser to bring his palms toward a center of the body. This requires the horizontal left-and-right movement of the first handle  29  and the second handle  30 . When performing a flat bench press exercise, the exerciser may choose to place a flat bench in the center of the exercise apparatus  100 , and load desirable amount of weight plates onto the first plate hanger  27  and the second plate hanger  28 . The exerciser may start pushing the dumbbells upward, with the plate assembly sliding along the first and second guide rails  31 ,  32 . Throughout the pressing movement, the first pair of guide rails  13 ,  14  and the second pair of guide rails  15 ,  16  will allow the exerciser to bring his palms close together. Meanwhile, each one of the lateral rails  9 ,  10  and each one of the travelling members  11 ,  12  add to the freedom of movements, allowing the exerciser to work out the surrounding small muscle groups called stabilizing muscles. The iso-lateral design (i.e., the separation of the left weight load from the right), allows the exerciser to move either arm independently, prompting the exerciser to develop a balanced physique and muscularity. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show another exemplary utilization of the exercise apparatus  100  according to the present invention. In particular,  FIGS. 11 and 12  demonstrate starting and ending positions of the shoulder press exercise. Similar to the dumbbell bench pressing exercise shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , during a concentric phase of the exercise, ergonomics require that the exerciser bring his palms toward the center of the body. This requires the horizontal left-and-right movement of the first handle  29  and the second handle  30 . When performing the shoulder press exercise, the exerciser may choose to place an upright bench in the center of the exercise apparatus  100 , and load desirable amount of weight plates onto the plate hangers  27 ,  28 . The exerciser may start pushing the dumbbells upward, with the plate assembly sliding along the first and second guide rails  31 ,  32 . Throughout the pressing movement, the first pair of guide rails  13 ,  14  and the second pair of guide rails  15 ,  16  will allow the exerciser to bring his palms closer together. Meanwhile, each one of the rails  9 ,  10  and each one of the travelling members  11 ,  12  add to the freedom of movements, allowing the exerciser to work out the stabilizing muscles. Again, the iso-lateral design allows the exerciser to move either arm independently. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show yet another exemplary utilization of the exercise apparatus  200  according to the present invention. In particular,  FIGS. 13 and 14  demonstrate the starting and ending positions of the incline bench press exercise. Similar to the dumbbell bench pressing exercise shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , during a concentric phase of the exercise, the exerciser brings his palms toward the center of the body. This requires the horizontal left-and-right movement of the first handle  29  and the second handle  30 . When performing the incline bench press, the exerciser may choose to place an incline bench in the center of the exercise apparatus  200 , and load desirable amount of weight plates onto the plate hangers  27 ,  28 . The exerciser may start pushing the dumbbells upward, with the plate assembly sliding along the first and second guide rails  31 ,  32 . Throughout the pressing movement, the first pair of guide rails  13 ,  14  and the second pair of guide rails  15 ,  16  will allow the exerciser to bring his palms closer together. Meanwhile, each one of the rails  9 ,  10  and each one of the travelling members  11 ,  12  add to the freedom of movements, allowing the exerciser to work out the stabilizing muscles. Again, the iso-lateral design allows the exerciser to move either arm independently. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 15 and 16  show a further exemplary utilization of the exercise apparatus  100  according to the present invention. In particular,  FIGS. 15 and 16  demonstrate the starting and ending positions of the squat lunge exercise, which requires back-and-forth movement as the exerciser alternatingly lunges forward on each leg. The first and second lateral guide rails  9 ,  10  and first and second members  11 ,  12  allow the exerciser to move in a back-and-forth direction. In contrast to the exercises described above, it is the first pair of guide rails  13 ,  14  and the second pair of guide rails  15 ,  16  which add the freedom of movement during the squat lunge exercise, allowing the exerciser to work out the surrounding small muscle groups called stabilizing muscles. As can be seen in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , this exercise does not require the optional bench  50 ; thus, the bench  50  is removed or is not placed prior to the squat lunge exercise. 
         [0051]    One of the advantages of the present invention is that an exemplary embodiment achieves a safe simulation of heavy dumbbells exercise with three degrees of freedom of movement can be achieved. This is advantageous over the Smith machine, which offers only one degree of freedom, and the Dual Action Machine, which offers only two degrees of freedom. Further, if an exerciser is having difficulty completing an exercise, the present invention prevents injury to the exerciser because the first guide rail  31  and second guide rail  32  can be adjusted to a suitable length so that weight plate assemblies will stop once they reach the bottom of the guide rails  31 ,  32 . Alternatively, if the pins and the holes  43  along the first guide rail  31  and the second guide rail  32  are utilized, each of the pins will prevent each of the handles  29 ,  30  from sliding below a predetermined height. 
         [0052]    Another one of the advantages of the present invention is the capability to develop smaller muscles groups (i.e., stabilizing muscles) while ensuring safety as described above. The development of the stabilizing muscles is achieved by utilizing the three degrees of freedom of the present invention and permits either arm to exercise independently of the other while preventing each of the handles  29 ,  30  from sliding below a predetermined height. 
         [0053]    Yet another one of the advantages of the present invention is that each one of the rollers  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40  may reduce friction and increase the lifespan of the 100/200. 
         [0054]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.