Patent Publication Number: US-2004043877-A1

Title: Lower body exercise equipment and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] This invention relates to lower body exercise equipment and methods of exercising.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] There are many forms of exercise for working the lower body muscles. Squats, lunges, and calf raises, wherein the person exercising repetitively lowers and raises his body from a standing to a sitting or squatting position using the leg muscles, are one type of exercise designed to work the calves and upper leg muscles. However, such exercises may put undue strain on the back (spinal compression) making exercise stressful, more difficult, and less efficient.  
       [0005] Various forms of exercises have used belts worn around the small of the back for supporting the lower back. Bohmer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,696 discloses a belt for supporting an individual walking on a treadmill. Additionally, Lemire, U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,510, discloses a support belt which is attachable to different types of exercise machines.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] The present invention is for an exercise apparatus comprising a hoop or support bar that a user steps into and pulls up above his or her buttocks to the small of the back for performing squats, lunges and calf raises. The hoop or support bar is pivotally supported on the apparatus and can be lowered and raised during exercise. Additionally, an adjustable resistance element is provided.  
       [0007] The hoop or support bar supports the user&#39;s back, thus reducing the strain on the back and making exercising more comfortable. Additionally, the resistance element makes exercising more efficient, and allows the user to raise or lower the intensity of the exercise depending on his comfort level.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus for performing lower body exercise, namely squats, lunges and calf raises.  
       [0009] It is another object of the present invent to provide an exercise comprising a hoop or support bar which supports a user&#39;s back while doing squats, lunges, and calf raises.  
       [0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus which provides adjustable movement resistance and back support for performing squats, lunges, and calf raises.  
       [0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of exercise wherein a user steps into a hoop or support bar for doing squats, lunges, and calf raises and wherein the hoop or support bar provides the user with back support and movement resistance.  
       [0012] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a review of the following specification and accompanying drawings.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, showing a user of the apparatus in a first standing position.  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, showing the user in a second sitting position.  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hoop of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hoop for the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an alternate embodiment.  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stand of the apparatus of FIG. 1, shown close up for illustrating its construction.  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of the arm and vertical member of the stand of the apparatus of FIG. 1, shown close up for illustrating their structural connection.  
     [0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an apparatus, similar to the apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0020] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
     [0021] The present invention is for an exercise apparatus comprising a hoop or support bar that a user steps into and pulls up above his or her buttocks to the small of the back for performing squats, lunges, and calf raises against a resistance element. The hoop or support bar is lowered and raised during exercise.  
     [0022] According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus  100  comprises a hoop  101  pivotally supported, via a pivotal support arm  102 , on a support stand  104  which is freestanding on a floor or other surface  106 . The hoop  100  is an element which generally engages or encircles the user&#39;s waist for supporting the user&#39;s back while exercising. Additionally, a resistance element  108  is coupled between the support stand  104  and support arm  102 . According to a preferred embodiment, the resistance element  108  pushes the support arm pivotally upwards, with respect to the support arm/ support stand pivot point  109 , such that resistance is provided when a user, with the hoop  101  positioned around his back, pulls down the hoop  101  to perform squats, lunges, or calf raises. The hoop  101 , as best illustrated in FIG. 3, is preferably made of a rigid material such as steel or other metal, or plastic. The hoop  102  need not be circular and may take on any geometric shape. According to a preferred embodiment, shown in the figures, the hoop  101  is ergonomically designed, having a rounded bar  110  for receiving the user&#39;s back, and angled segments  112 ,  114  for supporting the user&#39;s elbows as the user grips the hoop. Padding  116 ,  118 ,  120  for cushioning the user&#39;s back and arms, and for gripping by the user, may also be provided. The padding may be of a sponge or other absorbent and/or cushioning material.  
     [0023]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment for the hoop  400 , wherein, instead of being fully formed from a rigid material as the hoop  101 , the hoop  400  includes a flexible band segment  402  for receiving the user&#39;s back. The segment  402  may be made of a flexible cloth or rubber material. The rest of the hoop  400  is made of a rigid material as the hoop  101 .  
     [0024] The support arm  102  may form an integral unit with the hoop  101  or may be slidably connected to the arm  102  (e.g. via telescopic arm and a lock pin adjustment mechanism) such that the distance of the hoop from the pivot point  109  is adjustable. however, this may also be achieved by making the arm  102  slidably adjustable on the stand  104 .  
     [0025] The support stand  104  includes a base  122 , and a vertical member  124  extending upwards from the base. According to a preferred embodiment, the base  122  may include a bar  126 , and a transverse member  128 , such that the apparatus is freestanding on the surface  106 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the member  124  preferably forms an acute angle  130  with the base  122 . The member  124  may also be at a 90-degree angle with the base  122 .  
     [0026]FIG. 5 is a close up view illustrating the construction of stand  104 , according to a preferred embodiment. The bar  126  includes transverse flap segments  500 ,  502  which are bolted to the transverse member  128 , and a central flap segment  504  for supporting the vertical member  124 . The transverse member may be formed from two rods  506 ,  508 , such that a cavity  510  is formed at the joining point between the bar  126  and rods  508 ,  508  for receiving the bottom of the vertical member  124 . Segments  512 ,  514  are bolted between the vertical member  124  and bar  126 , for attaching the vertical member to the bar, as shown in FIG. 5.  
     [0027] The base  122  may further include a stepping pad  132  for the user to stand on while exercising. The stepping pad further gives extra support to the apparatus  100  in its freestanding position. According to a preferred embodiment, the stepping pad forms a small angle  134  (approximately 5 to 15 degrees) with the surface  106 .  
     [0028] The support arm  102  may be pivotally connected to the vertical member  124  of the support stand  104  via a hinge pin  136 . According to a preferred embodiment, the support arm  102  is a rectangular cylinder and includes an aperture  600  for slidably receiving the vertical member  124 , as shown in FIG. 6. The aperture  600  is made wide enough, such that the arm is free to move pivotally up and down. Holes  602 ,  604  on the walls forming the aperture  600  are aligned with holes on the member  124 , and the pin  136  is inserted through the corresponding holes to form the pivot point  109 . Although the member  124  is illustrated in FIG. 6 as being hollow, this need not necessarily be the case. Additional holes  138 ,  140  may be provided on the member  124  for making the height of the arm  102  from the surface  106  adjustable.  
     [0029] Pins  144 ,  146  are provided on the arm  102  and vertical member  124  of the support stand  104  for attachment of the resistance element  108  between the vertical member  124  and the arm  102 . The pin  144  is located on the end of the arm  102  opposite the hoop  101  with respect to the pivot point  109 , such that resistance is provided when the hoop  101  is lowered.  
     [0030] As shown in the figures, the resistance element  108  comprises two bands, joined on either side of the arm  102  and vertical member  124 . The bands may be of rubber other stretchable material for providing bungee type resistance as the user pulls down the hoop  101  for performing squats, lunges, or calf raises.  
     [0031] The bungee type mechanism provides resistance which is variable, such that the increasing resistance is provided as the hoop is pulled down, and decreasing negative resistance, or assistance, is provided as the hoop is raised back up. Also, the resistance mechanism allows the user to use his weight to pull the hoop down. The resistance is preferably transferred down from the user&#39;s hips, eliminating any spinal compression and shoulder tension.  
     [0032] Additional bands may be added to the pins  144 ,  146  for making the resistance adjustable. Additionally, for adjusting resistance, the pin  146  may be inserted into other holes provided on the member  124 . Other types of resistance elements, for example springs or weights, may also be used.  
     [0033] As shown in FIG. 7, the pin  700  provided on the arm  702  for attachment of the resistance element  704  between the arm  702  and vertical member  706 , may also be located on the same end of the arm  702  as the hoop  708 , with respect to the pivot point  710 . According to this embodiment, resistance is provide when the hoop is raised rather than lowered.  
     [0034] Further features may be provided, such as making the apparatus  100  foldable to a compact unit for easy storage. Wheels may further be provided for making the apparatus  100  portable. Mechanisms for adjusting the angle of stepping pad  132  and angle of the vertical member may also be provided. Additionally, a hoop may be made capable of side-to-side motion as well as up and down motion (e.g. by providing a ball joint between the arm and vertical member of the present invention) for providing other forms of exercise.  
     [0035] According to a preferred method for exercising, the user  150  positioned within the hoop  101 , with feet  152  planted on the stepping pad  132  and hip width apart, lowers himself from a first standing position (shown in FIG. 1) to a second sitting position (shown in FIG. 2) by bending his legs. Thus, the user can generally move up and down while exercising. This motion may be repeated for working the lower and upper leg muscles. Alternatively, the user may repeatedly alternate between a standing and a squatting position. Other forms of exercise, which can be performed using the apparatus of the present invention, will be apparent to one skilled in the art.  
     [0036] The hoop  101  supports the user&#39;s back and may also be used to gain extra leverage by allowing the user to press his elbows, arms, or hands against the hoop  101  as he exercises. Thus, the strain on the back is reduced, making exercising more comfortable and reducing the likelihood of back injury. Additionally, the adjustable resistance provided makes exercising more efficient, and allows the user to raise or lower the intensity of the exercise depending on his comfort level.  
     [0037] While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.