Patent Publication Number: US-6220990-B1

Title: Jumping jack exercise machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefits of provisional patent application serial No. 60/120,025, filed on Feb. 12, 1999 in the United States Patent &amp; Trademark Office. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates in general to fitness equipment and in particular to an aerobic exercise machine which simulates low impact jumping jack-type motions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Because of a growing appreciation for the benefits of regular exercise and because constraints of time and space prevent many persons from indulging in activities such as running, swimming and walking, the market for exercise equipment is rapidly increasing. It is generally desirable to exercise a number of different muscles over a fairly large range of motion so as to provide for even physical development and a maximum level of exercise. It is further desirable that exercise equipment provide a smooth, relatively natural motion so as to avoid jarring or irregular strains which can damage muscles and joints. It is also desirable that exercise equipment be relatively easy to use and of simple, low cost construction. 
     While a number of different exercise systems are known in the prior art, such systems suffer from a number of shortcomings which limit their utility. Stationary bicycles are widely used; however, they are employed in a sitting position and consequently, the number of muscles exercised is small. Furthermore, the range of motion provided by a stationary bicycle is fairly limited. Stationary devices for simulating cross country skiing are also in widespread use. While these systems exercise more muscles than do stationary bicycles, the relatively flat, shuffling foot motion provided thereby does not adequately exercise all of the leg muscles through a wide range of motion. Further, those with provisions for arm movement require a learned balance and thus are not easy to use. Stair climbing equipment which also has become popular, exercises only the lower body. Treadmills and the like permit walking or jogging, but are jarring to knee and ankle joints and like cross country skiing devices, require a learned balance. Thus, they are not easy to use. 
     There is a need for an exercise device which is simple, easy use and which provides for a smooth low impact exercise that uses a relatively large number of muscles through a large range of motion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed towards a machine for low impact personal exercise that is simple, easy to use, and works a relatively large number of muscles through a large range of motion. The machine has a base with a support post extending vertically upward from its rearward end. A foot support is positioned perpendicular to the support post and above the base. The foot support pivots on a forward facing pivot mounted to the support post about a first axis that is generally perpendicular to the post. A handle is pivotally mounted to the support post at a second forward facing pivot and rotates about a second axis parallel to the first. The first pivot point is higher than the second pivot point. The handle is pivotally joined to the foot support and the second pivot can slide vertically in engagement with the support post. Resistance is provided by an electromagnetic coil that resists the vertical sliding of the second pivot point. The foot support is generally planar and adapted to accept a human foot in an axis parallel to the first axis and an axis perpendicular to the first axis. The person is supported on the foot supports above the base. The handle is extensible along a line perpendicular to the first axis and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the first axis. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of an exercise machine constructed in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the machine of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a center portion of the machine of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a lower portion of the machine of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of the machine of FIG. 1 in a starting position of operation. 
     FIG. 6 is a front isometric view of the machine of FIG. 1 at an intermediate position of operation. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of an alternate positioning for a user of the machine of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an aerobic exercise machine  11  is shown. Machine  11  has a tubular steel frame  13  with a horizontal, U-shaped base  15  and a vertical, central support post  17  extending upward from a rearward end of base  15 . Base  15  rests on a floor-type support surface. Central post  17  is approximately four feet in height and is reinforced and supported on both sides by curved side posts  19  which extend between it and base  15 . 
     Machine  11  has a linkage assembly  21  suspended from a stationary support axle  23  located near an upper end of central post  17 . Upper axle  23  is perpendicular to and extends forward a short distance from central post  17 . Assembly  21  has a pair of substantially diagonal leg sections or legs  25  whose upper ends are pivotally mounted together to upper axle  23 . Legs  25  have straight upper portions  27  which diverge outward relative to each other in a downward direction. The lower portions  29  of legs  25  curve back inward toward one another at their lower ends. 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, a foot bar  31  extends horizontally forward from and substantially perpendicular to the lower end of each leg  25  such that foot bars  31  are substantially parallel to and much longer than upper axle  23 . A foot support assembly  33  is rigidly mounted to each foot bar  31 . Each foot support assembly  33  comprises an oversized, planar foot platform having a laterally extending, side platform  35  on at least one of its sides. In the embodiment shown, foot support assemblies  33  have a textured upper surface and/or padding for improved footing and comfort for the user. Assemblies  33  remain substantially fixed relative to legs  25  throughout a range of motion which will be described below. 
     Again referring to FIG. 1, linkage assembly  21  also comprises a pair of substantially vertical arm sections or arms  41  whose lower ends are pivotally mounted together to a lower axle  43  that is below axle  23 . Like legs  25 , arms  41  have straight upper portions  45  which diverge from each other in an upward direction. The lower portions  47  of arms  41  curve back inward toward one another at their lower ends where they are joined to axle  43 . Each arm  41  is pivotally connected to its adjacent leg  25  at a pivot point  49 . Pivot points  49  lie at the intersection of upper and lower portions  45 ,  47  on arms  41 , and near the middle of upper portions  27  on legs  25 . Pivot points  49  interlock arms  41  and legs  25  together such that one cannot move without moving the others. 
     Unlike upper axle  23 , which is rigidly mounted to central post  17 , lower axle  43  is floating, or slidably mounted to central post  17 . The rearward end of axle  43  is located in a vertical rectangular slot  51  in the middle of post  17  and is limited to vertical movement therein. Axle  43  has a flange  53  (FIGS. 1 and 3) located on each side of slot  51  which prevents axle  43  from slipping out of slot  51  and moving either forward or rearward relative to post  17 . The inner and outer surfaces of slot  51  are lined with thin, friction-reducing pads  55  (FIGS. 2 and 3) for facilitating the motion of axle  43  in slot  51 . 
     Assembly  21  is also provided with a mechanical resisting device  61  (shown schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3) located within central post  17  adjacent to slot  51 . In the preferred embodiment, device  61  comprises one or more electrical coils which provides variable magnetic resistance to the vertical movement of axle  43 . A ferrous member (not shown) is mounted to axle  43  and is influenced by the magnetic field produced by the coil. The resistance is due to eddy currents produced by the coil when energized. Device  61  may also be deactivated so that axle  43  and, thus, assembly  21  is free to move without resistance. 
     A telescoping handle  71  is slidably and coaxially mounted within the upper end of each arm  41 . Handles  71  have a straight tubular shaft  73  that transitions into a generally circular grip  75  which is covered or coated with a soft, nonslip material. Shafts  73  extend into the straight upper portions  45  of arms  41  and are readily movable and rotatable relative thereto. 
     Machine  11  may also be equipped with an optional monitoring and control system  81  which, in the embodiment shown, is mounted to an upper end of central post  17 . System  81  may perform many operations including monitoring the user&#39;s cardiovascular system. System  81  may also be programmed for a particular work-out regimen to assist the user during his exercise routine. 
     In operation, with one type of exercise, a user (shown in phantom in FIGS. 5-7) faces toward machine  11  and grasps a handle  71  with each hand. The user then places one foot on each foot support  33  so that his feet are substantially parallel to foot bars  31 . The handles  71  are extended from arms  41  to a comfortable distance such that the user&#39;s arms are straight and above his head but relaxed. The user&#39;s legs and feet should be slightly separated as if the user was standing upright. The user is now ready to begin exercising with machine  11 . 
     By moving his legs and feet apart while keeping his legs relatively straight, and simultaneously spreading his arms apart while they are straight, the user will move arms  41  and legs  25  in a coordinated, scissor-like motion. The user is essentially performing a jumping jack-type motion during this operation while his torso remains relatively stationary. The handles  71  are free to extend, retract or rotate based on the most comfortable position for the user. Pivot points  49  cause arms  41  and legs  25  to move like linkages as axle  43  moves up and down in slot  51 . The user may repeat this motion as many times as needed to perform his exercise regimen. The resistance provided by the electrical coil may be varied to suit the individual user, however, the user controls his speed, amplitude and duration of motion. 
     During operation, arms  41  and legs  25  move between relatively vertical configurations in a collapsed position (FIG.  5 ), and much more diagonal configurations in an extended position (FIG.  6 ). The four pivot points provided by axles  23 ,  43  and pivot points  49  synchronize the movements of handles  71  and foot supports  33  while maintaining foot supports  33  at anatomically correct angles relative to the torso of the user throughout their range of motion. Since legs  25  are entirely supported at axle  23 , there is very little if any impact on the body or joints of the user as legs  25  merely pivot about axle  23 . As shown in FIG. 7, the user may shift his feet diagonally or sideways so that they overlie supports  33  and  35 . This positioning gives the user a slightly different workout. In another method, the user may face away from machine  11 . Other exercises may be performed with the machine. 
     The exercise machine of this invention has several significant advantages. It allows for continuous, low impact exercise, and therefore reduces the chances of injury to the user&#39;s joints and muscles. Using the machine is easy and does not require a learned balance. Also, the machine works desirable muscle groups not easily worked by other low impact exercises or exercise machines. It can be used in a variety of ways to work various muscle groups through out a large range of motion. The machine itself is compact and does not require a large floor area in which to store. Finally, it incorporates a smooth, adjustable resistance mechanism which is adaptable for various fitness levels. 
     While the invention has been shown or described in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the handles may be mounted stationarily rather than to the arms.