Patent Publication Number: US-9849327-B2

Title: Exercise apparatus

Description:
CROSSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/690,193, entitled “EXERCISE APPARATUS,” filed Nov. 30, 2012, which is currently pending. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an exercise apparatus. More particularly, the invention relates to an exercise apparatus using the weight of the user as resistance in the performance of the exercise. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A number of pulley-based exercise devices are known. The devices, however, exhibit a variety of shortcomings in both versatility and ease of use. As such, there remains a need for a pulley-based exercise device offering wide ranging versatility in the muscle groups that may be worked as well as an ease of use encouraging regular and effective exercise by the user. The present invention provides such an exercise device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus including a mounting assembly and a pulley assembly coupled to the mounting assembly. The pulley assembly includes a pulley strap member having a first end secured to a first pulley and a second end secured to a second pulley. The pulley strap member is held by a spacing member such that the first end of the pulley strap member and the second end of the pulley strap member are held in a desired spaced relationship for holding the first pulley and the second pulley in a spaced relationship. At least one pulley cable is positioned about the first pulley and the second pulley for movement relative thereto. The at least one pulley cable includes a first end and a second end. A first handle is coupled to the first end of the at least one pulley cable and a body engaging assembly is coupled to the at least one pulley cable. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the mounting assembly includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the mounting assembly includes an abutment member and the second end of the mounting assembly includes a releasable coupling member allowing for selective attachment of the pulley assembly to the mounting assembly. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the pulley assembly further includes a coupling strap securing the pulley strap member to the mounting assembly. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the body engaging assembly is a belt shaped and dimensioned for positioning about the waist of a user. The belt includes an elongated body with an inner surface and an outer surface, as well as a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated body and the second end of the elongated body are provided with mating fastening members allowing for releasable attachment of the belt about the waist of a user. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the spacing member is an elongated planar member having a first end, a second end, and opposed first and second sidewalls extending between the first end and the second end. The spacing member further includes a first slot through which the first end of the pulley strap member passes and a second slot through which the second end of the pulley strap member passes. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the first slot and the second slot are mirror images of each other. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein each of the first slot and the second slot includes a first slot portion extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and being adjacent the first or second end of the spacing member, a second slot portion extending in a direction of the first end and the second end of the spacing member, and a third slot portion extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall but being inward of either the first end or the second end of the spacing member relative to the first slot portion. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus including a mounting assembly and a pulley assembly coupled to the mounting assembly. The pulley assembly includes a first pulley and a second pulley. At least one pulley cable is positioned about the first pulley and the second pulley for movement relative thereto, the at least one pulley cable including a first end and a second end. A first handle is coupled to the first end of the at least one pulley cable and a body engaging assembly is coupled to the at least one pulley cable. The body engaging assembly is a belt shaped and dimensioned for positioning about the waist of a user. The belt includes an elongated body with an inner surface and an outer surface, as well as a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated body and the second end of the elongated body are provided with first and second mating fastening members, respectively, allowing for releasable attachment of the belt about the waist of a user. The belt also includes a first supplementary attachment member and a second supplementary attachment member secured to opposite sides of the belt on opposite sides of the first and second mating fastening members. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein each of the first and second supplementary attachment members includes a releasable coupling member shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with mating releasable coupling members. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the at least one pulley cable includes a releasable coupling member for selective engagement with either of the first or second supplementary attachment members. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus further including a central pulley assembly including a releasable coupling member for selective engagement with either of the first or second supplementary attachment members. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the short strap member includes a first end provided with a releasable coupling member adapted for attachment to the releasable coupling member of the first supplementary attachment member and a second end provided with a releasable coupling member adapted for attachment to the releasable coupling member of the second supplementary attachment member. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein straps, adjustable in length, secure the releasable coupling members of the first and second supplementary attachment members to the belt. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus including a mounting assembly and a pulley assembly coupled to the mounting assembly. The pulley assembly includes a first pulley and a second pulley. At least one pulley cable is positioned about the first pulley and the second pulley for movement relative thereto. The at least one pulley cable includes a first end and a second end. A first handle is coupled to the first end of the at least one pulley cable and a body engaging assembly is coupled to the at least one pulley cable. The exercise apparatus also includes a central pulley assembly including a releasable coupling member for selective engagement with the body engaging assembly. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the central pulley assembly includes a short strap member to which a central pulley is secured. 
     It is also object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus wherein the short strap member includes a first end provided with a releasable coupling member adapted for attachment to the body engaging assembly and a second end provided with a releasable coupling member adapted for attachment to the body engaging assembly. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of the abutment member of the mounting assembly of the present exercise apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of the adjustable coupling strap used in securing the pulley assembly to the mounting assembly. 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  show the exercise apparatus in use. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the belt used in conjunction with the present exercise apparatus. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed perspective view of the pulley assembly in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed perspective view of a pulley in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the spacing member in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  is a detailed perspective view of the abutment member of the mounting assembly of the present exercise apparatus. 
         FIG. 12  is another detailed perspective view of the pulley assembly in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 13  is a front plan view of the body engaging assembly in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 14  is a detailed top plan view of the body engaging assembly in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 15  is a detailed perspective view of the body engaging assembly (in its closed configuration) in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7  and with the central pulley assembly secured thereto. 
         FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of the body engaging assembly in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7  with the central pulley assembly secured thereto. 
         FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of the body engaging assembly in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7  with the central pulley assembly secured thereto (from an alternate perspective of that shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a detailed top perspective view of the body engaging assembly in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 7  with the central pulley assembly detached therefrom. 
         FIG. 20  is a detailed perspective view of pulley used in the embodiment of the  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. 
     Referring to the various figures, an exercise apparatus  10  using the weight of the individual exercising as a resistance source is disclosed. The exercise apparatus  10  includes a mounting assembly  12  and a pulley assembly  14  coupled to the mounting assembly  12 . The pulley assembly  14  includes a support bar  16  from which a coupling bar  18  extends. The coupling bar  18  is used in releasably securing the pulley assembly  14  to the mounting assembly  12 . The pulley assembly  14  also includes a first pulley  20  and a second pulley  22  extending from the support bar  16 . A first pulley cable  24  is positioned about the first pulley  20  for movement relative thereto and a second pulley cable  26  is positioned about the second pulley  22  for movement relative thereto. The first pulley cable  24  includes a first end  28  and a second end  30  and the second pulley cable  26  includes a first end  32  and a second end  34 . A first handle  36  is coupled to the first end  28  of the first pulley cable  24  and a second handle  38  is coupled to the first end  32  of the second pulley cable  26 . A body engaging assembly  40  is coupled to both the second end  30  of the first pulley cable  24  and the second end  34  of the second pulley cable  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , the mounting assembly  12  is adapted for selective attachment to a door  42  by positioning the mounting assembly  12  between the door  42  and the door frame  44  such that a first end  46  of the mounting assembly  12  is positioned on an exterior side  48  of the door  42  during exercise and a second end  50  of the mounting assembly  12  is positioned on an interior side  52  (that is, within the room where the user will be exercising) of the door  42  during exercise. The first end  46  is therefore provided with an abutment member  54  in the form of an elongated bar  56  having enlarged cushioned end members  58 ,  60  of a size such that the elongated bar  56  is too big to pass within the space between the door  42  and the door frame  44 . The second end  50  of the mounting assembly  12  is provided with a releasable coupling member  62  in the form of a carabiner, which, as will be appreciated based upon the following disclosure, allows for selective attachment of the pulley assembly  14  to the mounting assembly  12 . The releasable coupling member  62  at the second end  50  of the mounting assembly  12  is secured to the abutment member  54  at the first end  46  of the mounting assembly  12  by a strap  64  shaped and dimensioned to pass between the exterior side  48  of the door  42  and the interior side  52  of the door  42  with the strap  64  fitting within the space between the door  42  and the door frame  44 . 
     Turning now to the pulley assembly  14  as shown best with reference to  FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 , the pulley assembly  14  includes a support bar  16  from which the coupling bar  18  and the first and second pulleys  20 ,  22  extend. The support bar  16  includes a first end  66  and second end  68 , with a central section  70  between the first end  66  and the second end  68 . The coupling bar  18  is secured to the support bar  16  at approximately the longitudinal center of the support bar  16  and extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support bar  16 . 
     An adjustable coupling strap  72  is used in securing the pulley assembly  14  to the mounting assembly  12 , in particular, in securing the pulley assembly  14  to the releasable coupling member  62  at the second end  30  of the mounting assembly  12 . The adjustable coupling strap  72  includes a first end  74  and a second end  76 . The first end  74  of the adjustable coupling strap  72  is provided with a coupling ring  78  (for example, an O-ring) shaped and dimensioned for selective attachment to the releasable coupling member  62  and the second end  76  of the coupling strap  72  is provided with a releasable coupling member  80  in the form of a carabiner that is shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with an O-ring  82  at the free end  84  of the coupling bar  18 . In this way, the adjustable coupling strap  72  may be selectively secured between the pulley assembly  14  and the mounting assembly  12  to secure the functional components of the present exercise apparatus  10  to the door  42 . 
     As mentioned above, the coupling strap  72  is adjustable. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by forming the coupling strap  72  from two strap members  86 ,  88  with a buckle  90  positioned between. The first strap member  86 , which forms the first end  74  of the coupling strap  72  is of a fixed length and is fixedly secured to the O-ring  78  and the buckle  90 . The second strap member  88 , which forms the second end  76  of the coupling strap  72  is of an adjustable operating length and passes through the buckle  90  for selective attachment thereto in a manner allowing for adjustment of the effective length of the adjustable coupling strap  72 . The second strap member  88  includes a first end  92  to which the releasable coupling member  80  is secured and a free, second end  94 . The second strap member  88  is moved and locked relative to the buckle  90  so as to adjust the length of the second strap member  88  extending between the buckle  90  and the releasable coupling member  80 . It is appreciated the buckle  90  is a conventional spring based locking buckle using a pivoting and spring biased latching member  96  to control movement of the second strap member  88  relative to the buckle  90 . 
     The pulley assembly  14  also includes a first pulley  20  and a second pulley  22  extending from the support bar  16 . The first pulley  20  is secured to the first end  66  of the support bar  16  in a manner permitting a full range of motion of the first pulley  20  relative to the support bar  16 . Similarly, the second pulley  22  is secured to the second end  68  of the support bar  16  in a manner permitting a full range of motion of the second pulley  22  relative to the support bar  16 . A full range of motion, as well as releasable attachment of the first and second pulleys  20 ,  22  to the respective ends  66 ,  68  of the support bar  16 , is achieved by providing the first end  66  and the second end  68  of the support bar  16  with first and second O-rings  98 ,  100 . The first and second pulleys  20 ,  22  are secured to the O-rings  98 ,  100  using first and second releasable coupling members  102 ,  104 , in particular, carabiners, from which the first and second pulleys  20 ,  22  extend. 
     Considering now the first and second pulleys  20 ,  22 , they are conventional pulleys and may take various forms. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second pulleys  20 ,  22  includes a U-shaped frame member  106 . The U-shaped frame member  106  includes a first end  108  at the connection member  110  coupling the first and second arms  112 ,  114  at a second end  116  at the free ends of the first and second arms  112 . The first end  108  includes an O-ring  118  to which the releasable coupling member  102 ,  104  is secured and the second end  116  includes a pivot pin  120  extending between the free ends of the first and second arms  112 ,  114  with a wheel  122  rotating upon the pivot pin  120 . 
     As mentioned above, a first pulley cable  24  is secured to the first pulley  20  and a second pulley cable  26  is secured to the second pulley  22 . With reference to the first pulley cable  24 , it passes within the space defined by the U-shaped frame member  106  between the first end  108 , which is closed by the connection member  110 , and the second end  116 , which is closed by the pivot pin  120  and wheel  122 . The first pulley cable  24  is retained within the spaced defined by the U-shaped frame member  106  by securing a first locking ball  124  adjacent the first end  28  of the first pulley cable  24  and a second locking ball  126  adjacent the second end  30  of the first pulley cable  24 . The first and second locking balls  124 ,  126  are larger than the space defined by the U-shaped frame member  106  and the respective first and second ends  28 ,  30  of the first pulley cable  24  may not be pulled through the space defined by the U-shaped frame member  106  so as to effectively remove the first pulley cable  24  from the first pulley  20 . Similarly, the second pulley cable  26  is retained within the spaced defined by the U-shaped frame member  106  by securing a first locking ball  128  adjacent the first end  32  of the second pulley cable  26  and a second locking ball  130  adjacent the second end  34  of the second pulley cable  26 . The first and second locking balls  128 ,  130  are larger than the space defined by the U-shaped frame member  106  and the respective first and second ends  32 ,  34  of the second pulley cable  26  may not be pulled through the space defined by the U-shaped frame member  106  so as to effectively remove the first pulley cable  24  from the first pulley  20 . 
     The first pulley cable  24  includes a first end  28  and second end  30 . A first handle  36  is coupled to the first end  28  of the first pulley cable  24 , at a position beyond the previously discussed first locking ball  124 . The body engaging assembly  40  is coupled to the second end  30  of the first pulley cable  24  at a position beyond the previously discussed second locking ball  126 . The first handle  36  and the body engaging assembly  40  are releasably secured to the first pulley cable  24 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment the first and second ends  28 ,  30  of the first pulley cable  24 , as well as the first handle  36  and the body engaging assembly  40  are provided with O-rings that are releasably connected together as described above using releasable coupling members  132 ,  133  in the form of carabiners. With regard to the second pulley cable  26 , it includes a first end and second end  32 ,  34 . The second handle  38  is coupled to the first end  32  of the second pulley cable  26 , at a position beyond the previously discussed first locking ball  128 . The body engaging assembly  40  is coupled to the second end  34  of the second pulley cable  26  at a position beyond the previously discussed second locking ball  130 . The second handle  38  and the body engaging assembly  40  are releasably secured to the first pulley cable  24 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment the first and second ends  32 ,  34  of the second pulley cable  26 , as well as the second handle  38  and the body engaging assembly  40  are provided with O-rings that are releasably connected together as described above using releasable coupling members  134 ,  135  in the form of carabiners. Further versatility may be achieved through the provision of gripping balls formed adjacent the first ends of the first and second pulley cables. These gripping balls would allow for exercises where handles are not optimal and permit a user to grip the first end of the respective first and second pulley cables at positions slightly displaced from the actual ends of the cables where a shorter effective cable length is desired. 
     Considering now the body engaging assembly  40 , it is preferably a belt  134  shaped and dimensioned for positioning about the waist of a user as he or she exercises. As such, the belt  134  includes an elongated body  136  with an inner surface  138  and an outer surface  140 , as well as a first end  142  and a second end  144 . The respective first end  142  and second end  144  are provided with first and second mating fastening members  146 ,  148  allowing for releasable attachment of the belt  134  about the waist of a user. The belt  134  is primarily composed of a central wide strap member  150  from which adjustable straps  152 ,  154  (using conventional buckles  158  to allow for adjustment) extend at both the first end  142  of the belt  134  and the second end  144  of the belt  134 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the ends of the wide strap member  150  are provided with elastic allowing for stretching of the wide strap member  150  to accommodate various body positions for different exercises, as well as various body sizes without the need for the larger scale adjustments permitted by the adjustable straps  152 ,  154 . 
     With regard to the attachment of the second ends  30 ,  34  of the first and second pulley cables  26 ,  28  to the elongated body  136  of the body engaging assembly  40 , the elongated body  136  is constructed such that the O-rings  137 ,  139  used in securing the second ends  30 ,  34  of the first and second pulley cables  24 ,  26  to the elongated body  136  are positioned along the outer surface  140  of the elongated body  136 , that is, the surface of the elongated body  136  facing away from the user when the body engaging assembly  40  is properly positioned about the waist of the user. 
     More particularly, the O-rings  137 ,  139  are positioned such that they are substantially aligned with opposed sides of the body along front plane of the user&#39;s body; that is, the O-rings,  137 ,  139 , when the belt  134  is properly secured about the user will be positioned at the left and right sides of the body 
     As will be further appreciated when the variety of uses for the present exercise apparatus is explained below, and as discussed above, the belt  134  includes an elastic feature allowing for positioning of the belt  134  at various locations along the abdomen and torso of the user. In particular, the belt  134  includes a left side panel  162  adjacent the first end of belt  134  and a right side panel  164  adjacent the second end of the belt  134 . Each of the first side panel and the right side panel is provided with an elastic member allowing for controlled expansion thereof. In addition, it is appreciated additional security can be achieved by extending a tether from the mounting assembly  40  to the belt  134 . 
     In use, the present exercise may be thought of as “a gym in a bag.” In particular, the body engaging assembly  40  is provided with a zippered pouch  141  in which the various functional components of the present exercise apparatus  10  may be stored. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the pouch  141  is secured to the belt  134  using hook and loop fasteners  160  allowing for selective attachment thereto. 
     When it is time to exercise, the user removes the various functional components, that is, the mounting assembly  12  and the pulley assembly  14 . The abutment member  54  is positioned on the exterior side of the door  42  and the strap  64  is slid between the door  42  and the door frame  44 . In particular, the strap  64  is slid between the door  42  and the door frame  44  from the top of the door  42  such that the strap  64  sits upon the upper hinge connecting the door  42  to the door frame  44 . 
     With the abutment member  54  positioned on the exterior of the door  42  and the strap  64  extending to the interior of the door  42 , the adjustable coupling strap  72  is secured to the strap  64  and the pulley assembly  14  is secured to the adjustable coupling strap  72 . The user then secures the body engaging assembly about his or her torso or waist depending upon the exercise. The second ends  30  of the pulley cables are then secured to the attachment points of the body engaging assembly  40 . At this point, the user may adjust the adjustable coupling strap  72  to suit the specific exercise he or she plans to perform. In particular, the adjustable coupling strap  72  is adjusted such that the user may use his or her complete weight from the ground up, meaning that he/she will lift his/her whole weight from the ground up, but spreading the load all over his/her body. Thereafter, the user may grip the handles and begin exercising. 
     As a result, the user becomes the weight and can either lean forward or backward while performing various exercises. For example, the present exercise apparatus will allow the user to do back, squats, shoulders, biceps, triceps etc. with his/her body functioning as the resistance weight. 
     In the case where the user desires to do a chest workout, he/she may lean forward with the belt  134  positioned at a comfortable position as shown in  FIG. 5 . When he/she is doing butterflies or he/she is doing push-ups or shoulders he/she can lean, he/she can go down and come up in one motion using his/her whole body. Because he/she is at an angle, his/her body has to flex all its front muscles to keep him/her straight up. You can do back exercises, upper chest exercises, lower chest exercises, sit-ups etc. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 20  an alternate embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. As with the prior embodiment, the exercise apparatus  1010  includes a mounting assembly  1012  and a pulley assembly  1014  coupled to the mounting assembly  1012 . The pulley assembly  1014  includes an elongated coupling strap  1031  and a support assembly from which a strap supporting first and second pulleys  1020 ,  1022  extends. A first pulley cable  1024  is positioned about the first pulley  1020  for movement relative thereto and a second pulley cable  1026  is positioned about the second pulley  1022  for movement relative thereto. The first pulley cable  1024  includes a first end  1028  and a second end  1030  and the second pulley cable  1026  includes a first end  1032  and a second end  1034 . A first handle  1036  is coupled to the first end  1028  of the first pulley cable  1024  and a second handle  1038  is coupled to the first end  1032  of the second pulley cable  1026 . A body engaging assembly  1040  is selectively coupled to both the second end  1030  of the first pulley cable  1024  and the second end  1034  of the second pulley cable  1026 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 11 , the mounting assembly  1012  is adapted for selective attachment to a door  1042  by positioning the mounting assembly  1012  between the door  1042  and the door frame  1044  such that a first end  1046  of the mounting assembly  1012  is positioned on an exterior side  1048  of the door  1042  during exercise and a second end  1050  of the mounting assembly  1012  is positioned on an interior side (not shown; that is, within the room where the user will be exercising) of the door  1042  during exercise. The first end  1046  is provided with an abutment member  1054  in the form of an elongated bar  1056  having enlarged cushioned end members  1058 ,  1060  of a size such that the elongated bar  1056  is too big to pass within the space between the door  1042  and the door frame  1044 . The second end  1050  of the mounting assembly  1012  is provided with a releasable coupling member  1062 , which, as will be appreciated based upon the following disclosure, allows for selective attachment of the pulley assembly  1014  to the mounting assembly  1012 . The releasable coupling member  1062  at the second end  1050  of the mounting assembly  1012  is secured to the abutment member  1054  at the first end  1046  of the mounting assembly  1012  by a strap  1064  shaped and dimensioned to pass between the exterior side  1048  of the door  1042  and the interior side  1052  of the door  1042  with the strap  1064  fitting within the space between the door  1042  and the door frame  1044 . 
     Turning now to the pulley assembly  1014  as shown best with reference to  FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 12 , the pulley assembly  1014  includes an elongated coupling strap  1031 . The coupling strap  1031  includes a first end  1033  having a releasable coupling member  1035  shaped and dimensioned for engagement with a releasable coupling member  1062  at the second end  1050  of the mounting assembly  1050 . The releasable coupling member  1035  at the first end  1033  of the coupling strap  1031  includes an adjustment mechanism  1049  allowing one to adjust the effective length from the first end  1033  of the coupling strap  1031  to the second end  1037  of the coupling strap  1031 . The adjustment mechanism  1037  employed in accordance with the preferred embodiment is a dual slot arrangement known to those skilled in the art wherein a strap is passed through adjacent slots in a tortuous path to allow for selective adjustment without sacrificing strength necessary to hold the strap at a desired length. 
     At the second end  1037  of the coupling strap  1031  is located a buckle  1039  having a pulley strap member  1041  passing therethrough such that the pulley strap member  1041  has a first end  1043  secured to the first pulley  1020 , and a second end  1045  secured to the second pulley  1022 . The pulley strap member  1041  is held by a spacing member  1051  such that the first end  1043  of the pulley strap member  1041  and the second end  1045  of the pulley strap member  1041  are held in a desired spaced relationship for holding the first and second pulleys  1020 ,  1022  in a similar spaced relationship. 
     The spacing member  1051  is an elongated planar member having a first end  1057 , a second end  1059 , and opposed sidewalls  1061   a ,  1061   b  extending between the first end  1057  and the second end  1059 . Adjacent the first end  1057 , the spacing member  1051  is provided with a first slot  1053  through which the first end  1043  of the pulley strap member  1041  passes. Similarly, a second slot  1055  is provided adjacent the second end  1059  of the spacing member  1051 . The second slot  1055  is also shaped and dimensioned to permit the passage of the pulley strap member  1041  therethrough. The first and second slots  1053 ,  1055  are mirror images of each other and include a continuous slot formation. The continuous slot formation is composed of a first slot portion  1053   a ,  1055   a , a second slot portion  1053   b ,  1055   b , and a third slot portion  153   c ,  155   c . The first slot portion  1053   a ,  1055   a  extends between the first sidewall  1061   a  and the second sidewall  1061   b  and being adjacent the first or second end  1057 ,  1059  of the spacing member  1051 . The third slot portion  153   c ,  155   c  extends between the first side wall  1061   a  and the second sidewall  1061   b  of the spacing member  1051  but is positioned inwardly (that is, closer to the center of the spacing member  1051 ) of either the first end  1057  or second end  1059  of the spacing member  1051 . The lateral second slot portion  1053   b ,  1055   b  extends in the direction of the first and second ends  1057 ,  1059  of the spacing member  1051  and between the first slot portion  1053   a ,  1055   a  and the third slot portion  1053   c ,  1055   c.    
     As mentioned above, the pulley assembly  1014  also includes a first pulley  1020  and a second pulley  1020 . The first pulley  1020  and the second pulley  1022  are respectively secured to the first and second ends  1043 ,  1045  of the pulley strap member  1041  at the second end  1037  of the coupling strap  1031 . The first pulley  1020  is secured to the first end  1043  of the pulley strap member  1041  in a manner permitting a full range of motion of the first pulley  1020  relative to the first end  1043  of the pulley strap member  1041 . Similarly, the second pulley  1022  is secured to the second end  1045  of the pulley strap member  1041  in a manner permitting a full range of motion of the second pulley  1022  relative to the pulley strap member  1041 . A full range of motion is achieved by providing the first and second ends  1043 ,  1045  of the pulley strap member  1041  with pivotal bearing structures to which the first and second pulleys  1020 ,  1022  are respectively secured. 
     Considering now the first and second pulleys  1020 ,  1022 , they are conventional pulleys and may take various forms. They are coated in rubber to prevent inadvertent damage to walls during use. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second pulleys  1020 ,  1022  includes a U-shaped frame member  1106 . The U-shaped frame member  1106  includes a first end  1108  at the connection member  1110  coupling the first and second arms  1112 ,  1114  at a second end  1116  at the free ends of the first and second arms  1112 . The first end  1108  includes a pivoting clasp  1118  to which the releasable coupling member  1102 ,  1104  is secured and the second end  1116  includes a pivot pin  1120  extending between the free ends of the first and second arms  1112 ,  1114  with a wheel  1122  rotating upon the pivot pin  1120 . 
     As mentioned above, a first pulley cable  1024  is secured to the first pulley  1020  and a second pulley cable  1026  is secured to the second pulley  1022 . With reference to the first pulley cable  1024 , it passes within the space defined by the U-shaped frame member  1106  between the first end  1108 , which is closed by the connection member  1110 , and the second end  1116 , which is closed by the pivot pin  1120  and wheel  1122 . The first pulley cable  1024  is retained within the spaced defined by the U-shaped frame member  1106  by securing a first enlarged locking member  1124  adjacent the first end  1028  of the first pulley cable  1024  and a second enlarged locking member  1126  adjacent the second end  1030  of the first pulley cable  1024 . The first and second enlarged locking members  1124 ,  1126  are larger than the space defined by the U-shaped frame member  1106  and the respective first and second ends  1028 ,  1030  of the first pulley cable  1024  may not be pulled through the space defined by the U-shaped frame member  1106  so as to effectively remove the first pulley cable  1024  from the first pulley  1020 . Similarly, the second pulley cable  1026  is retained within the spaced defined by the U-shaped frame member  1106  by securing a first enlarged locking member  1128  adjacent the first end  1032  of the second pulley cable  1026  and a second enlarged locking member  1130  adjacent the second end  1034  of the second pulley cable  1026 . The first and second enlarged locking members  1128 ,  1130  are larger than the space defined by the U-shaped frame member  1106  and the respective first and second ends  1032 ,  1034  of the second pulley cable  1026  may not be pulled through the space defined by the U-shaped frame member  106  so as to effectively remove the first pulley cable  1024  from the first pulley  1020 . 
     As briefly discussed above, the first pulley cable  1024  includes a first end  1028  and second end  1030 . A first handle  1036  is coupled to the first end  1028  of the first pulley cable  1024 , at a position beyond the previously discussed first enlarged locking members  1124 . The body engaging assembly  1040  is coupled to the second end  1030  of the first pulley cable  1024  at a position beyond the previously discussed second enlarged locking members  1126 . The first handle  1036  and the body engaging assembly  1040  are releasably secured to the first pulley cable  1024 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the second end  1030  of the first pulley cable  1024  and the body engaging assembly  1040  are provided with releasable coupling members  1073 ,  1069  shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement. 
     With regard to the second pulley cable  1026 , it includes a first end and second end  1032 ,  1034 . The second handle  1038  is coupled to the first end  1032  of the second pulley cable  1026  at a position beyond the previously discussed first enlarged locking members  1128 . The body engaging assembly  1040  is coupled to the second end  1034  of the second pulley cable  1026  at a position beyond the previously discussed second enlarged locking members  1130 . The body engaging assembly  1040  is releasably secured to the first pulley cable  1024 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the second end  1034  of the second pulley cable  1026  and the body engaging assembly  1040  are provided with releasable coupling member  1075 ,  1071  shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement. 
     Considering now the body engaging assembly  1040 , it is preferably a belt  1134  shaped and dimensioned for positioning about the waist of a user as he or she exercises. As such, the belt  1134  includes an elongated body  1136  with an inner surface  1138  and an outer surface  1140 , as well as a first end  1142  and a second end  1144 . The respective first end  1142  and second end  1144  are provided with first and second mating fastening members  1146 ,  1148  allowing for releasable attachment of the belt  1134  about the waist of a user. 
     In addition, the belt  1134  includes a first supplementary attachment member  1065  and a second supplementary attachment member  1067  secured to opposite sides of the belt  1134  on opposite sides of the location where the first and second mating fastening members  1046 ,  1048  meet to secure the belt  1134  about the waist of a user. Each of the first and second supplementary attachment members  1065 ,  1067  includes a releasable coupling member  1069 ,  1071  shaped and dimensioned for selective engagement with releasable coupling members  1073 ,  1075  secured to the second ends  1030 ,  1034  of the first and second pulley cables  1024 ,  1026  (or releasable coupling members  1320 ,  1324  of a central pulley assembly  1310  (see  FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 )) as discussed below in greater detail. The releasable coupling members  1069 ,  1071  of the belt  1134  are coupled to the belt  1134  via straps  1077 ,  1079  which are adjustable in their effective length. In particular, the first ends  1077   a ,  1079   a  of the straps  1077 ,  1079  for the first supplementary attachment member  1065  and a second supplementary attachment member  1067  are fixedly secured to the belt  1134 . The second ends  1077   b ,  1079   b  of the straps  1077 ,  1079  for the first supplementary attachment member  1065  and a second supplementary attachment member  1067  are coupled to an adjustment mechanism  1081 ,  1083  integrated with the releasable coupling member  1069 ,  1071  allowing one to adjust the effective length from the first end  1077   a ,  1079   a  of the strap  1077 ,  1079  to the second end  1077   b ,  1079   b  of the strap  1077 ,  1079 . The adjustment mechanism  1081 ,  1083  employed in accordance with the preferred embodiment is a dual slot arrangement known to those skilled in the art wherein a strap is passed through adjacent slots in a tortuous path to allow for selective adjustment without sacrificing strength necessary to hold the strap at a desired length. The ability to adjust the length of strap allows one to adjust the travel length during exercise to adjust for people of the different sizes. 
     With regard to the attachment of the second ends  1030 ,  1034  of the first and second pulley cables  1026 ,  1028  to the elongated body  1136  of the body engaging assembly  1040 , the elongated body  1136  is constructed such that the releasable coupling members  1069 ,  1071  used in securing the second ends  1030 ,  1034  of the first and second pulley cables  1024 ,  1026  to the elongated body  1136  are positioned along the outer surface  1140  of the elongated body  1136 , that is, the surface of the elongated body  1136  facing away from the user when the body engaging assembly  1040  is properly positioned about the waist of the user. 
     More particularly, the releasable coupling members  1069 ,  1071  are positioned such that they are substantially aligned with opposed side of the body along the front plane of the user&#39;s body; that is, the releasable coupling members  1069 ,  1071 , when the belt  134  is properly secured about the user will be positioned at the left and right sides of the body 
     As will be further appreciated when the variety of uses for the present exercise apparatus is explained below, and as discussed above, the belt  1134  includes an elastic feature allowing for positioning of the belt  1134  at various locations along the abdomen and torso of the user. In particular, the belt  1134  includes a left side panel  1162  adjacent the first end of belt  1134  and a right side panel  1164  adjacent the second end of the belt  1134 . Each of the left side panel  1162  and the right side panel  1164  is provided with an elastic member  1162   a ,  1164   b  allowing for controlled expansion thereof. In addition, it is appreciated additional security can be achieved by extending a tether from the mounting assembly  1040  to the belt  1134 . 
     Further versatility is achieved by the provision of a central pulley assembly  1310  (see  FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 ). The central pulley assembly  1310  includes a short strap member  1312  to which a central pulley  1314  is secured. The central pulley  1314  is supported upon the short strap member  1312  via a bearing  1313  allowing for a wide range of motion. The bearing  1313  includes a removable pin  1313   p  allowing for release of the central pulley  1314  from the short strap member  1312 . The remainder of the bearing  1313  is the same as the frame  1106  described above with regard to the first and second pulleys  1020 ,  1022 . As will be appreciated based upon the following disclosure, the central pulley assembly  1310  allows for adjustment of the present exercise device from a dual pulley assembly to a single pulley assembly where a single pulley cable  1316  extends through a tortuous path joining the first pulley  1022 , the second pulley  1022  and the central pulley assembly  1310 . 
     The short strap member  1312  of the central pulley assembly  1310  includes a first end  1318  provided with a releasable coupling member  1320  adapted for attachment to the releasable coupling member  1069  on the left side of the belt  1134  and a second end  1322  provided with a releasable coupling member  1324  adapted for attachment to the releasable coupling member  1071  on the right side of the belt  1134 . With the first and second ends  1318 ,  1322  of the central pulley assembly  1310  secured to the belt  1134 , the central pulley  1314  is positioned across the front of the belt  1134  at a position along the abdomen of the user. 
     As mentioned above, this alternative uses a single pulley cable construction. The single pulley cable  1316  includes a first end  1328  to which is secured a handle  1330  and a second end  1332  to which is secured a handle  1334 . Extending from the handle  1330  at the first end  1328  of the single pulley cable  1316 , the single pulley cable  1316  passes around and the first pulley  1020 , the central pulley  1314 , and the second pulley  1022  where it ends with the handle at the second end of the single pulley. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , in order to facilitate change between the two pulley system and the single pulley system, each of the first pulley  1020 , the second pulley  1022  and the central pulley  1314  is provided with a hinged release plate  1410  (not visible in the other figures) allowing for removal of the cables that may be held within the pulley structure. The release plate  1410  is composed of a spring biased hinge member  1412  integrated into the U-shaped frame member  1106 , and functions in much the same manner as a carabiner. 
     When it is time to exercise, the user removes the various functional components, that is, the mounting assembly and the pulley assembly. The abutment member is positioned the exterior side of the door and the strap is slid between the door and the door frame. In particular, the strap is slid between the door and the door frame from the top of the door such that the strap sits upon the upper hinge connecting the door to the door frame. 
     With the abutment member positioned on the exterior of the door and the strap extending to the interior of the door, the adjustable coupling strap is secured to the strap and the pulley assembly is secured to the adjustable coupling strap. The user then secures the body engaging assembly about his or her torso or waist depending upon the exercise. The pulley cable(s) are then secured to the attachment points of the body engaging assembly. At this point, the user may adjust the adjustable coupling strap to suit the specific exercise he/she plans to perform. In particular, the adjustable coupling strap is adjusted such that the user may use his/her complete weight from the ground up, meaning that he/she will lift his/her whole weight from the ground up, but spreading the load all over his/her body. Thereafter, the user may grip the handles and begin exercising. As a result, the user becomes the weight and can either lean forward or backward while performing various exercises. For example, the present exercising apparatus will allow him/her to do back, squats, shoulders, biceps, triceps etc. with his/her body functioning as the resistance weight. 
     In the case where he/she desires to do a chest workout, he/she may lean forward with the belt positioned at a comfortable position as shown in  FIG. 5 . When he/she is doing butterflies or he/she is doing push-ups or shoulders he/she can lean, he/she can go down and come up in one motion using his/her whole body. Because he/she is at an angle, his/her body has to flex all its front muscles to keep him/her straight up. He/she can do back exercises, upper chest exercises, lower chest exercises, sit-ups etc. 
     While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.