Patent Publication Number: US-2010113227-A1

Title: Cardio core pusher

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of exercise equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to an aerobic exerciser with a secondary exercise mechanism against which a user exerts pressure while performing an aerobic exercise. 
     2. Background 
     Aerobic exercisers are widely popular for use in both the home and in fitness centers. Popular aerobic exercisers include treadmills, elliptical exercisers and machines that require striding or simulate hiking. Aerobic exercisers typically permit the user to adjust the speed and/or resistance of the exercise. While the aerobic exercisers known in the prior art provide highly effective cardiovascular conditioning, they generally provide exercise for only a limited set of muscle groups located mostly in the user&#39;s legs. To overcome this deficiency, a number of aerobic exercisers include movable arms for exercising the upper body. However, even when both upper and lower body muscle groups are involved, prior art aerobic exercisers remain limited with respect to providing a whole body workout that also involves the core muscles of the abdomen, back and pelvis. Furthermore, prior art exercisers do not increase the cardiovascular workout by encouraging users to maintain a pace against a force resisting forward movement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention combines an aerobic exerciser, such as a treadmill, elliptical machine or strider/hiker, with a secondary exercise mechanism. This mechanism includes a movable user-contacting portion that is configured to move forward from a rest position and to provide adjustable resistance to pressure in a forward direction exerted by at least a portion of a user&#39;s body while the user is performing the aerobic exercise. The user-contacting portion is biased to return to the rest position when the forward pressure is released. The user-contacting portion may comprise a handgrip or may be configured to contact the user&#39;s waist. The exercise apparatus may include a sensor that is responsive to movement of the secondary exercise mechanism beyond a predetermined position. The user may be provided with visual or aural encouragement to maintain sufficient pressure on the contacting portion so that the secondary exercise mechanism is maintained beyond the predetermined position. 
     The secondary exercise mechanism of the present invention encourages the user to push forward under tension, which exercises the core muscles and increases the cardiovascular workout. The resistance against forward movement of the user&#39;s body is similar to the gravitational resistance against walking or running uphill. Thus, the secondary exercise mechanism can provide the same cardiovascular workout as an inclined treadmill while also involving the upper body and core muscle groups. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  provides a detailed view of the control console and user interfaces of the exercise apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the exercise apparatus with the secondary exercise mechanism in a rest position. 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the exercise apparatus with the secondary exercise mechanism as it would be pushed forward by the user. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having a secondary exercise mechanism suspended under the control console. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention with the secondary exercise mechanism supported above the control console. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention having a sliding secondary exercise mechanism. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention having a user-contacting portion of the secondary exercise mechanism configured to contact the user&#39;s waist. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention adapted to an elliptical exerciser. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention adapted to a strider/hiker exerciser. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exercise apparatus  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus  10  is similar in many respects to conventional treadmill exercisers. A base  12  supports a moving belt  14 , which is driven by motor  16 . A control console  20  is supported by a pair of uprights  22 . Uprights  22  are pivotally coupled to base  12  at respective pivots  24 . This pivotal connection facilitates the secondary exercise of the present invention. A pair of rearwardly extending arm members  26  are attached to console  20 . These arm members provide support for the user while exercising on the moving treadmill. 
       FIG. 2  provides a more detailed view of console  20  and its appendages. As shown, handgrips  28  are attached to the front of console  20 . These handgrips are provided for use in performing the secondary exercise. The handgrips may be rotatable between vertical and horizontal orientations for the comfort of the user. Alternatively, the handgrips may be configured with both vertical and horizontal grip portions. Armrests  30  are attached to arm members  26 . These are configured to support the user&#39;s forearms when performing the secondary exercise in a manner similar to long distance bicycle handlebars. This provides a more stable posture for the user to lean into while performing the secondary exercise. If the user wishes to exercise without using the armrests, they may be pivoted to the side or simply removed from arm members  26 . In a variation of the illustrated embodiment, handgrips may be placed on the armrests in lieu of or in addition to the console-mounted handgrips  28 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  provide more detailed views of how console  20  is supported above base  12 . As previously mentioned, uprights  22  are pivotally mounted to base  12  at pivots  24 . The uprights are also pivotally connected to console  20  at pivots  32 . Connecting member  34  is pivotally coupled to the base at pivot  36  and is pivotally coupled to the console at pivot  38 . This arrangement of upright  22  and connecting member  34 , together with their respective pivots on base  12  and console  20 , acts as a four-bar linkage to maintain console  20  in a contact orientation throughout the range of motion of the upright members. Uprights  22  are biased to a substantially vertical position by springs  40 , which therefore provide resistance to forward pressure on handgrips  28 . Other resistance devices, such as weights, gas shocks, elastic bands, etc. may be used in place of springs  40 . A manually or electronically operated lock  42  may be provided to secure uprights  22  in their full upright or rest position while using apparatus  10  as a conventional treadmill. 
     To operate apparatus  10 , the user stands on belt  14  as would be the case with a conventional treadmill. Using console  20 , the user selects a desired speed and, optionally, a desired inclination of the treadmill. Alternatively, the user may select a programmed exercise routine wherein the speed and/or inclination are automatically varied. 
     While walking or running on the treadmill belt  14 , the user grasps handgrips  28  and presses forward. If desired, the user may rest his or her forearms on armrests  30 . The forward pressure on handgrips  28 , when sufficient to overcome the resistance of springs  40 , causes uprights  22  to tilt forwardly on pivots  24  away from the rest position shown in  FIG. 3  and toward the position shown in  FIG. 4 . The user maintains an “off the stop” position by pushing against the moving belt  14  with the legs and feet while maintaining the selected speed of the treadmill. This creates a whole-body, closed chain workout by putting resistive tension throughout the body. This also increases the aerobic effect of the machine by taxing the legs and body more to keep the “off the stop” position against resistance. The faster the belt moves, the harder it is to keep uprights  22  away from their rest position. 
     A sensor  50  attached to frame member  15  is responsive to movement of upright  22  and determines when the upright has tilted beyond a predetermined position. The user may be provided with encouragement to walk faster and/or to push harder so as to maintain sufficient forward pressure on handgrips  28  such that upright  22  remains at or beyond the predetermined position and away from the rest position. Such encouragement may be visual, delivered on display screen  52 , or aural, delivered through speaker  54 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a safety feature, particularly useful for elderly or infirm users, may be added to the handgrips  28  wherein the user must squeeze a trigger on one or both of the handgrips or push a button  29  on the top of one or both of the handgrips with the thumb to keep the treadmill going as the user pushes the handgrips forward for the total body workout or just for use as a standard treadmill. If the user feels unstable or is unable to keep up, the user may just let go of the trigger or thumb button and electronics in console  30  for controlling motor  16  will automatically reduce the speed of the motor and cause the treadmill to slow and/or stop. Button  29  may be operatively coupled to the lock  42  to automatically release the lock and enable the secondary exercise when the button is pressed. When the button is released, the lock will automatically re-engage when the uprights return to their rest position. With triggers or buttons on both handgrips, one may be used to keep the treadmill going and the other may be used to release the lock. 
     Another safety feature that could be added is a switch to detect that the uprights  22  are on a stop in their rest position so that, if the user is in the push mode. i.e., performing the secondary exercise, and the uprights come to rest on the stop for three seconds, the treadmill slows and/or stops. Thus, if the user falls and cannot push the console and uprights away from the rest stop within three seconds, the treadmill stops. If the user inadvertently allows the uprights to contact the stop while exercising, the user is able to continue the workout by pushing the console and uprights back off the stop within three seconds. This feature may be turned on or off so that a regular user can move between using the apparatus as a standard treadmill and using the push feature without the safety feature turning off the treadmill when the buttons are released. It could also allow for the release of the button on one of the handles while holding the other down to default for 10-15 seconds so the user can switch to standard treadmill mode. Preprogrammed routines may automatically switch between pusher mode and treadmill mode and may automatically disable the safety feature in the treadmill mode. 
     An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 5 . Exercise apparatus  100  is similar to previously described apparatus  10  in that it incorporates elements of a conventional treadmill. However, apparatus  100  differs in the arrangement of the secondary exercise mechanism. In this embodiment, the secondary exercise mechanism, shown generally as  110 , is suspended below the control console  120  from bracket  121 . Handgrips  128  are attached to exercise member  129 , which is connected to bracket  121  by linkage members  122  and  134 . The combination of linkage members  122  and  134  along with pivots  124 ,  132 ,  136  and  138  comprise a four-bar linkage so that exercise member  129  moves substantially forward and backward in relation to console  120 . Spring  140  is connected between the console and linkage member  122  to provide resistance for the secondary exercise. The amount of resistance is variable by use of knob  160 , which moves collar  162 , to which spring  140  is attached, along screw member  164 . 
     Another alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 6 . Again, exercise apparatus  200  is similar to previously described apparatus  10  in that it incorporates elements of a conventional treadmill. However, apparatus  200  differs in the arrangement of the secondary exercise mechanism. In this embodiment, the secondary exercise mechanism, shown generally as  210 , is supported above the control console  220 . Handgrips  228  are attached to exercise member  229 , which is connected to bracket  221  by linkage members  222  and  234 . Here again, the linkage members are arranged in a four-bar linkage configuration. Gas shock  241  is connected between linkage member  222  and bracket  221  to provide resistance for the secondary exercise. 
     It should be noted that mechanism  110  of  FIG. 5  or mechanism  210  of  FIG. 6  may be supplied as an accessory for an otherwise conventional treadmill. Exercise mechanism  110  or  210  may be an optional accessory installed by the dealer, or the customer may purchase the basic treadmill and then add the push feature at a later date. The treadmill may be designed with such an addition in mind so that the purchaser can easily install the push feature with a few simple fasteners to mount bracket  121  or  221  onto the structure of the treadmill. 
     Another alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 7 . Apparatus  300  is again similar to those previously described. In this case, the secondary exercise mechanism  310  is mounted with a sliding arrangement rather than a four-bar linkage. Upright members  322  are fixed to the treadmill base. Exercise member  329 , to which console  320  and handgrip  328  are attached, slides within tubular members  323  secured to the tops of uprights  322 . Springs  340  provide resistance for the secondary exercise. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a secondary exercise mechanism  410  with a user-contacting portion  427  configured to contact the user&#39;s waist. The contacting portion is attached to the ends of arm members  426  and may be flexible, rigid or semi-rigid. When performing the secondary exercise, the user pushes against the moving belt of the treadmill to apply forward pressure at the user&#39;s waist against contacting portion  427  and thereby move the upright members  422  away from their rest position. Contacting portion  427  may be used to operate the secondary exercise mechanism instead of or in addition to handgrips  428 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention with a secondary exercise mechanism  510  mounted on an elliptical exerciser  502 . As shown, mechanism  510  is substantially similar to mechanism  210  described above in connection with  FIG. 6 . It will be recognized that the secondary exercise mechanism could also be configured in the manner of any of the alternative embodiments described herein. Furthermore, as explained above, mechanism  510  may be supplied as an accessory to exerciser  502  for installation by the dealer at the time of purchase or by the purchaser at some time subsequent to the purchase of exerciser  502 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention with a secondary exercise mechanism  610  mounted on a strider/hiker exerciser  602 , i.e., an exerciser with foot platforms that move forward and rearward so that the user&#39;s legs are subjected to a striding motion. Here again, mechanism  610  is substantially similar to mechanism  210  described above in connection with  FIG. 6 . It will be recognized that the secondary exercise mechanism could also be configured in the manner of any of the alternative embodiments described herein. Furthermore, as explained above, mechanism  610  may be supplied as an accessory to exerciser  602  for installation by the dealer at the time of purchase or by the purchaser at some time subsequent to the purchase of exerciser  602 . 
     It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.