Patent Publication Number: US-7217228-B2

Title: Low impact exercise system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   I. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to the field of fitness equipment, and in particular, to a safe, easy-to-use cardiovascular exercise system. 
   II. Related Art 
   For many people, the great appeal of exercise equipment is the opportunity such equipment affords to exercise in the privacy of their own homes. However, conventional exercise equipment such as treadmills, stair-steppers, elliptical trainers, and stationary bicycles can be overly taxing and difficult to use for individuals who are not in the best physical shape. Furthermore, the sizes and weights of such conventional equipment make them inconvenient to keep and store. The bulky, largely metal constructions of the exercise equipment can also cause bruises and other injuries for anyone who accidentally bumps into the equipment (either during exercise or while simply walking by the equipment). Finally, the relatively complex mechanical designs of conventional exercise systems makes them expensive, even though each system is typically only useful for a particular exercise (e.g., a treadmill can only be used for walking/jogging-type activities). 
   Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a low-cost, safe system for exercise that is suitable for use by people of all fitness levels. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Conventional exercise systems are expensive, bulky, and heavy, and can be difficult to use by people of limited physical fitness/capabilities (e.g., senior citizens). To overcome these limitations, an exercise system can include support elements for cradling a user in a comfortable sitting/reclining position and a cushion(s) and resistance tethers for allowing to user to perform a simple cardiovascular and resistance exercises. 
   In one embodiment, an exercise system can include a platform, a pair of ankle holders connected to the platform by resistance tethers, and a leg support placed on the platform between the resistance tethers adjacent to a seating area on the platform. In one embodiment, a back support that provides an inclined back support can be positioned on the platform adjacent to the seating area opposite to the leg support. In one embodiment, the back support can be held against the platform by a strap that loops around both the back support and the platform and interfaces with one or more attachment features (e.g., ridges, holes/eyelets, clips, hooks) on the platform. In another embodiment, the back support can be attached to the platform via hook and loop pads. Various other positional adjustment mechanisms for the back support can be used. In another embodiment, a headrest can be included in place of the back support. 
   The leg support can comprise a triangular, circular or other appropriate cross section, and can be formed from multiple layers that allow the height of the leg support to be adjusted. Alternatively, a height adjustment mechanism under the leg support can be used to provide height adjustments. The leg support can be constructed from a compressive material that can reduce knee strain when using the exercise system. In various embodiments, the compressive characteristics of the leg support can be provided by a foam, gas, or liquid core. In one embodiment, the leg support can comprise two separate leg supports (e.g., left and right leg supports). 
   In another embodiment, a footrest(s) can be placed adjacent to the leg support to ensure proper positioning of a user&#39;s feet when the user is using the exercise system. The footrest can comprise anything from a simple pad to a motorized lift system. 
   In one embodiment, the resistance tethers (e.g., rubber bands, elastic straps, spring-loaded cables, pulley-driven straps, weighted or flywheel-loaded cables, or any other resistance system) can be attached to the platform at a fixed attachment location (e.g., a hook, eyelet, post, snap, clip or hole). In another embodiment, the resistance tethers can be attached to the platform by an adjustment mechanism such as a winch to allow changes in resistance to be made without changing the resistance tethers themselves. A remote control unit can be provided to control such a motorized winch system to enable “on the fly” changes by the user to the resistance provided by the exercise system. 
   In another embodiment, the exercise system can include additional attachment features for attaching a handgrip to the platform via a resistance tether. The handgrip can then be grasped by a user to perform bicep curls, triceps extensions, assisted crunches. Alternatively or additionally, the handgrip can be used to assist the user in settling in to, or rising from, the exercise system. In another embodiment, a foot sleeve can be attached to the platform via a resistance tether to allow the user to perform shin curls. 
   The invention will be more fully understood in view of the following description and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C are simplified diagrams of an exercise system that allows a user to safely perform low-impact cardiovascular and resistance exercises. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are usage diagrams for one type of exercise that can be performed using the exercise system of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
       FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D depict various alternative exercises that can be performed using the exercise system of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Equipment 
   Conventional exercise systems are expensive, bulky, and heavy, and can be difficult to use by people of limited physical fitness/capabilities (e.g., senior citizens). To overcome these limitations, an exercise system can include support elements for cradling a user in a comfortable sitting/reclining position and a cushion(s) and elastic straps for allowing to user to perform a simple cardiovascular and resistance exercises. 
     FIG. 1A  shows an exercise system  100  that includes a platform  110 , a leg support  120 , a back support  130 , resistance tethers  142 , and ankle holders  141 . Platform  110  can be any substantially rigid structure (e.g., a wood, plastic, or sheet metal structure) that provides a seating location  115  for a user. Note that while platform  110  is depicted as a solid, continuous structure for exemplary purposes, in various other embodiments, platform  110  could comprise a multi-piece structure. For example, in one embodiment, platform  110  could comprise a frame-type structure (e.g., a tubular metal frame) attached to a plate or platform providing seating location  115 . Note further that while depicted as being substantially flat for explanatory purposes, platform  110  can have any shape that provides a seating location  115 , and seating location  115  itself can have any shape (e.g., flat, contoured, or cushioned). 
   Platform  110  is supported by legs  111  and includes multiple attachment ridges  112  and an attachment mechanism  150 . Note that while two sets of legs  111  (i.e., front and back) are shown for exemplary purposes, exercise system  100  can include any number of legs in any range of positions. Note further that while legs  111  are depicted as being relatively short for exemplary purposes, legs  111  can have any length. For example, short legs can provide good stability and a safe position when using exercise system  100 . In one embodiment, exercise system  100  might not includes legs  111  at all, and platform  110  could sit directly on the ground. In another embodiment, exercise system  100  could include legs  111  only at the front of platform  110  (i.e., near leg support  120 ), with the rear of platform  110  resting directly on the ground. In another embodiment, legs  111  could be made longer to provide easier entry into and exit from exercise system  100 , and/or to allow exercise system  100  to be used as a piece of furniture (e.g., a lounger) when not being used for exercise. In another embodiment, legs  111  can have different lengths (e.g., to support platform  110  at an incline). 
   Back support  130  is attached to platform  110  by a strap  135  that loops around both back support  130  and platform  110 . The position of back support  130  relative to platform  110  is maintained by hooking strap  135  around one of ridges  112  on the bottom of platform  110 . Back support  130  includes an inclined portion  131  that is shaped to provide back support for a user seated on platform  110  (as described in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 2A ). Note that while inclined portion  131  is depicted as being a relatively flat surface for exemplary purposes, inclined portion  131  can have any other type of contour (e.g., inwardly curved, outwardly curved, shaped to fit any number of human back contours). 
   Note further that while depicted as having a substantially triangular cross section for exemplary purposes, back support  130  can have any cross section that provides inclined portion  131 . The construction of back support  130  can be rigid (e.g., a stiff plastic form) or compressible (e.g., a foam core surrounded by a removable vinyl cover). In some embodiments, back support  130  can comprise a relatively thin plate or shell that provides inclined portion  131 . The thin plate/shell could then be held in place by any sort of support mechanism, such as a locking hinge between platform  110  and the plate/shell or a support arm for bracing the plate/shell at a desired angle relative to platform  110 . 
   Note further that while back support  130  is depicted as being relatively short for exemplary purposes, in various other embodiments, back support  130  have any height (e.g., to provide support all the way to the head of a user. For example, in one embodiment, back support  130  could include an optional extension  133  (indicated by the dotted line) for providing user head support. 
   Note further that while a strap/ridge system is depicted in  FIG. 1A  for exemplary purposes, any attachment means can be used to attach back support  130  to platform  110 . For example, the ends of strap  135  could be terminated with hooks, loops, clips, or any other type of coupling mechanism, and ridges  112  could be replaced with a set of appropriate mating features (e.g., if the ends of strap  135  include hooks, ridges  112  can be replaced with holes, eyelets, hooks, posts, or any features that to which the hooks of strap  135  can be secured). Alternatively, strap  135  and/or ridges  112  could be eliminated completely through the use of mating hook-and-loop patches (e.g., Velcro™), straps that are permanently attached to back support  130  and/or platform  110 , and mechanical latches and other quick disconnects, among other options. In various other embodiments, back support  130  can be coupled to platform  110  via any other type of positional adjustment system (e.g., rails, slides, screw-drive mechanism) for adjusting and setting the position of back support  130  (e.g., forward, backward, up, down, and/or angle of incline). 
   Note further that in another embodiment, back support  130 , which is designed to support a user in a semi-reclined position, can be replaced with a headrest  132  (shown using dotted lines) to provide head and/or neck support for a fully-reclined user. Headrest  132  can, for example, be a cushion, a molded plastic support, or a raised portion of platform  110 , among others. In another embodiment, platform  110  itself can be padded to provide comfortable support for a reclined user. Various other back and/or head support configurations will be readily apparent. 
   Resistance tethers  142  connect ankle holders  141  to platform  110  at attachment mechanism  150 . Attachment mechanism  150  can comprise any mechanism for attaching resistance tethers  142  to platform  110 , such as a hook, eyelet, post, snap, clip or hole, among others. In one embodiment, attachment mechanism  150  can comprise a spring or springs between resistance tethers  142  and platform  110  for reducing the stress on platform  110 . Note that because attachment mechanism  150  is on the underside of platform  110 , an aperture  114  is provided through platform  110  to allow resistance tethers  142  to reach attachment mechanism  150 . In other embodiments, attachment mechanism  150  could be located on the sides or top of platform  110 , in which case aperture  114  would not be required. 
   Each of ankle holders  141  provides an opening for encircling an ankle (or foot, or any body part in close proximity to the ankle) of a user. Ankle holders  141  can therefore comprise any sleeve-like structure that can be fastened to an ankle, such as an adjustable cuff, a neoprene sleeve, or even a plastic loop, among others. Likewise, resistance tethers  142  can comprise any structure that provides a resistive force along the direction of extension, such as elastic bands (e.g., high-strength rubber bands or elastic tubing), springs, or relatively inelastic cables coupled to a loading mechanism (i.e., hydraulics, springs, weights, pulley systems, a flywheel, or any other type of loading mechanism that can provide resistance opposing the motion of the cables in a particular direction), among others. 
   In one embodiment, the resistance provided by resistance tethers  142  can be adjusted simply by switching between rubber bands of different elasticities (e.g., thicker/thinner bands, or multiple bands). In another embodiment, attachment mechanism  150  can provide adjustments that increase or decrease the resistance seen by the user. For example, in one embodiment, attachment mechanism can include different sets of attachment points at different distances from aperture  114 . The resistance seen by the user can then be increased by using attachment points farther from aperture  114  to attach resistance tethers  142  to platform  110 . In another embodiment, attachment mechanism  150  can include a (manual or electric) winch system  151  for winding/unwinding resistance tethers  142  to increase/decrease the resistance felt by the user. Various other resistance adjustment systems will be readily apparent. 
   Leg support  120  is positioned on platform  110  on the opposite side of seating location  115  as back support  130  (i.e., seating location  115  is between back support  130  and leg support  120 ). Note that while leg support  120  is depicted as having a substantially triangular cross section for exemplary purposes, leg support  120  can have any cross sectional shape that can provide support for the legs of a user (e.g., round, trapezoidal, oval, or semicircular). Note that while the triangular leg support  120  will typically provide support for the calves, knees, and thighs of a user, in various other embodiments, leg support  120  can support any portion or combination of the parts of a user&#39;s legs For example, in one embodiment, leg support  120  can provide support at only the thighs of a user. 
   In one embodiment, optional foot supports  119  can be provided on platform  110  adjacent to leg support  120  to provide a stable foot rest position. Foot supports  119  can be any type of foot support structures, such as resilient pads or a mechanized lift system (for providing different foot rest heights), among others. 
   In one embodiment, leg support  120  can be designed as a resilient compressible structure that compresses under load and returns to its original (“unloaded”) shape once the load is removed (as described in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 2B , below). For example, leg support  120  can comprise a resilient compressible cushion that includes a foam element (e.g., a foam core in a vinyl cover) or an air or liquid-filled bladder. Various other resilient compressible structures will be readily apparent. For example, leg support  120  could include one or more plates hinged to platform  110  in the vicinity of seating area  115 , with the free end of the plate(s) being supported by hydraulics, springs, pulleys, elastic supports, or any other mechanism capable of providing a resilient support once a user&#39;s legs are placed upon the plate(s). Typically, “compressible” means that leg support  120  can be deformed from its unloaded position by at least one or more inches during use of exercise system  100 . 
   Note that because of the nature of the exercise performed using leg support  120  (described in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 2B ), leg support  120  need not be attached to platform  110 . Therefore, while a strap  125  (similar to strap  135  described above) is shown holding leg support  120  against platform  110  for exemplary purposes, in various other embodiments, leg support  120  can simply be placed onto platform  110  without any supplemental attachment mechanism. In other embodiments, leg support  120  can be attached to platform  110  by various types of adjustment mechanisms (e.g., rails, slides, and hook and loop pads, among others) to allow leg support  120  to be moved to different positions relative to seating location  115 . 
   To allow for different size users, it is desirable to provide leg support at different heights. In one embodiment, height adjustments can be provided by switching out leg support  120  entirely with a support of a different size. In another embodiment, leg support  120  can include multiple layers (e.g., layers  121 ,  122 , and  123 ) that can be added or removed for height adjustments. In another embodiment, an optional height adjustment mechanism  124  can be placed under leg support  120  to provide height adjustments (e.g., via mechanical or hydraulic lifts). An optional control unit  116  can also be included to allow the user to remotely control optional height adjustment mechanism  124  (control unit  116  can alternatively or additionally control the adjustment of resistance tethers  142 ). Similar height adjustment capabilities can be incorporated into back support  130 . 
   Various other height adjustment systems for leg support  120  will be readily apparent. For example,  FIG. 1B  shows a detail view of a portion A of exercise system  100  that a height adjustment system for leg support  120 , in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1B , platform  110  can include a well  110 -W, into which a portion  120 -P of leg support  120  can be inserted. Note that while the sidewalls of well  110 -W are depicted as being substantially perpendicular to the surface of platform  110 , in various other embodiments, the sidewalls of well  110 -W can have any shape and configuration (e.g., inclined sidewalls to help retain portion  120 -P of leg support  120  in well  110 -W. One or more risers  128  (i.e., support elements) in well  110 -W under portion  120 -P can then control the height of leg support  120 . Note that in one embodiment, risers  128  can simply be removable/replaceable support blocks (i.e., taller risers  128  to raise leg support  120  and shorter risers  128  to lower leg support  120 ). In another embodiment, risers  128  can comprise an adjustable-height mechanism (manual or motorized) that itself changes height to adjust the height of leg support  120 . 
     FIG. 1C  shows a perspective view of exercise system  100  shown in  FIG. 1A . As shown in  FIG. 1C , leg support  120  and back support  130  are positioned on platform  110  adjacent to a seating location  115  on platform  110  (with back support  130  providing an inclined portion  131  in close proximity to seating location  115  for user back support). 
   Back support  130  is held against platform  110  by strap  135 , which hooks around one of ridges  112  to maintain the position of back support  130  relative to platform  110 . Meanwhile, ankle holders  141  are connected to platform  110  by resistance tethers  142 , which pass through aperture  114  and connect to the bottom of platform  110 . Optional foot supports  119  (shown using dotted lines) are positioned adjacent to leg support  120 . 
   A partial cutaway view of leg support  120  is provided, which depicts the exemplary construction of a cover  120 -C over a foam core  120 -F (shaded portion). Note that according to an embodiment of the invention, leg support  120  can actually comprise two separate leg supports  120 -A and  120 -B (indicated by the dotted lines), thereby providing independent supports for each leg of a user (i.e., a left leg support  120 -A and a right leg support  120 -B). 
   In this manner, the relatively simple construction of exercise system  100  results in a system that can does not occupy much space and can be easily stored. At the same time, the simple construction also allows exercise system  100  to be produced at a much lower cost than conventional exercise systems. 
   Exercises 
   The use of exercise system  100  (described above with respect to  FIG. 1A ) is depicted in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In  FIG. 2A , a user  200  positions herself in exercise system  100  by sitting on seating location  115  of platform  110 , with her back resting against inclined portion  131  of back support  130  and her legs placed over leg support  120 . User  200  is therefore placed in a semi-reclined position. Note that if back support  130  is replaced with a headrest (e.g., headrest  132  shown in  FIG. 1A ), user  200  would be placed in a fully-reclined position. Note further that optional extension  133  can provide additional back and head support for user  200 . 
   Ankle holders  141  can then be attached to the ankles of user  200 . In some instances, it may be desirable for the heels of user  200  to be in contact with platform  110  when user  200  is in the “rest” position shown in  FIG. 2A . If the height of leg support  120  and the leg length of user  200  make such heel positioning difficult, optional foot support(s)  119  can be used to provide the desired heel positioning. 
   Note that the seated/reclined position imposed by exercise system  100  is a very natural and comfortable position. Even if user  200  has limited or reduced physical capabilities (e.g., limited strength, poor balance), the seated/reclining position shown in  FIG. 2A  can be easily achieved, as it is quite similar to sitting in a recliner or lounger. Furthermore, the secure support provided by leg support  120  and back support  130  help to ensure that user  200  does not fall out of exercise system  100  (even though legs  111  of platform  110  can be made short enough that such a fall would be unlikely to cause any injury). 
   Once user  200  is in place in exercise system  100  and is secured to ankle holders  141 , user  200  can begin exercising by extending her legs (i.e., flexing her quadriceps muscles), as shown in  FIG. 2B . These leg extensions can be performed in any pattern (e.g., alternating legs, both legs at once, one leg at a time). As user  200  straightens her leg, the resistance tether  142  attached to the ankle holder  141  for that leg exerts a force opposite to the direction of extension. 
   Note that the relatively unconstrained nature of the motion (due to the flexible resistance tethers  142 ) allows the leg extensions to be performed in a wide range of foot/leg positions. For example, by turning her feet inward (towards each other) during the exercise, user  200  can increase the work performed by the abductor muscles of her legs. Alternatively, by turning her feet outwards (away from each other) during the exercise, user  200  can increase the work performed by the adductor muscles of her legs. Other exercise variations will be readily apparent. 
   In one embodiment, the resistive force provided by resistance tether  142 , coupled with the straightening of the leg of user  200 , can compress leg support  120 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . The compressed cross section of leg support  120  is shown shaded, with the original (uncompressed) cross section shown as a dashed line for reference. This compression of leg support  120  reduces the stress the leg extension places on the knee of user  200 , thereby minimizing the chance of injury while still providing an opportunity for a good workout. The compressed leg support  120  provides an upward force on the leg(s) of user  120  that tends to work in opposition to the downward force on the leg(s) of user  120  provided by resistance tether(s)  142 , which can further improve the workout effectiveness of exercise system  100 . Optional foot supports  119  (if present) can also provide workout enhancement by cushioning the heels of user  200  at the end of the downward leg motion, while also providing some upward “spring” at the start of the extension portion of the exercise. 
   Note that by selecting resistance tethers  142  to have a relatively high elasticity (i.e., bands that provide a larger amount of “stretch”), the exercise depicted in  FIG. 2B  can be performed regularly over a relatively long time period to provide a good cardiovascular workout to improve heart and lung capacity. Alternatively, by selecting resistance tethers  142  to have a relatively low elasticity (i.e., bands that do not stretch as much), the exercise depicted in  FIG. 2B  can be performed in shorter sets using a low number of repetitions to provide a resistance (load bearing) workout for improving muscular strength and bone density. Furthermore, the a user can perform high speed (e.g. “sprinting”) repetitions or low speed (e.g., “walking”) repetitions, depending on the type of exercise desired. 
   Exercise system  100  can be readily adapted to enable the performance of various different exercises. For example, in  FIG. 3A , an attachment mechanism  155  (e.g., an eyelet, hook, or post) is provided towards the front of platform  110  to permit attachment of a grip handle  161  (e.g., a bar or a ring) to platform  110  via a resistance tether  162 . Grip handle  161  can then be used to perform bicep curls, as shown in  FIG. 3A . 
   In  FIG. 3B , an attachment mechanism  156  is provided towards the rear of platform  110  to permit attachment of grip handle  161  to platform  110  via resistance tether  162 . Configured in this manner, exercise system  100  can be used to perform triceps extensions, as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
   In  FIG. 3C , an attachment mechanism  157  is provided towards the front of platform  110  to permit attachment of grip handle  161  to platform  110  via a tether  163 . Grip handle  161  can then be used to assist user  200  in seating herself in, or raising herself from exercise system  100 . This seating/rising assistance can be particularly beneficial when user  200  has a reduced physical capacity (e.g., poor balance or insufficient strength to easily rise from a reclined position). Alternatively, grip handle  161  can be used by user  200  to perform assisted crunches (i.e., pulling on grip handle  161  while contracting the abdominal muscles/obliques to raise the torso of user  200  in the direction indicated by the arrow). Typically, tether  163  can provide the more effective assistance during seating/rising or crunches if tether  163  is substantially inelastic. 
   In  FIG. 3D , a foot holder(s)  171  is connected to platform  110  via a resistance tether  172  that attaches to attachment mechanism  150 . Foot holder  171  slips over the foot of user  200 , and allows “shin curls” (i.e., contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle) to be performed, which can be particularly beneficial in the prevention of shin splints. Various other exercise possibilities will be readily apparent. 
   Although the invention has been described in connection with several embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of various modifications that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, resistance tethers  142  in exercise system  100  could be replaced with hydraulics for providing resistance during the leg extensions. Thus, the invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.