Patent Publication Number: US-7585264-B1

Title: Adjustable tilting inversion exerciser

Description:
The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/290,301, filed 29 Oct. 2008, pending and allowed. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a tilting inversion exerciser, and more particularly to an adjustable tilting inversion exerciser having a user supporting table pivotally or rotatably attached to a supporting stand with a pivot axle and movable or adjustable relative to the pivot axle of the supporting stand for suitably or adjustably supporting the users of different weights or body forms or physiques. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Typical tilting inversion exercisers comprise a base or table pivotally or rotatably supported on a lower support stand, for supporting a user thereon, and for allowing the user to tilt or to incline the table relative to the lower support, in order to conduct the typical tilting inversion exercises. 
   For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,956 to Teeter discloses one of the typical rotatable or tilting inversion exercisers comprising a stationary support stand composed of spaced A-frames having spaced trunnion supporting bearing plates and hanger bars for supporting a user supporting table and for allowing the user supporting table to be pivoted or rotated relative to the stationary support stand. 
   However, the coupling mechanism between the user supporting table and the hanger bars is weak and may not be used to stably support the user on the user supporting table, or the user supporting table may have a good chance to be twisted relative to the hanger bars of the stationary support stand particularly when the user supporting table supports the users of greater weights or body forms or physiques. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,691 to Kuo discloses another typical rotatable or tilting inversion exerciser also comprising a user supporting table pivotally or rotatably attached or secured to the stationary support stand with hanger bars. 
   However, similarly, the coupling mechanism between the user supporting table and the hanger bars is weak and may not stably support the user on the user supporting table, or the user supporting table may have a good chance to be twisted relative to the hanger bars of the stationary support stand particularly when the user supporting table supports the users of greater weights or body forms or physiques. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 7,112,167 to Kim discloses a further typical rotatable or tilting inversion exerciser comprising a user supporting table pivotally or rotatably attached or secured to a stationary support stand, and one or more motors attached to the stationary support stand and coupled to the user supporting table for driving or rotating or tilting the user supporting table relative to the lower support stand. 
   However, the user supporting table may not be adjusted relative to the lower support stand to different positions for suitably or adjustably supporting the users of different weights or body forms or physiques. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,372 to Teeter et al. discloses a still further typical electric exerciser machine for tilting and inverting human body also comprising a rotatable frame pivotally or rotatably attached to top and supported on a lower support member with a pivoting tube, and a driving device mounted on the support member and having an electric motor for driving or rotating or tilting the rotatable frame relative to the lower support member. 
   However, similarly, the rotatable frame also may not be adjusted relative to the lower support member to different positions for suitably or adjustably supporting the users of different weights or body forms or physiques. 
   The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional tilting inversion exercisers. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a tilting inversion exerciser including a user supporting table pivotally or rotatably attached to a supporting stand with a pivot axle and movable or adjustable relative to the pivot axle of the supporting stand for suitably or adjustably supporting the users of different weights or body forms or physiques. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a tilting inversion exerciser comprising a supporting stand including two apex members, a carrier including two arms each having a first end pivotally attached to the apex member and each having a second end, and a bar attached to the second ends of the arms for forming a space between the arms and the bar, a frame slidably received in the space of the carrier and including a rod adjustably secured to the arms of the carrier for adjusting the frame toward and away from the bar of the carrier, a user supporting table attached to the frame for supporting a user thereon, and a latching device releasably securing the rod of the frame to the arms of the carrier for solidly and adjustably securing the user supporting table to the carrier and for suitably adjusting the center of gravity of the user supporting table and the user relative to the carrier and the supporting stand. 
   The frame includes two sleeve attached to two ends of the rod, and the sleeves each include a bore formed therein for slidably and adjustably receiving and engaging with the arms and for adjustably attaching or securing the rod of the frame to the arms of the carrier respectively. 
   Two bushings are engaged into the sleeves and engaged between the sleeves and the arms respectively. The latching device includes a fastener attached to each sleeve for engaging with the arms and for adjustably securing the sleeves of the frame to the arms. 
   The arms each include a plurality of orifices formed therein, and the fastener includes an anchoring end for engaging with either of the orifices of the arms and for adjustably securing the rod of the frame to the arms of the carrier. 
   Two latch members are slidably attached to the sleeves respectively and each include an actuating end for engaging with either of the orifices of the arms and for adjustably securing the rod of the frame to the arms of the carrier. 
   Two levers are pivotally attached to the sleeves respectively and each include an end pivotally coupled to the latch member. Two spring members are engaged with the sleeves and the levers respectively for biasing and forcing the actuating end of the latch member to engage with either of the orifices of the arms. The levers each include a middle portion pivotally attached to the sleeve with a pivot axle. 
   The latch members each include a peripheral stop for engaging with the sleeve and for limiting the latch member to slide relative to the sleeve and the carrier. The carrier includes two tubular members attached to two ends of the bar for slidably or adjustably receiving the arms and for solidly securing to the arms with at least one fastener. 
   Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tilting inversion exerciser in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial exploded view of the tilting inversion exerciser; 
       FIG. 3  is another partial exploded view of the tilting inversion exerciser; 
       FIG. 4  is a side plan schematic view of the tilting inversion exerciser; 
       FIG. 5  is a side plan schematic view similar to  FIG. 4  illustrating the operation of the tilting inversion exerciser; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged partial cross sectional view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11  are the other partial cross sectional views similar to  FIG. 6  illustrating the operation of the tilting inversion exerciser. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a tilting inversion exerciser in accordance with the present invention comprises a lower supporting stand  10  for pivotally or rotatably supporting a user supporting base or table  30  thereon, and then for supporting a user  8  on the user supporting table  30 , the lower supporting stand  10  includes such as two U-shaped stand members  11  having upper ends pivotally coupled together with two apex members  12  so as to form a substantially inverted V-shaped and foldable structure. The lower supporting stand  10  includes a bearing support or pivot axle  13  disposed or attached to each of the apex members  12  for pivotally or rotatably supporting or coupling the user supporting table  30 . 
   The lower supporting stand  10  includes one or more, such as two foldable coupler  14  coupled between the stand members  11  for allowing the stand members  11  of the supporting stand  10  to be folded to a compact folding structure when the foldable coupler  14  is folded, and for allowing the stand members  11  of the supporting stand  10  to be stably supported on a working position when the foldable coupler  14  is opened or unfolded to an open position as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 - 5 . The lower supporting stand  10  may further include a motor driving means or motor and/or a reduction gearing (not shown) disposed or attached or secured to the upper ends or the apex members  12  of the lower supporting stand  10  for driving or rotating the user supporting table  30 . 
   A U-shaped bracket or carrier  20  includes two arms  21  each having one end or upper or first end  22  attached to the pivot axle  13  for allowing the carrier  20  to be rotated relative to the lower supporting stand  10 , and a beam or bar  23  attached or secured to the other ends or lower or second ends  24  of the arms  21  for forming a space  25  between the arms  21  and/or the bar  23  ( FIG. 2 ) and for slidably receiving the user supporting table  30 . The carrier  20  may further include one or more (such as two) tubular members  26  attached or secured to the ends of the bar  23 , or extended or formed on the bar  23  for slidably receiving the arms  21  and for securing to the arms  21  with latches or fasteners  27 , and the arms  21  may further include one or more orifices  28  formed in or formed along each of the arms  21 . A cap  29  may be attached or secured to the ends of the arms  21  for blocking or closing or sealing the ends of the arms  21 . 
   A frame  40  includes a longitudinal beam  41  and a lateral beam or rod  42  secured together to attach or secure or support the user supporting table  30  on the frame  40 , and includes two sleeve  43  extended or formed on the two ends of the rod  42 , and the sleeves  43  each include a bore  44  formed therein ( FIGS. 2 ,  3 ) for slidably or adjustably receiving or engaging with the arms  21  and for adjustably securing the rod  42  of the frame  40  to the arms  21 , and each include a hub  45  formed or provided therein for threading or engaging with the threaded segment  51  of a fastener  50 , in which the fastener  50  includes an anchoring end  52  provided on the free end portion thereof for engaging with either of the orifices  28  of the arms  21  and for adjustably securing the rod  42  of the frame  40  to the arms  21  of the carrier  20 . 
   The user supporting table  30  or the frame  40  further includes an ankle holder  60  ( FIGS. 1 ,  4 - 5 ) adjustably or coupled to the lower portion of the user supporting table  30  or the frame  40 , such as the longitudinal beam  41  of the frame  40  with an adjustable extension  61 , for detachably securing the ankle portions of the user  8  to the table  30  and for adjustably supporting the users of different lengths or heights, and a foot pedal  62  attached to the ankle holder  60  or the adjustable extension  61  for being stepped by the users  8  and for stably supporting the user  8  on the user supporting table  30 . The ankle holder  60  may be operated with various kinds of motorized actuating devices (not shown) which are typical and will not be described in further details. 
   The sleeves  43  each further include an aperture  46  formed therein (FIGS.  3  and  6 - 11 ) for selectively aligning with either of the orifices  28  of the arms  21 , and a U-shaped bracket  47  attached onto the sleeve  43  and disposed or attached or located close to the aperture  46  of the sleeve  43  for attaching or supporting a pivot axle  48 . The tilting inversion exerciser further includes a locking or latching device  70  for adjustably locking or securing the frame  40  or the user supporting table  30  to the carrier  20  and for allowing the frame  40  or the user supporting table  30  to be easily and quickly and stably adjusted relative to the carrier  20  and the lower supporting stand  10 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2-3  and  6 - 11 , the latching device  70  includes a lever  71  having a middle portion  72  pivotally or rotatably attached to the bracket  47  of each sleeve  43  with the pivot axle  48  for allowing the lever  71  to be pivoted or rotated relative to the bracket  47  of the sleeve  43 , and a latch member  73  slidably engaged with the aperture  46  of the sleeve  43  and having one or inner end or first end  74  pivotally or rotatably attached to one of the ends  75  of the lever  71  with a pivot pin  76  and having an actuating end  77  ( FIG. 3 ) engaged into either of the orifices  28  of the arms  21  and for adjustably locking or securing the rod  42  of the frame  40  to the arms  21  of the carrier  20 , and thus for allowing the user supporting table  30  to be adjustably and solidly locked or secured to the carrier  20  and the lower supporting stand  10 . 
   The latch member  73  includes an enlarged peripheral flange or stop  78  extended radially and outwardly therefrom for engaging with the sleeve  43  and for limiting the latch member  73  to slide relative to the sleeve  43  and the carrier  20 , and a spring member  79 , such as a coil spring member  79  is engaged onto the latch member  73  or the pivot pin  76  and engaged with the sleeve  43  and the lever  71  for biasing or forcing the actuating end  77  of the latch member  73  to engage with either of the orifices  28  of the arms  21  ( FIG. 6 ). A gasket or bushing  55  may further be provided and engaged into each of the sleeves  43  and engaged between the sleeve  43  and the arm  21  for allowing the sleeves  43  to be smoothly slid or moved along the arms  21 . 
   In operation, as shown in  FIGS. 7-10 , the actuating end  52  of the fastener  50  may be disengaged from the orifices  28  of the arms  21  of the carrier  20  by threading the threaded segment  51  of the fastener  50  relative to the hub  45  of the sleeves  43 , and the arms  21  are allowed to be slid or moved relative to the sleeves  43 , or relatively, the sleeves  43  are allowed to be slid or moved relative to the arms  21  to the required or suitable position when the actuating end  77  of the latch member  73  is disengaged from the orifices  28  of the arms  21  ( FIGS. 8-9 ) by depressing or actuating the lever  71 . The actuating end  77  of the latch member  73  may be biased or forced to engage with either of the orifices  28  of the arms  21  again by the spring member  79  when the lever  71  is released ( FIGS. 6 , and  10 - 11 ). 
   After the sleeves  43  have been slid or moved or adjusted relative to the arms  21  to the required or suitable or predetermined position or location, and/or after the user supporting table  30  has been moved or adjusted relative to the carrier  20  to the required or predetermined position or location, the lever  71  may be released, and the spring member  79  may bias or force the actuating end  77  of the latch member  73  to engage with either of the orifices  28  of the arms  21  again by the spring biasing force of the spring member  79  and to stably or solidly latching or locking the frame  40  and the user supporting table  30  to the arms  21  of the carrier  20  again and thus for allowing the user supporting table  30  to be easily and quickly and stably adjusted relative to the carrier  20  and the lower supporting stand  10  to the required or suitable or predetermined position or location. 
   It is to be noted that the user supporting table  30  may be offset and adjusted or moved relative to the pivot axle  13  for allowing the center of gravity of both the user supporting table  30  and the user  8  to be adjusted or located closer to or away from the pivot axle  13  and to be adjusted relative to the center of gravity of the stationary supporting stand  10  and thus for allowing the user supporting table  30  and the user  8  to be suitably rotated and to be stably supported on the stationary supporting stand  10  when the users of different weights or body forms or physiques are supported on the user supporting table  30 . 
   For example, when it is required to support the user of a greater weight or body form or physique on the user supporting table  30 , it is preferable that the user supporting table  30  is moved or adjusted toward the bar  23  of the carrier  20  and moved or adjusted away from the pivot axle  13  for allowing both the user supporting table  30  and the user  8  to be located closer to the center of gravity of the supporting stand  10 , and thus for allowing both the user supporting table  30  and the user  8  to be stably supported on the supporting stand  10  particularly when the user  8  is conducting the inversion exercises. 
   On the contrary, when it is required to support the user of a decreased weight or body form or physique on the user supporting table  30 , the user supporting table  30  may be moved or adjusted away from the bar  23  of the carrier  20  and moved or adjusted toward the pivot axle  13  for allowing the user supporting table  30  and the user  8  to be located closer to the pivot axle  13  and thus for allowing the user supporting table  30  and the user  8  to be easily rotated relative to the supporting stand  10 . The fastener  50  may be used to adjustably and solidly secure the rod  42  of the frame  40  to the arms  21  of the carrier  20 , in addition, the latch member  73  may further be provided and engaged with either of the orifices  28  of the arms  21  for further adjustably and solidly locking or securing the rod  42  of the frame  40  to the arms  21  of the carrier  20 , and thus for allowing the user supporting table  30  to be adjustably and solidly locked or secured to the carrier  20  and the lower supporting stand  10  with both the fastener  50  and the latch member  73 . The sliding engagement of the sleeves  43  onto the arms  21  may stably and adjustably attach and secure the rod  42  of the frame  40  to the arms  21  and may prevent the rod  42  of the frame  40  from being tilted or inclined relative to the arms  21  of the carrier  20 . 
   Accordingly, the tilting inversion exerciser in accordance with the present invention includes a user supporting table pivotally or rotatably attached to a supporting stand with a pivot axle and movable or adjustable relative to the pivot axle of the supporting stand for suitably or adjustably supporting the users of different weights or body forms or physiques. 
   Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.