Patent Publication Number: US-10765912-B2

Title: Exercise apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is the U.S. National Phase of PCT/GB2017/050727 filed on Mar. 16, 2017 which claims priority to UK patent application No. 1604565.0, filed with the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 17, 2016, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus/device, and in particular, but not exclusively to such an apparatus for exercising the inner and outer thigh muscles of a user. 
     A wide variety of exercise apparatus and devices are commonly known for improving the strength and tone of various portions of the human body including in particular the human legs. 
     One such known device has a particular configuration forming the subject matter of UK Design Registration 3011754 and which presents a pair of footplates arranged for reciprocal movement along commonly aligned downwardly concave rails such that as the user, when in prone position standing on the footplates, moves the footplates reciprocally in the lateral direction the curvature offered by the downwardly convex rails causes the user&#39;s body to be raised and lowered in a vertical direction. The lateral movement of the footplates then serves to work against the user&#39;s own weight and thereby work, in particular, the thigh muscles of the user&#39;s legs. 
     Also known from published European patent application EP 2 281 609 A is an exercise apparatus/device involving reciprocal motion of the user&#39;s legs along parallel and adjacent extending tracks. 
     The exercise undertaken by the user is solely directed to the legs even though the nature of movement during an exercise routine may also be readily suited to the exercising of other parts, muscles, and muscle groups of the human body. 
     The present invention seeks to provide for an exercise apparatus/device having further advantageous features over and above known such apparatus/devices. In particular the invention seeks to provide for an exercise apparatus/device arranged for exercising a user&#39;s legs but also arranged, in addition or in the alternative, for the working of other muscles, muscle groups, such as, for example, those of the upper torso and upper limbs. In particular, the user can then decide to perform an exercise routine involving just the upper limbs, or legs, or both. 
     According to the present invention there is provided an exercise apparatus comprising a pair of footplates arranged for movement on respective support means, the support means extending away from a central frame portion of the apparatus, the footplates being arranged to receive a pair of human feet and so as to be moved by a user in a manner in the direction of the support means as part of an exercise routine, and wherein the apparatus incudes handgrip portions mounted on a handlebar arrangement extending from the central frame portion of the apparatus, the handgrip portions being arranged for movement, such as, but not limited to, upward and/or downward movement, relative to the frame portion during the exercise routine. 
     The invention is particularly advantageous in that, in addition of the leg exercising routine, the apparatus allows for simultaneous and complementary, or alternative, exercising of the upper torso and limbs. 
     As a particular feature, the nature of exercising of the upper torso and limbs is readily achievable and controlled in a rhythmic manner matching, and synchronised to be in phase with the leg exercise. The whole exercise routine can then be performed in a readily coordinated and rhythmic manner particularly suited to music-based exercise sessions whether at home, at the gym or as part of a group participation class. 
     Advantageously, the said central frame portion includes an upwardly extending elongate member having an upper end at which the handgrip portions are located. As will be appreciated, the upwardly extending member can comprise a stem member. 
     As noted, the handgrip portions are provided on, or form part of, a handlebar arrangement which can extend laterally of the central frame portion, or extend forwardly thereof. 
     The handgrips can be provided for movement against a resilient bias. 
     Further the handgrip portions can be provided at opposite ends of a unitary member, or can be provided on, or comprise parts of, respective separate members. 
     In one arrangement, the handgrip portions each connect to the central frame portion by way of a resilient member. The handgrip portions themselves can then be rigid. The resilient member can comprise any appropriate member such as a spring member, although fluid-cavity arrangements such as piston/cylinder arrangements are also envisaged. 
     In one embodiment, the resilient member can comprise an elongate flexible fibreglass member such as a fibreglass rod. 
     The handgrip portions can be arranged to pivot, or partially rotate, about a connection to the central frame portion to provide for the said movement. Such pivoting/rotation can be by way of a spring-loaded coupling of the handgrip portion, and member bearing the handgrip portion, to the central frame portion. 
     Alternatively, or in addition, the handgrip portions, and or any member bearing the handgrip portions, can exhibit inherent resilience. The handgrip portions, and/or any member bearing the handgrip portions, can then be arranged to flex and/or bend to provide for the said upward and/or downward movement. 
     It can prove a particularly advantageous feature that the said movement of the handgrip portions is restricted substantially to a single plane. In particular, that plane can comprise one with a major vertical component, and so can preferable be orthogonal to the horizontal. 
     The manner of pivotal/rotatable coupling of the handgrip portions, or the members bearing the handgrip portions, can serve to define the required plane of upward and/or downward movement. 
     Also, the shape and/or configuration of the handgrip portions, or the members bearing the handgrip portions, can serve to define the required plane of upward and/or downward movement. For example, a resilient elongate handlebar portion can be provided with shallow rectangular transverse cross-section such that it can only flex when in use in the present invention in one plane. 
     In a further aspect the said resilient bias can advantageously be adjustable in strength and/or stroke of movement. Merely as examples, such adjustability can be provided by adjustment at the point of pivotal/rotatable coupling to the central frame portion; or by adjustment of the location of contact of the resilient member to the central frame portion. 
     The support means can be arranged to support a footplate for sidewise movement of the user&#39;s foot, and/or back and forth movement of the user&#39;s toot. It should be appreciated that the invention also envisages multidirectional movement such as, for example, over a circular or oval path. 
     If required, each footplate can be further arranged to operatively engage at least one exercise weight in manner so as to raise the said weight through a vertical distance during at least one stroke of the said reciprocal movement. 
     The device can be arranged to receive a selective plurality of weights to allow for the selective variation of the resistance to movement offered during an exercise routine. 
     In particular, each of the selective plurality s is arranged to be fluid-filled, or sand/particulate-filled. 
     In one particular aspect, a rigid connector is provided for the operative connection between the footplate and the exercise weight such that, during outward movement of the footplate, the rigid connector and associated weight, extends beyond the said lateral portions of the device. 
     An advantageous degree of variation can then be imparted to both the leg exerciseand upper torso exercise either alone or in combination. 
     As will be appreciated, the present invention provides an advantageous adaptation of known leg exerciser apparatus and through which an easily, and accurately, variable adjustment to the resistance offered during an exercise routine can be provided quite independently of the size and weight of the user. The height through which the weight can be moved can also advantageously be enhanced. 
    
    
     
       The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the apparatus similar to that of  FIG. 1 , but showing the handgrips moved upwardly; 
         FIG. 3  is a similar view to that of  FIG. 2  and showing the handgrips moved upwardly to their maximum extent; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to that of but showing the handgrips moved downwardly to their maximum extent; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one example of a handgrip portion of apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another example of a handgrip portion of apparatus embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of part of the handlebar region of a further embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the part of  FIG. 7  and including a schematic representation of the movement in the vertical plane during an exercise routine. 
     
    
    
     Turning first to  FIG. 1  the perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shows an exerciser  10  having an upstanding telescopic central support  12 ,  14 , as part of a central frame portion, and from the upper end of which extend in a transverse manner a pair of handgrips  16 ,  18  to be gripped by a user during an exercise routine. The handgrips are each provided on right  16 ′ and left  18 ′ parts of a handlebar formed of a resilient material. Importantly the handlebar portions  16 ′,  18 ′ are allowed to flex against their resilient bias by movement of the user&#39;s hands when gripping the handgrips  16 ,  18  as part of any appropriate exercise routine as discussed further below. 
     The device  10  further comprises a pair of footplates  20 ,  22  each arranged to receive a foot of the user and which are movably mounted upon laterally extending support means so as to allow for reciprocal movement of each footplate  20 ,  22 . 
     The support means for footplate  22  comprise parallel downwardly curved rails  24 ,  26 , and which are connected to a central region  28  of the device  10  and from one end of which extends the central support  12 ,  14 . 
     Likewise, connected to the central region  28  are a pair of similarly downwardly curved rails  30 ,  32  upon which the other  20  of the two footplates is movably mounted. 
     The movable mounting of the footplates  20 ,  22  to the rails  24 ,  26 ;  30 ,  32  can be provided by any appropriate bearing means/surface as required. 
     As will be appreciated, the rails  24 ,  26 ;  30 ,  32  extend along a common line from the central region  28 , and which common line is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of each footplate  20 ,  22 . 
     The ends of the rails  24 ,  26  remote from the central region  28  of the device  10  are connected to a sidewall member  34  of the device  10 , whereas the ends of the rails  30 ,  32  remote from the central region  28  are mounted to the second sidewall member  36 . 
     As will be appreciated from the following, the sidewall members  34 ,  36  perform an important function in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, but likewise provide lateral supports for the secure floor-location of the device  10  when in use. 
     Operatively connected to each of the footplates  22 ,  20  is a respective pair of outwardly extending curved support arms  38 ,  40  which, as illustrated, have a configuration similar to that of each of the rails  24 ,  26 ;  30 ,  32 . 
     Each of the curved support arms  38 ,  30  is operatively connected to its respective footplate  22 ,  20  and is provided at its remote end with means for receiving one of a pair of exercise weights  42 ,  44 . It can be appreciated that each of the exercise weights  42 ,  44 , is located adjacent each of the respective side wall members  34 ,  36  when each footplate  20 ,  22  is at the end of its inward stroke. 
     Also, the central portion  28  of the device  10  includes a front end comprising a transverse support arm  46  having a pair of feet  48 ,  50  and respective ends thereof for further enhancing the floor-mounted stability of the device  10 . The apparatus of  FIG. 1  is shown at the time a user is about to start an exercise routine with then handle bar portions  16 ′,  18 ′ in their “home”, i.e. unstressed position. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , use of the device  10  is described as follows. 
     As mentioned previously, the footplates  20 ,  22  are arranged for reciprocal movement between the central portion  28  and sidewall members  34 ,  36  of the device  10  during an exercise routine. 
     Through employment of the downwardly curved tracks  24 ,  26 ;  30 ,  32  the user&#39;s body is repeatedly raised and lowered such that the leg muscles causing the reciprocal outward and inward movement of the footplates  20 ,  22  work against the user&#39;s body weight. 
     In addition, and through the gripping by the user of the hang grips  16 ,  18 , the handlebar portions  16 ′,  18 ′ are bent/flexed upwardly against their bias as shown. This occurs as the footplates  20 ,  22  are moved outwardly a s shown by arrows A. 
       FIG. 3  shows the maximum extent of the stroke of outward movement of the footplates  20 ,  22 , and simultaneous upward movement of the handgrips  16 ,  18 . Also, and through the rigid connection offered by the curved arms  38 ,  40  to the respective weights  42 ,  44 , those weights  42 ,  44  are likewise moved along a curved path indicated by arrows B. 
     Due to the length and configuration of the arms  38 ,  40  it will be appreciated that the vertical distance moved by the weights  42 ,  44  during the outward stroke of the footplates  20 ,  22  in the direction of the arrows A is in fact far greater than the vertical distance moved by the footplates  20 ,  22 . 
     This advantageously increases and enhances the a nt of work undertaken by the user&#39;s legs during an exercise routine. 
     The next stroke of movement in the exercise routine involves movement of the footplates  20 ,  22  inwardly, and the simultaneous flexing/bending of the handlebar portions  16 ′,  18 ′ downwardly as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The movements between the positions illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are then repeated as quickly and as often as required by the exercise routine. Of course, it should be appreciated that the apparatus need not include the weights and associated connections  38 ,  40  and such absence of these features can lead to a simplified construction, and simplified and possible quicker operation and thus different style of exercise routine. 
     It should of course be appreciated that the required movement of the handgrips can be facilitated in any appropriate manner, through choice of resilient flexible material, and/or nature of resilient coupling.  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate just two of many possible examples. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective partial view of an embodiment of the present invention showing just the upper end of a rectilinear stem  14 ′ of a central frame portion of the exercise apparatus, and its associated handgrips  116 ,  118  which comprise the lateral ends of a flexible rectilinear handlebar  54 . The stem  14 ′ terminates at its upper end in handlebar connector  56 . It should be appreciated that the handlebar can be formed as in this example as a single member, or as respective right and left members each connected to the connector  56 , As illustrated, the relative dimensions of the upper face  54 ′ and the side face  54 ″ of the rectilinear handlebar  54  are such as to form a shallow rectangular transverse cross-section. This helps determine that the handgrip can only flex in the direction of the vertical plane indicated by arrow Y, and not in the horizontal plane. 
     Limiting the plane of movement in this manner proves advantageous in enhancing the exercise routine in a manner in which the stability of the apparatus, and of the user on the apparatus is not compromised. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another example of a handgrip portion of apparatus embodying the present invention. 
     Illustrated again here is part of a stem  14 ″ terminating at its upper end in a stem head  52  and from left and right sides of-which extend left and right lugs  62 ,  62 ′. The lugs include spring pivot couplings  64 ,  64 ′ by-which respective rigid handgrips  66 ,  66 ′ ( 66 ′ shown in part) are mounted to the stem  14 ″ in a resilient manner. Rather than flexing therefore in the manner of the example of  FIG. 5 , the handgrips  66 ,  66 ′ of  FIG. 6  achieve their upward and downward movement in the required manner in a pivotal/part rotatable fashion against the bias offered by the spring coupling  64 ,  64 ′. 
     Of course the degree and ease of movement of the handgrips of the present invention can be readily varied by variation of the mode/manner of connection to the stem. For an arrangement such as that of  FIG. 5 , the length of handlebar extending beyond the connector  56  can serve to determine the degree and/or ease of flexing. As for embodiments such as  FIG. 6 , the type and strength of the spring of the spring coupling  64  can be and selected as appropriate. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , there is illustrated the handlebar region  68  of a further embodiment of exercise apparatus of the invention and which comprises a particularly simplified arrangement comprising a central upstanding stem portion  70  of the frame and including telescoping sections  72 ,  74  allowing for secured adjustment in the height of the handlebar by means of a locking pin  76  arranged for receipt in aligned apertures through the walls of the sections  72 ,  74 . The handlebar region  68  includes a downwardly depending central lug  78  mounted in secure fashion by means of bolts  80  to the upper end of the stem section  74 . Connected to, or formed integrally with, the central lug  78  is a rectilinear bar having left  82 , and right  84 , extending sections which form the handlebar. The left and right sections  82 ,  84  can comprise respective ends of a common member, or separate members connected together in the region of the central lug  78 . If separate members, each can offer a different characteristic of resilient distortion from the other if desired, perhaps for flexibility/adaptability of exercise routine. Mounted to each of the handlebar sections  82 ,  84  is a pair of ergonomic, for example foam, handgrips. The left section  82  has inner  86 , and outer  88 , handgrips; and the right section  84  has inner  90  and outer  92  handgrips. The handgrips can be gripped by a user in any combination required, for example, just the outer pair  88 ,  92 ; just the inner pair  86 ,  90 ; an inner on one side and an outer on the other side; or just one of the handgrip(s) on one of the sides only. 
     As an alternative, but not suggested by  FIG. 7 , only a single handgrip is provided on each of the left  84  and right  86  sections of the handlebar but whose position can be selectively adjusted along the length of the handlebar section between inner and outer positions either prior to, or during, an exercise routine. 
     Extending upwardly from the central frame portion  70  is a stem member  80 , adjustable in height, and which is provided at its upper end with handlebar arrangement in the form of a handlebar  82 . It should be appreciated that the handlebar  82  can be formed integral with, or connected to, the stem  80 . 
     Turning lastly to  FIG. 8 , there is provided a plan elevational view of the handlebar region  68  of  FIG. 7 . In addition to the handlebar at rest,  FIG. 8  shows schematically an upward resilient deformation of the handlebar and its component parts  82 ′,  84 ′,  88 ′,  92 ′; and a downward resilient deformation  82 ″,  84 ″,  88 ″,  92 ″—all as occurring as part of an exercise routine. For clarity only handgrips  88 ′,  88 ″,  92 ′,  92 ″ in outer locations are shown with the handlebar deformed upwardly and downwardly. 
     The handlebar configuration of  FIGS. 7 and 8  can be provided in relation to any embodiment of the invention, irrespective of the nature and/or direction of movement of the foot rests, and whether or not they have weights associated therewith. A particularly simplified arrangement employs footrests without any additional weight/resistive features. 
     It should of course be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example, the support means for the footplates can extend in any required direction away from the central portion and can follow any appropriate path as required, whether along a flat trajectory or otherwise. Also, the handgrip portions can be of any appropriate shape/configuration and be mounted on, or form part of, handlebar portions likewise having any appropriate shape/configuration.