Patent Publication Number: US-2007117693-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for lateral exercise

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
      The present invention generally relates to a lateral exercise method and apparatus and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for lateral exercise that includes two track members pivotally connected to opposite sides of a base plate. The track members each have a foot support that is slidably engaged along a length of the track member and separate pulley systems that run along a length of each track member.  
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
      Lateral exercise is exercise that relates to extending parts of the body toward the right or left sides of the body away from the median axis of the body. Lateral exercise also includes exercise that involves movement of some or all of the body from side to side. The prior art includes many types of lateral exercise devices.  
      One popular lateral exercise device includes a planar sliding surface having stops at its opposite ends. The user puts on booties, such as nylon booties, over their feet or shoes. The booties work with the slide surface to achieve smooth sliding across the planar sliding surface. The user then uses his or her body to slide their feet back and forth across the planar sliding surface.  
      Another popular lateral exercise device is directed to stepping devices for exercising the thighs. These types of devices include oppositely positioned footplates or foot pedals that function as bi-directional steppers. The foot pedals move up and down to sculpt the buttocks, quadriceps muscles, and hamstrings, and side to side to firm the inner and outer thighs.  
      There are also a multitude of other exercise devices that are designed to resist lateral movements of the body and/or its appendages such as the back and forth or side to side movement of the arms or legs. However, although compact and portable, most lateral exercise devices focus on exercising only the upper body or the lower body. Further, those few simple lateral exercise devices that are capable of exercising both the upper body and the lower body, such as a stretch band having handles at its opposite ends, for example, are incapable of tension adjustment. Accordingly, there is a need for a lateral exercise apparatus that is capable of exercising both the upper body and the lower body that is compact, portable, easy to store, and tension adjustable.  
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
      The invention is generally directed to a method and apparatus for lateral exercise which includes first and second track members pivotally connected to a base plate which lies planar with a ground surface, and a handle member extending from a top surface of the base plate. The first and second track members each include a foot support that is slidably engaged along a length of the track member and an adjustable blocking member capable of limiting the movement of the foot support along a length of its respective track member. The blocking members may be completely removable from the track members. The method and apparatus also include first and second pulley systems running along a length of each of the track members for exercising a user&#39;s arms and upper torso.  
      The first and second pulley systems may each include one or more wheel members and a band, belt, cord, rope, chain, or the like for engaging the one or more wheel members. In one embodiment, a first wheel is located near the pivotal end of each track member and a second wheel is located near the opposite end of each track member. A band, belt, cord, rope, chain, or the like is connected to one wheel member, positioned around both wheel members, and a handle is attached to the unattached end of the band. Tension may be applied to the first and second pulley systems by a tension knob located near each pivotal end of the track members such that the tension knobs engage the first wheel members thereby making it harder for the wheel members to rotate.  
      In order to use the lateral exercise apparatus, a user positions the first and second track members so that they are in the same horizontal plane as the base plate. The user then grasps the handle member with his or her hands and places his or her feet on the foot supports. The user then moves his or her body so that the user&#39;s feet slide back and forth, in other words inward and outward from the axis of the user&#39;s body, along a length of the first and second track members. The blocking members may be positioned and locked into place before a user grasps the handle member so that the movement of the user&#39;s feet will be limited along a length of the track members.  
      In order to exercise the upper body with the lateral exercise device, the user engages the handles of the first and second pulley systems by grabbing the handles of the first and second pulley systems with his or her hands. Next, the user places his or her feet in the foot supports and moves the foot supports outward from the user&#39;s body until they are pressed against the blocking members that are locked into place in the track members. The user may then perform a number of different upper body exercises by pulling the handles of the first and second pulley systems toward and/or away from the user&#39;s body and then slowly releasing the handles thereby allowing them to retract from the pulled position.  
      The lateral exercise apparatus may be easily stored by pivoting the first and second track members such that they are perpendicular to the base plate. This compact positioning of the exercise apparatus can then be easily stored in a corner or closet without the need for much space. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention is hereafter described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:  
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the lateral exercise apparatus shown in the stored position;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the lateral exercise apparatus shown with one track member in the stored position and the opposite track member moved from a stored position, shown in phantom, to a position for use;  
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the top of the lateral exercise apparatus in the storage position showing the handle members of the first and second pulley systems located near the non-pivotal ends of the track members;  
       FIG. 4  is a partial top perspective view showing the pivotal ends of the track members attached to the base plate and a foot support attached to one of the track members;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a user in a “start” position for carrying out lateral exercise of the lower body using the lateral exercise apparatus;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a user in the “extended” position for carrying out lateral exercise of the lower body using the lateral exercise apparatus;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a user performing a first upper body exercise with the lateral exercise apparatus;  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a user performing a second upper body exercise with the lateral exercise apparatus; and  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a user performing a third upper body exercise with the lateral exercise apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The following description is of exemplary embodiments of the invention only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description is intended to provide a convenient illustration for implementing various embodiments of the invention. As will become apparent, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described in these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims. For example, in the context of the present invention, the method and apparatus hereof may include only those elements necessary for lateral exercise of the upper body, only those elements necessary for lateral exercise of the lower body, or all of those elements necessary for lateral exercise of the upper body and lateral exercise of the lower body.  
      In general, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for lateral exercise. Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of the lateral exercise apparatus  10  shown in the stored position. Apparatus  10  includes a base plate  12 , first and second track members  14  and  16  pivotally connected to base plate  12 , and a handle member  18  connected to a top surface of base plate  12 . Apparatus  10  may also include first and second foot supports  20  and  22  slidably engaged with first and second track members  14  and  16 , respectively. In addition, apparatus  10  may include first and second adjustable blocking members  24  and  26 , such as locking pin members, that are capable of being locked into place on first and second track members  14  and  16 , respectively, to limit the movement of the first and second foot supports  20  and  22  along the length of the first and second track members  14  and  16 .  
      Base plate  12  is preferably comprised of a metal such as steel, steel alloys, stainless steels, aluminum, and aluminum alloys that will maintain its rigidity and stability. Like base plate  12 , track members  14  and  16  are also preferably comprised of a metal such as steel, steel alloys, stainless steels, aluminum, and aluminum alloys to ensure durability and stability despite the wear and tear experienced by use of the apparatus over time. Handle member  18  may also be made of a material the same as, or similar to, the material used for base plate  12  and first and second track members  14  and  16 .  
      In order to further make the apparatus  10  portable and compact, handle member  18  may comprise several pieces including a first hollow tubular member  28  secured to a top surface of base plate  12 , a second tubular member  30  removably positioned within first hollow tubular member  28 , and a third tubular member  32  positioned perpendicular to second tubular member  30  and connected to second tubular member  30  with clamp  34 . Second and third tubular members  30  and  32  may be disassembled and stored separately from the apparatus  10  to further facilitate storage of the apparatus  10 . First and second handle covers  36  and  38  may also be positioned over opposite ends of third tubular member  32  for more secure and comfortable use of the apparatus  10 . Handle covers  36  and  38  are preferably made of a foam or plastic material to enhance gripping. However, handle covers  36  and  38  may comprise any material that can be securely fitted over opposite ends of third tubular member  32  without slipping.  
      First and second foot supports  20  and  22  may each comprise a sliding member  40 , a base support  42  positioned over sliding member  40 , and a strap  44  attached to base support  42  for retaining a user&#39;s foot during use of the apparatus  10 . The sliding members  40  of each foot support  20  and  22  are engaged with first and second track members  14  and  16 , respectively such that they are capable of sliding along a length of first and second track members  14  and  16 . Sliding members  40  are preferably comprised of the same durable metal as first and second track members  14  and  16 . However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that base plate  12 , first and second track members  14  and  16 , handle member  18 , and sliding members  40  may be comprised of any type of durable material capable of withstanding wear and tear from repeated use of apparatus  10 . These materials include, but are not limited to, plastics, polymers, polymer mixes, and fiberglass. Base supports  42  may also be comprised of any material that is used to make base plate  12 , first and second track members  14  and  16 , handle member  18 , and sliding members  40  including all of those listed above. Straps  44  are comprised of any type of material that is capable of retaining a user&#39;s foot on top of base supports  42 . These materials are preferably slightly flexible and may include, but are not limited to, webbing, rubber, cloth, plastic, polymers and polymer mixes.  
      Apparatus  10  may also include first and second pulley systems  46  and  48  running along a length of first and second track members  14  and  16 , respectively. First and second pulley systems  46  and  48  may include handles  50  and  52  so that a user can easily engage apparatus  10  for lateral exercise of the upper body. First and second pulley systems  46  and  48  are explained in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 2-4 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that apparatus  10  may only include first and second pulley systems  46  and  48  running along a length of first and second track members  14  and  16  without first and second foot supports  20  and  22 . This configuration of apparatus  10  would comprise an embodiment that is directed primarily to lateral exercise of the upper body. The configuration of apparatus  10  with only slidably engaged foot supports  20  and  22 , and without first and second pulley systems  46  and  48 , would comprise and embodiment that is directed primarily to lateral exercise of the lower body. Including both first and second pulley systems  46  and  48  along a length of first and second track members  14  and  16  and slidably engaging first and second foot supports  20  and  22  with first and second track members  14  and  16  would result in an embodiment of apparatus  10  that supports lateral exercise of both the upper body and the lower body.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the lateral exercise apparatus  10  shown with first track member  14  in the stored position and the second track member  16  moved from a stored position, shown in phantom, to a position for use. First and second track members  14  and  16  pivot from a vertical position to a horizontal position as shown by arrow  60 . First and second pulley systems  46  and  48  are each comprised of a first wheel and second wheel  62  and  64  (See  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) that may be covered by first and second housing members  66  and  68 .  
      A partial perspective view of the top of the lateral exercise apparatus  10  in the storage position showing the handle members  50  and  52  of the first and second pulley systems  46  and  48  located near the non-pivotal ends of track members  14  and  16  is shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  shows a partial top perspective view of the pivotal ends of track members  14  and  16  attached to base plate  12 , and second foot support  22  attached to second track member  16 . Second pulley system  48  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and includes first wheel  62 , second wheel  64 , and a band, belt, cord, chain, or rope member  66  that has one end engaged with second wheel  64 , wound around first wheel  62  and then back around second wheel  64  through opening  68  contained at an end of second track member  16 . Rope member  66  may be further threaded through one or more load bearing spring wheels  70  which function to adjust the tension of rope member  66  and ensure that it does not rub across a portion of the apparatus and become worn. Rope member  66  may be enclosed within an elongated housing  72 , such as a tubular shaped housing member, for example along the length of each track member  14  and  16 . A tension knob  74  may also engage first wheel  62  to further adjust the tension of rope member  66 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , first and second track member  14  and  16  may be connected to base plate  12  with hinge members  78  that may be bolted to another support member  80  that is permanently secured to base plate  12 . Arrow  82  shows the direction of movement for second foot support  22  along the length of second track member  16 .  
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views showing a user using the lateral exercise apparatus  10  to perform lateral exercise of the lower body. The user  90  first secures adjustable blocking members  24  and  26  in place at a position along the length of first and second track members  14  and  16 , respectively. User  90  then engages first and second foot supports  20  and  22  by placing his feet on base supports  42  underneath straps  44 . User  90  then grasps handle member  18  with both hands and lowers his body so that first and second foot supports  20  and  22  slide away from handle  18  along the length of first and second track members  14  and  16  and his feet that are retained in first and second foot supports  20  and  22  move outward and away from a central axis of his body. User  90  then uses his feet and leg muscles to slide first and second foot supports  20  and  22  back toward handle member  18 . This back and forth exercise is then repeated.  
      Turning now to  FIGS. 7-9 , three different lateral exercises are shown for the upper body. In  FIG. 7 , user  90  first secures adjustable blocking members  24  and  26  in place at a position along the length of first and second track members  14  and  16 , respectively. User  90  then grasps handles  50  and  52  and pulls them upward and inward toward the user&#39;s chest. User  90  may engage first and second foot supports  20  and  22  either before or after first grasping handles  50  and  52 . However, the exercise is intended to be carried out with user  90  having his feet positioned in first and second foot supports  20  and  22 . To perform this exercise, user  90  alternates the pulling and release of handles  50  and  52  toward the user&#39;s chest as shown by arrows  94 . The tension of rope members  66  may be increased or decreased as previously described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
      A second lateral exercise for the upper body using the lateral exercise apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 8 . User  90  first secures adjustable blocking members  24  and  26  in place at a position along the length of first and second track members  14  and  16 , respectively. Next, user  90  grasps handles  50  and  52  and pulls them toward his body. User  90  may do this either before or after engaging first and second foot supports  20  and  22  with his feet. However, the exercise is intended to be carried out with the user&#39;s feet placed in the foot supports. To perform the exercise, user  90  pulls handles  50  and  52  toward him and above his head and then allows rope member  66  to retract by slowly releasing the force applied to handles  50  and  52  as shown by arrows  98 . This exercise is then repeated.  
      Another lateral exercise for the upper body using the lateral exercise apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 9 . As with the exercises shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , user  90  first secures adjustable blocking members  24  and  26  in place at a position along the length of first and second track members  14  and  16 , respectively. User  90  then grasps handle members  50  and  52  and engages his feet with first and second foot supports  20  and  22  either before or after grasping handle members  50  and  52 . If he engages his feet beforehand, he then grasps handles  50  and  52  after his feet have been placed within foot supports  20  and  22 . To perform this exercise, user  90  simultaneously pulls one handle  50  toward his waist (as shown by arrow  100 ) while pulling the other handle  52  upward and across his upper torso at shoulder level. User  90  turns his waste while pulling handle  52  up to his shoulder level and then across his upper torso as shown by arrow  102 . User  90  then alternates these pulling movements with the opposite handles and continues to alternately repeat the movements shown by arrows  100  and  102  with handles  50  and  52 .  
      Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set firth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.