Abstract:
The present invention provides a portable exercise device including a base having first and second opposite ends. The device also includes at least one resistance member pivotally mounted to the base between the first and second ends. The resistance member is pivotable between a first orientation, in which the resistance member is positioned generally upright, and a second orientation, in which the resistance member is pivoted away from the first end toward the second end. At least one urging member is coupled to the base and the resistance member for urging the resistance member toward the first orientation so as to provide resistance when the resistance member is pivoted from the first orientation toward the second orientation. The base is reversible between a first position, in which the first end of the base faces a user, and a second position, in which the second end of the base faces the user, such that two different exercises can be performed by reversing the position of the base between the first and second positions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to exercise equipment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many people in this day and age have fast-paced lives, yet at the same time they hold sedentary jobs. To combat weight gain, muscle and bone atrophy, and fatigue, people exercise, either outdoors, at a gymnasium, or in the home. To relax or relieve aches and pains, they would also obtain a massage, either by a professional, a friend, etc., in the home or at a gymnasium. The conventional equipment used for exercise is often large and cumbersome. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a portable exercise device including a base having first and second ends. The device also includes at least one resistance member pivotally mounted to the base between the first and second ends. The resistance member is pivotable between a first orientation, in which the resistance member is positioned generally upright, and a second orientation, in which the resistance member is pivoted away from the first end toward the second end. At least one urging member is coupled to the base and the resistance member for urging the resistance member toward the first orientation so as to provide resistance when the resistance member is pivoted from the first orientation toward the second orientation. The base is reversible between a first position, in which the first end of the base faces a user, and a second position, in which the second end of the base faces the user, such that two different exercises can be performed by reversing the position of the base between the first and second positions. 
         [0004]    The present invention also provides a method for performing exercises using the device. More particularly, the method includes the steps of positioning the device such that the first end of the base faces the user; performing a first leg exercise by pushing the resistance member away from the user with at least one of the user&#39;s legs against the resistance of the urging member; positioning the device such that the second end of the base faces the user; and performing a second leg exercise by pulling the resistance member toward the user with at least one of the user&#39;s legs against the resistance of the urging member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a massaging and/or exercising machine constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the machine shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the machine shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
           [0009]      FIGS. 4-8  are views illustrating different uses of the machine shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a massaging and/or exercising machine  10  constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, the machine  10  includes a supporting base  12  having a plurality of base members or beams  14   a,    14   b,  each of which has a pair of axially opposed ends  16 ,  18  and which are oriented substantially parallel relative to one another. The base members  14   a,    14   b,  are provided with stop members  20   a,    20   b  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 ) positioned between the ends  16 ,  18  thereof. A transverse support strut or crossbar  24  is affixed to the ends  16  of the base members  14   a,    14   b,  while a crossbar  26  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 ) is attached to the base members  14   a,    14   b  intermediate the ends  16 ,  18 . The transverse strut  24  and the crossbar  26  cooperate so as to stabilize the base members  14   a,    14   b.  Hooks  28   a,    28   b  are attached to the strut  24  for purposes to be discussed hereinafter. 
         [0011]    Referring primarily to  FIGS. 1-3 , the transverse strut  24  includes a pair of shafts  30   a,    30   b  extending outwardly in a transverse direction which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the base members  14   a,    14   b.  Cylindrical members  32   a,    32   b  are fixedly affixed to the shafts  30   a,    30   b,  respectively. A foot  34  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) depends from each of the cylindrical members  32   a,    32   b,  while a foot  36  depends from each of the ends  18  of the base members  14   a,    14   b.  The feet  34 ,  36  cooperate to support the machine  10  on a supporting surface, such as a floor. 
         [0012]    The machine  10  is also equipped with a plurality of pivotable resistance members  38   a,    38   b.  More particularly, the resistance members  38   a,    38   b  have lower sections  40   a,    40   b,  respectively, which are pivotally attached to the base members  14   a,    14   b,  respectively. Hooks  42   a,    42   b  are affixed to the lower sections  40   a,    40   b,  respectively, for purposes to be discussed hereinafter. The resistance members  38   a,    38   b  also include upper sections  44   a,    44   b,  respectively, which telescopically extend from the lower sections  40   a,    40   b,  respectively. More particularly, the upper sections  44   a,    44   b  are releasably secured to the lower sections  40   a,    40   b,  respectively, via turn screws  46   a,    46   b,  respectively, such that the overall lengths of the resistance members  38   a,    38   b  can be independently and selectively adjusted to a desirable length to suit user preferences (as indicated by arrow A in  FIG. 2 ). Rods  48   a,    48   b  (see  FIG. 3 ), each of which has a substantially cylindrical shape, extend outwardly in the transverse direction from the upper sections  44   a,    44   b,  respectively. Rollers  50   a,    50   b  are rotatably mounted on the rods  48   a,    48   b,  respectively, and have a plurality of grooves  52   a,    52   b,  formed therein. A bolt  54  and a washer  56  rotatably secure each of the rollers  50   a,    50   b  to a corresponding one of the rods  48   a,    48   b.    
         [0013]    Because the resistance members  38   a,    38   b  are pivotally attached to the base members  14   a,    14   b,  respectively, each of them is independently movable (as indicated by arrow B in  FIG. 2 ) between an upper position, in which it is generally upright or vertical (see the solid line representation of the resistance member  38   a  in  FIG. 2 ), and a lower position, in which it is generally horizontal (see the broken line representation of the resistance member  38   a  in  FIG. 2 ). A spring  58   a  is connected to the hook  42   a  of the resistance member  38   a  and the hook  28   a  of the strut  24 , while a spring  58   b  is connected to the hook  42   b  of the resistance member  38   b  and the hook  28   b  of the strut  24 . The springs  58   a,    58   b  pull the resistance members  38   a,    38   b,  respectively, to their upper positions from their lower positions. In this regard, the crossbar  26  engages the resistance members  38   a,    38   b  so as to prevent them from rotating further toward the strut  24 , hence maintaining the resistance members  38   a,    38   b  in the upper positions. 
         [0014]    Still referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the machine  10  is also equipped with a plurality of massaging members  60   a,    60   b.  More particularly, the massaging members  60   a,    60   b,  include bars  62   a,    62   b,  which are pivotally attached to the base members  14   a,    14   b,  respectively, between the ends  16 ,  18  thereof. As a result, each of the massaging members  60   a,    60   b  is pivotable (as indicated by arrow C in  FIG. 2 ) between a lower resting position, in which it is pivoted toward the end  18  of a corresponding one of the base members  14   a,    14   b  and is oriented generally horizontally (see the solid line representation of the massaging member  60   a  in  FIG. 2 ), and an upper pivoted position, in which it is pivoted toward the end  16  of a corresponding one of the base members  14   a,    14   b  and is oriented at an angle relative to same (see the broken line representation of the massaging member  60   a  in  FIG. 2 ). When positioned in their upper pivoted positions, the bars  62   a,    62   b  of the massaging members  60   a,    60   b  engage the stop members  20   a,    20   b,  respectively, of the base members  14   a,    14   b,  respectively, and are thereby maintained by same in their upper pivoted positions. 
         [0015]    Each of the massaging members  60   a,    60   b  have a shaft  64  (only one being illustrated in broken line representation in  FIG. 1 ) extending outwardly in the transverse direction from a corresponding one of the bars  62   a,    62   b.  The messaging members  60   a,    60   b  include rotary massage drums  66   a,    66   b,  respectively, each of which has a cylindrical shape and is rotatably mounted on a corresponding one of the shafts  64  of the massaging members  60   a,    60   b.  The massage drums  66   a,    66   b  include a plurality of projections  68   a,    68   b,  respectively, which can have various shapes and sizes (e.g. a pyramid shape) for massaging user&#39;s feet. Each of the massaging members  60   a,    60   b  is also provided with a bolt  70  and a nut  72  for rotatably securing each of the massage drums  66   a,    66   b  to a corresponding one of the shafts  64 . 
         [0016]    With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , the machine  10  can be used for many purposes. For instance, the machine  10  can be used as a foot rest. More particularly, with the machine  10  placed in a suitable/desired location (e.g., on a floor, under a desk, etc.) and the resistance members  38   a,    38   b  positioned in their upper positions, a user sitting on a chair can extend his/her legs and place them on the rollers  50   a,    50   b  (see  FIG. 4 ). If the user desires to exercise his/her calves, the user bends his knees inwardly (with the machine  10  positioned so that the ends  18  of base members  14   a,    14   b  are proximate to, and thereby faces, the user), thereby causing the resistance members  38   a,    38   b  to move from their upper positions toward their lower positions. The springs  58   a,    58   b  provide resistance sufficient enough to cause stress on the user&#39;s calves (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). 
         [0017]    If the user desires to exercise his/her thighs, the user reverses the orientation of the machine  10  from the position when the user exercised his/her calves. That is, the machine  10  is rotated 180 degrees relative to the user such that the ends  16  of the base members  14   a,    14   b  are proximate to and thereby faces the user. With the resistance members  38   a,    38   b  in their upper positions, the user sitting on a chair places his/her feet against the rollers  50   a,    50   b  with his/her knees bent and then extends his/her legs outwardly (as indicated by arrow D in  FIG. 6 ), thereby causing the resistance members  38   a,    38   b  to move from their upper positions toward their lower positions. The springs  58   a,    58   b  provide resistance sufficient enough to cause stress on the user&#39;s thighs. 
         [0018]    Now referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the user can employ the machine  10  as a massaging machine. With the massaging members  60   a,    60   b  in their pivoted positions, the user sitting on a chair places his/her feet on the massage drums  66   a,    66   b  (see  FIG. 7 ). The user then rolls his/her feet over the projections  68   a,    68   b,  causing the massage drums  66   a,    66   b  to rotate around the shafts  64 . The projections  68   a,    68   b  provide stimulation to the user&#39;s feet. 
         [0019]    When the user desires to increase pressure on his/her feet, the user reverses the orientation of the massaging members  60   a,    60   b  toward their resting positions and stands on top of the massage drums  66   a,    66   b  (see  FIG. 8 ). For stability, the user may rest his/her arms on an edge of a table/desk. The user then rolls his/her feet over the projections  68   a,    68   b,  causing the massage drums  66   a,    66   b  to rotate around the shafts  64 . Gravity exerting pressure on the feet of the user provides additional stimulation to the user&#39;s feet. 
         [0020]    It should be noted that the machine  10  of the present invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art discussed above. For instance, the machine  10  is portable, can conveniently be stowed away under a table, and can be used before, during, and after work at the user&#39;s convenience. In this regard, the springs  58   a,    58   b  can be disconnected from the hooks  42   a,    42   b  and/or the hooks  28   a,    28   b  so as to allow the resistance members  38   a,    38   b  to be swung completely to their flat orientation, in which they are positioned substantially flush with the base members  14   a,    14   b,  thereby allowing the machine  10  to be stowed away in a small space (e.g., under a bed). Another advantage is that the machine  10  is multifunctional, being both a massaging machine, an exercising machine, and a foot rest. 
         [0021]    It will be understood that the embodiment described herein is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.