Abstract:
A reclining chair that can be used for rest and exercise as it mimics the bodys natural movement. Exercises can be performed sitting up, lying down, as well as standing off, facing the chair. An adjustable base frame supports pivoting seat beams and pivoting backrest beams, with the pivoting seat beams supporting pivoting leg members, and the pivoting backrest beams supporting pivoting arm members which also have reciprocating handles. Each pivoting member is connected to an adjustable means of bidirectional resistance. The backrest beams also support laterally pivoting, telescoping members which support reciprocating handles connected to linkage, rotary guidance, and a means of resistance, thus allowing the user to perform a multitude of horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and circular movements of the arms, legs, arid torso, and hold down hooks can be employed to hold the lateral, telescoping members in a horizontal position,for additional shoulder exercises.

Description:
DESCRIPTION  
         [0001]    [0001]FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from the users left side of a reclining chair constructed in accordance with the invention. Square tubing is used for all major components of the construction including a frame, seat, backrest, arms, legs, and, lateral segments.  
           [0002]    The frame consists of a left base beam  10   a.,  a right base beam  10   b.,  a rear base beam  10   c.,  a middle base beam  10   d.,  a left front verticle beam  10   e.,  right front vertical beam  10   f.,  a left frame arm  10   g.,  a right frame arm  10   h.,  left rear diagonal strut  10   i.,  right rear diagonal strut  10   j.  The entire structure is supported by four casters (swiveling wheels) located on the bottom of each corner of the frame.  
           [0003]    A set of two backrest beams  34   l. &amp; r.  are held up by a backrest pivot/support rod  58  that connects through adjustment holes in both rear diagonal struts  10   i.  and  10   j.  that can slide forward and back, and through the adjustment holes in the backrest beams  34   l. &amp; r.  A lower backrest seat support rod  30  passes through the bottom of the backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  and has several adjustable wire rope cables  32  hanging down connecting to a rear seat pivot/support rod  28  that connects to and supports the rear of seat beams  20   l. &amp;  r.  Seat beam roller support  26   l. &amp;  r.,  that is supported by vertical beams  10   e.  and  10   f.,  supports the front of the seat beams  20   l. &amp;  r.    
           [0004]    A forward seat pivot/support rod  24  is positioned through the front of the seat beams  20   l. &amp;  r.  which acts as a pivot for leg beams  40   l. &amp;  r.  At the bottom front of the leg beams  40   l. &amp;  r.,  is a front ankle roller peg  46   l. &amp;  r.  At the bottom rear of each leg beam  40   l. &amp;  r.  is a rear ankle roller peg  47   l. &amp;  r.  Rear ankle roller peg  47   l. &amp;  r.  is slightly higher than front ankle roller peg  46   l. &amp;  r.  Inside of leg beam  40   l. &amp;  r.  is a leg press spring  45   l. &amp;  r.  One end of the leg press spring  45   l. &amp;  r.  is connecting to the forward seat pivot/support rod  24  and the other end of the leg press spring  45   l. &amp;  r.  is connecting to the leg press shaft pedal  44   l. &amp;  r.  which is inside the leg press spring  45   l. &amp;  r.  A leg beam flange  42   l. &amp;  r.  with adjustment holes is attached to the back of the leg beam  40   l. &amp; r.  One end of a shock absorber  33   a.  &amp;  b.  is connected to any of the adjustment holes in the leg beam flange  42   l. &amp;  r.  and the other end of shock absorber  33   a.  &amp;  b.  is connected to any of the holes in seat beam flange  22   l. &amp;  r.  that is attached to the bottom of seat beam  20   l. &amp;  r.  Connected to the upper part of leg beam flange  42   l. &amp;  r.  is a leg beam support lever  48   l. &amp; r.    
           [0005]    A pivoting arm beam support rod  57  is Inserted through both backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  to provide a pivoting support for arm beam  50   l. &amp;  r.  which contains a push/pull shaft  52   l. &amp;  r.  which is sandwiched in between upper and lower roller/stabilizers  53   a  and  53   b.,  located at the front end of arm beam  50   l. &amp;  r.    
           [0006]    At the front end of push/pull shaft  52   l. &amp;  r.,  is a swivel handle  54   l. &amp;  r.  Just before the front end of push/pull shaft  52   l. &amp;  r.,  is a connecting rod  55   l. &amp;  r.  The front end of the connecting rod  55   l. &amp;  r.,  is at the front of push/pull shaft  52   l. &amp;  r.  The rear of connecting rod  55   l. &amp;  r.  is connected to the bottom end of adjustment lever  56   l. &amp; r.  One end of shock absorber  33   c.  &amp;  d.  is connected to any adjustment holes in the adjustment lever  56   l. &amp; r.  The other end of shock absorber  33   c.  &amp;  d.,  is connected to any holes toward the rear of arm beam flange  51   l. &amp;  r.  that is attached to the bottom rear of arm beam  50   l. &amp;  r.  One end of another shock absorber  33   e.  &amp;  f.  is connected to any desired adjustment hole toward the front of same arm beam flange  51   l. &amp;  r.  The other end of same shock absorber  33   e.  &amp;  f.,  is connected to the rear seat pivot/support rod  28 .  
           [0007]    [0007]FIG. 4 is a back view of same invention displaying a lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.,  that is connected to the back of each backrest beam  34   l. &amp;  r.,  just slightly higher than pivoting arm beam support rod  57 . Connecting to same pivoting support rod  57  is a hold down hook  61   l. &amp;  r.  At the outer end of the lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.  is a universal joint  63   l. &amp;  r.,  in part with a connecting link  64   l. &amp;  r.,  that is holding a multi-directional pulley  62   l. &amp; r.  Same multi-directional pulley  62   l. &amp;  r.,  has a wire rope cable  32   l. &amp;  r.  passed through multidirectional pulley  62   l. &amp;  r.  with a loop handle  69   l. &amp;  r.  at the outer end of wire rope cable  32   l. &amp;  r.,  and the other end of same wire rope cable  32   l. &amp;  r.  passes through a pivoting cable guide  64   a.  and then to a larger wheel of a step pulley  65   l. &amp;  r.  A small wheel of same step pulley  65   l. &amp;  r.  has a wire rope cable  32   a.  connected to same small wheel of same step pulley  65   l. &amp;  r.  that connects to the top of a lateral lever mainspring  66   l. &amp;  r.  The bottom of same lateral lever mainspring  66   l. &amp;  r.  is connected at the bottom of each backrest beam  34   l. &amp;  r.  At the top of each backrest beam  34   l. &amp;  r.,  on the inner side of each backrest beam  34   l. &amp;  r.  is a connection for a lateral lever return counterspring  67   l. &amp;  r.  and an adjustable turnbuckle  68   l. &amp;  r.  Both backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  support a backrest cushion  39  on the front of each backrest beam  34   l. &amp;  r.  On top of each seat beam  20   l. &amp;  r.  is a seat cushion  38 .  
         Operation  
         [0008]    In operation one uses a reclining exercise chair in the same manner as with any reclining furniture, i.e., home leisure, or office work etc. In addition to the usual relaxation benefits of such a chair, exercises for arms, legs, and torso may be performed while sitting or lying in the above described invention.  
           [0009]    Starting with leg beam(s)  40   l. &amp;  r.,  user may, whilst sitting as one would in any chair, slip their ankles in between both front and rear foam roller covered ankle roller pegs  46   l. &amp;  r.  and  47   l. &amp;  r.  Then by performing a forward movement of either or both feet, with legs pivoting at the knees, either or both leg beams  40   l. &amp;  r  may be raised until legs are extended to a straight out position. This action pulls out and extends shock absorber  33   a. &amp;  b.  which is connected to the leg beam flange  42   l. &amp;  r.  and the seat beam flange  22   l. &amp;  r.  Shock absorber  33   a. &amp;  b.  provides resistance in both directions so as to provide exercise for front thigh muscles (vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis), when leg beam  40   l. &amp;  r.  is pivoting forward, and provides exercise for the rear thigh muscles (biceps femoris)when pivoting in the return direction. While leg beam  40   l. &amp;  r.  is in forward or up position, a leg beam support lever  48   l. &amp;  r.  may be swung back to hold up leg beam  40   l. &amp;  r.  so as to employ leg press feature by placing users foot on leg press shaft/pedal(s)  44   l. &amp;  r.  and pushing out forward, extending the leg(s) thus engaging the leg press spring  45   l. &amp; r.,  providing exercise for additional front thigh muscles (quadriceps femoris), as well as buttocks muscles (gluteus maximus), or by pivoting ankles against leg press shaft/pedal(s)  44   l. &amp;  r.,  the calf muscles (gastrocnemius) may be exercised. Placing users feet on the front ankle roller peg  46   l. &amp;  r.,  of extended leg beam  40   l. &amp;  r.,  allows leg beam  40   l. &amp;  r.  to be used as a footrest.  
           [0010]    Arm beams  50   l. &amp; r.  may provide exercise for both front upper arm muscles (biceps) and for rear upper arm muscles (triceps). By grasping swivel handle  54   l. &amp; r.,  user may press down or pull up arm beam(s)  50   l. &amp; r.  simultaneously or alternating each arm up and down. When pressing down on the swivel handle  54   l &amp; r.,  the pivoting arm beam support rod  57  acts as a fulcrum so that the rear of arm beam  50   l. &amp; r.  pivots up. Resistance is created by shock absorber  33   e. &amp; f.  that is connected to any of the forward adjustment holes in arm beam flange  51   l. &amp;  r.  at one end of shock absorber  33   e. &amp;  f.,  while other end of shock absorber  33   e. &amp;  f.  is connected to -rear seat pivot support rod  28   l. &amp;  r.  when same shock absorber  33   e. &amp;  f.  is pulled out. This pressing down movement provides exercise for the rear upper arm muscles (triceps). When swivel handle  54   l. &amp;  r.  is pulled upward, same pivoting arm beam support rod  57 , again acts as a fulcrum so that the rear of arm beam  50   l. &amp;  r.  pivots down. When this action occurs, shock absorber  33   e. &amp;  f.  is pushed in, again creating resistance. This upward movement provides exercise for the front upper arm muscles (biceps). Resistance may be,, increased or decreased by either connecting shock absorber  33   e. &amp;  f.  to another adjustment hole in the arm beam flange  51   l. &amp;  r.,  or by using swivel handle  54   l. &amp;  r.  to move push/pull shaft  52   l. &amp;  r.  in or out to change the leverage, (when rocking arm beam  50   l. &amp;  r.  up or down) so as to increase or decrease resistance when pressing down or pulling up on the swivel handle  54   l. &amp;  r.  accordingly.  
           [0011]    By pressing forward on swivel handle  54   l. &amp;  r.,  push/pull shaft travels forward coming outside of arm beam  50   l. &amp;  r.  The push/pull shaft  52   l. &amp;  r.  is guided in the proper position by the upper and lower roller/stabilizers  53   a. &amp;  b.  located at the front of arm beam  50   l. &amp;  r.  As push/pull shaft  52   l. &amp;  r.  travels forward, it pulls connecting rod  55   l. &amp;  r.  forward which pulls adjustment lever  56   l. &amp;  r.  forward. Adjustment lever  56   l. &amp;  r.  pulls out and extends shock absorber  33   c. &amp;  d.  This pressing out movement provides exercise for the chest muscles (pectoralis major, and pectoralis minor) as well as triceps.  
           [0012]    When swivel handle  54   l. &amp;  r.  is pulled back toward user, push/pull shaft  52   l. &amp;  r,.  travels inside arm beam  50   l. &amp;  r.  Connecting rod  55   l. &amp;  r.  is pushed backward thus pushing adjustment lever  56   l. &amp;  r.  backward. Adjustment lever  56   l. &amp;  r.  then pushes end of shock absorber  33   c. &amp;  d.  inward. Resistance can be increased or decreased by connecting front of shock absorber  33   c. &amp;  d.  to another adjustment hole in adjustment lever  56   l. &amp;  r.  This rowing motion provides exercise for the users back muscles (latissimus dorsi), as well as biceps and can be performed with arm beam  50   l. &amp;  r.  in any of the up or down positions.  
           [0013]    Arm beam  50   l. &amp;  r.  can be rocked up and down while simultaneously pulling inward or pushing outward, on the swivel handle  54   l. &amp;  r.  to create a circular or semi-circular motion, as if swimming.  
           [0014]    Lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.  has a pivot slightly above the half way point measuring upward from the bottom on the back of each backrest beam  34   l. &amp;  r.  This pivot allows lateral lever  60   l.  &amp;  r.  to travel from top of backrest beam  34   l. &amp;  r.  to a horizontal position on the side that it is mounted. The user may pull loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  from either position or pull loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  while lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.  is in motion. When loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  are pulled from either starting position, a wire rope cable  32   l. &amp;  r.  that is traveling through a multi-directional pulley  62   l. &amp;  r.  and through a pivoting cable glide  64   a.,  unwinds from around a large wheel of a step pulley  65   l. &amp;  r.  which rotates a small wheel of same step pulley  65   l. &amp;  r.  causing another wire rope cable  32   a.  l.&amp; r. to wind around same small wheel of same step pulley  65   l. &amp;  r.,  creating resistance by pulling lateral lever mainspring  66   l. &amp;  r.  When loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  are returned toward starting positions, lateral lever counterspring  67   l. &amp;  r.  prevents lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.  from an abrupt return.  
           [0015]    Pulling loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  forward from top position by bending arms at elbow and pressing forearms in a forward direction, provides exercise for the triceps muscles and/or pulling loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  forward and down in an arc motion, will provide exercise for the back muscles (latissimus dorsi) and lower region of the pectoral muscles.  
           [0016]    By holding loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  at the shoulders while user bends torso forward in a bowing action (curling the spine) with shoulders lowering toward users thighs, pulling loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  in this manner, provides exercise for abdominal muscles and intercostals.  
           [0017]    By placing lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.  in a horizontal position and swinging up and engaging hold down hook  61   l. &amp;  r.,  the lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.  may be held in a stationary position to perform exercises by pulling forward for chest, up for shoulders (deltoids), down or across users torso,providing exercises for pectoral muscles and triceps in any variety of angles by pulling loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  in any direction that the user chooses.  
           [0018]    An additional exercise can be performed with lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.  in the horizontal position by holding loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  near hips and rotating torso (with loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  traveling along with torso) in a clockwise direction, then alternating to a counterclockwise direction etc., this action provides exercise for the external obliques. 
       
    
    
     ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view taken from the users left side of same reclining chair constructed in accordance with the above described invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION—SPINAL ROLLER ASSEMBLY  
       [0020]    Spinal roller assembly  72  may be installed in between backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.,  supported by spindle rods in the mid to lower region of same backrest beams  34 . Each spinal roller  72  can be of foam or of other therapeutic material.  
         [0021]    Operation—Spinal Roller Assembly  
         [0022]    Spinal roller assembly  72  may be used to massage users mid-back and lumbar region by placing feet in between front ankle roller peg  46   l. &amp;  r.  and rear ankle roller peg  47   l. &amp;  r.  and locking leg beams  40   l. &amp;  r.  in the extended position, then leaning torso back into a reclining position, and then returning to a sitting position, causing spinal rollers to roll up and down users spine. If user chooses not to use massage feature, simply place feet on top of front ankle roller peg  46   l. &amp;  r.  and lean torso back into a reclining position, then spinal rollers  72  remain stationary, supporting users back.  
         [0023]    Description—Leg Raise Attachment  
         [0024]    Leg raise attachment  74   l. &amp;  r.  consists of an angled shaft extending upward with a footrest and a foot harness bracket above footrest at the top, with grommet support brackets at the bottom. Leg raise attachment  74   l. &amp;  r.  can be placed in a perpendicular position on lower leg beam  40   l. &amp;  r.  by placing grommet of same leg raise attachment  74   l. &amp;  r.  over front and rear ankle roller pegs  46  and  47   l. &amp;  r.  Grommet holes may be large enough to fit over foam rollers on front and rear ankle roller pegs  46  and  47   l. &amp;  r.  Grommet support bracket that attaches to rear ankle roller peg  47   l. &amp;  r.  has pivoting capability for adjusting to each users leg length and to attach a spring or shock absorber from leg beam  40   l. &amp;  r.,  to leg raise attachment  74   l. &amp;  r.  so that leg raise attachment  74   l. &amp;  r.  can pivot at front ankle roller peg  46   l. &amp;  r.  to provide exercise for leg(s) in both directions.  
         [0025]    Operation—Leg Raise Attachment  
         [0026]    Leg raise attachment  74   l. &amp;  r.,  when attached to ankle roller pegs  46  and  47   l. &amp;  r.  is utilized by user placing their foot on footrest with foot harness bracket covering same foot, then extending leg(s) forward and upward, then back toward self, creating an arc motion. This arc motion provides exercise for upper upper quadriceps (rectus femoris) and lower abdominal region (adductor longus). Then pressing forward and down on footrest in an arc motion provides exercise for buttocks muscles (gluteus maximus) and upper rear thigh muscles (semimembranosus).  
         [0027]    Description—Slip Knee Joint  
         [0028]    Slip knee joint  76   l. &amp;  r.  consists of a slotted sliding leg beam support bracket attached to top and each side of leg beams  40   l. &amp;  r.  with forward seat pivot/support rod  24  passing through slot of same slotted sliding leg beam support bracket. Top of rear leg beams  40   l. &amp;  r.  has an open slot which fits over forward seat pivot/support rod. The purpose of slip knee joint  76   l. &amp;  r.  is to allow pivot point of leg beam(s)  40   l. &amp;  r.  to become aligned with users knee so as to more directly effect rear thigh muscles.  
         [0029]    Operation—Slip Knee Joint  
         [0030]    On return stroke of leg beam(s)  40   l. &amp;  r.  , (after leg beam(s)  40   l. &amp;  r.  have been extended), top of same leg beam(s) slip(s) forward and out of forward seat pivot/support rod  24  and is guided by slotted sliding leg beam support bracket. When the above described action occurs, connection point where shock absorber  33   a.  and/or shock absorber  33   b.  connects with leg beam flange  42   l. &amp;  r.  , acts as a fulcrum as leg beam  40   l. &amp;  r.  is returned to starting position.  
         [0031]    Description—Curved Lateral Lever  
         [0032]    Lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.  can be convex or concave at top, bottom, or middle of same lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.    
         [0033]    Operation—Curved Lateral Lever  
         [0034]    Lateral lever  60   l. &amp;  r.  may be curved in such a manner so as to conform to any curvature of the outer side edge of backrest cushion  39 .  
         [0035]    Description—Track for Multidirectional Pulley  
         [0036]    Track  80   l. &amp;  r.  for multidirectional pulley  62   l. &amp;  r.  consists of a track  80   l. &amp;  r.  that is curved from top of backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  to midsection of same backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  and contains multidirectional pulley  62   1 . 7   r.  held within track  80   l. &amp;  r.  by a roller.  
         [0037]    Operation—Track for Multidirectional Pulley  
         [0038]    When loop handles  69   l. &amp;  r.  are pulled laterally, roller that holds multidirectional pulley  62   l. &amp;  r.  , travels along inside track  80  that is curved to conform to the curvature of the outer edges of backrest cushion  39 .  
         [0039]    Description—Toe Rest  
         [0040]    A platform attached to a square tube that fits into outer end of leg press shaft pedal  44   l. &amp;  r.  , so that same platform protrudes forward and perpendicular to same leg press shaft pedal  44   l. &amp;  r.    
         [0041]    Operation—Toe Rest  
         [0042]    When leg beam(s)  40   l. &amp;  r.  is/are locked in extended position, with toe rests  82   l. &amp;  r.  installed, allows user to press ball of foot against same toe rest  82   l. &amp;  r.  by pivoting ankles in both directions, providing exercise for calf muscles (gastrocnemius).  
         [0043]    Description—Electric Motor/crank Assembly  
         [0044]    Electric motor(s) with crank  84  can replace any shock absorber  33   a. - f.  (and shock absorber  87 ) by installing same electric motor and crank assembly  84  to same fastening points of shock absorber(s)  33   a. - f.  (and shock absorber  87 ) that is being replaced. Each motor can have an independent circuit connected to a remote control.  
         [0045]    Operation—Electric Motor/crank Assembly  
         [0046]    Electric motor(s) with crank assembly  84  can activate movement of arm beam(s)  50   l. &amp;  r.  , leg beam(s)  40   l. &amp;  r.  , backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  in both directions while being independently controlled by user.  
         [0047]    Description—Hydraulic/neumatic Pump  
         [0048]    Hydraulic or neumatic pump  85  can be installed and connected to active hydraulic cylanders in place of current passive shock absorbers  33   a. - f.  and  87  and be independently connected to a remote control.  
         [0049]    Operation—Hydraulic/Neumatic Pump  
         [0050]    Hydraulic or neumatic pump  85  can activate movement of arm beam(s)  50   l. &amp;  r.  , leg beam(s)  40   l. &amp;  r.  , and backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  in both directions while being independently controlled by user.  
         [0051]    Description—Leg Beam Hand Lever  
         [0052]    Leg beam hand lever  86  can be installed on outside of top leg beams  40   l. &amp;  r.  by placing two fasteners through front base of leg beam hand lever  86   l. &amp;  r.  with hand grip end of same lever toward rear of chair.  
         [0053]    Operation—Leg Beam Hand Lever  
         [0054]    Leg beam hand lever  86   l. &amp;  r.  may be employed by user pushing down on hand grip end of same lever  86   l. &amp;  r.  causing leg beam(s)  40   l. &amp;  r.  to rise, to be used as a footrest. Then, pulling up on same lever  86   l. &amp;  r.  , leg beam(s)  40   l. &amp;  r.  will lower toward starting position.  
         [0055]    Description—Backrest Shock Absorber  
         [0056]    Shock absorber  87  connects from lower backrest seat support rod  30  to rear base beam  10   c.  of frame.  
         [0057]    Operation—Backrest Shock Absorber  
         [0058]    Shock absorber  87  provides resistance to backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  when user pushes same backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  into a recligning position, providing exercise for lower back muscles (spina erectus) or lumbar region. Shock absorber  87  also provides resistance to backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  when user raises backrest beams  34   l. &amp;  r.  toward upright position, providing exercise for abdominal muscles and intercostals.  
         [0059]    Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope  
         [0060]    Thus the reader will see that the reclining exercise chair of the invention provides a highly versatile, convenient, yet space saving apparatus that can be used by persons of almost any age.  
         [0061]    While my above description contains many specifities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, in the medical field, the above described invention could be used in physical therapy, geriatrics, muscle and cardiovascular testing, and exercises can be performed off of the chair by facing the seat and backrest, placing the feet under the front footrest pegs, grasping the lateral cabled handles, then squatting, thus providing a comfortable stretch for the spinal region. Then, standing up, bracing knees on front of seat cushion, and pulling the same handles, exrcises the lumbar region, latissismus dorsi, and the biceps.  
         [0062]    In military applications, such as common circumstances when military sevice personnel are confined in close quarters, such as submarines, ships at sea, long air trips, and there is little room for any gym like equipment, then, an adaptation of, or certain components of this invention can be arranged or modified to conform to any of these space limited environments. Astronauts can also benefit from the advantages offered here due again to the space saving capabilities and the ability to easily function in a weight-less environment and provide a possible improvement over the bicycle pedals and T-handle spring that the astronauts are currently using.  
         [0063]    Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.