Abstract:
A twisting exercise apparatus is provided which enables the user to exercise both upper and lower body muscle groups. The apparatus includes a frame means, with a hand engagement means, a seat support means, and a power transfer means are all pivotally mounted to the frame means. The user may alternately push and pull backward and forward upon two handle members of the hand engagement means. This motion is transferred by a power transfer means into twisting or pivoting motion of a seat of the seat support means. Also, pivoting movement of the seat will produce alternating backward and forward movement of the handle members. Optional items include a back support means, inner and outer thigh engagement means, and a resistance means.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a twisting exercise apparatus which has an upright structure that allows the user to perform twisting exercise routines while in a sitting position. This feature allows for a better upper and lower body workout than provided by more conventional upper and lower body combination exercise devices. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of this invention to provide an exercise apparatus which may provide the user a well balanced upper and lower body combination exercise routine. The main purpose of this application is to demonstrate an apparatus which performs the stated function, and to demonstrate the many options and configurations this apparatus may take on. 
     Briefly stated, the apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention comprises a frame means, a seat support means, a hand engagement means, and a power transfer means. The seat support means, hand engagement means, and the power transfer means are all mounted upon the frame means. Optional items include a back support means and thigh engagement means associated with the seat support means. Also, an optional resistance means may be supported by the frame means, and operatively connect the hand engagement means and the seat support means. 
     The design of the apparatus is such that the hand engagement means is moveable in the forward and backward directions with respect to the frame means. This movement causes the seat support means to twist or pivot in the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Conversely, pivoting motion in the seat support means produces forward and backward motion in the hand engagement means. This provides the user an exercise routine for many of the upper and lower body muscle groups. Other objects, features, and advantages for this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, references being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts of the several views. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a front view of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 1B is a top view of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 1C is a side view of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 2A is a front view of the frame means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 2B is a top view of the frame means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 2C is a side view of the frame means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 3A is a front view of the seat support means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 3B is a top view of the seat support means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 3C is a side view of the seat support means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 4A is a front view of the hand engagement means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 4B is a top view of the hand engagement means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 4C is a side view of the hand engagement means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 5A is a front view of one part of the power transfer means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 5B is a top view of one part of the power transfer means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 5C is a side view of one part of the power transfer means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 6A is a front view of a second part of the power transfer means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 6B is a top view of a second part of the power transfer means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 6C is a side view of a second part of the power transfer means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 7A is a front view of a third part of the power transfer means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 7B is a top view of a third part of the power transfer means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 7C is a side view of a third part of the power transfer means of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
     FIG. 8A is a top view of one type of power transfer means which utilizes a chain and sprocket system. 
     FIG. 8B is a top view of a second type of power transfer means which utilizes a gear assembly. 
     FIG. 8C is a top view of a third type of power transfer means. 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B are top views of the twisting exercise apparatus while in operation. 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B demonstrate optional back support means and thigh engagement means which may be part of the seat support means. 
     FIG. 11 demonstrates an optional resistance means which may be part of the twisting exercise apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Before explaining in detail the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and not limitation. 
     As best can be seen by references to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1A-1C, the twisting exercise apparatus that forms the basis of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral  10 , and includes a frame means  11 , a seat support means  12 , a hand engagement means  13 , and a power transfer means  14 . The seat support means  12 , hand engagement means  13 , and the power transfer means  14  are all mounted on frame means  11 . 
     As may be seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, the frame means  11  comprises a base  20 , a seat mount  21 , a power transfer mount  22 , and handle mounts  23 . The seat mount  21  is used to support seat support means  12 , while the handle mounts  23  are used to support hand engagement means  13 . Power transfer mount  22  is used to support the power transfer means  14 . 
     As may also be seen in FIGS. 3A-3C, the seat support means  12  comprises a seat  30  and a seat support member  31 . Seat support member  31  is used to support seat  30 . 
     As may be seen in FIGS. 4A-4C, the hand engagement means is comprised of two handle members  40 . Each handle member  40  includes a base mount opening  41  and a power transfer connector  42 . 
     FIGS. 5A-7C demonstrate the various components of the power transfer means  14 . FIGS. 5A-5C demonstrate a handle connector  50  having a handle mount opening  51  and a lever connector  52 . The power transfer means  14  has two handle connectors  50 , one for each handle member  40 . FIGS. 6A-6C demonstrate a lever member  61  having adaptably adjustable lever end segments  62 . Each end segment  62  has a lever end segment opening  65 . Also shown is lever support member  63  and lever rotatable member  64 . FIGS. 7A-7C demonstrate the seat rotatable member  71  having a seat rotatable member opening  72 . 
     As may be seen in FIGS. 1A-1C, and FIG. 8A, the handle members  40  of hand engagement means  13  are pivotally mounted to handle mounts  23  of frame means  11 , and extend in a generally upward direction from said frame means  11 . Seat support member  31  of seat support means  12  is pivotally mounted to seat mount  21  of frame means  11 , and also extends in a generally upward direction from said frame means  11 . Seat  30  is rigidly mounted to seat support member  31 . Also, seat rotatable member  71  of power transfer means  14  is rigidly mounted to seat support member  31  through seat rotatable member opening  72 . Lever support member  63  of power transfer means  14  is pivotally mounted to power transfer mount  22  of frame means  11 , and extends in a generally upward direction from said frame means. Both lever member  61  and lever rotatable member  64  are rigidly mounted to lever support member  63 , at a generally perpendicular angle. Lever member  61  has lever end segments  62  loosely mounted within, such that they may move in the inward and outward directions, and also rotate within lever member  61 . Each handle connector  50  of power transfer means  14  pivotally connects to a handle member  40  of hand engagement means  13  through power transfer connector  42 . The other end of handle connector  50  has a lever connector  52  which pivotally connects to lever end segment  62  through lever end segment opening  65 . A closed loop connection means  80  connects lever rotatable member  64  and seat rotatable member  71 . 
     The operation of the twisting exercise apparatus may be seen in FIGS. 9A-9B. Handle members  40  are mounted on opposite sides of the frame means  11 , and move in the forward and backward directions, opposite one another. As the handle members  40  move, forward and backward motion is produced in lever member  61 , and a backward and forward pivoting motion is produced in lever rotatable member  64 . Lever rotatable member  64  produces a similar pivoting motion in seat rotatable member  71 , since they are connected together by a closed loop connection means  80 . The motion in seat rotatable member  71  causes the seat  30  to pivot backward and forward. Thus, movement of the handle members  40  causes pivoting motion in seat  30 . The reverse is also true. Pivoting motion in the seat  30  will produce forward and backward motion of the handle members  40 . Lever member  31  produces the alternating movement of the handle members  40 . The preferred operation of the apparatus is that forward movement of the right side handle member  40  corresponds to counter-clockwise pivoting movement of the seat  30 , and forward movement of the left side handle member  40  corresponds to clockwise pivoting movement of seat  30 . 
     FIGS. 8B and 8C demonstrate other possible configurations for the transfer of motion between the handle members  40  and the seat member  30 . FIG. 8B demonstrates a gear assembly configuration in which both lever rotatable member  64  and seat rotatable member  71  are gears with interfacing teeth. FIG. 8C demonstrates how lever member  61  may mount directly to seat support member  31 . The preferred embodiment is the closed loop connection configuration shown in FIG. 8A, which may be a chain and sprocket assembly. Compared to the direct mounting of the lever member  61  and the seat support member  31 , this configuration will produced a larger pivoting motion in the seat  30 , with less movement of the handle members  40 , provided seat support member  31  is smaller than lever rotatable member  64 . This would also be true of the gear assembly configuration. Many other variations of the power transfer means exist which will perform the same indicated function. 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B demonstrate optional items which may be added to the seat support means  12  to improve the device. Back support member  100  may be added to make the device more comfortable. Outer thigh engagement members  101  and  103 , and inner thigh engagement member  102  provide the user more operational features. The user may press their thighs against these members to enhance their workout routines. The thigh engagement members described above may be used to both produce and resist movement of the seat. Since the thigh engagement members are rigidly mounted to the seat, the user may press against one or more of these members with the general thigh area of their leg, thus causing the seat to pivot. Conversely, when movement of the seat is produced by engaging the handle members, the user may press against one or more of the thigh engagement members with the general thigh area of the leg, resisting movement of the seat. 
     FIG. 11 demonstrates a resistance means  110  which may be part of the apparatus. It may connect to the power transfer means  14  through a closed loop connection means  81  as shown, be part of a gear assembly, or be some other commonly known connection. The resistance means may be any type of commonly known resistance component, such as a flywheel with a tension belt, a magnetic resistance component, an electromagnetic component, etc. 
     The resistance means mentioned above is considered optional because it is possible for the user to utilize their own muscles for resistance. For example, the user may push and pull on the handle members, and use their body muscles to resist movement of the seat, thus providing resistance to the movement of the handle members. The reverse is also true in that the user may produce the pivoting motion of the seat, and use their body muscles to resist movement of the handle members, which provides resistance to seat movement. 
     Many variations of the twisting exercise apparatus exist, along with the configurations described above. While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation, and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.