Abstract:
A rotatable and pivotal exercise system for performing weight resistant training exercises comprising a support platform having a base and an integrated support structure for adding structural strength, integrity and stability to said support platform, a pair of pivotally attached resistance arms and a pivotal support device pivotally engaged with a pivot support base attached to said support platform for pivotally supporting an exerciser. The pivotal support device and system may be adapted to accommodate an exerciser performing weight resistant training in either sitting, standing or bench supported positions. An exerciser positioned atop said pivotal support device and shifting weight relative to the vertical axis of said adjustable pivotal support device will cause said adjustable pivotal support device to pivot and rotate, thus requiring the exerciser to use their stabilizing muscles to balance and stabilize themselves as the exerciser moves the pivotally attached resistance arms throughout an exercise movement.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to exercise equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to resistance-type exercise apparatus having pivotable and rotatable exerciser supports. 
     There are many forms of resistance-type exercise equipment on the market today. In general, resistance-type exercise equipment has historically been categorized as either “machine” or “free” weights. Exercising with free weights normally requires an individual exerciser to balance the weights as the weights are lifted and lowered throughout the range of the exercise movement. When exercising with free weights it is important that the exerciser stabilize their body prior to and while lifting the weighted resistance since the exerciser alone must balance the weights throughout the exercise movement. If the exerciser is unable to or fails to stabilize themselves while engaged in lifting free weights, the results can be both unsafe and injurious. The exerciser can easily hurt themselves straining to regain control of the weights or, failing to do so damage the weights and surrounding environment with the falling weights. Exercising with machine weights on the other hand usually does not require an exerciser to balance the weights being lifted. Machine weight training equipment normally restricts the range and direction of the weighted resistance movement to a single plane. Thus, the machine weights inherently provide stabilization of the weights for the individual exerciser, obviating the exerciser&#39;s need to balance and stabilize the weight. For this reason, resistance-type machine weights are generally viewed as being a safer form of resistance-type weight training than free weights. 
     While machine weights may be safer to use, machine weight training does not train or exercise the muscles used to stabilize the body. The muscles exercised and trained when using free weights are the same stabilization muscles are used in walking, bending and other sport exercises. Exercisers concentrating on machine resistance-type training may therefore find themselves ill-prepared for the stability requirements and demands found in actual real-world sports activities such as hockey, basketball, baseball, football, etc. The lack of stabilizing muscle training and strengthening gained by the machine weight exerciser can and often does result in the machine weight exerciser suffering injuries when engaging in other activities. 
     Thus, there currently exists a need for resistance-type weight training equipment that offers the exerciser the safety of machine weight training equipment and the stabilizing muscle training and strengthening provided by free weights. Those concerned with these and other problems recognize the need for an improved resistance-type exercise apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention it is therefore an objective to provide an exercise apparatus that supports an exerciser by means of a pivotable and rotatable support or supports requiring the exerciser to stabilize their body while engaged in resistance-type weight training. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus requiring the exerciser to employ the stabilizing muscles of the body while engaging in resistance-type weight training thereby strengthening and training the stabilizing muscles of the exerciser. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus offering the safety of use associated with traditional machine weights. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus that is easily adjustable and capable of accommodating individual exerciser&#39;s desired preferences. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus that is easy to use. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus that may be adapted for use with pre-existing exercise equipment. 
     The present invention results from the realization that a “machine” resistance-type training apparatus that requires an exerciser using said apparatus to stabilize their own body in relation to the weighted resistance necessarily requires the exerciser to use their stabilizing muscles and therefore is a better machine resistance-type exercise apparatus. Also, since the apparatus is a machine, the resistance-type equipment of the present invention will also have the benefit of the inherent safety of properly designed machine weights. 
     The present invention comprises machine weight equipment further including at least one pivotal and rotatable support structure for supporting the exerciser using the apparatus of the present invention. As in other resistance-type exercise machines known to those skilled in the art, the apparatus of the present invention provides stabilization of the weighted resistance. Therefore, the apparatus of the present invention offers the safety of use found in traditional machine weight devices. Furthermore, since the exerciser is supported by rotatable and pivotally mounted support structures in the present invention and the machine provides stabilization of the weighted resistance, the exerciser must stabilize their body in relation to the weighted resistance. This is contrary to traditional machine resistance-training devices and free weight devices. Former machine weight systems required no substantial stabilization of the weighted resistance throughout the exercise movement. Free weight training systems on the other hand required an exerciser on a stable, non-movable support structure (bench, floor, seat, etc.) to balance and stabilize the free weights. The present invention requires the exerciser using the present invention in resistance-type training to balance and stabilize their body as opposed to the weighted resistance while lifting the weight. Thus, the exerciser&#39;s stabilizing muscles are utilized, trained and strengthened in the course of exercising using the present invention. The exerciser receives the safety benefit of stabilized weights and the training benefit of training and strengthening the stabilizing muscles of the body. 
     The present invention features pivotal support structures for all of the resistance-type training exercise positions commonly encountered when exercising with resistance-type exercise equipment. The present invention is capable of facilitating exercises in which the exerciser sits, stands or is instead traditionally supported by a bench, either in a prone or upright sitting posture. Other exerciser positions may also be accommodated in a manner suitable and similar to those described in greater detail herein below. 
     In one embodiment of the invention facilitating exercises in which the exerciser stands, the exerciser actually stands, and is thereby supported, on a pivotal and rotatable base. Whereas the exerciser would traditionally stand directly on the floor or other stable platform at the appropriate height and standing position and have no need to balance themselves, the exerciser using the present invention must balance themselves. The amount of pitch and roll (sway) in the support system is either fixed or adjustable at the exerciser&#39;s discretion. It is contemplated that an adjustable support system would be the preferred embodiment so that exercisers could adjust the sway of the standing support system to fit their individual workout preferences. 
     Another embodiment of this invention facilitates resistance-type training in which the exerciser performs the exercise movement while sitting upright. The base of the sitting system on which the exerciser sits, and is thereby supported, is on a pivotal and rotatable base. The pivotal sitting support system is designed to isolate the exerciser from otherwise stabilizing support structures such as the floor. There are also included in this embodiment of the present invention pivotal and rotatable foot supports so that the exerciser is completely isolated from the floor or otherwise stable, non-pivotal support(s). Here too it is contemplated that an adjustable pivotal support system would be the preferred so that exercisers could adjust the sway of the seated support system to fit their individual workout preferences. 
     Yet another embodiment of this invention facilitates exercises in which the exerciser typically utilizes a bench structure such as during the bench press exercise movement. While the base of the bench itself may not be pivotally supported be due to the relatively large size of a bench capable of holding a person, the portion of the bench supporting the exerciser is mounted on a pivotal base. There are also included in this embodiment of the invention pivotal and rotatable foot supports so that the exerciser is completely isolated from the floor or otherwise stable, non-pivotal supports. Also, it is here too contemplated that an adjustable pivotal support system would be the preferred so that exercisers could adjust the sway of the seated support system to fit their individual preferences. 
     An exerciser using the present invention must use their stabilizing muscles to balance and stabilize their own body in relation to the weighted resistance while the apparatus provides limits to the range and direction of movement of the weighted resistance and a level of safety not found in “free” weights. Machine weights have the characteristic of limiting the possible range and direction of the weighted resistance and therefore are easier to control and safer to use. Since the range and direction of machine resistance-type equipment movements are limited, in the event that the exerciser loses control of the weights the exerciser is able to regain control of the equipment since the weighted resistance can only travel in known predetermined directions a predetermined range. “Free” weights require the exerciser alone to balance and control the weight. In the event that the exerciser training with free weights fails to control the free weights, even momentarily, the exerciser must regain control and balance the weights in order to prevent the weights from falling onto the exerciser. Since the range and direction of the movement of the free weights are not limited in range or motion, an exerciser unable to quickly stabilize the free weights may strain to regain control (i.e. stabilize) the free weights. The exerciser straining to control a weighted resistance is at an increased risk of becoming injured. 
     Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description thereof in connection with accompanying drawings described as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the present invention configured to accommodate the sitting system apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the present invention configured to accommodate a standing platform; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sitting system apparatus of the present invention that is used with the system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a adjustable height support of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a tightening mechanism for the adjustable double socket arm of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of the present invention configured to accommodate an exerciser support bench apparatus, including said exerciser support bench apparatus; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exerciser support bench of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is an exerciser standing support platform; 
     FIG. 9 is a detailed view of a resistance arm pivot joint of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the present invention configured to accommodate the sitting system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the present invention configured to accommodate an exerciser support bench apparatus, including said exerciser support bench apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Throughout the following detailed description, in the event that similar reference characters are called out, they refer to similar elements in all figures of the drawings. 
     In reference to FIG. 1 there is depicted generally at  100  the preferred embodiment of the invention presented herein configured to accommodate the sitting system apparatus of the present invention. The invention is also configured to accommodate the sitting system apparatus in FIG. 10 in a perspective view. The sitting system apparatus  300  is pivotal and rotatable about pivotal support  60 . The sitting system apparatus  300 , as shown in FIG. 3, is affixed to the seat platform  10  so that an exerciser using the present invention may perform weight resistance training exercises commonly executed with the exerciser in a seated position. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 10, the position of the seat platform  10  is typically stationary relative to the resistance arm  30 . Typically, the seat platform  10  is placed in a position so that an exerciser sitting upon the pivotal and rotatable sitting system apparatus  300  is able to move the resistance arms  30  throughout the full range of motion of the muscle group(s) being exercised. In this way the exerciser is able to gain the most from each performance of the exercised movement. 
     The pivotal sitting system apparatus  300  upon which the exerciser sits pivots on the pivotal support  60  of the sitting system apparatus  300 , thereby compelling the exerciser to use their stabilizing muscles to balance their body relative the weighted resistance of the exercise arms  30 . To completely isolate the exerciser from any stable and non-pivoting support, foot support  130  is attached to the base  12  of the pivotal and rotatable exerciser system of the present invention. The foot support  130  may comprise a single unitary pivotal support capable of supporting both feet of the exerciser or instead two individual foot supports that individually pivot and support each foot of the exerciser. The important feature is that the foot support  130  isolates the exerciser&#39;s feet from the ground or other stable support surfaces. The foot support  130  is also typically adjustable in a manner similar to the sitting system apparatus  300  adjustable pivotal support  60 . 
     A pivotal support  60  depicted in FIG. 3 is typical in structure of the pivotal support  60  throughout the FIGS. included herein. The pivotal support comprises a ball joint  52  held in place by a double socket arm  54 . The amount of force required to move the ball joint  52  is controlled by the tightening mechanism handle  56 . Tightening of the handle  56  tightens the double socket arm  54  about the ball joint  52  thus increasing the amount of force required to move the ball joint  52  held by the double socket arm  54 . In other words, the amount of pivot and rotation of the ball joint (i.e., sway) is controlled by the tightening handle  56 . 
     The tightening mechanism  70  of the pivotal support  60  is shown generally at  70  in FIG.  5 . The tightening mechanism  70  typically comprises a spring-biased handle  56  having a threaded shaft. A spring  74  is fed onto the shaft of the handle  56  and the shaft of the handle  56  is then inserted through holes aligned in the two halves of the double socket arm  54 . A metal washer  66  and a plastic washer  68  are then fed onto the threaded shaft of the handle  56 . A nut  72  is then threaded on the end of the threaded handle  56  so that the tightening of the nut  72  on the shaft of handle  56  tightens the double socket arm as discussed above. 
     In addition to the adjustable sway of the pivotal support  60 , the height of the pivotal support  60  is also adjustable. The height of the pivotal support  60  typically comprises a slide support pipe  62  disposed inside of a support pipe  64 . The overall height of the pivotal support  60  is adjusted by varying the length of the slide pipe  62  extended above and out of the support pipe  64 . The slide pipe  62  may be locked into its desired position relative the support pipe  64  by any number of means commonly understood by those skilled in the art of mechanical devices such as pins, nut and bolt, etc. 
     In reference to FIGS. 1 and 10, the pivotal and rotatable exerciser system  100  of the present invention is stabilized by a weight support structure attached to the center support  2  of the system  100 . The support structure typically comprises vertical supports  16  and  18 , brace  22  and top support  20 . The weight support structure of the invention may take on forms not depicted herein, the present embodiment is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention but merely to illustrate one type of supportive structure contemplated. The critical feature of the weight support structure is that the weight support structure is able to stabilize the pivotal and rotatable exerciser system of the present invention so that the pivotal sitting system apparatus  300 (or other pivotal apparatus) and foot support  130  supporting the exerciser are the only pivotal and rotatable exerciser supportive components of the system. 
     The stable support structure of the present invention helps provide the safety inherent in machine-type weight resistance exercise equipment by stabilizing the pivotal and rotatable exerciser system of the present invention. 
     The resistance arms  30  pivot about pivot joint  14 . A detailed depiction of pivot joint  14  is shown FIG.  9 . The weight support structure  20  is pivotally linked to the resistance arms  30  by a bolt and nut  96 . The resistance arms  30  and the support structure  20  are separated by a lubricated washer  92  to allow easy pivoting of the resistance arms  30 . 
     In order to use the present invention embodied in FIGS. 1 and 10, the sitting system apparatus  300  is attached to the sitting platform  10 . The base  50  of the sitting system apparatus  300  is positioned in a recess  110  located on the sitting platform  10 , as depicted in FIG.  10 . The exerciser sits upon the seat  42 , resting their feet on foot support  130 . The exerciser then proceeds to lift the resistance arms  30  to perform the desired exercise by grasping handle  4 . The resistance arms  30  pivot about pivot joint  14 . As the exerciser lifts the weighted resistance via the resistance arms  30  throughout the exercise movement, the exerciser will have to stabilize themselves since the exerciser is totally supported by the pivotal supports  60  of the sitting system apparatus  300  and the foot support  130 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, plate weights are added to the resistance arms of the invention by placing the plates on plate support post  6 . The amount of weight to be lifted by the exerciser is conveniently added and removed by placing common plate weights on the plate support post  6 . The resistance arms  30  are restricted from lowering below a certain level by a support shelf  8 . The support shelf  8  adds a level of safety to the system since the resistance arms are only allowed to fall so far even if the exerciser loses control of the resistance arms. Though a support shelf has been depicted in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other similar and dissimilar safety features found in machine-type resistance weight training equipment may be incorporated into the invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Additionally, the exerciser may be strapped into the sitting system apparatus  300  via a seat belt  46  for an added level of safety. The seat belt  46  may be latched about the waist of the exerciser by engaging the belt  46  and the latch plate  44 . The chair back  40  is typically adjustable to accommodate the different sizes and preferences of individual exercisers. The chair itself is attached to the pivotal support  60  by a plate  48  having one side attached to the bottom of the chair seat  42  and the other side attached to the ball joint  52  of the pivotal support  60 . 
     FIG. 2 depicts the present invention configured to accommodate a pivotal standing platform generally at  200 . The pivotal standing platform depicted in FIG. 8 is attached to a pivot support base  24  via a pivotal support  60 . The pivot support base  24  is attached to a pivotal support similar to the pivotal support  60  discussed above in relation to the sitting apparatus  300  and depicted in FIG.  3 . The pivot support platform is attached to the center post  2  of the system  200 . The ball joint  88  is received and held by the double socket arm  54 . The pivotal support  60  receiving the ball joint  88  that is attached to the bottom of the standing platform base  86  is further attached to the pivot support base  24  in a recess (not shown) in the top of the pivot support base  24  in a manner similar to the sitting apparatus&#39;  300  reception in recess  110  of FIG.  10 . As with the sitting apparatus  300  discussed earlier, the pivotal support  60  supporting the standing platform  24  of the present invention configured for pivotally supporting a standing exerciser is typically pivotally, rotationally and height adjustable. The pivot support  24  is typically adjustable relative to the resistance arms  30 . The adjustable pivot base  24  allows exercisers of different sizes and preferences to use and equally enjoy the benefits of the present invention. An exerciser performing exercise movements requiring the exerciser to stand, stands on the pivotal standing platform attached the pivot support base is  24 . Thus, standing the pivotal standing platform the exerciser is isolated from the floor or any other stable support. 
     An exerciser may also use the present invention configured to accommodate exercises in which the exerciser uses a bench as depicted in FIGS. 6,  7  and  10 . The FIG. 6 is a plan view of the present invention showing the weight support structure and a bench support apparatus  80  including a pivotally supported bench  82 . The FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the bench support structure  80  and bench  82  only and the FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the present invention configured to accommodate exercises in which the exerciser uses a pivotally supported bench  82 . In FIGS. 6 and 11, a bench support structure  80  is attached to a support structure base  12  at a position  120 . The position  120  may encompass a cut-out that receives the bench support structure  80  as depicted in FIG. 11 or a weld, clamps or other means for holding the bench support structure in fixed proximity to the weight support structure. The important factor in the attachment of bench support structure  80  to the support structure base  12  is that the bench support structure  80  is held in a stationary position relative to the rest of the invention. The bench  82  is pivotally supported by the pivotal support  60 . The base of the pivotal support  60  attaches the bench support structure  80  and the ball joint end of the pivotal support  60  is attached to the bench  82 . As depicted in the FIG.  6  and FIG. 11, there is one centrally located pivotal support  60  supporting the bench  82 . Although two or more supports could be used to support the bench  82 , the use of one centrally located pivotal support  60  enables the greatest possible amount of pivoting of the bench  82 . 
     Also included in the bench configuration of the present invention is a foot support  130 . In the preferred embodiment as depicted in FIG. 11, the foot support  130  is separated into two individual foot supports. The foot supports  130  here are similar to the foot supports used in the sitting position configuration of the present invention. The foot supports  130  operate to completely isolate the exerciser from the floor or other stable support surface. Additionally, a safety belt(not shown) may be attached to the bench  82  for securely holding the exerciser to the bench  82 . Preferably, the safety belt attached to the bench  82  is adjustable in order to accommodate exercisers of varying sizes and preferences. 
     An exerciser lifting resistance arms  30  does so by grasping and holding handle  4 . The handle  4  of the invention has been depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11 as a continuous structure linking one resistance arms  30  to the other. There is no requirement that the resistance arms  30  be linked. Instead it is quite feasible, and even desirable in certain circumstances, that each resistance arm  30  is allowed to pivot individually of the other resistance arm  30 . In these circumstances, the handle  4  does not extend from one side of the system to the other side of the invention. 
     While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to a specific embodiments thereof, it is understood that other embodiments may be resorted to without departing from the invention. Therefore the form of the invention set out above should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.