Abstract:
A new, safely-designed and portable exercise apparatus ( 10 ) comprising of a platform ( 20 ) on which a user performs a variety of resistance and cardiovascular exercises; a balance bar ( 50 ) to assist with balance as a user performs lower body exercises with elastic cords ( 82 ) for resistance; for stepping up and down the platform ( 20 ) to maintain balance for coordination and for cardiovascular benefit; a chair ( 70 ) to assist a physically challenged user to perform upper and lower body resistance exercises.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable  
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     This invention relates to an exercise apparatus, specifically to an improved design, that provides safety, adaptability, portability and complete functionality.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Muscular endurance, muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness are three of the five components of physical fitness. In general, a large percentage of the exercising population is involved in cardiovascular activities, forsaking the benefits of resistance training to maintain and improve muscular endurance and strength. As people get older, the importance of exercise, specifically muscular endurance and strength, becomes more relevant. The present invention seeks to provide an improved apparatus which provides a safe, portable, adaptable, functional, and simple to use exercise apparatus for people 50 years old and above.  
         [0006]     The most significant loss as we age is the loss of balance. This is the primary reason why falling is the most dangerous accident among the aging population. Statistics show that when an older person falls and fractures a bone, it leads to inactivity and eventually premature death. Another significant loss which we do not see with our naked eyes until it gets very serious, is loss of bone mass or a disease called osteoporosis. Studies show that among women at age 70, 30 percent of the bone mass is lost. This makes resistance training more critical because engaging in regular resistance training improves our overall muscle mass which results in postural integrity; and retards the progress of osteoporosis by increasing bone mineral content. This invention is to provide a versatile exercise apparatus for this group of people to engage in a regular exercise program that provides safety in balancing, a complete resistance workout from top to bottom and a cardiovascular exercise.  
         [0007]     There are many existing exercise devices; some are now being sold in the market and some have yet to enter the market. However, none of this equipment is geared to meet the physical challenges of the aging population. Inventions such as that of U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,711 to Hinds (2001) discloses resistance training equipment that can be mounted on the face of the door and uses elastic cords as resistance; however, since the device needs a fixed vertical area to anchor or a selective area to perform exercises, it is considered non-portable. Additionally, the device does not provide assistance to help a user maintain his or her balance during lower body exercises. U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,014 to Scoggins (2000) discloses a light-weight, portable, multifunction exercise piece of equipment using cords; and in several exercises showing modifications by using a chair. However, the design doesn&#39;t show adequate support to keep the equipment in place especially when performing several exercises for the upper body in vertical plane. This means a user has to be concerned about the equipment being lifted off the floor as he or she pulls the cords. U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,423 to Mackey et al. (2000) shows an exercise device for resistance exercises using nylon cables in supine and seated positions; however, it does not assist in any lower body exercises.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,866 to Kuo (2000) shows a collapsible exercise device for resistance exercise using elastic cords; however, it limits a user to seated exercises and supine exercises only; it does not allow a user any standing exercises to work the lower body that contributes greatly to maintaining balance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,064 to Holm (1996) shows an exercise device in the form of elastic cords, handles and attachments for resistance training; however, this device can only be used in specific areas of a house where there is a door to attach the cords. Additionally, it does not provide any support when doing lower body exercises in a standing position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,562 to Glaser (1996) shows an exercise device that can be used for resistance exercises using elastic cords and a cardiovascular movement of stepping up and down on the platform focusing on the leg muscles; however, this device requires a user with adequate balance to begin with to exercise on this equipment because the platform rocks back and forth; an unstable platform is detrimental to someone who has poor balance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,642 to Sprague (1996) shows an exercise device that can be used for cardiovascular exercise such as stepping and resistance exercises using cords; however, the device does not provide support for a user performing lower body exercises in a standing position. The device also requires additional weights to be placed in its compartments to keep the equipment down during use, otherwise the device is unstable. This can be a burdensome process to some users.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—OBJECT AND ADVANTAGES  
       [0009]     It is the object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus and methods of exercising that satisfy the deficiencies of these prior inventions relating to the following: 
        1. Adaptability: The present invention is suitable in any environment, home or institutions. It is a great home exercise apparatus because of its size and weight, easy storage, and functionality. It is also appropriate for institution use such as rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and health clubs as multiple users can use the equipment at different intervals.     2. Portability: The present invention is a stand-alone exercise apparatus which means it does not require other devices to make it work or specific areas to make it work.     This exercise apparatus is also suitable in recreational vehicles to use while traveling, in homes where there is limited space and stowing is the only option, or in any environment that requires the apparatus to be moved around.     3. Functionality: The present invention is designed to provide a method to perform a complete resistance exercises for the upper and lower body. The rotating eyelet bolts allow the user to perform exercises in different directions without changing positions. The elastic cords are represented by different strength or intensities that meet the appropriate load for every user. The upper body elastic cords are cut according to the user&#39;s height, providing the right length to achieve effective resistance training.     This exercise apparatus can also be adapted to a cardiovascular piece of apparatus by detaching the chair and its accessories. The user can step up to and down from the platform safely using the balance bar, to develop coordination and mainly work on the lower body and cardiovascular system.     4. Safety: The present invention is designed with safety in mind to meet the needs of those individuals who are physically-challenged with balancing or unable to stand for a period of time. Such individuals require a method to keep their balance while standing or a method of exercise while sitting down.     The balance bar provides a user means to balance while performing lower body exercises while standing with one-leg. The balance bar is also an excellent support for a user stepping up and down the platform for cardiovascular training.     Another feature of the apparatus that adds to the safety of the user is the anti-skid mat used on the platform. The anti-skid mat reduces the possibility of slipping since the platform has a flat and typically, a smooth surface finish.     The chair provides a user means to perform resistance exercises for upper and lower body even when seated. Depending on the user, the chair can be moved up and down the platform to adjust for height, reach and exercise movement. The frame members on both sides of the chair provide the user means of support when performing leg exercises and when preparing to stand.     The balance bar, the mat and the chair provide the safety mechanism in order for these individuals to engage confidently in a regular resistance training program.        
 
       SUMMARY  
       [0020]     In accordance with the present invention an exercise apparatus system comprising of a platform, a chair, a balance bar, a mat, a plurality of pivoting eyelet bolts, swivel pulley device, elastic cords with predetermined lengths and strengths, fitted with handles and ankle strap; method to perform safe and complete resistance and cardiovascular exercises. 
     
    
     DRAWINGS—FIGURES  
       [0021]     In these drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the exercise apparatus.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1A  to  1 B show the features of the rotating eyelet system and one of the preferred arrangements of its accessories.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  to  2 B show the function of the balance bar and the features of the balance bar mounting system.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  to  3 A show a user performing seated upper and lower body exercises.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a user performing an alternate seated upper body exercise.  
                                         DRAWINGS - Reference Numerals                                    10 exercise apparatus system           20 platform           22 recessed eyelet cups           30 mat           32 orifices of the mat           40 rotating eyelet system           42 eyelet bolts           44 washers           46 locking nuts           50 balance bar           60 balance bar mounting system           62 balance bar mounts           64 permanent pins           66 removable pins           70 chair           72 frame members           74 braces           76 seat           80 accessories           82 elastic cords           84 pulley           86 clips           88 handles           89 ankle strap                        
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]     A reference numeral ( 10 ) represents an exercise apparatus of a present invention as shown in  FIG. 1 . The exercise apparatus ( 10 ) comprises a platform ( 20 ) on which a user performs all the exercises, a balance bar ( 50 ), a chair ( 70 ) and a plurality of accessories ( 80 ) for resistance training. In this embodiment, the platform ( 20 ) has a flat surface that is partially covered by a mat ( 30 ) preferably made out of rubber as it is known for its resistance to dampness and non-slippery characteristics. The platform ( 20 ) has a plurality of recessed eyelet cups ( 22 ) spaced evenly along both ends and center of the platform ( 20 ). A plurality of orifices ( 32 ) of the mat ( 30 ) are slightly larger in diameter than the recessed eyelet cups ( 22 ). The mat ( 30 ) fits directly over the surface of the platform ( 20 ) and the orifices ( 32 ) align with the recessed eyelet cups ( 22 ).  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  1 A: The recessed eyelet cups ( 22 ) contain a rotating eyelet system ( 40 ) that pivot 360 degrees and allows the user to pull a plurality of elastic cords ( 82 ) in various directions without changing user&#39;s position on the platform ( 20 ). The rotating eyelet system ( 40 ) comprises an eyelet bolt ( 42 ), a plurality of washers ( 44 ) and a locking nut ( 46 ). The eyelet bolt ( 42 ) is mounted to the platform ( 20 ) below the surface level. Thus, when the user steps onto the platform ( 20 ), the user will not step on the eyelet bolt ( 42 ) eliminating any chance of an accident.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 1A  and  1 B:  FIG. 1B  specifically shows one of the preferred arrangements of the accessories ( 80 ). Elastic cords ( 82 ) of variable length and strength based on the height and exercise level of the user are attached to the rotating eyelet system ( 40 ) by a clip ( 86 ) that is hooked to the eyelet bolt ( 42 ). Only the center elastic cord ( 82 ) with an ankle strap ( 89 ), mainly for lower body exercises as shown on  FIG. 2 , uses a longer cord to provide the user full control of the exercise intensity, and uses a detachable swivel pulley ( 84 ) to protect the elastic cord ( 82 ) from increased friction caused by the consistent rubbing of metal and rubber and to allow the elastic cord ( 82 ) ease of movement. The detachable swivel pulley ( 84 ) is attached to the clip ( 86 ) and is hooked to the eyelet bolt ( 42 ). The two elastic cords ( 82 ) with a handle on each ( 88 ), are used mainly for upper body exercises and are hooked to the eyelet bolts ( 42 ) by the clip ( 86 ) in either ends of the platform ( 20 ) depending upon the type of exercises being performed.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 2A  and  2 B: The exercise apparatus ( 10 ) provides a mechanism for the user to keep balance while performing lower body exercises with one leg. At one end of the platform ( 20 ) is a balance bar ( 50 ) held by a balance bar mounting system ( 60 ) which comprises of two balance bar mounts ( 62 ) either molded as one with the platform or constructed as separate pieces and mounted together. In this present invention, the balance bar mounting system ( 60 ) is molded as one with the platform ( 20 ). The balance bar ( 50 ) is held in place securely by a permanent pin ( 64 ) at the bottom of both the balance bar mounting systems ( 60 ) and a removable pin ( 66 ) located at the upper portion of the balance bar mounting system ( 60 ). The permanent pins ( 64 ) are engaged to the balance bar mounts ( 62 ) either in perpendicular or parallel position of the balance bar ( 50 ) to the platform ( 20 ). When the balance bar is in a perpendicular position to the platform ( 20 ), the removable pins ( 66 ) are engaged to the balance bar mounts ( 62 ). The removable pins ( 66 ) are disengaged from the balance bar mounts ( 62 ) when the balance bar ( 50 ) is in parallel position to the platform.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 3  and  3 A: The exercise apparatus ( 10 ) also provides a chair ( 70 ) to perform resistance exercises and is geared to users who are physically challenged to stand while performing the exercises. In this embodiment, the chair ( 70 ) is shown as part of the platform ( 20 ); consists of a frame member ( 72 ) on each side of a seat ( 76 ) that supports the seat ( 76 ). The frame members ( 72 ) are used to assist the user for balance and leverage while performing some of the lower body exercises and when getting up from the chair. The two frame members ( 72 ) are held by a front and back brace ( 74 ) at a height that crosses the surface of the platform ( 20 ). The braces ( 74 ) rest lightly at the surface of the platform ( 20 ) and hold the platform ( 20 ) in a stable position utilizing the weight of the user sitting on the chair ( 70 ).  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 : In these embodiments, the exercise apparatus ( 10 ) can be used alternately without the chair ( 70 ), whereby the user can perform lower and upper body exercises by standing or sitting on the platform.  
         [0033]     Accordingly, the reader will be able to determine the advantages and benefits of this present invention as it relates to its features and function. This exercise apparatus is designed in response to meet the needs of a specific group of population, namely the seniors and those individuals who are physically challenged to perform the normal movements of a physically-able person while exercising.  
         [0034]     Although the description above explains many details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely to illustrate some of the preferred embodiments. Another embodiment of the present invention is for two users performing resistance exercises simultaneously. For example, one user is performing a lower body exercise with one-leg by the balance bar while the other user is performing an upper body exercise at the other end of the platform standing off the platform or on the floor. Another embodiment is a larger, circular-shaped platform with more than one balance bar, more than one chair and a plurality of rotating eyelet systems that makes a work station for multiple users.  
         [0035]     As a result, the extent of the present invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalent.