Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a glute press exercise machine in which a reclining user pushes their lower torso forwards to lift a weight.

Existing glute press weight lifting machines typically provide support to a reclining user and use a rotating arm attached to the frame of the device that is positioned across the user's abdomen. As the user pushes their hips/abdomen upwards, they thereby move the rotating arm which in turn pulls on a cable to lift a weight stack. <CIT> proposes a fold/extension exercise apparatus including a support frame pivotably attached to a seating device, and a mechanism for exercising the arms attached to the support frame and to the seating device. A leg curl/extension mechanism is disposed so that extension of the leg curl mechanism causes extension of the seating device. Each of the respective portions of the exercise apparatus have extended positions and folded positions as to enable the user to simultaneously work the arms, legs, and abdomen.

Other glute press exercises have been developed that do not rely on specialized equipment. For example, a user can simply rest their upper back or shoulders on or against a standard lifting bench, and then place a weight bar across their hips/ abdomen. Next, the user proceeds to lift the weight bar by straightening their legs/back. Unfortunately, the disadvantage of this approach is that it provides very poor support to the user's back during the exercise.

What is instead desired is a simple, effective and comfortable machine for performing glute presses. Ideally, such a machine would not rely on movement of the user to rotate an exercise arm during the exercise.

Ideally as well, it would be desirable to provide a glute press exercise machine that supports a user's lower back and hips throughout the movement of the full glute press exercise.

According to the present invention, there is provided a glute press exercise machine according to claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the rotatable back support has an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portion extending down below the user's hips to support the users hips during the full glute press exercise. Preferably, the lower portion of the rotatable back support supports at least <NUM>% of the user's total body weight such that the user's total body weight is not solely supported by the user's upper back and feet.

Preferably, the bars of the four-bar linkage each rotate between different non-vertical angles during a glute press exercise.

In preferred aspects, the foot support is positioned below <NUM> from the ground and the foot support extends forwardly beyond the front of the stationary frame.

Preferably, a cable connecting the rotatable back support to a weight stack assembly passes through a frame member that spans along the ground extending from a location mid-way along the stationary frame to the weight stack assembly. An optional horizontal stabilizing arm connects the weight stack assembly to a rear portion of the stationary frame.

<FIG> show a first embodiment of a glute press exercise machine <NUM>, comprising: a stationary frame <NUM>; a four-bar linkage <NUM>; a rotatable back support <NUM>; a seat <NUM>; a foot support <NUM> and an abdomen restraint <NUM>. Rotatable back support <NUM> optionally has an upper portion 14A and a lower portion 14B. Lower portion 14B extends below the user's hips to support the users hips during a glute press exercise (as can be seen in <FIG>). As can be seen in <FIG>, lower portion 14B of rotatable back support <NUM> preferably extends below the user's hips before, during and after each repetition of the glute press exercise.

In preferred aspects, lower portion 14B of rotatable back support <NUM> supports a portion of the user's weight. Most preferably, lower portion 14B supports at least <NUM>% of the user's total body weight such that the user's total body weight is not solely supported by the user's upper back and feet. As can be seen best in <FIG>, lower portion 14B of back support <NUM> can optionally be angled with respect to the upper portion. In preferred aspects, this angle is <NUM> to <NUM> degrees. In one exemplary embodiment, this angle is <NUM> degrees. The angling of lower portion 14B under the user's hips optionally assists in providing support under the user's hips to thereby support the user's hips. As can also be seen in <FIG>, the upper and lower portions 14A and 14B of back support <NUM> are preferably formed as a continuous one-piece device.

As seen by comparing <FIG>, seat <NUM> rotates downwardly away from the user's hips during a glute press exercise and then rotates upwardly again to contact the user's bottom between each exercise repetition. As a result, seat <NUM> preferably contacts the user's bottom between every repetition of glute press exercises such that the user sits on seat <NUM> between every repetition of glute press exercises.

The four-bar linkage <NUM> preferably comprises four bars that are pivotally connected to the stationary frame at locations near ground level. Specifically, four-bar linkage <NUM> comprises two forward bars <NUM> and two rearward bars <NUM>. Forward bars <NUM> are connected to frame <NUM> at pivot point <NUM> (right near ground level) and rearward bars <NUM> are connected to frame <NUM> at pivot point <NUM> (also right near ground level). As a result of back support <NUM> being mounted onto four-bar linkage <NUM> (at pivot points <NUM> and <NUM>), back support <NUM> rotates about a horizontal axis H (see <FIG>) that does not pass through the stationary frame <NUM>.

As best seen in <FIG>, bars <NUM> and <NUM> each rotate between different non-vertical angles during a glute press exercise. As such, at no time during the exercise do bars <NUM> and <NUM> point straight up and down in a vertical direction. Rather, each of the four bars rotate <NUM> and <NUM> between angles of at least <NUM> degrees to the ground to not more than <NUM> degrees to the ground during a glute press exercise. Specifically, forward bars <NUM> rotate between an angle of about <NUM> to <NUM> degrees to the (horizontal) ground, and rearward bars <NUM> rotate between an angle of about <NUM> to <NUM> degrees to the (horizontal) ground.

As can also be seen, foot support <NUM> is also positioned close to the ground. In preferred embodiments, foot support <NUM> is positioned at a height of less than <NUM> from the ground. As can also be seen, foot support <NUM> extends forwardly beyond the front of stationary frame <NUM>.

Abdomen restraint <NUM> preferably comprises a padded arm <NUM> that is positionable against the user's abdomen. Padded arm <NUM> is preferably moveable in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the back support. As such, padded arm <NUM> moves in a direction towards and away from the user's abdomen (i.e.: from a "far away" position to the illustrated "resting against the abdomen" position in <FIG>). As a result, abdomen restraint <NUM> and padded arm <NUM> prevents the user from slipping upwardly on back support <NUM> during a glute press exercise. As a result, abdomen restraint <NUM> preferably keeps the user's bottom on seat <NUM> at the start of the glute press exercise (<FIG>), until seat <NUM> drops away from the user's bottom as the user performs the glute press (<FIG>).

In preferred aspects, the present system further comprises: a weight stack assembly <NUM>; and a cable connecting rotatable back support <NUM> to weight stack assembly <NUM>. As the user rotates rotatable back support <NUM>, the cable is pulled, thereby lifting one or more weights in weight stack assembly <NUM>.

In preferred aspects, the cable passes through a frame member <NUM> that spans along the ground between the stationary frame <NUM> and the weight stack assembly <NUM>. As seen in <FIG>, frame member <NUM> preferably extends along the ground from a location mid-way along stationary frame <NUM> (i.e.: neither at the front or back of frame <NUM>). As such, the present glute press exercise can be used to lift a stack of several weights in weight stack <NUM>. In preferred aspects, a cable mount is provided on the bottom back of back support <NUM> for attachment of the cable thereto.

In addition, a stabilizing arm <NUM> preferably connects weight stack assembly <NUM> to a rear portion of stationary frame <NUM>. As can be seen, distal end <NUM> of stabilizing arm <NUM> may simply rest upon the top of a support <NUM> at the rear portion of stationary frame <NUM>. As can also be seen, stabilizing arm <NUM> preferably extends horizontally between weight stack assembly <NUM> and stationary frame <NUM>.

In preferred aspects, abdomen restraint <NUM> is moveable in a direction generally perpendicular to back support <NUM>. As such, abdomen restraint <NUM> preferably comprises a padded arm <NUM> that is moveable towards and away from the user's abdomen. In optional aspects of the present system, abdomen restraint <NUM> may be connected to back support <NUM> by a four-bar linkage <NUM>. Other systems for moving padded arm <NUM> towards and away from the user's abdomen are also contemplated, all keeping within the scope of the present invention.

In operation, as shown in <FIG>, the user sits down on seat <NUM> and then moves padded arm <NUM> into a position against their abdomen. Next, as shown in <FIG>, the user straightens their legs, simultaneously lifting padded arm <NUM> while tilting back support <NUM> backwards as the user's hips move forward. The rearward rotation of rotatable back support <NUM> preferably pulls on a cable to lift one or more weights within weight stack assembly <NUM>. Alternatively, however, the rearward rotation of rotatable back support <NUM> could also rotate an arm or activate a mechanical linkage that would also lift a weight, all keeping within the scope of the present invention.

<FIG> is a view corresponding to <FIG>, showing rotational movement of the system about horizontal rotational axis H (such that back support <NUM> rotates about axis H). <FIG> is a view corresponding to <FIG>, also showing horizontal rotational axis H of the machine. As can be seen, horizontal rotational axis H does not pass through back support <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the present system, prior to a user performing a hip-thrust exercise. Specifically, <FIG> shows a hip-thrust exercise machine <NUM>, comprising: a frame <NUM>; a back support <NUM> pivotally connected to an upper portion of frame <NUM>; a seat and foot support <NUM> pivotally connected to a lower portion of frame <NUM>; and an abdomen restraint <NUM> connected to back support <NUM>.

Abdomen restraint <NUM> comprises a padded arm <NUM> that is positionable against the user's abdomen. Specifically, padded arm <NUM> is in a direction generally perpendicular to the back support in a direction towards and away from the user's abdomen (i.e.: from a "far away" position to the illustrated "resting against the abdomen" position). After the user sits down on seat <NUM> (<FIG>), the user then moves padded arm <NUM> into a position against their abdomen.

Next, the hip-thrust exercise is performed as shown in <FIG>, with the user straightening their legs to simultaneously lift padded arm <NUM>, tilt back support <NUM> backwards, and tilts foot pad <NUM> forwards as the user thrusts their hips forward. A cable mount <NUM> is positioned on the bottom back of back support <NUM> for cable attachment to a weight stack. As such, this hip-thrust exercise can be used to lift a stack of weights.

Back support <NUM> is connected to seat and foot support <NUM> by an elongated member <NUM>, wherein a first end <NUM> of elongated member <NUM> is connected to the back support and a second end <NUM> of elongated member <NUM> is connected to the seat and foot support <NUM>. As can be seen, the seat and foot support <NUM> (which comprises a seat <NUM> and a foot pad <NUM>) pivots together as a single unit.

In optional preferred embodiments, abdomen restraint <NUM> comprises a moveable member <NUM>. The user can adjust the position of the padded arm <NUM> by moving member <NUM> to a preferred position using positional adjuster <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment of positional adjuster <NUM> seen in <FIG>, positional adjuster <NUM> comprises member <NUM> connected to back support <NUM> by a pair of parallel members <NUM> and <NUM>. A pin (not shown) can be inserted through any of the apertures in selection aperture panel <NUM> to lock the position of arms <NUM> and <NUM>. A travel limit pin <NUM> is free to move within the constraints of the side groove of selection aperture panel <NUM>. (Specifically, as seen in <FIG>, pin <NUM> is at the lowermost position when padded arm <NUM> is positioned against the user's abdomen. Conversely, as seen in <FIG>, pin <NUM> is at the uppermost position when padded arm <NUM> is positioned farthest away from the user's abdomen).

<FIG> shows another embodiment of positional adjuster <NUM> (in which moveable member <NUM> telescopes over stationary member <NUM>). Specifically, adjuster <NUM> can be used to lock and unlock a pin <NUM> in the telescoping member <NUM> (which is received over stationary member <NUM>). Adjuster <NUM> can comprise a rocker arm <NUM>, as shown. The user simply pulls back on rocker arm <NUM> to unlock pin <NUM> (permitting telescoping member <NUM> to be moved with respect to stationary member <NUM>). When the preferred position of padded arm <NUM> is reached, rocker arm <NUM> can then be pushed forward to lock pin <NUM> through the holes in members <NUM> and <NUM>, thereby locking padded arm <NUM> across the user's abdomen.

In an alternate exemplary embodiment of the positional adjuster, as seen in <FIG>, adjuster <NUM> comprises a latch <NUM> at the distal end of telescoping member <NUM>. Latch <NUM> moves member <NUM> which in turn locks/unlocks pin <NUM>, as shown.

In a comparative example of the hip-thrust exercise machine <NUM> as seen in <FIG>, the user adopts a more reclining position prior to starting the hip-thrust exercise (<FIG>). As can be seen, back support <NUM> supports the user's hips as well (and there is no need for a seat <NUM> as seen in <FIG>). During the exercise, the user first moves padded arm <NUM> into a position against their abdomen. Next, the hip-thrust exercise is performed as shown in <FIG>, with the user straightening their legs to simultaneously lift padded arm <NUM>, tilt back support <NUM> backwards, and tilt foot pad <NUM> forwards (i.e.: push foot pad <NUM> downwardly) as the user thrusts their hips forward. In this particular embodiment, support <NUM> is not connected to a seat (e.g.: <NUM> in <FIG>). Instead, support <NUM> is connected to a pivot member <NUM> which is connected to back support <NUM>, as shown. <FIG> shows a rear perspective view of device <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A glute press exercise machine (<NUM>), comprising:
a stationary frame (<NUM>);
a rotatable back support (<NUM>);
a seat (<NUM>);
a foot support (<NUM>); and
an abdomen restraint (<NUM>),
wherein a four-bar linkage (<NUM>) is provided, including the stationary frame (<NUM>), the rotatable back support (<NUM>), a rearward bar (<NUM>) and a forward bar (<NUM>),
wherein the seat (<NUM>) is connected to the stationary frame (<NUM>),
wherein the foot support (<NUM>) is connected to the stationary frame (<NUM>), and
wherein the abdomen restraint (<NUM>) is connected to the rotatable back support (<NUM>) and is dimensioned to extend across a user's abdomen, wherein the abdomen restraint (<NUM>) moves together with the rotatable back support (<NUM>) during a glute press exercise,
wherein the back support (<NUM>) tilts backwards when the user thrusts their hips forwards and away from the seat (<NUM>) during the exercise and then back towards the seat (<NUM>) thereby enabling contact of the seat (<NUM>) with the user's bottom between every exercise repetition.