Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to exercise apparatus, and in particular, to apparatus associated with a couch or other seating assembly. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     With the wide recognition of the benefits of regular exercise, people have been increasing the opportunities to exercise by bringing exercise equipment into their homes. Conventional exercise equipment employs a frame having a system of cables and pulleys to lift an adjustable weight. The exerciser can stand or can rest on a seat or bench next to the frame in order to manually pull an end of the cable. Conventional exercise apparatus of the foregoing type are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 321,388; 4,372,553; 4,549,733; and 4,603,855. 
     With one known exercise machine, the exerciser stands between a pair of spaced frames. The exerciser can pull an opposing pair of cables on the frames to lift an adjustable weight with the cable system. A variety of exercises can be performed with this equipment, such as butterfly exercises. The cable can be routed in a bight around a reversing pulley attached to an adjustable weight. Thus the exerciser can pull either end or both ends of the cable to lift the adjustable weight. 
     A disadvantage with these exercise machines is the relatively large amount of floor space required by them. Many apartments and homes do not have a sufficient number of rooms or rooms large enough to accommodate such exercise machines. On the other hand, where the space is available a homeowner may find the exercise equipment aesthetically dissonant with the furnishings or decorations in the room where the exercise is to take place. 
     In U.S. Pat. Nos. 382,440 and 337,942 exercise machines having cable-lifted weights are mounted in tall boxes that are finished like furniture. While attractive, these devices are dedicated exercise machines and therefore still require the same amount of floor space as conventional exercise apparatus. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,423 a chair is outfitted with cables that can be pulled by means of handles located atop the arms and the back of the chair. Similarly, a leg device can use cables pulled from the foot of the chair. This reference shows a double chair in FIG. 8. A disadvantage with exercise equipment of the foregoing type is the difficulty adjusting the effort level. The above exercise apparatus employs internal springs that establish the cable tension during exercise. This produces a tension that is not readily adjusted without disassembling the chair. Also, the tension on the exercise cable increases in accordance with the spring constant of the spring. In one embodiment of this known exercise device, a stack of adjustable weights are mounted in the back of the chair. Accordingly, the chair cannot be positioned against the wall, since the user will then be denied access to the weights for the purpose of adjustment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,667 shows a small seat containing a system of springs that can be pulled from various directions by means of cables. Again, this reference has the disadvantages associated with springs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,926 shows a chair that is fitted with exercise apparatus, including a pair of cables that can be used to lift weights. When installed on a chair, however, this apparatus interferes with use as an ordinary chair. See also U.S. Pat. No. 1,114,458. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,218,067 shows an exercise machine that is mounted in a headboard. This device uses elastic cables that can be wound onto a reel. This arrangement has the same disadvantage as the spring operated machines. 
     Elaborate and aesthetically unappealing apparatus mounted on beds are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,057,811 and 3,455,295. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for exercise apparatus that does not require a large amount of floor space and can be placed in room without upsetting its decor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided an exercise apparatus with a couch having a seating area sized to seat more than one person. The apparatus has an engagement means mounted at least partially inside the couch with a distal end adapted for reciprocation. Also included is an exercise means coupled to the engagement means for applying a force to the distal end in order to exercise one who reciprocates the distal end. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an exercise apparatus is provided with a seating assembly having a pair of side structures and a seating area between the side structures. Also included is a case mounted alongside one of the side structures of the seating assembly. The apparatus also has a cable routed through the seat assembly to the case. The cable has one end routed to emerge through the seat assembly for pulling exercises. The apparatus also has an adjustable weight mounted in the case and coupled to the cable to be lifted in response to pulling of the cable. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, an exercise apparatus is provided with a couch having a rear face, a pair of arms and a seating area between the arms sized to seat at least two people. The exercise apparatus also includes a cable that is routed through the couch to emerge from the couch near the arms for pulling exercises. Also included is an adjustable weight coupled to the cable to be listed in response to pulling of the cable. The adjustable weight is accessible in a region that is spaced from the rear face of the couch to avoid any need for clearance behind the couch in order to gain access to the adjustable weight. 
     By employing equipment of the foregoing type, an improved exercise apparatus is achieved. In the preferred embodiment exercise apparatus is associated with a couch. The assembly is built with a rectangular case mounted next to one arm of the couch. In this preferred embodiment the case is designed as a decorative column upon which a lamp may be placed. The case however, contains a adjustable weight that is lifted by a header that can roll on a pair of vertical tracks inside the case. The weights may be lifted by a cable system that is routed between the case and the couch. In other embodiments, the weights may be replaced with springs, elastomeric cords or other devices that can be stretched or deformed to provide muscle resistance to the exerciser. 
     In one preferred embodiment, a cable system terminates in a pair of attachment loops that protrude through openings on the inside of each of the arms of the couch. Handles or other exercise devices can be attached to these loops by clasps or the like. A stop, preferably mounted in the arms of the couch, can prevent the cable from retracting into the arm and getting lost. 
     The cable is preferably routed in two stretches from the two couch arms into the case. Inside the case, the cables may be routed under a pair of lower pulleys and over a pair of upper pulleys before they meet and loop a reversing pulley mounted on a header that holds the weights. Arranged in this preferred fashion, the two ends of the cable emerging from the couch arms can be used individually or together to lift the adjustable weight. The tension on the cable system can be changed, for example, by stacking a selectable number of weight plates on the header. 
     In one embodiment, an additional cable line can protrude from an end of the couch opposite the case. This additional cable line can protrude at a low elevation and can be used with a strap or other device for leg exercises. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a exercise apparatus with its exercise features concealed and shown in the form of a couch with an adjoining stand; 
     FIG. 2 is an axonometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the door of the case removed and the couch arms uncovered to reveal the exercise features; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the case of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view, partly in section, of the case of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view , partly in section, of the case of the FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded, axonometric view of the couch arm shown next to the case in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 7 is a detailed, exploded view of the pulley and stop of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the pulley system of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a pulley system of FIG. 8, shown with an additional cable line; and 
     FIG. 10 is an axonometric view of an exercise apparatus that is an alternate to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, employing an intervening end table and with its exercise mechanism shown in phantom. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exercise apparatus is shown employing a seating assembly in the form of a couch  10  having a pair of side structures, namely arms  12  and  14 . Couch  10  has a back  16  with a front and rear face. Couch  10  also has a seating area  18  between the arms  12  and  14 . 
     Next to arm  14  is a case  20  shown containing an adjustable weight in the form of a header  22  supporting a rod  24 . A selectable number of weight plates  26  are shown stacked on rod  24 . A cable C is shown mounted inside case  20  to follow a routing that will be described presently. Cable C is at times referred to as an engagement means, and weight  26  is also referred to as an exercise means. 
     While shown adjacent arm  14 , in other embodiments the case can be mounted adjacent arm  12 . While this case is rectangular, in other embodiments the case can be cylindrical, a polygonal prism, a frustrum of an ovoid, etc. Also, case  20  can be finished with an appropriate wood or plastic laminate or may be made of a fine wood that can be finished appropriately. 
     A handle  28  connected to one end of cable C is shown protruding inwardly from the inside face of arm  12  in FIG.  2 . In FIG. 1, the handle  28  has been detached from the cable and an arm cover  31  is shown concealing the opening for the cable in arm  12 . Another handle (to be described presently) and is associated with arm  14 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3,  4 , and  5 , a header is shown as a rectangular palette  22  having on its right and left edges two pairs of wheels  30 . Wheels  30  roll within the pair of tracks  32 , which are channels mounted on opposing inside faces of case  20 . A rod  24  is shown angled slightly upwardly out from header  22  for the purpose of holding a stack of weight plates  26 . 
     A door  34  is shown hingedly attached to one corner of case  20 . In other embodiments door of the case can be positioned on various sides and can be hinged in various ways. Mounted opposite door  34 , inside case  20  is a vertical support beam  36  running the full height of the inside of case  20 . Mounted near the top, on opposite sides of beam  36 , are a pair of upper pulleys  38 . Mounted on opposite sides near the bottom of support beam  36 , are a pair of lower transition pulleys  40 . Transition pulleys  40  are mounted adjacent a pair of openings  42  along the bottom of the wall of case  20 , opposite door  34 . Journaled on the back of header  22 , opposite rod  24  is a reversing pulley  44 , used for a purpose to be described presently. While shown on the back of the header, this reversing pulley can be positioned on the front, top edge or elsewhere in other embodiments. 
     Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, previously mentioned couch arm  14  is shown with its outside covering and padding removed, as well as one of its side panels, to reveal the mechanism inside the arm. The cap  42  is shown removed for illustrative purposes. Arm  14  is shown containing an internal beam  49  supporting an upper pulley  50 , and a lower pulley  48 . 
     Two stretches of cable C passing through the arm are shown as follows: stretch C 1  is shown passing through arm  14  to continue along the bottom of the couch. Stretch C 2  is shown passing under lower pulley  48  and over upper pulley  50  to pass through hole  52  before terminating in a cable loop  54 . Loop  54  is secured by means of U-bolt  56  that squeezes the end of the cable against the plate  58  using nuts  60 . With loop  54  secured in this fashion, it cannot be drawn into the arm  14  and lost. For this purpose, a U-shaped stop  62  is mounted on the bolt/axle  64  of upper pulley  50 . Accordingly, the hardware  56 / 58  cannot pass through the stop  62  and therefore loop  54  will remain exposed. Thus, handle  66  may be attached to loop  54  by using the clasp  68  at the inside end of the handle. Previously mentioned handle  28  (FIG. 2) is constructed and attached to cable C 1  in the same way. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, cable C is shown routed over previously mentioned pulleys  38 ,  40 ,  44 ,  48  and  50 . In FIG. 8, pulleys  38  and  40  are shown mounted on vertical beam  36 , while pulleys  48  and  50  are mounted on beam  49  inside one couch arm. In the opposite couch arm, vertical beam  70  is shown supporting an upper pulley  72  and a lower pulley  74 . Accordingly, beam  70  and its pulleys are structured in a manner similar to beam  49  and pulleys  48  and  50 . 
     In FIG. 8, cable C is shown traveling over and to the outside of pulley  72  before passing under lower pulley  74 . Thereafter, cable C passes through the couch (underneath the seating area  18  of the couch  10  of FIG. 1) to follow stretch C 1 . See also FIG.  6 . Stretch C 2  is shown, as before, passing over pulley  50  and under pulley  48 . 
     In FIG. 9, stretches C 1  and C 2  are shown passing under pulleys  40  and rising to pass over the top of upper pulleys  38 . Thereafter, stretches C 1  and C 2  join in a bight that passes under reversing pulley  44 , which can lift the weight header  22 . Pulley  44  is shown on the back of header  22 , but in other embodiments can be positioned at the front, the top edge, etc. 
     To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, its operation will now be briefly described. The door  34  may be opened to expose the header  22  (FIGS.  1  and  2 ). The user can then place an appropriate number of weight plates  26  on the rod  24  of header  22 . Handles  28  and  66  may be stored on hooks (not shown) on the back of door  34 . Accordingly, door  34  functions as a means of storing exercise accessories, namely, handles  28  and  66 . The covers  31  on arms  12  and  14  may be removed to expose the loops on the ends of cable C. In FIG. 6 the handle  66  is shown with its clasp  68  adjacent to loop  54 . The clasp  68  can be opened and hooked around loop  54  in a conventional manner. Handle  28  (FIGS. 8 and 9) can be installed in a similar manner. 
     The user can then stand near or sit anywhere on couch  10 . For example, the user can sit next to one of the arms  12  or  14  to use one of the ends of cable C. Alternatively, the user can sit centrally on seating area  18  of couch  10  and pull on both ends of cable C, simultaneously. 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, when user pulls on handle  66 , stretch C 2  of cable C is pulled over pulley  50  and under pulleys  40  and  48 . Consequently, stretch C 2  of cable C is pulled over the top of one of the pulleys  38  to shorten the bight that is located between pulleys  38  and under reversing pulley  44 . Referring to FIG. 3,  4  and  5 , header  22  rises while its rollers  30  ride in the tracks  32 . 
     If handle  28  (FIG. 9) is pulled (instead of or simultaneously with handle  66 ) stretch C 1  of cable C is pulled over pulley  72  and under pulleys  74  and  40 . As a result, cable C is pulled over the top of one of the pulleys  38  to shorten the bight that is located between pulleys  38  and under reversing pulley  44 , to lift weight header  22 . 
     FIG. 9 illustrates an additional feature for alternate embodiments. Specifically, a line  76  is shown tied at point  77  along the stretch C 1  of cable C. Line  76  is shown traveling past the arm area containing pulleys  72  and  74 . In this embodiment line  76  emerges to the outside of the couch arm (arm  12  of FIG.  2 ). Line  76  is shown coupled to a leg exercising accessory  78  such as a leg bracelet or strap. Thus, a user may slip a foot into the accessory  78 . Since the line  76  emerges at a relatively low elevation, the user can readily exercise a leg by pulling with the leg on line  76 . The cable C can then lift the adjustable weight in a fashion similar to that described in connection with the pulling of handle  28 . 
     Referring to FIG. 10, previously mentioned couch  10  is shown again with arms  12  and  14  and seating area  18 . The previously mentioned cables loops and handles located at or in couch  10  are the same as before. The previously illustrated case is shown herein as alternate case  120 , which has been spaced from arm  14  by an intervening, rectangular end table  180 . 
     The case  120  contains the same mechanism as before, except reversed, right to left. Corresponding components have a reference numeral that was increased by one hundred over the correspondent. Accordingly, weight header  122  is shown mounted with its rod  124  pointing toward couch  10 . As a clear variation over the embodiment of FIG. 2, reversing pulley  144  is shown on the same side as the rod  124 . Pulleys  138  and  140  are shown mounted to the outside of case  120 . 
     Cable stretches C 1  and C 2  pass through end table  180  to pass under pulleys  140  and over pulleys  138 , before joining in the bight located between pulleys  138  and under reversing pulley  144 . Routed in this fashion, the cable C can lift the adjustable weight in essentially the same manner as with the other embodiment. 
     The exposed faces of case  120  are closed. One can gain access to header  122  and rod  124  for the purpose of adding weights, by lifting the top  182  of end table  180 . No wall exists at the intersection between table  180  and case  120 . Therefore, the user can add or remove weights from rod  124  through end table  180 . 
     It will be appreciated that still other modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described, preferred embodiments. In some embodiments the adjustable weight may be formed from a horizontal stack of weight plates that may be connected by a pin to a vertical rod depending from a header. In other embodiments, the weights may be replaced with springs, elastomeric cords or other devices that can be stretched or deformed to provide muscle resistance to the exerciser. The couch may have various, aesthetically pleasing shapes and design features in other embodiments. While the ends of the cables are shown connected to handles, other grasping devices can be used such as pulling bars, cloth loops etc. While a loop and clasp is shown for connecting the handle to the cable end, in other embodiments the handle may be permanently attached from alternate fastening means. In other embodiments, the reversing pulley on the header can be mounted on a different elevation or can be mounted along the top edge of the header. In still other embodiments, the header can be an open frame made of various components that are fastened together by bolts, welding, etc. The size, dimensions and shape of the couch and the adjacent case can be altered depending upon the desired seating capacity, weight capacity, pulling range, aesthetic considerations, etc. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Technology Category: 4