Patent Application
20200261762
This disclosure relates generally to exercise apparatuses and more particularly to an exercise apparatus having a repositionable crank.
One of the challenges with working out at home is that there are often space challenges as equipment tends to be large and bulky so it can quickly takes up a lot of space in a room. One must only think about the amount of space a Treadmill or a Free Weight Bench takes up to understand this observation. There is an unmet need for a device or apparatus that can be used for a number of exercises. One solution is to rotate a Stationary Bike so it can be used as a hand crank for an upper body cardio workout.
A Base Unit consists of a repositionable crank system with interchangeable crank drivers that can be used for different exercises using a variety of attachments as seen in
For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of the invention. The term “invention” is not intended to refer to any particular embodiment or otherwise limit the scope of the disclosure. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.
In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” Also, the term “connect” or “connected” where used if at all is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first component connects to a second component, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other components and connections.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components and method steps. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function.
The apparatus base can be configured on-the-fly to do a multitude of cardio exercises such as for example spin biking to elliptical tension exercises. Users have the option to start with one configuration and then build their system capabilities over time to incorporate different exercises.
Additional Exercise Attachments that are contemplated for use with the present Base Unit include those for Climbing and Resistance Training.
Referring to
Repositionable Crank Drive 710
Interchangeable Crank Drivers (Pedals, hand grips, and the like) 110
Computer Controlled Tensioner 720
Speed Measurement Device 730
Connection Points for Exercise Components 740
Specific alternative embodiments provide a wireless Remote Controller as well as Bluetooth Connection capability for use with and control by a Smart Phone App.
Specific alternative embodiments provide a position marking system to identify the angle of the Device and the location of attachments on the Base Unit. Specific alternative embodiments of adjustable attachments such as the spin bike also feature the same system.
Gears 712;
Chain/Belt 714;
Servo Motor/Resistance 718;
Rotation Tracking 722 for Speed Measurement;
Device & Position Securing Plate 705;
Circuit Board and receiver unit 716 for Radio Remote Transceiver for Tension Controller;
Bluetooth Connectivity for App, and Rotation Measurement 724.
Power supply connector 732 is provided so that power can be supplied to motor 718 and to other components that require power to function.
Radio Remote for Tension Controller: An exemplary embodiment of a system that includes a base unit of the present invention further include a wireless tension controller. Wireless communication is by any suitable means such as Bluetooth or a plug and play dongle to eliminate the need for Bluetooth pairing.
In other alternative exemplary embodiments, the wireless signal receiving housing will be able to be snapped on and off of the various workout attachments for easy use in the various exercise configurations.
Base Unit Overhead View: An advantage of the spine base embodiment of
The spine-based embodiment provides easily incorporated locking/securing holes for the various exercise components. An expandable spine 130 may accommodate future exercise components that have not yet been envisioned. The spine includes hinges 820,822 so that the spine can be raised up, perpendicular to the ground so it takes up less storage space. Also provided is a locking lever 35 to secure the spine in place.
Data, Monitors & Digital Readouts: Specific alternative embodiments of the present exercise apparatus support a smart phone app that is included as an optional component of a system that includes an apparatus of the present invention. A smart shone app helps users to monitor and control their workouts. The app connects to the base unit 100 via Bluetooth or other suitable wireless connection to receive speed and resistance data. The app may be set to automatically adjust tension to keep the exerciser in the optimum heart rate workout zone using data from a heart-rate monitor and personal data (age, sex, weight, etc).
Interchangeable Crank Drivers: As seen in
Alternatives to Arc Motion
There are a number of other methods to accomplish the core concept of this invention of a rather than the Arc motion described above. For example:
Telescoping Mechanism: Specific alternative embodiments provide a telescoping mechanism to raise or lower the crank to the desired height.
Vertical Rail: Specific alternative embodiments provide a rail system such that the crank moves up and down to the desired height and then locks in place with a securing mechanism.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the repositionable crank exercise apparatus described herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
This application relates to, claims priority from and the benefit of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/805,510 entitled REPOSITIONABLE CRANK EXERCISE DEVICE, filed Feb. 14, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62805510 | Feb 2019 | US |
