Patent Application
20250144462
There are no previously filed, nor currently any copending applications, anywhere in the world.
This application discloses and claims embodiments generally related to exercise equipment and machines, and more particularly, to a portable resistance exercise apparatus configured to isolate the upper torso of the body, thereby allowing the user to obtain optimized levels of strength, caloric expenditure, and cardiovascular and aerobic fitness during an exercise interval.
The prior art discloses various portable resistance exercise devices such as rowing type exercise devices and apparatuses.
However, the prior art fails to teach, suggest, or disclose a rowing type exercise apparatus, machine, or device adapted and configured to enhance one's strength and cardiovascular health or aerobic fitness and which is collapsible to a planar, compact condition facilitating quick, easy, and efficient storage and transport.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved portable, compact rowing exercise apparatus. The development of the compact exercise apparatus of the present application fulfills this need.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related:
This application presents claims and embodiments that fulfill a need or needs not yet satisfied by the products, inventions and methods previously or presently available. In particular, the claims and embodiments disclosed herein describe a compact and portable exercise apparatus, the apparatus comprises a housing comprising a plurality of walls forming an enclosure having an interior chamber; a plurality of casters enabling mobilization of the housing; a pair of foot straps coupled to one of the plurality of walls of the housing; and an adjustable resistance disposed within the interior chamber of the housing, the adjustable resistance includes a selectively-adjustable resistance mechanism, the resistance mechanism comprises a variable friction mechanism, and a tension adjustment device, the exercise apparatus of the present invention providing nonobvious unanticipated and combination of features distinguished from the devices, apparatuses, inventions and methods preexisting in the art. The applicant is unaware of any device, apparatus, method, disclosure or reference that discloses the features of the claims and embodiments disclosed herein, and as more fully described below.
A compact and portable exercise apparatus is disclosed, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a housing, and an adjustable resistance disposed within the housing. The housing comprises a plurality of walls forming an enclosure having an interior chamber for accommodating the adjustable resistance. The housing further comprises a pair of foot straps coupled thereto.
According to one embodiment, the housing includes a plurality of casters or wheels enabling mobilization of the housing.
The adjustable resistance comprises a resistance mechanism or load selectively adjustable via a controller, in accordance to user's preference.
According to one embodiment, the resistance mechanism comprises a variable friction mechanism, wherein the variable friction mechanism comprises a retractable linking system. The retractable linking system includes, but is not limited to, a variable flywheel assembly, a variable pulley assembly, and a magnetic torque induction assembly. Some of the retractable linking systems may further comprise a linking device, such as a belt or cable.
In accordance to one alternate embodiment, the resistance mechanism comprises a retractable linking assembly comprising a pulley assembly. The pulley assembly includes a retractable cable and one or more pulleys for directing the cable. The cable has a first terminus to which a handle or hand grips is detachably coupled, and a second terminus securely mounted to a retractor device.
In accordance with one embodiment, the one or more pulleys comprise an upper support pulley and an adjusting pulley. Consistent with the instant embodiment, the cable extends forwardly from the handle in a generally horizontal course and engages the upper support pulley from which the cable extends downwardly in a sloped course and engages adjusting pulley from which the cable extends rearward in a generally horizontal course and terminates at the retractor device. The reel includes a retractor spring allowing for responsive co-action by the cable with the reel when it is desired to extend or retract the cable by pulling on or releasing it via the handle.
In accordance to another embodiment, a feeder pulley is provided for directing the cable seamlessly from the upper support pulley to the adjusting pulley. Thus, consistent with the instant embodiment, the cable extends forwardly from the handle in a generally horizontal course and engages the upper support pulley from which cable extends downwardly in a sloped course and engages the feeder pulley from which the cable extends rearward and engages the adjusting pulley from which cable extends rearward in a generally horizontal course and terminates at the retractor device.
The adjustable resistance further comprises a tension adjustment device which includes a controller, the adjusting pulley, a tension adjustment rod downwardly-depending from the dial, a compression element, a tension pad, and a pair of elastomeric friction disks, wherein the adjusting pulley is positioned between the pair of elastomeric friction disks. The controller includes a tension dial rotatable with respect to a wall of the housing. In a corresponsive manner, rotation of the tension dial in opposite directions varies the compression applied by the friction disks against the adjusting pulley.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
Consistent with the illustrations appended hereto, as embodied in
In reference to
The housing 30 may be constructed of a molded plastic, metal, or other suitable material. More specifically and preferably, the housing 30 is manufactured from a lightweight, rigid material selected from the group comprising plastic, thermoplastic, metal or a metallic-plastic composite. Preferred plastic or thermoplastic materials include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyolefin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polyurethane, polycarbonate, or blends thereof, and ABS/Nylon blend. In the event plastic is the selected fabrication material, the housing 30 may be fabricated utilizing a common molding process such as injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, or other molding and fabricating methods.
A pair of foot straps 102 is coupled superjacent the sloped wall 39 of housing 30, proximate the top wall 37 thereof.
The adjustable resistance 40 comprises a resistance mechanism 41 or load being selectively adjusted via a controller 50 in accordance to user's preference, the resistance mechanism 41 comprises a variable friction mechanism 42 or retractable linking system, such as including, but not limited to, a variable belt assembly, a variable flywheel assembly 43, a variable pulley assembly 143, a magnetic torque induction assembly, and other suitable resistance mechanisms imparting variable friction functionality. The flywheel assembly 43 comprises a retractable belt 60 and at least one drive pulley DP-1 which is spun or otherwise driven by the belt 60. Preferably, the flywheel assembly 43 comprises a retractable belt 60, an upper support drive pulley DP-1, a feeder pulley DP3 (to be described later in greater detail), and a flywheel apparatus 51 for directing the belt 60. The flywheel apparatus 51 comprises a flywheel 51a, a pressure plate 51c, and a clutch disc 51b, wherein the clutch disc 51b is coupled between the flywheel 51a and the pressure plate 51c. The inertia of the flywheel 51 opposes and moderates fluctuations in the speed of the user's pulling force and stores the excess energy. The flywheel 51a operates to smooth out the pulses of energy provided by the pull force exerted by the user. Other suitable linking systems known in the field are envisioned, such as a band(s), cable(s), chain(s), rope(s), tie rod(s), or arm(s), and as such, are within the spirit and scope of the present application. The belt 60 comprises a first terminus and a second terminus, wherein the first terminus and the second terminus are in mutual opposition. A handle 70, or a pair of hand grips or handles, is detachably coupled to the first terminus of the belt 60.
The housing 30 may further comprise a plurality of casters 110 or wheels suitably coupled thereto. A brake device (not shown) may be provided for locking the casters 110 or wheels. The brake device may be an incurvate handle threadedly engaging lateral ends of axle members of the casters 110 or wheels, respectively. The casters 110 or wheels may be unlocked to enable mobilization of the housing 30 when it is desirable to utilize the housing 30 and the applied force of user's feet against the housing 30 as an alternative method of resistance or load being alternative the flywheel assembly 43.
In accordance to an alternate embodiment depicted in
Referring now more particularly to
Thus, in accordance to one embodiment, the belt 60 extends forwardly from the handle 70 in a generally horizontal course and engages upper support drive pulley DP-1 (or is otherwise routed over drive pulley DP-1) from which belt 60 extends downwardly in a sloped course and engages a flywheel 51a from which belt 60 extends rearward in a generally horizontal course and terminates at a retractor device 90.
In accordance to another embodiment as best depicted in
In accordance to one embodiment, the retractor device 90 comprises a reel 92 to which the second terminus end of belt 60 is securely mounted, and wherein belt 60 being wound about the reel 92. The reel 92 is pivotally secured to a reel mounting bracket 94, wherein reel mounting bracket 94 is secured superjacent the upper surface of the bottom wall 38, distal to feeder pulley mounting bracket 47 (or feeder pulley DP-3). The reel 92 is disposed with a retractor spring (not shown) allowing for responsive co-action by the belt 60 with the reel 92 when it is desired to extend or retract the belt 60 by pulling on or releasing it. Being mounted to the reel 92, the belt 60 is retractable and extendable therefrom. In a resting position, the belt 60, via the retractor spring of reel 92, is under biased tension, thereby urging belt 60 to retract and wind about the reel 92.
The adjustable resistance 40 further comprises a tension adjustment device 50, wherein the device 50 comprises a controller 52. The adjustable resistance 40 further comprises a resistance mechanism 41 selectively adjustable via the controller 50 in accordance to user's preference. The resistance mechanism 41 comprises a variable friction mechanism 42, wherein the variable friction mechanism 42 comprises a variable flywheel assembly 43. As previously disclosed, the variable flywheel assembly 43 comprises a retractable belt 60, an upper support drive pulley DP1, a feeder pulley DP3, and a flywheel apparatus 51. The flywheel apparatus 51 is fixedly secured spatially atop an upper surface of the bottom wall 38 in a parallel orientation with respect to the bottom wall 38, and perpendicular with respect to upper support pulley P-A.
In accordance to one embodiment, the flywheel apparatus 51 is fixedly secured to a shaft 80 spatially above a lower main plate 48, the lower main plate 48 is mounted superjacent the upper surface of the bottom wall 38, and wherein the shaft 80 is rotationally secured to the lower main plate 48 via a spar 59.
The controller 52 is in the form of tension dial 53 having a tension adjustment rod 54 mounted subjacent thereto in a vertical orientation. The tension dial 53 is rotatable with respect to the top wall 37 of housing 30. The tension adjustment rod 54 has a threaded section proximate an upper end thereof for threadedly engaging a threaded opening defined through the top wall 37 and a rod support plate 54a mounted flush against the lower surface of top wall 37. A lower end of tension adjustment rod 54 is centrally mounted superjacent a compression element 55. The tension adjustment rod 54 is configured for axial movement in response to rotation of the tension dial 53. A bottom of the compression element 55 is fixedly coupled superjacent a tension pad 57 having an intermediate elevated section, wherein the tension pad 57 is mounted to the lower main plate 48. The compression element 55 includes a centric receiving 1 in the bottom thereof for receiving an upper section of the shaft 80, the shaft 80 being rotationally secured to the lower main plate 48, as previously described. The flywheel 51 is spatially positioned between the tension pad 57 and the lower main plate 48. In a corresponsive manner, rotation of the tension dial 53 in opposite directions varies the compression applied by the pressure plate 58 against the flywheel 51, thereby providing a supplemental method by which to assist the flywheel 51 to increase and decrease the force required to pull and extend the cable 60 from the reel 92 of the retractor device 90. Thus, the controller 50 is adapted and configured to provide an optional, supplemental tension adjustment for controllably-adjusting tension of the resistance mechanism 41 in accordance to user preference.
In accordance with one alternate embodiment, and consistent with that depicted in
Referring now more particularly to
The housing 130 may be constructed of a molded plastic, metal, or other suitable material. More specifically and preferably, the housing 130 is from a lightweight, rigid material selected from the group comprising plastic, thermoplastic, metal or a metallic-plastic composite. Preferred plastic or thermoplastic materials include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyolefin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polyurethane, polycarbonate, or blends thereof, and ABS/Nylon blend. In the event plastic is the selected fabrication material, the housing 130 may be fabricated utilizing a common molding process such as injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, or other molding and fabricating methods.
A pair of foot straps 102 is coupled superjacent the sloped wall 139 of housing 130, proximate the top wall 137 thereof.
The adjustable resistance 140 comprises a resistance mechanism 141 or load being selectively adjusted via a controller 150 in accordance to user's preference, the resistance mechanism 141 comprises a variable friction mechanism 142 or system, such as including, but not limited to, a variable belt assembly, a variable flywheel assembly, a variable pulley assembly 143, a magnetic torque induction assembly, and other suitable resistance mechanisms imparting variable friction functionality. The variable pulley assembly 143 comprises a retractable cable 160 and at least one pulley P-A for directing the cable 160. Preferably, the pulley assembly 143 comprises a retractable cable 160 and a plurality of pulleys P-A through P-B for directing the cable 160. The plurality of pulleys P-A through P-B comprises an upper support pulley P-A and an adjusting pulley P-B (to be described later in greater detail). Other suitable linking systems known in the field are envisioned, such as a belt(s), band(s), chain(s), rope(s), tie rod(s), or arm(s), and as such, are within the spirit and scope of the present application. The cable 160 comprises a first terminus and a second terminus, wherein the first terminus and the second terminus are in mutual opposition. A handle 170, or a pair of hand grips or handles, is detachably coupled to the first terminus of the cable 160.
The housing 130 may further comprise a plurality of casters 1110 or wheels. A brake device (not shown) may be provided for locking the casters 1110 or wheels. The brake device may be an incurvate handle threadedly engaging lateral ends of axle members of the casters 1110 or wheels, respectively. The casters 1110 or wheels may be unlocked to enable mobilization of the housing 130 when it is desirable to utilize the housing 130 and the applied force of user's feet against the housing 130 as an alternative method of resistance or load being alternative the pulley assembly 143.
In accordance to an alternate embodiment depicted in
Referring now more particularly to
Thus, in accordance to one embodiment, the cable 160 extends forwardly from the handle 170 in a generally horizontal course and engages pulley P-A (or is otherwise routed over pulley P-A) from which cable 160 extends downwardly in a sloped course and engages pulley P-B from which cable 160 extends rearwardly in a generally horizontal course and terminates at a retractor device 190.
In accordance to another embodiment as best depicted in
In accordance to one embodiment, the retractor device 190 comprises a reel 192 to which the second terminus end of cable 160 is securely mounted, and wherein cable 160 being wound about the reel 192. The reel 192 is pivotally secured to a reel mounting bracket 194, wherein reel mounting bracket 194 is secured superjacent the upper surface of the bottom wall 138, distal to feeder pulley mounting bracket 147 (or pulley P-C). The reel 192 is disposed with a retractor spring (not shown) allowing for responsive co-action by the cable 160 with the reel 192 when it is desired to extend or retract the cable 160 by pulling on or releasing it. Being mounted to the reel 192, the cable 160 is retractable and extendable therefrom. In a resting position, the cable 160, via the retractor spring of reel 192, is under biased tension, thereby urging cable 160 to retract and wind about the reel 192.
The adjustable resistance 140 further comprises a tension adjustment device 150, wherein the device 150 comprises a controller 152 and the adjusting pulley P-B. The adjusting pulley P-B is pivotally secured atop an upper surface of the bottom wall 138 in a parallel orientation with respect to the bottom wall 138, and perpendicular with respect to upper support pulley P-A.
In accordance to one embodiment, the adjusting pulley PB is pivotally secured spatially above a lower main plate 148 via a pin 180, the lower main plate 148 is mounted atop the upper surface of the bottom wall 138, and pin 180 is securely mounted superjacent the lower main plate 148.
The controller 152 is in the form of tension dial 153 having a tension adjustment rod 154 mounted subjacent thereto in a vertical orientation. The tension dial 153 is rotatable with respect to the top wall 137 of housing 130. The tension adjustment rod 154 has a threaded section proximate an upper end thereof for threadedly engaging a threaded opening defined through the top wall 137 and a rod support plate 154a mounted flush against the lower surface of top wall 137. A lower end of tension adjustment rod 154 is centrally mounted superjacent a compression element 155. The tension adjustment rod 154 is configured for axial movement in response to rotation of the tension dial 153. A bottom of the compression element 155 is fixedly coupled superjacent a tension pad 157 having an intermediate elevated section, wherein the tension pad 157 is mounted to the lower main plate 148. The compression element 155 includes a centric receiving cavity 156 in the bottom thereof for receiving an upper section of the pin 180, the pin 180 being mounted superjacent the lower main plate 148, as previously described. The adjusting pulley P-B is positioned between two elastomeric friction disks 158 (an upper friction disk and a lower friction disk). A bottom disk 159 may be fixedly secured atop the lower main plate, the bottom disk 159 circumventing the lower end of the pin 180. In a corresponsive manner, rotation of the tension dial 153 in opposite directions varies the compression applied by the friction disks 158 against the adjusting pulley P-B, thereby increasing and decreasing the force required to pull and extend the cable 160 from the reel 192 of the retractor device 190. Thus, the controller 150 is adapted and configured for controllably-adjusting tension of the resistance mechanism 141 in accordance to user preference.
It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and/or illustrated in drawings. Rather, the description and/or the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are not limited to any particular embodiment or a preferred embodiment disclosed and/or identified in the specification. Any drawing figures that may be provided are for illustrative purposes only, and merely provide practical examples of the invention disclosed herein. Therefore, any drawing figures provided should not be viewed as restricting the scope of the claims to what is depicted.
The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, including various combinations and subcombinations of the features described above but that may not have been explicitly disclosed in specific combinations and subcombinations.
Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the embodiments and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.
