Exercise Apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus having a first and a second guide rails. The exercise apparatus further has a first and a second handle, the first handle being mounted on the first guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the first guide rail while the second handle is mounted on the second guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the second guide rail. The exercise apparatus further has a first transverse support system on which the first and second guide rails are movably mounted so that each of the first and second guide rails are movable over the first transverse support system along a first axis toward, and a second transverse support system on which the first transverse support system is movably mounted and configured to be moveable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an exercise apparatus, and more particularly, it relates to a weight-lifting apparatus that simulates dumbbell exercises.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Fitness is increasingly popular among people of all ages and professions. The common approach for an exerciser who wishes to develop his physique is to practice strength training exercises that develop muscle strength, hypertrophy and endurance.

Free-weight versions of these exercises may involve dumbbells and barbells which pose a certain degree of danger to beginner and veteran exercisers. For example, when performing an exercise (e.g., a bench press, an overhead shoulder press, etc.), the exerciser is required to lift the dumbbell/barbell above his head or chest. In the case of failure to properly complete the exercise, the dumbbell/barbell may pose serious threat to the exerciser.

Several conventional barbell-simulating machines have attempted to solve these safety issues by adding guide rails to plate-loaded assemblies. However, the adding of the guide rails has led to restricted movements which limit the development of small muscle groups known as stabilizing muscles. Some of such machines have focused on safety associated with barbell use [e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,500,608 and 4,527,797]. In particular, the Smith Machine [e.g., U.S. Patent Publication Application No. 2006/0252615] adds one pair of vertical rails restricting a barbell to two vertical guides and ultimately allowing only linear movements in one direction. The Dual Action Machine [e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,743] adds one more pair of guide rails perpendicular to the vertical guide rails and parallel to the sidetrack, thus allowing a greater variety of exercises, but still limiting movements to two degrees of freedom (e.g., up & down, back & forth).

The dangers of free-weight exercises become more prominent when the exercises are performed with dumbbells rather than barbells. In the past, there have been attempts to design machines that simulate dumbbell exercises. However, the achievement of exerciser safety still led to restricted freedoms of movement. The Exercise Apparatus Providing Simulated Free Weight Exercises and Compact Stowage [e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,459] uses cables that transmit the weight stack resistance; thus, allowing for greater degrees of freedom. However, it requires the entire weight stack to move accordingly during the exercise. The inertia of the entire weight stack makes it difficult to horizontally move back-and-forth. The Free Weight Training Simulation Apparatus [e.g., U.S. Publication Application No. 2010/0216610] applies two sets of rollers to enable horizontal back-and-forth movement. However, its lever arms, connected to the main frame, have a preset radius and thus restrict the freedom of movement to an arc with fixed radius.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an exercise apparatus comprises first and second guide rails and first and second handles. The first handle is mounted on the first guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the first guide rail. The second handle is mounted on the second guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the second guide rail. The exercise apparatus further comprises a first transverse support system on which the first and second guide rails are movably mounted so that each of the first and second guide rails are movable over the first transverse support system along a first axis toward and away from the other of the first and second guide rails. Additionally, a second transverse support system on which the first transverse support system is movably mounted is configured to be moveable along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

In another aspect, the first and second guide rails include sliding joints that enable the first and second guide rails to move over the first transverse support system.

In another aspect, the first and second guide rails include rollers that enable the first and second guide rails to move over the first transverse support system.

In another aspect, the first and second guide rails are movable independent of each other along first axis and the second axis.

In another aspect, the first transverse support system includes a first and a second horizontal guide rail on which the first guide rail is configured to be moveably mounted, and a third and forth horizontal guide rail on which the second guide rail is configured to be moveably mounted.

In another aspect, the first and second guide rails include at least one hole configured to receive a pin.

In another aspect, the first transverse support system includes sliding joints that enable the first transverse to move over the second transverse support system.

In another aspect, the first transverse support system includes rollers that enable the first transverse to move over the second transverse support system.

In another aspect, the first handle is joined to a first plate hanger and the second handle is joined to a second plate hanger.

In another aspect, a bench is situated in a lower middle plane of the exercise apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1, showing detailed labeling of the components.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of an upper structure of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate exemplary embodiment of the exercise apparatus, according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of an upper structure of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the upper structure of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the upper structure of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the upper structure of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a flat bench press with an exerciser in the starting position.

FIG. 10 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a flat bench press with the exerciser in the ending position.

FIG. 11 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a shoulder press with the exerciser in the starting position.

FIG. 12 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a shoulder press with the exerciser in the ending position.

FIG. 13 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as an incline bench press with the exerciser in the starting position.

FIG. 14 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as an incline bench press with the exerciser in the ending position.

FIG. 15 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a squat lunge with the exerciser in the starting position.

FIG. 16 shows the exercise apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, being utilized as a squat lunge with the exerciser in the ending position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the related appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments are related to an exercise apparatus.

The exercise apparatus according to the present invention enables three degrees of freedom of movement of plate-loaded assemblies for upper and lower-body dumbbell pressing exercises including, but not limited to, flat/incline/decline bench press exercise, dumbbell overhead press exercise, squat lunge exercise, deadlift exercise, all whilst ensuring the safety of an exerciser.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus 100 according to the present invention. The exercise apparatus 100 includes a first base member 1 and a second base member 2. The first base member 1 is joined to a first vertical strut 3 and a second vertical strut 6. The second base member 2 is joined to a third vertical strut 4 and a fourth vertical strut 5. Upper ends of the first vertical strut 3 and the second vertical strut 6 are joined to a first cross strut 7. Similarly, Upper ends of the third vertical strut 4 and the fourth vertical strut 5 are joined to a second cross strut 8. The first cross strut 7 and the second cross strut 8 extend towards a center of the exercise apparatus 100, where they are joined. A first lateral horizontal back-and-forth rail 9 extends between the first vertical strut 3 and the second vertical strut 6. Similarly, a second lateral horizontal back-and-forth rail 10 extends between the third strut 4 and the fourth strut 5.

A first handle 29 and a second handle 30 are slidably mounted on a first guide rail 31 and a second guide rail 32, respectively, thus allowing a vertical movement up and down. Immediately above the first handle 29 is a first plate hanger 27, while a second plate hanger 28 is immediately above the second handle 30. Weight plates (not shown) may be slid onto the plate hangers 27, 28. A bench 50 (optional) may be situated in a lower middle of the exercise apparatus 100. Furthermore, rest plate hangers 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 may be attached to any of the vertical struts 3, 4, 5, 6 to hold a variety of different weight plates. In an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plate hangers 27, 28 may be positioned below the handles 29, 30 or, alternately, the plate hangers 27, 28 and the handles 29, 30 may be on the same horizontal plane. Those skilled in the art would understand that the plate hangers 27, 28 and the handles 29, 30 may be composed of a single body or two joined bodies.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the top of the first guide rail 31 is connected to a first horizontal left-and-right slider 17 and the top of the second guide rail 32 is connected to a second horizontal left-and-right slider 18. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, each of the first and second guide rails 31, 32 and each of the first and second sliders 17, 18 may be formed as a single body or as multiple bodies. The first slider 17 is slidably mounted on a first pair of horizontal left-to-right guide rails 15, 16 and the second slider 18 is slidably mounted on a second pair of horizontal left-to-right guide rails 13, 14; thus, allowing horizontal movement left-and-right of each of the guide rails 31, 32. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a first single horizontal guide rail may be used instead of the first pair of horizontal guide rails 15, 16 and a second single horizontal guide rail may be used instead of the second pair of horizontal guide rails 13, 14.

Those skilled in the art would understand that the shape of the first and second single horizontal guide rails would determine whether the first and second sliders 17, 18 may rotate in addition to sliding. It should be noted that while the first pair of horizontal guide rails 15, 16 and the second pair of horizontal guide rails 13, 14 are is set as being substantially parallel to a horizontal plane, those skilled in the art would understand that circumstances may require for the first pair of horizontal guide rails 15, 16 and the second pair of horizontal guide rails 13, 14 to deviate from the horizontal plane.

The ends of the first pair of guide rails 15, 16 are connected to a first traveling member 11, while the opposite ends of the first pair of guide rails 15, 16 are connected to a second traveling member 20. Similarly, the ends of the second pair of guide rails 13, 14 are connected to a third traveling member 12, while the opposite ends of the second pair of guide rails 13, 14 are connected to a fourth traveling member 19. This forms a first transverse support system.

The first member 11 is slidably mounted on the first lateral rail 9. The second member 20 is slidably mounted on the rail formed by the first cross strut 7. The third member 12 is slidably mounted on the second lateral rail 10. The fourth member 19 is slidably mounted on the rail formed by the second cross strut 8. The first lateral rail 9, the second lateral rail 10, the rail formed by the first cross strut 7, and the rail formed by the second cross strut 8 form a second transverse support system. This allows for independent lateral back-and-forth movement of each of the guide rails 31, 32. Those skilled in the art would understand that alternate configurations may be used to form the second transverse support system.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus 200 according to the present invention. The exercise apparatus 200 utilizes rollers instead of sliding joints. FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of an upper structure of the exercise apparatus 200. A first roller 39 connects the first member 11 to the first lateral rail 9. A second roller 40 connects the third member 12 to the second lateral rail 10. A third roller 33 connects the second member 20 to the rail formed by the first cross strut 7. A fourth roller 34 connects the fourth member 19 to the rail formed by the second cross strut 8. This allows for independent lateral back-and-forth movement of each of the guide rails 31, 32.

A fifth roller 35 and a sixth roller 36 connect the first slider 17 to the first pair of horizontal guide rails 15, 16. A seventh roller 37 and an eighth roller 38 connect the second slider 18 to the second pair of horizontal guide rails 13, 14. This allows for independent horizontal left-and-right movement of each of the guide rails 31, 32. The fifth roller 35 and the sixth roller 36 are situated inside first slider 17, while the seventh roller 37 and the eighth roller 38 are situated inside second slider 18. While FIGS. 4 and 5 show a single roller on each guide rail, those skilled in the art would understand that multiple rollers per guide rail may be used instead.

Referring to FIG. 4, each of the guide rails 31, 32 may have multiple holes 43 spanning a portion of the length of each of the guide rails 31, 32. The holes 43 may be used for inserting a pin (not shown). The pin may prevent the handles 29, 30 from sliding below a predetermined height set by the pin. The holes 43 may be of any shape, including, but not limited to, circular, triangular or rectangular.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the first roller 39 connecting to the first member 11 to the first lateral rail 9. As mentioned above, this allows for independent lateral back-and-forth movement of each of the guide rails 31, 32.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the third roller 33 connecting the second member 20 to the rail formed by the first cross strut 7 and the fourth roller 34 connecting the fourth member 19 to the rail formed by the second cross strut 8. As previously mentioned, this allows for independent lateral back-and-forth movement of each of the guide rails 31, 32.

FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the fifth roller 37 and sixth roller 38 connecting the second horizontal slider 18 to the second pair of horizontal guide rails 13, 14. As previously mentioned, this allows for independent horizontal left-and-right movement of each of the guide rails 31, 32. In addition, a detailed view of the second roller 40 connecting the third member 12 to the second lateral rail 10 is shown.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an exemplary utilization of the exercise apparatus 100 according to the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 9 and 10 demonstrate starting and ending positions of the dumbbell bench press exercise. During a concentric phase (i.e., a pushing phase) of the dumbbell bench pressing exercise, ergonomics require for the exerciser to bring his palms toward a center of the body. This requires the horizontal left-and-right movement of the first handle 29 and the second handle 30. When performing a flat bench press exercise, the exerciser may choose to place a flat bench in the center of the exercise apparatus 100, and load desirable amount of weight plates onto the first plate hanger 27 and the second plate hanger 28. The exerciser may start pushing the dumbbells upward, with the plate assembly sliding along the first and second guide rails 31, 32. Throughout the pressing movement, the first pair of guide rails 13, 14 and the second pair of guide rails 15, 16 will allow the exerciser to bring his palms close together. Meanwhile, each one of the lateral rails 9, 10 and each one of the travelling members 11, 12 add to the freedom of movements, allowing the exerciser to work out the surrounding small muscle groups called stabilizing muscles. The iso-lateral design (i.e., the separation of the left weight load from the right), allows the exerciser to move either arm independently, prompting the exerciser to develop a balanced physique and muscularity.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another exemplary utilization of the exercise apparatus 100 according to the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 11 and 12 demonstrate starting and ending positions of the shoulder press exercise. Similar to the dumbbell bench pressing exercise shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, during a concentric phase of the exercise, ergonomics require that the exerciser bring his palms toward the center of the body. This requires the horizontal left-and-right movement of the first handle 29 and the second handle 30. When performing the shoulder press exercise, the exerciser may choose to place an upright bench in the center of the exercise apparatus 100, and load desirable amount of weight plates onto the plate hangers 27, 28. The exerciser may start pushing the dumbbells upward, with the plate assembly sliding along the first and second guide rails 31, 32. Throughout the pressing movement, the first pair of guide rails 13, 14 and the second pair of guide rails 15, 16 will allow the exerciser to bring his palms closer together. Meanwhile, each one of the rails 9, 10 and each one of the travelling members 11, 12 add to the freedom of movements, allowing the exerciser to work out the stabilizing muscles. Again, the iso-lateral design allows the exerciser to move either arm independently.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show yet another exemplary utilization of the exercise apparatus 200 according to the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 13 and 14 demonstrate the starting and ending positions of the incline bench press exercise. Similar to the dumbbell bench pressing exercise shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, during a concentric phase of the exercise, the exerciser brings his palms toward the center of the body. This requires the horizontal left-and-right movement of the first handle 29 and the second handle 30. When performing the incline bench press, the exerciser may choose to place an incline bench in the center of the exercise apparatus 200, and load desirable amount of weight plates onto the plate hangers 27, 28. The exerciser may start pushing the dumbbells upward, with the plate assembly sliding along the first and second guide rails 31, 32. Throughout the pressing movement, the first pair of guide rails 13, 14 and the second pair of guide rails 15, 16 will allow the exerciser to bring his palms closer together. Meanwhile, each one of the rails 9, 10 and each one of the travelling members 11, 12 add to the freedom of movements, allowing the exerciser to work out the stabilizing muscles. Again, the iso-lateral design allows the exerciser to move either arm independently.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a further exemplary utilization of the exercise apparatus 100 according to the present invention. In particular, FIGS. 15 and 16 demonstrate the starting and ending positions of the squat lunge exercise, which requires back-and-forth movement as the exerciser alternatingly lunges forward on each leg. The first and second lateral guide rails 9, 10 and first and second members 11, 12 allow the exerciser to move in a back-and-forth direction. In contrast to the exercises described above, it is the first pair of guide rails 13, 14 and the second pair of guide rails 15, 16 which add the freedom of movement during the squat lunge exercise, allowing the exerciser to work out the surrounding small muscle groups called stabilizing muscles. As can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, this exercise does not require the optional bench 50; thus, the bench 50 is removed or is not placed prior to the squat lunge exercise.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that an exemplary embodiment achieves a safe simulation of heavy dumbbells exercise with three degrees of freedom of movement can be achieved. This is advantageous over the Smith machine, which offers only one degree of freedom, and the Dual Action Machine, which offers only two degrees of freedom. Further, if an exerciser is having difficulty completing an exercise, the present invention prevents injury to the exerciser because the first guide rail 31 and second guide rail 32 can be adjusted to a suitable length so that weight plate assemblies will stop once they reach the bottom of the guide rails 31, 32. Alternatively, if the pins and the holes 43 along the first guide rail 31 and the second guide rail 32 are utilized, each of the pins will prevent each of the handles 29, 30 from sliding below a predetermined height.

Another one of the advantages of the present invention is the capability to develop smaller muscles groups (i.e., stabilizing muscles) while ensuring safety as described above. The development of the stabilizing muscles is achieved by utilizing the three degrees of freedom of the present invention and permits either arm to exercise independently of the other while preventing each of the handles 29, 30 from sliding below a predetermined height.

Yet another one of the advantages of the present invention is that each one of the rollers 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 may reduce friction and increase the lifespan of the 100/200.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising: first and second guide rails;first and second handles, the first handle mounted on the first guide rail and configured to be moveable longitudinally along the first guide rail, the second handle mounted on the second guide rail and configured to be moveable longitudinally along the second guide rail;a first transverse support system on which the first and second guide rails are movably mounted so that each of the first and second guide rails are movable over the first transverse support system along a first axis toward and away from the other of the first and second guide rails; anda second transverse support system on which the first transverse support system is movably mounted and configured to be moveable along a second axis transverse to the first axis.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second guide rails include sliding joints, the sliding joints configured to enable the first and second guide rails to move over the first transverse support system.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second guide rails include rollers that enable the first and second guide rails to move over the first transverse support system.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second guide rails are movable independent of each other along first axis and the second axis.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transverse support system includes a first and a second horizontal guide rail on which the first guide rail is configured to be moveable mounted, and a third and forth horizontal guide rail on which the second guide rail is configured to be moveable mounted.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second guide rails include at least one hole configured to receive a pin.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transverse support system includes sliding joints that enable the first transverse to move over the second transverse support system.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transverse support system includes rollers that enable the first transverse to move over the second transverse support system.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first handle is joined to a first plate hanger and the second handle is joined to a second plate hanger.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a bench situated in a lower middle plane of the exercise apparatus.

11. An exercise apparatus, comprising: first and second guide vertical rails;first and second handles, the first handle being mounted on the first vertical guide rail and configured to be moveable up and down the first vertical guide rail and the second handle being mounted on the second vertical guide rail and configured to be moveable for movement up and down the second vertical guide rail, the second handle moveable independent of the first handle;a first transverse support system on which the first and second vertical guide rails are mounted and configured to be moveable therealong on a first horizontal axis so that each of the first and second guide rails may move toward and away from the other of the first and second vertical guide rails; anda second transverse support system on which the first transverse support is movably mounted and configured to be moveable along a second horizontal axis perpendicular to the first horizontal axis.

12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second vertical guide rails include sliding joints, the sliding joints configured to enable the first and second guide rails to move over the first transverse support system.

13. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second vertical guide rails include rollers that enable the first and second vertical guide rails to move over the first transverse support system.

14. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first transverse support system includes a first and a second horizontal guide rail on which the first vertical guide rail is configured to be moveable mounted, and a third and forth horizontal guide rail on which the second vertical guide rail is configured to be moveable mounted.

15. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second vertical guide rails include a plurality of holes configured to accommodate a pin.

16. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first transverse support system includes sliding joints that enable the first transverse support system to move over the second transverse support system.

17. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first transverse support system includes rollers that enable the first transverse system to move over the second transverse support system.

18. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first handle is joined to a first plate hanger and the second handle is joined to a second plate hanger.

19. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a bench situated in a lower middle plane of the exercise apparatus.