Patent Application
20250195948
The present disclosure relates to exercise apparatuses for leg strengthening and in non-limiting embodiments for performance of hamstring curl exercises, including but not limited to Nordic hamstring curl exercises.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,786,705 is incorporated herein by reference and discloses an exercise machine for leg strengthening, the exercise machine comprising a stationary frame; and a thigh support member and an ankle support member coupled to the frame and configured to support a user's thigh and ankle, respectively, during a hamstring curl exercise motion. The thigh support member and the ankle support member are each movable with respect to the stationary frame during the hamstring curl exercise motion, thus facilitating contraction and extension of both of a hamstring and glute of the user during the hamstring curl exercise motion.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts which are further described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting scope of the claimed subject matter.
In non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, an exercise apparatus is for leg strengthening. The exercise apparatus comprises a frame longitudinally extending from a front to a rear, vertically extending from a top to a bottom, and laterally extending from a first side to a second side, a knee support configured to support a knee of a user relative to the frame, and a leg brace configured to brace a lower leg of the user relative to the frame. A linkage assembly is configured to facilitate performance of a hamstring curl exercise motion in which a chest of the user is lowered and then raised relative to the frame. The linkage assembly comprises a driver arm pivotably coupled to the frame and configured to support the chest of the user, a loaded arm pivotably coupled to the frame above the driver arm, the loaded arm providing or supporting a load, and a connecting arm pivotably coupling the driver arm to the loaded arm so that lowering of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is resisted by the load and so that raising of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is assisted by the load.
In independent embodiments, the driver arm may be coupled to the frame along a driver arm pivot axis and the loaded arm may be coupled to the frame along a loaded arm pivot axis located above the driver arm pivot axis.
In independent embodiments, the loaded arm pivot axis may be located rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the connecting arm may be coupled to the driver arm and the loaded arm rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis.
In independent embodiments, the connecting arm may be coupled to the driver arm along a lower connecting arm pivot axis located rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis, and the connecting arm may be coupled to the loaded arm along an upper connecting arm pivot axis located rearwardly of the loaded arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the loaded arm may comprise an elongated member and a standoff extending upwardly from the elongated member, the upper connecting arm pivot axis extending through the standoff.
In independent embodiments, the driver arm may comprise a front portion extending forwardly of the driver arm pivot axis and may be configured to support the chest of the user and a rear portion extending rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis and coupled to the loaded arm via the connecting arm. In independent embodiments, the connecting arm may comprise a lower portion coupled to the rear portion of the driver arm and an upper portion coupled to the loaded arm. In independent embodiments, the loaded arm may comprise a forward portion which is pivotably coupled to the frame and a rearward portion providing or supporting the load, wherein the connecting arm is coupled to the loaded arm between the forward portion and the rearward portion of the loaded arm. In independent embodiments, the exercise apparatus may comprise a standoff extending upwardly from the connecting arm, the connecting arm being coupled to the loaded arm via the standoff.
In independent embodiments, the driver arm pivot axis may be located longitudinally in line with the knee support relative to the frame. In independent embodiments, the driver arm pivot axis may be located vertically in-line with the knee support relative to the frame.
In independent embodiments, the knee support may be configured to register the knee of the user longitudinally in line with the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the knee support may be configured to register the knee of the user vertically in-line with the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the knee support may comprise a groove configured to register the knee on the knee support in line with the driver arm pivot axis.
In independent embodiments, the exercise apparatus may comprise an end stop configured to prevent further lowering of the chest of the user past an end position relative to the frame. In independent embodiments, the end stop may comprise a bumper which is engaged by the driver arm when the chest of the user is lowered to the end position. In independent embodiments, the end stop may be located relative to the driver arm so that the end stop is visible to the user as the chest of the user is lowered to the end position.
In independent embodiments, the exercise apparatus may comprise a chest pad for engaging the chest of the user, the chest pad being supported on the driver arm by an adjustment mechanism that facilitates adjustment of a position of the chest pad relative to the driver arm to accommodate use of the exercise apparatus by different users of different body sizes.
In independent embodiments, the leg brace may be repositionable relative to the frame to accommodate use of the exercise apparatus by different users having different body sizes. In independent embodiments, the leg brace may be coupled to the frame by a weldment which is configured to be secured to the frame in a first orientation accommodating a first body size of the user and a second orientation accommodating a different, second body size of a different user.
In non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, an exercise apparatus is for leg strengthening. The exercise apparatus comprises a frame longitudinally extending from a front to a rear, vertically extending from a top to a bottom, and laterally extending from a first side to a second side, a knee support configured to support a knee of a user relative to the frame, and a leg brace configured to brace a lower leg of the user relative to the frame. A linkage assembly is configured to facilitate performance of a hamstring curl exercise motion in which a chest of the user is lowered to a lowest position and then raised again relative to the frame. The linkage assembly is configured such that in the lowest position a resulting force applied to the chest of the user corresponds to a ratio of a resistance load provided by the linkage assembly to the resulting force. The linkage assembly comprises a driver arm pivotably coupled to the frame and configured to support the chest of the user and a loaded arm pivotably coupled to the frame above the driver arm. The loaded arm provides or supports a load and being coupled to the driver arm so that lowering of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is resisted by the load and so that raising of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is assisted by the load.
In independent embodiments, the driver arm may be coupled to the frame along a driver arm pivot axis and the loaded arm may be coupled to the frame along a loaded arm pivot axis located above the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the loaded arm pivot axis may be located rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis.
In independent embodiments, the exercise apparatus may comprise a connecting arm pivotably coupling the driver arm to the loaded arm so that lowering of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is resisted by the load and so that raising of the chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is assisted by the load. In independent embodiments, said driver arm may be coupled to the frame along a driver arm pivot axis and said connecting arm may be coupled to the driver arm and the loaded arm rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, said driver arm may be coupled to the frame along a driver arm pivot axis, said connecting arm may be coupled to the driver arm along a lower connecting arm pivot axis located rearwardly of the driver arm pivot axis, and said connecting arm may be coupled to the loaded arm along an upper connecting arm pivot axis located rearwardly of the loaded arm pivot axis.
In independent embodiments, said loaded arm may be coupled to the frame along a loaded arm pivot axis and said knee support may be configured to register the knee of the user longitudinally in line with the driver arm pivot axis. In independent embodiments, the knee support may be configured to register the knee of the user at least one of vertically in-line with the driver arm pivot axis and horizontally in-line with the driver arm pivot axis.
In independent embodiments, the exercise apparatus may comprise an end stop configured to prevent further lowering of the chest of the user past an end position relative to the frame.
In independent embodiments, said ratio of the resistance load provided by the linkage assembly to the resulting force may be at least fifty percent. In independent embodiments, said ratio of the resistance load provided by the linkage assembly to the resulting force may be at least eighty percent. In independent embodiments, said resulting force applied to the chest of the user may be substantially equal to the resistance load provided by the linkage assembly.
Embodiments are described with reference to the following drawing figures. The same numbers are used throughout to reference like features and components.
As used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, discussion of particular directions is provided by example only, with regard to particular embodiments or relevant illustrations. For example, discussion of “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and “longitudinal” features is generally intended as a description only of the orientation of such features relative to a reference frame of a particular example or illustration. Correspondingly, for example, a “top” feature may sometimes be disposed below a “bottom” feature (and so on), in some arrangements or embodiments.
During research and development, the present inventors determined that prior art exercise machines, for example conventional inverse leg curl machines and/or other exercise machines for performing hamstring curl exercise motions, including but not limited to Nordic hamstring curl exercises, are configured for athletic training facilities where a coach or trainer is available to help the user adjust the machine. Due to the abundant adjustability options, the inventors determined that said machines are often not user-friendly to the typical person who does not use a professional athletic facility.
During research and development, the present inventors further determined that prior art inverse leg curl machines often include a direct coupling between a driver arm acted on by the user and a load-bearing arm that supports weights, which results in a user needing to place a relatively large number of weight plates on the load bearing arm. Requiring a large number of weight plates for an exercise machine is time-consuming for the user and resource intensive for the facility. Furthermore, the inventors determined that, when the user is relatively inexperienced with an exercise machine and does not have trainer assistance, the user may misjudge the correct number of weights for the exercise. For this reason, the present inventors determined that more time is consumed as the user adds/removes more weighted plates to determine the correct counterbalance and a level of risk is imposed on the user as loading an insufficient counterbalance can lead to rapid eccentric contraction, muscle injury, and/or falling.
The present inventors thus have realized a need in the art to provide an improved exercise machine that advantageously reduces the amount of weight required to perform a hamstring curl exercise motion, provides intuitive supports and/or braces to assist a user in properly positioning themselves on the machine without assistance, and that prevents over rotation of moving components of the machine that may lead to injury. The present disclosure is a result of these efforts.
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiments, the linkage assembly 100 is configured as a bar linkage that includes a driver arm 104, a loaded arm 106, and a connecting arm 108 that operatively links the driver arm 104 to the loaded arm 106. The driver arm 104 is pivotably coupled to the frame 22 and configured to support the chest of the user during performance of the exercise motion. The loaded arm 106 is pivotably coupled to the frame 22 above the driver arm 104 and is configured to provide and/or support a load. The connecting arm 108 pivotably couples the driver arm 104 to the loaded arm 106 so that the load resists lowering of the user's chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion and assists raising of the user's chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion. Connecting the driver arm 104 to the loaded arm 106 via at least one connecting arm 108 enables a pivot axis 116 of the loaded arm 106 on the frame 22 to be offset (e.g., vertically offset, longitudinally offset, etc.) from a pivot axis 114 of the driver arm 104 on the frame 22. This enables the loaded arm 106 to be longer than load-bearing arms of the prior art. As a result, fewer weight plates can be mounted on the loaded arm 106 to provide a sufficient counterbalance load for the exercise apparatus 20.
Referring to
The driver arm 104 includes a chest support 134 at the front end 129 thereof which is configured to support the chest of the user and be acted on by the user (via the user's chest) during the performance of the exercise motion (see, e.g.,
With continued reference to
At the rear end 159 of the elongated member 154, the loaded arm 106 includes at least one of a preload weight 162 and a weight horn 164 (
As previously mentioned, the linkage assembly 100 includes a connecting arm 108 that operatively couples the driver arm 104 to the loaded arm 106. In particular, the illustrated connecting arm 108 is pivotably coupled to the driver arm 104 and to the loaded arm 106 so that lowering of the user's chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is resisted by the load(s) on the loaded arm 106, and so that raising of the user's chest during the hamstring curl exercise motion is assisted by said load(s).
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiments, the upper connecting arm pivot axis 120 extends through the standoff 160 on the loaded arm 106. The standoff 160 extends upwardly from the elongated member 154 of the loaded arm 106 such that the upper connecting arm pivot axis 120 is spaced apart from the loaded arm 106. Advantageously, the connection of the connecting arm 108 and the loaded arm 106 via the standoff 160 prevents the linkage assembly 100 from binding during the exercise motion, thereby reducing undesirable jerking and uneven changes in the force applied to the user's chest during the exercise motion. In the illustrated embodiments, the standoff 160 is oriented substantially perpendicular or normal to the elongated member 154 of the loaded arm 106. However, in other embodiments, the standoff 160 can extend from the elongated member 154 of the loaded arm 106 at an angle such as 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, etc.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the inventors determined that the resulting force F1 applied to the chest of the user due to the resistance load F2 is a function of the line of action L1 between the chest support 134 and the driver arm pivot axis 114; a line of action L2 between the driver arm pivot axis 114 and the lower connecting arm pivot axis 118; a line of action L3 between the upper connecting arm pivot axis 120 and the loaded arm pivot axis 118; and a line of action L4 between the loaded arm pivot axis 116 and a center of gravity of the load(s) supported on or provided by the loaded arm 106. Thus, the resulting force F1 may be calculated using the equation F1=F2(L4/L3)/(L1/L2), and the ratio (R1) of the resulting force F1 to the resistance load F2 is calculatable using R1=(L4/L3)/(L1/L2).
Advantageously, the exercise apparatus 20 may be configured to achieve a desired ratio of the resistance load F2 and the resulting force F1 applied to the user by the linkage assembly 100 by dimensioning the driver arm 104, the loaded arm 106, and/or the connecting arm 108 and/or positioning their respective pivot axes 114, 116, 118, 120 on the frame based on a calculation of the ratio R1. In the illustrated embodiment of
Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of the exercise apparatus 20 may be configured to provide a different ratio R1 between the resistance load F2 and the resulting force F1. In some embodiments, the exercise apparatus 20 may be configured to provide a ratio R1 of the resistance load F2 to the resulting force F1 that is less than 1:1. For example, an exercise apparatus 20 may be configured such that the ratio R1 of the resistance load F2 to the resulting force F1 is approximately 0.80 in the lowest position of the linkage assembly 100 (i.e., such that the resulting force F1 is approximately 80% of the resistance load F2). This may be useful, for example, so that a user can adjust the desired resulting force F1 with more granularity with a standard set of weight plates. Additionally or alternatively, the exercise apparatus 20 may be configured to provide a ratio R1 that is more than 4:5 (i.e., R1>0.8) or less than 4:5 (i.e., R1<0.8). In some embodiments, the value of the ratio R1 may be equal to or between 0.5 and 1.0, e.g., 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 0.1, and any other ratio between the enumerated ratios. Further still, some embodiments of the exercise apparatus 20 may be configured to provide a ratio R1 that is less than 1:2 (i.e., R1<0.5).
As previously mentioned, the exercise apparatus 20 includes a knee support 170 and a leg brace 180 that are positioned on the frame and configured to support and brace a user in the proper position relative to the frame 22 and the linkage assembly 100 for the user to perform a hamstring curl exercise motion.
Referring to
With continued reference to
Referring to
When the user begins the hamstring curl exercise motion, the linkage assembly 100 is in raised position (
To prevent the linkage assembly 100 from moving past the desired end position illustrated in
In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.
