Patent Application
20240342550
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
This invention relates to fitness and strength training and exercise equipment for same.
Exercise improves cardiovascular fitness and personal strength. Cardiovascular fitness is improved by a number of techniques, most of which involve elevating the heart rate above resting conditions. Strength fitness is generally improved by lifting weights or pulling weights in such a way to exert energy more than normally performed in day-to-day activities. Individuals and teams often work together to improve their cardiovascular fitness through various exercises and equipment.
There are a variety of solutions for improving cardiovascular fitness. For example, it is not uncommon for individuals to run or ride bicycles. Sometimes, it is desired to remain in a fixed location because of the weather or other needs. There are treadmills, ellipticals, as well as stationary bicycles for this purpose. These devices fall short for a variety of reasons. For example, the Pelaton® brand has become extremely popular in recent years with televised screens and courses for users. However, the equipment falls short when it comes to adding in strength fitness because the television screens and equipment require users to dismount from the bike or treadmill.
There are a variety of solutions for strength fitness which often involve dumbbells and machines. The problems with dumbbells, barbells and other free weights is that momentum often reduces the effectiveness of the strength training. Machines are very cumbersome and take up lots of space and present additional safety hazards.
The present invention is superior to other known devices because it addresses these solutions. The present invention takes up relatively little space when compared to other machines. It allows users to remain on part of the device while performing strength routines. It also provides for a large quantity of potential exercises with relatively minimal equipment.
The invention is a device for improving cardiovascular and strength fitness.
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a floor assembly, an upright assembly, and a suspended beam. In this particular embodiment, the floor assembly comprises four horizontal beams that are capable of accommodating a stationary bike, and the floor assembly, the upright assembly, as well as the suspended beam have hooks or loops along their surfaces. The embodiment described in this summary also has two footrests, a back support plate, and a pullup bar attached to the floor assembly, the upright assembly, as well as the suspended beam, respectively. The device in this embodiment further comprises a cable or bungee that is removably attachable to each of the hooks or loops.
For an improved understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures:
The present invention is a device used for improving cardiovascular and strength fitness by combining a bicycle with a multi-beam assembly and multi-hook assembly with cable bands. As discussed in greater detail below, at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises four floor beams, two of which are connected to two upright beams and a suspended beam that is connected to the two upright beams. In this embodiment, each of the beams comprises at least one hook or loop. And the embodiment further comprises at least one cable that is removably attachable to the hooks. Certain embodiments further comprise mechanisms for allowing the floor beams to adjust relative to one another. Certain embodiments further comprise means for the hooks to adjust relative to the beams. Other features comprised in certain embodiments are discussed below.
The device shown here also includes foot rest arms 40a, 40b that attach to the fourth floor beam 36. On the end of the foot rest arms 40a, 40b, opposite where they attach to the fourth floor beam 36, are foot rest plates 42a, 42b. When a user desires to use the device for exercises other than cycling, the user may prefer to place his/her feet on one or both of the foot rest plates 42a, 42b. The user can perform more strenuous exercises than if his/her feet remain connected to the pedals (which may continue to rotate). Similarly, a user may prefer to position one foot on a foot rest plate 42a, 42b while maintaining contact with one pedal. Some cycling exercises and drills call for the athlete to pedal with one foot and not the other. Having a foot rest for the non-pedaling foot is beneficial for this purpose. Typically, athletes let their non-pedaling simply dangle. A risk of this approach is that the non-pedaling bumps into the drive train or the wheel(s)/flywheel.
The device shown here also includes a plurality of loops 44 positioned along each of the first floor beam 30 and the second floor beam 32. A user can run a cable band or other object through one or more of the loops to perform additional exercised while sitting on the stationary bike. Such exercises include lateral raises, chest presses, military presses, bicep curls, etc.
In this embodiment, the upright assembly 24 comprises a first upright beam 50 and a second upright beam 52. A back plate 54 attaches to the first upright beam 50 by way of a back plate arm 56. A user could position his/her back along the back plate 54. This position will provide the user stability when performing certain exercises, such as chest presses.
The device shown here also includes a plurality of loops 44 positioned along each of the first upright beam 50 and the second upright beam 52.
In this embodiment, the suspended beam assembly 26 comprises a suspended beam 60. The suspended beam 60 has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the suspended beam 60 contacts the first upright beam 50. The distal end of the suspended beam 60 contacts the second upright beam 52. The suspended beam assembly also comprises suspended beam braces 62 that contact the first upright beam 50 or the second upright beam 52 and the suspended beam 60. The suspended beam braces also provide additional stability and structural integrity. The user's exercise activities place strain on the device. The suspended beam braces will reduce, if not eliminate, torsion on the device.
The device shown here also includes a pull-up bar 64, which is attached to the suspended beam 60. A user can perform pull-ups and chin-ups while using the device. In this embodiment, the pull-up bar 64 is positioned perpendicularly to the suspended beam 60. A user would perform pull-ups or chin-ups while oriented in the same position as the cycling position.
The device shown here also includes a plurality of loops 44 positioned along the suspended beam 60.
In certain alternative embodiments, the invention will include a stationary bike. In further alternative embodiments, the invention will include a stationary device other than a bike, such as a treadmill, a rowing machine, an elliptical machine.
In an alternative embodiment, the device comprises a bike, a first floor beam, a second floor beam and a third floor beam. It further shows a vertical beam connected to the third floor beam. A suspended beam connects to the vertical beam. The first floor beam and second floor beam are parallel to one another and not connected. The first floor beam and second floor beam each connect to the third floor beam. In certain sub-embodiments, the first floor beam and second floor beam are adjustably connected to the third floor beam. In those embodiments where the first floor beam and second floor beam adjust relative to the third floor beam, a user can engage different muscles and perform different exercises as the angles of the cable bands, as discussed below, adjust relative to the user.
In this particular embodiment, the device comprises hooks attached to the first and second floor beams, as well as two hooks attach to the vertical beam. It is contemplated that each beam comprises at least one hook if not more.
In the same alternative embodiment, a cable connects to the one or more hooks and is adjustably removable. A user can pull on the cable system to perform strength exercises. The user engages different muscles as they perform different exercises by adjusting the cable position on different hooks on the device. In certain embodiments, the user might use multiple resistance bands/cables. For example, the user might choose to connect one cable to the first floor beam and a second cable to the second floor beam. In certain embodiments, there may be mechanisms for the hooks to adjust along the length of the one or more beams. In certain sub-embodiments, the bike is adjustable relative to the several beams.
In certain alternative embodiments, additional upright beams could be connected to the floor beam assembly. Loops (or other exercise accessories) could be positioned along the additional upright beams to give the user additional angles of exercise.
In certain embodiments, an i-Pad® or other screen or device is attached to the bike or another pare of the device. The i-Pad® is ideally water resistant so that one could sweat without damaging the electronics. It is further anticipated that such an i-Pad would have Bluetooth capabilities in certain embodiments.
In certain embodiments of this invention, one or more of the components are removable (e.g., the foot plates; the back plate; the pull-up bar).
In alternative embodiments, the pull-up bar 64 is positioned parallel (i.e., directly underneath) to the suspended beam 60. A user would perform pull-ups or chin-ups while oriented 90 degrees from the cycling position. Stated differently, the user would need to rotate his/her body from the cycling position. In further alternative embodiments, the device will not comprise a pull-up bar. Instead, the suspended beam 60 would have one or more grips (e.g., rubber, foam, etc.) that a user could grab to perform pull-ups and chin-ups. In such an embodiment, the user would need to rotate his/her body from the cycling position to perform the pull-ups or chin-ups.
In some embodiments, the device may include pegs for placing weighted places on the floor assembly. Doing so will weigh down the device and reduce movement of the device. Alternatively, but in the same spirit, the device may comprise weighted blocks that rest on or around part of the floor assembly. Such a weighted block could be a weighted object (e.g., a cube, rectangular prism, etc.) with an indentation/recess/cutout on one side of sufficient size that the weighted block rests partially on the floor but part of the floor assembly (e.g., the first floor beam) passes through the indentation/recess/cutout. The block could be made of lead or other dense material.
A user could further stabilize the device by running resistance bands, ropes, cables or similar objects through the loops/hooks and securing them to a wall or other structure.
This application discusses hooks and loops. The terms hooks and loops are used interchangeably. In some embodiments, the hooks and loops may be closed, open, or a combination of both. Closed hooks and loops are slightly more difficult to pass a cable through but decrease the likelihood of a cable slipping out of position while in use.
In some embodiments, the hooks/loops are adjustable. In such embodiments, the hooks/loops may be adjustable along the length of the beam on which the hook/loop is positioned. Similarly, the hooks/loops may be adjustable rotationally around the beam on which the hook/loop is positioned (e.g., pivot). Similarly, the hooks/loops may be adjustable toward or away from the beam on which the hook/loop is positioned. In other embodiments, some or all of the hooks/loops are fixed in position and not adjustable. In further embodiments, the hooks/loops are removable.
In some embodiments, a user may exercise with the device and there is no bike, treadmill, or similar machine positioned “inside” of the device.
In some embodiments the footrest plates and/or foot rest arms are adjustable. In other embodiments the footrest plates and/or foot rest arms are fixed in position. In embodiments, where the footrest plates and/or footrest arms are adjustable, they may be adjustable in multiple axis, including multiple rotational axis, as well as multiple translational axis.
In some embodiments, the footrests comprise straps for securing the user's shoes/feet in place. Similarly, some embodiments might substitute clipless pedals in lieu of flat plates. Clipless pedals would be especially for users who use a stationary bike with clipless pedals. Clipless pedals would help such users keep their feet in place.
In some embodiments the back plate is adjustable. In other embodiments the back plate is fixed in position. In some embodiments, where the back plate is adjustable, it may be adjustable in multiple axis, including multiple rotational axis, as well as multiple translational axis.
In some embodiments, the back plate may include a pad or cushion.
In alternative embodiments, the device could comprise a pulley system and weight stacks such that a user could lift weights in a machine style while sitting on the stationary bike or similar device.
The present invention is described above in terms of preferred illustrative embodiments in which a specifically described device is described. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative constructions of such an apparatus, system, and method can be used in carrying out the present invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.
