Patent Application
20190083845
Health and fitness have become an integral part of society, with ongoing concerns about medical issues, disease, body image, and overall quality of life. Consequently, the importance of daily exercise has been clearly recognized for many different reasons.
One type of well recognized exercise is the squat, where a user will bend their knees and move in a “sitting” motion, while maintaining their upper body in a substantially vertical orientation. In some instances, the user will carry or support weights to increase the work done by the leg muscles. In many cases however, squats can be harmful and dangerous, creating undue stress and strain on the users lower back, knees and other joints. This stress is most prominent at the lower portion of the squat exercise.
To assist users in carrying out an effective and efficient “squat”, while also avoiding undue strain on the knees, joints and lower back, an exercise devise is provided which will assist in the lower/bottom portions of this exercise. The exercise device includes a seat mechanism, which is coupled to a spring loaded housing and base. With the base supported on a floor (or similar supporting surface), the housing and base are configured to operate in a manner which will provide support during the downward motion of a squat, and guidance during the subsequent upward motion. The height of the seat mechanism is adjustable, and the resistance/spring force provided is adjustable, thus allowing a user to configure the device so a “custom fit” can be provided.
While carrying out the desired squat exercise, a user will first place the exercise device on a floor or supporting surface, in an area that is free from clutter and obstructions. With their back facing the exercise device, the user will squat downward until their buttocks contacts a seat structure, or supporting platform, of the seat mechanism. At this point, the body weight of the user will force the seat and housing downward, acting against the natural force of an internal spring. As the user lowers their body, the force of the spring will become greater, thus creating additional resistance. This spring force will also provide assistance to the user as they begin moving their body upward. When properly adjusted, this will help to reduce undue stress and strain created during the squat exercise, while also providing enough range of free motion so the user can benefit from the exercise involved.
Further objects and advantages of the present exercise device will be apparent from reading the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Outlined below are details of one embodiment of an exercise device 10 which will assist users while doing “squat” exercises. While various embodiments of exercise device 10 are illustrated throughout the figures and discussed in detail, it will be recognized and appreciated that several alternatives are possible.
As a starting point,
In order to provide the necessary range of motion, and the forces desired, housing 30 of exercise device 10 is slidably coupled to upright extension 22. Both housing 30 and upright extension 22 are elongated structures, with a central axis which is generally aligned. As illustrated, both housing 30 and upright extension 22 both have particular indents 26, 36 along an edge portion, which provide mating and alignment features while also allowing for the desired movement. As better illustrated in
At a top end of housing 30, an adjustment device 50 is operably coupled thereto. As illustrated, adjustment device 50 includes a knob 52 which can be accessed and operated by a user. As will be further discussed below, the rotation of adjustment knob 52 will adjust internal resistance of the exercise device, thus allowing a user to modify the forces provided during squat exercises. As better illustrated in
In addition, a seat member 80 is also coupled to an upper portion of housing 30. Seat member 80 includes a seat or support platform 82 and a downwardly extending post 84. In this particular embodiment, post 84 is coupled to adjustment device 50. Post 84 includes threads 86 which accommodate or support the adjustment of seat height to better meet the needs of a particular user.
Referring now to
As previously mentioned, housing 30 has an adjustment device 50 attached thereto. adjustment device 50 includes knob 52 and a threaded cylindrical portion 54. As better illustrated in
Coupled to threaded cylindrical portion 54 is a slider 70 which is utilized to support a second end of spring 90. More specifically, slider 70 has internal threads 72 which cooperate with outer threaded surface 56 of adjustment device 50. When knob 52 is rotated, slider 70 will move up and down threaded cylindrical portion 54. As will be appreciated, this movement will adjust the tension or bias of spring 90, thus modifying the resistance provided. Although not shown in
As mentioned above,
As suggested above, slider 70 is movable in relation to adjustment device 50. Referring to
As also suggested above, the threaded cylindrical portion of adjustment device 50 includes an inner threaded surface 58. In this particular embodiment, inner threaded surface 58 is operationally coupled with a threaded surface on post 84, thus allowing adjustment of the seat height.
Turning now to
In addition, to prevent the undesired rotation of knob 54 (and entire adjustment device 50), a spring loaded ball 66 has been incorporated into housing 30. Spring loaded ball 66 is positioned to interact with an outer surface 67 of ridge 60. Although not specifically illustrated, it is contemplated that outer surface 67 of ridge 60 will have a number of grooves or notches, which will provide a small amount or resistance and will prevent knob from rotating inadvertently. As discussed above, while adjusting the height of seat 80, post 84 will be rotated. Internal surface resistance could also cause adjustment device 50 to be rotated during this adjustment process. The use of spring loaded ball 66 will prevent this from happening.
In the embodiment illustrated and discussed above, exercise device is provided having adjustable height, adjustable resistance characteristics, and functionality to assist users in carrying out squat exercises. In addition, the angle of upright extension 22 is specifically configured to provide the most efficient support and assistance while a user is carrying out the contemplated squat exercises.
Various embodiments of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustrating the details thereof and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The details and features of the disclosed embodiment are not intended to be limiting, as many variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include all variations and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
