Patent Application
20190329086
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present inventive subject matter relates to a device, method, and system for a variable exercise machine having a variable linear carriage held within a unitary chassis body and frame.
Portable exercise machines of the existing art have traditionally been designed with individual methods of exercise in mind. In the realm of concentric and eccentric exercises by way of weight machines, such devices have been designed for purchase or use among a commercial market or individual retail market. In the commercial realm, for example private health clubs where machinery is shared by a community of users, it had been preferable for each machine to have limited but defined purpose and design. It is not uncommon in these shared environments to find a variety of machines, each for a specialized method of exercise. The diversity and plurality of exercise options allow users to share equipment interchangeably without monopolizing space for too long. Machines or devices in the commercial context tend to be larger and heavier as well in order to sustain long term and extensive usage by many different people. The interest to sustain extensive long-term heavy usage in the commercial setting directs design towards machinery with heavier gauge and limited configurations.
Few weight machines have been designed with an equivalent durability for the individual retail market. In part, this is due to the fact that product distribution at the individual retail level is affected by product weight and size. Lighter weight designs are preferred simply to enable sales and distribution within the market. Slimness in design is also another preferred feature to accommodate spatial limitations of standard residential homes. The size and weight limitations of personal gym equipment often make them less durable for the desired level of exercise sought by the user. Dimensional and weight restrictions further make it difficult to achieve adjustable configurations among at home exercise machines.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,388,499 and 8,105,206 disclose two variable weight exercise machines containing a carriage moved along a linear path by screw mechanism that is motor driven. These devices are designed primarily for commercial use. They cannot be reconfigured and are limited in modes of exercise. U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,159 discloses a device having a central screw element attached to a motor drive system with parallel support rails for transport of a device along a linear path. Similarly, this device is non-adjustable in its configuration and provides a very slim design that may not safely or effectively endure extensive usage even in a home environment.
There remains a need in the art for a weight machine that can be accessible to a residential market by offer of a lighter weight frame (compared to commercial machines) yet having the stability and durability of a commercial machine, but offering a variety of exercise modes and variable weight challenges all within a single frame system.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
It is to be understood that any exact measurements, dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.
The inventor herein has developed a new form of a variable weight exercise machine comprising a motor driven carriage assembly that moves along a linear path creating a variable resistant force against which the user exerts an opposite force. From the broadest context, the device comprising a unitary chassis body and frame containing a motor driven linear actuator capable of moving between variable locations along its linear path. Said motor driven linear actuator system having a carriage element thereon that is connectable to a plurality of elements that extend beyond the chassis body, interacting with the user. The chassis body and frame having a design that can be modularly configured in coordination with said carriage element, enabling a plurality of horizontal, vertical, or angular concentric or eccentric exercise movements. The material composition of said frame and extension elements of this invention should comprise durable hard material such as metal including without limitations, steel or aluminum, which can withstand the force of the user against the motorized linear actuator.
The motorized linear actuator system as well as the chassis of this invention may be horizontally or vertically positioned and may additionally provide options for extensions connectable to said chassis frame, protruding at any given angle from its base connection to said chassis frame. The preferred embodiment of this invention however provides for a horizontally positioned chassis with options for attachments and extensions to protrude therefrom. The motorized linear actuator system may comprise a motor drive attached to one or more rotating circular belts, each said belt of said one or more rotating circular belts rotatable along the length of said chassis frame, each traveling along a guide track (alternatively referable as a guide channel) along either side of said chassis frame in parallel manner. Said belts in this case is preferably a durable material able to withstand the force exerted thereon, such as metal chain.
Alternatively, said motorized linear actuator system drive system may comprise one or more threaded screw drives, said one or more threaded screw drives held within a guide channel or guide track either centrally along the chassis frame or along either side of said chassis frame. The directional movement of each threaded screw drive (rightward versus leftward rotation) is determined by a motorized drive system. If it is intended for two or more threaded screw drives to rotate in opposing directions, then each said directional movement will require its own separate motor drive connection to control each such movement. Each threaded screw drive is capable of carrying one or more carriage elements for variable linear traversal along the length of said chassis.
Yet another embodiment of the invention comprising a single threaded screw drive centrally positioned along the length of said chassis frame, wherein said threaded screw drive is connected to a carriage thereon which travels along the length of said chassis frame. Said carriage may further be supported on either its right or left sides, or both sides, with rollers that traverse two opposing parallel guide track along the length of said chassis frame.
The carriage element of this device provides a platform that is attachable to either an external platform or alternatively to external tools such as wires, chains, or additional frame elements, all of which are intended to be moved and driven by said drive system and carriage element. The external platform attachable to said carriage element may comprise a seat that carries a user seated thereon. Alternatively, the external platform may comprise a vertical frame extendable from said carriage above said chassis frame such that said vertical frame may be moved to variable locations along the length of said horizontal chassis frame. Said vertical frame extension may comprise a vertically positioned panel or plate having a planar surface (also referable herein as a vertical panel). The user would be seated on a stationary (nonmoving) platform while exerting force against said planar surface of said vertically positioned plate which moves along the length of said chassis frame.
Said carriage element may further provide connection means that allow a length of flexible and durable exercise strap to be attached to said carriage element, the farther portion of said strap looping through or around a leveraging mean (i.e. an eye hook, J hook, cross-bar, etc.) such that when the strap is pulled by said carriage at its first end, said strap is leveraged against said leveraging means and pulls away from the user seated on an external platform (i.e. seat) that is also attached to and above said carriage element. The leveraging means may in fact be positioned at any location along the chassis frame or extensions therefrom to allow for variable angular bodily exercises and movements by pulling against a strap element. Said leveraging means may comprise perforations cut through said chassis frame wherein said straps would loop therethrough. Alternatively, said leveraging means may comprise looping means (i.e. eye hooks or J hooks) that are either permanently attached or removably attachable to any location on said chassis frame or said extensions therefrom. Said leveraging means may also comprise cross-bars that extend from said chassis frame. Said leveraging means importantly must be securely connectable to said chassis frame or extensions therefrom to not dislodge against an exerted force, may have loose straps sleeve therethrough or therearound, and allows for sliding movement of said straps therethrough or therearound. The external tools, external platforms, perforations, and other such leveraging means are removably attachable to said carriage to enable variable exercise options thereon, for ease of storage, and for ease in packaging for improved transport.
A more specific embodiment of the invention provides for a variable load resistant exercise machine that is enabled by a motor-driven linear load transfer system contained within a singular chassis frame and body that is capable of modular configurations. The linear load transfer system comprising a linear actuator such as a threaded screw drive mechanism connected to a motor drive. Said threaded screw drive being centrally disposed within said chassis along its length. Said threaded screw drive further connected to a chassis element that traverses the length of said threaded screw drive in variable manner in terms of speed and locational position. Said carriage element further stabilized on either side by rollers or wheels that traverse along parallel guide tracks along the length of said chassis to its right and left sides. By this invention, the chassis comprise a long horizontal frame that is lower to the ground and provides a wider and lower center of gravity for the user seated thereon. The two parallel guide tracks along the length and sides of the chassis helps to balance and stabilize the shifting weight of a user seated thereon. The parallel guide tracks provide stable support for directional movement of the carriage along the length of the body and spreads the weight of the device and user across a wider surface area. The motor drive and linear transfer element may be manually, digitally, or electronically controllable by direct or remote communication through sensing elements. A digital panel containing preconfigured software language is connectable to said device of this invention, receiving user related electrical input from said device that is translatable into performance data that is viewable and readable from said device panel. Said viewable digital panel is an optional feature to this invention and may be detachable for a more basic model of the device. Because the device operates by an electrical motor drive system, it is feasible to control the device by push button means either directly or remotely. Remote control may be achieved by any wireless digital, electrical, or radio signal system such as a key-fob device.
The body of this device having strategic perforations on its sides along its length to allow cross-bar elements to be sleeved through at prescribed locations for additional user options. At least one or more cross-bar is sleevable through the cross-section of said chassis to maintain structural integrity of the device. The cross-bar helps to prevent warping of the chassis frame, which otherwise would cause a loss of parallel positioning of said parallel guard rails and thus block linear transfer. The cross-bar may terminate in a fixed (i.e bolted) manner at the side surface of said chassis in flush manner or alternatively extend beyond the side surfaces of said chassis in removable manner, outward towards the external environment. By extending externally beyond the surface of said chassis, the user may utilize the extended portion of the cross-bar as leverage. The extended cross-bar portion may either serve as a leveraging means whereby straps may wrap therearound for a pulling exercise. It may alternatively serve as foot rest for the user, leveraging the user's lower body against opposing weights.
Additional cross-bar elements may relate to a back rest element. Said back rest element being hingely attached to the top of said chassis and is able to toggle or swivel forwards and backwards, ultimately resting against a cross-bar. The side surfaces along the body of said chassis having strategically placed perforations would allow said cross bar to be sleeved through a location either frontward or rearward of said back rest in either its forward or rearward position, creating a forward or rearward seating option on said chassis. When said cross-bar is removed away from the back-support element, the back-rest element would decline fully to a horizontal position overtop said chassis. Said back-rest element also allowing for detachable connection of cushion elements to be held thereon for comfortable use and seating. Said cushion elements may be detachably connectable to said back-rest element by hook and loop means or any other known sturdy and detachable methods of connection.
The device of this invention further providing handle elements. Said handle elements preferably comprising two parallel bars extending horizontally from said vertical frame extension from a right and left side towards the chassis frame. Said two parallel bards terminating with either a handle element. Said handle element may comprise a simple linear grip element (i.e. a vertically disposed round pole) or alternatively a circular ball-gripping element. Said linear gripping element would require a fisted grip therearound. Said ball-gripping element may comprise a smooth ball shaped component where it's top half circumference may be substantially or fully gripped by an adult hand. The round shape of a ball shaped grip component allows a controlled grip of the handle without a fisted hold. This is important to certain individuals who may suffer muscular or nerve damage in their hands. The rounded feature also allows for much easier repositioning of a hand grip during exercise by a sliding movement of the hand grip thereover.
The device of this invention providing a variety of modular components which can either be repositioned or detachably connectable in different configurations for a variety of exercise movements. The preferred embodiment of this device may achieve the following variety of focused weight exercises: 1) chest exercises, 2) back exercises, 3) arm exercises, 4) shoulder exercises, 5) quadricep exercises, 6) hamstring exercises, 7) bicep exercises, 8) and tricep exercises. Specific types of exercise motions may comprise the following without limitations: 1) leg press, 2) row, 3) squat, 4) curl, 5) pull down, 6) chess press, 7) bench dip, 8) abdominal crunch. Other exercise motions not otherwise listed here are achievable by simple reconfiguration of the device herein.
The invention herein specifically comprising the following elements, as illustrated in part by the referenced figures. The illustrations and figures herein serve to explain certain aspects of the described invention and should not be read to limit the scope of this invention. Other embodiments will be understood to be within the scope of this invention according to the description provided herein.
The device of this invention according to a preferred embodiment as illustrated in
Said rotatable resting element 102 comprising a planar panel 115 of substantially similar cross-sectional width as said top surface 108 of said chassis frame 101 and rearwardly disposed within the rear half along the length of said chassis frame 101. Said planar panel 115 of said resting element 102 having a length that is greater than its width. Said length comprising a left 116 and right side 117 parallel to the left 111 and right 110 sides of said chassis frame. Said planar panel 115 terminating at a top 118 and bottom 119 side. Said top side 118 of said planar panel element 115 terminating beyond the rear end 107 of said chassis frame 101 while the bottom end 119 terminates within the rearward half of said top surface of said chassis frame 101. A rotating mechanism comprising a bar 120 sleeved through perforations 121 along the left 111 and right 110 side surfaces of said chassis frame 101. Said planar panel 115 rotatable along a vertical path over the top side surface 108 of said chassis frame 101 within a substantially 180 degrees rotation.
Said chassis frame according to a preferred embodiment of this invention according to
The purpose for fitting a bar through the chassis frame 101 between said left 111 and right 110 side surfaces is to create additional leverage, repositioning of parts, or introduction of additional tool elements. For example, as shown in
The internal space of said chassis frame according to
Said carriage element 301 further having roller elements (not shown in the illustrations) on its left 307 and right 308 sides that each rests within a guide track 305 along the internal right and left surfaces of said chassis frame 309. Said carriage element 301 traveling along said centrally disposed linear actuator 302 and stabilized by roller elements fitted within each said right and left side of said two parallel guide tracks 305, traversing smoothly in either forward or rearward direction along the length of said chassis frame 309. Said two parallel guide tracks 305 at either right and left sides of said chassis frame 309 positioned in parallel manner with said chassis frame 309 and with said centrally disposed linear guide track 302 such that the parallel relationship enables a smooth and straight directional movement along the entire length of said linear actuator 302 by said carriage element 301. To facilitate smooth traversal along the length of said chassis frame and threaded screw drive of said linear actuator, a cross-bar 310 is fixedly attached at the rearward end of said two parallel guide track 305 across the cross-section of said chassis frame 309 to maintain the two parallel guide tracks 305 in fixed parallel position. This is especially important in lieu of high amount of usage by multiple different users or alternatively shifting weight of the user seated thereon, which could throw off parallel alignment of the guide tracks 305. A loss of parallel alignment of the two parallel guide tracks 305 would otherwise cause the traversal movement of the rollers along the guide track to seize. The cross-bar 310 in this case would serve to hold the two parallel guide tracks 305 in fixed parallel position in spite of pressures thereon and will further serve to block continued traversal of said carriage 301 beyond and past the terminal end of said two parallel guide tracks 305.
According to the preferred embodiment of this invention, a vertical panel 311 is removably connected to said carriage element 301, extending above the top surface 306 of said chassis frame 301 in perpendicular manner. As further shown in
The vertical panel according to a preferred embodiment of this invention as shown in
The preferred embodiment of this invention as shown in
The preferred embodiment of this invention further providing additional perforations 216 along bottom edge of the right and left side surfaces of said chassis frame 209. Said perforations allowing for cross bars 217 to be removably sleevable there through and extending beyond the right and left side surfaces, serving as a foot rest or foot leverage 217 for the user.
The overall weight of the device according to the preferred embodiment described herein and as illustrated is as follows: said chassis frame comprising the front, rear, left side, right side, top side, and bottom side surfaces with perforations as illustrated including said internal components of the linear actuator and motor drive system having an approximate weight of 150 pounds. Said carriage element including the vertical panel comprising approximately 60 pounds. Said back rest element including perforations and cushion elements as illustrated having a total weight of approximately 20 pounds. Said digital panel with arm extension having a total weight of approximately 8 pounds. The total weight of the device described herein as illustrated is approximately 250 pounds. The total surface area of all said perforations disposed along the surfaces of said chassis frame, said rotatable resting element, and said external platform is at least 0.5% or above the cumulative surface area of said chassis frame, rotatable resting element, and external platform.
Additional embodiments by way of perforations, connections, extensions, or attachments that enables additional optional configurations to the device herein, not otherwise shown in the illustrations or otherwise explicitly described herein, remains within the contemplated scope of this invention. The contemplated scope of this invention comprising a single unitary device that is adjustable to a plurality of configurations that enables full range and full body concentric and eccentric exercises by manner of a variable motor driven resistance force.
The types of exercises contemplated by this invention comprising those described herein without limitations and may include additional exercise options not otherwise disclosed but falling within the scope of this invention as described herein.
Said rowing exercise is achievable by pulling against a strap that is removably connected to the base of said vertical platform 103 (possibly by hook and clip or latching means), said vertical platform 103 moving in a forward direction along said chassis frame 101.
Said chess press exercise is achieved by pushing against the handle elements 124 of said vertical platform 103 as it is moving rearward along said chassis frame. Said leg press exercise is achievable by pushing against said vertical platform 103 while it is moving rearward along said chassis frame 101, pushing being achieved by the user's legs.
According a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in
Said squat exercise according is achievable by the user laying in full horizontal position on said back rest element and pushing his or her legs against said vertical platform as said vertical platform moves towards the user in rearward direction.
Said curl exercise is achievable by the user laying in full horizontal position on said back rest element and pulling on a strap element attached to said vertical platform while said vertical platform moves towards the front end of said chassis frame away from said user.
Said pull-down exercise is achievable by the user laying in full horizontal position on said back rest element, the user's head facing towards the front end of said chassis frame. In this case, the user pulls on the strap element, which is connected to the vertical platform as said vertical platform moves away from said user, towards the front end of said chassis frame.
Said dip exercise is achievable by pulling a strap element in a downward direction. In this case, said strap element is connected to said vertical platform while said vertical platform moves away from the user towards the front end of said chassis frame.
Said chess press exercise is achievable in similar manner as said dip exercise, except the user would be pulling on said strap in an upwardly angled direction.
Said abdominal exercise is achievabable as well in similar manner as either said dip or chess press exercises described above, except that the straps would be leveraged over the user's shoulders, and said user would be pushing his or whole upper body downward.
Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
This application is a non-provisional utility patent application claiming benefit of priority to and incorporating by reference in full the provisional patent application No. 62/663,814, filed Apr. 27, 2018, in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 119.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62663814 | Apr 2018 | US |
