The present disclosure relates to exercise apparatuses.
The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference in entirety.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,864,635 discloses a resistance training exercise apparatus that includes a boom arm pivotally mounted to a flame and having an anchor segment pivoting along a first arc about a first pivot point on the frame. A press arm is coupled to a resistance mechanism and is pivotally mounted to the anchor segment of the boom arm and pivots along a second arc about a second pivot point. The user may adjustably vary the location of the second pivot point of the press arm relative to the frame by pivoting the boom arm about the first pivot point.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,496,297 discloses several mechanisms for permitting a user to adjust the seat on a stationary exercise bicycle. The described mechanisms can be used to adjust the height of the seat or the fore and aft positioning of the seat on an upright type bicycle. Each of the described mechanisms can be configured to provide users with an optimum seat position and with a convenient latch mechanism to adjust the position of the seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,615 discloses several mechanisms for permitting a user to adjust the seat on a stationary exercise bicycle. The described mechanisms can be used to adjust the height of the seat or the fore and aft positioning of the seat on an upright type bicycle. Each of the described mechanisms can be configured to provide users with an optimum seat position and with a convenient latch mechanism to adjust the position of the seat. Also described is a seat mechanism for use with a recumbent type stationary exercise bicycle where the seat can be adjusted along the longitudinal length of the bicycle.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,717,836 discloses exercise apparatus provided with a system for collapsing a user seat to a stow-away position. A user-engaged locking device releasably locks a bearing assembly and a seat frame at each of a user-exercise position and a stow-away position.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,364,535 discloses exercise apparatus having a biased tolerance-compensating engagement system between a seat-supporting carriage and a tubular support column to provide zero clearance between adjustment rollers and the support column, to minimize wobble during user adjustment.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described 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 the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In certain examples, an exercise apparatus comprises a frame; a seat that is supported by the frame, wherein a user sits on the seat to perform an exercise activity; and a body support member that is supported by the frame, wherein the seat extends at a seat angle relative to the frame. The user abuts the body support member when the user is sitting on the seat to perform the exercise activity. The exercise apparatus further comprises a seat adjustment device that facilitates adjustment of the height of the seat with respect to the frame and causes adjustment of the seat angle when the height of the seat is adjusted.
In certain examples, a seat adjustment device is for an exercise apparatus having a frame, a seat that is supported by the frame at a seat angle, wherein a user sits on the seat to perform an exercise activity, and a body support member that is supported by the frame. The seat adjustment device comprises an upper support arm having a first end that is pivotably coupled to the seat at an upper first pivot point and a second end that is pivotably coupled to the frame at an upper second pivot point; and a lower support arm having a first end that is pivotably coupled to the seat at a lower first pivot point and a second end that is pivotably coupled to the frame at a lower second pivot point. The upper first pivot point and the lower first pivot point are spaced apart from each other a first distance. The upper second pivot point and the lower second pivot point are spaced apart from each other a second distance that is different than the first distance such that adjustment of the height of the seat with respect to the frame causes adjustment of the seat angle when the height of the seat is adjusted.
Examples of seat adjustment devices and exercise apparatuses having seat adjustment devices are described with reference to the following drawing figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawing figures to reference like features and components.
During research and development the present inventors identified several problems/drawbacks/disadvantages associated with prior art exercises apparatuses, and particularly with seat adjustment devices for exercise apparatuses. The inventors have found that known seat adjustment devices are not able to comfortably accommodate a wide range of users. For example, in vertically orientated upper body strength training apparatus, a user typically needs to vertically adjust the seat to properly align the user's body with the apparatus. That is, the input handles on the certain apparatuses (e.g. chest press apparatus, shoulder press apparatus, rowing apparatus, and/or the like) typically are located at a fixed height off the ground surface, such that a shorter user must raise the seat further off the ground surface than a taller user in order to be properly aligned with the apparatus. However this is counterproductive with respect to seat height ergonomics, where a shorter person requires a shorter seat height in order to keep their feet comfortably in contact with the ground surface. A competing factor from a user comfort stand point is the angle of the seat relative to the frame/ground surface/body support member (referred to herein below as the “seat angle”). Body support members (including for example back side supports or front side supports) and associated supporting frame members on upper body strength training apparatus typically are angled back from vertical about 10-20 degrees to provide a more comfortable and stable user position. Maintaining a seat angle in a range of about 90-100 degrees has been found to be optimal from the standpoint of user comfort and stability. Other body support members can include leg pads, foot pads, and/or the like. When the seat angle that is too flat (e.g. when the seat generally is horizontal, i.e. parallel to the ground surface) the user will tend to slip forward off of the seat.
Based upon the above realizations, the present inventors endeavored to provide seat adjustment devices for exercise apparatuses that cause the seat angle to articulate (change) as the height of the seat is changed with respect to the frame/body support member/ground surface. The inventors found that such a device advantageously can provide an optimal user position throughout an entire range of user heights. For example, on forward facing apparatuses (such as shoulder and/or chest press apparatuses and/or the like) when the seat is in its lowest position for use by a relatively tall user, the seat adjustment device can be configured to cause the seat to be angled closer to a 90 degree angle with respect to the frame/body support member. When the seat is in its highest position for use by a relatively shorter user, the seat adjustment device can be configured to cause the seat to be angled closer to horizontal (i.e. closer to parallel to the ground surface). For rearward facing apparatuses (e.g. pull-down apparatus), an angled seat position can be provided that makes it easier for a shorter user to maintain foot contact with the floor without having to straddle the seat pad as much. That is, the amount the user's legs pass through the top plane of the seat can be decreased, requiring less of a narrow nose on the seat to accommodate a wider range of user comfort. This advantageously allows for more optimal seat shape, allowing the seat pad to be more comfortable for a larger range of users.
The seat adjustment device 24 includes a pair of upper support arms 34, each of which has a first end 36 that is pivotally coupled to the seat 14 at a movable upper first pivot point 38 and a second end 40 that is pivotally coupled to the frame 12 at a fixed upper second pivot point 42. The seat adjustment device 24 further has a pair of lower support arms 44, each of which has a first end 46 that is pivotally coupled to the seat 14 at a movable lower first pivot point 48 and a second end 50 that is pivotally coupled to the frame 12 at a fixed lower second pivot point 52. The type of pivotal connection can vary from that which is shown and can include any type of connection that allows pivoting movement between the respective members. In this example, referring to
Referring to
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In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred 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 assemblies 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.
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8864635 | Atwood et al. | Oct 2014 | B1 |
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Entry |
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Matrix, 2012, Videos-of-Use, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-px7Ui64FfM>; <https://www.youtube.com/watch?y=5NBA6-IlXuM>; <https://www.youtube.com/watch?y=7aRIJZCXdeo>. |
Matrix, Chest Press, 2014, PDF Manual. |
Matrix, Shoulder Press, 2014, PDF Manual. |
Matrix, Pull Down Machine, 2014, PDF Manual. |