Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device is provided which includes a surface for supporting a body of a user and a frame(s) for supporting the surface(s) above a floor. Resistance device(s) are connected to the device for providing resistance to movement of the user. A mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the orientation of the surface relative to the floor during an exercise routine. Also mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the orientation of the resistance devise(s) relative to the floor during an exercise routine. And mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the orientation of the surface(s) and the resistance devise(s) relative to the floor and to each other during an exercise routine. The resistance devise(s) may include component(s) for converting user motion into energy, electricity, etc. to power the exercise devise. Energy storage devices may be used with charging and recharging ability. Display device(s) may be provided to display various information relating to an exercise routine(s) to the user and to other(s). Computer control(s) may be included for controlling the amount of resistance provided by the resistance device(s) and for controlling the orientation of the support surface(s) relative to the floor and to hip extension and flexion. Memory device(s) may be associated with the computer control for storing exercise routine(s), recording the results of performed exercise routines and other information. Input device(s) may be provided with the computer control for user input information and output device(s) may also be associated with the computer control for outputting the results of performed exercise routine(s) and other information.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 802,819 filed on Mar. 10, 2001 with a U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,702 and an issue date of Apr. 15, 2003 entitled “EXERCISE DEVICE”, inventor Steven Heidecke.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to exercise devices and in particular, to a computer controlled exercise device, an exercise device which supports a user's body and which support can be rotated to various inclined positions and may be interchangeable to allow varying degrees of hip flexion and extension and may allow varying positions of a user's arms, an exercise device that allows the user to generate energy to power said exercise device. [0003] Exercise devices, machines, etc. are well known and include bicycle and bicycle type devices, machines, etc. treadmills, running, climbing, stepping, rowing, cross country skiing, elliptical, hybrids of motions, machines, etc. Many of these devices have controls for varying a resistan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] In an embodiment, the present invention provides an exercise device which may include a surface for supporting a body of a user. The surface is supported above a floor by a unitary or multiple piece frame. The surface may also be mounted to the frame in such a manner so that it can change orientation relative to the floor during an exercise routine. For example, the surface may pivot forward and backward so that an angle of inclination of the back rest and seat surface relative to the floor and to the resistance means may change between horizontal, vertical and forward beyond vertical. In anther embodiment the resistance devise may be mounted to the frame in such a manner that the orientation of the resistance devise(s) can change relative to the floor and to the back rest and seat support surface. Also the back rest, seat surface, hand grips and the resistance means can change orientation in relation to each other and to the floor if so equipped, independently and or in any combo thereof. The surface may also pivot or rotate side to side about a horizontal axis or rotate up to 360 degrees or more about a vertical axis either while the surface remains horizontal or while the surface is also pivoting about a horizontal axis. And in another embodiment the orientation of the graspable support system may be adjusted to allow for changes in positions. Appropriate mechanical arrangements can be provided to allow the orientation change, such as worm gears, planetary gears, hydraulic actuators, etc. The orientation changing device could be manually operated or could be automatically controlled through an electric motor, hydraulic pump, etc. Such a unit provides physiological as well as psychological benefits.

Problems solved by technology

This is all that it allows for and does not does not allow for mechanical configurations that benefit the user nor does it utilize self generated energy to power the devise.

The support surface does not allow orientation of the upper and lower body to adjust relative to themselves thus allowing variations of hip flexion and extension other than the amount necessary to move the resistance device provided for.

Nor does it provide for a user generating system that has the capacity to provide energy to power the components that require power.

The devise does not allow for any additional support for the user other than the feet of the user.

It only angle that the feet of the user travels on to adjust and does not allow the user's body to change from an upright / horizontal position to a vertical position.

Nor does it provide for the user's movement against the exercise devise to self generate the electrical energy requirement to power the exercise devise.

This system does not allow for the user generating an amount of energy to provide power for the exercise device.

No display device is provided, nor is there any ability to provide a computer controlled exercise routine.

Images