Independent and separately actuated combination fitness machine

Abstract

An exercise apparatus combining a stationary bike and upper body extremity hand cycle, includes an upper hand crank assembly rotatable under a resistance load for upper body conditioning and a lower foot crank assembly rotatable under a resistance load for lower body conditioning. The upper hand crank assembly and lower foot crank assembly are independently connected to the resistance load through respective upper and lower driving belts. Either an upper clutch or lower clutch, communicating with the upper or lower crank assemblies respectively, selectively engages the driving belts to drive the resistance load. The upper and lower crank assemblies are independent of each other, and each is operable to separately engage the resistance load to transfer the resistance load to the respective upper hand crank assembly or lower foot crank assembly.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 565,547 filed Apr. 27, 2004, entitled “Independent and Separately Actuated Combination Fitness Machine”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to cardiovascular fitness equipment, and more particularly, to a combination stationary upper body extremity exercise hand cycle and stationary bicycle where the rotation of the upper and lower cranks is independent of each other, and where each crank is capable of separately and independently driving a resistance load. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans. More so than others, the millions of people with mobility impairments are at a higher risk due to lack of access to cardiovascular exercise. Historically, people with disabilities have fewer oppor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Since the foot cranks work independently of the hand cranks, this feature enables industries such as hotels with in-house gyms to purchase one piece of equipment that meets the needs of customers with and without disabilities. The invention is designed for economical manufacturing, while satisfying the dual purpose of both an upper body extremity (UBE) machine and that of a stationary bicycle.

[0015] The invention will change the way consumers view the upper body extremity machine; from being solely used by or for people with disabilities to a valuable exercise tool that can be used by all to maintain and improve upper and lower body strength and cardiovascular fitness. The invention may be manufactured with Braille features for the sight impaired and custom knobs for those with limited hand function.

Problems solved by technology

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans.

More so than others, the millions of people with mobility impairments are at a higher risk due to lack of access to cardiovascular exercise.

Historically, people with disabilities have fewer opportunities for cardiovascular workouts in a local or national fitness chain due to the lack of availability of proper equipment, especially for combination stationary bikes and upper body extremity (UBE) hand cycles.

For the person with lower body immobility, the stationary bike is useless and access to a hand cycle is limited.

For the person with upper body immobility, the stationary bike is usable, but there is no way to exercise the upper body.

First, they are generally more expensive pieces of exercise equipment.

Many mobility-impaired persons cannot afford a combination stationary bike / UBE home model because of the prohibitive cost.

Another drawback for existing combination UBE / stationary bikes is the crankshafts for the upper UBE handgrips and the lower foot pedals spin in unison.

Conversely, a person who merely wants to exercise the upper body using the hand cycle portion is confronted with spinning foot pedals that may inadvertently contact the lower body and cause injury.

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