Dual rotation rotary torso exercise bench

Abstract

An exercise machine (100) for exercising the rotary torso muscles of the human body, whereupon a user's body is supported in a generally supine position. The machine is comprised of a frame structure (101) with a rotable upper torso support (105) (including a head and back rest (121)), a rotatable lower torso support (103) (including a seat (119)) and feet stabilizing rollers (110), aligned longitudinally. The device further comprises a knee cushion (104) for rotating the lower torso support (103) and a peg (106) upon a weight support arm (127) for holding free weights that impart resistance against the rotation of the upper and lower torso supports (105, 103). Supplemental resistance to the rotation movement may be provided by a belt mechanism (180 of FIG. 4) including a belt (181) wrapped around a cam (151) connected to the axle (157) of the upper torso support (105) and up through the weight support arm upon which free weights are placed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001](1) Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention generally relates to an exercise machine, and more particularly it relates to a dual rotation rotary torso exercise machine that simultaneously exercises both the upper and lower torso in a generally supine position.[0003](2) Description of Prior Art[0004]Exercise equipment designed to specifically focus on or isolate the abdominal muscles is well known in the art. However, such equipment does not provide for simultaneous isolated exercising of the upper and lower abdominal muscles through movement of the both the upper and lower torso.[0005]Examples of devices designed to target rotary torso muscles traditionally have an arrangement similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,884 to Eazor; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,245 to Baldwin. Eazor '884 discloses an abdominal exercise machine that lifts both the upper and the lower torso up in the same direction, rather than rotating them in opposite dire...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a dual rotation rotary torso device which rotates both the upper and lower torso of a user's body, and thereby reduces the risk of back injuries.

[0011]Another object of the present invention is provide a dual rotation rotary torso device which moves both the upper and lower torso in opposite directions, and thereby stretches and works out the user's abdominal muscles.

[0012]It is another object to provide a dual rotary torso device in which a user's body is supported in a generally supine position with hips at least partially extended and upper and lower torso portions separately supported to rotate in opposite directions about an axis extending longitudinally of the user's body, thereby working the abdominal muscles with less strain on the lower spine.

[0014]It is another object of the present invention to provide a dual rotation rotary torso device that is especially useful to a patient undergoing rehabilitative therapy.

Problems solved by technology

However, such equipment does not provide for simultaneous isolated exercising of the upper and lower abdominal muscles through movement of the both the upper and lower torso.

Furthermore, much of the equipment designed to focus exercise effort on the abdominal muscles incorporates the weight of the user as resistance and cannot, therefore, be adjusted for incorporation into a resistance training program.

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