Chair exercise device

Abstract

The Pilates chair exercise device includes a frame configured to rest on a horizontal plane, an inverted Y-shaped seat support fastened to the upper surface of the frame, a seat fastened to the upper end of the seat support, and a pair of parallel arms each having a proximal end fastened to the frame and a foot support fastened to the distal end of the arm, wherein each arm is biased away from the frame toward the seat. A rotary torque unit attached to the frame below the seat biases each of the arms. The rotary torque unit includes a rotary spring cassette carrying a plurality of flat coil springs, each having only one end fastened to the shaft at one end of one of the arms. The combination of springs in the spring cassette may be selected by the user without the user leaving the seat of the chair exercise device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an exercise device used in Pilates-type exercises. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a new Pilates chair having a plurality of unique innovations.

Background Art

[0002] Exercise machines used to perform body movements derived from Joseph Pilates are often carried out on a stationary device called a reformer. Other exercises are performed on a combo chair having a spring-biased foot bar rest or a bar at the end of an arm extending from a pivot bar fixed to the bottom of the chair frame below the chair. One or two coil springs extend from below the chair or the back of the chair seat to a position near the foot bar rest above each of the arms.

[0003] Typically, the user sits on the chair, stands with both feet on the seat, or stands with one foot on the seat and the other foot pressing against the footrest / bar at the end of the arm while pressing against the foot bar or rest. One such chair called a combo chair is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,919,279. The spring tension is generally limited to the spring rate of typically one or at most two springs attached between the chair frame and each of the arms. One solution is the anchor configuration described in U.S. Patent No. 6,919,279, which allows the rear ends of the respective springs to be attached at three different heights at the rear of the combo chair. This increases the versatility of the combo chair, but still limits the versatility of the combo chair to a relatively limited number of exercises without changing the coil springs. Therefore, there is a need for a more versatile chair that can widen the range of tension between the chair seat and the foot support / bar at the end of the arm pivoting from below the chair.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] An exemplary embodiment of a chair-type exercise device according to the disclosure of the present invention includes a frame configured to rest on a horizontal plane, a seat support fastened to an upper surface portion of the frame, a seat fastened to the seat support, and a pair of parallel arms each having a proximal end pivotally fastened to one of the frame or a part of the seat support. Each of the arms is biased away from the frame toward the seat by a rotary arm torque unit. Each of the rotary arm torque units includes a plurality of flat coil springs, and each of the rotary arm torque units is preferably fastened to a seat support rigidly fastened to the frame or a part of it.

[0005] Another embodiment of a chair-type exercise device according to the present disclosure includes a frame configured to be placed on a horizontal plane, a preferably inverted Y-shaped seat support integrated with or integrally formed inside an upper surface portion of the frame, a seat connected or fastened to an upper end of the seat support, a proximal end fastened to the frame and a pair of parallel rotary arms, and a pair of parallel rotary arms each having a foot support fastened to a distal end of each arm. Each of the arms is biased away from the frame toward the seat. Each of the arms is pivotally biased away from the frame by a rotary arm torque unit attached below the seat.

[0006] Preferably, each of the arm torque units is attached to a part of the frame or a part of the inverted Y-shaped seat support. In this embodiment, the frame has a substantially U-shaped configuration having two parallel bases and an intermediate portion spacing the two parallel bases apart. Each of the rotary arm torque units has a plurality of flat coil springs. Each of the rotary arm torque units is preferably fastened to the inverted Y-shaped seat support.

[0007] Each of the rotary arm torque units preferably includes a plurality of selectively engageable rotary springs fastened to a common shaft rotatably mounted by the frame. Each of the rotary arm torque units includes a plurality of individually selectable flat coil springs that engage a shaft supporting one of the arms. The rotary arm torque unit preferably includes a cassette housing that mounts a plurality of flat coil springs within a cassette in the housing, and a plurality of selectors that select one or more of the flat coil springs and engage the arm to which the rotary arm torque unit is attached. Each selector is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of flat coil springs. The cassette preferably includes a cassette comb having a plurality of spaced teeth or partitions. The teeth surround and support at least one of the plurality of flat coil springs between adjacent teeth.

[0008] The rotary arm torque unit preferably includes a cassette housing that mounts a plurality of flat coil springs within a cassette in the housing, and a plurality of selectors connected to the cassette housing that select one or more of the flat coil springs and engage the arm to which the rotary arm torque unit is attached.

[0009] Embodiments according to the present disclosure may alternatively appear as a chair-type exercise device having a generally U-shaped frame configured to rest on a horizontal plane, an inverted Y-shaped seat support fastened to an upper surface portion of the U-shaped frame, a seat fastened to the seat support of the inverted Y-shaped seat support, and a pair of parallel arms each having a proximal end pivotally fastened to a branch portion of the frame or the seat support. Each of the arms is biased away from the frame toward the seat by a rotary arm torque unit fastened to one of the branch portions of the frame or the seat support below the seat. Each of the arms has a footrest fastened to a distal end of the arm for a user to push with their foot when sitting or standing on the seat of the exercise device.

[0010] Embodiments according to the present disclosure may alternatively appear as a rotary arm torque unit including a housing, a rotation shaft supported by bearings within the housing, the rotation shaft having an arm fastened to one end thereof, and a cassette mounted on the rotation shaft. This cassette has, inside, a plurality of flat coil springs each having a first end connected to the rotation shaft and a second free end engageable with the housing via one of a plurality of selectors mounted by the housing.

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the rotary arm torque unit further includes a cassette comb mounted within the housing and separating at least two of the plurality of flat coil springs from each other. This cassette comb may be made of metal, may be made of ceramics, but is preferably made of a polymer material such as plastic. The cassette comb has a plurality of spaced teeth or partitions that axially separate at least two of the plurality of flat coil springs along the rotation shaft. One end of each of the flat coil springs is mounted in an axially elongated hole of the rotation shaft. Preferably, the two free ends of the plurality of flat coil springs engage the housing to apply a preload to the rotary arm torque unit. A preferred embodiment of the cassette has seven flat coil springs.

[0012] In the present disclosure, a kit for installing a rotation torque unit in a conventional Pilates chair type exercise apparatus is also envisioned. Conventional chair type exercise apparatuses typically have a substantially box-shaped frame, a seat provided on top of the frame, one rotary arm or a pair of rotary arms rotatably fastened to the bottom of the frame, and a plurality of elongated coil springs extending from below the seat to at least the distal end of at least one of the arms and biasing the rotary arm or the arms upwardly toward the seat.

[0013] Such a chair kit preferably includes a pair of rotary arm torque units, a left rotary arm and a right rotary arm each having a proximal end and a distal end. Each said rotary arm torque unit includes a cassette housing configured to be fastened to the frame below the seat of a conventional Pilates chair. A bearing-supported rotary shaft within the cassette housing is adapted to be fastened to said proximal end of one of said rotary arms.

[0014] The rotary arm torque unit includes a cassette mounted on the rotary shaft within the cassette housing. This cassette has a plurality of flat coil springs having a first end connected to the rotary shaft and a second free end engageable with the cassette housing via one of a plurality of selectors mounted by the cassette housing. Preferably, the rotary arm torque unit includes a cassette comb mounted within the cassette housing that axially separates one or more of said plurality of flat coil springs. The cassette comb is preferably made of a polymeric material such as plastic. The cassette comb has a plurality of spaced teeth or partitions that axially separate one or more of said plurality of flat coil springs along the rotary shaft. One or preferably two of said free ends of said plurality of flat coil springs engage the cassette housing to apply a preload to the rotary arm torque unit.

[0015] These and other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent by reading the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Figure 1

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Figure 2

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Figure 3

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Figure 4

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Figure 5

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Figure 6

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Figure 11

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Figure 14

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] An exemplary embodiment of the chair-type exercise device 100 according to the present disclosure is shown in the front view of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the chair 100. The chair 100 includes a substantially U-shaped bottom frame member 104, an inverted Y-shaped seat support member 106 fastened to the U-shaped bottom frame member 104, a seat 108 fastened to the seat support member 106, any pair of handle posts 102 removably attached adjacent to the seat 108, a pair of elongated parallel arm members 112 each having a proximal end connected to a shaft 118 below the Y-shaped seat support member 106 and extending outwardly and upwardly from below the inverted Y-shaped seat support member 106, and a pair of spaced-apart rotary arm torque units 110 fastened to the bottom frame member 104, the pair of rotary arm torque units 110 biasing one of the arm members 112 upwardly independently toward the seat 108.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the chair exercise device 100. Each elongated arm 112 has a distal end 114 to which a foot support or rest 116 is fastened and a proximal end 118 that is rigidly fastened to one end 120 of the torque unit shaft 122. The chair exercise device 100 is attached below the seat 108, connected to the bottom frame member 104, and has two arm torque units aligned on a common axis so that a user sitting on the seat 108, as further described below, can place their feet on the aligned foot support rests 116, press down on the foot support rests 116, and rotate the arms 112 downward from the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 against the spring resistance provided by the arm torque unit 110 to perform a basic Pilates chair exercise.

[0032] The floor support for the chair exercise device 100 is provided by the seat 108, the bottom frame member 104, and the inverted Y-shaped seat support member 106. FIG. 3 shows an exploded rear perspective view of the bottom frame member 104. This bottom frame member 104 is a generally U-shaped rigid body having parallel legs 124 that extend parallel from an intermediate portion 126 with a gap therebetween. The U-shaped bottom frame member 104 is designed to be placed on a flat support surface such as the floor. The arm torque unit support member 128 extends between the legs 124 and is erected above them. Both the bottom frame member 104 and the arm torque unit support member 128 may be formed as a single metal plate or casting, preferably made of steel, aluminum, or a high-strength polymer material, or they may be separate castings or parts that are appropriately fastened together integrally to form a rigid structure.

[0033] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the seat support member 106. The inverted Y-shaped support member 106 has a generally tubular seat column portion 130 having an upper end for receiving the seat portion 108. The lower end of the seat column portion 130 branches into two branch portions 132. These branch portions 132 each cover and fasten to the arm torque unit support member 128 of the bottom frame member 104. The Y-shaped support member 106 and the bottom frame member 104 can each be formed of a suitable steel material, aluminum casting, sheet metal, or structural polymer material. The seat portion 108 may further be covered with any suitable cushioning material such as a covered foam pad.

[0034] Each arm torque unit 110 includes a torque shaft 122 having one end 120 rigidly connected to the proximal end 118 of an elongated arm 112. Each torque shaft 122 is a bearing or bushing supported and mounted within a flat rotary spring torque cassette housing or cage 134 fastened to an arm torque unit support member 128 that is part of the bottom frame member 104.

[0035] Figure 5 shows an exploded side view of one of the arm torque units 110 removed from the apparatus 100. The arm torque unit 110 has a somewhat rectangular box-shaped cassette cage 134 that supports the shaft 122 and rotates it between two journal bearings or bushings 136. An exemplary cassette 138 including seven flat coil springs 146 is rotatably supported within the cassette cage 134 shown in Figure 5. This embodiment is merely an example. The number of flat coil springs 146 may alternatively be any other number.

[0036] In this exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 100, as will be described more clearly below, the two flat coil springs 146 are always engaged between one of the cassette housing or cage 134 and the shaft 122. These two springs 146 impart a baseline tension or torque to each of the elongated arms 112. The baseline torque on each of the elongated arms 112 is necessary to maintain the arms 112 in a biased and raised state toward the seat 108, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the other flat coil springs 146 are not engaged. The remaining five flat coil springs 146 of each cassette 138 may be selectively engaged and / or disengaged between the cassette housing 134 and the shaft 122 to provide different levels of torque or resistance against the rotation of the elongated arms 112.

[0037] Each cassette 138 is manufactured with up to seven flat coil springs 146 and six spring separator plates 148 that are integrally held in a stacked manner by four cassette bolts 142 and a plurality of spacer tubes 144. A set of four spacer tubes 144 is disposed on each of the separator plates 148 to separate each of the springs 146 on the cassette bolts 142. An end plate 150 completes the assembly of the cassette 138. Referring now to FIG. 8, a partially exploded view of the cassette 138 before installation on the shaft 122 is shown.

[0038] For each spring 146, its separator plate 148 and four spacer tubes 144 are assembled in sequence onto the four bolts 142 and the shaft 122. The partially assembled cassette 138 can be assembled onto the shaft 122, and finally, the end plate 150 is fastened to the threaded ends of the four bolts 142. Note in FIG. 8 that the end plate 150 has a central hole 151 that receives the distal end of the shaft 122. This central hole 151 has a radial tab 153 that engages a slot 156 within the shaft 122 when the end plate 150 is installed and fastened onto the four bolts 142.

[0039] Each coil spring 146 has an end portion 152 with an inner tab and an end portion 154 with an outer tab. The end portion 152 with the inner tab slides within an axial slot 156 in the shaft 122. The partially assembled cassette 138, excluding the end plate 150, can slide on the shaft 122 with the tabbed inner ends 152 of each spring 146 within the slots 156 in the shaft 122. The end plate 150 can be installed with the proximal end of the shaft 122 within a hole 151 in the end plate 150. However, the end plate 150 must be rotated at an angle to align the ends of the bolts 142 with the corresponding bolt holes in the end plate 150 and to allow the tabs 153 on the end plate 150 to project into the holes 151 and into the slots 156.

[0040] This rotation of the end plate 150 sets a preload on all the flat coil springs 146 via the shaft 122, as shown in FIG. 8. This rotation of the end plate 150 during assembly also engages each outer tabbed end portion 154 of each spring 146 with one of the bolts 142 and sets this preload torque against rotation of the shaft 122 when the shaft 122 is connected to the proximal end 118 of the arm 112, as also shown in the schematic of FIG. 9. The assembled cassette 138 may optionally include one or more guide bolt / spacer assemblies 149 that can be used to compensate for non-flat expansion and contraction of the springs 146.

[0041] Then, the assembled cassette 138 on the shaft 122 is installed within the cassette cage 134 and an external bearing or bushing 136 is installed within the cage 134 to complete the assembly of the shaft 122 into the cage 134 as shown in FIG. 5. And the distal end 120 of the shaft 122 can be fixed or fastened to the proximal end 118 of the elongated arm 112 through one of the bearings or bushings 136 within the cassette cage 134.

[0042] A selector 158 for five spring loads is also installed within the cassette housing or cage 134. Each selector 158 is slidably supported within a channel 155 in the cassette housing or cage 134 and has a selector shaft 160 that extends parallel to the channel 155. This selector shaft 160 can be best seen in the reverse perspective view of the torque unit 110 shown in FIG. 6. Each selector shaft 160 is oriented adjacent to a pivot finger 162 that pivots about a bolt 164 that is pinned within the cassette housing or cage 134. Each pivot finger 162 corresponds to one spring 146 within the cassette 138 and has a distal end 166 that is oriented adjacent to the outer tabbed end 154 of the coil spring 146. When spring 146 is not selected, only the two springs 146 closest to the elongated arm 112 engage the arm 112. In this state, the entire cassette 138 is rotatable about the shaft 122 within the cassette housing or cage 134 when the arm 112 rotates downwardly from the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the torque selection mechanism in an exemplary embodiment of the chair-type exercise apparatus 100. In the leftmost image, the engagement between the pivot finger 162 and the cassette 138 is released, and thus the cassette 138 is rotatable with the shaft 122 as the arm 112 rotates downward. In the middle image, the selector 158 is pushed down, which causes the selector shaft 160 to be pushed downward and pass downward over the inclined surface of the finger 162 above the pivot bolt 164, rotating the finger 162 clockwise. The right image shows that the selector shaft 160 is pushed down past the corner of the inclined surface of the finger 162, and the distal end 166 of the finger 162 engages fully with the tabbed end 154 of the spring 146. Here, when the user steps on the footrest 116 at the distal end of the arm 112, the outer tabbed end 154 of the flat coil spring 146 is constrained by the distal end 166 of the finger 162, and in particular the coil spring 146 must contract during the rotation of the arm 112. This applies additional torque to the arm 112, and thus increases the resistance felt by the user when pushing down on the arm 112. If the user pushes down on the selector 158 again, the tension of the selector spring causes the selector 158 to return to or rise to the position in the left image, and the distal end 166 of the finger 162 disengages from the tabbed outer end of the coil spring 146.

[0044] Returning to FIGS. 5, 6, and FIGS. 1 and 2, the selector 158 has different lengths corresponding to positions along the inclined or diagonal portion of the branch portion 132 of the seat support member 106 such that when the torque unit 110 is installed within the frame 104, each selector 158 extends upward from the branch portion 132 by substantially the same amount.

[0045] The front perspective view of FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the chair-type exercise device 200 according to the present disclosure. The chair 200 has a substantially U-shaped bottom frame member 204, an inverted Y-shaped seat support member 206 fastened to the U-shaped bottom frame member 204, and a seat 208 fastened to the seat support member 206. Similar to the first embodiment described above, any pair of handle posts 102 may be removably attached to the device 200 adjacent to the seat 208.

[0046] The chair-type exercise device 200 has proximal ends each connected to a shaft 222 below the Y-shaped seat support member 206, and a pair of elongated parallel arm members 212 extending outwardly and upwardly from below the inverted Y-shaped seat support member 206. The chair-type exercise device 200 also has a pair of rotary arm torque units 210 fastened to the bottom frame member 204 via the inverted Y-shaped support member 206 and spaced apart to independently bias one of the arm members 212 upwardly toward the seat 208.

[0047] Each elongated arm 212 has a distal end 214 to which a foot support pedal or rest 216 is fastened and a proximal end 218 rigidly fastened to one end of the torque unit shaft 222. The chair-type exercise device 200 has two arm torque units 210 attached below the seat 208 via the branch portion 232 of the inverted Y-shaped seat support member 206, connected to the bottom frame member 204, and aligned on a common axis so that a user sitting on the seat 206 can place their feet on the aligned foot support rests 216 and push down on the foot support rests 216 to rotate the arms 112 downward from the position shown in FIG. 10 against the spring resistance provided by the arm torque units 210, thereby performing a basic Pilates chair exercise. Each of the foot support pedals 216 preferably extends laterally from the attached arm 212 and may be straight, bent, or curved as shown in FIG. 10. This curved or bent shape provides a unique gripping surface and shape for the user to grip during a certain exercise, and the user grips the rest 216 with their hand instead of their foot.

[0048] The floor support for the chair-type exercise device 200 is provided by a seat portion 208, a bottom frame member 204, and an inverted Y-shaped seat support member 206. This bottom frame member 204 is preferably a substantially U-shaped rigid body having spaced parallel legs 224 extending from an intermediate portion 226 of the frame member 204. The U-shaped bottom frame member 204 is designed to be placed on a flat support surface such as the floor.

[0049] The inverted Y-shaped support member 206 has a substantially tubular seat post portion 230 having an upper end for receiving the seat portion 208. The lower end of the seat post portion 230 branches into two branch portions 232. Each of these branch portions 232 covers and fastens the rotary arm torque unit 210 and is rigidly coupled or fastened to the bottom frame member 204. Similar to the first embodiment 100, the Y-shaped support member 206 and the bottom frame member 204 can be formed of a suitable steel material, aluminum casting, sheet metal, or structural polymer material. The seat portion 208 may further be covered with any suitable cushioning material such as a covered foam pad.

[0050] Each arm torque unit 210 includes a torque shaft 222 having one end rigidly connected to the proximal end 218 of one of the elongated arms 212. FIG. 11 shows an exploded perspective view of one of the arm torque units 210. Plastic or metal covers 215 are fastened to the front and rear sides of the torque unit 210 to prevent dirt and dust from entering the internal mechanism of the rotary arm torque unit 210. In the following FIGS. 12 to 14, these covers 215 are removed for clarity of explanation.

[0051] Each torque shaft 222 is a bearing or bushing supported and mounted within a flat rotary spring torque cassette housing or cage 234 that is also preferably rigidly fastened to the bottom frame member 204 through a portion of one of the branch portions 232 of the inverted Y-shaped support member 206. The arm torque unit 210 is substantially the same as that described above with reference to the exercise chair 100, except for the structure of the cassette 238.

[0052] FIG. 12 shows an exploded side view of one of the arm torque units 210 removed from the chair exercise device 200. FIG. 13 shows an opposite side view of the arm torque unit 210. Finally, to facilitate identification of the internal components in the following description, FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of the arm torque unit 210.

[0053] The arm torque unit 210 has a somewhat rectangular box-shaped cassette cage or housing 234 that supports a shaft 222 and rotates it between two journal bearings or bushings 236. An exemplary cassette 238 that includes a stack of seven flat coil springs 146, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, is rotatably supported within the cassette housing 234. This embodiment 200 is merely an example. The number of flat coil springs 146 may alternatively be other numbers.

[0054] In this exemplary embodiment of the chair exercise device 200, as will be more clearly explained below, two flat coil springs 146 are always engaged between the cassette housing or cage 234 and the shaft 222. These two springs 146 apply a baseline tension or torque to each of the elongated arms 212. The baseline torque on each of the elongated arms 212 is necessary to maintain the arms 212 in a biased and raised state toward the seat 208, as shown in FIG. 10, when the other flat coil springs 146 are not engaged. The remaining five flat coil springs 146 of each cassette 238 may be selectively engaged and / or disengaged between the cassette housing 234 and the shaft 222 to provide different levels of torque or resistance against the rotation of the elongated arms 212.

[0055] Each cassette 238 is manufactured with up to two flat coil springs 146 and five coil springs 146 that are integrally held and axially stacked within the cassette comb 244. This cassette comb 244 has a plurality of spaced teeth or partitions 245. Each partition separates one of the springs 146 from adjacent springs 146, except for a pair of preload springs 146 that are integrally mounted within the cassette 238. This cassette comb 244 may be a 3D printed metal or non-metal comb structure. Alternatively, it may be a rigid polymer or plastic molded part. This cassette comb 244 serves as an alternative to the separator plate 148, bolts 142, end plate 150, and plurality of spacer tubes 144 in the first embodiment 110. This cassette comb 244 separates each of the five springs 146 and a pair of preload springs 146, similar to the first embodiment 110.

[0056] Each coil spring 146 has an inner tabbed end 152 and an outer tabbed end 154. The inner tabbed end 152 slides within an axial slot 256 in the shaft 222. The partially assembled cassette 238 can slide on the shaft 222 with the tabbed inner ends 252 of each spring 146 within the slot 256 in the shaft 222. Assembly of the cassette 238 to the cassette housing 234 is basically the same as the assembly described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 9.

[0057] During assembly, axial rotation with respect to the cassette comb 244 imparts the desired preload to all the springs 146. Then, a key 270 (shown in FIG. 14) is inserted to lock the shaft 222 together with the cassette comb 244. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the assembled cassette 238 on the shaft 222 is installed within the cassette cage or housing 234 and an external bearing or bushing 236 is installed within the cassette cage or housing 234 to complete the assembly of the shaft 222 into the cassette cage or housing 234.

[0058] Similar to the first embodiment 110, a selector 258 for five spring loads is also installed within the cassette cage 234. Each selector 258 is slidably supported within a channel 255 in the cassette housing or cage 234 and has a selector shaft 260 that extends parallel to the channel 255. This selector shaft 260 is best seen in the exploded view of the arm torque unit 210 shown in FIG. 14. Each selector shaft 260 is oriented adjacent to a pivot finger 162 that pivots about a bolt 264 that is pinned within the cassette housing or cage 234. Each pivot finger 162 corresponds to one spring 146 within the cassette 238 and has a distal end 166 that is oriented adjacent to the outer tabbed end 154 of the coil spring 146. When spring 146 is not selected, only the two springs 146 closest to the elongated arm 212 engage the arm 212. In this state, the entire cassette 238 is rotatable about the shaft 222 within the cassette housing or cage 234 as the arm 212 rotates downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 10.

[0059] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the operation of the torque selection mechanism in two exemplary embodiments of the chair-type exercise devices 100 and 200. In the leftmost image, the engagement between the pivot finger 162 and the cassette 138 (or 238) is released, and thus the cassette 138 (or 238) is rotatable with the shaft 122 (or 222) as the arm 112 (or 212) rotates downward. In the middle image, the selector 158 (or 258) is pushed down, which causes the selector shaft 160 (or 260) to be pushed down and pass downward along the inclined surface of the finger 162 above the pivot bolt 164, rotating the finger 162 clockwise. The right image shows that the selector shaft 160 is pushed down beyond the corner of the inclined surface of the finger 162, and the distal end 166 of the finger 162 is fully engaged with the tabbed end 154 of the spring 146. Here, when the user steps on the footrest 116 (or 216) at the distal end of the arm 112 (or 212), the outer tabbed end 154 of the flat coil spring 146 is constrained by the distal end 166 of the finger 162, and in particular, the coil spring 146 must contract during the rotation of the arm 112 or 212. This applies additional torque to the arm 112 or 212, and thus increases the resistance felt by the user when pushing down the arm 112 or 212. If the user presses the selector 158 again, due to the tension of the selector spring, the selector 158 returns to or rises to the position in the left image, and the distal end 166 of the finger 162 disengages from the tabbed outer end of the coil spring 146.

[0060] Returning to FIGS. 5, 6, and FIGS. 1 and 2, the selector 158 (or 258) has different lengths corresponding to positions along the inclined or diagonal portion of the branch portion 132 (or 232) of the seat support member 106 (or 206) such that each selector 158 extends upward from the branch portion 132 (or 232) by substantially the same amount when the torque unit 110 (or 210) is installed within the frame 104 (or 204).

[0061] In the present disclosure, a kit for installing one or more rotary torque units 210 in a conventional Pilates chair-type exercise apparatus is also envisioned. Conventional chair-type exercise apparatuses typically include a substantially box-shaped frame, a seat portion provided at the upper part of the frame, one or a pair of rotary arms each having a foot pad or bar rotatably fastened to the bottom of the frame and fastened to its distal end, and a plurality of elongated coil springs extending from below the seat portion to at least one of the arms and biasing the rotary arm or arms upwardly toward the seat portion.

[0062] Such a kit for a chair according to the present disclosure includes a pair of rotary arm torque units 210, a left rotary arm such as an arm 212 having proximal end 218 and distal end 214 respectively, and a right rotary arm such as an arm 212, and may include a foot bar 216. Each rotary arm torque unit 210 within the kit includes a cassette housing 234 configured to be fastened to the frame below the seat portion of the Pilates chair. It should be understood that this housing 234 is likely to have an external box shape different from the illustrated housing so as to conform to the contour of the conventional Pilates chair-type exercise apparatus in which it is installed.

[0063] A bearing-supported rotary shaft, such as shaft 222 within cassette housing 234, is adapted to be fastened to the proximal end 218 of one of the rotary arms 212. The rotary arm torque unit 210 includes a cassette 238 mounted on the rotary shaft 222. This cassette 238 has a plurality of flat coil springs 146 therein each having a first end connected to the rotary shaft 222 and a second free end engageable with the cassette housing 234 via one of a plurality of selectors, such as selector 258, mounted by the cassette housing 234 (however, each selector may have a shape different from that shown in the present disclosure).

[0064] Preferably, the rotary arm torque unit 210 within such a kit includes a cassette comb 244 mounted within the cassette housing 234 and axially separating one or every two of the plurality of flat coil springs 146 from each other. The cassette comb 244 is preferably made of a polymeric material such as plastic. The cassette comb 244 has a plurality of spaced teeth or partitions 246 that axially separate at least two of the plurality of flat coil springs 146 along the axis of rotation 222. One or preferably two free ends of the plurality of flat coil springs 146 within the rotary arm torque unit 210 engage the cassette housing 234 to apply a preload to the rotary arm torque unit 210.

[0065] Returning now to FIGS. 15 and 16, an exemplary embodiment of the chair-type exercise device 200 having the exemplary hinged hand support 280 is shown. In FIG. 15, the chair 200 having the support 280 in an operable position extending along the seat 208 is shown. In the rear perspective view of FIG. 16, the support 280 in a storage position folded downwardly below the seat 208 is shown.

[0066] Each support member 280 of the chair-type exercise device 200 according to the present disclosure may be hingedly connected and movable from a storage position below the seat 208 of the chair-type exercise device to an operable position along the seat 208 of the exercise device 200 as shown in FIG. 16, and preferably includes a mounting bracket 282 configured to be fastened to a part of the frame of the chair-type exercise device 200. The support member 280 preferably has a long leg portion 284 and a short leg portion 286. Preferably, the short leg portion 286 extends at an angle from the long leg portion 284 and is hingedly connected to the cross member 288 of the mounting bracket 282.

[0067] This mounting bracket 288 is fastened to the frame 204 and / or the seat support 206 directly below the seat portion 208. The strut member 280 preferably has a handle 290 fastened to the distal end of the hinged strut member 280. The long leg 284 of the hinged strut member 280 preferably has a first portion 292 telescopically mounted within a second portion 294, and the short leg 286 extends at a right angle from the proximal end of the long leg 284. The handle 290 is preferably removably fastened to the distal end of the first portion 292 of the long leg 284 of the hinged strut member 280.

[0068] The short leg 286 of the hinged strut member 280 preferably has a locking member 296 engageable with the cross member 288 of the mounting bracket 282 to releasably hold the short leg 286 in an operating position parallel to the cross member 288 when the hinged strut member 280 is fastened to the chair-type exercise device 200.

[0069] An exemplary embodiment of the chair-type exercise device 200 according to the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 has a frame 204 configured to be placed on a horizontal surface such as a floor. The chair-type exercise device 200 includes an inverted Y-shaped seat support 206 fastened to the upper surface portion of the frame 204, a seat portion 208 fastened to the upper end 230 of the inverted Y-shaped seat support 206, a pair of parallel arms 212 each having a proximal end pivotally fastened to the frame 204, and a foot support or pedal 216 fastened to the distal end 214 of each of the parallel arms 212. Each arm 212 is biased to move away from the frame 204 toward the seat portion 208.

[0070] A pair of hinged support members 280 are each removably fastened to a mounting bracket 288, which is preferably attached to the upper part 230 of the inverted Y-shaped seat support 206. Each hinged support member 280 is movable from a storage position below the seat 208 as shown in FIG. 16 to an operable position extending upward along the seat 208 as shown in FIG. 15. Each hinged support member 280 has a long leg 284 and a short leg 286. The short leg 286 extends at a right angle from the long leg 284. The short leg 286 is hingedly connected to a cross member 296 of the mounting bracket 282 by a hinge 298.

[0071] In FIG. 16, a mounting bracket 282 having a square tube cross member 288 fixed to a square bracket portion 300 that may be inserted and fastened and fixed between the upper part 230 of the inverted Y-shaped seat support 206 and the seat 208 is clearly shown. Optionally, a pair of horizontal struts 302 may also be provided between the cross member 288 and the seat 208 to provide additional rigidity to the sides of the seat 208.

[0072] Each of the support members 280 has a lock knob 296 on the short leg 286 spaced from the hinge 298, and this lock knob 296 engages a complementary fitting 306 on the cross member 288 when the support member 280 is in the operable position as shown in FIG. 15, firmly fixing the short leg 286 parallel to the cross member 288. This lock knob 296 may engage a complementary threaded fitting 306 in a screwable manner, or may engage a detent in the cross member 288 to fasten the short leg 286 in a predetermined position. The long leg 284 preferably has a first portion 292 telescopically received in a tubular second portion 294.

[0073] These first portion 292 and second portion 294 may be fitted with appropriate fittings 312 to set the length of the support 280 as desired. A lock knob 314 is preferably provided on the long leg 284 to fix the desired length of the long leg 284 when raising and locking the support member 280 to the operable position shown in FIG. 15.

[0074] Many changes are possible to the exercise device of the present disclosure. For example, the torque unit cages or housings 134, 234 may be manufactured from plastic, metal, or composite structures, and may be cast or molded. The selectors 158 or 258 may all be at the same height, or may be at different heights depending on where they are on the inverted Y-shaped seat support members 106 or 206. Further, the inverted Y-shaped seat support members 106 or 206 may be other than Y-shaped. The lower part may, for example, have somewhat of an angle, or may be horizontal, and thus, the selectors 158 and 258 could be constructed differently than specifically shown. Here, only two exemplary embodiments are shown. The shapes of the seats 108 and 208 and the footrests 116 and 216 may be different from the illustrated shapes. These pair of footrests 116 and 216 may be interlocked together and the arm 112 may be operated as a single arm instead of the two arms as illustrated. Such an arrangement could be realized, for example, by a U-shaped sleeve on the footrest 116 or a rod passed through the footrest 116.

[0075] An optional handle support 102 fastened to the side of the seat 108 or 208 may be telescopically extendable and foldable, or may be hinge-connected, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, whereby it can be easily retracted or placed in an unobtrusive location for easy storage when not needed. In the present disclosure, the term "fastened" is used when describing the joint between the seat and the seat support member and the frame. It should be understood that other means of joining the frame and the support element may be utilized, such as integral connection by welding or formation as a single molded body.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, there are seven sets of springs 146 in each of the cassettes 138 and 238. Many other embodiments having different quantities of springs 146 are conceivable. The flat coil springs 146 may be related to or connected to each other such that depression of one selector 158 or 258 retracts the other selector and limits the number of springs that can be engaged at one time. Further, the rotary arm torque unit 210 may be configured to be used in place of a conventional spring in a conventional Pilates chair type exercise apparatus. In this case, the shapes of the selector 258 and the cassette cage 234 preferably differ according to the frame configuration of such a conventional Pilates chair type exercise apparatus.

[0077] Accordingly, all such alternatives, variations, and modifications are included within the scope of the following claims and are as defined by the following claims.

Claims

**Claim 1** A chair-type exercise device, a frame configured to rest on a horizontal plane, an inverted Y-shaped seat support fastened to the upper surface of the frame, a seat fastened to the upper end of the inverted Y-shaped seat support, a pair of parallel arms each having a proximal end fastened to the frame and a foot support fastened to each distal end of the parallel arms, wherein each of the arms is biased to move away from the frame toward the seat, the chair-type exercise device comprising the pair of parallel arms. **Claim 2** The chair-type exercise device according to claim 1, wherein each of the arms is pivotally biased to move away from the frame by a rotary arm torque unit attached below the seat. **Claim 3** The chair-type exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a substantially U-shaped configuration having two parallel bases. **Claim 4** The chair-type exercise device according to claim 3, wherein the frame further includes an intermediate portion spaced between the two parallel bases. **Claim 5** The chair-type exercise device according to claim 2, wherein each of the rotary arm torque units includes a plurality of flat coil springs. **Claim 6** The chair-type exercise device according to claim 2, wherein each of the rotary arm torque units is fastened to the inverted Y-shaped seat support. **Claim 7** The chair-type exercise device according to claim 2, wherein each of the rotary arm torque units includes a plurality of selectively engagable rotary springs fastened to a common shaft rotatably mounted by the frame. **Claim 8** The chair-type exercise device according to claim 2, wherein each of the rotary arm torque units includes a plurality of individually selectable flat coil springs engaging a shaft supporting one of the arms. **Claim 9** The chair-type exercise device according to claim 2, wherein the rotary arm torque unit includes a cassette housing for mounting a plurality of flat coil springs in a cassette within the cassette housing, and a plurality of selectors for selecting one or more of the flat coil springs to engage the arm to which the rotary arm torque unit is attached. **Claim 10** The chair-type exercise device according to claim 9, wherein each of the selectors is configured to engage one of the plurality of flat coil springs. **Claim 11** The chair-type exercise device according to claim 9, wherein the cassette includes a cassette comb having a plurality of spaced teeth or partitions that support at least one of the plurality of flat coil springs therebetween.

12. A chair-type exercise device, comprising: a frame configured to rest on a horizontal plane; a seat support fastened to an upper surface portion of the frame; a seat fastened to the seat support; a pair of parallel arms each having a proximal end fastened to one of the frame or a part of the seat support, wherein each of the arms is biased to move away from the frame toward the seat.

13. The chair-type exercise device according to claim 12, wherein each of the arms is pivotally biased to move away from the frame by a rotary arm torque unit.

14. The chair-type exercise device according to claim 12, wherein the frame is a substantially U-shaped frame having parallel bases and an intermediate portion spaced between the parallel bases.

15. The chair-type exercise device according to claim 13, wherein each of the rotary arm torque units includes a plurality of flat coil springs.

16. The chair-type exercise device according to claim 13, wherein each of the rotary arm torque units is fastened to at least one of the seat support or the frame.

17. The chair-type exercise device according to claim 13, wherein each of the rotary arm torque units includes a plurality of selectively engageable rotary springs fastened to a common shaft rotatably mounted by the frame.

18. The chair-type exercise device according to claim 13, wherein each of the rotary arm torque units includes a plurality of individually selectable flat coil springs that engage a shaft supporting one of the arms.

19. The rotary arm torque unit includes a cassette housing that mounts a plurality of flat coil springs in a cassette within the cassette housing, and a plurality of selectors connected to the cassette housing that select one or more of the flat coil springs and engage the arm to which the rotary arm torque unit is attached.

20. A chair-type exercise device, comprising: a frame configured to rest on a horizontal plane; a seat support integrated with an upper surface portion of the frame; a seat fastened to the seat support of the seat support; A pair of parallel arms each having a proximal end fastened to one of the frame or a part of the seat support, each of the arms being biased away from the frame toward the seat by a rotary arm torque unit fastened to one of the frame or a part of the seat support below the seat, each of the rotary arm torque units carrying a cassette having a plurality of flat coil springs selectively engageable with the arm to which the rotary arm torque unit is connected, a chair-type exercise device including the pair of parallel arms. [

21. ] A rotary arm torque unit for use in an exercise device, a housing, a bearing-supported rotary shaft within the housing, the bearing-supported rotary shaft carrying an arm fastened to one end of the rotary shaft, a cassette having a plurality of flat coil springs mounted on the rotary shaft, having a first end connected to the rotary shaft, and having a second free end engageable with the housing via one of a plurality of selectors carried by the housing, the rotary arm torque unit including the cassette. [

22. ] The rotary arm torque unit according to claim 21, further including a cassette comb mounted within the housing for separating at least two of the plurality of flat coil springs from each other. [

23. ] The rotary arm torque unit according to claim 22, wherein the cassette comb is made of a polymer material. [

24. ] The rotary arm torque unit according to claim 22, wherein the cassette comb has a plurality of spaced teeth for axially separating at least two of the plurality of flat coil springs along the rotary shaft. [

25. ] The rotary arm torque unit according to claim 24, wherein two of the free ends of the plurality of flat coil springs engage the housing to apply a preload to the rotary arm torque unit. [

26. ] The rotary arm torque unit according to claim 25, wherein the cassette has seven flat coil springs. [

27. ] A kit for installing a rotary torque unit in a chair-type exercise device having a frame and a seat, including a pair of rotary arm torque units, a left rotary arm and a right rotary arm each having a proximal end and a distal end, each of the rotary arm torque units, A cassette housing configured to be fastened to the frame below the seat portion of the chair-type exercise device; A rotation shaft supported by bearings within the cassette housing adapted to be fastened to one of the proximal ends of the rotation arms; A cassette having a plurality of flat coil springs mounted on the rotation shaft supported by bearings, having a first end connected to the rotation shaft and a second free end engageable with the cassette housing via one of the plurality of selectors mounted by the cassette housing, respectively. A kit including.

28. The kit according to claim 27, further comprising a cassette comb mounted within the cassette housing and separating at least two of the plurality of flat coil springs from each other.

29. The kit according to claim 28, wherein the cassette comb is made of a polymer material.

30. The kit according to claim 28, wherein the cassette comb has a plurality of spaced teeth axially spacing at least two of the plurality of flat coil springs along the rotation shaft.

31. The kit according to claim 30, wherein the two free ends of the plurality of flat coil springs engage the cassette housing to apply a preload to the rotation arm torque unit.

32. The kit according to claim 31, wherein the cassette has seven flat coil springs.

33. A strut member for a chair-type exercise device, A mounting bracket configured to be fastened to the frame of the chair-type exercise device; A strut member including a long leg and a hinged strut member having a short leg extending at an angle from the long leg and hingedly connected to a cross member of the mounting bracket.

34. The strut member according to claim 33, further comprising a handle fastened to the distal end of the hinged strut member.

35. The strut member according to claim 33, wherein the hinged strut member has a first portion in which the long leg is telescopically mounted within a second portion, and the short leg extends at a right angle from the proximal end of the long leg.

36. The strut member according to claim 35, further comprising a handle fastened to the distal end of the first portion of the long leg of the hinged strut member.

37. The short leg of the hinged strut member has a locking member engageable with the cross member of the mounting bracket to releasably hold the short leg in an operating position parallel to the cross member when the hinged strut member is fastened to the chair-type exercise device, the strut member according to claim 33.

38. The short leg of the hinged strut member has a locking member engageable with the cross member of the mounting bracket to releasably hold the short leg in an operating position parallel to the cross member when the hinged strut member is fastened to the chair-type exercise device, the strut member according to claim 35.

39. A chair-type exercise device, A frame configured to rest on a horizontal plane, An inverted Y-shaped seat support fastened to the upper surface of the frame, A seat fastened to the upper end of the inverted Y-shaped seat support, A pair of parallel arms each having a proximal end fastened to the frame and a foot support fastened to each distal end of the parallel arms, each said arm being biased to move away from the frame towards the seat, a pair of parallel arms, A pair of hinged strut members each fastened to a mounting bracket attached to the inverted Y-shaped seat support, each said strut member being movable from a storage position below the seat to an operable position extending upward along the seat, each said hinged strut member having a long leg and a short leg extending at an angle from the long leg and hingedly connected to a cross member of the mounting bracket, a chair-type exercise device comprising.

40. Each said arm is pivotally biased to move away from the frame by a rotary arm torque unit attached below the seat, the chair-type exercise device according to claim 39.

41. The chair-type exercise device according to claim 39, further comprising a handle fastened to the distal end of each said hinged strut member.

42. Each of the hinged strut members has a first portion in which the long leg is telescopically mounted within a second portion, the short leg extending at a right angle from the proximal end of the long leg, the chair-type exercise device according to claim 39.

43. The chair-type exercise device according to claim 42, further comprising a handle fastened to a distal end of the first portion of the long leg of each of the hinged strut members.

44. The chair-type exercise device according to claim 39, wherein each of the short legs of the hinged strut members has a locking member engageable with the cross member of the mounting bracket to releasably hold the short leg in the operable position parallel to the cross member.

45. The chair-type exercise device according to claim 42, wherein each of the short legs of the hinged strut members has a locking member engageable with the cross member of the mounting bracket to releasably hold the short leg in the operating position parallel to the cross member.

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