Anchor bar and carriage stop assembly

Abstract

The reformer has parallel tracks extending between the head end and the foot end, and an assembly of anchor bars and carriage stops fixed to the frame adjacent to the foot end of the frame. The assembly includes anchor bars slidably fixed to a pair of elongated plates, each fixed to one of the tracks. Each plate has an elongated closed slot within it that is parallel to and extends below one of the tracks. The anchor bars have both ends, each extending through one of the elongated slots and through an elongated spacer member pivotably fixed to the end of the anchor bar. Each elongated spacer member has a distal end to which a pin extending through an elongated slot is fixed, and the pin has a carriage stop fixed to the pin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to exercise equipment used in Pilates-type exercises. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an assembly of a new anchor bar and a carriage stop for use in a reformer exercise apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Exercise machines used for performing body movements founded by Joseph Pilates are typically carried out on a fixed apparatus called a reformer. The reformer typically has a rectangular wooden or metal frame with a foot end and a head end. The head end and the foot end are separated by a pair of parallel side rails. A rolling carriage is configured to roll along between the side rails from the foot end to the head end and is biased toward the foot end of the frame by one or more coil springs connected to an anchor bar fixed to the frame near the foot end. A foot bar is fixed to the foot end of the frame. A user typically sits or leans on the carriage, presses the foot bar, and moves the carriage away from the foot end of the frame during exercise. When the carriage is in the rest position, there are various mechanisms for changing the distance between the carriage and the foot end. Exemplary mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,163,500 and 11,065,495.

[0003] Some reformers have components attached to the inner surface of the side rails to form a track on which the carriage rotates between the head and foot ends of the reformer frame. Typically, such reformers may also have multiple holes in components where carriage stop blocks may be positioned to maintain a specific distance between the anchor bar and the carriage. Often, such anchor bar support assemblies require modifications to existing anchor bar support brackets, etc. Therefore, there still exists a need for simple anchor bar and carriage stop assemblies that can be installed on any such reformer. [Overview of the project]

[0004] The reformer exercise apparatus according to this disclosure generally comprises a rectangular frame, a carriage on the frame configured for forward and backward movement between the head end and foot end of the frame on parallel tracks, one or more biasing members fixed between the carriage and an anchor bar supported at the foot end of the frame to bias the carriage toward the foot end of the frame on parallel tracks, a foot bar fixed at or adjacent to the foot end of the frame, and an assembly of an anchor bar and carriage stop fixed to the frame adjacent to the foot end of the frame. One or more biasing members, such as elongated coil springs, are supported within the assembly of the anchor bar and carriage stop.

[0005] The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly includes an anchor bar slidably fixed to a pair of elongated plates, each of which is fixed to the side of the frame or to one of the tracks comprising it. Each elongated plate has within it an elongated closed slot that extends parallel to and below one of the tracks to which the elongated plate is fixed. This elongated slot has a pair of spaced-out notches that extend downward along its length.

[0006] The anchor bar is a tubular or solid cylindrical body with two ends, each end having an axis that extends through one of the elongated slots and through the proximal end of an elongated spacer member pivotally fixed to the end of the anchor bar. Each elongated spacer member has a distal end that carries a pin fixed to a pin that extends through one elongated slot in each elongated plate. This pin then has a carriage stop fixed to the pin.

[0007] When the assembly is attached to the foot end of the reformer exercise machine, the anchor bar may move between notches to position it at different distances from the foot end of the frame, determined by the notch position, while a carriage stop, secured to a pin protruding through an elongated closed slot, keeps the carriage at a predetermined minimum distance from the anchor bar. This arrangement allows people of different heights to use a reformer exercise machine appropriate for their specific size while maintaining the correct leg angle orientation with respect to the position of the foot support bar or foot support plate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a reformer exercise machine having an assembly of the anchor bar and carriage stop according to this disclosure.

[0009] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the foot end of the exercise equipment shown in Figure 1, with the frame and foot end indicated by dashed lines.

[0010] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded view of one side of the assembly according to this disclosure.

[0011] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the reformer shown in Figure 1, cut along line 4-4 in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Figure 1 shows one exemplary embodiment of an anchor bar and carriage stop assembly 100 installed for use on a reformer exercise apparatus 10 according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the anchor bar and carriage stop assembly 100 attached to the foot end portion of the apparatus 10, with the side 12 and foot end 16 indicated by dashed lines. The reformer 10 includes a pair of parallel side 12 extending parallel between the head end 14 and foot end 16 of a generally rectangular reformer frame. The carriage 18 moves back and forth between the head end 14 and foot end 16 on a track 20 which is either integral with or fixed to the side 12 of the reformer frame. One or more coil springs 22 are typically fixed to the carriage 18 and foot end 16 and biased between them.

[0013] The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly 100 generally includes a cylindrical spring anchor bar 102, two rectangular guide plates 104, and two spacer members 106, each attached to the opposite end of the anchor bar 102. Each of the guide plates 104 has a central elongated axially closed slot within it, which is fitted to secure to the inner or inward-facing surface of one of the tracks 20 of the reformer 10 near the foot end 16 of the reformer 10. The anchor bar 102, which is shaped like a bread-making rolling pin, has ends, each having a shaft 108 that protrudes axially from the anchor bar 102. Each shaft 108 carries a first bearing bushing or roller 110 that rolls or slides in an elongated closed slot 112 that extends axially within each guide plate 104.

[0014] Furthermore, a connecting arm or spacer member 106 is attached to the distal end of the shaft 108, which is pivotably connected to the shaft 108. This spacer member 106 extends parallel to the guide plate 104 from the anchor bar 102 and is positioned below the track 20 when the assembly 100 is fixed to the track 20 of the reformer 10. The distal end 116 of the spacer member 106 has a pin member 118 fixed to its end, which extends parallel to the anchor bar 102 and carries a second bearing bushing roller 110, which also moves within the same closed slot 112.

[0015] Attached to the pin member 118 is a carriage stop block 124. This carriage stop block 124 engages with a portion of the carriage 18 to prevent the carriage from getting too close to the anchor bar 102. The pin member 118 may be detachably fixed to the distal end 116 of the spacer member 106 and preferably carries a second bearing roller 110 that also rests on a closed slot 112 in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the pin member 118 may be fixed to the carriage stop block 124 so as to extend to the spacer member 106 through the second bearing roller 110 and the closed slot 112.

[0016] Each closed slot 112 has an enlarged opening 120 sized to receive and hold each portion of the bearing roller 110 through it. Each closed slot 112 has a general width less than the enlarged opening 120 so that, when installed, the bearing roller 110 is captured and held within one of the closed slots 112. Each closed slot 112 extends generally perpendicularly downward from the longitudinal axis of the closed slot 112 and optionally includes a plurality of spaced-apart stop notches 122 that may be acutely angled from the longitudinal axis of the closed slot 112 to prevent unintended disengagement of the bearing roller 110 and shaft 108 from the notches 122. Each of these notches 122 corresponds to a predetermined distance from the foot end 16 of the reformer exercise machine 10 when the assembly 100 is installed.

[0017] Attached to the pin member 118 is a carriage stop block or cushion cap 124. This stop block 124 is configured to contact the carriage 18 to maintain a predetermined distance between the anchor bar 102 and the carriage 18 while the anchor bar 102 moves from one stop notch 122 to another stop notch along the length of the closed slot 112.

[0018] The guide plate 104 is configured to be screwed to or otherwise secured to the track 20 on the side rail 12 of the reformer exercise machine 10, such that an elongated slot 112 extends along, parallel to, and downward along the track 20. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of one side 12 of the reformer 10 with the assembly 100 attached. Each elongated guide plate 104 of the assembly 100 is essentially secured to one side of the track 20 such that the spacer member 106 and carriage stop block 124 are below and adjacent to the track 20. The corners of the carriage 18, which preferably include a bracket or portion of the carriage 18 that engages with the stop block 124, are not shown.

[0019] Referring here to Figures 3 and 4, each bearing bushing roller 110 has disc portions of different inner, intermediate, and outer diameters. The inner portion of each bearing bushing roller 110 has a first diameter that is larger than the width of the slot 112 but smaller than the diameter of the enlarged opening 120 at one end of the closed slot 112. The intermediate or intermediate-diameter disc portion is sized to slide easily along the closed slot 112 without coupling. The second or outer disc portion of each bearing roller 110 has a larger diameter to contact the side of the closed slot 112 and to either the carriage stop block 124 or the anchor bar 102 to which the bearing roller 110 is mounted. This essentially captures each of the bearing bushing rollers 110 within the closed slot 112. Since the spacer member 106 has one end fixed to the shaft 108 of the anchor bar 102 and the other end fixed to the pin member 118 that supports the stop block 124, the movement of the anchor bar 102 along the slot 112 inevitably causes the pin member 118 and the stop block 124 to move along the slot 112.

[0020] To adjust the longitudinal position of the anchor bar 102 relative to the foot end 16 of the reformer 10 using the assembly 100 according to this disclosure, the user simply lifts the anchor bar 102 manually and slides it along each of the parallel slots 112 of the plate 104 from one stop notch 122 to an adjacent stop notch 122, and then lowers the anchor bar 102 to the appropriate stop notch 122. This also automatically moves the carriage 18 together with the anchor bar 102, thereby maintaining a constant minimum distance between them.

[0021] The assembly 100 according to this disclosure may be attached to any reformer exercise equipment, and the spring anchor bar is always kept aligned and parallel to maintain the same minimum distance from the carriage 18. The anchor bar 102 of the assembly 100 cannot rotate downward in a way that would inadvertently release the spring 22 when there is no tension on the spring 22. Downward and upward rotation of the anchor bar 102 is simply constrained by the height of a specific notch 122 in the slot 112 on which the anchor bar 102 is supported. The arrangement with the stop block 124 is always in a fixed orientation with respect to the anchor bar 102 and the spacer member 106, and ensures that the assembly moves only parallel to the track 20 and without coupling.

[0022] Several variations of the above assembly are conceivable. For example, the arrangement or positioning of the bearing bushing roller 110 on the shaft 108 and pin 118 may be reversed, i.e., it may have a larger second disc diameter portion facing the rail 20 rather than toward the shaft or stop block or bumper. Alternatively, the bearing bushing roller 110 may be constructed from three discs of different diameters stacked together, instead of providing an intermediate portion that can roll along the shaft, or from two spaced-out washers on a common shaft for the intermediate portion. Thus, all such alternatives, variations, and modifications are intended to be covered by and defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Reformer exercise equipment, Frame and, A carriage on the frame configured for forward and backward movement between the head end and foot end of the frame on parallel tracks, To bias the carriage toward the foot end of the frame on the parallel tracks, one or more biasing members are fixed between the carriage and the foot end of the frame, A foot bar fixed to the foot end of the frame, A reformer exercise apparatus comprising: an assembly of anchor bars and carriage stops fixed to the frame adjacent to the foot end of the frame, each having an anchor bar slidably fixed to a pair of elongated plates fixed to one of the tracks, wherein each plate has an elongated closed slot therein that is parallel to and extends downward to one of the tracks, the anchor bar having two ends, each end extending through one of the elongated slots and through an elongated spacer member pivotably fixed to the end of the anchor bar, each elongated spacer member having a distal end that carries a pin fixed to a pin extending through the elongated slot, the pin having a carriage stop fixed to the pin.

2. The reformer exercise apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising first bearing rollers fixed to each end of the anchor bar, wherein each first bearing roller has a portion that moves into the closed slot.

3. The reformer exercise device according to claim 2, further comprising second bearing rollers fixed to each pin on the distal end of the spacer member, wherein each second bearing roller moves into the elongated closed slot.

4. An assembly of an anchor bar and carriage stop for use in a reformer exercise machine, comprising a rectangular frame and a pair of parallel tracks extending between the head end and foot end of the rectangular frame, wherein the assembly of the anchor bar and carriage stop is An anchor bar having both ends, A pair of elongated spacer members, each pivotably fixed to one of the ends of the anchor bar, A pair of elongated plates, each having a closed slot in the central longitudinal direction and fitted to be fixed to one of the tracks, the closed slot extending parallel to and below one of the tracks, and each slot receiving one of the ends of an anchor bar through it; Each slot has an enlarged end opening sized to receive through it and hold within it a portion of a bearing roller, and the bearing roller has a first portion having a first diameter, an intermediate portion, and a second portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the first portion. A carriage stop pin fixed to the distal end of each of the elongated spacer members, wherein the carriage stop pin extends through the closed slot, An assembly of an anchor bar and a carriage stop, comprising a carriage stop fixed to the carriage stop pin.

5. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate portion of each bearing roller is sized to move only within the closed slot in the central longitudinal direction of one of the pair of elongated plates.

6. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly according to claim 4, wherein each of the ends of the anchor bar includes a shaft on which one of the bearing rollers is supported.

7. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly according to claim 5, wherein each of the ends of the anchor bar includes a shaft on which one of the bearing rollers is supported.

8. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly according to claim 7, wherein each carriage stop pin has a bearing roller supported thereon, and the bearing roller has an intermediate portion that is supported in the central longitudinally closed slot of one of the pair of elongated plates.

9. The assembly of an anchor bar and carriage stop according to claim 8, wherein the other bearing roller has a first portion adjacent to the intermediate portion and a second portion adjacent to the intermediate portion, and the first portion and the second portion each have a diameter larger than the diameter of the intermediate portion.

10. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly according to claim 4, wherein each elongated spacer member extends parallel to one of the elongated plates.

11. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly according to claim 9, wherein each elongated spacer member extends parallel to one of the elongated plates.

12. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate portions of the bearing roller and the other bearing roller are each captured between the first portion and the second portion of the bearing roller.

13. The anchor bar and carriage stop assembly according to claim 12, wherein the central longitudinally closed slot of each elongated plate includes a plurality of spaced-apart notches.

14. Reformer exercise equipment, Frame and, A carriage on the frame configured for forward and backward movement between the head end and foot end of the frame on parallel tracks, To bias the carriage toward the foot end of the frame on the parallel tracks, one or more biasing members are fixed between the carriage and the foot end of the frame, A foot bar fixed to the foot end of the frame, An anchor bar and carriage stop assembly fixed to the frame adjacent to the foot end of the frame, each having an anchor bar slidably fixed to a pair of elongated plates, each fixed to one of the tracks, wherein each plate has an elongated closed slot therein that is parallel to and extends downward to one of the tracks, the anchor bar having both ends, each end including an axis that extends through one of the elongated slots and through an elongated spacer member pivotably fixed to the end of the anchor bar, each elongated spacer member having a distal end that carries a pin fixed to a pin extending through one of the elongated slots, the pin having a carriage stop fixed to the pin and separating the carriage stop from the anchor bar, A bearing roller supported on the shaft extending through one of the elongated slots, A reformer exercise device comprising: another bearing roller supported on the pin on the distal end of the elongated spacer member.

15. The reformer exercise device according to claim 14, wherein each bearing roller has an intermediate portion that moves within the elongated closed slot.

16. The reformer exercise apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each bearing roller has a first portion adjacent to the intermediate portion having a larger diameter than the intermediate portion.

17. The reformer exercise apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each bearing roller has a second portion adjacent to the intermediate portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the first portion.

18. The reformer exercise device according to claim 17, wherein each elongated closed slot has a plurality of spaced-apart notches extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis of the elongated closed slot.

19. The reformer exercise device according to claim 14, wherein each elongated closed slot has a plurality of spaced-apart notches extending at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the elongated closed slot.

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