Exercise machine for facilitating leg press with knee extension exercises

Abstract

An exercise machine that enables users to perform both leg press and knee extension exercises efficiently. The exercise machine includes a base platform and an adjustable backrest that supports the user's back to facilitate the leg press exercise. The backrest slides along guide bars, allowing for customizable reclining positions, and its angle can be adjusted for user comfort. A footrest, hinged at the base platform, engages leg muscles during the leg press exercise and is connected to a weight stack for adjustable resistance. The footrest's range of movement can be controlled to prevent excessive rotation. Additionally, a lever pad is positioned to support the user's knees during knee extension exercises, with adjustable resistance through a second weight stack. The lever pad's range of motion can also be regulated for safety. The exercise machine integrates both exercises, promoting full-body muscle engagement and enhancing strength and cardiovascular health.

Description

EXERCISE MACHINE FOR FACILITATING LEG PRESS WITH KNEE EXTENSION EXERCISESTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of exercise equipment. In particular, the present invention pertains to an exercise machine for facilitating leg press with knee extension exercises.BACKGROUND

[0002] Leg press machines are widely used in fitness and rehabilitation settings to target the lower body muscles, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. These machines generally involve a seated or supine position where the user pushes against a platform or sled with their legs, providing resistance to work the muscles. While traditional leg press machines primarily focus on the motion of pressing the legs outward, they often do not specifically incorporate additional exercises, which are essential for strengthening the quadriceps and improving knee joint stability.

[0003] Knee extension exercises are commonly performed using isolated machines such as leg extension machines, where the user is seated with their legs bent at the knee and extends the legs against resistance. However, many exercise facilities and home gyms are limited in space and budget, leading to the use of either a leg press or a leg extension machine, but not both. This creates a need for a more versatile, space-efficient exercise machine that can combine the benefits of both leg press and knee extension exercises into a single unit.

[0004] Conventional leg press machines, while effective for strengthening the lower body, often impose restrictions on the natural range of motion of the knees, hips, and ankles. This limitation can lead to improper alignment during the exercise, placing excessive stress on the knee joints and potentially resulting in injury or discomfort. Many existing machines force users into a fixed path of movement that does not accommodate the natural biomechanics of the body, which may lead to improper form and excessive strain on the knees. This is especially problematic for individuals with joint issues or those who require a more customized workout experience to avoid injury.

[0005] Moreover, conventional leg press machines typically focus on isolating large muscle groups like the quadriceps and glutes, but they often minimize the engagement of core and stabilizer muscles. These machines are designed to stabilize the body during the exercise, limiting the need for balance and control, which contrasts with free-weight exercises such as squats. Free-weight exercises not only target the primary lower body muscles but also engagethe core and stabilizer muscles, contributing to functional strength and overall muscle development. The lack of core engagement in fixed-motion leg press machines may hinder users from achieving well-rounded strength, particularly in real-world functional movements where stability and balance are essential.

[0006] In addition, the challenge exists in designing an exercise machine that can seamlessly transition between the leg press and knee extension movements, ensuring user comfort, safety, and effective targeting of the lower body muscles without requiring excessive setup adjustments. Existing exercise equipment often require users to reposition themselves or the equipment components, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming.SUMMARY

[0007] Thus, there is a need for an improved exercise machine that facilitates both leg press and knee extension exercises in a single, integrated apparatus, providing users with a more efficient and versatile workout solution. The present invention addresses this need by offering a compact, functional exercise machine capable of performing both exercises with ease, improving lower body strength, flexibility, and overall fitness.

[0008] The present invention provides a comprehensive and reliable exercise machine that not only facilitates a user to perform leg press exercises but also integrates knee extension exercises therewith. This combination promotes a more integrated movement pattern that engages muscle groups of both the upper and lower body of the user, aligning with optimal human biomechanics and enhancing functional movement. The exercise machine of the present invention enables the user to effectively engage various muscle groups, including hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps, etc., with the added benefit of adjustable weight loads to accommodate users of different fitness levels. This makes the exercise machine more versatile and tailored to individual needs.

[0009] An objective of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine designed to facilitate both leg press with knee extension exercises, integrating the benefits of these exercises.

[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to enable users to perform a combination of leg press with knee extension exercises, which allows users to efficiently engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously.

[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine that enables users to effectively reduce the time required for performing the combination of leg press with knee extension exercises, while enhancing effectiveness of the exercises.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine configured to enhance the overall user experience by allowing for a more comprehensive workout.

[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to integrate multiple muscle groups, such as, hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps, core muscles, and stabilizer muscles, to enable increased muscle engagement across the entire body of users, leading to greater strength gains and improved cardiovascular health.

[0014] Another objective of the present invention is to provide an exercise machine designed to be easily adjustable, accommodating users of different heights, body types, and fitness levels.

[0015] The present invention relates to an exercise machine designed to enable a user to efficiently perform both leg press and knee extension exercises. The exercise machine includes a base platform that can be positioned on a ground surface. The exercise machine also includes a backrest adapted to support the back of a user. The backrest may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction to enable the user to recline on the backrest to perform the leg press exercise. The backrest may be adapted to slide along one or more guide bars of the base platform, allowing users to easily customize their reclining positions. The backrest may also be configured such that its inclination angle with respect to the vertical direction can be easily adjusted by the users.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the backrest may be equipped with a set of shoulder pads adapted to support the shoulders of the user during the exercise. The backrest may also include a headrest configured to provide comfortable head resting positions for the user. The shoulder pads and headrest may be slidable with respect to the backrest to enhance the comfort of the user during the exercise.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exercise machine may include a set of handles coupled to the backrest, such that the handles can be gripped by the user while reclining on the backrest.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exercise machine may include a footrest hingedly coupled to a bottom portion of the base platform, such that the user, reclining on the backrest, can push the footrest by engaging the muscle groups in their legs to perform the leg press exercise. The footrest may be operatively coupled to a first weight stack, allowing the user to adjust the resistance for the pivot movement of the footrest as they perform the leg press exercise. The first weight stack enables the user to select a desired weight from multiple weights to adjust the resistance offered to the pivot movement of the footrest.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exercise machine may include a first range controller designed to adjust or restrict the range of pivot movement of the footrest about its pivot axis. The first range controller helps prevent excessive rotational movement of the footrest, which could lead to discomfort or injury for the user. Additionally, the first range controller allows the user to customize their exercise intensity by modifying the range of motion of the footrest.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exercise machine also includes at least one lever pad coupled to the footrest, such that the user, reclining on the backrest, can place their knees against the lever pad to perform the knee extension exercise. The lever pad is designed to support the user’s knees while the user is reclined on the backrest, assisting in performing knee extension exercises. The lever pad may be adjustable both vertically and horizontally, enabling the user to easily modify the extent of knee flexion while performing the knee extension exercises. The lever pad is movable to allow the user to extend their knees from a deep knee flexion position.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lever pad may be operatively coupled to a second weight stack, allowing the user to adjust the resistance for moving the lever pad as they perform the knee extension exercise. The second weight stack enables the user to select a desired weight from multiple weights to adjust the resistance offered to the lever pad.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exercise machine may include a second range controller configured to adjust or restrict the range of motion of the lever pad. The second range controller is designed to prevent excessive movement of the lever pad, which could cause discomfort or injury. Furthermore, the second range controller enables users to tailor their exercise intensity by adjusting the range of motion of the lever pad.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user may recline on the backrest while their knees are supported by the lever pad and their feet are positioned on the footrest. This enables the user to start the knee extension exercise from a deep flexion position. As the user pushes the lever pad by engaging muscle groups such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, the footrest begins to rotate about its pivot axis and moves away from the user. This results in the efficient integration of the knee extension exercise with the leg press exercise. As a result, the exercise machine combines the leg press exercise with knee extension exercises, facilitating increased muscle engagement throughout the user’s body, leading to greater strength gains and improved cardiovascular health.

[0024] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of an exercise machine configured to facilitate a user to perform leg press exercises along with knee extension exercises, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0028] Traditional leg press machines, while effective for building lower body strength, often restrict the natural range of motion in the knees, hips, and ankles. These limitations can lead to improper alignment during exercises, putting undue strain on the knee joints and increasing the risk of injury or discomfort. Many of these machines enforce a fixed movement path that doesn’t align with the body’s natural biomechanics, which can lead to poor form and excessive pressure on the knees. Additionally, conventional leg press machines typically focus on isolating large muscle groups such as the quadriceps and glutes, but they often fail to fully engage the core and stabilizing muscles. These machines are designed to stabilize the user’s body during exercise, minimizing the need for balance and coordination. In contrast, free-weight exercises, such as squats, not only target the primary lower body muscles but also engage the core and stabilizers, promoting functional strength and overall muscle development. The lack of core activation in fixed-motion leg press machines can limit users’ ability to develop balanced strength, particularly in functional movements where stability and balance are key.

[0029] Embodiments described here pertain to an exercise machine designed to facilitate both leg press with knee extension exercises, offering a more comprehensive and functionalworkout by effectively combining the benefits of these movements. This combination engages multiple muscle groups, aligning with optimal biomechanics and promoting better movement patterns. The exercise machine allows users to strengthen key muscle groups with adjustable weight loads to accommodate various fitness levels, making it versatile and personalized. The exercise machine is configured to efficiently engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, enhancing overall strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health, while being easily adjustable to accommodate different body types, heights, and fitness levels.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of an exercise machine (also referred to as “apparatus” herein) 100 designed to facilitate leg press exercises in conjunction with simultaneous knee extension exercises. The apparatus includes a base platform 102 that is adapted to be placed on a ground surface while remaining substantially parallel thereto. The base platform 102 can be positioned securely on the ground surface to ensure stability of the exercise machine 100. The base platform 102 is equipped with a backrest 104 that is ergonomically designed to support the back of a user while performing exercises. The backrest 104 is adjustable, allowing it to incline relative to the vertical direction, which helps the user to recline in a position optimal for performing leg press exercises. In order to enhance user comfort and flexibility, the backrest 104 is mounted on one or more guide bars 106, and is configured to slide along the guide bars 106 to provide the user with the ability to easily modify the position and the angle of recline to suit their specific body type and comfort level. The angle of recline for the backrest 104 can be easily adjusted by the user, depending on the intensity or type of exercise they wish to perform. The guide bars 106 may be provided with a plurality of slots, and the backrest 104 may include a pair of pins, each adapted to engage a corresponding slot of the guide bar 106 to lock movement of the backrest 104 along the guide rails 106.

[0031] The backrest 104 may be equipped with a pair of shoulder pads 108 designed to support the user’s shoulders during exercises. The shoulder pads 108 help maintain proper posture and stability, ensuring that the upper body of the user remains in a comfortable position during the exercise. Additionally, the backrest 104 may include a headrest 110, designed to provide support and comfort to the user’s head, particularly when the user is in a fully reclined position. Both the shoulder pads 108 and the headrest 110 are adjustable, allowing them to slide along the backrest 104 for further customization. This adjustability ensures that users can tailor the positioning of the shoulder pads 108 and the headrest 110 to enhance comfort, minimize strain, and optimize their exercise experience.

[0032] The apparatus 100 includes a set of handles 112 that are securely attached to the backrest 104. These handles 112 are positioned such that the user can grip them while reclining on the backrest 104, offering additional support and stability during the exercise. The handles 112 are particularly beneficial for individuals who may require extra balance or support while performing the movements, ensuring both safety and efficiency during the workout.

[0033] The apparatus 100 also includes a footrest 114 that is hinged to a bottom portion of the base platform 102. The footrest 114 is designed to rotate about a pivot axis A-A as the user engages in a leg press exercise. The footrest 114 is adjustable such that it can slide along the bottom portion of the base platform 102 to assist the user to easily customize position of the footrest 114 based on their preferences. When the user reclines on the backrest 104, they can push against the footrest 114 by engaging their leg muscles, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, to perform the leg press exercise. The footrest 114 may include a curved portion 116 adapted to prevent slippage of the user’s foot during the exercise.

[0034] The footrest 114 may be connected to a first weight stack, which allows the user to adjust the resistance for the rotation of the footrest 114 about the pivot axis A-A. With the help of the first weight stack, the user can select a desired weight from a variety of weights, tailoring the resistance level to their strength and fitness goals. The footrest 114 may be operatively connected to the first weight stack through a cable and pulley mechanism, allowing the footrest 114 to remain in a fixed position, and rotate about the pivot axis A-A only when the user exerts a load that is greater than the resistance offered by the pre-selected weight of the first weight stack. The adjustable weight stack ensures that users can progressively increase the challenge as they build strength, providing a more personalized and effective workout.

[0035] In order to further enhance the versatility and safety of the exercise machine 100, a first range controller 120 is configured to adjust or restrict the range of movement of the footrest 114 about the pivot axis A-A, ensuring that the footrest 114 does not rotate excessively, which could potentially cause discomfort or injury. By controlling the range of motion of the footrest 114, the first range controller 120 allows users to customize the intensity of their workout while also preventing any unintended or harmful movements that could lead to strain. The ability to adjust the range of motion also gives users the flexibility to tailor their exercise to their fitness level and goals.

[0036] The apparatus 100 also includes at least one lever pad 118, which is coupled to the footrest 114 in such a way that the user can place their knees against it while reclining on the backrest 104. The lever pad 118 may be slidably mounted on a pair of protrusions attached to the footrest 114. The lever pad 118 plays a key role in facilitating knee extension exercises.The lever pad 118 provides support to the user’s knees while they perform the knee extension movement, helping them engage the muscles of the lower body, particularly the quadriceps. To accommodate different body types and preferences, the lever pad 118 is adjustable both vertically and horizontally. This adjustability allows the user to change the position of the lever pad 118 to better suit their body size and preferred exercise position.

[0037] The lever pad 118 is movable to enable the user to extend their knees from a deep knee flexion position, which is essential for performing effective knee extension exercises. The lever pad 118 may be connected to a second weight stack, which operates similarly to the first weight stack but is designed specifically to control the resistance of movement of the lever pad 118 during the knee extension exercise. Just as with the first weight stack, the user can select a desired weight from a range of weights of the second weight stack to adjust the difficulty of the knee extension movement. The lever pad 118 may be coupled to the second weight stack through a cable and pulley mechanism, allowing the lever pad 118 to remain in a fixed position, and move only when the user exerts a load that is greater than the resistance offered by the selected desired weight of the second weight stack. This provides users with the ability to progressively increase the intensity of their workout, ensuring that they can continually challenge their muscles and improve their strength over time.

[0038] The exercise machine 100 may include a second range controller 122 to further enhance the user experience and safety. The second range controller 122 may be configured to regulate the range of motion of the lever pad 118. The second range controller 122 prevents the lever pad 118 from moving too far, ensuring that excessive movement does not occur, which could potentially lead to injury or discomfort. Similar to the first range controller 120, the second range controller 122 allows users to adjust the intensity of their knee extension exercises by modifying the range of motion, offering more flexibility in customizing their workout routine.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the unique design of the apparatus 100 enables the user to recline on the backrest 104 with their knees supported by the lever pad 118 and their feet positioned on the footrest 114. This positioning allows the user to initiate the knee extension exercise from a deep knee flexion position, providing a more thorough and effective workout for the lower body. As the user engages their leg muscles, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, to push against the lever pad 118, the footrest 114 begins to pivot away from the user. This movement integrates the knee extension exercise with the leg press exercise, creating a dynamic workout that engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously. This integration not only helps to build strength more efficiently but also promotes cardiovascularhealth by incorporating full-body movement into the exercise. By combining these two exercises, the machine 100 ensures that the user experiences maximum muscle engagement and strength gains, providing a comprehensive and effective workout.

[0040] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and / or patentability.

[0041] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An exercise machine (100) for facilitating leg press with knee extension exercises, the exercise machine (100) comprising:a. a base platform (102); b. a backrest (104) adapted to support the back of a user, wherein the backrest (104) is adjustable;c. a footrest (114) coupled to the base platform (102), wherein the footrest (114) is configured to rotate about a pivot axis (A-A) when the user pushes the footrest (114) to perform the leg press exercise;d. a first weight stack operatively coupled to the footrest (114) for adjusting the resistance for the pivot movement of the footrest (H4); and e. at least one lever pad (118) coupled to the footrest (114), the lever pad (118) adapted for the user to perform the knee extension exercise.

2. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, further comprising a first range controller (120) configured to adjust or restrict the range of pivot movement of the footrest (114) about the pivot axis (A-A).

3. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, further comprising a second range controller (122) configured to adjust or restrict the range of motion of the lever pad (118).

4. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the lever pad (118) is adjustable both vertically and horizontally.

5. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the backrest (104) is equipped with a set of shoulder pads (108) adapted to support the shoulders of the user and a headrest (110) configured to provide comfortable head resting positions.

6. The exercise machine (100) of claim 5, wherein the shoulder pads (108) and the headrest (110) are slidable with respect to the backrest (104).

7. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, further comprising a set of handles (112) coupled to the backrest (104), such that the handles (112) can be gripped by the user while reclining on the backrest (104).

8. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the footrest (114) is adjustable such that it can slide along the bottom portion of the base platform (102) to customize the position of the footrest (114).

9. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the footrest (114) includes a curved portion (116) adapted to prevent slippage of the user’s foot during the exercise.

10. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the exercise machine is configured to enable the user to recline on the backrest (104) while their knees are supported by the lever pad (118) and their feet are positioned on the footrest (114), which allows the user to start the knee extension exercise from a deep knee flexion position and integrates the knee extension exercise with the leg press exercise as the user pushes the lever pad (118).

10. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the backrest (104) is adapted to slide along one or more guide bars (106) of the base platform (102).

11. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the backrest (104) is adjustable to recline with respect to a vertical direction.

12. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the footrest (114) is hingedly coupled to a bottom portion of the base platform (102).

13. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the user, reclining on the backrest (104), can place their knees against the lever pad (118).

14. The exercise machine (100) of claim 1, further comprising a second weight stack operatively coupled to the lever pad (118) for adjusting the resistance for the movement of the lever pad (118).

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