Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02769993 2012-03-02
EXERCISE SYSTEM
The present application claims the benefit of priority of pending provisional
patent
2 application Serial No. 61/464,374, filed on March 3, 2011, entitled
"Exercise system".
3
4 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
6 This invention relates generally to an exercise system and, more
particularly, the
7 invention relates to an exercise system enabling users to comfortably and
properly
8 complete upper body range of motion exercises.
9
2. Description of the Prior Art
11 There is little dispute that regular exercise is extremely beneficial to
the human
12 body. Whether an elderly couple embarking on an evening stroll, a health
conscious coed
13 enjoying an afternoon aerobics class, or a homemaker stretching her muscles
and raising
14 her heartbeat through yoga, regular exercise is beneficial to the body,
mind and spirit. In
particular, performing upper body exercises will not only work the muscles of
the chest,
16 shoulders, triceps and biceps, but can also work the heart and lungs, while
improving
17 posture. As such, a properly executed upper bodywork out can effectively
improve
18 overall health. An important aspect of upper body exercise has to do with
achieving
19 proper range of motion. Range of motion is the normal range of movement for
a joint,
specifically: flexion (how far it can be bent) and extension (how far it can
be stretched
21 out). Joints are where bones come together. Joints hold the bones together
and allow for
22 movement of the skeleton. All of the bones form joints (except the hyoid
bone in the
23 neck). A beneficial range of motion exercise is sometimes referred to as
"angel arms".
24 Angel arms provide a great way to perfect one's understanding of how to use
the arms
and shoulders without losing the alignment of the back and ribcage. Angel arms
develop
26 core stabilization, improve posture, and help increase range of motion for
the shoulders
27 and arms.
28
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1 SUMMARY
2 The present invention is an exercise system for conducting complete body
range
3 of motion exercises. The exercise system comprises a base having a top
surface and a
4 bottom surface with the top surface restable on a surface. A vertical
support is provided
having a first end and a second end with the first end of the vertical support
mounted to
6 the top surface of the base. A rear support is provided having a first end
and a second end
7 with the first end of the rear support attached to the top surface of the
frame and the
8 second end of the rear support attached to the vertical support at a point
above the base
9 frame. At least one lower resistance device is slidably secured to the rear
support. A
lower resistance band is releasably attachable to the at least one lower
resistance device
11 with the lower resistance band having a handle on each end. A back support
is mounted
12 to the vertical support. A chest support is mounted above the abdominal
support. A head
13 support is mounted to the second end of the vertical support. An upper
resistance device
14 is mounted below the head support. An upper resistance band is releasably
attachable to
the upper resistance device with the upper resistance device having a handle
on each end.
16 A pair of arms extends from the vertical support. Upon the user grasping
the handles and
17 pulling on either the lower resistance band or the upper resistance band,
the resistance
18 bands provide resistance to the user thereby toning and strengthening
user's body thus
19 improving both posture and range of motion.
21 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
22 FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating an exercise system,
constructed in
23 accordance with the present invention;
24 FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating the exercise system,
constructed in
accordance with the present invention;
26 FIG. 3 is another rear perspective view illustrating the exercise system,
27 constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the exercise
system in a
28 configuration for a male user;
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1 FIG. 4 is still another rear perspective view illustrating the exercise
system,
2 constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the exercise
system in a
3 configuration for a female user;
4 FIG. 5 is an elevational side view illustrating a top portion of the
exercise system,
-5 constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a head cushion
moveable in
6 and out;
7 FIG. 6 is an elevational side view illustrating the top portion of the
exercise
8 system, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a chest
cushion
9 moveable in and out;
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view illustrating the exercise system,
constructed in
11 accordance with the present invention, with the resistance bands secured to
the exercise
12 system;
13 FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view illustrating the exercise system,
constructed in
14 accordance with the present invention, with the resistance bands secured to
the exercise
system; and
16 FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view illustrating the top portion of the
exercise system,
17 constructed in accordance with the present invention.
18
19 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 9, the present invention is an exercise system,
indicated
21 generally at 10, enabling users to comfortably and properly complete upper
body range of
22 motion exercises. The exercise system 10 of the present invention is an
upright exercise
23 equipment utilized when standing and configured expressly for use in toning
and
24 strengthening the entire body, thus improving both posture and range of
motion.
The exercise system 10 of the present invention includes a substantially
planar
26 base 12 positionable directly on a surface. Extending from the base 12 is a
vertical
27 support 14 having a first end and a second end with the first end of the
vertical support 14
28 secured to the base 12 by bolts, screws, welding, or other fastening
mechanism. The
29 vertical support 14 preferably has a bottom piece secured to the base 12
and a top piece
slidably receivable within the bottom piece allowing the height of the
vertical support 14
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1 to be adjusted, as desired. Basically, the length of the vertical support 14
is adjustable,
2 i.e., telescoping, allowing the user to determine the position of the
various supports by
3 raising and lowering the vertical support 14 to accommodate users of varying
heights.
4 The desired height of the vertical support 14 is releasably secured in place
with a
tightening knob 16 or-the like.
6 In addition, the exercise system 10 of the present invention includes a rear
support
7 18 having a first end and a second end with the first end of the rear
support 18 attached to
8 the base 12 and the second end of the support attached to the vertical
support 14 at a point
9 above the base 12. Preferably, the rear support 18 angles from the base 12
to the vertical
support 14 providing better securement of the vertical support 14 relative to
the base 12
11 when exercises are being performed, as will be described in further detail
below.
12 Furthermore, the exercise system 10 of the present invention includes at
least one
13 lower resistance device 20 having a center bar 24 with a resistance hook 22
on each end.
14 The center bar 24 of the lower resistance device 20 is slidably moveable
along the rear
support 18 and releasably secured in place with a tightening knob 26 or the
like.
16 Preferably, the exercise system 10 includes a pair of lower resistance
devices 20. A
17 resistance band 28 is releasably attachable to each resistance hook 22 for
providing
18 resistance to the lower body when exercises are being performed, as will be
described in
19 further detail below.
The exercise system 10 of the present invention further includes an elongated,
21 rectangular-shaped padded back support 30 mounted to the vertical support
14 against
22 which the user leans their back and upper body when completing their work
out. An
23 abdominal support cushion 32 can be releasably secured to the back support
30 for use by
24 female users while performing exercises facing the exercise system 10 so
their chest does
not press up against a chest support 30 mounted to the vertical support 14
directly above
26 the abdominal support 32. In addition, a hand grip 34 can be mounted on
each side of the
27 back support 30 for grasping by the user during exercise.
28 As stated, mounted above the back support 30 of the exercise system 10 of
the
29 present invention is the chest support 34. Preferably, the chest support 34
is mounted to a
first shaft 36 moveable through a first sleeve 38 with the first sleeve 38
secured to the
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I vertical support 12 thereby allowing the chest support 34 to move in a
general direction
2 away from and toward the vertical support 14. The position of the chest
support 34
3 relative to the vertical support 14 is releasably secured in place with a
tightening knob 40
4 or the like.
The exercise system 10 of the present invention additionally includes a head
6 support 42 mounted to the second end of the vertical support 14. The head
support 42,
7 like the chest support 34, is mounted to a second shaft 44 moveable through
a second
8 sleeve 46 with the second sleeve 46 secured to the vertical support 14
thereby allowing
9 the head support 42 to move in a general direction away from and toward the
vertical
support 14. The position of the head support 42 relative to the vertical
support 14 is
11 releasably secured in place with a tightening knob 48 or the like. A
resistance head band
12 50 can be provided to apply pressure from the back of the head forcing the
user to hold
13 the head back while performing exercises facing the exercise system 10.
14 In addition, the exercise system 10 of the present invention includes an
upper
resistance device 52 having a center bar 54 with a resistance hook 56 on each
end. The
16 center bar 54 of the upper resistance device 52 is slidably moveable along
the vertical
17 support 14 beneath the head support 42 and releasably secured in place with
a tightening
18 knob 58 or the like. A resistance band 60 is releasably attachable to each
resistance hook
19 56 of the upper resistance device 52 for providing resistance to the upper
body when
exercises are being performed, as will be described in further detail below.
21 Further yet, the exercise system 10 of the present invention includes an
angel arm
22 mounting sleeve 62 secured to the vertical support 14, a first arm mounting
shaft 64
23 slidably receivable in one side of the angel arm mounting sleeve 62, and a
second arm
24 mounting shaft 66 slidably receivable in the other side of the angel arm
mounting sleeve
62. The length of the first arm mounting shaft 64 and the second arm mounting
shaft 66
26 receivable within the angel arm mounting sleeve 62 can be adjusted and
releasably locked
27 in place via a tightening knob or the like.
28 The exercise system 10 of the present invention includes a first exercise
arm 68
29 having a first end and a second end and a second exercise arm 70 having a
first end and a
second end. The first end of the first exercise arm 68 receives at least a
portion of the
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1 first arm mounting shaft 64 and the second end of the second exercise arm 70
receives at
2 least a portion of the second arm mounting shaft 66. The length of the first
arm mounting
3 shaft 64 and the second arm mounting shaft 66 receivable within the first
exercise arm 68
4 and the second exercise arm 70 can be adjusted and releasably locked in
place via
tightening knobs or the like. A hinge 72 is positioned in the first exercise
arm 68 and the
6 second exercise arm 70 allowing the first exercise arm 68 and the second
exercise arm 70
7 to bend approximately ninety (90 ) degrees. The angle of the bend can be
releasably
8 locked into place with a pin or the like.
9 In a preferred embodiment, the first exercise arm 68 has a first handle 74
slidably
receivable in the second end of the first exercise arm 68 and the second
exercise arm 70
11 has a second handle 76 slidably receivable in the second end of the second
exercise arm
12 70. A pin or the like is insertable in a series of alignable apertures
formed in both the first
13 exercise arm 68 and the first handle 74 and the second exercise arm 70 and
the second
14 handle 76 allowing the extent of the handles 74, 76 to be adjusted by the
user and making
it easy laterally to raise (abduct) the arms over the head. The handles 74, 76
preferably
16 are directed in a downward direction.
17 The manner of use of the exercise system 10 of the present invention will
now be
18 described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
manner of use of the
19 exercise system 10 described herein is merely one method of use and other
methods of
use of the exercise system 10 are within the scope of the present invention.
21 In operation of the exercise system 10 of the present invention, there are
basically
22 two main positions while performing exercises. First, the exercise system
10 is height
23 adjustable for adjusting the height of the exercise system 10. The exercise
system 10 can
24 include an air shock for assisting the user for ease in accomplishing their
intended height.
A tightening knob locks the height of the vertical support of the exercise
system 10 in
26 place. The user can either face the exercise system 10 or the user can put
their back
27 against the exercise system 10 so that the user is supported in the upright
position. One
28 of the main objectives accomplished by users using the exercise system 10
supporting the
29 body in assuming a plumb line (i.e., standing straight up) posture.
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1 Exercises that are performed facing the exercise system 10 of the present
2 invention, if the user is male, include positioning the chest area against
the chest support
3 adjusted for the size of the user. The user can also position the resistance
head band
4 around the back of the head so it forces the user to hold the head back. One
of the
common postural mistakes people make when performing exercises is they flex
their head
6 forward and by having the resistance head band applying constant pressure on
the back of
7 the head is that it reminds the user to hold the head up and back, as it
strengthens the back
8 and neck extensor muscles (the muscles that hold upper body and head up.)
9 For female users of the exercise system 10 of the present invention, the
user
mounts the abdominal support on the back support for supporting their
abdominal area,
11 with their chest not touching the chest piece. The user will also position
the resistance
12 head band around the back of the head forcing the user to stand up straight
assuming
13 plumb line posture while engaging in the exercises.
14 With the user standing with the body facing the exercise system 10 of the
present
invention in a supported perfect upright position and the resistant band
applying forward
16 pressure on the back of the head, the exercise system 10 forces the user to
hold the head
17 back thereby creating a postural exercise. The exercise system strengthens
the muscles in
18 the entire back and neck that are fundamental for having correct, upright
posture. As the
19 user is standing in an upright posture with the head and back engaging in
extension to
stand up straight, there are also exercises of the upper body to improve the
strength and
21 stability of the upper body and shoulders.
22 The exercise system 10 of the present invention features adjustable lower
23 resistance tubing hooks on the lower and upper parts that can also move up
and down and
24 lock in the desired position that the user wants. The resistance tubing
used is
approximately three (3') feet to four (4') feet in length and has handles on
both sides. The
26 resistance tubing is wrapped around the hooks on both sides of the exercise
system 10 and
27 the patient grabs hold of the handles with each hand. A range of different
exercises are
28 then performed overhead, arms straight out, and arms facing straight down.
29 The exercises being performed while facing the exercise system 10 of the
present
invention are all in the backward direction which strengthens the muscle that
will bring
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1 the shoulders and upper body back (squeeze the shoulder blades back). These
muscles
2 are called the "scapular retractor muscles" (muscles used when the user
squeezes the
3 shoulder blades back.) The other muscles focused on are the external rotator
muscles of
4 the shoulder. These muscles simply allow the user to rotate the arms up and
back for
strengthening the scapular retractors and the external rotation muscles of the
shoulders
6 thereby counter balancing the commonly stressed positions assumed during
daily
7 activities consisting of excessive time on the computer, texting, and
driving in a vehicle.
8 These daily activities cause the shoulders to protract (go forward) and the
internal rotator
9 muscles (the muscles that rotate the arms forward and down) to over
compensate, which
leads to forward rounded, protracted shoulders, hunched posture, and forward
head
11 posture. The goal of the exercise system 10 is to work the muscles that do
the exact
12 opposite of the things done on an everyday basis that cause these bad
postures.
13 While performing exercises on the exercise system 10 of the present
invention
14 with the user's back against the exercise system 10, the abdominal support
(which is used
for females) is removed and the chest support is positioned all the way in so
the supports
16 are flat allowing the user to put their back supported flat against the
exercise system 10.
17 With the hips, back, and head supported flat against the machine, the user
can do a range
18 of resistant tubing exercises. The users have the option of wrapping the
resistance tubing
19 around the lower resistance band hooks or around the upper resistance band
hooks. The
users also have the option of performing "angel arm exercises". The exercise
system 10
21 has two horizontal adjustable arms with grips for the user to grab. The
handles guide the
22 patient while performing abduction (laterally raising the arms over head)
exercises.
23 The exercise system 10 of the present invention offers users a number of
24 significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the exercise system 10
provides users a
simple, efficient and comfortable means of performing upper body range of
motion
26 exercises. Enabling the user to easily complete abduction or "angel arm"
exercises,
27 without causing strain and injury to themselves, the exercise system 10
allows the user to
28 complete this exercise in a smooth and easy fashion. As such, use of the
exercise system
29 10 spares the user the strain and discomfort associated with performing
this exercise in
the traditional manner. Eliminating the strain to the shoulders, upper back
and arms so
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1 often associated with attempting to improve range of motion when in less
that optimal
2 physical shape, the exercise system 10 enables users to exercise their upper
body safely
3 and with ease. Further, by controlling the motion of the arms, via the
integrated first
4 exercise arm 34 and the second exercise arm 40 and handgrips 50, 56, use of
the exercise
system 10 ensures that the exercise was executed properly, as well as in a
smooth and
6 even manner. Increasing stability and improving posture, the exercise system
10 serves to
7 improve the user's muscle tone, facilitating optimal overall health. Ideal
for use by any
8 exercise enthusiast, the exercise system 10 also proves an invaluable
therapy tool for
9 those who suffer limited mobility or are recovering from injury.
The exercise system 10 of the present invention offers exercise enthusiasts
and
11 those receiving from injury a practical way in which to complete range of
motion
12 exercises. Fully adjustable and easily operated, the exercise system 10
proves an
13 invaluable commodity to anyone concerned with toning and building the upper
body.
14
The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred
embodiments
16 of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described
in detail, with
17 varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the
invention
18 has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by
those skilled in
19 the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein
without departing
from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the
present invention
21 is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art.
Moreover, the
22 invention as disclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of
the specific
23 elements which are disclosed herein.
24
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