Vertical total body exercise apparatus

Abstract

A stationary frame with two vertically positioned rotary cycles, each independent of the other, for a user exercising hands and feet simultaneously in free, upright position. A special combination of stiff, heavy-duty resistance devices, to include extension springs and wheel and roller braking devices, combined with shock absorbers. A spring loaded foot pedal mechanism that provides resistance only to the power stroke of the foot pedal rotation, and springs the pedal back freely on the return stroke. A cam and shock absorber assembly that provides extra tension to the power stroke of the hand pedal rotation. A pivoting frame that allows two hand operating positions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not Applicable. REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING [0003] Not Applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0004] The invention relates to exercise devices; more particularly, to the subclass of stationary bikes that provide exercise for the top and the lower halves of the body simultaneously, with the user in free-standing, vertical position. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] Despite a flurry of new exercise devices, there is still a particular need of another class of exerciser, one that will stand the test of time. New and exciting machine exercise concepts have appeared on the world scene yearly since the start of the fitness boom in nineteen eighty-four. Many machines capture the public's imagination as they seek to simulate popular activities, such as, rowing, stair-climbing, skiing and the like. Unfortunately, we see many of these come and go. Interestingly, the three that...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] This total body exerciser functions to suspend the user bodily in space, as the user, using rotary motion, exercises both hands and feet simultaneously in free, upright position. There is no seat or strap or any of the usual elements of support and leverage. The actual resistance is used for body support and for leverage, aside from being used as exercise. The user is in essence riding the resistance, similarly to what is seen in swimming. This is accomplished by the vertical positioning of the two rotary cycles, effectively wedging the user in between; and, by a special combination of stiff, heavy-duty resistance devices, creating the pedal effect of moving platforms. These devices include extension springs and wheel and roller braking devices, combined with shock absorbers.

[0011] The springs give a lively tension to the foot pedals, but would be too lively if not for the shock absorbers. The shock absorbers slow or deaden the action, and add greatly to the feel of harnessing a natural force, such as the great forces of water and air, and add to the power that is needed to carry the weight of an adult human body. The wheel and roller braking devices supplement the resistance and help equalize pedal movement, and they are the only adjustable resistance devices on the apparatus.

[0012] The springs serve a dual purpose with the foot pedal mechanism. As the springs are caused to extend outward by the movement of the foot pedal, the springs provide tension only to the part of the pedaling cycle going away from the user, referred to as the power stroke; then, as they compress, or spring back, the springs provide lift to the pedal coming back toward the user, the free return stroke. This is crucial to the functionality and to the comfort ability of the apparatus, as it allows the user to concentrate his efforts only on pushing the pedals, and not having the difficult task of pushing and pulling all in the same rotation.

[0014] The pivoting frame gives the user the choice of raising or lowering the hand pedals between two operating positions. The lower position is at chest level and the upper position is at over-head level. Two gas cylinder lifts provide help to the user in lifting the pivoting frame, like an automobile hatchback. The frame then catches in the upper position so that the user does not need to use his or her strength to hold it up during exercise. A simple tug is all that is necessary to start the frame on a gradual descent, again with the help of the gas cylinder lifts. The lifting and lowering of the pivoting frame do not necessarily interrupt the continued pedaling action.

[0015] The main object of this invention is to provide a truly total body exercise that immerses the whole body into a sea of powerful yet yielding resistance, just body against resistance without the support of a seat or strap.

Problems solved by technology

But the user is not given a free ride.

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