Exercise machine support system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10279207-B2
Application number	US-201615376600-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 12, 2016
Priority date	Aug 26, 2013
Publication date	May 7, 2019
Grant date	May 7, 2019

Abstract

An exercise machine support system for providing increased versatility including inclination or declination of an exercise surface, a reduction in the overall length and width of the exercise machine, and an enhanced user interface which reduces the risk of injury. The exercise machine support system generally includes a cantilevered exercise machine which is adapted to have a variable angle of incline or decline with respect to a horizontal ground surface. The exercise machine will generally include a base and a support which extends between the base and the exercise machine. The upper end of the support is connected to the exercise machine by a first pivot such that the exercise machine pivots about the support. An adjustment device may be utilized to pivot the exercise machine and thus adjust its angle of incline. Various types of adjustment devices are disclosed, including an actuator, ratchet-and-pawl, gears, and cam.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An exercise machine support system, comprising:
an exercise machine having a first end, a second end, a midpoint centrally located between the first end and the second end, and a first end platform near the first end;
at least one rail extending between the first and the second end of the exercise machine;
a carriage movably connected to the at least one rail;
a bias member connected to the carriage, wherein the bias member is adapted to exert resistance on the carriage;
a base positioned underneath the exercise machine;
a support extending upwardly from the base, wherein the exercise machine is pivotally connected to the support at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is located between the first end and the midpoint of the exercise machine; and
an actuator connected between the base and the exercise machine for pivoting the exercise machine about the support;
wherein pivoting the exercise machine in a first direction causes the first end of the exercise machine to move upwardly and the second end of the exercise machine to move downwardly, and wherein pivoting the exercise machine in a second direction causes the first end of the exercise machine to move downwardly and the second end of the exercise machine to move upwardly.

2. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , wherein the pivot point is located at or near the first end of the exercise machine, and wherein the actuator is connected to the exercise machine between the pivot point and the midpoint of the exercise machine.

3. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is connected to the exercise machine between the pivot point and the first end of the exercise machine.

4. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator extends vertically between the base and the exercise machine.

5. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator extends diagonally between the base and the exercise machine.

6. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , wherein an upper end of the actuator is connected to or near the first end of the exercise machine.

7. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is comprised of an electro-mechanical actuator.

8. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is comprised of a hydraulic actuator or pneumatic actuator.

9. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is comprised of a screw jack.

10. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a ground surface.

11. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , wherein the exercise machine is cantilevered.

12. The exercise machine support system of claim 1 , including a counterbalancing bias member connected between the base and the exercise machine, wherein the counterbalancing bias member is connected to the exercise machine on a side of the pivot point opposite of the actuator.

13. The exercise machine support system of claim 12 , wherein the counterbalancing bias member is comprised of a spring.

14. An exercise machine support system, comprising:
an exercise machine having a first end, a second end, a midpoint centrally located between the first end and the second end, and a first end platform near the first end;
at least one rail extending between the first and the second end of the exercise machine;
a carriage movably connected to the at least one rail;
a bias member connected to the carriage, wherein the bias member is adapted to exert resistance on the carriage;
a base positioned underneath the exercise machine;
a support extending upwardly from the base, wherein the exercise machine is pivotally connected to the support at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is located between the first end and the midpoint of the exercise machine;
an adjustment device connected between the base and the exercise machine for pivoting the exercise machine about the support, wherein the adjustment device is connected to the exercise machine between the pivot point and the midpoint of the exercise machine; and

a counterbalancing bias member connected between the base and the exercise machine, wherein the counterbalancing bias member is connected between the pivot point and the first end of the exercise machine.

15. The exercise machine support system of claim 14 , wherein the counterbalancing bias member is comprised of a spring.

16. The exercise machine support system of claim 14 , wherein the adjustment device is comprised of a pawl.

17. The exercise machine support system of claim 14 , wherein the adjustment device is comprised of a cam.

18. An exercise machine support system, comprising:
an exercise machine having a first end, a second end, a midpoint centrally located between the first end and the second end, and a first end platform near the first end;
at least one rail extending between the first and the second end of the exercise machine;
a carriage movably connected to the at least one rail;
a bias member connected to the carriage, wherein the bias member is adapted to exert resistance on the carriage;
a base positioned underneath the exercise machine;
a support extending upwardly from the base, wherein the exercise machine is pivotally connected to the support at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is located between the first end and the midpoint of the exercise machine; and
a cam connected between the base and the exercise machine for pivoting the exercise machine about the support, wherein the cam is connected to the exercise machine between the pivot point and the midpoint of the exercise machine, wherein the cam is adapted to contact an underside of the exercise machine to provide a counterbalancing force to support the second end of the exercise machine, and wherein the cam is mechanically rotated to incline or decline the exercise machine about the pivot point.

19. The exercise machine support system of claim 18 , wherein the cam is connected to a motor.

20. An exercise machine support system, comprising:
an exercise machine having a first end, a second end, a midpoint centrally located between the first end and the second end, and a first end platform near the first end;
at least one rail extending between the first and the second end of the exercise machine;
a carriage movably connected to the at least one rail;
a bias member connected to the carriage, wherein the bias member is adapted to exert resistance on the carriage;
a base positioned underneath the exercise machine;
a support extending upwardly from the base, wherein the exercise machine is pivotally connected to the support at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is located between the first end and the midpoint of the exercise machine;
an actuator connected between the base and the exercise machine for pivoting the exercise machine about the support; and
a counterbalancing bias member connected between the base and the exercise machine, wherein the counterbalancing bias member is connected to the exercise machine on a side of the pivot point opposite of the actuator.

21. The exercise machine support system of claim 20 , wherein the counterbalancing bias member is comprised of a spring.

Assignees

• Lagree Tech Inc

Inventors

• Lagree Sebastien Anthony Louis

Classifications

• A63B23/0211

  moving torso with immobilized lower limbs · CPC title

• A63B22/0046

  Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation (attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20) · CPC title

• A63B2208/0219

  on hands and knees · CPC title

• A63B21/0087

  of the piston-cylinder type (using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083) · CPC title

• A63B23/1209

  Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously · CPC title