Exercise machine with unstable user support

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9517379-B2
Application number	US-201514961879-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 7, 2015
Priority date	Apr 17, 2012
Publication date	Dec 13, 2016
Grant date	Dec 13, 2016

Abstract

An unstable user support device designed for mounting on an exercise machine has a base or mounting bracket and an unstable user support platform configured for engagement by user and pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement through a limited angular range about a non-vertical pivot axis. The pivoting movement may be a side to side tilting movement. Stops between the base and the unstable user support platform control the amount of pivoting movement. This arrangement provides a degree of instability to the unstable user support platform, to provide a greater challenge to the user's core muscles in balancing the unstable user support platform while performing an exercise motion.

First claim

We claim:

1. An unstable user support for supporting a user in a seated position while performing an exercise on an exercise machine, comprising:
a base having a U-shaped base mounting bracket comprising a horizontal bottom member and two spaced apart vertical side members extending upwardly from the horizontal bottom member; an unstable user support platform configured to support the user in the seated position while performing the exercise; the unstable user support platform pivotally mounted on the U-shaped base mounting bracket for free rotational tilting movement about at least one non-vertical pivot axis in at least two opposite directions between first and second tilted end positions, the unstable user support platform having a centered support position between said first and second tilted end positions; and
a stop assembly between the base and the unstable user support platform which defines the respective first and second tilted end positions and limits tilting movement from said centered support position in each direction to a predetermined angular range; and
a base support member positioned a vertical distance above the base, wherein the horizontal bottom member is secured to an upper surface of the base support member so that an upper surface of the horizontal bottom member is facing the unstable user support platform.

2. The unstable user support of claim 1 further comprising a pivot pin which provides the pivotal connection between the base and the unstable user support platform,
wherein the pivot pin extends between the two spaced apart vertical side members of the U-shaped base mounting bracket.

3. The unstable user support of claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-vertical pivot axis is substantially parallel to the unstable user support platform.

4. The unstable user support of claim 3 , wherein the stop assembly comprises first and second end stops defining the respective first and second tilted end positions.

5. The unstable user support of claim 4 , wherein the first and second end stops comprise resilient bumpers mounted on one of the base and the unstable user support platform on opposite sides of the at least one non-vertical pivot axis.

6. The unstable user support of claim 5 , wherein the resilient bumpers are mounted on the base.

7. The unstable user support of claim 1 , wherein the unstable user support platform has at least one user support pad configured to support the user in the seated position.

8. The unstable user support of claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-vertical pivot axis extends in a direction from a front end of the unstable user support platform to a rear end of the unstable user support platform, and the unstable user support platform is configured for side-to-side tilting movement to the right and left of the centered support position.

9. The unstable user support of claim 1 , wherein the base support member is a base support post.

10. The unstable user support of claim 1 , wherein the base support member is a base support strut.

11. An unstable user support for supporting a user in a seated position while performing an exercise on an exercise machine, comprising:
a base;
an unstable user support platform configured to support the user in the seated position while performing the exercise; the unstable user support platform pivotally mounted on a U-shaped base mounting bracket for free rotational tilting movement about at least one non-vertical axis; and
a joint which provides the pivotal connection between the base and the unstable user support platform;
a stop assembly between the base and the unstable user support platform which limits tilting movement from a centered support position to a predetermined angular range; and
a base support member positioned a vertical distance above the base, wherein the U-shaped base mounting bracket is secured to an upper surface of the base support member.

12. An exercise machine, comprising:
a stationary main frame having a forward end, a rear end, and opposite sides;
an unstable user support assembly mounted on the main frame and adapted to support a user in a seated position during an exercise;
an exercise arm assembly movably mounted relative to the main frame and having a user engaging portion which is adapted for engagement by a part of the user's body to perform the exercise when the user is supported in the seated position on the unstable user support assembly,
wherein the unstable user support assembly comprises:
a base having a U-shaped base mounting bracket comprising a horizontal bottom member and two spaced apart vertical side members extending upwardly from the horizontal bottom member;
an unstable user support platform configured to support the user in the seated position while performing the exercise;
the unstable user support platform pivotally mounted on the U-shaped base mounting bracket for free rotational tilting movement about at least one non-vertical pivot axis in at least two opposite directions between first and second tilted end positions, the unstable user support platform having a centered support position between said first and second tilted end positions; and
a stop assembly between the base and the unstable user support platform which defines the respective first and second tilted end positions and limits tilting movement from said centered support position in each direction to a predetermined angular range; and
wherein the base is secured to the main frame.

13. The exercise machine of claim 12 , further comprising a connecting linkage between the unstable user support assembly and exercise arm assembly, wherein the connecting linkage links movement of the exercise arm assembly during the exercise to movement of the unstable user support assembly about a second pivot axis.

14. The exercise machine of claim 13 , wherein the at least one non-vertical pivot axis and the second pivot axis are substantially horizontal.

15. The exercise machine of claim 13 , further comprising a load which resists movement of at least one of the unstable user support assembly, the exercise arm assembly, and the connecting linkage.

16. The exercise machine of claim 12 , wherein the at least one non-vertical pivot axis is substantially horizontal.

17. The exercise machine of claim 12 , wherein the stop assembly comprises first and second end stops defining the respective first and second tilted end positions.

18. The exercise machine of claim 12 further comprising a pivot pin which provides the pivotal connection between the base and the unstable user support platform,
wherein the pivot pin extends between the two spaced apart vertical side members of the U-shaped base mounting bracket.

19. The exercise machine of claim 12 , wherein the at least one non-vertical pivot axis is substantially parallel to the unstable user support platform.

20. The exercise machine of claim 19 , wherein the stop assembly comprises first and second end stops defining the respective first and second tilted end positions.

21. The exercise machine of claim 20 , wherein the first and second end stops comprise resilient bumpers mounted on one of the base and the unstable user support platform on opposite sides of the at least one non-vertical pivot axis.

22. The exercise machine of claim 21 , wherein the resilient bumpers are mounted on the base.

23. The exercise machine of claim 12 , wherein the unstable user support platform has at least one user support pad configured to

Assignees

• Hoist Fitness Systems Inc

Inventors

• Hockridge Bruce
• Meredith Jeffrey O
• Doan Thao V

Classifications

• A63B21/4033

  Handles, pedals, bars or platforms · CPC title

• A63B2023/003

  by torsion of the body part around its longitudinal axis · CPC title

• A63B23/1209

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

• A63B23/12

  for upper limbs {or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles (bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06)} · CPC title

• A63B23/0216

  moving lower limbs with immobilized torso · CPC title