Exercise apparatus

Abstract

 An exercise apparatus includes a pair of discs (17, 18) arranged for rotation about a common axis, handles (29, 30) for effecting rotation of the discs (17, 18) and restraint means (31) acting on the discs (17, 18) to resist rotation thereof, the restraint means (31) acting on one disc (17 or 18) being independent of the restraint means (31) acting on the other disc (18 or 17).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to exercise apparatus.

[0002] Most exercise apparatus is designed for use by the able-bodied to improve cardiovascular fitness and strength, though some exercise apparatus is designed for use by those who have suffered injuries for rehabilitation purposes.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple axis upper and lower body exercise apparatus.

[0004] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus that can be used not only for cardiovascular exercises and strength-building exercises but also for exercises for the rehabilitation of lower and upper body exercises.

[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus that can be used by disabled and non-disabled users.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention there is provided an exercise apparatus that includes a pair of discs arranged for rotation about a common axis, handles for effecting rotation of the discs and restraint means acting on the discs to resist rotation thereof, the restraint means acting on one disc being independent of the restraint means acting on the other disc.

[0007] The restraint means acting on the two discs are preferably independently adjustable, and may comprise rollers acting on the peripheries of the discs. Other types of restraint means may alternatively be provided, for example, magnetic resistance elements. The handles are preferably connected to the discs by levers. The discs will normally be rotatable independently so that the user has to exercise a degree of co-ordination to rotate the discs in unison. Means may, however, be provided, if desired, for securing the discs together.

[0008] The two discs are preferably contained within a housing that is mounted on a support column, and the housing is preferably carried by an arm that is connected to a post that is movable vertically relative to the support column. Manual or motorised means may be provided for effecting vertical movement of the post.

[0009] A display console may be provided that includes means for displaying information concerning the exercise that is being carried out.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] 

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of exercise apparatus,

Figure 2 is a side view of the exercise apparatus shown in Figure 1 with the central post of the apparatus in a raised position as compared to Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a thigh restraint for use with the exercise apparatus of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a console that forms part of the exercise apparatus of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a disc assembly that forms part of the exercise apparatus of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the disc assembly of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a pressure roller assembly that forms part of the disc assembly of Figure 5,

Figure 8 is a side view of the pressure roller assembly of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a schematic view of an exercise apparatus used with a bench and a computer, and

Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative form of exercise apparatus.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0011] The exercise apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a cylindrical vertical column 10 containing a vertical post 11 that can be raised and lowered by means of a hand-wheel 12. A motor system may alternatively be provided for raising and lowering the post 11. A horizontal arm 13 extends radially outwardly from the upper end of the post 11 and a housing 14 containing a disc assembly 15 is mounted at the radially outer end of the arm 13.

[0012] The disc assembly 15 comprises, as shown in Figure 6, a main support shaft assembly 16 to which a pair of discs 17 and 18 are connected. The discs 17 and 18 have central apertures that receive anchor bosses 19 and 20 over which fit clamp bosses 21 and 22, the anchor bosses 19 and 20 being held in position by wedges 23 and 24 and clamp knobs 25 and 26 being disposed outwardly of the anchor bosses 19 and 20. The anchor bosses 19 and 20 have through-bores for receiving the ends of levers 27 and 28 that carry handles 29 and 30, the handles 29 and 30 being pivotally connected to the levers 27 and 28. As shown, the handles 27, 28 include a bar contained within a ring and are thus easy to grip.

[0013] Two pressure roller assembles 31 are provided, one for each of the discs 17, 18. Each pressure roller assembly 31 includes a pressure block mount 32 on which is mounted a support 33 having a pair of integral opposed outwardly extending portions formed with bores to receive spindles on which rollers 34 are mounted. The rollers 34 of each assembly are arranged to bear against the outer periphery of the associated disc 17, 18.

[0014] Each pressure roller assembly 31 also includes a lead-screw 35 that passes through a threaded nut 36 fixed within a chamber in the support 33. A knob 37 is provided at the radially outer end of the lead-screw 35 and a disc spring 38 acts on the nut 36 to urge it radially outwardly. An indexing disc 39 is provided at the radially inner end of the lead-screw 35 and a thrust washer 40 is disposed between the disc 39 and the adjacent part of the pressure block mount 32. An indicator label 41 is attached to the outer face of the knob 37.

[0015] When the knob 37 is rotated in one direction, the nut 36 is urged radially inwardly taking with it the support 33, which includes a cylindrical portion 42 that fits over a corresponding cylindrical portion of the support block 32. Inward movement of the support 33 produces radially inward movement of the rollers 34 to increase the pressure applied by the rollers 34 to the outer surfaces of the discs 17 and 18 and thus increase the resistance to movement of the discs 17 and 18 relative to the housing 14. The pressures exerted by the rollers 34 on the discs 17 and 18 can be adjusted independently of one another so that the resistance to movement of the discs 17 and 18 in response to the application of pressure by the right and left hands of the user can be varied independently.

[0016] The discs 17 and 18 are normally arranged to rotate independently, but can be interlocked by means of a pin so that they rotate in unison. When the discs 17 and 18 are arranged for independent rotation, the user has to exercise a degree of muscular co-ordination to maintain them rotating in unison. This ensures that both legs of the user are exercised. Adjustment of the pressures exerted by the rollers 34 on the discs 17 and 18 enables the resistance felt by each of the legs of the user to be adjusted independently. Alternative forms of restraint means, for example, magnetic resistance elements, may also be used.

[0017] The thigh restraint 43 shown in Figure 3 can be attached releasably to the column 10 and includes an attachment portion 44 (for attachment to the column 10), a pivotally mounted rectangular cross-section tube 45, at the outer end of which a pair of cylindrical pads 46 are located, and a mechanism operated by a hand-wheel 47 so that the height of the pads 46 can be adjusted to suit the requirements of the user.

[0018] Figure 4 shows a console 48 that is mounted on the exercise apparatus of Figure 1. It includes a connector 49 that is attached to a plate at the top of the column 10, a first arm 50 connected by a joint 51 to a second arm 52 and a curved bracket 53 that is connected by a connector 54 to the second arm 52. The bracket 53 provides a mounting for a display panel 55 on which there are displays of, for example, the time taken for a particular exercise, the pressures applied to the discs 17 and 18, and the like.

[0019] Figure 9 shows a modification to the apparatus shown in Figure 1, but in which the same reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts of the apparatus. The housing 14 of the disc assembly 15 is so mounted on the post 11 as to permit rotation of the disc assembly 15 about the axis of the post 11, as indicated by the arrow 56, and the disc assembly 15 is rotatable within the housing 14 as indicated by the arrow 57. The user of the apparatus can sit or lie on the bench 58 and will adjust the height of the post 11 relative to the column 10 as appropriate to his or her personal requirements.

[0020] Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative form of apparatus in which the housing 14 containing the disc assembly 15 is mounted on the column 10 by means of an arm 59 that is rotatable about a horizontal axis, as indicated by the arrow 60, and in which the handles 29 and 30 are connected to the disc assembly 15 by twin lever systems 61, 62 and 63, 64 to provide for further degrees of movement of the handles 29 and 30 during use of the apparatus.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus that includes a pair of discs arranged for rotation about a common axis, handles for effecting rotation of the discs and restraint means acting on the discs to resist rotation thereof, the restraint means acting on one disc being independent of the restraint means acting on the other disc.

2. An exercise apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the discs are rotatable independently and in which the restraint means acting on the two discs are independently adjustable.

3. An exercise apparatus as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which the two discs are contained within a housing that is mounted on a support column.

4. An exercise apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, in which the housing is carried by an arm that is connected to a post that is movable vertically relative to the support column.

5. An exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a display console that includes means for display information concerning the exercise that is being carried out.

6. An exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the handles are connected to the discs by levers.

7. An exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the restraint means comprises rollers acting on the peripheries of the discs.

8. An exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the restraint means comprises magnets.

Drawing