US4720099A — Exercise machine

Claim 1

Independent Claim 227 words

An exercise machine for use with a user carried on a support means located above the ground, which comprises a frame which extends vertically upwardly between a lower end located at or below the level of the support means and an upper end located substantially above the support means, resistance means carried on the frame for exercising both sides of the body, wherein the resistance means includes two working axes each having means for coupling an exercise attachment thereto, wherein the working axes are transversely spaced apart sufficiently far so that opposed body members of a user located between the working axes can simultaneously contact the attachments coupled thereto to be capable of simultaneously exercising muscle groups on each side of the body, wherein each of the working axes is vertically movable on the frame between a lower position generally aligned with the plane of the support means an an upper position substantially above the plane of the support means and closer to the upper end of the frame to be capable of aligning the working axes with some of the major musculo-skeletal joints of the upper and lower portions of a user's body, and wherein each of the working axes is pivotal relative to the frame to be capable of exercising muscles of body members which are affected when the body members pivot in different planes.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 227 words

An exercise machine for use with a user carried on a support means located above the ground, which comprises a frame which extends vertically upwardly between a lower end located at or below the level of the support means and an upper end located substantially above the support means, resistance means carried on the frame for exercising both sides of the body, wherein the resistance means includes two working axes each having means for coupling an exercise attachment thereto, wherein the working axes are transversely spaced apart sufficiently far so that opposed body members of a user located between the working axes can simultaneously contact the attachments coupled thereto to be capable of simultaneously exercising muscle groups on each side of the body, wherein each of the working axes is vertically movable on the frame between a lower position generally aligned with the plane of the support means an an upper position substantially above the plane of the support means and closer to the upper end of the frame to be capable of aligning the working axes with some of the major musculo-skeletal joints of the upper and lower portions of a user's body, and wherein each of the working axes is pivotal relative to the frame to be capable of exercising muscles of body members which are affected when the body members pivot in different planes.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 30 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the support means is carried on the frame and is adjustable relative thereto in a longitudinal direction between the working axes.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 39 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the working axes each comprise a part of separate force resisters, and wherein the frame comprises two substantially identical frame members each of which carries one of the force resisters.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 3, wherein the force resisters comprise electrically operated brakes.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 207 words

An exercise machine which comprises a frame that includes two side frame members spaced apart a fixed distance which is sufficiently far to allow support means to be placed therebetween at a predetermined height above the ground, resistance means carried on each side frame member for exercising muscle groups on each side of the body of a user who is supported on the support means in at least a partially upright position, wherein each resistance means comprises a shaft whose rotation is opposed by a force, such shaft having at least a generally vertical orientation, wherein the side frame members extend sufficiently far vertically relative to the support means and the shafts are vertically movable a sufficient distance on the side frame members to allow the shafts to be positioned both beneath the support means for leg abduction and adduction exercises and sufficiently far above the support means for arm cross exercises, and wherein the side frame members are inclined outwardly in a transverse direction as they extend upwardly so that the shafts in the arm cross exercise are automatically spaced apart further than in the leg abduction and adduction exercises simply by virtue of being placed in their different vertical positions on the side frame members.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 207 words

An exercise machine which comprises a frame that includes two side frame members spaced apart a fixed distance which is sufficiently far to allow support means to be placed therebetween at a predetermined height above the ground, resistance means carried on each side frame member for exercising muscle groups on each side of the body of a user who is supported on the support means in at least a partially upright position, wherein each resistance means comprises a shaft whose rotation is opposed by a force, such shaft having at least a generally vertical orientation, wherein the side frame members extend sufficiently far vertically relative to the support means and the shafts are vertically movable a sufficient distance on the side frame members to allow the shafts to be positioned both beneath the support means for leg abduction and adduction exercises and sufficiently far above the support means for arm cross exercises, and wherein the side frame members are inclined outwardly in a transverse direction as they extend upwardly so that the shafts in the arm cross exercise are automatically spaced apart further than in the leg abduction and adduction exercises simply by virtue of being placed in their different vertical positions on the side frame members.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 5, wherein the resistance means comprises an electromagnetic brake carried on each side frame member.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 29 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 5, wherein each shaft is pivotal relative to the side frame member from its generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal orientation.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 109 words

An exercise machine which comprises a frame that includes two spaced side frame members between which a user may be located, wherein the side frame members extend vertically upwardly in an arcuate curve from front to back relative to the user, a resistance unit movably carried on each side frame member, wherein each resistance unit includes a rotatable shaft the rotation of which is opposed by a force, and wherein the resistance units are vertically movable sufficiently far along the arcuate curve of the side frame members for repositioning the shafts relative to the user for exercising muscle groups on both the upper and lower body of the user.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 109 words

An exercise machine which comprises a frame that includes two spaced side frame members between which a user may be located, wherein the side frame members extend vertically upwardly in an arcuate curve from front to back relative to the user, a resistance unit movably carried on each side frame member, wherein each resistance unit includes a rotatable shaft the rotation of which is opposed by a force, and wherein the resistance units are vertically movable sufficiently far along the arcuate curve of the side frame members for repositioning the shafts relative to the user for exercising muscle groups on both the upper and lower body of the user.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 8, wherein the shafts of each resistance unit are pivotal relative to the side frame members between generally vertical and generally horizontal orientations.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 69 words

An exercise machine are recited in claim 9, wherein the side frame members are arcuately curved from front to back in a concave manner such that the shafts when vertically oriented are more nearly vertical at the front of the curve than at the back of the curve to thereby vary the angle of inclination of the shafts as they are moved from front to back on the curve.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 50 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 10, wherein the side frame members are inclined outwardly in a transverse direction as they extend upwardly so that the shafts are transversely spaced apart at different distances simply by virtue of being placed at different vertical positions on the side frame members.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 16 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 11, wherein each resistance unit comprises an electromagnetic brake.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 48 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 8, further including a support bench on the frame located between the side frame members, wherein the support bench is longitudinally elongated to extend over a major portion of the distance covered by the arcuate curve of the side frame members.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 8, further including various attachment means connectable to the shafts for allowing the user to exert torque thereagainst in performing different exercises.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 266 words

An exercise machine for exercising both upper and lower body muscle groups, which comprises: (a) a frame including left and right side frame members which are transversely spaced apart in a side-to-side direction and which extend vertically upwardly between a lower end and an upper end located substantially above the ground, wherein the side frame members are further inclined relative to the vertical to span a particular longitudinal distance in a front-to-back direction as they extend upwardly: (b) a generally horizontal support means carried on the frame between the left and right side frame members at a vertical position between the upper and lower ends thereof, wherein the support means is longitudinally adjustable on the frame to adjust the position of the support means in the front-to-back direction relative to the side frame members; and (c) a resistance unit carried on each side frame member for exercising the adjacent side of the user's body, wherein each resistance unit includes a working axis the rotation of which is opposed by a force, and wherein each working axis is vertically movable on its respective side frame member between a lower position generally aligned with the plane of the support means and an upper position substantially above the plane of the support means and closer to the upper end of the side frame member, whereby the working axes are capable of being aligned with some of the major musculo-skeletal joints of the upper and lower portions of the user's body depending on their respective positions on the side frame members relative to the user's position on the support means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 266 words

An exercise machine for exercising both upper and lower body muscle groups, which comprises: (a) a frame including left and right side frame members which are transversely spaced apart in a side-to-side direction and which extend vertically upwardly between a lower end and an upper end located substantially above the ground, wherein the side frame members are further inclined relative to the vertical to span a particular longitudinal distance in a front-to-back direction as they extend upwardly: (b) a generally horizontal support means carried on the frame between the left and right side frame members at a vertical position between the upper and lower ends thereof, wherein the support means is longitudinally adjustable on the frame to adjust the position of the support means in the front-to-back direction relative to the side frame members; and (c) a resistance unit carried on each side frame member for exercising the adjacent side of the user's body, wherein each resistance unit includes a working axis the rotation of which is opposed by a force, and wherein each working axis is vertically movable on its respective side frame member between a lower position generally aligned with the plane of the support means and an upper position substantially above the plane of the support means and closer to the upper end of the side frame member, whereby the working axes are capable of being aligned with some of the major musculo-skeletal joints of the upper and lower portions of the user's body depending on their respective positions on the side frame members relative to the user's position on the support means.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 74 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 15, wherein the support means comprises: (a) a seat portion fixed in a generally horizontal plane; (b) a back rest portion pivotally connected to the seat portion to be capable of being aligned with the seat portion in the generally horizontal plane or being inclined relative thereto; and (c) means for locking the back rest portion in a plurality of inclined positions relative to the seat portion.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 44 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 16, wherein the frame includes a longitudinally elongated, generally horizontal support member placed between the left and right side frame members, and wherein the seat portion of the support means is slidably attached to the support member.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 17, wherein both the side frame members and the support member comprise generally cylindrical tubes.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 32 words

An exercise machine as recited in claim 15, wherein the support means is longitudinally elongated sufficiently to extend over a major portion of the longitudinal span covered by the side frame members.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-01-18	1991-07-20	1992-01-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-01-18	1995-07-20	1996-01-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-01-18	1999-07-20	2000-01-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Exercise machine

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