Apparatus for assisting with push-ups

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus for assisting a user performing push-ups with the use of a counter-weight. A user-force accepting arm is provided for interacting with the user to accept a force exerted by the user in a generally downward direction. A counter-weight receiver is provided for receiving the counter-weight and for generating a counter-weight force, the counter-weight receiver being operably connected to the user-force accepting arm for transferring the counter-weight force from the counter-weight receiver to the user-force accepting arm to counteract the force exerted by the user. A wire is provided for operably connecting the counter-weight receiver to the user-force accepting arm. An accepting arm force guide is operably connected to the user-force accepting arm, and is provided for allowing the user-force accepting arm to move along the accepting arm force guide, wherein the wire is operably attached to the user-force accepting arm. In addition, a counter-weight force guide is operably connected to the counter-weight receiver, and is provided for allowing the counter-weight receiver to move along the counter-weight force guide, wherein the wire is operably attached to the counter-weight receiver. A pulley is rotatably engaged with the wire for transferring forces between the counter-weight receiver and the user-force accepting arm.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for assisting a user performing push-ups with the use of a counter-weight, comprising: 
 a user-force accepting arm for interacting with the user to accept a force exerted by the user in a generally downward direction; and,    a counter-weight receiver for receiving the counter-weight and for generating a counter-weight force, the counter-weight receiver being operably connected to the user-force accepting arm for transferring the counter-weight force from the counter-weight receiver to the user-force accepting arm to counteract the force exerted by the user.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a wire for operably connecting the counter-weight receiver to the user-force accepting arm.  
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an accepting arm force guide operably connected to the user-force accepting arm, allowing the user-force accepting arm to move along the accepting arm force guide.  
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising: 
 a base fixedly attached to and supporting the accepting arm force guide.  
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the user-force accepting arm comprises: 
 a plurality of accepting arm rollers operably engaged with the accepting arm force guide for allowing the user-force accepting arm to move along the accepting arm force guide.  
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein when the user-force accepting arm moves along the accepting arm force guide, there is a vertical component and a horizontal component to such movement.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the force exerted by the user in a generally downward direction includes a vertical component and a horizontal component.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a counter-weight force guide operably connected to the counter-weight receiver, allowing the counter-weight receiver to move along the counter-weight force guide.  
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a base fixedly attached to and supporting the counter-weight force guide.  
 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the counter-weight receiver comprises: 
 a plurality of counter-weight rollers operably engaged with the counterweight force guide for allowing the counter-weight receiver to move along the counter-weight force guide; and,  
 a weight receiving rod extending in a generally lateral direction.  
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein when the counter-weight receiver moves along the counter-weight force guide, there is a vertical component and a horizontal component to such movement.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the counter-weight force guide comprises a stop for preventing the counter-weight receiver from moving below a predetermined height.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a wire for operably connecting the counter-weight receiver to the user-force accepting arm;  
 an accepting arm force guide operably connected to the user-force accepting arm, allowing the user-force accepting arm to move along the accepting arm force guide, wherein the wire is operably attached to the user-force accepting arm;  
 a counter-weight force guide operably connected to the counter-weight receiver, allowing the counter-weight receiver to move along the counter-weight force guide, wherein the wire is operably attached to the counter-weight receiver; and,  
 a pulley rotatably engaged with the wire for transferring forces between the counter-weight receiver and the user-force accepting arm.  
 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a central support connected between the accepting arm force guide and the counter-weight force guide, wherein the pulley is rotatably attached to the central support.  
 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for assisting a user performing push-ups with the use of a counter-force, comprising: 
 a user-force accepting arm for interacting with the user to accept a force exerted by the user in a generally downward direction; and,    a counter-force creating device for generating the counter-force, the counter-force creating device being operably connected to the user-force accepting arm for transferring the counter-force from the counter-force creating device to the user-force accepting arm to counteract the force exerted by the user.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a wire for operably connecting the counter-force creating device to the user-force accepting arm.  
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 an accepting arm force guide operably connected to the user-force accepting arm, allowing the user-force accepting arm to move along the accepting arm force guide.  
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein when the user-force accepting arm moves along the accepting arm force guide, there is a vertical component and a horizontal component to such movement.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for assisting a user performing push-ups with the use of a counter-weight, comprising: 
 a user-force accepting arm for interacting with the user to accept a force exerted by the user in a generally downward direction;    a counter-weight receiver for receiving the counter-weight and for generating a counter-weight force, the counter-weight receiver being operably connected to the user-force accepting arm for transferring the counter-weight force from the counter-weight receiver to the user-force accepting arm to counteract the force exerted by the user;    a wire for operably connecting the counter-weight receiver to the user-force accepting arm;    an accepting arm force guide operably connected to the user-force accepting arm, allowing the user-force accepting arm to move along the accepting arm force guide, wherein the wire is operably attached to the user-force accepting arm; and,    a counter-weight force guide operably connected to the counter-weight receiver, allowing the counter-weight receiver to move along the counter-weight force guide, wherein the wire is operably attached to the counter-weight receiver.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 a pulley rotatably engaged with the wire for transferring forces between the counter-weight receiver and the user-force accepting arm.