Exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus includes a primary resistance unit and a secondary resistance unit offering two resisted planes of movement, with the two resistance units being adjustably independently of one another.

1 . An exercise apparatus which includes a primary resistance unit and a secondary resistance unit offering two resisted planes of movement, with the two resistance units being adjustable independently of one another.  
     
     
         2 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the secondary resistance unit includes a rectangular metal outer casing within which there are two centrally placed opposing air rams.  
     
     
         3 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the air rams are push-fixed at their distal ends into a medially placed locating plate containing two side-by-side apertures, one for each air ram, each air ram being fixed at the opposite end by a removable locating plate.  
     
     
         4 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the medially placed locating plate is fixed inferiorly and superiorly by bolts.  
     
     
         5 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which, running through the medially placed internal locating plate and positioned inferiorly and centrally to both air rams, there is a single round-section spanning bar which is fixed at each end by laterally positioned removable end plates.  
     
     
         6 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , in which two metal-cased, bushed slides are positioned on and freely slidable longitudinally of the spanning bar.  
     
     
         7 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the bushed slides are separated by the medially placed locating plate.  
     
     
         8 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , in which, positioned centrally on the inferior aspect of each freely sliding p.t.f.e, bushed slide lies a spigot for the hinged connection at its proximal end of a training lever spanning bar.  
     
     
         9 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the spanning bar, in turn, connects via a hinge at its distal end to a manually operated training lever.  
     
     
         10 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , which includes locating points for three hollow, round-section spigots, which are recessed at each end, and in which the three spigots serve three primary functions, as follows:- 
 A) they act as dividing and locating spacers for the positioning of a housing which sits on top the outer casing and contains two air lines that emanate from each air ram,    B) the two outer spigots act as communication channels for the passing of air lines from within the outer casing to the housing, and    C) the central spigot receives a bolt which passes into the superior aspect of the medially placed internal locating plate and serves to secure the housing to the outer casing.    
     
     
         11 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , which includes a main working assembly which supports the secondary resistance unit which is lockable and is arranged for rotation around a variable load cam or suitably structured training lever.  
     
     
         12 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the main working assembly includes a base plate, an upright supporting bracket is positioned at the distal end of the base plate and a pulley is mounted on the medial side of the bracket.  
     
     
         13 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , in which a variable resistance cam or lever is positioned centrally at the opposing end of the base plate and is supported on either side by two further upright brackets, the variable resistance cam or lever being arranged so that it lines up directly with the distally mounted pulley.  
     
     
         14 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , in which the cam or lever operates upon two recessed sealed bearings and is suspended and pivots upon a hardened spigot, which passes through and spans the two up-right brackets.  
     
     
         15 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the posterior aspect of the variable resistance cam has a profiled cut-out which the cut out provides a compartment for the location of a cam stop/positioning bar and an associated cable tensioning and cam positioning arrangement.  
     
     
         16 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , in which the cam stop bar spans the two upright cam-supporting brackets and is positioned inferiorly and posteriorly of the main cam bearings within the cam cut-out.  
     
     
         17 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 26 , in which a threaded shank passes centrally through the cam stop bar and has a turned adjusting knob, the distal end of the threaded shank communicating with the cam within the cut-out.  
     
     
         18 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , having a locking mechanism which includes a spring-loaded hardened bar, which is contained within a sleeve, with the spring resistance configured to displace the hardened bar distally and with the sleeve arranged so that it passes through both of the plates which serve to house the training lever bearing collars.  
     
     
         19 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , in which the proximal end of the sleeved bar has a collar fixed to it and this collar provides a hinged attachment for a handle, which is mounted adjacent the faceplate, the inferior aspect of the handle pivoting over a recessed spigot.  
     
     
         20 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , which includes an adjustable proprioceptive tilt mechanism.  
     
     
         21 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , in which the secondary resistance unit is attached to the central aspect of a pivotally mounted cross member, via a bearing assembly, the cross member being pivotally mounted on a frame of the exercise apparatus.  
     
     
         22 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , in which the degree of lateral stability is dependent on and controlled via a pneumatic system which includes two air rams, which are mounted within the pivotally mounted cross member.  
     
     
         23 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , in which the piston rod of each air ram communicates via a coupling to each distal end of the secondary resistance unit.  
     
     
         24 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , in which a locking plunger serves to lock or set the tilt mechanism in motion, the locking plunger being associated with the bearing assembly mounted upon the central aspect of the pivoting cross member.  
     
     
         25 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 24 , in which a bearing collar is set into a bearing recess at each distal end of a cross member, and in which the bearing points on the cross member serve as pivot points for the secondary resistance system. bearing.  
     
     
         26 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , which includes a vertically positioned linear shaft and a collar containing a set of linear bearings is positioned upon the shaft, a plate being mounted on the collar.  
     
     
         27 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 26 , in which a bearing assembly is mounted to the top face of the plate and the secondary resistance unit is mounted to the bearing assembly.  
     
     
         28 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , in which a locking plunger is mounted inferiorly of the bearing assembly and the distal end of the locking plunger corresponds with a hole drilled upon the lower aspect and on the face of the plate.  
     
     
         29 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , which includes mounting means for the secondary resistance unit comprising a pair of horizontally positioned linear slides which are mounted to a pivotally mounted mounting bracket, which in turn is mounted to the central aspect of a cross member which in turn is pivotally mounted on a frame of the exercise apparatus.  
     
     
         30 . An exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , in which two linear bearing collars are mounted to the horizontally positioned linear slides and the secondary resistance unit is mounted, via a tilt mechanism which includes a locking plunger, to the two linear bearing collars.