Squat exercise apparatus

Abstract

A squat exercise apparatus ( 10 ) provides back support ( 12 ) for a user ( 20 ) leaning against a support surface ( 22 ) while performing a squat exercise. A frame ( 12 ) connected to the back support is rolled along the support surface by wheels ( 18 ) as the user lowers and raises his/her torso. An arm support ( 16 ) allows the user to grasp the apparatus and to comfortably rest his/her arms during the exercise. A portable heart monitor display ( 48 ) may be attached to the handle portion ( 26 ) of the arm support. Pivoting connections ( 42 ) allow upper and lower back support pads ( 38, 40 ) to be rotated to a comfortable position for a variety of users. A supplemental weight attachment ( 52 ) allows the user to increase the weight lifted during the exercise. A shoulder support ( 62 ) may be used to facilitate the lifting of the weight of the apparatus. A support base ( 58 ) may be used to provide a desired height to the apparatus when placed on a floor ( 60 ).

We claim as our invention:  
     
         1 . A squat exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a frame;    a back support connected to the frame; and    a rolling member connected to the frame and protruding beyond the frame to make rolling contact with a support surface when the apparatus is urged against the support surface by a user's back being leaned against the back support.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rolling member further comprises a plurality of wheels rotatably attached to the frame.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising at least three wheels rotatably attached to the frame.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising four wheels rotatably attached to the frame.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the back support further comprises: 
 a lower support pad for making contact with a lower portion of a user's torso; and    an upper support pad for making contact with an upper portion of a user's torso.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the back support further comprises a pivoting connection for providing a plurality of positions of the back support relative to the frame.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a locking mechanism for holding the pivoting connection in a selected position.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an arm support connected to the frame.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a handle disposed at a distal end of the arm support opposed the frame.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a portable heart monitor display connected to the handle.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a portable heart monitor display connected to the frame.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 the frame comprising a generally rectangular shape and having a generally horizontal upper member and a generally horizontal lower member interconnected at respective opposed ends by opposed generally vertical members;    the back support comprising a generally B-shape member having a generally straight portion connected at opposed ends to the upper and lower members respectively and a curved portion extending in a direction opposed the rolling member.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a generally U-shaped arm support connected to the frame at opposed corners and extending in the direction opposed the rolling member and extending beyond the generally B-shaped member.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising opposed ends of the generally U-shaped arm support being bent to form respective handles.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a free weight removably attached to the apparatus.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a shoulder support connected to the frame.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a support base connected to the frame.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a shoulder support connected to the frame.  
     
     
         19 . A squat exercise apparatus comprising: 
 a back support for receiving force exerted by the torso of a user as the user leans against the back support with the back support between the user and a substantially vertical support surface; and    a means for rolling the back support along the substantially vertical support surface as the user performs a squat exercise.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a means for applying a supplemental vertical force to the apparatus as the user performs the squat exercise.