Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device is provided which includes a surface for supporting a body of a user and a frame(s) for supporting the surface(s) above a floor. Resistance device(s) are connected to the device for providing resistance to movement of the user. A mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the orientation of the surface relative to the floor during an exercise routine. Also mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the orientation of the resistance devise(s) relative to the floor during an exercise routine. And mechanism(s) may be provided for changing the orientation of the surface(s) and the resistance devise(s) relative to the floor and to each other during an exercise routine. The resistance devise(s) may include component(s) for converting user motion into energy, electricity, etc. to power the exercise devise. Energy storage devices may be used with charging and recharging ability. Display device(s) may be provided to display various information relating to an exercise routine(s) to the user and to other(s). Computer control(s) may be included for controlling the amount of resistance provided by the resistance device(s) and for controlling the orientation of the support surface(s) relative to the floor and to hip extension and flexion. Memory device(s) may be associated with the computer control for storing exercise routine(s), recording the results of performed exercise routines and other information. Input device(s) may be provided with the computer control for user input information and output device(s) may also be associated with the computer control for outputting the results of performed exercise routine(s) and other information.

1 . An exercise device comprising: 
 means for supporting a user above a floor;    means for changing an orientation of said means for supporting a user relative to said floor during an exercise routine;    means for user generating electrical energy wherein the electrical energy is used to change the orientation of said user.    
     
     
         2 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , further including means, engageable by said user and associated with said means for supporting a user and for providing resistance to movement of said user.  
     
     
         3 . An exercise devise according to  claim 2 , further including means for adjusting an amount of resistance provided by said means for providing resistance during an exercise routine.  
     
     
         4 . An exercise device according to  claim 2 , further including means for generating energy to power exercise devise.  
     
     
         5 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , further includes means for storage of energy.  
     
     
         6 . An exercise device according to  claim 5 , wherein said means for storage of energy further including means for charging and recharging a means for energy storage.  
     
     
         7 . An exercise device according to  claim 5 , further includes means for using a storage of energy.  
     
     
         8 . An exercise device according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for providing resistance includes foot supports for engagement by feet of said user, said foot supports rotatably connected to said means for support of a user.  
     
     
         9 . An exercise device according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for providing resistance includes supports for engagement by feet of said user, said foot supports connected to means that allow for an oval motion path of travel of the foot supports and connected to said means for support of a user.  
     
     
         10 . An exercise device according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for providing resistance includes graspable supports for engagement by hands of said user, said hand supports rotatably connected to said means for support of a user.  
     
     
         11 . An exercise device according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for providing resistance includes graspable supports for engagement by hands of said user, said hand supports pivotally connected to said means for support of a user.  
     
     
         12 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for support of a user includes a seat and back rest.  
     
     
         13 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for support of a user includes foot supports.  
     
     
         14 . An exercise devise according to  claim 1 , further including manually graspable support means for providing a user additional support.  
     
     
         15 . An exercise device according to  claim 14 , wherein said means for support as a seat and said manually graspable support means includes hand grips positioned below said seat.  
     
     
         16 . An exercise device according to  claim 14 , wherein said hand grips are secured to said means for supporting a user in a direction that a user would face when seated on said seat.  
     
     
         17 . An exercise device according to  claim 16 , wherein said hand grips are secured to said means for supporting a user and wrap around to be directed in a direction that a user would face when seated on said seat.  
     
     
         18 . An exercise device according to  claim 14 , further including means for adjusting the graspable support means closer to or further from the user.  
     
     
         19 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , further including a frame supporting said user above a floor;  
     
     
         20 . An exercise device according to  claim 19 , wherein said frame includes a main frame engagable with the floor and a sub-frame attached to said surface and connecting means between said main frame and sub-frame to permit movement;  
     
     
         21 . An exercise device according to  claim 19 , wherein said frame includes a main frame attached to said surface and engagable with the floor and a sub-frame attached to said resistance means and connecting means between said main frame and sub-frame to permit movement;  
     
     
         22 . An exercise device according to  claim 19 , wherein said frame includes a main frame engagable with the floor and sub-frames attached to said surface and attached to said resistance means and connecting means between said main frame and sub-frames to permit movement;  
     
     
         23 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said support surface includes a powered actuating device.  
     
     
         24 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said means for supporting a user permits means to be adjustably oriented through a range from horizontal to vertical.  
     
     
         25 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said means for supporting a user includes a pivot connection between said means for supporting a user, permitting a forward and rearward tilting of said user positioned on said means for supporting a user.  
     
     
         26 . An exercise device according to  claim 2 , further including means for changing an orientation of said means, engageable by said user and associated with said means for supporting a user; for providing resistance to movement of said user.  
     
     
         27 . An exercise device according to  claim 26 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said means for resistance permits said means for resistance to be adjustably oriented through a range from horizontal to vertical.  
     
     
         28 . An exercise device according to  claim 26 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said means for resistance includes a pivot connection between said means for supporting a user, permitting a upward and downward tilting of said means for resistance.  
     
     
         29 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said means for supporting a user and means for resistance permits means to be adjustably oriented through a range from horizontal to vertical.  
     
     
         30 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said means for supporting a user and means for resistance includes a pivot connection between said means for supporting a user and means for resistance, permitting a forward and rearward tilting of said user positioned on said means for supporting a user and means for resistance.  
     
     
         31 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said means for supporting a user permits said surface to be adjustably oriented about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         32 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said support permits said support to be adjustably oriented through a range of 360 degrees in either direction about said vertical axis.  
     
     
         33 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said support permits said support to be adjustably oriented along an axis.  
     
     
         34 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said support includes a means for changing the orientation of said support about three perpendicular axes.  
     
     
         35 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for changing orientation of said support includes a means for translating said support along at least one of three and in any combination of the three perpendicular axes.  
     
     
         36 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , further including means for displaying selected information relating to use of said device by said user.  
     
     
         37 . An exercise device according to  claim 36 , wherein said information includes a exercise program to be followed by said user.  
     
     
         38 . An exercise device according to  claim 36 , wherein said information includes results of said movement of said user against said means for providing resistance.  
     
     
         39 . An exercise device according to  claim 36 , further including means for transmitting said information to a location remote from said device.  
     
     
         40 . An exercise device according to  claim 36 , further including means for transmitting said results to a location remote from said device.  
     
     
         41 . An exercise device according to  claim 1 , wherein said exercise device includes a control system to operate said means for changing orientation.  
     
     
         42 . An exercise device according to  claim 2 , wherein said exercise device includes a control system to operate said means for providing resistance to movement of said user.  
     
     
         43 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a frame situated on the floor;    means for supporting a user;    means for changing an orientation of said means for supporting a user relative to said floor during an exercise routine;    means, engageable by said user and associated with said means for supporting a user; for providing resistance to movement of said user; and    means for user generating electrical energy wherein the electrical energy is used to change the orientation of said user.    
     
     
         44 . An exercise device according to  claim 40 , wherein said exercise device further includes a control system to operate means for changing orientation and of said means for providing resistance to movement of said user.  
     
     
         45 . An exercise device comprising: 
 a frame situated on the floor;    means for supporting a user;    means for changing an orientation of said means for supporting a user relative to said floor during an exercise routine;    means, engageable by said user and associated with said means for supporting a user; for providing resistance to movement of said user;    means for user generating electrical energy wherein the electrical energy is used to change the orientation of said user;    means for displaying information relating to use of said device by said user; and    means for controlling said device.    
     
     
         46 . An exercise device according to  claim 40 , wherein said exercise device further includes a control system to operate means for changing orientation and of said means for providing resistance to movement of said user in harmony with each other.  
     
     
         47 . An exercise device comprising: 
 A frame situated on the floor;    means for supporting a user;    means for changing an orientation of said means for supporting a user relative to said floor during an exercise routine;    means, engageable by said user and associated with said means for supporting a user; for providing resistance to movement of said user;    means for user generating electrical energy wherein the electrical energy is used to change the orientation of said user;    means for displaying information relating to use of said device by said user; and    means for controlling said device and, wherein said control system further operates means for changing orientation and of said means for providing resistance to movement of said user in harmony with each other.    
     
     
         48 . An exercise device comprising: 
 A frame situated on the floor;    means for supporting a user;    means for changing an orientation of said means for supporting a user relative to said floor during an exercise routine;    means, engageable by said user and associated with said means for supporting a user; for providing resistance to movement of said user;    means for user generating electrical energy wherein the electrical energy is used to change the orientation of said user;    means for using a storage of energy and wherein said energy storage means is rechargeable.    means for displaying information relating to use of said device by said user; and means for controlling said device and, wherein said control system further operates means for changing orientation and of said means for providing resistance to movement of said user in harmony with each other.