Exercise machine

Abstract

An exercise machine comprises a base, an upright support beam, a resistive force assembly is attached to the upright support beam and a lower body support assembly attached to at least one of the base and the upright support beam. The upright support beam is rigidly attached to the base and extends above the base. The resistive force assembly includes an upper body engagement portion that is movably mounted on the upright support beam, is axially displaceable relative to the upright support beam. The resistive force assembly is configured for providing a resistive force and exerting the resistive force on the upper body engagement portion when the upper body engagement portion is displaced. The lower body support assembly includes a lower body engagement portion that is positioned between the base and the upper body engagement portion of the resistive force assembly.

1 . An exercise machine, comprising: 
 a support structure;    a force providing assembly attached to the support structure, wherein the force providing assembly includes an upper body engagement portion that is movably mounted on the support structure, that is axially displaceable relative to the support structure and that has a respective support surface configured for being engaged from a first direction and wherein the force providing assembly is configured for providing a force and exerting the force on the upper body engagement portion when the upper body engagement portion is displaced; and    a lower body support assembly attached to the support structure and including a lower body engagement portion that has a respective support surface configured for being engaged from a second direction generally opposite the first direction.    
   
   
       2 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the force is one of approximately proportional to a degree of displacement of the upper body engagement portion and essentially constant relative to the degree of displacement.  
   
   
       3 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the upper body engagement portion of the force providing assembly is axially adjustable to a plurality of at-rest positions; and    the lower body engagement portion of the lower body support assembly is axially adjustable to a plurality of static in-use positions.    
   
   
       4 . The machine of  claim 3  wherein: 
 at least one of the upper body engagement portion of the force providing assembly and the lower body engagement portion of the lower body support assembly is vertically adjustable relative to a base of the support structure.    
   
   
       5 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein: 
 at least one of the upper body engagement portion of the force providing assembly and the lower body engagement portion of the lower body support assembly is vertically adjustable relative to a base of the support structure.    
   
   
       6 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the force provided by the force providing assembly is provided by at least one of a gravitational force apparatus and a resistive force apparatus.  
   
   
       7 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the force is one of approximately proportional to a degree of displacement of the upper body engagement portion and essentially constant relative to the degree of displacement;    the upper body engagement portion of the force providing assembly is axially adjustable to a plurality of at-rest positions;    the lower body engagement portion of the lower body support assembly is axially adjustable to a plurality of static in-use positions;    at least one of the upper body engagement portion of the force providing assembly and the lower body engagement portion of the lower body support assembly is vertically adjustable relative to a base of the support structure; and    the force provided by the force providing assembly is provided by at least one of a gravitational force apparatus and a resistive force apparatus.    
   
   
       8 . An exercise machine, comprising: 
 a base;    an upright support beam rigidly attached to the base, wherein the upright support beam extends above the base;    a resistive force assembly attached to the upright support beam, wherein the resistive force assembly includes an upper body engagement portion that is movably mounted on the upright support beam, that is axially displaceable relative to the upright support beam and that has a respective support surface configured for being engaged from a first direction and wherein the resistive force assembly is configured for providing a resistive force and exerting the resistive force on the upper body engagement portion when the upper body engagement portion is displaced; and    a lower body support assembly attached to at least one of the base and the upright support beam, wherein the lower body support assembly includes a lower body engagement portion that is positioned between the base and the upper body engagement portion of the resistive force assembly and that has a respective support surface configured for being engaged from a second direction generally opposite the first direction.    
   
   
       9 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein the resistive force is approximately proportional to a degree of displacement of the upper body engagement portion.  
   
   
       10 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein: 
 the upper body engagement portion of the force providing assembly is axially adjustable to a plurality of at-rest positions; and    the lower body engagement portion of the lower body support assembly is axially adjustable to a plurality of static in-use positions.    
   
   
       11 . The machine of  claim 10  wherein: 
 at least one of the upper body engagement portion of the force providing assembly and the lower body engagement portion of the lower body support assembly is vertically adjustable relative to a base of the support structure.    
   
   
       12 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein: 
 at least one of the upper body engagement portion of the force providing assembly and the lower body engagement portion of the lower body support assembly is vertically adjustable relative to a base of the support structure.    
   
   
       13 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein the force provided by the force providing assembly is provided by at least one of a gravitational force apparatus and a resistive force apparatus.  
   
   
       14 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein: 
 the resistive force is approximately proportional to a degree of displacement of the upper body engagement portion;    the upper body engagement portion of the force providing assembly is axially adjustable to a plurality of at-rest positions;    the lower body engagement portion of the lower body support assembly is axially adjustable to a plurality of static in-use positions;    at least one of the upper body engagement portion of the force providing assembly and the lower body engagement portion of the lower body support assembly is vertically adjustable relative to a base of the support structure; and    the force provided by the force providing assembly is provided by at least one of a gravitational force apparatus and a resistive force apparatus.    
   
   
       15 . An exercise machine, comprising: 
 a support structure;    means for engaging an upper body portion of a user, wherein said means for engaging the upper body portion is movably mounted on the support structure and has a respective support surface configured for being engaged from a first direction;    means for providing a force and exerting the force on said means for engaging the upper body portion when said means for engaging the upper body portion is displaced; and    means for supporting a lower body portion of the user attached to the support structure, wherein said means for engaging the lower body portion has a respective support surface configured for being engaged from a second direction generally opposite the first direction.    
   
   
       16 . The machine of  claim 15  wherein the force is approximately proportional to a degree of displacement of the upper body engagement portion.  
   
   
       17 . The machine of  claim 15  wherein: 
 the respective support surface of said means for engaging the upper body is axially adjustable to a plurality of at-rest positions; and    the respective support surface of said means for supporting the lower body is axially adjustable to a plurality of static in-use positions.    
   
   
       18 . The machine of  claim 15  wherein: 
 at least one of the respective support surface of said means for engaging the upper body and the respective support surface of said means for supporting the lower body is vertically adjustable relative to a base of the support structure.    
   
   
       19 . The machine of  claim 15  wherein the force provided by said means for providing the force is provided by at least one of a gravitational force apparatus and a resistive force apparatus.  
   
   
       20 . The machine of  claim 15  wherein: the force is approximately proportional to a degree of displacement of the upper body engagement portion; 
 the respective support surface of said means for engaging the upper body is axially adjustable to a plurality of at-rest positions;    the respective support surface of said means for supporting the lower body is axially adjustable to a plurality of static in-use positions;    at least one of the respective support surface of said means for engaging the upper body and the respective support surface of said means for supporting the lower body is vertically adjustable relative to a base of the support structure; and    the force provided by said means for providing the force is provided by at least one of a gravitational force apparatus and a resistive force apparatus.