Stationary pedal exerciser with handle

Abstract

A pedal exerciser for therapeutic and/or aerobic exercise including a handle attached to the exerciser frame wherein the handle is engaged by a user to secure the exerciser in place during use, to lift or more the exerciser, or to otherwise engage the upper body of the user. The handle may be adjustable in both the lateral and vertical directions with respect to a support surface upon which the exerciser rests. The handle may also pivot to provide therapeutic or aerobic upper body benefits while a user pedals the exerciser by foot. Accessories, such as pedometers, timers, or the like, may be attached to the handle so as to be accessible to the user during use of the exerciser.

1 . A stationary pedal exerciser comprising:
 a frame positioned on a support surface, the frame including at least a first foot bar and a second foot bar to provide lateral stability, each foot bar connected to at least one other foot bar via a frame body member;   a rotatable pedal apparatus connected to the frame, the pedal apparatus engaged by a user during use of the exerciser; and   a handle connected to the frame, the handle comprising a grip portion.   
     
     
         2 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is adjustable in both a lateral and vertical direction with respect to the support surface. 
     
     
         3 . The exerciser of  claim 2 , wherein the handle further comprises a first tube, a second tube, and a third tube; and
 wherein the first tube is connected to the body member and comprises a plurality of spaced and aligned apertures;   the third tube comprises a plurality of spaced and aligned apertures and the grip portion;   the second tube is inserted into and joining the first tube and the third tube, the second tube including at least one releasable fastening mechanism to engage at least one of the apertures of the first tube and at least one of the apertures of the third tube.   
     
     
         4 . The exerciser of  claim 3 , wherein the second tube is not straight. 
     
     
         5 . The exerciser of  claim 3 , wherein the grip portion of the handle comprises a horizontally aligned grip. 
     
     
         6 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is pivotally attached to the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The exerciser of  claim 6 , wherein the handle is adjustable in both a lateral and vertical direction with respect to the support surface. 
     
     
         8 . The exerciser of  claim 6 , wherein a friction knob is operable to adjust the friction of the pivotal rotation of the handle. 
     
     
         9 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein at least one accessory is attached to the exerciser, the at least one accessory selected from the group comprising pedometers, pedal counters, timers, and pulse counters. 
     
     
         10 . The exerciser of  claim 1 , wherein the body member comprise an inverted, U-shape with two end portions angled at about 45 degree angles with respect to the support surface, the end portions joined by a horizontal portion of the body member. 
     
     
         11 . The exerciser of  claim 10 , wherein the handle is adjustable in both a lateral and vertical direction with respect to the support surface. 
     
     
         12 . The exerciser of  claim 11 , wherein the handle further comprises a first tube, a second tube, and a third tube; and
 wherein the first tube is connected to the body member and comprises a plurality of spaced and aligned apertures;   the third tube comprises a plurality of spaced and aligned apertures and the grip portion;   the second tube is inserted into and joining the first tube and the third tube, the second tube including at least one releasable fastening mechanism to engage at least one of the apertures of the first tube and at least one of the apertures of the third tube.   
     
     
         13 . The exerciser of  claim 12 , wherein the first tube is connected to an end portion of the body member, the first tube angled at about a 45 degree angle with respect to the support surface. 
     
     
         14 . The exerciser of  claim 13 , wherein the second tube is not straight, and wherein the third tube comprises an angle relative to the support surface that is greater or smaller than the angle of the first tube relative to the support surface. 
     
     
         15 . The exerciser of  claim 2 , wherein the handle further comprises a first tube, a second tube; and
 wherein the first tube is connected to the body member, the first tube including at least one releasable fastening mechanism;   the second tube comprises a plurality of spaced and aligned apertures and the grip portion; and   wherein the releasable fastening mechanism engages at least one of the apertures of the second to adjustably position the second tube on the first tube.