Exercise assisting apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for assisting the movement of a user during exercise. The apparatus comprises a base member and a support member having first and second ends rotatably connected to the base member at the first end and being resiliently bendable between said first and second ends. The apparatus further includes a lock for fixing the first end of the support member at an initial position relative to the base member at a locked angle, wherein the support member is adapted to resiliently bend when a force is applied to it by the user. The met comprises resiliently bending the support member between the first and second ends such that the second end is oriented to a second position in response to receiving force applied by the user and resiliently unbending the support member to the first position so as to assist in lifting the user to an initial position.

1 . An apparatus for assisting the movement of a user during exercise, the apparatus comprising:
 a base member;   a support member having first and second ends, said support member being rotatably connected to said base member at said first end and being resiliently bendable between said first and second ends; and   a lock for fixing said first end of said support member at a set angle relative to said base member at a locked angle,   wherein said support member is adapted to resiliently bend when a force is applied thereto by a user.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support member is rotatably connected to said base member about an axis of rotation. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a shaft secured to one of said support member or said base member rotatable within a support block of the other of said support member or said base member for rotation about said axis. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said lock further comprises a clamp secured to said support block for selectively damping said shaft so as to prevent rotation between said base member and said support member. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said clamp comprises a plurality of flexible fingers surrounding said shaft being adapted to be biased into frictional contact with said shaft. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said plurality of flexible fingers are biased by a cam ring. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said clamp further comprises a compressible collar surrounding said shaft, said compressible collar having a tensioner adapted to shorten said compressible collar so as to grip said shaft. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said tensioner comprises a lever operated cam. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said compressible collar bears upon said plurality of flexible fingers. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said lock further comprises an indexed collar surrounding said shaft and rotatably fixed relative to one of said shaft or support block, said indexed collar being adapted to selectively engage a corresponding indexed surface secured to the other of said shaft or said support block. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said indexed collar is rotatably fixed relative to said support back. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said indexed collar comprises projections adapted to engage corresponding notches in said indexed surface. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support member comprises a cantilever spring adapted to support a portion of the body of the user. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said support member comprises a substantially planar member. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said support member has a substantially constant modulus of bending elasticity between said first and second ends. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said support member has a greater modulus of bending elasticity proximate to said first end. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said support member has a greater modulus of bending elasticity proximate to said second end. 
   
   
       18 . A method for assisting the movement of a user during exercise, the method comprising:
 providing a support member having first end and a second free end;   rotatably orienting said support member at a first position such that said first end is fixed at an angle of inclination relative to horizontal;   resiliently bending said support member between said first and second ends, such that said second end is oriented to a second position in response to receiving force applied by the user; and   resiliently unbending said support member to said first position so as to assist in lifting the user to an initial position.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising rotatably fixing said support member relative to a base member with a lock.