Support apparatus for an exercise machine

Abstract

A user support apparatus for an exercise machine. The user support apparatus is interconnected to a frame of the exercise machine and includes at least one handhold interconnected to a user support. The user support is generally a fixed length member such as a rope or cable that a user of the exercise machine may use for support while exercising. The length of the user support may be adjustable. The position of an anchor point for the user support relative to the user may be adjustable, thus allowing the user support to be anchored generally above the user for overhead support, generally in front of the user for pulling support, or at an intermediate position for a combination of overhead and pulling support.

1 . An exercise treadmill comprising:
 a. a frame having a front end, a rear end, a left side, and a right side;   b. a longitudinal axis extending from said front end to said rear end and disposed between said left side and said right side, wherein a lateral dimension is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;   c. a movable endless belt disposed along said longitudinal axis;   d. a first anchor point;   e. a second anchor point, wherein said first and second anchor points are spaced in said lateral dimension, wherein said first and second anchor points are disposed at an elevation greater than a maximum elevation of said movable endless belt;   f. a handhold, wherein said handhold comprises an elongated bar with a first elongated bar attachment point and a second elongated bar attachment point, wherein said first and second elongated bar attachment points are spaced from each other; and   g. a first user support and a second user support,   wherein said handhold is supportably interconnected to said first and second user supports,   wherein said first user support extends between said first elongated bar attachment point and said first anchor point, wherein said first user support is connected to said elongated bar at said first elongated bar attachment point, wherein said first user support is connected to said first anchor point,   wherein said second user support extends between said second elongated bar attachment point and said second anchor point, wherein said second user support is connected to said elongated bar at said second elongated bar attachment point, wherein said second user support is connected to said second anchor point,   wherein a length of said first user support between said first elongated bar attachment point and said first anchor point is adjustably fixed, wherein said first user support between said first elongated bar attachment point and said first anchor point is flaccid and substantially inelastic,   wherein a length of said second user support between said second elongated bar attachment point and said second anchor point is adjustably fixed, wherein said second user support between said second elongated bar attachment point and said second anchor point is flaccid and substantially inelastic.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 1 , further comprising a crossmember fixedly interconnected to said frame, wherein said crossmember extends from said left side of said exercise treadmill to said right side of said exercise treadmill, wherein said first and second anchor points are connected to said crossmember. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein said crossmember is welded to said frame. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein said exercise treadmill further comprises a console, wherein said first and second anchor points are disposed at an elevation greater than a maximum elevation of said console. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 4 , wherein said first anchor point is disposed at most 12 inches above said maximum elevation of said console, wherein said second anchor point is disposed at most 12 inches above said maximum elevation of said console. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 5 , wherein said first and second anchor points are each located farther from said rear end than at least a portion of said console. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein said exercise treadmill further comprises a console, wherein said console comprises at least a portion of said crossmember. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first ring, wherein said first ring encircles a portion of said crossmember, wherein a portion of said first user support passes through said first ring;   a second ring, wherein said second ring encircles a portion of said crossmember, wherein a portion of said second user support passes through said second ring.   
     
     
         9 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein said crossmember comprises a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is attached to said frame on said left side, wherein said second end is attached to said frame on said right side. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 2 , wherein said crossmember comprises a left side portion, a right side portion and a center portion, wherein said center portion is telescopically interconnected to at least one of the left side portion and the right side portion such that a distance between the left side portion and right side portion is adjustably fixed, wherein said left side portion is interconnected to a left side hand rail of said exercise treadmill, wherein said right side portion is interconnected to a right side hand rail of said exercise treadmill. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first friction member fixedly connected to said to said left hand rail;   a second friction member fixedly connected to said to said left side portion, wherein said first friction member is in contact with said second friction member;   a third friction member fixedly connected to said to said right hand rail;   a fourth friction member fixedly connected to said to said right side portion, wherein said third friction member is in contact with said fourth friction member;   a first plurality of clamping members clamping said left side portion to said left hand rail;   a second plurality of clamping members clamping said right side portion to said right hand rail.   
     
     
         12 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 2 , further comprising an accessory support member adjustably interconnected to said crossmember. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 12 , wherein said accessory support member comprises at least one of a first set of coplanar holes and a second set of coplanar holes, wherein said first set of coplanar holes are arranged in a first square pattern wherein said first square pattern measures 100 mm along each side thereof, wherein said second set of coplanar holes are arranged in a second square pattern wherein said second square pattern measures 75 mm along each side thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 12 , wherein said accessory support member comprises an extension portion extending away from said crossmember, wherein said extension portion is interconnected to said crossmember, wherein said extension portion is pivotable. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 14 , wherein said extension portion is a U-shaped portion, wherein first and second ends of said U-shaped portion are interconnected to said crossmember. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 14 , further comprising a removable and replaceable sleeve, wherein said sleeve comprises a planar surface, wherein said sleeve is positioned about at least a portion of said extension portion, wherein said extension portion is at least pivotable from a horizontal position to a vertical position, wherein when said extension portion is in said horizontal position, said planar surface is horizontal and provides a horizontal accessory support surface. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 16 , wherein said extension portion is operable to pivot 90 degrees in a first direction from a vertical position, wherein said extension portion is operable to pivot 90 degrees in a second direction from said vertical position, wherein said first direction is opposite from said second direction. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 17 , further comprising first and second clamps, wherein said first and second clamps are each operable to be in a loosened state wherein said extension portion is operable to pivot relative to said crossmember and in a tightened state wherein said extension portion is fixed relative to said crossmember. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a waist pad, wherein said waist pad comprises an elongated pad having two opposed ends, wherein said waist pad is positionable around at least a portion of a waist of a user positioned on said exercise treadmill;   a third anchor point, wherein said third anchor point is disposed at an elevation greater than a maximum elevation of said movable endless belt;   an elastic waist support member, wherein said elastic waist support member elastically interconnects said waist pad to said third anchor point.   
     
     
         20 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 19 , wherein said third anchor point is disposed along said crossmember between said first and second anchor points. 
     
     
         21 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a support strap, wherein said support strap is an elongated strap having two opposed ends, wherein said waist pad is disposed along a portion of said support strap, wherein said opposed ends of said support strap are each coupled to said elastic waist support member, wherein said elastic waist support member extends between said opposed ends of said support strap and said third anchor point such that said opposed ends of said support strap and said third anchor point are elastically interconnected.   
     
     
         22 . An exercise treadmill comprising:
 a. a frame having a front end and a rear end;   b. a longitudinal axis extending from said front end to said rear end;   c. a movable endless belt disposed along said longitudinal axis;   d. a crossmember fixedly connected to said frame, wherein said crossmember is disposed above said movable endless belt, wherein at least a portion of said crossmember is oriented laterally;   e. a handhold, wherein said handhold comprises an elongated bar with a first elongated bar attachment point and a second elongated bar attachment point, wherein said first and second elongated bar attachment points are spaced from each other;   f. a first user support and a second user support,   wherein said handhold is supportably interconnected to said first and second user supports,   wherein said first user support is connected to said elongated bar at said first elongated bar attachment point, wherein said first user support is connected to said crossmember,   wherein said second user support is connected to said elongated bar at said second elongated bar attachment point, wherein said second user support is connected to said crossmember; and   g. an accessory support member adjustably interconnected to said crossmember, wherein said accessory support member comprises a U-shaped member extending away from said crossmember, wherein first and second ends of said U-shaped member are pivotally interconnected to said crossmember, wherein said U-shaped member is operable to pivot 90 degrees in a first direction from a vertical position, wherein said U-shaped member is operable to pivot 90 degrees in a second direction from said vertical position, wherein said first direction is opposite from said second direction.   
     
     
         23 . The exercise treadmill of  claim 22 , further comprising a removable and replaceable sleeve, wherein said sleeve comprises a planar surface, wherein said sleeve is positioned about at least a portion of said U-shaped member, wherein when said U-shaped member is in a horizontal position, said planar surface is horizontal and provides a horizontal accessory support surface.